Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris who is on a two-day official tour to India has met his Indian Counterpart S. Jaishankar in New Delhi.
India’s Foreign Minister Jaishankar in a tweet stated that the two discussed about economic and investment opportunities, energy security and fisheries issues.
The two have also discussed about tourism promotion between the two states.
MIAP
A mafia is being set up by business figures involved in the import and sale of cement, revealed the National Construction Association. This group of business figures has created an artificial shortage of cement in the market, according to Association Chairman Susantha Liyanarachchi.
The construction of 10,000 bridges in challenged areas initiated by the government has been stalled amid this artificially created shortage, he pointed out, adding that construction on 200 bridges was completed last year and another 9.800 bridges are under construction.
The cement mafia has risen the price of cement and caused a severe shortage of stocks in the market, catering negatively to the construction affairs, he pointed out.
Although the price of imported cement was designated to be Rs. 1,575, there are no bags in the market that can be purchased at that price, Liyanarachchi further revealed. These prices are unbearable in view of continuing the construction affairs, he added.
MIAP
Strike actions carried out by health workers never collapsed governments, nor oppressed politicians in the absence of medicines, but the general public is subjugated to full oppression amidst such actions, said Chairman of the Government Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF) Dr. Rukshan Bellana, denouncing the recent strike action carried out by the health professionals before media today (07).
“This has turned into fashion. We saw some time back that trade union leaders of the Health Sector were of the ambition to go to Parliament, or to being granted political appointments. They believe that they will be able to collect titles by backing a certain political stream, making that political party and its followers happy and destabilising the country by their trade union leadership,” he said.
Dr. Bellana added that politicians of both the Ruling Party and the Opposition, therefore, should be thinking about this matter properly and deciding whether they should stand with the trade unions or the general public.
Information to the Cabinet on 45 Ministers and Members of Parliament who have not paid their water bills
In the people’s failure of paying their water bills, the Water Supply and Drainage Board is facing severe difficulties, disclosed Water Supply and Drainage Minister Vasudewa Nanayakkara. These groups included former and current ministers and MPs as well, he added.
The Minister further disclosed that information on 45 ministers and MPs who failed to pay their water bills have reached the Cabinet’s desk and that necessary legal actions will be taken against them.
MIAP
Health workers in several grades of the Health Sector have been on strike since this (07) morning over several demands, including salary anomalies, at all but ten medical facilities with essential services.
Health workers in grade health service including Nursing and Medical Laboratory Service and pharmacists and public health inspectors are endorsing the strike action.
Speaking to media, Chairman of the Academy of Health Professionals Ravi Kumudesh noted that the strike action would continue until the demands are met and may intensify in any event were the demands not met.
Should the authorities fail to provide solutions, the health workers have decided to withdraw from essential services as well, he went on, adding that the authorities will be given about a week to solve the problems.
If the problems were not resolved within the given period, essential services including maternity facilities, cancer facilities and Covid treatment may also be disrupted, he warned.
MIAP
Attorney-at-Law Hejaaz Hizbullah, who was arrested and detained for 22 months in alleged connection to the Easter Sunday Massacre, has been released on bail as per the order of the Court of Appeal today (07).
Hizbullah was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on April 14, 2020, kept in custody for 18 months under detention orders and later remanded.
Given that there was no substantial evidence to prove any connection to the massacre, Hizbullah was prosecuted on the charge of conducting a mass promoting extremism.
His pleas before Court for release on several occasions were denied, but the lawyer has finally been granted bail today.
MIAP
Minister of Industries and Leader of the Jathika Nidahas Peramuna Wimal Weerawansa speaking to a weekend newspaper stated that they wish to stay in the government as long as it does not go beyond the mandate it was given.
The Minister added that they may have internal disagreements, but no critical conflicts with the government, pointing out that they do not wish to stay in it if it goes beyond the mandate.
MIAP
State Minister of Wildlife Protection, Adoption of Safety Measures including the Construction of Electrical Fences and Trenches and Reforestation and Forest Resource Development Wimalaweera Dissanayake speaking to a function held in Ampara yesterday (06) stated that he is being blamed on every occasion in which wild animals breach the fences of households in the rural areas and that he should be ‘awarded’ for hosting such a strenuous ministry.
“Problems from morning to night. Elephants, peacocks and monkeys breach the households, and I am being cussed in the name of my mother. I should be given a separate award for accepting a ministry with such insults. Has anyone ever asked Wimalaweera to perform magic? No I can’t!” he grumbled.
The Minister added: “I am saying this at the presence of ‘the Minister’ [referring to Chamal Rajapaksa] too. The government has never released a single cent to me to cut those elephant trenches. Honourable Minister, I have been sued on four occasions in the allegation that I am cutting elephant trenches. I am being sued when I try to prevent the elephants from breaching the villages. Saying this out in the public, I do not wish to become like Ranjan Ramanayake. If a Court order is given not to cut elephant trenches, I will be telling the Honourable Judge to issue a verdict barring the elephants from breaching the villages too. Because elephants won’t be coming anymore if they are given a verdict. They are aware of the verdict, aren’t they? When the elephants are shown the lawbook, they won’t be coming to the villages anymore.”
Irrigation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa was also present at the occasion.
MIAP
Affiliated to the Community Water Project maintained and operated by the Nedigamwila Wijayapura Joint Navodya Community Based Organisation, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa donated a Water Purification System worth Rs. 02 million to supply fresh drinking water to more than 700 families in Nedigamwila, based on a request made by the residents of the area.
The project was sponsored by Navaloka Group.
The event was held under the patronage of the Opposition Leader yesterday (06) and former Health Minister Rajitha Senaratna, former Minister Dilip Vedaarachchi and former Provincial Council Member Thennakoon Nilame together with many residents of the area joined the event.
MIAP
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Kalutara District MP Lalith Ellawala has tested positive for Covid-19.
The MP has been referred to home quarantine.
MIAP