Connect with us

News

Church and activists demand timely, fair election

Published

on

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith

(UCAN) Church officials in Sri Lanka joined rights activists to demand the government not delay presidential elections and decried attempts to hold a referendum to extend the term of embattled President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo said the government’s bid to retain power is contrary to the people’s aspirations and rights.

“Now the politicians are sending out kites to see if they can hold a referendum, then hated politicians can rule this country another two or three years. Absolutely unacceptable,” Ranjith said during a gathering in the national capital on June 11.

Sri Lanka’s top Catholic leader said that the state cannot strip away the rights of the people, nor can it deprive them of freedom, dignity, and the right to vote.

“We have our constitution; it gives the president a five-year term of office. They must go to the polls at the end of those five years. That is our right as citizens. The state can’t take that away from us. …it can’t take away our freedom, dignity, and all the manifestations of that freedom and dignity,” Ranjith said.

Opposition parties and activists have been protesting ever since a top leader of the ruling United National Party hinted at a possible referendum to extend Wickremesinghe’s term.

Wickremesinghe has faced widespread criticism for failing to revive the ailing economy and using power to muzzle dissent.

The party’s general secretary, Palitha Range Bandara, said the government aims to extend the president’s term by two years through the referendum.

“We want to be able to choose our leaders in a free franchise; that is our right, and we demand it,” Ranjith insisted.

The Election Commission recently said the presidential election is scheduled between Sept. 17 and Oct. 17.

Rohana Hettiarachchi, executive director of the advocacy group People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections, said extending the president’s term through a referendum is both illegal and unethical.

Hettiarachchi told reporters on June 11 that even Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, who was ousted in mass protests in 2022, came to power through an election for a term of five years.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brother, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, were forced to resign in 2022 when massive protests spiraled out of control following the country’s worst economic crisis.

Wickremesinghe, once considered a rival by the powerful Rajapaksa political dynasty, was appointed acting president with alleged backing from former foes.

He has been accused of covering up massive corruption and rights violations by the Rajapaksa regime since 2005 to strengthen his political future.

Critics see his government as a continuance of the previous regime, which was blamed for pushing Sri Lanka to bankruptcy.

Nuwani Sunimalee, a university student from Colombo, said the government is receiving support from the large number of current parliamentarians who fear losing in a new election.

“They argue that within two-three years, the economy will stabilize, so a referendum is preferred over an election. They are afraid of losing their benefits,” she told UCA News.

Rights activist Raveen Silva said Wickramasinghe’s attempt to continue in power is illegitimate since people have not elected him.



Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Secretary to the President meets with heads of the Health sector

Published

on

By

A special discussion between Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and the heads of the health sector was held on Tuesday (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.

During the meeting, it was discussed that a committee would be formed to explore possible steps that could be taken through the President’s Fund to reduce the number of patients on long waiting lists for surgeries in government hospitals.

The committee is expected to submit a report on the matter within one month. Based on the findings, appropriate actions will be taken, as indicated by the Secretary to the President.

The discussion highlighted the significant number of patients, including those requiring cardiac, ophthalmic, and paediatric surgeries, who are currently awaiting procedures on long waiting lists at government hospitals.

Attention was also given to the potential support that could be provided by the President’s Fund and other relevant sectors to address the challenges faced by these patients.

Additionally, discussions were held regarding the possibility of conducting surgeries after regular working hours at government hospitals. The challenges faced by doctors and staff were also thoroughly discussed during the meeting.

The discussion was attended by several key officials, including Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Additional Secretary (Public Health Services) Dr. Lakshmi Somathunga, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, along with directors and specialist doctors from major hospitals across the country.

Continue Reading

News

Govt. plan to boost revenue with taxes on vehicle imports unrealistic, warns Harsha

Published

on

Dr. de Silva

By Saman Indrajith

SJB Colombo District MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament yesterday that vehicle imports would be affected by unusually high prices. Commencing the Second Reading debate from the Opposition side, Dr. de Silva said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had, in his Budget speech, projected a substantial portion of tax revenue from vehicle imports. “What is the feasibility of such expectations, given the current price surge,” the MP queried.

“Who can afford to import vehicles at these rates? I do not believe there are enough affluent individuals in Sri Lanka to sustain vehicle imports at these exorbitant prices.”

Providing examples of the dramatic price increase, Dr. de Silva pointed out that a Toyota Raize now cost Rs. 12.2 mn, a Toyota Yaris Rs. 18.5 mn, and a Toyota Prius a staggering Rs. 28.9 mn.

“Someone mentioned that a Toyota Vitz could be available at Rs. 1.4 mn.”

Dr. de Silva said that the government aimed to increase tax revenue by 1.6% of GDP with a significant portion expected from vehicle imports. However, he warned that achieving that target was unrealistic under current circumstances. The government must reassess its reliance on this sector for increasing tax revenue,” he said.

Continue Reading

News

SLN receives shallow water multi-beam echo sounder from Australia

Published

on

From left : Defence Advisor to the Australian High Commission in Colombo, Colonel Amanda Johnston, Australian HC in Colombo Paul Stephens, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and Chief Hydrographer of SLNHS and Commander Southern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Kosala Warnakulasooriya

Giving a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s hydrographic capabilities, the government of Australia handed over a state-of-the-art Shallow Water Multi-Beam Echo Sounder to the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) during a ceremony held at SLNS Rangalla today (18 Feb 25). The formal ceremony was held under the auspices of the High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, marking new chapter in the discipline of hydrography.

The Australian government provided the Sri Lanka Navy with this Multi Beam Echo Sounder to enhance its hydrographic capabilities. This advanced equipment will enable the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) to conduct precise hydrographic surveys, essential for creating nautical and electronic charts for international use. The device will also facilitate the production of high-precision nautical charts, ensuring safer maritime navigation.

Continue Reading

Trending