News
Kashmir Black Day to be observed in Sri Lanka
The High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Colombo organized a seminar/photo exhibition to mark the ‘Kashmir Black Day’ on Oct 27 at the BMICH.A press release issued by the Pakistan High Commission said: The event was attended by people from different walks of life including opinion makers, professional, journalists, writers, and local friends of Kashmir as well as the Pakistani community. Documentaries and photos depicting atrocities committed by the Indian forces in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu Kashmir were also shown to the participants. The messages from President and Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan were also readout for the audience.
The seminar was addressed by Shiraz Yoonus, political activist and National Coordinator of Muslim Affairs and Suriya Rizwi a Pakistani Alumni. The panel of speakers highlighted Indian atrocities in the State of Jammu and Kashmir and inhumane treatment of innocent Kashmiris at the hands of Indian occupation forces, which originated when the people of Jammu and Kashmir were denied the right of self-determination in 1947. On Oct 27, 1947 the land was acceded to India through an improper and illegal Instrument of Kashmir Accession. Ever since, Indian Illegally occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJ&K) has been the largest prison on the planet. Referring to the United Nations Security Council’s special sessions on the Kashmir issue, the speakers noted that the international community is no more a silent spectator to the Indian atrocities.
High Commissioner of Pakistan, Major General (Retd) Umar Farooq Burki HI (M), while thanking the guest speakers and attendees, paid homage to the people of Jammu & Kashmir for their just struggle against decades long Indian illegal occupation of Jammu & Kashmir and reiterated Pakistan’s moral, political and diplomatic support for the Kashmiris in their right to self-determination. Explaining the purpose of the exhibition and seminar, Major General (Retd) Umar Farooq Burki HI (M) said that Pakistan and its people are united in their hearts and minds with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters. We have always stood for a peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute according to the aspirations of the people of Kashmir and in keeping with the principles of UNSC resolutions. Despite the ebb and flow of global politics, Pakistan has and will always continue to remain committed to the cause of Kashmir until the Kashmiris are given their right to self-determination and therefore, their freedom.
by Saman Indrajith
TheBatalanda Presidential Co-mission report was tabled in Parliament yesterday (14) by the Leader of the House and Transport Minister, Bimal Ratnayake.
Minister Ratnayake announced that the government has decided to forward the report to the Attorney General for legal advice. Additionally, a Presidential Committee will be appointed to provide guidance and recommendations on how to proceed with the findings of the report.
Ratnayake said that the Cabinet-of-Ministers, along with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has made a policy decision to take necessary action in response to the report. He reassured the public that steps are being taken to ensure that such a dark chapter in the country’s history is never repeated.
Minister Ratnayake said that a two-day debate on the Batalanda Commission report will be scheduled in Parliament at an appropriate time, allowing for a detailed discussion on the report’s findings and recommendations.
The report, which will be printed in all three official languages—Sinhala, Tamil, and English—will be made available to the public in the near future. Ratnayake confirmed that printed copies would be provided to Members of Parliament, as well as the general public, for review.
The Leader of the House revealed that there are 28 evidence volumes associated with the Commission’s work, which will be submitted to Parliament at a later date for further scrutiny.
Ratnayake said that as the entire country is concerned about the findings of the Batalanda Commission, the government’s commitment to addressing the issues raised, and preventing future atrocities, stands clear. The next steps, including legal action and policy recommendations, will be shaped by expert advice and informed parliamentary discussions, he said.
The Parliamentary watchdog Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has found that there were fake documents regarding the importing of medicines under the emergency procurement system in 2022 and 2023.
This was revealed during a COPE meeting held at Parliament probing the transactions of the National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA).
NMRA CEO Saveen Semage told the Committee that several fake documents have been found due to the lack of registration of medicines.
Stating that six such fake documents were found last year alone, Saveen Semage said he had recorded statements regarding each of the documents with the Financial Crimes Investigation Division.
He revealed that, however, no investigations have been conducted yet into the incidents.
“We have documents with confessions from a woman accepting that fake documents had been made. However, a statement has not even been recorded from that woman yet,” he said.
Meanwhile, COPE member MP Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana also revealed that the highest number of waive-off registrations (WOR) for medicines had been obtained in 2022 and 2023.
He said 656 waive-off registrations (WOR) had been obtained in 2022 and 261 in 2023, adding that this proves that discrepancies have taken place during the emergency procurement of medicines during these periods.
Furthermore, Deputy Director General of the Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry, Dr. G. Wijesuriya, said discussions are underway on allowing the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) to directly import essential medicines.He pointed out that it was essential to take a policy decision in this regard as a solution to mitigate such discrepancies.
by Norman Palihawadane
Department of Prisons’ Media Spokesperson, Gamini Dissanayake said yesterday that retired Superintendent of the high security Boossa Prison, Siridath Dhammika, who was tragically gunned down at Thalagaha, in Akmeemana, on Thursday (13), had been provided with a firearm for his protection during his tenure, considering the potential threat to his life.
Dissanayake said that during his service period, he had received threats from certain individuals.
Furthermore, the Prison Department stated that during his service, there were no significant issues or shortcomings found in his personal records.
Dissanayake said that the majority of detainees at the Boossa Prison are individuals linked to organized crimes.
Batalanda Commission report tabled … finally
COPE finds fake documents submitted for emergency procurement of drugs
Retired Superintendent of High Security Boossa Prison had threats – Prison Spokesman
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