News
What we need now is national harmony not racist struggles – Karu (Pics)
Former Speaker and renowned politician, Mr. Karu Jayasuriya received the “Sri Lankabhimanya” Honorary Award, at a ceremony held at the President’s House in Colombo under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, this morning (03).
This honour was bestowed on Mr. Karu Jayasuriya in recognition of the services rendered to the country by him.
Mr. Karu Jayasuriya was presented with the medal and award by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
During the ceremony, Mr. Karu Jayasuriya presented the President with a commemorative book containing a collection of photographs, a retrospective of his life’s journey.
This event was organized in line with the 75th Anniversary of Independence.
The once-in-a-lifetime “Sri Lankabhimanya” Honorary Award is the highest national award given by the Government of Sri Lanka to a Sri Lankan citizen or non-Sri Lankan individual.
Only five Sri Lankans can hold this honor at the same time, which means that if five recipients of the award are alive, the award cannot be given to a sixth person. However, the award can also be given posthumously.
The award was presented most recently in 2017 to W.D. Amaradeva for his contribution to the Sri Lankan music industry. In addition, the Sri Lankabhimanya award was also bestowed on former presidents Ranasinghe Premadasa and D.B. Wijetunga, scientist Arthur C. Clarke, Laxman Kadirgamar, A.T. Ariyaratne, Lester James Peiris and Christopher Weeramantri.
Addressing the ceremony, Mr. Jayasuriya said that what should be done at this point of time is not the struggle of racism, but to work to create national harmony.
He also requested all parties and opposition parties to join hands to ensure that the next generation would be handed over the country after having rectified the shortcomings that have occurred over the past 75 years.
Mr Jayasuriya also pointed out that in his political career, he had never criticized or offended anyone and neither has he ever engaged in any illegal activities.
He said that as a result of an effort to create a new political culture, on the advice of the Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera, he had dedicated his political career for justice and fairness and this National Award is a tribute to the policies he followed.
Mr. Jayasuriya recalled that he entered politics on the invitation of the current President Ranil Wickremesinghe after he became the leader of the United National Party and said that he is happy to work in close contact with the people.
He also stated that during his tenure as the Mayor, he was able to create a new culture in the Colombo Municipal Council and its success was even recognized internationally.
Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, Secretary to the President Mr Saman Ekanayake, Presidential Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Mr Sagala Ratnayake, Government and Opposition Ministers and Mr. Karu Jayasuriya’s family members participated in this event.
(Pics : President’s Media Division)
An audio recording of a heated argument allegedly took place between Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer Basil Rajapaksa and former Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando is currently circulating on social media sites. It is the opinion of social media users that this recording is a fabrication.
Social media reported that this exchange of words took place during a discussion held at the SLPP Head Office yesterday (23).
Below are some of the comments made by the people over the audio recording.
A group meeting was held yesterday at the party office to discuss the upcoming elections and May Day.
It is said that this argument took place between Mr. Rajapaksa and Mr. Fernando during this meeting.
The audio recording that is being circulated on social media sites.
The National People’s Power (NPP) said that the blacklisting of retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha was illegal.
Speaking at a press conference held at the JVP Headoffice last morning (22), NPP member Harshana Nanayakkara said Mr. Thuyacontha had been blacklisted by the Air Force without providing any legal document.
He said that the National People’s Power recently decided to form a collective of retired tri-forces personnel.
“No party has been able to do this in the past. This is being made as a force across the districts. Mr.Thuyacontha is leading this. He is one of the people who risked his life as a fighter pilot throughout the war and was awarded the ‘Vikramaveera’ and ‘Vibhushana’ titles. For his dedication, he was awarded the highest rank of Air Vice Marshal and retired amidst all the honours,”
“If someone is being punished, they should be given the reasons as to why they are being punished. Was Mr. Thuyacontha told why he was blacklisted? He does not even know what the charge is. He has been blacklisted by an invalid document,” he said.
“Thuyacontha blacklisted to maintain internal administrative affairs”
Director (Media) of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), Group Captain Dushan Wijesinghe said that the decision to blacklist Thuyacontha was taken with the aim of maintaining the internal administrative affairs without any political interruption.
Speaking to the media, he said that Thuyacontha cannot enter any of the SLAF camps and enjoy the facilities given by the SLAF.
“Any retired officer of the SLAF can engage in active politics. But, the situation is very different when it comes to this matter. This officer enjoys all the facilities given by the SLAF. He can enter any SLAF camps as a result of this facilitation of privileges. Therefore, it will create a problem in the internal administration of the SLAF if this officer tries to influence our serving members after entering the camps,” he said.
Veteran actress Sanoja Bibile said that she had nothing to do with the brothel that was operated at the address ‘Hansavila’, no: 144, Sumangala Road, Asgiriya in Kandy.
Ms.Bibile said this in response to the article titled ‘Statement to be recorded from Sanoja over brothel raided in Kandy!’ published on Sri Lanka Mirror website.
She said that the property in question belonged to four people including her mother and siblings. However, in April 2022, it had been rented out to an individual by the name A.G. Samantha Asela Kumara.
At the time of the raid conducted by the police, Samantha Asela Kumara was the occupant of the house.
She said that the property was rented out on April 11 last year with the consent of her mother and siblings.
The lease contract is shown below.
Ms.Bibile also said that the electricity bill of the rented out property was not in her name but in the name of her mother D.R. Nalini Padmavathi Bibile.
The electricity bill is shown below.
We regret any inconvenience caused to Sanoja Bibile due to the previous article published by Sri Lanka Mirror.
Related news:
Statement to be recorded from Sanoja over brothel raided in Kandy!
Who’s behind script of ‘Basil recordings’?
Blacklisting Thuyacontha illegal: NPP
I had nothing to do with Asgiriya brothel: Sanoja Bibile
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