News
JVP warns of explosive spreadof Covid-19 if people take to the streets
By Saman Indrajith
JVP-led Women for Rights (WFR) yesterday warned that mounting public pressure due to economic hardships would soon explode and people would take to the streets if the government failed to provide immediate relief to those hit hard by the pandemic.
Addressing the media at the JVP headquarters in Pelawatte, WFR General Secretary Samanmalee Gunasinghe said that prices of all essential items including food had gone up during the past few weeks and people had found it hard to live on what they earned.
“According to the government figures, Rs. 65,000 was needed for a family of four a month. How many families in this country earn Rs 65,000 a month? People living on estates have to spend over 60 percent of their earnings on food. This is quite similar in other rural areas, too. The government should provide some economic relief to the people immediately,” she said.
There is a gas shortage in the country and the government should get the gas companies to sort it out. The gas companies are bound by their agreements with the government to provide uninterrupted supply. The gas companies say that they can no longer supply gas at the stipulated prices due to the rupee devaluation and the increase in world market prices. That is their excuse but they forgot that they earned massive profits when the gas prices were very low in the world market just several months back. They should part with some of the profit they made.
Chairperson of the WFR, Saroja Savithri Paulraj said that the government no longer had control over the pandemic and people were dying in their hundreds. “
Absurd statements and responses of the ministers indicate the plight of the government. For example, when asked about the government’s plan for the COVID-19 prevention, the Cabinet Spokesman said that they would administer vaccines and leave the rest in the hands of God. People did not vote for this government to let their lives be in the hands of God. People handed over control of their lives to a government. If they say that now we are in the hands of God, then we too can say that the government too will be in the hands of God and the next time they can ask for the votes from God not from people,” Paulraj said.
WFR Executive Committee Member Prabhashini Wickramasinghe also addressed the press.
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)
USA’s Ali Khan claims having been ‘denied’ India visa ahead of T20 World Cup
At least 28 dead as crane collapses onto train in Thailand
Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
Trump cancels US-Iran meetings, urges protesters to take over institutions
Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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