News
Basil to decide whether he re-enters Parliament – Mahinda
by Norman Palihawadana
Though Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP) members have unanimously called for the party’s political strategist to return to Parliament through the National List, Basil Rajapaksa has still not made up his mind whether he should take to active politics again, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said.
“It is an entirely a matter left to Basil Rajapaksa to decide on, despite a popular demand from SLPP parliamentarians for him to return to parliament to serve the nation”, he told The Sunday Island.
According to political observers, SLPP National List member, Jayantha Ketagoda will step down to make way for Basil Rajapaksa to re-enter parliament.
Though some members of the opposition are showing intense interest in the matter, Basil Rajapaksa himself has still not decided whether he should enter parliament as an MP of the present government, the premier said.
“We are still waiting for him (Basil Rajapaksa) to decide. Perhaps, he needs more time to make up his mind whether to accept the offer or not”, he further said.
Polling the highest number of preferential votes from the Gampaha district in the 2010 parliamentary election, Basil Rajapaksa served as the Minister of Economic Development during President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s second term (2010–2015).
Under the 19th Amendment to the Constitution adopted during the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe regime, Basil Rajapaksa was debarred from contesting the August 2020 parliamentary polls as he is a dual citizen. However, with the passage of the 20th Amendment, he is now qualified to serve as an MP.
On the forthcoming budget, the Prime Minister said the government will offer relief to the masses to cushion the cost of living burden.
Asked about plans for his 74th birthday on November 18, Rajapaksa said the focus will be largely on religious observances, apart from focusing on development initiatives.
“We will be launching many more development projects on this day, including projects to provide pipe-borne drinking water to many areas of Gampaha district, a long-felt need, which had remained neglected over the years”, he added.
News
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
A meeting between Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and relevant ministry officials was held on Tuesday (08) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the development plans to be implemented in Sri Lanka under three zones, in collaboration with the Surbana Jurong Institute of Singapore and 18 Ministries.
During the meeting it was discussed in detail regarding the plans for the Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project. The officials from Singapore-based urban planning and infrastructure consultancy Surbana Jurong also joined the discussion virtually.
Progress reports on the three projects were reviewed in detail and Dr. Kumanayake instructed the officials to identify any deficiencies and finalize the necessary actions within the next two weeks.
The discussion also addressed delays in securing necessary approvals for investments under the existing regulatory framework, as well as the urgent need to revise certain legislative instruments to better facilitate national development.
The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russel Aponsu, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing U.G. Ranjith Ariyaratne, and several senior officials from the respective ministries.
News
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for 09 April 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, and Western provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned below is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).
Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.
The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.
The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.
Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
IPL 2025: Sensational Priyansh Arya condemns Chennai Super Kings to another loss
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
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