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Chagie issues dire warning as country celebrates independence

Published

3 years ago

2022/02/5

Gajaba Regiment veteran Chagie Gallage says that in spite of Sri Lanka’s triumph over separatist terrorism 13 years ago, external interventions were threatening the country.

“We are at a crossroads, struggling to cope up with a fragile situation” an irate Maj. Gen. Gallage said, urging those who wield political power to address the real challenges or face the consequences.

The war veteran said that on the eve of Sri Lanka’s 74th anniversary of independence, a section of the Parliament called for foreign intervention on the basis of unsubstantiated war crimes allegations.

Referring to Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan’s appeal to member-states of the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, Maj. Gen. Gallage warned that the country would have to pay a very heavy price for not countering the Geneva project decisively in the manner the country fought the world’s most ruthless terrorist outfit to defeat it in the battlefield.

In a way, instead of exposing lies, those responsible appeared to have contributed to Sri Lanka’s plight, the much celebrated former frontline combat officer said.

The TNA was campaigning against the military having voted for the war winning Army Commander the then General Sarath Fonseka at the 2010 presidential election to sow chaos here, the Maj. General said.

Responding to another query, the military strategist said that the TNA letter should be discussed and appropriate measures taken.

It would be a grave mistake on the government’s part to believe the ongoing dialogue with an insignificant section of the civil society could help the country to neutralise the Geneva threat.

Geneva sessions commence later this month. Contrary to various claims pertaining to the post-war national reconciliation process, the Maj. Gen. pointed out the political leadership was blind to specific draconian measures that had been already taken against retired and serving officers without any due process, merely on hearsay evidence.

Maj. Gen. Gallage is among those who had been penalised by some countries.

The former General Officer Commanding (GoC) 59 Division said that the country was yet to set the record straight. “Our failure to use available information, data and a range of official documents as well as expose serious flaws in their strategy is astonishing,” Maj. Gen. Gallage said. It would be interesting to examine the current dispensation’s Geneva response at the forthcoming session, the war veteran said.

Gallage retired in late 2018. The US denied visa to Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka the year before Gallage’s retirement whereas the Superpower blacklisted General Shavendra Silva in 2020 and Maj. Gen. Udaya Perera in late 2021.

Gallage said that the Parliament owed an explanation as to how some of its members pursued an agenda against the country. Could lawmakers accuse the military of genocide unless they provided the basis for such claims?

Gallage said that Sri Lanka’s defence had been so weak the public might tend to believe whether it was deliberate. The former GoC, who commanded the Task Force I at the onset of the Vanni offensive from the Mannar rice bowl said even the failure to exploit obvious lies said about Mannar mass graves by UNHRC Chief Michelle Berthelot and former Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran’s false accusations that over 100 LTTE detainees were poisoned in custody was nothing but a shame.

A fresh review of Sri Lanka’s Geneva strategy was necessary as the Western agenda seemed on track though the government announced in Feb/March 2020 pullout from 2015 co-sponsorship of Geneva accountability resolution.

“What we need is a cohesive response as a nation. Unless we neutralise the Geneva threat, they’ll step up pressure on us over constitutional reforms. Their efforts appear to be on track,” the retired officer said, urging the government to be mindful of the fresh investigation undertaken by Geneva in terms of 46/1.

Gallage also pointed out that the former colonial power that plundered much of the world, was back in action as the leader of Sri Lanka Core Group in Geneva, pretending to be a Good Samaritan.

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Second lot of luxury and decommissioned vehicles owned by the Presidential Secretariat sold

Published

4 hours ago

2025/05/15

Priyan

The second phase of the auction to sell luxury and decommissioned vehicles owned by the Presidential Secretariat was successfully concluded today (15 May), with the auction taking place as scheduled.

A total of 26 vehicles, previously allocated to former Ministers and the former President, to their advisors and staff appointed under Article 41(1) of the Constitution during their tenure, were listed for sale. Out of these, 17 vehicles were successfully sold today.

