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.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Showery condition over the island is expected to reduce from tomorrow (15th)
USA’s Ali Khan claims having been ‘denied’ India visa ahead of T20 World Cup
At least 28 dead as crane collapses onto train in Thailand
Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
Trump cancels US-Iran meetings, urges protesters to take over institutions
Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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