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Power Outage experienced across many areas

Posted on November 29, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

Power disruptions in several areas have been reported today due to the tripping off of two 220KV transmission cables from Kothmale to the Biyagama Grid Sub-Station, Power and Energy Development Director and Media Spokesperson Sulakshana Jayawardena said.

He told the Daily Mirror that due to tripping of the transmission lines, the Mahaweli hydro generation had stopped and the station experienced a frequency drop situation.

Therefore, certain sub-grid stations were unable to function and were automatically switched off.

“Several sub-grid stations (feeders) were programmed not to run at low frequency and those feeders were automatically switched off,” Jayawardane said.

Due to that, several areas experienced blackouts. The subgrid stations programmed to operate at a low frequency were not tripped off and continued with the power supply, he said.

He stated that the sudden power outage affected sub-grid stations in Biyagama, Kotugoda, Habarana, Galle, Matara, Pannipitiya, Rathmalana, Sri Jayawardhanapura, Kurunegala, Kiribathkumbura, Athurugiriya, Kosgama, and Sapugaskanda.

The whole country was not in darkness, but certain areas had the electricity supply, Jayawardane said.

However, the CEB maintenance services are already deployed to restore the power supply with the least possible delay, Jayawardena added.

Arjuna quits UNP, says his service served no purpose

Posted on November 29, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

Former Minister Arjuna Ranatunga has resigned from the membership of the United National Party (UNP).

Sri Lanka’s former World Cup-winning cricket captain has reportedly tendered his resignation to UNP leader and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

In his resignation letter to the UNP leader, Ranatunga gives reasons for his decision to quit the party and also expressed his gratitude to Mr. Wickremesinghe for the responsibilities entrusted to him under the ‘Yahapalana’ Government.

He also states that the reason as to why he joined the UNP was to serve the nation as he felt was for the common good of all people, whereas after the party members left the UNP, Ranatunga still remained loyal to the UNP but his service served no purpose.

Additionally, Ranatunga’s statement mentioned that after the 2020 election defeat, he had many hopes for the UNP to learn from the past and improve as a party, but to no avail.

It was also mentioned that he felt it was not suitable for him to continue within the UNP and would like to tender his resignation effective today.

“I sincerely appreciate the leadership qualities that you promoted for the betterment of the Nation,” he informed the Party Leader in conclusion.

Sirisena, other SLFP MPs asked to leave Govt.

Posted on November 29, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) heavyweight and Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has asked the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to leave the government as the SLPP could do without its support.

Addressing the media on Saturday (27), Minister Ranatunga asked former President and SLFP leader Maithripala Sirisena, MP, and members of his parliamentary group to quit the government.

Minister Ranatunga recalled how he urged the electorate in the run-up to the last parliamentary election in August 2020 not to vote for anyone connected with Maithripala Sirisena.

The SLPP Gampaha District leader emphasized that the SLFP contested the last general election on the SLPP ticket. Of the 14 lawmakers in Parliament, 13, including one on the National List (Dr. Suren Raghavan) represent the SLPP. The remaining MP entered Parliament from Jaffna on the SLFP ticket.

Responding to a media query, Minister Ranatunga pointed out that a 2/3 was not required to sustain the government though there were instances the ruling party couldn’t do without such a majority such as introduction of a constitutional amendment.

Minister Ranatunga urged the SLFP to stop making pronouncements pertaining to the government’s position in Parliament. The Minister said that anyone could leave the government.

Last week, Minister Ranatunga called for legal action against MP Sirisena on the basis of the recommendations made by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage. Minister Ranatunga declared that even if all those causing issues quit, the government could go ahead.

Political sources said that the relationship between the SLPP and the SLFP has further deteriorated against the backdrop of the latter throwing its weight behind a high profile campaign launched by a dissident group within the government against the Treasury entering into a controversial agreement with New Fortress Energy. The SLFP and several other smaller groups including the National Freedom Front (NFF) with six lawmakers in the current Parliament have pledged to oppose the US energy deal whatever the consequences. The rebel group consists of over 25 MPs.

Meanwhile, the crisis within the ruling parliamentary group was mentioned as one of the major issues undermining the incumbent government at a workshop conducted for Media Secretaries of ministers and State Ministers conducted at Sri Lanka Foundation on Saturday (27).

The meeting was told how continuing internal strife within the government parliamentary group as well as constituents weakened the administration. Media Secretaries questioned the failure on the part of the government at least to brief them properly of contentious matters as various groups pulled in different directions.

