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Kiriella pooh-poohs rumours of SJB split

Published

4 years ago

2021/10/4

Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella, on Saturday, said that there was no split in the SJB, and the rumours being floated about the party were baseless.

In answer to a question raised by a journalist MP Kiriella said: “I assure you that there is no truth in the story doing the rounds that the SJB is divided. We, under the leadership of the Opposition Leader, are forging ahead as a united force. We are a new party and it is owing to the people’s trust in the Opposition Leader we won 52 seats. Sajith Premadasa, as the son of former President Ranasinghe Premadasa, would look after the interests of the down-trodden sections of society. People know that.”

MP Kiriella said that SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa had met a delegation from the EU visiting the country and requested it not to deprive Sri Lanka of the GSP plus concessions. “Yet our leader asked the EU to urge the government to uphold democracy and the rule of law. We asked the EU to urge the government to respect human rights and civil rights of the people. Many people are being held under detention orders. Many trade union leaders and journalists have been harassed. We asked the EU to urge the government but not to deprive the country of GSP plus concession,” he said.

MP Kiriella said that while the EU experts were in the country the CID summoned journalists who had exposed the garlic scam. “The EU has a clear idea of suppression of journalists and they witnessed the way the CID is being used as a coercive means to harass journalists who do not toe the government line. Besides the incident of a minister visiting Anuradhapura and Welikada prisons to threaten inmates too received wide publicity while the EU delegation was in the country. They took notice of such instances,” the MP said.

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Pope Leo appeals for no more war in first Sunday address

Published

7 hours ago

2025/05/12

Priyan

Pope Leo called for a "lasting peace" in the war in Ukraine and said he was "deeply hurt" by events in Gaza [BBC]

Pope Leo XIV appealed for “no more war” in a message to world powers during his first Sunday address at the Vatican.

Reflecting on current conflicts, the newly selected pontiff called for a “lasting peace” in the war in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and welcomed Saturday’s agreement to end recent hostilities between India and Pakistan.

He said he was “deeply hurt” by events in Gaza, expressed hope for a “lasting accord” between India and Pakistan, and wished for a “authentic, true and lasting peace” in Ukraine.

The Pope also recited the Regina Caeli prayer, in honour of the Virgin Mary, to the crowd in St Peter’s Square.

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May this Vesak celebration be a blessed one filled with kindness and compassion towards all living beings – PM

Published

8 hours ago

2025/05/12

Priyan

In her Vesak day message, Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya wished that this Vesak celebration be a blessed one filled with kindness and compassion towards all living beings

The full text of the prime ministers vesak day message:

“It is an honor to extend my Vesak day message to all citizens of the nation during this sacred period in which Buddhist community across Sri Lanka come together to pay homage to the Lord Buddha, upholding both material and spiritual offerings and commemorating the threefold sacred events of the Lord Buddha’s life.

Since ancient times, the lives of the Sri Lankan people have been deeply rooted by the teaching of the Lord Buddha and this is a greater inheritance we have received through the Dhamma. In our country, where people of diverse ethnicities and religions coexist in harmony, the collective celebration of a major religious festival such as Vesak stands as a powerful testament to that unity.

This year Vesak day celebration marks the first to be celebrated under the current government, which was established with the vision of “A Prosperous Country, a Beautiful Life.” I believe that this Vesak season is a particularly a time to heal the hearts and minds of humanity, especially as our nation embarks on a path of meaningful transformation. Through this message, I take this opportunity to invite all of citizens to unite in mind and spirit, bound together by mutual respect and compassion.

I join all Sri Lankans in praying that the flames of war burning in various parts of the world at this moment may be extinguished, and that all people across the globe may be blessed with lives of happiness and peace.

May all of you have a blessed Vesak!”

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Special waste management programme launched under “Clean Sri Lanka” during the State Vesak Festival

Published

8 hours ago

2025/05/12

Priyan

Parallel with the State Vesak Festival that commenced on Saturday (10) in the Nuwara Eliya District, a special waste management initiative has been launched under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme to enhance facilities for devotees and ensure proper waste disposal in the city of Nuwara Eliya.

With hundreds of thousands of people expected to visit Nuwara Eliya during the Vesak Week, from May 10 to 16, this initiative is aimed at preserving the cleanliness and beauty of the area.

The programme will focus particularly on areas around the Gregory Lake, a key tourist attraction, and the Nuwara Eliya International Buddhist Centre, the venue for the State Vesak Festival.

In addition, the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative urges visiting devotees to refrain from bringing non-biodegradable material such as polythene and calls on all citizens to act responsibly by properly disposing of waste only at designated locations, while maintaining the sanctity and cleanliness of the environment.