Sri Lanka Trending English News - Latest international news headlines, pictures, and video

The ministers do not need 45 advisers

The ministers do not need to have 45 advisers and if any minister who is alleged to have appointed such a large number should clarify the matter, Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake said on Monday.

He told a media conference that a minister should not appoint a large number of advisers and if anyone of them had appointed such a large number he should come out and reveal the real reason for doing so.

“The present government should not follow in the footsteps of the Rajapaksa regime,” he said.

Responding to a question by a journalist about the allegation that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had helped an MP who was said to have obtained a forged passport, he said he was unaware whether it happened or not.

“I don’t think the Prime Minister will encourage the breaking of immigration and emigration laws to help this MP,” the deputy minister said.

He said, however, there was something wrong with the way in which the law was enforced. “There are many found with forged passports in the Negombo remand prison while an MP who has committed a similar offence is allowed to move about freely.

“In Sri Lanka, those who are accused of corruption are considered heroes while those who fight against corruption are ridiculed. Some insult the parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Chairman Sunil Handunnetti about his fingers while JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake is ridiculed over his relationships,” he said.

Responding to another question on the setting up of special courts to deal with corruption, the deputy minister said the committee appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena to look into the matter has decided to fast track the process of setting it up.

Referring to the Paada Yathra, he said it was organized by group of people tainted with fraud and corruption and that paada yatras could not topple the government. (Yohan Perera)

Paada Yathra reaches Colombo

The Jana Satana Paada Yathra organised by the Joint Opposition was passing Maligawatte a short while ago on its fifth and final day.

The procession commenced its fifth day at the Kiribathgoda town this morning. Originally the JO wanted to march up to the Hyde Park Ground, Colombo for its final meeting. However, the Colombo Municipal Council has today started reconstruction work at the ground, with the use of backhoes and laborers.

Heavy traffic was reported in the Town Hall area and the roads leading to Union Place because of the Jana Satana Paada Yathra organized by the joint opposition. The march is heading towards the Lipton circus and MPs Prasanna Ranatunga and Mahindananda Aluthgamage were at the location.
Jana Satana Pada Yatra : Final Day Photos

Colombo port is the best place to see the good governance

“In the entire history of the Ports Authority there was no other year which had a progress as this past year. After the beginning of this matter by the late Minister Mr. Lalith Athulathmudali, the past year is noted as the best year. 

We are celebrating 37 years in pride. There is no other place which has a high salary scale as with the Ports Authority. We win all the obstacles at the port because we pay suit your services. This authority consists of a number of office bearers and staff which has a special knowledge. 

You are the backbone of the Authority. You are the strong chain at the Authority. This organization requires industrial peace. Unity is required. The Ports Authority cannot carry out strikes and the workers cannot carry out strikes because it will effect out development program …” Acting Minister of Ports and Shipping Mr. Nishantha Muthuhettigama stated. He stated this participating at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority’s 37th anniversary celebrations.

The Sri Lankan Ports Authority’s 37th anniversary was celebrated today, at the Colombo Ports authority’s Chaitya. Acting Minister of Ports and Shipping Mr. Nishantha Muthuhettigama, as the chief guest of this event began this event with the religious observances. He stated that the Port site is the best place to emphasized implementation of the governance policies.

Hon. Minister Arjuna Ranatunga contested for the UNP in the last election. I contested for the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. The Minister and the deputy Minister are also from two parties. This is the best good governance.

 I grantee you that Hon. Minister Arjuna Ranatunga is not a thief or a corruptor. In places where Sri Lanka is unknown Arjuna Ranatunga is known in the world. Everyone knows this sportsman. I believe that in connection with him we can make this port the best port in Asia. From among these measures we have now accelerated the development of the port in Galle as the tourist port. No one asks me much about the Colombo Port. 

Everyone asks me about what’s happening with the Galle Port. It would be great if the Galle Port was built. If not my political chapter will be closed. I won’t be able to go to Galle. I believe that we can win this challenge…” Acting Minister of Ports and Shipping Mr. Nishantha Muthuhettigama said. Addressing the celebration ceremony, Chairman of the Sri Lankan Ports Authority Mr. Dhammika Ranatunga stated that within this short period of time, Colombo Port is the only port in the world which was able to make an 11% progress on the aspect of development. Further the Chairman of the Sri Lankan Ports Authority Mr. Dhammika Ranatunga said that the a new human resources plan is being introduced to the Sri Lankan Ports Authority, so that in a way that it can face modern competition.

It’s impossible to carry out a human resource plan from a week or two, in an institute consisting of 9600 employees. We require a human resource plan which will bring justice to each and every employee. Therefore, we are already in the process of launching this plan in connection with all related government agencies. Within this small period of time we have come a long way and we have to appreciate that. However some are expressing various views upon us. We shouldn’t panic for such scenarios. Actually we not finished with our tasks. We started a long journey. We have a big competition against the world. To cope with this competition, we need to move faster than that…” added the Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority Mr. Dhammika Ranatunga. Secretary of Ministry of Ports and Shipping Mr. L. P. Jayampathi and other dignitaries and various guests attended this event.


Paada Yatra Likely To Hold Rally At Galle Face Green

The 'Joint Opposition' is likely to hold the final rally of the 'Jana Satana Paada Yatra' today at the Galle Face, UPFA MP Sisira Jayakody has told local media.

There is speculation on the venue of the rally as the government suddenly started renovation work at the Hyde Park, which was reserved by the 'Joint Opposition' for the rally.

UPFA MP Ranjith de Soyza told Asian Mirror recently that there will not be a rally with a large stage. Even if the government imposes curfew, the Joint Opposition will hold a rally anywhere possible, he said.

