Election Commission summons party secretaries
The Election Commission has decided to summon the secretaries of all political parties. Chairman of the Election Commission Attorney-at-Law Nimal Punchihewa stated that the relevant meeting will be held on the morning of the 23rd. Political parties are to seek the support of the Elections Commission for the proposals submitted to the Select Committee on Elections Amendment in Parliament. In addition, it is said that the focus will be on the Provincial Council and Local Government elections
Journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrema has been granted entry visas to the United States and Canada.
Journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrema has denied allegations that his home was attacked to create the conditions for him to seek political asylum and leave the country. He points out that he has long been granted entry visas to the United States and Canada. He added that he and his family have already received visas to enter Canada. However, he said that if anyone suspected that he was behind the attack, the investigation team could have carried out the necessary investigations. He also said that he and his wife’s fingerprints and mobile phone data were given to the investigation team in support of that. However, he added that he had no intention of leaving Sri Lanka and settling in another country. He made these comments in an interview with Hiru Rupavahini.
Borella church grenade: Arrested doctor remanded
Retired Dr. Shirley Herath, who was arrested on suspicion of finding a live grenade in the premises of the All Saints Church in Borella, has been remanded till the 28th of this month. He was produced before the Colombo Crimes Division before Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya today. Dr. Shirley Herath was arrested on suspicion and remanded in custody for nearly a month. When the case was taken up today, Deputy Solicitor General Dileep Peiris told the court that further investigations would be carried out by obtaining telephone analysis reports. The suspect had acted as the mastermind behind the bombing of the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya premises, the Lanka Private Hospital in Colombo and the All Saints’ Church premises in Borella, Dileep Peiris told court today. The judge stated that the court was satisfied that there was sufficient evidence against the suspect and remanded him until the 28th of this month for further investigations. The judge further stated that the request made by the complainant to remand the suspect until the end of the proceedings will be considered on the same day.
China has 60% of the world’s 5G technology towers
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology says the number of base stations for 5G communication technology facilities has increased to 1.43 million by the end of last year. Accordingly, this is 60% of the total number of such places in the world, the Ministry said.It further states that today 10.1 such Chinese 5G communication technology stations are providing services to 10,000 Chinese people. According to Chinese media, China has invested $ 29 billion in 5G technology in 2021 alone to develop its ICT capabilities in the country.It accounts for 45.6% of the total investment in the IT sector. It is also an increase of 8.9% over the year 2020 compared to the investments made in the sector.
Long queues are infront of petrol stations due to the rumors circulating these days that fuel prices will go up
There are rumors circulating these days that fuel prices will go up. Due to this, long queues of vehicles were created in almost every city including Colombo yesterday (14th) to buy fuel. The queues were also near petrol stations of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (Cipetco) and the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). The government is preparing to draft a fuel price formula and bring in legislation to increase or decrease it by a fixed number per month without increasing fuel prices from time to time. It is to be presented to the Cabinet. At present the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (Ceypetco) is losing Rs. 50 per liter of diesel and Rs. 16 per liter of petrol, therefore, fuel prices have to be increased, Chairman Sumith Wijesinghe said.
Patients still inconvenienced by health strike
Patients who come to hospitals for treatment are still severely affected by the strike by health professionals. Health workers are on strike for the 9th time today over a number of demands, including the elimination of pay inequality. Meanwhile, the executive council of the Federation of Health Professionals is meeting today. To determine whether or not the strike continue The Government Nurses Association has not joined the strike as per the order issued by the Colombo District Court.
STF arrested ‘Parippuwa’ in Konkadawala
Manawaduge Asanka Maduranga, an organized criminal and drug trafficker by the nickname ‘Parippuwa’ has been arrested in the Konkadawala area. The suspect was arrested during a raid carried out by the Police Special Task Force. The suspect was arrested on a warrant issued by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court and a live grenade was found in his possession at the time of his arrest.
Wanindu Hasaranga has been infected with the corona virus
Sri Lanka’s super spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has been infected with the corona virus. As a result, he will not get a chance to play in the third 20-20 match of the Sri Lanka-Australia series today. His participation in 20-20 match against Australia is also uncertain. Wanidu Hasaranga is the number one bowler in the world in the 20-20 format.
Chamuditha had informed the police that he had getting death threats before this incident
Here is a statement issued by the United National Freedom Front regarding the attack on the house of journalist Chamuditha Samarawickenrama. Condemn the cowardly and despicable attack on journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrema The United National Freedom Front (UNF) strongly condemns the cowardly and despicable attack on the house of journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrema on the morning of 14/02/2022. This attack proves that history is repeating itself over and over again. Sri Lanka has not had a very good experience with media freedom in the last two decades or so, and history has been tainted by the heinous acts of assassination, abduction, amputation, home invasion, and so on. Although this indecent attack was aimed at Mr. Chamuditha Samarawickrema or his house, our party sees this as a serious warning to the entire media and to the media which publishes free news. If this is the fate of a Sri Lankan celebrity under a government that has rulers who spend time boasting morning and evening about national security, then we are questioning what security is in place for the security of the average citizen. Despite the government claiming that the security of the country has been beefed up, the assailants have managed to flee after attacking Chamuditha Samarawickrema’s house with dirt and stones. We also question the action taken by the police in this regard, even though Mr. Chamuditha Samarawickrema had earlier complained that he had received death threats. It is yet to be ascertained as to who carried out the attack. However, it is the responsibility of the government to conduct a fair and formal investigation and reveal the truth to the country. It should be noted here that the very attempt of a group claiming to be the backbenchers of the government to issue this message in a different direction has raised some suspicions among us. However, it should be noted that we, as a party, continue to intervene to raise a just and democratic voice on behalf of any free media institution or journalist operating in Sri Lanka, and we emphasize that we will stand firm for their right to life. Kirithi Dunuwila Secretary of Media and Publicity United National Freedom Front
Power cuts are likely to occur on a daily basis from today- The Public Utilities Commission
The Public Utilities Commission states that power cuts are likely to occur on a daily basis from today Commission Chairman Janaka Ratnayake stated that the public will be informed of the procedure for this this afternoon. He also said that a power management system will be introduced for the next three months so as not to inconvenience the people. He said that this time the power cuts will not be carried out in the traditional manner and the supply and demand will be done according to a new methodology. He said the situation was due to falling water levels in hydropower plants and fuel restrictions at thermal power plants. Meanwhile, it is reported that the Ceylon Electricity Board has officially informed the Public Utilities Commission that there will be daily power cuts until the end of April.