News
Mano says talks failed due to SJB’s lukewarm response
Tamil MPs’ caucus gathers momentum
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader Mano Ganeshan MP yesterday (17) said that he along with SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem initiated talks with the UNP to explore ways and means of bringing the SJB and the UNP together following a spate of requests from SJB lawmakers as well as members of the now defunct Local Government bodies.
Lawmaker Ganeshan said so in response to The Island query whether they acted unilaterally in opening talks with the UNP in January this year.
Asked whether they obtained prior approval from SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to make the move, MP Ganeshan said that they didn’t. “There was no question of obtaining the SJB leader’s approval, since it was not a finalised concrete mission but a mission to check all possibilities. Besides, most SJB MPs informally requested that we make such a move.”
Responding to another query, MP Ganeshan said that during talks with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, they were told of the UNP leader’s decision to nominate persons to represent him and he suggested the SJB leader did the same. The President expressed the belief that minority parties, too, would be there, MP Ganeshan said, adding that they briefed both the SJB leader and SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara MP regarding the developments.
Asked to explain the current status of their initiative, MP Ganeshan said that they gave up the effort in February/March this year due to what he called the negative response of the SJB leader and SJB General Secretary.
MP Ganeshan said that President Wickremesinghe never offered premiership to the SJB leader though some speculated and claimed so.Asked whether the failed effort was in any way linked with his effort to establish a Tamil MPs caucus in Parliament and bring the UNP and the SJB together, MP Ganeshan emphasized that there was no connection at all.
The MP said that he really appreciated the declaration made by TMK General Secretary C.V. Wigneshwaran that he too would join the Tamil MPs’ caucus.The former NPC Chief Minister has informed MP Ganeshan of his readiness to back the move.
MP Ganeshan said that as of yesterday, TELO, DPLF, TMK of the north-east and TPA constituents in the South, DPF, WNF, UPF were in agreement to the proposal mooted by him.Only the TNA’s response is awaited, MP Ganeshan said.
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi arrived in the island a short while ago on a three-day state visit.
The Indian Prime Minister was received at the Katunayake International Airport by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath.
PM Modi is accompanied by Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Indian Foreign Secretary and several senior officials of the Government of India.
The General Manager of Railways has announced that the following special train services will operate during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period.
1. From Colombo Fort to Badulla – departing Colombo Fort at 1930 hrs on 11th, 12th, 19th and 20th April
2. From Badulla to Colombo Fort – departing Badulla at 1750 hrs on 11th, 12th, 19th and 20th April
3. From Galle to Anuradhapura – departing Galle at 0400 hrs on 12th and 13th April
4. From Anuradhapura to Galle – departing Anuradhapura at 1500 hrs on 12th and 13th April
5. From Colombo Fort to Galle – departing Colombo Fort at 120 hrs on 10th, 11th, 15th and 20th April
6. From Galle to Colombo Fort – departing Galle at 0610 hrs on 11th, 12th, 16th and 21st April
7. From Colombo Fort to Galle – departing Colombo Fort at 1330 hrs on 12th and 13th April
8. From Colombo Fort to Kankasanthurai [Intercity Express] – departing Colombo Fort at 0530 hrs on 11th and 18th April
9. From Kankasanthurai to Colombo Fort [Intercity Express] – departing Kankasanthurai at 1350 hrs on 11th and 18th April
10. From Beliatta to Colombo Fort – departing Beliatta at 0825 hrs on 12th, 13th, 18th, 19th and 20th April
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya visited Hamburg, Germany, focusing on strengthening vocational education and economic partnerships between the two nations. During her visit, she participated in the 102nd East Asia Friendship Dinner, met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and engaged in high-level discussions on investment, education, and economic reforms.
As a Guest of Honour at the German Asia-Pacific Business Association (OAV) annual gathering, Prime Minister Amarasuriya addressed an audience of business leaders and dignitaries, emphasizing Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and its potential as a growing investment destination. She highlighted the contributions of over 160 German companies in Sri Lanka and invited further collaboration in trade and business.
In her capacity as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, the Prime Minister delivered a keynote speech at the ’German-Asian Forum on Vocational Education & Training.’ She acknowledged Germany’s decades-long support in Sri Lanka’s vocational education sector and stressed the importance of modernizing vocational training to align with industry demands. Additionally, she visited ITECH vocational school and German research hubs such as NXP Semiconductors and DESY, discussing collaboration in IT and technology-driven industries.
During her discussions with President Steinmeier, Prime Minister Amarasuriya reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to economic stability, social protection, and national unity. She also attended a business roundtable, where she engaged with German companies and government representatives on economic expansion, digitalization, and sustainable development initiatives.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Germany, Varuni Muthukumarana, and senior embassy officials.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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