News
Motion to remove PUCSL Chairman passed by Parliament
By Saman Indrajith
A motion moved by the government to remove the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Chairman Janaka Ratnayake was passed in Parliament with a majority of 46 votes yesterday.
The motion received 123 votes in favour and 77 votes against.
MPs of the SJB, SLFP, JVP-led NPP, Nidahasa Janatha Sabhawa and Uttara Lanka Sabhagaya voted against the government.
The motion, in accordance with Sri Lanka Public Utilities Commission Act No. 35 of 2002 for the removal of J.W. M. J. P. K. Ratnayake, the incumbent Chairman and the member of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka, from the membership of the said Commission in terms of Section 7 of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Act, was taken for debate suspending Standing Orders.
MPs Vadivel Suresh, Kumara Welgama and A.H.M. Fowzie voted for the motion with the government.
Minister Susil Premajayantha, moving the motion for the debate, said that the PUCSL was not an independent commission set up under the Constitutional provisions, and it was only a regulatory body set up through a separate Act of Parliament and, therefore, the provisions relevant to the independent commissions were not applicable to the PUCSL.
The motion was debated in Parliament from 10.30 am to 5 pm, with Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera commencing the debate, saying that five allegations were being levelled against the PUCSL Chairman. The debate was followed by a division.
Accordingly, following the vote, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena declared that the motion had been passed by an absolute majority.
By Cabinet decision dated 2025-12-01, policy approval was granted to amend the definition of the term “animal” in the Animals Act No. 29 of 1958 by including, pigs, goats, and sheep, in addition to cattle and buffaloes, within the interpretation section of the act.
In accordance with the said approval, the Legal Draftsman has drafted an Amended Bill in all three languages, and the clearance of the Attorney General has also been obtained.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the
resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to publish the draft Amendment Bill in the Government Gazette and thereafter to submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
News
Cabinet approves establishment of a ‘Trust’ to carry out the management of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
The Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre, comprising 11 floors, has been constructed with the assistance of the Government of India with the objective of serving as a hub for cultural activities in Sri Lanka and expanding bilateral cooperation for the promotion, preservation, and fostering the cultural heritage of Jaffna.
In accordance with the approval granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 2022-02-21, a Joint Management Committee has been appointed to make decisions relating to the affairs of the said cultural centre, in terms of the Memorandum of Understanding signed for the operation of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre.
According to the provisions of the aforementioned MOU, upon completion of the construction of the project, the cultural centre should be transferred to the Jaffna Municipal Council through the Government of Sri Lanka.
Following such transfer, the relevant parties have reached an agreement to establish a ‘trust’ for carrying out the management activities of the centre. The Attorney General’s clearance has been received for the draft trust deed prepared for that purpose.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to establish the trust to continue the management activities of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has arrived to appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) this morning (12) to provide a statement regarding the alleged SriLankan Airlines Airbus deal.
Animals Act No. 29 of 1958 amended
Cabinet approves establishment of a ‘Trust’ to carry out the management of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
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South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail reverses retirement for T20 World Cup
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