News
Defence Secy blames ‘revolutionary party’ for spree of violence
‘Probe underway into Galle Face mob attack’
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had been airlifted to the Trincomalee Naval Base for security reasons, Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne said on Wednesday (11) said at a press conference, which was also attended by the Chiefs of the Tri-Forces.
Gunaratne said the former PM would be moved to a location of his choice later.
Gunaratne mentioned that the military would provide security to Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is entitled to security as a former President.
“The military will protect Mahinda Rajapaksa as long as it is necessary. As a former President he is entitled to security,” he said.
Army Commander, General Shavendra Silva added that 6.9 million people had voted for Gotabaya Rajapaksa. “There is a way to remove the President in the Constitution,” he said.
Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as Prime Minister on Monday (09), when violence engulfed the country after his supporters attacked anti-government protesters in Colombo.
Gunaratne said that Gota Go Gama protests were peaceful but due to some incidents that took place on Monday, they had changed. He added that following the attacks on protesters by the pro-Rajapaksa supporters, violence had been unleashed across the country. The Defence Secretary went on to say that they would take action against everyone involved in the violence, and that a revolutionary party was behind the violence.
“There were attacks on houses. People were killed. There was looting. Sri Lanka is becoming a Libya and we had to stop that,” he said, commenting on the decision to impose curfew and deploy the Army to assist the police in maintaining law and order. He said a police investigation was being conducted into the incidents at the Galle Face Green.
Curfew would most likely be lifted tomorrow, he said.
Gunaratne said that clashes had also taken place between Sinhalese and Muslim looters in Negombo on Tuesday.
“People were not listening to the Police. We had to resort to stern measures. I never thought I would have to witness this kind of situation,” he said.
“There have been incidents of looting and arson, but soon people will come into your house and rape your woman and children. I am not trying to scare anyone. But we will stop this from happening,” he said.
Gunaratne said that the trade unions had threatened a strike. “Teachers and principals must not go on strike. There are rumours that they will go on strike until the President resigns. Please don’t do that. Someday action will be taken against people who incited violence by livestreaming incidents.”
Gunaratne also denied media reports that India would troops here. “India is our elder brother. India is playing that role now. But for no reason will we allow foreign troops in SL,” he said.
Latest News
Sun directly overhead Mannar, Periyamadu, Puliyankulam, Welioya and Pulmoddai about 12.11 noon today (30)
The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.
The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (30) are Mannar, Periyamadu, Puliyankulam, Welioya and
Pulmoddai about 12.11 noon.
(AFP) Sri Lanka’s maritime authorities were monitoring a fleet of 11 US-sanctioned Iranian oil tankers just off the island’s southern coast, the foreign minister said Wednesday.
The tankers were spotted close to the Galle harbour where an Iranian frigate, IRIS Dena, was sunk by a US submarine in March, killing 104 sailors. Sri Lanka’s navy rescued 32 Iranian sailors from that frigate.
Iranian vessels have been in limbo, unable to return to their home port because of a US blockade.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign minister Vijitha Herath said the tankers were in international waters where they had freedom of navigation.
“These ships are away from our territorial waters… we have no hold on them, nor have we facilitated them,” Herath told AFP.
The military deployed reconnaissance aircraft and patrol boats to monitor the vessels outside Sri Lanka’s 12-nautical-mile territorial waters, a military official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
“There is no indication of any ship-to-ship transfer of oil or illegal discharge of pollutants, so there is no basis for Sri Lankan authorities to take action against them,” the official said.
Many Iranian merchant vessels moved east towards the Strait of Malacca and Singapore due to US sanctions, while several remained near Sri Lankan waters, authorities said.
Sri Lankan officials said Washington had not formally notified Colombo about sanctioned Iranian-flagged vessels
Parliament is to debate next Wednesday the Government’s proposal to abolish the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), with the Second Reading of the Chief of Defence Staff (Repeal) Bill scheduled for September 9.
The Bill seeks to repeal the Chief of Defence Staff Act No. 35 of 2009, which was introduced shortly after the end of the armed conflict.
According to Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera, Parliament will meet from September 8 to 11, with the business for the week approved by the Committee on Parliamentary Business chaired by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.
The debate on the Chief of Defence Staff (Repeal) Bill is scheduled to take place from 11.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, following questions to the Prime Minister and other parliamentary business.
The CDS post was established under the 2009 Act as part of the country’s higher defence command structure.
On Tuesday, September 8, the House will consider two Orders published in Extraordinary Gazettes under the Motor Traffic Act from 11.30 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by an Opposition motion at the adjournment.
On Thursday, September 10, Parliament will debate a Resolution under the Women’s Empowerment Act.
The final sitting day of the week, Friday, September 11, has been allocated from 11.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. for several Private Members’ Motions.
The motions will cover issues including regulation of the petroleum, fuel and water industries, measures to increase the birth rate, protection of the Diyagama Forest, pension deductions affecting Pirivena teachers, food-crop cultivation in mountainous areas, development of the Kithul industry and the establishment of a Faculty of Medicine at South Eastern University.
Questions at the adjournment will be taken up at the end of each sitting day.
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Showers in the Sabaragamuwa, Western and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
Sun directly overhead Mannar, Periyamadu, Puliyankulam, Welioya and Pulmoddai about 12.11 noon today (30)
Lanka tracks 11 US-sanctioned Iranian tankers off coast
House to debate abolition of Chief of Defence Staff post
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