News

GMOF applauds new anti-terror law, urges prez to tackle ‘TU terror’

Published

2 years ago

2023/04/5

Sahan Weerasooriya

Dr. Rukshan

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Amidst growing opposition to the proposed Anti-Terrorism Law that it could be used to suppress political dissent and trade unions, Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the National Hospital yesterday (04) bravely declared that the government should enact the new law fast.

Speaking on behalf of the Government Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF) Dr. Bellana said that the vast majority of the population wanted the government to deal with what he called trade union terror.

Dr. Bellana said that as the public sector trade union movement was on the rampage the government should enact new legislation to meet the challenge.

The medical administrator found fault with the government and all political parties represented in parliament for their pathetic failure to rein in trade unions’ law unto themselves behaviour. Whatever their differences over political, economic and security issues, they couldn’t allow the public sector to cause further debilitation.

Asked whether he also opposed the ongoing public sector trade union campaign against Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government’s new tax formula, Dr. Bellana said that it should be reversed. Declaring the new tax regime was unacceptable under any circumstances, Dr. Bellana said he opposed taking hapless people hostage in a bid to pressure the government.

Regardless of a massive mandate received by Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the last presidential election in Nov 2019 followed by SLPP’s landslide victory at the parliamentary poll in Aug 2020, the President failed to exploit the situation. Had the President paid attention to issues at hand, he could have realised the need to revamp the public sector and rein in trade unions, Dr. Bellana said.

The proposed anti-terrorism law was nothing but a dire necessity, Dr. Bellana said, adding that President Wickremesinghe should go ahead with it. The trade unionist urged Opposition political parties not to shed crocodile tears for trade unions and media but throw their weight behind the proposed legislation.

Recent reportage of trade union activity exposed their terrorist like strategies, therefore they shouldn’t expect any mercy from the government, Dr. Bellana said. Responding to another query, Dr. Bellana alleged that some trade union leaders and senior representatives lived in luxury. “Some of them are in the habit of taking as much as Rs 200,000 to arrange a transfer or someone to secure a lucrative appointment,” Dr. Bellana said.

“I’m not afraid to say that the health sector is one of the most corrupt here,” Bellana said, urging the public to be cautious of utterly corrupt elements masquerading as trade unionists.

Dr. Bellana said that unless President Wickremesinghe received the backing of the parliament to strengthen law enforcement, the country could plunge into chaos. Having been elected as the President last July to complete the remainder of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s five-year term, the UNP leader had taken necessary measures to control those causing mayhem. The proposed introduction of anti-terrorism law seemed a step in the right direction, Dr. Bellana said, demanding that the Opposition stopped playing politics.

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Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail

Published

2 hours ago

2025/04/9

Priyan

A meeting between Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and relevant ministry officials was held on Tuesday (08) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the development plans to be implemented in Sri Lanka under three zones, in collaboration with the Surbana Jurong Institute of Singapore and 18 Ministries.

During the meeting it was discussed in detail regarding the plans for the Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project. The officials from Singapore-based urban planning and infrastructure consultancy Surbana Jurong also joined the discussion virtually.

Progress reports on the three projects were reviewed in detail and Dr. Kumanayake instructed the officials to identify any deficiencies and finalize the necessary actions within the next two weeks.

The discussion also addressed delays in securing necessary approvals for investments under the existing regulatory framework, as well as the urgent need to revise certain legislative instruments to better facilitate national development.

The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russel Aponsu, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing U.G. Ranjith Ariyaratne, and several senior officials from the respective ministries.

News

Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]

Published

7 hours ago

2025/04/9

Priyan

The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for 09 April 2025

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, and Western provinces and in Monaragala district.

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 below 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 011-7446491.

News

Sajith asks govt. to submit its MoUs with India to Parliament

Published

11 hours ago

2025/04/9

Sahan Weerasooriya

Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’

Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).

Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.

The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.

Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.

The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.

Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.

By Shamindra Ferdinando