News
GMOF applauds new anti-terror law, urges prez to tackle ‘TU terror’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Amidst growing opposition to the proposed Anti-Terrorism Law that it could be used to suppress political dissent and trade unions, Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the National Hospital yesterday (04) bravely declared that the government should enact the new law fast.
Speaking on behalf of the Government Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF) Dr. Bellana said that the vast majority of the population wanted the government to deal with what he called trade union terror.
Dr. Bellana said that as the public sector trade union movement was on the rampage the government should enact new legislation to meet the challenge.
The medical administrator found fault with the government and all political parties represented in parliament for their pathetic failure to rein in trade unions’ law unto themselves behaviour. Whatever their differences over political, economic and security issues, they couldn’t allow the public sector to cause further debilitation.
Asked whether he also opposed the ongoing public sector trade union campaign against Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government’s new tax formula, Dr. Bellana said that it should be reversed. Declaring the new tax regime was unacceptable under any circumstances, Dr. Bellana said he opposed taking hapless people hostage in a bid to pressure the government.
Regardless of a massive mandate received by Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the last presidential election in Nov 2019 followed by SLPP’s landslide victory at the parliamentary poll in Aug 2020, the President failed to exploit the situation. Had the President paid attention to issues at hand, he could have realised the need to revamp the public sector and rein in trade unions, Dr. Bellana said.
The proposed anti-terrorism law was nothing but a dire necessity, Dr. Bellana said, adding that President Wickremesinghe should go ahead with it. The trade unionist urged Opposition political parties not to shed crocodile tears for trade unions and media but throw their weight behind the proposed legislation.
Recent reportage of trade union activity exposed their terrorist like strategies, therefore they shouldn’t expect any mercy from the government, Dr. Bellana said. Responding to another query, Dr. Bellana alleged that some trade union leaders and senior representatives lived in luxury. “Some of them are in the habit of taking as much as Rs 200,000 to arrange a transfer or someone to secure a lucrative appointment,” Dr. Bellana said.
“I’m not afraid to say that the health sector is one of the most corrupt here,” Bellana said, urging the public to be cautious of utterly corrupt elements masquerading as trade unionists.
Dr. Bellana said that unless President Wickremesinghe received the backing of the parliament to strengthen law enforcement, the country could plunge into chaos. Having been elected as the President last July to complete the remainder of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s five-year term, the UNP leader had taken necessary measures to control those causing mayhem. The proposed introduction of anti-terrorism law seemed a step in the right direction, Dr. Bellana said, demanding that the Opposition stopped playing politics.
Latest News
Heat index, is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 27 April 2025, valid for 28 April 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Latest News
People have now started to think of themselves as Sri Lankans sans ethnic or religious divisions- PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that for the first time in history, mosques in Kandy had opened their doors to accommodate the needs of devotees visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and that people have now started to think of themselves as Sri Lankans beyond dividing into ethnicities and religions.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a public gathering held in the Paragahadeniya area in Kurunegala.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated:
“This country is undergoing a transformation we expected,so accordingly, we must operate in new ways. People are beginning to feel that we must work towards a new transformation. We can see this change even within our ministries. These days, sometimes when we visit ministries even after 5 PM, and ask if it is possible to have discussions, the officials are always open. Today, public officials are willing to work late into the night, until 9 or 10 PM. Officials have now started working without fear.
Remarkably, for the first time in history, Muslim mosques in Kandy remained open throughout the night to accommodate pilgrims visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. They even provided space for devotees to rest. There were no ethnic or religious tensions. What we saw was respect for other ethnicities and religions. This is happening because there is now a sense of a government that represents all Sri Lankan people, not just Sinhalese, Muslims, or Tamils”.
The event was attended by the candidates for the local government election including the residents of the area.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) has urged the NPP government to prevent Japan’s Onomichi Dockyard Company from selling its 51% ownership stake in the Colombo Dockyard Limited (CDL) to Indian government-owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai, a leading shipbuilder.
FSP spokesman Pubudu Jayagoda told The Island yesterday (27) that the move seemed to be in line with the overall India-Sri Lanka understanding on the basis of the recently signed memorandum on defence cooperation.
Against the backdrop of deteriorating financial situation, the Japanese company has informed the board of directors of CDL of its plans to divest its 51 percent ownership stake in the international shipbuilding and repair company. The Japanese shipbuilder made the announcement in early Dec last year.
Alleging that an agreement has been reached on the sale of Onomichi’s controlling ownership stake to the Indian ship builder, Jayagoda questioned
the move as Mazagon primarily built a range of warships and attack submarines. Jayagoda pointed out that according to Mazagon’s profile, the Indian government-owned business undertaking was involved with European companies engaged in ship and submarine construction.
Addressing a Local Government election meeting at Weeraketiya, Pallekanda, in support of those contesting the May 6 election on the ticket of Jana Aragala Sandhanaya (JAS), the executive committee member of JAS Jayagoda emphasized that in terms of the agreement between Sri Lanka and Japan, Onomichi couldn’t sell its stake without the Sri Lankan government’s approval. Therefore, the NPP government should intervene to halt the Japanese-Indian move, the FSP spokesman said while urging the parliamentary opposition to publicly oppose the planned sale of the Japanese stake.
Among other stakeholders are Sri Lanka Insurance, Sri Lanka Ports Authority and EPF.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Heat index, is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts
People have now started to think of themselves as Sri Lankans sans ethnic or religious divisions- PM
Heavy showers about 100 mm are likely at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Vavuniya, Mullaittivu and Kurunegala districts.
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