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Govt. won’t sack anyone, after being pressured by protests – President

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Addressing the launching of the Centre for Governance and Public Policy (C-GaPP) at the Sri Lanka Technological Campus (SLTC) Research University at the Trace City in Colombo this morning (15), President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the government will not give into the demands of protestors.

He noted that just, because certain groups strike demanding the removal of certain officials, the government will not remove anyone arbitrarily as there is a procedure that has to be followed and the government will follow the rules and act accordingly.

He said that the responsibility to address such issues rests to a large extent with the Universities. The President noted that even at the point of the new Centre for Governance and Public Policy (C-GaPP) being inaugurated at the Sri Lanka Technological Campus (SLTC) Research University, two strikes were in progress. One was staged at the Ruhuna University demanding the removal of the Vice Chancellor and another one demanded the removal of the General Manager of a state Corporation.

President Wickremesinghe further stated that the removal of the General Manager is a matter of the government. “Just, because there is a strike we will not remove him. There’s a procedure that has to be followed if they think there are any shortcomings of serious nature against him. As far as the Vice Chancellors are concerned, there is a procedure that has to be followed. Just because people go on strike, whether it’s in a corporation or in a university, this government will not change. We will follow the rules and we will act accordingly, because if I give into this now, next time they will want to remove the Deans and thereafter the heads of department. And then we will be told that we can’t appoint a professor without their consent.

I think we have to seriously look at what is going to happen in the universities. The country has a right to know what is happening. We are paying money to educate our people. So we want the universities to function properly. And I am sad that this strike is taking place at the Ruhuna University,” the President said.

The Vice Chancellor of the SLTC Research University Ranjith G. Rubasinghe presented a memento to the President.

State Minister of Higher Education Dr. Suren Raghavan, Associate Professor at the Social Studies, The Hague Prof. Howard Nicolas, the Vice Chancellor and the President of the SLTC Research University Ranjith G. Rubasinghe, scholars and other officials attended at this event.

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Won’t allow any breach of law & order during my tenure – President

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that during his presidency, no one will be allowed to breach the law and order of the country. He emphasized that he will prioritize doing what is right over doing what is popular, and that presenting popular ideas can lead to the destruction of the country.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said this during his address to the Tri Forces & Police officers and other rankers at the Air Force Base, Anuradhapura, as the Commander in Chief of the armed forces.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe asserted that no one is entitled to engage in violent protests on the streets, but all political parties have the right to express their opinions or criticize him in a peaceful manner.

He emphasized the importance of doing the right thing, and mentioned that they presented the International Monetary Fund agreement to the parliament to assess whether the parliamentarians had the courage to make the right decisions for the betterment of the country.

The President referred to the International Monetary Fund agreement as an example and expressed his expectation for everyone’s assistance in making the IMF program successful. He also stated that if the country adopts a fresh approach and embarks on a new journey, it can achieve significant development within the next 25 years.

The President asserted that Sri Lanka will win the economic war, similar to the successful fight against terrorism, adding that measures would be taken to establish economic independence in the country.

The President acknowledged that the armed forces and police will continue to play a crucial role in achieving economic independence, and also assessed the actions of the armed forces and police in maintaining law and order during the previous year.

The President expressed gratitude towards the armed forces for fulfilling their responsibility, as without their efforts, Sri Lanka would have become an anarchic state. He also mentioned that the ongoing competition between world powers is affecting the Indian Ocean, and he intends to take action as the President to protect Sri Lanka from this influence.

The President emphasized that future military situations can be shaped by technology and knowledge, unlike in the past. He highlighted the need for the armed forces and police to be equipped with modern technology and knowledge to overcome future challenges. The President initiated the Defence 2030 program, aiming to strengthen the defence forces of Sri Lanka.

The President also announced that stringent laws will be introduced to combat the drug scourge, and no amnesty will be granted to drug offenders. 

The President said that he had instructed the Minister of  Law and Order Tiran Alles, and Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapaksha to take strict action against such offenders and to utilize the support of the armed forces in this effort.

Minister of State for Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President Mr Sagala Ratnayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence GeneralKamal Gunaratne (Rtd), Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sudarshan Pathirana, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Inspector General of Police Mr. C.D. Wickramaratne and around 1200 other rankers of the Tri Forces and Police were present on this occasion.

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39 Chinese nationals arrested over online financial fraud

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At least 39 Chinese nationals have been arrested by the Aluthgama police in connection with an online financial fraud.

Police said the suspects had defrauded millions of money over several months through the internet from the accounts of people in different countries.

The group had been staying in a tourist resort in the Kaluamodara area in Aluthgama and Police said they were arrested based on complaints received through several embassies.

While the arrested Chinese nationals were taken to the Alutgama police, several smartphones and cash in their possession were also taken into custody by police.

(dailymirror.lk)

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2 students killed during big match vehicle parade

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Two students were killed and seven others injured after a cab toppled during the vehicle parade held in view of the big match between Uva Paranagama Maha Vidyalaya and Dharmadutha College this afternoon, Police said.

The injured were admitted to the Badulla Hospital.

The accident occurred when the vehicles paraded around the ground during the match.

Further investigations are underway

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