News
Govt. asked how it intends to counter US-Eelam lobby
‘Far worse than Canadian declaration of Tamil genocide’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Top Patriotic National Movement (PNM) spokesperson Dr. Wasantha Bandara said that the government should explain how it intended to counter the powerful Eelamist lobby seeking to divide the country on ethnic lines with the help of the US, a self-appointed world policeman.
Dr. Bandara said so commenting on a resolution that had been introduced to the US Congress calling on the government to work towards an independence referendum in the Northern and Eastern Provinces and recognise the genocide committed.
Dr. Bandara pointed out that the US move should be examined also taking into consideration the continuing Western support extended to the Khalistan movement seeking an independent state in India’s Punjab region.
The civil society activist said that the so-called bipartisan resolution had been timed for the 15th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s triumph over the separatist terrorist agenda.
Responding to another query, Dr. Bandara said that the US resolution meant that though the LTTE’s conventional military/terrorist power had been eradicated in the battlefield, the Eelamist lobby was busy in Western capitals.
According to him, the US-British led grouping pushed Sri Lanka over the accountability issue as part of their overall strategy to pressure the government on a solution that would end the country’s unitary status.
Dr. Bandara asked how could the government and the Opposition remain silent when the US-backed Eelamists’ push for a solution similar to self-determination granted to South Sudan, Montenegro, East Timor, Bosnia, Eritrea, and Kosovo through ‘independence referendums’ with support from the United States and other powerful countries.
The heightened threat to our unitary status should be one of the major issues at the forthcoming presidential poll, Dr. Bandara said, demanding that all political parties state their positions on the US moves.
Dr. Bandara said that the government should set the record straight in Washington and Geneva where agendas inimical to post-war Sri Lanka were being hatched.
Dr. Bandara said that successive governments, including the current dispensation, should be ashamed of their failure to counter unsubstantiated war crimes allegations.
The US move, unless countered, could be far worse than the Canadian declaration of Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day on May 18 and sanctions on former Presidents, Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake departed for Vietnam.
The visit is taking place at the invitation of the President of Vietnam from May 4 to 6, 2025.
During the visit, President Disanayake is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with both the President and the Prime Minister of Vietnam. He will also meet with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and other senior officials.
On May 6, the President will attend the official opening ceremony of the United Nations Vesak Day celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City as the Chief guest and will also deliver the keynote address.
In addition, the visit is expected to include the signing of several bilateral agreements and engagement with the Vietnamese business community to further enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, along with a delegation of senior government officials, is accompanying the President on this important visit.
[PMD]
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The Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Monaragala and Hambantota districts.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 03 May 2025, valid for 04 May 2025.
The public re warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Monaragala and Hambantota districts.
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 011-7446491.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) sources said that plans were afoot to file charges in connection with 15 major fraud and corruption cases in the near future.
The Commission sources said that these cases stem from thorough investigations into complaints that had previously gone unexamined, with recent file reviews prompting the decision to proceed with legal action. The forthcoming charges are based on detailed inquiries that uncovered substantial evidence pointing to serious misconduct.
To date, CIABOC has initiated inquiries into over 300 complaints received during the recent period, reflecting an expanded commitment to tackling corruption at multiple levels of governance.
Commission sources said that several former ministers and political affiliates from past administrations are among those implicated in the ongoing investigations, though specific names have yet to be disclosed.
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