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Vesak turns violence to peace. On Monday, Temple Trees’ parapet wall area was the scene of violence with peaceful protesters being hammered with poles and other weapons by pro-government thugs. Yesterday, there was a new occupant at the PM’s official residence and the poles were those carrying the Vesak flag of peace and non-violence. Pic [...]
President holds strategy session to thwart moves to defeat Govt.
Beleaguered President Gotabaya Rajapaksa held a strategy session with ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) parliamentarians yesterday to chart a course to counter opposition moves to thwart the Government’s initiatives when Parliament sessions begin on Tuesday. The first was to quash efforts of the main opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) to move a vote of [...]
Dollar flow dries up; political instability worsens crisis
A staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is still at least three months away, there are no more credit lines–except for ongoing Indian assistance–and even the “small financial flows” that were being mobilised are now delayed because of this week’s unrest and deep political instability, the Sunday Times learns from authoritative sources. “Nothing,” [...]
Banks, finance and other companies requested to pay taxes upfront
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has called on large banks, finance companies and private sector companies to pay their first quarter taxes upfront, ahead of the due date, as the Government is facing a cash-flow problem in paying public sector salaries. The Sunday Times learns the Treasury has requested the IRD to ask these large [...]
Foreign Ministry staff won’t accept packs of food from China
China wanted food packs with rice, sugar, dhal and sprats in packs distributed to officials in the Foreign Ministry but strong objections by the Foreign Service Officiers’ Association put paid to the move. The move has been authorised by Foreign Secretary Jayanath Colombage, and the China-Sri Lanka Friendship Association was to be used as the [...]
President to part with Defence Ministry, will not retain other portfolios
Four members of the new Cabinet sworn in so far, maybe limited to a total of 20 SJB, NPP, SLFP and independent parties reject requests to join new government President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will hand over the defence portfolio and will not retain any ministries in Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s interim government, the Sunday Times learns. [...]
NJC raises alarm over BASL, SJB constitutional reforms
The National Joint Committee has reacted to the proposed constitutional amendments put forward by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya and the group of 11 political parties. Lt Col. Anil Amarasekera (Rtd.) and Mr. K. M. B. Kotakadeniya. Senior DIG.(Rtd.), Co-Presidents National Joint Committee, in a statement noted that the SJB [...]
Pro-Govt. MPs accuse JVP, FSP mobs of destroying their properties and vehicles
Elements backed by political parties and enemies are being blamed for the destruction caused to vehicles and properties of government politicians, their relatives and supporters during the three days of violence that broke out after pro-government thugs attacked peaceful protesters outside Temple Trees and at Galle Face on Monday. Properties and vehicles belonging to more [...]
BASL insists on constitutional reforms, calls on new PM to form unity govt.
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has noted that it is imperative that the Government establishes a clear timeline to introduce the BASL’s critical constitutional reforms, including the introduction of the 21st Amendment and the abolition of the executive presidency. “In this period of tremendous uncertainty, disaffection and suffering, it is vital that the new [...]
Solution to the economic crisis top priority, says new PM
United National Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Prime Minister for the sixth time since he first took up the job 29 years ago. After a brief swearing-in ceremony and two religious events at the Gangaramaya temple and the Walukaramaya temple on Thursday, the new premier assumed duties on Friday. Speaking to the [...]
Health Ministry formulates 3 ways to channel donations for urgently needed medicines
Sri Lanka is still in dire need of medicines and medical supplies and the Health Ministry has now formulated three ways in which donations can be channelled (please see graphic for details). “Roughly we need about US$ 30-40mn per month on drugs,” said Dr Anver Hamdani, the Director Medical Technology Services of the Ministry of [...]
Vesak: Focus on religious ceremonies not State festivals
More emphasis will be given to religious ceremonies this Vesak in the aftermath of a week that saw mayhem, death and destruction as violence ripped through the country. The country’s dire economic situation has also put a damper on the festival. Buddhist Affairs Commissioner General Sunanda Kariyapperuma said there would be no state functions but [...]
Lamborghini, Ferrari and Hummers burnt to cinders
Police have identified several suspects who led and were involved in the attacks on two prominent hotels and related buildings in Negombo as residents who took part in the pillage continued to return the items they looted from the establishments. A senior police officer said a group with political affiliations had instigated area residents, urging [...]
