News

Karu calls for unity in fighting grave problems now confronting the country

Published

5 years ago

2021/05/2

The serious challenge facing our country due to the Covid-19 pandemic should not be underestimated by anybody. The government must recognize its responsibility and give maximum attention to the health of the people focusing on their well being as well as possible economic challenges in the face of the epidemic, Mr. Karu Jayasuriya, Chairman of the National Movement for Social Justice said in a statement issued last week.

He said health officials and epidemiologists in the country have warned that the pandemic is spreading rapidly. Given the current plight of our neighboring ally India in particular, taking all possible measures to prevent such an eventuality here must be the top priority of the relevant authorities.

“We have arrived at a juncture when the vaccination process needs to be effectively activated to ensure the safety for our 21 million citizens. According to health authorities, we as a country currently have a mere 300,000 doses of vaccine. At a time when nearly 900,000 people who were given the first dose need to be given the second, it is very clear that the number of doses we have at present is not adequate.

“The government needs to address this urgently and take necessary action. At the same time, all measures need to be taken to provide adequate facilities to the hospital system to cope with any situation that may arise. We hope this will happen.

“At the same time, it is the responsibility of all parties to work together as a nation to overcome these challenges without any racial, religious and political divisions. That is the absolute duty of the whole country. The ruling party and the state leadership should be the first to set the example.

“The first step towards this is to stop all forms of political revenge and extend the hand of friendship to all. However, despite the need to create such an environment, certain events taking place in the country cause a deep sense of sadness. One example is the recent summoning by the police and questioning for nearly five hours of the sister of MP Harin Fernando who is being treated in hospital following surgery.

“This can never be considered a moral act. It is a violation of human rights. A similar situation exists with regard to Rishad Bathiudeen. He has been arrested and released on several previous occasions. In the context of the report of the Presidential Commission into the Easter attacks, where no specific charges have been made against him, it is the responsibility of the relevant authorities to provide an opportunity for a fair trial by prosecuting him immediately if there are reasonable grounds to charge him at this moment in time.

“The unconventional nature of the arrest is not satisfactory. It should be clarified why such an action was taken at 2 a.m. without informing the Speaker. It is clearly an insult to Parliament and the Speaker. Such foolish acts undermine the good done by the security forces and the judiciary in combating terrorism and arouses suspicion.

“We responsibly urge all parties in this country not to combine narrow political motives with the investigation and legal actions related to serious crimes committed in this country including the Easter attack.

“We also call for immediate action to be taken for the benefit of our people and country by paying proper attention to the health and safety of the people and their livelihoods. When we are united as one we can face any challenge. His Excellency the President should take the lead in this. That is how ruined countries are rebuilt.”

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Sun directly overhead Pomparippu, Anuradhapura, Mihinthale, Galenbindunuwewa, Agbopura and Serunuwara about 12:11 noon today (11)

Published

18 hours ago

2026/04/11

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (11th) are Pomparippu, Anuradhapura, Mihinthale, Galenbindunuwewa, Agbopura and Serunuwara about 12:11 noon.

News

Opposition NCM against Energy Minister defeated

Published

21 hours ago

2026/04/11

Thilina Walpola

A no-confidence motion brought by the Opposition against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody was defeated in Parliament yesterday by a majority of 104 votes.At the end of the debate, 49 members voted in favour of the motion, while 153 voted against it.

The motion, submitted to the Speaker on 19 March, was signed by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, SJB MPs, and other Opposition members.

It accused Minister Jayakody of failing to ensure the procurement of adequate and quality coal for the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai, alleging that such negligence amounted to a breach of ministerial responsibility over a critical national energy asset.

The motion also cited ongoing legal proceedings against the Minister, noting that he has been indicted by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption and produced before the Colombo High Court under Section 70 of the Bribery Act, in connection with alleged acts of corruption during his tenure as Procurement Manager of the Ceylon Fertiliser Company Limited.

The motion read: Vote of No Confidence against Kumara Jayakody, Minister of Energy,— Whereas the Provision in Section 6 of the Part III of the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament which states that: “The Members shall on all occasions act in accordance with the public trust entrusted with them and shall always behave with probity and integrity, including the use by them of any public resources.” has been violated; And whereas the following rules of conduct set out in Section 9 of the Part V of the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament have prima facie been breached, namely:- “(a) to be conscience; (c) to act so as to merit the trust and respect of the people; (e) to hold themselves accountable for the conduct and duties for which they are responsible;” And whereas it is observed that the Minister has failed, in his capacity as a Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers, to discharge the fundamental duties incumbent upon him in accordance with Article 28 of the Constitution;

And whereas it is established that the Minister of Energy has failed to discharge his primary duty of ensuring the procurement of adequate and good quality coal for the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant;

And whereas such gross negligence in overseeing a critical national energy asset constitutes a fundamental breach of ministerial responsibility;

And whereas the Minister of Energy has failed to carry out the subjects and functions vested in him by the Notification of Gazette Extraordinary No. 2412/08 of 25th November 2024 of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, including taking necessary steps to reduce the losses at the institutional management level and technical damages that occur to the electricity generation and distribution system and reduction of costs for generating electricity and removal of uncertainties during generation;

And whereas the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has filed formal indictments before the Colombo High Court against the incumbent Minister of Energy under Section 70 of the Bribery Act (Chapter 26) for the offence of “corruption” in connection with acts of corruption allegedly committed while he was serving as the Procurement Manager of the Lanka Fertilizer Company;

And whereas, in light of the foregoing, the Minister of Energy has irretrievably forfeited the confidence of Parliament and the people of Sri Lanka by causing losses to public finances, endangering national energy security, corruptly mishandling the procurement process, being subjected to active judicial proceedings for the offence of “corruption”, and betraying the Government’s own “anti-corruption mandate”, and his continued tenure as the Minister of Energy is contrary to the public interest, the rule of law, and the principles of good governance;

That this Parliament resolves that it has no confidence in the competence of Kumara Jayakody, Minister of Energy to function as a Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers any longer.”

by Saman Indrajith

News

Chinese Ambassador assures Lanka China will not allow a fuel crisis to develop here

Published

21 hours ago

2026/04/11

Thilina Walpola

Qi Zhenhong

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong yesterday assured that China would not allow a fuel crisis to arise in Sri Lanka, under any circumstances, reaffirming Beijing’s continued support to the country.

The Ambassador made these remarks addressing the media after attending a dry ration distribution programme for 350 low-income families at Sri Chandananda Buddhist College, at Asgiriya, in Kandy.

Highlighting the longstanding ties between the two countries, Ambassador Qi said China has consistently stood by Sri Lanka and remains ready to extend assistance whenever required.

Amid concerns over global energy disruptions, stemming from the ongoing Middle East conflict, he noted that several countries are already facing difficulties, but stressed that China is prepared to support Sri Lanka at any time.

He said that any potential fuel shortage in Sri Lanka could be managed with the involvement of China’s Sinopec.

Reiterating Beijing’s commitment to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and development, the Envoy also expressed hope that the current ceasefire in the Middle East would hold, while assuring that China stands ready to respond to any future developments and assist Sri Lanka as needed.

By SK Samaranayake