News
Govt. MPs reaped what they had sown, says SF ‘IGP and Army Commander must not be blamed’
By Saman Indrajith
SJB Gampaha District MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka told Parliament, on Tuesday, that government MPs should not shed tears for their losses, using Parliament time, because the violent incidents were of their own making.
Field Marshal Fonseka said that people had taken to the streets against unending corruption and the government’s disregard for the rule of law. “You reap what you sow. People are agitating across the country because of unbearable hardships they have to undergo. The government did not try to find solutions for their problems, or to address the issues. Instead, they declared a state of Emergency as if it would help make fuel, food, medicine and fertilisers available.
“You do not seem to have learnt anything from what happened after the 09 May riots. You still try to blame others. The Galle Face protesters engaged in their agitation very peacefully. Thugs sent from Temple Trees set upon them. The Western Province Senior DIG was seen walking with an MP.
How could one expect police to protect the protesters when the Senior DIG himself was seen with the attackers? I heard someone blame the IGP for not preventing the attack on protesting youth. I do not approve that because what could the IGP do when the Senior DIG, deployed for the task, was working hand in glove with the law breakers? Some blamed the Army Commander. That is also wrong. Those officers know their duty, its limits, its honour and how to do their job. They did nothing wrong nor has there been any dereliction of duty, on their part. When a state of Emergency is declared, the Army is there on standby to provide assistance to the police. The Army is not there to rush whenever there is a clash. If the situation goes beyond the control of the police, then the IGP should call the Army Commander for assistance. The Army has to be called in. Therefore I ask you to refrain from blaming those officers.
“If people rise against their rulers, then let them sort it out between them. The security forces should not be involved in such affairs. Today, some of those who initiated the 09 May violence are now hiding on islets that had been used to detain LTTE terrorists during the times of war. They have to hide because they cheated the people and robbed the nation’s wealth.
“I call on the people to extend their fullest support to the Galle Face protest. Support those youth. They are on the right path. They have commenced the task of changing the political culture. We need that change. We must place our hopes on them and assist them in every possible way to achieve their objective,” Field Marshal Fonseka said, adding that it was the fourth time that he congratulated the youth on the ongoing protest for the achievements that they made during a very short period of time.
It has been reported that a Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 Helicopter has crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir this morning.
Latest News
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 4.00 p.m. 08 May 2025, valid for 09 May 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 and Eastern provinces and 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.
News
EC asks winners to name heads of majority-controlled LG institutions; bargaining continues in hung councils
Chairman of the Election (EC) Commission R. M. A. L. Ratnayake said yesterday that the EC would direct the political parties and independent groups that have secured absolute majorities in local government bodies to name the heads of those institutions.
The ruling NPP and the Opposition parties are vying for control of the hung local councils including the Colombo MC. Both the NPP and the SJB have offered to coalesce with independent groups to muster majorities.
Ratnayake said that notifications would be sent to the General Secretaries of parties and independent groups that have won local government bodies with a majority of more than 50% of the vote.
The results of the 2025 Local Government election held on Tuesday (6) were released on Wednesday (7).
The NPP won 266 out of 339 local government institutions. The SJB and the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi won 13 and 37 councils respectively. Independent groups and regional Tamil political parties won the other councils.
However, the winners have failed to secure more than 50% of seats in a majority of the local government institutions.Ratnayake said that the members elected to local government institutions at the ward level would be officially gazetted in the coming days.
The heads of the non-majority councils will be elected by their members. The government and the Opposition are accusing each other of using financial inducements to make some councilors switch their allegiance ahead of the election of the heads of the hung local councils.
The NPP has said it is confident of forming stable administrations in 134 local councils, but the Opposition is of the view that the NPP will not be able to do so in about 186 councils.
PSL moved to UAE amid India-Pakistan tensions
Bell 212 helicopter crashes into Maduru Oya reservoir
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts
-
Opinion5 days agoRemembering Dr. Samuel Mathew: A Heart that Healed Countless Lives
-
Business3 days agoAitken Spence Travels continues its leadership as the only Travelife-Certified DMC in Sri Lanka
-
Business3 days agoLinearSix and InsureMO® expand partnership
-
Latest News2 days agoNPP win Maharagama Urban Council
-
Features5 days agoTrump’s economic missiles are boomeranging
-
Latest News5 days agoThe 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.
-
Business2 days agoNDB Bank partners with Bishop’s College to launch NDB Pixel awareness
-
Sports2 days agoDamsiluni, Buwindu win Under 14 tennis titles