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New Constitution to Parliament before end of 2021 – Prof. Peiris

Published

2 years ago

2021/01/18

by Cyril Wimalasurendre

Education Minister Professor G. L. Peiris revealed on Saturday at Getambe Rajopawanaramaya that a draft of the new Constitution would be presented to Parliament before the end of 2021.

During a conversation with Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimala Nayaka Thera, the Chief Incumbent of Rajaopwanaramaya on Saturday afternoon, Prof. Peiris said that adequate time would be given the stakeholders to discuss, comment and make suggestions to the draft of the Constitution.

Buddhism would be given its due place in the Constitution, which would satisfy all groups and parties, Minister Peiris said, adding that the ideal situation to adopt a Constitution to replace the existing one was the current period. “The government has a two-thirds majority in Parliament and many political parties are with the government headed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa,” he said, adding that opportunity would be given to everyone in Parliament to express his or her views about the proposed Constitution.

Most Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimala Nayaka Thera urged the government to adopt a Constitution that would safeguard the rights of all sections of the people and protect the Buddhist heritage. The people had given a mandate to the government with a two-thirds majority. The government must treat it as the duty and responsibility to satisfy the people according to the assurances given to them.

“The people have resposed their faith in the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and given it a two-thirds majority and also the support sought for the abolition of the 19th amendment. It is now left to the government to satisfy the public.

The prelate urged the government to respect the law of the country unlike the yahapalana government.

Prof. Peiris was expected to call on the prelates of Malwatte and Asgiriya yesterday.

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South Korean airline bans emergency seats after plane door opens

Published

11 hours ago

2023/05/28

Priyan

South Korea’s Asiana Airlines has stopped selling some emergency exit row seats following an accident in which a passenger opened an emergency exit door midair causing panic on board.

The incident took place on an A321-200 plane, which was carrying nearly 200 passengers, as it approached the runway at Daegu International Airport, about 240km (150 miles) southeast of Seoul. The plane landed safely but several passengers were hospitalised. There were no serious injuries or damage.

The airline told the AFP news agency on Sunday the emergency exit seats – 31A and 26A – on its 14 A321-200 jets would no longer be offered for sale. “As a safety precaution, this measure will apply even if the flights are full,” it added. It is however unclear how the move might stop passengers seated elsewhere on the plane from attempting to open the emergency door.

The man, in his 30s, was arrested by authorities in Daegu for allegedly breaking aviation security laws. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. He told Daegu police that he had been under a lot of stress after losing his job recently and that he opened the door because he wanted to get off quickly after feeling suffocated, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported on Saturday.

Video footage apparently taken by a person on board and posted on social media showed passengers’ hair being whipped about by air rushing into the cabin when the emergency door opened.

It is still unclear how Lee was able to open the emergency exit door mid-flight.

Jin Seong-hyun, a former Korean Air cabin safety official, said as far as he knew, this case was unprecedented, although passengers have opened emergency exits without authorisation while planes were on the ground.

A South Korean transport ministry official said it was possible to open emergency exits at or near ground level because the pressures inside and outside the cabin were similar.

(Aljazeera)

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Heat Index at Caution level in Northern, North-Central, North-western and Eastern provinces and Monaragala and Hambanthota districts

Published

14 hours ago

2023/05/28

Priyan

Heat index Advisory Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre At 07.30 a.m. 28 May 2023, valid for 28 May 2023

Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is expected to increase up to ‘Caution’ level at some places in Northern, North-Central, North-western and Eastern provinces and Monaragala and Hambanthota districts.