The auctioned vehicles included:

1 BMW car
2 Ford Everest SUVs
1 Hyundai Terracan SUV
2 Land Rover SUVs
1 Mitsubishi Montero
3 Nissan Patrol vehicles
2 Nissan brand cars
1 Porsche Cayenne
5 SsangYong Rexton SUVs
1 Toyota Land Cruiser Sahara
6 V8 vehicles
1 Mitsubishi Rosa air-conditioned bus

With the aim of reducing government expenditure and promoting fiscal responsibility, a decision was taken to auction the vehicles belonging to the Presidential Secretariat.

There was a high demand for the purchase of these vehicles and over Rs. 200 million in revenue was generated through their sale at the auction held today.

There was significant interest in the auction, with 108 bidders participating.

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President approves establishment of Anti-Corruption Investigation Units in Provincial Councils and LG Institutions

Published

4 hours ago

2025/05/15

Priyan

President Anura Kumara Disanayake has approved the establishment of dedicated anti-corruption investigation units within provincial councils and local government institutions, aiming to combat corruption and administrative inefficiencies. The decision follows a request by provincial governors during a high-level discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat today (15).

During the meeting, President Disanayake emphasised that provincial governors bear the primary responsibility for driving development initiatives and ensuring accountability within their respective provinces. He noted, “Strengthening governance mechanisms is critical to addressing systemic challenges and achieving equitable progress.”

Among the key decisions taken was the creation of anti-corruption investigation units modelled after similar bodies operating at the ministerial level. These units will be tasked with monitoring financial transactions, investigating irregularities and enforcing transparency in development projects. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader agenda to eliminate malpractice in public institutions.

The discussion also highlighted that provincial councils have received three times the financial allocations compared to the previous fiscal year. However, governors raised concerns regarding delays and bureaucratic hurdles in utilising these funds effectively. In response, President Disanayake directed officials to streamline procedures and adopt results-oriented mechanisms to accelerate infrastructure development.

Persistent obstacles in upgrading provincial infrastructure such as road networks, healthcare facilities and utility services, were also discussed. The President pledged to implement practical solutions to address these challenges and urged governors to prioritise projects that deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
The Governors further stressed the need for improved coordination between provincial councils and central ministries to avoid duplication of efforts. Acknowledging these concerns, President Disanayake underlined the importance of collaborative governance to ensure efficient resource allocation.

“While increased funding is a positive step, its prudent management is non-negotiable. Provincial authorities must ensure every rupee is accounted for and spent efficiently,” he asserted.

The meeting was attended by several senior officials, including Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, Kapila Janaka Bandara, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Provincial Governors: Hanif Yusuf (Western Province), Sarath Bandara Samarasinghe Abayakon (Central Province), Bandula Harischandra (Southern Province), Tissa Kumarasiri Warnasuriya (North Western Province), Wasantha Kumara Wimalasiri (North Central Province), Nagalingam Vedanayagam (Northern Province), Prof. Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera (Eastern Province), Champa Janaki Rajaratne (Sabaragamuwa Province) and Kapila Jayasekara (Uva Province).

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Seven new envoys to Sri Lanka present credentials to the President

Published

4 hours ago

2025/05/15

Priyan

Seven newly appointed foreign ambassadors to Sri Lanka presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Disanayake today (15) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The new ambassadors represent the State of Israel, the Argentine Republic, the Republic of Zimbabwe, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Kingdom of Cambodia, and the Kingdom of Denmark.

Accordingly:

* Mr. Mariano Agustin Caucino has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Argentine Republic, based in New Delhi.
* Ms. Stella Nkomo has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Zimbabwe, based in New Delhi.
* Mr. Reuven Javier Azar has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the State of Israel, based in New Delhi.
* Ms. Nina P. Cringlet has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of the Philippines, based in Dhaka.
* Mr. Lukmon Bobokalonzoda has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Tajikistan, based in New Delhi.
* Ms. Rath Many has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of Cambodia, based in New Delhi.
* Mr. Rasmus Kristensen has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of Denmark, based in New Delhi.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, along with the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also present at the occasion.