News
Several opposition parties to work together in areas where they share common ground
SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa Wednesday told a Colombo meeting attended by several opposition parties and groups sharing common ground on forthcoming legislation that the proposed Anti-Terrorist law now moved to the back burner by the government endangered Sri Lanka’s entire 22 million population of being labeled terrorists.
The meeting at the Mandarin Hotel in Colombo on World Media Day was attended, in addition to the SJB by SLMC Leader Rauf Hakeem, SLPP dissidents Prof. GL Peiris, Mr. Gevindu Cumaranatunga, Ven. Athureliya Ratana, Chandima Weerakkody, SJBs Lakshman Kiriella, Ranjith Maddumabandara,Imthiyaz Bakeer Markar, Harshana Rajakaruna, Gyanatha Karunathilake and a representative of the Kandurata Janata Party’s leader C Chandrasekran.
Premadasa said that despite some differences among them, they shared a lot of common ground on many matters related to what the government was doing and they would act together to resist such developments.
“Different political parties have their own standpoints on many matters,” Premadasa said. “But today we have to come together on a number of issues that are nationally important. The Broadcasting Authority Act the government is preparing today for media control, is one example. We are all of the view that it will deal a death blow to media freedom. So also the Anti-Terrorism Act to democracy.”
SLMC Leader Rauf Hakeem said that there was no need for a new anti-terror law. Emergency law provisions under the Public Security Ordinance are sufficient to counter threats of terrorism. Minority parties in the opposition have a strong position on the Anti-Terrorism Act, he said. It is their position that any act of terrorism could be controlled through laws such as the Penal Code, the Criminal Law Provisions Act and the Evidence Act.”
Prof. GL Peiris raised the X-Pess Pearl issue that had created massive environmental devastation and will come up for discussion in parliament next week. The possibility of obtaining USD 6.4 million damages (not a loan) has been endangered by what the government is doing. This was over double the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility and much worse than the Central Bank bond scam.
Many questions on this issue must be raised and presented to the people to build up massive public opinion.
SLPP dissident MP Gevindu Cumaratunga said that the attention must be paid during parliamentary discussions to the X-Press Pearl matter and the unconstitutional Central Bank Act as determined by the courts.
“Only one day has been reserved for the debate on the Central Bank Act. The court suggested alternatives to all 46 basic clauses. This could be passed subject to those alternative proposals being adopted. The Speaker announced this determination distorting its meaning. After MPs protested about this, it had to be read again,” he said.
SLPP dissident MP Aturaliye Ratana thero said that opposition parties must come together to find common answers to the country’s present problems.
“In today’s world, there is no left-right divides. At this time, there is a major issue on why the Anti-Terrorism Act is being presented when a solution should be sought for the present crisis,” he said.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a high-level dialogue titled “Tourism as Soft Power and Diplomatic Capital” held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin Davos, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on January 20.
The session explored how tourism functions as a strategic instrument of diplomacy by strengthening international trust, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation through mobility and people-to-people engagement. The Prime Minister shared the panel with Mr. Kuban Omiraliyev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States and Mr. Meshari Alnahar – CEO Aseer Investment Company, Saudi Arabia.
Addressing global trends, the Prime Minister emphasized that Sri Lanka is an example of hope, recovery and resilience in a world of conflict demonstrating how tourism can play a critical role in a changing global environment particularly amid climate shocks, geopolitical instability, and uneven economic recovery. She noted that tourism is not only an economic sector but also a vital diplomatic bridge that supports livelihoods, builds relationships and connects people.
Drawing on Sri Lanka’s recent experience, she highlighted the country’s strong tourism recovery despite multiple crises, including the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. Transparent crisis management and strategic engagement with international partners helped sustain visitor confidence, resulting in record tourist arrivals even in challenging circumstances.
The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of green and climate friendly tourism infrastructure and underlined that Sri Lanka welcomes long term investment in tourism. She pointed out that tourism supports millions of jobs worldwide and that inclusive policies are essential to ensure fair opportunities, particularly for women and vulnerable communities.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 20 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized two (02) Indian fishing boats and apprehended seven (07) Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan, Jaffna.
The seized boats and Indian fishermen was to be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a series of high-level bilateral meetings on January 20 on the sidelines of the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.
The Prime Minister attended a productive bilateral meeting with Mr. Jozef Síkela, European Commissioner for International Partnerships. During the discussion, both sides focused on strengthening Sri Lanka–EU cooperation and advancing mutual interests.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Mr. Masato Kanda, President and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), at the WEF Congress Centre. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss ongoing engagement and future collaboration between Sri Lanka and the ADB.
In addition, the Prime Minister held discussions with Mr. Hassan El Houry, Chairman of Menzies Aviation, where opportunities for collaboration in aviation services and connectivity were explored.
The Prime Minister also participated in a high-level dialogue at the Global Tourism Forum held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin, Davos, as part of the World Economic Forum engagements.
Dr. Anil Jayantha, Minister of Labour, and the Deputy Minister of Finance were also present at these meetings.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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