Continuing shortages of gas, kerosene and fuel leaves many burning in anger
Angry people continued their demands for cooking gas and kerosene, with protests being held in several parts of the country. Standing in long queues for hours in the hot weather and in the rain, has left many people boiling with anger and disappointment. Yesterday protests were carried out at Nawinna, Gunasinghepura, Kompanna Veediya, Mattakuliya and [...]
Amarakeerthi was lynched: Post-mortem report reveals multiple injuries
A post-mortem report has revealed that Polonnaruwa District Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Amarakeerthi Athukorala died of multiple injuries sustained in a mob attack. Mr Athukorala and his security officer were killed in Nittambuwa during the unrest that broke out on May 9 after pro-government goons attacked peaceful protesters outside Temple Trees and at [...]
Fire for fire: Public retaliation leaves State property in ashes
It was not only politicians’ houses that were gutted by fire in the attacks on Monday and Tuesday–State property too was damaged with a number of buildings and vehicles set on fire, destroyed, or looted. The Moratuwa Municipal Council experienced heavy losses due to 11 vehicles going up in flames during the unrest. According to [...]
GotaGoGama is a non-partisan protest, open to any political ideology, say young activists
The protests at Galle Face Green, on for more than a month, is a non-partisan, peaceful one, and the area is always open to peaceful activists of varied political viewpoints, said youth groups involved in the peaceful struggle from day one. On Monday, government supporters attacked non-violent anti-government protesters at Galle Face, resulting in clashes. [...]
Prominent YouTuber ousted from aragalaya on accusations of misusing funds
YouTube content creator and a prominent figure at the anti-government protest site at Galle Face – Samantha Piyumal Samarasinghe alias “Motivation Appachchi” has been ousted from the “Gotagama” protest site this week. Protesters claim that he had misused funds sent by Sri Lankans overseas in the guise of helping the protest. They also alleged that [...]
Agriculture was a part of our culture, but now a cultural desert leaves fields bare
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) drew massive support from rural Sri Lanka at the last Presidential and general elections, with farmers making up the biggest voter base that propelled them to power. That was before the President’s ad hoc decision to ban chemical fertiliser and introduce organic farming, one of [...]
Repeatedly postponed mandatory exams slated for next week
School examinations authorities said they are ready to hold the 2021 Ordinary Levels next week and called for the support of trade unions. These exams, generally held in December, were to have been held in January and then put off to late February and early March. Examinations Commissioner L.M.D. Dharmasena said that he has sought [...]
Absolute rubbish
A racket involving the sale of organic fertiliser mixing sand and charcoal, while misusing the name of the Agriculture Department was raided by a group including the Deputy Director of Agriculture in Puttalam on Friday (13). The case was handed over to the relevant divisions for further investigation. The fertiliser company, identified as Ulugala Organic [...]
After heatwave, heavy rain comes again; Met department warns of lightning and landslides
The rain in the south western part of the country is expected to spread and the wind speed could increase in the Northern and North western provinces, the Meteorology Department predicts. Meteorology Department Director General Athula Karunanayake said catchment areas near hydro-power reservoirs had been receiving heavy rain for the past two days. The Castlereagh, [...]
SLMA working very closely with Health Ministry to pull back state hospitals from the brink
In process of setting up a priority list so that patients will not die due to a lack of essential medicines, says SLMA President Prof. Samath D. Dharmaratne Concept of twinning a local state hospital with people in a particular city abroad being pursued ‘We need to save lives – with your support’, is the [...]
Mental health fallout from violence
Violence is irreversible and irreparable, the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists warns, stating that being physically attacked, being in the vicinity of violence or witnessing such violence could lead to many psychological conditions such as acute stress reaction, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorder and serious depression. “The psychological effects of violence can last a [...]
Fish now a luxury item on family menus
A meal of fish and rice has become a luxury for the average Sri Lankan family eager to maintain a diet rich in animal protein. Diesel for fishing vessels is now more costlier and so is fishing gear, largely imported. These rising costs for the fishing industry mean, the catch brought ashore is limited and [...]
Shyami Fonseka: Phenominal songster reminiscence
Shyami Fonseka is a popular vocalist, who possesses a good singing voice, self confidence, love for music, commitment, patience, determination, and discipline with ability to accept criticism. Above all Shyami has hereditary affiliations for her journey in music as father and grandfather both competent musicians with ability to sing and play any musical instrument. Father [...]