News
Johnston urges trade union leaders not to ignite a fourth wave of coronavirus
Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday called on trade union leaders not to trigger the fourth wave of COVID-19 in the country.
Speaking at the launch of the programme to beautify 100 cities at Hiripitiya in Kurunegala, the Minister said: “We became internationally known for our successful battle against the first and second waves of the pandemic. The third wave is also being dealt with successfully, compared to many other countries in the region and elsewhere in the world. Now, the trade union leaders and their political masters are either intentionally or unintentionally trying to cause the fourth wave in this country through street protests. We request them to think of the country and act with restrain without endangering the lives of the public.
People have a right to protest. We respect that right. We too can organise rallies and demonstrations in support of the government. If the Opposition brings 500 people we can bring 10 times more. But this is not a time to show one’s power by leading people to the streets. If there are issues the trade union leaders and their political masters should find better ways to bring them to our notice without putting the lives of their supporters in jeopardy. We tell Sajith Premadasa and Joseph Stalin not to endanger the lives of innocent people.
The Opposition members are trying to tell us how to run the country Look at their sordid records. More people died on their watch due to dengue than the number of people who have died of COVID-19. Have they done anything that could be remembered by the people except the grand Treasury bond theft? We have not put on hold development projects even though there is a raging pandemic. As part of our development drive, Prime Minister Rajapaksa has launched this city beautification project. The project would develop 100 selected cities in the country simultaneously. Colombo was turned into the most beautiful capital among all south Asian countries, while incumbent President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was the Defence Secretary fighting a war. The Opposition that came to power could not even maintain that status we achieved. They could not even dispose of the garbage in the city properly.”
The project was launched by Prime Minister Rajapaksa via zoom technology. Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa was also present.
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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Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
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Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
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