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Catholic Church to boycott Independence Day celebrations

Published

2 months 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

Visiting Indian delegation holds talks with Power minister

Published

1 hour ago

March 24, 2023

editor

A discussion had been on Energy sector cooperation & Investments today (24) with the visiting delegation from India led by Secretary of India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas – Mr. Pankaj Jain, at the Ministry of Power and Energy in Colombo.

Taking to Twitter, Sri Lankan minister of Power and Energy said that several topics such as the development of Trincomalee as an energy hub, oil & gas exploration, renewable energy, LNG infrastructure development & supply and solar cooking burners were discussed.

The Indian delegation included the Officer on Special Duty, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas – Ms. Esha Srivastav, IOC Chairman – Mr. S. M. Vaidya, Chairperson of Engineers India Limited – Ms. Vartika Shukla, MD of Petronet LNG Limited – Mr. A.K. Singh, MD of the ONGC Videsh Limited – Mr. Rajarshi Gupta, Director Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited – Mr. Amit Garg.

They were accompanied by the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka – Mr. Gopal Baglay, the Deputy High Commissioner – Mr. Vinod. K. Jacob as well as officials of the Indian High Commision.

S. M. Vaidya, Chairman, IOC, Vartika Shukla, Chairperson, Engineers India Limited, A.K. Singh,MD, Petronet LNG Limited, Rajarshi Gupta,MD, ONGC Videsh Limited, Amit Garg, Director Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited & officials of the High Commision. pic.twitter.com/PWZm4PTaK9
— Kanchana Wijesekera (@kanchana_wij) March 24, 2023

News

Dhananjaya denies claims on refusal to bat at No. 7

Published

2 hours ago

March 24, 2023

editor

Sri Lankan cricketer Dhananjaya de Silva has refuted claims that he refused to bat at No. 07 position in tomorrow’s ODI match against New Zealand.

Tweeting, he said: “The story circulating in social media saying that I have refused to bat at No. 07 during tomorrow’s game is false, and I wish to state that I am a player who always stands with the team”.

The story circulating in social media saying that I have refused to bat at No. 7 during tomorrow's game is false, and I wish to state that I am a player who always stands with the team.
— Dhananjaya De Silva (@dds75official) March 24, 2023

News

Ensure safety of Saliya Peiris – BASL

Published

2 hours ago

March 24, 2023

editor

In a letter to the Inspector General of Police, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has requested the police take necessary action to ensure the safety of the BASL President – Saliya Pieris.

The letter to the IGP relates to the protest that took place opposite the chamber of Saliya Pieris PC.

view the said protest seriously hinders his right to represent a client, a professional right which has been safeguarded by law,” the BASL said.

“Therefore, we strongly demand that you take action to ensure that Mr. Peiris’s professional duties as an Attorney-at-law, are not hindered and to ensure his safety,” the BASL added.