News

The most prestigious lifetime award “Sri Lankabhimanya” Award was conferred to former speaker Deshabandu Karu Jayasuriya by President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the President’s House Colombo.

IUSF convener Wasantha Mudalige has been released from one case filed against him under the PTA.

The order for his release was given by Colombo chief magistrate Prasanna Alwis today (31).

Delivering the verdict, magistrate Alwis said the accused was not found to have committed any offence under the PTA.

He further said the prosecution has created evidence to misuse the provisions of the PTA.

Mudalige has been in remand custody for more than 150 days now.

Two members of the Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL) have tendered their resignations to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization & National Policies.

Accordingly, Mohan Samaranayake and PUCSL’s deputy chairman Udeni Wickramasinghe have stepped down from their positions with immediate effect.

Wickramasinghe vacated his position, citing personal reasons.

Meanwhile, Samaranayake, in his resignation letter, said the work environment and the work style of the electricity sector regulator have become highly unprofessional, unpleasant and intolerable.

“The situation has degenerated to such an extent that on January 20, 2023 when a special meeting of the Commission was held, a group of thugs was organized and allowed inside the Commission’s premises who directly threatened me with physical assault and destruction of property. This act of hooliganism was justified by insinuation by Chairman, PUCSL at the National Council meeting held in Parliament on January 24, 2023 with the participation of members of the Commission. His justification of threats against me indicates that I run the risk of being threatened and even assaulted in future,” he continued.

Samaranayake accused the PUCSL chairman Janaka Ratnakayake of violating Section 9(5) of the PUCSL Act and continuing to make decisions and statements purported to be that of the Commission without the concurrence of the rest of the members thereby making other members redundant.

He also stressed that he has been “humiliated and painted villain before the society.”

Failure on the part of the government authorities to counter legal and other arguments against the proposed electricity tariff hike with irrefutable facts, which leaves people in the quandary, Samaranayake added.

Former speaker Karu Jayasuriya is to be conferred with the honorary title ‘Sri Lankabhimanya’ in recognition of his services to the country.

The Cabinet approved a proposal in this regard made by president Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The president will confer the highest civilian honour on Jayasuriya on February 03 to coincide with the 75th Independence Day celebrations.

Jayasuriya, a former cabinet minister, was the speaker of parliament between 2015 and 2020.

The commemorative stamp issued by the Philatelic Bureau and the special commemorative coin issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka on the occasion of the 75th National Independence Day, was presented to President Ranil Wickremesinghe this morning (02) at the Presidential Palace in Kandy.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe received the commemorative stamp from the Minister of Mass Media, Transport and Highways, Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, and the commemorative coin was presented to the President by Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank.

The Philatelic Bureau issued the Rs. 50 stamp and first day cover in keeping with the practices followed over the years on such significant events. The new stamp could be purchased from all post offices and sub-post offices in the island from today.

Additionally, the Sri Lanka Philatelic Bureau has created special stamp windows at Kandy, Trincomalee, Kurunegala, Galle, and Negombo where customers can purchase this commemorative stamp with the first-day cover.

In conjunction with the 75th Anniversary of Independence, the Sri Lanka Postal Department has organized the Independence Stamp Exhibition and Museum Exhibition from the 6th to the 12th of February from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm at the Postal Headquarters premises located at D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) issued an uncirculated commemorative coin in the denomination of Rs. 1000 to mark the 75th Anniversary of Independence.

The national flag of Sri Lanka is embossed on the middle of the coin, and the number “75” is displayed there in bold numerals.

The words “Independence Commemoration” are printed in English, Tamil, and Sinhala along the top edge of the coin.

Around the lower edge of the coin’s periphery is the year “1948 – 2023.” In big numerals, the face value “1000” is displayed on the centre of the coin. The national emblem of Sri Lanka appears above the face value. The year “2023” is at the bottom edge of the coin. Words “Sri Lanka” in English, Sinhala, and Tamil appears along the periphery on the upper edge of the coin.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has decided to boycott the 75th Independence Day celebrations, as the Tamil people are yet to gain true independence, said its spokesperson MP M.A. Sumanthiran.

