News
SJB demands apology from those who hoodwinked people
Everyone who had duped the people into voting for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) administration into power must apologise to the people, Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) MP Lakshman Kirielle said in Parliament on Wednesday.
“There were officials, professionals, artistes, etc., who duped the people. They must tender a public apology. The government MPs can’t go to the village and that’s why they are delaying elections,” he said.
Kiriella said that various governments had delayed elections. “However, this only made the governments more unpopular. People are angry. An election will give them a chance to elect a government they want. Otherwise, people will get on the road and there will be chaos,” he said.
The SJB MP said that in 2020 and 2021, the SLPP administration blinded by power had taken a number of disastrous initiatives. “They brought in the 20th Amendment ignoring Standing Orders. We brought 40 amendments. Minister Ali Sabry, who was the Justice Minister, ignored them all. He too was blinded by power. They fell from their high horses this year. A few months ago, during the height of the Aragalaya, Minister Sabry was in tears and whined that he would leave ministerial positions. Now, he has found his voice again. He sounded pompous again on Thursday,” he said.
Kiriella said the Wickremesinghe administration could not guide Sri Lanka out of the economic crisis. The government was full of MPs without a conscience. “There are MPs in the government who voted for dismantling independent commissions. The same people voted for re-establishing them a few months ago. They will do anything to hold on to power,” he said.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Showery condition over the island is expected to reduce from tomorrow (15th)
USA’s Ali Khan claims having been ‘denied’ India visa ahead of T20 World Cup
At least 28 dead as crane collapses onto train in Thailand
Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
Trump cancels US-Iran meetings, urges protesters to take over institutions
Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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