Attention (English) Archives - Page 2 of 12 - උණුසුම් පුවත්

29 Jan

By Tagging Anura with the Diaspora Label, Is Mahinda Playing His Last Trump Card?

By unusuma.lk on Jan 29, 2025 @ 9:05 pm (LK time)

Responding to Deshaya newspaper, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s decision to revoke his official residence and security was a move to satisfy the Tamil diaspora that contributed to his electoral victory.

Rajapaksa emphasized that many have forgotten the past, reminding the public that it was the heroic tri-forces who halted the LTTE’s wave of destruction. He recalled the Central Bank bombing, the Dehiwala train attack, the Air Lanka bombing, and aerial attacks on Colombo, which were countered under his leadership.

Reflecting on the past sacrifices, he mentioned how villages frequently received sealed coffins of fallen soldiers. He asserted that his leadership was instrumental in ending the violence that claimed thousands of innocent lives, including those of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and former Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa.

Rajapaksa remarked that the government would witness public sentiment in the upcoming elections regarding the decision to withdraw security and accommodation from a former head of state, who remains highly vulnerable to security threats.

29 Jan

The UN Backs the Government to Fulfill the People’s Mandate.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 29, 2025 @ 8:58 pm (LK time)

A meeting took place today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between the UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Mark Andrew, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.

Mark Andrew expressed the UN’s strong confidence and optimism regarding Sri Lanka’s new government. During the discussion, he assured Minister Herath that UN agencies are ready to assist the government in identifying hidden assets.

The UN emphasized Sri Lanka’s engagement with the UN Peacebuilding Commission in New York and pledged full support for national integration initiatives, including financial assistance. Mark Andrew also commended Sri Lanka’s humane response in rescuing Rohingya refugees stranded at sea.

He further revealed that the UN Secretary-General is expected to visit Sri Lanka by the end of the year.

Minister Herath described the recent election as historic, highlighting how Sri Lankans, regardless of ethnicity or region, overwhelmingly supported the new government. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to returning acquired lands in the Northern and Eastern provinces to their rightful owners.

Additionally, the Minister emphasized the government’s efforts to ensure fair ethnic representation in Sri Lanka’s police force. He also urged the UN to expand opportunities for Sri Lankan tri-service personnel in UN peacekeeping missions, to which Mark Andrew responded with keen interest.

28 Jan

As Mahinda Chants Pirith, the Government Plans a Demonic Offering.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 28, 2025 @ 8:01 pm (LK time)

A Pirith chanting ceremony was held last night (27) at the official residence of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Wijerama.

During the Cabinet press conference today (28), Cabinet Media Spokesperson, Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa, addressed questions regarding Mahinda Rajapaksa’s recent statement about leaving the residence.

Commenting on Rajapaksa’s remark that he would vacate the house if given written notice, Minister Jayatissa emphasized the importance of upholding moral standards. He noted that while there are “many methods to remove demons” from official residences, it would be more dignified for Rajapaksa to leave voluntarily, without bargaining over formal notices.

Responding to a journalist’s question, the Minister said:
“If you are living in a government house, dependent on the government, and say you’ll leave only if you receive a letter, it reflects poorly on morality. These individuals are not ordinary citizens; they are former presidents. It is not appropriate to reduce such matters to petty bargaining. Holding on to such positions like demons unwilling to leave is unbecoming. While there are ways to remove demons, maintaining morality is far better.”

28 Jan

“What Were You Doing for 8 Years?” Court Questions CID.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 28, 2025 @ 7:44 pm (LK time)

Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Ratnayake has rejected the CID’s request to remand a suspect, citing the lack of appropriate action taken against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who was previously arrested and produced before the court under the Money Laundering Act.

The court highlighted that while the CID presented the matter as a serious allegation, they failed to produce the suspect before the court for eight years or take necessary steps to freeze his assets as required by the Act.

The Magistrate emphasized that under the Money Laundering Act, freezing assets related to the incident is mandatory during such investigations. As the CID failed to comply with this requirement, the court granted bail to the suspect.

28 Jan

Namal Rajapaksa Indicted for Criminal Money Laundering.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 28, 2025 @ 7:36 pm (LK time)

The Attorney General has filed an indictment against Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa for criminal misappropriation of Rs. 70 million related to the Krish transaction.

The indictment, submitted to the Colombo High Court, alleges that Namal Rajapaksa misappropriated funds from an Indian company under the pretense of promoting the game of rugby.

The Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division had previously presented the case to the Fort Magistrate’s Court. Namal Rajapaksa was arrested as a suspect, produced before the court, and subsequently released on bail.

28 Jan

The Indian Government Expresses Its Displeasure With Sri Lanka.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 28, 2025 @ 7:31 pm (LK time)

An incident occurred this morning (28) near Delf Island when a naval personnel accidentally discharged his firearm during the arrest of 11 Indian fishermen, resulting in an injury to one of the fishermen.

The injured fisherman is currently receiving treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.

Following the incident, the Indian government summoned Sri Lanka’s Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and lodged a formal protest, according to Indian media reports.

India has urged Sri Lanka to approach fishermen-related issues with a humanitarian perspective, considering the livelihood challenges faced by the fishing community.

27 Jan

Vehicle Import Restrictions Removed: Effective from Tomorrow.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 27, 2025 @ 8:02 pm (LK time)

A special gazette notification has been issued, removing restrictions on vehicle imports, effective from tomorrow (28).

The notification, issued by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, signifies a significant policy change under the Import and Export Control Regulation Act, 1969.

This move is expected to ease regulations and facilitate vehicle imports starting immediately.

[Click here for the relevant gazette notification.]

27 Jan

Will Namal Rajapaksa Be Jailed.?

By unusuma.lk on Jan 27, 2025 @ 7:53 pm (LK time)

Speaking to the media, Attorney-at-Law Manoj Gamage claimed that court proceedings have confirmed the arrest of Yoshitha Rajapaksa was politically motivated.

He noted that while a case was filed under the Money Laundering Act, it was revealed in court that the basic procedural steps required by the Act were not followed.

Furthermore, Gamage alleged that the government is planning to arrest Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa within the next two weeks.

27 Jan

UNP-SJB Alliance in Progress: A New Political Force?

By unusuma.lk on Jan 27, 2025 @ 7:38 pm (LK time)

Former Governor Naveen Dissanayake has announced that a significant political discussion is set to take place within the next 10 days between United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa.

This meeting aims to establish a joint alliance between the UNP and the SJB for the upcoming local government elections. Dissanayake revealed that several additional face-to-face discussions between the two leaders are planned to solidify the alliance.

Key topics to be addressed include the name of the alliance, its election symbol, and the preparation of candidate lists. Two initial rounds of critical discussions between the UNP and the SJB have already been held in recent days. According to Dissanayake, these discussions could achieve success if conducted through a leadership council.

He also noted that there is growing consensus on contesting under a common symbol acceptable to all parties, excluding the UNP’s elephant symbol and the SJB’s telephone symbol.

Additionally, Dissanayake disclosed that the UNP plans to engage in discussions with other opposition parties, including the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has reportedly instructed the party’s working committee to finalize these discussions, including those with the SJB, by February 10.

Dissanayake emphasized that candidate selection for the alliance should reflect sensitivity to public expectations, with each party allocated positions on the candidate list proportional to the votes they secured in the last general election.

27 Jan

A Challenge to the NPP Policy Statement: An Unkeepable Promise?

By unusuma.lk on Jan 27, 2025 @ 7:33 pm (LK time)

Addressing a media briefing at the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Party headquarters today (27), its leader, lawyer Udaya Gammanpila, emphasized that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake cannot abolish pensions for former presidents under the current constitutional framework.

He pointed out that abolishing these pensions was a key promise in the National People’s Power (NPP) election manifesto. However, Gammanpila suggested that the manifesto’s preparation lacked input from individuals well-versed in constitutional law.

He elaborated further:
“Abolishing the pensions of former presidents was a promise by Anura Dissanayake and the leadership of the Compass government, as stated in their policy statement. So why is this topic not being discussed now? Forgotten? No, it hasn’t been forgotten—it has had to be forgotten.

Why? According to Article 36(2) of our Constitution, the pensions of former presidents currently receiving them cannot be revoked. President Anura can only abolish pensions for future presidents. Let us read the relevant section of the Constitution:

‘When a person assumes the office of President, that person shall be entitled to receive such salaries and allowances as determined by Parliament and thereafter to receive such pensions as determined. Any subsequent amendment, repeal, or replacement of this Constitution or any inconsistent law enacted thereafter shall not have retrospective effect.’

This isn’t my claim—it is the declaration of the Supreme Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who pledged to uphold the Constitution, cannot abolish pensions for former presidents already receiving them.

Even if the Constitution is amended or a new law contradicting this article is introduced, it will only apply to the future. Therefore, the current administration lacks the legal ability to revoke pensions already granted to former presidents.”

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