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Church defends media freedom, seeks inquiry into Dappula’s claim of Easter Sunday international conspiracy

Published

5 years ago

2021/07/10

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Former Catholic Church spokesman Rev. Cyril Gamini Fernando says that ongoing government efforts to rein in the media, including social media platforms is actually a sign of weakness.

Rev. Fernando insists the incumbent administration cannot suppress the truth by muzzling the media as no government ever succeeded in doing so.

Rev. Fernando, currently the parish priest of St. Anne’s Church, Kurana, told The Island that the government could easily silence what it considered hostile media by changing its strategies.

Responding to another query, Rev. Fernando emphasized that the government should reexamine post-2019 presidential election vis-a-vis the promises made by the then Joint Opposition (JO) in the run-up to the change of government.

Unfortunately, the incumbent dispensation had resorted to strong arm tactics in addition to threats and intimidation of sections of the media considered hostile to the government, Rev. Fernando said.

The top Church spokesperson said that the recent disclosure in Parliament of an alleged attempt to silence Sirasa TV underscored the need to be vigilant. Recalling the suppression of the media by successive governments since the 80s, Rev. Fernando stressed that no one could achieve that despicable objective.

Regardless of the State resorting to terror tactics and various other underhand methods, the entire media couldn’t be controlled or influenced to follow the agenda desired by those in power. The SLPP government appeared to have wrongly recognized the media as an emerging threat and taken measures to neutralize that challenge, Rev Fernando said.

Asked whether the Church would take up these contentious issues with the government, Rev. Fernando said that the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Archbishop of Colombo Rt. Rev. Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith regularly commented on public interest issues so much so in the wake of the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage some accused the Church of backing the then Opposition.

“The then Opposition is in power today. It enjoys a near two-thirds majority in Parliament having backed Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the presidential election. But, today, we are struggling to convince them of the need to bring the perpetrators of the Easter Sunday carnage before a court of law,” Rev. Fernando said. The priest said that the Attorney General’s Office and the police owed an explanation over the latter’s failure to question former Attorney General Dappula de Livera, PC, regarding a controversial statement he made several days before his retirement in late May 2021.

Rev. Fernando asked how could the government ignore de Livera’s declaration that there is clear evidence of a grand conspiracy linked to Sri Lanka’s 2019 Easter bombings. De Livera has said that information that the state intelligence service (SIS) had, “with times, targets, places, method of attack and other information is clear evidence there was a grand conspiracy in place with regard to the April 21 2019 attack.”

Rev Fernando emphasized that investigations couldn’t have been completed without the CID recording the former AG’s statement. Pointing out that De Livera made the declaration on May 18 about a week before his retirement, the police were yet to question one-time outspoken official, who fearlessly led the grilling of those involved in the Bond Scams before the special Presidential Commission of Inquiry that probed the daring heist involving some of the highest individuals in the yahapalana government and others.

The Church official alleged that the government conveniently forgot the Presidential Commission report on the Easter Sunday carnage. “What have they done with it? In spite of big talk, the government didn’t implement the PCoI recommendations. In fact, we are wondering why the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) and the PCoI were appointed at all,” Rev Fernando said, alleging that those in authority apparently perpetrated a massive fraud on the people.

Having examined the proceedings of the PSC, the PCoI as well as speeches made in Parliament, Rev. Fernando said that he couldn’t comprehend how the government continued to suppress the truth. Rev. Fernando said that one didn’t need the skills of a Sherlock Holmes to realise that those who carried out the actual bombings weren’t the masterminds of the dastardly crime.

Rev Fernando said that those trying to suppress the truth would find fault with the Church and the independent media for raising concerns. The Church believed the government couldn’t absolve itself of the responsibility for ensuring justice.

The priest urged the media to courageously report what was going on. Acknowledging the role played by the social media, Rev Fernando said that those in Parliament shouldn’t be blind to the reality. The recent controversy over the increase in fuel prices resulted in the disclosure of the pathetic state of the national economy, Rev Fernando said. The admission that two key state enterprises, the CPC and the CEB, owed a staggering Rs 737 bn to state banks and may cause the collapse of the banking sector was shocking, the priest said.

Referring to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s declaration that the country had to meet annual loan repayment obligations amounting to USD 4 bn should be examined against the backdrop of allegations pertaining to waste, corruption, irregularities and negligence, the priest said.

Rev Fernando also strongly criticized the deployment of police to breakup legitimate protests against the government. The move to exploit recent instructions relating to the Covid-19 prevention health guidelines to suppress those opposed to government projects should be condemned, Rev Fernando said, citing the police intervention to break up a peaceful protest against the Kotelawela Defence University Bill as a case in point.

Having captured power with a huge mandate, the SLPP government was doing everything on its own to antagonize the public, Rev Fernando said. The hasty decision to ban chemical fertiliser without making proper arrangements to introduce organic fertiliser, destruction of X-Press Pearl in Sri Lankan waters, financial crisis and general breakdown of law and order leading to decline in public confidence should be matters for serious concern, the Church spokesman said.

Rev. Fernando said that the failure on the part of the government to ensure a transparent vaccination programme was also a serious issue. The reportage of the Covid-19 control ‘operations’ and the vaccination programme were mired in controversy, the priest said, urging the government to take tangible measures to address the concerns of the public.

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National SME Strategy Framework 2026 is critical because it brings policy consistency and stability to the sector – PM

Published

18 hours ago

2026/05/15

Priyan

The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in the 2nd day of the dialog on “National SME Strategy Framework 2026” organized by the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development held on Thursday [14th of May].

