News
Govt. causes split in SJB by appointing Mayantha as COPF head instead of Harsha
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has been divided over the appointment of its National List MP Mayantha Dissanayake as the Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF).The Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government yesterday (23) picked Dissanayake in spite of Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella on behalf of the Opposition proposing Dr. Harsha de Silva as the COPF’s head.
Prorogation of parliament for the second time within seven months by President Ranil Wickremesinghe resulted in the dissolution of three watchdog committees namely COPF, COPA (Committee on Public Accounts) and COPE (Committee on Public Enterprises)
Alleging that the government got rid of him as he in his capacity as COPF Chairman opposed corruption at every level, an irate lawmaker de Silva told The Island that he expected SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and the entire opposition to take up the issue.
The economist said that depending on the response of the SJB leader and the Opposition the matter would be settled before what he called the public court.The former UNPer alleged that his proposal to set up a casino regulatory authority made by him in his previous capacity as COPF Chairman and criticism of Sri Lanka’s premier investment promotion agency the Board of Investment (BoI) prompted the government to force him out of the watchdog committee.
Lawmaker de Silva vowed to defeat what he called the gang of thieves. MP Mayantha Dissanayake didn’t answer his hand phone. Dissanayake is among seven SJB National List MPs in the current parliament. One of them, Diana Gamage has switched allegiance to President Ranil Wuckremesinghe and was rewarded with a State Ministry.
Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga yesterday (23) told parliament that the Committee of Selection chose Mayantha Dissanayake. Minister Ranatunga alleged that the Opposition was making an attempt to mislead the public over this issue.
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena heads the 11-member Committee of Selection. Responding to Minister Ranatunga, MP de Silva said that the Opposition proposed him as the Chairman of COPF the day before yesterday.
De Silva said: “Chief Opposition Whip told him that Speaker Abeywardena endorsed his nomination. But, the Committee of Selection met again. The Opposition again proposed me as the head of COPF but government members of the Committee of Selection proposed Mayantha Dissanayake.”
MP de Silva said that the government group exploited the situation to appoint a person of their choice.
SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem who is also a member of the Committee of Selection declared that Dr. de Silva was the most qualified person to serve as the COPF head. Attorney-at-law Hakeem said that such tactics employed by the government would result in public losing confidence in the vital committee. Lawmaker Hakeem said that in terms of the Standing Orders the Committee of Selection should accept the MP nominated by the Opposition. The MP alleged that the government exploited its majority in the Committee of Selection.
The SLMC contested the last general election under the SJB ticket. SJB MP Asoka Abeysinghe alleged that the government couldn’t stomach his colleague Dr de Silva’s role as the COPF head. Therefore, the government conspired to get rid of him, the Kurunegala District MP alleged.
Gampaha District SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna alleged that the government wanted to cause division hence the move to deprive Dr. de Silva of the top post.
Minister Ranatunga insisted that the appointment of Mayantha Dissanayake was in line with the Standing Orders. The SLPP heavyweight said that the Standing Orders referred to the appointment of an Opposition MP. There couldn’t be any issue as Mayantha Dissanayake was an Opposition MP. MP Rajakaruna emphasised that the nomination should be made by the Opposition not government members.
Minister Ranatunga said that members of the Committee of Selection once appointed to that body shouldn’t be differentiated as Opposition and Government members.
Leader of the House Susil Premjayantha endorsed the position taken up by Minister Ranatunga. Premjayanth did so in responding to MP Rajakaruna’s query whether he accepted Mayantha Dissanayake’s appointment.
News
We aspire to build a nation where all citizens coexist in peace and resilience for the future generation -PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the government is ready to listen to the people and aspire to ensure a peaceful and united nation for future generations.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing public gatherings on April 20 at the Manik Farm Community Development Centre in Settikulam and the Ukkulankulam Ground in the Vanni electoral district.
The current Parliament has the highest number of female representation in its history. Previously, women constituted less than 5% of Parliament out of the total number of 225 However, 52% of the country’s population are women.
Women play a significant role in sustaining the economy, maintaining family structures, and upholding society yet their representation in decision-making bodies has been limited. Therefore, we urge you to elect not only male representation to Parliament but also more female representatives from the Vanni district.
Vavuniya is currently developing into a thriving city. Therefore, essential services expected from provincial councils must be effectively delivered. Local government bodies should actively participate in the development of the rural sector.
We recognize that education holds significant value for the people of the North. You place great importance on education. However, the country’s education system has deteriorated and weakened. Specifically, the lack of necessary attention to the education sector in the North has made it more challenging compared to other regions. Moreover, I have learned of a more alarming issue that the diminishing value placed on education by young men and women. Clandestine Drug Distribution and alcohol are now readily visible in everywhere. There are no avenues for youth to find joy while avoiding these substances. The underdevelopment of fields such as science, arts, and drama has left them without means to find happiness. Therefore, significant interventions must be necessary.
If you elect a group that is free from corruption and fraud, we can allocate funds without hesitation, ensuring they reach the appropriate hands. These funds can then be directed towards the development of your village. That is why your choice is important.
The events were attended by Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development, Upali Samarasinghe, Vavuniya District MPs S. Thileepan and M. Jegatheeswaran, along with the local government candidates and residents.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Sri Dalada Maligawa has announced that due to the large number of devotees coming to Kandy to venerate the sacred tooth relic, the time of exposition of the sacred tooth relic has been extended by an hour.
Accordingly the public can pay homage from 11.30am upto 05.30pm from today [21]
Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican has announced.
His Eminence, Cardinal Farrell, announced with sorrow the death of Pope Francis, with these words: “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning (local time), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.” “He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised.”
Farrell adds: “With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”
Francis’s papacy heralded many firsts and while he never stopped introducing reforms to the Catholic Church, he remained popular among traditionalists.
He was the first Pope from the Americas or the southern hemisphere. Not since Syrian-born Gregory III died in 741 had there been a non-European Bishop of Rome.
He was also the first Jesuit to be elected to the throne of St Peter – Jesuits were historically looked on with suspicion by Rome.
Francis’s predecessor, Benedict XVI, was the first Pope to retire voluntarily in almost 600 years and for almost a decade the Vatican Gardens hosted two popes.
As Cardinal Bergoglio of Argentina, he was already in his seventies when he became Pope in 2013.
[BBC]
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