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Ramanayake languishes in prison while big time criminals are pardoned – former Speaker
Former MP Ranjan Ramanayake is languishing in prison while big-time criminals are pardoned by the President, Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Chairman of the National Movement for Social Justice, says.
Ramanayake’s career and health had been ruined because he fought against corruption, Jayasurya said, yesterda, addressing the media. “This is another example of how there is one law for the rich and the powerful, and another for others.”.
“In recent times, the government is harping on the ‘One Country, One Law’ policy. However, recent events have made it clear that one law exists to protect the powerful while another law exists to oppress the downtrodden. The majority of people today have come to understand this reality,” he said.
Jayasuriya said that the existing laws, rules, and regulations were sufficient to implement the government’s ‘One Country, One Law’ policy. “Justice and the rule of law can only prevail if the police, the public service and the legal sector are not politically influenced. If these are independent, democracy will be protected. People will be assured of their fundamental rights,” he said.
The government had failed to address any of the serious issues that were affecting the country, the former speaker said. The number of Covid-19 patients were rising and deaths had also occurred due to natural disasters such as floods and landslides, Jayasuriya said.
“People are being forced to queue for long hours to obtain essential items, such as food, gas, sugar and milk powder as a result of shortages directly linked to failures in management of the current government. Therefore, it is evident that the lives of the Sri Lankan people today are in complete disarray. They are disappointed and disillusioned as the government has failed to resolve these issues despite receiving unlimited powers through the 20th Amendment and securing a 2/3 majority in Parliament,” he said.
The former Speaker added that the government’s organic fertiliser policy had been a disaster. While organic agriculture was the future, it should be done following expert advice and consultation. It was obvious that the government had taken the decision to go green without any thinking or planning, he said.
“The government decided to ban the import of agrochemicals without talking to anyone. This should have been done differently and now the idea of organic agriculture is tainted. Because there has been no planning, the yield of many crops have drastically reduced not only due to the lack of fertiliser but also due to a decision made by farmers to halt cultivation until a solution is reached.
“Experts have already predicted that reduction of the yield by around 40 per cent is probable in the near future. There is also a significant price increase of vegetables. The lack of any relief on the rising cost of living in the recent Budget has also caused great concern among the public. It must be noted that the failure to compensate for the reduction in yields caused by the fertiliser crisis, and the effects of the human-elephant conflict in the Budget is a serious oversight,” he said.
Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, met with a delegation from the World Food Programme (WFP) at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (11).
During the meeting, the WFP representatives agreed to continue their on-going programs in Sri Lanka without disruptions.
Although the food crisis in Sri Lanka has eased to some extent, the WFP officials expressed their willingness to extend further support through new programme whenever additional needs arise.
The WFP delegation included WFP Country Director Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, the Government Partnerships Officer Musthafa Nihmath and the Gerard Rebello , WFP Sri Lanka ‘s Deputy Country Director. Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage, also attended the meeting.
News
President directs officials to provide a monthly allowance of Rs. 3,000 to Pensioners from Next Week
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials of the Ministry of Finance to take necessary action to provide a monthly interim allowance of Rs. 3000 to all pensioners, from next week.
After reviewing the delay in adding the Rs. 3000 allowance to the October pension, the President directed that this amount be credited to the pensioners’ accounts within the next week.
These instructions were given during a meeting held on Thursday (10) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat with senior officials of the Ministry of Finance, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Despite the circular No. 02/2024 dated 2024/08/24 issued by the Public Administration Department to grant a monthly interim allowance of Rs. 3000 to all pensioners, funds were not allocated for this purpose.
Upon reviewing the matter, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake informed the officials of the Ministry of Finance to ensure that the required funds are provided.
Considering the hardships faced by pensioners due to the non-payment of the Rs. 3000 allowance with the October pension, and their subsequent requests, the President decided to proceed with the payment from this month, despite the prevailing financial difficulties of the government.
Since the October pension has already been credited to the pensioners’ accounts, the President instructed officials to ensure that the Rs. 3000 allowance is credited to their accounts within the next week, and from next month, this allowance will be added to the monthly pension.
Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardena and several senior officials from the Ministry of Finance were present at this meeting
[PMD]
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Sail Training Warship ‘PO LANG’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on 08th October 2024, departed the island today (11th October), on successful completion of its formal visit. The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Colombo port, following naval traditions.
While the ship was in Colombo, the crew took the opportunity to explore some of the country’s tourist attractions. They also participated in various programmes designed to foster camaraderie between the two navies. Moreover, Sri Lanka Navy personnel attended briefings on the operational functions of the visiting ship.
WFP Assures Continuous Support to Sri Lanka
President directs officials to provide a monthly allowance of Rs. 3,000 to Pensioners from Next Week
Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Sail Training Warship ‘PO LANG’ departs Island
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