News
Sabry urged to rein in foreign envoys interfering in domestic affairs
The Federation of National Organisations (FNO) has, in a letter addressed to Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, PC, requested him to take up with US Ambassador Julie Chung her continuous interventions in Sri Lanka’s domestic affairs. The letter was handed over to the Foreign Ministry on yesterday (31).
Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera has signed the letter on behalf of the FNO. A senior spokesperson for the group told The Island that they had raised several issues including the flouting of diplomatic protocols and Vienna diplomatic conventions and also controversial declarations made in various parts of the country meant to cause further turmoil.
Referring to Ambassador Chung’s tweets issued following such visits, the letter brought to Minister Sabry’s attention a book written by National Literary Award winner Sena Thoradeniya titled “Galle Face Protest: Systems Change or Anarchy”, which deals with the external elements influencing domestic factors that overthrew the former President in July 2022. The book exposed the role the US and India played in that plot, the letter has pointed out.
“The US interference in Sri Lanka is increasing. Prof Levin of Carnegie Mellon University claims US interfered in at least 4 elections in Sri Lanka (1956-1970). Former US Secretary of State Jihn Kerry admitted to making a regime change here in 2015 too.
The petitioners who earlier moved the Supreme Court against the midnight Yugadanavi power plant deal, accused the former US ambassador Alaina Teplitz of unethically interfering by sending a letter to the Presidential Secretariat on 22 June 2020 in that regard.
The present ambassador recently met with military officials and requested them to build trust towards the minority communities. The ambassador also visited the Thirukketheeswaram (Koneswaram) Kovil, which was built on top of Gokanna Viharaya but claimed it had a history of 2500 years in her official tweet. She must prove this with documentary archaeological evidence or retract her statement & tender an apology.”
The letter alleges that immense sacrifices made by the armed forces in their war against terrorism have been compromised by the political and it was the responsibility of Ali Sabry as the current foreign minister to take tangible measures to prevent Colombo based foreign envoys from violating diplomatic norms.
News
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
A meeting between Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and relevant ministry officials was held on Tuesday (08) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the development plans to be implemented in Sri Lanka under three zones, in collaboration with the Surbana Jurong Institute of Singapore and 18 Ministries.
During the meeting it was discussed in detail regarding the plans for the Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project. The officials from Singapore-based urban planning and infrastructure consultancy Surbana Jurong also joined the discussion virtually.
Progress reports on the three projects were reviewed in detail and Dr. Kumanayake instructed the officials to identify any deficiencies and finalize the necessary actions within the next two weeks.
The discussion also addressed delays in securing necessary approvals for investments under the existing regulatory framework, as well as the urgent need to revise certain legislative instruments to better facilitate national development.
The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russel Aponsu, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing U.G. Ranjith Ariyaratne, and several senior officials from the respective ministries.
News
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for 09 April 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, and Western provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned below is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).
Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.
The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.
The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.
Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
IPL 2025: Sensational Priyansh Arya condemns Chennai Super Kings to another loss
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
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