News

Chief of the Air Staff of Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari has arrived in the island today (May 01) on a 4-day official visit on the invitation of the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, the SLAF Media Unit said.

Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC, arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport on 1 May on a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force.

Air Vice Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Air Force and Deputy High Commissioner of India, Mr. Vinod K. Jacob warmly welcomed Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on his arrival.

During the visit, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari is scheduled to make courtesy calls on President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, and have meetings with Minister of State for Defence, Defence Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff and Service Commanders.

“The visit symbolises strong relations and close cooperation between the two friendly neighbours, with Sri Lanka being accorded the status of ‘Priority One’ partner by India,” the Indian High Commission said.

Underlining the strong bonds of friendship between the two services, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari would be laying the foundation stone for India- Sri Lanka Friendship Auditorium at Sri Lanka Air Force Academy, Trincomalee under 250 Million LKR Grant assistance by Government of India (GOI), in line with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, the statement said.

As part of GOI’s commitment towards capacity building of Sri Lanka Armed Forces, Chief of Air Staff of Indian Air Force would be presenting AN-32 propellers to ensure high operational readiness of the aircraft held with Sri Lanka Air Force, it said.

He would also be interacting with students at the prestigious National Defence College, Sri Lanka and the Air Force Academy, China Bay, wherein training aids for the students would be gifted.

The visit of Chief of Air Staff, Indian Air Force is expected to strengthen the existing relations between the two countries and facilitate discussions on common security challenges and enhancing capacity and capability building initiatives towards ensuring Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), as propounded by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The resolution for the implementation of the arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility of the IMF for Sri Lanka passed in Parliament on Friday (28).

Votes in favor: 120 Votes against: 25

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that he would work to create the political and economical changes called for by the youth in the country.

He was speaking at the UNP May Day rally in Colombo on Monday (1) morning, at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium.

The went on to note that five youth members would be appointed to the Parliament Select Committees and the Sectoral Oversight Committees, and the appointments would be made in May.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his Labour Day statement on Monday (1) said he expects to reach an agreement this year to solve the country's long-drawn ethnic issue with the Government's commitment to policies that benefit all communities in Sri Lanka.

President said, "My motivation was not rooted in politics, but in properly managing the country's economy and alleviating the burdens on its citizens. For this reason, I took on the role of the presidency, as I had faith in my ability to revive the economy and work alongside supportive ministers to achieve these outcomes."

President Wickremesinghe noted that as the country approaches the centenary of independence in 2048, the goal should be to become a country with a developed economy, just like India aims to achieve in 2047 and China in 2049. "Let 2048 be the year of development for Sri Lanka. We are not only building this economy for the present generation but also for the youth and children of the future," he said.

The President said that in order to address the issues faced by the Tamil community in this country, it is futile for Tamil political parties to distance themselves & called on all parties to work together towards building a new, competitive, and sustainable economy that is inclusive and just for all communities in Sri Lanka

The LSSP has removed Prof. Tissa Vitarana as secretary of the party.

A member of the party’s central committee said the removal came after Vitarana’s attempt to organize a separate May Day rally and join the government.

Vitarana had wanted the LSSP not to take part in a combined event by leftist parties as the Socialist People’s Front, said the CC member.

The CC on April 22 met and in a unanimous decision, replaced him with Wellappulige Abeysena, he added.

Vitharana disputes claim

However, Vitarana still claims himself to be the legally appointed secretary of the LSSP.

He refuted claims to the contrary, and explained that a group of around 16 met at a purported CC meeting and removed him from the position of secretary.

However, only the party’s secretary is empowered to convene the CC, Vitarana said, adding that he would initiate legal action regarding his purported removal.

Sri Lankan veteran actor G.R. Perera has passed away at the age of 83.

According to family sources, Perera had been ill for a long period and passed away today at his home.

The family sources further said that the arrangements for his final rites will be announced later.

Galhenage Rathnapala Pererais a veteran actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theatre, and television and has acted in more than 600 television serials with a career spanning over five decades.

Born on 13 November 1939, G.R. Perera started his film career with the 1971 film ‘Welikathara’ directed by D.B. Nihalsinghe with a minor role.

