Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of the NPP, said during a rally in Panadura that Sri Lanka cannot rely on loaning money or selling off state-owned property to further its development. He emphasized that this strategy has been tried ineffectively over the last three to four decades.
MP Dissanayake said that during the 2015–2019 period when he obtained US$12.5 billion in loans, President Ranil Wickremesinghe could have carried out his goal of developing the nation through loans.
By Poito
Former Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has revealed
that he has only three months left to pay the compensation related to the
Easter attacks judgment. Speaking at a gathering in Baddegama, he stated that
he is currently collecting as much money as possible from his friends.
The former President claimed that during his tenure, he won the
trust of the world and established democracy in the country. However, the
Easter attacks destroyed everything he had achieved. He expressed his dismay at
being ordered to pay 100 million Sri Lankan rupees for an attack he did not
commit.
"I neither stole nor bombed. Nowadays I am collecting the
money from friends who I know. If you can, give me whatever amount possible as
3 months have already passed from the 6 months time given to me," he
appealed.
The former President admitted that he does not know what the
court's decision will be if he is unable to pay the compensation amount within
the stipulated time. It remains to be seen whether Sirisena will be able to
raise the required funds to pay the compensation or not.
By Polito
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Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) can benefit businesses, banks, financial institutions, and governments. The emergence of CBDCs can offer several advantages to firms. For example, firms can streamline their cash flows using CBDCs, reducing potential fraud and speeding up internal auditing. Tokenization through CBDCs can help in transferring ownership of physical assets and create new types of data layers, enabling businesses to monetize and understand their internal flows better. CBDCs can also create a new form of financial infrastructure for firms, incentivizing them to digitize.
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In summary, CBDCs can help mitigate the risks associated with cross-border transactions, reduce the need for intermediaries, increase transparency, provide additional liquidity to the financial system, and reduce corruption and fraud. CBDCs can also enable firms and governments to optimize and monetize their systems, creating a more efficient and secure financial infrastructure.
By Polito
Protest Outside BASL President's Law Chamber Condemned
The BAR Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has condemned a protest staged today outside the Law Chamber of BASL President Saliya Pieris, PC. The protest was against his representation of notorious Sri Lankan drug kingpin Nadun Chinthaka alias "Harak Kata".
In a statement, BASL condemned the protest and pointed out that Saliya Pieris, PC was only performing his professional duties as an attorney representing a particular client.
The statement further added that the protest seriously hindered his right to represent a client, which is a professional right safeguarded by law.
The BASL called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to take action to ensure that Saliya Peiris's professional duties as an attorney are not hindered and to guarantee his safety.
The protest has sparked concerns over the safety of legal professionals in Sri Lanka, who must be allowed to carry out their professional duties without fear of harassment or intimidation.
By Polito
Ministry of Defence Responds to Queries Over Blacklisting of Retired Personnel
The Ministry of Defence has provided a response to queries raised by the National People's Power (NPP) regarding the blacklisting of two retired armed forces personnel, including retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, for their association with the NPP.
MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of the NPP, addressed Parliament today, questioning the reason for the ban imposed on the two retired forces personnel.
State Minister of Defence, Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, responded to the question, clarifying that the Air Force and Sri Lanka Army have not imposed any ban prohibiting retired personnel from engaging in politics.
The State Minister further stated that a ban was imposed on retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha due to a statement made during his appearance on a recent political stage in Gampaha. This statement was deemed a threat to national security and a breach of discipline by the Sri Lanka Air Force. The State Minister also noted that this was only one of many reasons for the ban.
However, the State Minister pointed out that the ban was only imposed on the two retired personnel and no action has been taken against other retired armed forces personnel working with the NPP.
The State Minister added that retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha has been prohibited from entering any Air Force camps due to his statement urging armed forces personnel to join hands with him. Such actions could result in a conflict of interest for officers on duty and lead to animosity against the nation's leader and properties, which is deemed a threat to national security.
The matter was brought to Parliament after the NPP revealed that retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, a decorated pilot of the 09 Mi 24 attack helicopter squadron during Sri Lanka's civil war, has been blacklisted by the Air Force for his involvement with the NPP.
By Polito
SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne has accused the Sri Lankan government
of imposing a tax burden on poor and working people even before the
implementation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions. He made
these comments while addressing the press at the office of the opposition
leader in Colombo on Wednesday (22) on the report submitted by the President to
the Parliament regarding the IMF loan.
Two bodies have been discovered in the Pinnawala and Maha Oya
areas under suspicious circumstances, according to police reports.
In Pinnawala, the body of a 36-year-old male who was reported to have died suspiciously was found in a forest reserve yesterday (22).
The deceased was a resident of Pinnawala and had been receiving treatment for mental illness. He was reported missing on March 16, 2023. The body was discovered after the deceased's father filed a complaint with the Pinnawala Police station.
