News
NMSJ condemns abuse of PTA
The abuse of the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) by the government is becoming a serious cause for concern, Chairman of the National movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) Karu Jayasuriya said yesterday issuing a statement.
He has said that the PTA is opposed by everyone who respects democracy and the fundamental rights of the people. The attempts to suppress political and civil society is troubling, he said.The entire Sri Lankan society must together voice their dissent against these acts, Jayasuriya said.
“We have had to once again revisit the issue as the government has taken steps to detain the Convenor of the Inter University Students Federation as well as other civil and political activists for 90 days under the PTA without presenting them before any court of law. This is in no way acceptable to a civilised society that hopes for a better country which respects the rights assured to its citizens by the country’s constitution including the right to dissent. Therefore, the National Movement for a Just Society will continue to unconditionally stand against such acts,” Jayasuriya said.
He added that the country was on the brink of a disaster both politically and economically. Therefore, everyone must make necessary sacrifices to save the country and its people from a tragic fate. To resort to such a collective approach, democratic traditions must be respected above all else, Jayasuriya said.
In addition to this all political forces must respect one’s right to dissent. Humanity must be respected while draconian laws despised by the world must be rejected, the NMSJ head said.
“Therefore continuing to use draconian laws such as the PTA, which is opposed greatly within the country and abroad will not only be a threat to the freedom and rights of the country’s people but also lead to Sri Lanka becoming marginalised and isolated internationally. At a time where international support is imperative to resolve the economic crisis faced by the country, such actions will invariably have serious consequences for our country,” he said.
Jayasuriya added that on behalf of the motherland and future generations, they request the government to immediately stop all acts of suppression against civil and political activists and to not justify the use of draconian laws such as the PTA.
“We urge the government to extend the hand of friendship to all parties instead of repression and threats, and to thereafter implement a common program within a set time period while casting aside all divides,” he said.
A specialists committee has been appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation adhering to the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers dated 29.12.2025 for submitting appropriate recommendations analyzing the provisions of the draft bill formulation in regard to Animal Welfare.
Based on the recommendations of the said Committee, the Legal Draftsman has been instructed at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on 18.05.2026 to prepare the final bill on the animal welfare.
Wherefore, the Legal Draftsman has formulated the draft bill and the clearance of the Attorney General has been received in the connection.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to publish the said draft bill in the
Government Gazette Notification and subsequently forward the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Under the legal provisions for elections in this country since 2004, it is mandatory for voters who come to mark their votes to verify their identity through a valid identity card, and it is also mandatory for all such voters to be marked with an appropriate mark using indelible ink. The dual purpose of these two functions is to prevent a voter from voting more than once in a single election.
It has been observed that having to follow two different
methods at the same time to achieve the same objective hinders the efficiency of the duties performed at the polling stations and also incurs additional costs to the government.
Therefore, it has been deemed appropriate to remove the legal provisions regarding the use of indelible ink and marking the voter with the appropriate mark from all election acts.
Accordingly, the development activities of the province, as well as national security, will benefit. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the
President to take necessary steps to remove the legal provisions
• Section 36 of the presidential Election Act, No 15 of 1981
• Section 38 of the Parliamentary Election Act, No 01 of 1981
• Section 36 of the Provincial Council Election Act, No 02 of 1988
• Section 53 A of the Local Government Elections Ordinance (262 Authority)
• Section 21 of the Referendum Act No 7 of 1981
News
Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 24 JUNE 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 24 June 2026 by the Department of Meteorology
Several spells of showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 2.00 p.m.
Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expectedat times over the Western slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Munoz sends Colombia into World Cup knockouts with 1-0 win over DR Congo
Animal Welfare Draft Bill to be Gazetted
Legal provisions on marking voters using indelible ink during elections removed
Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
Court vacancy row throws Parliament into turmoil; sittings disrupted
Climate, pollution, forest loss now hitting economy: BASL chief
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News6 days agoCreditor receives USD 2.5 mn as Lankan public bears loss from theft of Treasury funds
-
News5 days agoCreditor not yet paid
-
News5 days agoConsumers bearing 22% tax burden despite 18% VAT claim: Dr. Harsha de Silva
-
Opinion7 days agoBeyond diagnosis: A strategic design for 7% growth by 2029 (Part I)
-
Features4 days agoNanda Pethiyagoda Wanasundara as three generations of family saw her
-
Features3 days agoSri Lanka developing independent hydrographic capabilities
-
Opinion6 days agoSriLankan Airbus struck by lightning
-
Latest News3 days agoSooryavanshi thumps fastest List A fifty as India A win tri-series