News
Sirisena calls Ranil a political devil
Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was a political devil and the former yahapalana government was akin to a mismatched wedding, former President Maithripala Sirisena said on Monday, at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating the Easter Sunday attacks.
Sirisena told the PCoI that disputes arose between him and Wickremesinghe within the first week of establishing the yahapalana government.
“Within the first week Wickremesinghe wanted to appoint Arjuna Mahendran as the Governor of Central Bank. I wasn’t happy because Mahendran was a citizen of Singapore. However Wickremesinghe insisted that Mahendran was the ideal person and since I also did not want to create a conflict within a week of coming to power and I let it happen,” Sirisena said.
The ex-president said that the relationship further deteriorated after he appointed the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate the Central Bank Treasury Bond Scams.
Sirisena also said that he banned several officials, including former IGP Pujith Jayasundara, from attending the National Security Council (NSC) due to issues in their conduct.
“Most of the presentations made by the former IGP when he attended the NSC added no value. He was being criticized at the time for his unbecoming behavior,” he added.
Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Ravi Seneviratne of the CID had been invited to the NSC instead of Pujith.
Earlier Jayasundara told the PCoI that barring him from attending the NSC prevented him from learning about the rising Islamic terrorism in the country.
Emeritus Professor of Anthropology Gananath Obeyesekere has passed away at the age of 95.
Latest News
Acceptance of nominations for Punakiri, Mannar and Dehiattakandiya local authorities ends at 12 noon on Thursday (27th March 2025)
The Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Rathnayake issuing a media release states that the acceptance of nominations for the Punakiri Pradeshiya Sabha in the Kilinochchi district, Mannar Pradeshiya Sabha in the Mannar district and Dehiattakandiya Pradeshiya Sabha in the Ampara district which commenced on 24th March will end at 12noon on 27th March 2025.
The poll notice for the three above named local authorities was published on 10th March 2025 and the acceptance of deposits for the same will end at 12noon on 26th March 2025.
The annual festival of St. Anthony’s Church on the Palaitivu Island, Jaffna was successfully held on 21 and 22 Mar 25.
Demonstrating its commitment to community and social responsibility, the Sri Lanka Navy enabled facilities for the conduct of the event and
convenience of devotees.
In accordance with the directives of the Commander of the Navy and under the supervision of the Commander Northern Naval Area, the Navy provided sea transportation for the event. Additionally, they ensured the safety and convenience of devotees by providing sanitary and medical facilities, drinking water, essential infrastructure, and deploying lifesaving teams.
The main mass of the church festival was conducted by the Vicar General of the Jaffna Diocese Very Rev. Fr. P Josephdas Jebarathnam.
This year’s event saw the participation of a gathering of priests and nuns from various regions, alongside a significant number of devotees.
The festival also highlighted the Navy’s ongoing dedication to fostering social welfare and promoting religious and cultural harmony.
(Navy Media)
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