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Gevindu confident of President keeping his promise to unveil new draft Constitution before end of this year

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Gammanpila initiated a new political culture by taking public into confidence

 

By Shamindra Ferdinando

SLPP parliamentarian  Gevindu Cumaratunga is confident a new draft Constitution will be presented to the country before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa completes two years in office in November.

Cumaratunga, who is also the Chairman of the Yuthukama civil society organisation told The Island that President Rajapaksa assured the government parliamentary group of his intention to do so before the enactment of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution last October.

The Parliament endorsed the 20th Amendment with an overwhelming two-thirds majority.

The 20th Amendment incorporated a key provision in the 19th that restricted both presidential and parliamentary terms to five years each.

A nine-member committee led by Romesh de Silva, PC, is in the process of formulating the new draft Constitution.

The grandson of Sinhala literary genius Munidasa Kumaratunga said that the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) led Opposition could quite rightly move a No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against the government if President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s administration failed to fulfill its mandate.

Responding to another query, Cumaratunga said that during his brief speech in Parliament on Monday (19), on the opening day of the two-day debate on the NCM moved against Energy Minister Attorney-at-law Udaya Gammanpila the issue was addressed.

Pointing out that the SJB lacked sufficient strength in Parliament to at least to challenge the government, MP Cumaratunga said that the SLPP received two strong mandates in Nov 2019 and Aug 2020 to introduce a new Constitution.

Referring to a relentless campaign undertaken by Yuthukama after the 2015 change of government, MP Cumaratunga emphasised that the government remained committed to introducing a new Constitution that guaranteed security of the State and equality in law. Lawmaker Cumaratunga said that the 1978 Constitution had been eroded by enactment of various amendments to appease those who had pursued agendas inimical to overall national interests.

The MP asserted that in spite of a delay in the new Constitution making process due to the eruption of Covid-19 epidemic the draft Constitution could be presented by Nov. Yuthukama leader expressed confidence in unveiling the draft Constitution at the completion of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s second year in office as the latter declared his intention to seek a second five-year term.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was responding to a query posed by Rupavahini Chairman Reginald Cooray, a former lawmaker who served as the Northern Province Governor during Maithripala Sirisena’s presidency.

Lawmaker Cumaratunga said that the SJB handed over its much-touted NCM against the Energy Minister to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, on June 15. However, the SJB as well as the Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, in a statement issued on June 12 questioned the rationale in moving a NCM against the Energy Minister over the increase in fuel prices as it was decision subjected to Cabinet approval.

MP Cumaratunga said that the two-day debate on NCM against the Energy Minister was nothing but an utter waste of time and resources. When attacked over the announcement that he made on June 12, Minister Gammanpila quite intrepidly set the record straight.

The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader had no qualms in pointing out that the decision to increase the prices of fuel was taken on June 09 at the Cost of Living Committee meeting, chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and attended by several others, including Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Noting that Premier, in his capacity as the Finance Minister authorised the fuel price hike in writing, MP Cumaratunga said that the issue at hand should never be the basis for NCM.

Lawmaker Cumaratunga said that the country faced a daunting challenge in meeting the growing oil bill. Referring to Sri Lanka’s efforts to develop oil wells and natural gas site off the northwest coast, MP Cumaratunga underscored the importance in bolstering renewable energy sources.

The Yuthukama Chief said that Minister Gammanpila had set an unprecedented example by taking the public into confidence by telling them the unpalatable truth. Paying a glowing tribute to the PHU leader for initiating a new political culture, MP Cumaratunga said that the public shouldn’t be deceived under any circumstances. The MP pointed out that at the onset of attacks on Minister Gammanpila, the Presidential Secretariat on June 13 confirmed the crisis caused by the CPC and the CEB being in debt to Bank of Ceylon and People’s Bank to the tune of Rs 737 bn.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in his address to the nation, about 10 days later admitted the challenge in meeting annual loan payments amounting to USD 4 bn, lawmaker Cumaratunga said.

