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Wimal uses Imran’s ouster to bolster his claim that US was behind GR’s removal

Published

3 years ago

2023/08/16

National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa yesterday (15) said that those who sought to dispute his claim of US involvement in President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ouster should follow international media coverage of Pakistan Premier Imran’s Khan’s removal.

Referring to agency reports, the former minister said there was no doubt that Premier Khan has incurred the wrath of the US for refusing to condemn Russia over the war in Ukraine.

The Opposition MP said that both the US and the EU had brought pressure to bear on Pakistan over Khan’s stand on Ukraine and his visit to Moscow in February last year, influenced the US move.

Weerawansa told The Island that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government had remained silent on the US and Indian interventions to oust President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, too, had never contradicted revelation that the US Ambassador here Julie Chung personally met him at his official residence, near Parliament, where he was offered an opportunity to succeed the previous President.

MP Weerawansa said that the US intervention in Islamabad, where the Premier was removed through a no-faith motion, confirmed his claims. (SF)

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Financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces – PM

Published

2 hours ago

2026/03/4

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya stated that the necessary financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces. She emphasized that these funds must be utilized effectively for school development and requested that relevant authorities submit proposals to address existing shortcomings in school infrastructure.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during a cordial meeting with Muslim women in the Wellawaya area on 1st of March.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister met with the Chief Sanghanayake of the Uva Wellassa region and the Chief Incumbent of Yudaganawa Rajamaha Viharaya, Venerable Rajakeeya Panditha Most Venerable Galtemwatte Nandarathana Nayaka Thero, and briefed him on the current progress of the new education reforms.

She further stated that, while ensuring due recognition for vocational education, steps are being taken to develop 50 vocational training centers equipped with modern courses, covering all 25 districts of the country. She also noted that new education reforms will be introduced for Grade 6 starting in 2027, and that the printing of new textbooks will be entrusted to the Educational Publications Department of the Ministry of Education.

The occasion was attended by Uva Province Governor Attorney-at-Law Kapila Jayasekara, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security R.M. Jayawardhana, Member of Parliament Ruwan Wijewardene, local government representatives, the Buttala Divisional Secretary and the District Secretary.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Free 14 day visa extension for visitors unable to depart Sri Lanka

Published

7 hours ago

2026/03/4

Priyan

The Department of Immigration and Emmigration has decided effective from 28th February 2026, to grant a free fourteen (14) day visa extension to all tourists who are unable to leave Sri Lanka due to flight cancellations.

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Maldives Coast Guard Ship Huravee arrives in Colombo

Published

8 hours ago

2026/03/4

Priyan

The Maldives Coast Guard Ship Huravee arrived at the Port of Colombo for replenishment purposes on 02 Mar 26. The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The ship is a 48.9m long Offshore Patrol Vessel which is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Nafiu Mohamed.

Meanwhile, the ship’s crew is scheduled to visit several tourist attractions in the city of Colombo, during their stay in the island.