News

Sri Lanka’s coronavirus death toll topped 16,000 as the Director General of Health Services confirmed another 30 Covid-19 related deaths for February 20.

This brings the total number of Covid-19 deaths registered in the country since the start of the pandemic to 16,024 thus far.

The deaths reported today include 20 males and 10 females while 06 of the victims are between the ages 30-59 years. The remaining 24 are in the age group of 60 years and above.

Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake has contracted Covid-19, an official of the Prime Minister's Office confirmed.

He had subjected to a covid test after he developed symptoms and was confirmed with Covid-19.

Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has once again expressed his disappointment at the government’s failure to ensure justice for the Easter Sunday attack victims.

Addressing a book launch on Saturday (Feb. 19), the cardinal stressed that it is obvious the government is concealing the truth behind the attack, while protecting higher-ups in the police and the government.

He added that the Catholic community has now lost the trust placed in the government as well.

“Intelligence officials and top-ranking police officers knew that this attack would happen. We have evidence to that end, and it is there in the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI).”

The government and the Attorney General’s Department have hidden the evidence given before the PCoI, the Cardinal alleged.

“We have requested those volumes in writing and we have asked them to make us aware. But this government and the previous government have taken steps to conceal those volumes from us, without considering out requests. We are faced with a question on revealing the truth about these people, based on the basis of the PCoI report.”

When the PCoI report clearly says that certain persons knew of an impending attack and did not take action to prevent it, while recommending action against them, what is happening now is the Attorney General and his department’s questionable behaviour is preventing justice, the Cardinal said further, expressing deep disappointment in this regard.

He also said this government has not fulfilled any of the promises given to the people.

“Cases have been filed against those who have had indirect dealings with Zahran Hashim, however, we do not know whether those are done properly.”

The Cardinal went on to state that this government has made a mockery out of the judicial process by protecting and granting promotions to government leaders, senior intelligence and police officials who knew that this attack would happen.

“We need to believe that justice will prevail under a government that will come to power in the future when we are gone.”

Derana

Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa's personal Facebook account had briefly been hacked, the minister revealed a short while ago.

Taking to the social media platform, Weerawansa posted a message that he was unable to use his personal account for several days, after it was hacked.

Assuring that he regained full possession of his account this morning (16), he expressed his displeasure towards those individuals who had 'commented without any scrutiny on the posts shared by the account holder during that period, causing conflict and unrest'.

Attached below is the relevant statement made by Weerawansa:

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) says that NO scheduled power cuts will take place on Saturday (19).

However, the Chairman of the PUCSL, Janaka Rathnayake stated that intermittent interruption can be expected between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to stabilize the national grid.

He added that the CEB is now receiving fuel stock for the day’s electricity generation.

The Criminal Investigations Department on Monday (14) arrested Civil Activist Shehan Malaka Gamage, from Panadura.

Police Spokesperson SSP Attorney-at-Law Nihal Thalduwa told News 1st that Gamage was arrested for a comment he made with regard to the Easter Sunday attacks, at a recent media briefing.

He was recently summoned to the CID and a statement was recorded as well, on the same matter.

The Criminal Investigations Department had sought advice from the Attorney General and upon instructions received the CID arrested Shehan Malaka Gamage, noting that he had committed an offense, said the Police Spokesperson.

The newly-appointed Ambassador of the United States to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung stated that she is excited to represent the US in Sri Lanka.

In an introductory video, she pointed out that both countries have a lot in common, from democratic values to the shared commitment to a safe and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

In December 2021, the US Senate approved the nomination of Chung to be the new US Ambassador of to Sri Lanka after the former Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz concluded her tenure.

Sri Lanka’ former President Maithripala Sirisena has urged the world not to be warmongers and war criminals but peacemakers and sacrifice in whatever way required.

The effects will be universal and benefit humanity forever with bestowed peace, he told the World Summit 2022 for Peace on the Korean Peninsula in Seoul, South Korea.

Speech by Maithripala Sirisena:

Excellencies, Distinguished Participants, Ladies, and Gentlemen, I am happy to be here at this Summit and to deliver a Keynote address. Thank you.

When a South Korean invite is mentioned, beyond the invitation, Sri Lankans reminisce the long-standing friendship between our two countries. As a sibling, South Korea has treated us especially in the fields of economic assistance, investments, technology, employment for our labor, youth affairs, and international transactions. At the outset, I mention them with great happiness and gratitude.

