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 CEAT breaks new ground with locally made high-performance 17-inch tyre

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CEAT Kelani Holdings has taken its radial tyre manufacture to a new paradigm with the launch of the first of a range of high-performance 17-inch tyres for medium-sized SUVs like the Honda Vezel, a popular vehicle on Sri Lankan roads.

Designed, engineered and built for Sri Lankan conditions at the CEAT Kelani manufacturing complex in Kelaniya, the CEAT Secura Drive SUV 215/55 R17 tyre takes Sri Lanka’s highest-selling tyre brand up the value chain and responds to the national effort to conserve foreign exchange by providing a locally-manufactured product that matches leading international brands.

Designed for better grip, precise steering control, wet handling and enhanced drive comfort, the new tyre is the first 17-inch tyre to be manufactured in Sri Lanka by CEAT, and is benchmarked against the 17-inch tyres sourced from CEAT India and introduced to the market in 2017, the Company said.

“Two decades of knowledge of local conditions and driver expectations and the vast technological expertise of CEAT India are represented in this new radial tyre which will be the first of many locally-manufactured variants and sizes for SUVs and larger European and Japanese cars,” CEAT Kelani Managing Director Mr Ravi Dadlani said

The new tyre has connected shoulder blocks, high block stiffness patterns and draws from low-strain cavity technology and high-pressure resin technology-based new cap compounding that provide cornering stability and grip. Its straight centre rib with z-stroke sipes, fine-edged sipes with variable depth and high-pressure tread base compound combine to deliver fluid manoeuvrability.

CEAT Secura Drive SUV is resistant to aquaplaning, thanks to its fluidic sipe design, super-blended high performance-silane technology, 3D groove-wall technology and straight circumferential groove channels with long and narrow shoulder grooves, the Company said.

The tyre’s variable block stiffness in the shoulder and intermediate ribs, broad tread contact, easy flex cavity design and Dura-Core Cap-strip technology construction for better impact absorption ensure a comfortable drive.

The tyre’s CACTUS algorithm used for tread pitch design and long and narrow grooves result in reduced in-cabin noise. Additionally, the sidewall and tread pattern complement the looks of the vehicles the tyres are fitted to.

The manufacturer of half of the country’s pneumatic tyre requirements, CEAT Kelani Holdings is considered one of the most successful India – Sri Lanka joint ventures. 

The joint venture’s cumulative investment in Sri Lanka to date exceeds Rs 8 billion, and another Rs 3.2 billion has been committed in 2022 for expansion of volumes, technology upgrades and new product development. 

The company’s manufacturing operations in Sri Lanka encompass tyres in the radial (passenger cars, vans and SUVs), commercial (nylon and radial), motorcycle, three-wheeler and agricultural vehicle segments.

Sri Lanka to enter into maritime security agreement with India

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In a farsighted move to secure its strategic interests in the Southern Indian Ocean region amid China’s growing inroads, the Indian Government is to enter into a maritime security agreement with Sri Lanka that will strengthen India’s interests, particularly around the eastern Trincomalee harbor, informed sources said. .

This mechanism includes the supply of Donier surveillance aircraft for the Sri Lanka Air Force, a ship repair dock for the Sri Lanka Navy in Trincomalee.

It has been suggested to post a Sri Lankan Navy officer at the Intelligence Fu Fusion Centre, a Bahrain-based intelligence sharing office which is a US Navy initiative to combat international terrorism, the narcotics trade and ensure safe maritime passage for commercial vessels in the region,

The two sides are close to finalising three defence-related agreements and arrangements that will bolster the capabilities of Sri Lanka’s armed forces and boost cooperation for maritime security, Indian media reports revealed.

“In addition to agreements for the purchase of two Dornier aircraft and the acquisition of a 4,000-tonne naval floating dock by Sri Lanka, Colombo has agreed to post a naval liaison officer at the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram, a senior official familiar with the matter said.

“The centre tracks merchant shipping and monitors threats such as maritime terrorism and piracy in regional waters.

