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Kumudesh warns of anarchy over appointment of Ranil as new PM

Published

3 years ago

2022/05/14

Sahan Weerasooriya

… demands arrest of Mahinda, others

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Trade unions would lay siege to the Presidential Secretariat if the President did not respect the wishes of the people, Joint-convener of the Trade Union Coordinating Center, Ravi Kumudesh, told The Island yesterday.

Kumudesh said that the appointment of UNP leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister, on Thursday, was a clear indication that the President did not respect the wishes of the people.

“He can’t understand what the people want and thus the country will become anarchical. The President is despised by the people. Instead of honestly engaging with the people, the President is trying to save his skin by making a deal with Wickremesinghe. This is not the way to reach a consensus. He is trying to get him and his family out of trouble,” Kumudesh said.

Kumudesh said that Wickremesinghe had a history of making questionable political deals. Wickremesinghe accepted the position of Prime Minister, despite his party having just one seat in Parliament and it showed that he too had not changed, Kumudesh said.

“We sent the President a letter on Friday (13) calling for the arrest of Mahinda and others for assaulting peaceful protestors on 09 May, which led to a few days of chaos,” he said.

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“Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” by Mahinda Siriwardana presented to the President

Published

5 hours ago

2025/04/8

Priyan

The book “Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” ,authored by Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mahinda Siriwardana, was officially launched this morning (08) at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, with the participation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

The first copy of the publication was formally presented to President Disanayake by Mr. Siriwardana during the event.

Latest News

Former state minister arrested by CID

Published

5 hours ago

2025/04/8

Priyan

It has been reported that former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias ‘Pilleyan’ has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

News

President meets with senior officials of SriLankan Airlines

Published

6 hours ago

2025/04/8

Priyan

A meeting between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and senior officials of SriLankan Airlines was held this afternoon (April 8) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The discussions mainly focused on proposals to transform SriLankan Airlines into a more profitable state-owned enterprise. Special attention was also given to possible short-term and long-term solutions for the airline’s debt management.

The talks further explored new investment opportunities for the airline. The President instructed the officials to take all necessary steps to transform SriLankan Airlines into a profit-making entity.

Although the airline has recorded operational profits, due to past mismanagement and poor decision-making, it remains one of the leading loss-making state enterprises. The current government has decided to reverse the previous administration’s decision to privatize the airline. Instead, it plans to continue operating it as the national carrier while introducing a new management structure to ensure its profitability moving forward.

Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, President’s Senior Advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines Sarath Ganegoda along with several senior officials of SriLankan Airlines, were present at the meeting.