Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that a change of government can only be brought about through a parliamentary election and the streets is not an option for parliament.
He made this comment on Friday (3) while participating in the Air Force cadets and other officers Passing Out Parade at the Trincomalee Air Force Base today.
“When you passed out today, you had to take an oath under the constitution. You also undertook an oath of the Sri Lanka Air Force in public. These two oaths underline your primary responsibility. That is to protect the constitution, and protect the country. There is no constitution with no country. If there is no country, the constitution is just a piece of paper,” said the President.
“The constitution come into force because a country exists. The oath makes it clear that you would abide by the constitution and the law, and would be loyal to the republic. This constitution notes it is the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. First, we need to protect the country. For that, we need to be a sovereign, independent and free country. In addition, we need to protect the unitary state,” added President Wickremesinghe.
He noted that a change of government can only be brought about through a parliament. Governments can be decided only in Parliament, and the streets are not the alternative for a parliament.
“We need to protect the constitutional institutions and the economy. This is your responsibility. When we protect all this, we will have a country,” noted President Ranil Wickremesinghe. (newsfirst)
One of the two persons injured in the Kandana shooting today (June 03) has succumbed.
The other victim – Mr. Sameera Manahara is currently receiving further treatment at Ragama Hospital. According to reports, his condition is not critical.
(Previous news 2025 July 03 – 11.03 am)
Pvt. secretary of late minister injured in shooting
A shooting incident has been reported in Kandana this morning (July 03).
Reportedly, two people traveling in a car were shot near the Kandana Public Market.
According to reports, Sameera Manahara, who served as the private secretary of late Minister Mangala Samaraweera, has been injured in the shooting.
The two injured individuals have been admitted to the Ragama Hospital, police say.
Investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the assailants.
Former Minister Mervyn Silva and two other individuals were granted bail today (July 03) by the Gampaha Provincial High Court.
They were released on a cash bail of Rs. 200,000 and five personal sureties of Rs. 5,000,000 each.
Additionally, the court imposed overseas travel bans on them.
The defendants were strictly warned to refrain from influencing witnesses and were ordered to report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) every Sunday.The defendants were previously remanded over allegations of selling a state-owned land in the Kiribathgoda area using forged deeds.
Monara TV, launched with much fanfare just a year ago under the Swarnavahini media network, has reportedly shut down operations.
Employees have been informed that the closure is temporary, citing the need to resolve certain administrative issues.
The channel, led by Buddhika Wickramadhara, was ceremonially launched on June 25, 2024, with a grand event at Waters Edge.
Producers who supplied teledramas to Monara TV say they are owed nearly Rs.200 million in unpaid dues.
Meanwhile, it is reported that the parent Swarnavahini TV channel is also reportedly grappling with a serious financial crisis, paying teledrama producers only after 60 episodes are broadcast.
Producers claim they are compelled to wait about 03 months to recover an investment of around Rs.15 million per teledrama. Even then, payments are made in small portions, covering just 05 episodes at a time.
Producers who supplied teledramas before the appointment of Mr. Susara Dinal as CEO say it is even harder to claim their outstanding payments, as they have been asked to recover the dues from former CEO – Udara Wijesinghe.
The Swarnavahini Media Network is owned by Subaskaran Allirajah – Chairman of Lyca Group, which also owns Lycamobile, a global telecommunications company.
