Al Jazeera Media Network has condemned the Israeli government’s decision to close its operations in Israel as a “criminal act” and warned that the country’s suppression of the free press “stands in contravention of international and humanitarian law”.

“Al Jazeera Media Network strongly condemns and denounces this criminal act that violates human rights and the basic right to access of information. Al Jazeera affirms its right to continue to provide news and information to its global audiences,” the network said in a statement on Sunday

“Israel’s ongoing suppression of the free press, seen as an effort to conceal its actions in the Gaza Strip, stands in contravention of international and humanitarian law. Israel’s direct targeting and killing of journalists, arrests, intimidation and threats will not deter Al Jazeera from its commitment to cover, whilst more than 140 Palestinian journalists have been killed since the beginning of the war on Gaza.

“The Network vehemently rejects the allegations presented by Israeli authorities suggesting professional media standards have been violated. It reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values embodied by its Code of Ethics,” it said.

The statement comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet voted unanimously to close Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel, weeks after Israel’s parliament passed a law allowing the temporary closure of foreign broadcasters considered to be a threat to national security during the months-long war in Gaza.

Netanyahu announced the decision on X, formerly Twitter. “The government headed by me unanimously decided: the incitement channel Al Jazeera will be closed in Israel,” he posted in Hebrew.

Israel’s Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi wrote on X that he had signed the orders against Al Jazeera, which would be effective immediately.

Karhi said he ordered the seizure of Al Jazeera’s broadcasting equipment “used to deliver the channel’s content”, including editing and routing equipment, cameras, microphones, servers and laptops, as well as wireless transmission equipment and some mobile phones.

Later on Sunday, police raided Al Jazeera’s premises in occupied East Jerusalem and satellite and cable providers took Al Jazeera off air.

Messages have appeared instead of Al Jazeera’s broadcast on a number of satellite providers, including messages with the words “Yes” and “Hot”.

(aljazeera.com)

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles says that action will be taken against the person who caused a disturbance at the visa issuing section at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Katunayake Airport in Katunayake.

He told a news conference that steps will also be taken against the officers who recorded the incident.

Meanwhile, the man who had spoken out against the takeover of the private company at the BIA, has been summoned to the Katunayake Airport Police to record a statement. Footage of him speaking at the time of the incident, had since gone viral.

The man, who identified himself as Sandaru Kumarasinghe, told reporters that he had been summoned by the Airport Police to record a statement regarding the incident

Speaking to the media, he said that the people must determine whether the statement should be recorded from him, who represented the people, or from those who decided to outsource the visa issuance to a foreign company.

Around 15 Opposition MPs  are ready to support a Bill that would include legislation related to rapid development of the country and the agreement reached with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The Bill is to be presented to Parliament by President Ranil Wickremesinghe on May 08.

Speaking in this regard during the recent May Day celebrations of the United National Party, the President urged the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and National People’s Power (NPP) to support this.

Talks to seek support for the Bill within the Opposition ranks had also begun with 10 – 15 Opposition MPs willing to support it after considering it as a nationally important and valued draft.

It is reported that these MPs had also held a discussion with the President recently.

Although these Opposition MPs were prepared to join the UNP May Rally, the President had prevented this.

Meanwhile, speaking a fortnight ago. MP Thalatha Athukorala had also stated that 15 MPs of the SJB are taking a tough stance.

It was also notable that several MPs including Thalatha Athukorala, Rajitha Senaratne, Rishad Bathideen and Rauf Hakeem were absent from this year’s SJB May Day rally.