The Sri Lankan liaison officer will join counterparts from 10 of India’s partner nations, including Australia, France, Japan, the Maldives, Singapore, the UK and the US.

“The naval floating dock is a facility equipped with automated systems for the quality and swift repairs of warships.

Such docks have the capability to lift large ships such as frigates and destroyers, and are designed to be berthed alongside a jetty or moored in calm waters to carry out planned or emergency repairs of ships.

The people cited above said another potential area for defence cooperation is the expansion of training for Sri Lankan military personnel in Indian facilities and institutions.

Along with the erstwhile Afghan national security forces, Sri Lanka has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of military training programmes offered by India.

Meanwhile the Cabinet of Ministers has given the go-ahead to establish a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Sri Lanka with a grant of USD 6 million from India.
In a statement, the government said India has agreed to provide the required financial assistance for this Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre.

The relevant proposal was tabled by President Gotabaya in his capacity as the Minister of Defence.

Thereby, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of India and an agreement with Bharath Electronics of India will be signed for the establishment of the said centre.

Bharat Electronics Limited is an Indian government-owned aerospace and defence electronics company, which primarily manufactures advanced electronic products for ground and aerospace application.

Foreign Affairs Minister Peiris and Qatar’s Ambassador Al – Sorour discuss multifaceted relations between SL and Qatar

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Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. Peiris and Qatar’s Ambassador Al – Sorour discuss the multifaceted relations between Sri Lanka and Qatar

Ambassador for the State of Qatar, Jassim bin Jaber J.B. Al-Sorour called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris on 21 March 2022, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Colombo.

At the meeting, Foreign Minister Prof. Peiris noted with appreciation Qatar’s strong support and empathetic approach towards Sri Lanka at the Human Rights Council and briefed the Ambassador of Qatar on the ongoing reconciliation progress in Sri Lanka. Minister Peiris further resolved to strengthen the longstanding cooperation, steadfast friendship and multifaceted relations between Sri Lanka and Qatar.

Ambassador Al-Sorour assured Qatar’s firm commitment to the promotion of a strong economic partnership and friendship with Sri Lanka for the benefit of the people of both countries.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

22 March, 2022

My 3rd Open letter to Gotabaya: S. V. Kirubaharan

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My 3rd Open letter to Gotabaya: My research, analysis and predictions have never failed! 

S. V. Kirubaharan, France 

“Everything happens for a reason. 

But sometimes the reason is that you’re stupid and you make bad decisions”.     – Alyssa Rodriguez 

Aiybovan Gotabaya   

I’m sure some of my friends and colleagues will not be happy that I say ‘aiybovan’ to you. They may wonder why I can’t say either ‘Vanakkam’ or ‘Salam Aleykoum’ or even Hi / Buddy because you were/are an American. 

When the whole world says that American Vice President Kamala Harris is the first female African American / Asian American vice president, they all forget about you being unprecedented too. It is an undeniable fact that you are the first male American to be the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka! 

By the way, it’s sad that your Cabinet cannot work at your speed. Since you became the President, you have appointed many liars, dishonest men and hooligans to various ministries. But, today many are grumbling that you are running their ministries. It is strongly believed that this is one of the reasons for you sacking some ministers. 

In Tamil, there is a proverb, “வளர்த்த கடா மார்பில் பாய்வதாக”. English translation – “Fostered rams are attacking the owner’s chest” Now your family is harvesting what you all have sown. We already knew that this would happen. However, now the whole world knows how you all were using some individuals, intellectuals, academics, politicians, and others for the glorification of your family.  

Ministers and ex-ministers – Basil Rajapaksa, Rambukkaala, Wimal Weerawansa, Johnston Fernando, Sarath Weeraseka – SW, Douglas Devananda and a few others should be offered PhDs in ‘telling lies’. Your relation Sarath Weerasekara, known as minister of public security is doing well in ‘Public Savaging’. We were told that he is the only Minister who is in frequent contact with you. Is this because of your family relationship or because Public Savaging is done under your guidance? SW is a real fun factory.  

