News
SC dismisses 50 petitions, orders enforcing CA ruling on 37 others
Rejection of LG nominations
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed over 50 petitions challenging the rejection of nomination papers for the upcoming 2025 Local Government Elections.
A total of 53 writ applications and six Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions, filed by political parties and independent groups, were dismissed.
This ruling follows a recent decision by the Court of Appeal, which had ordered the acceptance of 37 nominations that were initially rejected. In a significant move, the Supreme Court Friday instructed the relevant returning officers to accept the previously rejected nominations, aligning with the Court of Appeal’s verdict.
The petitions had been filed by recognized political parties and independent groups who challenged the rejection of their nominations. The reasons for the rejection included issues such as failure to submit certified copies of birth certificates of candidates, failure to submit an official oath, and submitting only photocopies of birth certificates instead of the required certified versions.
By AJA Abeynayake
News
Cabinet nod for MOU between Sri Lanka and Romania on the cooperation in the Labour Field
Romania, a country that has maintained diplomatic relationship with Sri Lanka for several decades in various fields, has become an increasingly popular destination among Sri Lankan skilled and semi-skilled Labour categories, especially in the fields of construction, manufacturing, hospitality, and services sectors.
At present, the recruitment of Sri Lankan workers to Romania is carried out by licensed private employment agencies under the
supervision of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau. However, since both parties have recognized the need of establishing a more organized and sustainable recruitment method due to increasing demand, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of Romania regarding cooperation in the field of the labour sector with the following objectives.
• Establishment of proper mechanism for recruitment and management of workers.
• Promotion of ethical and transparent recruitment practices.
• Protection of rights and welfare of the migrant workers.
• Facilitation of regular discussions between the formal and relevant authorities ofboth countries.
• Improvement of technical cooperation, skills recognition, and capacity building in the labour sector.
News
New circular to replace Management Services Circular No. 01/2019
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance,
Planning, and Economic Development to repeal Management Services Circular No. 01/2019 , dated 15-03-2019, issued regarding the implementation of development projects, and to issue a new management services circular including updated provisions instead.
News
Four Chief Prelates urge President to appoint NAO official as Auditor General
Chief Prelates of the Malwathu, Asgiriya, Amarapura and Ramanna Nikayas, in a joint letter addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has expressed concern over the protracted delay in appointing a permanent Auditor General.
The Chief Prelates have said that the appointment of an outsider as the Head of the National Audit Office (NAO) responsible for ensuring transparency and accountability in public finances will be inappropriate.
The Chief Prelates have said that they are of the view that Dharmapala Gammanpila, a senior officer with extensive experience within the Auditor General’s Department, is the ideal candidate for the top post. They have also emphasised that his appointment will strengthen the government’s efforts to promote economic prosperity.
Chulantha Wickramaratne, who served as AG for a period of six years, retired in April 2025. Following his retirement, President Dissanayake nominated H.T.P. Chandana, an audit officer at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, as the AG. The CC rejected that nomination. Subsequently, President Dissanayake appointed the next senior-most official at the NAO Dharmapala Gammanpila as Acting Auditor General for a period of six months. Then, the President nominated Senior Deputy Auditor General L.S.I. Jayarathne to serve in an acting capacity, but her nomination, too, was also rejected. Many an eyebrow was raised when the President nominated O.R. Rajasinghe, the Internal Audit Director of the Sri Lanka Army for the top post. That nomination too was rejected. As a result, the vital position remains vacant since 07 December, 2025.
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