News
House committee to probe assault claim levelled by State Minister Diana Gamage against MP Sujith Perera
By Saman Indrajith
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday (20) informed the Parliament that a committee has been established to address the allegations made by State Minister Diana Gamage, who claims that Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Sujith Sanjaya Perera assaulted her outside the Chambers earlier in the day.
The Committee led by Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakse includes MP Chamal Rajapaksa, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, MP Gayantha Karunatilleka, and MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar.
The Speaker has instructed this Committee to thoroughly investigate the alleged incident taking into account the information and complaints provided by both parties, and promptly submit a report on the matter.
Addressing the Parliament earlier in the day, State Minister Gamage accused MP Perera of assaulting her outside the Chambers, near the Parliament’s library. She called upon the Speaker of Parliament to initiate an investigation and pledge to take legal action against MP Perera.
Subsequently, Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakse adjourned the parliamentary session for 10 minutes at the request of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.
When the session resumed, Chief Opposition Whip SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella reported that the Opposition MPs had met with Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, presenting video footage showing Diana Gamage using inappropriate language towards an Opposition MP and behaving disruptively.
MP Sujith Perera defended himself, stating that he had witnessed a heated argument between Diana Gamage and his fellow MP Rohana Bandara. When he tried to intervene, the State Minister allegedly attacked him, and he claimed to have acted in self-defense. He also suggested reviewing CCTV footage for a clear understanding of the incident and urged the Deputy Speaker to conduct a fair investigation.
Meanwhile, MP Rohana Bandara accused State Minister Gamage of following him and verbally attacking him near an elevator, asserting the need for self-defence when insulted and attacked.
News
Cabinet nod to increase the number of new automated passenger clearance gates at the Bandaranayake International Airport to 12
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 19.05.2025 to purchase four (04) automated passenger clearance gates for Bandaranayake International Airport.
In addition, it is expected to extend the automated passenger clearance gates facility so far given only to the Sri Lankans
parallel to the e – passport issuance system to be introduced in the year 2027 also to the foreigners who travel to and from this country.
Furthermore, considering also the number of air passengers rapidly increasing with the fast – forwarding business and tourism field, the appropriateness to increase the total automated passenger clearance gates up to twelve (12) in number has been recognized.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers, approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to initiate the procurement and installation of 12
automated passenger clearance gates altogether with the already approved four (04) and another eight (08) automated passenger clearance gates adhering to the formal procurement procedure
News
Draft Bill for amending the Trust Ordinance
Based on the observations submitted by the Task Force on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing for Terrorism, approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 18.12.2024 to amend the Trust Ordinance No. 9 of 1917 including amendments proposed by the Financial
Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Accordingly, clearance of the Attorney General has been granted for the Trust (Amendment) Draft Bill formulated by the Legal Draftsman.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Justice and National Integration
to publish the said draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereby, submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
News
Implementing further relief programme to Public sffected by the Middle East conflict situation
Action was taken to provide a fuel relief for the fuel consumers during the months of April, May and June of 2026 to redress by minimizing the impact caused to the day today life of the citizens of this country as well as the entire economy due to the price hike of petroleum fuel in the global market resulting from the war situation in the Middle East.
Government mediation is essential for minimizing the impact on the day to today life of citizens in this country due to that war situation not being ended further. Therefore, it has been planned to redress on the sale price for Auto Diesel and Industrial Diesel for a period of 03 months by the Government to provide relief to the public as well as to maintain the prices at a bearable level to the consumers without escalating the fuel prices in this country compared to the escalation of fuel prices
in the international market.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to
allocate provisions subject to the monthly limitations respectively as rupees 15 billion for the month of October, rupees 13.5 billion for the month of November and rupees 12.15 billion for the month of December to provide the said relief
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