News
Arson attack on PM’s House: Karu wants any hidden forces probed
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya on Tuesday said that it was important to investigate whether there were hidden forces behind the arson attack on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s house last Saturday.
Jayasuriya said that he condemned the attack on journalists who were covering the protests by a group of STF personnel.
He also condemned the burning of Premier Wickremesinghe’s private residence.
“When a country is going through a crisis, members of the general public must be informed. Media plays a critical role in this and we must condemn any attack on journalists,” he said.
Jayasuriya added the burning of the Prime Minister’s house was deplorable. In democratic politics, respecting dissenting voices is important, he said.
“A society that can’t tolerate diverse views is heading for disaster. We must ensure that we learn lessons from the past. We need to stabilize the situation and get things back on track. For this, we must also determine if an unseen force was operating when Wickremesinghe’s house was set on fire,” he said.
On Monday (11) Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe claimed that the torching of his house had caused the destruction of valuable books and paintings. He added that the attack on his house was the result of misunderstanding about his stance regarding his resignation.
Wickremesinghe said that when party leaders met on 09 July to discuss the future developments, he said that he would resign when a new all-party government is established as there was a need for someone to be in charge to ensure a smooth transition.
“However, MP Rauff Hakeem tweeted that I had had disagreed with the decision taken by party leaders that the President and Prime Minister must resign. This was given a lot of publicity by Sirasa. They claim some of their journalists were attacked near my house. I saw one journalist falling but I didn’t see anyone being attacked. However, if a journalist was attacked I condemn it,” he said.
The Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, paid a solemn visit to the Embassy of the Vatican in Colombo today (25) to offer condolences on behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
During the visit, Dr. Amarasuriya signed the book of condolence, expressing deep sorrow over the demise of the beloved spiritual leader and extending heartfelt sympathies to the Catholic community both in Sri Lanka and around the world:
The Prime Minister was received by the Archbishop Brian N. Udaigwe, Apostolic Nuncio of the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican Embassy in Colombo and other officials.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
President Anura Kumara Disanayake conducted an inspection tour of Kandy city on Thursday (24) night to inspect the progress of the “Siri Dalada Wandanawa” and the related issues that have emerged.
The President held an urgent meeting with relevant officials to address the issues related to sanitation facilities for devotees visiting Kandy to venerate the sacred tooth relic
Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha, Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela Bandara , Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Governor of the Central Province Prof. Sarath Abeykoon, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatte and others participated in this meeting.
[PMD]
A Sri Lankan delegation met with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer on the 22nd of April, 2025 at the US Trade Representative Office in Washington D.C.
The Sri Lankan delegation, on the instructions of President Disanayaka, who is also the Minister of Finance, handed over the originals of communications addressed to US Trade Representative Ambassador Greer
The delegation updated Ambassador Greer on the challenges that Sri Lanka has faced in the past and the steps that are being taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to overcome future challenges and move towards full economic recovery. The delegation also highlighted the prompt and positive commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to work with the US Government in reducing the trade deficit, and lowering tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Ambassador Greer acknowledged the proposals made by the Sri Lankan government and expressed hope that an agreement can be reached soon between the two countries to ensure fair and equitable trade relations.
Later on that day, the Sri Lankan delegation met with the USTR delegation appointed by Ambassador Greer lead by Assistant United States Trade Representative, In-charge of South and Central Asia, Brendan Lynch along with Director In-charge of South Asia, Emily Ashby to discuss further the appeal made in writing by Sri Lanka to the US. The two sides agreed to continue the discussions with the objective of finalizing a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries. Both sides expressed the desire to finalize the agreement in the shortest possible time period.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. The head of USTR is the U.S. Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the president’s principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade issues.
[PMD]
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