News
Imthiaz: Youth have every right to be angry and rulers cannot escape responsibility
SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar says a ruler cannot hold on to power by imprisoning the country’s youth.
Participating in the debate on the 2023 Budget, Bakeer Markar said, “The current crisis has severely affected the country’s youth as proved by the ongoing brain drain. We must all understand this situation. The youth who are suffering due to these issues are now in anger. Their dreams have been destroyed due to the crisis. They have no hopes for the future and neither have they been offered any help or support to build their lives. Given the situation they have every right to be angry.”
“Labelling them as terrorists or issuing threats claiming that military or police will be deployed against them is not what must be done.
“It is a fallacy to think traditional politics or intimidation is a solution to these issues. One is mistaken if one believes they can hang on to power through the use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act or a Rehabilitation Bill or even by locking up youth in torture chambers or in dark rooms. Traditional politics is dead. One cannot deal with today’s youth with an island mentality,” he said.
The MP said that youth with new thinking is coming into power the world over and have become forces of change in their countries.
“The world is calling for Martin Luthers and not Hitlers,” he said, adding that Sri Lanka must use the citizens’ struggle in a positive manner for its future journey. “Our country’s youth became exemplary when they engaged in a peaceful struggle on the country’s streets for freedom, equality and life. Using their struggle as an example we should set our goals as a country higher and obtain the support of the youth to embark on this journey. This is what is accepted in the developed world today where they look at youth in a positive manner. It is understood that a speedier journey towards development can be achieved through this,” the MP said.
He said that oppression is not the answer. The country’s leadership must join hands with them to go forward.
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) has announced a reduction in the prices of Petrol 92 and Petrol 95, effective from midnight today (30).
The price of Petrol 92 has been reduced by Rs. 15 per litre, from Rs. 414 to Rs. 399 while the price of Petrol 95 Octane has been reduced by Rs. 20 per litre, from Rs. 495 to Rs. 475
There will be no change in the prices of diesel, Super Diesel and kerosene under the latest revision.
The book “Rathuwewi Mihimadala”, written based on the life story of Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Leader of the Democratic Left Front, was launched on Friday [August 28] at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Speaking to the media afterwards about Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:
“Vasudeva Nanayakkara is a prominent figure in Sri Lankan politics, particularly within the left-wing political movement. There were several influential figures within the left movement, and that left-wing influence also contributed to bringing the country to where it is today. Politically, there were areas where we agreed and areas where we did not. However, I have great respect for the contribution made by Vasudeva Nanayakkara to left-wing politics. When I entered Parliament in 2020, Vasudeva Nanayakkara was also in Parliament. We sat in the same row, and we spoke about many important as well as interesting moments in his political career. I believe some of these experiences have also been included in this book.”
The event was attended by members of the Maha Sangha, Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara, former President Maithripala Sirisena, former Speakers Karu Jayasuriya and Chamal Rajapaksa, as well as party members, family members and friends.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Latest News
Sun directly overhead Mannar, Periyamadu, Puliyankulam, Welioya and Pulmoddai about 12.11 noon today (30)
The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.
The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (30) are Mannar, Periyamadu, Puliyankulam, Welioya and
Pulmoddai about 12.11 noon.
Petrol to cost less from midnight today (30)
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