News
JVP: Abolition of PUCSL high-handed act
By Saman Indrajith
JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament yesterday that President’s Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundara and Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle had no authority to abolish the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL).
Speaking during the third reading debate on budget 2021, MP Dissanayake said that those two secretaries had no power to take such actions as the PUCSL had been established under an Act of Parliament.
“How can they scrap the PUCSL? Jayasundera and Attygalle have no authority to do so. If there is anything wrong with the PUCSL it is the Parliament which should take a decision on it. How can Jayasundera send letters to Attygalle to close the commission?”
“The PUCSL always stood for the rights of electricity consumers. Former Finance Minister of UNF Government Ravi Karunanayake tried to buy one unit of power for Rs. 26. He said that there would be a severe drought in the future and power units needed to be purchased. The Cabinet approved Karunanayake’s proposal too. It was the PUCSL which stopped that and said it was a burden on the country. Former Chairman of PUCSL is the Dean of Peradeniya University Engineering Faculty. Former Vice Chancellor of Moratuwa University was a member of the commission. These members are respectable people. How can Attygalle ask them to resign? That power is vested in Parliament. Only Parliament could remove a member of the PUCSL.”
MP Dissanayake said that the PUCSL came under the Finance Minister.
“Then how can the President’s Secretary send a letter to the Finance Ministry Secretary to close the commission,” MP Dissanayake queried.
The Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, paid a solemn visit to the Embassy of the Vatican in Colombo today (25) to offer condolences on behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
During the visit, Dr. Amarasuriya signed the book of condolence, expressing deep sorrow over the demise of the beloved spiritual leader and extending heartfelt sympathies to the Catholic community both in Sri Lanka and around the world:
The Prime Minister was received by the Archbishop Brian N. Udaigwe, Apostolic Nuncio of the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican Embassy in Colombo and other officials.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
President Anura Kumara Disanayake conducted an inspection tour of Kandy city on Thursday (24) night to inspect the progress of the “Siri Dalada Wandanawa” and the related issues that have emerged.
The President held an urgent meeting with relevant officials to address the issues related to sanitation facilities for devotees visiting Kandy to venerate the sacred tooth relic
Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha, Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela Bandara , Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Governor of the Central Province Prof. Sarath Abeykoon, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatte and others participated in this meeting.
[PMD]
A Sri Lankan delegation met with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer on the 22nd of April, 2025 at the US Trade Representative Office in Washington D.C.
The Sri Lankan delegation, on the instructions of President Disanayaka, who is also the Minister of Finance, handed over the originals of communications addressed to US Trade Representative Ambassador Greer
The delegation updated Ambassador Greer on the challenges that Sri Lanka has faced in the past and the steps that are being taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to overcome future challenges and move towards full economic recovery. The delegation also highlighted the prompt and positive commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to work with the US Government in reducing the trade deficit, and lowering tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Ambassador Greer acknowledged the proposals made by the Sri Lankan government and expressed hope that an agreement can be reached soon between the two countries to ensure fair and equitable trade relations.
Later on that day, the Sri Lankan delegation met with the USTR delegation appointed by Ambassador Greer lead by Assistant United States Trade Representative, In-charge of South and Central Asia, Brendan Lynch along with Director In-charge of South Asia, Emily Ashby to discuss further the appeal made in writing by Sri Lanka to the US. The two sides agreed to continue the discussions with the objective of finalizing a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries. Both sides expressed the desire to finalize the agreement in the shortest possible time period.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. The head of USTR is the U.S. Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the president’s principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade issues.
[PMD]
PM pays condolence to pope Francis at the Embassy of the Vatican in Colombo
President conducts an inspection tour of Kandy city
Sri Lankan delegation meets with US Trade Representative
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