News

Weerasekera says attack on Chamuditha exploited by anti-national forces

Published

1 year ago

2022/02/23

Sahan Weerasooriya

Premadasa: SJB has never betrayed the country

By Saman Indrajith

Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (retd) Sarath Weerasekara called on the SJB in parliament yesterday not to undermine national interest for petty political gains.

Responding to a question raised by SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Minister said that the recent attack on the house of TV journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama was being used by anti-national forces in view of the UNHRC session in Geneva.

The Minister said that a report has been called from the State Intelligence Service (SIS) to ascertain whether there was any security threat to Samarawickrama.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security has sought guidance and advice from the Victims and Witnesses Protection Authority to provide security to Samarawickrama in accordance with the order issued by the Piliyandala Magistrate’s Court.

Opposition Leader Premadasa said that no steps were taken to provide security to Samarawickrama in accordance with the court order. Some police personnel were assigned at Samarawickrama’s residence on Monday night after the government had come to know that he would raise this issue in the House yesterday.

Minister Weerasekara said some police personnel had been assigned as per the directives from the Victims and Witnesses Protection Authority on providing security to Samarawickrama as per the court order.

Minister Weerasekara said police mobile patrols had been deployed in the area and a police patrol book was also placed at the gate of Samarawickrama’s house for a long time now and that police had visited his house around midnight on the day of the incident.

Minister Weerasekera said that the CCTV footage taken from 92 cameras were being scrutinized and some footage which are unclear, were sent to the Moratuwa University for intense scrutinizing.

The Minister said the Opposition Leader was attempting to make allegations regarding media freedom to meet political ends ahead of UNHRC sessions in Geneva. “You were a member of the former government which sponsored UN resolutions against this country,” the Minister said.

Opposition Leader Premadasa said that SJB had never betrayed the country.

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Foreign News

Holy month of Ramadan begins for Muslims around the world

Published

4 hours ago

2023/03/23

Priyan

A Palestinian girl cleans the stone floor of the compound known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary in front of the Dome of the Rock, as part of preparations for the holy month of Ramadan in Jerusalem's Old City (pic Aljazeera)

Aljazeera reported that the holy month of Ramadan began at sundown on Wednesday, as the faithful prepared for a month of dawn-to-dusk fasting intended to bring them closer to God and to remind them of the suffering of those less fortunate.

For the next 30 days, Muslims will refrain from eating or drinking anything from sunrise to sunset. Many will strictly observe prayers, read the Quran and donate to charity as they seek to draw closer to God. They are also encouraged to refrain from cursing, fighting, gossiping and road rage throughout the holy month.

Muslims believe God began revealing the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad during Ramadan more than 1,400 years ago.

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and is required for all Muslims, though exceptions are made for young children and the sick, as well as women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating. Travelers are also exempt, including athletes attending tournaments away from home.

News

Sri Lanka will have best anti-corruption law in South Asia soon – President

Published

4 hours ago

2023/03/23

Priyan

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said during a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat with the heads of media organization on Thursday (23), that necessary steps will be taken to pass the best anti-Corruption Act in South Asia in Parliament soon

The President revealed that cabinet approval for the Bill has already been granted and said that he will discuss it with the Opposition representatives in the future and present it to the Parliament.

News

Public sector will stop engaging in business and open it to the private sector in the future – President

Published

19 hours ago

2023/03/23

Priyan

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that due to the public sector engaging in business activities, the money that was available for the construction of 100 projects similar to the Mahaweli during the past decades, has been lost and noted that in the future, the public sector will stop engaging in business and open it to the private sector to create a free and productive economy.

President Wickremesinghe mentioned this at the 71st commemoration ceremony of the late Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake at Independence Square on Wednesday (22).