News
JVP challenges govt. to tell people why it put off local polls
By Saman Indrajith
The JVP yesterday (11) urged the government to tell the people why it had postponed the local government elections by one year.
Addressing the media at the party headquarters in Pelawatte, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said: “Delaying elections amounts to denying the people’s franchise. The government got its Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister to issue a special gazette on 09 Jan. extending the time of local government bodies by one more year. Accordingly, the term of local government bodies has been extended from 19 March, 2022 to 19 March, 2023. As per the new order, the terms of 24 municipal councils, 41 urban councils and 275 pradeshiya sabhas will be extended by one more year.
“The main question with this extension of time is as to why the government made that decision. It has to tell the people why it has denied their right to vote by one more year. As per the Local Government Act, the Minister has powers to extend the time of local government bodies by one year. That power is given with the expectation that he would do so because of a valid reason. The government’s fear of facing elections cannot be considered a valid reason,” Silva said.
He said that the government was aware of the fact that it had lost popularity. “The government will not be able to get the same amount of votes it had garnered at the last local government election four years back. It had received 6.9 million votes at the last presidential election. It had obtained enough votes to form a government with a two third majority at the last general election. The government cannot repeat the same performance with the public displeasure against it. If the government goes for an election right now it is certain that it will suffer an ignominious defeat. The government cannot suffer such a loss two years after its formation. Therefore it has postponed the elections,” Silva said.
The second day of the “Vesak Bhakti Gee Saraniya”, held in parallel with the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, commenced on Tuesday (13) at 6:30 p.m. under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat premises.
The evening featured musical performances by renowned vocalist Ilyas Beg and the Sri Lanka Air Force Bhakti Gee Troup, accompanied by the Air Force Band. A Vesak lantern exhibition was also held at the venue. The event was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with several senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat.
This Bhakthi Gee programme will continue today [May 14] and tomorrow at the same location. Additionally, a short-eats dansala is being held near the Presidential Secretariat for the benefit of the public visiting Colombo for Vesak, and will continue until May 16.
Meanwhile, a ‘Buth Dansala’ organized jointly by the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Army was inaugurated yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of senior military officers. A large number of devotees from across the country attended the event.
In line with the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ and ‘Bauddhaloka Vesak Kalapya’, several Vesak programmes have been organized in the vicinity with the support of the Presidential Secretariat. These include the illumination of nearby government buildings and roads with decorative lights, and the display of Vesak lanterns, with the active participation of the Presidential Secretariat staff.
[PMD]
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital
Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
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