News
MP Ramanathan sees sinister motives in those opposing Chinese funded projects
By Dinasena Ratugamage
Opposition to Chinese-funded projects was politically motivated, SLFP MP Angajan Ramanathan said yesterday.
MP Ramanathan said that since Independence Sri Lanka had received foreign aid from many countries. “However, in recent times, some groups have been painting a black picture of China. While claiming that they are against discrimination, they are spreading the most awful xenophobic propaganda against the Chinese.”
Addressing the media in Jaffna, MP Ramanathan said Sri Lanka and China had maintained commercial and diplomatic relations for thousands of years and Sri Lanka had had a small Chinese community for centuries.
“Now, some Opposition parties are objecting to the Chinese-funded projects. This is strange because when these parties were in power, they too asked for and received Chinese aid. It is wrong to spread malicious propaganda against one of our best friends.”
MP Ramanathan said that recently TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran had alleged that Chinese nationals were engaged in road construction work in the North.
“The TNA MP even posted a photo of a construction worker on social media claiming that he was a Chinese national. However, the person in the photo was a Sri Lankan Muslim from Batticaloa. This is the kind of allegations these people make,” the SLFP MP said.
BBC reported that at least 17 people have been killed in an explosion at a mosque in the Pakistani city of Peshawar.
The blast happened when the mosque was packed with worshippers and more than 90 people were injured.
A section of the building was destroyed, and officials say people are buried under the rubble. Several others are being taken to local hospitals.
The cause of the explosion is unclear.
BBC reported that residents in flood-hit northern New Zealand are bracing for more heavy rains as officials issued severe weather alerts.
At least four people have died and a state of emergency was declared in Auckland, which on Friday experienced its worst downpour on record.
by Priyan de Silva
Chairman of the Election Commission of Sri Lanka, Nimal Punchihewa, asked to comment on a special news release, purportedly issued by the Director General of the Department of Government Information, on Sunday (29), told The Island that preparations for the 09 March local government elections were going ahead, as planned, and that the media statement at issue was misleading.
The media statement says: “The gazette notice with signatures of the Chairman and other members of the Election Commission required for the commencement of the Local Government election process has not been sent to the Government Press for printing.”
Punchihewa requested the public not to be misled by any misinformation being spread in an attempt to create doubts in their minds.He also reiterated that the EC would not be deterred by any acts of intimidation.
Three of the EC members have been threatened with death by an unidentified caller to resign from their posts. They are S. B. Divaratne, M. M. Mohamed and K. P. P. Pathirana. The Opposition has accused the government of trying to sabotage the LG polls.
At least 17 killed after explosion in Peshawar mosque
More heavy rain ahead for New Zealand’s largest city
Very heavy showers (150mm) likely in Northern, Eastern, Uva, North Central and Central Provinces
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