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UNP Chairman congratulates election winners

Published

2 years ago

2024/11/17

MP Wajira Abeywardena

The UNP extended its congratulations to the NPP on Friday, lauding their recent electoral victory, particularly their success in securing the trust of Northern voters.

Speaking at a press conference in Uluvitake, Galle, UNP Chairman and former MP Wajira Abeywardena, acknowledged the NPP’s achievement, emphasizing that it had now secured the parliamentary strength necessary to govern the country without impediment.

Abeywardena said that it was now incumbent on the NPP to deliver on the promises it made to the people during the election campaign.

“The NPP has now secured the power to govern without any hindrance. It is time for them to fulfil the high expectations the people have placed on them,” Abeywardena said. “The current President must also meet the significant hopes of the people. As Sri Lankans, we are pleased to see a political party from the South gaining the trust of the North.”

He said that after independence, Tamil leaders had represented the Cabinet at various times, though they did so on behalf of their respective political parties. “For example, while the former government’s Minister, Douglas Devananda, represented the Cabinet, he did not represent a political party from the South; he carried out his duties for his own party, not as a representative of the South,” Abeywardena said.

He said that the current political situation as a “special occasion,” pointing out that the success of a political party from the South in winning the confidence of voters in the North was a significant achievement. “This is a victory not only for the NPP but for Sri Lanka as a whole,” he said. “We, as Sri Lankans, must come together at times like this and build a consensus for the betterment of the country.”

Abeywardena also expressed the UNP’s perspective on the challenges facing the current government. He pointed out that, while the expectations of the people were high, the power held by the government was immense, and it would be a significant challenge to live up to those expectations. “Power is a tremendous force. The real challenge now lies in how the current President and the government use this power to benefit the people of Sri Lanka,” he said.

The UNP Chairman also reiterated the party’s position that, despite the NPP’s success, they would face immense challenges in delivering the changes they promised. “Even after winning the election, we believe that overcoming these challenges will be difficult,” Abeywardena stated. “Our position is grounded in our economic policies and our understanding of the political dynamics of Asia. We stand firm in our belief that overcoming these challenges will require more than just parliamentary power.”

Despite the critical tone, Abeywardena concluded by emphasizing the importance of democracy in Sri Lanka. “We, as part of the democratic process, express our stance on these matters, but we also celebrate the progress and success of the people in shaping the future of our country,” he said.

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Prime Minister meets with UNICEF delegation

Published

7 mins ago

2026/06/14

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with a delegation from the UNICEF on Friday (June 12) at Temple Trees to discuss ongoing efforts to support the recovery of the education sector following the impact of Cyclone Ditwah.

Discussions focused on the implementation of activities outlined in the report titled “Cyclone Ditwah Education Emergency Response Plan: Phase 1 Progress Updates (January–April 2026).” The meeting provided an opportunity to review the progress achieved during the initial phase of the response and to discuss future interventions aimed at supporting children and schools affected by the disaster.

The Prime Minister and the UNICEF delegation also exchanged views on strengthening collaboration to ensure the continuity of education and the well-being of affected children.

The UNICEF delegation included Emma Brigham, UNICEF Representative, Begona Arellano, Deputy Representative, and other UNICEF officials.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

News

Switzerland to vote on plan to cap population at 10 million

Published

9 hours ago

2026/06/14

Priyan

A yes-vote poster paints the planned cap (L) as a way of protecting Switzerland, but opponents call it a "chaos initiative"[BBC]

Can a country put a fixed limit on its population? That is the question Switzerland will be answering on Sunday when voters go the polls to decide on a proposal to cap their population at 10 million, a move that has exposed divisions about immigration in the Alpine nation.

The move is backed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, which describes it as a “sustainability initiative” aimed at easing pressure on housing, public services and the environment. However some voters see this as the party’s latest anti-immigration move.

Dubbing it a “chaos initiative”, the government, other political parties, business leaders and trade unions argue it will deprive hospitals and hotels of much needed staff, and damage hard-won relations with the European Union, leaving non-EU member Switzerland isolated in a very risky world.

Switzerland’s population has grown rapidly since 2002, when it stood at 7.3 million. Now it is 9.1 million, 27% of whom are Swiss residents who were born abroad.

Switzerland’s system of direct democracy means all major decisions are taken via the ballot box. Campaigners simply have to gather 100,000 signatures to ensure a nationwide vote.

Many voters are concerned by overcrowded trains, expensive apartments and rising health costs.

The latest opinion polls indicate this could be a very close vote.

They suggest voters are inching towards a no vote by a wafer thin margin, with 52% opposed – but polls remain divided, with 45% saying they are in favour of the proposal and a significant number of voters still undecided.

[BBC]

News

Court orders former Atamasthanadhipathi to provide blood sample for DNA testing

Published

11 hours ago

2026/06/14

Thilina Walpola

Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate, Siyapath Sasindu Wickramaratne, on Friday (12) ordered former Atamasthanadhipathi Pallegama Hemarathana Thera, who stands accused in a case involving the alleged serious sexual abuse of a minor girl, to provide a blood sample for DNA testing.

Accordingly, the court directed the suspect monk to appear before the Government Analyst’s Department on June 16 and provide a blood sample to the Government Analyst.

The order was issued after considering a further report submitted to court by the Nittambuwa Police.

Police informed the court that, pursuant to an earlier court order, certain case material had been forwarded to the Government Analyst on May 4, 2026, for DNA examination.

According to police, the material consisted of clothing allegedly stained with blood, which had been buried and concealed by the girl and later recovered during investigations.

Police further informed the court that the Government Analyst’s report had confirmed the presence of DNA evidence on the clothing.

Investigators told court that it was necessary to obtain a biological sample from the suspect monk in order to compare it with the DNA evidence recovered from the garments.

Police therefore requested an order compelling the suspect to provide a blood sample so that it could be determined whether the DNA evidence found on the girl’s clothing matched that of the suspect.

Having considered the submissions, the Magistrate ordered the suspect monk to provide the blood sample. The court also directed the Government Analyst to submit the report of the subsequent DNA examination.Pallegama Hemarathana Thera was previously remanded in connection with the case and was later released on stringent bail conditions.