He first appeared in a major role in the second film of his career, ‘Kalu Diya Dahara’ directed by Manik Sandarasagara.

G.R. Perera’s maiden television acting role came through the serial ‘Thunkal Sihinaya’ directed by Tissa Abeysekara, while his role “Malakada Bass” in the serial ‘Doo Daruwo’ was the turning point of his teledrama career.

He has also acted in six foreign films which include three Indian, two American, and one German film.

Seven persons were confirmed yesterday (26) to be having the Covid-19 virus, said the Government Information Department.

With them, the number of Covid-19 patients in the country totals 672,143, it said in a statement.

A day earlier, four infected persons were confirmed.

Fuel prices of the CPC revised with effect from midnight today (30).

A litre of 92 Octane Petrol reduced by Rs.7 to Rs.333, 95 Octane Petrol reduced by Rs.10 to Rs.365, Diesel by Rs.15 to Rs.310 and Super Diesel by Rs.135 to Rs.330

The Annual Report of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) for the Year 2022 was presented today (27) to the President and Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies, Ranil Wickremesinghe by the Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. P Nandalal Weerasinghe.

The seventy third Annual Report of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka was presented to the President in terms of Section 35 of the Monetary Law Act No. 58 of 1949.

Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Mr Mahinda Siriwardana, Director of the Economic Research Department of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Dr. P.K.G. Harishchandra, Additional Directors of Economic Research Dr. Mrs. S. Jegajeevan and Dr. L. R. C. Pathberiya also participated in this event.

Presented as the 73rd Annual Report of the CBSL, this report consists of four main parts.

Accordingly, the first part consists of 08 chapters and 30 sub-chapters explaining the state of the economic affairs of the year, while the second part consists of a collection of gazettes and circulars related to various policy measures taken by the Government and the CBSL.

The third part of this report explains the departments of the CBSL and their related roles and the fourth part includes a list of laws and ordinances related to the banking system connected to the Government and the CBSL.

In accordance with Section 35 of the Monetary Law Act, the Monetary Board of the CBSL is required to produce an annual report on the economic conditions and the policies taken for that year and submit it to the Minister of Finance within four months after the end of the relevant year.

The 2022 annual report of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka can be accessed through the link below.

Several political parties and trade unions will tomorrow (May 01) celebrate International Workers’ Day, marking the occasion with rallies and processions in towns across the country.

The United National Party’s (UNP) May Day rally will be held at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo tomorrow evening with the participation of several leading members of the party.

Meanwhile, the May Day rally of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will take place in Campbell Park in Borella, led by the party’s leader former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Samagi Jana Balavegaya’s (SJB) May Day parade themed “Struggle at the workplace for the victory of the motherland” is scheduled to be commenced near the P.D. Sirisena playground in Maligawatte, going on to gather at the E.A. Gunasinghe playground in Borella.

The May Day rally of the National People’s Power has been organized in front of the Viharamahadevi Park, while the Frontline Socialist Party will commence their procession from Delkanda Junction towards Ananda Samarakoon Open Air Theatre, where the party’s rally will be held.

Moreover, the Supreme Lanka Coalition (Uttara Lanka Sabhagaya) has organized their May Day rally in Colombo Hyde Park next evening.

In the meantime, two other major political parties have organized the May Day rallies outside Colombo.

Accordingly, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s (SLFP) rally will be held in front of the Kandy Central Market, while the ‘Nidahasa Janatha Sandhanaya’ will hold their May Day rally in front of the Sahas Uyana in Kandy.

Meanwhile, the Police Media Spokesperson SSP Nihal Talduwa says that all security measures are in place for the May Day rallies which are scheduled to be held tomorrow (May 01).

Speaking in a press conference, SSP Talduwa stated that nearly 3,500 police officers have been deployed in the field for the May Day parades and rallies in Colombo City and for traffic duties too.

“When the matter of how to deal with the traffic in a way that does not obstruct the general public is considered, they have agreed to hold their parades using only one lane of the road.”

“Thereby, we urge the organizers of those parades to act accordingly”, he added.

