News
FSP leading ‘Gota Go Home’ campaign wants Parliament to take charge, dilute executive powers
‘Time not opportune for general election’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) spokesperson Pubudu Jagoda says the Parliament should be vested with required powers, at expense of the executive, until early parliamentary elections can be conducted.
Jagoda, one of the key FSP activists spearheading the ‘Go Gota Home’ campaign emphasised that the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa was a prerequisite for the formulation of an all-party parliamentary mechanism. The FSP activist insisted that their resignations shouldn’t be subject to a prolonged discussion.
Commenting on ongoing talks for an interim all-party arrangement, Jagoda said that such a set-up was not realistic. Pointing out differences of opinion among the sharply divided government parliamentary group as well as the Opposition, the FSP official said that the political crisis couldn’t be addressed without taking into consideration the grievances of those who had taken to the streets.
If those represented in Parliament are genuinely interested in finding a solution to the economic-political-social crisis, they should without delay introduce an amendment to dilute executive powers, Jagoda said. Having done that the Parliament could empower itself to undertake the daunting challenge of economic recovery, the erstwhile JVPer said.
The FSP came into being in early April 2012 following the second major split in the JVP since the elimination of its founder leader Rohana Wijeweera in Nov 1989 after being captured by the government, while he was masquerading as a proprietary planter. The first split occurred in May 2008 when a group of lawmakers led by Wimal Weerawansa switched allegiance to the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Asked whether the FSP backed the main Opposition the Samagi Jana Balavegaya’s call for immediate general election, the FSP’s Education Secretary questioned the rationale behind that stand against the backdrop of the current grave economic crisis. “Obviously, the SJB cannot be unaware of the ground situation. The country is not in position to undertake such a costly exercise. Furthermore, the current situation does not permit an election campaign,” Jagoda said.
Jagoda stressed that their assertion that time was not opportune for a general election shouldn’t be misconstrued.
Four days before the eruption of public protest at President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s private residence at the Pengiriwatte Road, Mirihana, on March 31, the FSP launched the ‘Movement for People’s Struggle’ to take on the government. The project was announced on March 27 at the Ananda Samarakoon Outdoor Theater in Nugegoda.
Declaring the countrywide protest campaign conducted by a grouping of trade unions and other organizations as a success, Jagoda said that cohesive action plan was required to sustain pressure on the government.
Asked to explain, Jagoda acknowledged the need for proper leadership for the ongoing public protests and ways and means to transform that movement into a viable political project.
The former JVPer said that those who represented the Parliament clearly lacked a clear understanding of the public mood. Had they really understood the political developments, the current dispensation wouldn’t have appointed a new cabinet while retaining Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister, he said.
Subsequent to the incidents at Mirihana, the organizers of the ongoing protest campaign called for a countrywide protest on April 03.They launched a high profile campaign at the Galle Face Green on April 09 before conducting countrywide protests on April 28.
Organizing Secretary of the FSP Duminda Nagamuwa addressed the gathering at Galle Face on April 28 where he vowed to continue with the ongoing campaign.
Asked to explain FSP leader Kumar Gunaratnam’s role in the public protest campaign, Jagoda said that though he didn’t visit the Galle Face protest ground the leader addressed the media. The FSP is the only political party active therein.
Jagoda said that the FSP was ready to engage in a dialogue with the protesting people as part of the overall efforts to highlight the need for public friendly government policies.
The FSP run Inter-University Student Federation (IUSF) spearheads the Galle Face protest. IUSF cadre launched large scale protests at Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Wijerama residence demanding his immediate resignation.
Latest News
Heat index, is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 27 April 2025, valid for 28 April 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Latest News
People have now started to think of themselves as Sri Lankans sans ethnic or religious divisions- PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that for the first time in history, mosques in Kandy had opened their doors to accommodate the needs of devotees visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and that people have now started to think of themselves as Sri Lankans beyond dividing into ethnicities and religions.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a public gathering held in the Paragahadeniya area in Kurunegala.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated:
“This country is undergoing a transformation we expected,so accordingly, we must operate in new ways. People are beginning to feel that we must work towards a new transformation. We can see this change even within our ministries. These days, sometimes when we visit ministries even after 5 PM, and ask if it is possible to have discussions, the officials are always open. Today, public officials are willing to work late into the night, until 9 or 10 PM. Officials have now started working without fear.
Remarkably, for the first time in history, Muslim mosques in Kandy remained open throughout the night to accommodate pilgrims visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. They even provided space for devotees to rest. There were no ethnic or religious tensions. What we saw was respect for other ethnicities and religions. This is happening because there is now a sense of a government that represents all Sri Lankan people, not just Sinhalese, Muslims, or Tamils”.
The event was attended by the candidates for the local government election including the residents of the area.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) has urged the NPP government to prevent Japan’s Onomichi Dockyard Company from selling its 51% ownership stake in the Colombo Dockyard Limited (CDL) to Indian government-owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai, a leading shipbuilder.
FSP spokesman Pubudu Jayagoda told The Island yesterday (27) that the move seemed to be in line with the overall India-Sri Lanka understanding on the basis of the recently signed memorandum on defence cooperation.
Against the backdrop of deteriorating financial situation, the Japanese company has informed the board of directors of CDL of its plans to divest its 51 percent ownership stake in the international shipbuilding and repair company. The Japanese shipbuilder made the announcement in early Dec last year.
Alleging that an agreement has been reached on the sale of Onomichi’s controlling ownership stake to the Indian ship builder, Jayagoda questioned
the move as Mazagon primarily built a range of warships and attack submarines. Jayagoda pointed out that according to Mazagon’s profile, the Indian government-owned business undertaking was involved with European companies engaged in ship and submarine construction.
Addressing a Local Government election meeting at Weeraketiya, Pallekanda, in support of those contesting the May 6 election on the ticket of Jana Aragala Sandhanaya (JAS), the executive committee member of JAS Jayagoda emphasized that in terms of the agreement between Sri Lanka and Japan, Onomichi couldn’t sell its stake without the Sri Lankan government’s approval. Therefore, the NPP government should intervene to halt the Japanese-Indian move, the FSP spokesman said while urging the parliamentary opposition to publicly oppose the planned sale of the Japanese stake.
Among other stakeholders are Sri Lanka Insurance, Sri Lanka Ports Authority and EPF.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Heat index, is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts
People have now started to think of themselves as Sri Lankans sans ethnic or religious divisions- PM
Heavy showers about 100 mm are likely at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Vavuniya, Mullaittivu and Kurunegala districts.
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