UNP MP Sandith Samarasinghe Hospitalized Following Brawl In Parliament

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya adjourned Parliament until tomorrow and called for a report from the Deputy Speaker and the Deputy Chairman of Committees in connection with the tense situation which had occurred at the Parliament on Tuesday. 

He also informed Parliament that suitable action would be instigated against the MPs involved in the incident.   Parliament proceedings were initially suspended for five minutes due to the tense situation within the chambers which ended in fisticuffs between two groups of MPs.

 Afterwards the Speaker adjourned Parliament till tomorrow (4) citing the inability to continue with proceedings amidst such incidents.  

Cabinet Minister for Regional Development Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka was delivering a statement regarding the decision to replace the military security of the former President with police personnel when certain opposition MPs raised objections and a brawl ensued.  

UNP Kegalle District MP Sandith Samarasinghe has been hospitalised following the incident. It has been reported that he was injured as a result of the altercation between government and opposition MPs.  Some 50 army personnel assigned for the security detail of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa were withdrawn yesterday. 

They were replaced by trained police personnel form the VIP security unit. 

Those who attended the Kirillapona May day rally to be punished

The Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party is to call a meeting this week to discuss action to be taken on SLFP members who did not participate in their May Day rally held in Galle, SLFP General Secretary and Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake said.

Organising committee members will submit a full report at the meeting on participation and other contributions made by SLFP members.

The committee will decide on the course of action to be taken against those who boycotted the event based on the report, the minister said.

“We cannot take action about any other rally that was held that day, our goal was for all the members to work together to make the SLFP May Day rally a success.

We will have to decide on what action is to be taken against those who did not contribute based on the report submitted by the people,” Dissanayake said.

United People’s Freedom Alliance General Secretary and senior SLFP member Mahinda Amaraweera highlighted that neither the President nor any other single SLFP member would take any decision regarding the issue without a proper consultation process with the SLFP central committee.

Most Ven. Seruwila Saranakiththi Thera passes away

The Anunayake of the Seruwila Saranakiththi Kalyani Sect and Chief Incumbent of the Mangala Raja Maha Viharaya in Seruwila, the Most Venerable Seruwila Saranakiththi Thera has passed away.

The mortal remains of the Nayaka Thera, who passed away at a private hospital on Monday, May 2., are to be brought to the Seruwila Raja Maha Viharaya. The Nayaka Thera who also held the positions of Chief Incumbent at the Jayasumanaramaya in Trincomalee and the Uthurugiri Viharaya in Muttur, was 76-years-old at the time of his passing.

The Most Venerable Seruwila Saranakiththi Thera is remembered to this day, for his bold action to commence a hunger strike when the LTTE closed the Mavil Aru anicut.

The Nayaka Thera who rendered a yeoman service to protecting Buddhist heritage in the North and East, was ordained in 1960, and served the Sasana for 56 years.

The Funeral Committee will meet after the mortal remains are brought to the Seruwila Raja Maha Viharaya, to decide when the final rites will be observed.

Chief Incumbent Arrested For Cutting Down Sacred Bo Tree

The Chief Incumbent of the Divurumpola Temple in Nigathalawa, Welimada, was arrested by police yesterday for ordering the cutting down of the sacred Bodhi Tree at the temple for wood.

Two people who cut down the tree were also arrested while another individual is to be arrested.

Police protection had to be given to the temple following a tense situation which occurred yesterday at the temple when villagers gathered there to protest at the action of the Chief Incumbent.

According to legend, the Bodhi Tree was located at the site where Sita had jumped into the fire to prove her chastity.

Finance Ministry announces list of VAT-exempted goods and services

The Ministry of Finance announced that the VAT increase from 11% to 15% will take effect from Monday May 2, onwards.

The Ministry has also released a list of goods and services which will be exempted from the VAT increase.

According to the list, a several goods including rice, wheat flour, bread, milk powder, infant milk, all fuel types including kerosene, mobile phones and dairy products have been exempted from the VAT increase.

The services which will be exempted from the VAT increase includes educational services, public transport, healthcare and telecommunication services.

For more details refer images below

Police Media Unit suspended

Police Media Unit has been suspended with immediate effect on the instructions of IGP Pujith Jayasundara. Sri Lanka Police is yet to issue a statement on the circumstances leading to the suspension of the media unit.

SLFP May Day Rally From Galle [LIVE]

The UPFA, led by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, is holding its May Rally at the Samanala Grounds in Galle. President Maithripala Sirisena is expected to address the rally.

Joint Opposition May Day Rally Live - Kirulapone (LIVE)

The 'Joint Opposition' May Rally is held at Lalith Athulathmudali Ground in Kirulapona.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is expected at the rally. National Freedom Front, Mahajana Eksath Peramuna, Left Democratic Front, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, LSSP, Communist Party and several other parties are to take part in the rally.