News
Manohara asks whether SC is being pressurised over ETB
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Manohara de Silva, PC, says that President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s unprecedented criticism of the Supreme Court should be examined against the backdrop of the controversial ‘Economic Transformation Bill’ (ETB) pending before the apex court.
“The President’s warning may have a chilling effect on the judiciary,” de Silva said, emphasising the responsibility on the part of the legislature to thwart the executive’s agenda.
Commenting on President Wickremesinghe’s proposal to establish a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to review the SC’s determination on the ‘Gender Equality Bill,’ de Silva said that the UNP leader couldn’t proceed unless the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) agreed to abide by the move.
The top constitutional lawyer said that in the wake of the SC directive in respect of a case against the postponement of Local Government polls in early 2023, some members of the government talked about summoning judges before parliamentary Ethics and Privileges committee. That was part of their strategy, de Silva said, declaring that the apparent bid to pressure SC over its determination on ‘Gender Equality Bill’ could cause irreparable damage.
Nearly 20 petitions had been filed against the ETB, and therefore the powers that be were making an effort to facilitate the process, leading to the enactment of that contentious piece of legislation, the President’s Counsel said.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted to the preparation of the Appropriation Bill for the financial year of 2027 at their meeting held on 30.06.2026.
Accordingly, clearance of the Attorney General has been given to the Appropriation Bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to publish the aforementioned draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereby submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Latest News
Cabinet approves aditional Rs. 2,500 million to the Paddy Marketing Board to purchase 2026 Yala harvest
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to provide an additional Rs. 2,500 million to the Paddy Marketing Board on a reimbursable basis from the Rs. 7,500 million additional allocations granted to the Ministry to implement
the expedited paddy purchasing program for the 2026 Yala harvest.
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Cabinet nod to host the 8th Asian Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the 3rd Joint Asian and South-East Asian Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
The 8th Asian Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the 3rd Joint Asian and South-East Asian Regional Conference of the CPA are planned to be held over three days in Colombo during April/May 2027.
Approximately 90 delegates including speakers, Deputy Speakers, Member of Parliamentarians, and Parliamentary officers representing member countries of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, in the Asian and South-East Asian regions, are expected to participate in these conferences.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Prime Minister of the Parliament of Sri Lanka to host the said conferences considering the opportunities to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy and regional cooperation, as well as to enhance international recognition of the Parliament of Sri Lanka within the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
Draft of the Appropriation Bill for the Financial Year 2027 su mitted to the Parliament
Cabinet approves aditional Rs. 2,500 million to the Paddy Marketing Board to purchase 2026 Yala harvest
Cabinet nod to host the 8th Asian Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the 3rd Joint Asian and South-East Asian Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
SAARC Training Workshop on Financial Modeling for Renewable Energy Projects from 5th to 7th October in Colombo
National Children’s Week from 25th September to 01st October
Nairobi and Munich to host 2029 and 2031 World Athletics Championships
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