Category: News

A tense situation has prevailed near Temple Trees as a group of supporters of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa have attacked the protesters outside the ‘MainaGoGama’.

The MynaGoGama protest site opposite Temple Trees was attacked by a group moments after Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa addressed the SLPP Local Government Members Forum and its members on Monday (9).

The tents opposite Temple Trees was dismantled by a mob. The MynaGoGama protest site was set up demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Litro Gas Lanka Limited says it has run out of domestic LP gas and fresh stocks are expected on Friday and Saturday.

The State gas supplier said that only industrial gas stocks are available at the moment.

The company urged the public not to stand in queues to purchase domestic gas as there are no stocks.

Litro Gas said that a payment of USD 7 million is expected to be made today (Monday) to import LP gas on Friday (May 13) and Saturday (May 14).

Members of the public afflicted by the prevailing shortage of fuel and domestic gas have blocked the roads in several more areas, according to Ada Derana correspondents.

Long queues are still observed in many parts of the country.

A group of residents staged a protest, hindering the vehicular movement on Nawala-Koswatta road at Rajagiriya this morning (May 09). They are urging the authorities to provide domestic gas without delay.

Meanwhile, the Slave Island Junction was blocked by the residents who alleged that they have not received a single delivery of LP gas for eight days. As per reports, the demonstration is still in progress and traffic on the road has been interrupted by the protesters.

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?’.

Commenting on the talks between the SLFP led 11 party alliance and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, Jayasekara said the talks were successful and held in a positive atmosphere.

“Both parties agreed that the power of the executive President has to be curtailed through constitutional amendments and Parliamentary and Prime Minister’s power be further enhanced. President must be prevented from changing the composition of members of Parliament to strengthen his or ruling party’s power by unethical means,” Jayasekara noted.

Both parties also agreed to retain the power of the executive President to dissolve or suspend a Provincial Council if and when the particular council acts in detriment to the interests of the national security in violation of the Constitution. The best example to this is the warning by then Chief Minister Vardharaja Perumal of the North- Eastern Provincial Council in 1990 to make a unilateral declaration of independence of the North – East .

There was also a consensus that the electoral system has to be amended to meet these constitutional requirements, Jayasekara added.

He kept hopes that the discussion between the BASL and President Rajapaksa scheduled to be held last afternoon would be fruitful and the interim government would be a reality within this week.

However, the passing of the No Confidence Motion is not necessary if Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse resigns as promised today paving the smooth transition of power from the much detested SLPP government to an all-party interim government,” Minister Jayasekara stressed

People who are protesting at Armour St. have taken to constructing a makeshift tent in the middle of the street, opposite the Police station.

They have engaged in protests for two days demanding gas cylinders.

Meanwhile, another group engaged in protests blocking the 138, Highlever Road at Navinna Junction demanding for LP gas cylinders.

People have been queuing for days to get gas at the Navinna petrol station.

Meanwhile, people also engaged in a protest this morning blocking a lane on State Road, the main road from Orugodawatta Junction to Grandpass demanding for kerosene.

The Chief Prelates have once again issued a joint statement calling for immediate action to be taken to ensure political, social, and economic stability in the country and to safeguard the public.

The Chief Prelates issued a letter to the President, Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and all Members of Parliament yesterday (7).

The Chief Prelates reiterated that all political parties must work together to build an all-party interim government consisting of intellectuals.

The Chief Prelates expressed their displeasure and regret over the failure of public representatives to intervene and discuss the series of proposals directed by them on the 4th and 20th of April, to bring about political stability in the country.

At a time when the people are in dire straits, the Chief Prelates questioned the legitimacy of public representatives who are wasting millions of public funds and enjoying unlimited privileges in order to achieve political objectives.