News
EC not empowered to ask NL MPs for asset declarations – Chairman
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Chairman of Election Commission Nimal Punchihewa yesterday (11) said that there was no legal requirement for a National List MP to submit his or her asset declaration before the EC accepted nomination made by a political party.
Attorney-at-Law Punchihewa said so responding to The Island query whether he had received asset declaration from newly-appointed SLPP MP Dhammika Perera before the issuance of gazette notification pertaining to his appointment.
The SLPP last Friday (10) nominated Perera to fill the vacancy created by Basil Rajapaksa’s resignation.Responding to another query, the EC Chairman said that the EC hadn’t received asset declarations from those who had been appointed National List MPs previously. Basil Rajapaksa, Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa, PC, Saman Ratnapriya and Jayantha Ketagoda hadn’t submitted their asset declarations to the EC.
In the absence of required constitutional or electoral provisions, the EC couldn’t even ask for asset declarations from National list nominees, Punchihewa acknowledged. According to the EC’s former Director Legal as well as one-time member of the Human Rights Council, the law pertaining to asset declarations didn’t impact on National List MPs.
The EC Chairman said that the Parliament would have to look into this matter. As regards Dhammika Perera, the Parliament would have to obtain his asset declaration. Punchihewa strongly denied Perera, widely believed to be one of Sri Lanka’s richest persons, received special treatment.
Punchihewa said that he was not aware of civil society activist Rajith Keerthi Tennakon requesting the EC to deny recognition until Dhammika Perera handed over his asset declaration.Tennakoon said that the EC lacked the courage to take a stand on this matter of utmost importance. The EC couldn’t absolve itself of the responsibility for being the guardian of the voters’ right, Tennakoon said, urging the Parliament and the EC to take tangible measures to scrutinize MPs. Pointing out that the National List had been introduced way back in 1989, Keerthi said that the claim appointed MPs were not required to submit asset declarations underscored the pathetic state of affairs.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
INS Sahyadri sets sail from Colombo
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Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
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