News

Rambukwella: President authorised 20A

Published

6 years ago

2020/09/18

By Shamindra Ferdinando

There shouldn’t be an issue as regards the proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution as President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Cabinet of ministers accepted the responsibility for the proposed law, Cabinet spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday.

The President heads the cabinet of ministers.

Kandy District lawmaker, who is also the Media Minister said contrary to various claims the project to abolish the 19th Amendment was on track. The minister defended Justice Minister Ali Sabry, PC, over a recent comment he made as regard who had drafted the 20th Amendment.

Minister Rambukwella denied any rift in the government parliamentary group or the cabinet of ministers over the 20th Amendment. The cabinet spokesman was flanked by co-cabinet spokesman Dr. Ramesh Pathirana and Director General, Information Department Nalaka Kaluwewa.

The fate of the 20th Amendment dominated yesterday’s post-cabinet media briefing at the Government Information Department with the media repeatedly seeking clarification whether the SLPP government followed proper procedures in the process leading to the gazetting of it.

The ministers strongly denied assertions by the media that the SLPP handled the 20th Amendment the way the previous yahapalana government bungled the 19th Amendment et al.

The crux of the matter repeatedly raised by the media was the appointment of a 9-member committee headed by SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris to examine the 20th Amendment after the issuance of the relevant gazette by the Government Printer.

Asked why the committee report was not taken up by the cabinet of ministers as announced earlier, the ministers insisted the issue was taken up. Minister Rambukwella explained how the government moved the matter.

Asked whether the 20th Amendment had been reversed in the wake of protests and objections by various parties, including a section of the government, Minister Rambukwella pointed out the difference between reversal and the cancellation of the process.

Among those who expressed concerns over the 20th Amendment were Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera and Manohara de Silva PC, on behalf of the Federation of National Organizations (FNO) and the National Joint Committee (NJC), respectively. In addition to them, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Myanmar Prof. Nalin de Silva and SLPP lawmaker Gevindu Cumaratunga underscored the need for alterations to the Amendment.

The Attorney General recently asserted that the proposed 20th Amendment in its present form could be approved by a two thirds majority.

The media was told now that two weeks had lapsed since the issuance of the gazette; it could be accommodated in the Order Paper of parliament. The ministers explained how they expected to proceed regardless of issues. There could be political issues, the media was told adding that they agreed on a policy framework relating to the 20th Amendment.

Asked whether the proposed 20th Amendment would hinder the Independent Commissions, the ministers said that the SLPP envisaged a far better system. The 20th Amendment proposed a five member Parliamentary Council instead of 10-member Constitutional Council.

Minister Rambukwella strongly defended the procedures the previous Rajapaksa administration adopted in the removal of the Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake.

Declaring that the government would be transparent in its effort to bring in 20th Amendment, there was provision for moving the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, SLPP Colombo District MP and attorney-at-law Premanath Dolawatte appearing on Derana ‘Aluth Parlimenthuwa’ on Wednesday expressed confidence that the proposals made by the Committee headed by prof. Peiris would be taken into consideration in finalizing the proposed law. Dolawatte was a member of the Committee that was appointed by Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa.

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Sun directly overhead Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon today (05th April)

Published

19 hours ago

2026/04/5

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (05th) are Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

19 hours ago

2026/04/5

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 04 April 2026, valid for 05 April 2026

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

News

Global ‘Walk for Peace’ to be held in Lanka

Published

20 hours ago

2026/04/5

Thilina Walpola

The internationally recognized “Walk for Peace,” originating from the United States, is set to take place in Sri Lanka starting April 21, 2026, led by the Most Venerable Paññakara Thero and a delegation of twelve monks from the Maha Sangha, President’s Media Division said.

Spanning seven days across the island, this pilgrimage’s purpose and concept are guided by the Buddha’s teaching, “Caratha bhikkhave carikam bahujana hitaya bahujana sukhaya lokanukampaya” (Wander forth, O Monks, for the welfare and happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world).

This program aims to promote peace and lovingkindness within society. It serves as a practical demonstration that peace cannot be attained by force, but must be cultivated step-by-step through mindfulness.

The inaugural event of this program is scheduled to be held in Anuradhapura on April 21, 2026. A ceremony to receive the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi will take place at 4:00 PM, followed by special religious observances at the sacred Ruwanweliseya premises at 5:00 PM.

Thereafter, the walk will commence from the ancient Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and proceed towards Kandy. Upon reaching Kandy, the Maha Sangha will pay their respects to the Chief Prelates (Maha Nayaka Theros) of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters, before visiting the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) to receive blessings.

Throughout the journey, the procession will carry the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, along with venerated relics from the historic Nilagiri Cetiya, Madanwala Raja Maha Viharaya in Hanguranketa, Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya, and the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya.

The walk will conclude at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Subsequently, the venerated relics and the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi are to be carried from Independence Square to Gangaramaya Temple, Hunupitiya, Colombo by a procession.

The Sri Lankan coordination of the event is spearheaded by Venerable Melpitiye Wimalakirti Thera. The Government of Sri Lanka’s flagship national program, “Clean Sri Lanka,” serves as the principal state partner.

Additionally, the event receives extensive support from various state institutions, including the National Design Centre, the Tri-Forces, and the Department of Information.

At the conclusion of the seven-day walk, a special State Ceremony will be held at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Concurrently, a special exhibition showcasing Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage and traditional handicrafts will be organized by the National Design Centre at the Gangaramaya premises on April 28 and 29, 2026.

This exhibition will feature brass items (ceremonial fans, flags, statues, bowls, and pinnacles), lacquerwork (caskets and boxes), clay crafts (bowls and statues), palm leaf crafts (fans and sesath), natural dyeing of robes, Dumbara wall hangings, traditional drums, and traditional paintings.

The primary objective of this cultural program is to contribute Sri Lanka’s Buddhist and cultural heritage to a project in Texas, USA, where the Tripitaka is being inscribed in 10 languages and enshrined within 840 stupas to create a centre for Buddhist education.