News
Failed govt, not failed State – SJB leader
By Saman Indrajith
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday denied that he had used the term ‘failed state’ in his speech.
He argued it was the government that had failed and not the state.
After delivering his speech in the third reading debate on budget 2021, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that it was wrong to use the term ‘failed state’ and that it would be expunged from the Hansard record of yesterday’s proceedings.
Speaker Abeywardena: You mentioned the word ‘failed state’. We will expunge that from the Hansard record.
Opposition Leader Premadasa: I did not say so. What I said was a ‘failed government’. This is a failed, inept and incompetent government. I never call my country a ‘failed state’. (inaudible as his mic was switched off)
Who is switching off the mic? Is there anyone who took the Reverse tablet in that room controlling microphones? I did not mention it as a failed state. So, you cannot expunge what I said. Please understand the difference between failed government and failed state. I know my English. This is ludicrous.
MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam: On what ground the term ‘failed state’ is expunged? There are no provisions in the Standing Orders for that. The concept of ‘failed state’ is an opinion. It is how we see and describe a state. There is nothing wrong with that term. It cannot be expunged from Hansard.
Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera: It is only natural that a TNA MP is supporting the Opposition Leader on this score. This is what they want to see. They want to call our country a failed state.
Opposition Leader Premadasa: I am surprised by the utter ignorance displayed by the government members. Ignorance should not be permitted in this House.
Speaker Abeywardena: Yes, and it should be applicable to everybody.
By Akitha Perera
Discussions between the SJB and the UNP on forming a united front for the upcoming general election had collapsed due to the actions of a senior UNP member, SJB Chairman Imthiaz Bakeer Markar. said.
Markar told The Island that initial talks between the two parties had been progressing smoothly until the intervention of a prominent UNP figure.
The early negotiations were headed by SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara and UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene. “At one point, I thought the alliance was almost finalised. However, the involvement of the senior UNP member completely derailed the discussions,” Markar said.
The SJB proposed that Wijewardene assume the UNP leadership and Ranil Wickremesinghe be appointed a senior leader. “Wickremesinghe was opposed to this arrangement,” Markar added.
Former Governor Navin Dissanayake revealed on 27 September that MPs who had supported Wickremesinghe in the presidential election had decided to back SJB leader Sajith Premadasa as the prime ministerial candidate.
“At that stage, we thought we were close to an agreement. However, during last few days, the talks have deteriorated, and it now seems unlikely that we will contest the election together,” Markar said.
Nominations for the general election begins today (04) at 22 district election offices across the country with submissions being accepted until noon on 11 October.
By Rathindra Kuruwita
There are between 15,000 and 30,000 street children in the country, according to the last study on the subject, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, Chairman of the Professional Forum of Physicians on Medical and Civil Rights, has said.
Speaking at a press conference in Colombo, on Thursday, he said the majority of those children tended to gather near places of worship and large business areas.
Dr. Sanjeewa expressed concern over the vulnerability of the street children, noting that they were often subjected to abuse and easily drawn into transporting narcotics. A significant number also ended up working as sex workers or beggars. He highlighted that many female child sex workers became underage mothers.
Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar will pay an official visit to Sri Lanka today and meet the Sri Lankan leadership.
A communique issued by the External Affairs Ministry of India said that in keeping with India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and SAGAR outlook, the visit underlines the shared commitment of the two countries to further deepen the longstanding partnership for mutual benefit.
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