News
SJB to launch hunger strike to remove COPE Chairman
By Saman Indrajith
A hunger strike campaign will be initiated soon if Rohitha Abeygunawardena is not removed from the Chairman post of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) with immediate effect, says SJB Kurunegala District MP Nalin Bandara told Parliament.
MP Bandara said yesterday: “The members of the COPE are resigning one by one. Already eight members have tendered their resignations. Their protest is a reflection of displeasure the public have against appointing Abeygunawardena to this position. We demand that the Chairman be replaced with an MP from the Opposition. Whenever we raise this issue, the Chair tries to remain non-committal stating this and that. It should tell this House whether the Chairman would be removed or not,” Bandara said.
He said so when newly appointed COPE member SLPP Kandy District MP Wasantha Yapa Bandara announced his resignation from the Committee yesterday.
Soon after Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakshe announced to the House that the business committee had nominated MP Yapa Bandara’s name to the COPE to fill the vacancies created by resignations, Yapa Bandara got up and stated that he would resign. “This Committee demands that a member from the Opposition should be appointed as its Chairman. As such I resign from this Committee. I will send my resignation in writing,” Yapa Bandara said.
Nalin Bandara said: “Time has come for the Chair to announce to the House what it is intending to do in the face of these resignations. This crisis is evolving fast to become a catastrophe because people consider this a joke. This will further erode public trust in Parliament. As the Chair goes on without heeding to the voice of the people, it seems we’ll have to start a hunger strike to effect this change.”
Nine members have resigned from COPE since the appointment of Abeygunawardena to chair the committee.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
INS Sahyadri sets sail from Colombo
Belgian prince loses bid for benefits on top of £300k royal allowance
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
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