News
SLPP washes its hands of sacked Minister, Cabinet down to 16
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Sports, Youth Affairs and Irrigation Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, who was sacked by President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday, had severed his links with the ruling SLPP in early 2022 during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure as the President, political sources said.
The Polonnaruwa District MP hadn’t held any position in the party at any level for well over one year, sources told The Island. Therefore, the MP couldn’t expect the party to intervene on his behalf with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, a party senior said.
Ranasinghe was the first to break ranks with the SLPP in the wake of the unprecedented public protest campaign that got underway on March 31, 2022 with a violent protest opposite President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s private residence at Pangiriwatte, Mirihana.
On April 02, 2022, Ranasinghe, who had held the post of State Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government announced his intention to vacate his Ministry on May Day, 2022.
MP Ranasinghe also announced the resignation as the Polonnaruwa District Organizer of the SLPP.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has divided the portfolios held by lawmaker Ranasinghe between SJB rebel Harin Fernando and SLPPer Pavitradevi Wanniarachchi with the latter receiving irrigation whereas Fernando got Sports and Youth Affairs.
Ranasinghe was the first Cabinet Minister sacked by President Wickremesinghe. Earlier Nazeer Mohamed of the SLMC lost his Cabinet portfolio after the SC deemed him to have vacated his seat. Sources said that on both occasions, President Wickremesinghe chose not to increase the number of ministers by appointing new ministers to portfolios previously held by sacked ministers.
The Cabinet has been reduced to 16 though there were 38 State Ministers, sources said. In terms of the Constitution, the President can appoint 30 Cabinet ministers.
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Latest News
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to appoint M. M. D. J. Senarathne, who is the senior most officer in Grade I of Sri Lanka Scientific Service se
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India captain
Turkiye, Pakistan agree Saudi Arabia military deployment under Mecca pact
Rumesh Tharanga among nominees announced for World Athlete of the Year 2026
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Latest News7 days agoGold winner Tharanga gets brand-new Honda Vezel from SLAAJ
-
News6 days agoUS-assisted ‘Ice’ detection: NPC to examine IGP’s move to transfer drug-busting team
-
Features7 days agoWhy Sri Lanka needs an Inclusive Civic Nationalism – urgently
-
Editorial5 days agoColombo Port drug bust: The plot thickens
-
News7 days agoCivil society activist accuses govt. of favouring Ven. Gnanasara
-
Midweek Review7 days agoDappula’s Easter Sunday ‘grand conspiracy’ claim demolished
-
Editorial7 days agoWhen crime bosses rise above law and shrines
-
Editorial6 days ago
Drug busting, transfers and trust deficit