News

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

Published

1 year ago

February 15, 2023

editor

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.

News

Do not be afraid to use weapons, Minister Alles tells police

Published

13 hours ago

April 25, 2024

editor

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles told the police today that eliminating criminals from the country is not a sin and not to be afraid to use weapons.

He made these remarks while participating in the passing out parade at Katukurunda STF Training camp.

“Eliminating criminals from the country is not a sin. Don’t be afraid to use the weapon in your hand for the right thing and we stand by you,” the minister said.

“The police officers who had undergone the training know what to do. They know everything that is needed. If this team is not enough, another police motorcycle team will be established. We have a goal. All the police officers know what that goal is. I just want to go for that goal. I have done everything, including salary increases for all of you. I only expect you to go for the goal,” the minister further said.

The passing out parade of a team of 100 police personnel who underwent special training at the Katukurunda STF camp to go after criminals operating in the Western and Southern Provinces was held with the participation of the Minister, IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, STF Commandant Senior DIG Waruna Jayasundara and the Western Province Senior DIG.

These trained 50 motorcycle teams commenced anti-underworld duties yesterday.

The team was given two weeks special training to respond to incidents involving gunmen committing crimes on motorcycles and take necessary action against them.

(dailymirror.lk)

(This story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Public urged to use only Immigration Dept’s webpage for e-visa

Published

14 hours ago

April 25, 2024

editor

The Department of Immigration and Emigration has urged the public to apply for e-visas exclusively through the official Home Page of www.immigration.gov.lk.

In a bid to streamline visa processing and combat fraudulent activities, the Department rolled out a new visa methodology effective from April 17, 2024. This marked the termination of visa applications through the ETA website.

However, concerns have arisen regarding unauthorized websites impersonating the official platform www.srilankaevisa.lk, leading unsuspecting applicants to fall victim to scams, the Department notes.

News

Duminda appointed as SLFP’s Acting Gen. Secretary

Published

14 hours ago

April 25, 2024

editor

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s (SLFP) faction led by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has appointed MP Duminda Dissanayake as the party’s Acting General Secretary.

He was appointed during the politburo meeting convened by the faction backing Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva this evening (April 25).

On Wednesday (24), the Colombo District Court issued an injunction preventing MP Sarathie Dushmantha Mithrapala from functioning as the General Secretary of SLFP and implementation of the decisions taken by him as the SLFP Acting General Secretary.