News
Proposed law will turn Port City into a province of China – JVP
JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressing the press yesterday
By Saman Indrajith
The JVP yesterday warned that Colombo Port City area was going to be another province of China if Parliament passed the proposed legislation for a Colombo Port City Commission, providing for sweeping tax breaks, tax-free salaries and to be an offshore financial centre.
Addressing the media at the party headquarters in Pelawatte, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the draft bill, titled Colombo Port City Commission Bill, presented to Parliament by the government sought to exempt the Port City from the administrative control of any existing local government body. “Local government bodies consisting of people’s representatives have the administrative control of their respective local government areas. But the Port City is going to be under a Commission,appointed by the President. The members of that commission are going to enjoy immunity and none of them could be brought before a court of law of this country. The Commission is to be given special financial powers to maintain a separate fund
“Usually, the government’s revenue goes to the Consolidated Fund and approval of Parliament is needed for withdrawals from the Fund, but the Post City Commission is to be given powers to maintain a separate fund, separate independent of the Consolidated Fund. The proposed Commission is also expected to have powers to grant tax exemption. It is Parliament which has such powers. The financial affairs of the Port City will not come under the auditing of the Auditor General. It is proposed to hand over that task to private auditing firms. None of these instiutions are answerable to Parliament. It has been proposed to pay the salaries of workers in the Port City in foreign currency. It could be Yuan. The government with a two-thirds majority could rush this legislation through the House.”
The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, officially handed over the Financial Statements and Operations Report 2024 of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to President Anura Kumara Disanayake at the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday (29).
A copy of the report was also presented to Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Several senior officials from the Central Bank were present at the occasion.
Latest News
Heat index, is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 29 April 2025, valid for 30 April 2025
The general 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 Northern, Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota 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.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will undertake a four-day state visit to Vietnam on 03 May, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said. Since the presidential election, President Dissanayake has so far visited India, China and the UAE.
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