News
Stalin assures of second shipment of essential commodities
Lankan High Commissioner to India, Milinda Moragoda, paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M.K. Stalin on Saturday (04) morning at the Chief Minister’s office in Chennai. The Chief Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Government Thiru Irai Anbuand and several other key State officials were present at the meeting, a press release issued by the High Commission said.
It said: This was the first time that a Lankan High Commissioner in New Delhi met with the Chief Minister of the State of Tamil Nadu after 2011.The courtesy call on the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu by the High Commissioner came as part of the latter’s plan to expand Lanka’s footprint at state level to promote greater interactions between Sri Lanka and the states of the Indian Union as stipulated in his policy road map the “Integrated Country Strategy for Sri Lanka Diplomatic Missions in India”.
At the outset, the Chief Minister extended a warm welcome to the Lankan High Commissioner. During the very cordial discussion that followed, the High Commissioner thanked the Chief Minister and the people of Tamil Nadu for the humanitarian assistance worth of LKR two billion that they recently extended to Sri Lanka to help it manage the current economic situation.In response, Chief Minister Stalin observed that he was concerned with the situation in Sri Lanka and had made arrangements to immediately dispatch the first shipment of essential commodities. He added that a second shipment is also in line to be dispatched and that a few more shipments are expected.
The High Commissioner and the Chief Minister discussed an array of areas pertaining to the relationship between Lanka and the State of Tamil Nadu, including the fishermen’s issue. The two dignitaries reviewed the ancient and strong ethnic, cultural and religious affinities between Tamil Nadu and Lanka and discussed the ways to further strengthen them. In this regard, Chief Minister Stalin requested that Lanka may wish to install a statue of the celebrated Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar in a suitable premise in Lanka, such as a university. The High Commissioner welcomed the suggestion made by the Chief Minister and undertook to support and facilitate this initiative.With a view to having a better coordination on all aspects of the relationship between Lanka and the State of Tamil Nadu, High Commissioner Moragoda requested the Chief Minister to designate a focal point at state level. High Commissioner Moragoda invited Chief Minister Stalin to visit Lanka as well.
High Commissioner Moragoda also presented a copy of the Tamil translation of the book containing his parliamentary speeches to the Chief Minister. The High Commissioner recalled how he had presented a copy of the same book to the father of Chief Minister Stalin, the late Thiru M. Karunanidhi, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, in 2006.High Commissioner Moragoda was accompanied by the Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Southern India Dr. D. Venkateshwaran, Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in New Delhi Niluka Kadurugamuwa and Second Secretary of the Deputy High Commission of Lanka in Chennai Supun Deshaprema to this meeting.
Ms Sajeewani Dilka Lakmali Karunannayake was sworn in as a Judge of the Court of Appeal before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (03).
She previously served as an Additional Solicitor General at the Attorney General’s Department.
The appointment has been made to fill a vacancy on the Court of Appeal.
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake was also present on the occasion.
(President’s Media Division)
Latest News
Sun directly overhead Madampe, Thorayaya, Thotagamuwa, Rattota and Kalavanchikudy about 12.09 noon today (03)
The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.
The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (03) are Madampe, Thorayaya, Thotagamuwa, Rattota and
Kalavanchikudy about 12.09 noon.
Attorney-at-Law Sugandhika Fernando, on behalf of the Vinivida Foundation, petitioned the Supreme Court yesterday (02), seeking a full bench, excluding Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, to hear the petitions challenging the 22nd Amendment Bill. She also requested that the hearing be suspended immediately until the matter was fully heard and determined.
Among the respondents are Chief Justice Surasena, the first respondent, and Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe. Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Shiran Gooneratne, Achala Wengappuli and Priyantha Fernando have also been named as respondents.
The petitioner has sought to have quashed the decision of the first respondent to appoint a five-member bench, which she alleged was made in violation of the norms of public law. She also sought a bench comprising all Supreme Court judges, excluding those cited as respondents, to hear the special determination applications on the 22nd Amendment.
The petitioner further contended that Chief Justice Surasena, who is due to retire on December 1, 2026, would be the main beneficiary of the 22nd Amendment.
The hearing of the petitions continued for a second day yesterday (02) before a five-member Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Achala Wengappuli, Arjuna Obeyesekere, Sampath Abeykoon and Gihan Kulatunga.
The hearing, which commenced on Tuesday morning, continued for nearly 12 hours, until 10:30 p.m.
Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne, appearing for the Attorney General, submitted yesterday that the Government had presented the 22nd Amendment Bill to the Constitution and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill with the objective of expanding and streamlining the country’s judicial system.
After the Solicitor General’s submissions concluded, counsel representing the petitioners requested an opportunity to respond to the Solicitor General and the intervening petitioners. However, the Chief Justice declined to allow the petitioners’ counsel to make further oral submissions, concluded the determination hearing and directed them to file written submissions instead.
New Court of Appeal Judge Sajeewani Dilka Lakmali Sworn In
India to host inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy in February
Sun directly overhead Madampe, Thorayaya, Thotagamuwa, Rattota and Kalavanchikudy about 12.09 noon today (03)
Afternoon thundershowers in the Northern, North-central, Eastern and Uva provinces in next few days, starting from today (03).
22A: SC urged to suspend hearing, appoint full bench
Govt. seeks NATO assistance
‘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
-
News7 days agoEight politicians in drug kingpin probe
-
Features5 days ago“Wrap Me Up in My Blazer”— A Gentlemanly Bradby Reminiscence
-
Business7 days agoSri Lanka opens up: A new season of direct connectivity
-
Features4 days agoWhen Sri Lankan stories find their own voice
-
Features7 days agoRedefining ageing in Sri Lanka
-
Editorial7 days agoThe toxic legacy of two lakes
-
Business7 days agoJaffna Teaching Hospital secures lifeline water supply via ADB-funded Thalaiyadi sea water desalination plant
-
Features5 days agoJVP/NPP government as seen from outside by Lionel Bopage now domiciled in Australia