Sheikh Hasina – Last moment
Sheikh Hasina did not want to resign as Bangladesh Prime Minister and wanted security forces to intensify the crackdown on nationwide protests, but security bosses said the protests cannot be contained by force, according to a report in Prothom Alo newspaper. The report details what went down in the Prime Minister’s official residence before her last-minute escape in a military aircraft, shortly before hundreds of protesters stormed in and went on the rampage. According to the Prothom Alo report, the Awami League leader called the top officers of the security establishment and police force to her residence. The death count was rising, and some of her advisors had tried to talk her into transferring the power to the Army. But the 76-year-old five-time Prime Minister was adamant. She asked the forces to strengthen the curfew already in place. On the streets, however, the situation was changing fast. Despite the curfew, protesters had started gathering at various spots in Dhaka. At her meeting with the security bosses, she questioned why they had not been able to contain the protests. She pointed to visuals of protesters climbing atop police vehicles and asked why the forces were not cracking down harder. At one point, she reminded them that they had been elevated to these positions because she trusted them. During the meeting, Sheikh Hasina praised police’s response to the protests. But the police chief conveyed that the situation is such that police won’t be able to contain it for long. The security forces, the report says, tried to explain to her that more force is not the answer. But the veteran leader did not budge. Then the officers spoke to Sheikh Hasina’s sister Rehana in another room and urged her to convince the Prime Minister to step down. Rehana spoke to Hasina, but that did not help. At this point, Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy stepped in. Based in the US, Joy spoke to his mother and managed to convince her to resign. Speaking to NDTV, Joy yesterday said his mother did not want to leave Bangladesh. “She wanted to stay, she did not want to leave the country at all. But we kept insisting that it wasn’t safe for her. We were concerned for her physical safety first; so we persuaded her to leave,” he said. “I spoke to her this morning. The situation in Bangladesh, as you can see, is anarchy. She is in good spirits, but she is very disappointed. It’s very disheartening for her because it was her dream to turn Bangladesh into a developed country and she worked so hard for it over the last 15 years, keeping it safe from militants and as well as from terrorism and in spite of all of that this vocal minority, the opposition, the militants have now seized power,” he said. The crowd of protesters was swelling, and intelligence inputs said Ganabhaban — the Prime Minister’s official residence — may be stormed. Sheikh Hasina was given 45 minute to pack up. She wanted to record one last speech addressing the people of the country, but there was no time. Accompanied by sister Rehana, she left home. There was a short halt at Bangabhaban, the Bangladesh President’s official residence, where she completed the resignation formalities. Around 2.30 pm, the ousted leader took off in a military aircraft, bringing the curtain down on her 15-year uninterrupted term. Her ouster and flight also represents a massive shift in Bangladesh politics. Fifty years after her father and Bangladesh’s tallest leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman led the struggle for the country’s independence, Ms Hasina was forced to flee as protesters vandalised her father’s statues. The legacy of Mujibur Rahman, fondly known as Bangabandhu, is no longer a symbol of Bangladesh’s war of liberation. Instead, it represents her daughter’s politics that protesters claim focused on suppressing dissent. The protests in Bangladesh, which began last month, started as an agitation against a quota system under which 30 per cent of government jobs were reserved for family members of Muktijoddhas — those who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971. The protesters said this system favours supporters of the ruling Awami League and wanted a merit-based system to replace it. As the protests grew, the Awami League dispensation tried to crush it with an iron fist. And then, a remark by Hasina sparked fury. “If not the grandchildren of the freedom fighters, then who will get quota benefits? The grandchildren of the ‘Razakars’?” she asked. A paramilitary force recruited by the Pakistan Army during the 1971 liberation war, Razakars carried out mass atrocities, including mass killings, rapes, and torture. Naturally, the remark touched a raw nerve. Reservation has been a burning issue in Bangladesh for years now. In 2018, an agitation on this issue forced the government to water down the reservation system and cancelled quotas for some positions. The latest unrest was sparked by a high court order that declared illegal the 2018 government circular cancelling 30 per cent quota for freedom fighters’ descendants in government jobs. This order was scrapped by the country’s Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ordered that 93 per cent of government jobs must be allocated on merit and the remaining be reserved for relatives of freedom fighters. But even the top court’s order could not pacify the protesters. Source: NDTV
What Happened to Sri Lanka-India Ferry Service ?
