Mon, 06 May 2024 Today's Paper

Road closures spark public outcry during Iranian President’s visit

24 April 2024 09:45 pm - 34     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, April 24 (Daily Mirror)- The closure of roads in Colombo without prior notice during evening rush hours as part of security arrangements for the visit of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi inconvenienced the public and motorists alike.

Incensed by the notice of road closures, they vented their anger by honking horns. The government made tight security arrangements in view of the visit of the Iranian leader for the inauguration of the Uma Oya project.

The roads were closed to facilitate the movement of his convoy without any prior notice as a security measure, but the motorists’ protest amounts to kind of an embarrassment for the government during the visit of a friendly country that has stood by Sri Lanka during its trying times. Iran and Sri Lanka have enjoyed excellent ties for decades and cooperated with each other in numerous international forums.


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  Comments - 34

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  • Regime Dent Wednesday, 24 April 2024 10:04 PM

    Damn good. The message is very clear to the government that the tables have turned and it’s not the era they ruled any more. It’s another read for the people to kick these fellows out in the next election.

    Tissa Wednesday, 24 April 2024 11:39 PM

    This statement seems like a NPP bot working overtime.

    Mahila Thursday, 25 April 2024 01:56 AM

    Hey Pal, "The message is very clear to the government that the TABLES HAVE TURNED and it’s NOT THE ERA THEY RULED anymore."!!?? Go to the closest place to buy some cubes of Frozen Ice (if you already don't have any at home in the 'Fridge'), under the sole of your feet to "cool down" Yesterday’s papers had SUBTLE NOTIFICATION and there was no possibility to declare it prominently due to SECURITY reasons, ongoing Gaza war and the SPAT between Israel and Iran!!!??? Even "if you kick this government OUT", as you claim and EVEN if an NPP government is in place - MOST UNLIKELY - that government has to do the same in given Conditions!!!??? That’s Inevitable!?

    Jeanne Thursday, 25 April 2024 03:28 AM

    I must agree with Tissa's comments. You certainly sound like a NPP crazy propagandist. Fact of the matter is that this chap is a pariah in developed countries and those that value and support human rights. He is NOT welcome here - unless of course he has a whole fleet of ships anchored in the harbour containing much needed oil.

    Not Using Common Sense Thursday, 25 April 2024 03:30 AM

    @Tissa - seems you are supporting your bosses decisions as you need your promotions and pension. But the average citizen has had enough of being pushed around by these idiots sudden decision making especially at peak hours. Don’t need NPP mindset but just using common sense which you are lacking.

    Indatissa W Thursday, 25 April 2024 07:38 AM

    This is something that could be easily averted; why can't these local leaders with a "vision" use a helicopter to transport the visiting big shots, so that the public inconvenience can be mitigated? Nah! .... do stupid things, earn stupid marks

    joshua Thursday, 25 April 2024 10:31 AM

    Tissa has to connect NPP somewhere. Keep dreaming my man

    Broom Thursday, 25 April 2024 11:52 AM

    @Not using

    Hooper Thursday, 25 April 2024 12:02 PM

    @ Indatissa W - that is a question asked by many people. But we must understand that the security experts who handle such logistic matters, are not set of babies. I'm sure they have their reasons which laymen like you

    LSRM Wednesday, 24 April 2024 10:07 PM

    People have to understand the extra special security measures required during a high profile international leader, especially when there is a war situation in that area. Public was given adequate notice about the road closures today and should have adjusted their movements accordingly.

    Yohan Wednesday, 24 April 2024 11:33 PM

    Our people don't get it. They are easily instigated by mischief makers.

    Mithun Thursday, 25 April 2024 09:13 AM

    Extra special security is needed nearly 2 hours? Road was closed in Dematagoda at 3.30 PM but President arrived at 05.30. What nonsense?

    Kamal Thursday, 25 April 2024 09:59 AM

    May be the security establishment knows more about organizing security for ultra-high risk foreign dignitaries than many of us. It not only about permitting free passage of vehicles, but also screening and sealing the entire route and ensuring it is maintained that way until passage is completed. No need to say more.

    joshua Wednesday, 24 April 2024 10:21 PM

    Please refrain from inviting these so-called VIPs in to the country. It is a damn nuisance for the public. The Security forces overreact, together with the headless traffic police create unwanted trouble for the general public. Why can't we arrange air transport for these VIPs? Even Rajapakshas used air transport to transport their dogs (if people can remember). It was utter chaos. Please do not vote for these headless fellows. If there is security threat, do not invite these fellows. BTW hope the President went to meet him with the begging bowl... the symbol of SL

    Moiz Wednesday, 24 April 2024 10:39 PM

    He is a highly security sensitive VVIP, how can they divulge his land movements at very long notice.

    Rajitha Wednesday, 24 April 2024 11:35 PM

    Many of our people wouldn't be aware of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, leave aside how sensitive the security around the Iranian president would be these days.

