News
PM helps Opposition correct its mistake
By Saman Indrajith
The debate on the no-confidence motion against the Minister of Energy and Petroleum Resources Udaya Gammanpila began in Parliament yesterday on the wrong foot with SJB Colombo District MP S.M. Marikkar making a vital procedural omission.
MP Marikkar was to move the motion for the debate and his senior party man Kegalle District SJB MP Kabir Hahim was listed to second it.
MP Marikkar used the time allocated for the moving of the motion to blame the government and Minister Gammanpila yet did not move the motion before taking his seat.
When MP Hashim got up to second the motion, the government members shouted that it was against parliament procedure to second a motion that had not been moved.
Leader of the House Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardene said that MP Marikkar had spoken without reading the motion. “An MP has to read out a motion when he is moving one as per the Standing Orders. The standing orders have to be followed especially when an important motion such as a no confidence motion is moved,” Minister Gunawardene pointed out.
Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said the government should bring in a no-confidence motion against SJB as they did not know how to move a motion. “A no-confidence motion has to be brought against the SJB as they don’t know the standing orders. An MP cannot speak twice. If MP Marikkar is allowed to speak again all the other members should be allowed to speak twice during the debate,” the Minister said.
MP Marikkar then questioned whether the government was worried about the motion.
MP Hashim, who rose to second the motion, questioned whether the government members were suffering from loose motion. “The government MPs seem to be suffering from loose motion and the chambers will have to be cleaned by evening,” MP Hashim said.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who intervened in the cross talk, proposed that MP Marikkar be allowed to read out the motion.
“MP Marikkar can read out the motion but SJB should admit that it has made a mistake,” Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said.
News
“Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” by Mahinda Siriwardana presented to the President
The book “Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” ,authored by Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mahinda Siriwardana, was officially launched this morning (08) at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, with the participation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
The first copy of the publication was formally presented to President Disanayake by Mr. Siriwardana during the event.
It has been reported that former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias ‘Pilleyan’ has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
A meeting between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and senior officials of SriLankan Airlines was held this afternoon (April 8) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The discussions mainly focused on proposals to transform SriLankan Airlines into a more profitable state-owned enterprise. Special attention was also given to possible short-term and long-term solutions for the airline’s debt management.
The talks further explored new investment opportunities for the airline. The President instructed the officials to take all necessary steps to transform SriLankan Airlines into a profit-making entity.
Although the airline has recorded operational profits, due to past mismanagement and poor decision-making, it remains one of the leading loss-making state enterprises. The current government has decided to reverse the previous administration’s decision to privatize the airline. Instead, it plans to continue operating it as the national carrier while introducing a new management structure to ensure its profitability moving forward.
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, President’s Senior Advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines Sarath Ganegoda along with several senior officials of SriLankan Airlines, were present at the meeting.
“Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” by Mahinda Siriwardana presented to the President
Former state minister arrested by CID
President meets with senior officials of SriLankan Airlines
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