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RED CROSS IN SRI LANKA AND OVERSEAS COUNTERPART LEADERS MET BY PRESIDENT

President meets with SLRCS & IFRC leaders

In a momentous development, President Ranil Wickremesinghe convened a meeting today with a delegation composed of members from the esteemed Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) and the prestigious International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The delegation comprised distinguished leaders, including Mr. Jagath Abeysinghe, President of SLRCS, Dr. Mahesh Gunasekara, Director General of SLRCS, Mr. Alexander Matheou, IFRC Regional Director for Asia Pacific, and Mr. Udaya Regmi, IFRC Head of Country Cluster Delegation for South Asia.

The primary objective of the meeting was to provide President Wickremesinghe with a comprehensive update regarding the ongoing South Asia National Societies Leadership meeting held in Colombo on June 6th and 7th.

Eminent leaders from eight South Asian Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies graced this noteworthy event. To inaugurate the gathering, the South Asia Launch of the World Disasters Report 2022 (WDR 2022) took place on June 6th. In a gesture of gratitude, President Wickremesinghe received a copy of the WDR 2022.

Throughout the meeting, the delegation also apprised the President of the pressing necessity for the enactment of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Act. This legislation aims to fortify the operational capacity of the Sri Lanka Red Cross and provide efficacious support to vulnerable individuals across the nation. The President attentively absorbed the briefing and engaged in deliberations concerning potential measures to enhance the functionality of the Sri Lanka Red Cross, thereby ensuring the welfare of the Sri Lankan people.

This meeting between President Wickremesinghe and the collective team of SLRCS and IFRC leaders epitomizes Sri Lanka’s steadfast commitment to collaborating with international humanitarian organizations in tackling crucial issues and fostering a more robust and resilient society.

Leaders of eight national associations of the Asian Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies were also present at this meeting.

NEWS

MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam granted bail (Update)

Parliamentarian Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, who was arrested earlier today, for obstructing duties of Police officers have been released on bail.

He was released on bail after being produced before the Kilinochchi Magistrate’s Court.

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Previous News : June 07, 2023 9.13am

MP Gajendrakumar arrested!

Member of Parliament Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam has been arrested at his residence in Colombo today (7).

The MP was arrested by the officers of the Maradankeni and Jayapuram Police.

The arrest was made over the incident of verbally abusing police officers during a function held near an examination centre in Vadamarachchi.

The Kilinochchi Magistrate’s Court yesterday issued an overseas travel ban on the MP over the incident.

NEWS

Navy rescues 38 persons stranded on grounded trawler in Delft

In a dramatic rescue operation, the Sri Lanka Navy successfully rescued 38 individuals who were stranded on a grounded trawler at the entrance of Delft Jetty this morning (27th June 2023). As a result of the Navy’s prompt involvement, a shipment of construction materials that were at risk of sinking, was also successfully retrieved.

The distressed trawler (Kali Ambal 2) was transporting a shipment of construction materials with 38 persons on board from the Kurikadduwan Jetty at Punguduthivu Island, Jaffna to the Delft Island this morning. Due to the low tide, the trawler ran aground at the entrance of the Delft Jetty, causing distress among those on board as the vessel started to fill with seawater through openings. Following the unfortunate turn of events, the distress call was disseminated to SLNS Wasabha in the Northern Naval Command for assistance.

Responding promptly to the situation, Inshore Patrol Craft and small craft belonging to SLNS Wasabha were rushed to the scene to rescue the distressed persons aboard.

The timely intervention of the Navy prevented a significant loss of life and property. Had the trawler sunk at the entrance of Delft Jetty, it would have posed significant challenges to the island’s administrative operations and transportation.

(Navy.lk)

NEWS

Tear gas & water cannons fired at J’pura protest

Police have fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse a group of undergraduates protesting near the Sri Jayawardenapura University at Wijerama Junction in Nugegoda.

The protest march had been organized by the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) based on several demands including the revoking of the suspensions imposed on several university student activists.

Earlier, the Soratha Road – the stretch of road from Wijerama Junction to the Sri Jayewardenepura University – has been cordoned off due to the protest march.