The United States has designated the Governor of the North Western Province in Sri Lanka, Wasantha Karannagoda over alleged human rights violations during his tenure as a Naval Commander.

The statement issued by the United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said that thereby, Karannagoda and his wife, Srimathi Ashoka Karannagoda, are ineligible for entry into the United States.

The allegation that Wasantha Karannagoda committed a gross human rights violation, documented by NGOs and independent investigations, is serious and credible.

By designating Wasantha Karannagoda, the United States reaffirms its commitment to upholding human rights, ending impunity for human rights violators, acknowledging the suffering of victims and survivors, and promoting accountability for perpetrators in Sri Lanka, the statement added.

The statement issued by the U. S Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken:

The United States is designating Wasantha Karannagoda, Governor of North Western Province in Sri Lanka, pursuant to Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2023, due to his involvement in a gross violation of human rights during his tenure as a Naval Commander.

As a result of today’s action, Karannagoda and his wife, Srimathi Ashoka Karannagoda, are ineligible for entry into the United States.

The allegation that Wasantha Karannagoda committed a gross human rights violation, documented by NGOs and independent investigations, is serious and credible. By designating Wasantha Karannagoda, the United States reaffirms its commitment to upholding human rights, ending impunity for human rights violators, acknowledging the suffering of victims and survivors, and promoting accountability for perpetrators in Sri Lanka.

The bilateral relationship between the United States and the Government of Sri Lanka is based on 75 years of shared history, values, and a commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. As we continue to build our bilateral relationship, we are committed to working with the Sri Lankan government on advancing justice, accountability, and reconciliation, including promoting security reform that maintains human rights at the forefront while ensuring Sri Lanka has the resources and training to properly address emerging security concerns.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has decided to take disciplinary action against MP A.H.M. Fowzie for voting in favour of the Resolution on the IMF agreement during the parliamentary vote on Friday (April 28).

General Secretary of the main opposition Ranjith Madduma Bandara says Fowzie’s move is in contravention of the party’s decision.

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka has responded to allegations made by MP Wimal Weerawansa accusing the US of being part of a conspiracy related to a regime change during the ‘Aragalaya’ anti-government protests in 2022.

Taking to Twitter, Ambassador Julie Chung said that she was disappointed that an MP has made baseless allegations and spread outright lies in a book that should be labelled “fiction.”

“For 75 years, the US & SL have shared commitments to democracy, sovereignty, and prosperity – a partnership and future we continue to build together,” she added.

Her comments come after MP Weerawansa revealed during the launch of his book “Nine; The Hidden Story” that a plan was hatched to assassinate former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and other high-ranking officials of the armed forces in order to pacify the United States of America (USA).

MP Weerawansa further stated that even former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was seen adhering to certain instructions of the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung at the time.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence has also issued a statement responding to the allegations raised by MP Wimal Weerawansa against former Army Commander Shavendra Silva.

MP Wimal Weerawansa slammed former Army Commander Shavendra Silva alleging that he also supported the conspiracy to create an interim administration in Sri Lanka using the ‘Aragalaya’ anti-government protests in 2022.

Speaking during an event marking the launch of his book, MP Wimal Weerawansa stated that the plan for an interim administration was hatched with the involvement of Shavendra Silva who suspiciously left for India a day before the May 09th unrest.

Responding to the allegations, the Defence Ministry clarified 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.

Issuing a statement, 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.

“Appearing on the ‘Paththare Visthare’ programme of Hiru TV, today (26), Journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama quoting from the speech made by MP Wimal Weerawansa at the launching ceremony of his book “Nine; The Hidden Story,” said that the MP had alleged that the first plan by those behind the protests on May 09, 2022, was to assassinate the then Executive President and the defence heads inside the President’s House and that General Shavendra Silva’s visit to India, aroused suspicion,” the Ministry pointed out that.

The Ministry of Defence further emphasizes that the above statement is baseless and the Chief of Defence Staff and former Commander of the Army General Shavendra Silva was on an official visit to India in July 2022 to attend the meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave with the approval of the then President of Sri Lanka and Ministry of Defence.