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FSP: SJB and opposition parties facing litmus test that will determine their political future

Published

4 years ago

2022/08/11

The Frontline Socialist Party on Tuesday said that the Samagi Jana Balavegaya and opposition parties, in Parliament, were facing a litmus test that would determine their political future.

Frontline Socialist Party Education Secretary Pubudu Jagoda, addressing a press conference at the Party Headquarters, in Nugegoda, said those parties in the opposition faced a test on where they stood because they had two choices. “They can either join one camp that unleashes suppression against Aragalaya activists, ranging from political and trade union leaders to a person who got a selfie in his mobile while visiting Galle Face protests. Or they can stand with people against the suppression. This is not a suppression of a single party,” Jagoda said.

“We do not test Ranil Wickremesinghe and his power hungry allies now settling in top places of the government offices and any member of the Rajapaksa clan. Nor do we test some Pohottuwa MPs who are against the Aragalaya activists after recent incidents where people set their houses on fire. These are the same lot of Pohottuwa MPs whose faces people may remember from video footage during Parliament fracas where they destroyed public property and threw chilli powder at policemen. They have joined forces with the government suppressive machinery to take revenge. We do not need to test the standpoints of MPs wishing to get ministerial posts, or chairs, in proposed Parliament committees, with Cabinet powers. There are some officials controlling the Army and Police in this suppression. They too are exempted from the test because they have decided to take the course of oppressive governing of people. All these are in one camp. They are hell-bent on how to form a mechanism to get hold of power and they are well aware of the fact that suppression of people will continue under Wickremesinghe’s government poised to privatise all remaining state enterprises.

In that process of selling off national assets, people and trade unions will oppose that so there will be more suppression. Together these will form a despotic administration. Now people are looking at the standpoint the opposition parties may take. Of all those 225 MPs, there was only a single MP with a backbone. Only MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam had the guts to reject the oppressive government. The JVP, too, has announced that it does not recognize this makeshift government, formed to save the enemies of the people. That is a positive sign.”

“This suppression is against society. This is a litmus test for SJB and other parties in Parliament’s opposition ranks to show people their true selves. With these standpoints, people can understand the camp against them. If they cannot stand up against this suppression, that would indicate the end of their political legitimacy, too. Such a situation will help us to conclude that they all have united over their party ideological differences for a system of governance, suppressing people, irrespective of their political differences. It will justify that slogan of protesters rejecting all 225 MPs,” Jagoda said.

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Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 makes port call in Colombo

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 15 Apr 2026 and was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The vessel’s arrival is a key highlight of the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) – 2026 programme , accompanying a diverse contingent of Navy cadets from 26 different nations alongside their Indonesian counterparts.

The ship is commanded by Commander SUGENG HARIYANTO. Meanwhile, Officer Under-trainees of the Sri Lanka Navy are expected to participate in various programmes aboard the
ship and naval personnel observe its operational functions during its stay in the island.

Furthermore, the ship’s crew is scheduled to take part in programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two navies, as well as visit several tourist attractions in the country.

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PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival, organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, was held on Tuesday (14) in Gampaha under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the performance of traditional auspicious customs and rituals.

In accordance with tradition, during the Punya Kalaya (inauspicious time), the Prime Minister visited the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Viharaya in Gampaha and participated in religious observances and received blessings from Venerable Thunmodara Samitha Thero, a member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Chief Incumbent of the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Dharmaduta Piriven Viharaya.

The traditional observances of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival were held at the residence of Darshana Weerasinghe in Gampaha. Marking the auspicious time for commencing work, and upon the invitation of the host family, the Prime Minister planted a sapling within the premises. Concurrently, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, joined the PM.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister joined children in engaging in traditional folk games.

At the auspicious time for engaging work and educational activities, the PM participated with children in reading and writing, guiding them and symbolically marking the commitment to advancing the educational development of the nation’s children.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests observed the traditional customs of exchanging greetings, transactions and gifts with the host family, and joined them to partake in the customary New Year meal.

Extending New Year greetings to all citizens, the Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to all Sri Lankans, both at home and abroad, for their contributions in overcoming and effectively managing the various challenges faced by the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival symbolizes renewal and purity, and reflects the energy of the sun. He also conveyed his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year for all.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and Minister of Labour, Dr. Anil Jayantha; Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe; Member of Parliament for the Gampaha District, Ruwan Mapalagama; along with the Gampaha District Secretary, Mayor, Divisional Secretaries, and a large number of government officials.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

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Navy seize an Indian fishing boat poaching in seas north of Mannar

Published

5 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 13 Apr 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing boat and apprehended 04 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, in the sea area north of Mannar.

The seized boat and Indian fishermen were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Kilinochchi for onward legal proceedings.