News

Vasudeva says whatever differences within the govt. will be finally managed through progress than discontent

Published

5 years ago

2021/05/2

Sahan Weerasooriya

Welcomes scrapping ECT deal with India

by Suresh Perera

Whatever differences coalition partners have within the government of the alliance will be managed through discussion. They will all be finally managed on the basis of progress rather than discontent, says Minister of Water Supply, Vasudeva Nanayakkara.

“I think seeing eye to eye is not an easy expectation even in personal relationships. So in complex politics, it should be more than that. The difficulties of managing different points of view, what we do is to bring all dissension within a framework. We are working within a larger framework of a people-centered development program, a national development program, a national economy and further to keep the welfare state going within the democratic framework”, he said in an email interview with The Sunday Island.

“So within this larger framework there can be hundreds of points on which we can have different positions and different points of view”, the veteran left-wing politician and firebrand trade unionist said in response to a question on coalition partners within the SLPP fold not seeing eye to eye on certain issues, which has led to discontent.

On the Port City project, which critics have labeled as a “Chinese colony”, and whether he agrees or dismiss fears that over-dependence on the Chinese could spell disastrous consequences in the long term, the Minister said: Firstly, the description that the Port City is a ‘Chinese Colony’ is a canard, to say the minimum. Secondly, the people who have money to invest have invested in order that we may develop an area which will be a zone where restrictions don’t apply and free investments and investors can prevail to develop our country’s foreign investment situation.

“It is mainly a financial and banking District. The others are servicing financial and banking activities. I believe the Port City will help us in many ways in resolving our employment for the literate, digitally literate and middle level management employment and also mainly junior level workers. I don’t think there are no problems, there will be problems which we will all bring within the sovereignty of our country. The President will be able to do it on behalf of our people and in their best interest. That’s how I see the Port City”, he continued.

Q: The proposed handing over of the East Container Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo Port to an Indian company as an “investment project” (the term used by the government) was scrapped following heavy resistance by port workers. Do you think Sri Lanka should have pushed ahead with the move, as planned, to develop the ECT with Indian involvement?

The workers in the port, the trade unions, the left leaning members of the cabinet, the Parliamentary Group of the SLPP and National Political Forces came together in opposing to the east container terminal, which has been nearly completed, being given away to an Indian company. Therefore, the matter of it becoming a source of major revenue to the port was not very far and therefore the alienation of east container terminal on the basis of a lease was not acceptable because it was inimical to our interest and the interest of the port revenue. I believe that we, as a nation, was right in standing up to support the scrapping of the ECT proposal with the Indian Company.

Q: What are your views on selling or leasing national assets to foreign interests in the name of “investments”? Do you think that, as a country, we have overstepped the mark, though it’s a fact that foreign direct investments that generate a foreign exchange inflow are important for economic progress?

The policy of our Government is not to alienate any of our assets, that policy stands intact. I don’t know why this question should have been raised; it has always been the policy to rent out or lease our lands for different projects; which ends up finally with the lands returned to the fold of the country. This is not a new practice. FDIs come on the basis of their equality that they bring into the country instead of having to depend on loans that does not have tradeoff between our national assets and foreign direct investments.

Q: As a coalition partner of the SLPP, are you happy with the performance of the government at a time people are complaining of the soaring cost of living?

The cost of living was checked during the festival season very reasonably by measures taken by the Minister of Trade, Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, and this we want to extend. We decided in the cabinet to extend the period to the post-festive in the coming days and thus keep the cost of living at bay. I personally think, and am optimistic about the future performance of the Government.

Q: As a veteran firebrand politician, you have always championed the just cause of the workers in Sri Lanka. In this context, are you happy with the contribution made so far by the government towards the welfare of the workers?

I see a very positive approach on the part of the Government regarding the working people. In fact, the development program is known as the people-centered development program. There have been a number of decisions made to alleviate the difficulties of the working class and the working people. Therefore, I feel confident more than any other regime, this Government is going forward towards welfare of the workers and consolidation of their rights.

Q: For the third consecutive year, May Day celebrations have been called off due to the prevailing pandemic situation. Under the circumstances, what’s your message to the workers?

The workers must respect and understand the health regulations that prevail in the country which is in the interest in the whole country. Anybody who violates it, knowingly or unintentionally will be acting anti-socially. But as a worker of this country, we look up to the media and internet to extend our solidarity and greetings among our workers and their leaders. Therefore, it’s not only the May Day that we have not had. For three consecutive years, even our New Year and Vesak celebrations were curbed on that account. But May Day, being an internationally significant day for workers all over the world, the restraints on this celebration has to be undertaken and will be acceptable to all workers. As soon as the constrains are removed, the worker solidarity, unionization and the alliances will spring back into activity.

All News Advertisement

News

President Commissions Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Samudra Vijaya’ into Sri Lanka Navy

Published

2 hours ago

2026/06/5

Priyan

The commissioning ceremony of the deep-sea patrol vessel as Samudravijaya, gifted to the Sri Lanka Navy by the United States Coast Guard to enhance the Navy’s operational capabilities, was held under the patronage of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, on Thursday afternoon (04) at the Eastern Terminal premises of the Port of Colombo.

