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Accusing govt. of repression, FUTA pledges solidarity with protesters
University teachers say that the government is engaged in a systematic attempt to suppress the truth, protect corrupt officials and politicians, and grant favours to a cabal of crony capitalists that it favours.
“People do not want this corrupt political culture to continue, they are demanding change. While the government wants people to believe that it is effectively managing the economy and that the country is on the road to recovery, the facts and opinions of experts tell a different story,” says a statement issued to the media by the Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA).
The statement, signed by FUTA General Secretary Rohan Laksiri, says that “the university teachers stand in solidarity with the political parties, student organisations, trade unions, and civil society organisations that are staging protests against state repression and the arbitrary use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Earlier this year, Sri Lanka witnessed one of the most significant social and political uprisings in the history of this country when hundreds of thousands of people supported the Aragalaya, demanding a substantive change in the political and governance culture in the country. While the Aragalaya succeeded in forcing the resignations of the Prime Minister, Cabinet of Ministers, and the President, instead of the anticipated political change, a government, led by current President Ranil Wickremesinghe, which succeeded the government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has unleashed a wave of repression. Hundreds of people have been arbitrarily arrested; the police have attempted to indiscriminately block any form of protest in Colombo, and the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act has been used to arbitrarily detain student activists.
We would like to remind this government that the constitution of Sri Lanka guarantees fundamental freedoms for the citizens of this country. One of these cardinal freedoms is the right to dissent and peaceful protest. However, the government is attempting to use a narrow argument about economic rationality to stifle dissent and denounce legitimate public protests as attempts to destabilize the country and the economy. However, the government seems to have forgotten that it is due to governance failures by the government that Sri Lanka is facing the worst economic crisis in its post-independence history and that this current government and President are in power because people came to the streets and demanded a political change.
While the government wants people to believe that it is effectively managing the economy and that the country is on the road to recovery, the facts and opinions of experts tell a different story. The government is currently engaged in a systematic attempt to suppress the truth, protect corrupt officials and politicians, and grant favours to a select cabal of crony capitalists that it favours. People do not want this corrupt political culture to continue. They are demanding change, and the protests are an indication that the Aragalaya is emerging again. All over the country, we see micro-level spontaneous protests over issues ranging from lack of fertiliser to loss of livelihoods. These are all indications that the government is deeply unpopular and is failing at governance. The increasing repression the government has had to unleash is also an indicator of this failed governance. Therefore, FUTA demands that the government listen to the people and allow the people to exercise their right to peaceful protest. We urge the government not to interfere in any way with the protests and would like to reiterate that, as FUTA, we stand resolutely in solidarity with all those agitating for substantive political change in Sri Lanka.”
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Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and showers about 50-75 mm in other areas
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 08 JANUARY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 by the Department of Meteorology
The depression over the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka, was centered near latitude 5.3°N and longitude 86.0°E, about 490 km southeast of Pottuvil, at 11:30 p.m. yesterday (07). It is expected to move west-northwestwards and towards the eastern coast of the island during next 24 hours. This system is likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours.
Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere in the Island after 1.00 p.m. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces. Fairly Heavy showers about (50 – 75) mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island.
Strong winds about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over the Eastern slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala told Parliament yesterday that information uncovered during ongoing investigations indicated that Pulasthini Mahendran, also known as Sara Jasmine, linked to the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, was not dead.
Responding to a question raised by Opposition MP Mujibur Rahuman, the Minister said there was no confirmation that Sara Jasmine was currently in India, despite speculation to that effect. He added that investigators suspected she may have fled the country and stressed that further inquiries were underway to establish her whereabouts.
“If necessary, the government will take steps to obtain a warrant,” Wijepala said, noting that legal action related to the Easter attacks had already been initiated, based on available evidence.
Minister Wijepala said the new government had launched an thorough probe to determine whether a political or other conspiracy had been behind the attacks that killed more than 270 people in 2019. However, he declined to disclose certain details in Parliament, citing the risk of hampering investigations.
Sara Jasmine, Mohammed Hashtun, who bombed St. Sebastian’s Church, in Katuwapitiya, in 2019, was long presumed to have died in a suicide blast in Sainthamaruthu, days after the attacks. Wijepala said attempts by previous administrations to establish her death had failed, with recent reports indicating that DNA tests conducted at the time were inconclusive.
During the debate, MP Rahuman recalled that senior figures, including then-Opposition MP Nalinda Jayatissa, had previously claimed Sara Jasmine was in India. He questioned why authorities had not sought an open warrant for her arrest whether the issue had been raised in talks with Indian officials.
Wijepala, responding on behalf of Deputy Minister of Defence Arun Jayasekara, said the government would not hesitate to pursue legal action, including warrants, if necessary.
By Saman Indrajith
The Chief of the Indian Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday (07). On arrival, the COAS was accorded a Guard of Honour by the Sri Lanka Army.
The Indian HC said that: “He will engage with senior military and civil leadership, including the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Deputy Minister of Defence and the Defence Secretary; and hold detailed discussions on matters of mutual interest, including training cooperation, capacity building and regional security.
During the visit, the COAS will address officers at the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) and interact with officers and trainees at the Army War College, Buttala, reflecting India’s strong commitment to defence education and professional military exchanges with Sri Lanka.
General Dwivedi will also pay homage at the IPKF War Memorial, honouring the supreme sacrifice of Indian soldiers.”
General Dwivedi arrived here from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he attended several events during 05 to 06 January.
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