News
IGP Jayasundara had passed down Indian intelligence received about impending suicide attacks to five DIGs
By Chitra Weerarathne
The Inspector General of Police, who was in office in April 2019, upon receiving Indian Intelligence reports, had passed over the unverified information to the Senior DIG of the Western Province and four other DIGs of the province, Counsel Viran Corea told the Supreme Court yesterday. He appeared for the retired IGP Pujith Jayasundara a respondent in the petitions filed on behalf of victims of the Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks of 21 April 2019.
The then IGP had told his junior officers not to frighten the general public. He had also held the view that the tourist industry should not be affected by that information which was unconfirmed.
The then IGP instructed his officers to investigate the issue. The information he had received was that the Catholic Churches were likely to be attacked by Islamic extremists. However, no mention had been made of the Kochchikade Church of Colombo 12 and the Katuwapitiya Church in Negombo, the Counsel explained.
Counsel Corea stressed that it was not a question of negligence on the part of Jayasundera.
Solicitor General Priyantha Narvana, President’s Counsel and Senior Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris appeared for the Attorney General.
Faizer Mustapha PC, appearing for retired President Maithripala Sirisena, also made a respondent in the petition.
The seven- judge Supreme Court Bench hearing the petitions comprises Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justice Buwaneka Aluwihare, Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya, Justice Murdhu Fernando, Justice S. Thurarajah, Justice A. H.M.D. Nawaz and Justice A.L. Shiran Gooneratne.
News
Ministerial committee appointed to review and further enhance ‘State Commercial Enterprises Management draft bill’
It has been recognized that the state enterprises should be re – structured and maintained with proper administration with the assistance of local or foreign investments without being a continuous burden to the General Treasury and the country’s economy. Therefore, it is the policy of the new government to introduce an efficient and accountable mechanism in the regard. An initial draft named “State Commercial Enterprises Management Draft Bill” has been already prepared to introduce a new legal framework required for maintaining after performing necessary restructuring and with proper management of government owned business companies. Thereon, it will be possible to totally free the state entrepreneurship establishments from political influences and appoint professionals with proficiency for its board of directors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Plan Implementation and Economic Development to grant policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for the said initial draft and appoint a special committee with the following composition to submit appropriate proposals for further enhancing after reviewing the initial draft:
• Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and the Deputy Minister of Economic Development – (Chairman)
• Hon. Sunil Handunneththi Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship
• Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co – operative Development
• Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Sooriyapperuma Deputy Minister of Finance Plan Implementation
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice and National Integration to appoint Thilak Nandana Hettiarachchi, a special grade officer in Sri Lanka Administrative Service who served in the post of Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Buddha Shasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, to the post of Commissioner General of Official Languages with immediate effect.
News
Cabinet gives green light for the introduction of new laws and amendment of existing acts in regard to the subject area of the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Facilities
As revising the existing acts and formulation of new acts within the year of 2025 has been recognized as a necessity, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the proposal furnished by the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Facilities to include introduction of the following new laws and amendment of acts to the government laws formulation programme for the year 2025.
• Amendment of Tea, Rubber and Coconut Estates (Control of Fragmentation) Act No. 2 of 1958
• Amendment of Samumyamoothi Thandaman Memorial Foundation Act No. 19 of 2005
• Amendment of Tea Shakthi Fund Act No. 47 of 2000
• Amendment of Tea Control Act No. 51 of 1957
• Amendment of Rubber Control Act No. 11 of 1956
• Introduction of a new act named Plantation Management Act
• Introduction of a new act to entrust the Department of Rubber Development with powers of the Thurusaviya Societies.
• Introduction of amendments to Coconut Development Act No. 46 of 1971 so that new regulations can be included to the act
• Amendments related to Tea Board Act No 14 of 1975 and regulations
Ministerial committee appointed to review and further enhance ‘State Commercial Enterprises Management draft bill’
Thilak Nandana Hettiarachchi appointed Commissioner General of Official Languages
Cabinet gives green light for the introduction of new laws and amendment of existing acts in regard to the subject area of the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Facilities
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