News
‘Reconciliation took precedence over national security under yahapalana govt.’
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Reconciliation had figured above national security on the Defence Ministry’s list of priorities under the yahapalana government and it was a mistake, former Chief of National Intelligence Sisira Mendis yesterday told the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating the Easter Sunday attacks.
The witness said so in answer to a question from one of the Commissioners.
“Yes, reconciliation came first. The previous government was trying to improve the country’s image because Sri Lanka was facing many issues internationally. A lot of foreigners came in to talk about reconciliation and the Defence Secretaries had to sit down with them and have long discussions.”
The witness added that there had been times when he wondered if they were talking about intelligence gathered during weekly intelligence review meetings.
“The government also wanted to release lands in the North that were held by the security forces. This is not an easy thing to do. Releasing land took so much of our time. There were no barriers on the roads and no search operations. People forgot about security. I knew the importance of national security but there wasn’t anything we could do.”
Although representatives of intelligence agencies were to meet on Tuesday every month, those meetings were never held as scheduled between July 2015 and April 2019, he said.
The weekly intelligence review meetings were to be chaired by either the State Minister of Defence or the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, he said.
“Four meetings should be held each month but the representatives never met four times a month between July 2015 and April 2019,” Mendis said.
During some months only one meeting had been held, he said.
“Although the State Minister chaired some of them initially, he did not attend any meeting in 2019,” he added.
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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