News
FM meets Pakistan HC after protest against proposed ban on burqa
JVP: SL in trouble as govt. bigwigs don’t speak with one voice
Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena met Pakistan High Commissioner Major General (Retd.) Muhammad Saad Khattak after the latter expressed concern over Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (Retd.) Sarath Weerasekera’s declaration that the burqa would be banned in keeping with the recommendations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry
(PCoI) on the Easter attacks. Pakistan HC warned such a ban would ‘injure’ the feelings of ordinary Muslims in Sri Lanka and elsewhere.
The Foreign Ministry said that Minister Gunawardena and Major General Khattak had met at the Foreign Ministry to discuss how to expand the bilateral relationship pursuant to the recent visit to Sri Lanka by Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Both sides agreed to implement the projects which were announced during the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan, including the setting up of mobile libraries donated by Pakistan and the offer of additional hundred medical scholarships to Sri Lankan students.
Minister Gunawardena, while welcoming the offer by Pakistan to open Buddhist pilgrim sites for Sri Lankans, conveyed that the aviation sector, along with Sri Lanka tourism would announce Pakistan – Sri Lanka sector travel packages soon. The Pakistan High Commissioner invited Buddhist monks, journalists and academics to undertake familiarization visits to Pakistan to witness the diversity of well-preserved Buddhist heritage sites.
High Commissioner Khattak extended an invitation for Minister Gunawardena to attend the Pakistan National Day celebrations on 23 March 2021 in Colombo.
Sharing a news report on the proposed ban, Khattak said on Monday in a Twitter thread: “The likely ban on Niqab #SriLanka will only serve as injury to the feelings of ordinary Sri Lankan Muslims and Muslims across the globe. At today’s economically difficult time due to Pandemic and other image related challenges faced by the country at international fora, such divisive steps in the name of Security, besides accentuating economic difficulties, will only serve as a fillip to further strengthen wider apprehensions about fundamental human rights of minorities in the country.”
All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) leader and Samagi Jana Balavegaya MP Rishad Bathiudeen appreciated the stand taken by Pakistan.
SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris on Monday told regular weekly briefing at Waters Edge that the burqa would be banned in terms of the (PCoI) recommendations. Prof. Peiris is on record as having said that the government would implement all PCoI recommendations except the banning of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS).
JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the government should be ashamed of the way it handled such a sensitive issue. “The Public Security Minister made an announcement. His declaration was dismissed by Foreign Secretary Admiral (Retd.) Jayanath Colombage and the Cabinet Spokesman.” Dissanayake said that the incumbent government had made policy U-turns on several occasions.
Well informed sources said that Pakistan’s response to the proposed ban on the burqa caused a lot of apprehension among government members. Pakistan represents the Asia Group in the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Sources said that Sri Lanka always received Pakistan’s backing at the UNHRC and unnecessary rift a week before a high profile vote on the UK-led Core Group sponsored resolution could further undermine Sri Lanka’s stand. (SF)
Power sector workers shouldn’t be granted year-end bonuses
Leader of the Eksath Janaraja Peramuna (EJP) and former Power Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said that CEB workers shouldn’t be granted year end/Christmas bonuses as they had not contributed to the much favourable current financial status of that state-owned enterprise.
Ex-parliamentarian Ranawaka said that the CEB had earned massive profits solely by implementing extremely unfair tariff structure, therefore workers shouldn’t be paid bonuses.
The former Minister was addressing the media at the EJP Colombo office. Referring to official records, the EJP leader said that the CEB had earned a profit of Rs. 6161 mn in 2023 and also saved Rs. 36 bn. So far this year (January to November), the CEB had recorded Rs. 263 bn profit but the government continued to fleece consumers.
Ranawaka also questioned the failure on the part of the government to provide electricity consumers relief as decided by the Cabinet during the previous government that there would be quarterly revision of pricing formula.
Ranawaka said that the government should explain why it couldn’t decrease fuel prices by a significant amount. The NPP administration should at least admit that it couldn’t do away with the current unbearable tax regime. The ex-parliamentarian asked the NPP to acknowledge that the government feared collapse in case of abolition of heavy taxes on fuel.
The ex-Minister challenged the NPP to prove accusations that had been directed at ministers of previous governments without propagating allegations. According to Ranawaka, both diesel and petrol prices remained high as the government levied Rs 50 and 72 on diesel and petrol, respectively, in addition to 18% VAT (Value Added Tax).
Ranawaka pointed out that in addition to Ceypetco, IOC and Sinopec had been levying taxes heavily with diesel (Rs 88-94) and petrol (Rs 110-117) imports per litre (SF)
A person who had been apprehended by protesting Development Officers during a noisy demonstration outside the Education Ministry at Isurupaya and handed over to police was subsequently identified as a member of the Military Intelligence.
Police said that those demanding they be made permanent in the teaching service alleged that the apprehended man allegedly caused injuries to policemen deployed at the scene.
A Sub-Inspector of Police (SI) and two constables were injured. (HR)
Muhammathu Saali Naleem was sworn in as a member of the Tenth Parliament yesterday before Speaker Dr. Asoka Ranwala.
Following the oath taking, Naleem signed the Members’ Roll in the presence of Secretary General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera, marking his formal induction into the legislative body. Naleem was appointed as a National List Member of Parliament, representing the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC).
The inaugural session of the Tenth Parliament took place on November 21st, 2024, with members taking their oaths the following day. On November 22nd, the Election Commission issued a gazette notification confirming Naleem’s appointment to the National List of the SLMC, paving the way for his oath-taking ceremony yesterday.
Before entering Parliament, Naleem served as the Chairman of the Eravur Urban Council, bringing valuable local governance experience to his new role as a lawmaker.
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