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So-called patriots sold most state assets while claiming to protect them – SJB

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By Saman Indrajith

The Samagi Jana Balavegaya yesterday alleged that the governments of the so-called progressive political forces had been responsible for the biggest sale of national assets to foreigners and local companies. SJB General Secretary MP Ranjith Maddumabadara addressing the media at the Opposition Leader’s office in Colombo on Tuesday (2) said that governments of SLFP, PA, UPFA and SLPP had sold off the highest number of public enterprises to the private sector or to foreign investors.  “Among them are Colombo Gas Company, Orient Lanka, Rajarata Agro Chemicals, Lanka Salt, Puttalam Salt, Sri Lanka Telecom, SriLankan Airlines, Sri Lanka Insurance, Overseas Realty, Kelanitissa. In most of those governments Mahinda Rajapaksa was in the Cabinet. They sold the Colombo International Container Terminals to China and South Asia Gateway Terminals to a local company. In both cases the government stake was a mere 15 percent while the buyer got 85 percent of shares. They handed over 600,000 acres of land belonging to the state sector plantation corporations to private companies and foreigners. They are the very ones who came to power, promising to save national assets.

Madduma Bandara alleged that those involved in the East Container Terminal deal were notorious for commissions. They took commissions from the Southern Expressway project, the extension of Railway to Beliatta, purchase of MiG aircraft, etc. We are planning to expose these deals to people in the coming days. They sold the land belonging to the Army Headquarters. Soon after coming to power this time they sold three acres in the land near Galle Face. We have information that some areas in Colombo are being surveyed to be sold to foreign companies. That land includes the Bank of Ceylon Headquarters’ land and Police Headquarters’ lands.”

Maddumabandara said that one of the main accusations against the UNP and the SJB was that they would sell national assets. “They with the support of the media and their propagandists succeeded in having the public believe that UNP was the party that privatised and sold national assets. What we did actually was enabling employees of the corporations to buy 10 percent of shares. But statistics show that it was the so-called progressive camp that sold off the highest number of public enterprises.”

Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella also addressed the media.



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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Kalutara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura

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The National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Kalutara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura effective from 0400hrs on 12th June 2026 to 0400hrs on 13th June 2026

Accordingly,
LEVEL I [YELLOW] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Palindanuwara in the Kalutara district, Doluwa in the Kandy district, Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya district and Pelmadulla, Ayagama, Ratnapura, Godakawela, Kalawana and Nivitigala in the Ratnapura district

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Wife, counsel seek regular access to ex-Spy Chief Sallay held under President’s detention order

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Suresh Sallay

Wife of former State Intelligence Chief Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Suresh Sallay has asked CID Director retired SSP Shani Abeysekera to allow her, her family members and lawyers to visit her husband in the National Hospital, Colombo. Sallay’s counsel has also written to Abeysekera, asking for permission to visit the former spy held on a detention order signed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The text of Manori’s letter: “I respectfully request your assistance in granting me, and my daughter or alternatively my son, permission to visit my husband, Rtd. Major General Suresh Sallay, who is currently at the National Hospital, Colombo.

“As you are aware, my husband is presently engaged in a fast-unto-death campaign. His physical condition and emotional well-being are of deep concern to our family. During this difficult period, the presence and support of his immediate family are extremely important to him.

“I firmly believe that regular visits from me with our daughter or our son would help uplift his spirits, provide him with much-needed emotional strength, and may encourage him to reconsider continuing this course of action. Family support can play a vital role in preserving his mental and emotional health while he remains hospitalised.

“In view of these exceptional circumstances, I kindly request that permission be granted for either me and my daughter or my son to visit him daily during the period of his hospitalisation.

“I would be most grateful for your compassionate consideration of this request.”

“The text of the counsel’s letter: “I write in my capacity as Counsel for Rtd. Major General Suresh Sallay, who is presently under detention and admitted to the National Hospital, Colombo.

As you are aware, Major General Sallay has embarked on a fast-unto-death campaign, giving rise to serious concerns regarding his physical and mental well-being. In these circumstances, it is imperative that I be granted reasonable and regular access to my client during his hospitalisation.

As his legal representative, I have a professional obligation to monitor his condition and obtain instructions from him so that I may accurately apprise the relevant courts of his health status and any developments affecting his rights and welfare. Effective legal representation requires continuous communication with my client, particularly in light of the grave circumstances presently confronting him.

I also wish to respectfully highlight that Major General Sallay has placed explicit trust and confidence in me as his counsel. Indeed, I was the first person he contacted following his arrest.

Given the trust he reposes in me, I believe I am uniquely positioned to engage with him constructively and persuade him to discontinue this campaign and instead place his confidence in the legal remedies and judicial processes available to him.

For these reasons, I respectfully request that I be granted permission to visit my client on a daily basis during the period of his hospitalization.

Such access would not only facilitate the discharge of my professional responsibilities but may also contribute meaningfully towards safeguarding his health and encouraging a resolution through lawful and institutional means.

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CIABOC summons Yoshitha over his participation in British Navy training programme

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Yoshitha

Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who served as a Lieutenant in the Sri Lanka Navy, has now been summoned to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption next Tuesday (16) for questioning over his participation in a Royal Navy training programme in the United Kingdom outside established procedures.

The Commission is expected to record statements in relation to several complaints received regarding his recruitment and subsequent service in the Navy after he enlisted on December 14, 2006.

According to sources, the investigation focuses on allegations concerning the educational qualifications considered at the time of his enlistment, as well as foreign training opportunities he is said to have received while in service, which are suspected to have been granted in violation of due process.

The Bribery Commission has launched the inquiry under the provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act, officials said.

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