News
PAFFREL suggests fertiliser subsidy be granted until the conclusion of nomination period
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The government should be permitted to provide a fertiliser subsidy to farmers until the conclusion of the nomination period, on 11 October, for the general election, Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director of the People’s Action for Free & Fair Election (PAFFREL), told The Island yesterday (04).
Hettiarachchi warned that delaying the fertiliser subsidy could have a detrimental effect on agriculture, which would, in turn, harm the country’s economy.
“We must ensure the wellbeing of the agricultural sector. A setback in one agricultural season could have knock-on effects,” he said.
Hettiarachchi, however, emphasised that political parties should not be allowed to gain advantage from the subsidy scheme. “We are set to have three elections in quick succession: the Presidential Election held on 21 September, the General Election on 14 November, and the local government election shortly after. Each election cycle spans approximately two months. Typically, we do not permit the government to engage in such activities during this period as the ruling party often tries to gain political mileage,” he said.
Hettiarachchi stated that he had spoken to the Elections Commission, which may allow the fertiliser subsidy to be distributed until 11 October.
He also urged political parties to allocate more space for women and young people in their nomination lists for the upcoming General Election on 14 November.
“At the very least, there should be two women nominated per district,” he said.Hettiarachchi noted that while only 196 candidates will be elected by the public, PAFFREL expects over 3,000 candidates to contest the election.
It has been reported that two persons riding a motorcycle were killed in a shooting incident that took place around 11.45pm on Friday [21] night , in front of the southern entrance of the Devundara Sri Vishnu Devalaya, on Sinhasana Road.
The unidentified gunmen, who arrived in a van, opened fire using a T-56 assault rifle and 9 mm firearms before fleeing the scene. The police have recovered 39 T-56 bullet casings, two T-56 rounds of live ammunition, a T-56 magazine, three 9 mm bullet casings, and one 9mm live ammunition.
The van suspected to have been used by the shooters was found abandoned and set on fire on a side road about 800 meters from the crime scene.
The two deceased victims have been identified as Tikira Hennedige Yomesh Nadishan and Marakkala Manage Pasidu Tharuka, both residents of Sinhasana Road, Devinuwara.
Matale Dirstrict SJB MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna yesterday tabled a list in Parliament naming 1,300 members, leaders, trade unionists, and activists of the UNP, who were allegedly assassinated by the JVP. The list was submitted during a parliamentary session as part of the government’s ongoing effort to document victims of political violence.
Along with the names of the victims, MP Wijerathna also introduced over 900 family members of the alleged victims, providing further context to the extent of the violence.
Speaking during the session, MP Wijerathna stated, “Child soldiers were recruited by the JVP even before the LTTE. ‘Kantale Bonikki,’ a 13-year-old child was used to murder a 70-year-old female UNP supporter.” She accused the JVP of using children to kill numerous UNP members during the JVP’s second insurgency.
The MP said that names not included in the current list would be submitted during the upcoming “Batalanda Debate” in April.
MP Wijerathna invited the public, via her Facebook page to submit further details on family members affected by political violence to ensure their inclusion in the extended record.
Deputy Labour Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe yesterday informed Parliament that a CID probe had been called into land deals involving former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa in Gampaha.
Jayasinghe said a request has been made by the Acting IGP in that regard.
The Deputy Minister said the lands in the Imbulgoda and Makola had been purchased in 2012 and sold in 2023.
He told Parliament that a plot of land purchased in Ihala Imbulgoda in 2012 under the Mahinda Rajapaksa Spiritual Foundation for Rs. 500,000 has been sold for Rs. 10 million, adding that the owner of the land is one Shiranthi Wickramasinghe Rajapaksa of Carlton House, Tangalle.
Jayasinghe said that another plot of land in Makola that was purchased for Rs. 01 million has been sold for Rs. 12 million, of which the owner was Shiranthi Wickramasinghe Rajapaksa of Carlton House, Tangalle. Inquiries into the land deals have revealed that the deeds had been drawn up and signed at Temple Trees and had been transferred in 2023 to a person residing in Nugegoda.
Trump revoking protections for 530,000 Cubans, Haitians and other migrants
Heavyweight boxing legend George Foreman dies aged 76, says family
Two persons shot dead at Devinuwara
-
Foreign News7 days agoSearch continues in Dominican Republic for missing student Sudiksha Konanki
-
Business1 day agoCargoserv Shipping partners Prima Ceylon & onboards Nestlé Lanka for landmark rail logistics initiative
-
Sports4 days agoSri Lanka to compete against USA, Jamaica in relay finals
-
Features6 days agoThe Royal-Thomian and its Timeless Charm
-
Features6 days ago‘Thomia’: Richard Simon’s Masterpiece
-
Business1 day agoSri Lankans Vote Dialog as the Telecommunication Brand and Service Brand of the Year
-
Features1 day agoThe Vaping Veil: Unmasking the dangers of E-Cigarettes
-
Business4 days agoAffairs of SriLankan Airlines could be turned around using local expertise – former CAA chair