News
Nava Lanka Freedom Party claims 75% of progressive forces with it
By Sirimantha Rathnasekera
The Nava Lanka Freedom Party (NLFP) has the support of 75 percent of progressive forces, party leader Kumara Welgama said on Thursday at an event to appoint 100 new electoral organisers.
Among those who were appointed electoral organisers are former ministers Nandimithra Ekanayaka, Priyangani Abeyweera, Milroy Fernando and Jayatissa Ranaweera, former Chief Minister Peshala Jayarathne, and ex-Kaduwela Mayor G.H. Buddadasa.
“These are all experienced politicians. We were trained by the best including former PM Sirimavo Bandaranaike. It’s our duty to teach the future generations of politicians. We are a new party and the journey is tough. However, if we work hard, we can win,” he said. Welgama said that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is irrelevant, and people only talk about the United National Party (UNP) because of President Ranil Wickemesinghe.
“The Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) has some standing with the people, but they didn’t take advantage of the anti-government protests. So, we have a good chance. The youth expect a system change. People abhor corruption. If a politician is free of corruption, people will embrace him or her,” he said.
Welgama said the National Council must not be a tool to protect the Rajapaksas. President Ranil Wickremesinghe is controlled by the Rajapaksas, but he can dissolve the Parliament in early 2023.
“We must be ready when that happens. If we act now, most of our people will win at the general election. We must be open and critical. We must have internal democracy. I always tell our organisers to criticise me. Nothing good comes out of flattery,” he said.
Following the conclusion of bilateral discussions between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, official-level talks between the delegations of Sri Lanka and India commenced this morning (05) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath; Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Anil Jayantha; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, along with other senior officials.
The Indian delegation included Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and His Excellency Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, along with several other senior officials of the Government of India.
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who arrived in Sri Lanka on the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake on Friday [04] night, visited the Presidential Secretariat this morning (05).
The Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake upon his arrival at the Presidential Secretariat.
Prime Minister Modi is currently on a state visit to Sri Lanka, reaffirming the theme “Friendship of Centuries — Commitment to a Prosperous Future” which symbolises the longstanding ties between Sri Lanka and India. The Indian Premier is scheduled to remain in the country until tomorrow (06).
[PMD]
The official welcoming ceremony for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was held this morning (05) at the Independence Square in Colombo.
On arrival at the Independence Square the Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
Discussions between Sri Lankan and Indian delegations at the presidential secretariat
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Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi arrives at the presidential secretariat
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