News
Ruwan, too, accuses govt. of leading country to a famine
UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene yesterday said that the country was likely to face a famine owing to the government’s bungling on the economic and agricultural fronts.
Speaking at a meeting of UNP professionals at the party headquarters in Sirikotha, Kotte, Wijewardene said many people had been left without money to buy food, even those who had money could not buy essentials, which were in short supply. “We have never experienced a situation similar to this in the past few decades. Even during the war, the people did not starve because food was available. The last known famine time was during World War II. When there was no rice, some people had to consume bajiri (a variety of millet used as animal food). This time around, the people would not be able to consume that grain because we no longer have them here. Bajiri is imported as a pet food for birds.”
Wijewardene said the government decision to deduct Rs. 700 each from pensions would deal a severe blow to senior citizens. “The government has introduced a pension scheme called Agrahara and described it as an insurance plan. Rs. 700 will be deducted from the monthly pension of those above the age of 70 years and Rs. 400 from the pensions of those above 60 years. The deductions would be considered the premium for the insurance. The pensioners, who do not wish to use the insurance scheme, have been asked to notify the Director of Pension of their decision by 15 Nov. If their letters would not reach the Director Pensions, within those two weeks, owing to a problem in the post or other issue, then deductions will be made from their pension. The government has no right to prune down the pensions in this manner. If the government needs to introduce an insurance scheme it has to propose it to the pensioners. Those who wish to join the scheme will do so and others can opt out of it. This system is created on an assumption that pensioners who like to join the scheme will not raise objections. There is no such insurance scheme in the world.”
Wijewardene said that his party was opposed to the government’s attempt to fleece the pensioners in the name of an insurance scheme. “We call upon the government not to make deductions from pensions.”
There has been a noticeable increase in the spread of Chikungunya in the city of Colombo, Kotte, and the suburbs of Colombo, according to the Health Ministry.
As of 14 March, the Weekly Epidemiological Report says 173 chikungunya cases have been reported from Colombo, Gampaha, and Kandy.
Acting Consultant Community Physician of the Ministry of Health Dr. Kumudu Weerakoon said that the Chikungunya virus had spread to Sri Lanka in 1960.
Meanwhile, Dr. Deepal Perera, Consultant Paediatrician at Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital, Colombo, told The Island yesterday that there had been an increase in the number of children affected by Chikungunya.
“To tackle this situation, it is extremely important to keep your homes, doorways, and school premises clean regularly,” he said.
“If a child has fever lasting more than two days, darkening around the nose, or joint pain, these could be symptoms of Chikungunya. In such cases, take the child to a doctor. Chikungunya is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The joint pain can persist for months. Therefore, we strongly urge both children and adults to take all precautions to avoid contracting Chikungunya.”
By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon and Chaminda Silva
‘Genocide Memorial’ in Canada
Mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown has slammed SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa over the latter’s recent statement regarding the monument that was inaugurated in Canada commemorating the victims of the final stages of the North East conflict.
In a statement on ‘X’, Brampton Mayor, Patrick Brown said, “The Rajapaksas’ opposition to the Tamil Genocide Memorial is the surest signal that we are on the right path recognising the innocent civilian lives lost at the hands of this family.”
Patrick Brown further said that if confident that no genocide occurred, the Rajapaksa family should fully cooperate with the International Criminal Court rather than obstructing justice and hiding from prosecution.
“This is their Nuremberg moment, and instead of facing accountability, this family hides in luxury protected by the Sri Lankan state. It’s shameful. The crimes against humanity committed by the Rajapaksa family rival Pol Pot, Slobodan Milosevic, Heinrich Himmler, and Flicien Kabuga. It’s a badge of honour that they object to our Canadian Tamil Genocide Memorial,” he added.
His remarks came in response to SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa’s recent statement that it was concerning that Canada has inaugurated a Tamil
Genocide Memorial when, under international law, no genocide has been proven or can be proven against the Sri Lankan military in its conflict with the LTTE terrorists.
“The so-called Tamil genocide monument appears to be a politically driven move by the Canadian government, which has long been influenced by certain factions within the Tamil diaspora. Rather than working towards peace and unity, these groups have fueled division for their own interests,” MP Rajapaksa said, in a statement on ‘X’.
Custodial death of domestic worker
The Colombo High Court yesterday fixed July 21 as the date for the pre-trial conference on a case filed against three police officers attached to the Welikada Police over the custodial death of a domestic worker in 2023.
When the case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge R.S.S. Sapuwida, Defence counsel informed court that they had not received some of the documents submitted in relation to the case. The judge instructed the State Counsel to ensure that the necessary documents were made available to the defence.
After considering all facts presented, the judge scheduled the pre-trial conference for July 21.
The victim, 41-year-old R. Rajakumari, a resident of Badulla, was arrested on May 11, 2023, following a complaint by her employer, Sudharma Nethicumara, alleging the theft of gold jewellery.
Rajakumari later died while in custody at the Welikada Police Station. Her family raised concerns over the circumstances that had led to her death, alleging that she may have been assaulted.
Later a disciplinary action was initiated against seven officers attached to the Welikada Police. A Sub-Inspector, two sergeants, and a constable were interdicted, while another constable and two Women Police Constables were transferred for the same reason.
BY AJA Abeynayake
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