News
Liberal Party demands that President and PM must go
The Liberal Party in a statement issued last week called for the resignation of the president and prime minister in the context of the present country situation blaming the “Rajapaksa trio of the president, PM and Basil” for the failure of the administration.
It appealed to the government to maintain tolerance and restraint saying the agitation countrywide are a direct result of the mismanagement, corruption, nepotism, cronyism and failure of understanding the aspirations of today’s youth.
Despite the gap between 2015-2019, the Rajapaksa policies together with those of the “Yahapalana” regime contributed to continued macroeconomic mismanagement leading to the present situation.
Liberals expected ongoing shortages of fertilizer, fuel, gas, electricity, milk food, medicine including medical support equipment and breakdown of public and private transport will last for some time creating a crisis in the governing body and public life.
The immediate solution to the crisis is for the president and prime minister to step down as soon as possible, as demanded by the protesters, creating space for an interim administration in accordance with the constitution. Both could step down within a set time frame and not together, the statement said.
It expressed the view that there is no ready answer to the demand that all 225 MPs must also go as they too have contributed to the present mess. This is because they are representatives of the people. A proposed interim government may hold a general election in due course to enable election of untainted politicians to Parliament.
The people are demanding the confiscation of politicians’ loot and a first step towards this should be declaration of assets by parliamentarian and high officials. Reforms in the financial, banking, administrative and legal systems are needed. Violence during the agitation must be abhorred.
The statement expressed the Liberal Party’s appreciation of the dedication and commitment of the young protesters and warned that if this situation persists there will be a clear descent to anarchy.
The High Court has convicted 14 of the 24 men accused of being directly involved in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed 279 people.
The three-judge bench read out its decision on Tuesday after a five-year trial and said sentencing would take place later, the AFP news agency reported.
The charges included murder and conspiracy to commit terrorism.
Nine others were acquitted, while another defendant was found guilty of only some of the charges, the court said.
[Aljazeera]
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The ruling NPP yesterday (21) dismissed claims of a widening rift, within the government, over the proposed 22nd Amendment. Asked whether the NPP was concerned over a section of the Opposition alleging Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and two dozen MPs taking a view contrary to that of the party in this regard, authoritative party sources said some persons were propagating speculation for their own interest.
Declaring that there was absolutely no issue regarding the controversial Amendment, sources emphasised once it was tabled in Parliament, it would be passed with 2/3 majority.
Sources dismissed claims that out of its 159-member parliamentary group a section of NPPers was opposed to the government move. According to an influential Opposition activist, there are 57 JVPers and 66 NPPers in the government group and the rest contested the last parliamentary polls, having aligned with the JVP.
Ministerial sources told The Island that the government was confident of going ahead with the 22nd Amendment and Judicature (Amendment) Bills. Sources said that the NPP was not bothered about the Opposition protests in and outside Parliament.
Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne is expected to disclose the confidential ruling that he received from the Supreme Court in respect of more than 65 petitions for and against the 22nd Amendment and Judicial Amendment Bills. The enactment of the 22nd Amendment would pave the way for extending the retirement age of Supreme Court judges, from 65 to 67 years, and Court of Appeal judges, from 63 to 65 years.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Court of Appeal Judge Mayadunna Sri Mevan Anthony Edirimannasuriya Corea as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal.
The appointment has been made as President’s Counsel Nalin Rohantha Abeysuriya, who currently serves as President of the Court of Appeal, will be overseas until the 24th.
Accordingly Justice Mayadunna Corea was sworn in as Acting President of the Court of Appeal before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential secretariat last morning (21).
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake was also present at the occasion.
High Court convicts 14 over deadly Easter bombings
Mandhana, Shafali and Ghosh lead dominant India to Asian Games gold
Fatima Sana and Umm-e-Hani secure bronze for Pakistan in Asian Games
India bat first in Asian games womens cricket final
Showers about 100mm will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara Districts
Govt. confident of 2/3 majority despite NPP split speculation
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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