News
Karu blames it all on govt.
Sri Lankans are witnessing the complete collapse of the state, says Karu Jayasuriya, Chairman of the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ).
Jayasuriya has, in a media statement, said that Sri Lankans are under
immense pressure due to power cuts, shortages of essential commodities, the rising cost of living and lack of foreign exchange.
Excerpts of Jayasuriya’s statement: “The government failed to take timely steps to resolve these issues and instead continuously delayed taking vital decisions. The Government’s organic fertiliser policy destroyed Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector. Even though compensation was assured to those affected, the Government has failed to deliver on this promise. Instead the government has squandered public funds on roads and walking paths.
“Due to the power disruptions, the industrial sector of the country suffered a serious collapse. The depreciation of the rupee led to the decrease of the legal inflow of foreign currency into the country.
“These events occurred due to the severe mismanagement on the part of the Government but it is the innocent people that must suffer the consequences as a result. In addition, the Government, the President and the Prime Minister are being severely criticised at the Galle Face Green and at various places across the country. The people are demanding a democratic, transparent and clean Government. Various reports are now being released on how public money was wasted and looted.
“It was shocking when the Audit Commission reports to Parliament revealed that the ‘Sugar Scam’ of Rs. 36 billion was carried out with the connivance of the Government. Therefore, it is natural for the youth to be enraged when those responsible have not been punished yet.
“Many apolitical and independent youth groups taking part in the protests have called on us and they appeared to be devastated. They accuse some politicians of destroying and robbing their future. They are disillusioned and disappointed. The country must understand and sympathise with their restlessness. It was reported that the President has convened various factions of the ruling party today for a discussion to form an all- party government.
“In the last few days, we have seen that the Government is not focused on resolving burning issues affecting the people but on trying to retain power instead. This is a breach of government responsibility.
“We call on the Government to take immediate action. The public may lose their patience and restraint if not. Dissent cannot be controlled with the use of weapons. If the President’s talks are successful, the Government should take immediate action to establish a national unity government. The hand of friendship should be extended to the Opposition immediately. The Government must not expect the Opposition’s help if they intend to continue with the Upali Abeyratne Commission and keep actor turned politician Ranjan Ramanayake incarcerated.
“We opposed the 20th Amendment to the Constitution at its inception and called for the 19th Amendment to be enacted. Calls for the same are now resonating from the Galle Face and across the country. We kindly request the President to clarify his position on these matters before summoning the Opposition.
“Various proposals have been made to amend the Constitution and the National Movement for Social has made public our proposals months ago. The Samagi Jana Balavegaya, Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga, President’s Counsel Wijeyadasa Rajapakse and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka have also submitted valuable proposals. Some proposals may take months to implement.
“The recommendations of the Bar Association can be implemented swiftly. If the Government so desires, most of these can be implemented within the next Parliamentary week. We request the Government to take note of these in order to regain the trust of the people. We express these thoughts in great pain having seen the suffering of the people. It is the responsibility of the Government to at least take note of these at the eleventh hour and take necessary steps to resolve the issues faced by our people. “
The warning mentioned in the flood warning message No. 01 issued for the Aththanagalu Oya basin on 22.05.2026 at about 5.30 am will be extended for the next 48 hours.
It is requested that residents in the area and vehicle drivers running through those areas pay high attention in this regard by the . Disaster Management Authorities are requested to take adequate precautions in this regard
Heavy and persistent rains lashed several parts of Sri Lanka yesterday, triggering flooding, transport disruptions, flight diversions and multiple disaster warnings as water levels rose in key river basins and low-lying urban areas.
The worst affected situation was reported along the Colombo–Avissawella main road, where floodwaters submerged sections of the highway, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill at several points, including the Puwakpitiya-Thummodara junction, the Seethawaka Botanical Garden area, and parts of Yatiyantota. Traffic was also severely disrupted along the Delgoda–Belumahara road at Udupila, and the Gampaha–Miriswatta road, due to inundation, while movement on the Divulapitiya–Mirigama route was restricted for light vehicles, following flooding at Ullalapitiya.
In the Kelani River Valley, rising water levels, following heavy rainfall in the catchment areas, prompted warnings of possible minor flooding within the next 48 hours. The Irrigation Department cautioned that areas, including Hanwella, Seethawaka, Dompe, Padukka, Homagama, Biyagama, Kaduwela, Kolonnawa, Kelaniya, Wattala and Colombo, could be affected. The flood alert, issued at 10:00 am yesterday, remains valid for 48 hours, until Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) issued landslide warnings covering six districts—Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura. Red alerts were issued for Dehiowita, in Kegalle and Ratnapura, while amber and yellow warnings were declared for several vulnerable divisions, including Seethawaka, Padukka, Attanagalla, Ingiriya, Bulathsinhala, Ruwanwella, Kuruwita, Ayagama, Pelmadulla, Yatiyantota, Ambagamuwa, Eheliyagoda, Nivithigala and Kalawana.
In the civil aviation sector, poor visibility and heavy rain around Katunayake forced the diversion of around six inbound flights, bound for Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, as a precautionary measure.
The Department of Meteorology reported that the highest rainfall recorded was 336.5 mm in Pambegama, Kegalle, between Thursday morning and Friday morning, underscoring the intensity of the ongoing weather system.
Authorities have urged the public, in affected districts, to remain vigilant, avoid flood-prone roads, and adhere to disaster warnings as adverse weather conditions are expected to persist.
by Norman Palihawadane and Chaminda Silva
Twenty-one alleged underworld operatives, deported from Dubai, were taken into custody by the CID, upon their arrival at the Mattala International Airport yesterday, Police said.
The suspects, including alleged organised crime figures, known as “Mahawatta Chamara” and “Kudu Duminda,” were arrested within the airport premises, shortly after disembarking from several inbound flights that had been diverted to Mattala, due to adverse weather conditions affecting operations at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), in Katunayake.
Police said the group had been residing overseas for an extended period while allegedly continuing to direct organised criminal activities and narcotics trafficking operations in Sri Lanka.
According to law enforcement authorities, the deportees were among a group of wanted criminal suspects linked to underworld networks and ongoing investigations into organised crime activities.
Senior Police officials stated that “Mahawatta Chamara” is expected to be handed over to the Central Crime Investigation Bureau for further investigations, while inquiries into the activities and alleged criminal links of the remaining suspects are also continuing.
Police sources said the deportees arrived in the country during the early hours of yesterday after flights originating from Dubai were rerouted to the Mattala Airport.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the specific charges pending against the suspects, but investigators believe several of them maintained operational ties to criminal syndicates involved in drug trafficking and other organised crimes, despite being based overseas.
The CID has commenced extensive investigations to determine the extent of the suspects’ alleged involvement in underworld activities and their connections to ongoing criminal operations in the country.
by Norman Palihawadane
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