News

Wimal objects to inclusion of Cuba on US terrorism sponsor list

Published

1 year ago

May 31, 2024

editor

Chairman of the National Freedom Front, Wimal Weerawansa has raised objection with the US Ambassador in Colombo on the inclusion of Cuba into the list of states that support terrorism published by the US State Department on 16 May 2024.

Mr. Weerawansa raised the objections in a letter addressed to the Ambassador Julie J. Ms. Chung.

The letter also said;

The US State Department began to list states sponsoring terrorism from 2nd December 1979 & included Iraq, Libya, South Yemen & Syria to its list.

Having declared these states as sponsoring terrorism, the fate that befell these states is nothing acivilized state that respects democracy, human rights can agree to.

The world is well aware that Iraq was removed from this list in February 1992 as a result of its role in the Iran-Iraq war indirectly intervened by the US. However, on 13th September 1990, Iraq was added to the list of states sponsoring terrorism by the US State Department accusing Iraq of “invading Kuwait”. Though Iraq was again removed from the list in October 2004, the devastation Iraq suffered is known by all.

Libya known as the “Switzerland of Africa” had become a war-torn country by the time it was removed from the list on 15th May 2006. The Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi who is to be credited for leading Libya to high scales in the world’s socio-economic indicators was ruthlessly killed.

Likewise, the tragedy that befell Yemen after being removed from the list on 22nd May 1990 resulting in merging North & South Yemen to form one government has resulted in South Yemen disappearing from the world map.

Sudan was included to the US State Department “State Sponsor of Terrorism list” on 12th August 1993 and removed on 14th December 2022. Today, it is a nation where daily corpses keep piling.

Iran which is also included to the US State Departments ‘State Sponsor of Terrorism” list, recently faced the untimely & tragic death of its President Mr. Ebrahim Razi & the response by the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken was that the death “heralded better times for the Iranians”.

The above examples go to highlight the fate of states that end up being included to the list of “State Sponsors of Terrorism” by the US & not only countries that value democracy & human rights but all nations of the world must condemn the outcome for these countries.

This is a trend that must be defeated & countries that are friendly towards the Cuban state are protesting the decision taken by the US State Department and all others must join in too.

Sri Lanka as a state that has been a traditional friend of Cuba & our political party join the rest of the nation’s supporting Cuba against the inclusion of Cuba into the US State Department “State Sponsor of Terrorism list”.

(timesonline.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by timesonline.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Solar power tariffs revised

Published

4 hours ago

June 22, 2025

editor

The Cabinet has approved a revision of tariffs for newly contracted solar energy systems in Sri Lanka, effective from June 16, 2025.

According to a letter issued by the Ministry of Energy dated June 20, the updated rates are as follows:

Rs. 20.90 per unit for systems up to 5 kilowatts (kW)
Rs. 19.61 per unit for systems between 5 kW and 20 kW
Rs. 17.46 per unit for systems between 20 kW and 100 kW

These revised rates will apply to all applicants who pay the system clearance fees on or after June 16, 2025. The new tariffs will also be valid for extension requests submitted on or after that date.

(dailynews.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Army denies social media claims fraudulent officer removals

Published

4 hours ago

June 22, 2025

editor

The Sri Lanka Army has dismissed recent social media claims suggesting a group of officers is being fraudulently removed using forged documents.

In a statement, the Army said the allegations are completely false stating that such assertions stem from a fundamental lack of understanding regarding military administrative protocols.

The allegations are aimed at damaging the institution’s reputation in the eyes of the public.

While confirming that no removals have taken place without proper procedures or the approval of the President, the statement asserts that the Army is committed to transparency while safeguarding national security.

Army_PR Download

News

A/L top achievers in North, felicitated (Pics)

Published

4 hours ago

June 22, 2025

editor

Three hundred students from the Northern Province who excelled in all subject streams of the 2023 G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) Examination will each receive a grant of Rs. 100,000 from the President’s Fund.

As part of a newly launched initiative to honour high-performing students at the district level for the 2023/2024 G.C.E. A/L Examination, the President’s Fund hosted an award ceremony this morning (22) at the Iranamadu Nelum Piyasa Auditorium in the Northern Province.

During the event, 300 students from the districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya, specifically 60 students per district, with the top 10 students from each subject stream, were recognised and presented with financial awards for their outstanding academic performance. The President’s Fund has allocated a total of Rs. 30 million for this initiative, which is expected to be extended to all districts in the future.

Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, addressed the gathering and noted that following the formation of the new government, the President’s Fund has been restructured and expanded under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Disanayaka. He emphasised that the Fund now operates with increased transparency, correcting past irregularities to ensure benefits are directed to the truly deserving. Dr. Kumanayake also mentioned ongoing efforts to digitise the Fund and decentralise its services to improve accessibility and efficiency.

He further highlighted that education is the key to a successful life and urged the students to take full advantage of the support provided, pursue academic excellence, become responsible citizens and contribute positively to the country’s development.
Also addressing the event were Speaker (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne and Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekar.

A vote of thanks was delivered by Abhishek, a student from Jaffna Hindu College, who expressed heartfelt appreciation to the President and the President’s Fund. He described the programme as a valuable opportunity for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue higher education and achieve their goals.

In attendance at the ceremony were Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayahan, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Development Upali Samarasinghe, Members of Parliament K. Ilankumaran, Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy and M. Jagadeeswaran, along with other public representatives. Also present were Mr. Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Secretary of the President’s Fund, senior officials from the Fund, government officers, heads of security forces, parents and students.

(President’s Media Division)