News
Karu tells the country to follow Ukraine’s example!
Chairman of the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) and former Speaker, Karu Jayasuriya yesterday urged Sri Lankans to follow the example set by Ukraine and to join hands to formulate a common minimum programme to respond to the country’s current crisis.
Issuing a press release Jayasuriya said that the fuel and electricity crises had disrupted the everyday lives of the people. The economic activities are grinding to a standstill, he said.
“There appears to be a lack of consensus within the government on possible solutions, thereby further delaying the resolution of these many issues. Instead, various parties to the government are presenting their own opinions on the matter adding to the existing chaos and confusion. The only obvious solution to face a catastrophe of this scale is to at least temporarily form a united national front. However, it can only be built if the government extends the hand of friendship to all other relevant parties,” he said.
Jayasuriya added that the National Movement for Social Justice had come up with a proposal, prepared with the assistance of local and foreign academics and scholars under the leadership of Prof. Rohan Samarajiva.
“A majority of the leading political leaders who participated in the discussion agreed that these proposals were suitable to be taken up for initial discussion. There was also a positive response from religious and civil society leaders. It is noteworthy that several members of the ruling party have also shown interest. The next few days of the week will be devoted to a public discussion entitled “A Minimal Common Programme to Respond to Sri Lanka’s Current Crisis.” We then intend to present a national resolution to the country after including proposals from various quarters,” he said.
Given below are the excerpts of the press release: “In spite of these facts, the government should take immediate action to alleviate the sufferings of the people. Immediate solutions must be provided for the issues in transportation and electricity. The CEB can easily restore the power supply. If the railways and bus services collapse, the whole country will come to a standstill.
“It must be noted that the state apparatus is continuously failing to take decisions based on one point of view and is instead issuing statements expressing varying opinions and decisions leading to further chaos. For example, the President, the Minister of Finance, the Governor of the Central Bank, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) and the Ceylon Electricity Board are all expressing different views on fuel supply these days. It would be a relief to the people and allow them to plan their work around the power disruptions
“If they can stick to a proper time table for power disruptions in a specific area instead of announcing a lengthy time period during which they may experience many power outages, it would be a relief to the people and would allow them to plan their work accordingly.
“During this harvesting season, the suffering of the farmers due to the lack of diesel is evident through media reports. Their grievances are heartbreaking. There is also a severe shortage of medicinal drugs in the country. This is a dangerous situation.
“Our people are beset not only by shortages of essential items, but also by escalating prices. In the month of January alone, food inflation has risen by 24%. The main reason for this is the excessive printing of currency.
“Ihe government must be flexible and take the lead in the effort to save the country with the support of all. We believe the leaders of the opposition will cooperate and act in a responsible manner. However their support can be obtained not by summoning political dissidents to the BMICH and by retaliating through presidential commissions, but by initiating mutual cooperation.
“It is the duty of the government to earn their trust. Engaging in political revenge but telling people that they abide by the ‘One Country, One Law’ policy only to blatantly violate it will not invoke their trust. It should be understood that the people do not approve of that process of the government.
“Governments that come to power with a large majority must bear in mind that they are the custodians of a country and not its owners who in reality are the people of the country. Therefore, one should not regard the mandate given to him by the people as an arbitrary power. It should also be noted that the people, who are the real owners of the government, will not allow such any arbitrary acts.
“In the last presidential election, Gotabaya Rajapaksa received 6,900,0000 votes while at least 6,200,000 votes were against him. Therefore, the government should have realised that introducing any constitutional amendment or drafting the constitution that would suit its political agenda and not the country such as the 20th Amendment would only lead to the deterioration of itself and the country.
“The position of the National Movement for Social Justice is that under the 20th Amendment, Sri Lanka will no longer be a free country. It will take Sri Lanka to a new feudal system and plunge this country into a severe political and economic recession.”
SLNS Samudura on 27 Apr 25 set sail from the Port of Colombo to Changi, Singapore to join the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX) Asia 2025, Asia Pacific’s leading naval and maritime defence event.
The vessel was ceremoniously sent off from Colombo, following traditional naval customs.
IMDEX Asia 2025 is set to take place from 05 to 08 May 25 featuring cutting-edge advancements in naval technology and the event will conclude with a special warship display.
The 9th International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC) will take place alongside the exhibition, featuring high-level discussions on evolving maritime security challenges in an era of geopolitical uncertainties.
Naval forces and maritime representatives from multiple nations are set to take part in the upcoming IMDEX Asia 2025 and IMSC. Taking part in this nature of naval and maritime defence events would open new avenues to the Sri Lanka Navy to build inter-operability with regional and extra-regional partners, exchange best practices and procedures in maritime operations and identify new challenges in maritime domain.
News
The NPP government has removed the political protection given for corruption and crime in the past – PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the current government has removed the political protection that existed for corruption and crime for the past seventy-five years.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing public gatherings held on Sunday (27) in Suriyawewa, Hungama, and Tangalle in the Hambantota District.
Addressing the gatherings, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:
“We have ended the political protection that existed for seventy-five years providing shelter for corruption and crime. There no longer exists any protection for those public-hostile acts of corruption and crime. When we first started this, there were groups within the public service and even within the security forces who were scared and unsettled. All of this was carried out with political protection. Such political protection does not exist now and what you see is the effort to uncover and clean up the remnants.
One of the most notable incidents in this regard is the arrest of former Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon and the actions taken against him thereafter. Have you ever heard of an Inspector General of Police being arrested before? A parliamentary tripartite committee has also been appointed regarding this. Even those who were previously protected by the system are now feeling fear.
Former Cabinet Minister and ruling party member Pillayan has also been taken into custody. There, too, I witnessed rather absurd situations. According to members of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), it was Pillayan who won the war. However, he was arrested in connection with the disappearance of a university vice-chancellor.
It has been reported that the Suriyawewa Pradeshiya Sabha is charging a market tax. If taxes or fees are collected, it must transfer into a service or facility for the people. The current method violates tax policy. A contract has been given to collect these taxes, meaning the money is being collected by a third party. If the taxes collected were genuinely used for the maintenance of the market complex, it should be in excellent condition.
The income of the Suriyawewa Pradeshiya Sabha amounts to 110 million rupees. If that money had been properly used for the Pradeshiya Sabha, today it would be in the best condition. The fact that it indicates that the money has ended up in someone else’s hands.
Despite instructions not to collect money in schools, we continue to receive complaints that it is still happening. We are taking necessary actions to address this matter. However, there are currently insufficient investigative officers to conduct thorough investigations. We are working to strengthen the investigative units within the ministries.
Through the approved budget, we have allocated a large amount of funds for rural development including rural infrastructure, rural economy, and especially to create self-employment opportunities for women and youth, as well as to build clean villages.
The government has now stabilized the economy. The next goal is to increase income and push the economy toward a growth trajectory.”
Prime Minister further noted that the government has been in power for only six months so far and that it will continue working to correct all these issues in the future.
The event was attended by the members of Parliament Saliya Sandaruwan and Athula Weladagoda, along with a large number of candidates and local residents.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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.
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