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Several trade unions organize protests throughout the country to support the Hartal

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Several trade unions organize protests throughout the country to support the Hartal

A nationwide strike is being held in parallel to the hartal and the striking trade unions have organized protests and marches at various locations throughout the country.

The march, which began in Rajagiriya with the participation of a number of trade unions and mass organizations, is now on its way to the Parliament Roundabout, where they will join the active Inter-University Student Federation protest.

A protest organized by the Trade Union Coordinating Center will be held in front of the Fort Railway Station at 12 noon today. In addition, a similar protest is to be held at Borella Junction.

With the intervention of the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations, a ‘Human Chain – Minis Damwela’ protest is being held from Galleface Gota Go Gama to Maina Go Gama in Kollupitiya.

A protest organized by the Negombo Fishermen’s Union was scheduled to begin at 9 am today at Thelwatta Junction in Negombo.

In addition, massive protests are taking place in Katunayake, Avissawella and other industrial zones across the country.

It is reported that protests have been organized in many cities across the country in support of the island-wide hartal.

President’s security beefed up

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President’s security beefed up

The media reports that it has been decided to call in additional troops for the security of the President. It is reported that a Deputy Inspector General of Police and a Senior Superintendent of Police have been called in to assist the Presidential Security Forces.

The Presidential Security Forces are headed by Maj. Gen. Senarath Nivunhella and so far the command of the police teams have been carried out by an Assistant Superintendent of Police.

According to the new decision, DIG Nimal Perera, who was in charge of the Puttalam area, has been appointed as the Commander of the Presidential Security Forces Police Team. In addition, a police intelligence team consisting of 100 officers including SSP B.T. Jayalath in charge of intelligence and surveillance has been called.

In view of the failure of the Presidential Security Forces to control the protests near the Presidential Secretariat, it has been decided to call in additional troops.

Hartal commenced. Workers take to the streets. (PHOTOS)

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Hartal commenced. Workers take to the streets. (PHOTOS)

The island wide hartal campaign has commenced today (06) demanding the resignation of the President and the government.

Shops have been closed in many parts of the country, including major cities, and people have raised black flags in their homes.

Meanwhile, workers in several industrial estates in the area have also taken to the streets to protest.

May be an image of 17 people, people standing, outdoors and text that says 'ජන මතයට හිස නමනු! மக்கள் கருத்திற்கு செவி சாய்க்குக වෘහ්තීය සමිති සහ தொழிற்சங்கங்கள் மற்றும் செகுஜன වගෙ எங்கடே ர!'
May be an image of 5 people and people standing
May be an image of 3 people, people standing and outdoors
May be an image of one or more people, people standing, people walking, crowd and outdoors
May be an image of 2 people, people standing, outdoors, crowd and text that says '4 E LSU 2012'
May be an image of 3 people, people standing, outdoors and crowd
May be an image of 7 people, street and text that says 'ADHANAS ආරාධනාස් ஆராதனாஸ் 10 NA New City Palace A'
May be an image of 7 people, road, tree and street

Tense situation at Akkaraipattu – Police open fire injuring one man

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Tense situation at Akkaraipattu – Police open fire injuring one man

A tense situation has taken place between police and civilians in the Akkaraipattu area. It has been reported that a man has been admitted to hospital after being injured in a police shooting.

A motorcyclist has fallen and been hospitalized after being injured at a police roadblock in the Palamunai area in Akkaraipattu.

According to the police, 10 police officers were injured in the incident and one civilian was also injured in the incident.

The President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Thailand Chuan Leekpai hands over 700,000 Thai Baht to Sri Lanka

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The President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Thailand Chuan Leekpai hands over 700,000 Thai Baht to Sri Lanka

The President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Thailand Chuan Leekpai handed over a cheque valued at 700,000 Thai Baht to the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Thailand and Permanent Representative to the UNESCAP, C. A. Chaminda I. Colonne, at the Parliament in Bangkok on 25 April 2022.

While expressing gratitude for supporting his initiative taken to assist Sri Lanka at a difficult time, the President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Thailand Chuan Leekpai, stated that Sri Lanka is the only country in the world with which Thailand has developed a long-standing relationship in terms of Buddhism since the Rattanakosin era. He added that “When Sri Lanka is facing a crisis, Thai politicians and the member of the House of Representatives and senators discussed on how to help Sri Lanka. The donation amount of 700,000 Thai Baht is not much, but this represents the feeling of true friends helping each other in difficult times”.

Most Venerable Somdet Phra Maha Thirachan, the Abbot of Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan and the Committee of the Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand emphasized that during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and economics crisis around the word, there is a positive sign of support and kindness among all human beings. Somdet Phra Maha Thirachan also expressed his gratitude to the well-wishers of all religions.

Ambassador C.A. Chaminda I. Colonne extended her wholehearted appreciation to the President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Thailand and to the Buddhist Sangha, House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Thailand and all well-wishers for the kind assistance.

