News
Speaker makes desperate appeal to save country from unprecedented crisis
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday called on all MPs in both government and opposition ranks to make use of sitting times to find solutions for the problems of the people at the present juncture of the crisis facing the country overlooking their party priorities.
Making an announcement at the commencement of sittings, the Speaker said: “I regret to note that despite attempts made during the parliamentary debates on 05, 06 and 07 April 2022 to find short-term and long-term solutions to the current crisis in our country through Parliament, no positive solution has been reached.
“However, I would like to mention that further discussions were held on 05 and 08 April 2022 under my chairmanship with the participation of the Leaders of the Political Parties represented in the Ninth Parliament and the Members of the Committee on Parliamentary Business in view of the need to take some positive steps in this regard.
“Accordingly, the Leaders of those parties and the Members of the Committee on Parliamentary Business met again in Parliament yesterday, April 18, 2022 to discuss the prevailing crisis situation further.
“A number of party leaders also expressed the view that a new constitution should be drafted as a long-term solution to the current unrest among the people and the 21st Amendment to the Constitution should be passed by Parliament based on the urgent need to strengthen the power of Parliament as a short term as well as an immediate solution.
“Attention was also drawn to a number of positive proposals that could fulfill the aspirations of the people in this crisis situation.
“A number of proposals were discussed, such as amending the Constitution and related laws to subject Ministers and Members of Parliament to the supervision of the Auditor General, make relevant amendments to allow the Auditor General to audit political parties, prohibit the procurement of goods and services without bidding for government contracts, amending legislation to allow the government to seize assets which are found to have been illegally deposited in foreign banks or financial institutions by politicians and their relatives or public servants, prohibit dual citizens from being elected to Parliament and the presidency.
“Accordingly, as the Speaker, I respectfully request the active contribution and maximum support of all Members of Parliament, including party leaders, regardless of party affiliation, towards the objective of establishing a transparent and non-corrupt regime that prioritizes the well-being of the people as an effort to alleviate the current crisis in the country.”
A group of Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) members, including its Leader Mano Ganesan, met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Thursday (02) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
Extensive discussions were held on the issues faced by the Malayagam communities, particularly in relation to education, housing and land, as well as on the urgent measures required to address these concerns. The President paid special attention to all these matters.
Attention was also drawn to the recruitment of qualified Tamil-medium teachers to address the teacher shortage in estate sector schools and this too was discussed at length.
Members of Parliament P. Digambaram and V. Radhakrishnan, along with several other party members, were present at the meeting.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, held talks with Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Andrey Rudenko at the Foreign Ministry, in Colombo, on Thursday (02), with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
The Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the visiting Russian Deputy Minister noted that Russia regarded Sri Lanka as a long-standing friend.
Rudenko assured that Russia stood ready to support Sri Lanka when required, including in the swift supply of Russian oil to help address the current energy challenges, encouraging Russian investors to explore new opportunities in the country and promoting increased tourist arrivals.
He also expressed Russia’s readiness to provide compensation for Sri Lankan war veterans who had lost their lives in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Minister Herath welcomed Russia’s willingness to assist, emphasising that Sri Lanka valued the support extended by its “old friend”, particularly at a time when the country was facing pressing energy needs.
He noted that the two countries shared nearly seven decades of diplomatic relations and said the present moment provided an opportunity to further strengthen ties, including through long-term trade agreements.
The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in the fields of energy, investment, tourism and diplomacy, with both sides reiterating their commitment to further deepen the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and Russia.
Police yesterday arrested 157 foreign nationals in connection with an alleged organised online financial scam, conducted from a hotel in the Iranawila area in Chilaw.
The suspects were taken into custody during a raid carried out by the Police while they were staying at the hotel in Iranawila.
Police said the arrested group included 143 nationals from China, 13 from Bangladesh and one from Vietnam.
Investigators suspect the group had been involved in a coordinated online financial scam, targeting victims through digital platforms.
The suspects are being detained for further questioning while investigations are continuing to determine the full extent of the operation and whether additional individuals were involved.Police said further inquiries are underway.
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