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SLPP furious over alleged Rishad links, claims Wimal stabbed govt. in the back

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By Shamindra Ferdinando

The government had been stabbed in the back by National Freedom Front (NFF) leader and Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa, SLPP parliamentary group sources said yesterday (11).

Referring to Minister Weerawansa’s accusations regarding clandestine links between a section of the government and All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) leader Rishad Bathiudeen, allegedly involved with those responsible for 2019 Easter Sunday carnage, sources pointed out that the NFF leader’s move was intended to undermine the SLPP.

Delivering a public lecture at Sambuddhathva Jayanthi Mandiraya, on Tuesday (9), lawmaker Weerawansa alleged a group of decadent ruling party politicians who realised entering into political marriage with what the minister called Islamic extremism in the future had prevented the exposure of the likes of Rishad Bathiudeen.

Weerawansa holds Small and Medium Business and Enterprise Development, Industries and Supply chain Management portfolios. The NFF parliamentary group consists of six members, including one National List MP.

SLPP sources said that Minister Weerawansa’s outburst had caused irreparable damage to the government at a time it was under heavy pressure over the alleged shortcomings in the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) report and the controversial recommendation that 22 volumes of it shouldn’t be handed over to the Attorney General on the basis of them being sensitive.

Responding to a query, sources said that Minister Weerawansa had attacked the government the day before the commencement of three-day debate on the PCoI report and the issue at hand had been brought to the notice of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Minister Weerawansa alleged that the likes of Rishad Bathiudeen and former Eastern Province Governor M. L.A, M, Hizbullah had been taking overland in the Mannar region and the Eastern Province, respectively in line with strategy promoted by Yusuf al-Qaradawi, an Egyptian Islamic scholar based in Doha, Qatar.

The National Freedom Front Leader alleged that Rishad Bathiudeen during his tenure as the Industries and Commerce Minister of the UPFA (2010-2015) and yahapalana (2015-2019) administrations had deliberately undermined some businesspersons on racial grounds. Minister Weerawansa, who, too, had been a minister in the same Cabinet with Rishad Bathiudeen, explained how the ACMC leader bad exploited his ministerial portfolio for the benefit of a particular community.

Minister Weerawansa questioned the rationale behind the PCoI conveniently not recommending specific measures in respect of President of the Muslim Council M. N. Ameen, who included extremist teachings of Yusuf al-Qaradawi in Muslim teachers’ guide.

Weerawansa alleged that Yusuf al-Qaradawi’s teachings had been severely inimical to the country and promoted violence. Minister Weerawansa also said that the PCoI owed an explanation why specific recommendations weren’t made in respect of Hizbullah in spite of him being identified as a person who propagated extremism in the Kattankudy area.

The NFF leader also questioned the circumstances under which Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother, Riyaj arrested in connection with his alleged involvement with the Easter Sunday carnage under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in April 2020 had been released. Minister Weerawansa said the police, after accusing Riyaj of being in touch with one of the Easter Sunday bombers, had quietly released him.

Commenting on one-time Western Province Governor Azath Salley’s conduct, Minister Weerawansa asked why the PCoI refrained from recommending action against the NUA (National Unity Alliance) leader Salley. Alleging that the then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in spite of being responsible for disrupting intelligence services thereby creating an environment conducive for Thowheed terrorists was conveniently let off the hook, Minister Weerawansa questioned the conduct of the P CoI on many points.

Minister Weerawansa tore into the PCoI questioning the motives of its members who cleared Wickremesinghe although he was responsible for the breakdown of the national security apparatus. He said there was no point in going after the then Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, IGP Pujith Jayasundera, Chief of National Intelligence retired DIG Sisira Mendis and Chief of State Intelligence Services (SIS) DIG Nilantha Jayawardana when the very person who created a situation conducive for Thowheed terrorists escaped the attention of the PCoI.

Lambasting the PCoI for omissions, Minister Weerawansa asked whether Easter Sunday bomber Zahran Hashim’s ghosts had been active in the PCoI, and how the PCoI had recommended specific action against Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara over alleged extremist activity and left out those who connived, aided and abetted Easter Sunday conspirators.

