News
SJB urges Speaker to restore TNA MP Sumanthiran’s security
by Saman Indrajith
The main opposition SJB in Parliament called on Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to intervene in restoring the security detail given to TNA Jaffna district MP, M. A. Sumanthiran.
Chief Opposition Whip, Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella, said that Sumanthiran’s life has been exposed to danger and his security should be restored without further delay.
“We know the outcome of removing the security of political leaders who were under threat. When Janaka Perera contested for the Chief Minister post of the North Central Province, his security detail was removed. There was only one bodyguard left with him on the day he was killed. That was a very unfortunate incident. We have lost many good Tamil political leaders. It is our duty to protect the minorities and we call on the Speaker to take action to restore MP Sumanthiran’s security”, he said.
MP Kiriella said that an MP’s security should not be removed just because he participates in a protest march. “When Mahinda Rajapaksa took part in the Pada Yathra, his security was not removed. The then President Ranasinghe Premadasa ensured his security. That is political morality,” the chief opposition whip said.
Gampaha District SJB MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said that it was wrong to say a court order had been taken against the protest march. “As far as we know, the court order had been taken against violating quarantine laws. You cannot remove the security of an MP on the charge of violating quarantine laws”.
He further said: “It is wrong to describe the attempt to restore Sumanthiran’s security as an attempt to give security to a terrorist. Then what about the security given to Karuna Amman and Pillaiyan? Who is Pillayan? He used to come to my office on all-fours. Now look at how he stands up amidst his bodyguard soldiers. Sumanthiran was always against terrorism. It is unfair to rank him among terrorists”.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa: Sumanthiran was given a special security detail due to threats on his life. It has been removed now. However, the threats continue. I therefore request the Speaker to intervene in this matter to restore the MP’s security.
Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (Retd) Sarath Weerasekera: I removed Sumanthiran’s security as he participated in protests despite police warnings and court orders. We cannot give police protection to a person who attends unauthorized protests which are illegal. On the other hand, if Sumanthiran has real threats against his life, he should not go to places where 2,000-2,500 persons had gathered. He did that.
“Even after doing that, he is still alive. This means he has no threat to his life. So we have been right in removing his security. I informed him that it was a joke to provide police or STF security to persons who take part in illegal events. He did so against court orders.”
Sumanthiran said in Parliament the previous day that the government should take responsibility if anything should happen to him. The STF security of the MP was withdrawn immediately after his participation in the five-day Pottuvil to Polikandy march by Tamil political parties, civil society activists, and people from the North and East, he said.
The MP said that removal of his security would send a signal to those who wanted to harm him that they could go ahead. Therefore, if anything should happen, the government must take the responsibility for it.
Public’s interest in the upcoming Provincial Council elections remains low, according to the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL).
PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi told The Island that there was an urgent need to encourage voter participation, noting that a higher voter turnout is essential for a functioning democracy.
Hettiarachchi said that the current level of political campaigning has been relatively subdued, with fewer aggressive or violent activities than seen in previous elections—a trend he described as a positive development.
He, however, stressed that local councils play a vital role in the lives of citizens, from birth- to death-related services, and also contribute to the legislative process. As such, voters must understand their importance and engage in the electoral process.
Despite the peaceful nature of the campaign so far, PAFFREL has received 20 complaints regarding the misuse of state resources and 15 complaints related to physical assaults. Hettiarachchi, however, added that no major incidents have been reported to date.
By Chaminda Silva
A group of 44 diplomats, including those from Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, the Netherlands, India, Myanmar, Palestine, France, New Zealand, Cuba, Egypt, Japan, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Canada and South Korea, headed to Kandy, by train, yesterday morning, to witness the sacred relic exposition.
The group travelled to Kandy in a special observation saloon of a train that departed from the Colombo Fort Railway Station around 7:00 am.
The ‘Sri Dalada Vandanawa’, a special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, commenced yesterday (18), and will continue till 27 April.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake, along with the ambassadors, high commissioners and other diplomats, participated in the inaugural event.
“This initiative aims to convey a message to Sri Lanka’s friendly nations that the country is recovering economically, overcoming previous challenges, and fostering national harmony. The event also seeks to strengthen international support for Sri Lanka,” the PMD said.
Yesterday (18), on the opening day, the public had the opportunity to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm From today (19) onwards, it will open for public veneration, daily from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.
Police investigations have revealed that the shooting of a 27-year-old man in Ahungalla on Thursday night was a revenge attack. The motive is said to be his failure to carry out a contract killing assigned by a prominent underworld gang leader currently hiding in Dubai.
The 27-year-old victim, who was seriously injured in the attack, is currently receiving treatment at the Balapitiya Hospital. Investigations have further revealed that the attack was ordered by an underworld figure, known as “Abrew,” who is reportedly hiding in Dubai.
It has come to light that Abrew had given the young man a contract to kill a rival. However, since the contract was not carried out, the attack is believed to have been an act of retaliation.On the night of 17 April, around 9:48 pm, the young man received a phone call from an individual who instructed him to come and collect a packet of ice (a term commonly used to refer to crystal meth).
Accordingly, the 27-year-old arrived near the Revatha Primary School, in Balapitiya, Ahungalla in a three-wheeler. At that location, a hired gunman, who had arrived in another three-wheeler, fired three shots at him and fled the scene.
Despite being injured by one of the bullets hitting him, the young man managed to reach the Ahungalla Police Station in the same three-wheeler he had come in. Police officers then arranged for him to be admitted to Balapitiya Hospital for treatment.
By Hemantha Randunu
China races robots against humans in Beijing half marathon
US judge finds Google illegally monopolised ad tech market
US strikes on Yemen oil terminal kill at least 74, Houthis say
-
Business7 days agoMembers’ Night of the Sri Lanka – Russia Business Council of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
-
Features7 days agoLiberation Day tariffs chaos could cause permanent damage to US economy, amid global tensions
-
Features7 days agoMinds and Memories picturing 65 years of Sri Lankan Politics and Society
-
Business22 hours agoDIMO pioneers major fleet expansion with Tata SIGNA Prime Movers for ILM
-
Sports7 days agoLankan legends, Modi and the Jaffna dream
-
Opinion7 days agoEnd of an Era: Passing away of Raja Uncle (Mr. Rajapaksha)
-
Features7 days agoRepentance Leads to Passion
-
Features7 days agoRecollections of two past Aprils