News
JVP Leader punches plenty of holes in govt.
By Saman Indrajith
If a government that has the support of the people is established it will be possible to unite the people of the country and overcome the current crisis, Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake says.
“People will give such a government a year or two to resolve the issues that plague the people. The Constitution says that the sovereignty and the security of the people must be established by a president that is elected by the people. The President is not elected by the people,” Dissanayake told Parliament yesterday.
“President Ranil Wickremesinghe does not have a mandate from the people. The SLPP MPs were elected to Parliament by slandering Ranil Wickremesinghe and his government.
“Remember the SLPP slogans? It flogged issues such as the Treasury bond scams, the Easter Sunday attacks and the sale of Hambantota Port. How can you establish a government led by Wickremesinghe with MPs that were elected after campaigning against him?” he said.
The JJB leader added that the contents of the 2022 interim budget were also against the promises made by the SLPP to the people.
“The IMF delegation itself suggests that people might resist some recommendations and the government should able to mitigate it. So, we need a mandate from the people. Those who contributed to the demise of a country can’t rebuild it,” he said.
Dissanayake said that SLPP MPs had cheered when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa reduced the VAT to 8 percent. Now, they are cheering when the VAT is increased to 15 percent, he said.
“They cheered when the retirement age was extended to 65 and they are now ecstatic when it had again been reduced to 60. When the Rajapaksas said they were planning renationalization, the SLPP MPs cheered. Now they are the biggest supporters of privatisation. The same people who insisted that more people have to be recruited to the state sector a year ago are now adamant that most government servants have to go home. What kind of people are you? You have neither vision nor principles. How can you get the country out of trouble,” he said.
The JJB leader said that in 2021, the Opposition MPs and a number of experts had warned that Sri Lanka was heading for a crisis. However, the SLPP MPs insisted that Basil Rajapaksa was an economic wizard, he said.
“Basil’s budget lasted 10 months. These people backed that silly document. These are the people who will take us out of this mess? There has to be a general election.”
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]
Latest News
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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