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Independence Day ceremony to be held on behalf of masses from 2025

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that the government officials should be responsible for the pertinence and the benefits of the development projects implemented in the country on behalf of the people.

The Prime Minister expressed these views in a discussion held recently (09th) with senior officials of the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government regarding the future plans and the existing problems.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, further mentioned that, Government officials should have the ability to form a good conversation with the relevant parties by using their expert knowledge in all government development projects carried out under local and foreign financial allocations. As the government, we provide the necessary guidance. Therefore, in such cases, make sure to conduct regular discussions with the relevant parties. As government officials, you have a responsibility to carry out relevant development projects under favorable conditions for the government. Most of these projects are implemented on loans. All of these loans have to be paid back by the people of this country. Therefore, decide with a community friendly feeling whether the relevant development project is suitable for the country or not before initiating the projects. Our government is ready to stand for such officials at any time.

Until now, the Independence Day celebrations in this country were held on behalf of the elite. The government expects to hold the Independence ceremony on behalf of ordinary people of the country from 2025. The Independence Day celebrations should be organized in a way that school children and ordinary people are not oppressed.

Don’t get handing over of official residences of ministers as a political revenge. It’s a must to hand over the official residences with the abolition of the post of minister. Make a reminder to those who have not handed over their official residences yet. If there is no response, enforce the law.

Further, officials of the ministry explained the facts regarding the news that has emerged in the society on the transfer of a land to Sirimavo Bandaranaike College, to the Prime Minister.

It was revealed that then Government had decided to transfer two parcels of lands on both sides of the relevant school and the official residence used by the former minister Mahinda Amaraweera to Sirimavo Bandaranaike College, based on a proposal submitted by the then minister of education in 1994, Mr. Richard Pathirana which was passed by the cabinet of ministers and even though then government had taken measures to hand over the land bearing No. 11 to the school with the approval of the relevant proposal, due to the existence of an official residence on the land bearing No. 3, this transfer has not been taken place until now. Accordingly, the Prime Minister mentioned that the house in question should be taken over immediately, and required surveys should be done and the necessary measures should be made to hand over the said land to the school.

Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministries of Justice, Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government and Labor Ministry S. Alokabandara and senior officials have participated in this event.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

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Petition filed against barring women from ‘Station Master’ posts

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The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka today (July 11) granted leave to proceed with a Fundamental Rights petition filed by two women challenging the gender-based restriction preventing women from applying for the position of Station Master in Sri Lanka Railways.

The petition was taken up before a three-judge bench comprising Justices A.H.M.D. Nawaz, Priyantha Fernando, and Sampath Wijeratne.

Appearing on behalf of the petitioners, Attorney-at-Law Nuwan Bopage submitted that the Railways Department had issued a gazette notification dated June 13, calling for applications to fill 106 vacant Station Master positions.

However, the notification stipulated that only male applicants were eligible to apply.

The counsel for the petitioners argued that this constituted a violation of the petitioners’ fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 12(1) and 12(2) of the Constitution, which ensure equality before the law and prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender.

He further contended that the restriction also infringed upon the petitioners’ right to engage in employment of their choice.

Accordingly, the petitioners sought a declaration from the court that their fundamental rights had been violated and requested an order to remove the discriminatory provision in the said gazette notification, which limits eligibility to only male candidates.

After considering the facts presented, the Supreme Court granted leave to proceed with the petition and scheduled the plaint for hearing on August 27.

(adaderana.lk)

(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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Chemmani mass grave : ITAK urges President AKD to take urgent measures

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The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake urging to take immediate action to ensure truth, justice, with regard to the ongoing Chemmani mass grave investigation.

The letter emphasized that over 65 skeletons, including those of infants, have been recovered so far, affirming the scale of atrocities allegedly committed in the region.

ITAK also called for the public release of all forensic reports and DNA findings and warned that symbolic reconciliation would remain hollow without legal accountability.

Signed by senior ITAK leaders C.V.K. Sivagnanam and M.A. Sumanthiran, the letter urge the President to implement the following without delay :

  1. Consolidate the legal cases related to the 1999 and 2025 exhumations into a single judicial and forensic inquiry under the Colombo and Jaffna Magistrate’s Courts.
  2. Engage independent, internationally respected forensic experts to oversee all stages of the investigation, ensuring forensic integrity and public trust.
  3. Publicize all interim and final forensic reports, DNA profiles and identification results, and facilitate access for victims’ families, civil society and international observers.
  4. ⁠Repatriate the remains excavated in 1999, currently believed to be held in Glasgow, so they may be examined under the same protocols and returned to their families with dignity.
  5. ⁠Allocate significantly enhanced financial and logistical resources to ensure that the current excavation is completed under international standards; hundreds of families continue searching for missing loved ones, and without truth and accountability, reconciliation remains a facade.Concurrently, take steps to prosecute those responsible for these heinous crimes, which is essential for national healing.

The ITAK’s letter is as follows :

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Let’s build a nation rooted in historical heritage (Pics)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that a society cannot progress without a meaningful connection to its historic heritage and that the nation’s development path must be chosen accordingly.

The President made these remarks while addressing a ceremonial gathering yesterday (July 10) afternoon at the historic Ruhunu Kataragama sacred site.  

Earlier in the day, President Dissanayake visited the sacred grounds of Kataragama, participated in religious observances and later paid a courtesy call on the Venerable Kobawaka Dhamminda Nayaka Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the historic Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya, inquiring about his well-being and engaging in a brief discussion.

The President also attended the final Randoli Maha Perahera (Golden Chariot Grand Procession) of the annual Esala Festival at the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya, where he witnessed the ceremonial placement of the sacred relic casket upon the relic bearing tusker.  

Addressing the gathering, President Dissanayake further emphasised that a nation can only move forward by maintaining continuity with its historic heritage. He noted that every developed country in the world has achieved progress by preserving its historical legacy and building upon it, stressing that Sri Lanka, too, must choose a development path anchored in its heritage.

The President highlighted that Buddhism played a pivotal role in transforming our society into a cultured civilisation and that cultural festivals like this help revive and strengthen the moral and social values of a society often preoccupied with material pursuits.  

He pointed out that the Ruhunu Kataragama Perahera has been held continuously for 2,186 years, spanning nearly a hundred generations and that its survival has been possible due to the deep connection between this cultural ceremony and the lives of the people. The President extended his gratitude to all those, including the Chief Incumbent, who contributed to the success of this year’s procession.  

Among those present at the occasion were Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, R.M. Jayawardena, Governor of the Uva Province, Attorney-at-Law Kapila Jayasekara, Member of Parliament Ruwan Wijeweera, Chairman of the Kataragama Pradeshiya Sabha, Dharmapala Herath and Monaragala District Secretary Pasan Ratnayake.

(President’s Media Division)

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