News
MS reveals how Mahinda thwarted powerful nation’s bid to save Prabhakaran
By Saman Indrajith
A powerful Western country had been bent on saving Velupillai Prabhakaran during the last stage of the war in the guise of sending a ship to evacuate civilians used by the LTTE as human shield, but the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa had prevented it, former Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe revealed in Parliament yesterday.
Opening the third reading stage debate on budget 2021 from government ranks, parliamentarian Samarasinghe said that the former President had not been swayed by international presure and safeguarded the national interest. “When I was the Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights I was summoned to Temple Trees for an urgent meeting as there would be a foreign delegation led by an Ambassador of the most powerful country then. I would not reveal the country’s name. The conclusion of the war was only days away. The then Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Minister Basil Rajapaksa too were there. The meeting had been sought by the Ambassador’s country so the President asked what they needed. The Ambassador said many civilians were trapped in a small strip of land and the LTTE was using them as shields and if they could evacuate those civilians by ship if the President granted permission. The ambassador said that one of the ships belonging to their country was nearby and sought only the permission of the President to enter Sri Lankan waters. President Rajapaksa told the Ambassador that another powerful country in the region had also made the same request. Since the first country had not been given permission, he needed to discuss the matter with them first. When I asked him about the issue, the President put his hand on my shoulder and told me that if he allowed the evacuation, the LTTE leader Prabhakaran too would get into that ship and nobody would know what would happen in the middle of the sea. If Mahinda Rajapaksa had not stood up to that country, LTTE terrorism would have continued to plague the country.
MP Samarasinghe added that former President Rajapaksa had never hesitated to make the right decision for the sake of the country and never compromised the national interest.
The second day of the “Vesak Bhakti Gee Saraniya”, held in parallel with the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, commenced on Tuesday (13) at 6:30 p.m. under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat premises.
The evening featured musical performances by renowned vocalist Ilyas Beg and the Sri Lanka Air Force Bhakti Gee Troup, accompanied by the Air Force Band. A Vesak lantern exhibition was also held at the venue. The event was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with several senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat.
This Bhakthi Gee programme will continue today [May 14] and tomorrow at the same location. Additionally, a short-eats dansala is being held near the Presidential Secretariat for the benefit of the public visiting Colombo for Vesak, and will continue until May 16.
Meanwhile, a ‘Buth Dansala’ organized jointly by the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Army was inaugurated yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of senior military officers. A large number of devotees from across the country attended the event.
In line with the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ and ‘Bauddhaloka Vesak Kalapya’, several Vesak programmes have been organized in the vicinity with the support of the Presidential Secretariat. These include the illumination of nearby government buildings and roads with decorative lights, and the display of Vesak lanterns, with the active participation of the Presidential Secretariat staff.
[PMD]
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital
Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
“Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” continues in the vicinity of the President’s office
French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ sets sail from Colombo
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