Payments have been settled for two ships carrying lp gas to Sri Lanka, revealed Chairman of the LITRO Gas Company Vijitha Herath.

Accordingly, US$ 6.5 million has been paid off for 7,500 metric tonnes of lp gas.

A ship carrying 3,500 metric tonnes of gas will arrive in the island on Thursday (26), the LITRO Chief went on, adding that arrangements will be made to immediately deliver the second vessel as well.

This will provide a relief to the consumers up to a certain extent, he added.

MIAP

The 21st Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka is due to be presented to the Cabinet tonight (23).

Accordingly, it has been decided to consult the political party leaders representing Parliament regarding the 21A before May 27, sources said.

MIAP

Leader of the 43 Senankaya (43 Brigade) MP Patali Champika Ranawaka calling in a briefing in Colombo today (23) said he would be ready to accept a position in a proper all-party interim government if the conditions tabled from his side are met.

According to the 43 Brigade Chief’s conditions, the government must;

• Table the 21st Amendment to the Constitution to Parliament as a Cabinet decision at the commencement of Parliament in the first week of June, 2022;
• Establish independent commissions including an Independent / Powered Election Commission; and
• Not allow foreign nationals to hold positions in the government.

MP Ranawaka also stressed that in order to find a solution to the crisis befallen the country, political appointments should be abolished first.

MIAP

Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Jagath Alwis has been informed to resign from his post. He has been informed to resign by new Minister Tiran Alles.

Accordingly, Silva has handed over his letter of resignation to the President, according to reports.

MIAP

Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Jagath Alwis has produced a statement with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), in connection with the violent events occurred on May 09.

Alwis is accused of ordering the Police not to disperse Mahinda Rajapaksa’s devotees who had come from Temple Trees to attack the peaceful protest in GalleFace and allowing them to incite violence.

MIAP

Many parties are trying to attribute all the violence that took place on May 09 to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), said JVP former MP Sunil Handunnetti. The former MP pointed out that not only members of the JVP but members of all political parties were present at the event of violence that day as well.

In the backdrop, it is not fair to put everything on the account of only one party, Handunnetti emphasised, speaking to reporters after visiting the Inspector General of Police (IGP) today (23).

Stressing that wearing red does not make someone a JVPer, Handunnetti added that those who put the blame on their party does not understand this simple reality.

The former CoPE Committee Chief also assured full corporation with the ongoing investigations pertaining to the violent events on May 09, adding that the IGP has been informed in this regard as well.

Speaking to reporters, JVP/NPP MP Vijitha Herath noted that only a few suspects among the arrestees in connection with the violent events are recognised to have been members of the JVP, adding that a majority of the arrestees being members of other political parties proves that the JVP has no direct involvement in the events.

The matter has also been informed to the IGP, MP Herath further revealed.

MIAP

The Attorney General has instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to transfer Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) to another division. The matter has been communicated in writing.

The decision to transfer SDIG Thennakoon comes in on the concern that the investigations into the assault on the GotaGoGama on May 09 may be interfered.

Meanwhile a motion has been filed in the Colombo Magistrate Court seeking the arrest of Thennakoon.

MIAP

Former President MP Maithripala Sirisena has reportedly left his residence on Paget Road, Colombo, in obedience to the order issued by the Court.

Accordingly, the former President has left the residence last week and moved to another house in Colombo 07.

The residence on Paget Road was built by fusing several quarters entitled to government ministers and handed over to Sirisena when he was retiring from the presidency.

But a petition was filed in the Court seeking annulment of the Cabinet decision to provide the residence.

Upon hearing the petition, the Supreme Court issued an order barring the former President from residing in the residence until the hearing’s conclusion, which was on March 29.

MIAP