News

Catholic Church to boycott Independence Day celebrations

Published

1 year ago

February 1, 2023

editor

The Catholic Church has decided not to attend the 75th National Independence Day celebrations, Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando says.

Speaking at a media briefing today (01), he said that they question what kind of independence can be celebrated with dignity in a country where many burning issues prevail.

“We question what is the kind of independence can be celebrated with dignity in a country with debt defaults, where 30% of the population goes hungry, where 33.4% of children under 5 years of age are suffering from malnutrition, where many are losing jobs and small industries are collapsing, where the rule of law is severely shattered, where the freedom of expression is hindered, where uninterrupted power supply cannot be given during the GCE A/L exam and where there is no sufficient medicine,” Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando added.

Spending Rs. 200 million for this kind of ’empty’ kind of celebration is a sheer waste and crime against the people. We strongly condemn wasting such a staggering amount of funds to hold the 75th Independence Day. What really should have been done when celebrating the 75th independence Day, was a public apology by political parties and leaders who have ruined this country in the past 75 years.

We refuse to celebrate this Independence Day in this manner. No one representing the Catholic Church will participate,” Fr. Cyril Gamini further said.

News

Complaint filed alleging assets being misused for President’s political activities

Published

1 min ago

April 26, 2024

editor

Today (26) the Socialist Youth Union (SYU) filed a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) calling for a probe into the alleged misuse of assets owned by the National Youth Services Council (NYSC) for the political activities of current President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The SYU submitted a formal complaint to the CIABOC today (26) afternoon.

The complaint is filed against Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports – Harin Fernando, Ministry Secretary – Dr. Kanapathipillai Mahesan, and Chairman of the NYSC – Pasindu Gunaratne.

Speaking before the media, Eranga Gunasekara, the national organizer of the SYU said, NYSC vehicles bearing the numbers NA 9099, NB 1389, NB 3384, NB 3383 had been misused for the UNP rally held in Kuliyapitiya on March 10.

He has also said a dance troupe of the NYSC, used for the rally, is yet to be paid.

News

Tiran makes revelation on Maithripala’s statement

Published

28 mins ago

April 26, 2024

editor

During the inquiry over former President Maithripala Sirisena’s recent statement that he was aware of the real culprits behind the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, he has not mentioned the names of anyone in Sri Lanka, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said.

The lawmaker made this remark while speaking during today’s parliamentary session.

News

High Posts committee approves 4 appointments

Published

34 mins ago

April 26, 2024

editor

Committee on High Posts approves appointments of a new ambassador, a secretary to a ministry, and 02 chairpersons of institutions

The Committee on High Posts which met recently in Parliament has given its approval for the appointments of a new ambassador, a ministry secretary and two institution chairpersons.

Accordingly, the Committee on High Posts has approved the appointment of Mr. S.A Rodrigo as the new Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Italian Republic.

In addition to that, the appointment of Mr. A.C.M. Nafeel as the new secretary of the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development was also approved by the Committee on High Posts.

Furthermore, the Committee on High Posts approved the appointments of Mr. W.A.D.S Gunasinghe as the new chairman of the Regional Development Bank and Mr. N.K.S. Jayasekara as the new chairman of the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council.

Ministers Dr. Ramesh Pathirana and Vidura Wickramanayake, Member of Parliament Rishad Bathiudeen participated in the Committee on High Posts which met under the chairmanship of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.