Connect with us

News

President hopes to reach agreement this year to resolve ethnic issue 

Published

on

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that he expects to reach an agreement this year to solve the country’s long-drawn ethnic issue with the Government’s commitment to policies that benefit all communities in Sri Lanka.

He has said he intends to address the ethnic problem in the country while implementing the agreement with the IMF, noting that it is important to move forward while respecting and protecting the rights of all communities.

He said this while joining the United National Party May Day celebrations held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo today (01) virtually.

In order to address the issues faced by the Tamil community in this country, it is futile for Tamil political parties to distance themselves & called on all parties to work together towards building a new, competitive, and sustainable economy that is inclusive and just for all communities in Sri Lanka, he added.

In his May Day address, the President said, “My motivation was not rooted in politics, but in properly managing the country’s economy and alleviating the burdens on its citizens. For this reason, I took on the role of the presidency, as I had faith in my ability to revive the economy and work alongside supportive ministers to achieve these outcomes.

President Wickremesinghe also noted that as the country approaches the centenary of independence in 2048, the goal should be to become a country with a developed economy, just like India aims to achieve in 2047 and China in 2049. “Let 2048 be the year of development for Sri Lanka. We are not only building this economy for the present generation but also for the youth and children of the future.” 

“We need to address the growing demand for change in our political and economic systems, particularly from the youth. As leaders, it is our responsibility to listen to their voices and take action,” he said.

Considering the growing demand for political & economic change, particularly from the youth, the President said it is the responsibility of political leaders to listen to their voices & take action. Additionally, the Government plans to submit the Jana Sabha draft to  Parliament, following former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya’s proposal.

News

Chemmani mass grave : ITAK urges President AKD to take urgent measures

Published

on

By

The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake urging to take immediate action to ensure truth, justice, with regard to the ongoing Chemmani mass grave investigation.

The letter emphasized that over 65 skeletons, including those of infants, have been recovered so far, affirming the scale of atrocities allegedly committed in the region.

ITAK also called for the public release of all forensic reports and DNA findings and warned that symbolic reconciliation would remain hollow without legal accountability.

Signed by senior ITAK leaders C.V.K. Sivagnanam and M.A. Sumanthiran, the letter urge the President to implement the following without delay :

  1. Consolidate the legal cases related to the 1999 and 2025 exhumations into a single judicial and forensic inquiry under the Colombo and Jaffna Magistrate’s Courts.
  2. Engage independent, internationally respected forensic experts to oversee all stages of the investigation, ensuring forensic integrity and public trust.
  3. Publicize all interim and final forensic reports, DNA profiles and identification results, and facilitate access for victims’ families, civil society and international observers.
  4. ⁠Repatriate the remains excavated in 1999, currently believed to be held in Glasgow, so they may be examined under the same protocols and returned to their families with dignity.
  5. ⁠Allocate significantly enhanced financial and logistical resources to ensure that the current excavation is completed under international standards; hundreds of families continue searching for missing loved ones, and without truth and accountability, reconciliation remains a facade.Concurrently, take steps to prosecute those responsible for these heinous crimes, which is essential for national healing.

The ITAK’s letter is as follows :

Continue Reading

News

Let’s build a nation rooted in historical heritage (Pics)

Published

on

By

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that a society cannot progress without a meaningful connection to its historic heritage and that the nation’s development path must be chosen accordingly.

The President made these remarks while addressing a ceremonial gathering yesterday (July 10) afternoon at the historic Ruhunu Kataragama sacred site.  

Earlier in the day, President Dissanayake visited the sacred grounds of Kataragama, participated in religious observances and later paid a courtesy call on the Venerable Kobawaka Dhamminda Nayaka Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the historic Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya, inquiring about his well-being and engaging in a brief discussion.

The President also attended the final Randoli Maha Perahera (Golden Chariot Grand Procession) of the annual Esala Festival at the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya, where he witnessed the ceremonial placement of the sacred relic casket upon the relic bearing tusker.  

Addressing the gathering, President Dissanayake further emphasised that a nation can only move forward by maintaining continuity with its historic heritage. He noted that every developed country in the world has achieved progress by preserving its historical legacy and building upon it, stressing that Sri Lanka, too, must choose a development path anchored in its heritage.

The President highlighted that Buddhism played a pivotal role in transforming our society into a cultured civilisation and that cultural festivals like this help revive and strengthen the moral and social values of a society often preoccupied with material pursuits.  

He pointed out that the Ruhunu Kataragama Perahera has been held continuously for 2,186 years, spanning nearly a hundred generations and that its survival has been possible due to the deep connection between this cultural ceremony and the lives of the people. The President extended his gratitude to all those, including the Chief Incumbent, who contributed to the success of this year’s procession.  

Among those present at the occasion were Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, R.M. Jayawardena, Governor of the Uva Province, Attorney-at-Law Kapila Jayasekara, Member of Parliament Ruwan Wijeweera, Chairman of the Kataragama Pradeshiya Sabha, Dharmapala Herath and Monaragala District Secretary Pasan Ratnayake.

(President’s Media Division)

Continue Reading

News

Charges against Keheliya & others postponed

Published

on

By

The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar has postponed the formal serving of charges against former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and 12 others to Sep. 16, citing delays in the printing of annexures required to accompany the chargesheets.

Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama, appearing for the prosecution, informed the court that while the chargesheets had already been filed, the annexures had not yet been submitted due to printing delays. She noted that it would cost approximately Rs. 866,565 to print the annexures for each accused and that the documents for all twelve defendants are yet to be prepared.

The Government Printer has indicated that it would take about 21 days to complete the printing. Therefore, the prosecution requested the court to reschedule the case accordingly. The court granted the request and fixed the next hearing for Sep. 16.

The Attorney General has filed 13 charges against the accused, including allegations of conspiring to fraudulently misappropriate Rs. 1.444 billion in public funds by supplying 6,195 vials of human immunoglobulin and non-pharmaceutical substances such as Ritopsimap to the Ministry of Health’s Medical Supplies Division.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved