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President Maithripala Sirisena says it is necessary to increase the importation of timber to meet the country’s needs in order to achieve the success of the process of increasing forest density of the country while protecting the forest resources.

He made these remarks while addressing the 50th Anniversary of the State Timber Corporation held at the BMICH on Thursday (04).

President Sirisena further emphasized the importance of increasing the forest density of the country to face the challenges with regard to weather and climate changes.

He added that the objective of the government is to increase the forest density from the current 28 percent to 32 percent and he stressed the importance of the contribution of the State Timber Corporation in this regard.

President Sirisena explained the importance of investing more for the purpose of increasing the forest density as well as the funds given by the State Timber Corporation to the Treasury and said that in this regard the relevant authorities must cooperate closely with the Department of Forest Conservation.

The President pointed out the importance of enhancing the standards and qualities of the State Timber Corporation to face the competition in the field of furniture manufacturing.

President Sirisena presented Gold Awards for appreciating the service of the retired officials who completed the thirty years of service in State Timber Cooperation. He also presented scholarships for the children of officers who were selected to the universities.

The book “Ada Siya Wasaka Piya Satahan” was offered to President Sirisena and the commemorative stamp which was issued on behalf of completing 50 years for State Timber Cooperation was offered to President by R.M.D.B Meegasmulla, Secretary to the Ministry of posts, Postal Services and Muslim religious Affairs.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived at the Parliament Complex, a short while ago.

The UPFA Kurunegala District MP arrived to participate in the ongoing debate on the no-confidence motion (NCM) against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe having defeated the No Confidence Motion brought against him by the Joint Opposition led group, thanked all those who stood by him with unwavering faith and support and vowed that during the next year the government will carry its development endeavours that would be felt by the country.

Addressing the UNP and other parties that supported him during the NCM, at the Committee Room in Parliament, the Prime Minister said, “We need to empower our ministers and MPs by providing them the power and assistance in order to carry out their duties.

“We did not face this NCM to protect an individual but to protect the government and the people’s right,”the Premier said.

He said that he intends to create a complete change within the party and will bring out new groups and that they must strengthen the UNF even further. “We must win the cooperation of the majority of the people and move forward. I have faith that within the next year, we will be able to accomplish the targets we have set out to achieve. There are drawbacks and shortcomings but this government has a responsibility to fulfil the promises made to the people in January 2015,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister noted that some factions have distanced themselves from the party,but he said they intend to forge forward with those groups that are with the party.

“I will be meeting the President today (05) and we will protect the victory of the party and proceed while protecting the core values of the party,” Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said.

Source : Daily News

Opposition Leader R Sampanthan says that the wording and timing of the no-confidence motion, which seeks to implicate the Prime Minister with the bond scam, are indicative of the pursuit of a political agenda through the motion rather than fixing responsibility in regard to the bond scam.

“The question must be raised as to why the wording is so vague and lacking in any specific charge against the Prime Minister in regard to the fraud pertaining to the bond scam per say,” he said, delivering a statement in Parliament today (4) during the debate on the motion.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader stated that the wording is too loose and general in nature and that it could be that the PM is facing this situation because of the confidence he placed on someone who has betrayed him.

“But where is the evidence or charge against the Prime Minister of involvement in the bond scam?

Is the wording of the motion so loose and so general because of the lack of specific material against the Prime Minister in regard to the bond scam?” he questioned.

“And if that is true in my submission the motion lacks credibility,” he charged.

With regard to the timing of the motion, he stated that the bond scam occurred 3 years ago and that it has been the subject of total public focus for a long period of time. “Why has this motion of no-confidence been brought against the Prime Minister only now?” he asked the House.

Sampanthan also inquired as to whether this motion against the PM is the first step in a plan to bring down “totally and completely” the present government.

He stated that it is their view that the inadequate performance by the government in the first half of their term was the cause of the result at the recent local government polls in which the SLFP and UNP suffered defeat.

He said if they perform better in the next two and a half years, public disenchantment can change.

Unfortunately the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) does not want that to happen, he said. They want to first defeat the PM and the next target will be the President, he claimed. “They want the government brought down.”

The TNA leader further stated that they want the government to implement the mandate given to it by the country.

“In these circumstances how can we possibly support this no-confidence motion?”

He alleged that the true intentions of the Podujana Peramuna are shrouded in an environment of prejudice based upon the bond scam. We cannot fall victim to such and allow ourselves to be used to achieve their political objective, Sampanthan said.

Source : Ada Derana

Sri Lankan weightlifter Chathuranga Lakmal won the Bronze medal in the Men's 56kg category event at the the 21st Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

State Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena has categorically denied the statement made by State Minister A.H.M. Fowzie which stated that the SLFP would boycott the debate and the vote of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Speaking further, Minister Lakshman Yapa stated that the official position of the SLFP is to vote in favour of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Wickremesinghe. He reiterated that this decision has not been changed.

Dilan and Lakshman to join JO’s Gota faction

Meanwhile, internal sources of the SLFP said that State Ministers Dilan Perera and Lakshman Yapa along with a few MPs are planning to join the Joint Opposition today (04).

SLFP sources added that this group has been in discussions with the Joint Opposition for some time now and that they are prepared to join the JO’s Gota faction.

The General Secretary of the United National Party, Minister Kabir Hashim, has decided to resign from his post.

The Minister said that he will hand over his resignation letter today. Kabir Hashim was appointed as the General Secretary of the UNP in 2014.

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) intends to vote in favour of the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, JVP MP Bimal Rathnayaka said a short while ago. The party has six MPs in Parliament.

Speaking during the debate on the NCM in Parliament, MP Rathnayake, who was the first JVP MP to speak during the debate, alleged that there was a deal between the PM and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to defeat the NCM.

He accused the PM of having "betrayed the mandate given by the people in 2015." The MP also countered claims that the PM was not directly linked to the bond scam. Mr Rathnayake questioned why people such as Arjun Aloysius tried to build a media empire using funds stolen through the bond scam. He also accused the PM of knowingly protecting those involved in the scam and of obstructing the work of those tasked with investigating it.

The JVP MP also had harsh words for President Maithripala Sirisena, claiming that it was actually the President who was behind the NCM and he was planning to join forces with Gotabaya Rajapaksa to defeat the PM and ensure his own survival.

Claiming that the Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maithripala Sirisena and Mahinda Rajapaksa were all part of the nexus of protecting the corrupt, he appealed to the people to move away from the 'ape hora apita honda' attitude and act against those who are corrupt.

Source : Sunday Times

No confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe was defeated in parliament today. The motion only received 76 votes in favour while 176 votes were cast against it. 26 MP’s were absent during the vote.

Refuting claims by State Minister A.H.M Fowzie today that the SLFP has decided to abstain from voting against the PM at today's NCM, State Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene was quoted as saying that the party will in fact vote against the PM.

State Minister A.H.M Fowzie had claimed that the party had decided to abstain from voting in the NCM. However, questions are now being raised as to if there is a rift in the SLFP regarding the NCM due to the contradictory statements being made by its members.

Minister of Finance and Media Mangala Samaraweera says that he is grateful to fellow Member of Parliament, Mahinda Rajapaksa from the Kurunegala District, along with the Joint Opposition, for initiating the motion which would reaffirm the confidence on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The minister made this remark while participating in the no-confidence motion debate today (04).

 Speaking further, the Minister said the main political challenge for the opposition is Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. “The obstacle to impeach the President is the Prime Minister,” he said adding that this no-confidence motion is the first step of a political conspiracy.

Built a country which was ridden by debt

The Minister also said that the government took over a country ridden with debt and it was the PM that led the country in its economic victories in the last three years. He went on to say that this proves the PM is a good politician and that the no-confidence motion is a first step of a political conspiracy that was defeated fortunately for the country.

The Prime Minister is not a political hypocrite

He also recalled the commitment made by the Prime Minister in 2014 and said that there was no hypocrisy on his part when it was suggested that Maithripala Sirisena be given the candidacy.

Speaking further, the Minister said:

The Prime Minister worked day and night to ensure the President wins. But this is an attempt to take the country back to darkness. The Prime Minister wants to stop corruption. We will not sweep the bond scam under the rug. We will make new laws to recover the money lost. No one is speaking about the trillions the country lost before that. Therefore the NCM is a failed attempt to mislead the people.

PM is behind all the country’s victories

We took over a country saddled with debt. The PM led the economic victories in the country during the past three years. Investments have increased. Unemployment has fallen. State finance showed a primary budget surplus for the first time last year.

"The trade agreements signed with India with China have contributed to market growth. There is a very productive economic process. The Prime Minister is personally committed to the process of Constitutional Reforms. The President is committed to accelerating the process", he said adding that even though there are obstacles, the government will continue this process into the future.

Just yesterday, Minister Chanidma Weerakkody said that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party's parliamentary group had decided to request the Prime Minister to vacate his post before the no-confidence motion.

However, making an abrupt u-turn, State Minister A.H.M Fowzie said today that the SLFP has decided to abstain from voting in NCM.