News

SJB accused of playing race card for cheap political mileage

Published

5 years ago

2020/09/26

Sahan Weerasooriya

By Saman Indrajith

The SJB was accused of playing the race card for narrow political gains, in Parliament, yesterday.

Justice Minister Ali Sabry said that SJB Badulla District MP Chaminda Wijesiri had attempted to make use of sub judice issue of Dr Safi Sahabdeen of the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital allegedly performing sterilisation surgeries on Sinhala women to score political points at the cost of raising racism in Parliament.

A question by MP Wijesiri had been listed in yesterday’s Order Paper. He has demanded to know from the government the names and addresses of the lawyers who appeared in courts on behalf of Dr Safi and the courses of action taken against that doctor so far and the course of action that would be taken to ensure the aggrieved mothers would get justice.

Asked whether the Minister was aware of the allegations against Dr Safi, Minister Sabry said that he had come to know of the issue from the media.

Asked to inform the House of the names and addresses of the lawyers appearing for Doctor Safi, Minister Sabry said that the matter was beyond his ministry’s purview. It was a matter up to the accused doctor to decide on the lawyers to represent him. There were 795,000 cases pending before the courts and the Justice Ministry did not maintain records of the names of counsel appearing in each of those cases. The Ministry was supporting only the judicial system and providing infrastructural support for the maintenance of the system. Neither the Justice Minister nor the ministry had powers to intervene in affairs of cases being heard in the courts, the minister said.

MP Wijesiri: I did not ask about the case and its proceedings. I just asked for the names and addresses of the lawyers appearing for Dr Safi. I’ve been in Parliament for long enough to understand what sub judice is. If not from the Ministry of Justice from whom we could get the answer. On the other hand, the issue related to Dr Safi that created a public outcry, which was one of the main reasons why the SLPP won the last general election.

Minister Sabry: If the MP needs to find out such details he could get them by asking for a certified copy from the particular court after paying the due amount for that. We do not get involved in cases as the way the former government did. We do not give calls to judges the way it did. We also do not create courts targeting specific persons.

MP Wijesiri: Now, you talk big. Let’s see where you would be once the 20th Amendment is passed.

Minister Sabry: You are asking about a case pending before a court. How could I give a response to you?

MP Wijesiri: Let’s see what will be the future of suit-wearing President’s Counsel when the 20th Amendment becomes the law.

Minister Sabry: Do I need to dress like you. I dress the way I like. My dress has nothing to do with this. Do not play the race card. You are instigating racism. See the content of your question. This is motivated by racism. Your party talks of co-existence while promoting racism here.

SJB MP Thushara Indunil: The way the minister responded is not acceptable. He acts like a thug.

SLPP MP Mohamed Muzammil: As per the Standing Orders a question could not be raised on the matter pertaining to a case pending before the court. That is against Standing Orders. How this question entered into the order paper is questionable.

Chief Government Whip Minister Johnston Fernando: Justice Minister has come in a proper dress. It is wrong to denigrate him because he is wearing a tie and coat. What is wrong with dressing like that?

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News

French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ sets sail from Colombo

Published

5 hours ago

2025/05/14

Priyan

The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).

The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.

During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.

News

“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital

Published

6 hours ago

2025/05/14

Priyan

Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.

Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.

A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.

News

Battle for control of CMC rages; SJB draws fire for alleged bid to appoint defeated candidates

Published

9 hours ago

2025/05/14

Sahan Weerasooriya

Flaws in law blamed for chaos

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is in turmoil over naming of members to the Colombo Municipal (CMC) where it won 29 slots – 14 elected and 15 on the list at the recently concluded Local Government elections.

Political sources said that resistance was growing within the party over moves to accommodate defeated candidates as well as those listed at the expense of successful candidates. Among the defeated is SJB’s mayoral candidate Dr. Ruvaiz Haniffa.

Sources said that in terms of the Local Government Election Act there was no restriction in the number of defeated candidates that could be accommodated at the expense of those who were elected. As 25% of the members of a particular council has to be women, more successful members had to be dropped, sources said, pointing out that none of the female candidates were among the 14 SJBers elected at ward level.

The National People’s Party (NPP) won the CMC by securing 48 seats, including six from the list. Political sources said that in spite of both NPP and SJB declaring that they could a secure majority in the 117-member CMC. NPP polled 81,814 votes (48 seats), SJB polled 58,375 votes (29 seats), UNP polled 26,297 votes (13 seats), SLPP polled 9,341 votes (05 seats), SLMC polled 8,630 votes (04 seats) Independent Group 03 polled 5,934 votes (03 seats), Independent Group 05 polled 4,659 votes (02 seats)

United Peace Alliance polled 4,473 votes (02 seats), Sarvajana Balaya polled 3,911 votes (02 seats), Independent Group polled 3,640 votes (02 seats), People’s Alliance polled 2,754 votes (01 seat), National Freedom Front polled 2,398 votes (01 seat), United Republican Front polled 2,157 votes (01 seat), Independent Group 01 polled 1,909 votes (01 seat), Independent Group 02 polled 1,791 votes (01 seat), Democratic National Alliance polled 1,370 votes (01 seat) and National People’s Party polled 950 votes (01 seat).

Political sources said that the Local Government Election Act had caused much turmoil with many of those who had been elected by the people deprived of an opportunity to serve their respective local government body. Sources alleged that the system in place at Local Government was far worse than appointing defeated candidates to Parliament through the National List. In terms of the Parliamentary Election Act, an elected member could be replaced only by the candidate who polled the next highest number of votes at the election from the same district, sources said, pointing out Local Government winners at ward level were axed to accommodate both defeated as well as those on respective lists of political parties.

Sources said that once the appointment of all CMC members was finalised the number of elected people axed by political parties could be known. Sources said that perhaps political parties and election monitoring groups should inquire into the shortcomings in the Local Government Election Act.

by Shamindra Ferdinando