News
Why does IMF ignore government’s authoritarian behavior, asks Harsha
SJB Colombo District MP Dr. Harsha de Silva expresses shock and dismay that IMF which insists on good governance continues to turn blind eye to what he called the ‘authoritarian behaviour’ of the Government. Dr Silva said that the SLPP led Government failed yet again to confirm him as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (CoPF).
“Once again the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Government found an excuse not to approve my name as Chair of the Parliament Committee on Public Finance,” he tweeted.
He said that the appointment did not take place due to the absence of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane at a selection meeting on Thursday. He pointed out that the Government has for many months been approving IMF-related finance bills in violation of the standing order which states the COPF must be chaired by a member of the opposition.
The MP said while only his name has been proposed for the post, it was unbelievable that the IMF which insists on good governance continues to turn a blind eye to this type of authoritarian behaviour. “It is in this background they want every MP to vote in favour of the IMF agreement,” the MP said.
De Silva was first appointed to the post in August 2022 but was not among the members reappointed to the committee in the fourth session of the ninth Parliament.
Instead, SJB MP Mayantha Dissanayake was appointed as the new Chairperson of the CoPF in February this year. However, days later Dissanayake resigned from the post after other SJB members cried foul. De Silva was nominated to replace Dissanayake but his appointment has not been confirmed yet.
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.
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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
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