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Special Advisory Committees on Women’s Affairs to be appointed to every PS in Central Province
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by PRIYAN DE SILVA
The Central Province is the first province in the country to order that a special advisory committee should be appointed to every pradeshiya sabha coming under it to contribute effectively to the decision making process, promote the wellbeing and welfare of women living within their jurisdiction and to advise them on the tasks to be performed and strategies.
The order was made by Governor of the Central Province Lalith U. Gamage through an extraordinary gazette notification No 2325/42 of 30th March 2023.
The formation of advisory councils in Pradeshiya Sabhas was mooted to address the grievances aired by female councillors who attended the Canadian government sponsored PMI – WILL (Partnership for Municipal Innovation- Women In Local Leadership) programme which was facilitated in Sri Lanka by the Federation of Sri Lankan Local Government Authorities (FSLGA).
The main grievance of female members of local authorities was that they were not given the opportunity to participate in the decision making processes in the male dominated authorities.
Chief Executive Officer of FSLGA Hemanthie Goonasekera said that the idea of establishing a special advisory council exclusively on Women’s affairs was discussed in length before the proposal to set up the special advisory committees in respect of women’s affairs was drafted and shared with the
caucuses of female members of local government authorities in each province.
Goonasekera said that credit should be given to the Central Province caucus for taking the initiative to present it to the Provincial Commissioner of
Local Government and the Governor of the Central Province. She said that the support extended by the Provincial Commissioner of Local Government of
the Central Province H.M.M.U.B. Herath for the initiative taken was appreciated and hoped that the other Provinces would follow suit as well.
Being a member of the Advisory Committees will give women irrespective of whether they are elected members of the PS or not the opportunity to give instructions (through the committee) to the PS on the following.
1. Development of women labour in the area of authority and implementation of programmes for the betterment of women that can be utilized in social welfare.
2. Implementation of programmes to improve knowledge, attitudes and skills for women
3. Programmes and strategies to be implemented at the Pradeshiya Sabha level in order to protect women in the area of authority of the Pradeshiya Sabha and prevent abuses.
4. Introducing programmes to be implemented to uplift the economy and introducing loan schemes.
5. Giving necessary instructions and support to promote home gardening programmes including green agriculture in the area of authority.
6. Measures to be taken to create a panel of discussion for the purpose of exchanging ideas of women living in the area of authority.
7. Providing necessary assistance to improve inherent abilities and skills and to develop traditional industries and introducing the market relevant to them.
Several ex-Cabinet ministers questioned; Ranil, Sajith, too likely to be summoned
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has initiated an inquiry into the shifting of the Agriculture Ministry situated at Rajamalwatte, to a building belonging to the D. P. Jayasinghe Group of Companies, at Rajagiriya, during the Yahapalana government.
The building was rented for a five-year period at a cost of over Rs 1 bn by the yahapalana government within months after the then President Maithripala Sirisena declared opened the 10-storey building complex.
The CIABOC yesterday morning recorded former yahapalana minister Gayantha Karunatilleke’s statement in connection with the investigation. Later in the day, CIABOC recorded the statement of SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabanadara. Earlier CIABOC summoned former ministers Thalatha Atukorale, Wajira Abeywardena and Lakshman Kiriella. At the time of the finalisation of the deal, KIriella was in the UNP.
Sources said that former PM and President Ranil Wickremesinghe, too, was likely to be questioned in this regard. Responding to The Island queries, sources pointed out even SJB leader Sajith Premadasa was expected to be questioned.
The then Speaker Karu Jayasuriya is on record as having said that the building was rented in keeping with a decision taken by the government and not Parliament.
The UNP-SLFP coalition shifted the Agriculture Ministry to accommodate 16 Sectoral Oversight Committees therein.
Although the government paid as much as Rs. 21.5 mn monthly rent to D.P.A. Jayasinghe Company, the Agriculture Ministry failed to move in for over a year. The then Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake sought Cabinet approval on Dec 1, 2015 to rent the building.
According to inquiries conducted earlier by the Presidential Commission appointed to probe state sector corruption, the Agriculture Ministry sought Cabinet approval for a new building after the then Prime Minister Wickremesinghe submitted a cabinet proposal on 21 September, 2015, to use the Agriculture Ministry building for Parliament’s sectoral oversight committees.
PM Wickremesinghe’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake has told the Commission that public funds could have been saved if the several vacant floors of Suhurupaya belonging to the Defence Ministry had been made available to the Agriculture Ministry.
By Shamindra Ferdinando ✍️
Railway sources said that the damages caused to railway tracks could be more than USD 300 mn.
According to UNDP Rapid Crisis Assessment Sri Lanka’s railroad system, over 278 km of railways were exposed to cyclone-related flooding, including 35 railroad bridges nationwide. This figure reflects flooding only, but other hazards (such as localised debris, landslides, or damage to a single bridge) can also disrupt operations, meaning that even relatively small obstructions can render long stretches of railway non-operational. Like road exposure, railway exposure limits mobility and the capacity of affected populations to access key services and infrastructure.
At the level of divisional secretariats, Colombo and Thimbirigasyaya in Colombo District, Ja Ela in Gampaha District, as well as Mannar Town and Nanaddan in Mannar District all registered over 10 km of exposed railways each.
Commissioner-General of Essential Services B.K. Prabath Chandrakeerthi is on record as having said that only 478 kilometers of Sri Lanka’s 1,593-km railway network were currently usable following extensive damage caused by the recent cyclone.
Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker arrived in Colombo yesterday (11) to underscore US interest in defence, trade and maritime security in line with their Indo-Pacific strategy.
The US embassy here issued the following statement: “Under Secretary Hooker will meet with Sri Lankan counterparts to discuss a wide range of bilateral issues, focused on deepening economic and commercial ties, strengthening defence cooperation, and supporting Sri Lanka’s economic and maritime sovereignty.
The United States and Sri Lanka share a strong and enduring partnership rooted in our mutual commitment to regional security, economic growth, and prosperity for our peoples. Through close cooperation on defence, trade, and maritime security, we are working together to advance a free, open, and resilient Indo-Pacific region.
As we continue to build on our strategic partnership, the United States also stands with the people of Sri Lanka as they respond to the devastating impacts of Cyclone Ditwah. We remain committed to working together to address both immediate challenges and long-term opportunities for our two nations, reflecting our ongoing commitment to the U.S.-Sri Lanka partnership.”
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern and Uva provinces and in Puttalam, Matale and Kurunegala districts
Rs 1. 3 bn yahapalana building deal under investigation
SL Railways suffers staggering losses; more than 2/3 of rail tracks out of service
US, SL advancing free, open, and resilient Indo-Pacific region: Embassy
Vetaran lankan artistes domiciled in UK felicitated in London ceremony
Forced disappearances, a contentious issue warranting NPP’s attention – FSP
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