News

Dhammika to be next SLPP presidential candidate?

Published

1 year ago

September 18, 2023

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Well-known businessman and MP Dhammika Perera would be the next presidential candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), several social media reports said.

These reports are being circulated when the President is out of the country. The President, who is in the US, will return on September 21.

The SLPP has resumed its political campaign by broadcasting advertisements on TV channels and on social media platforms.

It was reported that Dhammika’s name has been proposed since a political party which has received his financial aid in the past has begun severely criticizing the SLPP.

Mr. Perera is also regarded as a casino mogul in Sri Lanka.

Presidential candidate’s associate’s wife promotes Dhammika

Meanwhile, it was reported that the campaign to promote Mr. Perera has been taken over by the wife of an associate of another businessman who is preparing to run as a candidate in the upcoming presidential election.

They played a key role in the campaign of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa during the election.

It was also reported that she is a leading figure in a media company of a brother of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

A political orphan

Dhammika Perera was brought into politics by businessman Dilith Jayaweera. It is said that when Dhammika was brought into politics, he was first promised to be given the position of finance minister, then to nominate him as prime minister and then to make him a presidential candidate.

It is now an open secret that Dilith helped Dhammika get a National List MP position as well as an appointment as the Investment Promotion Minister.

Dhammika has today become a political orphan with Dilith also gearing up to become a presidential candidate.

Ranil & Basil hold discussion

Meanwhile, a special discussion was held between President Wickremesinghe and SLPP founder Basil Rajapaksa recently where there were crucial talks regarding the upcoming elections.

During the meeting, it has been discussed about holding the General Elections earlier.

Mr. Rajapaksa has briefed the President about the results of a survey conducted at the district level about expected results of a general election.

He has explained in detail about the result if they face the general election together as an alliance and the result if they contest as individual parties.

A final decision has not been taken whether the general election or the presidential election will be held first, but it is said that a decision has been taken to hold the election with better advantage first.

Accordingly, unconfirmed sources said that one of the two main elections will be announced by next March.

News

Kandy – Mahiyanganaya main road reopened

Published

3 hours ago

January 21, 2025

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The Kandy – Mahiyanganaya main road has been reopened for vehicular traffic, from 6:00am onwards today (Jan. 21).

The road had been closed since yesterday afternoon from Kahatagolla due to the risk of stones falling onto the roadway.

According to the police, the Road Development Authority (RDA) has been informed to conduct further investigations on the ongoing risk.

News

Chief Observer of the EU EOM meets the Speaker (Pics)

Published

3 hours ago

January 21, 2025

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The Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission, Mr. Jose Ignacio Sanchez Amor, Member of the European Parliament, and his delegation met with the Speaker – Jagath Wickramaratne at Parliament on Jan. 17.

Secretary General of Parliament of Sri Lanka, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, was also present on this occasion.
During this meeting, the Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission first extended his congratulations to the Speaker and the new government. He then presented the final report of the Presidential Election Observation Mission – 2024 to the Speaker. The Chief Observer praised the democratic conduct of the elections and acknowledged the vital role of the Election Commission, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the Commission. He also expressed his appreciation for the increase in women’s representation in the current Parliament.

Speaking at the meeting, Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne expressed his gratitude to the European Union Election Observation Mission for sharing their experience.

The Speaker emphasized that the government is currently working towards a more transparent, corruption-free governance with true democratic qualities. Meanwhile, the Speaker further stated that plans are being made to hold a conference of Members of Parliament with disabilities for the first time in the country.

News

Trump orders US to leave World Health Organization

Published

3 hours ago

January 21, 2025

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US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the US from the World Health Organization (WHO).

“Oooh, that’s a big one,” the newly inaugurated US president said as he approved the document after arriving back at the White House. It was one of dozens of executive actions he put his signature to on day one in office.

This marks the second time Trump has ordered the US be pulled out of the WHO.

Trump was critical of how the international body handled Covid-19 and began the process of pulling out from the Geneva-based institution during the pandemic. President Joe Biden later reversed that decision.

Carrying out this executive action on day one makes it more likely the US will formally leave the global agency.

“They wanted us back so badly so we’ll see what happens,” Trump said in the Oval Office, referring to the WHO, perhaps hinting the US might return eventually.

The order said the US was withdrawing “due to the organization’s mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states”.

The executive order also said the withdrawal was the result of “unfairly onerous payments” the US made to the WHO, which is part of the United Nations.

When Trump was still in office the first time around he was critical of the organization for being too “China-centric” in its tackling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Trump accused the WHO of being biased towards China in how it issued guidance during the outbreak.

Under the Biden administration the US continued to be the largest funder of the WHO and in 2023 it contributed almost one-fifth of the agency’s budget.

The organization’s annual budget is $6.8 billion (£5.5 billion).

Public health experts have been critical of Trump’s decision to leave the WHO, warning there could be consequences for Americans’ health.

Some have suggested the move could reverse progress made on fighting infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and Hiv & Aids.

Ashish Jha, who formerly worked as Covid-19 response co-ordinator under President Biden, previously warned leaving would “harm not only the health of people around the world, but also US leadership and scientific prowess”.

“It’s a cataclysmic presidential decision. Withdrawal is a grievous wound to world health, but a still deeper wound to the US,” Lawrence Gostin, a global public health expert and Georgetown University professor said.

(BBC News)