News

SLPP MPs sink differences, ready to defend Udaya

Published

4 years ago

2021/07/19

Sahan Weerasooriya

Motion of no confidence

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena says the government parliamentary group will defeat the no-faith motion moved by the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) against Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila over the increasing of fuel prices on June 11.

Foreign Minister Gunawardena, who is also the leader of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna, said that government members wouldn’t be deceived by various strategies pursued by the SJB and other Opposition groups. The Minister said so at an event in Maharagama, where coconut saplings were distributed among the public.

The two-day debate followed by a vote is scheduled to be held today (19) and tomorrow. The no-faith motion is the first moved by the SJB against the government since last October. The SJB group comprises 54 lawmakers while one of its seven National List members, Diana Gamage has already pledged her support to the SLPP. She voted for the 20th Amendment in Oct last year and the Colombo Port Economic Commission Bill on May 20th.

Minister Gunawardena gave the assurance three weeks after SLPP General Secretary Attorney-at-law Sagara Kariyawasam MP, demanded the resignation of lawyer Gammanpila over the fuel price hikes. Lawmaker Kariyawasam faulted minister Gammanpila over

the increase in fuel prices whereas the latter explained it was a decision taken by the Cost of Living Committee chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on June 09 and approved on the following day, in writing by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksha, in his capacity as the Finance Minister.

Since then Basil Rajapaksa has entered parliament on the National List and succeeded Mahinda Rajapaksa as the finance Minister. Basil Rajapaksa re-entered parliament on July 08.

Minister Gunawardena said that as the government consisted of several political parties they took different stands on matters of importance. However, they would work together as members of the government parliamentary group to thwart political projects launched by the Opposition against it.

Minister Gunawardena said that the government wouldn’t be distracted by Opposition strategies. The government parliamentary group comprised 145 members with the largest section being the SLPP. The SLPP consisted of 116 members whereas the SLFP group comprised 14 members and the National Freedom Front 06 members and other partners several seats among them.

Minister Gammanpila told The Island that since the eruption of the controversy over the fuel price hikes as he repeatedly pointed out there was no other option other than upward revision of fuel prices or had to face the consequences. The minister said that he was glad the issue at hand attracted public attention to the extremely dicey financial situation. The minister pointed out that no less a person than President Gotabaya Rajapaksa acknowledged the daunting challenge facing the country in meeting annual loan repayment amounting to USD 4 bn and the crisis caused by the CPC and CEB being in debt to the Bank of Ceylon and People’s Bank to the tune of Rs 737 bn.

Minister Gammanpila emphasized that both petrol and diesel were being sold at a loss at the moment and downward revision was not realistic. Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader stood his ground in spite of heavy attacks on him by some members of the SLPP.

Meanwhile, now facing certain defeat at the vote on first no faith motion moved by the SJB against the government, the Opposition over the weekend met under the joint leadership of Sajith Premadasa, MP, and former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya at Janaki Hotel where they discussed how the Opposition could move forward.

Former Speaker Jayasuriya, in his speech explained how the people were deprived of democratic gains made by the 19th Amendment to the Constitution by the enactment of the dictatorial 20th Amendment by the Rajapaksa administration.

One-time UNP Deputy Leader and minister in Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government addressed the gathering in his new capacity as the Chairperson of the NMSJ (National Movement for Social Justice), the brainchild of the late Maduluwawe Sobitha thera.

UNP leader and its only MP Ranil Wickremesinghe was represented by Deputy Leader of the UNP Ruwan Wijewardene, who stressed the importance of the Opposition reaching consensus on a common agenda.

TNA representative M.A. Sumanthiran, MP, warned that their support to the Opposition project would depend on a clear assurance given by them as regards the national issue. The President’s Counsel said that in spite of them working with the Opposition, their cause had been betrayed and an assurance was nothing but a prerequisite for their support.

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Heat index, is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts

Published

9 hours ago

2025/04/28

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 27 April 2025, valid for 28 April 2025

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

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People have now started to think of themselves as Sri Lankans sans ethnic or religious divisions- PM

Published

9 hours ago

2025/04/28

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that for the first time in history, mosques in Kandy had opened their doors to accommodate the needs of devotees visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and that people have now started to think of themselves as Sri Lankans beyond dividing into ethnicities and religions.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a public gathering held in the Paragahadeniya area in Kurunegala.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated:

“This country is undergoing a transformation we expected,so accordingly, we must operate in new ways. People are beginning to feel that we must work towards a new transformation. We can see this change even within our ministries. These days, sometimes when we visit ministries even after 5 PM, and ask if it is possible to have discussions, the officials are always open. Today, public officials are willing to work late into the night, until 9 or 10 PM. Officials have now started working without fear.

Remarkably, for the first time in history, Muslim mosques in Kandy remained open throughout the night to accommodate pilgrims visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. They even provided space for devotees to rest. There were no ethnic or religious tensions. What we saw was respect for other ethnicities and religions. This is happening because there is now a sense of a government that represents all Sri Lankan people, not just Sinhalese, Muslims, or Tamils”.

The event was attended by the candidates for the local government election including the residents of the area.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Indian warship builder eyes 51% stake in Colombo Dockyard: FSP

Published

10 hours ago

2025/04/28

Thilina Walpola

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) has urged the NPP government to prevent Japan’s Onomichi Dockyard Company from selling its 51% ownership stake in the Colombo Dockyard Limited (CDL) to Indian government-owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai, a leading shipbuilder.

FSP spokesman Pubudu Jayagoda told The Island yesterday (27) that the move seemed to be in line with the overall India-Sri Lanka understanding on the basis of the recently signed memorandum on defence cooperation.

Against the backdrop of deteriorating financial situation, the Japanese company has informed the board of directors of CDL of its plans to divest its 51 percent ownership stake in the international shipbuilding and repair company. The Japanese shipbuilder made the announcement in early Dec last year.

Alleging that an agreement has been reached on the sale of Onomichi’s controlling ownership stake to the Indian ship builder, Jayagoda questioned

the move as Mazagon primarily built a range of warships and attack submarines. Jayagoda pointed out that according to Mazagon’s profile, the Indian government-owned business undertaking was involved with European companies engaged in ship and submarine construction.

Addressing a Local Government election meeting at Weeraketiya, Pallekanda, in support of those contesting the May 6 election on the ticket of Jana Aragala Sandhanaya (JAS), the executive committee member of JAS Jayagoda emphasized that in terms of the agreement between Sri Lanka and Japan, Onomichi couldn’t sell its stake without the Sri Lankan government’s approval. Therefore, the NPP government should intervene to halt the Japanese-Indian move, the FSP spokesman said while urging the parliamentary opposition to publicly oppose the planned sale of the Japanese stake.

Among other stakeholders are Sri Lanka Insurance, Sri Lanka Ports Authority and EPF.

By Shamindra Ferdinando