News
Galle Face protesters deny meeting Prez
‘Won’t give up struggle until Rajapaksa leaves office’
The Galle Face protesters yesterday (02) said that the group that had met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa the previous day didn’t represent those demanding the resignation of the President and the Cabinet.
‘Black Cap Movement’, engaged in the ongoing campaign, in a statement issued on behalf of the Galle Face protesters, disowned the group that held discussions with President Rajapaksa at the President’s House.
The group reiterated that their original demand for the President to step down still stands. “We have nothing to discuss with the President or his representatives. We want the government to resign,” spokesperson Buddhi Karunaratne said.
Referring to a statement issued by the PMD following the purported meeting, Karunaratne said that it was a ruse to discredit the protest.
The spokesperson vowed that the struggle would continue till the President quit.
The PMD said on Wednesday (01) that the Confederation of Professionals for a National Policy, a group of professionals and youth involved in ‘Aragalaya’ presented a set of proposals outlining actions that should be taken to resolve the current political and economic situation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The PMD stated: ” Discussions focused on short, medium and long-term measures that should be taken to address the current political, social and economic crisis and the adoption of a new ‘people-friendly’ Constitution.
Subsequently studying the proposal, it was agreed to hold the next discussion within the next few days. President Rajapaksa said that several groups representing experts in various fields were ready to build the country and that he is ready to provide the necessary powers and resources to implement the positive plans of those groups.
The professionals pointed out that a development programme with specific targets should be provided to all Ministries annually and steps should be taken to review the progress towards those targets on a quarterly basis. The proposal calls for the removal of Ministers and Officials who fail to meet targets by the end of the year.
The discussion which was held under the patronage of Ven. Prof. Pathegama Gnanissara Thera and Shastrapathi Ven. Vitiyala Kavidhaja Thera was attended by Dr. Asoka Jayasena and Mr. Nelum Weragoda representing the Confederation of Professionals for a National Policy and a group of professionals and youth involved in ‘Aragalaya’.
Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Chief of Staff to the President Anura Dissanayake were also present during the discussion. “
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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