News
JVP lawyers oppose Colombo Port City Bill
By Saman Indrajith
Sri Lanka will become a victim of the ongoing power struggle between China and the US and India for supremacy in the Indian ocean region if the proposed Colombo Port City went ahead as planned, says the JVP’s lawyers wing.
Addressing the media at the Centre for Society and Religion in Colombo, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala said that the proposed Port City was a threat to national security as it would certainly raise security concerns for India, too. “What will happen to this country when such an extent of land is given to China?” Watagala queried.
Watagala alleged that the provisions envisaged by the Draft Bill were inconsistent with the provisions of Articles 1, 2,3,4, 12,75 and 76 of the Constitution. “The Port City will not come under the administrative purview of any local government body, any provincial council or Parliament of this country,” he said.
Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara said that the Colombo Port City Special Economic Commission Bill had no provisions for safeguarding the interests of the middle and low-level members of the local business community. They would not stand a chance before the foreign businessmen in the Port City, he said. “The government says that it brought the new Bill to provide tax exemptions for the foreign investors to incentivise them. That could have been easily done through the Board of Investment Act and the Strategic Development Act. No new laws are required for that purpose.”
Attorney-at-Law Charith Galhena said that people should oppose the Bill.
Attorneys-at-Law Upul Kumarapperuma, Nirmala Siriwardena, Thushara Ranatunga and Rexy Piyadasa also addressed the press.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
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Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
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