Rambukkaala, who was recently offered an MBBS from your Gota University, regrets having been removed from the post of spokesperson. But he doesn’t show his dislike because he feels that you may sack him as well. 

Prof Peiris 

The clown of your cabinet is Prof Peiris – PP. After his visit to Geneva, it seems that he is suffering from Alzheimer’s. His speech in the 49th session was to please you, your family members and the people in the South, but no substantial information was given to the international community. His ridiculous remarks and attacks on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights – Mme Michel Bachelet was counter-productive for Sri Lanka. In fact, he tried to show you that he can do a better job than Dinesh Gunawardena – it makes good drama but earns insults for Sri Lanka. 

Internationally, he and the late Mangala Samaraweera have lost their reputation and credibility. The international community is well aware of PP’s senseless statements during the peace talks in 2000s from Thailand to Japan, Norway and USA.  

When he says that in the 49th session of the UN HRC, 31 states were in support of Sri Lanka; this proves that he is fooling himself. What a liar for the sake of survival!  Does this mean that he doesn’t know how to count? Even if we take it for granted that 31 states supported Sri Lanka – compared to 193 member states, it is not even one fifth of the UN member states. His lies will be proved in the forthcoming 51st session in September – let’s wait and see! 

One country and Gota law 

Now let me deal with some important affairs. Does your slogan ‘one country one law / Gota law’ make any logic to outsiders? Your advisors have forgotten that usually one country can have two or many nations. When it comes to law, it is no surprise that presently there is only one law – ‘Gota’s dictatorial Law’.    

Otherwise how come all those murderers who face death sentences, life imprisonment and others, can be released by you? It proves that you were behind all those killings including the Easter bombings? I wrote about this in my article on 07 July 2019. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjit and others have realised this fact lately. 

Now, the way things are moving since you became the President proves that it was you who was behind the operation of Bodu Bala Sena – BBS (Sinhalese Buddhist extreme nationalist organisation) which was established in 2012. 

Hello Buddy, right or wrong you were in America for many years. During that period you learned neither politics nor diplomacy. I don’t think any sensible Tamil politician or political party will come for a talk with you without third party mediation. After all, you insist that Sri Lanka is a Sinhala Buddhist country, one country one (Gota) law etc.  

It is obvious that there are many ‘black-sheep’ among the Tamil politicians, political parties and also among diaspora. The Southern politicians and political parties are making use of them by black mailing. The world will never forget how in the past you all cheated the people of the North and East! 

There is no point in talking to you or your gang of crooks about the history of the island.  You proudly claim that you became the President with only the Sinhalese vote. Well and good. But, it’s shameful that now the same people are demonstrating against you. You have plunged them into great, serious, economic crises and you are starving them. 

Are you a war hero? 

It’s a shame that now Sri Lanka has moved towards a Monarchy system like in Middle Eastern countries. The difference is that you had elections like Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe who was in power for 37 years. Only under the Monarchy system can the whole family hold high profile positions and grab the wealth of the country. The worst family appointment was the Minister of Finance. This post was held in the past by the World top economist N.M.Perera.  Unfortunately now this ministerial position is in the hands of a person who had no proper education either in economics or via experience in the financial sector. Obviously the country will be in crisis. 

Do you think that the world can’t understand your motive in filling all top positions with military personnel? It is an obvious preparation for life-time Rajapaksa Monarchism. This is one of the reasons why even with the worst economic crisis, not a single country is ready to help your family’s regime. 

I feel sorry for those people who trusted your bogus claim that you were one of the ‘war heroes’ and voted for you. Regarding this matter, I have written many articles in the past. None of you, including Sarath Fonseka are ‘war heroes’. You all are really fooling the people in the South. 

You ask your brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa, how many bogus promises he gave to the international community and India to win the war against the LTTE?  

During the war, I personally witnessed in Geneva how Mohan Perris was dealing with the North Korean Ambassador to get their help for the war effort against the LTTE – Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Since then North Korea got involved in the war. Now, eventually, some realise about the North Korean involvement in the war. 