To start with, let me with deep respect recognize the hosts – Excellency Ban Ki-Moon, the former UN Secretary-General, whom I have personally known well since 2015, Cambodian Prime Minister Excellency Samdech Hun Sen, Dr. Thomas G Walsh, the Chairman, Universal Peace Foundation (UPF), and the Director-General of the UPF, Dr, Yun Young-ho.

Secondly, as a lover of peace, I recognize the pious objective of the Summit, which is of universal concern, which is “Peace on the Korean Peninsula.”

Thirdly, I respectfully recognize the intended outcome of the Summit, which in simple terms is to bring together collective experiences, wisdom, and insights critically required to build mutual understanding, sustainable peace, and prosperity to the world.

In addition, I recognize the setting of the Summit in Seoul. In addition to the beauty of Seoul, it is because of the historical importance of reunification of Korea- the North and South. There is a long history of efforts to unify the divided two geographical units, created by internal and external involvements. This status has created economic downturns and suffering, especially in the North, though revival has happened voluminously in the South.

This had been the case in some other non-reunified troubled countries too. Unified states have triumphed. The German experience is a good example of collapsing of the separating wall and building a strong economy. Vietnam exhibited another novel political institutional arrangement, and now a bubbling economy. These two countries achieved unification in two ways.

I quote Kohler, a commentator who stated four takeaways from the German experience of reunification: They were: First: Get ahead of developments, prepare to expect the improbable, and have the guts to lead, second: Keep your promises and make sure others are aware of it. Three: Foreign policy begins at home, and, finally, do not go it alone. I hope those who are following unification would note these learned lessons.

Due to the potential political and economic downturn, sometimes certain populations resist unification. It happens mostly in the sector or unit where economic status is affluent. Studies have proved this status even in the case of Koreas. It is due to migration that may be caused by a unification exercise that could negatively affect the lives of the affluent people. However, economic affluence is also predicted due to unification. In such a background, some argue that other factors such as shared history, culture, language, traditions, etc. should motivate unification.

The historical perimeters of the two Koreas are complex, though well known to this noble audience. I may approach the issues from our experiences in Sri Lanka, less known to many over here. It is because the Summit expects sharing collective experiences, wisdom, and insights.

Our ethnic communities were united for generations throughout the history of Sri Lanka. Though there were aberrations in relationships, total segregation was prevented, and they remained as friends, upon culture, religion, traditions, and beliefs-wise, etc. When foreign powers were ruling Ceylon, which is now known as Sri Lanka, especially towards the mid-twentieth century, our leaders fought unitedly for independence from the British, irrespective of the languages they spoke, religions they professed, ethnic groups they belonged to.

However, due to several domestic reasons, sometimes fueled by foreign influences who wished to divide and rule, hatred, jealousy, animosity was developed, and unity was compromised and jeopardized. This led to political conflicts which were later converted to violence against the state and to open violence in the streets, cities, villages, and jungles. Though we are a small island of 65,000 square kilometers the demand by an ethnic terrorist group was for a separate state. Certain arrangements were made by our governments several times to settle this issue, and even had a ceasefire brokered by Norway in 2002, but ultimately everything failed. This is another lesson we can share on failures one could experience, on the way to peace or unification.

This type of failure is observed even in the Korean environment. I may quote a commonly known episode to prove my stand. The spring and summer of 2018 saw an extraordinary rapprochement between the two Koreas. It led to successive face-to-face meetings. They culminated with a visit of South Korean President Moon Joe-in to Pyongyang. This visit followed several joint declarations, agreements, hotlines, and other confidence-building measures, including an inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong, close to the demilitarized zone. It was the first full-time communication channel and was an ‘embassy’ between the two sides, still at war. In June 2020 it was blasted by North Korea, which resulted in blasting much of the progress made in two years. This is the complexity and unpredictability one experiences in unification or finally peacebuilding.

The terrorists in Sri Lanka did similar things to us and consequently the peace processes we carried out failed. Instead of peacemaking, we did battle it out. It is not a good lesson to learn., because war is the bitterest treatment of people. However, this is the way politics, war, egos, personalities sometimes react to certain peacebuilding, reunifying efforts.

Excellency Ban Ki-Moon as the Secretary-General of the UN did his utmost to bring peace, reconciliation, democratic control of the situation after the conflict was over in May 2009. I believe in peace and avoidance of war, and conflict should not be the answer to any aberrations. What we require at such a point is confidence-building between parties and rebuilding the economies. Therefore, Sri Lanka stepped into reconciliation, basing our actions on the internationally acclaimed “four pillars of reconciliation.”

