Archives for April 2018

A senior prison official who is connected to the incident in which 27 inmates at Welikada prison were killed after creating a disturbance at the prison by deploying STF and special forces to raid the prison has fled the country state reports. According to police sources an investigation has commenced to find out whereabouts of this official.
When the incident occurred the relevant official held a very senior post in the prison say sources.
Emil Ranjan Lamahewaa, a Commissioner of Prisons Department and Inspector Niyomal Rangajeewa of the Police Narcotic Bureau who were arrested by the CID in connection with the incident have been remanded under special security until 10th April.

The non-academic staff of all state universities in the country have been engaged in a strike action since 28th February demanding solutions for their just grievances and as a result, institutions that bring forth intellectuals to the country have been shut down points out trade unions of the non-academic staff if state universities.

Also, University Trade Union Joint Committee states black flags will be hoisted in all institutes of higher education to launch a joint protest campaign.

Trade unions state despite 33 days have gone by since the launching of the strike action, authorities have not taken any measures to hold a proper discussion with the trade unions.

They also point out that various people came forward to campaign to withdraw the ban by the government on FaceBook, Viber, WhatsApp, IMO etc., no one has come forward to get the important institutions that breed intellectuals to the country and have been closed down by the government opened to the public.

The no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe handed over to the Speaker by the joint opposition is an attempt by the group of intimate friends to evade the people’s frustration against the government says the National Organizer of all Ceylon Farmers’ Federation Namal Karunaratna.
“In the recent past, Mr Ranil Wickremesinghe saved Mr Mahinda Rajapaksaa’s wife and children when they were accused of various crimes. What happens now is a show of gratitude for instances such as allowing Shiranthi Rajapaksa to make her statements at the Speaker’s residence instead of the CID headquarters. It is like killing two birds with a single stone.
People voted for the ‘flower bud’ to make Mahinda the Prime Minister. All candidates of the SLPP asked their voters to vote to make Mahinda the Prime Minister. After the election victory, Mahinda says he is not concerned about the Prime Minister’s post and Ranil need not resign as the PM. Minister Rajitha has said this at a media briefing. Until now, Mahinda has not rejected this. It is with the support of Mahinda that Ranil continues to remain as PM. He carries on the administration with the agreement and support of Mahinda faction.
On the part of the masses, there is confusion regarding the situation in the country. This has led to frustration. The no-confidence motion has been brought to the stage to quell this situation. The people are now contemplating about the no-confidence motion.
The no-confidence motion is brought not only against the Prime Minister but also against the government. Many issues have come up now. Constitutional issues have surfaced. As such, the no-confidence motion would be successful. This is what Mahinda and his group wanted.
The intention of the joint opposition is to continue with Ranil as the PM. A new PM would bring new hopes to the people. They would expect this leader to do something for the people and they would rally around him. It is an obstacle for the plans hatched by Mahinda group. Ranil continuing to be the PM is advantageous to the joint opposition.”