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NPP govt. asked to reveal stance on capture of Maduro
The Communist Party of Sri Lanka (CPSL) yesterday urged the NPP government to condemn the US intervention in Venezuela.The JVP has condemned the US military aggression but the JVP-led NPP government has chosen to remain silent on the issue, critics of the JVP allege.
Dr. G. Weerasinghe, General Secretary of the CPSL, in a statement issued on Sunday, asked the government to take, what the party called, a principled stand by condemning this act of aggression and reaffirming the country’s commitment to an independent foreign policy free from the pressures of global power blocs.
The following is the text of Dr. Weerasinghe’s statement: “CPSL expresses its strongest condemnation of the abduction of President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro and his wife by the United States. This act of international piracy ranks alongside the US abduction of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and the murder of Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba of the Democratic Republic of Congo. By this action, the USA has once again revealed its true colours as a global terrorist rogue state.
The CPSL also condemns the deliberate bombing of civilian infrastructure in Venezuela. Reports indicate that the bombings have deliberately targeted facilities essential to the daily life and wellbeing of the Venezuelan people, causing civilian casualties as well as severe hardship to an already burdened civilian population. Such actions bear disturbing
resemblance to the systematic destruction of civilian infrastructure carried out in Iraq, prior to the 2003 invasion; operations widely criticised by international observers at the time for their devastating humanitarian consequences. The deliberate targeting of civilian facilities constitutes a grave violation of international law and meets the definition of a war crime under established global norms.
The CPSL notes that this aggression cannot be separated from the broader imperialist objectives historically pursued by the United States. Venezuela possesses some of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, a fact that has long placed it in the crosshairs of external powers seeking control over strategic energy resources. Analysts have frequently argued that similar motivations underpinned the invasion of Iraq, including concerns over oil access, geopolitical dominance, and the preservation of global financial arrangements favourable to US interests. In the present case, the attack on Venezuela is accompanied by rhetoric framed around phoney anti-narcotic operations, serving as a pretext for intervention.
The CPSL firmly rejects these justifications and stands in solidarity with the Venezuelan people, who continue to resist external interference and defend their sovereignty.
The CPSL calls upon all democratic and peace-loving political parties, civil organizations, trade-unions and anti-imperialist forces to stand against barbaric actions of US imperialism and for independence and sovereignty of Venezuela.
Sri Lanka has historically upheld a proud tradition of non-alignment, grounded in the principles of respect for sovereignty, peaceful coexistence, and opposition to imperialist intervention. In this spirit, the CPSL calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to take a principled stand by condemning this act of aggression and reaffirming the country’s commitment to an independent foreign policy free from the pressures of global power blocs.
The CPSL reiterates its unwavering support for the Venezuelan people and urges the international community to oppose actions that undermine peace, stability, and the sovereign rights of nations.”
Protesting Development Officers continued their hunger strike near the Presidential Secretariat, Colombo yesterday (01), for the seventh consecutive day.The protesters, who are members of the Lanka School Development Officers’ Association, are demanding that they be absorbed into the teacher service as they have served as teachers in state-run schools for nearly seven years.
Secretary of the Association, Viraj Manaranga, said the protesters were seeking an urgent meeting with the President. He added that a presidential aide had visited the protest site and offered to arrange for a meeting with the President on 03 Feb., but the union insisted on an earlier date. Manaranga warned that failure to grant a meeting could trigger a massive protest in Colombo today (02).
Four officers participating in the hunger strike have been hospitalised due to deteriorating health, while two more joined the fast on Saturday (31).
In a bid to raise awareness of their grievances, on 30 January a delegation of the All Island Development Officers’ Association visited Most Venerable
Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera, Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter, and subsequently with the Chapter’s Registrar, Ven. Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera. The prelates said promises that had been made to them should be fulfilled.
The protest began on 26 January as a satyagraha, after authorities failed to respond to repeated requests to integrate the officers into the teaching service. The escalation into a fast-unto-death underscores the protesters’ frustration over the prolonged delay
by Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon
The long-vacant post of Auditor General would be filled on 03 Feb., after months of controversy and delays, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake said on Friday (31) in Kandy.
The Constitutional Council met at the Parliamentary complex on Friday to discuss the appointment but failed to reach a decision on a suitable candidate. The President had previously proposed four names on four separate occasions, all of which were rejected. The Council is now set to consider the fifth nominee.
The post has remained vacant since April 2025, following the retirement of Chulanta Wickramaratne, who served as the 41st Auditor General. More than 10 months have passed without a permanent appointment.
Sources said a female officer in the Auditor General’s Department has been nominated again, though her previous recommendation was rejected due to some allegations against her.
Meanwhile, senior audit officer Dharmapala Gammanpila, with 31 years of service and the department’s most senior official, has received backing from the Mahanayake Theras of the three Nikayas, the Maha Sangha, and several civil society groups for appointment as the 42nd Auditor General.
Sources noted that the three civil society representatives on the Constitutional Council will play a crucial role in the final decision.
by Chaminda Silva and SK Samaranayake
Two 18-year-old youth were arrested by the Southern Division of the Western Province Crime Division on 31 January for allegedly aiding and abetting two murders carried out in Dehiwala and Kohuwala. ICE (crystal meth) was found in their possession at the time of arrest.
The suspects are residents of Mount Lavinia and Boralesgamuwa, according to the police. They are accused of having helped carry out a murder at a hotel in the Dehiwala Police Division on 9 January, 2026, and an attack on a person travelling in a three-wheeler at Bodhiyawatta, Kohuwala, on 12 December, 2025.
Police said the charges included sending photographs of the victims to a criminal living overseas.
Investigations revealed that the youth had acted under the direction of a criminal known as Sando.
Under the guidance of Janaka Kumara, Director of the Southern Division of the Western Province Crime Division, investigations are being led by Police Inspector Hemanta Kumara, assisted by Sub-Inspectors Prasanna Gunathilaka and Prasanna (40248), and Constables Chaminda (72987), Anil (79598), Kumar (88762), and Senanayake (19363), who are continuing the probe.
by Norman Palihawadane and Chaminda Silva
China executes four more Myanmar mafia members
No decision yet on ICC meeting to discuss Pakistan boycott
Shoulder injury casts doubt over Eshan Malinga’s T20 World Cup
Showers expected in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Western, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Central provinces
Development Officers threaten to intensify their protest
Auditor General to be appointed tomorrow
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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