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Alleged threats to Chandima: Opposition MPs flay Speaker for refusing to release recordings

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Gen. Gunaratne (L) / Lt. Gen. Liyanage (R)

By Saman Indrajith

Opposition MPs engaged in a wrangle with Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday morning when the latter refused to release the audio recordings of Defence Secretary, Kamal Gunaratne and Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Vikum Liyanage allegedly threatening Galle District SLPP dissident MP Chandima Weerakkody.

MP Weerakkody told the House that during the last sitting week he had raised a privilege issue in respect of alleged threats from the Defence Secretary and the Army Commander. “The issue is now before the Parliament Privilege Committee. Both chairpersons of the privilege committee and the Defence Ministry consultative committee are well aware of the matter that I had raised here. When I asked for the recording of the sessions of the Defence Ministry consultative committee when this incident took place, my request was turned down. It is my duty as an MP to raise the waste of public funds by the Defence Ministry at that Ministry’s consultative committee. I want at least the audio tapes to be used as evidence at the Parliament Privilege Committee and in my complaint to the Public Service Commission against these officials. However, the audio tapes were not released to me by the Ministry consultative committee,” the MP said.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena: We do not release audio tapes to outside entities. It is a decision made by Parliament. I cannot do anything about it. Unless there is a change in that position, the tapes would not be released.

When Opposition MPs shouted, the Speaker said that MP Weerakkody’s matter had been referred to the Parliament Privilege Committee.

Chief Opposition Whip Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella: MP Weerakkody’s privileges have been breached. The Speaker is the one responsible for the ensuring of protection of the privileges of MPs. As per Section 139 of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act the Speaker is vested with the power to take decisions and implement them in this regard. The Speaker has the power to order the Committee to release the audio tapes. Please, release these audio tapes. The Speaker should not protect the rights of the President or the Army officers. Your job is to protect the MPs.

Speaker Abeywardena: We cannot release them to outside entities, but there is no hindrance to playing the recording before the privilege committee. We cannot let you take them out of Parliament.

Kiriella: You are not protecting the MPs’ rights. You are protecting the interests of the President. You are protecting the interests of the Secretary to the President.

Opposition and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa said that the Committee consultative meetings were considered an extension of Parliament and they, too, were covered by immunities and privileges given to Parliament. The videos of committee sessions are shown on TV. Thus, these tapes could be released. The Speaker and the Committee were duty bound to release them. If an official threatened an MP during a session of a Consultative Committee Meeting, that was a violation of that MPs privileges. The audio tape should be released, Premadasa said.

MP Weerakkody said he was planning to move court against the two officials, who had violated his privileges.



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INS Sahyadri sets sail from Colombo

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The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.

During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.

 

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Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district

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Color: -Red Warning (Take action) Color: -Amber Advisory (Be prepared) Color: -Green Threat is over

The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.

The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025]  is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025

The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:

Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

 

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“Census of Population and Housing 2024” Report Presented to the President

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The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.

This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.

The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.

The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.

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