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation has announced the much-anticipated resumption of the passenger ferry service between Sri Lanka and India, another effort to increase connectivity between the two neighboring nations. The service, which had been suspended, is slated to recommence operations starting next week. KDS Ruwanchandra, the secretary of the ministry, confirmed that preparations are underway for a trial voyage to Nagapattinam in India.
Sri Lankas first news Anchor Sumana Nellampitiya Dies
The nation is in mourning following the passing of Ms. Sumana Nellampitiya, Sri Lanka’s first television news anchor and a revered figure in the field of journalism. Nellampitiya, who had been battling illness, passed away at the age of 80. Born on May 23, 1944, in Colombo, Nellampitiya‘s charisma and talent were evident from her school days. She pursued her education at Nugegoda Mixed School, Sujatha Vidyalaya Nugegoda, and Gotami Balika Vidyalaya, which laid the foundation for her illustrious career. In November 1967, she took a significant step by joining the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, where her majestic voice began to resonate with the nation. Nellampitiya quickly became a trailblazer, marking her name among the few women in radio at the time. Her five-decade tenure in radio media was transformative, not just for herself but for the industry as a whole. She also played a pivotal role in revolutionizing visual media, becoming a household name as the country’s first female television news anchor. The programs by Nellampitiya, such as ‘Pibidena Ga’yaka Parapura,’ ‘Forens Vasana 7,’ and ‘Ovalteen Pana Podi,’ remain etched in the hearts of Sri Lankans. Her role extended beyond that of an announcer; she was a versatile force in both radio and television, adept in program production. Her contributions to promoting Sri Lankan culture internationally are particularly notable, as she conducted programs in the Sinhala language across the globe, enhancing Sri Lanka’s cultural footprint.
Tamil political parties in Sri Lanka announce a common candidate.
Former Member of Parliament P. Ariyanethran has been nominated as the Tamil Common Candidate for the upcoming presidential election in Sri Lanka. The announcement was made at an event in Jaffna. P. Ariyanethran is set to contest in this year’s presidential race, representing an alliance of seven Tamil political parties from the Northern and Eastern provinces, along with various civil organizations. The alliance backing Ariyanethran comprises prominent groups such as the TELO led by MP Selvam Adaikkalanathan, the PLOTE organization under MP Dharmalingam Siddharthan, and the Tamil Makkal Koottani steered by MP CV Wignesaran.
Who is Club Wasantha?
Rajapakshage Surendra Wasantha Perera alias Club wasantha or Karaoke Wasantha (Sinhala: සුරේන්ද්ර වසන්ත පෙරේරා) was a Sri Lankan Businessman Shot death by two Gun Men on 08-07-2024 at a Tattoo Shop on Athurugiriya. He was a well-known figure famous at Colombo on his social media. He owned several night clubs and karaoke clubs around Colombo. That is why he called Club Wasantha. He once said to a media that he started his Sunhill Business group when he was 17 years old. He started his first Hotel known as Sunhill Hotel on Nuwara Eliya.he told media “I opened my hotel with 20 rooms in Nuwara Eliya at the age of 20.At 17 I went to Japan on a scholarship to study Japanese language and hotel management and did various jobs. Today I owned several hotels on Kollupitiya,Katunayake,Negombo,Bolgoda and Pasikuda.Wasantha Expanded his Business’ to Dubai. Also, He planned to start an internal airline service. He was Arrested in 2013 for Obstructing some police officers while tavelling on a luxary vehicle.However,He was granted bail. Again, he gained attention from a video of him attending a party in Dubai with Makandure Madush who was famous as a drug lord.Wasantha mentioned that he was his friend. Wasantha was invited to an opening ceremony of a tattoo shop in Athurugiriya on 09-07-2024 and shot death by an armed gang. A revolver also found from his wife’s handbag when he was killed.
