News
UNP’s proposal for putting off presidential and general elections nothing but stupid: SJB
A top Opposition MP yesterday (28) said that the media shouldn’t provide unnecessary coverage to stupid declarations made on behalf of the government.
The SJB lawmaker said that the government thrived on such meaningless statements. The MP said so when The Island asked for his response to UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara’s declaration that the life of Parliament and the President’s term should be extended by two years to enable the government to meet its commitments.
The former UNP State Minister made reference to Sri Lanka’s agreement with the IMF, World Bank and other donors. Bandara was addressing the media at Sirikotha.
The SJB official emphasised that the UNP owed an explanation whether the General Secretary made this statement on President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s directive. Last Wednesday, President Wickremesinghe assured the cabinet that presidential election would be conducted as constitutionally stipulated and required funds having been already allocated through the last budget.
The SJB spokesperson said that the former lawmaker seemed to be tasked with creating uncertainty and political instability.
In terms of the Constitution the Presidential election has to be held in Sept/Oct this year followed by parliamentary poll next years. Since the enactment of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, both presidential and parliamentary terms are for five years.
The SJB said that the UNP was seeking excuses and exploring ways and means to make the presidential poll disappear as it did with Local Government polls early last year claiming insufficient funds (SF)
A heated argument broke out between Jaffna District MP Archchuna Ramanathan and Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar during the Kilinochchi District Coordination Committee meeting held yesterday (16).
A video footage of the incident shows the MP and the Minister engaging in a heated verbal exchange, following which a physical confrontation appeared to develop when the Minister attempted to grab files reportedly in the possession of MP Ramanathan.
“If you lay a hand on me, I’ll lay a hand on you too… got it?” Ramanathan is heard telling the Minister during the exchange.
Police and officials present at the meeting intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further.
The circumstances that led to the confrontation were not immediately clear.
Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has filed an intervening petition before the Court of Appeal in connection with a petition filed by former head of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, challenging his arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act over investigations into the Easter Sunday terror attacks.
The Cardinal has sought permission from the court to make submissions in relation to Sallay’s petition and requested that it be dismissed.
The Colombo High Court yesterday fixed for Aug. 31 the pre-trial conference in the money laundering case filed by the Attorney General against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, and his great-aunt Daisy Forrest.
The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Rashmi Singappuli.
State Counsel Oswald Perera requested court to fix a date for the pre-trial conference and informed the judge that the prosecution would announce its position regarding the second accused, Daisy Forrest, at the conference. He also said the prosecution intended to notify court of amendments to the indictment.
After considering the submissions, Judge Singappuli ordered that the pre-trial conference be held on Aug. 31.
The Attorney General has indicted Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Daisy Forrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, alleging that they deposited nearly Rs. 59 million in bank accounts knowing, or having reason to believe, that the funds had been unlawfully acquired.
Venezuela earthquake: Number of known dead rises to nearly 5,000 victims
A few showers may occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts
Harmer, Markram and Wolvaardt win top honours at CSA awards
War of words erupts between Minister Chandrasekar and Archchuna in North
Cardinal seeks dismissal of Sallay’s petition
Money laundering case against Yoshitha, fixed for pre-trial conference
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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