News
Karu takes anti-20A campaign to Mahanayakes
KANDY –
Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, calling on the Mahanayaka Theras of Malwatta and Asgiriya, said recently, that he appreciated the manner the government acted to eradicate the drug menace and the underworld, but did not agree with it on the 20th Amendment.
Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya called on the prelates of Malwatta and Asgiriya Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala and Warakagoda Sri Gnanaratana respectively with a group of representatives of the National Movement for a Just Society to educate the prelates on the risks of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution drafted by the government.
Presenting copies of a report made by a committee appointed by the society to the Mahanayake Theras, Jayasuriya and said that the 20th Amendment would be harmful to the country as too much of power would be concentrated in the executive presidency.
“The administration of the country will be in the hand of a single person and the Parliament will be powerless . The Parliament will be like a post office.”
Jayasuriya said the 20th Amendment was a threat to democracy.
Those supporting the 20th amendment were engaged in carrying out false propaganda against the 19th amendment, Jayasuriya claimed.
The proponents of the 20th Amendment claimed the failure to prevent the Easter attack was due to the 19th Amendment, Jayasuriya said, warning that the independent commissions would be scrapped under the 20th Amendment. However, there was a need for a new Constitution for the country, he said.
Professor Rohan Samarajeewa also told the prelates that the 20th Amendment was not necessary for Sri Lanka.
Secretary General of Asgiriya Chapter Venerable Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Nayaka Thera said that the people of the country had witnessed how the previous governments had brought in amendments to the Constitution and how they were tabled and passed people had seen how the leaders clashed due to disagreements among them as a result of the provisions of the Constitution. Therefore, a well-designed Constitution should be instituted for the country.
Ven. Urulewatte Dhammarakkitha Nayake Thera and Ven.Thalpotha Dhammajothi Nayake Thera, Sunil Jayasekera and Narendra Dissanayake were present.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
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