News
“Rulers have lost ability to govern”
“Premature dissolution possible”
JVP demands an election
by Sirimantha Rathnasekera
The JVP, claiming current constitutional provisions enable a premature dissolution, last week called for immediate dissolution of parliament and holding an election since the ruling party has lost governing control of the country.
JVP Central Committee Member and Legal Advisor, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala, told the Sunday Island that the government has proved to be a failure and it should hold elections so that the people could elect a party or an alliance which could rescue the nation from the present crisis.
He said that an election can be conducted after dissolving Parliament by passing a resolution with a simple majority under the 20th Amendment. He claimed 20A contained provisions enabling the dissolving of parliament and the forming of a new government at a time like this.
“In President J.R. Jayewardene’s time Parliament could be dissolved one year after a general election. That changed under the 19th amendment. Under 19A, Maithripala Sirisena couldn’t dissolve Parliament until four-and-a-half years of the previous election. But there was a small loophole that allowed Parliament to be dissolved before four and a half years. Parliament can pass a resolution to that effect. But that needs to be passed with a two-thirds majority. Only then can Parliament be dissolved,” Watagala said.
He said that the provisions relating to dissolving parliament were under Article 70 (1). “As per the latest amendments introduced to the Constitution under the incumbent government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the President may, from time to time, by proclamation summon, prorogue and dissolve Parliament.
Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (d), the President shall not dissolve Parliament until the expiration of a period unless Parliament adopts a resolution requesting the President to dissolve Parliament,” he said.
“Under the 19th amendment, a two-thirds majority is needed (for that). Under the latest amendment, whenever the term two-thirds majority isn’t specified, it is interpreted as requiring only a simple majority,” Watagala said.
He said that if the President can’t run the country properly and if the Parliament is not accountable to the people, a dissolution and new election is possible (even) with a simple majority.
“Parliament should take this serious situation into consideration and do what is necessary,” Watagala declared.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
Lanka Premier League draft set to take place on March 22
Trump to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Machado at the White House
Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
Expressions of Interest called to develop selected locations within the Pelawatte Sugar Factory premises
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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