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CP Chairman tells Lanka to promote its exports to Asian countries that have biggest dollar reserves

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By Rathindra Kuruwita

Sri Lanka should turn to Asian countries with some of the biggest dollar reserves in the world to promote its exports, Chairman of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka (CPSL), DEW Gunasekera said yesterday addressing a seminar on human rights and democracy in China.

“Seven out of the 10 countries that have the biggest dollar reserves are Asian. China alone has a 500 million strong middle class. We have not tapped these Asian markets,” he said.

The CP stalwart said that the Chinese-funded Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was the biggest investment drive in Asian history and that Sri Lanka should try to make the best out of the project.

Gunasekera also said that the conflict in Ukraine had changed the world order.

“Russia and Ukraine are the world’s bread basket. After this conflict, this bread basket will turn towards Asia because of the US sanctions. Once that happens, Asia will be the real centre of the world,” he said.

The CP Chairman added that it was unreasonable to judge Asian countries with the yardsticks used by the Western World.

“China has eradicated abject poverty. This is the first time such a thing has happened in human history. Isn’t this the biggest right of all? To live a dignified life? Socialist democracy is the engine of China’s growth,” he said.

Prof. Samitha Hettige told the gathering that most people who accused China of human rights violations were doing so with an ulterior motive. In places like Tibet and Xinjiang the living standards of the people had improved significantly, he added.

“The West has always tried to undermine China and Russia by creating trouble at the periphery. Certain powerful groups empowered terrorists in Xinjiang. China has eliminated the terror groups and those areas are now prospering. The western media is now trying to undermine these achievements by making unsubstantiated human rights allegations,” Prof. Hettige said.



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Southern Expressway land leased to Rajapaksa allies for Rs. 10,000 – Minister

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Bimal Rathnayake

Leader of the House and Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake told Parliament yesterday that a service area on the Southern Expressway had been leased for 99 years to individuals linked to the Rajapaksa family for just Rs. 10,000.

Responding to questions raised by Opposition MPs Rohitha Abeygunawardena and Ajith P. Perera, Minister Rathnayake also claimed that the Rajapaksa associates had obstructed the construction of several other approved service areas along the expressway.

He said that the Southern Expressway project suffered from serious irregularities, including deviations from feasibility studies, which he said led to the wastage of billions of rupees.

Highlighting specific discrepancies, the Minister pointed to the construction of two interchanges that were not part of the original expressway blueprint.

“One is at Kapuduwa, just 5 km from Godagama in Matara, serving only traffic to and from Colombo. The other is at Bedigama, 6 km from Beliatta,” he said, adding that each interchange cost over Rs. 10 million to build.

By Saman Indrajith

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Hike in bus fares if Israel-Iran conflict results in higher fuel prices

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Gemunu

A hike in private bus fares could be on the cards next month if global fuel prices continue to climb as a result of the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, according to Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) President, Gemunu Wijeratne.

Wijeratne told The Island yesterday (20), that the annual bus fare revision, scheduled for the 1st of next month, could lead to a revision in fares, should fuel prices in the global market remain on an upward trajectory.

He said that while fuel prices are already high due to the prevailing geopolitical tensions, the Association is cautious about pushing for a fare increase immediately, warning that such a move could adversely affect the industry in the current economic climate.

However, Wijeratne emphasised that if international fuel prices stabilise and remain at their present levels, a fare hike may not be necessary.

“The situation is being closely monitored. We hope that the global market stabilises, but if fuel prices continue to rise, we will have no choice but to adjust fares accordingly,” he added.

By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon ✍️

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Committee probing alleged abuse of power by IGP approves inclusion of two additional witnesses, currently abroad

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The Committee of Inquiry investigating allegations of gross abuse of power by IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon convened for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday, under the Chairmanship of Supreme Court Justice Preethi Padman Surasena. The Committee also includes Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawala and E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake, Chairman of the National Police Commission, the Parliament Media Division said.

It said that as of Thursday, 28 prosecution witnesses have testified before the Committee, including seven on that day (Thursday).

The Committee has also approved the inclusion of two additional witnesses, currently abroad on official duty, to testify after their return to the country on 26 June. This request was submitted by Additional Solicitor General and President’s Counsel Dileepa Peiris, and Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera, representing the Attorney General’s Department.

Attorney-at-Law R.S. Weerawikrama, appearing on behalf of IGP Tennakoon, gave his consent for the two witnesses to be summoned for examination and cross-examination upon their return. The Committee granted the request.

Although initially scheduled to reconvene yesterday (20), proceedings have been postponed to Monday, 23 June, following a request by Weerawikrama to allow additional time to prepare the IGP’s defence. With the Attorney General’s Department not objecting, the Committee approved the postponement.

The next sessions will be held from 23 to 25 June, commencing at 9:30 a.m. daily. During this period, 15 witnesses are expected to testify on behalf of the Respondent IGP.The Committee will reconvene again at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, 26June, following the conclusion of the defense’s witness testimonies.

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