The official launch of the “National SME Strategy Framework 2026” to empower Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), was held on Wednesday (13) under the patronage of the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti, and Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe.

The Framework has been developed by the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry, with input from the SME Advisory Committee and key system stakeholders in line with the national manifesto of “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life.”

This framework creates the opportunity for the entrepreneurs to easily register their businesses, access modern technology, and obtain specialized financial facilities along with the advisory services that directly support the growth of entrepreneurs, departing from the traditional method free of charge.

The second day marks the dialog on the “National SME Strategy Framework 2026” focusing on the discussion into implementation and strategy to action featuring series of panel discussions.

During the event National SME Strategy Framework 2026 was presented to the Prime Minister by the Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe.

The Prime Minister stated that the country is implementing its transformative agenda during a period of global instability and disruptive global context stressing the importance of adaptation, sustainability and building resilience, particularly within the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector in such context.

Underscoring the importance of the SME policy framework, the Prime Minister further stated that the government’s role is to ensure consistency, stability and collaboration within the sector.

The event was attended by the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti, Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Australian Deputy High commissioner to Sri Lanka, Ms. Ruth Baird and Secretary to the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Mrs. J.M. Thilaka Jayasundara and develop and develop partners and representatives from business community.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Opposition accuses govt. of weaponising tax laws

Published

20 hours ago

2026/05/15

Thilina Walpola

Sajith

… calls for modernising Inland Revenue Dept.

Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday criticised the government’s proposed amendments to the Inland Revenue Act, claiming that a new provision in the draft legislation could unfairly lead to criminal action against ordinary citizens and small business owners over administrative tax-related matters.

In a statement, Premadasa said the public was “not angry about paying taxes” but was frustrated by what he described as unfair treatment under the proposed law.

He alleged that Section 185A of the proposed bill could make delays in filing tax returns or registration-related issues criminal offences, warning that struggling small-scale entrepreneurs could be treated in the same manner as individuals deliberately evading millions of rupees in taxes.

“That is wrong,” the Opposition Leader said.

Premadasa further accused the government of resorting to criminal action against people instead of reforming and modernising the Inland Revenue Department and simplifying tax compliance procedures.

He also questioned the government’s commitment to tackling corruption and financial crimes, asking why stronger measures had not been taken against money laundering, financial fraud and those accused of misappropriating public funds.

“Go after the corrupt. Punish real fraudsters. But do not weaponise the law against the common man,” he said.

Premadasa added that the Opposition would continue to resist legislation that undermined “fairness, proportionality, and the constitutional rights of the people.”

News

Floods, landslides affect 3,475 people

Published

20 hours ago

2026/05/15

Thilina Walpola

Adverse weather conditions prevailing across the country have severely affected 3,475 persons belonging to 1,113 families in seven districts, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).The DMC said 1,310 individuals from 489 families had been relocated to eight temporary safety shelters due to the deteriorating weather situation.

The DMC also confirmed one death from the Koralepatthu South area in the Batticaloa District.

As of 10 am yesterday (14), a total of 88 houses and one business establishment had sustained partial damage as a result of the adverse weather conditions.

Authorities have urged the public in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant and follow safety instructions issued by disaster management and local officials as heavy rains continue to affect several parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) yesterday extended landslide warnings for several districts across the country due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions.

According to the NBRO, Level 2 landslide warnings have been issued for Neluwa in the Galle District; Agalawatte, Baduraliya, Matugama, Horana and Walallawita in the Kalutara District; and Ratnapura and Pelmadulla in the Ratnapura District.

Level 1 landslide warnings remain in effect for several areas in the Badulla, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale, Monaragala, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura districts.

The warned areas include Bandarawela, Passara and Hali Ela in Badulla; Thawalama, Elpitiya and

Niyagama in Galle; Ingiriya and Bulathsinhala in Kalutara; and multiple Divisional Secretariat areas in the Kandy District, including Poojapitiya, Deltota, Udunuwara and Pathahewaheta.

Warnings have also been issued for Bulathkohupitiya, Mawanella, Kegalle, Aranayake, Yatiyanthota, Warakapola and Rambukkana in the Kegalle District; Ridigama in Kurunegala; Rattota, Naula and Ambanganga Korale in Matale; and Wellawaya, Badalkumbura and Bibile in Monaragala.

In the Nuwara Eliya District, the warning covers Norwood, Ambagamuwa Korale and Kotmale, while Eheliyagoda, Kalawana, Kuruwita, Godakawela, Kiriella and Ayagama in the Ratnapura District have also been placed under alert.

The NBRO said the warnings were extended in view of further rainfall forecast by the Department of Meteorology and urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant and follow instructions issued by authorities for their safety.

Meanwhile, the water levels in several major river basins that had risen due to recent heavy rainfall are now receding following a decline in rainfall over the past 24 hours, the Department of Irrigation said.

Director of Irrigation (Hydrology and Disaster Management) L.S. Sooriyabandara said water levels in the Nilwala River, Gin Ganga, Kalu Ganga and Attanagalu Oya basins were showing a downward trend as rainfall eased.

He noted that water levels were declining in most areas, with the exception of the Millakanda area in the Kalu Ganga basin.

However, Sooriyabandara warned that the current improvement could be temporary, as the Department of Meteorology has forecast further rain in the coming days.

According to the Department, 18 of the country’s 73 major reservoirs are currently spilling over, while another 18 medium-sized reservoirs are also discharging water.

He stressed that the release of water does not indicate a major flood situation at present, but urged the public to remain vigilant and follow future advisories issued by authorities.

By Norman Paliahwadane and Chaminda Silva