News
JVP accuses Prez and MP Wajira of taking decisions in Cabinet’s name
By Saman Indrajith
JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament yesterday that the executive decisions of the country were not taken by the Cabinet of Ministers but by President Ranil Wickremesinghe and UNP MP Wajira Abeywardena.
“What is the use of a Cabinet if these two persons take crucial decisions and make them out to be those of the Cabinet?” Dissanayake queried.
Referring to a recent directive issued by the Cabinet Secretary W. M. D.R. Fernando to the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, asking the latter to prevent the District Secretaries from accepting deposits from candidates for the local council poll, he said that decision was made by President Wickremesinghe and MP Abeywardena and then conveyed to the Cabinet Secretary. They got the Cabinet Secretary to inform Secretary to the Public Administration that a Cabinet decision had been made to suspend accepting deposits. Thereafter, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration Neil Hapuhuinne issued the directive to the Returning Officers appointed by the Elections Commission, asking them not to accept deposits. Fernando and Hapuhinne say that the suspension of accepting deposits was on the basis of a Cabinet decision. We want to know whether the Cabinet was aware of any such thing,” Dissanayake said.
Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that the Cabinet had not made any decision to influence returning officers or to suspend accepting deposits. “Hapuhinne withdrew his directive on the same day,” he said.
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa said that the directive was against all norms and values of democratic principles. “This is an attempt to disregard people’s right to vote. I do not think this action was taken by Hapuhinne on his own. When Hapuhinne was summoned by the Elections Commission, the two persons who hold the highest posts in this country instructed him not to appear before the commission.”
Prime Minister Gunawardena said that the Opposition Leader was uttering lies. “The top most post is held by the President. I hold the next highest post. I did not issue such instructions,” Premier Gunawardena said.
JVP leader Dissanayake said that it was difficult to accept that the Cabinet of ministers comprising several president’s counsels and senior lawyers such as Ali Sabry, Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, Nimal Siripala de Silva and Susil Premajayanth had made such an unconstitutional decision. Now, the Prime Minister says that the Cabinet did not take such a decision. Therefore, my information that the decision in question was made by the President and MP Wajira Abeywardena is accurate. This is a serious issue. Should we hereafter take the Cabinet decisions seriously?”
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]
We aspire to build a nation where all citizens coexist in peace and resilience for the future generation -PM
Exposition of sacred tooth relic extended by an hour –
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