News
Debate over entitlements of former Presidents intensifies amidst NPP’s plans to cut their benefits
The government’s plan to curtail the entitlements of former presidents has sparked differing opinions, with Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Aviation Bimal Ratnayake advocating for swift changes, while legal experts warn of constitutional and human rights implications.
Minister Ratnayake recently announced that the government would reduce the benefits granted to former presidents without requiring constitutional amendments. Referring to a Supreme Court’s ruling concerning the official residence of former President Maithripala Sirisena, he claimed that the verdict had made it clear that a sitting president did not have the authority to allocate official residences.
Stressing that former presidents should be provided with appropriate official residences, Ratnayake argued that luxurious mansions were unnecessary. He said former President Mahinda Rajapaksa would be asked to vacate his current residence at Wijerama as alternative accommodation could be provided to him.
The minister added that the government was planning to amend the current Constitution to make it better reflect modern societal needs, a key promise made during the NPP’s election campaign.
However, President’s Counsel Prathiba Mahanama has cautioned against any attempt to revoke pensions or other entitlements of former presidents. He has said that under clauses 01, 02, 03, and 04 of Article 36 of the 1978 Constitution, former Presidents are entitled to pensions, which cannot be retroactively revoked.
Mahanama has further warned that any law seeking to revoke such pensions will apply only to future Presidents and not the past ones. He has emphasised that revoking pensions retroactively could be considered a violation of fundamental human rights.
Members of the South Asian Journalists Forum have gathered at the University of New Delhi for a two day conference themed ‘Peace and Co-operation’.
Journalists from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India are attending the conference hosted by the University of Delhi in collaboration with the India Chapter of SJF, and will deliberate on how the media can act as a catalyst for regional stability and mutual coexsistence.
A tree plantation campaign was also held at the Ghandi Bhawan premises of the University to mark the event and symbolize growing regional ties.
The Sri Lanka delegation is led by President of SJF’s Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi.
The Governor of the of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, along with the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Harsh Sanghvi, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Thursdy [February 05] at the Parliamentary Complex to discuss the arrangements related to the exposition of the Devnimori Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, which have been brought to Sri Lanka under the patronage of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India.
These sacred relics of Lord Buddha were discovered during archaeological excavations conducted in the 1960s at the historic Devnimori site in Gujarat, the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Until now, these relics had never been taken outside India. As a result of discussions held between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Sri Lanka, the people of Sri Lanka have been granted this rare opportunity to venerate these sacred relics.
The exposition of the relics is being held for a period of seven days, from February 05 to February 11, at the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya, Colombo. Discussions were held between both parties regarding the arrangements related to this event.
The discussion was attended by Samar Nanda, Joint Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Culture; Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, Acting High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka; Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation; along with several others.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) GHARIAL made a port call in Colombo for operational turnarounds on 04 Feb 26. The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.
Commanded by Commander Gaurav Tewari, INS GHARIAL is a vessel with a length of 124.8 meters.
During this visit, ten (10) Bailey Bridges, brought by ship, through the coordination of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, will be handed over to the Disaster Management Center. These bridges will provide temporary transportation links while bridges damaged across the island by adverse weather conditions are repaired.
The crew’s itinerary features scheduled goodwill activities with the Sri Lanka Navy, alongside visits to several tourist attractions across the island.
Mighty India meet multicultural USA in polarised World Cup
At least 31 killed, dozens wounded in Islamabad mosque blast
The SSC finally steps out of the sunshine and into the floodlights
SAARC journalists meet in New Delhi
Governor of Gujarat met with Sri Lanka PM to discuss exposition of Devnimori Relics
India chase sixth Under-19 World Cup title, England their first since 1998
‘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
-
Business7 days agoHayleys Mobility ushering in a new era of premium sustainable mobility
-
Business4 days agoSLIM-Kantar People’s Awards 2026 to recognise Sri Lanka’s most trusted brands and personalities
-
Business7 days agoAdvice Lab unveils new 13,000+ sqft office, marking major expansion in financial services BPO to Australia
-
Business7 days agoArpico NextGen Mattress gains recognition for innovation
-
Business6 days agoAltair issues over 100+ title deeds post ownership change
-
Editorial7 days agoGovt. provoking TUs
-
Business6 days agoSri Lanka opens first country pavilion at London exhibition
-
Business5 days agoAll set for Global Synergy Awards 2026 at Waters Edge