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Scrap bogus ‘national council’ – MP Kumarasiri

Published

4 years ago

2022/09/23

By Saman Indrajith

The government was trying to mislead Sri Lankans and the international community by setting up a ‘national council’ that did not have the support of most political parties, independent MP Sarath Kumarasiri told the media yesterday.Kumarasiri added that they had asked former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to establish a genuine all-party government and a national council five months ago to get the country out of trouble.

“We told him on 19 April that the people were angry because the economic situation was deteriorating. Not only us but also 11 political parties including Wimal Weerawansa’s National Freedom Front (NFF) and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) called for an all-party government. We told Gotabaya to ask then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to resign and start discussions with all political parties in Parliament. We even tried to meet Mahinda but his henchmen did not allow us to meet him. Because Gotabaya and Mahinda didn’t listen to us, they lost popularity and power and ultimately allowed Ranil Wickremesinghe to establish an illegitimate government,” Kumarasiri said.

Kumarasiri said Wickremesinghe had no power and that he was dependent on the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) to remain in power. Ever since Wickremesinghe came into power he had been unsuccessfully trying to establish an all-party government, the MP said.

“The Opposition doesn’t want to join the council because the government is not sincere about uniting everyone. Most Sri Lankans understand this. The government MPs still can’t go and work among the people. Now Wickremesinghe is trying to set up a phony national council to convince the world and at least some Sri Lankans that he has the support of all parties in parliament,” Kumarasiri said.

“The government needs to secure IMF funding and carry out a painful and complex debt restructuring process. The IMF and some bilateral creditors have asked for political stability and have commented that the Wickremesinghe government might not have the support of the people for IMF reforms. On the other hand, the UNHRC has alleged that serious economic crimes have taken place in the country and has demanded the government to look into this.

“These are serious problems for the government. Can it carry out reforms without being transparent and the support of all parties? Can it punish the economic hitmen that have destroyed the country? If you look at how the government has responded to the opposition’s demands to table the framework or agreement with the IMF, it’s obvious that they have no desire to be transparent and open, even now. However, Sri Lankans and the international community, including China, want transparency. Instead of being honest, the government is trying to mislead everyone by setting up a bogus ‘national council.”

Kumarasiri said the government must stop manipulating the people and make genuine moves to address the concerns of the people. The President is the hostage of the SLPP and the MPs who back him lack popular support.

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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura

Published

6 hours ago

2026/06/13

Priyan

The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued early warnings to the Districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura from 1600hrs on 13th June 2026 till 1600hrs on 14th June 2026.

Accordingly,

LEVEL I (YELLOW) landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surounding areas of Palindanuwara and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district, Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya and Ayagama, Pelmadulla,
Godakawela, Elapatha, Kalawana, Ratnapura and Nivithigala in the Ratnapura district.

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INS Sharda departs Colombo concluding replenishment visit

Published

7 hours ago

2026/06/13

Priyan

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) ‘Sharda’ departed the island today (13 Jun 26), concluding her replenishment purposes.

On departure the vessel was accorded a traditional naval farewell by the Sri Lanka Navy at the Port of Colombo.

The visit also paved the way for vibrant personnel interactions, fostering camaraderie and goodwill. The crew of INS Sharda and personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy participated in a
friendly volleyball match and a joint yoga session. A

dditionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel had the opportunity to visit the Indian naval vessel, while the visiting crew took time to explore several culturally significant landmarks across the island.

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Special Dengue Prevention Week declared in Colombo District from June 15 to 21

Published

19 hours ago

2026/06/13

Priyan

A decision has been taken to declare a Special Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 of June by the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee to curb the spread of the disease in the Colombo District.

This decision was taken at the meeting of the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee held on Friday (12) at the Colombo District Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Compared to last year, the number of dengue cases reported this year has increased significantly. According to the National Dengue Control Unit, approximately 39,100 dengue cases have been reported island wide to date, of which 25.8% have been recorded in the Colombo District. Following this situation, the Colombo District has been identified as a high-risk district.

Health authorities informed that the increasing spread of the disease has been influenced not only by the nature of circulating virus but also to the lack of sufficient immunity among the population. They further noted that the recent period of heavy rainfall has aggravated the spread of Dengue.

It was also identified that the current outbreak is being reported more frequently from public places such as government institutions, private establishments, schools, and religious venues rather than from residential premises. Observations have identified improperly managed solid waste and drainage systems in offices and other public locations as major breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Accordingly, during the Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 June, a series of measures will be implemented, including, organising community clean-up campaigns in government and private institutions, schools, residential areas, and other public spaces; Conducting inspections of high-risk premises by Divisional Secretariats and taking legal action, where necessary, followed by awareness programmes; Distributing informational leaflets, displaying banners, and carrying out public awareness campaigns through the media. Health authorities also requested school administrations not to involve students below Grade 10 in school cleaning programmes and to immediately notify the relevant Medical Officer of Health (MOH) office if a student is diagnosed with dengue.

The programme is expected to receive the active support and participation of the district’s political leadership, religious leaders of all faiths, public officials, local government institutions, the tri-forces, the police, and the general public.

The event was attended by the Chairperson of the District Coordination Committee, Members of Parliament, representatives of local government authorities, government secretaries, police officers, and officials representing the education and health sectors, among others.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]