News
Referendum on two extra years for Prez not even discussed says GL
Sajith asks SLPP not to talk nonsense
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris says that there hadn’t even been an internal discussion within the ruling coalition regarding the possibility of going for a referendum to extend the presidential or the parliamentary term by two years due to the government losing two years to the Covid-19 epidemic.
Prof. Peiris, who is also the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said so in Kandy on Saturday (22) after having received blessings from Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanaratne thero, Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter. The Foreign Minister was responding to media queries immediately after his meeting with the Mahanayake thero.
Prof. Peiris said that the government would try to achieve its targets as envisaged in President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s policy statement within the remaining three years.
The media took up the issue in the wake of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at Siyambalanduwa, Moneragala and subsequently Samagi Jana Balavegaya National List MP Diana Gamage making reference in Parliament to a referendum on whether President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s term should be extended by two years.
Addressing a gathering at Siyambalanduwa on January 07, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that during a visit to Dalada Maligawa, a youth inquired from him why a referendum couldn’t be conducted to ascertain whether the electorate approved him extending his term by two years to compensate for the years lost due to Covid-19 epidemic.
Prof. Peiris said that the government didn’t have an intention whatsoever regarding a referendum.
SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told The Island that the talk of a referendum at this juncture was nothing but a bankrupt proposal. The talk of a referendum and two years lost to Covid-19 epidemic should be discussed against the backdrop of the postponement of Local Government polls scheduled for March this year, lawmaker Premadasa said.
The SJB leader said that the government owed an explanation over the postponement of LG polls to March next year. The Colombo District MP alleged that the government put off LG polls as it couldn’t face the people. Having ruined the Maha season by hasty decision to deprive farmers of both fertilizer and agro-chemicals, the government was now struggling in all fronts, the SJB leader said, urging the SLPP to stop talking nonsense.
MP Premadasa said that the government could clearly know what people really thought of the current dispensation if it conducted scheduled LG polls in March this year.
Prof. Peiris told journalists in Kandy the SLPP remained strong in Parliament though there were issues. Referring to continuing disagreements with SLPP constituents over a number of issues, including the Yugadanavi deal now challenged in the Supreme Court, Prof. Peiris stressed that they couldn’t absolve themselves of the responsibility for unpopular decisions.
The coalition is based on collective responsibility in respect of decisions taken by the government, Prof. Peiris said.
Prof. Peiris also explained the ongoing project to finalise constitutional proposals, including electoral reforms this year. The Parliament would intervene once the proposals prepared by an expert committee led by Romesh de Silva, PC, submitted the Draft Constitution.
The President’s Counsel leads a nine-member committee. The government couldn’t keep its promise to unveil the proposals last November when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa completed two years in office.
The Ceylon Electricity Board has appealed to all rooftop solar owners across the country to voluntarily switch off their solar systems during day time hours (until 3pm each day) from April 13th to 21st to prevent partial power outages or nationwide blackouts which may occur.
The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the people of Sri Lanka should no longer be burdened by conflict and the Government remains committed to ensuring peace and stability across the country, with the government and the public service must discharge their duties to meet the needs of the people.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing public gatherings held in Velanai, Nallur, and Vadamarachchi.
The Prime Minister said that:
“There are numerous issues regarding infrastructure development in the Northern Province ranging from roads, drinking water supply, agriculture, and unemployment, to education and health sectors.
Many of these development tasks fall under the responsibility of local governments and provincial councils that represents your areas. However, these responsibilities have not been properly discharged.
While it is said that the issues raised in the North and East were caused by the war, 16 years have passed since the end of the war. What real change has taken place? Have the lives of the people in these areas has improved?
Although the central government allocates funds to provincial governing bodies, there should be a transparent mechanism in place to ensure that these funds are properly utilized for the relevant projects.
On May 6th, you will hold the decisive right to elect the local government closest to you that will work to uplift your lives and develop your communities. Elect representatives who are committed to serving the people, and free of fraud and corruption.
The government is actively participating in lifting the country from its fallen state and to overcome the current economic challenges. We accept that there is a long way to go. The prices of goods are still high but the government is currently working towards a change, and the people will receive the benefits in the near future.
Measures have been taken to increase the basic salary of public servants from this year’s Budget. The public service must commit to discharging duties with dedication. This must be not only a people’s government, but also a public service that belongs to the people.
Even after the independence, this country has seen much bloodshed and conflict. The people have suffered greatly as a result. The government is determined to ensure that such a situation never arises again. Therefore, the government is committed to fostering peace within the country.”
The event was attended by Minister of Fisheries Ramalingam Chandrasekar, along with several Members of Parliament and local representatives in the North.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
A meeting organized by the National Initiative for Research & Development Commercialization (NIRDC) was held on Thursday (10) at the Presidential Secretariat to streamline and commercialize research and development activities in the defence sector.
Participating institutions included the Centre for Defence Research and Development under the Ministry of Defence, the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force, the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and the Research and Development Division of the Sri Lanka Police.
The NIRDC Unit, established under the Presidential Secretariat, aims to accelerate national development by facilitating investment opportunities to commercially apply completed or nearing completion research projects from both public and private institutions.
Defence institutions play a critical role for the progress of technology and science in relation to national security and development. Acknowledging this importance, the meeting was chaired by Senior Advisor to the President on Science and Technology, Professor Gomika Udugamasuriya.
During the meeting, it was discussed in detail regarding the completed and on-going research and development projects within the defence sector, as well as those planned for the future. Special attention was given to identifying opportunities for collaboration among research and development units, enhancing innovation capabilities, and exploring ways to share resources effectively.
The discussion focused on identifying opportunities for collaboration between research and development units relevant to these sectors, enhancing innovation capabilities and exploring ways to share resources effectively. It also examined possible steps to strengthen coordination between civil and defence research institutions. The discussion concluded productively, with several innovations identified that have the potential for future commercialization.
The event was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President (Finance and Economic Affairs) . Russel Aponsu, NIRDC Director General Dr. Muditha D. Senarath Yapa, Director (Investments) . Idunil Gunathilaka along with other officials.
[PMD]
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