News
Dinesh presents motion to appoint PSC to recommend electoral reforms

Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardena on Monday (5) presented a motion to appoint a select committee to identify appropriate changes to the election laws and electoral system and to recommend necessary amendments, the Communication Department of Parliament said in a media release yesterday
The Select Committee will consist of 15 members and the motion states that the recommendations of the committee should be submitted within six months post the appointment of the Select Committee made by the Speaker.
The responsibility of the Committee is to identify shortcomings of the existing electoral system and its structure and to make recommendations with regards to the amendments pertaining to the subject matter.
The committee could decide on its quorum, summon any person before it, to require any person to produce any document or record, to procure and receive all such evidence, written or oral as it may think necessary for the fullest consideration, obtain services of specialists and experts in the relevant fields and make interim reports from time to time and sit notwithstanding any adjournment of Parliament.
News
Sixth anniversary of Easter Sunday carnage: Special security provided to churches

Police and armed forces personnel will be deployed at all churches today as the sixth anniversary of the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks is marked.Police stations have been instructed to provide special security to churches in their areas and seek assistance from the STF and tri-forces where additional manpower is needed.
Security arrangements have been made under the direction of Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya.
Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuiyakontha convened a special meeting on Thursday, instructing the Commanders of the Tri-Forces to implement a comprehensive security plan to safeguard worshippers attending Easter Sunday services.
He further directed that the measures be taken in close coordination with the Ministry of Public Security to ensure effective implementation and to allow Christians to attend services without fear or inconvenience.The main commemoration service is set to begin with a procession from St. Lucia’s Cathedral at 7:00 a.m., with participation from Catholics
in nearby parishes—particularly from Colombo Central, Colombo North, Wattala, and Ragama—as well as brothers from junior and national seminaries, priests, and religious leaders. Colombo Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith is expected to conduct the prayer service, which is scheduled to begin at 8:40 a.m.
A separate commemoration will also take place at St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, in two sessions—one at 8:30 a.m. and another at 4:30 p.m.
By Norman Palihawadane
News
Easter Sunday carnage: Catholic Bishops’ Conference renews call for justice

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka says that ascertaining who the perpetrators of the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019 were and those who have aided and abetted in the dastardly act, is a matter of urgency.
In its special message for Easter the conference says: “This Easter also marks the sixth anniversary of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks on innocent worshipers at Catholic and other Christian Churches and in other places in 2019, causing death and injuries to hundreds of people. In this regard, we observe that certain positive steps have been taken by the present government to ensure an independent and impartial inquiry into this brutal attack.
While we appreciate the efforts made so far, we insist that as a matter of urgency and justice, the final aim of the inquiries should be to ascertain who the perpetrators are and those who have aided and abetted in the dastardly act.
We shall continue to pray earnestly for wisdom and courage for the leaders of our country, as well as solace and healing for the victims,” the message signed by the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka, Bishop Harold Anthony Perera and Secretary General Bishop Anthony Jayakody said.
News
Bill to abolish Online Safety law gazetted

A new bill has been drafted to abolish the controversial Online Safety law passed by the previous government.
A gazette notification, announcing “Bill to Repeal the Online Safety Act No. 09 of 2024”, has been issued.
The bill has been presented as a Private Member’s Bill by MP Ravi Karunanayake.
By Akitha Perera
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