100 random and interesting facts
No matter how you are getting old. It is good to learn new interesting fun facts. It is very satisfying to know such things. It is good always to learn something new every day. Here we are going to present you 500 random and interesting facts all over the world. . The shortest complete sentence in the English language is “Go.”
CGTN documentary Taiwan Untangled: Unveiling the complexities and future path
CGTN collaborates with George Galloway, a member of the British Parliament and leader of the Workers Party of Britain, to produce the 21-minute documentary “Taiwan Untangled.” The multifaceted Taiwan issue is examined in depth in this insightful documentary, which looks at the country’s past, present, and prospects for the future. George Galloway, a Westerner, provides the documentary’s storyteller with a unique perspective. He insists without reservation that Taiwan’s legal status has never been in question. It is abundantly clear from recorded history that Taiwan has always been a part of China. ZhongXiangyu, an anti-imperialist rapper, shares Galloway’s sentiments in a parallel. He makes the observation that the majority of people in Taiwan believe they “have roots on the mainland” and “don’t really deny them.” The foundation of China-U.S. relations are the three joint communiques that state “there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China.” The United States, on the other hand, maintains strategic ambiguity regarding Taiwan despite recognizing that there is only one China. Joseph Gerson, co-chair of the Committee for a SANE U.S.-China Policy, stated, “It repeats that it’s committed to one-China policy, but then undermines it in a number of ways.” Experts offered their perspectives on the true motivation behind the United States’ strategic ambiguity: The American real strategic objective was crystal clear: They want to stop China from becoming more integrated with the rest of the world. Victor Gao, vice president at the Center for China and Globalization (CCG), stated, “They do not want China to develop.” “It’s like asking siblings to fight with each other,” Gao used an analogy here. Furthermore, despite the fact that the majority of Europeans do not desire “de-coupling” or “de-risking” from China, let alone “a real war,” the United States is engaging its European allies in its confrontational strategy. The EU’s “Foreign Minister” Joseph Borrell’s comments about Taiwan’s “freedom of navigation,” Liz Truss’s controversial visit to Taiwan, her call for an American “Nuclear Umbrella” in the region, and Rishi Sunak’s description of China as “the greatest danger” all increase the likelihood of a nuclear conflict. A “porcupine” is replacing the “taiwan hedgehog.” As a result, people in Taiwan have good reasons to be concerned about the future. How would the mainland and the Taiwan region fare in the future? The spokesperson for the New Party, Wang Bingzhong, was of the opinion that the United States is “pushing Taiwan to challenge, to cross the red line of the one-China principle.” On the other hand, Wang Bingzhong was of the opinion that “China’s meteoric ascent on the global stage stands as its own formidable deterrent to such wayward ambitions.” The director of the Cross-Straits Ben Post, Chen Fuyu, urged Taiwanese residents to “grasp this historical opportunity” and achieve “effective development” as a result of China’s peaceful rise. In a similar vein, young people in Taiwan have a positive outlook on the future. Chen Chongzhen, a resident of Taipei, expressed optimism regarding “a more peaceful world environment” and envisioned a scenario in which “Taiwan can live peacefully with the mainland, even [move] towards reunification.” “I hope to see Taiwan not be used as a bargaining chip by foreign powers in their negotiations with Beijing, and I hope that the people here and on the mainland build more bridges and have more good-faith contact with one another,” Xiangyu added, expressing his sincere wish as well. Taiwan faces a decision as it considers its future: to either actively pursue peaceful reunification with the mainland or to be a merely manipulated “chess” piece. Chongzhen and Xiangyu’s optimistic perspectives shed light on the potential course of the future. However, it is essential to keep in mind that “it’s a tale between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan,” and external parties should refrain from interfering in this narrative regardless of how the future plays out. 官网链接：
Second Boeing whistleblower dies after raising concerns about 737 MAX
