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Sajith slams Online Safety Bill and pledges to repeal undemocratic laws

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Sajith Premadasa

Opposition leader and SJB Sajith Premadasa says that his party would reject and oppose the Online Safety Bill (OSB) when it is brought before Parliament by the Government.

Speaking at a special meeting held at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo, Premadasa said the Government, under the pretext of safeguarding the rights of the nation’s children, mothers, ordinary citizens, and vulnerable groups, is trying to consolidate itself through the introduction of anti-democratic laws.

Earlier in the day he and his party strongmen met with media organizations, civil society groups, trade unions, and various stakeholders at the same venue regarding the Online Safety Bill set to be tabled in Parliament on Tuesday (23).

Premadasa said that the provisions of the Bill violate human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech, discussion, debate, and access to information. He said that such actions undermine democratic processes.

“The President, despite projecting a democratic persona to the nation and the global community has betrayed this image through the enactment of this Act. This legislation grants him, along with the appointed commission members and designated security forces, the power to exert arbitrary pressure on the general population. The President has embarked on a program to silence the people by employing the threat of imprisonment,” he said.

Premadasa added that if the President is genuinely committed to democratic principles, it would be prudent to revoke this poorly conceived Act. Instead, he suggested engaging in a thoughtful and inclusive discussion with all stakeholders to avoid a scenario where the country’s social media landscape will be negatively affected.

He also assured that once the SJB forms a government it will repeal all anti-democratic laws and foster democratic principles and reiterated that every possible democratic and peaceful measure would be pursued by the SJB to block the anti-democratic laws introduced by the current Government.



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Secretary to the President meets with heads of the Health sector

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A special discussion between Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and the heads of the health sector was held on Tuesday (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.

During the meeting, it was discussed that a committee would be formed to explore possible steps that could be taken through the President’s Fund to reduce the number of patients on long waiting lists for surgeries in government hospitals.

The committee is expected to submit a report on the matter within one month. Based on the findings, appropriate actions will be taken, as indicated by the Secretary to the President.

The discussion highlighted the significant number of patients, including those requiring cardiac, ophthalmic, and paediatric surgeries, who are currently awaiting procedures on long waiting lists at government hospitals.

Attention was also given to the potential support that could be provided by the President’s Fund and other relevant sectors to address the challenges faced by these patients.

Additionally, discussions were held regarding the possibility of conducting surgeries after regular working hours at government hospitals. The challenges faced by doctors and staff were also thoroughly discussed during the meeting.

The discussion was attended by several key officials, including Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Additional Secretary (Public Health Services) Dr. Lakshmi Somathunga, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, along with directors and specialist doctors from major hospitals across the country.

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Govt. plan to boost revenue with taxes on vehicle imports unrealistic, warns Harsha

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Dr. de Silva

By Saman Indrajith

SJB Colombo District MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament yesterday that vehicle imports would be affected by unusually high prices. Commencing the Second Reading debate from the Opposition side, Dr. de Silva said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had, in his Budget speech, projected a substantial portion of tax revenue from vehicle imports. “What is the feasibility of such expectations, given the current price surge,” the MP queried.

“Who can afford to import vehicles at these rates? I do not believe there are enough affluent individuals in Sri Lanka to sustain vehicle imports at these exorbitant prices.”

Providing examples of the dramatic price increase, Dr. de Silva pointed out that a Toyota Raize now cost Rs. 12.2 mn, a Toyota Yaris Rs. 18.5 mn, and a Toyota Prius a staggering Rs. 28.9 mn.

“Someone mentioned that a Toyota Vitz could be available at Rs. 1.4 mn.”

Dr. de Silva said that the government aimed to increase tax revenue by 1.6% of GDP with a significant portion expected from vehicle imports. However, he warned that achieving that target was unrealistic under current circumstances. The government must reassess its reliance on this sector for increasing tax revenue,” he said.

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SLN receives shallow water multi-beam echo sounder from Australia

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From left : Defence Advisor to the Australian High Commission in Colombo, Colonel Amanda Johnston, Australian HC in Colombo Paul Stephens, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and Chief Hydrographer of SLNHS and Commander Southern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Kosala Warnakulasooriya

Giving a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s hydrographic capabilities, the government of Australia handed over a state-of-the-art Shallow Water Multi-Beam Echo Sounder to the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) during a ceremony held at SLNS Rangalla today (18 Feb 25). The formal ceremony was held under the auspices of the High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, marking new chapter in the discipline of hydrography.

The Australian government provided the Sri Lanka Navy with this Multi Beam Echo Sounder to enhance its hydrographic capabilities. This advanced equipment will enable the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) to conduct precise hydrographic surveys, essential for creating nautical and electronic charts for international use. The device will also facilitate the production of high-precision nautical charts, ensuring safer maritime navigation.

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