Police launched a tear gas attack to dissolve the protest organised by the Inter-University Students Federation (IUSF) in front of the Education Ministry in Isurupaya, Battaramulla today (10).
The protest was organised demanding the reversal of the unjust membership abolition and in objection to the repression committed at Ruhuna and Kelani Universities.
The tear gas attack was launched as the protesters attempted to remove the roadblocks set in front of the Ministry and damage the gate.
MIAP
Business Magnate Dhammika Perera has become a member of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).
He received the Party membership at the hand of SLPP Secretary General MP Sagara Kariyawasam yesterday (09).
MIAP
The Supreme Court today (10) ordered that the Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed against 39 persons including former Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa be taken up for consideration on July 04.
The petition was filed by three lecturers of the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) including Dr. Mahim Mendis on the basis that fundamental rights of the people have been violated by the government’s insufficient economic management and short-sighted decisions, leading to an economic crisis and intolerable inflation in Sri Lanka.
The above decision was made as the petition was taken up before the five-member Supreme Court Bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya and Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, Priyantha Jayawardena, Vijith Malalgoda and L.T.B. Dehideniya.
MIAP
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today (10) demanded that a three-member High Court Bench be appointed to investigate the murder of Amarakeerthi Athukorala in Nittambuwa during the unrest awakened by the mob attack on the peaceful protests held in front of Temple Trees and in GalleFace on May 09.
Chief Opposition Whip SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella made this request addressing the Chambers as the proposal to express ondolences for the slain MP was taken up for debate today.
The appointment of such a bar would expedite the investigations into the murder of Athukorala, the MP noted.
MIAP
Workers of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) in many parts of the country have reportedly decided to step down from operating buses as a trade union action.
This is reportedly due to a salary problem and neither the Minister of Transport nor any other official has come to a discussion with them so far.
MIAP
Business magnate Dhammika Perera has reportedly decided to step down from all boards of directors of the companies he owns.
The DP Education Co Founder has also informed the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) that he is ready to fill the vacancy created upon the resignation of Basil Rajapaksa, according to sources.
Early reports claimed that his name was sent to the Election Commission.
MIAP
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, last evening (9), met with the owners of the media organisations in Sri Lanka. During the discussion the Prime Minister’s senior economic advisor, Dr. Samaratunga, briefed the participants on the economic situation in the country.
The Prime Minister informed the media owners that the IMF would be visiting the country on the 20th of June. He explained that he was hopeful that a staff-level agreement would be reached by the end of the month.
He also explained that due to the pending food shortages, he was launching the food security program in the country. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe added that he was hopeful that through the food security program the Government would be able to provide food free of charge to 10% of the population who would be unable to afford 3 meals.
He made an appeal to the media owners to assist the Government in presenting a true picture of the situation. He further stated that the media must hold the Government accountable when necessary, but at the same time requested that responsible reporting is followed.
When questioned on the Government’s initiatives, the Prime Minister explained that due to the damage caused to the economy the country would have to suffer the consequences. However, he added that the Government is making maximum effort to reduce the impact through providing financial and logistical support. A Rs. 200bn financial safety net is being raised for social sector support.
He went on to explain that discussions were underway with Japan to regain their confidence and secure their support. The Prime Minister said that countries were stepping forward with assistance in food and medical supplies, however, no country would step forward with providing fuel free of charge.
The Prime Minister stated that he was reliant on the support of the media organisations to help the country see through these upcoming months.
Prime Minister’s Media Division
9th June 2022
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe speaking to Parliament today (10) called on TNA MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam to withdraw his statement on May 20, calling it to be agaisnt the Parliament tradition.
This was during the special statement the Prime Minister made on extending condolences to the demise of MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala.
The Prime Minister accused MP Rasamanickam’s comments to be ‘justifying’ the unrest occurred on May 09 and urged the TNA MP to apologise on his actions and withdraw the statement by the end of this Parliamentary week. He added that he will request the Speaker to examine it and submit a report to the relevant committee, should Rasamanickam fail to withdraw.
Wickremesinghe also read the TNA MP’s comments on May 20, stating that it would be problematic as to why a member of Parliament makes such a comment.
“Houses were set on fire because things that were unfavourable to the country such as the 20th Amendment was voted in favour. That is, houses were set on fire because there was an objection. Both 2020 and 2021 budgets had wrong economic policies. The houses were set on fire because they raised their hands to both the 20 and 21 budget. MP Kumara Welgama’s house was untouched. Remember that what happened to them was due to the betrayal of the people and the betrayal of the mandate.”
Wickremesinghe added: “I remember when Mr. Lakshman Kadiragamar was assassinated we all stood up and criticised it. We condemned it. There were people outside who criticised him. That is, the LTTE had criticised him. And today, the same is being done inside.”
MIAP
In the proposed renewable energy project, the Indian company ‘Adani’ is in a move to take away dollars extracted from energy generated by solar power by selling it to Sri Lanka, alleged Leader of the National People’s Power (NPP) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, speaking to a press conference.
As a result dollars will be spent despite coal and diesel being replaced by wind power, he noted, emphasising that the country’s energy field must not be submitted to the racketeers via such means.
Therefore, projects with a capacity of more than 10 megawatts must be offered through a procurement procedure at competitive prices, the NPP Leader pointed out.
It is also important to give maximum priority to local investors, he added.
MIAP
Leader of the 43 Brigade (43 Senankaya) Brigade MP Patali Champika Ranawaka speaking to a briefing yesterday (09) said despite their high hopes for the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) they were not fulfilled.
“We held hopes for the Samagi Jana Balawegaya on the basis that we need a political movement that recognises the local culture of this country, one that suits the educated people of this country and one that suits the new generation of young people. But everyone can see and feel that that these hopes were not fulfilled. So, we have informed in writing that we are not prepared to join the Party called Samagi Jana Balawegaya. We will be looking at the future policies of the Samagi Balawegaya, the policies they are pursuing, the actions of their party and the alliance they are building. Nevertheless, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya is not an enemy force to us, for they are our allies,” he said.
MIAP
