News
Pass 22A unanimously appeals Karu Jayasuriya
The National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) says that the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution is a step forward for the future benefit of the country and it is the responsibility of the people’s representatives to pass it unanimously.
“We highly appreciate the submission of 22A to Parliament by revoking the 20A which had paved the way for a dictatorial government by seriously distorting democratic governance traditions of Sri Lanka. We consider 22A as a positive step taken for the realization of the objectives of 19A,” Karu Jayasuriya, Chairman of the NMSJ said in a media release.
He said that it also must be noted that the step should be taken on Sept. 6 (when 22A comes up in the legislature) by all who value democracy to do away with the attempts to retain a number of crucial powers of the executive presidency as included in the previous draft.
“We highly appreciate the submission of 22A to Parliament revoking 20A which paved the way for a dictatorial government by severely distorting the democratic governance traditions of Sri Lanka,” he said.
“As the National Movement for Social Justice, we express our gratitude to the President, the Minister of Justice and the Government for standing up for such democratic reforms. It is our expectation that when 22A is debated in Parliament on September 6, all MPs will stand on the side of the people. We also hope that the amendment can be adopted unanimously after the debate.
“The foremost responsibility of the people’s representatives is to create a country where future generations can live happily by working to ensure democracy and the betterment of the people.
“In order to fulfil that responsibility, we must focus our attention on the political and economic reforms that must be carried out. This is why we had to fight against 20A brought by the previous government and struggle to have it withdrawn. That is why we continue to advocate social and political transformations including economic reforms that should be carried out for the good of the country.
“At the same time, the other important point that we emphasise is that although the government is working towards admirable political changes such as the introduction of 22A, which is praised by not only Sri Lankans respecting democratic values but also the civilised world, we as an organisation do not agree with certain measures taken by the government through the use of Emergency powers.
“We do not under any circumstances condone the harassment of trade union leaders and activists of the peaceful struggle who have made great sacrifices for democracy. We are greatly saddened by these incidents. We are also deeply concerned about reports of what could be considered abductions. Such events have both national and internationally negative effects on the country.
“We therefore believe that the president must pay personal attention to these matters.”
News
Cabinet nod to increase the number of new automated passenger clearance gates at the Bandaranayake International Airport to 12
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 19.05.2025 to purchase four (04) automated passenger clearance gates for Bandaranayake International Airport.
In addition, it is expected to extend the automated passenger clearance gates facility so far given only to the Sri Lankans
parallel to the e – passport issuance system to be introduced in the year 2027 also to the foreigners who travel to and from this country.
Furthermore, considering also the number of air passengers rapidly increasing with the fast – forwarding business and tourism field, the appropriateness to increase the total automated passenger clearance gates up to twelve (12) in number has been recognized.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers, approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to initiate the procurement and installation of 12
automated passenger clearance gates altogether with the already approved four (04) and another eight (08) automated passenger clearance gates adhering to the formal procurement procedure
Based on the observations submitted by the Task Force on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing for Terrorism, approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 18.12.2024 to amend the Trust Ordinance No. 9 of 1917 including amendments proposed by the Financial
Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Accordingly, clearance of the Attorney General has been granted for the Trust (Amendment) Draft Bill formulated by the Legal Draftsman.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Justice and National Integration
to publish the said draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereby, submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Action was taken to provide a fuel relief for the fuel consumers during the months of April, May and June of 2026 to redress by minimizing the impact caused to the day today life of the citizens of this country as well as the entire economy due to the price hike of petroleum fuel in the global market resulting from the war situation in the Middle East.
Government mediation is essential for minimizing the impact on the day to today life of citizens in this country due to that war situation not being ended further. Therefore, it has been planned to redress on the sale price for Auto Diesel and Industrial Diesel for a period of 03 months by the Government to provide relief to the public as well as to maintain the prices at a bearable level to the consumers without escalating the fuel prices in this country compared to the escalation of fuel prices
in the international market.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to
allocate provisions subject to the monthly limitations respectively as rupees 15 billion for the month of October, rupees 13.5 billion for the month of November and rupees 12.15 billion for the month of December to provide the said relief
Cabinet nod to increase the number of new automated passenger clearance gates at the Bandaranayake International Airport to 12
Draft Bill for amending the Trust Ordinance
Implementing further relief programme to Public sffected by the Middle East conflict situation
Establishment of a Spectrum Management and Monitoring System and a Quality of Service and Quality of Experience System for the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka
Appointment of a Committee for the Restitution of Sri Lankan Cultural Heritage Held Abroad
Ten-Year National Action Plan on the Social Protection Sector (2026–2035)
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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