15 July 2024 | Vol. 10, #126

Thinakkural: “Tighten Sajith Premadasa’s security” – Eran Wickramaratne | Donald Trump survives an assassination attempt | After midnight tomorrow, the Election Commission will have the authority to announce the election

Thamilan: Donald Trump narrowly escapes an attempted assassination | “There is no candidate in the SLPP” – Prasanna Ranatunga publicly invites the president to contest in the election | Ranil Wickremesinghe on alert over the assassination attempt on Donald Trump | The Mood of the Nation on government approval has increased – Verité Research finds| Transport services have been declared an essential service; the extraordinary gazette has been issued by the president

Mawbima: The waiting list for heart surgeries at the Karapitiya Hospital extends until 2028; if someone registers today, they will undergo surgery only in four years | The underworld engages in a poster competition following the death of Club Wasantha

Dinamina: “I will restore Sajith’s UNP membership if he helps me to save the country” – President Ranil Wickremesinghe

Aruna: Sections peeling off in ancient rock paintings dating back to 2,000-2,500 years; the paintings of Handagala, Ruwanwelisaya, Abhayagiriya, Vessagiriya at risk

Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only

Photo credits: Newswire

“Tighten Sajith Premadasa’s security” – Eran Wickramaratne

Virakesari, Thinakkural

SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne has urged the government to enhance security measures for Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. He has raised this concern following the assassination attempt on former US president and presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump. Wickramaratne added that similar attacks have occurred against opposition politicians in the past [in Sri Lanka].

“The ITAK is not weakened by the court cases” – Sumanthiran

Thinakkural

ITAK MP M.A. Sumanthiran stated that the ITAK is not weakened by the court cases against it and that its activities and the party’s symbols have also not been impaired as a result of the cases. He added that his party is continuing its usual activities and that it can contest in any election under the ITAK symbol.

“Police commissions may be provided to provincial councils” – Sujeewa Senasinghe

Thamilan

SJB Vice Chairperson Sujeewa Senasinghe stated that police commissions may be assigned to the provincial councils and that therefore the SJB is prepared to share powers as prescribed in the Constitution. He added that the land and police powers are clearly specified in the 13th Amendment to the Constitution (13A) and that his party also holds a clear stance on these provisions. He further stated that therefore, police commissions may be established in provincial councils.

Photo credits: Newsi.lk

The underworld engages in a “poster competition” following the death of Club Wasantha

Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Ada, Mawbima, Divaina

The police are investigating threatening posters discovered in Maharagama and Dematagoda following the funeral of Club Wasantha, who was killed in a shooting incident in Athurugiriya. One poster found at the Godigamuwa cemetery in Maharagama where underworld figure Makandure Madush was buried, featured Madush’s photo with the message implying retaliation and mentioning “KPI.” The same initials were found on bullet casings from the Athurugiriya incident. According to the police, underworld figure Kanjipani Imran, who is allegedly seeking asylum in France, claimed Club Wasantha was targeted for tipping off authorities leading to Madush’s arrest in Dubai.

“The excise department has neglected to collect outstanding taxes” – The Committee on Ways and Means

Ada, Divaina

The Committee on Ways and Means expressed displeasure with the Excise Department for not sufficiently pursuing the recovery of Rs. 1.1 billion in unpaid taxes from liquor manufacturers by the specified deadline of June 30, 2024, as recommended on April 24, 2024. Ada reports that the Excise Department sought guidance from the Ministry of Finance regarding discrepancies between the committee’s recommendations and previous excise duty agreements, with no response being received. In contrast, Divaina quotes Commissioner General of Excise M. J. Gunasiri stating that Rs. 611 million of the Rs.1.04 billion owed for 2023 had already been collected from manufacturers within six months of the year, disputing the committee’s reported figures.

“The presidential election cannot be postponed no matter what unconstitutional conspiracies they launch” – Dissanayaka

Divaina

Speaking at a public rally in Dambulla on July 13, NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that Ranil Wickremesinghe’s attempts to launch unconstitutional conspiracies would not thwart the impending presidential election. He affirmed that the Election Commission would assume the authority to declare elections on July 17, ensuring that the election will proceed as scheduled. Dissanayaka also mentioned that the commission would determine the deadline for nominations within the month, with voting scheduled to take place four to six weeks after nominations are submitted.

Photo credits: Marca.com

Trump saved by a hair’s breadth; “I was shocked to hear of the assassination attempt on Trump” – President Wickremesinghe

Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Ada, Mawbima, Aruna, Divaina, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan

Former US President Donald Trump, who is currently the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on July 13, sustaining an injury to his right ear. President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed his dismay over the incident and relief upon hearing that Trump was unharmed. In a statement released by the President’s Media Division, Wickremesinghe highlighted Sri Lanka’s own history of political violence and called for strict adherence to laws safeguarding democracy.

“I will restore Sajith’s UNP membership if he helps me to save the country” – President Wickremesinghe

Dinamina, Mawbima, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran

President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated on July 14 that he would reinstate Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s UNP membership if he assists the president in saving the country. Speaking at a rally in Kandy, the president highlighted his role in steering the country away from the economic crisis and expressed openness to collaborating with the SJB in combating corruption, a stance echoed by the opposition. However, he specified that as a prerequisite, Premadasa must disclose the source of funds used to purchase buses for schools. These remarks were made during the second rally of the “Ekwa Jayagamu” (Victory through Unity) series of rallies, aimed at informing the public about the government’s agenda.

Common priorities: Additional stories