News
Marikkar takes govt. to task for its silence on UK sanctioning SL military leaders
The SJB expresses serious doubts about whether the government’s silence regarding the recent UK sanctions on military leaders is due to the JVP’s long-standing animosity towards the military, SJB MP SM Marikkar, said in Colombo yesterday (26)
“The JVP has harboured hatred for the military for decades. It appears that the government is not acting against the recent sanctions on military leaders because of this animosity. We urge the government not to act based on these sentiments. This issue is not a matter of party politics; it is a state affair. The ruling party should not use state matters for political gain but rather take a stance above party agendas in such situations.”
Marikkar said sanctions had been imposed on former Army Commanders General Shavendra Silva, General Jagath Jayasuriya, and Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda. “Typically, sanctions are imposed after notifying our Foreign Ministry, but the government has yet to clarify its position on this matter. These commanders were sanctioned not for personal actions, but because they led forces against enemies of the state.”
“Therefore, it is essential that the government clarify its stance. The reasons behind these sanctions need to be questioned, and ambassadors should be summoned for this purpose. We must understand whether the conduct during the war was wrong, if there was misconduct, what the initial investigations were, and on what basis these decisions were made. The state is responsible for providing answers. The government’s immediate actions seem motivated by a desire to secure votes in the North and East. Moreover, when the United States imposed similar sanctions on Shavendra Silva, the leaders at that time were asked about the reasons behind it. Such basic steps are not being taken. We have serious concerns that the government’s silence may stem from past animosity with the military. Given the historical context, we are urging the government not to politicize state affairs.”
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Dr. Kristalina Georgieva, at Temple Tress on the 17th of February
Dr. Georgieva, commended the Government’s efforts in stabilizing the country’s economy and in managing recent economic and natural shocks. She noted that Cyclone Ditwah had caused severe impacts, especially on economically vulnerable communities, underscoring the importance of targeted support and resilience-building measures.
The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the IMF’s continued support to Sri Lanka, particularly in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. The PM further emphasized that real economic recovery and development must directly benefit the economically vulnerable groups and ensure inclusive growth, highlighting the need for Sri Lanka to attract quality and sustainable investments, particularly in the tourism sector.
The importance of reforming the education system to focus not only on knowledge acquisition but also on skills development and employability was also discussed
The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff of the IMF Managing Director Andreas Bauer, Director, Asia and Pacific Department, Dr. Krishna Srinivasan Division Chief (Strategic Communications), Communications Department, Pierre Mejlak Resident Representative for Sri Lanka Dr. Martha Woldemichael, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, and Deputy Governor Dr. C. Amarasekara, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri and Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution forwarded by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to relocate the Deniyaya Base Hospital after constructing a new hospital with a capacity of 300 beds at an estimated cost of Rupees 6,000 million.
The Southern Provincial Department of Health has acquired a plot of land in Handford estate which is approximately 03 kilometres away from the town for this purpose.
News
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The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the resolution furnished by the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment to instruct the Legal Draftsman to draft a bill to legally empower the implementation of ‘Praja Shakthi’ (Strength of the Community) poverty alleviation national movement
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