News
Welgama warns country heading towards military dictatorship
by Zacki Jabbar
Kumara Welgama who is contesting this week’s Parliamentary Polls on the SJB ticket, warns that it could be the last since the Rajapaksas have already set in motion the process of establishing a military dictatorship.
Addressing several meetings in the Kalutara electorate recently, Welgama recalled that he had warned prior to the last Presidential Election that Gotabaya’s grand plan was to establish military rule after hoodwinking the people at the polls. But there were those who doubted him then.
Now you can see it happening. The President has already appointed Special Task Forces packed with former military personnel who are not answerable to the Cabinet of Ministers and Parliament, he said lamenting that competent public officials specialized in various fields had been sidelined.
Advicing Ministers Dinesh Gunawardena and Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Welgama said that the Podujana Peramuna was a family party and asked them not to have much hope of advancing in the party hierarchy because only the Rajapaksas could rise to the top in that party.
The debt burden was rising and the economy going down the Gadarene slope. But, the government in its height of incompetence has printed well over Rs.200 billion foolishly thinking that it was the solution to the worsening crisis, he noted.
He said that the masses had been taken for a jolly good ride by Gotabaya, who made many bogus promises including 100,000 jobs for those not having passed the GCE Ordinary Level Examination, a Rs. 20,000 monthly stipend for graduates whose functions were never clearly outlined, dhal at Rs.65 and a tin of canned fish at Rs.100. But none of these promises were fulfilled, even though eight months has lapsed.
Don’t vote for the Rajapaksas and lose your hard fought democratic freedoms by making the same mistake again, he appealed.
Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, met with a delegation from the World Food Programme (WFP) at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (11).
During the meeting, the WFP representatives agreed to continue their on-going programs in Sri Lanka without disruptions.
Although the food crisis in Sri Lanka has eased to some extent, the WFP officials expressed their willingness to extend further support through new programme whenever additional needs arise.
The WFP delegation included WFP Country Director Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, the Government Partnerships Officer Musthafa Nihmath and the Gerard Rebello , WFP Sri Lanka ‘s Deputy Country Director. Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage, also attended the meeting.
News
President directs officials to provide a monthly allowance of Rs. 3,000 to Pensioners from Next Week
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials of the Ministry of Finance to take necessary action to provide a monthly interim allowance of Rs. 3000 to all pensioners, from next week.
After reviewing the delay in adding the Rs. 3000 allowance to the October pension, the President directed that this amount be credited to the pensioners’ accounts within the next week.
These instructions were given during a meeting held on Thursday (10) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat with senior officials of the Ministry of Finance, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Despite the circular No. 02/2024 dated 2024/08/24 issued by the Public Administration Department to grant a monthly interim allowance of Rs. 3000 to all pensioners, funds were not allocated for this purpose.
Upon reviewing the matter, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake informed the officials of the Ministry of Finance to ensure that the required funds are provided.
Considering the hardships faced by pensioners due to the non-payment of the Rs. 3000 allowance with the October pension, and their subsequent requests, the President decided to proceed with the payment from this month, despite the prevailing financial difficulties of the government.
Since the October pension has already been credited to the pensioners’ accounts, the President instructed officials to ensure that the Rs. 3000 allowance is credited to their accounts within the next week, and from next month, this allowance will be added to the monthly pension.
Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardena and several senior officials from the Ministry of Finance were present at this meeting
[PMD]
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Sail Training Warship ‘PO LANG’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on 08th October 2024, departed the island today (11th October), on successful completion of its formal visit. The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Colombo port, following naval traditions.
While the ship was in Colombo, the crew took the opportunity to explore some of the country’s tourist attractions. They also participated in various programmes designed to foster camaraderie between the two navies. Moreover, Sri Lanka Navy personnel attended briefings on the operational functions of the visiting ship.
WFP Assures Continuous Support to Sri Lanka
President directs officials to provide a monthly allowance of Rs. 3,000 to Pensioners from Next Week
Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Sail Training Warship ‘PO LANG’ departs Island
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