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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.”
Victor Ivan, former editor of the Raavaya newspaper has passed away . He was 75 at the time of his demise.
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Landslide early warnings issued to the district of Badulla , Kandy , Kurunegala and Matale
The National Building Research Organization [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala and Matale at 0800 hrs today valid until 0800hrs on Monday 20th January 2025.
Accordingly,
Level II [Amber] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy district and Rattota, Yatawatta, Ukuwela and Wilgamuwa in the Matale district.
Level I [Yellow] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Badulla, Passara and Hali Ela in the Badulla district, Meda Dumbara, Phatha Dumbara and Doluwa in the Kandy district and Laggala Pallegama, Ambanganga Korale, Pallepola, Naula and Matale in the Matale district
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It is the Government’s intention to provide justice to the grieving people – Prime Minister
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that it is the Government’s intention to provide justice to the people who are deprived of the same due to rewards and sponsorships.
The Premier made this statement at the occasion of handing over the renovated Court of Appeal building to the public on Saturday (18). The renovations was a donation from the People’s Republic of China.
Further she mentioned that the investment made in a country’s judicial system and in the provision of facilities for the delivery of justice to the people is a reflection of the commitment made towards the country and its people. “This is not just a building, but a symbol of the delivery of justice, fairness of law, equality and dignity. Our country has suffered for decades because many were denied justice under systems of rewards and sponsorships. Our intention is to resolve those deficiencies, bring forth fairness and ensure that everyone has access to justice”, she added.
“The people must be able to keep trust and rely on the judicial system by exemplifying that the legal powers granted to judges by the Constitution are exercised fairly and providing independent and fair judgment to the parties concerned. Everyone, including women, children and the disabled community, expects justice. Their aspiration is that such a system will ensure that no one faces hardships, an attention will be paid to their mental conditions, protection from the consequences they may face when seeking justice for them or defending their rights. All actors in this process must be treated with respect. There are people who have faced hardships for years in the pursuit of justice. We ensure that they are treated fairly. They should not be subjected to intimidation, harassment or threat in the pursuit of justice”, the Premier highlighted.
The Prime Minister further expressed her gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for their generosity and support.
A group of invitees including the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, Chief Justice Murdu Fernando and many others participated in this event.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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