United National Party (UNP) Date of Birth: 01-12-1963: Civil Status: Married: Religion: Buddhism: Profession / Occupation: Company Director: Political Career-View Moved Bills. Members of the Maha Sangha have criticised the Government over attempts that are allowing foreign entities to acquire the country’s resources. Former Minister Arjuna Ranatunga has decided not to actively participate in the political activities of the United National Party in the future. I will not withdraw anything that I have said. Even though I knew it before and spoke about it, I’m not happy about it. The Sunday Observer is the oldest and most circulated weekly English-language newspaper in Sri Lanka since 1928. He, along with his brothers, studied at Ananda College Colombo where his mother was a teacher. Is he dishonouring or criticising the Supreme Court’s decision? The President said that he would not allow any harm to the country’s sovereignty and independence from the investments made. Karunanayake said even at this juncture, all UNP leaders should be united to make joint efforts to build the party’s grassroots level. Produced by Lake House. Samaraweera viewed President Rajapaksa’s decision as an encouraging development while urging “true patriots” to dismiss the rhetoric planted by certain politicians, popularising the sentiment of attracting foreign investments as a betrayal to the nation. He told reporters in Colombo that the national cricket board and several unnamed players were responsible for the national team’s recent poor performances. However, the Working Committee had commended Karunanayake’s service to the party. There is media speculation that former Minister Arjuna Ranatunga has decided not to actively participate in the political activities of the UNP in the future. “That is why I say that Ranjan reaped what he sowed. He said under the Standing Order 83, a decision by the Supreme Court or by its justices, or any document published under the signature of the President, could be criticised personally only under this Standing Order. Arjuna Ranatunga said this at a meeting held in Gampaha on Saturday (29). Yet another notable feature was UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene or any of his representatives had not attended the program. Former UNP Parliamentarian Saman Rathnapriya said Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa didn’t work for the UNP’s victory when he was in the UNP and whatever he did in the party was aimed at grabbing the party’s leadership. Attendance. “The people have already felt the absence of our party leader in Parliament. Ranatunga, who is currently Sri Lanka’s transport minister, is preparing a new bid to take charge of Sri Lanka Cricket. The newly appointed UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara told the media, “There is no issue regarding party leadership. Taking to his official Twitter account, the President said the Government of Sri Lanka looks forward to working together with the U.S. towards a mutually beneficial and stronger bilateral relationship. As reported in the media the close contacts of Kumarasiri Hettige and Chaminda Kularatne were placed in quarantine. Ranatunga had refused to accept the post of Deputy Chairman of the United National Party which was presented to him and he also did not attend the inauguration ceremony of the new officers at Sirikotha recently. Rathnapriya told a group of UNP Local Government representatives at Ratnapura a couple of days ago, that Premadasa left the party because he failed to become the leader of the party. Former Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, who has also expressed willingness to take over the leadership mantle, has been kicked upstairs as a senior Vice Chairman. The shortcomings among us needs to be rectified if we actually want to tread on the path of victory,” Rathnapriya said. I spoke the truth. Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage during the parliamentary debate said, “We saw the list of individuals who were punished by Ranil Wickremesinghe.”. Semasinghe said, “I saw MP Harin Fernando wearing a black shawl to demonstrate his disagreement with the decision given by the Supreme Court. Don’t be afraid to speak the truth. He again said on September 5, 2018, “I will never withdraw. I have not smuggled narcotics or ethanol. Former Minister Samaraweera in a media release stated, “As a true patriot, I am happy with the Government’s decision to get foreign investors to develop the Colombo Port. According to the police, the suspect or suspects had entered the residence by breaking one of the doors while the former President was at her official residence in Colombo. He said that was a Deva Kannalauwa to reunite the UNP factions and rescue the country from Covid-19 pandemic. Born on December 1, 1963, Arjuna Ranatunga who brought the glory of the World Cup to Sri Lanka, is a product of Ananda College, Colombo. The Fall Army worm(FAW) recorded for the first time in Sri Lanka in August 2018 on maize is a moth, whose larva (... President’s Counsel Sarath Jayamanne wore many hats. Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said that he admits the fact that the Government has failed as they couldn’t punish the bond scam culprits. SLPP Parliamentarian Upul Galappaththi, raising a Point of Order, said that MP Harin Fernando was misleading the House by attempting to imply that Ramanayake was imprisoned by the Government, which he said was incorrect and totally misleading. Another group of Parliamentarians and staff had also undergone PCR tests at the Parliament premises on Friday, January 15. Although he had earlier resigned from the leadership of the United National Party in the Gampaha District, he actively participated in the work of the party. The Minister made this request raising a Point of Order, while Fernando was on his feet, seconding the Adjournment Motion moved by JVP Parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake. In the wake of the Supreme Court convicting MP Ramanayake for Contempt of Court, there is media speculation that he would most likely lose his Parliamentary seat and the vacant post would probably be filled by Ajith Mannapperuma of the SJB. “Yes, we failed, because we couldn’t punish the culprits. Ranatunga had refused to accept the post of Deputy Chairman of the UNP which was presented to him and he also did not attend the inauguration ceremony of the new officers at Sirikotha recently. I think Harin Fernando, in his heart, wants to say sorry to MP Ramanayake as many in the Yahapalana Government used him as their mouthpiece. UNP seniors Ravi Karunanayake, Navin Dissanayake, Arjuna Ranatunga, Lakshman Wijemanna and Mervyn Silva conducted an Adistana Pooja at Kataragama a couple of days ago. Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi has tested positive for COVID-19. However, at the end of the program, Ravi Karunanayake who spoke to the media refuted the story of a new political front. “We have to protect these values, regardless of whether we are on the Government’s side or the Opposition’s side.”, Responding to Minister Gunawardena’s remarks, MP Fernando said, “I did not speak about judges and spoke about MP Ranjan Ramanayake. SJB Parliamentarian Harin Fernando insisted that court cases filed in connection to those who have figured in the report, cannot be withdrawn. He said, “A group of senior UNP members who defied the party leadership have already expressed their willingness to rejoin the UNP.” Rathnapriya said that a united force is a must for victory at the next election and division will only lead to defeat. I am confident that this new investment will bring prosperity to Sri Lanka.”. It had raised doubt among the people whether the UNP heavyweights were planning to form a new political front as thousands of their supporters had attended the religious ceremony. The 78-year-old Democrat Joe Biden won the US election in November last year and was elected the 46th President of the country with over 270 electoral votes on his side. Galappaththi said that Ramanayake was imprisoned by the Supreme Court for an offence he committed. Former UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has been appointed the new UNP Assistant Leader while Ruwan Wijewardene will continue to serve as the party’s Deputy Leader. He played cricket for both the junior and senior teams Ananda College. Opposition lawmaker Harin Fernando said that he will wear a black shawl in Parliament until justice is served to fellow Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake who was imprisoned for Contempt of Court recently. Copyright © 1995 - 2021 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. Amid the blessings of the Maha Sangha, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardena, Assistant Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara and Chairman Vajira Abeywardena assumed duties. I wanted to talk about the large number of gazettes put out by the Government but failed to control the prices.”, Government and Opposition lawmakers were involved in heated exchange of words in Parliament on Tuesday, January 19 over the report of the Commission that probed political victimisation. I also regret that Minister Gunawardena whom I respect cannot understand the difference. Ranatunga had refused to accept the post of Deputy Chairman of the United National Party which was presented to him and he … Bodyguards for Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga fired live rounds as a mob loyal to Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena besieged the Cabinet member in his office, police said. Leader of the House and Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena called upon Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to rule SJB Parliamentarian Harin Fernano out, stating that he was violating Standing Orders despite being an experienced Parliamentarian. He claimed that at least 200 cases have been filed in court against the individuals who have appeared before the Commission. We have someone at the helm who has the knowledge, experience, and proven performance and who is locally and internationally accepted.”. The Premier had advised the Election Commission to take mandatory steps to hold the PC Elections and consider the legal framework of the forthcoming elections while adhering to the Covid-19 guidelines. Following discussions the incumbent Government had with India, it has now been agreed to retain 51 per cent of its ownership and the administration of the Eastern Terminal with the Ports Authority.”. He said Harin Fernando using the parliamentary privileges attempts to speak to Ranjan Ramanayake’s voters as he cannot contest the elections for seven years due to his imprisonment for Contempt of Court. Gunawardena said, “We have protected discipline while being in both the Government and the Opposition. He said, “The former Yahapalana Government had made an agreement to sell the ECT to India. Bodyguards for Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga fired live rounds as a mob loyal to Sri Lanka’s president besieged the cabinet member in his office, police said. Former Minister Arjuna Ranatunga has decided not to actively participate in the political activities of the United National Party in the future. “The people were taken for a ride by the incumbent Government by giving promises which can never be realised,” he said. Even if they sentenced me to one year, two years, five years, ten years, twenty years or life imprisonment, I maintain what I have said.”. However, addressing a group of UNP supporters at the UNP headquarters, Sirikotha on Friday, January 15 UNP Deputy Leader Wijewardene said that a mechanism will be put in place to bring all forces together, against the present Government, which is heading for anarchy within a short time after being elected by the people with an overwhelming majority. Produced by Lake House. State Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said Harin Fernando should have worn the black shawl when hundreds of innocent Christians were brutally killed by the terror attacks at Katuwapitiya and Kochchikade churches on Easter Sunday. Sri Lanka has proven... Sri Lanka has perhaps seen the end of one of the most dreadful years in recent history with the ghastly impact of the Covid-... “Although the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful, must be reasonable” – Thomas... Covid-19 vaccines to arrive to SL next week, Some thoughts on the Fall Army worm and its control, President’s Counsel Sarath Jayamanne retires after a celebrated career, Ranjan vilified Executive, Legislature and Judiciary - Minister Ranatunga, Sinhala Wedakam physician achieves international fame. Protected ] Call Us: ( +94 ) 112 429 429 criticising the Supreme Court ’ s?. The cabinet was dissolved by the Supreme Court for an offence he committed Parliamentarians close... On the path of victory, ” he said that Ramanayake was imprisoned by the Sri Lankan politician member. Offence he committed cabinet was dissolved by the Working Committee meeting and spoke about it I. An offence he committed be cowards, ” Rathnapriya said cabinet was dissolved by the Working meeting... He said the PC elections will not withdraw anything that I have said imprisoned by the Sri Lankan President several. The health guidelines, at the Government will have to take charge of Lanka. 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