Speaking to the media, he said since independence, majoritarianism has become the rule in the guise of democracy, with not even the Sinhala Buddhists now feeling they are denied freedom.

A black day will be declared and a campaign launched to gain true independence to the country, he added.

Several southern political groups too, have similarly declared a black day on February 04.

Petrol price increased by Rs 30 to Rs 400.

All other fuel prices remain unchanged.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) says there will be no power cuts for two days as the Water Management Secretariat has decided to release water from reservoirs to avoid possible spilling as heavy rains are expected in catchment areas.

Accordingly, no power cuts will be imposed today (Jan. 30) and tomorrow (Jan. 31) as a result, the Chairman of the CEB Nalinda Ilangakoon said.

Meanwhile the PUCSL Chairman says that on the request of the commission made on February 29th, the Water Management Secretariat has released adequate water to generate power without any interruptions on January 30 and 31.

A decision will be made on Wednesday (Feb. 01) for the rest of the Advanced Level examination days, Janaka Ratnayake said.

Earlier today, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) said that the Water Management Secretariat had agreed to release adequate amount of water from reservoirs in order generate sufficient hydro power for the next couple of days.

Victoria Nuland, the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs of the United States, called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo on Wednesday (1).

She is on an official visit to the country, and she discussed the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, and the ongoing US assistance to the Sri Lankan people.

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung accompanied Nuland for the meeting, where both sides further discussed ways both the United States of America and Sri Lanka are working together toward an inclusive, prosperous and secure future for all Sri Lankans.

According to the President's Media Division, the President in his meeting with Victoria Nuland, the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs of the United States, thanked the US Government for their support during difficult times.

Under-Secretary Nuland had pledged the US Government’s support for Sri Lanka's ongoing recovery efforts.

The discussion also focussed on the on-going discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), while the U.S. pledged to continue to support the negotiations with the aim of swiftly resolving the issues.

The President outlined the measures being taken in regard to the reconciliation talks with the minority parties in Sri Lanka, including the full implementation of the 13th Amendment.

Discussions also focussed on the on-going efforts to combat the growing narcotics trade, with the U.S. extending their assistance.

Moreover, Under-Secretary Nuland and Ambassador Chung met with the minority opposition party leaders to discuss their hopes for reconciliation.

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung tweeted that a political solution to Sri Lank's history of ethnic conflict was also discussed.

"When those with different perspectives work together toward solutions, democracy is strengthened," said the Ambassador.

Veteran Sri Lankan dramatist and screenwriter K.B. Herath has passed away this morning (Jan. 29) at the age of 81.

K.B. Herath, who was born in Nawagaththegama of Kurunegala District, studied at Ibbagamuwa Central College. He began his career as a teacher after graduating in Arts, at Peradeniya University.

He had done a yeoman service to the Sri Lankan stage drama industry as a playwriter, producer and screenwriter.

Former President Maithripala Sirisena says he expects to contest the next presidential election with the support of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

Joining a media briefing today (Jan 31), the SLFP leader expressed confidence about winning the election race.

“I am not the type of person to move backward. I am not scared of the conspiracies [against me]... Despite being harassed, I will contest the next presidential election with the support of my party. No matter how many votes I receive, I am confident that I can win the election.”

Sirisena went on to apologize for the coordinated suicide bomb attacks that devastated the country on Easter Sunday in 2019 while he was in office as the Head of State.

The former president stated that the Catholic community does not harbour any feelings of hatred towards him over this tragic incident.

Speaking on the sum of Rs. 100 million that the Supreme Court ordered him to pay in compensation to the victims of the Easter Sunday suicide bombings for violating human rights, Sirisena pointed out that according to the top court’s judgment, he was held responsible for the mistakes committed by the officials appointed by him as the Head of State.

Sirisena said, as a person who respects the country’s judiciary and the law, he accepted the judgment of the Supreme Court.

