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PM: Remaining LTTE detainees to be released and PTA repealed
By Saman Indrajith
Sri Lanka will fulfill the pledges made to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told the Parliament on Friday.The PM said that steps were being taken to release the remaining LTTE detainees and the repealing of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) had reached the final stage, he said.
Those were the two main demands made by the UNHRC, he said.President Ranil Wickremesinghe will provide the necessary guidance in releasing LTTE detainees who had been languishing in prison for a long time, Premier Gunawardena said.
“The draft Bill to repeal the PTA has been approved by the Cabinet. It will be presented to the Parliament soon,” he said.
Commenting on the outcome of the recent UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister said the country was not isolated internationally.About 20 countries had abstained from voting to honour their countries’ international and domestic policies, he said.
“Their decision at the UNHRC will not affect trade, aid or any other matter concerning Sri Lanka,” he said.
Opposition MP Prof. Peiris said the resolution on Sri Lanka had been adopted because the country had failed to fulfill its pledges made to the international community.Sri Lanka had failed to obtain the support of countries like Qatar, UAE and Asian nations such as Malaysia and Indonesia, Prof. Peiris said.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted to the preparation of the Appropriation Bill for the financial year of 2027 at their meeting held on 30.06.2026.
Accordingly, clearance of the Attorney General has been given to the Appropriation Bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to publish the aforementioned draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereby submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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Cabinet approves aditional Rs. 2,500 million to the Paddy Marketing Board to purchase 2026 Yala harvest
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to provide an additional Rs. 2,500 million to the Paddy Marketing Board on a reimbursable basis from the Rs. 7,500 million additional allocations granted to the Ministry to implement
the expedited paddy purchasing program for the 2026 Yala harvest.
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Cabinet nod to host the 8th Asian Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the 3rd Joint Asian and South-East Asian Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
The 8th Asian Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the 3rd Joint Asian and South-East Asian Regional Conference of the CPA are planned to be held over three days in Colombo during April/May 2027.
Approximately 90 delegates including speakers, Deputy Speakers, Member of Parliamentarians, and Parliamentary officers representing member countries of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, in the Asian and South-East Asian regions, are expected to participate in these conferences.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Prime Minister of the Parliament of Sri Lanka to host the said conferences considering the opportunities to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy and regional cooperation, as well as to enhance international recognition of the Parliament of Sri Lanka within the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
Draft of the Appropriation Bill for the Financial Year 2027 su mitted to the Parliament
Cabinet approves aditional Rs. 2,500 million to the Paddy Marketing Board to purchase 2026 Yala harvest
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