News
Kiriella wants FBI brought into investigate links between SIS and Zahran Hashim
By Saman Indrajith
State Intelligence Service head DIG Nilantha Jayawardena had not passed on to the then President Maithripala Sirisena information pertaining to Zahran Hashim and the imminent terror attacks on Easter Sunday because there had been links between the SIS and Zahran’s group, Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament yesterday.
“The former President is here sitting in this House today. He went before the Commission of Inquiry and testified that he had not been informed of pre-warning intelligence reports by then SIS head Nilantha Jayawardena. Why was that information not given to the then President? It is because they had links?”
Kiriella said: “The Attorney General has made a statement on the Easter Sunday investigations. He says there is no sufficient evidence. Without enough evidence, he cannot prosecute. Evidence is not sufficient because they had not been submitted to the Commission. Evidence was suppressed. The most important evidence that had not been presented was the fact that Zahran had been paid out of state funds before 2015. He was a paid informant. Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka says that Zahran was not used during the times of war. The facts pertaining to paying Zahran were not presented to the Commission because the then the paymasters would have been exposed. There are those in the intelligence service who maintained links with the terrorists. We have no faith in these investigations where evidence had been suppressed. If the government is genuine and honest, it can bring in international investigators such as the FBI. Otherwise, there would be no justice for the victims of the Easter Sunday carnage.”
News
Law will be enforced against all those who acquire assets illegally- State Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe
State Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, while addressing a public gathering held at the Raffles Hotel in Kotte on Tuesday [April 22] said that the law will be enforced against all those who acquire assets illegally.
He said that , if someone joins a municipal council receiving a modest salary and, within two to three years, builds a luxury house and acquires a vehicle, we will question how such wealth was amassed. If a satisfactory explanation cannot be provided, the law will be enforced and the measures will be taken to confiscate any illegally acquired assets.
The opposition frequently levels accusations against us, but we have not engaged in any wrongdoing. We have not misappropriated public funds, used undue influence to secure school admissions for our children, or interfered with law enforcement. We are dedicated to serving the people by upholding an ethical and responsible political culture.
If you wish to develop your community, I respectfully urge you to elect individuals of integrity who will not misuse public funds.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
It has been reported that prison officials and the police have brought the unrest among the 500 plus inmates of the Matara prison which commenced on Tuesday [22] under control by this morning (23)
It has been reported that the inmates had broken out of their wards after which the officials were compelled to fire in the air and use tear gas to bring the situation under control.
The inmates are being temporarily transferred to the Angunkolapelessa prison in groups to enable authorities to repair the the damage caused to the wards and cells within the premises.
The prison officials who were injured during the conflict are receiving treatment at the Matara hospital. 
Latest News
Local government authorities and Municipal Councils are the nursery of corrupt politics. – Prime Minister
The Prime Minister stated that the President has challenged all ministers to transparently and efficiently spend the funds allocated to each ministry through the national budget for the benefit of the people, and that the local governments and municipal councils have historically been the nursery grounds of corrupt politics.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a public gathering held at the Raffles Hotel in Kotte on Tuesday [April 22].
The Prime Minister further stated:
“All 159 of us in Parliament today did not enter through family or financial influence. We are ordinary citizens just like you and individuals who stand among you. Unlike in the past, our members do not behave disruptively in Parliament. When school children visit, there is no need for the Speaker to request their removal that our parliamentary members conduct themselves with dignity, adherence to the law, and political maturity.
This is the kind of Parliament we have always aspired to have. Today, it is you who has made this transformation possible. For a long time, we have not experienced the advantages of an efficient and properly functioning local government. You now have the opportunity to elect representatives who are truly committed to serving you and improving your local institutions.
The event was attended by Arosh Athapaththu, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte Municipal Council candidate representing the National People’s Power, along with several other candidates and a large number of local residents.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
-
Business4 days agoDIMO pioneers major fleet expansion with Tata SIGNA Prime Movers for ILM
-
News3 days agoFamily discovers rare species thought to be extinct for over a century in home garden
-
Features6 days agoNipping the two leaves and the bud
-
Features5 days agoProf. Lal Tennekoon: An illustrious but utterly unpretentious and much -loved academic
-
Features6 days agoAvurudu celebrations … galore
-
Foreign News4 days agoChina races robots against humans in Beijing half marathon
-
News6 days agoCounsel for Pilleyan alleges govt. bid to force confession
-
Editorial4 days agoSelective use of PTA