News

Police admit an election has been announced

Published

1 year ago

February 28, 2023

editor

The Police Headquarters said holding demonstrations is prohibited since an election has been announced. It said, according to the Police Ordinance, relevant police stations must be notified six hours in advance if a demonstration is to be held.

Police Media Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said the people can gather peacefully and express their opinions, but if they organize a demonstration, there will be severe disruption to the traffic on the road.

He said the Constitution has safeguarded the people’s right to peacefully assemble and express their views by selecting a venue under the purview of a local government body through the relevant local government body.

SSP Thalduwa said that large gatherings and demonstrations will disrupt the public order, and if a notice is given six hours in advance, the relevant police stations will be able to ensure that the roads are not blocked.

No election!

However, on February 23, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said in Parliament that there is no election.

In a special statement, the President said that there is no election to postpone.

“The Opposition did not ask for a debate on essential services. They wanted a debate on the postponing of the election. The election has not been postponed. There is no election to be postponed. I was not involved in this debate. I have said this before as well, that I don’t want to talk about politics.”

“The Election Commission has also gone to the court and said that an election cannot be held. However, I thought of saying a few words since several petitions have been filed,” he said.

News

Prof. Nalin de Silva no more

Published

36 mins ago

May 2, 2024

editor

Philosopher, intellectual and academician Professor Nalin de Silva has passed away at the age of 79. Prof. de Silva initially served as a professor in the Department of Mathematics and later as the Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Kelaniya.

He was also a former member of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

In addition to his academic pursuits, de Silva also worked as a former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Myanmar.

News

‘Company issuing visa at BIA not Indian or Indian based’

Published

5 hours ago

May 2, 2024

editor

The Indian High Commission in Colombo has issued a statement over reports of Indian companies taking over visa issuance at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.

The statement notes “companies referred to in these reports are not India based or Indian and are headquartered elsewhere. Any reference to India in this context is unwarranted.”

News

Chaos at BIA raises questions (Video)

Published

7 hours ago

May 2, 2024

nipuni

Questions have been raised after chaos at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake last night (May 01) has sparked widespread outrage.

This is with regard to a controversial takeover of the on-arrival visa issuance process at BIA by an Indian company – VFS Global since yesterday evening.

It is learnt that the company has levied an extra $25 alongside the standard $75 fee.

Long lines of frustrated travellers were also seen at the airport for several hours, which is a stark difference to the procedure smoothly managed in a matter of mere minutes by the Immigration and Emigration Department in the past.

Footage of a Sri Lankan citizen expressing outrage over Indian nationals deciding visa matters for fellow Sri Lankans, has also been making rounds on social media.

Although 10 Sri Lankan and Indian officers had commenced work from 5.00pm yesterday, the lines remained well over 9.00pm. Amid tensions, higher officials of the BIA and security forces had also arrived at the premises.

At 11.30pm the company officials temporarily suspended issuing visas and left the BIA with the money collected, reports say.

Upon the directive of the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Ilukpitiya, Immigration officers have commenced their usual duties with no issues since then, enabling the previous process to continue smoothly.

Concerns have been raised over the lack of transparency in this arrangement.