News
Crime rate has increased while police search for protesters – Opposition
By Akitha Perera
Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne must be ashamed that crime had increased during his tenure as Defence Secretary, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mujibur Rahuman said in Colombo yesterday.
“Recently, Gunaratne came on TV and said Sri Lanka’s image was tarnished because of footage that showed protesters applying soap and bathing in the pool at the Presidential palace. The people did so to show their displeasure at leaders living in luxury, while they suffer. Everyone in this country knows that you don’t apply soap when bathing in a pool. this is not the 1950s,” Rahuman said.
“There are many other things for the Defence Secretary to be ashamed of,” Rahuman added.
“The man who appointed him as the Defence Secretary destroyed the country’s economy. We are now running all over the world, asking for aid from everyone. Isn’t that something to be ashamed. People have died, waiting in queues to buy essential items; isn’t that more shameful? The crime rate has gone through the roof. Didn’t you claim that you will get rid of crime? How has that worked out for you? Shouldn’t Gunaratne be ashamed of that,” he said.
The SJB lawmaker added that the government has not taken any steps to solve the economic, or social problems. A way out of the crisis has not been presented and the President thinks that IMF is a panacea for all Sri Lanka’s problems, he said.
“Ranil Wickremesighe has been President for a month. He has been Prime Minister for three months. We are not asking for miracles. At least tell us what your plan is. The SJB has tabled our proposals in Parliament. The government is silent on that, too. People are suffering and will lose patience soon,” he said.
Rahuman went on to say that President Wickremesighe has been talking about the need for everyone to come together and establishing an all-party government. However, Wickremesighe is also carrying out a massive campaign to arrest protest leaders, he said.
“There is a dissonance here. On one hand he is talking about working together. At the same time, the police is arresting youth, for no reason. Policemen, across the country, have nothing else to do than look for youth involved in protests. While they are fully focused on this ludicrous witch-hunt, crime has gone through the roof. Underworld gunmen are killing people left, right and centre. Why are taxpayers funding the police?” he said.
The High Court has convicted 14 of the 24 men accused of being directly involved in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed 279 people.
The three-judge bench read out its decision on Tuesday after a five-year trial and said sentencing would take place later, the AFP news agency reported.
The charges included murder and conspiracy to commit terrorism.
Nine others were acquitted, while another defendant was found guilty of only some of the charges, the court said.
[Aljazeera]
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The ruling NPP yesterday (21) dismissed claims of a widening rift, within the government, over the proposed 22nd Amendment. Asked whether the NPP was concerned over a section of the Opposition alleging Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and two dozen MPs taking a view contrary to that of the party in this regard, authoritative party sources said some persons were propagating speculation for their own interest.
Declaring that there was absolutely no issue regarding the controversial Amendment, sources emphasised once it was tabled in Parliament, it would be passed with 2/3 majority.
Sources dismissed claims that out of its 159-member parliamentary group a section of NPPers was opposed to the government move. According to an influential Opposition activist, there are 57 JVPers and 66 NPPers in the government group and the rest contested the last parliamentary polls, having aligned with the JVP.
Ministerial sources told The Island that the government was confident of going ahead with the 22nd Amendment and Judicature (Amendment) Bills. Sources said that the NPP was not bothered about the Opposition protests in and outside Parliament.
Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne is expected to disclose the confidential ruling that he received from the Supreme Court in respect of more than 65 petitions for and against the 22nd Amendment and Judicial Amendment Bills. The enactment of the 22nd Amendment would pave the way for extending the retirement age of Supreme Court judges, from 65 to 67 years, and Court of Appeal judges, from 63 to 65 years.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Court of Appeal Judge Mayadunna Sri Mevan Anthony Edirimannasuriya Corea as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal.
The appointment has been made as President’s Counsel Nalin Rohantha Abeysuriya, who currently serves as President of the Court of Appeal, will be overseas until the 24th.
Accordingly Justice Mayadunna Corea was sworn in as Acting President of the Court of Appeal before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential secretariat last morning (21).
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake was also present at the occasion.
High Court convicts 14 over deadly Easter bombings
Mandhana, Shafali and Ghosh lead dominant India to Asian Games gold
Fatima Sana and Umm-e-Hani secure bronze for Pakistan in Asian Games
India bat first in Asian games womens cricket final
Showers about 100mm will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara Districts
Govt. confident of 2/3 majority despite NPP split speculation
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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