A second Boeing whistleblower has died after a sudden illness. Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Spirit AeroSystems, went public with claims that the company’s leadership ignored manufacturing defects in Boeing’s 737 MAX. Spirit AeroSystems is a Boeing supplier. Dean, 45, had an active lifestyle and was believed to be in good health prior to his “sudden” death on Tuesday, following the onset of a fast-moving infection. He was stricken with Influenza B and MRSA, and developed pneumonia, according to Fox59. He spent two weeks in critical condition before he died on Tuesday in Oklahoma, according to The Seattle Times. “My handsome brother Joshua passed away this morning and is with our baby brother. I don’t know how much more my family can take. I don’t know how much more I can take honestly,” his sister, Taylor Rae Roberts, wrote in a Facebook post. “Our thoughts are with Josh Dean’s family. This sudden loss is stunning news here and for his loved ones,” Spirit spokesperson Joe Buccino said. Dean, from Wichita, is the second whistleblower to die this year after coming forward about safety issues in the aviation manufacturing industry. Boeing whistleblower John Barnett, 62, was found dead in his truck in a hotel parking lot in South Carolina in March. The whistleblower’s death is the latest in a string of incidents related to embattled Boeing over the past year. In January, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9’s door plug blew off in mid-air, leading to the grounding of all 171 MAX 9 jets by the FAA and instigating an investigation. Soon afterwards, at least four people came forward — including both of the now-dead whistleblowers — to allege that corner cutting in the jets’ manufacturing process was causing safety risks. In the wake of the chaos, Dave Calhoun, Boeing CEO, announced in March that he would step down at the end of the year. Boeing reported a $355 million net loss for the first quarter of 2024. Joshua Dean came forward to raise issues of aircraft safety. He said that “serious and gross misconduct by senior quality management of the 737 production line” had taken place at Spirit, in a complaint to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He also testified in a shareholder lawsuit against Spirit AeroSystems, filed in December 2023. The shareholders alleged that Spirit “concealed from investors that Spirit suffered from widespread and sustained quality failures,” and that “quality failures” occurred because the company was chasing profits, Supply Chain Dive reports. “Such constant quality failures resulted in part from Spirit’s culture which prioritized production numbers and short-term financial outcomes over product quality, and Spirit’s related failure to hire sufficient personnel to deliver quality products at the rates demanded by Spirit and its customers including Boeing,” the plaintiffs argued. Those “quality failures” were so egregious that Boeing put Spirit AeroSystems on probation between 2018 until at least 2021, which prohibited the supplier from shipping parts to Boeing without managerial approval, the lawsuit claims. In January, Dean told the Wall Street Journal that he had been fired for pointing out that holes in jet fuselages had been drilled wrong. He was fired from Spirit Aerosystems in April 2023, and he complained later that his termination was in retaliation. “It is known at Spirit that if you make too much noise and cause too much trouble, you will be moved,” Dean said. “It doesn’t mean you completely disregard stuff, but they don’t want you to find everything and write it up.” Spirit AeroSystems told the WSJ that it disagreed with Dean’s characterisation and that the company would defend itself in court. Other members of Dean’s family shared their grief on social media. On 20 April, Dean’s aunt, Jenny Dean, shared a message from his mother, Ginger Green, saying that he had been diagnosed with Influenza B and MRSA, and was “fighting for his life” in the hospital. “My son is fighting for his life. He tested positive for influenza B and MRSA that went into pneumonia. His infection spread throughout his whole body and into his blood stream. His lungs are completely whited out and they had to intubate him,” Dean’s mother wrote. “His condition worsened and he needed to be transferred to a hospital in Oklahoma City … he is on dialysis too because he has so much fluid throughout his body and they say that his kidneys and liver aren’t doing well.” His attorney, Brian Knowles, told The Seattle Times that he did not want to speculate on the nature of his client’s death but stressed the importance of whistleblowers. “Whistleblowers are needed. They bring to light wrongdoing and corruption in the interests of society. It takes a lot of courage to stand up,” Mr Knowles said. “It’s a difficult set of circumstances. Our thoughts now are with John’s family and Josh’s family.” The attorney also represented Barnett who had spoken out about alleged safety problems at Boeing and had been giving evidence in a lawsuit against the company prior to his death. Barnett alleged that Boeing intentionally used defective parts in its planes and warned that passengers on its 787 Dreamliner might face a lack of oxygen if a sudden decompression occurred. Barnett was a former quality control engineer, and spent 32 years at Boeing until his retirement for health reasons in March 2017. Barnett gave his initial testimony just days before he was found dead in March at a hotel in Charleston. His death appeared to be from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Charleston County coroner told BBC News.
