News
Gota must go home for political stability to be restored – FSP leader
By Rathindra Kuruwita
People were demanding President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation, which was a prerequisite for restoring political stability, leader of the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) Kumar Gunarathnam, said yesterday, addressing the media.
He said that the people were also demanding the abolition of the Executive Presidency.
“The protests have now become a systematic struggle of the working people. During the past weeks, factory workers, farmers, fishermen and others have joined the anti-Gotabaya Rajapaksa campaign. The support of the people is visible in the success of the hartal on 06 May. The Rajapaksas are scared and with their associates in the Cabinet, they have imposed a State of Emergency,” he said.
Gunarathnam said it was ludicrous to imagine that people would stop protesting because the government had declared a State of Emergency.
The recent vote in Parliament for the post of Deputy Speaker had shown the true nature of those who call themselves independent, Gunaratnam said.
“The so-called independent MPs have realised the strength of the public and are afraid of an election. They don’t want to lose perks, so they want Gotabaya to continue as President. They want to establish a so-called interim government and to keep going for a few years more,” he said.
Gunarathnam said that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has now become amenable to the idea of an interim government.
“Initially, they said they respected the people’s wishes. They said that they would not be a part of a government of crooks. Now, they are planning to join a government, headed by Gotabaya, against the wishes of the people,” he said.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Showery condition over the island is expected to reduce from tomorrow (15th)
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