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Govt. MPs reaped what they had sown, says SF ‘IGP and Army Commander must not be blamed’

Published

4 years ago

2022/05/19

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.

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President meets senior officials of the Urban Development Authority

Published

5 hours ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

A discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and senior officials of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) was held this afternoon (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The meeting focused extensively on new development projects planned by the Urban Development Authority. The President emphasised the need to ensure that the budgetary allocations made for these projects in the current year are utilised effectively within the same financial year.

Detailed discussions were also held on projects planned to be implemented jointly by multiple institutions, including the importance of holding consultations with all relevant agencies to reach final decisions and the need to clearly define responsibilities for each institution in both implementation and maintenance phases of the projects.

Attention was drawn to key initiatives such as the Kelani River flood control project, water management projects in Colombo city and the Beira Lake restoration project. The need for a dedicated programme for low-income housing in areas such as Ratmalana and Moratuwa was also highlighted. During the discussion, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake underscored the importance of introducing a structured management framework for the effective coordination of certain projects.

Deputy Minister of Urban Development, Eranga Gunasekara, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Senior Professor Kapila C.K. Perera, Chairman of the Urban Development Authority (UDA), M.G. Hemachandra and the Heads representing the Urban Settlement Development Authority (USDA), Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC), National Physical Planning Department (NPPD) and the Condominium Management Authority (CMA) were also present at the meeting.

(PMD)

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CEAT Kelani Branch Inter-Company Employees’ Union makes donation to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

Published

5 hours ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

The Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the Kelaniya Branch of CEAT Sri Lanka has made a financial donation of Rs. 1,148,000.00, a day’s salary of its members to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund established to support the restoration of livelihoods and the rebuilding of areas affected by cyclone Ditwah.

Secretary of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, D.G.S.D. Navaratne, handed over the donation to the Chief of Staff to the President, Prabhath Chandrakeerthi at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (18).

Treasurer of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, Y.P.I.C. Karunathilaka, together with members of the Executive Committee, were also present on the occasion.

(PMD)

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Prime Minister off to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum

Published

6 hours ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed on an official visit to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.

During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to participate in several high-level academic and diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of education, development studies, research collaboration, and international partnerships.

As part of the visit, the Prime Minister will meet with Ms.Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education of the United Kingdom, at the UK Department for Education, to discuss areas of cooperation in education and related sectors. She is also expected to meet Ms.Yvette Cooper, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, for discussions on matters of bilateral interest and cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.

In addition, the Prime Minister is expected to meet Ms.Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on the sidelines of the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will attend a public event at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex and she will also take part in the ceremony marking the 60th Anniversary of the Institute of Development Studies. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to address a session at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies at the University of Oxford, followed by a question-and-answer session with scholars and students.

The visit is expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s engagement with academic institutions, international development partners, and Commonwealth member states, particularly in the areas of education, research, policy dialogue, and capacity building.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]