News
Govt. to postpone vote on CBSL Bill due to protests
MPs ask for new Bill containing amendments suggested by AG
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday (09) assured Parliament that the vote on the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Bill would not be held tomorrow (11).
PM Gunawardena gave this assurance in response to a petition from a section of MPs representing the Uthara Lanka Sabhagaya (ULS), requesting that the Bill be thouroughly examined before being put to the vote.
In a letter signed by Ven. Athureliye Rathana, Udaya Gammanpila, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Gevindu Cumaratunga and Jayantha Samaraweera, the ULS requested PM Gunawardena to withdraw the Bill, one-third of which had been deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, and to submit a fresh one containing amendments proposed by the Attorney General. Seeking postponement of the second reading of the Bill, the ULS pointed out the following issues to Gunawardena. (1) Supreme Court has ruled that nearly one-third of clauses in the Bill should be passed by a 2/3 majority. In addition to that, some should be also endorsed at a referendum (2) The Attorney General, on behalf of the government, has recommended amendments to all disputed clauses and the Bill could be passed with a simple majority, after replacement of the controversial sections (3) The challenge in incorporating the amendments at the Committee Stage following one day debate (4) The Committee of Public Finance hadn’t so far met to discuss the changes, in line with the Supreme Court ruling (5) The need to reschedule the debate, taking into consideration the above-mentioned matters (6) Introduction of a new Bill, taking into consideration all amendments proposed by the Attorney General and (7) The need for meaningful debate to identify shortcomings and possible dangers as the Supreme Court only deemed the constitutionality of the Bill.
The Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) has contributed LKR 25 million to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund.
The cheque was handed over to the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake by the Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange, Dimuthu Abeyesekera, the Chief Executive Officer Rajeeva Bandaranaike and Senior Vice Chairman Kusal Nissanka at the Presidential Secretariat.
News
Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56
Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing concerns over the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions.The letter was sent in his capacity as Patron of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus.
In his letter, Jayasuriya noted that at the time of Sri Lanka’s independence, political participation was largely limited to an educated, affluent land-owning elite. However, he said a significant social transformation took place after 1956, enabling ordinary citizens to enter politics.
He warned that under current conditions, removing parliamentary pensions would effectively confine politics to the wealthy, business interests, individuals engaged in illicit income-generating activities, and well-funded political parties. Such a move, he said, would discourage honest social workers and individuals of modest means from entering public life.
Jayasuriya also pointed out that while a small number of former MPs, including himself, use their pensions for social and charitable purposes, the majority rely on the pension as a primary source of income.
He urged the President to give due consideration to the matter and take appropriate action, particularly as the government prepares to draft a new constitution.The Bill seeking to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament was presented to Parliament on 07 January by Minister of Justice and National Integration Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara.
Five suspects, including former Minister Johnston Fernando and his two sons, who were arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), were further remanded until 30 January by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The former Minister’s , sons Johan Fernando and Jerome Kenneth Fernando, and two others, were arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of a Sathosa vehicle during Fernando’s tenure as Minister.
Investigations are currently underway into the alleged misuse of state property, including a lorry belonging to Lanka Sathosa, which reportedly caused a significant financial loss to the state.
In connection with the same incident, Indika Ratnamalala, who served as the Transport Manager of Sathosa during
Fernando’s tenure as Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade, was arrested on 04 January.
After being produced before the Wattala Magistrate’s Court, he was ordered to be remanded in custody until 09 January.The former Sathosa Transport Manager was remanded on charges of falsifying documents.
Sri Lanka succumb for 219 as spin-heavy England turn screw
T20 World Cup 2026: ICC replace Bangladesh with Scotland
Indonesia landslide kills 7, dozens more missing
Ukraine condemns ‘brutal’ Russian strikes ahead of second day of peace talks
Sri Lanka bat first in second ODI
Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) donates LKR 25 million to the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” Fund
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Editorial7 days agoIllusory rule of law
-
Features7 days agoDaydreams on a winter’s day
-
Features7 days agoSurprise move of both the Minister and myself from Agriculture to Education
-
Features6 days agoExtended mind thesis:A Buddhist perspective
-
Features7 days agoThe Story of Furniture in Sri Lanka
-
Opinion5 days agoAmerican rulers’ hatred for Venezuela and its leaders
-
Features7 days agoWriting a Sunday Column for the Island in the Sun
-
Business3 days agoCORALL Conservation Trust Fund – a historic first for SL