News
Ranawaka says ‘political underworld’ suppresses dissent
United Front Leader MP Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday said that there was a political underworld, which suppressed democratic dissent in every conceivable manner.
Speaking to journalists soon after visiting former MP Hirunika Premachandra at Welikada Prison, Ranawaka said Hirunika had raised her voice against the government and become one of the victims of political underworld’s coercion. “We do not criticise the court process that ended with Hirunika being sentenced to jail. We hope that her appeal against the judgement would be considered. But this is a clear example of how selective justice is being implemented,” he said, adding that there were many who deserved to be behind the bars roaming free.
Ranawaka said that the political underworld made use of mudslinging, harassment, intimidation to coerce to silence the dissent. “There are many who do not pay taxes; many who have defaulted on bank loans and stashed away ill-gotten funds overseas.
No legal action has been taken against them as they are part of the political underworld. Law is being implemented against only those who criticise the government. We must unite against this political underworld,” Ranawaka said.
Prime Munister Dr Harini Amarasuriya returned to the island this (23rd) morning after attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland,
The Sri Lanka Navy successfully conducted a diving operation on 19 Jan 26 to inspect and restore the sluice gate of the Bomburuella Reservoir.
Acting on a request from the Department of Irrigation, the Sri Lanka Navy deployed a specialized diving team from the Western Naval Command, for the urgent requirement.
Through concerted effort, the Navy divers successfully cleared accumulated debris, including a significant quantity of wooden fragments, which had impeded the sluice gate mechanism.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya held a series of high-level bilateral meetings on Wednesday [January 21] on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, engaging with representatives of the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme, and the global private sector.
The Prime Minister met with Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management. During the meeting, she expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for the support extended by the European Union and its member states following Cyclone Ditwa. The Prime Minister also briefed the Commissioner on the key findings of the World Bank’s GRADE report and requested continued EU support for Sri Lanka’s development and recovery efforts.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Alexander De Croo, representing the United Nations Development Programme. She expressed appreciation for the longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and the United Nations and acknowledged the UN’s support in flood relief and livelihood assistance. The Prime Minister noted that, following the mandate received at the parliamentary election, the government is focused on meeting public expectations through national rebuilding grounded in public trust and good governance. She further reaffirmed the Government of Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening social protection systems and safeguarding vulnerable communities.
In addition, the Prime Minister met with Robert M. Uggla, Chairman of A.P. Moller Holding. The discussion focused on engagement with the private sector and potential areas of collaboration.
These meetings reflected Sri Lanka’s continued engagement with international partners and global stakeholders to support recovery, development, and long-term economic stability.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
PM returns to the island
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