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Gen (retd) Dias asks candidates to disclose their positions on ‘Geneva threat’

Published

2 years ago

2024/09/2

Thilina Walpola

Jagath Dias

By Shamindra Ferdinando

General (retd) Jagath Dias has appealed to presidential contestants to explain how they intended to meet the growing threat posed by the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council pushing Sri Lanka to punish the war winning military personnel on the basis of unsubstantiated war crimes allegations.

Presidential election is scheduled to be held on Sept. 21. Thirty-eight contestants representing 23 political parties and 17 independent candidates are in the fray.

Referring to the latest Geneva report, which spells out ‘transformational changes’ required to achieve accountability and reconciliation, General Dias emphasised the responsibility on the part of the government and presidential candidates to meet the daunting challenge.

Having served the Army for over 35 years, Dias retired in late Dec 2015, two months after Sri Lanka co-sponsored 30/1 accountability resolution that brought the country under the purview of Geneva. Dias commanded the 57 Infantry Division tasked with bringing Kilinochchi under government control. Dias retired as the Chief of Staff of the Army.

The Combined armed forces brought the war to a successful conclusion in May 2009.

Political parties in the fray couldn’t remain silent against the backdrop of the latest Geneva warning that whoever won the presidential election should adhere with the Geneva process, the Gajaba Regiment veteran said.

The retired Gen. was speaking at a seminar organised by the Yuthukama civil society group at the Colombo Public Library recently. Ven. Madagama Dhammananda Nayaka Thera of Asgiriya Chapter, Siyam Maha Nikaya chaired the meeting.

In his brief speech, General Dias pointed out that Geneva, having accused Sri Lanka of failing to prosecute and punish whom it called perpetrators of war crimes, had urged the international community to pursue complementary strategies to support accountability in Sri Lanka, including appropriate use of extraterritorial and universal jurisdiction, targeted sanctions against credibly alleged perpetrators and other available measures, consistent with international law.

Gen. Dias questioned the right of the executive and legislature to submit the serving and retired top brass to foreign judicial mechanisms. Dias said he was one of those who have been unfairly held responsible for war crimes, and all other like-minded retired and serving officers felt disappointed with the way successive governments had addressed the ‘accountability issues’.

Yuthukama leader and parliamentarian Gevindu Cumaratunga, in his opening remarks emphasized the need to educate the electorate in the run-up to the presidential poll as political parties offered to implement the 13th Amendment fully whereas some indicated their readiness to go even beyond.

Declaring that Sri Lanka was at a crossroads, the dissident SLPP lawmaker questioned the role played by parliament responsible for enactment of laws that undermined the country. How could parliament bring in laws that targeted the war winning military responsible for saving the country from terrorism that threatened to divide Sri Lanka on ethnic lines, MP Gumaratunga asked.

Gen Dias underscored the danger of interested parties linking the Geneva process with the agreement reached with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to pressure the government in power to follow the Western agenda.

Pointing out that retired officers and men had been divided on political party lines, Gen. Dias said that he represented the interests of all those who fought for the motherland. “The sacrifices made by officers and men cannot be forgotten under any circumstances as politicians seek advantage through devious ways,” Gen. Dias said, urging the electorate to be mindful of the utterly irresponsible political party system.Prof. Tudor Weerasinghe and Jaffna-based civil society activist Arun Siddharthan, too, addressed the gathering.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time

Published

6 hours ago

2026/04/26

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 25 April 2026, valid for 26 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.

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 above table 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 011-744649

News

Sagarika derailment disrupts coastal rail line; services to resume in two days

Published

7 hours ago

2026/04/26

Thilina Walpola

Railway General Manager Ravindra Pathmapriya said on Friday that re-railing operations of the derailed ‘Sagarika’ train have already commenced and that services on the Coastal Line are expected to be restored within two days.

Addressing the media, he said the Minister had instructed officials to take all necessary measures to minimise inconvenience to passengers.

Commenting on the incident, he said: “The damaged train is a significant loss for us, especially as our fleet is already limited. We have incurred this loss and hope to rectify the situation promptly. However, we will need to deploy an alternative train in its place, and discussions are currently underway.”

The ‘Sagarika’ train, operating from Beliatta to Maradana, derailed near the Wadduwa Railway Station on Friday morning (24), causing severe damage to one track of the dual-line section.

The Railway Department has since restricted services on the affected Coastal Line up to Panadura Railway Station.

Arrangements have been made to transport passengers from Panadura to South Kalutara by Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses, from where train services will resume towards Matara and Beliatta.

Meanwhile, the Department said efforts are underway to clear the obstruction and restore at least one track by the end of the day.

News

PHIs launch Vesak ‘Dansal’ safety registration drive

Published

7 hours ago

2026/04/26

Thilina Walpola

Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) have announced that registration of ‘Dansal’ organised islandwide in view of the upcoming Vesak Poya has already commenced.

President of the Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors Union (PHIU), K.P. Boralessa, said that organisers intending to conduct ‘Dansal’ are required to inform and register with the PHI attached to the relevant area.

He said organisers must also provide details of the location and the type of ‘Dansal’ being conducted.

Following registration, PHIs will conduct awareness programmes for organisers on maintaining required health and safety standards during the conduct of such events, he added.

Boralessa warned that legal action would be taken against those who organise ‘Dansal’ without proper registration or in an unsafe manner.

He further said PHIs will inspect venues on the eve of each ‘Dansala’ to assess suitability, including waste disposal arrangements, availability of drinking water, quality of water used for cooking, and condition of equipment at the site.

In addition, those involved in food preparation and serving will also be inspected to ensure hygiene standards are maintained, he said.

“These measures are taken to ensure that food provided at ‘Dansal’ is safe and hygienic for the public. Special attention must be paid to the ingredients used, and only healthy ingredients should be utilised,” Boralessa added.