Over 100 hospitalized amidst tensions at Galle Face

At least 141 people have been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital following the violent situation that erupted near Temple Trees and spread out to the Galle Face Green protest site and other parts of the country.

An unruly group of SLPP supporters today (May 09) attacked the GotaGoGama anti-government protest site set up at the Galle Face Green.

President calls Sajith to form Govt

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has asked the Prime Minister-led Cabinet to resign and pave the way to form a national programme to stabilise the country ending the current crises, Mass Media Minister, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa told the media yesterday (08).

He also said, the Prime Minister’s decision to resign would either be made today or in the coming few days.

“Once the Prime Minister resigns the Cabinet stands automatically dissolved. The President requested us to resign to end this political stalemate,” he added.

Prime Minister’s resignation doubtful - Dayasiri

General Secretary of the SLFP and former Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara expressed doubts about the proposed statement to be made by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today before his resignation as there was a move to stage a protest by a few former SLPP pradeshiya saba members before the Presidential Secretariat demanding the premier not to resign.

‘I have information that Prime Minister Rajapaksa had summoned a few selected number of former PS members to Temple Trees and told them to stage a protest. If this happens today, the modus operandi is to say that ‘How I can resign, (sic) when people ask me not to do so?’.

Sri Lanka to administer 4th dose of Covid vaccine from today

The fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be administered from today (09). Minister of Health Prof. Channa Jayasumana said the vaccine, also referred to as the second booster shot, will be administered to those aged over 60. 

As per statistics revealed by the Health Ministry, Sri Lanka has to date vaccinated over 80% of its population aged over 12 years, since it began administering the COVID-19 vaccines early last year.

Litro urges public not to wait in queues for LP gas

Litro Gas Lanka Limited, the primary liquefied petroleum gas supplier in Sri Lanka, has appealed to the general public not to wait in queues as the company is unable to supply domestic LP gas until stocks arrive. 

The Litro chairman, Mr Vijitha Herath explained that only industrial gas stocks are available at the moment. Speaking further, he noted that a payment of USD 7 million is expected to be settled today for the importation of LP gas on Friday (May 13) and Saturday (May 14).

White water cannon truck not for Lanka

Social Media claims regarding the white colored water cannons are false, says the Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa.

Issuing a statement, the Police Spokesperson mentioned that the water cannon was not recently imported, but was imported for use by the Special Task Force in 2021, and was brought to Colombo on 6th May.

Unions threaten continuous strike

Trade unions, which held yesterday’s strike, warned they would launch a continuous strike unless the President and the government resigned immediately.

The country came to a standstill yesterday after employees of government, semi-government and private institutes went on strike.

Shops in all towns were closed in support of the hartal.

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.