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Karu urges President to seize opportunity to rebuild the country together with Opposition

Published

4 years ago

2021/09/12

Mr. Karu Jayasuriya, the Chairman of the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ), last week said in a statement that an environment conducive to rebuilding the country is emerging after 72 years and urged that this opportunity be seized.

Sincerely wishing for the success of that effort he declared: “We owe it to future generations ….. to make this a reality and our fullest commitment is always there to achieve this noble goal.”

Urging the president as Head of State to handle national leadership, he said the government and opposition can establish a conducive environment for the country to move forward. The support of the opposition is essential for this purpose.

The opposition offer to extend support for the development of the country should be taken seriously, he said.

Following are excerpts from the statement:

The President’s attendance at the UN General Assembly will be an opportunity to explain different attitudes towards Sri Lanka. It is also a relief to know that the Minister of Foreign Affairs is holding successful discussions to resolve existing issues.

It is timely to appoint a special committee headed by a former Chief Justice to report on persons involved in terrorist activities. Although the names of the committee members were submitted the process has not been completed officially. Global trust for Sri Lanka will only be ensured once this process is properly completed. NMSJ urged the president to take immediate action in this regard.

The prime minister’s reported meeting with the European Union is very important to address all unresolved issues related to GSP+ etc. Undermining the importance of GSP+ by some politicians is harmful to the country, he said.

The finance minister’s remarks that the government is hoping to build relationships with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in the future was welcome. Taking this decision even late is useful and beneficial to the country.

“As a country, we can move forward by adhering to democratic principles, gaining world respect while not aligning with any power block. When 600 votes were cast against Sri Lanka, all countries explained that they were very fond of Sri Lanka and that they had to vote against it due to policy reasons,” he said.

“We have publicly commented over the processes that have been detrimental to democracy since this government came to power. We have been continuously expressing this view through discussion held via ZOOM, seminars and technical consultations with expert teams.”

Jayasuriya noted from surveys that about 82% of the people of this country have rejected the 20th amendment which destroyed democracy in the country. The recommendations of the Upali Abeyrathne Commission which was created with the intention of getting political revenge is an insult to the whole country, an insult to the judiciary and something that does not happen in any other democratic country in the world.

“It should be noted with regret that since the Hon. Prime Minister tabled this Bill to Parliament, it caused damage to his reputation. It is stored in the parliamentary archive in his name. Elections, held in a democratic country should be free and fair. We continued to make the country aware of this requirement,” Jayasuriya said.

“………our main allegation is that there are several serious (very) political appointments in so called “independent commissions”. We hope that the president will take steps to rectify this with the consent of the two representatives of the opposition, which was the practice in the past.”

Without that, an independent commission is fruitless and its (recommendations) difficult to accept.

National appeal on behalf of the coutry

We extend our deepest condolences to all the families who died in the Covid- 19 pandemic. We would also like to take this opportunity to highlight several issues of national importance affecting the country, which is to be brought to the attention of His Excellency, the President and the people of the country.

We are relieved to hear from the press that His Excellency, the President is attending the United Nations General Assembly which is an opportunity to explain different attitudes towards Sri Lanka. It was mentioned in a leading newspaper last weekend that he would be committed to protect democracy. That’s a promising message if it goes well. It is also a relief to know that the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs is holding successful discussions to resolve the existing issues.

It is timely to appoint a special committee headed by a former Chief Justice to furnish a report on persons who were involved in terrorist activities. Although the names of the committee members were submitted the process has not been completed officially. Global trust for Sri Lanka will only be ensured once this process is properly completed.

We propose to His Excellency the President to take immediate action in this regard. The Hon. Prime Minister’s meeting of the European Union as reported is very important to address all unresolved issues related to GSP+ etc. Undermining the importance of GSP+ by some politicians is harmful to the country. Hon Finance Minister yesterday stated in the parliament that the government is hoping to build relationships with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in the future. Taking this decision even late is useful as well as beneficial to the country.

As a country, we can move forward by adhering to democratic principles, gaining world respect while not aligning with any power block. When 600 votes were cast against Sri Lanka, all countries explained that they were very fond of Sri Lanka and that they had to vote against it due to policy reasons. We have publicly commented over the processes that have been detrimental to democracy since this government came to power. We have been continuously expressing this view through discussion held via ZOOM, seminars and technical consultations with expert teams

We noticed from surveys that about 82% of the people of this country have rejected the 20th amendment, which destroyed democracy in the country. The recommendations of the Upali Abeyrathne Commission which was created with the intention of getting political revenge, is an insult to the whole country, an insult to the Judiciary and something that does not happen in any other democratic country in the world.

It should be noted with regret that since the Hon. Prime Minister tabled this Bill to parliament, it caused damage to his reputation. It is stored in the parliamentary archive in his name. Elections, held in a democratic country should be free and fair. We continued to make the country aware of this requirement.

