News
Ranil claims arrest of MP Bathiudeen not done according to procedure
By Saman Indrajith
Leader of the UNP Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament yesterday that the executive action hindering the functioning of the legislature was against parliamentary principles.
Wickremesinghe said that the use of police force by the executive to suppress the MPs was against Westminster parliamentary traditions and amounted to a breach of the parliamentary privileges of MPs. “It is a known fact in British Parliamentary system to inform Parliament first before arresting an MP. This tradition is the practice the world over since 1642. Parliament that exercises the legislative power of the people should be free from the influences of the Executive,” the UNP leader said.
The former Prime Minister raised concerns with recent attempts to question MP Harin Fernando over a statement made by him in Parliament regarding the Easter Sunday attack.
UNP Leader Wickremesinghe said that MP Fernando’s comments made following the
Easter Sunday attacks had been dealt with by a Presidential Commission of Inquiry. “There is only one conclusion, they want to intimidate him”, he said.
He said that there were attempts to intimidate and detain MPs raising concerns that the rights of the House were being infringed upon by the recent detention of MP Rishad Bathiudeen.
Wickremesinghe said that while the Parliament does not request immunity from arrest, if required by law, the House must be informed of the cause of the detention of an MP.
UNP leader Wickremesinghe explained that the current detention of MP Bathiudeen had been done without providing a cause for the arrest to the Parliament.
He added that it went against the rights of the House, which required the cause for a detention of a Member to be presented to the House.
The former Prime Minister urged the Speaker to safeguard the Parliament by safeguarding the rights of its Members and the powers of the Cabinet, who are ultimately responsible to Parliament.
Wickremesinghe asked that the Speaker provide a ruling on those matters raised while also urging that it be referred to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the International Parliament Union.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) relating to the project to provide technological solutions to prevent wild elephants from being hit by trains was signed yesterday (01) afternoon at the President’s Media Centre, under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Coordinated through the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, the project is being implemented as a public-private partnership, with the Railway Department, the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Forest Conservation Department working together, with full financial support from People’s Bank.
The system consists of three-beam detection, passive infrared (PIR) sensors, automatic temperature sensors and a tamper alarm system to detect animals weighing more than 20 kilogrammes and unauthorised interference. Signal lights (red/yellow/green) installed on either side of the railway tracks, together with a special screen installed inside the locomotive cab, will alert the driver in advance to the exact location of an elephant.
A demonstration test of the system was successfully conducted at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage premises in the presence of the relevant officials, following which a report on the system was prepared.
The system will be implemented as a pilot project from next month at 13 locations where wild elephant accidents are frequent. A newly developed website is also scheduled to be launched to enable the progress of the project to be viewed live.
Additional General Manager of Railways P.D.S.B. Chandrasena, Director General of Wildlife Conservation M.S.L.R.P. Marasinghe, Conservator General of Forests S.C. Palamakuumbura and Chairman of People’s Bank Chandana Guniyangoda signed the relevant MoU. Officials from the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, including Presidential Additional Secretary (Clean Sri Lanka) Engineer S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, as well as senior officials from the Railway Department, Department of Wildlife Conservation, Forest Conservation Department and People’s Bank, were also present.
[President’s Media Division]
The Commissioner General of Examinations has announced that the results of the 2026 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination have been released online, and can be viewed on the department’s official website: www.doenets.lk
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed Sri Lanka on Monday, 31 August, to undertake an official visit to Bhutan to participate in the Global Conscious Food Systems Summit, scheduled to be held in Bhutan.
During her visit, Prime Minister Dr Amarasuriya participated in the opening plenary of the Summit on 1 September, where she delivered a keynote address under the theme “Rising to the Moment: Igniting Consciousness to Address the Polycrisis.”
The Prime Minister will also engage in discussions with international leaders and representatives on strengthening cooperation towards sustainable food systems, food security and resilient communities.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Nilakshika fifty, Athapaththu seven-for rescue Sri Lanka against Indonesia
Winners to receive medals at Western Province School Games after many years
MoU signed for technology to prevent wild elephant-train collisions
Grade 5 scholarship exam results released
Prime Minister participates in Global Conscious Food Systems Summit in Bhutan
Bouchier century sets England up for record 282-run chase against Ireland
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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