News
Mano says talks failed due to SJB’s lukewarm response
Tamil MPs’ caucus gathers momentum
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader Mano Ganeshan MP yesterday (17) said that he along with SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem initiated talks with the UNP to explore ways and means of bringing the SJB and the UNP together following a spate of requests from SJB lawmakers as well as members of the now defunct Local Government bodies.
Lawmaker Ganeshan said so in response to The Island query whether they acted unilaterally in opening talks with the UNP in January this year.
Asked whether they obtained prior approval from SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to make the move, MP Ganeshan said that they didn’t. “There was no question of obtaining the SJB leader’s approval, since it was not a finalised concrete mission but a mission to check all possibilities. Besides, most SJB MPs informally requested that we make such a move.”
Responding to another query, MP Ganeshan said that during talks with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, they were told of the UNP leader’s decision to nominate persons to represent him and he suggested the SJB leader did the same. The President expressed the belief that minority parties, too, would be there, MP Ganeshan said, adding that they briefed both the SJB leader and SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara MP regarding the developments.
Asked to explain the current status of their initiative, MP Ganeshan said that they gave up the effort in February/March this year due to what he called the negative response of the SJB leader and SJB General Secretary.
MP Ganeshan said that President Wickremesinghe never offered premiership to the SJB leader though some speculated and claimed so.Asked whether the failed effort was in any way linked with his effort to establish a Tamil MPs caucus in Parliament and bring the UNP and the SJB together, MP Ganeshan emphasized that there was no connection at all.
The MP said that he really appreciated the declaration made by TMK General Secretary C.V. Wigneshwaran that he too would join the Tamil MPs’ caucus.The former NPC Chief Minister has informed MP Ganeshan of his readiness to back the move.
MP Ganeshan said that as of yesterday, TELO, DPLF, TMK of the north-east and TPA constituents in the South, DPF, WNF, UPF were in agreement to the proposal mooted by him.Only the TNA’s response is awaited, MP Ganeshan said.
Latest News
Food Policy and Security Committee recommends importation of rice to ensure an uninterrupted supply
The Food Policy and Security Committee has recommended the importation of rice in the near future to ensure an uninterrupted supply for consumers.
A notable increase in rice prices has been observed in the market, along with reports of shortages of certain rice varieties, despite the current harvest season.
Given this situation, discussions were held regarding the need for the Cabinet to prioritize the maintenance of sufficient stock, through rice imports.
The Committee, chaired by Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha and Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Vasantha Samarasinghe, convened for the fifth time at the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday (01). The meeting aimed to formulate policy decisions to ensure food security.
During the discussions, it was revealed that due to excessive rainfall this year, crop damage occurred on two occasions, leading to a significant reduction in the expected harvest.
Furthermore, during the meeting it was stated that the improper use of rice for animal feed is another major reason contributing to the rice shortage. As a result, the Committee also focused on the importation of broken rice for animal feed and the use of alternative feeds to mitigate the impact on livestock production.
Accordingly, the Food Policy and Security Committee approved the formation of a Committee, led by the Director General of Agriculture, to oversee the importation of the required quantity of broken rice through proper mechanisms.
Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, and other members of the Food Policy and Security Committee, including Ministry Secretaries, participated in the discussions.
The People of Myanmar are facing immense hardships caused by the devastating earthquake on 28th March and as reported by the international media reports the death toll is over 2,700. Furthermore, it has been reported that many people are missing while, a large number of individuals have been injured and are receiving treatment.
Considering the long – term close relationship between the two nations as two Buddhist states, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to provide,
• A sum of United States Dollars One Million
• Transportation for the dry rations collected by Buddhist clergy and other donors
• To have a group of medical officers and health staff on standby for immediate departure to Myanmar if necessary
Latest News
Cabinet appoints ministerial committee to submit report on sanctions imposed on 04 Sri Lankans by the United Kingdom
Attention of the Cabinet of Ministers have been drawn on the decisions taken by the United Kingdom to impose sanctions on four Sri Lankan individuals recently, and have decided to appoint a committee comprised of three ministers to submit a report with recommendations on the further measures to be taken after studying the facts in the regard and to empower the committee to obtain the service of any officer/intellect deemed to have subject expertise in the relevant field and considered essential.
The committee will comprise of :
– Vijitha Herath Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
– Attorney – at – Law Harshana Nanayakkara Minister of Justice and National Integrity
– Aruna Jayasekara Deputy Minister of Defence
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