Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing a large gathering at Temple Trees today (09) has announced his decision in response to the much speculated resignation.
“We do not wish to destabilise the country. My policy is to face challenges and overcome challenges. We have no habit of fleeing in the face of challenges. We have set precedents for them.”
“In the face of the economic crisis, the Opposition is pursuing its own political agenda. All they need is power.”
“The Mahanayake Theros and the Cardinal are calling for an all-party government.”
“The President can come to a decision without any hindrance.”
“If a decision is made in the public’s interest, I am ready to make any sacrifice for it.”
“It was the trust you placed in me that brought me into politics.”
Devotees of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa have launched an assault against journalists near Temple Trees.
Two journalists were beaten during the incident.
Despite the clash being controlled at the moment, the Rajapaksa-devotees arriving at Temple Trees are staging their objection to the journalists covering the story.
All pro-government protesters arriving at Temple Trees are being called inside the premises without being kept inside, correspondents add.
The Secretary to the State Ministry of Home Affairs has reportedly instructed all District and Divisional Secretaries to submit a report regarding the public servants who did not report for duty last Friday (06) with involvement in the islandwide Hartal action.
The letter issued to the secretaries reveals that a full report is expected regarding the public servants who reported for duty and not at the level of District and Divisional Secretariats. A form has also been issued in this regard. The letter further instructs that details on staff and non-staff officials be submitted separately.
In the meantime, strong opposition is being raised from the unions in this regard, pointing out that it would be problematic as to being documented in this manner with regard to a hartal movement in the event that no such information has been obtained from any other Ministry or Department in Sri Lanka. This has been informed to the Secretary of the State Ministry of Home Affairs by the Association of Divisional Secretaries and Assistant Divisional Secretaries of Sri Lanka as well.
About 95% of the officers of the District and Divisional Secretariats did not report for duty on the day of the Hartal, the Union added, emphasising that some of the public servants had refrained themselves from reporting for duty, while some were unable to due to transportation difficulties.
Vijitha Herath, Chairman of LITRO Gas urged the public not to wait in gas queues as liquid petroleum gas cannot be released for domestic consumption at the moment.
At present the company’s limited gas supply is only being distributed to essential services and industries, he noted.
As of now, US$ 07 million has been paid for gas imports, the LITRO Chief went on, adding that the company expects to receive stocks on Friday and Saturday.
Chairperson of the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) and former Speaker Deshabandu Karu Jayasuriya has been awarded the ‘Highest Award of Honour For Great Leaders In South Asia,’ in appreciation of his achievement of peace, development and democracy for the people as a brave committed peoples leader in his role as the Honourable Speaker of the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and as an Honorary Patron of ‘SUNFO Global Federation,’ in compliance with the ‘UN Sustainable Development Goals Action Decade.’
The international award has been granted to the former Speaker in Colombo yesterday (08).
Prior to this achievement, Jayasuriya has received many global awards among which is the Rising Sun Award which is the highest award given by the Government of Japan to individuals who have rendered outstanding service in the fields of international relations, cultural promotion, welfare and development.
General public is starving at present due to economic crisis and some manage two meals and some one.
When a person is hungry for two to three days, he is not worried or bothered of his status.
When children are starving, he will not be fearing even to face death as hunger takes priority over bullet.
This I’m stating with my personal experiences gained in the battle field. By June 2022, Government will not have money to pay for public servants including pensioneers unless print money.
With the new gazette issued by Finance Minister on the instructions of Central Bank Governor yesterday, prohibiting the clearance of imported containers at the custom after 20 th of may 2022 unless payment has done through a bank, will wipe out construction and many more industries depriving hundreds of thousands of employments.
This situation will result in majority of the people having no means of purchasing even basic food other than robbing.
At this time, people will start food riots and break open food stores island wide.
Under these circumstances, people will be neither scared nor bothered of law enforcing authority resulting police and armed forces may not be able to maintain law and order and discipline in the society.
We will be then facing similar situation like in Haiti or South Sudan where no rule of law exist.
Time left for Sri Lanka is only one month.
Recommendations.
As per wish and will of the majority of citizens, President, prime minister and cabinet must resign within few days.
Interim Government cannot solve the economic crisis faced at present unless we find 5 billion USD. No theory or policy will work unless you find USD.
Seven member intellectual council (non political) to govern the country until election is held. No money is no answer. Can even print money or cancel highway construction to find money for election. Otherwise even VAIMA cannot rescue our motherland going from bankruptcy to totally failed state.
General Dr Boniface Perera PhD International Researcher and International writer.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is reportedly set to deliver a special statement today. A discussion is due to be held between the MP group of the Ruling Party SLPP and the Premier after which the statement is expected to be made, political sources said.
Recently, media reports have been over moon claiming that Rajapaksa is due to tender resignation today.
Meanwhile, SLPP devotees are set to rally themselves before Temple Trees in support to the Prime Minister this morning.
Pyramid Wilmar (Pvt) Ltd. said it would be taking legal actions against defamatory allegations levelled against the company involving the importation of sugar by certain parties.
In a statement, the company noted that Pyramid Wilmar, has, at all times, acted fully in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations of Sri Lanka and has conducted itself in an ethical manner upholding the highest standards of corporate behaviour.
Leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake had recently alleged the company involving financial scandal in public and Sajad Mawzoon serves as the Chairman of the Pyramid Wilmar (Pvt) Ltd.
Full Statement:
Pyramid Wilmar (Private) Limited and its Board of Directors wish to inform its loyal stakeholders and the general public that, in recent times, there have been several false and malicious defamatory allegations levelled at Pyramid Wilmar (Private) Limited and its Directors, with regard to the importation of sugar during the period October 2020 to February 2021.
Our Company wishes to place on record the fact that it has, at all times, acted fully in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and has conducted itself in an ethical manner upholding the highest standards of corporate behaviour.
Our Company, being part of one of the leading agribusiness groups in Asia, takes pride in having made immense contributions to the National Economy over the years and takes any defamatory statement made against it and/or its Directors, seriously.
Our Company has already taken steps to initiate legal action in this regard.
Our Company wishes to assure its loyal stakeholders and the general public that it will do its utmost to contribute to the National Economy during these trying times and place on record the fact that the aforesaid defamatory statements are false and baseless.
Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga said he together with other members of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will be coming to Temple Trees today (09) at 9 am to protect Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa while protecting President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Below is the Social Media remark revealing Weeratunga’s pledge to protect the government.
