News
Brig. ordering recruits to vote for Ranil: Military denies NPP’s allegation
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Defence Ministry and Army Headquarters yesterday (06) denied the NPP’s allegation that a senior officer, based at the Wahera Sri Lanka National Guard (SLNG) training centre, Kurunegala, had ordered recruits to vote for President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sept. 05, the second day of the three-day postal voting period.
Over 700,000 public servants, including the members of the police and military, are eligible to exercise their franchise through postal voting.
Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Rasika Kumara and Defence Ministry Spokesman Colonel Nalin Herath said that as soon as this matter was brought to their notice, inquiries had been made. The officer, whom the accusations had been made against, held the Brigadier’s rank, they said.
Executive Director of PAFFREL (People’s Action for Free and Fair Election) Rohana Hettiarachchi confirmed the position taken by the military. The military said that Police Emergency, too, had responded, following a tip-off regarding alleged interference by the officer named by the NPP.
Retired Senior DIG D. Gajasingha, head of the JJB observation mission, said that he wasn’t aware of the current status of the complaint lodged by the party. According to the complaint lodged with the Election Commission (EC) by the NPP, the Brigadier in charge of the training facility had summoned recruits to his office and demanded that they exercise their franchise for President Wickremesinghe.EC said that those who couldn’t vote on Sept 4th, 5th and 6th would be able to do so on Sept 11th and 12th.
Following the conclusion of bilateral discussions between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, official-level talks between the delegations of Sri Lanka and India commenced this morning (05) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath; Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Anil Jayantha; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, along with other senior officials.
The Indian delegation included Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and His Excellency Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, along with several other senior officials of the Government of India.
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who arrived in Sri Lanka on the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake on Friday [04] night, visited the Presidential Secretariat this morning (05).
The Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake upon his arrival at the Presidential Secretariat.
Prime Minister Modi is currently on a state visit to Sri Lanka, reaffirming the theme “Friendship of Centuries — Commitment to a Prosperous Future” which symbolises the longstanding ties between Sri Lanka and India. The Indian Premier is scheduled to remain in the country until tomorrow (06).
[PMD]
The official welcoming ceremony for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was held this morning (05) at the Independence Square in Colombo.
On arrival at the Independence Square the Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
Discussions between Sri Lankan and Indian delegations at the presidential secretariat
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Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi arrives at the presidential secretariat
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