Hello Buddy, do you know that this was the only war on earth, where all enemy countries united and got involved. The US doesn’t agree with North Korea and China. India doesn’t agree with Pakistan and China. During the Eelam war, all these countries were involved and fought the battle against the LTTE.  

We knew very well that there were hundreds of Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives to win the battle in Madhu in Mannar. This was possible because Indian Congress and Sonia Gandhi wanted to take revenge on Eelam Tamils.  

Sonia Gandhi and LTTE 

In fact, the government of Sri Lanka is smart enough in cheating Sonia Gandhi and their family members. In July 1987, a Sri Lanka Navy soldier tried to kill Rajiv Gandhi in Colombo, in the presence of Sonia Gandhi and many other Indian diplomats – also Sri Lankan President J.R.Jeyawardena was a witness at the scene. The Navy Sailor, who made the attempt to kill Rajiv Gandhi, said in interviews that he attacked Rajiv Gandhi to kill him. This Navy soldier is still living peacefully in Colombo, whereas the LTTE was wiped out by Sonia Gandhi and her government because of alleged accusations – I mean without any irrefutable evidence. 

If the international community hadn’t come to rescue you all, today Tamils would have been celebrating their twelfth anniversary of independence. If so, today your economic crisis would have been sorted out by your good neighbours, the people of Tamil Eelam. 

Hello Buddy, I presume that presently you are enjoying executive powers with a two third majority in parliament. If you are a real Buddhist and honest to your heart, you should have come forward to settle the ethnic conflict and respect the aspirations of the Tamils in the North and East. Also, before you carry on with forceful and uncivilised Sinhala settlement in North and East, you should re-settle the Tamils who lived for hundreds of years in many parts in the South, including in Kartaragama and its surroundings. Hope you will never forget that Kartaragama and its surrounding were developed by the Tamils when it was a thick forest area. 

Below I quote a paragraph from my article, ‘Kataragama To KKS’ (South To North) published in the Sunday Leader of 24 October 2010. 

“Since winning the war, the Rajapaksas and their people say we are all Sri Lankan and that there is no place for a specific community or ethnic-group. Everyone has the right to settle anywhere of their choice. If this is genuine, why can’t the Tamils be resettled back in Kataragama, up-country, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee and Ampara, Batticaloa and elsewhere where Tamils were living years back?” (Excerpts) 

Good luck……. 

In 1956 when SWRD Bandaranaike introduced the Sinhala only act, he never thought there would be thirty years of armed struggle in the North and East. When J.R.Jeyawardena sent Brigadier T.I. Weeratunga in 1979 to Jaffna to suppress then militancy he never thought that Tamils would have a de-facto government covering 70-80per cent of the North and East. If your thinking also goes in the same manner as these short-sighted leaders – I wish you good luck in your endeavours…..! 

Have you ever heard of the Iranian revolution that took place 1978/79? I personally witnessed this revolution. The guns, artillery and tanks were nothing in front of the people’s will and power.  However, my best advice to the Rajapaksa family is to keep a jumbo jet on stand-by at the Airport for your family members to escape before the masses capture the government. 

If you and your gang strongly think that the Tamils from the North and East are from India and they should get back to India – I’m sure that they will be happy to do so, on a condition that they will go with the land where they have lived for thousands of years. In other words, they will be happy to become another State of India. 

Very recently, ex-Chief Minister of the Northern province Mr. C.V.Vigneswaran asked a reasonable question from you and others from the South – that if Prabhakaran was a terrorist, what about Keppetipola Dissawe who fought against the British? The same question we ask you, what is the difference between the JVP members who fought violently to capture the whole of Sri Lanka and the LTTE cadres who have been in jail for years? 

Jaffna public library! 

The JVP killed many Sinhala political leaders, intellectuals, academics, professionals, security personnel and many others in 88/89. In such a scenario, how can any politician in the South say that JVP members have clean hands? 