Political sources pointed out that the Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena last week assured Parliament that there was absolutely no issue between the government and the SLPP. The MEP leader made the declaration in the wake of heavy exchanges between the SLFP and Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage over the latter’s criticism of Maithripala Sirisena during the budget debate on presidential expenditure.

Worst days are yet to come for Sri Lanka – PBJ

Posted on November 28, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

While Sri Lanka’s economy is getting from bad to worse with the US dollar crisis and import restrictions tightening up severely, the country is yet to witness days that are unimaginable. It’s not a good time for Sri Lanka, several activities that kept the economy going have collapsed. Permanent, sustainable long term plans need to be implemented immediately, says Dr. P. B. Jayasundera, Secretary to the President.

Delivering a very ‘worrying’ speech at the ‘Top German Brands in Sri Lanka’ event held at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo on Monday Dr. Jayasundera made these remarks.

He said, “It’s not a good time for Sri Lanka. I have been a long standing Secretary to the President and this is the worst time of my life. 2020 saw a negative economic growth, not just a negative growth but several activities that kept the economy running have collapsed.”

“The trade balance was better earlier. The country was importing twice as much as it was exporting before the restrictions were placed. World shipping and commodity prices have gone up now. The trade deficit was US$10 billion a month, when tourism and foreign remittances were coming in. The country is trapped with a debt of $4 billion as of today,” he added.

He also mentioned that Sri Lanka didn’t have difficulties honouring its obligations in the past.

“Trade restrictions came in 2020 and it’s not comfortable for many of us. International brands from countries such as Germany bring value to our construction, agriculture, energy, apparel, tire, automobile, jewellery and so on,” he noted.

German Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Holger Seubert in his remarks at the event stated that diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Germany began in 1953, 68 years ago. “The German Government has decided on an Indo-pacific strategy in the region. Future of international relations will be shaped in Sri Lanka while Sri Lanka exports three times more than imports to Germany. Trade is a concern for the German government and a stable and reliable framework is what German businessmen look for.”

3 soldiers arrested over assaulting Mullaitivu journalist, bailed – JDS

Posted on November 28, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

Three Army soldiers arrested over the attack on a journalist in Mullivaikal

yesterday (27), have been released on bail, Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka (JDS) reports.

Independent journalist – Viswalingam Viswachandran had faced this incident near the Mullivaikal name board and according to reports, he had been attacked with a barbed wire wrapped palmyrah frond.

JDS Lanka has tweeted that the three soldiers from the 59th Division – Eeriyakandure Gedara Vipula (36), Dinuka Sandaruwan Wijeratna (20) & Thiwanka Sangeeth Dhananjaya (21), will face an ‘inquiry’ by military police.

Milinda meets India’s Deputy National Security Advisor

Posted on November 28, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

Sri Lanka High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda met with India Deputy National Security Advisor Pankaj Saran at the National Security Council office in New Delhi.

Deputy National Security Advisor Saran cordially welcomed High Commissioner Moragoda and had an extensive discussion with him. The discussion between the Deputy National Security Advisor of India and the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka focused on a range of issues pertaining to mutual strategic interests, including those that are related to economic cooperation.

High Commissioner Moragoda also presented a copy of his policy road map ‘Integrated Country Strategy for Sri Lanka Diplomatic Missions in India 2021/2023’ to Saran.

A member of the Indian Foreign Service, Saran, had served as India’s Ambassador to Russia and High Commissioner to Bangladesh prior to being appointed as the Deputy National Security Advisor in May 2018.

Sri Lanka reports Wheat Flour Shortage; Wholesale price up by Rs. 17/- per kilo

Posted on November 28, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

Sri Lanka is reporting a wheat flour shortage from multiple areas. Traders, bakery owners, and the people are complaining of a shortage of wheat flour at present.

Traders in Pettah say wheat flour prices were increased by 17 rupees a kilo as the supply has dropped.

Owners of eateries and bakeries say they are facing difficulties in buying wheat flour to prepare food.

“We have been trying to contact the distributors. But we haven’t received a response,” said one bakery owner.

However, Sri Lanka’s Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena said the shortage experienced is merely due to the pandemic affecting most country, and as a result the prices increase.

“The cost of cement has increased. So has the price of iron. If production reduces there will be a shortage of goods. The cost of goods increase because of the shortage,” he explained.

