News
SF calls on police and security forces not to harass protesters
By Saman Indrajith
SJB Gampaha District MP and former Army commander Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka yesterday in Parliament called on police and security force members not to harass or attack the protesters demanding the resignation of the government and the President.
“I call on the war-heroes in the police and tri-forces not to forget the fact that people have taken to the streets as they cannot bear the pressure on them under this government. I also call on the security force members to discharge their duties in a fair and just manner. Never harass the protesters just because you have been asked by your superiors to do so. The government cannot sack all security force members numbering hundreds of thousands, and police officers totalling around 60,000 for not following their orders. Even if the government sacks anyone, those who lose their jobs would be reinstated within three months of the victory of this struggle.
“I know that there is no huge difference between the pressure experienced by the war heroes and policemen and an areca nut caught in a nutcracker. The security force members know that those engaged in the struggle are their own kith and kin and farmers who feed this nation. The police and security forces cannot beat them because they know that the demands of the protestors and agitators are just demands.
“The struggle for justice will surely be won. The people will end victorious not the Rajapaksa cabal which has few senior officers still licking their sandals. I call on war heroes to do the just and carry out their duties to serve people,” Field Marshal Fonseka said.
A group of Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) members, including its Leader Mano Ganesan, met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Thursday (02) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
Extensive discussions were held on the issues faced by the Malayagam communities, particularly in relation to education, housing and land, as well as on the urgent measures required to address these concerns. The President paid special attention to all these matters.
Attention was also drawn to the recruitment of qualified Tamil-medium teachers to address the teacher shortage in estate sector schools and this too was discussed at length.
Members of Parliament P. Digambaram and V. Radhakrishnan, along with several other party members, were present at the meeting.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, held talks with Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Andrey Rudenko at the Foreign Ministry, in Colombo, on Thursday (02), with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
The Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the visiting Russian Deputy Minister noted that Russia regarded Sri Lanka as a long-standing friend.
Rudenko assured that Russia stood ready to support Sri Lanka when required, including in the swift supply of Russian oil to help address the current energy challenges, encouraging Russian investors to explore new opportunities in the country and promoting increased tourist arrivals.
He also expressed Russia’s readiness to provide compensation for Sri Lankan war veterans who had lost their lives in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Minister Herath welcomed Russia’s willingness to assist, emphasising that Sri Lanka valued the support extended by its “old friend”, particularly at a time when the country was facing pressing energy needs.
He noted that the two countries shared nearly seven decades of diplomatic relations and said the present moment provided an opportunity to further strengthen ties, including through long-term trade agreements.
The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in the fields of energy, investment, tourism and diplomacy, with both sides reiterating their commitment to further deepen the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and Russia.
Police yesterday arrested 157 foreign nationals in connection with an alleged organised online financial scam, conducted from a hotel in the Iranawila area in Chilaw.
The suspects were taken into custody during a raid carried out by the Police while they were staying at the hotel in Iranawila.
Police said the arrested group included 143 nationals from China, 13 from Bangladesh and one from Vietnam.
Investigators suspect the group had been involved in a coordinated online financial scam, targeting victims through digital platforms.
The suspects are being detained for further questioning while investigations are continuing to determine the full extent of the operation and whether additional individuals were involved.Police said further inquiries are underway.
By Norman Palihawadane
Iran executes two convicted members of banned opposition group
Afghanistan earthquake kills eight members of same family
Breakdown of the teams and groups of the FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the US after the final playoffs
365 US service members injured since start of Iran war – Pentagon
World Cup 2026: Italy’s football chief resigns after qualifying failure
Iran says it downed two US jets as search for one pilot continues
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News3 days ago2025 GCE AL: 62% qualify for Uni entrance; results of 111 suspended
-
News5 days agoTariff shock from 01 April as power costs climb across the board
-
News6 days agoInquiry into female employee’s complaint: Retired HC Judge’s recommendations ignored
-
Features7 days agoWhen seabed goes dark: The Persian Gulf, cable sabotage, and race for space-based monopoly
-
Features6 days agoNew arithmetic of conflict: How the drone revolution is inverting economics of war
-
Editorial3 days agoSearch for Easter Sunday terror mastermind
-
Business4 days agoHour of reckoning comes for SL’s power sector
-
Sports6 days agoSri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup heroes to play exhibition match in Kuala Lumpur