News

Govt. has lost control of country – SJB

Published

5 years ago

2020/12/23

By Saman Indrajith

The Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) says the government has given up the fight against the pandemic and was leaving the infected persons to their fate.

Addressing the media at the Opposition Leader’s office in Colombo, Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella said: “It is clear that the government has given up its fight against the pandemic. The number of infections is increasing rapidly, but the government does not care to conduct enough tests. It imposed laws limiting the number of participants for weddings, funerals and religious ceremonies and it violates them by holding political meeting. For example the number of persons allowed for a wedding is 50 but the ministers attending political meetings attended by minsiters are allowed to have over crowds of over 500.The leading ministers are conducting a series of events in provinces under the title Gama Samaga Pilisandarak (Dialogue with the Village). Its Matara event was attended by over 500 persons. On Dec 17 the Kandy District event was held at Polgolla with the participation of all heads of public institutions, police officers, Pradeshiya Sabha members, heads of department, and they were hosted to a lunch. Later, an infected Pradeshiya Sabha chairman was found to have attended that event. Now, all leading public officials in the district are under quarantine.

“Two months ago there was no COVID-19 cases in the Kandy District. But the government put COVID-19 infected persons in the Bomgambara Prison. Today Kandy is the district from where the second most number of cases has been reported. Many institutions in the city have been shut down. The Governor’s Office, provincial and zonal education offices are all closed. But the Gama Samaga Pilisandarak event was held with the participation of over 500 persons. This shows that the government has given up its anti-COVID-19 campaign.

“There is still no final decision with regard to the burial of Muslim COVID-19 victims. The government is quite capable for taking the internal problem to the international level. It conducted secret talks with the Maldives to see whether it could find places there to bury Lankan Muslims dying from COVID-19. The secret came out after the government of the Maldives made a statement that the Sri Lankan government had made a request to the effect. It is a shameful act to try to bury our citizens in a foreign country. The government should solve this problem urgently.

“The government has also lost control over the country as well. It has failed to control the prices of essential commodities. There were some shortcomings in the yahapalana government, but we never lost the control over prices of essential items. We had a committee on cost of living affairs and it met fortnightly to keep the prices under control. Today, there is no such control of prices and the consumers are at the mercy of traders.”

SJB Colombo District MP Mano Ganesan also addressed the media.

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Pakistan High Commissioner pays courtsey call on PM

Published

11 hours ago

2026/05/2

Priyan

High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer met with the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at Temple Trees on 30th April

Welcoming the High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister expressed sincere appreciation for the continued support and cooperation extended by the Government of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, particularly the assistance provided following the Ditwah Cyclone.

Both sides reaffirmed the longstanding and cordial relations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, which are founded on mutual respect, friendship, and shared interests.

The meeting also focused on the importance of further strengthening collaboration in key sectors such as education, tourism, and sports, with a view to enhancing people-to-people ties and creating new opportunities for cooperation reiterating Sri Lanka’s commitment to deepening bilateral engagement.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Ms. Zunaira Latif, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

News

Ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka pays farewll call on PM

Published

11 hours ago

2026/05/2

Priyan

The Ambassador of Nepal to SriLanka, Dr. Purna Bahadurn Nepali paid a farewell courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Thursday (30th of April) at Temple Trees.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed sincere appreciation for the dedicated service and valuable contributions towards strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Nepal during the tenure of Dr. Purna Bahadurn Nepali.

Both parties reaffirmed the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries, which are based on shared cultural, religious, and historical linkages. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to further deepening bilateral relations with Nepal and enhancing cooperation for the mutual benefit of both nations.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

Latest News

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

Published

11 hours ago

2026/05/2

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 01 May 2026, valid for 02 May 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-western 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 the 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.