News
SC thwarts bid to restore lapsed local bodies
… determines 2/3 majority and referendum needed for Bills to become law
By Saman Indrajith
Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told Parliament yesterday that the government would abide by the Supreme Court determination on the three Bills, titled ‘Pradeshiya Sabha (Amendment), Urban Councils (Amendment) and Municipal Councils (Amendment)’ which had to be passed by a special majority in Parliament, and approved by the people at a referendum.
The Prime Minister said that they were private member Bills and not those sponsored by the government.
The PM said so when Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella demanded to know whether it would proceed with those Bills and asked whether the government thinks that it could muster two-third of votes from the House, and the people’s approval at a referendum.
The Chief Opposition Whip raised this question after Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced that the Supreme Court had determined that it was necessary to have a special majority of votes in the House and public approval, at a referendum, for those three Bills to be passed.
The speaker informed Parliament of the determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the three Bills titled “Pradeshiya Sabha (Amendment), “Urban Councils (Amendment)” and “Municipal Councils (Amendment)” which were challenged in the Supreme Court in terms of Article 121(1) of the Constitution.
The Speaker said that the Supreme Court had determined that Clause 2 of all these three Bills is inconsistent with Articles 1, 12(1), 82, 83 and 104B of the Constitution and, therefore, it is necessary to pass these Bills, titled “Pradeshiya Sabha (Amendment), “Urban Councils (Amendment)” and “Municipal Councils (Amendment),” by a special majority in Parliament, and approved by the People, at a Referendum, by virtue of the provisions of Article 83 of the Constitution.
News
Law will be enforced against all those who acquire assets illegally- State Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe
State Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, while addressing a public gathering held at the Raffles Hotel in Kotte on Tuesday [April 22] said that the law will be enforced against all those who acquire assets illegally.
He said that , if someone joins a municipal council receiving a modest salary and, within two to three years, builds a luxury house and acquires a vehicle, we will question how such wealth was amassed. If a satisfactory explanation cannot be provided, the law will be enforced and the measures will be taken to confiscate any illegally acquired assets.
The opposition frequently levels accusations against us, but we have not engaged in any wrongdoing. We have not misappropriated public funds, used undue influence to secure school admissions for our children, or interfered with law enforcement. We are dedicated to serving the people by upholding an ethical and responsible political culture.
If you wish to develop your community, I respectfully urge you to elect individuals of integrity who will not misuse public funds.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
It has been reported that prison officials and the police have brought the unrest among the 500 plus inmates of the Matara prison which commenced on Tuesday [22] under control by this morning (23)
It has been reported that the inmates had broken out of their wards after which the officials were compelled to fire in the air and use tear gas to bring the situation under control.
The inmates are being temporarily transferred to the Angunkolapelessa prison in groups to enable authorities to repair the the damage caused to the wards and cells within the premises.
The prison officials who were injured during the conflict are receiving treatment at the Matara hospital. 
Latest News
Local government authorities and Municipal Councils are the nursery of corrupt politics. – Prime Minister
The Prime Minister stated that the President has challenged all ministers to transparently and efficiently spend the funds allocated to each ministry through the national budget for the benefit of the people, and that the local governments and municipal councils have historically been the nursery grounds of corrupt politics.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a public gathering held at the Raffles Hotel in Kotte on Tuesday [April 22].
The Prime Minister further stated:
“All 159 of us in Parliament today did not enter through family or financial influence. We are ordinary citizens just like you and individuals who stand among you. Unlike in the past, our members do not behave disruptively in Parliament. When school children visit, there is no need for the Speaker to request their removal that our parliamentary members conduct themselves with dignity, adherence to the law, and political maturity.
This is the kind of Parliament we have always aspired to have. Today, it is you who has made this transformation possible. For a long time, we have not experienced the advantages of an efficient and properly functioning local government. You now have the opportunity to elect representatives who are truly committed to serving you and improving your local institutions.
The event was attended by Arosh Athapaththu, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte Municipal Council candidate representing the National People’s Power, along with several other candidates and a large number of local residents.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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