News
GL: Significant number of teachers already vaccinated
By Rathindra Kuruwita
A significant number of teachers had already been vaccinated, Education Minister, Prof. G.L Peiris told the media yesterday. The Minister added that the rest of the teachers would be vaccinated within a week.
“Soon, teachers, parents and children will feel a lot more confident about reopening schools after most of the teachers are vaccinated,” the Minister said.
The Education Ministry has decided to open schools with fewer than 100 students within this month and the rest of the schools, as soon as possible.
However, commenting on the Minister’s claims, Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) General Secretary, Joseph Stalin said that it was absurd to claim that a significant number of teachers had been vaccinated.
Around three million people have received the first jab and those who had been vaccinated are those over 30, Stalin said.
“Perhaps, the Minister can prove me wrong with data. However, common sense and logic would indicate that most teachers are not vaccinated. Most Sri Lankans had not been vaccinated and there was no program to vaccinate teachers. So how can the Minister say most teachers are vaccinated?” Stalin asked.
The CTU General Secretary said he believed that schools should be open to academic activities as soon as possible and that they had been asking the government to vaccinate principals, teachers, and nonacademic staff of schools for months.
“There are around 270,000 people in the mentioned categories. Schools are places where it is hard to maintain physical distancing. Vaccination and wearing masks probably are the best ways to ensure there are no super spreader situations around schools”, he said.
News
Law will be enforced against all those who acquire assets illegally- State Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe
State Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, while addressing a public gathering held at the Raffles Hotel in Kotte on Tuesday [April 22] said that the law will be enforced against all those who acquire assets illegally.
He said that , if someone joins a municipal council receiving a modest salary and, within two to three years, builds a luxury house and acquires a vehicle, we will question how such wealth was amassed. If a satisfactory explanation cannot be provided, the law will be enforced and the measures will be taken to confiscate any illegally acquired assets.
The opposition frequently levels accusations against us, but we have not engaged in any wrongdoing. We have not misappropriated public funds, used undue influence to secure school admissions for our children, or interfered with law enforcement. We are dedicated to serving the people by upholding an ethical and responsible political culture.
If you wish to develop your community, I respectfully urge you to elect individuals of integrity who will not misuse public funds.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
It has been reported that prison officials and the police have brought the unrest among the 500 plus inmates of the Matara prison which commenced on Tuesday [22] under control by this morning (23)
It has been reported that the inmates had broken out of their wards after which the officials were compelled to fire in the air and use tear gas to bring the situation under control.
The inmates are being temporarily transferred to the Angunkolapelessa prison in groups to enable authorities to repair the the damage caused to the wards and cells within the premises.
The prison officials who were injured during the conflict are receiving treatment at the Matara hospital. 
Latest News
Local government authorities and Municipal Councils are the nursery of corrupt politics. – Prime Minister
The Prime Minister stated that the President has challenged all ministers to transparently and efficiently spend the funds allocated to each ministry through the national budget for the benefit of the people, and that the local governments and municipal councils have historically been the nursery grounds of corrupt politics.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a public gathering held at the Raffles Hotel in Kotte on Tuesday [April 22].
The Prime Minister further stated:
“All 159 of us in Parliament today did not enter through family or financial influence. We are ordinary citizens just like you and individuals who stand among you. Unlike in the past, our members do not behave disruptively in Parliament. When school children visit, there is no need for the Speaker to request their removal that our parliamentary members conduct themselves with dignity, adherence to the law, and political maturity.
This is the kind of Parliament we have always aspired to have. Today, it is you who has made this transformation possible. For a long time, we have not experienced the advantages of an efficient and properly functioning local government. You now have the opportunity to elect representatives who are truly committed to serving you and improving your local institutions.
The event was attended by Arosh Athapaththu, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte Municipal Council candidate representing the National People’s Power, along with several other candidates and a large number of local residents.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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