On January 12, the Supreme Court found the former President, along with former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, former IGP Pujith Jayasundara, former National Intelligence Chief Sisira Mendis and former Chief of State Intelligence Nilantha Jayawardena in violation of the Fundamental Rights of petitioners, by failing to take action to prevent the Easter Sunday attacks despite receiving sufficient intelligence information.

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed the All Party Leaders' Conference on Reconciliation that the Cabinet was agreeable to fully implementing 13th Amendment, until the Party Leaders decide whether or not to abolish the Amendment.

This was reported by the President's Media Division on Friday (27).

President Ranil Wickremesinghe had said that he is bound to implement the existing law in accordance with the executive powers of the President.

He had said further that the 13th Amendment to the Constitution is being implemented accordingly or the Parliament should abolish the 13th amendment.

The President Wickremesinghe also pointed out that any parliamentarian could move a private member’s bill to abolish the 13th Amendment to the constitution and the same amendment would have to be implemented provided that the bill was voted against by the majority of the House.

The President stressed that he was not ready to divide the country.

President Wickremesinghe made these remarks at the All-Party Conference, which was held at the President's Office on Thursday (26) evening.

The statement made by the President is as follows:

It is my responsibility as the Executive to carry out the current law. For approximately 37 years, the 13th Amendment has been a part of the constitution. I must implement or someone has to abolish it by way of a 22nd amendment to the constitution by moving a private member’s bill. If the bill was voted against by the majority in the House, then the 13th amendment would have to be implemented.

“We can’t remain in a middle position saying that either we don’t implement the 13th amendment or abolish it,” President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

I’m acting in accordance with the decision delivered by the Supreme Court Bench regarding the 13th Amendment, in particular, Chief Justice Palinda Ranasinghe’s ruling. If we stick to that, we might say that we are in a ‘united’ state. I oppose a federal state but devolution of power. The provincial Councils in Sri Lanka have no at least the powers that are vested in the London City Council. Hence we can’t define this as a federal state.

The late President J. R. Jayawardena introduced many clauses along with the attorneys-at-law not to make Sri Lanka a federal State. So far, every President has decided to put this into action. So either we ought to get rid of the 13th amendment or should implement it.

A massive extension of land was under the government by the time the conflict came to an end in 2009 and thereafter most of those lands were released to the public under the reigns of former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Mithripala Sirisena. The largest extension of lands in Jaffna was issued under the reign of former President Mithripala Sirisena. There is only a land extension of 3000 acres under the government as of now.

The release of that extension land too should be entrusted with the security forces to be done without causing interruption to the security activities. We discuss the release of those lands with the Defence Secretary, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Commanders of Tri Forces and acted upon their views.

The Land Commission needs to be established immediately. The draft bill in that regard could be moved by March. The Constitution has it that nine representatives from each province should be included while 12 are appointed by the President. Then a national land policy should be formulated. Thereafter the National Land Policy could be put into action by the Land Commission.

Thirty per cent (30%) or more of the country is covered in forest. Here the lands have been allocated suddenly for forests in an unorganized manner. However, we have deforested up-country as well as the areas where the Mahaweli, Kelani and Kalu rivers commence. Somehow, the forest cover should be increased. We should allow the Land Commission to decide on the extension of land required to enhance the forest cover in accordance with the government’s policy up to 30%. I am dedicated in that endeavour too.

If establishment of the National Police Commission instead of a Provincial Police Commission is objected, an amendment should be made. However either should be done.

The measures that would be taken in this regard would be presented to the Parliament on February 08. And if there are any suggestions, they could be made so before February 04th that they may be considered and submitted on February 8th.

Neither any of here nor I am ready to divide our country. We are all Sinhalese who are seating here. These individuals will not betray the Sinhalese. If there are Sinhalese, they should coexist with other ethnic groups such as Tamils, Muslims, and Burghers. I have no doubt that if we protect the notion in the line ‘Children of one mother’ in our national anthem, we could go forward united.

We shall work toward a consensus-based solution for the political and economic issues one step at a time. Let’s solve our political and economic issues step by step in a manner that could be accepted by all.

Let’s act as we agreed earlier without being stuck in this problem. We neither betray any nor divide the country and the country is united today.

Source: PMD