News
Govt. accused of nepotism in vital DMI appointment
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader Udaya Gammanpila yesterday (03) accused the National People’s Power (NPP) government of making an attempt to promote a relatively junior officer as the Head of the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI).
The former parliamentarian and Attorney-at-Law named the officer holding the rank of Colonel.
Addressing the media at the PHU office at Pita Kotte, Gammanpila alleged that the NPP wanted to bring the DMI under a Colonel married to a senior activist of Lanka Guru Seva Sangamaya.
The one-time JHU stalwart compared the NPP’s actions with that of the Yahapalana administration (2015-2019) comprising the UNP and the SLFP that debilitated the intelligence services. Gammanpila charged that the ruination of the intelligence services facilitated the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage.
According to the PHU leader, five Brigadiers and seven Colonels had been either sidelined or moved to various commands in various parts of the country to accommodate the NPP favourite. Having named all officers concerned, the former Minister pointed out the absurdity in placing one of them as the director of the Army band.
Gammanpila claimed that as a Colonel couldn’t be made the head of the DMI suddenly, the NPP has brought in an Engineers’ officer holding the rank of Brigadier as a temporary measure.
The former Minister said that the issue should be vigorously raised in Parliament as national security is at stake. Responding to The Island queries, the former lawmaker emphasized the responsibility on the part of the NPP to ensure that the once proud intelligence services remained fully geared to meet any eventuality.
Gammanpila also noted the changes that had been effected at the State Intelligence Services (SIS) as well as the Office of the Chief of National Intelligence against the backdrop of the government decision to do away with the Office of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Dr. Kristalina Georgieva, at Temple Tress on the 17th of February
Dr. Georgieva, commended the Government’s efforts in stabilizing the country’s economy and in managing recent economic and natural shocks. She noted that Cyclone Ditwah had caused severe impacts, especially on economically vulnerable communities, underscoring the importance of targeted support and resilience-building measures.
The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the IMF’s continued support to Sri Lanka, particularly in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. The PM further emphasized that real economic recovery and development must directly benefit the economically vulnerable groups and ensure inclusive growth, highlighting the need for Sri Lanka to attract quality and sustainable investments, particularly in the tourism sector.
The importance of reforming the education system to focus not only on knowledge acquisition but also on skills development and employability was also discussed
The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff of the IMF Managing Director Andreas Bauer, Director, Asia and Pacific Department, Dr. Krishna Srinivasan Division Chief (Strategic Communications), Communications Department, Pierre Mejlak Resident Representative for Sri Lanka Dr. Martha Woldemichael, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, and Deputy Governor Dr. C. Amarasekara, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri and Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution forwarded by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to relocate the Deniyaya Base Hospital after constructing a new hospital with a capacity of 300 beds at an estimated cost of Rupees 6,000 million.
The Southern Provincial Department of Health has acquired a plot of land in Handford estate which is approximately 03 kilometres away from the town for this purpose.
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