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President has proposed a government of Sinhala Buddhists by Sinhala Buddhists for Sinhala Buddhists – MP Wigneswaran
by Saman Indrajith
Thamil Makkal Thesiya Kuttani (TMTK) Jaffna District MP CV Wigneswaran told Parliament on Friday that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s policy statement proposed a government of the Sinhala Buddhists by Sinhala Buddhists for the Sinhala Buddhists.
Participating in the debate on the policy statement Wigneswaran said: “I carry no isms that conditions or motivates me. I have no prejudices against the president on party lines or racial lines. My sole purpose in participating in this debate is to examine the effect the policy statement might have on the people of the North and East.
There is no reference to the decades old problems of the Tamil speaking denizens of the North and East. The North and East whilst being part of Sri Lanka is majority Tamil speaking. It would have been ideal if his Excellency would have had adopted a holistic attitude towards the island keeping in mind the necessity to view the problems of the periphery from the standpoint of subsidiarity.
Nevertheless, let me refer to some of the salient features of the policy statement which we agree with since they form the substratum of the policies of the TMTK which I represent today.
Firstly, referring to the part of the statement which says the prime responsibility of a people’s representative is to serve the public and I am glad that his Excellency considers our positions as responsibilities and not privileges. That is our view too. Secondly, we are also in total agreement with him that jobs should not be distributed but generated. the generation of job opportunities is the need of the hour. Thirdly, we agree that our basic aim should be to strengthen the local economy and encourage local entrepreneurs to introduce modern technology to increase value addition and the urgent need for organic farming etc.
MP Wigneswaran also appreciated the State Ministers being given monetary provisions to carry development projects. “We fully agree with the steps taken to eradicate waste in all ministries and state institutions.”
Referring to the statement by the president that he would not betray the trust placed in him by his voters, Wigneswaran said that was a commendable sentiment but while carrying out his responsibilities he must be aware of the checks and balances placed on him by law and social expectations. Hence, he said that as India was partly responsible for introducing the 13th Amendment. India should be party to any attempt to change the 13th Amendment. “He cannot do away with the 13th Amendment arbitrarily,” Wigneswaran said.
News
Students of Vihara Maha Devi Girls’ College Kandy visit Presidential Secretariat and President’s House
A group of students from Vihara Maha Devi Girls’ College, Kandy visited the Presidential Secretariat, the President’s House and Colombo Port City today (09).
This program, organized by the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Education, and the Mass Communication Division of Parliament, offers schoolchildren the opportunity to explore important sites, including the Presidential Secretariat, the President’s House, Colombo Port City, and the Parliament. The students from Vihara Maha Devi Girls’ College, Kandy were fortunate to participate in this program.
During their visit, the students learned about the history of Parliament after touring the old Parliament building.
Director General (Legal) of the Presidential Secretariat Advocate J.M. Wijebandara, Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Air Vice Marshal Bandula Herath (Retd), and Principal of Vihara Maha Devi Girls’ College, Kandy Mrs. Nilakshika Hapugoda along with several teachers were present on this occasion.
Most Reverend Dr. Brian Udaigwe, the Vatican Ambassador to Sri Lanka, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (09).
During the meeting, the Vatican Ambassador congratulated President Dissanayake on his recent election victory, conveying heartfelt greetings from His Holiness Pope Francis, the Head of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of the Vatican City State.
Ambassador Udaigwe also extended best wishes for the continued success and prosperity of Sri Lanka under the new President’s leadership. In his remarks, Dr. Udaigwe expressed optimism about Sri Lanka’s future, stating that positive developments were forthcoming in line with the people’s aspirations. He commended President Dissanayake’s commitment to the welfare of the country and its citizens, offering the Vatican’s support in realizing the President’s vision for Sri Lanka.
Dr Udaigwe also lauded President Dissanayake’s initiative to conduct transparent and credible investigations into the tragic Easter Sunday bombings and assured the fullest cooperation of the Vatican in supporting the President’s efforts to bring justice and healing to the victims and their families.
In line with the forthcoming 75th Army Anniversary (10 October) a solemn ceremony was held on 7th October 2024 at the Battaramulla War Heroes’ Monument (Ranaviru Smarakaya) to pay tribute to the heroic sacrifices of the nation’s fallen War Heroes.
The Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, presided over the ceremony as the Chief Guest, lending a significant sense of respect and prominence to the occasion. The event commenced with singing the National Anthem, followed by a two-minute silence observed in honour of the nation’s fallen patriots.
Thereafter, the Chief Guest, accompanied by several Senior Officers and Colonels of all regiments of the Sri Lanka Army laid floral wreaths and saluted paying a solemn tribute to the fallen War Heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for the sovereignty of the nation.
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Students of Vihara Maha Devi Girls’ College Kandy visit Presidential Secretariat and President’s House
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