News
Karu: Country has suffered setbacks on all fronts
The country had suffered setbacks on all fronts, former Speaker and the Head of the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) Karu Jayasuriya said addressing the media yesterday.
The cost of living has skyrocketed and unfortunately, low-income earners are struggling to provide their families, he said. Moreover, rice, sugar, milk powder, LP gas, medicines, and other necessities are in short supply, Jayasuriya said.
“The farmers are therefore facing a dire situation and many have already given up farming. Food production is expected to fall by 40% and the signs of a great famine are now looming. A responsible government cannot ignore these grievances. This could lead to bloodshed and therefore, the government must pay attention to these matters,” he said.
Jayasuriya said that when the use of chemical fertilisers was abruptly halted, the National Movement for Social Justice warned of possible consequences. If the President had paid any attention to scholars and intellectuals, the current problems facing the agriculture sector would have been averted, he said.
He also said that the promise made by the President to introduce a new Constitution within a year of the formation of the government should be fulfilled without further delay.
“The Constitution must be made with the participation of the country’s people, and the government must understand that a Constitution, which is drafted without the initiative of Parliament and the people, will not be acceptable to the Sri Lankan public,” he said.
A special search operation conducted by the Navy in the Mankuliya Lagoon of Negombo today (21st September 2023) led to the apprehension of a dinghy loaded with over 400kg of Kerala cannabis with an estimated street value of over Rs. 132 million
The seized consignment of Kerala cannabis and the dinghy were handed over to the Negombo Excise Station for onward legal action
Latest News
IMF MD and President Wickremesinghe focus on Financial Reforms and Debt Restructuring initiatives
In a crucial meeting held during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, met with President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, to discuss vital economic matters.
During the meeting, Ms. Georgieva and President Wickremesinghe delved into the ongoing financial sector reforms and the substantial progress made in debt restructuring initiatives. The IMF Managing Director commended the Sri Lankan government for its effective measures in curbing inflation and nurturing a conducive environment for business growth, as well as the flourishing tourism industry. She expressed her satisfaction with the government’s commitment to enhancing the overall economic landscape.
(PMD)
President Ranil Wickremesinghe invited President Ebrahim Raisi of the Islamic Republic of Iran to visit Sri Lanka and ceremonially open the Uma Oya Hydropower Station when they met on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York on Wednesday (20).
President Raisi accepted the invitation and also extended an invitation to President Wickremesinghe to visit Iran. Both leaders agreed that these high level visits would give impetus to further consolidate bilateral ties.
The two leaders recognized that as countries belonging to the same region there is potential for regional cooperation in a range of areas of mutual interest including as members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). The prospects for cooperation in the agriculture sector, particularly introducing modern technology in which area Iran has considerable expertise, was also discussed.
(PMD)
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Kerala cannabis with a street value of over Rs.132 million held by Navy in Negombo
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