If you wish to know the real history of the island, please do turn the pages of what your ancestors have studied in their history books. Now you all are teaching manipulated history to the people in the South. In other words, you are feeding venom to the Sinhala people. Is this what Lord Buddha’s preaching has taught you all? To know the real history, do ask your advisors to read about “Lemuria, Kumari Kandam”, etc.  

Do you or any others have any reasonable explanation for why the Jaffna public library was burnt into ashes by Sri Lankan security forces while supervised by then two important ministers? Many are not aware that the Jaffna public library had housed all the historical documents to prove that the Tamils were the original inhabitants of this island long before Buddhism or the Sinhala language found a place in the island. This was the reason why the Jaffna library was burnt down by the then government of Sri Lanka. 

Parliamentary ‘dress code’ 

Hello Buddy, presently the country is in a real economic crisis. If you are a real patriot, this is the best time for you to encourage your family members to bring the stolen wealth and assets of Sri Lanka into the country. According to a friend of mine who is an Economist, your family wealth and assets in foreign countries are more than enough for the survival of Sri Lanka for at least two to three months. 

By the way, if there is a ‘dress code’ for the Sri Lankan parliament, I believe that it is seriously violated by Rajapaksa’s family by wearing a red shawl in the parliament.  If that can be accepted by the Speaker and the parliament, then I recommend the Tamil parliamentarians to wear black shawls and suit during the parliament sessions or at least during important events like remembrance of Mullivaizhal, etc. This can be done even by the opposition members of parliament too. 

I was told by a Singhalese journalist that Rajapaksa’s family strongly believe in, and practice the caste system. People like Sarath Fonseka, Sajitha Premada and many others are victims of caste discrimination by Rajapaksa’s family. What a shame, especially in the 21st century. 

There are academics in Sri Lanka who naively encouraged you and your family’s atrocities in the past and were late in understanding the true image of you all. People like Dayan Jayantileke, Radhika Coomaraway, Prof Wijesinghe and a few others have never had any long vision of Sri Lanka. We feel sorry for them. (End) 

Debt money from India used for SLPP’s political campaign: Sajith (VIDEO)

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Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa speaking in Parliament today (22) alleged that a plan is being undertaken to launch a programme selecting a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) member from each village at a total count of 14,000 villages in Sri Lanka and opening shops by using a portion of the debt obtained from India.

The government is taking steps to provide coupons to SLPP members to enable them to purchase goods from these shops, Premadasa revealed.

What would be the government’s measure on behalf of the people of Sri Lanka on the condition of every person living in it being devastated by the catastrophe befallen the country, the Opposition Leader questioned, alleging that instead of providing solutions to them the country is being sacrificed for narrow political strategies.

MIAP

Security forces warn migrant workers against undial money transfer

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Unauthorised foreign currency transactions pose a serious legal risk to their stakeholders, security forces warned the Sri Lankan migrant workers’ community, following many cases recently uncovered.

Foreign remittances being made by Sri Lankan migrant workers through intermediaries in the adaptation of the ‘undial system’ aka the underground banking system have now come under the microscope of the Sri Lankan security forces and it has been revealed that most of these unknown parties are directly linked to drug dealers.

Accordingly, the security forces warn migrant workers against such transactions raising awareness on the legal risk in the process.

Parties involved in foreign remittances via the controversial undial system have been subject to unnecessary legal issues mainly due to the fact that the security forces are paying close attention to the manner in which such transactions are being made, according to government intelligence sources.

Recently, Sri Lankan migrant workers in Kuwait told ‘The Leader’ the manner in which foreign remittances from Kuwait are being stolen by intermediaries, stating the following;

“Kuwait nationals have to pay close to 2,500 dinars for a woman coming from Sri Lanka for domestic work. These monies used to be credited to Sri Lankan accounts in millions and a large amount of dollars was credited to the country. But now all these monies are going to the state of Dubai through undial. Remittances to Sri Lanka are credited to the accounts from within Sri Lanka along with the extra money. Due to this, a large amount of dollars belonging to is transferred to the State of Dubai through intermediaries.”