Most Venerable Phrapromsenabodee, the Abbot of Wat Pathum Khongkha and the Committee of the Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand, Most Venerable Phradhammabhotiwong, Dhammaduta India- Nepal and the Abbot of Wat Thai Buddhagaya, Senator of the Committee of International Affairs of the Secretariat of the Senate Pikulkeaw Krairoek, Representatives from Democrat Party Dr. Issara Sereewatthanawut and Ongart Klampaiboon, were also among the participants. The Ambassador was accompanied by the First Secretary of the Embassy, A. W. S. Samanmali.

Embassy & Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka

Bangkok

The Opposition ‘betrayed the battle’ – Ranjith Siyambalapitiya

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The Opposition ‘betrayed the battle’ – Ranjith Siyambalapitiya

Deputy Speaker Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says that although his group aims to create a united opposition, it is a matter of great concern that the Opposition did not take advantage of the situation.

He said that this was a betrayal of the struggle in the midst of the crisis.

He said that even yesterday morning there was a situation where the Opposition was proposing his name as the Deputy Speaker.

Ranjith Siyambalapitiya stated this while expressing his views in Parliament after the Deputy Speaker’s vote yesterday (05).

He served as the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, resigned from the post on April 30 in protest of the President and the SLPP, and was re-elected on May 5 with the support of the SLPP.

An islandwide-one-day hartal to be held today

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An islandwide-one-day hartal to be held today

An island wide one day hartal will be held today (06) to protest against the President and the government.

With the support of about 2,000 trade unions, shops across the country are closing shops and raising black flags in protest.

Today, people in villages and towns across the country are set to take to the streets to protest and protest through a variety of methods, including cooking on streets.

Previously there was a huge Hartal campaign in Sri Lanka in 1953 and today it is 69 years after this island wide Hartal campaign. In particular, it coincides with Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s 69 million votes in the presidential election.

If the President and the government do not step down as a result of the one-day hartal, all work in the country will be suspended from May 11 and a continuous island-wide hartal will be called.

Steps taken to direct the general public to indigenous medical treatments and remedies due to the shortage of medicines

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Steps taken to direct the general public to indigenous medical treatments and remedies due to the shortage of medicines

An expert meeting was held at the Navinna National Institute of Indigenous Medicine yesterday (03) to examine the urgent measures that can be taken to improve the health of the people through indigenous medical treatments due to the shortage of drugs.

It was led by Sisira Jayakody, Attorney-at-Law, State Minister of Indigenous Medicine.

There, in the face of the shortage of medicines, indigenous medical treatments can be taken to make people more prone to successful treatments, to make the people healthier through treatments including ancient handicrafts, and to secure the lives of the people in the future by bringing the people closer to the local doctors who are uniquely capable of specific diseases. It is said that a number of decisions have been taken regarding the action.

Following is the statement issued by the Government Information Department in this regard.

This will be a good message to the people of the country about what will happen in the future. During the last covid epidemic, the Minister also tried to promote various local medicines, including ‘Dhammika Paniya’, which eventually proved to have no scientific basis.

Former Central Bank Governor’s travel ban extended

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Former Central Bank Governor’s travel ban extended

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday (05) extended the travel ban imposed on former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal.

The case was filed against the former Governor of the Central Bank, alleging that he was responsible for financial irregularities in the country and he was scheduled to be summoned on May 02, but it was recalled yesterday through a motion due to the declaration of the day as a public holiday.

Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawala ordered that a notice be issued to Ajith Nivard Cabraal to appear in court on May 23 and that his travel ban be extended until then.

Sri Lanka: Drop all charges against peaceful protesters

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Sri Lanka: Drop all charges against peaceful protesters

Responding to the news that at least 12 peaceful protesters were unlawfully arrested today by police officers for demonstrating outside the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Yamini Mishra, Amnesty International’s South Asia Regional Director, said:

“These protesters have the right to demonstrate peacefully outside the Parliament of Sri Lanka and to express themselves and speak with their MPs as the country’s economy crumbles. The charges against all the protesters must be dropped as they were detained solely for peacefully exercising their human rights.

“Sri Lankan authorities must respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and allow people to freely exercise their human rights. 

Yamini Mishra, Amnesty International’s South Asia Regional Director

“Any restrictions placed on these rights must be necessary, proportionate and provided by law. Today’s arrests were undoubtedly arbitrary and unlawful. After they arrested protesters recently in Mirihana, the Sri Lankan authorities subjected them to ill-treatment in police custody and refused to allow access to legal counsel. It is crucial that the authorities do not commit the same rights violations with the protesters arrested today.”

“Excessive use of force, intimidation and unlawful arrests seem to be a pattern in which the Sri Lankan authorities’ respond to dissent and peaceful assembly. These repressive actions clearly do not meet Sri Lanka’s obligations under international human rights law.”

Background

On 4 May, the police arrested 12 people near the Parliament of Sri Lanka for allegedly obstructing the vehicles of MPs.

In footage seen by Amnesty International, a small group of protesters can be seen holding up placards that called for MPs to support a motion of no confidence that was tabled in parliament today. The protesters were then forced into a police bus.

The protestors were later released on bail.

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