News

Absence of Muslim representation in Cabinet raised

Published

1 year ago

2024/12/9

Left-Right: M M Zuhair PC, T K Azoor, Ash Sheikh S.H.M. Faleel, Tilvin Silva, Rasheed M. Imthiyaz, Javid Yusuf, Ash Sheikh I.N Ikram

JVP-NSC powwow:

JVP Secretary Tilva Silva has assured the National Shoora Council (NSC) that the NPP government has zero tolerance for racism and recent arrests of individuals involved in inciting racial hatred proved the government’s progressive stance. Silva has emphasized that the government respects the religious, linguistic, and cultural identities of all communities.

A senior delegation from NSC recently met the JVP Secretary at the JVP headquarters at Battaramulla for a discussion.

Silva has underscored the significance of support received by the NPP from all communities in the last general election.

The meeting was facilitated by Deputy Minister Sheikh Muneer Mulaffer at the request of the NSC.

The delegation comprised the President of the National Shoora Council, Ash Sheikh S. H. M. Faleel, NSC General Secretary Attorney-at-Law Rasheed M. Imthiyaz, President’s Counsel and former MP M. M. Zuhair, former President of NSC, Attorney-at-Law T.K. Azoor and NSC Vice President, former Ambassador, Senior Attorney-at-Law Javid Yusuf, NPP’s National Executive and steering committee member Ash Sheikh I. N. Ikram also participated in the meeting.

The following issues were taken up for discussions:

The NSC delegation assured the community’s support for addressing on a priority basis the economic hardships suffered by the Sri Lankan people and stressed the need for prioritising solutions as recommended in the 27-point requests the NSC had made in its memorandum submitted to notable presidential candidates, including the NPP.

The delegation underscored the presence of skilled professionals, business leaders and experienced intellectuals within the Muslim community who could serve the country in all fields including, education, economics, and politics. They expressed the Council’s willingness to facilitate consultations with vital segments and organisations within the community for the country’s progress as well as to resolve the specific concerns of the community.

The delegation highlighted the concerns in the Muslim community regarding the absence of Muslim representation in the key national decision-making body, the Cabinet. They pointed out that it had become the subject of critical evaluation within the community and needed to be addressed.

Noting that over two million Sri Lankans are employed in Arab and Islamic countries, contributing more than 85% of LKR 6 billion annually in foreign remittances, the delegation stressed the importance of maintaining strong relationships with these nations. They called for efforts to attract investment from these countries to support Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.

The delegation reaffirmed the Muslim community’s unwavering commitment to national unity and territorial integrity. They highlighted the suffering endured by Muslims in the Northern and Eastern provinces due to ethnic conflicts and noted that Muslims have never supported separatist movements. They emphasized the importance of addressing issues affecting displaced Muslims still living in camps.

The delegation noted the government’s concerns in tackling racism and pointed out that these issues must be resolved through education, dialogue and reconciliation and not by introducing tougher laws.

The Council outlined its objectives, structure, and past activities, recalling a 27-point proposal submitted to the NPP before the presidential election. They expressed readiness for further dialogue on these proposals. A file containing a copy of the proposal, together with a congratulatory message sent to Anura Kumara Dissanayake upon his election as President and an introductory document about the National Shoora Council was handed over to Tilvin Silva.

The delegation highlighted their past peace-building efforts, particularly the close collaboration of Deputy Minister Sheikh Muneer Mulaffer with the National Shoora Council on interfaith harmony projects. They reiterated their willingness to continue such initiatives in the future.

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CEYPETCO Fuel prices increased from midnight today (21)

Published

26 mins ago

2026/03/21

Priyan

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (Ceypetco) has announced a revision of fuel prices, effective from midnight today (21).

Accordingly,

Auto Diesel – Rs. 382 (increased by Rs. 79)

Super Diesel – Rs. 443 (increased by Rs. 90)

Petrol 92 Octane – Rs. 398 (increased by Rs. 81)

Kerosene – Rs. 255. (increased by Rs. 60)

Petrol 95 Octane – Rs. 455 (increased by Rs. 90)

Latest News

Advisory for Severe Lightning issued for Galle, Matara, Kaluthara and Rathnapura districts

Published

7 hours ago

2026/03/21

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre Issued at 12.30 p.m. 21 March 2026, valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 21 March 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Galle, Matara, Kaluthara and Rathnapura districts after 1.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:

 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.

 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.

 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.

 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.

 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.

 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

News

Sri Lanka says it denied US request to land two aircraft at Mattala airport

Published

12 hours ago

2026/03/21

Priyan

Sri Lanka’s president says his government turned down a request from the United States to land two US combat aircraft at a civilian airport earlier this month.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Sri Lanka’s parliament on Friday that Washington had requested permission for the aircraft to land at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in southern Sri Lanka from March 4 to 8.

The request was made on February 26, two days before the US and Israel launched their military offensive against Iran.

“They wanted to bring two warplanes armed with eight antiship missiles from a base in Djibouti”, Dissanayake told lawmakers. “We turned down the request to maintain Sri Lanka’s neutrality”, he added to applause.

The US-Israeli war on Iran has sparked widespread concern globally, as Iranian missile and drone attacks across the wider Middle East have sent energy prices soaring and fuelled fears of a widening conflict.

US President Donald Trump has also been pressuring Washington’s allies to show more support for the war, slamming NATO countries as “cowards” for refusing to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has essentially shuttered the critical Gulf waterway amid the war, forcing leaders around the world to scramble to try to offset the effects on their economies and energy supplies.

Amid the turmoil, many countries have refused to get directly involved in the war while calling for urgent de-escalation.

On Friday, Switzerland announced that it would halt any weapons exports to the US that could be used in military operations against Iran, citing its longstanding policy of neutrality.

“The export of war materiel to countries involved ⁠in the international armed conflict with Iran cannot be authorised for the duration of the conflict”, the Swiss government said.

Sri Lanka’s president also cited his country’s neutrality in the decision to deny the US request to land the two aircraft at Matalla airport earlier this month.

Dissanayake said he had received another request that same day, on February 26, from Iran to seek permission for three naval vessels to make a goodwill visit to Sri Lanka.

“With two requests before us, the decision was clear,” he said, noting that the government denied both to avoid taking sides as signs of escalating conflict emerged.

“Had we said ‘yes’ to Iran, we would have had to say ‘yes’ to the US, as well”, Dissanayake added.

In early March, Sri Lanka’s navy rescued 32 Iranian crew off IRIS Dena after it was torpedoed by a US submarine off the country’s coast, killing at least 84 people.

Days later, Sri Lanka evacuated more than 200 crew members from a second Iranian vessel, IRIS Bushehr, after the ship requested assistance from Colombo.

[Aljazeera]