They pointed out that such a loss may be prevented had the Minister of Labour imposed a law through the Embassy, mainly due to the fact that all agreements must be forwarded to the Embassy for approval of the two-year agreement of all these migrant women. Accordingly, a law should be enacted to send the money paid by the employers to a Sri Lankan account via a money exchange, after which the Embassy can be sought with the receipt, they emphasised. 

The Sri Lankan migrant workers’ comment with ‘The Leader’ comes in as a solution to the forex crisis which is devastating the island nation at the moment.

MIAP

Draft PTA (amended) passed in Parliament

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The draft Prevention of Terrorism Act (Amended) has been approved by a majority of 51 votes in the second reading in Parliament today (22).

The draft bill has been passed with amendments during the Committee stage.

At the end of the Parliamentary debate, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M.A. Sumanthiran called for a vote and accordingly 86 votes were cast in favour and 35 in opposition.

MIAP

Kremlin critic Navalny found guilty of large-scale fraud and contempt of court by Russian court

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It comes after Russia passed new laws that mean people who spread “fake” information could be jailed for up to 15 years.

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has been found guilty of large-scale fraud and contempt of court by a Russian court, it said on Tuesday.

Russian prosecutors are seeking to move Navalny to a maximum security penal colony for 13 years on charges of fraud and contempt of court.

Mr Navalny, 45, was arrested in January 2021 after returning to Russia from Germany where he had been recovering from nerve agent poisoning – something he blames on the Kremlin and which Russian authorities deny.

He is an outspoken critic of President Putin and is serving a three-and-a-half year sentence on charges he stole £3.5m of donations to his political organisations, which he denies.

He went on trial again accused of fresh fraud charges last month inside the maximum-security prison east of Moscow where he is detained.

In the hearing, Navalny stood next to his lawyers in a room filled with prison security officers as the judge read out the accusations against him.

The 45-year-old appeared unfazed, looking down as he flipped through court documents.

After the last court hearing into his case on 15 March, Navalny wrote via Instagram: “If the prison term is the price of my human right to say things that need to be said… then they can ask for 113 years.

“I will not renounce my words or deeds.”

Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, described the charges as dubious.

Concerns have been raised about Mr Navalny’s health in jail, with reports prison authorities have refused to give him the right medication and not allowed his doctor to visit him behind bars.

He has spoken out against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine from jail, calling on fellow citizens to stage daily protests.

The decision by the court comes after Russia passed new laws that mean people who spread “fake” information could be jailed for up to 15 years. It also means public calls for sanctions against Russia are a criminal offence.

The laws are designed to give Russia even stronger powers to suppress information about its invasion of Ukraine, which President Vladimir Putin calls a “special military operation”.

Thousands of people have been arrested across Russia in recent weeks, for taking part in protests against the invasion of Ukraine.

Sky News

Ruling Party reiterates importance of Opposition’s presence at All-Party Conference (VIDEO)

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The President had convened an All-Party Conference at the request of all members of the the Ruling Party and the Opposition, reminded Justice Minister Ali Sabry, reiterating that the Opposition should be taking the advantage of the opportunity.

The Minister made this observation speaking media during his attendance to a discussion on the construction of a new court complex at the Kaduwela Court Premises today (22)

All parties should get together and discuss solutions to be implemented against the prevailing crisis, Sabry noted, adding that even a regime change may not solve such a crisis at this point.

He emphasised that the Opposition’s stance on not attending the event is not fair.

MIAP

Opposition Leader Premadasa appoints a Five-Member Committee for a wider alliance

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Raising the need to adopt a collective responsibility towards the crisis befallen the country, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has decided to establish a wider political alliance to foster solutions.

Accordingly, the political alliance is expected to join political parties and organisations, civil organisations, trade unions, civil and social activists and professionals of various fields.

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa has appointed a five-member committee for the initial affairs of the new alliance. The committee is chaired by Party Secretary General MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara and comprises MPs Tissa Attanayake, Kabir Hashim, Thalatha Athukorala and Eran Wickramarathne as members.

MIAP