Day: 6 April 2018

Livelihood development for Jaffna District under reconciliation initiatives

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The Ministry of National Integration and Reconciliation, under the direction of His Excellency the President as the Minister of National Integration and Reconciliation, has initiated  livelihood development programs to support  the conflict-affected community, which covers internally displaced persons, refugee returnees, women headed families, rehabilitated ex-combatants, families of missing persons, and low income families. Under this initiative, Tholakatti Nelli crush production in the Kopay Divisional Secretariat division was supported in order to construct a factory unit with quality standards, including machinery at a cost of Rs. 3.5 million. “This project has…

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EU Parliamentarians meet Sampanthan

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A six-member European Union (EU) Parliamentary group met Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan at his office in Parliament yesterday. He, briefing the delegation on the present political situation in the country and pointed out that compared to the previous regime, the present regime was conducive to minorities. However, Sampanthan, urging the support of the International Community from the delegation, mentioned that the present regime has to go a long way to fulfil the political aspirations of Tamils and solve their humanitarian issues in the North and East. He also outlined the…

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EU’s Committee on International Trade says ‘Not satisfied’ over Kandy riots

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By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan The visiting European Parliament Committee on International Trade (INTA) said that they are not ‘satisfied’ with the Kandy riots that erupted recently even when there was adequate Police protection being provided to those attacked. They thus urged the Government to ensure that there is no impunity from prosecution of the perpetrators, whoever they may be. At the press conference held yesterday (5) at the European Union Colombo office, Standing Rapporteur, European Conservatives and Reformists Sajjad Karim, from the United Kingdom, said that the only way to…

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CBK, Mangala say national reconciliation key to development and democracy

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By Shannon Jayawardena Former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday emphasised that national reconciliation was a vital pillar in the development and democracy of Sri Lanka. Speaking at marketing communication firm Bates Strategic Alliance’s Leadership session to mark its 25th anniversary, National Unity and Reconciliation Office Chairperson, former president Chandrika Bandaranaike, said: “We talk about national unity and reconciliation which was a dream and is a dream. I think for the first time in my political life, which extends to about 50 years, three years ago…

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UNP Colombo Municipal Councillor Allegedly Led Mob Which Threw Lit Crackers and Stones On the MTV/MBC “Sirasa” head Office

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UNP Colombo Municipal Councillor Allegedly Led Mob Which Threw Lit Crackers and Stones On the MTV/MBC “Sirasa” head Office On Braybrooke Street After No Confidence Motion Against Ranil was Defeated. By Rathindra Kuruwita Slave Island Police are investigating some incidents where a group of persons threw firecrackers and stones at the MTV/MBC Head Office in Braybrook Street, following the defeat of the no-faith motion against PM Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday night. The Police Media Unit said: “We have received a complaint regarding the alleged incidents. There is no evidence that…

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Mahinda’s Joint Opposition (JO) suffered a painful Loss

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Winners and losers The Joint Opposition (JO) suffered a painful pratfall on Wednesday night, when Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe defeated its no-confidence motion. The UNP, however, in spite of its rhetoric and braggadocio, did not expect a comfortable win with a majority of 46. Its desperation knew no bounds. Else, it wouldn’t have gone to the extent of securing the TNA’s support, which has come with strings attached. PM Wickremesinghe has proved that he commands the confidence of the majority of MPs and, therefore, he has a right to remain…

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NCM: ‘SB-Thilanga group defied SLFP decision’

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By Shamindra Ferdinando The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) yesterday claimed that it had unanimously decided to abstain at the voting on the No Confidence Motion (NCM) against PM Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday (April 4) following its failure to persuade him to quit. The SLFP alleged that a section of its parliamentary group in the UNP-led government, in contravention of a collective decision taken at a meeting chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena, had voted for the Joint Opposition’s NCM against the PM. Seventy six voted for the motion, 122 against…

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