News
Presentation of ATB to Parliament put off
Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe yesterday said the presentation of the Anti Terrorism Act (ATA) to Parliament would be postponed until the end of April due to requests from political parties and civil society organisations opposed to the proposed law.
The Minister said that by delaying the presentation of the bill to Parliament, he had given an opportunity for those who oppose the bill to study it and prepare for legal action once the bill was presented to parliament. Rajapakshe said that this bill was in line with similar international laws and that the police would not receive more leeway to misuse their authority.
“Right now the President has the power to issue detention orders. The proposed act takes this power from the president and gives the power to law enforcement agencies,” he said.
The minister added that the ATA would not lead to the suppression of the rights of unionists or journalists. “Unless you plan to be a terrorists, there is nothing to fear,” he said.
The ATA has been criticised by Opposition political parties, civil society organisations and professional bodies. On Wednesday, Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has urged the government to defer the bill pending consultations with concerned parties, including the association.
The BASL has said the Bill has been published in the Gazetted without adequate consultations with the relevant stakeholders including the BASL. Hence the BASL calls upon the Government to consider to defer the Bill until there is a wider stakeholder consultation and the concerns of stakeholders including the BASL are taken into account.
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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