Meanwhile, the body of a 41-year-old man was found floating in a river near the Padiyathalawa Road in Maha Oya on the same day. The deceased, who was identified as a resident of Dambadeniya in Maha Oya, was found with a bicycle nearby. The police are currently investigating whether the man was murdered or drowned.
By Polito
The people are often tantalized by the prospect of a fresh face when it comes to the incumbent president Ranil, who has already held the position of prime minister on six separate occasions. It is as though they believe they are entitled to govern the nation.
In Sri Lanka, the ostensible democratic republic title has been bestowed, yet many citizens remain ignorant of democracy and liberty. This is due to the practice of nepotism, whereby parliamentary seats are passed down from father to son, granted by the very people who lack understanding of the ideals above.
The Sri Lankan people, who have endured generations of oppression, take pride in the fact that their nation boasts the highest literacy rate in South Asia. In contrast, there are regions in India where individuals are unable to inscribe their own names. While it may be of little consequence whether one can simply sign their name, the literacy required to cast a vote will surely bring forth a brighter future for our country.
Over the course of time, I have penned numerous letters addressing the issue of literacy in voting. I implore you to consider this a noble cause and to open the eyes of those who hold the power of suffrage. It is worth noting that genetic makeup plays a pivotal role, as the actions of the elders will inevitably influence the behavior of their offspring and future generations.
This article will take you back to the late 17th century, as we delve into the origins of the current president's lineage. At that point in time, the Dutch had asserted their dominance over the coastal regions.
As the story goes, a youthful gentleman hailing from the Tamil family of the Hetti clan made his way to Sri Lanka from the Coromandel coast of South India, likely through trade or some other means. Along his journey, he stopped in the Hanwella region near Colombo, where he met and married a Sinhalese woman. In doing so, he relinquished his traditional language and religion, and adopted his wife’s name Jayawardena, dressing in Dutch garb to assimilate into his new surroundings.
Tragically, this couple was blessed with three children before the untimely passing of the husband. Their eldest child, Bulathge Don Adrian Wijayasinghe Jayawardene, was left to navigate the challenges of scarcity and loss during his upbringing. Seeking a way to survive amidst poverty, he made his way to Colombo where he ultimately found employment as a servant under Colonel Dieridge von Riberg, the chief of security at the Dutch Fort in Colombo.
Don Adrian represents the third generation of the Hetti clan to arrive from India. The Hetti family, posing as shrewd traders and assuming the guise of Sinhalese people, managed to win the favor and confidence of Colonel Dyridge. Through these efforts, they secured a position as an office assistant, known as an "arachchi," within the Dutch fort. It is worth noting that the ultimate objective of the Dutch, who had invaded and established control over the coastal regions of Sri Lanka, was to subjugate and conquer the entire island.
Don Adrian's sole means of earning the trust and goodwill of the Sinhalese was by providing the Dutch with intelligence on their activities. It was through this that he was swiftly promoted to the rank of a spy within the Dutch army and began receiving professional training. In Dutch, the term for "information" is "thombu," which subsequently led to Don Adrian being referred to as "Thombu Mudiance." Over time, this name was further modified and shortened to "Thambi Mudiance."
It is difficult to determine whether Don Adrian considered Sri Lanka his country. He was highly skilled in betraying his homeland to the Dutch, and as a result, he was granted large portions of land in Colombo by the Dutch authorities. However, as the balance of power in South Asia began to shift, with the English emerging as the dominant force after the Dutch, Don Adrian's fortunes took a turn for the worse. During this period, Trincomalee harbor held great strategic importance, as English ships were stationed there as a defense in their bid to seize power in India. The Dutch were required to pay taxes in order to keep control of the harbor. On August 26, 1795, Colonel Stewart, a strong and capable leader of the English army, launched an attack and successfully captured the harbor, thus consolidating English control over the region.
The determined and powerful English movement, fueled by their successful capture of Trincomalee, turned their sights to Batticaloa and captured it with ease. Buoyed by this victory, they quickly proceeded to take control of Jaffna Fort and Negombo Camp and began preparing to launch an assault on the Colombo Fort. The Dutch Governor at the time, Van Angelbeek, was deeply concerned by these attacks and ordered the fort's security measures to be strengthened. Don Adrian, who had previously gained notoriety as a spy for the Dutch, decided to send a spy to gather intelligence on the impending English attack and their forces. English captures the spy and commander Major Allen sentences Don Adrian to death.
Don Adrian Jayawardena, the cunning spy, managed to convince Major Allen to spare his life by giving valuable information about the Dutch fort, including secret passages and locations of hidden weapons. With this information, the English successfully captured the Colombo Fort from the Dutch, and Don Adrian's life was spared.