Sri Lankans do not have that independence. Our main allegation is that there are several serious political appointments in so called “independent commissions”. We hope that His Excellency the President will take steps to rectify this with the consent of the two representatives of the opposition, which was the practice in the past.

Without that, an independent commission is fruitless and difficult to accept.

The National Movement for Social Justice stands for the betterment of the country and “we are committed to uphold the vision of Ven. Sri Sobhitha Thera to move forward” We are not a political party. We would like to mention it again and again. As Ven. Sobhitha Thera had repeatedly stated, “We want to be buried in a Independent, democratic and free country.”

Through the ideas and proposals we have mentioned in good faith, the government and the opposition can establish a conducive environment for the country to move forward. We must note that the support of the Opposition is essential for this. The Opposition has stated several times that it will extend its support to the development of the country and this offer should be taken seriously.

We have repeatedly stated that His Excellency the President as the Head of State should handle the national leadership. It should be mentioned that the people of this country do not approve of any obstruction to the independence of the Judiciary. Conducting seminars publicly and giving instructions to Top Officials of the Judiciary recently, had been subject of concern to democracy.

Since an environment, which is conducive of rebuilding the country, is emerging after 72 years, we sincerely wish all the success for that effort! We owe it future generations of this country to make this a reality and our fullest commitment is always there to achieve this noble goal.

Deshabandu Karu Jayasuriya President

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Israel resumes attacks as Iran vows to avenge supreme leader’s death

Published

1 hour ago

2026/03/2

Sahan Weerasooriya

An explosion caused by an Iranian missile in Tel Aviv

* Iran begins 40-day mourning after Khamenei killed in US-Israeli attack

* President Pezeshkian condemns killing as ‘a great crime’

Iran has begun 40 days of mourning after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in ongoing attacks by the United States and Israel, according to Iranian state media.

Top security officials were also killed in Saturday’s strikes, along with Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law and grandson. The killings mark one of the most significant blows to Iran’s leadership since the 1979 Islamic revolution Al Jazeera has reported.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the killing as “a great crime”, according to a statement from his office. He also declared seven days of public holidays in addition to the 40-day mourning period.

Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi said people were pouring into the streets of the capital following the news of Khamenei’s killing.

“There will be expected ceremonies,” he said, noting they would likely take place amid continuing bombardment across the country.

Protests denouncing Khamenei’s killing were also reported elsewhere, including Shiraz, Yasuj and Lorestan.

“There will be expected ceremonies,” he said, noting they would likely take place amid continuing bombardment across the country.

Footage aired by Iranian state media showed supporters mourning at the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, with several people seen crying and collapsing in grief, according to Al Jazeera.

The killing also led to protests in neighbouring Iraq, which declared three days of public mourning. In Baghdad, protesters confronted security forces in the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses Iraqi government buildings and foreign embassies.

Videos verified by Al Jazeera showed demonstrators waving flags and shouting slogans, with witnesses saying some were attempting to mobilise towards the US Embassy. Footage also showed protesters blocking vehicles at a roundabout near one of the entrances to the area.

There was also a protest in the Pakistani city of Karachi, where footage, verified by Al Jazeera, showed people setting fire to and smashing the windows of the US consulate.

However, there have also been reports of celebrations in Iran, with the Reuters news agency quoting witnesses as saying some people had taken to the streets in Tehran, the nearby city of Karaj and the central city of Isfahan.

Meanwhile, the official IRNA news agency reported that a three-person council, consisting of the country’s president, the chief of the judiciary, and one of the jurists of the Guardian Council, will temporarily assume all leadership duties in the country. The body will temporarily oversee the country until a new supreme leader is elected.

Ali Larijani, the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, accused the US and Israel of trying to plunder Iran, in an interview aired on state TV.

He also called on Iranians to unite. “Groups seeking to divide Iran should know that we will not tolerate it,” he added.

Smoke rises over central Tehran following ongoing U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran yesterday.[EPA]

Khamenei assumed leadership of Iran in 1989 following the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who had led the Islamic revolution a decade earlier.

While Khomeini was regarded as the ideological force behind the revolution that ended the Pahlavi monarchy, Khamenei went on to shape Iran’s military and paramilitary apparatus, strengthening both its domestic control and its regional influence.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) pledged revenge and said it had launched strikes on 27 bases hosting US troops in the region, as well as Israeli military facilities in Tel Aviv.

Explosions have continued to be reported in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, while security alerts are in place in several countries across the region.

US President Donald Trump, in a social media post on Sunday, warned Iran that it would be hit “with a force that has ?never been seen before” if it retaliated.

