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Ranil W’s thoughts on present priorities


UNP leader and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says that the country is fast sliding into a very serious food crisis. “The Finance Minister the other day informed Parliament of the present status of the economy.

“Loan interest rates have been increased by around 12 to 13 per cent. Dollar reserves have dropped to unprecedented lows. There is no way to import fuel, gas and fertilizers. Such a situation leads to a food crisis. The government mismanaged this crisis right from the beginning. Now it has grown to catastrophic proportions,” he said.

JVP challenges Yoshitha to go to court

The JVP says that they are ready to face any defamation case by Yoshitha Rajapaksa if the latter moves court challenging the party’s latest revelations on his alleged deals and excesses.

Former JVP MP and Kalutara District MP, Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said on Friday that it was open to Yoshitha to go before the courts as the latter has recently challenged JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s expose of a number of corruption files with evidence to prove corrupt deals of abuse of power by many including Yoshitha.

SJB to support BASL’s proposals


Sri Lanka’s main opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) says it has decided to extend support to the proposals brought forward by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka to restore political and economic stability in Sri Lanka, which includes the abolishment of the Executive Presidency.

The party said in a statement that it would support a national program based on a series of proposals put forward by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka to resolve the serious national crisis in the country.

Ranjith Siyambalapitiya re-elected as Deputy Speaker

SLFP MP Ranjith Siyambalapitiya was today re-elected Deputy Speaker by a majority of 83 votes in a secret ballot. A total of 148 members voted for Mr. Siyambalapitiya and SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar obtained 65 votes. 

Three votes were rejected. SLFP MP Nimal Siripala De Silva proposed Mr. Siyambalapitiya's name while SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella proposed Bakeer Markar's name. Minister G.L. Peiris said the government would also support Mr. Siyambalapitiya. Deputy Speaker's post fell vacant after Ranjith Siyambalapitiya resigned as the Deputy Speaker recently.

Yoshitha Rajapaksa to Sue AKD

Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the Chief of Prime Minister's Staff said that he would file law suit against the claims made by JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake at an event yesterday (3) at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.

 Dissanayake, revealing several 'files' with regard to alleged fraud and corruptions of politicians, businesspersons and state officials alleged that Yoshitha Rajapaksa owns several lands.

SJB hands over two no-confidence motions to Speaker


The No-Confidence Motion against the Government, and the Impeachment Motion against the President were handed over to Speaker Mahida Yapa Abeywardena on Tuesday (3) by the Samagi Jana Balavegaya.