President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that although lives lost during the war cannot be regained, the income lost during the economic war could be regained.
The President also pointed out that the stability of political and territorial integrity of a country is the best factor to win over the economic war.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe made this statement while addressing the ceremony held today (01) at the Presidential Palace in Kandy to present the distinguished service awards “Vishishta Seva Vibhushana” to 77 senior officers of the Tri Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force). The award ceremony was organized in conjunction with the 75th Independence Day celebrations.
The Vishishta Seva Vibhushana is a unique award and is awarded only to officers of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and above in the Army and officers holding similar ranks in the Navy and Air Force who have served at least 25 years of continuous service and holds an unblemished a service record.
In relation to the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 53 Army officers, 17 Navy officers and 7 Air Force officers were awarded medals during today’s ceremony.
The President also presented the 75th Independence Anniversary Commemorative Medals to 20 Tri-Forces personnel.
Expressing his views at the ceremony, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said,
“Today we have awarded the “Vishishta Seva Vibhushana” awards to those who deserve this Medal. Also, these service awards were given on the occasion of the 75th Independence Anniversary. I congratulate all the recipients of these medals today. I also extend my appreciation for your service.
This event is the first event to be held to mark the 75th Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence. There is a reason to hold this event for the armed forces.
National leaders of the past, led by the Hon. D.S. Senanayake gained freedom for our country. Today, some act as though the country automatically gained independence. Freedom was not gained automatically.
There were 2 countries that supported the Allies in Asia during World War II. One was China and the other was Sri Lanka. But, only Sri Lanka had a legislature which was elected by franchise.
After appreciating the support given for the Second World War by the former leader of the council Mr. D.B. Jayathilika and afterwards Hon. D.S. Senanayake, the British Prime Minister Mr. Winston Churchill said that Sri Lanka would be given freedom after the war on one condition, that India were given freedom first. That is how we got this freedom.
During World War II, the Council of State decided to support the allied countries. In addition, Sri Lankan officials volunteered to support World War II.
Mr.D.S. Senanayake appreciated the release and formed three armed forces from those troops. If we supported the Second World War and gained independence, we should also honour the service of our three armed forces during this anniversary celebration.
For the safety of the nation, members of our security forces gave their lives in battle. Our Army was founded during a world war. It protected democracy over the world. The second war was to preserve Sri Lanka’s unity and territorial integrity. Our armed forces sacrificed their lives for that.
We should keep in mind this outstanding contribution performed by our armed forces as we commemorate the nation’s independence as a republic. Therefore, I made the decision to host the first ceremonial event in connection with the 75th Independence Day for the Armed Forces.
Our three armed forces are now not only in Sri Lanka they serve as a UN peacekeepers as well. In the future, we intend to increase the number of recruits for this peacekeeping force.
We commemorated our 50th anniversary of independence while the nation was at war. We are commemorating our 75th Independence Day at a time when there is another conflict. It is not a battle in which we individually take a weapon and engage in combat. A significant economic battle is currently underway.
The country’s economy has now totally collapsed. Our nation’s economic freedom will vanish if we don’t rebuild that economy and rescue ourselves from this debt trap. If the economic freedom of the country is lost, political freedom is of no use. We cannot surrender to the economic powers of the world today. Building this economy should therefore be our priority.
Make means for the people to live, and revive their lost sources of income. I am aware of the fact that many people are facing difficulties today. Some government employees are facing a situation where nothing of their salaries is spared after settling their loan installments and taxes. We all bear this pressure and we will be able to get rid of this pressure.
I met the U.S. Under-Secretary for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland today. She further expressed the US Government’s support for the ongoing recovery efforts in our country. Hence we have been expressed support by many countries.
I believe that during the next two to three months, we would be able to complete this debt restructuring process. The dialogues with India and China have reached the final stage. When we reach the agreement for debt restructuring from the International Monetary Fund, it would be accepted by the rest of the world.
I believe that we would have a better economic situation by the end of this year. At the same time, we would get an opportunity to provide some relief to all government employees. We must drive this program forward and we are not in a position to get out of it. If we are on the right path, we have to be strategic and only then victory could be achieved.
