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UNP proposes ‘identical’ electoral system for parliament, provincial councils and local govt institutions

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The UNP has pointed out that a general election system should be introduced for parliament, provincial councils and local government institutions, parliament sources said.

Testifying before the Select Committee of Parliament to Identify Appropriate Reforms of the Election Laws and the Electoral System and to Recommend Necessary Amendments, the UNP has recommended that 65 percent of the members should be elected under the divisional system and 25 percent under the proportional representation system.

They also suggested that the number of members elected to local government bodies should be reduced by reducing the number of divisions.

Whilst stating that 25 percent of the members elected to local government bodies should be women, the UNP also pointed out to the Committee the need to ensure the representation of minorities.

Leader of the House, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena presided over the meeting.

Former Minister Sagala Ratnayaka, who testified on behalf of the UNP, further stated that Parliament should be an institution with genuine representation in various electorates in Sri Lanka.

The UNP also stated that dual citizens or persons affiliated with another state should be restricted or barred from contesting at the general elections in Sri Lanka.

The party pointed out that the composition of the Parliament should reflect the demographics of the eligible voters to vote in the election as practically as possible and accordingly the members of Parliament should be elected by the voters and from the national list.

The UNP also said that the sources of funding for parties and independent groups at the general election should be revealed.

They also pointed out that the expenses incurred by political parties and candidates at an election should be limited.

They were also of the view that changing parties should not be allowed and if a member does change the party, he or she should automatically be removed from the party list.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Senior Professor Sudantha Liyanage, member of the Committee of Experts appointed to analyze the proposals, presented to the Parliamentary Select Committee several models related to the local government election system at the Committee.

Prof. Sudantha Liyanage also pointed out the need to reduce the existing large number of seats in local government bodies.

The Committee Chair, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena stated that the general opinion is that the country needs a better mixed electoral system. He also pointed out the need to have a Member of Parliament responsible for a division.

Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Douglas Devananda, Members of Parliament Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Mano Ganesan, M. A. Sumanthiran, Madhura Withanage and Sagara Kariyawasam were present at the meeting.

Officials from the Delimitation Commission and the Attorney General’s Department were also present.

The next meeting of the Parliamentary Select Committee is scheduled to be held on the 13th of September, said the Secretary to the Select Committee, Deputy Secretary General and Chief of Staff of Parliament Kushani Rohanadheera.


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Cabinet aporives recruitment of Nursing Instructors for Nursing Schools under the Ministry of Health and Mass Media on Contract Basis

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2026/09/1

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There are 17 nursing schools under the Ministry of Health and Mass Media including the postgraduate primary nursing school.

There are 142 vacancies in the posts of Grade I / Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education) as on 31.03.2026 in those schools while 24 officers are to be promoted to the special grade on 31.12.2025 owing to the vacancies existing in the post of Special
Grade Nursing Officer (Education). Therefore, the number of vacancies is to be 166.

In addition, there are 24 vacancies in the post of Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education).

Although at present action has  been taken to upgrade the nursing schools to nursing colleges and upgrade the nursing diploma course to nursing degree course, no action has  been taken so far to carry out recruitment for the training relevant to the appointment for the post of Grade I / Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education).

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to recruit  retired nursing instructors and nursing instructors who served in the nursing schools belonging to the three armed forces and are retired or have resigned legitimately from service to the post of Grade I / Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education) on contract basis.

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Signing  agreement for the establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility in Sri Lanka

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2026/09/1

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It has been decided to establish a BIMSTEC technology transfer facility in Sri Lanka by entering into a Host Country Agreement at the second leaders’ summit of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal
Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) held in New Delhi, India, in 2008, with the objective of enhancing regional cooperation.

The relevant cooperation agreement was signed by the member countries at the 5th BIMSTEC summit on 30-03-2022 in Colombo.
The prime objective of this technology transfer facility is to provide technology, capacity building, and management of intellectual property for the micro, small, and medium-scale
enterprises of the BIMSTEC member countries.

According to the cooperation agreement, an agreement should be entered into between Sri Lanka, as the host country, and  BIMSTEC  Secretariat for formalizing the legal status, privileges, and immunities of the technology transfer facility.

The drafted agreement has received the relevant institutional approval and legal clearance.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Science and Technology to sign the proposed agreement.

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 The cabinet approves agreement on mutual legal cooperation in criminal matters between the Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Korea

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6 hours ago

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2026/09/1

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Approval has been granted at the cabinet meeting held on 11-12-2023 to sign an agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Government of Sri Lanka regarding mutual cooperation
in criminal matters.

However, according to the aforementioned approval, the relevant agreement could not be signed between both parties.

Through this agreement, opportunities will be provided
for mutual assistance to other countries in handing over judicial documents and collecting evidence for the use of criminal case matters.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution provided by the Minister of Justice and National Integration to sign an agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Government of Sri Lanka to cooperate in criminal matters.

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