Defence Ministry Secretary, General (Retired) Kamal Gunaratne and Army Commander, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage have tendered an apology to Opposition Parliamentarian Chandima Weerakkody, it was reported.

According to The Morning, the apology had been made on the directive issued by the Parliamentary Committee on Ethics and Privileges, over the incident of the officials having allegedly threatened the MP within the Parliament premises.

In October last year, MP Weerakkody informed the Parliament that he had been threatened by Gunaratne and Liyanage during a session of the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on National Security chaired by Government MP, Rear Admiral (Retired), Dr. Sarath Weerasekera.

At the time, MP Weerakkody told the Parliament that the Defence Secretary and Army Commander gave threatening responses before the SOC on National Security concerning a statement he had made in the Parliament about the alleged misuse of vehicles by high-ranking officers of the Army.

Following a complaint by the MP, the Ethics and Privileges Committee had investigated the matter after which it had directed the duo in question to tender an apology to MP Chandima Weerakkody.

The committee also highlighted that Chairmen of Parliamentary committees should conduct the sessions impartially and take measures to protect the MPs’ privileges, while the attendees should be aware of the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act. (NewsWire)

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Two new literary works and a song authored by Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd), were launched during a ceremony in Colombo yesterday (Sep 06).

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), President Ranil Wickremesinghe presided over the event that was held at Ananda College in Colombo. 

The two new literary works authored by General Gunaratne are “Tharage Agamanaya” and “Kadol Aththu” (translation), while the song is titled “Ehe Kanduleli”. 

General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) had the distinct honour of presenting the inaugural copies of his two literary creations to President Wickremesinghe. 

Dignitaries in attendance, including Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayaka, were each presented with copies of these literary works.

The highlight of the evening was the performance of ” Ehe Kanduleli,” a song composed by Mr. Yasas Medagedara and passionately sung by the renowned vocalist, Mrs. Abhishek Wimalaweera. 

The event also featured an intellectual keynote address delivered by Prof. Praneeth Abeysundara, providing insights into the literary significance of the newly unveiled works.

Further underscoring the importance of these literary contributions, a set of these works was generously donated to the library of Ananda College. The principal of the institution, Lal Dissanayake, graciously accepted this valuable contribution on behalf of the school.

The event attracted a diverse and distinguished audience, including prominent religious leaders led by Maha Sangharatna, Ministers Ali Sabri, Tiran Alles and Susil Premajayantha, as well as a select group of State Ministers, Members of Parliament, Ambassadors, Academics, Artists and other notable guests. (NewsWire)

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The landscape of human trafficking is evolving, transforming into a ruthless business that preys on the vulnerable and exploits their desperation, Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne said.

According to the Defence Ministry, General Kamal Gunaratne pointed out that this dark reality presents a complex challenge that threatens not just individual lives but our national security as well.

He made the remarks while delivering the keynote address at the opening session of the Awareness Workshop organized for the Divisional Secretaries on Human Trafficking in Colombo on Monday (Aug 14). 

The three-day workshop is organized by the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) in collaboration with the Safe Foundation under “Empowering Civil Society Organizations to Combat Human Trafficking”, a project funded by the USAID. 

This workshop is held under the supervision of the Defence Secretary, with the purview of the Chief of National Intelligence Major General Ruwan Kulathunga, while 36 Divisional Secretaries and Assistant Divisional Secretaries are attending the programme. 

“Recognizing the gravity of this threat, we have formulated the National Strategic Action Plan to monitor and combat human trafficking for the years 2021-2025,‟ the Defence Secretary stated, adding “Our approach is based on four pillars; Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, and Partnership”. 

Highlighting the gaining ground over collective effort, he went on to emphasize the necessity of coordination between governmental and non-governmental organizations, which is crucial for a holistic response to human trafficking. 

“At present, we collaborate with twenty stakeholders under the NAHTTF, demonstrating the power of unity in our fight against this crime”, he added. 

On this note, focusing on the importance of the Divisional Secretaries role that stands as a cornerstone, he remarked that this multi-disciplinary collaboration will enable them to actively contribute to the NAHTTF’s endeavours. 

“The upgrading to “Tier-2” from “Tier-2 Watch List” in the Trafficking in Persons Report submitted annually to the US Department of State showcases our progress,” he reasoned while explaining the positive outcomes of this collective effort. 

Revealingly future plans that are afoot to work with inter-governmental institutions, he said it will see connecting field development officers with the task force and further aim to incorporate awareness of Human Trafficking into the education system. 

In his closing remarks, he said human trafficking is a crime against humanity, and affirmed, “We, as the NAHTTF of Sri Lanka, are determined to fight against it with all our might.” 

Senior officials of Safe Foundation, Attorney General’s Department, Immigration and Emigration Department, Human Trafficking, Smuggling, Maritime Crimes Investigation Division, Institute of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Bureau for the Prevention of Abuse of Children and Women, National Child Protection Authority, Department of Labour, National Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses, SLBFE, IOM, ILO and legal officers representing the Defence Ministry are contributing as resource personnel at the three-day long workshop. (NewsWire)

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Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne has penned the newly released song titled ‘Loveena’ which is written based on a true story behind the creation of the historic Mount Lavinia Hotel.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the newly composed song penned by General Kamal Gunaratne was released on July 14 during an event organized at the Mount Lavinia Hotel.

The newly released song titled ‘Loveena’ has been written based on a true story behind the creation of the historic Mount Lavinia Hotel and is sung by veteran artists Chitral Somapala and Kanchana Anuradhi.

General Gunaratne who was a veteran military officer by profession is a lyricist, poet and author of books. He has composed over 25 songs and the themes for his songs mainly include patriotism as well as love and affection. 

Former Navy Commander Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenna, Kotalawala Defence University Vice Chancellor, Maj. Gen.  Milinda Peiris, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Vikum Liyanage, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, Chief of National Intelligence Maj. Gen. Ruwan Kulatunga (Retd), Principal of Ananda College Mr. Lal Dissanayaka, veteran artists including Mr. Kamal Addararachchi, Mr. Channa Wijewardena and Mr. Shriyantha Mendis, and Chairman of Mount Lavinia Hotel Mr. Sanath Ukwatte also joined the occasion. (NewsWire)

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