Iran’s retaliatory attacks since Saturday have targeted Israel and US assets across multiple Middle East countries, including Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Harlan Ullman, chairman of the strategic advisory firm Killowen Group and an adviser to the Atlantic Council in Washington, DC, said the US may have made a “big mistake” by killing Khamenei.

“Decapitation only works when you get all the leaders, and I don’t think that we got all the leaders,” Ullman said, adding that the US should not expect Iran’s leadership to enter negotiations in the immediate aftermath.

Iranian state media reported on Saturday at least 201 people have been killed in the joint US-Israeli attacks across 24 provinces, citing the Red Crescent. In southern Iran, at least 148 people were killed and 95 wounded in a strike on an elementary girls’ school in Minab on Saturday, with the toll continuing to rise, according to state media.

News

CPC has enough fuel stocks

Published

1 hour ago

2026/03/2

Sahan Weerasooriya

There would be no delay in fuel shipments scheduled for April and May, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) assured yesterday.

Addressing a media briefing in Colombo, CPC Chairman D.J. Rajakaruna said Sri Lanka’s fuel supplies did not originate from the present conflict zone in West Asia and, therefore, supplies to the Corporation would not be disrupted.

He noted that the relevant consignments were due to arrive from India and Singapore as planned.

“We are making this statement responsibly. There is no need for the public to queue up for fuel. Distribution was not originally scheduled for Sunday (01), but due to increased demand, we have deployed all distribution staff to continue fuel issuance. Although Monday (02) is a Poya Day, fuel supplies will continue without interruption,” he said.

The Chairman added that all filling stations had been instructed not to dispense fuel into cans or barrels, warning that legal action would be taken against those attempting to purchase fuel in bulk containers for resale.

News

Lanka, Pakistan strengthen ties at 13th JEC

Published

1 hour ago

2026/03/2

Sahan Weerasooriya

Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development and Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for Industries and Production at the 13th Session of the Sri Lanka–Pakistan Joint Economic Commission in Colombo.

The 13th Session of the Sri Lanka–Pakistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) was successfully held recently in Colombo, reinforcing the strong and longstanding economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, while the Pakistani delegation was headed by Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for Industries and Production. The session concluded with the signing of the Agreed Minutes by both Co-Chairs, formalising cooperation across multiple sectors.

The Pakistan High Commission in Colombo said that in the IT and digital economy, both sides agreed in principle to establish a Joint Working Group on IT and telecommunications, promote collaboration in emerging technologies, and support each other in international digital forums.

Industrial cooperation was a key focus, with discussions on expanding trade in chemicals, polymers, engineering goods, glassware, surgical instruments, and pharmaceuticals. Sri Lanka invited Pakistani pharmaceutical companies to explore investment opportunities in designated pharmaceutical zones. Both countries also agreed to strengthen collaboration in Export Processing Zones and enhance support for small and medium enterprises through their respective development agencies.

Significant progress was made in agriculture and livestock, including cooperation on meat exports, livestock farming, seed certification, sanitary and phytosanitary harmonisation, pest risk analysis, and capacity building. Procedures for the export of Sri Lankan pineapples and avocados to Pakistan were advanced. Both sides explored electronic phytosanitary certification (ePhyto), blockchain-based seed traceability systems, and increased trade in agro-commodities such as rice, sesame, and onions.

In education, the JEC emphasised academic and research cooperation, faculty and student exchanges, accreditation and quality assurance, and promoting Pakistan as a higher education destination for Sri Lankan students. A Joint Working Group on Education and Science was proposed, alongside renewal of several institutional Memoranda of Understanding.

Cooperation in science, technology, and innovation will continue under existing bilateral frameworks, with plans for joint research in advanced materials, biotechnology, climate change mitigation, and emerging technologies. Collaborative research projects, student exchanges, and co-authored publications were highlighted as key initiatives.

Health sector collaboration will focus on joint research, academic exchanges, regulatory cooperation on therapeutic goods, capacity building, fast-track registration of essential medicines, public-private partnerships, epidemiological surveillance, and coordinated responses to disease outbreaks.

Maritime cooperation was also discussed, with Pakistan offering technical expertise, training, and industrial collaboration through its shipbuilding institutions. Both sides explored enhanced maritime connectivity, including transshipment, port cooperation at Karachi and Gwadar, direct shipping routes, logistics integration, and maritime training programs.

Commerce secretary-level talks reviewed the progress of the Pakistan–Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (PSFTA), assessing current implementation and identifying measures to further enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

On the sidelines, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar Khan held discussions with Sri Lankan Cabinet members on collaboration in industry, labor and foreign employment, and health sectors.

Both delegations expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the 13th JEC and reaffirmed their commitment to regular engagement and effective implementation of agreed initiatives. It was mutually agreed that the 14th session will be held in Islamabad, with dates to be confirmed through diplomatic channels.