Of course, the internationals anticipated and demanded extremely revolutionary and immediate remedial actions. They are lofty expectations, but unfortunately, the expected speed does not reflect in the execution of reconciliatory mechanisms. Ours was a conflict of more than 25 years. Korea is about 70 years. Reconciling competing interests and horrific pasts do not happen quickly, because scars are deep-rooted and thus adamancy rules. Egos prosper. Hence, patience is required, which reminds me of the statement made by the Japanese business tycoon Konosuke Matsushita “Storms may pass, patience is a virtue.” Therefore, step-by-step movement may be preferred here too. But what we need is not a step backward, but always a consistent step forward.

The economic impact on us was severe and we are still paying for such sectarian behavior. This too is not only a lesson to us in Sri Lanka. Many experiences are observed in proximity and far away too. United efforts always give better yields. Of course, the need may rise for people to sacrifice certain conveniences and comforts enjoyed before reunification or peacemaking, especially in socio-economic spheres. This was the German experience just after the unification and will happen elsewhere too.

However, governments, bilateral and multilateral internationals must find solutions to integrate, make peace, unify quarreling groups, militaries, and countries. It is because war, conflict does not have winners. There are no short or instant solutions. Ours is an excellent example. I have learned that there had been studies done even in Korea and opposition to reunification has been observed. Though short-term difficulties could be observed, one must look at the long-term effects.

Our conflict was over in May 2009. Still, twelve years later we have not found a firm power-sharing mechanism or fulfilled total reconciliation as expected by international standards. The experiences in the unification of Germany and Vietnam show how two contrasting political ideologies could positively merge. It could happen even in Korea similarly since the two political systems differ. Though such conflicts may occur regarding Korea, one may reconsider the situation in the light of common language, culture, traditions, living patterns which are binding glues for sustainable integration.

Possession of resources and technology to manufacture long-range missiles and shoot them from deserts or sub-marines, etc. is insufficient for integration or unification. Threatening nuclear attacks is insufficient for the same. What good such missiles and nuclear armaments serve the people positively? Similarly, it is not drawing a line on the 38th latitude. Marking boundaries based on surveyor’s lines have not solved issues with our neighbors as seen even today from the Radcliffe Line between India and Pakistan, and Chief British negotiator, Sir Henry McMahon’s line dealing with the boundaries of Tibet, China, Bhutan, and even India. Conflicts continue for decades and even today on these boundary lines. Again, I say, it is not an easy task, especially when such threatening warmongering hawks control decision-making.

I may quote the greatest Indian next to Lord Buddha- Mahatma Gandhi who said, “Was not war itself a crime against God and humanity, and therefore, were not all those who sanctioned, engineered and conducted wars, war criminals?” We have the choice in front of us. Do we sanction, engineer, and conduct wars and become war criminals or go by Martin Luther King Junior who said “It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it?”

Let us swear that we will not be warmongers and war criminals but peacemakers and sacrifice in whatever way required because the effects will be universal and benefit humanity forever with bestowed peace. I remain wishing sincerely that such a strong willingly sacrificing group will emerge also from this Summit.

Thank you very much for listening to me patiently.

Sri Lanka’s Former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and Former Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara were released and acquitted by a Colombo court on Friday (18) from all charges in the Easter Sunday Attacks case.

The cases were called up in the presence of Justices Namal Balalle, Aditya Patabendige, and Mohamed Irshadeen.

The Attorney General filed the cases against Fernando and Jayasundara on charges of criminal dereliction of duty for failing to take action to prevent the Easter attacks despite receiving specific intelligence.

A total of 855 charges of criminal negligence were leveled against Pujith Jayasundera and Hemasiri Fernando, individually.

The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar ordered to acquit and release Ex-Police Chief Pujith Jayasundara and Ex-Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando from the cases, without calling for evidence from the defense, as the prosecution had failed to prove the charges filed against them.

Justice Aditya Patabendige delivering the summary verdict in court noted that the evidence provided by Director of State Intelligence Nilantha Jayawardena made it clear that he had not carried out his duties in a proper manner, and acted to place that responsibility on someone else.

Justice Aditya Patabendige went on to note that many devotees died under tragic circumstances in the Easter Sunday Terror Attacks that also left many injured, adding that it is not possible to proceed with a case against a person in absence of evidence on such a tragic event.

