News
President Calls for New Political Solution to Address Issues in the North and East
A meeting between the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was held on Wednesday (19) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat, following a request made by the ITAK.
Discussions focused on the Provincial Council elections and the need for a new Constitution. President Dissanayake stated that the Government believes longstanding issues faced by the people of the Northern and Eastern Provinces can no longer be addressed through outdated political solutions. Therefore, it is necessary to move towards a new political framework and the support of everyone is essential in that process, the President emphasized.
The meeting also included discussions on long-standing regional issues such as fisheries disputes, land concerns and the need for improved infrastructure and development in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. At the same time, the President issued immediate directives to the relevant officials to ensure that solutions will be implemented for certain issues raised by the ITAK representatives.
ITAK representatives noted that their party is prepared to extend full cooperation to any government project aimed at the development of the Northern Province.
Furthermore, former Member of Parliament and Attorney-at-Law M. A. Sumanthiran stated that the ITAK, as a political party representing the Tamil people, is ready to support any government decision taken against extremism.
ITAK Members of Parliament S. Rasamanickam, P. Sathiyalingam, G.Srinesan, S. Sridharan, T. Raviharan, K. Kodishwaran, K. S. Kugathasan, together with former MPs Attorney-at-Law M. A. Sumanthiran and C. V. K. Sivagnanam, participated in the discussion.
Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage were also present.
Members of the Civil Security Department have donated a day’s salary to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund, which was established to restore livelihoods and rebuild the country following the devastation caused by cyclone Ditwah.
Accordingly, a cheque amounting to Rs. 40,870,686 was handed over on Thursday (22) at the Presidential Secretariat by the District Officer of the Civil Security Department G.Y.B. Perera to Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Ravi Seneviratne and Director General of the Civil Security Department, Major General Palitha Fernando (Retired), were also present on the occasion.
The Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) has contributed LKR 25 million to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund.
The cheque was handed over to the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake by the Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange, Dimuthu Abeyesekera, the Chief Executive Officer Rajeeva Bandaranaike and Senior Vice Chairman Kusal Nissanka at the Presidential Secretariat.
News
Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56
Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing concerns over the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions.The letter was sent in his capacity as Patron of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus.
In his letter, Jayasuriya noted that at the time of Sri Lanka’s independence, political participation was largely limited to an educated, affluent land-owning elite. However, he said a significant social transformation took place after 1956, enabling ordinary citizens to enter politics.
He warned that under current conditions, removing parliamentary pensions would effectively confine politics to the wealthy, business interests, individuals engaged in illicit income-generating activities, and well-funded political parties. Such a move, he said, would discourage honest social workers and individuals of modest means from entering public life.
Jayasuriya also pointed out that while a small number of former MPs, including himself, use their pensions for social and charitable purposes, the majority rely on the pension as a primary source of income.
He urged the President to give due consideration to the matter and take appropriate action, particularly as the government prepares to draft a new constitution.The Bill seeking to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament was presented to Parliament on 07 January by Minister of Justice and National Integration Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara.
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