It is unclear whether Don Adrian actually made such a declaration, as there are no historical records or accounts that mention such an oath or declaration. However, it is known that Don Adrian was caught by the English and was given the choice to either give up the Dutch fort or be executed. He chose to betray the Dutch and gave up the fort to the English. He was subsequently rewarded by the English with a large grant of land, becoming one of the wealthiest landowners in Sri Lanka at the time.
On the sixteenth day of February in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and ninety-six, the British did capture the Colombo Fort, thus bringing to a close the Dutch dominion over its lands. Don Adrian was appointed as a spy attached to the British army. However, to earn this coveted position, he was required to demonstrate his mettle and dedication through faithful and meritorious service.
In the interim, following the departure of the Dutch and the pact struck with the British, certain matters that had been agreed upon earlier began to pose difficulties, leading to a flare-up of rebellion in the coastal regions sparked by upland unrest. In the midst of this turmoil, Don Adrian Jayawardena gained great favor with the English for his valuable contributions to providing precise and reliable intelligence pertaining to the aforementioned rebellions.
Through his unwavering loyalty and valuable contributions to the conquest of the uplands, Don Adrian earned the favor of the newly-appointed English governors. In recognition of his meritorious service, Don Adrian Jayawardena was rewarded with not only lands but also promotions, laying a firm foundation for his progeny to thrive for generations to come.
Don Adrian Jayawardena, hailing from Indian descent, is the great-grandfather of JR Jayawardhana, who served as the second President of Sri Lanka from 1978 to 1989. As for the current President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, his ancestral lineage is a matter of record. It is worth noting that there have been instances of intermarriage between invader-supportive families, but no individuals of patriotic conviction have been borne of such unions.
Regrettably, under the weak governance of JR Jayawardhana, rebellions erupted in both the north and south of Sri Lanka. In response to the rebellion in the south, he resorted to brutal suppression, culminating in the tragic and infamous massacre of summit attendees.
The ruthless actions of JR Jayawardhana, such as the 1988/89 massacres that targeted educated and courageous youth in the South, had a devastating impact on the nation's human resources. Moreover, his cohorts' involvement in a massive bank fraud scheme enabled them to amass enormous wealth at the expense of the people they were supposed to serve. Regardless of whether these rulers had Sinhalese ancestry or spoke the Sinhalese language, their lack of allegiance to the land was palpable. The legacy of betrayal and exploitation can be traced back to Thambi Mudianse and runs through their very veins.
There are those who contend that "Ranil played a game to extricate himself from a challenging situation." However, it is imperative to recognize that "Ranil always played his game for the benefit of his own Hetty class, but he failed to play the game for the betterment of the country."
By Polito
A 35-year-old man from Kahawatta, Panapitiya has lost his life
under suspicious circumstances after being shot in the Kandewatta area of the
Potuhera police area, according to police reports. The incident was reported
yesterday morning (19), and the police have launched an investigation into the
matter.
The deceased had been working as a laborer in a land called
Moragolla Watta for the past five days before he was found lying face down in a
forested area of the adjacent land called Kandewatta with injuries from a
foreign-made ammunition gun.
During the initial investigation, the police found the body of
an elderly man who had also been shot dead near the deceased. Additionally, a
flashlight and a mobile phone were found at the scene.
The magistrate has conducted investigations regarding the dead
body found near the deceased, and the body has been deposited in Kurunegala
Hospital for post-mortem examination.
The Pothurahera Police are conducting further investigations to
determine the circumstances of the death, as the motive behind the shooting is
yet to be determined. The incident has left the community in shock and fear.
The police have urged the public to come forward with any
information that may help with the investigation. Meanwhile, the family and
friends of the deceased are mourning their tragic loss and seeking justice for
the untimely death of their loved one.
By Polito
The list of retired Members of Parliament (MPs) who are on the pension payroll has been made public after obtaining details from the right to information act.
The question
of whether it is necessary to maintain retired Members of Parliament (MPs) and
the figures of expenditure related to them has been raised by some in the
public sphere. Many of these retired MPs were rejected by the people, leading
to the question of whether their maintenance is justified.
The issue of economic trouble caused by maintaining retired MPs has also been brought up. Those questioning the necessity of maintaining retired MPs are asking what output they have delivered, and whether the economic burden is justified.
It remains to be seen whether this issue will gain traction and prompt action to reduce expenditure on retired MPs. The public debate is likely to continue as taxpayers question the cost and value of maintaining retired MPs who have been rejected by the people.
By Polito
Tragedy struck in Vavuniya today (07) when the bodies of four
people from the same family were discovered in their home on Goodshed Road.
According to police reports, the deceased include a 42-year-old man, his
36-year-old wife, and their two young daughters aged 9 and 3 years.
The police suspect that the man may have murdered his wife and children before taking his own life. The details surrounding the incident are still under investigation.
The community is reeling from this tragic incident, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist with the investigation. Our thoughts go out to the family's loved ones during this difficult time.
By Polito