Kiriella warns government to prepare to face more charges at UNHRC

Posted on November 28, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

The main opposition SJB warned the government to get ready to face more charges at the next UNHRC sessions in Geneva of not doing justice to the Easter Sunday victims.

Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella, speaking during the committee stage of the budget, said on Thursday that the government has to face eight major human rights allegations against it in Geneva. The newest of these would be the allegation of not doing justice to the Easter Sunday victims.

Kiriella said Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith and the Catholic Church have already declared their willingness to go before the UNHRC over the government’s deliberate delay in taking actions against those who have been identified as responsible for security failures in the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on the Easter Sunday carnage.

“This charge too would be added to the list of charges against this country,” Kiriella said.

Other charges the government would face include militarizing civil administration, erosion of judicial independence, dismantling the independent commissions, political pressure to prevent dispensing of criminal justice, interfering with freedom of religious practice, intimidation on civil society activists and curtailing media freedom.

“These are the main charges against the country at the UNHRC. It is clear that the government has chosen to delay delivering justice to the Easter Sunday victims and it is also certain that this charge too would be made against us at the next UNHRC sessions,” Kiriella said.

He said that the government should name former SIS head Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena as an accused of the case on the Easter Sunday terror attacks. SDIG Jayawardena, who had allegedly failed to prevent the terror attacks and is now a state witness in the case, should be indicted as an accused and prosecuted.

“The court has the power to name him an accused. Actually, he should be the main suspect. He received the information about the impending terror attacks more than ten days in advance. He has said he did not pass that information to the President, who was the Defence Minister.

“Suppose we accept his version, then he has committed an offence under provisions of the Penal Code. But today he has been set free. When Nilantha Jayawardena was asked to surrender his phone to the investigators he deleted all information that had been stored in it.

“Such deletion shows that there was something to be hidden. It amounts to suppression of evidence. That offence would have alone been sufficient to name him a suspect,” Kiriella said.

Mullaitivu Press Club condemns alleged assault

Posted on November 28, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

The Mullaitivu Press Club engaged in a wide range of protests yesterday (28), condemning the assault of an individual by the name of V. Vishwachandran Mullaitivum last Saturday (27), who they claim is a freelance independent journalist who was assaulted by three officers attached to the 59 Brigade of the Sri Lanka Army.

Video footage shows Vishwachandran claiming that he was merely taking a photo of the “Mullivaikal” road sign when he was assaulted using “barbed wire”. Pictures of Vishwachandran’s hands show injuries and he had later been admitted to hospital for treatment.

Three army officers attached to the 59 Brigade of the Sri Lanka Army, who were allegedly involved in the said assault, were reportedly arrested by the Police yesterday and later released on bail. However, The Morning’’s attempts to contact Police Media Spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nihal Thalduwa regarding this proved futile.

“He was beaten with palmyrah fronds wrapped with barbed wire. He suffered serious injuries and was admitted to the Mullaitivu District Hospital for treatment. Journalists in Sri Lanka, especially those in the war-affected North and East, are subjected to serious challenges amidst severe threats to their lives and profession. Despite 44 Tamil journalists being abducted or subjected to forced disappearances or killed, none of the perpetrators have been brought to justice,” the Mullaitivu Press Club said in a statement yesterday.

The assault had occurred on the day of “Maaveerar Naal”, a commemorative day observed across the North and East as a mark of respect and remembrance of those who died during the civil war. Although reports show that several courts denied requests by the Sri Lanka Police to ban the planned commemorative events, many media outlets detailed the heavy military presence during the events last Saturday.

Friction between ruling SLPP and ally SLFP intensifies – report

Posted on November 28, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

Political tensions between the ruling party Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and coalition partner Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) have escalated and the SLFP is already preparing to contest the forthcoming provincial council elections separately, Lankadeepa reported according to political sources.

It is reported that the SLFP has already commenced interviews to fill the vacancies for Electoral Organizers and District Organizers and interviews have been held at the party headquarters throughout the last week.

In the past, many in the party have accused the government of ignoring their party and due to this, Cabinet Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, a senior Vice President of the party, has recently informed the Local Government members of the party to take a decision of their choice in the budget voting of the local government bodies.

Meanwhile, SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara said in parliament last week that some government ministers and MPs were carrying out mudslinging attacks targeting party chairman former President Maithripala Sirisena.

Political analysts point out that the recent clash in Parliament between former President Maithripala Sirisena and Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, a strongman of the SLPP, was the culmination of a political rift between the two parties.