Main news (English) Archives - Page 2 of 8 - උණුසුම් පුවත්

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.”

26 Jan

A Peacock Grounded for 3 Years Flies Again, Gaining Wings for Two More.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 26, 2025 @ 8:13 pm (LK time)

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, Bimal Ratnayake, announced that steps are being taken to continue operating SriLankan Airlines as a state-owned company.

He revealed that one of three aircraft grounded for three years, incurring a cost of $0.9 million per month, has now been repaired and is ready for operations. The Minister also noted that two more grounded aircraft are expected to be operational before April.

Speaking to the media after a discussion held at the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation, Minister Ratnayake stated:
“SriLankan Airlines had been closed, sold, and mismanaged. To my knowledge, three planes were grounded for three years without engines. The previous Ranil-led governments spent $900,000 per month on these idle planes. That’s how they managed the airline.”

The Minister commended the efforts of the new leadership under Mr. Ganegoda for securing the funds needed to repair and relaunch one of the planes. Plans are in place to have two additional aircraft operational in the coming months, demonstrating a commitment to moving forward without selling the airline.

26 Jan

The Elephant Kicked Ashu.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 26, 2025 @ 8:01 pm (LK time)

In an interview on a YouTube channel, former UNP MP Ashu Marasinghe revealed that he has been removed from the UNP Working Committee.

Mr. Marasinghe, who also served as an advisor on parliamentary affairs to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, stated that his name has not been included in the Working Committee for the year 2025 by the UNP leader.

He disclosed during the discussion that, prior to the general election, he and a group within the party firmly advocated for uniting with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya Party. However, this proposal faced strong opposition from individuals close to Ranil Wickremesinghe, leading to a conflict of opinions within the party.

Despite his removal, Mr. Marasinghe stated that he has not been given a clear explanation for the decision. He further mentioned that when he sought clarification from party General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala, she acknowledged the presence of an issue but refrained from providing any details.

26 Jan

CPC Chairman Kicked His BMW for Employee Welfare.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 26, 2025 @ 7:56 pm (LK time)

The Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), Mr. D.J. Rajakaruna, has made the decision to sell his luxury BMW and allocate the proceeds to purchase two air-conditioned buses for employee transportation.

The current value of the BMW is estimated at Rs. 52 million. Considering the operational challenges, including inoperative sensors when the vehicle is no longer in use, the high cost of maintenance, and its significant fuel consumption, Mr. Rajakaruna has chosen to replace the car with two buses to benefit CPC employees.

This BMW 7 Series, with approximately 3,500 horsepower, was originally purchased in 2018 for Rs. 29.5 million. It consumes one liter of petrol for every 4 kilometers, making it highly fuel-inefficient.

The vehicle has undergone several costly repairs, amounting to Rs. 6,770,349. Additionally, monthly servicing expenses and annual insurance costs nearly one million rupees, placing a substantial financial burden on the corporation.

Selling this vehicle is expected to significantly reduce costs. Approximately Rs. 40 million will be required to purchase two fully air-conditioned Japanese buses. These buses will replace the aging Tata buses currently used, which have been in service for over 10 years.

The board of directors submitted a proposal for this initiative last Friday, and efforts are underway to expedite the procurement process.

25 Jan

Will the SLFP Unite Under the Hand Sign for Elections?

By unusuma.lk on Jan 25, 2025 @ 9:29 pm (LK time)

Political sources report that party organizers strongly believe the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) should contest the upcoming elections under the hand sign.

Amid divisions within the SLFP, one faction supports contesting under the chair sign, while another advocates for the hand sign. Despite these differences, the majority of party organizers have expressed their preference for the hand sign.

This sentiment isn’t new; party organizers had suggested contesting under the hand sign years ago. However, differing opinions among the party leadership and appointed secretaries prevented its implementation at the time.

Organizers now stress that to regain political power and play a central role in the country’s political landscape, the SLFP must unify and contest under the hand sign.

25 Jan

A 3-Billion-Rupee Palace for the Rajapaksa Couple.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 25, 2025 @ 9:18 pm (LK time)

National People’s Power MP Asitha Niroshan Mahaha has disclosed that the current value of the land housing the official residence of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Shiranthi Rajapaksa in Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 07, stands at an estimated Rs. 3,178 million.

Speaking during a political program last night (24), the MP provided details about the property, noting that the land spans one acre and 13.7 perches—an area larger than a football field. The official residence itself covers 30,534 square feet.

The MP further revealed that the current value of the residence is estimated at Rs. 229 million. After assessing the property and residence, he added that it could potentially be rented out for Rs. 4.6 million per month.

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