
Questions addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Special Media Briefing held at the Presidential Secretariat on 5 March 2026 and the Answers provided by the President.
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Q: An Opposition Member of Parliament has stated in the Parliament that a ship carrying three hundred children is within our territorial waters and that we are in a position to assist them. Such claims are frequently made by the opposition. What is your response in this regard?
A: When cyclone Ditwah struck and when a bus became stranded near the Kala Oya bridge, certain individuals began expressing different opinions every ten minutes. However, as a government, we did not allow ourselves to be distracted by such remarks. Instead, we focused on taking the necessary steps to rescue those people. We carefully examined the situation whether it was possible to deploy a helicopter and if not, whether the Navy could be mobilised. After assessing the circumstances, we made the required interventions and succeeded in saving their lives.
Similarly, in this instance, we are investigating who is on board the ship and what measures should be taken to ensure their safety. Appropriate interventions are being made accordingly. Unfortunately, the opposition appears to have turned falsehood into an art, making statements either knowingly or without regard for the fact that the truth will soon emerge. Their intention seems to be to create the impression that, while a group of children is in danger, the government is acting inhumanely by ignoring the situation. At times like this, both political parties and citizens should instead focus on how to act responsibly and address the situation effectively.
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