News
Ranil calls for everyone’s help to beat the virus
By Saman Indrajith
UNP leader and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday told Parliament that the pandemic was not an issue that should be politicised and all should extend their support to the government to save the lives of people.
“All of us must join hands to overcome this crisis. The Cabinet should act fast without leaving that responsibility to a task force appointed for this purpose. In that sense, I regret to say that I share the remarks made by the Director General of Health Services with regard to the performance of the Task Force and I agree with them.
He said that as per the latest reports, the Delta variant of the coronavirus was spreading fast the world over. “The spreading of the virus at this speed is in progress while we have started administering vaccines nationally. We still have no idea how this virus was spreading fast. We must take action immediately to prevent the South African strain of the virus entering this country.
“I am telling you all that we still can manage this crisis. There is no need to follow the procedures in emergency purchasing of oxygen. The government can bring it to parliament for approval. We will approve it. This is a national crisis. We as a nation have faced many crises in the past successfully. We can deploy our armed forces to streamline our approach to tackle the problem. Some hospitals are overflowing with patients. The army had its own field hospitals and if they were not sufficient they could set up such hospitals fast. The order should be given to the army and engineers to set up such hospitals. If we cannot find material we must use roofing sheets and cadjan to build temporary hospitals and reduce congestion in hospitals.
” The Prime Minister is here and those who acted in unison to help this country survive the tsunami disaster can recall that we could do so in a couple of days. Likewise, we all must join hands to overcome this crisis without trying to settle political scores.”
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.
[Aljazeera]
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
Mandhana, Shafali and Ghosh lead dominant India to Asian Games gold
Fatima Sana and Umm-e-Hani secure bronze for Pakistan in Asian Games
India bat first in Asian games womens cricket final
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
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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