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FUTA urges govt. to stop suppressing people’s rights

Published

4 years ago

2022/08/8

The Federation of University Teacher’s Association says the government has launched a capaign to suppress political dissent and that reminds it of the dark days of the ‘bheeshanaya’ (terror) in the 1987-89 period and the suppression of fundamental freedoms of the people during the 2009-15 period.

“It is truly ironic that this repression has been unleashed by a government led by Ranil Wickremasinghe who fashioned his entire political career on the basis of his so-called ‘liberality’,” FUTA says in a statement.

Full text of the statement:

“As a professional trade union which has historically stood for social justice in Sri Lanka FUTA is appalled by the massive repression unleashed on leading Aragalya activists by the illegitimate Wickremesinghe-Pohottuwa government. FUTA as a organization identifies itself with the spirit of the Aragalaya. We stand by the brave youth and activists drawn from all quarters of Sri Lankan society who, for more than one hundred days, led a highly successful and internationally admired campaign to demand accountable and democratic governance. The aragalaya was one of the most significant events in Sri Lanka’s social and political history and achieved many democratic gains – challenging the entrenched patron-client political system in the country and succeeded in sending home a deeply unpopular cabinet of ministers dominated by the dynastic Rajapaksa family, the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa himself and finally President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

“The FUTA sees all of these as historic gains that represent a rare moment when the Sri Lankan public acted as true democratic citizens rather than servile subjects subservient to party politics. However, with the election of Ranil Wickremasinghe as president, many of these gains are being rapidly reversed. From the time he assumed office, Wickremesinghe has engaged in a political witch hunt, targeting Aragalaya leaders and at the same time attempting to characterize the aragalaya as a form of anarchy. However, this spurious discourse by the Wickremesinghe-Pohottuwa government has been roundly criticized by international observers, liberal governments across the world, progressive media, and a range of domestic and international rights activists and organizations. FUTA sees this campaign of repression by the government as an attempt to recall the dark days of the ‘bheeshanaya’ (terror) that existed in the 1987-89 period and more recently the suppression of fundamental freedoms of the people during the 2009-15 period. It is truly ironic that this repression has been unleashed by a government led by Wickremesinghe who fashioned his entire political career on the basis of his so-called ‘liberality’.

“Given this context, the FUTA has decided to play an active role to both protect the youth and aragalaya leadership and at the same time to safeguard and nurture the democratic spirit of the aragalaya. To this end, FUTA has planned a series of interventions to safeguard the fundamental freedoms of the citizenry of this country.”

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Landslide Earyly Warnings issued to the districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura

Published

3 mins ago

2026/06/13

Priyan

The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued early warnings to the Districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura from 1600hrs on 13th June 2026 till 1600hrs on 14th June 2026.

Accordingly,

LEVEL I (YELLOW) landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surounding areas of Palindanuwara and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district, Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya and Ayagama, Pelmadulla,
Godakawela, Elapatha, Kalawana, Ratnapura and Nivithigala in the Ratnapura district.

News

INS Sharda departs Colombo concluding replenishment visit

Published

22 mins ago

2026/06/13

Priyan

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) ‘Sharda’ departed the island today (13 Jun 26), concluding her replenishment purposes.

On departure the vessel was accorded a traditional naval farewell by the Sri Lanka Navy at the Port of Colombo.

The visit also paved the way for vibrant personnel interactions, fostering camaraderie and goodwill. The crew of INS Sharda and personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy participated in a
friendly volleyball match and a joint yoga session. A

dditionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel had the opportunity to visit the Indian naval vessel, while the visiting crew took time to explore several culturally significant landmarks across the island.

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Special Dengue Prevention Week declared in Colombo District from June 15 to 21

Published

13 hours ago

2026/06/13

Priyan

A decision has been taken to declare a Special Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 of June by the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee to curb the spread of the disease in the Colombo District.

This decision was taken at the meeting of the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee held on Friday (12) at the Colombo District Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Compared to last year, the number of dengue cases reported this year has increased significantly. According to the National Dengue Control Unit, approximately 39,100 dengue cases have been reported island wide to date, of which 25.8% have been recorded in the Colombo District. Following this situation, the Colombo District has been identified as a high-risk district.

Health authorities informed that the increasing spread of the disease has been influenced not only by the nature of circulating virus but also to the lack of sufficient immunity among the population. They further noted that the recent period of heavy rainfall has aggravated the spread of Dengue.

It was also identified that the current outbreak is being reported more frequently from public places such as government institutions, private establishments, schools, and religious venues rather than from residential premises. Observations have identified improperly managed solid waste and drainage systems in offices and other public locations as major breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Accordingly, during the Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 June, a series of measures will be implemented, including, organising community clean-up campaigns in government and private institutions, schools, residential areas, and other public spaces; Conducting inspections of high-risk premises by Divisional Secretariats and taking legal action, where necessary, followed by awareness programmes; Distributing informational leaflets, displaying banners, and carrying out public awareness campaigns through the media. Health authorities also requested school administrations not to involve students below Grade 10 in school cleaning programmes and to immediately notify the relevant Medical Officer of Health (MOH) office if a student is diagnosed with dengue.

The programme is expected to receive the active support and participation of the district’s political leadership, religious leaders of all faiths, public officials, local government institutions, the tri-forces, the police, and the general public.

The event was attended by the Chairperson of the District Coordination Committee, Members of Parliament, representatives of local government authorities, government secretaries, police officers, and officials representing the education and health sectors, among others.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]