News
Debt-restructuring: Former BASL Chief considers Prez comments veiled threat to judiciary
Former President of the Bar Association (BASL) Saliya Pieris, PC, yesterday (07), said the legal profession should take a strong stand on President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s continuing intervention in judicial matters. He stressed that they couldn’t turn a blind eye to presidential interventions.
Pieris made the following statement to The Island regarding President Wickremesinghe’s controversial comments at the Coconut Growers’ Association 29th AGM on 04 August: “The President’s speech, where he referred to the courts saying ‘that the government will not heed orders or advice from any other party, except Parliament, with regard to debt optimization measures, as a veiled warning to the judiciary and as an attempt to interfere with the judicial process.
“The President’s remarks are made at a time when there are cases in court challenging the Debt Restructuring programme and its impact on the EPF.
“What other institution can order the Government, except the Courts?
“Any effort to undermine the independence and integrity of the judiciary, by the Executive ,on any pretext, should not be allowed. The legal profession should take a strong position on this matter.”
The lawyers representing Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) over the weekend strongly criticised the President’s comments. (SF)
The Cabinet of Ministers granted their concurrence to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Youth Affairs to appoint S. Achchudan of Special Grade of Sri Lanka Administrative Service, who is currently serving as an Additional Commissioner of Elections at the Elections Commission who is
recommended by the panel of interviewers to the post of Director General of the Sports Development Department with effect form 01.01.2026.
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the draft bill of the National Environment (Amended) Act in the government gazette notification and subsequently to submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Buddhism, Religious, and Cultural Affairs to provide tax relief on imported dates received as donations or gift for Ramadan.
This year’s Ramadan fasting season is scheduled to begin on 19-02-2026 and end on 21-03-2026.
S. Achchudan appointed as Director General of the Sports Development Department.
Amendment of the National Environment Act No. 47 of 1980
Tax relief for Dates received as donations or gifts for Ramadan
Cabinet nod to establish the Sri Lanka Industrial Transformation and innovation Authority
Temporary employment of Sri Lankan labour in the State of Israel
Cabinet approves liquidation of Sahasya Investment Company
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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