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Mano’s group also pledges support for Premadasa in presidential race
Rebel SLPP faction issues warning over Dhammika Perera’s nomination
Close on the heels of the SLMC declaring its support for SJB leader Sajith Premadasa’s candidature, the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), led by MP Mano Ganesan, too, has thrown its weight behind Premadasa.
Ganesan announced his party’s decision at the Hotel Janaki yesterday (06). “We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the SJB,” MP Ganesan said, declaring that their group was unanimous in their decision. The TPA consists of five parliamentarians, namely Mano Ganesan MP, P. Thigambarm (Deputy Leader – TPA), V. Radhakrishnan (Deputy Leader – TPA), M. Velukumar and M. Udayakumar.
Over the weekend, former Minister and SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem announced that his party would back Premadasa’s candidature.
Meanwhile, rebel SLPP faction backing President Wickremesinghe’s candidature has claimed that more parliamentarians would switch allegiance if the Rajapaksas named National List MP Dhammika Perera as their candidate.
Declaring that as many as 102 SLPP MPs now backed Wickremesinghe, sources said that several members, representing Ratnapura, Polonnaruwa and Ampara, were engaged in discussions with Wickremesinghe’s camp. Sources said that 102 MPs represent altogether 09 political parties, including the SLPP.
The SLPP is scheduled to announce business tycoon Dhammika Perera as its candidate today (07).
Political sources said that the SJB and Wickremesinghe’s camp had been engaged in intense negotiations with political parties represented in Parliament with the time allocated for making cash deposits scheduled to end on August 14 (SF)
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya yesterday sad that the Executive Presidency would be abolished, in line with the NPP’s election manifesto.
Speaking in Parliament, in response to a question raised under Standing Order 27/2 by Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Prime Minister said the abolition would take place through a proposed new Constitution.
She added that preliminary work on drafting the new Constitution had already begun, with previous committee reports and other proposals being studied to guide the process.
“A concept paper on the draft will be presented to the Cabinet,” Amarasuriya said, noting that a formal study has been initiated on abolishing the Executive Presidency.
She said that the move cannot be implemented without introducing a new Constitution.
Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday that the suspension of duties imposed on Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the National Hospital, amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.
Raising the issue during parliamentary proceedings, Premadasa, who is also the SJB Leader, questioned the decision to suspend the senior medical officer for issuing a statement to the media, particularly on matters relating to children’s medicines.
He said health was a fundamental right and noted that two children had reportedly died, stressing that the focus should be on accountability over the incident rather than penalising a medical professional for speaking out.
Premadasa criticised the authorities for suspending Dr. Bellana solely for communicating with the media, asking whether such action constituted justice for families who had lost their children.The Opposition Leader said silencing officials, who raise concerns, undermines fundamental rights and does not address the underlying issues related to patient safety and public health.
Acting Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital Dr. Rukshan Bellana has been suspended.
A letter, issued by the Ministry of Health, says preliminary investigations by the Ministry of Health has revealed that Dr. Bellana, as a government medical officer holding a responsible position, made statements to the media, without approval, in a manner that created a controversial situation in the country and unrest among the public.
The letter further stated that formal disciplinary action will be taken in due course regarding this matter.
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