News

Ranil wants MPs who abuse female counterparts punished

Published

2 years ago

2021/11/24

By Saman Indrajith

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament yesterday that the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, headed by State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, should be given powers to deal with rowdy male MPs who harassed and abused their female counterparts in the House.

The UNP leader proposed that the Caucus be empowered to take action against those who harassed female MPs.

The former PM said that he made that proposal following a privilege issue raised by a female MP who had suffered verbal abuse and harassment at the hands of a government MP.

The UNP leader proposed that the Head of the Caucus and its members meet Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and discuss the issue at hand. He praised Dr. Fernandopulle for her courage to stand up for the rights of female MPs.

Chief Opposition Whip Kandy District SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella said SLPP Badulla District MP Tissa Kuttiarachchi had verbally abused SJB Matale District female MP Rohini Kaviratne in a blatant violation of her privileges. “The Presiding Member at the time tolerated the abhorrent act. He is not suitable to be in the Chair,” the Chief Opposition Whip said.

JVP MP Dr. Harini Amrasuriya said that the MPs who harassed female counterparts in the House and those who approved of such acts brought Parliament into disrepute.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena expressed his regrets over the incident of Badulla District MP Kutti Arachchi harassing and abusing SJB female MP Kaviratne. He warned MP Kutti Arachchi not to behave in the same manner in the House again.

The Speaker called on Whips of the Opposition and Government to instruct their MPs to act with restraint in Parliament.

MP Kutti Arachchi said that he had only spoken about vegetables and had not insulted MPs.

He said that former MP Ranjan Ramanayake had spoken about the “front side and back side” in the House and none got upset. “I want to know where the female MPs who got disturbed by my speech were here at that time.”

Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus headed by State Minister Dr Fernandopulle requested male MPs not to associate the names of female MPs in their speeches. It was an offence even if the male MPs made undue and indirect remarks about their female counterparts, she said.

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Business

President outlines a bold vision for Sri Lanka tourism at THASL’s 58th AGM

Published

3 hours ago

2023/11/28

Priyan

Addressing the 58th Annual General Meeting of The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) held on Monday (27) at Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, President Ranil Wickremesinghe outlined a comprehensive strategy to propel the country’s tourism sector to new heights. Focused on surpassing the target of 5 million tourists and redefining traditional approaches, the President’s vision extends to achieving 7.5 million visitors in the coming years. The President emphasized the need for innovative thinking and collaboration within the industry to ensure sustainable growth.

“When I took over the government, I realized that sustainability alone is not sufficient. How are we going to earn foreign exchange? How are we going to have a positive balance of trade? In that, there were many suggestions. But what is the low-hanging fruit? And one of the low-hanging fruits was tourism. Let’s promote tourism fully,” President Wickremesinghe declared.

The President acknowledged the need to move beyond the existing framework and embrace competition to elevate Sri Lanka’s standing in the global tourism market. Drawing parallels with countries like Vietnam, he questioned why they had more tourists despite being in the industry for a shorter period. President Wickremesinghe stressed the importance of increasing the number of tourists to 2.5 million in the upcoming year and subsequently expanding on this figure.

(PMD)

Business

Free visas for nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Russsia, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan from Monday (27)

Published

6 hours ago

2023/11/28

Priyan

The Controller General of Immigration and Emigration has stated that nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Russsia, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan will be granted free visas from Monday 27-11-2023 to 31-03-2024 as a pilot program to rebuild the tourism industry.

Nationals of the above nominated countries possessing, Diplomatic, Official, Public Affairs, Services and Ordinary Passports are eligible to enjoy a visa free regime under this scheme.

The above mentioned nationals should apply for Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before arriving in Sri Lanka subject to granting / issuing free of charge up to 31-03-2024.

Under this scheme tourists can enjoy a 30 days free visa period and a double entry facility is permitted within 30 days from the date of first arrival in Sri Lanka.

Free ETA under this scheme can be applied up to 31-03-2024.

The free ETA cannot be extended further and is limited only to thirty (30) days. In case the free ETA period of 30 days expires after 31-03-2024, an extension of visa could be applied subject to paying the appropriate fee.

Latest News

Cabinet gives green light for Colombo Port City Order No. 3 of 2023 to be presented in Parliament

Published

7 hours ago

2023/11/28

Priyan

The President in his capacity as the Minister of Investment Promotion has published the Colombo Port City Orders No. 3 of 2023 (Enterprises with Strategic Value – Guidelines for releasing or encouraging to award for customs – free enterprises) under the provisions of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act No. 11 of 2021 by the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2355/30 dated 25.10.2023.

The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal furnished by the Hon. President in his capacity as the Minister of Investment Promotions to submit the said orders to the Parliament for its concurrence.

(PMD)