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Presidential poll cannot be put off through referendum – Prof. Peiris
Dissident SLPP MP Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (19) said it was not possible to postpone a presidential election with the help of a referendum.
The former External Affairs Minister explained how the law, pertaining to the referendum, couldn’t be exploited by the government to achieve its political objectives.
Addressing the media at his Kirula Road residence, Prof. Peiris said that presidential election would have to be conducted between Sept 17 and Oct 17 this year and the new President sworn in before Nov 17.
“We are confident the election will be held as scheduled,” the ex-Minister said, reminding the Election Commission that it would be its responsibility to issue an official statement as regards the scheduled poll in late July or early August this year.
Prof. Peiris said that the presidential poll couldn’t be put off through a 2/3 majority in Parliament. But that, too, wouldn’t be possible, the MP said, adding that abolition of executive presidency couldn’t be used to postpone national elections.
The former top law academic said that such vital constitutional reforms should be undertaken by an executive and Parliament properly elected by the electorate.
Prof. Peiris said that Ranil Wickremesinghe, who couldn’t retain his Colombo seat, was not acceptable as the person to lead constitutional reforms.
Responding to media queries, Prof. Peiris said that his group would back SJB leader Sajith Premadasa who could win the next election.
Prof. Peiris said that the government was in the process of strengthening anti-riot police in a bid to intimidate the Opposition. The ex-Minister revealed new equipment ordered by police headquarters to meet public protests while warning the Opposition couldn’t be silenced by what he called offensive laws such as the recently enacted Online Safety Bill and the proposed Anti-Terrorism Law (SF)
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
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
SAARC Training Workshop on Financial Modeling for Renewable Energy Projects from 5th to 7th October in Colombo
National Children’s Week from 25th September to 01st October
Nairobi and Munich to host 2029 and 2031 World Athletics Championships
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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