News
Chamal says no need to deploy more cops to guard MPs
‘Police short of manpower’
By Saman Indrajith
Irrigation Minister and Internal security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management State Minister Chamal Rajapaksa told parliament yesterday that policemen were there for the protection of the people and not to carry the files and bags of MPs.
Minister Rajapaksa said: Policemen are there to carry out police duties. There are about 85,000 policemen. Of them, 38,000 have been assigned for close protection duties of MPs and others. But if the MPs have no confidence to go among people without the police protection that is something the MPs should be ashamed of. We are not increasing the number of policemen assigned to MPs so that the MPs could make use of them for other purposes such as carrying their bags and files. Do not worry about security. We give security not only to the MPs but also to the people. Providing policemen to MPs started in 1989. The MPs were allowed to recruit five persons of their choice to the Reserve Police Service of the police so that they would be detailed for the security of those MPs after training. After that owing to LTTE threats two or three more policemen from the regular force were assigned to each MP. As per the most recent arrangement, each MP has been given four policemen for their protection by the Ministerial Security Division. But now there is a shortage of policemen in other divisions so a decision has been taken to decrease the number of policemen assigned to an MP to two. “What does an MP want – more policemen around them or police having enough policemen to attend to the problems of the people in their electorates?”
The Minister said so when Matara District SJB MP Buddhika Pathirana asked for increasing the number of policemen assigned to the MPs. MP Pathirana said that some MPs had raised their voice against drug kingpins and other criminals who could target those MPs. “It was recently reported that a drug baron in prison issued death threats to the Defence Secretary and the President. Such is the power of the drug lords. So the policemen assigned to the MPs should be increased, MP Pathirana said.
SJB MPs S. M. Marikkar and Thushara Indunil endorsed MP Pathirana’s request.
Minister Rajapaksa said that the MPs did not have to worry about their security because the government was strong enough to ensure that all people including the MPs would be safe. “If we accede to the demand to increase the numbers of policemen given to the MPs, then we have to increase the recruitment.”
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Let us work together, with unity and determination, to safeguard hard-won rights and rebuild the nation – PM
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amaraxuriya in her International Workers Day message called for everyone to work together, with unity and determination, to safeguard hard-won rights and rebuild the nation.
The full text of the Prime Minister’s message:
“Let us commemorate the 139th International Workers’ Day in a year marked by progress and under a government that represents the will of the people, putting an end to a painful chapter in history where the working class endured hardship, sacrifice, and struggle marked by blood and sweat.
Marking a historic turning point, we celebrate the May Day for this year under a people’s government that rises against five years of oppression by the ruling class, overthrowing corrupted politics.
Amidst nepotism, and political favoritism that subjected the working force to injustice, year 2024 marks a year of courageous decisions, a determined effort to rebuild a nation that was dragged into an abyss, overturning the entire political culture.
As a people’s government, recognizing the true needs of the people, we are making great efforts to guide the distorted economic, political, social, cultural, and moral frameworks of the country back onto a natural path.
Although it is not possible to change the deeply rooted corruption and injustices of this country overnight, the government is systematically restructuring and implementing structural reforms to receive the needs of the people.
A systematic program has been set up to strengthen the economic forces of all working people, including those in the state, private, business, and labor sectors, while also preparing to empower the farming community, who are taking the lead in making the country self-sufficient in food.
This is a time when we must dedicate ourselves and unite to ensuring the security, independence, and rights of the people, while building a more stable and trustworthy future.
Let us work together, with unity and determination, to safeguard hard-won rights and rebuild the nation.”
President Anura Kumara Disanayake has issued a message for international workers day which falls today [01st May]
The full text of the presidents message released by the President’s Media Division:
“On May 1st, 1886, during a protest in Haymarket Square, Chicago, workers who demanded an eight-hour workday, was violently confronted with gunfire. To pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in that fight, the Second International, convened in 1889, proclaimed May 1st as International Workers’ Day, which has been observed annually ever since.
This year, the working people of Sri Lanka, together with the general public, commemorate International Workers’ Day at a time when our nation and society are undergoing a profound and progressive transformation under a people-oriented governance bringing an end to a corrupt and elitist political system that has existed for 76 years, upheld by a rotating power structure dominated by a select few influential families across generations. At the recent presidential and parliamentary elections, people from all corners of Sri Lanka, regardless of ethnicity or religion, united to bring about a turning point in our nation’s politics. Responding to the people’s aspirations, we of the National People’s Power currently focused on developing a nation that is experiencing extensive economic, social and political transformation.
We have already succeeded in initiating a stable recovery of an economy that was dragged to the depths by corrupt and elitist system. The evident signs of advancement are now apparent to everyone. In our very first national budget, we made historic moves significantly increasing the minimum basic salary of public servants and extensive benefits for various segments of society, including farmers, fishing community, youth, women, students, producers, small-scale entrepreneurs and professionals alike. We are diligently addressing the persistent issues encountered by plantation workers and striving to guarantee their civil rights.
We recognize the necessity for a new phase in the rights we possess, aligned with the continuously evolving productive forces. Contemporary society demands a new era in human rights that encompasses digital access, environmental rights and other emerging rights that were not anticipated in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These changes, along with evolving political frameworks and the worldwide call for peace, require a revised and comprehensive global declaration of human rights. As we commemorate this International Workers’ Day, we must remain sensitive to these needs and dedicated to addressing them.
In the face of global geopolitical shifts and growing challenges, it is the working people of Sri Lanka who continue to shoulder the burden of rebuilding our economy. As we restore and reform an economy devastated by decades of corrupt politics, I warmly invite our beloved working people to join hands in solidarity, to rise with determination and to strive towards building “a beautiful life and a thriving nation” for everyone. On this occasion, I offer my heartfelt best wishes for a meaningful International Workers’ Day one that reaffirms the rights and dignity of all working people.”
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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology At 3.30 p.m. 30 April 2025, valid for 01 May 2025
The general public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts.
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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