News
JVP threatens to lay siege to House till present Parliament is dissolved as per people’s demand
JVP trade union wing leader and former MP K. D. Lalkantha on Monday said that the day to end people’s struggle, demanding change, will soon be announced.
Addressing a public rally in Thambuttegama, Lalkantha said that his party had been in discussion with many other parties, trade unions, religious and civil society leaders, artistes, intellectuals and lawyers to decide on the next phase of the struggle.
“That date will soon be announced. It will be the date that ends the ongoing people’s struggle. It will be a day of parliamentary sitting. When all these MPs go there we will surround it and close down all the roads demanding that they pass a motion to dissolve the current parliament. We get them to pass it. With that we can get the next election and it would end this struggle.”
Lalkantha said that when the date was announced, setting a deadline for the current Parliament to decide its own dissolving.
“I am telling the MPs now to get ready to vote in keeping with the people’s wishes. People know that the rulers are engaged in enacting a drama hoping for a miracle to save them. For example, look at the Deputy Speaker election fiasco. Ranjith Siyambalapitya resigned from the Deputy Speaker post. When there was an election to fill the vacancy, he contested and won. The following day he resigned again. By enacting such dramas, they waste our money. We have to end this. I can assure the 225 MPs that there would be a day that you would not be able to come out after going to Parliament without voting for a motion to dissolve Parliament,” he said.
Lalkantha said that putting an end to the prevailing political culture, restoring political stability and finding solutions to the problems of people could not be done without a general election. “There is a need to get a new government. People now know who the thieves in MPs’ garb are. They will no longer fall for the tricks of those who robbed this country and put them in misery. If the government says it does not have money to conduct an election, then we promise to get public sector workers to be on election duty voluntarily. Many public sector organisations have expressed their willingness to do election duty free of charge.
“The present government will not last long. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, too, will have to go.
“The Galle Face strugglers should add to their list of demands an election to put an end to the 74-year-long rotten political culture. They should get ready to change the venue from the old Parliament premises to the new Parliament premises. The people’s struggle will come to an end there with winning an election. We have to get these MPs to dissolve this parliament, or there will be no future for the next generation of this country,” Lalkantha said. (SI)
The Indonesian Naval Ship, ‘KRI SULTAN ISKANDAR MUDA – 367’, arrived at the port of Colombo today (22 Jan 26) on a scheduled port call for logistics replenishment and a goodwill mission.
In keeping with time-honored naval tradition the ship was accorded a ceremonial welcome upon arrival.
The 90.71m – long Sigma Corvette FS is commanded by Commander Annugerah Anurullah.
During the stay in Colombo, the crew members of the ship are expected to visit some tourist attractions in the city limits.
Further, this visit provides an avenue to enhance professional interaction and courtesy engagements among two navies.
The Royal Navy of Oman Ship ‘AL SEEB’ arrived at the Port of Colombo on a logistics replenishment visit today (22 Jan 26).
The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.
The 75m – long ship is commanded by Lieutenant Commander Hamad Bin Mohammed Aldarmaki. The port call will facilitate professional interaction and goodwill exchanges between the two navies.
During her stay in Colombo, crew members of the ship are expected to visit some tourist attractions in the city of Colombo.
News
Mechanism to be established involving university academics and experts for Education Reforms – President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the Government is taking steps to establish a comprehensive mechanism, supported by an appropriate legal framework, to bring together university academics, experts and all relevant parties in order to resolve issues arising during the implementation of education reforms.
The President made these remarks during a discussion with the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) held on Wednesday (21) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
During the discussion, FUTA members emphasized the challenges encountered while trying to implement educational reforms through a framework established by the National Institute of Education, in line with the current laws and regulations.
They further emphasized that while their association acknowledges the need for new education reforms, the urgency of such reforms is greater for students in rural schools than for those in urban schools.
The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations further stated that they appreciate the decision taken by the Government, under the leadership of the President, to address the issues arising from education reforms and affirmed their readiness to contribute to this process.
As a continuation of the previous discussion, proposals addressing the challenges faced by academics within the university system, along with possible solutions, were presented to the President. In response, the President emphasized that the Government would take all possible measures to safeguard the university system and strengthen education.
The discussion also covered proposed amendments to the Universities Act.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake noted that, in the aftermath of the recent disaster, the Government has been effectively implementing a nationwide rebuilding programme, addressing economic stability, development and all critical sectors. The President also called upon university academics to actively support these reconstruction efforts.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Anura Karunathilaka, as well as representatives of the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations, including its President, Prof. P. R. Weerathunga, Vice President M. A. M. Sameem and Secretary Charudaththe Ilangasinghe.
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Indonesian Naval Ship ‘KRI SULTAN ISKANDAR MUDA – 367’ arrives in Colombo
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