By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): The recommendation by President Ranil Wickremesinghe for a three-month service extension for the current Inspector General of Police (IGP), C.D. Wickramaratne, has been approved by the Constitutional Council.

The approval was granted when the Constitutional Council was convened at the Speaker’s Official Residence under the patronage of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday (01).

• Similar to the successful fight against terrorism, the economic battle will also be won, and the country will achieve economic independence.
• Stringent laws will be introduced to control the drug scourge- The President says delivering a special address to the security forces, police.
• The President praised all members of the security forces for fulfilling their duties and preventing the country from falling into anarchy.

Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that during his presidency, no one will be allowed to breach the law and order of the country. He emphasized that he will prioritize doing what is right over doing what is popular, and that presenting popular ideas can lead to the destruction of the country.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said this during his address to the Tri Forces & Police officers and other rankers at the Air Force Base, Anuradhapura, as the Commander in Chief of the armed forces.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe asserted that no one is entitled to engage in violent protests on the streets, but all political parties have the right to express their opinions or criticize him in a peaceful manner.

He emphasized the importance of doing the right thing, and mentioned that they presented the International Monetary Fund agreement to the parliament to assess whether the parliamentarians had the courage to make the right decisions for the betterment of the country.

The President referred to the International Monetary Fund agreement as an example and expressed his expectation for everyone’s assistance in making the IMF program successful. He also stated that if the country adopts a fresh approach and embarks on a new journey, it can achieve significant development within the next 25 years.

The President asserted that Sri Lanka will win the economic war, similar to the successful fight against terrorism, adding that measures would be taken to establish economic independence in the country.

The President acknowledged that the armed forces and police will continue to play a crucial role in achieving economic independence, and also assessed the actions of the armed forces and police in maintaining law and order during the previous year.

The President expressed gratitude towards the armed forces for fulfilling their responsibility, as without their efforts, Sri Lanka would have become an anarchic state. He also mentioned that the ongoing competition between world powers is affecting the Indian Ocean, and he intends to take action as the President to protect Sri Lanka from this influence.

The President emphasized that future military situations can be shaped by technology and knowledge, unlike in the past. He highlighted the need for the armed forces and police to be equipped with modern technology and knowledge to overcome future challenges. The President initiated the Defence 2030 program, aiming to strengthen the defence forces of Sri Lanka.

The President also announced that stringent laws will be introduced to combat the drug scourge, and no amnesty will be granted to drug offenders. The President said that he had instructed the Minister of Law and Order Tiran Alles, and Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapaksha to take strict action against such offenders and to utilize the support of the armed forces in this effort.

Minister of State for Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President Mr Sagala Ratnayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence GeneralKamal Gunaratne (Rtd), Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sudarshan Pathirana, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Inspector General of Police Mr. C.D. Wickramaratne and around 1200 other rankers of the Tri Forces and Police were present on this occasion.

1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe says he will not permit anyone to violate the law and order of the country during his Presidency.
   
2. Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara asks IGP to conduct a CID investigation into the conduct of trade union leaders & others who allegedly forcibly entered the Kolonnawa CPSTL on 28th March.
   
3. Chairperson of the Parliamentary Caucus for Children SJB MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathne calls for the appointment of a special committee in coordination with the Ministry of Education, to prepare textbooks on sexual and reproductive health for students.
   
4. President Ranil Wickremesinghe says the incumbent government is committed to building a “digitalized” modern Sri Lanka: also says it is the duty of the Govt to accelerate digitalization by digitalizing the public sector.
   
5. Group of Aragalaya activists stage protest near former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s private residence to mark the 1-yr anniversary of protesters calling for his resignation: Police take several members of the group into custody.
   
6. SLOTS survey indicates that Sri Lankans continue to have deeply unfavourable views of most politicians: almost all politicians tracked by the survey receive negative favourability ratings: MP Sudarshini Fernandopulle receives the most favourable rating, while SLPP National Organizer Basil Rajapaksa receives the least favourable rating.
   
7. Cardinal Ranjith’s Spokesman Rev. Father Cyril Gamini calls for an “internationally acceptable” report on the alleged death of Pulasthini Mahendran alias Sarah Jasmine, the wife of Katuwapitiya church bomber: claims the 3rd and recent report from the Govt Analyst Dept is contradictory to their former reports.
   
8. Anuradhapura District Joint Farmers Organization Secretary Punrala Ratnayaka says farmers are in a serious predicament due to the Govt’s sudden decision not to purchase paddy: points out that the Govt purchased paddy at Rs.100 per kg through private rice mill owners earlier.
   
9. Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das and Sri Lankan envoy in New Delhi Milinda Moragoda discuss Indian Rupee trade expansion, as a key pillar of the economic revival of Sri Lanka: also discuss the role India could play through greater integration of the economies in areas such as power, energy, ports, infrastructure, tourism, and IT services.
   
10. Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe says the Govt would not bring any fundamental changes to the current version of the Anti-Terrorism Bill: the proposed law to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act, which was invoked mainly in dealing with LTTE terrorism.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places over most parts of the country during the afternoon or night and fairly heavy showers above 50mm are likely at some places, the Department of Meteorology said in a statement today (02).

General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Marine Weather:

President Ranil Wickremesinghe delivered a special address to the Tri Forces and Police personnel from the Anuradhapura Air Force Base.

State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President Sagala Ratnayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence General Kamal Gunaratne (Rtd), Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sudarshan Pathirana, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Inspector General of Police C.D. Wickramaratne and around 1200 other rankers of the Tri Forces and Police were present on this occasion.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara has urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to conduct a probe into the parties accused of disrupting the process of distributing fuel from the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited in Kolonnawa four days ago (28).

Among the group recognised as ‘saboteurs’ are trade union representatives, employees expecting nominations to contest the Local Government Election, and retired petroleum workers, a letter sent by the Minister to the IGP said.

A group engaged in a fast in front of the CPC Terminal premises forced their way in to the safe zone where fuel distribution was taking place and chased away the employees, whilst the fuel tankers that arrived to collect their consignment of fuel were also turned back, the letter added, urging the IGP that a probe, therefore, must be carried out via the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Wijesekara accused that the group had attempted to damage the fuel distribution pipes and the automates system in order to disrupt the fuel distribution process, reminding that these services have been declared essential by the government. As a result of the act, the fuel distribution process was disrupted stemming the formation of fuel queues, he added.

The Minister further noted that legal measures are being taken to recover the losses from the individuals whom he described as saboteurs.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): A group of employees of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) who are on compulsory leave over the alleged trade union actions are set to meet former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today (01).

The group of twenty petroleum workers including those of trade unions will be meeting the ex President at his official residence in Colombo. The meeting expects to address their demands involving the said strike action.

Meanwhile, the CPC workers have also lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) over them being sent on compulsory leave.

The employees on leave are said to be on schedule to meet with Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa and ex President Maithripala Sirisena in the next few days regarding the matter as well.

Effective immediately, the prices of imported milk powder will be reduced, as announced by the importers. The price cut includes a Rs. 200 reduction in the cost of a 1kg packet of milk powder and a Rs. 80 reduction in the cost of a 400g packet.

Starting today, March 31st 2023, the Ministry of Transport has announced a reduction in the fares of expressway buses. The revised fares are in line with the recent revision of fuel prices. Passengers can now enjoy the amended fares, which are as follows: