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Govt.’s strong-arm tactics bound to fail, say petroleum unions
by Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon
Attempts by President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera to scare the striking Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) workers into submission have demonstrated their determination to suppress the people’s rights and freedoms, President of the Public Progressive Workers’ Association, Bandula Saman Kumara says.
The government had deployed around 5,000 military and police personnel at CPC properties in Kolonnawa, Muthrajawela and Sapugaskanda, he said.
“On Thursday, the CPC sent union leaders on compulsory leave for trying to protect national assets. The government can’t escape responsibility for selling strategic industries. History will judge the current dispensation harshly,” Kumara said.
The military and law enforcement forcefully took over 10 bowsers and distributed fuel on Thursday, he said. Saman Kumara said the government was using force to have the public believe that the strike of CPC workers had failed.
“Thousands of troops are used to scare workers, but they can’t go on doing so indefinitely,” he said.
Saman Kumara said they had resorted to industrial action to prevent the strategic energy sector being sold to foreign companies.
“Once the energy sector is privatised, the government will not be able to control the price of fuel to encourage certain industries. The government insists that the state should not be involved in business. However, both Lanka IOC and Sinopec, the Chinese petroleum giant to enter the retail market are state-owned enterprises. So, it’s obvious that the problem does not lie with the state doing business; it is a case of corrupt governments not being able to run anything in an efficient manner,” he said.
Meanwhile, CPC General Employees Union President Ashoka Ranwala said they would lodge a complaint with the Wellampitiya Police and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) about the use of force against strikers.
“The police, the STF and the military have been deployed to scare workers on strike. However, we will continue with our struggle to prevent the privatisation of the CPC,” he said.
CPC unions on Tuesday withdrew from issuing fuel in protest against the government’s decision to privatise a large portion of the retail fuel sector. The government called in the military to ensure the supply of fuel. Despite disruptions, fuel supply had returned to normal by yesterday evening, the government maintained.
Pope Leo XIV appealed for “no more war” in a message to world powers during his first Sunday address at the Vatican.
Reflecting on current conflicts, the newly selected pontiff called for a “lasting peace” in the war in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and welcomed Saturday’s agreement to end recent hostilities between India and Pakistan.
He said he was “deeply hurt” by events in Gaza, expressed hope for a “lasting accord” between India and Pakistan, and wished for a “authentic, true and lasting peace” in Ukraine.
The Pope also recited the Regina Caeli prayer, in honour of the Virgin Mary, to the crowd in St Peter’s Square.
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May this Vesak celebration be a blessed one filled with kindness and compassion towards all living beings – PM
In her Vesak day message, Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya wished that this Vesak celebration be a blessed one filled with kindness and compassion towards all living beings
The full text of the prime ministers vesak day message:
“It is an honor to extend my Vesak day message to all citizens of the nation during this sacred period in which Buddhist community across Sri Lanka come together to pay homage to the Lord Buddha, upholding both material and spiritual offerings and commemorating the threefold sacred events of the Lord Buddha’s life.
Since ancient times, the lives of the Sri Lankan people have been deeply rooted by the teaching of the Lord Buddha and this is a greater inheritance we have received through the Dhamma. In our country, where people of diverse ethnicities and religions coexist in harmony, the collective celebration of a major religious festival such as Vesak stands as a powerful testament to that unity.
This year Vesak day celebration marks the first to be celebrated under the current government, which was established with the vision of “A Prosperous Country, a Beautiful Life.” I believe that this Vesak season is a particularly a time to heal the hearts and minds of humanity, especially as our nation embarks on a path of meaningful transformation. Through this message, I take this opportunity to invite all of citizens to unite in mind and spirit, bound together by mutual respect and compassion.
I join all Sri Lankans in praying that the flames of war burning in various parts of the world at this moment may be extinguished, and that all people across the globe may be blessed with lives of happiness and peace.
May all of you have a blessed Vesak!”
News
Special waste management programme launched under “Clean Sri Lanka” during the State Vesak Festival
Parallel with the State Vesak Festival that commenced on Saturday (10) in the Nuwara Eliya District, a special waste management initiative has been launched under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme to enhance facilities for devotees and ensure proper waste disposal in the city of Nuwara Eliya.
With hundreds of thousands of people expected to visit Nuwara Eliya during the Vesak Week, from May 10 to 16, this initiative is aimed at preserving the cleanliness and beauty of the area.
The programme will focus particularly on areas around the Gregory Lake, a key tourist attraction, and the Nuwara Eliya International Buddhist Centre, the venue for the State Vesak Festival.
In addition, the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative urges visiting devotees to refrain from bringing non-biodegradable material such as polythene and calls on all citizens to act responsibly by properly disposing of waste only at designated locations, while maintaining the sanctity and cleanliness of the environment.
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