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AKD vows to stop allocating funds for ex-presidents, questions Sagala’s role

Published

3 years ago

2023/02/21

Sahan Weerasooriya

Anura Kumara Dissanayake

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) lawmaker Anura Kumara Dissanayake has called for an end to the practice of spending taxpayers’ money to maintain former Presidents and their spouses.

Bankrupt Sri Lanka couldn’t afford to look after political families, MP Dissanayake told a gathering in Colombo on Sunday. Referring to the former first lady Hema Premadasa receiving full state patronage since the assassination of her husband Ranasinghe Premadasa on May Day 1993, the JVP leader asked why successive governments had paid for maintaining what he called the former first lady’s luxury style.

MP Dissanayake said that if the JJB formed a government, such waste would be stopped forthwith.

The JVPer questioned the funds allocated for former Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, and Gotabaya Rajapaksa at a time a vast majority of people were struggling to make ends meet.

Alleging that the government was working overtime to indefinitely put off the Local Government polls, scheduled for March 09, MP Dissanayake said that the growing indications that the JJB would make significant gains at the forthcoming poll jolted the government, and the Opposition, as well. MP Dissanayake alleged that in addition to the SJB and the Opposition Leader’s group, the Maithripala Sirisena-Dayasiri Jayasekera camp were thoroughly disturbed by the public response, received by the JJB.

Colombo District lawmaker Dissanayake said that the so called VIPs and VIP groups hadn’t experienced such a threatening situation before. The JVP leader asked the gathering whether they could think of one justifiable reason for the bankrupt government to allocate funds for ex-Presidents and ex-Presidents now serving as members of Parliament. Dissanayake said that the allocation of over Rs 10 mn each for ex-presidents couldn’t be accepted, under any circumstances.

MP Dissanayake also questioned the significant allocations made for two of President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s closest associates and presidential advisors, Sagala Ratnayake and Akila Viraj Kariyawasam.

In spite of both of them being rejected by the people at the last general election, held in August 2020, they received special treatment, MP Dissanayake said, claiming that Ratnayake, one-time Law and Order Minister, received a Rs 150,000 as monthly salary, Rs 81,400 fuel allowance, Rs 50,000 transport allowance and Rs 7,500 telephone allowance. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam received Rs 100,000 monthly salary, Rs 66,825 fuel allowance and an expensive SUV.

MP Dissanayake said that those in the government, and the Opposition, threatened by the rapidly changing political environment, ganged up against the JJB for obvious reasons.

The JVP leader said that they had been greatly strengthened by the sizable number of ex-military personnel, including senior officers, throwing their weight behind the growing political movement. Referring to former Eastern Commander, Maj. Gen. K.P. Anura Jayasekera, declaring his support for the JJB, MP Dissanayake said that though the military generally was opposed to left political parties, there was a significant and unexpected shift in response to the post-Gotabaya developments.

In the wake of Maj. Gen. Jayasekera’s declaration of support to the JJB, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has alleged that the extremist group, led by Zahran Hashim, stepped up activity during Jayasekera’s tenure as the Easter Commander. Lawmaker Dissanayake dismissed what he called the Field Marshal’s childish attempt to tarnish the former Eastern Commander’s name. Jayasekera received appointment as the Eastern Commander, in Nov. 2018.

How could the public have faith in a system where a person who killed a political opponent, during an election campaign, and was found guilty by courts, received appointment as State Minister, MP Dissanayake asked. The JVPer said that those who exercised political power realized that their days were numbered.

Referring to the Colombo High Court ruling, given in June 2022, pertaining to Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, who is also the Chief Government Whip, MP Dissanayake said that Ranatunga was sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment, suspended for five years, after he was found guilty of one of the charges in a case filed for threatening a businessman.

The Colombo High Court also imposed a fine of Rs. 25 Million on the Minister and ordered him to pay Rs. 1 million as compensation. The Minister has appealed against the HC ruling but how could we ignore the original ruling, the JVPer asked.

The JVPer recalled how the Rajapaksas suppressed investigation into the alleged fake currency printing case, involving Dulanjali Premadasa and former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa’s Siriliya case.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

5 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491

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Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 makes port call in Colombo

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 15 Apr 2026 and was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The vessel’s arrival is a key highlight of the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) – 2026 programme , accompanying a diverse contingent of Navy cadets from 26 different nations alongside their Indonesian counterparts.

The ship is commanded by Commander SUGENG HARIYANTO. Meanwhile, Officer Under-trainees of the Sri Lanka Navy are expected to participate in various programmes aboard the
ship and naval personnel observe its operational functions during its stay in the island.

Furthermore, the ship’s crew is scheduled to take part in programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two navies, as well as visit several tourist attractions in the country.

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PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival, organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, was held on Tuesday (14) in Gampaha under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the performance of traditional auspicious customs and rituals.

In accordance with tradition, during the Punya Kalaya (inauspicious time), the Prime Minister visited the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Viharaya in Gampaha and participated in religious observances and received blessings from Venerable Thunmodara Samitha Thero, a member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Chief Incumbent of the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Dharmaduta Piriven Viharaya.

The traditional observances of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival were held at the residence of Darshana Weerasinghe in Gampaha. Marking the auspicious time for commencing work, and upon the invitation of the host family, the Prime Minister planted a sapling within the premises. Concurrently, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, joined the PM.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister joined children in engaging in traditional folk games.

At the auspicious time for engaging work and educational activities, the PM participated with children in reading and writing, guiding them and symbolically marking the commitment to advancing the educational development of the nation’s children.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests observed the traditional customs of exchanging greetings, transactions and gifts with the host family, and joined them to partake in the customary New Year meal.

Extending New Year greetings to all citizens, the Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to all Sri Lankans, both at home and abroad, for their contributions in overcoming and effectively managing the various challenges faced by the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival symbolizes renewal and purity, and reflects the energy of the sun. He also conveyed his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year for all.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and Minister of Labour, Dr. Anil Jayantha; Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe; Member of Parliament for the Gampaha District, Ruwan Mapalagama; along with the Gampaha District Secretary, Mayor, Divisional Secretaries, and a large number of government officials.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)