News
Parliament to host special youth programme after 30-year hiatus
In a move to mark International Youth Day 2025, the Parliamentary Caucus for Youth has announced a special programme in Parliament on August 19, celebrating the appointment of new members to the National Youth Association for the first time in three decades.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Parliamentary Caucus held on Wednesday (06) under the chairmanship of Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Eranga Gunasekara.
Addressing the gathering, the Chair of the Caucus described the event as a “historic step,” noting that it comes 30 years after the last appointments were made to the Association through the National Youth Services Council.
“This programme is intended not just to honour the new appointees but also to reaffirm Parliament’s commitment to empowering youth voices in national development,” the Chair stated.
The event, which falls under the wider observance of International Youth Day on August 12, will bring together parliamentarians and young leaders in a symbolic bridging of generations.
During the meeting, members also discussed potential international partnerships for the Caucus. A special committee was appointed to draft the Vision and Mission Statement of the Parliamentary Caucus for Youth, laying the foundation for its future role in youth-focused policy development.
Deputy Co-Chairs Lasith Bhashana Gamage, Thanura Dissanayake, and Hasara Liyanage were among several MPs present at the meeting, alongside other members of the Youth Caucus.
The Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) has contributed LKR 25 million to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund.
The cheque was handed over to the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake by the Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange, Dimuthu Abeyesekera, the Chief Executive Officer Rajeeva Bandaranaike and Senior Vice Chairman Kusal Nissanka at the Presidential Secretariat.
News
Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56
Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing concerns over the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions.The letter was sent in his capacity as Patron of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus.
In his letter, Jayasuriya noted that at the time of Sri Lanka’s independence, political participation was largely limited to an educated, affluent land-owning elite. However, he said a significant social transformation took place after 1956, enabling ordinary citizens to enter politics.
He warned that under current conditions, removing parliamentary pensions would effectively confine politics to the wealthy, business interests, individuals engaged in illicit income-generating activities, and well-funded political parties. Such a move, he said, would discourage honest social workers and individuals of modest means from entering public life.
Jayasuriya also pointed out that while a small number of former MPs, including himself, use their pensions for social and charitable purposes, the majority rely on the pension as a primary source of income.
He urged the President to give due consideration to the matter and take appropriate action, particularly as the government prepares to draft a new constitution.The Bill seeking to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament was presented to Parliament on 07 January by Minister of Justice and National Integration Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara.
Five suspects, including former Minister Johnston Fernando and his two sons, who were arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), were further remanded until 30 January by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The former Minister’s , sons Johan Fernando and Jerome Kenneth Fernando, and two others, were arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of a Sathosa vehicle during Fernando’s tenure as Minister.
Investigations are currently underway into the alleged misuse of state property, including a lorry belonging to Lanka Sathosa, which reportedly caused a significant financial loss to the state.
In connection with the same incident, Indika Ratnamalala, who served as the Transport Manager of Sathosa during
Fernando’s tenure as Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade, was arrested on 04 January.
After being produced before the Wattala Magistrate’s Court, he was ordered to be remanded in custody until 09 January.The former Sathosa Transport Manager was remanded on charges of falsifying documents.
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