News
Max Planck Foundation holds good governance workshop for Sectoral Oversight Committee members
Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law recently held a workshop on good governance for the members of the Sectoral Oversight Committees.
Speaker, (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne said at the inauguration of the two-day orientation programme for the members of the Sectoral Oversight Committee: “It is essential that parliamentary committees are equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools to carry out the law-making process more effectively and uphold the principles of good governance.”
Wickramaratne emphasised that in order to make the legislative process effective, it is essential that Parliamentary Committees are equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools while safeguarding the principles of good governance.
The Speaker said so at the opening session of a two-day conference aimed at raising awareness among Members of Parliament serving in Sectoral Oversight Committees on the existing procedures and methods related to the legislative process.
The orientation for the members of the Sectoral Oversight Committee was organised by the Parliament of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law, and was held in Parliament under the patronage of the Speaker.
Speaker, Wickramaratne stated that the experiences gained through this conference would enable Members of Parliament to carry out the functions of Sectoral Oversight Committees more successfully. He extended his gratitude to the Max Planck Foundation for their continued cooperation in strengthening democratic institutions in Sri Lanka and pointed out that their commitment to promoting the rule of law and good governance has contributed to enhancing the capacity of the Sri Lankan Parliament.
The conference featured contributions from Professor Enrico Albanesi of the University of Genoa, Praveen Chacko Ninan, Research Fellow at the Max Planck Foundation, and Legal Advisor Methmini Wijesinghe of the same foundation.
Delivering the keynote address, Praveen Chacko Ninan discussed the technical methods applicable to legislative activities and briefed the Members of Parliament on how to analyze and review draft bills. He also introduced practical technical methodologies and standards for evaluating draft legislation.
Furthermore, Professor Enrico Albanesi elaborated on how draft legislation should be reviewed in accordance with the rule of law. He educated the Members on relevant legal norms, various guidelines, and fundamental principles applicable to such evaluations.
Among those present at the event were Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilleka, Members of Parliament, Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary-General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne, Director Legislative Services / Director Communication (Acting) M. Jayalath Perera, along with officials representing the Offices of the Leader of the House, the Chief Government Whip, and the Leader of the Opposition.
A group of Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) members, including its Leader Mano Ganesan, met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Thursday (02) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
Extensive discussions were held on the issues faced by the Malayagam communities, particularly in relation to education, housing and land, as well as on the urgent measures required to address these concerns. The President paid special attention to all these matters.
Attention was also drawn to the recruitment of qualified Tamil-medium teachers to address the teacher shortage in estate sector schools and this too was discussed at length.
Members of Parliament P. Digambaram and V. Radhakrishnan, along with several other party members, were present at the meeting.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, held talks with Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Andrey Rudenko at the Foreign Ministry, in Colombo, on Thursday (02), with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
The Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the visiting Russian Deputy Minister noted that Russia regarded Sri Lanka as a long-standing friend.
Rudenko assured that Russia stood ready to support Sri Lanka when required, including in the swift supply of Russian oil to help address the current energy challenges, encouraging Russian investors to explore new opportunities in the country and promoting increased tourist arrivals.
He also expressed Russia’s readiness to provide compensation for Sri Lankan war veterans who had lost their lives in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Minister Herath welcomed Russia’s willingness to assist, emphasising that Sri Lanka valued the support extended by its “old friend”, particularly at a time when the country was facing pressing energy needs.
He noted that the two countries shared nearly seven decades of diplomatic relations and said the present moment provided an opportunity to further strengthen ties, including through long-term trade agreements.
The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in the fields of energy, investment, tourism and diplomacy, with both sides reiterating their commitment to further deepen the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and Russia.
Police yesterday arrested 157 foreign nationals in connection with an alleged organised online financial scam, conducted from a hotel in the Iranawila area in Chilaw.
The suspects were taken into custody during a raid carried out by the Police while they were staying at the hotel in Iranawila.
Police said the arrested group included 143 nationals from China, 13 from Bangladesh and one from Vietnam.
Investigators suspect the group had been involved in a coordinated online financial scam, targeting victims through digital platforms.
The suspects are being detained for further questioning while investigations are continuing to determine the full extent of the operation and whether additional individuals were involved.Police said further inquiries are underway.
By Norman Palihawadane
World Cup 2026: Italy’s football chief resigns after qualifying failure
Iran says it downed two US jets as search for one pilot continues
Showers above75 mm are likely at some places in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, North-central and Eastern provinces after 1.00 p.m.
Artemis II crew take ‘spectacular’ image of Earth
White House to ask Congress for record-breaking $1.5 trillion defence budget
Members of the TPA meet with President Dissanayake
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News4 days agoTariff shock from 01 April as power costs climb across the board
-
News2 days ago2025 GCE AL: 62% qualify for Uni entrance; results of 111 suspended
-
News5 days agoInquiry into female employee’s complaint: Retired HC Judge’s recommendations ignored
-
Features6 days agoWhen seabed goes dark: The Persian Gulf, cable sabotage, and race for space-based monopoly
-
Features5 days agoNew arithmetic of conflict: How the drone revolution is inverting economics of war
-
Business3 days agoHour of reckoning comes for SL’s power sector
-
Editorial2 days agoSearch for Easter Sunday terror mastermind
-
Sports5 days agoSri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup heroes to play exhibition match in Kuala Lumpur