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Over 20 MPs flout party decisions at Budget vote
Unseating of Ahamed no deterrent:
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The unseating of Batticaloa District Opposition MP Naseer Ahamed for voting for the 2022 Budget during its Third Reading on Dec 10, 2021, was widely expected to serve as a deterrent to other dissidents, but over 20 MPs voted for or against the 2024 Budget last week in violation of their parties’ stances on the Appropriation Bill. The majority of them were SLPP members.
In October 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the expulsion by the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) of the then Environment Minister Naseer Ahamed. The MP was found guilty of acting against the SLMC’s decision to vote against the 2022 Budget.
Soon after the SC decision, SLMC General Secretary Nizam Karipper said that the expulsion of Nazeer Ahamed would have a bearing on the 2024 Budget vote in Parliament. He said so in response to The Island query. MPs would think twice before switching allegiance to another party for personal gain, he predicted.
Dissident SLPP MP Ranasinghe was among those who voted against the Budget. Ranasinghe, who was sacked as the Sports Minister over the continuing dispute over Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) corruption, voted against the SLPP’s decision to back the Budget.
According to a list prepared by the Office of Chief Government Whip, three Opposition MPs A. H. M. Fowzie, Ali Sabry Raheem, who had been expelled by All Ceylon Makkal Congress over failed gold and smartphones smuggling bid, and Vadivel Suresh, voted for the Budget.
Those who voted against the SLPP’s decision to back President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s budget after having elected/appointed on the SLPP lists were Prof. G.L. Peiris, Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Jayantha Samaraweera, Lalith Ellawala, Udayana Kirindigoda, Wasantha Yapa Bandara, Shan Wijayalal de Silva, Dallas Alahapperuma, Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Dr. Upul Galappaththi, Dr. Thilak Rajapaksha, Gunapala Ratnasekera, Jayantha Herath, Dayasiri Jayasekera, Prof. Channa Jayasumana, Sarath Kumarasiri, Maithripala Sirisena, Dilan Perera, Gamini Waleboda, Sarathi Dushmantha, Mohammed Muzammil, Gevindu Kumaratunga and Prof. Charitha Herath.
In addition to them, SLPP MPs Chamal Rajapaksa and Namal Rajapaksa abstained contrary to a decision taken by the government group at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.
The vote on the Budget also divided those who had distanced themselves from the SLPP with some voting against, some for and the rest skipping it. Of them Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Priyankara Jayaratne voted for, while Dr. Sudhashini Fernandopulle, Chandima Weerakkody, Nimal Piyatissa, Asanka Nawaratne, Uddhika Premaratne and Prof. Tissa Vitharana abstained.
MPs Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Dr. Gayeshan Nawanandana, both of the Democratic Left Front, who also entered Parliament on the SLPP ticket, took different stands at the Budget vote. Nanayakkara abstained, while Dr. Nawanandana backed Wickremesinghe’s Budget.
Three SJB MPs, namely Manusha Nanayakkara, Harin Fernando and Diana Gamge, voted for the Budget.The SLFP was also divided over the vote. Of the 14 MPs (12 elected on SLPP ticket, one appointed on the SLPP National List, and one elected on the SLFP ticket). However, the only MP elected on the SLFP ticket, from Jaffna electoral district, skipped the vote.
Tamil political parties couldn’t reach consensus on the Budget. Some MPs, including former LTTE cadre Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pilleyan of the TMVP, voted for the Budget, along with Douglas Devananda and Kulasingham Thilipan, both of the EPDP.Of the Opposition MPs present, former justice C.V. Wigneswaran was the only MP to refrain from voting.
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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.
Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.
Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.
In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.
Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.
The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.
The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.
He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.
According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.
Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.
However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.
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