Diyathalawa Accident: Seven Killed, Investigation Underway
A tragic accident occurred during a race in Sri Lanka on Sunday at Fox hill Diyathalawa when a race car lost control and crashed into a crowd of spectators and race officials. Seven people were killed, and 20 others sustained injuries, according to officials. The incident happened in Diyatalawa, a town located in the central hills known for tea cultivation, approximately 180 kilometers (110 miles) east of Colombo, the capital city. Thousands of spectators witnessed the unfortunate event unfold during the race. The cause of the accident remains uncertain. According to police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa, one of the cars lost control, veered off the track, and collided with spectators and event officials. Seven people, including four officials, lost their lives, and another 20 individuals were taken to the hospital for treatment, with three in critical condition. Thalduwa mentioned that the police have initiated an investigation into the incident, which occurred during the 17th event out of 24 scheduled races. Following the accident, the race was halted. The race circuit, located at a Sri Lankan military academy, had approximately 45,000 spectators in attendance. The event was jointly organized by the Sri Lankan army and Sri Lanka Automobile Sports.
The Ramayan Trail Project:Unveiling Sri Lanka’s Spiritual Odyssey
Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj, the Treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetrra Trust, was at the heart of an exciting event in Colombo recently. The occasion marked the launch of the ‘Ramayan Trail – The Sacred Mission’ project, a significant step in Sri Lanka’s spiritual and cultural journey. Joined by esteemed guests including President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake, former Member of European Parliament Neranjan Deva Aditya, former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha, Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj unveiled a new chapter in Sri Lanka’s heritage. The project, ‘Shree Ramayan Trails,’ is set to rejuvenate nine key sites across Sri Lanka, transforming them into world-class monuments that showcase the spiritual and historical essence of the epic Ramayana. From Adam’s Bridge to Kataragama Ramayana Trail, these locations hold profound significance and will serve as sacred pilgrimage sites. Backed by an initial investment of US$ 50 million, the project aims to create spaces that resonate with devotees and spiritual seekers alike. Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj emphasized that Sri Lanka transcends geographical boundaries; it’s a sacred land where divine events unfolded, appealing to people across cultures. He underscored Sri Lanka’s unique place in the Ramayana narrative, highlighting it as more than just a landmass but a hallowed ground deeply intertwined with spiritual beliefs. In light of this rich legacy, Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj called for unity in preserving and celebrating these ancient bonds, ensuring that they continue to inspire generations to come. The ‘Ramayan Trail – The Sacred Mission’ project embodies a shared commitment to honoring the spiritual heritage that unites Sri Lanka and India, fostering cultural exchange and promoting peace and harmony. As the journey unfolds, it promises to weave together stories of faith, devotion, and shared humanity, inviting all to embark on a pilgrimage of the heart.