News
GL sees govt. bid to wrest control of watchdog committees
Prof. G.L. Peiris, MP, yesterday (30), said that the prorogation of Parliament was primarily meant to disrupt three finance watchdog committees.
Addressing the media at the Nawala Office of Nidahasa Janatha Sabhawa, the former External Affairs Minister explained how the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government exploited Constitutional provisions to its advantage.
Declaring that nothing could be achieved by prorogating Parliament – a second time in seven months – Prof. Peiris alleged that the government was planning to replace Samagi Jana Balawegaya MPs, Prof. Harsha de Silva and Kabir Hashim, Chairpersons, Committee on Public Finance, and Committee on Public Accounts, respectively.
Pointing out that as many as 40 committees would be dissolved as a result of prorogation of Parliament, the academic alleged that the government pursued strategies at the expense of taxpayers’ money.
The group consisting of some rebel MPs, elected on the SLPP ticket, has aligned with other dissidents to contest the forthcoming Local Government polls under the symbol of the ‘Helicopter.’
Prof. Peiris questioned President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent declaration that he would fully implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution against the backdrop of all Provincial Councils being allowed to lapse.
The former minister challenged the government to conduct PC polls before a meaningless announcement was made. The SLPP National List MP accused the government of trying to divert public attention from the developing crisis.
Prof. Peiris lambasted the government over what he called unrealistic attempts to put off Local Government polls, claiming lack of funds and alleged threats directed at members of the Election Commission (SF)
News
Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56
Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing concerns over the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions.The letter was sent in his capacity as Patron of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus.
In his letter, Jayasuriya noted that at the time of Sri Lanka’s independence, political participation was largely limited to an educated, affluent land-owning elite. However, he said a significant social transformation took place after 1956, enabling ordinary citizens to enter politics.
He warned that under current conditions, removing parliamentary pensions would effectively confine politics to the wealthy, business interests, individuals engaged in illicit income-generating activities, and well-funded political parties. Such a move, he said, would discourage honest social workers and individuals of modest means from entering public life.
Jayasuriya also pointed out that while a small number of former MPs, including himself, use their pensions for social and charitable purposes, the majority rely on the pension as a primary source of income.
He urged the President to give due consideration to the matter and take appropriate action, particularly as the government prepares to draft a new constitution.The Bill seeking to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament was presented to Parliament on 07 January by Minister of Justice and National Integration Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara.
Five suspects, including former Minister Johnston Fernando and his two sons, who were arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), were further remanded until 30 January by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The former Minister’s , sons Johan Fernando and Jerome Kenneth Fernando, and two others, were arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of a Sathosa vehicle during Fernando’s tenure as Minister.
Investigations are currently underway into the alleged misuse of state property, including a lorry belonging to Lanka Sathosa, which reportedly caused a significant financial loss to the state.
In connection with the same incident, Indika Ratnamalala, who served as the Transport Manager of Sathosa during
Fernando’s tenure as Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade, was arrested on 04 January.
After being produced before the Wattala Magistrate’s Court, he was ordered to be remanded in custody until 09 January.The former Sathosa Transport Manager was remanded on charges of falsifying documents.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that indictments had been filed in the Colombo High Court against former Minister and NDF Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake over a corruption allegation.
The Bribery Commission notified the court when the case, in this regard, was taken up yesterday before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.
At the hearing, the CIABOC notified the court that indictments had been presented before the Colombo High Court against the accused.
Accordingly, concluding the proceedings before the Magistrate’s Court, the Magistrate ordered MP Dassanayake to appear before the High Court once a notice was issued.
Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56
Johnston, two sons and two others further remanded over alleged misuse of vehicle
CIABOC indicts MP Chamara Sampath in HC on bribery allegation
High-level discussion held to enhance Sri Lanka Agricultural Productivity with Chinese assistance
Prasanna’s travel ban lifted temporarily under enhanced bail and restrictions on guarantors
US Embassy reminds Lankans of strict American visa restrictions
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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