News
Annual accounts, amendments to respective constitutions sought
EC-political parties powwow
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Election Commission has requested political parties to submit their annual accounts, changes in respect of office-bearers and amendments to party constitutions, if any, at a meeting held at the EC Secretariat at Rajagiriya on Monday (11).
Commissioner General of Elections, told The Island that the EC asked the political parties to furnish requested information urgently.
Among those who had been present on the occasion were Basil Rajapaksa and lawmaker Ranjith Madduma Bandara on behalf of the ruling SLPP and the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), respectively.
The SLPP and the SJB are represented by 145 and 54 members, respectively.
The EC also advised political parties to be ready to submit proposals to the proposed Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on electoral reforms. Ratnayake emphasized the importance of political parties taking advantage of an opportunity to submit proposals against the backdrop of continuing discussions on urgently required electoral reforms.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa announced his decision to appoint a PSC on electoral reforms when the five-member EC headed by attorney-at-law Nimal Punchihewa paid a courtesy call on the Premier.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa named the new EC in terms of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution. The previous EC consisted of three persons.
During Monday’s discussions, the EC and senior representatives of political parties dealt with the ongoing revision of the 2020 electoral register. Ratnayaka said that the EC requested political parties to help in the preparation of the new electoral register without leaving a single voter out.
Contrary to a section of the Maha Sangha as well as some members of SLPP strongly opposing holding of much delayed Provincial Council polls, those participating at the discussion pushed for early PC polls. The EC has assured them that their concerns would be examined.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Showery condition over the island is expected to reduce from tomorrow (15th)
USA’s Ali Khan claims having been ‘denied’ India visa ahead of T20 World Cup
At least 28 dead as crane collapses onto train in Thailand
Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
Trump cancels US-Iran meetings, urges protesters to take over institutions
Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Business3 days agoDialog and UnionPay International Join Forces to Elevate Sri Lanka’s Digital Payment Landscape
-
News3 days agoSajith: Ashoka Chakra replaces Dharmachakra in Buddhism textbook
-
Features3 days agoThe Paradox of Trump Power: Contested Authoritarian at Home, Uncontested Bully Abroad
-
Features3 days agoSubject:Whatever happened to (my) three million dollars?
-
News3 days agoLevel I landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended
-
News3 days ago65 withdrawn cases re-filed by Govt, PM tells Parliament
-
News3 days agoNational Communication Programme for Child Health Promotion (SBCC) has been launched. – PM
-
Opinion5 days agoThe minstrel monk and Rafiki, the old mandrill in The Lion King – II