News
Crime rate has increased while police search for protesters – Opposition
By Akitha Perera
Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne must be ashamed that crime had increased during his tenure as Defence Secretary, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mujibur Rahuman said in Colombo yesterday.
“Recently, Gunaratne came on TV and said Sri Lanka’s image was tarnished because of footage that showed protesters applying soap and bathing in the pool at the Presidential palace. The people did so to show their displeasure at leaders living in luxury, while they suffer. Everyone in this country knows that you don’t apply soap when bathing in a pool. this is not the 1950s,” Rahuman said.
“There are many other things for the Defence Secretary to be ashamed of,” Rahuman added.
“The man who appointed him as the Defence Secretary destroyed the country’s economy. We are now running all over the world, asking for aid from everyone. Isn’t that something to be ashamed. People have died, waiting in queues to buy essential items; isn’t that more shameful? The crime rate has gone through the roof. Didn’t you claim that you will get rid of crime? How has that worked out for you? Shouldn’t Gunaratne be ashamed of that,” he said.
The SJB lawmaker added that the government has not taken any steps to solve the economic, or social problems. A way out of the crisis has not been presented and the President thinks that IMF is a panacea for all Sri Lanka’s problems, he said.
“Ranil Wickremesighe has been President for a month. He has been Prime Minister for three months. We are not asking for miracles. At least tell us what your plan is. The SJB has tabled our proposals in Parliament. The government is silent on that, too. People are suffering and will lose patience soon,” he said.
Rahuman went on to say that President Wickremesighe has been talking about the need for everyone to come together and establishing an all-party government. However, Wickremesighe is also carrying out a massive campaign to arrest protest leaders, he said.
“There is a dissonance here. On one hand he is talking about working together. At the same time, the police is arresting youth, for no reason. Policemen, across the country, have nothing else to do than look for youth involved in protests. While they are fully focused on this ludicrous witch-hunt, crime has gone through the roof. Underworld gunmen are killing people left, right and centre. Why are taxpayers funding the police?” he said.
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
News
Expressions of Interest called to develop selected locations within the Pelawatte Sugar Factory premises
It has been recognized that there is potential to develop selected places within. the Pelawatte Sugar Factory, owned by Lanka Sugar (Private) Company Limited, as locations of tourist attraction.
Hence, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship
Development to call for expressions of interest following the prescribed procurement guidelines to identify suitable investors and to invite project proposals from eligible investors to develop the selected locations under Public-Private Partnership method.
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
Expressions of Interest called to develop selected locations within the Pelawatte Sugar Factory premises
Minimum purchasing price of Samba and Kiri Samba paddy incresed
Showers in the Northern, North-central, Uva, Western, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Central provinces and Galle and Matara districts
Govt. extends ban on LTTE
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News2 days agoSajith: Ashoka Chakra replaces Dharmachakra in Buddhism textbook
-
Business2 days agoDialog and UnionPay International Join Forces to Elevate Sri Lanka’s Digital Payment Landscape
-
Features2 days agoThe Paradox of Trump Power: Contested Authoritarian at Home, Uncontested Bully Abroad
-
Features2 days agoSubject:Whatever happened to (my) three million dollars?
-
News2 days agoLevel I landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended
-
News2 days agoNational Communication Programme for Child Health Promotion (SBCC) has been launched. – PM
-
News2 days ago65 withdrawn cases re-filed by Govt, PM tells Parliament
-
Opinion4 days agoThe minstrel monk and Rafiki, the old mandrill in The Lion King – II