The vessel was officially handed over to Sri Lanka by the United States Coast Guard on 2 December 2025. Following modifications to meet the operational requirements of the Sri Lanka Navy, the vessel commenced its voyage to Colombo on 20 February 2026 from the United States Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Maryland.

The induction of the vessel marks a significant step towards further strengthening the operational capabilities of the Sri Lanka Navy and enhancing the country’s maritime and national security. The vessel is expected to make an important contribution to maritime surveillance, search and rescue operations, protection of fisheries resources, environmental monitoring and the enforcement of international maritime laws and conventions. In particular, it will serve as a vital asset in combating narcotics trafficking and other transnational maritime crimes, which remain major challenges for both Sri Lanka and the wider region.

During the ceremony, President Dissanayake presented the official commissioning warrant to the vessel’s Commanding Officer, Captain Gayan Wickramasuriya. The President subsequently unveiled the vessel’s name board and official insignia before undertaking an inspection tour of the ship. The Commander of the Navy briefed those present on the vessel’s operational readiness, systems and capabilities.

President Dissanayake also signed the vessel’s Distinguished Visitors’ Book and was presented with a commemorative plaque featuring a replica of the vessel.

Among those present were Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunatilaka. Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.), Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd.), Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe. Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasooriya, Charge d’affaires to the U.S. Embassy Ms. Jayne Howell, Senior Defence Official and Defence Attache with Spouse Lieutenant Colonel Matthew House, representatives of the Embassy and senior officers of the Sri Lanka Navy.

(PMD)

News

Elders’ home devastated by fire was a ‘house of horror’: Witnesses

Published

9 hours ago

2026/06/5

Thilina Walpola

Death toll rises to 12: Director remanded

Some residents were allegedly chained

Police have come under public pressure to investigate allegations of inhumane treatmenf the residents at an elders’ home in Batagoda, which was also reportedly used as a care centre for persons with special needs, following a devastating fire that has so far claimed 12 lives.

Eyewitnesses who were among the first responders told the media that several residents had been chained inside rooms at the Senehase Kedella Elders’ Home when the fire broke out on Wednesday. They claimed that rescue efforts were hindered as iron chains could not be removed, and that some residents died while being restrained.

Authorities have not yet verified these claims, and Police said investigations are continuing.

Police spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler, contacted for comment, said there were rumours to that effect, but the Police were not in a position to verify the claims until a report from the Government Analyst was received. He said eight survivors with burn injuries were being treated in hospital.

Meanwhile, the Director of the facility had been arrested and was due to be produced before the Horana Magistrate’s Court, Police said adding that he was remanded till June 11.

The death toll from the fire has risen to 12 as of Thursday morning following the recovery of additional charred remains during ongoing forensic examinations at the site. Six others sustained serious injuries and are being treated at the Horana Base Hospital.

Police said 72 residents were inside the facility at the time of the blaze. Of them, 10 died inside the building, seven were injured and hospitalised, while 51 were rescued and relocated.

Survivors were initially housed at Batagoda Junior School before being transferred with Army assistance to another branch of the same care network in Galpatha.

A magisterial inquiry was conducted on Thursday morning. Horana Magistrate Lakmini Vidanagamage visited the scene. The burnt remains were examined and removed under judicial supervision.

Separately, allegations have emerged that residents were required to pay an admission fee of Rs. 75,000, along with a monthly charge of Rs. 35,000 to the centre. Police have not commented on these claims.

The director was taken to the scene as part of ongoing investigations, while forensic experts continue examinations to determine the cause of the fire, which remains undetermined.Anguruwatota Police are conducting investigations.

By Norman Palihawadane and Nishan S Priyantha

News

CERT : AI-generated videos depicting Prez, PM lure public into financial scams

Published

9 hours ago

2026/06/5

Thilina Walpola

Sri Lanka CERT has issued a public warning over the circulation of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated videos falsely depicting President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and several other prominent personalities to promote fraudulent investment schemes online.

According to complaints received by the national cyber security agency, the videos have been created using deepfake technology and are being used as part of attempts to defraud members of the public through financial scams.

The images of famous sports personalities and other public figures have also been misused in the deceptive content.

The agency has warned that similar AI-generated material has been used to spread false information relating to investment opportunities, employment offers, as well as matters concerning the country’s economy and tax policies.

According to Sri Lanka CERT, the videos are being widely shared across online platforms and frequently contain links urging viewers to make investments in return for purported profits.The agency has cautioned that these links may redirect users to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal information, financial data and money from unsuspecting victims.

Sri Lanka CERT has urged the public to exercise extreme caution when encountering such content online and advised against clicking on suspicious links or sharing personal information through unverified websites.

“The public should remain vigilant and avoid becoming victims of false information and online fraud schemes,” the agency said.

Sri Lanka CERT has also encouraged internet users to verify information through official sources before acting on any investment, employment or financial offers circulated via social media or other online platforms.