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No-faith motion against Speaker defeated

Published

2 years ago

2024/03/22

By Saman Indrajith

The no-confidence motion against speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena was defeated in Parliament yesterday by a majority of 42 votes.The motion moved by the Opposition received 75 votes for and 117 against.

The SJB, TNA, JVP/NPP and dissident SLPP MPs voted for the motion, while the MPs supporting the government voted against the motion.The vote was taken around 4.40 pm yesterday after three days of debate which was presided over by Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakshe.

At the end of the debate, Chief Opposition Whip Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella called for a division.The vote was initially scheduled to be held on Wednesday (March 20), but it was put off by one day as per a decision taken at the Parliamentary Business Committee meeting to debate the no-confidence motion for three consecutive days.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, during his speech, said that the government could have rejected the no-faith motion on technical grounds.

“We could have rejected this motion on the basis that it violated the policy that internal affairs of the Constitutional Council should not be made public. We have confidence in this Speaker. It was he who took the lead to protect parliament when the Aragalaya protesters were trying to march on parliament. He acted bravely to protect the parliamentary system. He worked in cooperation with the then Prime Minister to save Parliament,” Prime Minister Gunawardena said.

“There have been issues and disagreements between CC members in the past but no member disclosed them. However, the Opposition members of the current CC have disclosed inside information. This is an irresponsible act,” the Premier said.

Opposition and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa said that the Speaker had connived with the Executive in violation of the doctrine of the separation of power.

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who is in remand custody over charges of substandard immunoglobulin, too, had been allowed to be brought into the House to vote.

Mass Media Minister Bandula Gunawardena, who had been on an official visit to the US to take part in a conference organised by the World Bank, returned to the country on Wednesday night (20), on the directives of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Upon his arrival, Minister Gunawardena told the media that he had been called back to participate in a crucial vote on the no-confidence motion.

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MoU signed for technology to prevent wild elephant-train collisions

Published

1 hour ago

2026/09/2

Priyan

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) relating to the project to provide technological solutions to prevent wild elephants from being hit by trains was signed yesterday (01) afternoon at the President’s Media Centre, under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

Coordinated through the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, the project is being implemented as a public-private partnership, with the Railway Department, the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Forest Conservation Department working together, with full financial support from People’s Bank.

The system consists of three-beam detection, passive infrared (PIR) sensors, automatic temperature sensors and a tamper alarm system to detect animals weighing more than 20 kilogrammes and unauthorised interference. Signal lights (red/yellow/green) installed on either side of the railway tracks, together with a special screen installed inside the locomotive cab, will alert the driver in advance to the exact location of an elephant.

A demonstration test of the system was successfully conducted at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage premises in the presence of the relevant officials, following which a report on the system was prepared.

The system will be implemented as a pilot project from next month at 13 locations where wild elephant accidents are frequent. A newly developed website is also scheduled to be launched to enable the progress of the project to be viewed live.

Additional General Manager of Railways P.D.S.B. Chandrasena, Director General of Wildlife Conservation M.S.L.R.P. Marasinghe, Conservator General of Forests S.C. Palamakuumbura and Chairman of People’s Bank Chandana Guniyangoda signed the relevant MoU. Officials from the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, including Presidential Additional Secretary (Clean Sri Lanka) Engineer S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, as well as senior officials from the Railway Department, Department of Wildlife Conservation, Forest Conservation Department and People’s Bank, were also present.

[President’s Media Division]

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Grade 5 scholarship exam results released

Published

3 hours ago

2026/09/2

Priyan

The Commissioner General of Examinations has announced that the results of the 2026 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination have been released online, and can be viewed on the department’s official website: www.doenets.lk

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Prime Minister participates in Global Conscious Food Systems Summit in Bhutan

Published

10 hours ago

2026/09/2

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed Sri Lanka on Monday, 31 August, to undertake an official visit to Bhutan to participate in the Global Conscious Food Systems Summit, scheduled to be held in Bhutan.

During her visit, Prime Minister Dr Amarasuriya participated in the opening plenary of the Summit on 1 September, where she delivered a keynote address under the theme “Rising to the Moment: Igniting Consciousness to Address the Polycrisis.”

The Prime Minister will also engage in discussions with international leaders and representatives on strengthening cooperation towards sustainable food systems, food security and resilient communities.