There is only one difference between terrorist war and economic war. Lives were lost those days during the terrorist war. Today we have lost the income. That’s the only difference. We cannot give a new life to those who lost but the lost income can be recovered. As a government, we are all committed to reviving it under this program.
I believe that we can move forward reviving the economic freedom along with the political freedom back then we won while protecting the territorial integrity.
State Minister of Defence Pramitha Bandara Thennakoon, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Mr Sagala Ratnayake, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, Secretary of Defence General Kamal Gunaratne (retd.) Chief of Defence Staff Shavendra Silva, Army Commander Lieutenant General Wikum Liyanage, Air Force Commander Air Vice Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera and officers of Tri Forces participated in the event.
The Sri Lanka Police have mobilised support for Anudi Gunasekara, daughter of SSP Hemantha Gunsasekara, as she competes in the 72nd Miss World pageant. A congratulatory message was officially shared this week, recognising her as Sri Lanka’s representative at the international event.
A circular issued by the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya was shared with Senior DIGs, DIGs, commanding officers, directors, OICs, and headquarters inspectors across the country. The directive outlined the importance of supporting Anudi through social media engagement.
The document emphasised that online popularity plays a role in the selection process. It included instructions for downloading the Miss World mobile app, voting for the candidate, and increasing her online presence by liking, commenting, and following her pages.
Police Media Spokesman SSP Buddika Manathunga defended the initiative, describing it as a matter of national pride. “Her representation brings honour to the country,” he said, noting that public funds were not used and drawing parallels with past promotional efforts for Sri Lanka Cricket.
Anudi among 20 finalists
Anudi Gunasekara, Sri Lanka’s representative at the 72nd Miss World pageant, has advanced to the 20 finalists of the Head to Head Challenge. She has also secured a place among the Top 5 finalists from Asia.
The final competition of the Miss World Festival will be held next Saturday, on May 31 at the HITEX Convention Center in Hyderabad, Telangana.
The public have been invited to vote for contestants via the “Miss World” app which can be downloaded via Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
(sundaytimes.lk)
(This story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)
A Bribery Commission raid at the Motor Traffic Department on Friday resulted in the detection of Rs. 4.1 million in cash in the office of a deputy commissioner, believed to be bundled for distribution among selected staff later in the day as part of collections from private parties during the week.
Investigators from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) had found the cash packed in packets and
ready for distribution when they raided the premises armed with a search warrant.
Further investigations have found that the cash amounted to bribes collected from people who had visited the different divisions of the DMT from Monday to Friday of that week, sources added.
Bribery Commission officials who visited the DMT with the search warrant had come upon the cash stacked in a cupboard in the office room of one of the deputy commissioners.
The key to the cupboard, however, had been in the hands of an office assistant, who was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation of why he had the key to a cupboard with so much money in his possession.
CIABOC officials had arrested the deputy commissioner, a management assistant and the office assistant once they uncovered that the cash had been collected to be distributed among DMT employees on Friday.
The three suspects, identified as Deputy Commissioner Dilantha Nuwan Kumara, Pradeep Nishantha and D. Samantha Perera, were produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayatunga and remanded till June 6.
(sundaytimes.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)
Veteran Actress Malini Fonseka, widely revered as the “Queen of Sri Lankan Cinema,” passed away this morning (May 24) at the age of 78 while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.
Born on April 30, 1947, in Kelaniya as Wanni Arachchige Malani Senehelatha Fonseka, she later rose to fame in Sri Lankan cinema under the name Malani Fonseka.
Fonseka began her acting career on stage in 1963 and made her cinematic debut in 1968 with the film Punchi Baba.
She won the Most Popular Actress award in 1973 and has received numerous accolades, including the President’s Award, Sarasavi Award, OCIC Award, and Sumathi Award, with several honors for Best Actress.
Plays such as Nidhanaya, Bambaru Awitha, Wekande Walawwa, Aradhana, and Ammawarune are regarded as outstanding works that showcased the acting talents of Malani Fonseka.
Beyond her artistic achievements, she entered politics in 2010 and served as a National List Member of Parliament until 2015.