News
Thai PM to visit SL
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin is scheduled to undertake a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka from 03 – 04 Feb at the invitation of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The Thai Prime Minister will participate at the ceremony to mark the 76th Anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka as Guest of Honour, the Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry said yesterday.
The Thai Prime Minister is scheduled to have official discussions with President Wickremesinghe, and witness the signing of the historic Sri Lanka – Thailand Free Trade Agreement (SLTFTA). The Free Trade Agreement will be signed by Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand and Nalin Fernando, Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security of Sri Lanka. The SLTFTA is expected to boost trade and investment ties between the two countries and promote deeper integration with ASEAN economies. Additionally, the two sides are expected to renew the Air Services Agreement and conclude a Memorandum of Understanding between the Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute of Sri Lanka and The Gem and Jewellery Institute of Thailand.
A Sri Lanka- Thailand Business Forum organized by the Department of International Trade Promotion and Department of Trade Negotiations of the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand and the Department of Commerce and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka will also take place at the Kingsbury Hotel during the visit.
The Thai Prime Minister will be accompanied by a 39-member delegation including Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Jakkapong Sangmanee, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and a top-level business delegation.
The High Court has convicted 14 of the 24 men accused of being directly involved in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed 279 people.
The three-judge bench read out its decision on Tuesday after a five-year trial and said sentencing would take place later, the AFP news agency reported.
The charges included murder and conspiracy to commit terrorism.
Nine others were acquitted, while another defendant was found guilty of only some of the charges, the court said.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The ruling NPP yesterday (21) dismissed claims of a widening rift, within the government, over the proposed 22nd Amendment. Asked whether the NPP was concerned over a section of the Opposition alleging Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and two dozen MPs taking a view contrary to that of the party in this regard, authoritative party sources said some persons were propagating speculation for their own interest.
Declaring that there was absolutely no issue regarding the controversial Amendment, sources emphasised once it was tabled in Parliament, it would be passed with 2/3 majority.
Sources dismissed claims that out of its 159-member parliamentary group a section of NPPers was opposed to the government move. According to an influential Opposition activist, there are 57 JVPers and 66 NPPers in the government group and the rest contested the last parliamentary polls, having aligned with the JVP.
Ministerial sources told The Island that the government was confident of going ahead with the 22nd Amendment and Judicature (Amendment) Bills. Sources said that the NPP was not bothered about the Opposition protests in and outside Parliament.
Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne is expected to disclose the confidential ruling that he received from the Supreme Court in respect of more than 65 petitions for and against the 22nd Amendment and Judicial Amendment Bills. The enactment of the 22nd Amendment would pave the way for extending the retirement age of Supreme Court judges, from 65 to 67 years, and Court of Appeal judges, from 63 to 65 years.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Court of Appeal Judge Mayadunna Sri Mevan Anthony Edirimannasuriya Corea as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal.
The appointment has been made as President’s Counsel Nalin Rohantha Abeysuriya, who currently serves as President of the Court of Appeal, will be overseas until the 24th.
Accordingly Justice Mayadunna Corea was sworn in as Acting President of the Court of Appeal before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential secretariat last morning (21).
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake was also present at the occasion.
High Court convicts 14 over deadly Easter bombings
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Showers about 100mm will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara Districts
Govt. confident of 2/3 majority despite NPP split speculation
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