News
AG tells Supreme Court:
‘Passage of Port City Bill needs only simple majority’
by Chitra Weerarathne and A.J.A. Abeynayake
The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court yesterday that the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill did not contain any provisions inconsistent with the Constitution, and therefore it did not need either a two-thirds majority in Parliament or public approval at a referendum for passage.
The Supreme Court yesterday (23) concluded the consideration of petitions challenging the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill.
The petitions were taken up before a five-judge bench consisting of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justice Buwaneka Aluvihare, Justice Priyantha Jayawardena, Justice Murdhu Fernando, and Justice Janak de Silva.
The decision of the five-judge bench will be conveyed to the Speaker of Parliament in due course.
The Port City Economic Commission Bill was designed to promote the economy of the country by encouraging the foreign investors to invest profitably in the new zone, titled “The Port City”, Farzana Jameel, Additional Solicitor General President’s Counsel explained to the court.
The ASG submitted that the Special Economic Zone created an entity with a multitude of functions, controlled by the Port City Economic Commission.
Jameel appeared for the Attorney General.
The administrative function of the zone would be handled by the Commission with the approval of the Regulatory Authority, the ASG explained.
The licensing process involving banking in the Port City would be perused by the Port City Economic Commission in accordance with the Banking Act of Sri Lanka with permission of the Monetary Board of Sri Lanka.
The Port City Economic Commission was meant for a period of forty years, the Additional Solicitor General explained to the Supreme Court.
This Bill was for the betterment of the country. Foreign investors would be encouraged to invest. Sri Lanka would derive a good profit from their investments.
The government had made arrangements, by the Bill for investments to come swiftly, invest swiftly within the country’s laws, the court was told.
The Bill envisaged nothing outside the law of the land, the AG’s representative maintained.
The activities of the Port City Economic Commission would be controlled by the Minister in charge, and decisively and finally by the President, she said.
Nearly 20 petitions have been submitted against the Draft Bill by parties including Chairman of UNP Vajira Abeywardena, UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara, former JVP MP Wasantha Samarasinghe, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), the Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA), General Secretary of SJB Ranjith Madduma Bandara, and Chairman of the IT Professionals Association G. Kapila Renuka.
Chairman of SLPP Prof. G. L. Peiris, SLPP General Secretary Attorney at Law Sagara Kariyawasam, and the legal association of the SLPP have filed intervenient petitions.
The petitioners, claiming that certain clauses of the relevant Bill have violated the country’s Constitution, are seeking a court order ruling that a two-thirds majority in Parliament and people’s approval at a referendum are necessary for the passage of the Bill.
News
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
A meeting between Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and relevant ministry officials was held on Tuesday (08) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the development plans to be implemented in Sri Lanka under three zones, in collaboration with the Surbana Jurong Institute of Singapore and 18 Ministries.
During the meeting it was discussed in detail regarding the plans for the Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project. The officials from Singapore-based urban planning and infrastructure consultancy Surbana Jurong also joined the discussion virtually.
Progress reports on the three projects were reviewed in detail and Dr. Kumanayake instructed the officials to identify any deficiencies and finalize the necessary actions within the next two weeks.
The discussion also addressed delays in securing necessary approvals for investments under the existing regulatory framework, as well as the urgent need to revise certain legislative instruments to better facilitate national development.
The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russel Aponsu, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing U.G. Ranjith Ariyaratne, and several senior officials from the respective ministries.
News
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for 09 April 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, and Western provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned below is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).
Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.
The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.
The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.
Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
IPL 2025: Sensational Priyansh Arya condemns Chennai Super Kings to another loss
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
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