Yuthukama leader said that fuel price changes effected on June 12 remained unchanged though some speculated about downward revision. The MP said that Minister Gammanpila proved that whatever the criticism he wouldn’t change his stance to appease the crowds.

In the wake of SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam demanding Minister Gammanpila’s resignation on June 12, a group of lawmakers issued a statement backing the PHU leader. Minister Gammanpila’s resignation was demanded on the basis he acted contrary to the government by increasing fuel prices.

 

 



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Maintaining public trust is a fundamental responsibility of the Police Department – President

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Attending the passing out parade of the 82nd batch of the Special Task Force (STF) at the Katukurunda STF Training Camp in Kalutara on Monday (07), President Anura Kumara Disanayake emphasized the need for a progressive transformation within the Sri Lanka Police to ensure the rule of law, order and authority.

The President noted that the public places its trust in the Sri Lanka Police to uphold the supremacy of the law and maintaining that trust is a fundamental responsibility of the Police Department.

Addressing the newly commissioned officers, President Disanayake stated that how one serves and respects their profession is reflected in their career and urged the officers to embrace their professional duty in a way that contributes meaningfully to the transformative change the country requires.

Highlighting the current state of institutional breakdown in many sectors, the President pointed out that the people have already initiated change by altering the political authority, but reiterated that political transformation alone is insufficient. Instead, a comprehensive and positive transformation across all sectors is necessary for national progress.

The President further emphasized that new police officers carry the responsibility of meeting public expectations. He called on them to ensure public safety and security and to prevent the nation from falling prey to organized crime and drug-related issues.

He also stated that the younger generation must take responsibility for the motherland, bearing that duty on their shoulders and should strive to steer both their personal future and the future of the country in a positive direction.

President Disanayake concluded by saying that joining the regular service of the Sri Lanka Police today should be remembered by all as a significant and powerful step forward.

The President further noted that the service rendered by the Special Task Force (STF) on behalf of the public during times of emergency and disaster is highly commendable.

A total of 118 newly recruited Sub-Inspectors and 231 Probationary Police Constables who successfully completed their basic training graduated during the ceremony.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake awarded certificates and honours to officers who demonstrated exceptional performance during the training programme.

A commemorative token was also presented to President Disanayake, who attended the ceremony as the Chief Guest.

An operational demonstration by STF officers on a simulated battlefield was presented as part of the event.

Established in 1983 under the theme “Victory is Certain”, the Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force is currently recognized as a prestigious unit deployed for VIP protection, crime and organized crime suppression and narcotics control efforts aimed at building a drug-free nation.

The ceremony was attended by Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Ravi Seneviratne, Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya, STF Commanding Officer Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Samantha de Silva, along with other senior police officers, the parents of graduating officers and other invitees.

[PMD]

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Submission of gazette notifications for the concurrence of the Parliament.

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The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to submit the following notification / order / rule published in the government gazette notification to the Parliament for its concurrence:

• Notification on the revision of tax limit of luxury on motor vehicles under the Finance Act No. 35 of 2018 published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2421 / 41 dated 31.01.2025.

• Rule issued under the Production Levy (Special Provisions) Act No. 13 of 1989 on revision of production levy rate for vehicles operated with electricity published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2421 / 42 dated 31.01.2025

• Order issued under the Finance Act No. 25 of 2003 on extension of the period on which the 50% relief is active which is given to the deviation levy published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2421 / 30 dated 31.01.2025

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Cabinet approval to prepare new Act for securing the rights of plant species

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Although there are legal provisions for the right to publish, technical planning, right of patent, trademarks and enterprises etc, in the Intellectual Property Act No. 36 of 2003, there are no provisions for securing the rights of plant species (relevant to breeders, researchers and farmers).

In addition, no patents can be issued for flora and fauna according to the provisions of the intellectual rights act. Therefore, approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 22.05.2024 to introduce a new act for securing the rights of plant species.

Wherefore, the Legal Draftsman has pointed out that policy approval of the new Cabinet of Ministers should be taken to complete the drafting of the new flora species rights securing act.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposals submitted by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation for the preparation of the said draft bill.

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