Justice Aditya Patabendige also noted that one needs to be extra careful when leveling criminal charges against a person, and noted that the arrests of Jayasundara and Fernando on the said charges are also marred with issues.

He also said that it is unacceptable to file cases against Public Servants alone when a political authority exists.

The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar judge also noted that the defendants had not committed criminal dereliction of duty.

Justices, Namal Balalle, and Mohamed Irshadeen announced that the evidence produced by the prosecution against the defendants also failed to prove the charges brought forward by the prosecution.

The Court said that after the evidence of the prosecution’s first witness, State Intelligence Chief Nilantha Jayawardena, was led, the prosecution should have decided when to proceed with the case or not, however, despite having the opportunity, the prosecution did not reach such a decision.

The court also said the prosecution produced five to six, selective witnesses for their benefit, from the pool of over 1,000 witnesses, and yet, failed to prove the charges in the case.

The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar met on Friday (18) to announce the decision on whether Ex-Police Chief Pujith Jayasudara and Ex-Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando will be released from the Easter Attacks cases, without calling for evidence from the Defence.

The justices of the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar unanimously announced that the defendants will be acquitted and released from all charges without calling for evidence from the defense, as the prosecution failed to produce sufficient evidence in the case.

Chairman of the court Justice Namal Ballale in conclusion thanked the officers from the Attorney General’s Department and the staff of the Colombo High Court for assisting to conclude the case within four months.

News 1st

Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva, the Sri Lankan all-rounder, has got a bid of INR 1,075 lakhs in the IPL auction 2022 currently underway in Bangalore.

Both Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings were in a bidding war for Wanindu Hasaranga when the bid was stopped in the middle due to a medical emergency.

Lunch has been taken in Bengaluru after Hugh Edmeades, the auctioneer, collapsed while the Hasaranga bid was on.

Hasaranga has listed his base price at 1 crore.

SRH make the first move for Hasaranga.

Sunrisers' Hemang Badani has worked with him at Jaffna in the LPL.

Punjab Kings enter the bidding and tussle with Sunrisers.

Sunrisers take the bid up to 1.8 crore.

Kings raise the paddle, as do Sunrisers. Moody chats with Kavya Maaran and they raise it up to 3.2 crore.

The bid quickly reaches 4 crore now.

It's been a while since a Sri Lankan has attracted this much interest at an auction.

Punjab Kings in the lead at 4.2 crore.

RCB jump in - there's a new bidder for Hasaranga. He was part of their side last season.

Kings and RCB tussle for Hasaranga.

Hesson, Malolan and co. chat at the RCB table and bid again; it's 5.75 crore now.

Rhodes asks for a moment after which Kings raise the paddle once again, pushing the bid up to 6 crore.

Kings in the lead at 7 crore.

RCB aren't backing out.

RCB escalate the bid up to 7.75 crore.

Kings take a moment and return to bid for Hasaranga.

Kings and RCB are locked in a bidding war for the legspin-bowling allrounder.

Kings are ready to shell out 9 crore for him.

However, RCB desperately want him back.

This is getting interesting.

RCB back in the lead at 10.25 crore.

Big payday for Hasaranga as the bid rockets towards 11 crore.

Okay, hang on, Hugh Edmeades, the auctioneer, has collapsed.

The auction has been paused.

RCB in the lead at 10.75 crore.

Head of the Colombo Archdiocese's Social Relations Unit Rev. Fr. Jude Chrishantha requested the CID to question former President Maithripala Sirisena and arrest him if necessary as it is clear that the latter is responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks.

Fr. Chrishantha told journalists that he made this request from the CID when he was testified over a statement which he had made recently. He was summoned after he remarked that the former President should be probed.

The Catholic priest made this remark following a remark made by Minister Prasanna Ratnatunga who had earlier said former President Sirisena is responsible for the Easter Sunday mayhem.

"I told the CID that Minister Ratnatunga should be summoned to CID and obtain a statement from him as well on the allegation that he had made against the former President and then conduct a probe on Mr. Sirisena and arrest him," Fr. Chrishantha said.

dailymirror

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) is confident that the demand for electricity in the country can be met until February 14 (Monday) with adequate power generation.

Accordingly, there will be no power shedding in the coming three days, the Chairman of PUCSL Janaka Ratnayake assured.

He, however, appealed to the members of the public to use electricity sparingly.