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Julie’s exit gladdens Udaya’s heart

Published

3 months ago

2026/01/17

Gammanpila eating milk rice during yesterday’s press conference to celebrate Ambassador Chung’s departure

Leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU), Udaya Gammanpila, yesterday launched a scathing attack on outgoing United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, accusing her of interfering in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs and exerting undue influence over recent political developments.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo, Gammanpila said Chung’s departure, after a four-year tenure, marked a “day of national relief,” claiming her presence had been harmful to the country.

He said patriots marked the occasion by sharing kiribath (milk rice), which he described as a symbolic celebration.

Gammanpila alleged that Ambassador Chung had remained in Sri Lanka longer than the customary three-year diplomatic term because of, what he described as, her success in bringing the country under American influence. Drawing comparisons with past foreign diplomats, he claimed that Chung was the most influential envoy since Indian High Commissioner J.N. Dixit in the 1980s. He alleged that successive Sri Lankan governments had failed to challenge what he described as interference by the envoy.

The PHU leader accused Chung of playing a behind-the-scenes role in the 2022 protest movement, commonly known as the Aragalaya, claiming it was orchestrated to destabilise the country. He alleged that young protesters were unknowingly “acting out a foreign script” under the guise of patriotism.

Gammanpila also alleged that Chung played a key role in elevating the National People’s Power (NPP), which he referred to as the “Malimawa” movement, into a governing force in 2024. He claimed the movement had been transformed from its earlier ideological roots into, what he described as, a pro-Western political project, asserting that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had come to power with foreign backing. He cited a photograph shared on Chung’s social media account of her visit to the NPP headquarters as evidence of what he termed political proximity.

According to Gammanpila, Ambassador Chung’s public criticism of governance issues sharply declined following the change of government. He alleged that while she had frequently commented on incidents under previous administrations, she had remained silent on alleged corruption and governance failures over the past 14 months.

Turning to the future, Gammanpila urged caution regarding the incoming US Ambassador, Eric Meyer, stating that any engagement on religious or cultural matters should be viewed carefully. He called on President Dissanayake to pursue an independent foreign policy, free of external influence.

Gammanpila also criticised the government over, what he described as, repeated “policy blunders,” particularly in relation to issues affecting children and social values. He cited several instances, including proposals to promote Sri Lanka as a destination for same-sex couples, educational material controversies, and a recent People’s Bank advertisement that he claimed subtly promoted same-sex symbolism. While stating that he held no animosity towards the LGBTQ community, Gammanpila said he opposed, what he described as, attempts to influence children through state institutions.

In addition, the PHU leader condemned legal action taken by the Coast Conservation Department against nine individuals, including four Buddhist monks, for installing a Buddha statue within a coastal conservation zone in Trincomalee. He described the arrests as discriminatory, alleging that similar structures belonging to other religions and commercial entities had been overlooked.

Calling the current administration “anti-Buddhist,” Gammanpila urged authorities to apply the law equally and not just in words, and “not to turn legal frameworks into instruments against Buddhism.” He also accused members of the government of ingratitude, alleging that many had once sought refuge in temples during periods of political violence.

By Anuradha Hiripitiyage

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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the Districts of Kurunegala and Ratnapura

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/23

Priyan

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued Landslide Early Warnings to the Districts of Kurunegala and Ratnapura effective from 16:00 hrs on 23.04.2026 To 16:00 hrs on 24.04.2026

Accordingly,

Level 1 landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Rideegama in the Kurunegala district and Kuruwita, Kalawana, Ratnapura, Nivithigala, Pelmadulla and Eheliyagoda in the Ratnapura district.

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued for the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Ampara and Batticaloa districts

Published

6 hours ago

2026/04/23

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology
Issued at 12.00 noon 23 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 23 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
• Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

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Compensation payments and reconstruction activities related to the Ditwah relief measures must be expedited with special attention at the district level – PM

Published

16 hours ago

2026/04/23

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that compensation payments and reconstruction activities related to the Ditwah relief measures must be expedited with special attention at the district level. She further stated that all necessary allocations have already been made to Provincial Councils and instructed that the progress of disaster damage assessments and reconstruction efforts be closely monitored at the provincial level.

The Prime Minister made these remarks at a discussion held on Tuesday (21) at Temple Trees under her patronage, aimed at informing Chairpersons of District Coordination Committees and public representatives from disaster-affected districts, in order to accelerate the implementation of the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme. The discussion focused on expediting disaster relief and compensation payments, as well as the swift restoration of infrastructure damaged by the disaster.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Rs. 500 billion has been allocated for damages caused by the Ditwah cyclone, and that all relevant development activities must be completed before the end of 2026. The Prime Minister also instructed officials to pay special attention to resolving issues at the local level that are causing delays in compensation payments.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President, G.M.R.D. Aponsu, stated that the estimated cost for reconstruction following the Ditwah cyclone is approximately USD 3.4 billion. Accordingly, funds have been allocated for compensation across several sectors including housing and social infrastructure, agriculture and livestock, fisheries, industry and livelihoods, and irrigation. He further noted that 99% of the Rs. 25,000 allowance has already been disbursed, while 95% of the Rs. 50,000 resettlement allowance has been paid. Compensation for fully and partially damaged houses is still ongoing, and 99% of temporary relief centres have been closed.

Additionally, attention was drawn to several other measures, including providing Rs. 25,000 to affected schoolchildren, paying Rs. 1 million as compensation for each deceased individual, compensation for children who lost one or both parents, support for persons with disabilities affected by the disaster, compensation for agricultural losses, and expediting resettlement of displaced families. Measures such as allocating land for new housing construction and accelerating the issuance of reports from the National Building Research Organization were also discussed.

Focus was also placed on the reconstruction of affected schools, hospitals, and daycare centres, improving the accuracy and speed of data collection at the local level, and accelerating infrastructure development.

The event was attended by Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Samantha Vidyarathna, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Dr. Chandana Abayarathna, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperatives R.M. Jayawardena, Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna, Members of Parliament, Chairpersons of District Coordination Committees, Chief of Staff to the President and Commissioner General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Additional Secretary to the President Jayantha Bandara; and officials of the Prime Minister’s Office.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]