News
22A throughwith required two thirdsmajority
Sarath Weerasekera’s only second reading ‘no’ vote, abstains on third reading
The Second Reading of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution was passed in Parliament on Friday with the required two thirds majority with the Bill receiving 179 votes in favour and one vote – that of Colombo District MP Rear Admiral (Retd.) Sarath Weerasekera – against. The Third Reading was passed with 174 votes for and none against with Weerasekera abstaining. The vote was originally due to be taken at 5.30 pm on Friday but got delayed till 6.15 pm as the debate dragged on. The Bill was debated on Thursday and Friday and over 50 MPs spoke.
Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Minister Wijayadasa Rajapakshe presented the Bill entitled ‘Twenty Second Amendment to the Constitution’ to amend the Constitution” on Aug 10. The Supreme Court cleared the Bill on Sept. 6 ruling that it could be adopted with a two-thirds majority in Parliament with some clauses requiring a nationwide referendum. Announcing the court decision the same day, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene said the Bill could be adopted with a twothirds majority in Parliamentand a nationwide referendum on clauses two and three that are inconsistent with the Constitution.
The Supreme Court recommended changes to help Parliament pass the bill with only a special majority and no referendum. The bill aims to restore the independent commissions and also curbs some of the powers of the president.Interested parties were given time to petition the Supreme Court. There were 10 such petitions filed.
Speaking on Friday, Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa said that the youth and protesters who rose as the ‘Aragalaya’ deserve the credit and recognition for pushing through the 22nd Amendment. His party’s stance was not about the contents of the 20th or 22nd Amendments, but they believed their own 21st amendment was the most suitable.He said that the SJB would support the 22nd amendment, not because it offered a solution to the current crisis but because it was an improvement from the 20th amendment.
“Even though the 22A is not a solution at present, it is better than the 20A,” he said. He blamed the misuse of executive powers and the egoism derived from a two thirds parliamentary majority following a 6.9 million vote mandate at the Nov. 2019 presidential election for the downfall of the country.
INS Sindhukesari, a submarine serving in the Indian Navy, arrived at the port of Colombo on 03 May 26 to undertake Operational Turnarounds.
The visiting submarine was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in precision with naval traditions.
Throughout its stay in the island, the submarine’s crew is scheduled to participate in a variety of programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, including visits to several tourist attractions in Sri Lanka.
Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, officially visited the Russian House in Colombo to attend the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum, where members of the Sri Lanka Russia Business Council and graduates from the Association of Sri Lankan Graduates from Socialist countries (ASLGSC) attended.
This historic gathering was graced by rectors and representatives from several world-class Russian medical institutions, including Kursk State Medical University, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, and Tver State Medical University, among others.
The forum commenced with an address by Minister Murashko, during which Russian medical graduates in attendance raised pertinent questions regarding medical and pharmaceutical sector opportunities in Sri Lanka.
Levan Dzhagaryan, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, together with Madam Maria L. Popova, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka & the Maldives and Director of the Russian House in Colombo, graced the occasion. Both officials expressed strong support for continued collaboration and future initiatives between the two nations.
The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.
The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:
Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage
The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.
The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.
INS Sindhukesari arrives in Colombo
Minister of Health of the Russian Federation attends the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum
Members of Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Officially Appointed
Three prison guards arrested following the death of an inmate
Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm.
CJ urged to inquire into AKD’s remarks on May 25 court verdict
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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