Connect with us

News

Govt. suspended Sectoral Oversight committees to prevent discussion on 20A – Opposition Leader

Published

on

By Saman Indrajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa accused the government of suspending the functioning of Sectoral Oversight committees to avoid the 20th Amendment being discussed.

Raising a point of Order on Thursday in Parliament, soon after government members moved a motion to suspend the functioning of Sectoral Oversight Committees, the Opposition Leader demanded to know the objective and rationale behind the motion.

“This is a gross violation of democratic process. You are trying to bypass the process,” he protested.

Leader of the House, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena presented the motion to suspend the committees until establishing Parliamentary Consultative Committees under the proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution.

Leader of the Opposition Premadasa and JVP lead NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake objected to the motion.

Premadasa said that the Sectoral Oversight Committees had the power to inspect the bills presented to parliament before they are considered in the House.

The committees are there to analyze, appraise, and evaluate the bills and have the powers to indicate the conditions and circumstances in necessity or desirability of enacting new legislations. Now when the committees are suspended the government does not need to worry of the changes being suggested at the committee for the 20th Amendment, he said.

He said that the Government tried to avoid the 20th Amendment to the Constitution being discussed at the Sectoral Oversight Committee.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that the issue came up earlier and as a result SJB MP Mayantha Dissanayake was assigned to study the matter and to present a report regarding it.

Opposition Leader Premadasa then queried as to why the committees are going to be suspended before receiving the said report.

Leader of the House Minister Gunawardena said that the opposition leader had not read the motion properly. The motion was presented to suspend Sectoral Oversight Committees until the appointment of Members to them, the Minister said.

JVP leader Dissanayake said that the committees should not be suspended until the said report is presented. The motion says that the suspension is till new members are appointed to them. That is the tricky point. There are concerns about the sectoral oversight committees and we are awaiting a report. The report could propose some changes, or to continue the committee in their present form or to abolish them.

“Those are the possible recommendations of the report. We could suspend the committees till the report is ready. But the government is suspending them till new members are appointed. The prime minister knows the trick. That was the same method he employed while he was the president to prevent the functioning of independent commissions under the 17th amendment to the constitution. The law was passed to set up commissions but they could not function for nearly five years because the members were not appointed to them. So the same trick is being played once again. There would be no appointments to the sectoral oversight committees so that they would not function if we pass the motion,” the MP said, asking the speaker to give a ruling on the matter.

Speaker Abeywardena: There is no need for me to give a ruling, put it to the House and make a decision.

Leader of the House Minister Gunawardena asked whether the House agreed and the government MPs shouted ‘aye’. The motion was passed.



News

Asian Development Bank to support new education reforms

Published

on

By

The representatives of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have expressed their full support for the new education reforms undertaken by the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

These remarks were made during a discussion held on Friday (June 20) at the Parliament premises between the Prime Minister  and Mr. Takafumi Kadono, ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka, along with other ADB representatives

During the discussion, the Prime Minister explained the steps which have already been taken for the new education reforms and for  the implementation of the new reforms in the upcoming year.

The Prime Minister also elaborated on future plans of the government regarding the preparation of new curriculum, development of human resources in the education sector, improvement of infrastructure, and initiatives in general education, vocational training, higher education, and early childhood development.

The Asian Development Bank conveyed their satisfaction with the new education reforms and reaffirmed their commitment to continue supporting the development of education sector including teacher training, infrastructure upgrades, and the advancement of digital technology.

The meeting was attended by ADB representatives, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training  Nalaka Kaluwawa, and other officials from the Ministry of Education.

Continue Reading

News

Buddhist philosophy can restore spiritual life to a society consumed by wealth and power – President

Published

on

By

The centenary inauguration ceremony of the historic Sri Dalada Poson Perahera at the Athkanda Rajamaha Viharaya in Kurunegala was held on Saturday (21) afternoon  with the participation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

The annual Sri Dalada Poson Perahera, which commenced in 1925, marked its 100th anniversary this year. To commemorate this milestone, a special commemorative stamp was issued.

President Disanayake presented awards and certificates to students who excelled in various competitions held  parallel with the centenary celebrations. In his address, the President stressed that no society, regardless of its material progress, can thrive without spiritual and moral foundations. He noted that a nation’s cultural and social development must be rooted in ethical and spiritually aware citizens.

Highlighting the relevance of Buddhist Jataka stories and cultural traditions, the President remarked that these offer a valuable foundation for reviving spiritual life in a society increasingly consumed by the pursuit of wealth and power. He added that Buddhism teaches rulers to govern with compassion and accountability, values that are unfortunately eroding in modern times. He called for collective efforts to restore these cultural roots and to foster a spiritually enriched society.

Responding to critics, the President stated that despite claims that the current government would abandon such traditions, the day’s celebration clearly demonstrated its commitment to preserving and promoting Sri Lanka’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

The ceremony was attended by Most Venerable Niyangoda Sri Vijithasiri Thera, Anunayaka of the Malwatu Chapter; Venerable Anamaduwe Saddharmakeerthi Sri Rathnapala Buddharakkhitha Thera, Chief Incumbent of the Athkanda Rajamaha Viharaya; North Western Province Governor Tissa Varnasuriya; Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi; State Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Prof. Chandana Abeyratne; State Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala; Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne; and Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela, along with a large gathering of devotees and officials.

Continue Reading

News

All services of the President’s Fund officially launched at Divisional Secretariat level

Published

on

By

The official launch of providing all services of the President’s Fund through Divisional Secretariats across the island took place on Saturday (21)  morning  at the Kilinochchi District Secretariat.

Coinciding with the launch, a special training workshop for officials in the Northern Province was held at the same venue, as part of a series of workshops aimed at decentralising the President’s Fund operations to grassroots level.

Since 7 February this year, applications for medical assistance from the President’s Fund have been accepted through all Divisional Secretariats across the country. Following the successful implementation of this programme, steps have now been taken to extend digital access to all other services offered by the Fund.

Accordingly, the public can now apply online for a range of services including poverty alleviation assistance, educational scholarships, recognition for academic excellence, support for individuals with special needs, aid for children affected by the human-elephant conflict, recognition for national and public service and emergency or disaster relief. This marks the first time in the Fund’s 47-year history that services, previously limited to Colombo, are accessible via any Divisional Secretariat nationwide.

This advancement follows a decision made by the Board of Governors of the President’s Fund, chaired by the President. It is expected to improve efficiency, expand access to a wider population and minimise opportunities for misuse.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Secretary of the President’s Fund, Mr Roshan Gamage, briefed attendees on the Fund’s responsibilities and range of services.

As part of the government’s digitalisation drive, the official rollout of online services of the President’s Fund also took place during the event.

Minister of fisheries, aquatic and ocean resources  Ramalingam Chandraseker, Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayahan, the Kilinochchi and Jaffna District Secretaries, other senior government officials from the Northern Province, regional officers of the President’s Fund and its administrative staff were present at the occasion.

(PMD)

Continue Reading

Trending