News
Nishantha urges govt to summon all-party conference to make Port City a success
The government should call for an all-party conference on the Colombo Port City Commission so that it could be made a successful project, says former Western Provincial Councilor Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe.
“We are not against the Port City project turning out to be the zone that helps this country become the economic hub of the region. Our fears are that this area could be used for the promotion of a black economy,” he told The Island.
Warnasinghe said that there were reasons to believe that the government might move ahead promoting the Port City area for cheap gains by allowing money laundering, night clubs and gambling there. “See the statements made by the members of the government ranks. Diana Gamage who recently switched alliances and is now with the government is talking of promoting a night life economy and to legalise prostitution. None within the government ranks has stopped her talking of the need to create red light districts to promote the economy. Then there are MPs like Arundika Fernando asking for the legalizing of moonshine. Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa is promoting smoking of cinnamon cigarettes. With these indications we have fears that the Colombo Port City area would be made use of for the nefarious activities to earn a fast buck by the government,” he said.
He said that Presidents including the incumbent one might come and go, but the people of this country would have to live with the consequences of projects such as the Colombo Port City. “We know that the area reclaimed to become the Colombo Port City should not be used to cultivate banana or used as an esplanade for kids to come and fly kites. It should be used to its fullest potential so that the country’s economy would be benefited. For that purpose the government should speak and listen to all without being adamant so that there would be no regrets in the future,” Warnasinghe said.
Eksath Janaraja Peramuna (EJP) yesterday complained to the Election Commission (EC) regarding President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent threat that the government would release funds only to local government bodies to be won by a clean party at the May 06 LG polls.
The EJP, led by former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, complained that President Dissanayake has claimed during a public rally at Weligama that the NPP was the only clean party.
The EJP is contesting 37 LG bodies at the forthcoming election.
The new party said that the rights of the other contesting political parties and groups had been violated by the President.
The EJP asked the EC to ensure a level playing field
Having handed over their complaint, EJP spokesman Theekshana Gammanpila told the media outside the EC office that Anura Kumara Dissanayake had won last year’s presidential election and then the parliamentary election as the then government ensured a free and fair election. But now President Dissanayake was making a despicable attempt to influence the electorate in the run-up to the vital mini polls. Gammanpila alleged that the President’s intervention could have a far reaching impact on the electorate.
The EJP spokesman emphasised the responsibility on the part of the EC to intervene and take tangible measures to prevent President Dissanayake from manipulating the electorate to their advantage. (SF)
Former North Central Province Chief Minister S. M. Ranjith and his private secretary Shanthi, who is his brother, former Minister S.M. Chandrasena’s wife, were yesterday (02) sentenced to 16 years rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty of corruption charges. They were also ordered to pay a fine of Rs. 200,000 each.
The judgment was delivered by Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendi.
They were convicted on charges filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.
S.M. Ranjith was found guilty of enabling Shanti to secure an additional fuel allowance between Sept 2012 and Dec 2014 to the tune of Rs 2.68 mn.
The Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka hosted a concert of Japanese traditional music by the Honganji Temple & Foundation Japanese Orchestra featuring the performers of NYSC on 28th March in honour of the visit of Most. Ven. Ohtani Chohjun Nayaka Hamuduruwo, the 25th Head Priest of Higashi Hongan-ji Grand Temple.
The event featured a Japanese tea ceremony and breathtaking musical performances by the Honganji Temple & Foundation Japanese Orchestra, showcasing traditional Japanese instruments such as the Koto and Shamisen. The evening was further enriched by violin and vibrant dance performances by students from the National Youth Council (NYSC) and Lanka Nippon Biztech Institute (LNBTI).
This cultural celebration further strengthened the deep ties between Japan and Sri Lanka, offering a unique experience of Japanese tradition and heritage.
EC asked to ensure level playing field at LG polls; complaint lodged against President AKD
Former CM, and private secretary sentenced to 16 years RI for corruption
Traditional Japanese musical concert and cultural performance
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