The then President Maithripala Sirisena appointed the PCoI whereas his successor Gotabaya Rajapaksa extended its term.



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Landslide RED warnings continue to be in force for the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya

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The RED Landslide Early Warnings issued  by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organization [NBRO]  to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya have been extended until 1600hrs today [06th December 2025]. Landslide Early warnings have also been issued to the districts of  Badulla, Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Matara, Monaragala and Ratnapura,

Accordingly,
LEVEL III RED warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Gangawata Korale, Deltota, Doluwa, Thumpane, Medadumbara, Minipe, Pathahewaheta, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Akurana, Udunuwara, Panvila, Pathadumbara, Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Ududumbara, Poojapitiya, Harispattuwa and Udapalatha in the Kandy district, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Mawanella, Rambukkana, Dehiowita, Warakapola,  Deraniyagala, Bulathkohupitiya,  Ruwanwella, Yatiyanthota and Aranayaka in the Kegalle district, Narammala, Mawathagama, Mallawapitiya, Alawwa, Rideegama and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district, Rattota, Wilgamuwa, Ukuwela, Pallepola, Matale, Laggala Pallegama, Yatawatta, Naula and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district, and Nildandahinna,  Walapane,  Hanguranketha and  Mathurata in the Nuwara Eliya district.

LEVEL II AMBER warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of  Uva Paranagama, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Passara and Haldummulla in the Badulla district, Nuwara Eliya, Ambagamuwa Korale, Thalawakele, Norwood, Kothmale West and Kothmale East in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kahawaththa, Godakawela and Kolonna in the Ratnapura district.

LEVEL I YELLOW warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Padukka and Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Elpitiya and Yakkalamulla in the Galle district, Mirigama, Attanagalla and Divulapitiya in the Gampaha district, Bulathsinhala, Ingiriya and Horana in the Kalutara  district, Athuraliya and Pasgoda in the Matara district, Bibile and Medagama in the Monaragala district, and Kiriella, Nivithigala, Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Pelmadulla, Elapatha, Balangoda, Openayake, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Ratnapura and Kaltota in the Ratnapura district.

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IMF pledges additional aid to Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah destruction

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Julie Kozack, Director, IMF Communications Department

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), on Thursday, signalled strong solidarity with Sri Lanka in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, confirming that it is actively exploring options to provide further support for recovery and resilience beyond the existing Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

Julie Kozack, Director of the IMF’s Communications Department, opened her remarks with heartfelt condolences:

“Our deepest sympathies go out to the people of Sri Lanka for the effects of the devastating cyclone. Our hearts mourn the loss of life that has taken place,” she said, extending condolences to other Asian nations also grappling with severe flooding, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

On Sri Lanka, Kozack emphasised that the IMF is closely engaging with authorities, development partners, and counterparts to assess the humanitarian, social, and economic toll of the disaster.

“Large parts of Sri Lanka have been affected by floods, and we expect economic activity to be adversely impacted, in addition to the significant human toll,” she noted.

The IMF is awaiting the completion of a rapid post-disaster damage assessment, led by Sri Lankan authorities, in collaboration with international partners, to better gauge the economic impact.

“We are continuing to support Sri Lanka’s recovery, reform, and resilience under the EFF arrangement. Our staff is looking into options to further support Sri Lanka in the recovery process,” Kozack confirmed.

She reiterated that the Board meeting, scheduled for 15 December, remains on track, following the staff-level agreement on the fifth review reached in October—prior to the cyclone.

“We will provide additional details as the assessment of economic needs and damages moves forward, and as we have more information to inform our thinking around the options,” she added.

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Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir takes oath as SJB National List MP

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Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir was sworn in as a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National List Member of Parliament before Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday (05).

His appointment follows the resignation of SJB Parliamentarian Muhammathu Ismail Muththu Mohamed, who stepped down from his position on 28 November.

The SJB subsequently nominated Thahir to fill the resulting vacancy.

Accordingly, the Election Commission issued a Gazette Extraordinary declaring Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir a Member of Parliament, in terms of Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, as amended by Section 6 of the Elections (Special Provisions) Act, No. 35 of 1988.

With the issuance of the gazette, and the subsequent swearing-in, Thahir has officially assumed duties as a National List MP, representing the SJB.

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