News
Maithri told SLFP not to cause any embarrassment to govt. – Amaraweera
By Ifham Nizam
Former President Maithripala Sirisena did not make any statement during or after the two meetings of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) that he would leave the government when the time became opportune, a senior party member said.
Fielding questions at a media briefing held at the Environment Ministry, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said referring to the statement attributed to former President and Chairman of the SLFP on quitting the government if necessary at a meeting in Puttalam, was not clear.
Minister said: “I also saw the news. It was mentioned at a meeting held in Puttalam that such a statement had been made. But before that I attended both meetings in Galle and Ratnapura, where the former President also participated. But I did not attend the Puttalam meeting. However, at the two meetings I attended, the former President did not comment on it.
However, he said that he didn’t know whether such a thing was said in Puttalam.
“Also, our party had a weekly group discussion even yesterday. Even there the former President did not express such an idea. He told us yesterday that the SLFP should not take any decision that would embarrass the government and strengthen the Opposition,”
Amaraweera said that although they had many issues that needed to be resolved, they could be resolved through discussions with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
“During the recent discussion with the President, he talked with us for nearly two and a half hours. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party is the second largest party in the ruling coalition. Our party is the only party with organisational strength in every district throughout the country. We have made a tremendous contribution to ensuring the stability of this government. Therefore, we have no intention of leaving the government, the Minister said.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Showery condition over the island is expected to reduce from tomorrow (15th)
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