News
Mystery over missing SC determination
By Saman Indrajith
Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday informed the House that he was yet to receive the Supreme Court’s determination on the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill.
The Speaker said this in answer to a query raised by Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa.
Premadasa said that the Supreme Court recently concluded its hearing into several fundamental rights petitions that were filed challenging the Bill. “Some Ministers said on TV that the Speaker had received the determination, and they also fixed dates for the election. I like to know why the determination is not announced to the House,” Premadasa asked.
Speaker Dr. Wickramaratne: I am yet to receive that determination.
Kurunegala District SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said that Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa had stated during a press conference last week that the verdict had been received by the Speaker and that the decision will be communicated to the House yesterday. “If the Supreme Court has not yet sent it to Parliament. This statement was made by Minister Jayatissa, who is also the Cabinet Spokesman, and Chief Government Whip. Why did he make such a statement if the determination had not yet been delivered to the Speaker? If the Supreme Court has not sent the determination, the Minister should retract his statement,” MP Jayasekera demanded.
Minister Dr. Jayatissa said what the Speaker had announced to the House yesterday was the truth.
Opposition Leader Premadasa said that the Supreme Court sent its determination to the Speaker to announce it to the House. When determination is not conveyed to the House, the privileges of the Speaker and all 225 MPs are breached,” Premadasa said.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya yesterday sad that the Executive Presidency would be abolished, in line with the NPP’s election manifesto.
Speaking in Parliament, in response to a question raised under Standing Order 27/2 by Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Prime Minister said the abolition would take place through a proposed new Constitution.
She added that preliminary work on drafting the new Constitution had already begun, with previous committee reports and other proposals being studied to guide the process.
“A concept paper on the draft will be presented to the Cabinet,” Amarasuriya said, noting that a formal study has been initiated on abolishing the Executive Presidency.
She said that the move cannot be implemented without introducing a new Constitution.
Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday that the suspension of duties imposed on Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the National Hospital, amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.
Raising the issue during parliamentary proceedings, Premadasa, who is also the SJB Leader, questioned the decision to suspend the senior medical officer for issuing a statement to the media, particularly on matters relating to children’s medicines.
He said health was a fundamental right and noted that two children had reportedly died, stressing that the focus should be on accountability over the incident rather than penalising a medical professional for speaking out.
Premadasa criticised the authorities for suspending Dr. Bellana solely for communicating with the media, asking whether such action constituted justice for families who had lost their children.The Opposition Leader said silencing officials, who raise concerns, undermines fundamental rights and does not address the underlying issues related to patient safety and public health.
Acting Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital Dr. Rukshan Bellana has been suspended.
A letter, issued by the Ministry of Health, says preliminary investigations by the Ministry of Health has revealed that Dr. Bellana, as a government medical officer holding a responsible position, made statements to the media, without approval, in a manner that created a controversial situation in the country and unrest among the public.
The letter further stated that formal disciplinary action will be taken in due course regarding this matter.
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