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Dudley censures Parliament over current crisis, alleges Ranil betrayed yahapalanaya

Published

4 years ago

2022/06/20

BY Shamindra Ferdinando

Dudley Sirisena, who owns one of the biggest rice mills in the country, yesterday (19) alleged that the government lacked the will to implement price control on selected varieties of rice. He said, as it seemed indifferent to the growing crisis, he felt the need to take a stand. But, the government was yet to support his initiative, he added.President of Rice Millers’ Association and Chairman of Araliya Group, Sirisena, one of those widely accused of manipulating the market, said in answer to a question posed by The Island on his declaration on Saturday that he would ensure the millers released adequate stocks of rice to the market to help the government implement price stability. Addressing the media in Colombo, Sirisena said that other millers had no option but to follow him.Sirisena said that a kilo of Nadu rice would be sold at Rs. 220, a kilo of Samba at Rs. 230 and a kilo of Keeri samba at Rs. 260 set by the government.

However, in response to another query, Sirisena said that some millers appeared to have opposed his suggestion and were challenging the government on price control, emphasizing the responsibility of the government to intervene decisively to maintain price controls.Sirisena explained on Saturday there were sufficient stocks of rice for the next few months. Declaring they could manage till mid-September, he suggested that the people should reduce consumption of rice to an extent as part of the overall measures to face the crisis situation.

Declaring all essential items were short of supply, amidst continuing blackouts, Sirisena warned soon there wouldn’t be anything.Commenting on Parliament, the maverick businessman alleged that all 225 members of Parliament hadn’t been able to address the grievances of the people. The businessman said that those so-called lawmakers only boasted but did nothing to serve the people. Asked whether his statement applied to his brother, former President and SLPP MP Maithripala Sirisena, an irate Dudley Sirisena pointed out that he referred to 225 MPs in Parliament. Therefore, there was no need to mention his brother separately, the businessman said, adding that certainly his brother was among the group he referred to.All useless 225 lawmakers in the current Parliament wanted to be the next President. There was no limit to their ambitions, he said.

Responding to a query on the relationship between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe against the backdrop of Maithripala Sirisena’s recent declaration that the President and the PM were on a collision course, Dudley Sirisena strongly criticized the UNP leader. The businessman said that Wickremesinghe betrayed the yahapalana administration within weeks after the 2015 presidential election by engineering Central Bank bond scams. Alleging that Wickremesinghe ruined the Yahapalana administration, Dudley Sirisena questioned the absurdity in them having to give into the dictates of Wickremesinghe and the likes of the UNP leader.Referring to the ongoing Galle Face protest campaign, Dudley Sirisena compared the current situation with that of the 2012/2013 period. According to him, Maithripala Sirisena realized the need for a political struggle at that time to free the country from the Rajapaksa rule but the operation couldn’t be brought to a successful conclusion in spite of 2015 change of government because Wickremesinghe protected the crooks.

Dudley Sirisena said that he wouldn’t succumb to political pressure under any circumstances. The businessman declared his support for the ongoing protest campaign.Dudley Sirisena urged the people to demand traders to follow price control and lodge complaints with the police. The businessman urged officials to take a stand on behalf of the hapless people.

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Maldivian President plants a sapling to mark 60 years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations

Published

28 mins ago

2026/05/4

Priyan

President of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a State Visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, planted a sapling this afternoon (04) at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Upon arrival at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Children lined both sides of the pathway holding the national flags of the two countries and paid tribute to the visiting Maldivian President.

Among those present at the occasion were Deputy Speaker Rizvi Salih, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and the Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Cally Balthazaar, along with several other dignitaries.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

News

Sri Lanka and Maldives strengthen ties with productive bilateral talks

Published

32 mins ago

2026/05/4

Priyan

Following the bilateral meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives, who is currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, official-level bilateral discussions between the delegations of the two countries were held this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The discussions commenced after the formal welcome ceremony accorded to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu earlier this morning within the Presidential Secretariat premises.

Extending a warm welcome to the Maldivian President, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for accepting the invitation to visit Sri Lanka.

President Dissanayake noted that President Muizzu’s visit, taking place as the two nations mark 61 years of diplomatic relations, reflects the strong partnership, mutual trust and longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The President further expressed confidence that the visit would mark a new phase in bilateral relations.

The two leaders engaged in extensive discussions on ways to further expand and diversify multifaceted cooperation, including economic, cultural and social ties, in a manner that delivers mutual benefits to the people of both countries.

Key areas of focus included tourism promotion, educational cooperation, youth and sports development, challenges faced by both nations in the fisheries sector within the Indian Ocean region, education and vocational training, as well as defence training and broader security cooperation.

Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology, Krishantha Abeysena; Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (covering Europe, North America, East Asia and Oceania, Southeast Asia and Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Legal Affairs) M. R. K. Lenagala, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassan and Director (South Asia and SAARC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mahesha Jayawardena.

The Maldivian delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, Chief of Staff to the President, Abdulla Fayaz, Principal Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations, Mohamed Naseer; Chief Government Spokesperson, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka,Masood Imad; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chief of Protocol , Mohamed Shahudy, Deputy Minister at the President’s Office, Mr Mohamed Hassaan and Minister Counsellor at the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka, Mr. Ismail Mamdhooh.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

News

Maldives and Sri Lanka exchange seven MOUs

Published

39 mins ago

2026/05/4

Priyan

Seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), signed across several sectors between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, were formally exchanged this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat in the presence of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives.

Marking a new chapter in Maldives–Sri Lanka relations, the MoUs cover cooperation in the fields of health, sports, tourism, education and defence.

Accordingly:

1. MoU on Tourism Cooperation between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.

2. MoU on Archiving Cooperation between the Department of National Archives of Sri Lanka and the National Archives of the Maldives was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.

3. MoU on Training and Professional Development of Teachers and School Leaders between the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development of the Maldives and the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education of Sri Lanka was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.

4. MoU on Sports and Youth Development Cooperation between the Republic of Maldives and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.

5. MoU on Defence Cooperation between the National Counter Terrorism Centre of the Maldives and the Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka was exchanged by the Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired).

6. MoU between the Ministry of Defence and National Service of the Maldives and General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University of Sri Lanka was exchanged by the Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad and the Vice Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Rear Admiral Dammika Kumara.

7. MoU on Academic Cooperation between the University of Colombo of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare of the Maldives was exchanged by Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake.

The state visit of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, undertaken at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, aims to further strengthen economic, cultural and social ties between the two countries, while enhancing their multifaceted partnership.

Cabinet Ministers, government officials and members of the Maldivian delegation, representing both Sri Lanka and the Maldives, were present at the occasion.

[President’s Media Division]