News

JVP calls on masses to oust govt

Published

3 years ago

2022/03/24

by Saman Indrajith

The time had come to oust the government as the first step toward ending the 74-year-old political culture and forming a people’s government, JVP trade union wing leader K. D. Lalkantha said yesterday.

Addressing a rally at the Ananda Samarakoon Open Air Theatre at Nugegoda, Lalkantha said that the government had not been able to live up to its mandate and could not prevent people dying in queues.

“There is an all-party conference in Colombo without all parties. We hold a rally of people belonging to all parties in Nugegoda. We all got together and marched from Delkanda to here shouting only one slogan. That is, let’s send this government home. We have changed governments. Since 1948, this country has seen many governments. In the same way, people have sent them home when they do not like any of them. It is not a big deal to send a government home. We must send this government home and must not elect any such government ever again. With this government we must end the 74-year-old political culture that has become the bane of this nation. Some of those opposing the government only call for the change of government. Change of government would not solve our problems. It is like changing pillows to cure a headache. We know that changing pillows would not solve our problems. Today, thousands of people are here because they no longer believe in changing pillows but are motivated by the need to end the headache. We must bring in a government of the people for the people. Only such a government would help people. Only we can form such a government,” Lalkantha said.

“Farmers have to take to the streets asking for fertiliser, fishers have to stage protests demanding fuel for their boats, buses cannot transport people because there is no diesel. Farmers of Uva Wellassa are agitating to save their lands,” he said.

“If you can remember, there was a teachers’ struggle for rectification of their salary anomalies. They went to the courts, and took to the streets. They won one third of their demands. They will take to the streets again. There are many other unions at the end of their tether. More and more people are joining our struggle. We must prioritise our needs. Our top priority should be to send this government home.”

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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts

Published

12 hours ago

2025/04/27

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 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 Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala 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

Minister of Foreign Affairs pays his last respects to Pope Francis

Published

13 hours ago

2025/04/27

Priyan

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]

News

RW to visit CIABOC on Monday

Published

14 hours ago

2025/04/27

Thilina Walpola

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.

Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.

Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.

In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.

Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.

The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.

The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.

He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.

According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.

Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.

However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.