News
Sirisena wants country mobilised to face coming economic war
By Saman Indrajith
Former President Maithripala Sirisena has said that the country needs to win the confidence of the international community and rebuild its relations with its traditional allies to overcome the economic crisis faced by the country.
Addressing a Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) event at Buttala recently, Sirisena said that Sri Lankans were born fighters. However, they must be properly mobilised to face the coming economic war.
“People have been left wondering what has happened. We are in dire straits. Under Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Sri Lanka was on the path to sustainability and self-sufficiency. We had a strong agricultural and industrial base. Despite the setbacks in the 80s, we were at a somewhat stable place when this government took over. However, they created problems. The fertiliser crisis was created by the government. Now, the entire organic agriculture concept has been undermined,” Sirisena said.
The former president said that fuel, gas, cement, medicine and other shortages had crippled the country. The SLFP had launched a countrywide campaign to raise public awareness and empower people.
“The SLFP has an obligation to do something about the crisis. When I was the President, I managed to balance all major international actors. This is not rocket science. We just need to be transparent and have proper strategies. Right now, no country is happy with what we are doing,” he said.
Sirisena said that the SLFP had been urging for an all-party conference since early 2021. Even then, it was obvious that a crisis was on the horizon and the SLFP wanted to protect the citizens from serious economic woes, he said.
“6.9 million people voted for the President. He has 2/3 support in Parliament. However, the questions are only multiplying, and Ministers make various claims that antagonise people. Unlike them, we are coming up with a plan. We are talking to experts,” he said.
The High Court has convicted 14 of the 24 men accused of being directly involved in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed 279 people.
The three-judge bench read out its decision on Tuesday after a five-year trial and said sentencing would take place later, the AFP news agency reported.
The charges included murder and conspiracy to commit terrorism.
Nine others were acquitted, while another defendant was found guilty of only some of the charges, the court said.
[Aljazeera]
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The ruling NPP yesterday (21) dismissed claims of a widening rift, within the government, over the proposed 22nd Amendment. Asked whether the NPP was concerned over a section of the Opposition alleging Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and two dozen MPs taking a view contrary to that of the party in this regard, authoritative party sources said some persons were propagating speculation for their own interest.
Declaring that there was absolutely no issue regarding the controversial Amendment, sources emphasised once it was tabled in Parliament, it would be passed with 2/3 majority.
Sources dismissed claims that out of its 159-member parliamentary group a section of NPPers was opposed to the government move. According to an influential Opposition activist, there are 57 JVPers and 66 NPPers in the government group and the rest contested the last parliamentary polls, having aligned with the JVP.
Ministerial sources told The Island that the government was confident of going ahead with the 22nd Amendment and Judicature (Amendment) Bills. Sources said that the NPP was not bothered about the Opposition protests in and outside Parliament.
Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne is expected to disclose the confidential ruling that he received from the Supreme Court in respect of more than 65 petitions for and against the 22nd Amendment and Judicial Amendment Bills. The enactment of the 22nd Amendment would pave the way for extending the retirement age of Supreme Court judges, from 65 to 67 years, and Court of Appeal judges, from 63 to 65 years.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Court of Appeal Judge Mayadunna Sri Mevan Anthony Edirimannasuriya Corea as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal.
The appointment has been made as President’s Counsel Nalin Rohantha Abeysuriya, who currently serves as President of the Court of Appeal, will be overseas until the 24th.
Accordingly Justice Mayadunna Corea was sworn in as Acting President of the Court of Appeal before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential secretariat last morning (21).
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake was also present at the occasion.
High Court convicts 14 over deadly Easter bombings
Mandhana, Shafali and Ghosh lead dominant India to Asian Games gold
Fatima Sana and Umm-e-Hani secure bronze for Pakistan in Asian Games
India bat first in Asian games womens cricket final
Showers about 100mm will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara Districts
Govt. confident of 2/3 majority despite NPP split speculation
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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