News

SJB lambastes LPL series

Published

5 years ago

2020/11/30

By Saman Indrajith

Peolple hit by the pandemic were struggling to dull the pangs of hunger, but the Sports Ministry was holding carnivals by playing premier league cricket, the SJB said yesterday.

SJB Badulla District MP Chaminda Wijesiri, participating in the third reading debate on the budget 2021, said that the urgent need of the people was not premier league cricket tournaments, which cost billions of rupees. “They cannot even watch those matches on TV because of the mounting electricity bills during the recent months. It is no secret that these carnivals cost billions of rupees. What we do not know so far is from where that money is coming from.”

“Under a previous Rajapaksa government, the present Sports Minister organised car races opposite the Dalada Maligawa, Kandy. We remember how sand bags were put up closing down some roads in Kandy as Minister Namal Rajapaksa wanted to hold car races and carnivals with foreign dancers. It seems Minister Namal Rajapaksa has not learned a lesson yet.”

Kandy District SLPP MP Wasantha Yapa Bandara: How do you say that Minister Rajapaksa participated in the race? He did not participate in the race. You should withdraw that statement.

MP Wijesiri: Some drove their cars while some others danced with foreign dancers. Those who danced at that time are now shouting. Do not forget how people responded to those extravagances. Those were the reasons they voted you out last time. While MP Namal Rajapaksa was in the Opposition, we saw him moving with people, attending funerals, and working with them on their fields. He was in shorts helping people affected by floods and painting their houses. We thought that he had learnt his lessons but now we are sure we were mistaken. Several days ago, there was an archery competition and the chief guest was Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa. The first and second places of the competition went to his brothers. It seems that we are back on the same track again. The premier league carnival confirms it. A minister of Sports could render an immense service to the people. During the time of our government Minister Harin Fernando served that district and helped the players.

Minister Namal Rajapaksa: What did Harin Fernando do for the benefit of the sports sector? What did he do?

MP Wijesiri: Do not ask me. You are the sports minister and you should know what your predecessor did for the sports. You can ask from ministry officials. Harin Fernando did not go around opening buildings. Now, tell me who is the owner of the biggest shop in the Mahiyangana? Tell me if you can. Harin Fernando worked for the people. People have not voted to see you and friends to see you and your friends enjoy life. You just passed one year. If this is your record for a year, we can’t even imagine what you would do in time to come.

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News

Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) donates LKR 25 million to the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” Fund

Published

11 hours ago

2026/01/24

Priyan

The Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) has contributed LKR 25 million to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund.

The cheque was handed over to the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake by the Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange, Dimuthu Abeyesekera, the Chief Executive Officer Rajeeva Bandaranaike and Senior Vice Chairman Kusal Nissanka at the Presidential Secretariat.

News

Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56

Published

20 hours ago

2026/01/24

Thilina Walpola

Karu Jayasuriya

Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing concerns over the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions.The letter was sent in his capacity as Patron of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus.

In his letter, Jayasuriya noted that at the time of Sri Lanka’s independence, political participation was largely limited to an educated, affluent land-owning elite. However, he said a significant social transformation took place after 1956, enabling ordinary citizens to enter politics.

He warned that under current conditions, removing parliamentary pensions would effectively confine politics to the wealthy, business interests, individuals engaged in illicit income-generating activities, and well-funded political parties. Such a move, he said, would discourage honest social workers and individuals of modest means from entering public life.

Jayasuriya also pointed out that while a small number of former MPs, including himself, use their pensions for social and charitable purposes, the majority rely on the pension as a primary source of income.

He urged the President to give due consideration to the matter and take appropriate action, particularly as the government prepares to draft a new constitution.The Bill seeking to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament was presented to Parliament on 07 January by Minister of Justice and National Integration Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara.

News

Johnston, two sons and two others further remanded over alleged misuse of vehicle

Published

20 hours ago

2026/01/24

Thilina Walpola

Former Minister Johnston Fernando and others being escorted out of the Wattala Magistrate Court premises yesterday

Five suspects, including former Minister Johnston Fernando and his two sons, who were arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), were further remanded until 30 January by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

The former Minister’s , sons Johan Fernando and Jerome Kenneth Fernando, and two others, were arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of a Sathosa vehicle during Fernando’s tenure as Minister.

Investigations are currently underway into the alleged misuse of state property, including a lorry belonging to Lanka Sathosa, which reportedly caused a significant financial loss to the state.

In connection with the same incident, Indika Ratnamalala, who served as the Transport Manager of Sathosa during

Fernando’s tenure as Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade, was arrested on 04 January.

After being produced before the Wattala Magistrate’s Court, he was ordered to be remanded in custody until 09 January.The former Sathosa Transport Manager was remanded on charges of falsifying documents.