News
Sajith slams Ranil’s Red Sea move
Opposition and Samagi Jana Balwegaya leader Sajith Premadasa has said he was surprised by President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s declaration that Sri Lanka would send a warship to the Red Sea to deter Houthi attacks on commercial ships.
Premadasa said that the President’s claim that a warship would be deployed because Houthi attacks caused an increase in the prices of goods here couldn’t be accepted.
The SJB leader said so on Saturday (06), addressing a gathering at Nadagamuwa junior school, Minuwangoda, after declaring open a smart classroom built at a cost of Rs 1 mn. His response was the first from the Opposition after President Wickremesinghe, on 03 Jan., disclosed his directive to the Navy regarding the Red Sea mission.
Premadasa said that the proposed Red Sea deployment should be examined against the backdrop of the pathetic state of the economy and further deterioration in the wake of the increase and expansion of the Value Added Tax (VAT) with effect from 01 Jan., 2024.
“Why should Sri Lanka undertake such a costly military operation at a time when we are unable to meet even the basic requirements of our own citizens,” Premadasa said, urging the government to allow major powers to counter the challenge posed by the Houthis.
Commenting on the rapid increase in the cost of living in the wake of the VAT hike, MP Premadasa found fault with the government for its failure to recover stolen money. Those who robbed the country elected Wickremesinghe as the President in July 2022 and continued to back his agenda, MP Premadasa said. President Wickremesinghe reciprocated by protecting the crooks, the SJB leader alleged.
MP Premadasa said that those who joined the SJB hadn’t been promised any privileges and money. The party funds wouldn’t be used to engineer crossovers, the Opposition Leader said (SF)
A meeting between UN Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche and Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi was held on Monday (07) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
Particular attention was given to the Government’s programme to resettle people who lost their homes due to Cyclone Ditwah.
The Government’s programme to address potential disasters that may arise in the future amid El Nino conditions was also discussed. The Chief of Staff to the President briefed the UN Resident Coordinator on the Government’s preparedness and plans to address such challenges.
Mr Franche stated that the United Nations was prepared to provide the necessary assistance to the Government to support the successful implementation of these programmes.
Partnerships and Development Finance Specialist at the United Nations Azam Bakeer Markar and UN Sri Lanka Humanitarian and Resilience Officer Wagisha Perera also participated in the discussion.
[President’s Media Division]
[ Cricbuzz]
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Udaygiri arrived at the Port of Colombo on an official visit today, 8 September 2026, where it was received by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with time-
honoured naval traditions.
INS Udaygiri is a 149.02m long Frigate, Commanded by Captain Vikas Sood. Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship is scheduled to call on Commander Western Naval
Area, Rear Admiral Harsha De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
Captain Sood served as the Defence Adviser at the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka from July 2020 to October 2023.
During their stay in the island, the crew of INS Udaygiri will participate in several goodwill events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two forces.
The visiting personnel are also scheduled to visit prominent tourist and cultural locations across the island.
Additionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel are expected to visit the ship for capability observation and knowledge sharing, and will conduct onboard training during its stay.
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