News

Aragalaya reacts to BIA arrest, vows to oust new prez too

Published

4 years ago

2022/07/28

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Sarvapakshika Aragalakaruwo(all-party agitators), in a statement issued yesterday (27) strongly condemned the arrest of one of their key members, ‘Dhanis Ali’ by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while he was about to leave the country, in a complete new look, sans his overgrown beard and hair.

The grouping alleged that the arrest of Ali at the BIA and four other persons near the S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike statue on Tuesday (26) was part of a major government operation meant to suppress the protest movement.The grouping claimed that newly elected President Ranil Wickremesinghe was going flat out against those who made the operation against Sri Lanka’s “worst” ever President Gotabaya Rajapaksa successful. Gotabaya Rajapaksa was forced to flee the country by violent mobs pursuing him in the early hours of July 13.They asserted that the government engage in high profile operations such as the arrest made in a passenger flight as it was about to take as part its strategy to overwhelm the public.

Police headquarters said that 31-year-old Ali, a resident of Wabada, Kurunegala was under investigation over his involvement with the protest movement. Accordingly, the Fort Magistrate has issued a warrant for Ali’s arrest over the obstructing of the Finance Ministry entrance on June 20 when a group of IMF representatives was to come there, Fort Magistrate granted him bail when the police produced him in court over causing damage to public property during protest outside police headquarters on June 09, the suspect has been also wanted in connection with assault on Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) personnel at Galle Face on June 12, threatening personnel from Fort police on July 20 when a squad arrived at the S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike statue to inquire into reports of plans to damage it and seizing control of State Rupavahini on July 13 afternoon during violent protests.

The protest movement alleged that President Wickremesinghe appeared to have launched operations on several fronts to undermine the protest movement. The group identified six specific areas the government was on the offensive namely (1) create a rift between the protest movement and the military and police (2) portray the protest movement as an outfit opposed to the military and police (3) take tangible measures against the protest movement to appease SLPP lawmakers who voted for Ranil Wickremesinghe at the presidential contest (4) create public anger towards the protest movement (5) cause fear among those opposed to the government before the next round of major protest campaign and (6) stress that those who opposed the government would have to face grave consequences.

Sarvapakshika Aragalakaruwo warned President Wickremesinghe would face fate that befell Gotabaya Rajapaksa regime. They vowed to continue ongoing protest campaign regardless of the growing challenges and threats.Authoritative police and military officials said that the identities of most of those who had inspired violence since March 31 protest at ex-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s private residence were now known.

The State Intelligence has briefed the government parliamentary group on Tuesday of the threat posed by ‘Aragalaya’ and its strategies meant to undermine the incumbent government. The briefing has been given when the group met at the Finance Ministry under the auspices of President Wickremesinghe and Premier Dinesh Gunawardena.Government sources said that lawmakers wanted President Wickremesinghe, the military and the police to take a tough stand and take whatever measures necessary to neutralize the threat. Sources said that the government shouldn’t retreat in the face of fresh threats made by ‘Aragalaya’ and other interested parties.

All News Advertisement

Latest News

Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and Galle and Matara districts

Published

3 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 12.30 noon 12 March 2026 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 12 March 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 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.

Latest News

Nasa spacecraft weighing 1,300lb due to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere

Published

4 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

The two Van Allen Probes were launched in 2012 [BBC]

A Van Allen Probe spacecraft weighing more than 1,300lb (600kg) is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere almost 14 years after its launch, Nasa says.

The spacecraft is projected to re-enter around 19:45 EDT (23:45 GMT) on Tuesday the US Space Force predicted, according to Nasa, though there is a 24-hour margin of “uncertainty” in the timing.

The Van Allen Probe A, which launched in 2012, is expected mostly to burn up as it travels through the atmosphere, though some components may survive.

The space agency said there is a one in 4,200 chance of being harmed by a piece of the probe, which it characterised as “low” risk.

The spacecraft and its twin, Van Allen Probe B, were on a mission to gather unprecedented data on Earth’s two permanent radiation belts.

It was not immediately clear where in Earth’s atmosphere the satellite is projected to re-enter. The BBC has contacted Nasa for further detail.

Nasa and the US Space Force have said they will monitor the re-entry and update any predictions.

The mission, which was originally designed to last two years, went on for almost seven. It ended after the spacecrafts ran out of fuel and were no longer able to orient themselves toward the Sun.

The probes flew through rings of charged particles trapped by Earth’s magnetic field from 2012 to 2019, in order to study how particles were gained and lost, per Nasa.

Those rings, called the Van Allen belts, shield Earth from cosmic radiation, solar storms and streaming solar wind, which are harmful to humans and can damage technology.

The mission made significant discoveries, including the first data that show the existence of a transient third radiation belt, which can form during times of intense solar activity, Nasa said.

Van Allen Probe B is not expected to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere before 2030.

[BBC]

News

PM Visits the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

Published

5 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, on 11 March 2026, and held bilateral discussions with Yvonne Pinto, Director General of IRRI, focusing on strengthening cooperation in the field of rice research and sustainable agricultural development.

During the meeting, discussions centered on rice cultivation in Sri Lanka, including the key challenges faced by Sri Lankan paddy farmers. The Prime Minister highlighted issues affecting the sector such as productivity constraints, climate-related impacts, and the need to support farmers through improved agricultural practices and technological innovations.

Both sides also discussed the importance of introducing modern techniques and research-driven approaches to rice cultivation in order to enhance productivity and ensure long-term food security. In this regard, IRRI shared insights on ongoing global research initiatives aimed at improving rice varieties, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting sustainable farming practices.

The discussion further focused on the potential for expanded collaboration between Sri Lanka and IRRI, particularly in areas such as research partnerships, knowledge sharing, and capacity building for Sri Lankan agricultural institutions and farmers. The Prime Minister emphasized Sri Lanka’s interest in strengthening cooperation with IRRI to support the development of the country’s rice sector and to improve the livelihoods of paddy farmers.

The visit reaffirmed the importance of science-based agricultural innovation and international collaboration in addressing food security challenges and enhancing sustainable rice production in Sri Lanka.