News

Prez AKD pledges to safeguard democracy

Published

2 years ago

2024/09/24

Anura Kumara Dissanayake was sworn in as the Ninth Executive President of Sri Lanka at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on Monday morning. He took oaths before Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya. Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake is also in the picture.

Newly-elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his inaugural address to the nation after being sworn-in as the Head of the State, assured his full commitment to strengthening and safeguarding democracy.

Addressing the nation, President Dissanayake said: “The most significant feature of our country’s democracy is the election of the ruler of the country by the general public, but democracy is not all about just casting the votes or electing the ruler. We accept that we need a little more strengthening of the structures and strong legislations. Therefore, at first, I assure the public that I am ready to showcase my maximum commitment for the protection of democracy in the country during my term as the President.”

He expressed his gratitude to the outgoing President Ranil Wickremesinghe for recognising the mandate of the public and showing dedication to the transfer of power, respecting democracy. He recalled that no leader in Sri Lanka had refused to effect the transfer of power after an election.

President Dissanayake said: “We have deeply understood that we are taking over a very challenging country. There is the need for creating a favourable political culture in the country, which the public expects from us. We’re ready to commit to that. We will do every possible thing from our side for re-assuring the confidence of the public in politics and the politicians.”

“Next, we do not think that the deep crisis situation that we’re taking over can be navigated by a single person, the government or just by a single party. I have stated earlier as well, that I am not a magician, but a normal citizen born in this very country. There are abilities and things we know. But my priority is to extract more abilities, collect more knowledge in order to guide the country with better decisions. My responsibility is to be a part of that collective triumph”, Dissanayake said.

Meanwhile, the newly elected President also commented on his expectations of working together with the international communities for the sake of the country.

“I also expect the support of each and every citizen for ending the crisis. But I will always assure the public that I, as the President complete my responsibility with commitment, for that purpose. I know we need international support. Therefore, we expect to work together with other nations in a way that is more beneficial to our country, despite the divisions of power. We must not be left alone from the world, but a country that should move forward combined with the other countries of the world. We will not hesitate to take decisions required for that purpose”, he said.

“We also expect the much needed support of the industrialists and the entrepreneurs of the country”, said President Dissanayake.

“Finally, I must say that I was elected by the democracy of the country. The people have voted me in. There are people who did not vote for me. We have a clear understanding of the amount and the composition of our victory. My responsibility within this term is to build the confidence in that part of the public who do not believe in us. I firmly believe that I will succeed in that purpose”, Dissanayake said.

All News Advertisement

Latest News

Former Minister Mahinda Wijesekara passes away aged 83

Published

6 hours ago

2026/04/2

Priyan

Former Matara District Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister Mahinda Wijesekara has passed away this morning (02) at the age of 83 family sources have announced.

Mahinda Wijesekara served as a Member of Parliament for the Matara district for over two decades (1989 to 2010), representing the People’s Alliance, the United National Party and the United People’s Freedom Alliance.

He held several ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Postal and Telecommunication Services in 2008, Minister of Forestry and Envioronment 1999-2001, Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources from 2001 to 2004 and Minister of Special Projects 2007-2008

He was in poor health following injuries sustained in the 2009 bomb attack by the LTTE terrorists in Godapitiya, Matara.

He was the father of former Minister Kanchana Wijesekara.

News

Navy seize 323kg of heroin from fishing vessel in southwestern seas

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/2

Priyan

In a decisive strike against the drug menace, the Sri Lanka Navy intercepted a local multiday fishing trawler carrying a staggering haul of suspected narcotics in the seas southwest of the island.

This operation, carried out under the national mission “A Nation United”, resulted in the apprehension of six suspects (06) and the seizure of the trawler used to smuggle the illicit substance.

Following the mid-sea interception, the trawler was escorted to the Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour on the morning of 01 Apr 2026. A meticulous inspection conducted by the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) subsequently confirmed that the sacks (19) aboard contained more than 323kg of heroin.

The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, accompanied by the Commander Western Naval Area and the Director General Operations, visited the Dikowita harbour to personally inspect the drug haul.

Addressing the media, the Navy Commander emphasized that these intensified surveillance efforts are carried out under the direct guidance of the Ministry of Defence. He highlighted that the Navy and the Sri Lanka Coast Guard have strategically coordinated operations across the island’s maritime zones to disrupt trafficking routes and ensure national security.

The Commander of the Navy stated that through surveillance operations conducted this year, the Navy has intercepted local multi-day fishing trawlers attempting to bring illegal substances. This has enabled the seizure of a large quantity of narcotics intended to be smuggled into Sri Lanka.

Furthermore, based on foreign intelligence received by the Sri Lanka Navy, continuous surveillance operations carried out off the Beruwala sea area over the past few days led to the recent (01 April) successful operation, he opined.

The Naval Chief stated that so far this year, 07 local multi-day fishing trawlers have been apprehended by the Navy. The street value of the narcotics seized from these boats is estimated to be approximately Rs. 40 billion.

The 06 suspects, the fishing trawler, and the seized heroin were handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau for comprehensive investigation and onward legal proceedings.

News

PM opens ‘Silver Age Center,’ an Elder Care, Training and Research Centre built with modern facilities in Kataragama

Published

12 hours ago

2026/04/2

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that a society must be built where all senior citizens can lead lives of safety, freedom, happiness, health, mobility, and spiritual well-being, with their rights safeguarded. She further emphasized that this is a responsibility shared by both the government and society.

The Prime Minister made these remarks on Tuesday (31st of March) while virtually participating in the opening of the ’Silver Age Center,’ an Elder Care, Training and Research Centre constructed with modern facilities in Kataragama. The event was held at the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, located in the new Sethsiripaya building.

During the event, the Prime Minister was presented with a draft of regulations and guidelines related to the regulation of institutions that provide residential care for senior citizens, by representatives of the National Council for Senior Citizens.

Expressing her views further, the Prime Minister stated:

“This project, which commenced in 2022, had been halted due to various reasons. However, we have now resumed the project and are pleased to hand it over to the public today.

One of the key commitments of our policy is to create a society that ensures safety and protects the rights of all. Everyone, from the young to the elderly, deserves to enjoy these rights, freedom, and happiness.

A significant portion of our population is rapidly transitioning into senior age. However, the age of 60 still represents an active stage of life where individuals can contribute meaningfully to society and the economy. Senior citizens have needs, as well as abilities and valuable experience. We must recognize that they can continue to engage with society and remain active contributors.

Institutions that provide services for senior citizens play a vital role, and maintaining them is a social responsibility. It is essential to ensure the rights and provision of necessary services for all senior citizens, whether they live within families, independently, or in institutional settings.

We must ensure access to healthcare, transportation, lifelong learning, freedom, happiness, and spiritual well-being for senior citizens, while safeguarding their rights.

We should move beyond the traditional concept of ’elders homes’ and instead develop institutions that cater to the diverse needs of senior citizens, enabling them to spend their later years with dignity and respect.”

The opening of the ’Silver Age Center,’ Elder Care, Training and Research Centre, was carried out by Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, R. M. Jayawardhana, along with regional public representatives and government officials. The occasion was attended virtually by the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, Dr. Upali Pannilage; Secretary to the Ministry, Sampath Manthrinayake; and other ministry officials.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)