News
Opposition flays Basil for going to US while country is burning
By Saman Indrajith
Opposition parties yesterday flayed Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa for going to the US amidst the country’s worst-ever economic crisis.
Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella told The Island that it was unbelievable that the Finance Minister had decided to go to the US while the country was burning.
“He was not in Parliament during the budget debate to listen to the MPs views. He did not come to Parliament. None of his predecessors skipped parliamentary sessions while the budget debate was on. When he came to the House on the day of the vote, we asked him how he proposed to repay the loans. His response was that the government would pay the loans but did not tell the House how he was planning to do that. That is against parliamentary procedures; the MPs have a right to know how such payments are settled. Now, amidst all these problems, the Finance Minister has gone to the US.”
JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said many problems faced by the people had been caused by the Finance Ministry, which was duty-bound to solve them.
“The Finance Ministry is the most important ministry as regards the present crisis. There are no dollars for containers of essentials held up at the port to be released. It is a problem that should be sorted out by the Finance Ministry. There are many explosions caused by gas leaks countrywide. The gas companies come under the Finance Ministry. The Yugadanvi power plant has been sold. It is the Finance Ministry that signed the agreement at issue. There are many such problems that the Finance Ministry should solve as a national priority. But the Finance Minister has left the country. Some other ministers too have left the country on foreign trips.”
The second day of the “Vesak Bhakti Gee Saraniya”, held in parallel with the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, commenced on Tuesday (13) at 6:30 p.m. under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat premises.
The evening featured musical performances by renowned vocalist Ilyas Beg and the Sri Lanka Air Force Bhakti Gee Troup, accompanied by the Air Force Band. A Vesak lantern exhibition was also held at the venue. The event was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with several senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat.
This Bhakthi Gee programme will continue today [May 14] and tomorrow at the same location. Additionally, a short-eats dansala is being held near the Presidential Secretariat for the benefit of the public visiting Colombo for Vesak, and will continue until May 16.
Meanwhile, a ‘Buth Dansala’ organized jointly by the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Army was inaugurated yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of senior military officers. A large number of devotees from across the country attended the event.
In line with the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ and ‘Bauddhaloka Vesak Kalapya’, several Vesak programmes have been organized in the vicinity with the support of the Presidential Secretariat. These include the illumination of nearby government buildings and roads with decorative lights, and the display of Vesak lanterns, with the active participation of the Presidential Secretariat staff.
[PMD]
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital
Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
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