News
Kiriella tells mouthful about govt. working on cross purposes
By Saman Indrajith
Chief Opposition Whip Kandy District SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday that the country was saddled with a government that took action to keep the bars and liquor shops open and wanted Parliament closed, citing COVID-19 pandemic as the reason.
At the commencement of business of the day, in Parliament, the Chief Opposition whip said that a motion was to be submitted by the government preventing Parliament from sitting on Thursday and Friday this week. “We could not summon Parliament as per the usual sitting calendar. We lost 25 such days because of the pandemic.
Although the House is not meeting, the problems in the country are continuing to pile up. We need time to discuss these issues here. But the government brings motions preventing parliament meetings being held. It is the very same government that keeps the bars and tavern open,” Kiriella said.
“We have serious issues with regard to the government’s agenda. Not a single item to be moved this week with regard to the CEB, but in the meantime a group arrived from the US in a great hurry to sign a deal to buy 40 percent shares of the Yudaganavi plant at night, the other day. Where and when are we going to debate such issues if the government does not allow parliament to be convened. Last night the government announced that there was a decrease in the Covid-19 infections. If the pandemic is under control and its threat is decreasing then why does the government want to put off parliament meetings? We call on the Speaker to take action to prevent the moving of motion not to hold parliament meetings. The Speaker is there to protect the rights of the MPs not to dance to the tune of the government. So, ensure that we can debate the issues related to the Yudaganavi power plant this week in parliament,” Kiriella said.
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)
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Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
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Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
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