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Sirisena and dissident SLFPers trade fire in Parliament

Published

2 years ago

2024/07/11

Sahan Weerasooriya

Mahinda Amaraweera and Maithripala Sirisena

By Saman Indrajith

SLFP seniors in government and opposition ranks exchanged tirades in Parliament on Tuesday, accusing each other of having created the current crisis.

Participating in the Second Reading debate on Sri Lanka Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill, former President Maithripala Sirisena said that Mahinda Amaraweera, who joined the government and received the Agriculture portfolio had recently told a newspaper that Sirisena would end up either in Welikada prison or Angoda Mental hospital.

“There should be a court order for someone to be sent to prison, and it seems that this minister has powers to manipulate the judicial process. I know that some people want me thrown behind bars. If I am sent to prison, people should understand that it’s his work. MP Dayasiri Jayasekera last week went to the SLFP headquarters to assume duties as the party General Secretary as per a court order. However, there were 300 to 400 policemen armed with batons, tear gas and water cannon preventing him from entering the party office. This, they did in violation of a court order and their action amounts to contempt of court. Crises in political parties are not new to this country, but making use of the ministerial powers to deploy police to interfere in internal party disputes is horrible, Sirisena said.

“On a previous occasion, we lodged a complaint with police against party headquarters being held by force by some rival group members. It was only after 23 days that the police came to investigate it. Today, the police visit the homes of SLFP organisers to intimidate them. Some organisers are summoned to the CID. Threats, intimidation and police are being used to coerce our party men into joining them. The party organisers have been given two choices – either join them or go to prison. People should know that those who left the SLFP to join the government are now trying to destroy the party,” Sirisena said.

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that he had never said that Sirisena would either end up in Angoda or Welikada. “It is our conduct and behaviour that determines whether we should go to Angoda or not. Those who deserve to go there must go. Those who weep for the SLFP today created this crisis. It is he who handed over the party leadership to a non-SLFPer. It was Sirisena who filed the case against Dayasiri Jayasekera that is before the courts. Who expelled Jayasekera from the party? We did nothing against court orders. Some persons tried to force themselves into the party headquarters, and the police prevented it. Today, we have Nimal Siripala de Silva as our party Chairman and Duminda Dissanayake as our General Secretary, and those were legal appointments, and the court has issued an order that they should not be prevented from carrying out their duties,” Amaraweeera said, adding that when Sirisena took over party leadership there had been 142 MPs but the latter’s conduct had reduced that number to two.

Sirisena said that Amaraweera and others had joined the government to get ministerial posts and that had triggered the SLFP’s crisis. “This group acted against party discipline and joined the government. That was the origin of this crisis. They are now trying to hitch the SLFP to the UNP’s wagon.

Transport State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said that the downfall of the SLFP had been caused by Sirisena by betraying it in 2015. “This started in 2015. There at the party Executive Committee meeting Sirisena proposed Mahinda Rajapaksa’s name as the presidential candidate and ate hoppers with him and later betrayed us all. It was that betrayal which caused the SLFP’s downfall,” Alagiyawanna said.

Amaraweera said that he had information about massive frauds committed by those who had taken moral high ground and it would be made public one day.

Alagiyawanna said Sirisena had resigned from party chairmanship and should let those leading the party now to continue their work.

Sirisena accused both ministers of telling lies.

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Sun directly overhead Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon today (05th April)

Published

38 mins ago

2026/04/5

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (05th) are Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

52 mins ago

2026/04/5

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 04 April 2026, valid for 05 April 2026

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central 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 in the above table and it 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.

News

Global ‘Walk for Peace’ to be held in Lanka

Published

1 hour ago

2026/04/5

Thilina Walpola

The internationally recognized “Walk for Peace,” originating from the United States, is set to take place in Sri Lanka starting April 21, 2026, led by the Most Venerable Paññakara Thero and a delegation of twelve monks from the Maha Sangha, President’s Media Division said.

Spanning seven days across the island, this pilgrimage’s purpose and concept are guided by the Buddha’s teaching, “Caratha bhikkhave carikam bahujana hitaya bahujana sukhaya lokanukampaya” (Wander forth, O Monks, for the welfare and happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world).

This program aims to promote peace and lovingkindness within society. It serves as a practical demonstration that peace cannot be attained by force, but must be cultivated step-by-step through mindfulness.

The inaugural event of this program is scheduled to be held in Anuradhapura on April 21, 2026. A ceremony to receive the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi will take place at 4:00 PM, followed by special religious observances at the sacred Ruwanweliseya premises at 5:00 PM.

Thereafter, the walk will commence from the ancient Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and proceed towards Kandy. Upon reaching Kandy, the Maha Sangha will pay their respects to the Chief Prelates (Maha Nayaka Theros) of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters, before visiting the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) to receive blessings.

Throughout the journey, the procession will carry the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, along with venerated relics from the historic Nilagiri Cetiya, Madanwala Raja Maha Viharaya in Hanguranketa, Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya, and the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya.

The walk will conclude at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Subsequently, the venerated relics and the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi are to be carried from Independence Square to Gangaramaya Temple, Hunupitiya, Colombo by a procession.

The Sri Lankan coordination of the event is spearheaded by Venerable Melpitiye Wimalakirti Thera. The Government of Sri Lanka’s flagship national program, “Clean Sri Lanka,” serves as the principal state partner.

Additionally, the event receives extensive support from various state institutions, including the National Design Centre, the Tri-Forces, and the Department of Information.

At the conclusion of the seven-day walk, a special State Ceremony will be held at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Concurrently, a special exhibition showcasing Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage and traditional handicrafts will be organized by the National Design Centre at the Gangaramaya premises on April 28 and 29, 2026.

This exhibition will feature brass items (ceremonial fans, flags, statues, bowls, and pinnacles), lacquerwork (caskets and boxes), clay crafts (bowls and statues), palm leaf crafts (fans and sesath), natural dyeing of robes, Dumbara wall hangings, traditional drums, and traditional paintings.

The primary objective of this cultural program is to contribute Sri Lanka’s Buddhist and cultural heritage to a project in Texas, USA, where the Tripitaka is being inscribed in 10 languages and enshrined within 840 stupas to create a centre for Buddhist education.