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Dons condemn suppression of Aragalaya movement

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“Tyrannical governments and illegitimate leaders throughout history have led their societies to destruction”

The Federation of University Teachers (FUTA) says that the Wickremasinghe-Rajapaksa government lacks any legitimacy and it should stop taking cover behind the Constitution.In a statement condemning what it termed as “repression of aragalaya activists by the current regime” the university teachers have said that “the tyrannical governments and illegitimate leaders throughout history have led their societies to destruction.”

“The FUTA reservedly condemns the repression of aragalaya activists by the current regime led by President Ranil Wickremasinge. The aragalaya represented a truly democratic movement in Sri Lanka’s political history where people with diverse political, ideological, cultural and social beliefs and orientations united for a common purpose. The aragalaya slogan ‘Gota go home’, which resonated across the county (and beyond), was not just about the individual politician Goatabhaya Rajapaksa but about the rotten political order he represented. It was a rallying call to regain the promise of democratic politics and to demand a new political culture where the political class is accountable to the people who elect them. On July 9th when hundreds of thousands of people gathered to Colombo it was not because of the promise of a rice packet, a bottle of arrack and some money – the usual handout doled out by the political class to attract people to their rallies – but due to the people’s collective frustration with the extreme economic deprivations they faced and the need to restore a minimum democratic order where the political system of the country was answerable to them.

“However, in a tragic turn of events – the parliament captive to the pohottuwa majority –distorted the democratic promise of the aragalaya by electing Ranil Wickremasinghe as president. It is a tragedy because Ranil Wickremasinghe along with this pohottuwa dominated parliament lost its legitimacy a long time ago. Wickremasinghe’s first action as Executive President was the planning and execution of a cowardly, illegitimate and violent attack on Gota Go Gama, the symbolic heart of the aragalaya. This was not accidental.

“It was a calculated move to strike fear into society as a whole. Immediately after this attack the Wickremasinghe-pohottuwa government has begun a systematic campaign to delegitimize the aragalaya, hunt down the aragalaya leadership and to recreate the culture of impunity and repression that was the hallmark of the Rajapaksa style of governance. The government has now begun to even target established political parties –raiding their offices. However, if this regime believes that isolating and repressing a few aragalaya leaders and targeting political parties and activists will kill the spirit of the aragalaya, they are sorely mistaken. On March 31st, May 9th and even in the day leading up to July 9th the regime repeatedly underestimated the depth and breadth of the people’s will. That will still live on and will rise again.

“The government’s repression has also been roundly condemned internationally. Various foreign representatives in the country were swift to denounce the violent attack on Gota Go Gama. Numerous international human rights organizations, civil society organizations and other international actors also immediately condemned this action. In fact, even politically neutral financial rating companies like Fitch Ratings recognizes that there is widespread discontent about this government. Therefore, the Wicremasinghe-pohottuwa government’s narrative that it can bring economic stability is patently false. Without political legitimacy this government cannot and will not be able to stabilize the Sri Lankan economy and due to its repressive actions, it is further eroding its stock of international goodwill and therefore jeopardizing economic aid and other support the country can potentially receive – including the much touted IMF bailout package.

“Tyrannical governments and illegitimate leaders throughout history have led their societies to destruction. The Wickremasinghe-pohottuwa government is now treading a dangerous and tyrannical path that will end in bloodshed. We call upon the government to immediately halt the repression of aragalaya activists – they represent the people and the people’s will. FUTA stands with the democratic spirit of the aragalaya and will take active action to resist and protest the illegitimate action of this government. We remind the Wickremasinghe-phohottuwa government that it lacks any legitimacy and to stop taking refuge behind the constitution. Rather than hunting aragalaya activists we demand that this illegitimate government immediately gives way to a fresh political mandate and to restore the legitimacy of this political order of this country.”



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“Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” continues in the vicinity of the President’s office

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The second day of the “Vesak Bhakti Gee Saraniya”, held in parallel with the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, commenced on Tuesday (13) at 6:30 p.m. under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat premises.

The evening featured musical performances by renowned vocalist Ilyas Beg and the Sri Lanka Air Force Bhakti Gee Troup, accompanied by the Air Force Band. A Vesak lantern exhibition was also held at the venue. The event was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with several senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat.

This Bhakthi Gee programme will continue today [May 14]  and tomorrow at the same location. Additionally, a short-eats dansala is being held near the Presidential Secretariat for the benefit of the public visiting Colombo for Vesak, and will continue until May 16.

Meanwhile, a ‘Buth Dansala’ organized jointly by the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Army was inaugurated yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of senior military officers. A large number of devotees from across the country attended the event.

In line with the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ and ‘Bauddhaloka Vesak Kalapya’, several Vesak programmes have been organized in the vicinity with the support of the Presidential Secretariat. These include the illumination of nearby government buildings and roads with decorative lights, and the display of Vesak lanterns, with the active participation of the Presidential Secretariat staff.

[PMD]

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French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ sets sail from Colombo

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The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).

The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.

During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.

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“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital

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Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.

Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.

A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.

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