News
JVP threatens to lay siege to House till present Parliament is dissolved as per people’s demand
JVP trade union wing leader and former MP K. D. Lalkantha on Monday said that the day to end people’s struggle, demanding change, will soon be announced.
Addressing a public rally in Thambuttegama, Lalkantha said that his party had been in discussion with many other parties, trade unions, religious and civil society leaders, artistes, intellectuals and lawyers to decide on the next phase of the struggle.
“That date will soon be announced. It will be the date that ends the ongoing people’s struggle. It will be a day of parliamentary sitting. When all these MPs go there we will surround it and close down all the roads demanding that they pass a motion to dissolve the current parliament. We get them to pass it. With that we can get the next election and it would end this struggle.”
Lalkantha said that when the date was announced, setting a deadline for the current Parliament to decide its own dissolving.
“I am telling the MPs now to get ready to vote in keeping with the people’s wishes. People know that the rulers are engaged in enacting a drama hoping for a miracle to save them. For example, look at the Deputy Speaker election fiasco. Ranjith Siyambalapitya resigned from the Deputy Speaker post. When there was an election to fill the vacancy, he contested and won. The following day he resigned again. By enacting such dramas, they waste our money. We have to end this. I can assure the 225 MPs that there would be a day that you would not be able to come out after going to Parliament without voting for a motion to dissolve Parliament,” he said.
Lalkantha said that putting an end to the prevailing political culture, restoring political stability and finding solutions to the problems of people could not be done without a general election. “There is a need to get a new government. People now know who the thieves in MPs’ garb are. They will no longer fall for the tricks of those who robbed this country and put them in misery. If the government says it does not have money to conduct an election, then we promise to get public sector workers to be on election duty voluntarily. Many public sector organisations have expressed their willingness to do election duty free of charge.
“The present government will not last long. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, too, will have to go.
“The Galle Face strugglers should add to their list of demands an election to put an end to the 74-year-long rotten political culture. They should get ready to change the venue from the old Parliament premises to the new Parliament premises. The people’s struggle will come to an end there with winning an election. We have to get these MPs to dissolve this parliament, or there will be no future for the next generation of this country,” Lalkantha said. (SI)
Police urge motorists who intend to use the Ella – Wellawaya Road to use alternative roads as there is a severe vehicle congestion due to inclement weather condition.
The oil anointing ceremony for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year was held on April 16 at the historic Rajamaha Viharaya in Kolonnawa, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Following the chanting of pirith, the oil anointing ritual was carried out at the auspicious time of 9:04 a.m., by the Chief Incumbent of the temple, Venerable Kolonnawa Dhammika Thero.
Speaking after the ceremony the Prime Minister said that:
“The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is one of the most important festivities in our country. It is a celebration with our families, reflecting our traditions and customs while strengthening the ties.
This festival leads the path for renewing unity, love, and bonds stronger. These values enrich a country. Development of a country is not limited by one-dimensional; a true development includes spirituality, relationships, and connections. The reason why we uphold these customs in such ceremonies is to remind ourselves of the significance and to pass on their value to future generations.
Therefore, today marks a significant day. Throughout this week, we came together and engaged in various activities. Followed by, the next event will mark the leaving for employment at the auspicious time and we should start working collectively to rebuild the country.
I wish everyone a New Year that is prosperous, peaceful, joyful, full of strengthened relationships, and most importantly, safe for all.”
The ceremony was graced by the presence of the Maha Sangha, and attended by the Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Eranga Gunasekara, Divisional Secretary to Kolonnawa Priyanath Perera, Municipal Secretary Nelum Kumari Gamage, and the residents of the area.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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Heat Index at ‘Caution Level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts today [16]
Warm Weather Advisory Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology for 16 April 2025
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala 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 table below 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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