News
Easter Sunday carnage: Alles admits PCoI named SDIG
By Saman Indrajith
Public Security Minister Tiran Alles admitted in Parliament yesterday (21) that the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on 2019 Easter Sunday carnage had referred to Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena, the then head of State Intelligence Service (SIS) as one those against whom the PCoI recomemnded the Attorney General to inquire into.
Making a special statement, Minister Alles said that he had errored in Parliament the previous day when he declared PCoI didn’t mention the SDIG’s name. The Minister said:”In response to MP Hector Appuhamy, I said SDIG’s Nilantha Jayawardena’s name was not there in the Presidential Commission report. That was a mistake. Jayawardena’s name isthere in the report, but that reference was not a charge. The commission recommended to the AGl to consider whether action should be taken against him.”
MP Appuhamy raised a point of order, but the Speaker said that there was no need of further debating the matter which had been put to rest by the minister with his apology.
However, MP Appuhamy shouted that the Speaker wanted to hide facts by not giving time for opposition MPs. “The Minister is better than the Speaker and admitted that he made a mistake. The Speaker does not allow us to speak the truth. This sends wrong messages to society and that is why people attack us on the roads. I need to rectify the statement of the minister. The report does not tell the Attorney General to consider action. It recommends court proceedings against Jayawardena under a suitable provision of the Penal Code. That is the truth. How long are you going to keep hiding the truth,” the MP queried.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Trump to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Machado at the White House
Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
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