News

Get on with 21A if you’re genuine about systemic change says Eran

Published

4 years ago

2022/06/5

SJB MP Eran Wickremaratne says that it is high time the government got on with the 21st Amendment Bill proposed by the SJB to parliament if it genuinely wants to bring a system change demanded by the people across the country.

He told a press conference held on Thursday at the Office of the Leader of Opposition, that the first reading of 21A was on May 17 and it is now before the Supreme Court to decide whether it is consistent with the constitution. By June 15, there would be a determination on whether it needs a two-thirds majority in Parliament and/or the people’s approval at a referendum.

Wickramaratne charged that contrary to this process the government is trying to push a hitherto unseen Bill, calling it the 21st Amendment. It actually should be the 23rd Amendment as already there are two Bills titled 21A and 22A proposing amendments to the Constitution.

The SJB proposal is 21A and the private member’s bill by Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakashe has been listed as 22A. So the government proposal, when it is presented after having obtained the consensus among its coalition partners and cabinet approval in the future, will be titled as the 23rd Amendment to the Constitution.

Wickremaratne said that the government’s proposal is going to take a long time coming as there is no consensus yet within the governing party itself. It has a long way to go before the first reading, possibly by the end of June, before being considered by the Supreme Court.

There is a possibility that it could be presented in Parliament for the second reading after having gone through the administrative and judicial process earliest by August 9. This is unless the government in some way decides to block the passage of the SJB’s 21A. It could be approved earlier to find the desired solution to the deadlock in creating political stability in the country.

“This is the response to the agitation across the country for a systemec change and the abolishing of the executive presidency. That is why we have presented this Bill and we are telling the government that we are open to a referendum as the people’s will must be determined,” the MP said.

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SAARC journalists meet in New Delhi

Published

13 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

President of SJF Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi hands over a memento to Dr Alok Kumar Mishra Joint Secretary of the Association of Indian Universities

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.

News

Governor of Gujarat met with Sri Lanka PM to discuss exposition of Devnimori Relics

Published

14 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

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]

News

INS GHARIAL makes port call in Colombo

Published

21 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

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.