News

US Ambassador & Defence Ministry respond to Wimal

Published

1 year ago

April 26, 2023

editor

The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Defence responded to a statement made by MP Wimal Weerawansa.

The book titled “Nine; The Hidden Story” penned by Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa was launched in Colombo on Tuesday (25).

Weerawansa said that the United States of America and India had requested Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to fire Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Ambassador Julie Chung tweeted that she was disappointed that an MP has made baseless allegations and spread outright lies in a book that should be labeled “fiction.”

She said that for 75 years, the US & Sri Lanka have shared commitments to democracy, sovereignty, and prosperity – a partnership and future that they would continue to build together.

The Ministry of Defence also issued a statement in response to the statement made by MP Wimal Weerawansa regarding the Chief of Defence Staff and former Army Commander General Shavendra Silva, who was in India during the 9th July Aragalaya.

The statement noted that the Deputy National Security Advisor Level Meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave, a security conference organized between friendly countries in the South Indian Ocean region, was held in India on 07 July 2022.

The Ministry of Defence emphasizes that under the directions and approval of the then President of Sri Lanka and the Defence Ministry, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and former Commander of the Army General Shavendra Silva participated in the Meeting representing the Government of Sri Lanka.

(newsfirst.lk)

News

Complaint filed alleging assets being misused for President’s political activities

Published

3 hours ago

April 26, 2024

editor

Today (26) the Socialist Youth Union (SYU) filed a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) calling for a probe into the alleged misuse of assets owned by the National Youth Services Council (NYSC) for the political activities of current President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The SYU submitted a formal complaint to the CIABOC today (26) afternoon.

The complaint is filed against Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports – Harin Fernando, Ministry Secretary – Dr. Kanapathipillai Mahesan, and Chairman of the NYSC – Pasindu Gunaratne.

Speaking before the media, Eranga Gunasekara, the national organizer of the SYU said, NYSC vehicles bearing the numbers NA 9099, NB 1389, NB 3384, NB 3383 had been misused for the UNP rally held in Kuliyapitiya on March 10.

He has also said a dance troupe of the NYSC, used for the rally, is yet to be paid.

News

Tiran makes revelation on Maithripala’s statement

Published

3 hours ago

April 26, 2024

editor

During the inquiry over former President Maithripala Sirisena’s recent statement that he was aware of the real culprits behind the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, he has not mentioned the names of anyone in Sri Lanka, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said.

The lawmaker made this remark while speaking during today’s parliamentary session.

News

High Posts committee approves 4 appointments

Published

3 hours ago

April 26, 2024

editor

Committee on High Posts approves appointments of a new ambassador, a secretary to a ministry, and 02 chairpersons of institutions

The Committee on High Posts which met recently in Parliament has given its approval for the appointments of a new ambassador, a ministry secretary and two institution chairpersons.

Accordingly, the Committee on High Posts has approved the appointment of Mr. S.A Rodrigo as the new Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Italian Republic.

In addition to that, the appointment of Mr. A.C.M. Nafeel as the new secretary of the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development was also approved by the Committee on High Posts.

Furthermore, the Committee on High Posts approved the appointments of Mr. W.A.D.S Gunasinghe as the new chairman of the Regional Development Bank and Mr. N.K.S. Jayasekara as the new chairman of the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council.

Ministers Dr. Ramesh Pathirana and Vidura Wickramanayake, Member of Parliament Rishad Bathiudeen participated in the Committee on High Posts which met under the chairmanship of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.