News
PAFFREL: If PCs are not wanted they should be abolished through new Constitution
By Anuradha Hiripitiyage
The government was duty bound to hold the Provincial Council (PC) elections or, if it is of the view that the PCs are not wanted, it should abolish them through the new Constitution to be introduced, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections ( PAFFREL) Executive Director Rohana Hettiarchchi said.
Hettiarchchi said that the PCs carried out a large number of projects and rendered service to the people. The Election Commission statistics showed that only 0.3%, out of the funds allocated for these councils was spent on councillors and officials, he said.
“The previous administration didn’t formulate the laws necessary for holding the PC elections under the new electoral system. They passed a new Act but delayed the delimitation process. The current government can either fix the issues and hold the elections.
The PAFFREL Executive Director said that the Governors now held all the powers and it was not a healthy sign.
“We might have a lot of problems with politicians, but we can vote them out, if we get fed up with them. But we can’t do anything against unelected officials and appointees of the President.”
The Election Commission of Sri Lnka [ECSL] taking another step forward in ensuring free and fair elections, launched a Mobile Application for the speedy resolution of disputes arising during elections.
The Election Disputes Resolution (EDR) App a simple and efficient way to report election issues instantly will be put to test during the forthcoming Local Authorities Election
It can be downloaded on Appstore and Google Play
Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) MURASAME arrived at the Port of Colombo on a replenishment visit this morning (22 Mar 25).
The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions.
JMSDF MURASAME is a 151m long Destroyer commanded by Commander HAYAKAWA Masahiro. Meanwhile, she is manned by a crew of 200.
During her stay in Colombo, crew members of the ship are expected to visit some tourist attractions in the city of Colombo and the ship is scheduled to depart the island on 25 Mar 25.
It has been reported that two persons riding a motorcycle were killed in a shooting incident that took place around 11.45pm on Friday [21] night , in front of the southern entrance of the Devundara Sri Vishnu Devalaya, on Sinhasana Road.
The unidentified gunmen, who arrived in a van, opened fire using a T-56 assault rifle and 9 mm firearms before fleeing the scene. The police have recovered 39 T-56 bullet casings, two T-56 rounds of live ammunition, a T-56 magazine, three 9 mm bullet casings, and one 9mm live ammunition.
The van suspected to have been used by the shooters was found abandoned and set on fire on a side road about 800 meters from the crime scene.
The two deceased victims have been identified as Tikira Hennedige Yomesh Nadishan and Marakkala Manage Pasidu Tharuka, both residents of Sinhasana Road, Devinuwara.
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