News

SJB asks whether narcotic tablet ‘reverse’ was taken by prisoners or govt. members

Published

4 years ago

2020/12/2

By Saman Indrajith

Kurunegala District SJB MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha yesterday said in Parliament that a probe should be conducted to find out who actually used the particular narcotic tablets, which some government members claimed had been found in the Mahara Prison. “This is said to be a tablet with serious effects. Its name has been mentioned as ‘Reverse’. We are not sure whether the tablet is also used by the ministers and MPs of this government because all of them are moving backwards. None of them move forward. Does it mean that the government rank members are using the Reverse tablet.”

He said: “Minister Weerawansa said that there was an international conspiracy. When he says so, it is the duty of the government to investigate it given his experience in international conspiracies.”

The MP raised the issue as a point of order after JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake made a special statement on the recent incidents at the Mahara Prison.

Gampaha District SJB MP Dr Kavinda Jayawardana said that he had received many complaints that the prison authorities had not released the names of those killed and injured in the clash. “The parents and loved ones of the inmates in the Mahara prison have now gone there and are waiting outside to know who had actually been killed and wounded. The authorities should release their names to the public.”

Gampaha District SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna: The clash started because the inmates demanded that PCR tests should be conducted. Now, the parents weeping outside the prison are asking whether their children in the prison are still alive. This is a serious issue. Nine persons have been killed.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena: You are raising the same issue as JVP Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake. You are repeating what he said.

MP Harshana Rajakaruna: No this issue matters to us. I am from the Mahara electorate in the Gampaha District. Many of the inmates in the Mahara are from our district. Their parents call me and call for our intervention to find out what has befallen their loved one. The names of the dead and the injured must be made public.”

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Commander of USINDOPACOM Admiral Samuel J. Paparo calls on President Dissanayake

Published

7 hours ago

2025/03/21

Priyan

A meeting between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, the Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), was held today (21) at the Presidential Secretariat.

During the discussion, Admiral Paparo extended his best wishes to President Disanayake and the new government on their planned initiatives. He also acknowledged Sri Lanka’s continued support in ensuring the security of the Indian Ocean region and maintaining a peaceful maritime environment.

Furthermore, Admiral Paparo reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to strengthening the enduring bilateral ties between the two nations and expressed support for Sri Lanka’s new governmental policies.

President Disanayake conveyed his appreciation for the assistance provided by the United States in enhancing human resources within Sri Lanka’s defence sector. The President also acknowledged the longstanding support extended by the U.S. in this regard.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, Lieutenant Colonel Anthony C. Nelson of the U.S. Army, and Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to the United States Indo-Pacific Command David Ranz were also present at the meeting.

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SriLankan Airlines flights to and from London Heathrow airport cancelled today

Published

11 hours ago

2025/03/21

Priyan

SriLankan Airlines has announced that SriLankan Airlines flights UL 503 (Colombo to London Heathrow), scheduled to depart at 12:50 hrs and UL 504 (London Heathrow to Colombo), scheduled to depart at 20:40 hrs today [21 March 2025], have been cancelled.

Passengers requiring assistance are encouraged to contact the SriLankan Airlines Customer Centre at 1979 (within Sri Lanka), +94117 77 1979 (international) or +94744 44 1979 (WhatsApp chat) or reach out to their nearest SriLankan Airlines office or their travel agent.

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London’s Heathrow airport shuts after fire causes power outage

Published

11 hours ago

2025/03/21

Priyan

[Aljazeera file pic]

The United Kingdom’s Heathrow airport has closed until midnight on Friday due to a power outage, throwing the plans of tens of thousands of travellers into chaos.

London’s main airport, which is Europe’s busiest gateway, said on Friday that it had suffered a “significant” power failure due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the facility.

“To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will be closed until 23h59 on 21 March,” Heathrow airport said in a post on X.

“Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport and should contact their airline for further information. We apologise for the inconvenience.”

Flight tracking website FlightRadar24 said the shutdown would affect “at least” 1,351 flights.

“We’re trying to stop passengers from travelling to the airport, and then work with airline partners on flights that are delayed, diverted, or cancelled,” a Heathrow spokesperson told Al Jazeera. “Passengers can reach out to airline partners to work on rebooking.”

Al Jazeera’s Jonah Hull, reporting from London, said the roads leading to the airport were blocked, causing “traffic chaos locally”.

“But local traffic disruption is nothing compared to the air traffic disruptions that will be spreading around the world,” he said.

Heathrow is one of the most globally connected airports and regularly ranks among the top five busiest gateways worldwide.

The airport serves more than 200 destinations in nearly 90 different countries and territories, and last year handled nearly 84 million passengers, the largest number on record.

[Aljazeera]