Media | Literature | Postcolonial Studies | Personal Account | RTs ≠ endorsements
Colombo
Joined June 2014
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We need more parliamentarians questioning this, actually
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader MP Rauff Hakeem has raised serious concerns over the government’s Rs. 4.26 billion deal to purchase surveillance drones from Israel, questioning the procurement process and alleging that the aircraft could be used to gather intelligence on behalf of the United States.
Speaking during the parliamentary budget debate, Hakeem questioned why the government was proceeding with the purchase without calling for competitive bids.
“A supplementary estimate of over Rs. 4 billion was brought to Parliament recently to purchase unmanned aerial vehicles. Who are we buying them from? Israel,” Hakeem said.
“Why the sudden urgency? Without calling for tenders, they are proceeding directly with the purchase. Why are we buying these aircraft from Israel?” he questioned.
Hakeem also raised suspicions about possible financial inducements connected to the purchase, although he did not present evidence to substantiate the allegation.
“Who knows how much commission may have been received from the Israeli government?” he questioned.
The SLMC leader went further, alleging that the surveillance drones could be used to monitor Iranian vessels and provide intelligence to the United States.
“These aircraft are being purchased to spy on Iran, monitor the movements of Iranian ships and provide intelligence about them,” Hakeem alleged.
“Are we going to use our Navy and Air Force to spy for the Americans?” he questioned.
He warned the government against involving Sri Lanka’s security forces in activities that could have consequences for the country’s foreign relations.
“Don’t get yourselves into trouble by engaging in such activities. You have already created enough problems,” he said.
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Maryam retweeted
I believe it is both scary and sad how we have become remarkably skilled at witnessing the suffering of others without allowing it to interrupt the comfort of our own everyday lives.
Maryam retweeted
Amazing how much of our economy revolves around the exponential growth of a technology that may or may not be involved in massive systemic disruptions while it makes people insane and illiterate with basically no recognizable upsides for most people
Maryam retweeted
they are intentionally bombing hospitals and targeting palestinian healthcare workers to subject an entire population to mass disability on top of mass displacement. and preventing people from recovering by destroying their treatment options. it’s absolutely evil.
Maryam retweeted
I broke down while filming these scenes. I couldn't bear the scale of the suffering unfolding before my eyes. I tried my best to amplify these families' voices, but what I witnessed was beyond words.
Children soaked, tents completely flooded, and families left exposed to the cold and rain. The world is not just witnessing this tragedy; it is complicit through its silence.
Watch the report for yourselves.
Dragnet's first dispatch from the besieged Gaza Strip: Dragnet contributor @Tamer_Alnoaizy spent hours walking through tents in Gaza's flooded displacement camps, where Palestinians whose homes and neighborhoods were destroyed by Israeli bombs are now sleeping in freezing water.
Maryam retweeted
I grieve the death of one of Gaza's few remaining general surgeons today. Dr Rizq Abu Shaeera was respected by many who worked alongside him, providing surgical care in unspeakably harsh conditions at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the target of today's lethal airstrikes.
THIS.
This is also why some of us can't help but draw parallels between AI image generators and colonisation.
Maryam retweeted
To implement successful policies in Sri Lanka, one has to understand the nature of the economy. Almost 30% of the employed population are small-scale informal entrepreneurs, on top of another 30% informal employees.
Taxation has to capture the high earners among informal entrepreneurs. But this requires a significant increase in IRD capacity.
EVERY TIME I plan to travel to Kandy, something like this happens 😭
Starting last year, the week Ditwah struck 😓
🚨 Rockfall on Colombo–Kandy main road
Police report that soil and rocks have fallen onto the Colombo–Kandy main road in the Kadugannawa area.
A motorcycle parked near the road has also been damaged by falling rocks.
Motorists travelling through the area are advised to exercise caution.
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Kind of wish Al Jazeera had reached out to the Lankan govt to ask whether they plan to do anything about this (because yes, it certainly has sparked outrage, and this isn't the first time these particular tourists have caused trouble here)
Maryam retweeted
Israel to release body of child they starved to death in prison.
Israel to release body of Palestinian teen who died malnourished in prison haaretz.com/west-bank/2026-1…
Local authorities need to verify this & investigate. Are we really going to let foreigners on tourist visas get away with abusing our people this way? @HMVijithaHerath
They had the absolute audacity to film & share this, which means they are confident they can get away with it
