News

Sumanthiran claims high airport taxes has brought Palali to a standstill

Published

3 years ago

2022/09/24

By Saman Indrajith

The Palali International Airport had come to a standstill because of the high airport taxes, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran told Parliament on Thursday.

“When the airport was opened, there were flights from Madras, then due to Covid all flights were suspended. Now, this has not resumed yet, and even when it resumes the cost of the airfare is prohibitive. The reason for that is that the airport taxes are so high that people will not be able to afford it,” he said.

The TNA MP said that airport taxes have been waived at the Mattala airport and that they wanted the same for the Palali airport. Sumanthiran said Palali can attract visitors.He also said that the land issues in the North and East persisted. Sumanthiran said that in Kurunthoormalai there was a demonstration about a new construction that is being undertaken by the Department of Archaeology.

“Two of our members were arrested saying that they had disrupted the officials from functioning. Now Archaeology is entrusted with the responsibility of preserving archaeological monuments. We know that there are archaeological monuments that must be preserved, but they don’t have the authority to build new. And there are court orders, restraining them from building new structures, and yet, when people demonstrate against illegal activity by the Department of Archaeology, they are being arrested,” he said.

The TNA MP added that there are now efforts to bring in new people from other districts to Mullaitivu, particularly from the Ratnapura district.

“There was one politician who took people from Ratnapura district and settled them there. Now there are 58 shops and efforts are being made to grant land from this Archaeological site to these 58 shop owners who have been brought and settled there to change the demography. This must be immediately stopped,” he said.

Sumanthiran said that the people in the North are facing land grabs by the Departments of Archaeology, Mahaweli, the Forest Department, and Wildlife Department.

He said that the Government is now facing a challenge in the UN Human Rights Council. In September 2015, the Sri Lankan government co–sponsored a resolution called HRC 30/1.

“Co– sponsoring means you agree, you sign on to that resolution which then means it is your resolution. Now in that resolution, there was a clause that Sri Lanka agreed to have Commonwealth and other foreign judges, defence lawyers, authorised prosecutors and investigators participate in a process. It was at the request of the Sri Lankan government the words “Commonwealth” also was added, Commonwealth and other foreign judges. Now this is Sri Lanka’s own resolution. But now your Foreign Minister goes to Geneva, and saying participations like this, external mechanisms, are unconstitutional,” he said.

In response the Minister of Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva said that successive governments have invested a lot of money on the Palali airport.

“A lot of people from Jaffna were recruited. However, no airline has come in. We have developed the infrastructure. The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is good at making allegations and they say they have great Indian contacts. Why don’t they encourage Indian airlines to fly to Palali? If Palali becomes a bustling airport it will benefit the people of Jaffna greatly,” he said.

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News

Government remains committed to ensuring peace and stability across the country – PM

Published

2 hours ago

2025/04/12

Priyan

The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the people of Sri Lanka should no longer be burdened by conflict and the Government remains committed to ensuring peace and stability across the country, with the government and the public service must discharge their duties to meet the needs of the people.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing public gatherings held in Velanai, Nallur, and Vadamarachchi.

The Prime Minister said that:

“There are numerous issues regarding infrastructure development in the Northern Province ranging from roads, drinking water supply, agriculture, and unemployment, to education and health sectors.

Many of these development tasks fall under the responsibility of local governments and provincial councils that represents your areas. However, these responsibilities have not been properly discharged.

While it is said that the issues raised in the North and East were caused by the war, 16 years have passed since the end of the war. What real change has taken place? Have the lives of the people in these areas has improved?

Although the central government allocates funds to provincial governing bodies, there should be a transparent mechanism in place to ensure that these funds are properly utilized for the relevant projects.

On May 6th, you will hold the decisive right to elect the local government closest to you that will work to uplift your lives and develop your communities. Elect representatives who are committed to serving the people, and free of fraud and corruption.

The government is actively participating in lifting the country from its fallen state and to overcome the current economic challenges. We accept that there is a long way to go. The prices of goods are still high but the government is currently working towards a change, and the people will receive the benefits in the near future.

Measures have been taken to increase the basic salary of public servants from this year’s Budget. The public service must commit to discharging duties with dedication. This must be not only a people’s government, but also a public service that belongs to the people.

Even after the independence, this country has seen much bloodshed and conflict. The people have suffered greatly as a result. The government is determined to ensure that such a situation never arises again. Therefore, the government is committed to fostering peace within the country.”

The event was attended by Minister of Fisheries Ramalingam Chandrasekar, along with several Members of Parliament and local representatives in the North.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Focus on streamlining Research and Development activities related to defence sector

Published

2 hours ago

2025/04/12

Priyan

A meeting organized by the National Initiative for Research & Development Commercialization (NIRDC) was held on Thursday (10) at the Presidential Secretariat to streamline and commercialize research and development activities in the defence sector.

Participating institutions included the Centre for Defence Research and Development under the Ministry of Defence, the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force, the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and the Research and Development Division of the Sri Lanka Police.

The NIRDC Unit, established under the Presidential Secretariat, aims to accelerate national development by facilitating investment opportunities to commercially apply completed or nearing completion research projects from both public and private institutions.

Defence institutions play a critical role for the progress of technology and science in relation to national security and development. Acknowledging this importance, the meeting was chaired by Senior Advisor to the President on Science and Technology, Professor Gomika Udugamasuriya.

During the meeting, it was discussed in detail regarding the completed and on-going research and development projects within the defence sector, as well as those planned for the future. Special attention was given to identifying opportunities for collaboration among research and development units, enhancing innovation capabilities, and exploring ways to share resources effectively.

The discussion focused on identifying opportunities for collaboration between research and development units relevant to these sectors, enhancing innovation capabilities and exploring ways to share resources effectively. It also examined possible steps to strengthen coordination between civil and defence research institutions. The discussion concluded productively, with several innovations identified that have the potential for future commercialization.

The event was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President (Finance and Economic Affairs) . Russel Aponsu, NIRDC Director General Dr. Muditha D. Senarath Yapa, Director (Investments) . Idunil Gunathilaka along with other officials.

[PMD]