News
Cabinet approves draft Bill to repeal PTA: PM
Sri Lanka will fulfill the pledges made to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told Parliament on Friday.He said that steps are being taken to release the remaining LTTE detainees and the repealing of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) is in the final stage These are two demands made by the UNHRC for many years, he added.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe will provide the necessary guidance in releasing LTTE detainees who have been languishing in prison for a long time,the PM said.
“The draft bill to repeal the PTA has been approved by the Cabinet. It will be presented to the Parliament soon,” he said.Commenting on the outcome of the recent UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister said the country was not isolated internationally. About 20 countries abstained from voting to honor their international and domestic policies, he said.
“Their decision at the UNHRC will not affect trade, aid or any other matter concerning Sri Lanka,” he said.
Meanwhile, opposition MP, former foreign minister Prof. GL Peiris said the resolution on Sri Lanka was adopted because the country failed to fulfill its pledges to the international community.Sri Lanka has failed to obtain the support of countries like Qatar, UAE and Asian countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, Prof. Peiris said. This should be a serious concern, he stressed.
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) has announced a reduction in the prices of Petrol 92 and Petrol 95, effective from midnight today (30).
The price of Petrol 92 has been reduced by Rs. 15 per litre, from Rs. 414 to Rs. 399 while the price of Petrol 95 Octane has been reduced by Rs. 20 per litre, from Rs. 495 to Rs. 475
There will be no change in the prices of diesel, Super Diesel and kerosene under the latest revision.
The book “Rathuwewi Mihimadala”, written based on the life story of Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Leader of the Democratic Left Front, was launched on Friday [August 28] at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Speaking to the media afterwards about Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:
“Vasudeva Nanayakkara is a prominent figure in Sri Lankan politics, particularly within the left-wing political movement. There were several influential figures within the left movement, and that left-wing influence also contributed to bringing the country to where it is today. Politically, there were areas where we agreed and areas where we did not. However, I have great respect for the contribution made by Vasudeva Nanayakkara to left-wing politics. When I entered Parliament in 2020, Vasudeva Nanayakkara was also in Parliament. We sat in the same row, and we spoke about many important as well as interesting moments in his political career. I believe some of these experiences have also been included in this book.”
The event was attended by members of the Maha Sangha, Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara, former President Maithripala Sirisena, former Speakers Karu Jayasuriya and Chamal Rajapaksa, as well as party members, family members and friends.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Latest News
Sun directly overhead Mannar, Periyamadu, Puliyankulam, Welioya and Pulmoddai about 12.11 noon today (30)
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 (30) are Mannar, Periyamadu, Puliyankulam, Welioya and
Pulmoddai about 12.11 noon.
Petrol to cost less from midnight today (30)
Head teacher evacuated 900 children minutes before school washed away by Nepal floods
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