News
Sumanthiran making ‘constructive comments’ urges govt to revise out-dated laws to tackle the pandemic
By Saman Indrajith
Jaffna District TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran urged the government to bring in new laws to deal with the current situation prevailing in the country owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Participating in a debate on COVID-19 at the time of the adjournment of the House on Friday, the MP said the existing laws were not adequate to tackle the issues resulting from the pandemic.
“I said during the lockdowns that there was a need for new legislation to counter the situation as the quarantine and infectious diseases ordinances we have are over 100 years old. The PHIs’ Union has written to the government that these laws are not adequate to tackle the current crisis. Therefore, we even asked Parliament to be reconvened during the time it was dissolved to make new laws.
“We don’t even have laws to impose curfew properly. Although everyone has to go with what is happening today, it is illegal as there is nothing called quarantine curfew or police curfew. I pointed out this to the Health Minister. The Health Minister then said that she had issued a gazette notification regarding these issues.”
MP Sumanthiran said that the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, on a representation made by him, had written to the government saying that imposition of some regulations without proper backing of statutes was unlawful. “This could be rectified and all the government needs to do is bring in new laws so the officials fighting against the pandemic are protected by the law and the government can do things lawfully.
“It is a known fact that there is community spread and it can be denied, but from what’s happening around us we have every reason to believe that the situation is rather grim. It’s also unfortunate that the members of the government ranks are using the situation to score political points by congratulating the President and the fair minister.”
The MP said that the question was not how well the government had performed; the question was there was a serious issue that needed to be addressed.
He also urged the Health Minister to look into the issue of lack of facilities at the Maradankerny Hospital as it had been brought to his notice that it lacked basic facilities such as water and sanitary facilities.
News
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
A meeting between Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and relevant ministry officials was held on Tuesday (08) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the development plans to be implemented in Sri Lanka under three zones, in collaboration with the Surbana Jurong Institute of Singapore and 18 Ministries.
During the meeting it was discussed in detail regarding the plans for the Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project. The officials from Singapore-based urban planning and infrastructure consultancy Surbana Jurong also joined the discussion virtually.
Progress reports on the three projects were reviewed in detail and Dr. Kumanayake instructed the officials to identify any deficiencies and finalize the necessary actions within the next two weeks.
The discussion also addressed delays in securing necessary approvals for investments under the existing regulatory framework, as well as the urgent need to revise certain legislative instruments to better facilitate national development.
The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russel Aponsu, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing U.G. Ranjith Ariyaratne, and several senior officials from the respective ministries.
News
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for 09 April 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, and Western provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned below is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).
Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.
The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.
The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.
Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
IPL 2025: Sensational Priyansh Arya condemns Chennai Super Kings to another loss
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
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