News
Sajith slams Ranil’s Red Sea move
Opposition and Samagi Jana Balwegaya leader Sajith Premadasa has said he was surprised by President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s declaration that Sri Lanka would send a warship to the Red Sea to deter Houthi attacks on commercial ships.
Premadasa said that the President’s claim that a warship would be deployed because Houthi attacks caused an increase in the prices of goods here couldn’t be accepted.
The SJB leader said so on Saturday (06), addressing a gathering at Nadagamuwa junior school, Minuwangoda, after declaring open a smart classroom built at a cost of Rs 1 mn. His response was the first from the Opposition after President Wickremesinghe, on 03 Jan., disclosed his directive to the Navy regarding the Red Sea mission.
Premadasa said that the proposed Red Sea deployment should be examined against the backdrop of the pathetic state of the economy and further deterioration in the wake of the increase and expansion of the Value Added Tax (VAT) with effect from 01 Jan., 2024.
“Why should Sri Lanka undertake such a costly military operation at a time when we are unable to meet even the basic requirements of our own citizens,” Premadasa said, urging the government to allow major powers to counter the challenge posed by the Houthis.
Commenting on the rapid increase in the cost of living in the wake of the VAT hike, MP Premadasa found fault with the government for its failure to recover stolen money. Those who robbed the country elected Wickremesinghe as the President in July 2022 and continued to back his agenda, MP Premadasa said. President Wickremesinghe reciprocated by protecting the crooks, the SJB leader alleged.
MP Premadasa said that those who joined the SJB hadn’t been promised any privileges and money. The party funds wouldn’t be used to engineer crossovers, the Opposition Leader said (SF)
The second day of the “Vesak Bhakti Gee Saraniya”, held in parallel with the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, commenced on Tuesday (13) at 6:30 p.m. under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat premises.
The evening featured musical performances by renowned vocalist Ilyas Beg and the Sri Lanka Air Force Bhakti Gee Troup, accompanied by the Air Force Band. A Vesak lantern exhibition was also held at the venue. The event was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with several senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat.
This Bhakthi Gee programme will continue today [May 14] and tomorrow at the same location. Additionally, a short-eats dansala is being held near the Presidential Secretariat for the benefit of the public visiting Colombo for Vesak, and will continue until May 16.
Meanwhile, a ‘Buth Dansala’ organized jointly by the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Army was inaugurated yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of senior military officers. A large number of devotees from across the country attended the event.
In line with the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ and ‘Bauddhaloka Vesak Kalapya’, several Vesak programmes have been organized in the vicinity with the support of the Presidential Secretariat. These include the illumination of nearby government buildings and roads with decorative lights, and the display of Vesak lanterns, with the active participation of the Presidential Secretariat staff.
[PMD]
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital
Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
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