News

Vasu alleges SJB’s role in Basil’s plan to save Mahinda and govt.

Published

4 years ago

2022/04/27

Sahan Weerasooriya

… main Opposition party denies charge

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Close on the heels of Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader MP Udaya Gammanpila’s declaration that the SLPP rebels and the SJB had the required strength to move a No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against the government, fellow rebel lawmaker Vasudeva Nanayakkara has accused the SJB of trying to save the incumbent dispensation.

The General Secretary of the Democratic Left Front (DLF) Nanayakkara yesterday (26) told a hastily arranged media briefing, at his Maradana office, how the SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa had cooperated with the SLPP strongman Basil Rajapaksa to undermine their efforts to move the proposed NCM.

Fielding questions, former Water Supply Minister Nanayakkara claimed that former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, too, appeared to have been involved in the conspiracy.

The Opposition Leader’s Office dismissed MP Nanayakkara’s allegations.

Referring to UNP leader Wickremesinghe’s recent statement in Parliament where he had urged members to delay whatever action until Finance Minister Ali Sabry, PC, briefed the House of the outcome of his talks with the IMF, lawmaker Nanayakkara accused the ex-PM of interfering with their strategy.

Those who had been asking the current dispensation to quit were now playing a different tune, Nanayakkara said, questioning the SJB leader’s attitude towards the moves underway to get rid of the government.

Responding to another query, MP Nanayakkara said that SJB leader Premadasa desperately wanted an early general election. However, MP Premadasa appeared to have sought an assurance from SLPP founder Basil Rajapaksa to provide the required support to form a government as the SJB on its own couldn’t muster a simple majority, MP Nanayakkara said.

Nanayakkara said that the SLPP rebel group would go it alone at the next general election.

Asked how Basil wielded so much power as various groups pulled in different directions, MP Nanayakkara alleged the former Finance continued to interfere in their efforts to compel the entire Cabinet of Ministers including PM Mahinda Rajapaksa to quit.

The DLF General Secretary said while a group of protesters sustained a high profile ‘Gota Go Home’ protest opposite the Presidential Secretariat, Basil Rajapaksa continued to protect the PM.

When it was pointed out that both Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa remained in office in spite of the growing demands for their immediate resignations, MP Nanayyakara urged the public to send in postcards to the Premier asking him to leave. According to him, Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa remained in office after having promised to step down on more than one occasion.

Nanayakkara said that the government in an obvious bid to appease the International Monetary Fund (IMF) even before an agreement could be reached with the outfit, had depreciated the rupee, abolished price controls and increased interest rates, thereby causing the sudden increase in prices of all commodities and services.

Nanayakkara said the SLPP was now down to 106 members.

At the last general election, the SLPP secured 145 seats and the SJB 54.

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and Galle and Matara districts

Published

5 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 12.30 noon 12 March 2026 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 12 March 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

Latest News

Nasa spacecraft weighing 1,300lb due to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere

Published

6 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

The two Van Allen Probes were launched in 2012 [BBC]

A Van Allen Probe spacecraft weighing more than 1,300lb (600kg) is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere almost 14 years after its launch, Nasa says.

The spacecraft is projected to re-enter around 19:45 EDT (23:45 GMT) on Tuesday the US Space Force predicted, according to Nasa, though there is a 24-hour margin of “uncertainty” in the timing.

The Van Allen Probe A, which launched in 2012, is expected mostly to burn up as it travels through the atmosphere, though some components may survive.

The space agency said there is a one in 4,200 chance of being harmed by a piece of the probe, which it characterised as “low” risk.

The spacecraft and its twin, Van Allen Probe B, were on a mission to gather unprecedented data on Earth’s two permanent radiation belts.

It was not immediately clear where in Earth’s atmosphere the satellite is projected to re-enter. The BBC has contacted Nasa for further detail.

Nasa and the US Space Force have said they will monitor the re-entry and update any predictions.

The mission, which was originally designed to last two years, went on for almost seven. It ended after the spacecrafts ran out of fuel and were no longer able to orient themselves toward the Sun.

The probes flew through rings of charged particles trapped by Earth’s magnetic field from 2012 to 2019, in order to study how particles were gained and lost, per Nasa.

Those rings, called the Van Allen belts, shield Earth from cosmic radiation, solar storms and streaming solar wind, which are harmful to humans and can damage technology.

The mission made significant discoveries, including the first data that show the existence of a transient third radiation belt, which can form during times of intense solar activity, Nasa said.

Van Allen Probe B is not expected to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere before 2030.

[BBC]

News

PM Visits the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

Published

8 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, on 11 March 2026, and held bilateral discussions with Yvonne Pinto, Director General of IRRI, focusing on strengthening cooperation in the field of rice research and sustainable agricultural development.

During the meeting, discussions centered on rice cultivation in Sri Lanka, including the key challenges faced by Sri Lankan paddy farmers. The Prime Minister highlighted issues affecting the sector such as productivity constraints, climate-related impacts, and the need to support farmers through improved agricultural practices and technological innovations.

Both sides also discussed the importance of introducing modern techniques and research-driven approaches to rice cultivation in order to enhance productivity and ensure long-term food security. In this regard, IRRI shared insights on ongoing global research initiatives aimed at improving rice varieties, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting sustainable farming practices.

The discussion further focused on the potential for expanded collaboration between Sri Lanka and IRRI, particularly in areas such as research partnerships, knowledge sharing, and capacity building for Sri Lankan agricultural institutions and farmers. The Prime Minister emphasized Sri Lanka’s interest in strengthening cooperation with IRRI to support the development of the country’s rice sector and to improve the livelihoods of paddy farmers.

The visit reaffirmed the importance of science-based agricultural innovation and international collaboration in addressing food security challenges and enhancing sustainable rice production in Sri Lanka.