News
Nationwide protest announced against electricity bill hikes
By Anuradha Hiripitiyage
Electricity Users’ Association Secretary, Sanjeeva Dhammika, has called upon the public to stage a massive protest against the recent increase in electricity bills.Addressing a press conference in Colombo on Thursday, Dhammika made a fervent plea for a widespread demonstration to voice the collective discontent regarding the escalating costs of electricity.
Dhammika urged citizens to participate in this protest by displaying black flags on their houses, businesses, and sacred places until November 20, signifying their dissatisfaction with the surging electricity bills. This symbolic gesture is intended to be a visible statement of public concern, and Dhammika encouraged broad participation.
In a further demonstration of their commitment to the cause, the Electricity Users’ Association plans to organize a nationwide half-hour blackout on the upcoming Poya Day, which falls on the 28th of this month. During this time, Dhammika urged people to switch off all lights from 7:00 to 7:30 pm as an act of protest against the government’s policies on electricity tariffs.
Highlighting the extent of their protest, Dhammika revealed that the Electricity Users’ Association, with the support of various civil and religious organizations, will lead a protest march on November 1, commencing at 8:00 am. The march is scheduled to start in front of the Divulapitiya main bus station on the Colombo-Kurunegala road and will culminate at the Ministry of Power and Energy on Flower Road, Colombo.
He said that the protest will serve as a platform for citizens to voice their concerns and call for a reconsideration of the current electricity pricing policies.
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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