Several 'Joint Opposition' figures have indicated the 'Galle Face Green as a viable alternative for Hyde Park. However, at a recent press conference, UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa refused to reveal the JO's plans, saying that the government might start renovation work in a lot of other grounds.

Basil Rajapaksa further remanded

The Kaduwela Magistrate's Court.today (01) ordered to further remand former minister Basil Rajapaksa until August 08. 

Colombo High Court today fixed the bail application of former Minister Basil Rajapaksa for August 8. 

The AG today requested time to file objections, upon which the High Court gave a week's time for the case. 

 Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa on July 22 filed a revision application in Colombo High Court seeking bail over alleged misappropriation of Divineguma funds for the supply of GI pipes to local government authorities. 

 The bail application seeks the overturn of the decision by the Kaduwela Magistrate on July 18 not to grant him bail. Rajapaksa was arrested that day by the FCID and charged under the Public Properties Act.

Pada Yathra Final rally in Colombo today

Jana Satana Pada Yathra organized by Joint Opposition will arrive in Colombo today with no specific place to hold its final rally.

Ratnapura District Parliamentarian Ranjith de Soyza said they will hold the rally in a place that would surprise and send shockwaves through the government.

Meanwhile, United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) parliamentarian and member of the Joint Opposition Vasudeva Nanayakkara said the Pada Yathra procession will converge at a public space as Hyde Park has been denied.

However, the final destination for the Joint Opposition flock has not yet been determined, he said.The Pada Yathra will conclude with a rally in Colombo today, where the Joint Opposition supporters will be addressed by the key members of the Joint Opposition.

According to Nanayakkara, he had applied for the use of Hyde Park two weeks prior to the event and had adhered to the standard procedure, nonetheless, access to Hyde Park was denied to the joint Opposition congregation.

Speaking to Ceylon Today, he said, yesterday; "I applied for the use of Hyde Park on the 15 July, and I received a permit dated 21 July allowing us to hold a meeting there. Then I applied to the Police to use loud speakers as well, but then, the Police having delayed in the matter, sent me letter dated 29 July that the Police permit cannot be given because the permit for the ground has been cancelled, was the reason given in the letter by the Police. The Commissioner's letter stated that the grounds were under repairs for development. We have not yet decided where to go to, when the Pada Yathra reaches Colombo. We can go anywhere the public has access to. It's the general public after all. The public can go anywhere to any grounds where they have access to.

At a media conference yesterday, Minister for Sports Dayasiri Jayasekera claimed that Nanayakkara had not followed the standard procedure in requesting the use for the grounds. In response to this claim Nanayakkara noted; "I have all the letters of the transaction with me. I don't have to disclose to anybody about holding a public meeting, which we applied for requesting as a registered political party who is taking part in the Pada Yathra.

The failure of the Joint Opposition (JO) to find a ground for the Protest March, Pada Yathra final rally cannot be palmed into the hands of the government. Referring to the accusations of the Joint Opposition (JO) as a trap concocted by the government, "The organizers of the protest march are responsible for the crisis of the Paada Yathra final rally becoming 'groundless'" Minister for Sport, Dayasiri Jayasekara said.

Addressing a media briefing yesterday (31), he commented that last 15 (Friday) Vasudewa Nanayakkara requested permission, scribbled on a half sheet, mentioning the reason as 'a private matter'. "However, the Colombo Municipal Council had already made the decision that now is the best period to repair the ground in the dry weather" he said.

Likewise, the Municipal Council decided to continue with the repairs and not to make it available for any gathering, although it was requested by a Student Union and the United National Party (UNP) as well.

Commissioner of the Colombo Municipality V. K. A. Anura told Ceylon Today that he has not yet received any request to reserve any ground or other place in the Colombo Municipality area to hold the meeting of the Jana Satana Pada Yathra.

Although Member of Parliament Leader of the Democratic Left Front Vasudeva Nanayakkara has made a request under the name of his party that the Hyde Park Grounds be reserved to hold a meeting on 1st August and there is no mention at all of the Pada Yathra but money has been paid on behalf of the reservation, the Municipal Commissioner said. He also said that it had been planned earlier to renovate the grounds and work had already commenced, but Municipal Commissioner Anura said that since the renovation work could not be completed in time, they are unable to provide this ground on that day.

Two arrested for misuse of state vehicles

Warnasiri Bandara, chairman of the Nidahas Sewaka Sangamaya (NSS) attached to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) was arrested for using two state-owned vehicles for political activity, yesterday.

Police said the two-state owned vehicles were used in the Joint Opposition’s 'Jana Satana Pada Yatra' anti-government march. Two drivers were arrested alongside Warnasiri Bandara.

Asteroid Could hit Earth 40 years later

An asteroid set to narrowly miss Earth could cause 'immense suffering and death' years later if its orbit is changed when it passes dangerously near to our planet.

The space rock, called Bennu, crosses Earth's orbit once every six years and is set to pass between the moon and our planet in 2135.

Scientists are worried the 500-metre wide asteroid's orbit could be tweaked by Earth's gravity as it passes by, causing it to smash into our planet later in the century.

'That 2135 fly-by is going to tweak Bennu's orbit, potentially putting it on course for the Earth later that century,' Dante Lauretta, professor of planetary science at Arizona University, told the Sunday Times.

'It may be destined to cause immense suffering and death,' he added.

It is hard for astronomers to predict how the close run-in between Earth and the moon will affect Bennu's orbit, but Lauretta estimates that it could shift it onto a collision course with our planet.

'We estimate the chance of impact at about one in 2,700 between 2175 and 2196,' he said.
Bennu travels around the sun at an average speed of 63,000mph and an impact with the Earth would be similar to setting off 3billion tonnes of explosives.

Nasa is so concerned by Bennu that it is sending a probe to the asteroid's surface to analyse it.