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Eran: 20A heavy blow to democracy

Published

5 years ago

2020/09/14

SJB MP Eran Wickremaratne said yesterday that the proposed 20th Amendment contained provisions which could deprive the citizens of their right to be heard in the lawmaking process.

Addressing the media at the Opposition Leader’s office in Colombo, MP Wickremaratne said that the proposed amendment sought to reduce the period of time a bill had to be made accessible to the public by being published in the gazette, before it could be placed on the order paper of Parliament from 14 to 7 days.

“It is Parliament that makes laws for a country. In some countries such as India and the US there are two chambers. To become a law, a bill should be passed by both chambers. So, people there have ample opportunities to question any new law. They could raise their concerns at the draft stage, at parliament stage and in some countries even after the bill is passed by parliament by going before the courts. In our country when the bill is passed by Parliament it becomes law. There is only one opportunity, which is during the draft stage. The procedure here is that the government gazettes the bill and after two weeks it is presented to Parliament for the

first reading. Thereafter there are 14 days for people to go before courts to question the constitutionality of the bill. The 20th Amendment seeks to remove this opportunity too. The government is trying to reintroduce the urgent bills on the pretext of national importance. The President could ask the court to give its opinion within 24 hours. The next day it could be presented in parliament and on the same evening it could be passed.”

Wickramaratne said that the proposed amendment sought to impose limitations on overly broad committee stage amendments to draft bills. The 20th amendment would allow the President to refer to the Supreme Court directly any bill certified by the Cabinet of Ministers as ‘urgent in the national interest’. The Supreme Court is then tasked to decide on the Constitutionality of the Bill within 24 hours or 72 hours depending on the instructions of the President There is no requirement to gazette “urgent bills”. This may result in a situation where citizens might not even know the contents of such Bills before it is passed by Parliament. “Citizens have no right to be heard in such proceedings. Currently, the Supreme Court can decide whether to allow a person to be heard “as may appear to the court to be necessary. The 20th amendment would change this.”

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Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi concludes State Visit to Sri Lanka

Published

14 hours ago

2025/04/6

Priyan

Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi departed today (06) from Air Force Base Anuradhapura concluding his State visit to Sri Lanka. The Indian Premier embarked on a tour to Sri Lanka at the invitation from President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

This visit underscores the enduring relationship encapsulated by the theme “Friendship of Centuries, Commitment to a Prosperous Future,” further solidifying the bonds between India and Sri Lanka.

This marks Prime Minister Modi’s fourth visit to Sri Lanka, which has further enhanced the economic, cultural, and historical relations between the two nations, while also reinforcing their multifaceted partnership. This visit by the Indian Prime Minister reinforces Sri Lanka’s important role in India’s “Neighbourhood First Policy” and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision concerning diplomatic relations.

This state visit is anticipated to yield significant results on various collaborative initiatives, fostering a path towards mutual growth and development. The citizens of Sri Lanka will soon be able to witness the fruitful outcomes of these partnerships, and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit will mark a significant milestone in the government’s pursuit of sustainable development focused on the needs of the people.

Accompanying Indian Prime Minister Modi were Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and a delegation of senior officials from the Indian government.

[PMD]

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President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system

Published

14 hours ago

2025/04/6

Priyan

The upgraded Maho–Omanthai railway line and the newly installed Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system were officially commissioned by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Anura Kumara Disanayake today (06)

The Prime Minister of India is currently visiting Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake, reinforcing the longstanding bond encapsulated in the theme “Friendship of Centuries Commitment to a Prosperous Future” between the two nations.

Highlighting one of the key aspects of this visit, the two leaders participated in these inaugural ceremonies. The President and the Prime Minister of India jointly unveiled the commemorative plaque and commissioned the railway line and signalling system.

The upgraded Maho-Omanthai Railway Line project was carried out with funding through the Indian Credit Line, totalling an investment of US$ 91.27 million. The Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system, established as a result of President Disanayake’s recent visit to India, was funded by the Indian Government at a cost of USD 14.89 million.

[PMD]

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Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

Published

14 hours ago

2025/04/6

Priyan

Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, along with President Anura Kumara Disanayake paid homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura this morning (06) and received blessings.

Following his visit to the sacred site, Prime Minister Modi proceeded to the Udamaluwa, where he met with the Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthanadhipathi and Chief Sanghanayake of Nuwarakalaviya, Most Venerable Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, for a cordial discussion.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister shared that relics of the Buddha were discovered in excavations conducted in his home state of Gujarat during the 1960s. He further stated that he would discuss with the President of Sri Lanka the possibility of exhibiting these sacred relics in Sri Lanka.

Responding to a request made by the Atamasthanadhipathi to develop Bodh Gaya as a spiritual city, Prime Minister Modi assured that he would take the necessary steps after discussions with President Disanayake and work towards making it a reality.

The Maha Sangha, led by the Atamasthanadhipathi, chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on the Indian Prime Minister.

The Indian Prime Minister also left a commemorative note in the special guest book at the site. In addition, he formally declared open the newly constructed ‘Makara Thorana’ within the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises.

The occasion was also attended by Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Maha Seya Temple Ven. Ethalawetunawewe Gnanathilaka Thera and other Atamasthana Viharadhipathi Theras, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, North Central Province Governor Wasantha Jinadasa, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and others.

[PMD]