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PSC appointed to probe New Diamond and X-Press Pearl disasters

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By Saman Indrajith

Speaker Mahinda Yapa yesterday announced in the House changes to be effected to the composition of several parliamentary committees with immediate effect.

The Speaker said that the following MPs under the Chairmanship of Dr. Ramesh Pathirana had been appointed to serve on the “Select Committee of Parliament to investigate into and to make suitable recommendations relating to the disasters caused by New Diamond and X-Press Pearl vessels in the Maritime Zone of Sri Lanka”: Dr. Suren Raghavan, Diana Gamage, Prof. G. L. Peiris, Rauff Hakeem, Vijitha Herath, Sarath Weerasekera, Niroshan Perera, Ajith Mannapperuma, Nimal Lanza, Thushara Indunil Amarasena, Dr. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardena, Akila Ellawala, Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda, and Madhura Withanage.

The Speaker also said that the following Members had also been nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve on each Sectoral Oversight Committee, in terms of the provisions of Standing Order 111 of the Parliament and the motion agreed to by Parliament on 21st November 2022: Kokila Gunawardene has been appointed for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Religious Affairs and Co-Existence, Marjan Faleel for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Reconciliation and National Unity, Johnston Fernando for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security, Madhura Withanage for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations, Sarath Weerasekera for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Alleviating the Impact of the Economic Crisis, A. L. M. Athaullah for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Energy & Transport, C. B. Rathnayake for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Food Security & Agriculture, Jayantha Ketagoda for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural Resources & Sustainable Development, Gamini Lokuge for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Foreign Employment & Labour, Muditha Prishanthi for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, S. M. M. Muszhaaraff for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Children, Women and Gender, Thisakutti Arachchi for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Media, Youth, Heritage and New Citizen, Jayantha Weerasinghe for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on An Open & Accountable Government .

Speaker Abeywardena announced that A. L. M. Athaullah had also been nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve in the Committee on Parliamentary Business, in terms of the provisions of the Standing Order 115 of the Parliament and the motion agreed to by Parliament on 10th February 2023.

Milan Jayathilake had been nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve in the Committee on Banking and Financial Services, in terms of the provisions of Standing Order 122 of the Parliament and the motion agreed to by Parliament on Feb 10 2023, the speaker said.

The Speaker said that notwithstanding the provisions of the Standing Order 118 of the Parliament and the motion adopted by Parliament on 10th February 2023, the following Members have also been nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve in the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, as per the motion adopted by Parliament on 26th May 2023: Johnston Fernando, R. M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara and Thalatha Athukorala have been nominated to serve in the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.



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Level III landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended

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The landslide early warning center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has extended the  Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale until 1600hrs on 11th December 2025.

Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide warnings issued to the the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Medadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Pathadumbara, Doluwa, Panvila, Gangawata Korale, Ududumbara, Akurana, Yatinuwara, Harispattuwa, Deltota, Thumpane, Poojapitiya, Udapalatha, Udunuwara, Minipe and Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district, Aranayaka, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Bulathkohupitiya and Mawanella in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Mawathagama and Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, and Rattota, Laggala Pallegama, Ukuwela, Matale, Wilgamuwa, Pallepola, Naula, Yatawatta and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district have been extended.

LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been  issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Dehiowita, Ruwanwella and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Polgahawela and Alawwa in the Kurunegala district, Kothmale East, Walapane, Thalawakele, Nuwara Eliya, Kothmale West, Nildandahinna, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district. and Kolonna, Godakawela and Kahawaththa in the Ratnapura district.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been  issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Divulapitiya, Attanagalla and Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Eheliyagoda, Balangoda, Kaltota, Openayake, Nivithigala, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Elapatha, Pelmadulla and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.

 

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“We cannot allow flooding to become a part of the daily lives of the people in the Colombo District” – PM

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that unauthorized constructions within the Colombo District, nor any form of residential developments that endanger the public carried out under the guise of development agenda will not be allowed.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the media at the conclusion of the Colombo District Disaster Management Committee meeting held on Tuesday [December 09] at the Colombo District Secretariat.

Addressing further, the Prime Minister stated:

“The Colombo District has become vulnerable to this extent due to the constructions carried out without any proper planning or understanding of regulations, along with personal and politically motivated decisions that have placed both the district and its people at risk.

Compared to the districts that suffered severe loss of life and property due to the recent cyclone, the damage to the Colombo District has been relatively lower. However, special intervention is being carried out together with the relevant institutions to manage the potential future flood risks in the district.

This matter was also given special attention during today’s District Disaster Management Committee meeting. We cannot allow the flooding to become a regular part of the lives of the people in Colombo. All relevant institutions will come together to put forward a common plan for flood control in the district.”

The Prime Minister further stated that discussions are already underway to provide sustainable solutions for the people living in high-risk areas within the Colombo District.

The discussion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, Deputy Minister of Mass Media Kaushalya Ariyaratne, and Colombo District Members of Parliament Aruna Panagoda and Chandana Suriyarachchi.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Russia gifts 35 tonnes of Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka

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The handover of 35 tonnes of Russian Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka, recently affected by the cyclone «Ditwah», took place at  Katunayake today (10th December)

The shipment was welcomed at the Katunayake airport by Ambassador of Russia Levan Dzhagaryan, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation  Anura Karunathilaka and Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).

Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan: said “This delivery is a reflection of long-term friendly relations between Russia and Sri Lanka and reaffirms Moscow’s commitment to support countries in a difficult humanitarian situation.”

The supplies brought by the EMERCOM (Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations) aircraft comprised a movable 60 kW electric power station,  Pumping equipment for water drainage, Summer tents (10-person capacity) and  Food supplies (sugar, vegetable oil, rice)

The total cargo weight is 35 metric tonnes. The aid will be distributed among the most affected regions.

 

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