News
A big thank you to India for her support for Sri Lanka in crisis
At a magnificent event at the Hotel Taj Samudra last Wednesday, a large number of Sri Lankans gathered in a marquee pitched on the north lawn of the hotel to say ‘thank you’ to India for the massive support rendered to Sri Lanka in its present crisis.
A large number of people from various walks of life were present on this occasion to hear 11 well known personalities, including two erudite Buddhist monks express the heartfelt thanks of the Sri Lankan people to the government and people of India for their magnificent response in this country’s hour of need.
Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay and diplomatic other staff were among those present on this occasion at which Foreign Minister Ali Sabry was was also present and was a speaker. So were many business and other personalities as well as ordinary people. All speakers asked the high commissioner to convey the sentiments expressed to the government and people of India.Arun Bandaranayake who compered and hosted the event said that in addition to those physically present on the occasion, there were many thousands more present in spirit. High Commissioner Baglay, visibly moved by the sentiments expressed said that he was at a loss on how to say “thank you to thank you.”
Before the speeches began, the two Buddhist monks who spoke blessed Baglay and tied a pirith nool round his wrist. Many of the speakers referred to the warmth and hospitality they had personally experienced in India and India’s goodwill to its closest neighbour.
The speakers included Anunayake Dr. Kosgoda Sri Subhuthi, Dr. M. Wimalasari Thero, Prof. Jagath Ravindra, Mrs. Kimarli Fernando, former Tourist Board chairperson, Sarvodaya chief, Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, Architect and Engineer Navin Gooneratne who produced the epic film Siddhartha Gauthama, Toastmasters Chief A. Balraj, Ms. Nayomini Weerasooriya, founder/editor Satyn Magazine, entrepreneur and women’s acivist, Mahendra Amarasuriya former President of Lion’s International and KR Ravindran, former global head of Rotary.Bandaranayake said that the event was not funded by any identifiable group or Individual and was a spontaneous outpouring of gratitude. Participants paid their own way.
Members of the Civil Security Department have donated a day’s salary to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund, which was established to restore livelihoods and rebuild the country following the devastation caused by cyclone Ditwah.
Accordingly, a cheque amounting to Rs. 40,870,686 was handed over on Thursday (22) at the Presidential Secretariat by the District Officer of the Civil Security Department G.Y.B. Perera to Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Ravi Seneviratne and Director General of the Civil Security Department, Major General Palitha Fernando (Retired), were also present on the occasion.
The Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) has contributed LKR 25 million to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund.
The cheque was handed over to the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake by the Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange, Dimuthu Abeyesekera, the Chief Executive Officer Rajeeva Bandaranaike and Senior Vice Chairman Kusal Nissanka at the Presidential Secretariat.
News
Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56
Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing concerns over the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions.The letter was sent in his capacity as Patron of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus.
In his letter, Jayasuriya noted that at the time of Sri Lanka’s independence, political participation was largely limited to an educated, affluent land-owning elite. However, he said a significant social transformation took place after 1956, enabling ordinary citizens to enter politics.
He warned that under current conditions, removing parliamentary pensions would effectively confine politics to the wealthy, business interests, individuals engaged in illicit income-generating activities, and well-funded political parties. Such a move, he said, would discourage honest social workers and individuals of modest means from entering public life.
Jayasuriya also pointed out that while a small number of former MPs, including himself, use their pensions for social and charitable purposes, the majority rely on the pension as a primary source of income.
He urged the President to give due consideration to the matter and take appropriate action, particularly as the government prepares to draft a new constitution.The Bill seeking to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament was presented to Parliament on 07 January by Minister of Justice and National Integration Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara.
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