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Suppression of dissent won’t help reach consensus on all-party govt. – SJB

Published

4 years ago

2022/08/23

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The SJB alleges that President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government is bent on suppressing political dissent in a bid to prevent a large-scale public protest campaign similar to the one that forced his predecessor, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, to flee the country, last month.

SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman said yesterday the entire Opposition was opposed to the continuing crackdown on the protest movement, especially the use of the dreaded Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) against suspected individuals.

The top SJB spokesperson said so in response to The Island queries pertaining to what he called an all-out crackdown amidst President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s efforts to reach a consensus on the formation of an all-party government.

Lawmaker Rahuman asked whether President Wickremesinghe, in spite of being the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and the Defence Minister, was not in overall control of the government’s response to the public protest campaign. Having elected Wickremesinghe, to complete the remainder of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s five-year term, the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) seemed to be flexing its muscles, MP Rahuman said.

Referring to the recent meeting US Ambassador Julie Chung had with Public Security Minister, Tiran Alles, at the latter’s office, where the envoy focused on the clampdown, MP Rahuman found fault with the government for relentlessly pursuing activists.

Asked whether the SJB acknowledged the responsibility, on the part of law enforcement authorities to apprehend those who had been suspected of torching residences of incumbent members of Parliament and President Wickremesinghe, in the second week of May, MP Rahuman said there couldn’t be any issue over that.

“Of course, nobody will find fault with the government for taking into custody those responsible for attacks on the houses of MPs. They should be arrested and appropriately dealt with in terms of the relevant laws,” lawmaker Rahuman said.

Media Minister Bandula Gunawardena recently said that the so-called protest movement destroyed houses and properties of 72 lawmakers in a matter of 24 hours.

MP Rahuman alleged that the government seemed far more interested in apprehending those who took selfies inside the President’s House. The police should be ashamed for arresting those who sat on the President’s chair, MP Rahuman said.

He suggested that, perhaps the government should go after those who wrongly advised the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, leading to the unprecedented economic fallout.

Lawmaker Rahuman said that if President Wickremesinghe was genuinely interested in forming an all-party government, he should reach a consensus with the SLPP over ongoing police action against the protest movement.

Responding to another query, lawmaker Rahuman said that the detention of Wasantha Mudalige, convenor of the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) affiliated to the Front line Socialist Party (FSP), was meant to scare those who led the protest campaign. The MP said that the government was making an attempt to depict Mudalige, now detained in terms of the PTA for a period of 90 days, as a person who may have been involved, or allegedly planning a terrorist attack.

Lawmaker Rahuman defended the protest movement as having received heavy public support as they were fed up with the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration. The MP warned that public anger couldn’t be suppressed by intimidating political parties and civil society.

Commenting on the May 09 violence that actually set the stage for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ouster, exactly two months later, lawmaker Rahuman said that the police owed an explanation regarding the investigations into the indiscriminate attack carried out by UPFA goons, at Galle Face, on May 09. The public have a right to know how law enforcement authorities handled the investigation as no less than the then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had been asked to surrender his passport.

The MP said that two members of Parliament, arrested in connection with the May 09 attacks, were granted bail, pending investigations.

Calling it a mystery, SJB lawmaker Rahuman said they would like to know the current status of the investigation. The government hadn’t so far taken action against security chiefs who allowed the UPFA goons to go on the rampage and then turned a blind eye to well organized attacks on the properties of MPs, he said.

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Sun directly overhead Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon today (05th April)

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/5

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (05th) are Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/5

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 04 April 2026, valid for 05 April 2026

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.

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.

News

Global ‘Walk for Peace’ to be held in Lanka

Published

15 hours ago

2026/04/5

Thilina Walpola

The internationally recognized “Walk for Peace,” originating from the United States, is set to take place in Sri Lanka starting April 21, 2026, led by the Most Venerable Paññakara Thero and a delegation of twelve monks from the Maha Sangha, President’s Media Division said.

Spanning seven days across the island, this pilgrimage’s purpose and concept are guided by the Buddha’s teaching, “Caratha bhikkhave carikam bahujana hitaya bahujana sukhaya lokanukampaya” (Wander forth, O Monks, for the welfare and happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world).

This program aims to promote peace and lovingkindness within society. It serves as a practical demonstration that peace cannot be attained by force, but must be cultivated step-by-step through mindfulness.

The inaugural event of this program is scheduled to be held in Anuradhapura on April 21, 2026. A ceremony to receive the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi will take place at 4:00 PM, followed by special religious observances at the sacred Ruwanweliseya premises at 5:00 PM.

Thereafter, the walk will commence from the ancient Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and proceed towards Kandy. Upon reaching Kandy, the Maha Sangha will pay their respects to the Chief Prelates (Maha Nayaka Theros) of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters, before visiting the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) to receive blessings.

Throughout the journey, the procession will carry the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, along with venerated relics from the historic Nilagiri Cetiya, Madanwala Raja Maha Viharaya in Hanguranketa, Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya, and the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya.

The walk will conclude at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Subsequently, the venerated relics and the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi are to be carried from Independence Square to Gangaramaya Temple, Hunupitiya, Colombo by a procession.

The Sri Lankan coordination of the event is spearheaded by Venerable Melpitiye Wimalakirti Thera. The Government of Sri Lanka’s flagship national program, “Clean Sri Lanka,” serves as the principal state partner.

Additionally, the event receives extensive support from various state institutions, including the National Design Centre, the Tri-Forces, and the Department of Information.

At the conclusion of the seven-day walk, a special State Ceremony will be held at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Concurrently, a special exhibition showcasing Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage and traditional handicrafts will be organized by the National Design Centre at the Gangaramaya premises on April 28 and 29, 2026.

This exhibition will feature brass items (ceremonial fans, flags, statues, bowls, and pinnacles), lacquerwork (caskets and boxes), clay crafts (bowls and statues), palm leaf crafts (fans and sesath), natural dyeing of robes, Dumbara wall hangings, traditional drums, and traditional paintings.

The primary objective of this cultural program is to contribute Sri Lanka’s Buddhist and cultural heritage to a project in Texas, USA, where the Tripitaka is being inscribed in 10 languages and enshrined within 840 stupas to create a centre for Buddhist education.