News

Lankan survivor of 9/11 recounts disaster on 20th anniversary

Published

5 years ago

2021/09/12

Srinath Jinadasa, 79, an American citizen of Lankan descent who miraculously came out alive from the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York 20 years ago last week, was in the U.S. news as the media focused on the anniversary of the audacious terrorist strike on an iconic building using hijacked aircraft.

Jinadasa who worked for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as a structural engineer said last week that the Authority among other things owned the WTC site and operated the PATH subway system between New York and New Jersey. He was recalled to work to help deal with issues relating to t operating PATH facilities other than the WTC line after unwinding at home for about a week after his ordeal.

“I did experience some anxiety for a while. I could not make myself go to the WTC site until after the victims remains were removed from there,” he said.

He also recounted tht his sister, Anoja Wijesekera, who worked for UNICEF in Kabul (Afghanistan), was evacuated the day following the WTC attack after so-called Northern Alliance launched an attack on that city.

“I think the U.S. had to bring justice to Al Qaeda and Bin Laden. However lots of politicians were using the attack to further their political ambitions, I think resulting in an over-reaction to the tragedy,” he said.

“The democracy proselytizers used the tragedy as an opportunity to promote regime change in the Middle East and beyond. Think of Afghanistan, Iraq, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Syria, Yemen, Ukraine etc. Politicians of all stripes from all over jumped in. Big mess!

“This I think turned on the Islamists – Islamic State , Iranians and who knows who else? The very sad attack only last week in France, last year in Sri Lanka. So many Islamist /Islamic State attacks all over the world – America, France , Britain, India, Indonesia, Russia, Middle East, etc, etc. I think this is what Osama was envisioning when he planned the 9/11 attack to provoke an over-reaction in the west and a resulting counter reaction from the Islamists. I think Osama succeeded well beyond all his expectations.”

Jinadasa, a son of the late H. Jinadasa Samarakkody, a member of the old Ceylon Civil Service, who retired as Secretary to the Treasury, said that at the time of his escape from the ???? floor, he waited for some time before he began his descent.

“I watered the (indoor plants) in my office and carried a wet towel when I walked down.” he said. I did not think the building will collapse but I did not factor the steel in the concrete melting in the very high temperatures generated.”

Srinath who has now retired to Florida said that in hindsight, he would say that the democracy/human rights proselytizers made use of the even to spread havoc in the Islamic world and further provoke the Jihadists. This was most likely what Osama wanted and succeeded in doing, he said.

“Furthermore it launched a huge, wasteful security industrial complex.”

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Latest News

Sun directly overhead Dehiwala, Maharagama, Pannipitiya, Padukka, Eheliyagoda, Maskeliya, Siyambalanduwa and Pottuvil at about 12:13 noon. today (07th)

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/7

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (07th) are Dehiwala, Maharagama, Pannipitiya, Padukka, Eheliyagoda, Maskeliya, Siyambalanduwa and Pottuvil at about 12:13 noon.

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts.

Published

11 hours ago

2026/04/7

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 06 April 2026, valid for 07 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

News

SJB: Litro, Laugfs making a killing by selling old stocks at inflated prices

Published

13 hours ago

2026/04/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

Ananda Palitha

… as Lakvijaya falters, power plants need over 2 mn litres of fuel daily

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The SJB yesterday (06) said that the NPP government owed an explanation as to why Litro Gas Lanka Limited and Laugfs Gas PLC were allowed to increase the prices of old stocks of domestic gas. Litro and Laugfs have increased the prices of 12.5 kg cylinder by Rs. 775 to Rs. 4,765 and by Rs. 1,070, to Rs. 5,700, respectively.

Convener of the Samagi United Trade Union Force (SUTUF) and the Samagi Joint Trade Union Alliance Ananda Palitha said they were aware of the state-owned gas supplier Litro and the private sector enterprise making a killing at the expense of consumers.

Acknowledging that gas and fuel prices had to be increased in view of the disruptions to the regular supply route through Hormuz Strait, the former petroleum sector worker emphasised it wouldn’t be fair, under any circumstances, to apply a new pricing formula to old stocks.

Taking advantage of the new West Asia war, the government (CPC) and three foreign private suppliers, namely Lanka IOC, Sinopec and R.M. Parks, increased prices of old fuel stocks, Palitha alleged, adding that his accusations, previously reported in the front-page of The Island, haven’t been disputed.

Responding to our queries, Palitha pointed out that Sri Lanka experienced gas supply disruption even just before the eruption of the Iran war.

Warning that further electricity tariff increases were around the corner due to failure on the part of the country’s only coal-fired power plant Lakvijaya to produce the required electricity, Palitha blamed the developing crisis on the use of low-quality coal for power generation.

Referring to recent media reports of fuel powered power plants needing 800,000 litres, daily, to meet the shortfall due to the crisis at Lakvijaya, Palitha said that the actual requirement was much more. Kelanitissa Combined cycle power plant alone required 1.3 mn litres of diesel daily, Palitha said, alleging the country was paying a very heavy price for corruption and mismanagement by the current dispensation.

According to Palitha Kerawalapitiya (Yugadanavi) Combined Cycle Power Plant required 750,000 litres of black oil/furnace oil. Together, those two power plants, namely Kelanitissa and Yugadanavi, required over 2 mn litres per day, the trade unionist activist said, warning the government of frightening economic consequences.

Having explained the requirements of other power stations in operation, Palitha said that the situation was so bad that the CEB, about three days back, began buying fuel worth Rs 1.7 bn from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation on credit. Responding to another query, Palitha said that though the Iran war was having a major impact here, the NPP should accept responsibility for the corrupt coal deal and horrendous mismanagement of the power sector.

The government sought to downplay the crisis, claiming that Sri Lanka received Indian and Chinese support to meet its energy requirements, Palitha said. However, foreign powers were exploiting the situation here to advance their agendas, Palitha added, urging the government to come out clean.

India was increasing its hold on Sri Lanka, the trade union activist said, noting that Sri Lanka had recently declared its intention to develop a section of the Trincomalee oil tank farm together with India. According to Palitha, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself had asked President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to fast-track the project.