News
Basil to decide whether he re-enters Parliament – Mahinda
by Norman Palihawadana
Though Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP) members have unanimously called for the party’s political strategist to return to Parliament through the National List, Basil Rajapaksa has still not made up his mind whether he should take to active politics again, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said.
“It is an entirely a matter left to Basil Rajapaksa to decide on, despite a popular demand from SLPP parliamentarians for him to return to parliament to serve the nation”, he told The Sunday Island.
According to political observers, SLPP National List member, Jayantha Ketagoda will step down to make way for Basil Rajapaksa to re-enter parliament.
Though some members of the opposition are showing intense interest in the matter, Basil Rajapaksa himself has still not decided whether he should enter parliament as an MP of the present government, the premier said.
“We are still waiting for him (Basil Rajapaksa) to decide. Perhaps, he needs more time to make up his mind whether to accept the offer or not”, he further said.
Polling the highest number of preferential votes from the Gampaha district in the 2010 parliamentary election, Basil Rajapaksa served as the Minister of Economic Development during President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s second term (2010–2015).
Under the 19th Amendment to the Constitution adopted during the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe regime, Basil Rajapaksa was debarred from contesting the August 2020 parliamentary polls as he is a dual citizen. However, with the passage of the 20th Amendment, he is now qualified to serve as an MP.
On the forthcoming budget, the Prime Minister said the government will offer relief to the masses to cushion the cost of living burden.
Asked about plans for his 74th birthday on November 18, Rajapaksa said the focus will be largely on religious observances, apart from focusing on development initiatives.
“We will be launching many more development projects on this day, including projects to provide pipe-borne drinking water to many areas of Gampaha district, a long-felt need, which had remained neglected over the years”, he added.
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.
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‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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