News

CBK to lead new alliance proposed by SLFP

Published

3 months ago

January 27, 2024

editor

A leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has announced that former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has been chosen to lead the new alliance proposed by the SLFP.

The decision comes as preliminary work for the formation of the new alliance is underway, with discussions with various political parties and politicians already concluded.

The leadership structure of the new alliance is designed to involve a leadership board, including Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and heads of other parties joining the alliance. The SLFP will hold a 50 percent majority stake in the alliance, while the remaining 50 percent power will be shared with other participating parties.

This innovative approach aims to foster collaborative decision-making within the alliance.

The alliance, still in its formative stages, is set to select either the betel leaf symbol or the chair symbol as its emblem.

The final decision on the symbol is expected to be discussed and decided upon in the future.

Additionally, groups with the old ideology of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) have also shown interest in joining the new alliance, further expanding its potential reach.

Despite the ongoing developments, the post of General Secretary of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) remains a point of contention between Thilanga Sumathipala and Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.

Former President Maithripala Sirisena has urged a swift resolution to this issue, after which an agreement will be reached on the symbol for the new alliance.

As negotiations progress, the SLFP and its potential allies are preparing for a main meeting of the new alliance in Colombo, signaling the advancing stages of the political collaboration.

Reports indicate that a new alliance led by MP Nimal Lanza has expressed interest in negotiating an alliance with the SLFP.

News

Prof. Nalin de Silva no more

Published

9 hours 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

14 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

16 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.