    Jason Perera Wednesday, 24 April 2024 10:46 PM

    These idiotic people did not mind roads being blocked by equally idiotic aragalayas led lakamma.

    Jeanne Thursday, 25 April 2024 03:33 AM

    You're the idiot comments are totally irrelevant. Have you no self respect at all? No pride in your birth land? No patriotism? Aren't you fed up with modern day dictators interfering in our country on the pretext of "friendly" visits? Your ignorance is embarrassing.

    Dimantha Thursday, 25 April 2024 10:15 AM

    @ Jeanne please clarify what the interference in our country is, apart from providing technology transfer for a significant project. What is the lack of patriotism?

    Jayantha Wednesday, 24 April 2024 11:54 PM

    All those who honked are likely to be npp supporters without a brain. Arrest some to teach others also a lesson. When a leader of a country arrives this kind of a behavior is not acceptable. Ban npp.

    wickrama wijayasiri Thursday, 25 April 2024 06:45 AM

    Ride the bus or train!

    Jeson Thursday, 25 April 2024 06:57 AM

    Why do not make arrangement for these kind of VVIP to use the helicopter in and out during their visit to the counterpart in our county or just move the head of state or even their collogue next to the Airport so easy for publics?

    Spartacus Thursday, 25 April 2024 07:04 AM

    As usual, incompetency and ill-planning leads to overreaction. This is a ingrained culture with our Police and Armed Forces. This country does not have adequate road transportation for its own citizens and on top of that VVIP are transported at peak hours inconveniencing all.

    Janaka Thursday, 25 April 2024 09:53 AM

    A visiting head of state needs to move about only during non-peak hours, disregarding his international travel itinerary to say the least? Are you a government servant with a peanut sized brain to come up with such simplistic ideas or an unemployed political activist?

    BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 25 April 2024 11:33 AM

    @Janaka. The itinerary of International Dignitary when using Public Roads during Peak Times needs to planned locally in such a way that it causes minimum inconvenience to thousands of Public. One single dignitary should not become a nuisance to thousands, even if it is for few minutes. This is where planning comes into play. But we are monkeys like the comment by @Janaka, who cannot realize these basic facts. The International Dignitary is also a person elected by the Public and which ever country he visits, he needs to realize that. Our Governing Monkeys obviously will fall at any International Dignitaries feet and even wash their arse because that is the status they have destroyed this once splendid nation.

    Wiseman Thursday, 25 April 2024 07:22 AM

    Citizens need to understand Presidents and Prime Ministers of other countries need extra protection when touring another country. So we must bear temporary road closures as they are our guests. However this should not apply to the Local Politicians.

    Chanaka Thursday, 25 April 2024 09:03 AM

    To all the horn tooting people in vehicles running on petroleum products (petrol, diesel and kerosene!), just remember that during the epic fuel crisis in the country that either kept you in long queues for fuel or your vehicles immobile at home, that it was Iran that came to the party to make available oil available for you under an oil for tea barter arrangement. (That was of course in addition to India's generous bailout lifeline). Iran and India got your vehicle moving again. Now you have the audacity to toot your horns for a bit of inconvenience. Of course we know that in these things there are always instigators, and where they come from. But our fools are carried away and used as pawns, yet again, in a bigger political game.

    Roshanaly Thursday, 25 April 2024 10:08 AM

    During Rajapakse regime the roads are frequently closed whenever VIPs travel. At that time the public kept their mouth shut.

    Jeanne Thursday, 25 April 2024 10:21 AM

    He is not welcome in Sri Lanka by normal Sri Lankan people. End of.

    M Fernando Friday, 26 April 2024 04:31 PM

    Whereas you'd happily roll out the red carpet for Sunak, Biden or someone representing a "white" country, right? It's the slavish lickspittle attitude while preaching "pride"

    Ron Thursday, 25 April 2024 11:04 AM

    Our people have no basic common sense we dont have road closures now days compare few years ago....when important leaders from a another country vist obviously need to have proper security given whithout prior notice thats call high security for VIP'S....so you dont need to advice the public....no ifs no buts get a life

    Nlfibgifgbibgegb Thursday, 25 April 2024 12:13 PM

    Currently Sri Lanka has taken the begging bowl, what i don't understand is, it's very clear, that the Economic disasters are not being punished, and we as the normal public, are being harassed, just because of a world envoy. How long are we to suffer, can a group of individuals, do this to us People we need to find a very correct decision ASAP.

    Jeanne Thursday, 25 April 2024 01:44 PM

    @Ron: Only in Sri Lanka ..... all the ridiculous pomp and pageantry while the rest of the normal public are trying to get about their daily activities. It's a Sri Lankan disease - always trying to impress regardless who or what the cost might be.

    M Fernando Thursday, 25 April 2024 10:04 PM

    These drivers should have been treated the same way as the student and TU protestors. Tear-Gassed, Water-Cannoned, Baton-charged and Arrested in our new RW-Style Democracy


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