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Lanka-Israel ties: Ex Amb to Iran condemns govt. stand
Sri Lanka’s former Ambassador in Iran M. M. Zuhair has questioned the government’s stand on sending workers to Israel amidst growing international condemnation and isolation of the Jewish State over the Gaza genocide.
Apropos ‘Labour Minister: Govt. won’t heed demand for severing diplomatic ties with Israel, halt sending workers,’ carried in the May 16 edition of The Island, the former Senior State Counsel and ex-MP Zuhair has sent us the following statement: Labour Minister Manusha Nanayakkara’s recent statement that Sri Lanka will not ‘under any circumstances’ stop sending workers to Israel must be condemned. His support for Israel accused of genocide by South Africa led-countries in the International Court of Justice, is a gross betrayal of the humanitarian considerations for the safety firstly of the Sri Lankan workers themselves. It is also a betrayal of the thousands of Palestinians already killed since 07 October and the 1.5 million remaining holed up in Refah, Palestine, facing imminent death at the hands of the terrorist State of Israel.
The Minister knows only too well of the unfolding tragedy of unknown numbers of Sri Lankan soldiers, who have sold themselves as mercenaries, to battle till death in the Ukraine-Russian war, in order to feed their suffering families here. He also knows the inability of the government, for months now, to rescue the 50 Sri Lankans trapped by a mafia in Myanmar.
No doubt the US and the UK were amongst countries which directly and knowingly aided and continues to aid the Jewish State, in the murder of an average of around 260 Palestinian men, women and children, every single day for the past seven months, under the pretext of eliminating Hamas, the elected government of Gaza, for the October 7th outburst, the result of 75 years of Israeli oppression of Palestinians in an open air prison, which legitimized the outburst!
Speaking as he did for the Sri Lanka government, Minister Nanayakkara’s statement and his facilitating Sri Lankans to work in a country at war, on the questionable pretext of obtaining jobs for Sri Lankans but in truth aiding and abetting Israel to destroy its host country, Palestine and its innocent millions who lived for the past 50 years, in the hope of a two State solution dangled by the US, the UK and the EU, the greatest deception and fraud perpetrated on the tragic Palestinians, beginning from Oslo in Norway.
It is best that the Minister remembers that the entire world has arisen against this barbaric massacre of a helpless people by a brutal and dangerously violent extremist terrorist State.
It is more important that he remembers that this is not a Muslim issue as he had tried to counter his critics but it is entirely a humanitarian issue that no Sri Lankan will ever support.
He must also remember that over a million Sri Lankans are employed in the Arab world and hundreds of others from Sri Lanka are setting up businesses in the UAE. Over the past decade alone, over US $ 50 billion have been remitted to the country’s coffers by these Sri Lankans from these Arab countries. This sum is equal to the total foreign debts that Sri Lanka is struggling with since declaring bankruptcy!
US citizen Craig Mokhiber, who was the Director of the New York office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who resigned and quit his well- paid office as early as 28th October 2023, in protest against the Israeli massacre of the Palestinians as at that time, had this to tell the world in his letter of resignation:
“But the current wholesale slaughter of the Palestinian people, rooted in an ethno-nationalist settler colonial ideology, in continuation of decades of their systematic persecution and purging, based entirely upon their status as Arabs, and coupled with explicit statements of intent by leaders in the Israeli government and military, leaves no room for doubt or debate. Across the land, apartheid rules.”
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi departed today (06) from Air Force Base Anuradhapura concluding his State visit to Sri Lanka. The Indian Premier embarked on a tour to Sri Lanka at the invitation from President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
This visit underscores the enduring relationship encapsulated by the theme “Friendship of Centuries, Commitment to a Prosperous Future,” further solidifying the bonds between India and Sri Lanka.
This marks Prime Minister Modi’s fourth visit to Sri Lanka, which has further enhanced the economic, cultural, and historical relations between the two nations, while also reinforcing their multifaceted partnership. This visit by the Indian Prime Minister reinforces Sri Lanka’s important role in India’s “Neighbourhood First Policy” and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision concerning diplomatic relations.
This state visit is anticipated to yield significant results on various collaborative initiatives, fostering a path towards mutual growth and development. The citizens of Sri Lanka will soon be able to witness the fruitful outcomes of these partnerships, and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit will mark a significant milestone in the government’s pursuit of sustainable development focused on the needs of the people.
Accompanying Indian Prime Minister Modi were Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and a delegation of senior officials from the Indian government.
[PMD]
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President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
The upgraded Maho–Omanthai railway line and the newly installed Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system were officially commissioned by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Anura Kumara Disanayake today (06)
The Prime Minister of India is currently visiting Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake, reinforcing the longstanding bond encapsulated in the theme “Friendship of Centuries Commitment to a Prosperous Future” between the two nations.
Highlighting one of the key aspects of this visit, the two leaders participated in these inaugural ceremonies. The President and the Prime Minister of India jointly unveiled the commemorative plaque and commissioned the railway line and signalling system.
The upgraded Maho-Omanthai Railway Line project was carried out with funding through the Indian Credit Line, totalling an investment of US$ 91.27 million. The Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system, established as a result of President Disanayake’s recent visit to India, was funded by the Indian Government at a cost of USD 14.89 million.
[PMD]
Latest News
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, along with President Anura Kumara Disanayake paid homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura this morning (06) and received blessings.
Following his visit to the sacred site, Prime Minister Modi proceeded to the Udamaluwa, where he met with the Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthanadhipathi and Chief Sanghanayake of Nuwarakalaviya, Most Venerable Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, for a cordial discussion.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister shared that relics of the Buddha were discovered in excavations conducted in his home state of Gujarat during the 1960s. He further stated that he would discuss with the President of Sri Lanka the possibility of exhibiting these sacred relics in Sri Lanka.
Responding to a request made by the Atamasthanadhipathi to develop Bodh Gaya as a spiritual city, Prime Minister Modi assured that he would take the necessary steps after discussions with President Disanayake and work towards making it a reality.
The Maha Sangha, led by the Atamasthanadhipathi, chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on the Indian Prime Minister.
The Indian Prime Minister also left a commemorative note in the special guest book at the site. In addition, he formally declared open the newly constructed ‘Makara Thorana’ within the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises.
The occasion was also attended by Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Maha Seya Temple Ven. Ethalawetunawewe Gnanathilaka Thera and other Atamasthana Viharadhipathi Theras, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, North Central Province Governor Wasantha Jinadasa, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and others.
[PMD]
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi concludes State Visit to Sri Lanka
President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
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