News
GL explains reasons for unprecedented success of SLPP in a short space of four years
The SLPP could rightly identify itself with the conscience and aspirations of the common people of this country and that ensured its success story, Chairman of the party Prof GL Peiris said yesterday.
In a statement issued to mark the fourth anniversary of the party, Prof Peiris said that the SLPP had been able to write a new chapter in local political history within a short period of 16 months by obtaining 71 percent of votes.
“The results of the 2015 general election changed the political mindset of people. They realized that the country’s future was not certain and the government that came to power promising to fulfill the wishes of people was not capable of the task. They discerned a huge vacuum in the polity with the absence of patriotic and progressive forces.
People then started to think of an alternative under the leadership of Mahinda Rakjapaksa. Basil Rajapaksa played a pioneering role in organizing the patriotic forces to fill the aforementioned gap and his dedication materialized in the advent of a new political force under the name of SLPP in November 2016 under the Lotus Bud symbol. The local government election results of 2108 indicated that SLPP is becoming a formidable force. The results showed that the new party within a short period of 16 months has been able to muster 71 percent of votes. The winning streak continued with winning the presidential election with 6,924,255 votes setting up a record that SLPP is the party with the highest number of votes within the shortest possible time in its existence.
The SLPP clearly understood the conscience of people and identified with the aspirations of people all over the country. It could record a resounding victory with its members securing a two thirds power in parliament in the last general election turning the political history of the country upside down. I consider it a privilege for me to become the chairman of such a political party that redefined all norms and standards and by setting up new heights in the local polity, Prof Peiris said in his statement.
In line with the forthcoming 75th Army Anniversary (10 October) a solemn ceremony was held on 7th October 2024 at the Battaramulla War Heroes’ Monument (Ranaviru Smarakaya) to pay tribute to the heroic sacrifices of the nation’s fallen War Heroes.
The Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, presided over the ceremony as the Chief Guest, lending a significant sense of respect and prominence to the occasion. The event commenced with singing the National Anthem, followed by a two-minute silence observed in honour of the nation’s fallen patriots.
Thereafter, the Chief Guest, accompanied by several Senior Officers and Colonels of all regiments of the Sri Lanka Army laid floral wreaths and saluted paying a solemn tribute to the fallen War Heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for the sovereignty of the nation.
Former MPs not entitled to police protection
By Rathindra Kuruwita
There are laws and regualations stipulating the level of security to be provided to Presidents, former Presidents, Ministers, and MPs, but in the past they were given more security, Cabinet spokesman, Minister Vijitha Herath has said.
“According to the law, a person is not entitled to police protection after ceasing to be an MP. But previous governments allowed former MPs to retain their security in violation of laws and regulations,” Minister Herath said yesterday.
“In the future, intelligence services will conduct a threat assessment, and special security will be provided only to those facing security threats, Minister Herath said, stressing that elected representatives should be treated equally.
“The Ministry of Defence has also requested VIPs to return the weapons and ammunition issued to them. This does not mean the Ministry will retain these weapons indefinitely; they will be returned after a thorough assessment of threats and proper documentation,” he added .
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Sri Lanka had authorised a Chinese military training vessel to arrive, Cabinet Spokesman, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday.
Herath said the Chinese vessel was no threat to anyone’s national security and Indian, German and US warships had docked in Sri Lankan ports.
Asked by a journalist whether there would be a change in Sri Lanka’s foreign policy, Herath said that the NPP treated every country equally.
“We will not treat anyone more favourably than others. This is the basis of the non-aligned policy,” he said, noting that they had no problem with any country supporting Sri Lanka in a way that does not harm the country’s national interests.
Herath said that a senior US military official would visit Sri Lanka on Thursday (10) and the US was to present a naval vessel to the Sri Lanka Navy.
“National interest is our priority and based on that we will engage with everyone,” he said.
Herath added that they had prepared a list of relatives, and associates of politicians who had been appointed to various Sri Lankan missions. The list would be published soon, he said.
Sri Lanka Army pays tribute to fallen War Heroes
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