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Sajith asks govt. to reveal what Sirisena disclosed about Easter Sunday terror masterminds

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Sajith

By Saman Indrajith

Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa called on the government yesterday to reveal the names of the masterminds of the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Premadasa told the Parliament that former President Maithripala Sirisena had now made a statement containing information about the Easter Sunday attacks. “We want to know the names and also the names of those who kept that information from the people. We call on the government to inform this House of the actions that it would take against those who concealed the information. Since 2019, hundreds of thousands of people, in this country, have been waiting to know the truth. There are commission reports pertaining to this incident. The government keeps this information from the people. The incumbent President promised to call for an international inquiry into the matter. That promise is yet to be delivered,” Premadasa said.

Leader of the House Susil Premajayantha said that the Attorney General’s Department had already begun legal action pertaining to remarks made by former President Maithripala Sirisena that he is aware of the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday attacks. “Making a statement with regard to the remarks made by MP Sirisena will be sub judice,” he said.

Premadasa: You came to power promising to take legal action against those responsible. What action have you taken?

Minister Premajayantha: You had been in the Cabinet of the government at that time. What action did you take to prevent the attacks? What have you done to apprehend the culprits?

Justice Minister Dr Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said that the Attorney General’s Department has implemented the actions recommended to it by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry which probed the Easter Sunday attacks, however other departments of law enforcement are yet to carry out theirs.

The Minister said that institutions, other than the AG’s Department, including the police, are yet to implement the recommendations of the PCoI. “The Presidential Commission which probed the Easter Sunday attacks made recommendations to various institutions such as the Attorney General’s Department and the police. The Attorney General’s Department had filed 41 court cases against 79 persons as of now. It is essential for the other institutions, such as the police, to implement the other recommendations of the Presidential Commission,” the Minister said.

MP Dr. Kavinda Jayawardana requested Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to get the former President to reveal everything that he knows about the Easter Sunday attacks.

“The Speaker has the right to get the former President to reveal in Parliament what he knows about the Easter Sunday attacks,” he said.



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Secretary to the President meets with heads of the Health sector

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A special discussion between Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and the heads of the health sector was held on Tuesday (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.

During the meeting, it was discussed that a committee would be formed to explore possible steps that could be taken through the President’s Fund to reduce the number of patients on long waiting lists for surgeries in government hospitals.

The committee is expected to submit a report on the matter within one month. Based on the findings, appropriate actions will be taken, as indicated by the Secretary to the President.

The discussion highlighted the significant number of patients, including those requiring cardiac, ophthalmic, and paediatric surgeries, who are currently awaiting procedures on long waiting lists at government hospitals.

Attention was also given to the potential support that could be provided by the President’s Fund and other relevant sectors to address the challenges faced by these patients.

Additionally, discussions were held regarding the possibility of conducting surgeries after regular working hours at government hospitals. The challenges faced by doctors and staff were also thoroughly discussed during the meeting.

The discussion was attended by several key officials, including Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Additional Secretary (Public Health Services) Dr. Lakshmi Somathunga, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, along with directors and specialist doctors from major hospitals across the country.

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Govt. plan to boost revenue with taxes on vehicle imports unrealistic, warns Harsha

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Dr. de Silva

By Saman Indrajith

SJB Colombo District MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament yesterday that vehicle imports would be affected by unusually high prices. Commencing the Second Reading debate from the Opposition side, Dr. de Silva said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had, in his Budget speech, projected a substantial portion of tax revenue from vehicle imports. “What is the feasibility of such expectations, given the current price surge,” the MP queried.

“Who can afford to import vehicles at these rates? I do not believe there are enough affluent individuals in Sri Lanka to sustain vehicle imports at these exorbitant prices.”

Providing examples of the dramatic price increase, Dr. de Silva pointed out that a Toyota Raize now cost Rs. 12.2 mn, a Toyota Yaris Rs. 18.5 mn, and a Toyota Prius a staggering Rs. 28.9 mn.

“Someone mentioned that a Toyota Vitz could be available at Rs. 1.4 mn.”

Dr. de Silva said that the government aimed to increase tax revenue by 1.6% of GDP with a significant portion expected from vehicle imports. However, he warned that achieving that target was unrealistic under current circumstances. The government must reassess its reliance on this sector for increasing tax revenue,” he said.

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SLN receives shallow water multi-beam echo sounder from Australia

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From left : Defence Advisor to the Australian High Commission in Colombo, Colonel Amanda Johnston, Australian HC in Colombo Paul Stephens, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and Chief Hydrographer of SLNHS and Commander Southern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Kosala Warnakulasooriya

Giving a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s hydrographic capabilities, the government of Australia handed over a state-of-the-art Shallow Water Multi-Beam Echo Sounder to the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) during a ceremony held at SLNS Rangalla today (18 Feb 25). The formal ceremony was held under the auspices of the High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, marking new chapter in the discipline of hydrography.

The Australian government provided the Sri Lanka Navy with this Multi Beam Echo Sounder to enhance its hydrographic capabilities. This advanced equipment will enable the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) to conduct precise hydrographic surveys, essential for creating nautical and electronic charts for international use. The device will also facilitate the production of high-precision nautical charts, ensuring safer maritime navigation.

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