News
Sajith tells Parliament govt. plotting to strip Sirasa TV of its licence
Bandula rakes up abduction and murder of Richard de Zoysa
By Saman Indrajith
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday (07) told Parliament that the government was planning to suppress the Sirasa TV channel.
The government should assure that no harm would befall Sirasa, Opposition Leader Premadasa said, noting that hundreds of thousands of people would stand by the channel.
Opposition Leader Premadasa said: “Reliable sources have informed us that a top-level group in the government has gathered a team of lawyers to find legal provisions to cancel Sirasa’s licence. Why is the government trying to suppress Sirasa? Why is it so afraid of this channel?” he queried, adding that the media network had been reporting the truth to the public.
In response, Trade minister Bandula Gunawardena said that no illegal action would be taken to suppress the media.
SJB MPs invaded the Well of the House following the claim by Opposition leader Premadasa that a plot was being hatched to cancel the transmission licence of Sirasa TV.
Opposition MPs alleged that the Opposition leader’s microphone had been switched off, allowing Leader of the House Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to continue to speak.
When the microphone was switched on, Opposition Leader Premadasa said: “We will not allow the government to suppress Sirasa. The government must make a public statement that it will not do so.”
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena: “You asked for five minutes. You have now spoken for nine. That’s enough.”
As the SJB MPs demanded a response from the government, Minister Bandula Gunawardena was given the microphone to continue with the proceedings.
Opposition Leader Premadasa: “I request this minister who is now speaking to make a statement on behalf of the government that Sirasa will not be harmed; claymore mines will not be exploded, and transmission licence will not be cancelled.”
Minister Bandula Gunawardena: “The government under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has not taken any decision to suppress any media organidation. Who is saying that? We remember how Richard de Zoysa, who reported impartially, was abducted and murdered. Did we do that? Did Gotabaya Rajapaksa do that?”
Opposition Leader Premadasa: “This is a minister who cannot even control the prices of goods.”
Minister Bandula Gunawardena: “Murderers. Murderers. Where is Richard de Zoysa?” Every day since Ranil Wickremesinghe came to parliament, the SJB MPs will make something up in the morning and shout disrupting the proceedings of the House.”
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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