News
SJB: Has Prez made LG polls disappear?
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The SJB yesterday (22) said President Ranil Wickremesinghe had made known his intention not to conduct the Local Government (LG) polls.
Top SJB spokesperson Mujibur Rahman said that addressing the Special General Convention of the UNP at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, President Wickremesinghe had declared that the presidential polls would be held in 2024, followed by a general election, and the LG polls would be conducted in early 2025.
Rahman said President Wickremesinghe had made no reference to LG polls which were scheduled to be held in March this year, and accused the latter of exerting pressure on the Supreme Court hearing case pertaining to postponed LG polls.
The former MP said that he had moved the SC after government ignored a Court of Appeal directive in March this year that funds be released for conducting the LG polls. Rahman alleged that President Wickremesinghe had deliberately left out LG polls in his statement.
Commenting on President Wickremesinghe’s declaration regarding presidential and parliamentary polls, Rahman said that those national level elections were conducted in terms of the Constitution. “Actually, there is no need for the President to give an assurance regarding presidential and parliamentary polls. The issue at hand is LG polls,” he added.
Responding to another query, Rahman said that the Opposition would take up the issue in and outside parliament. He dismissed as mere rhetoric UNP National List MP and its Chairman Wajira Abeywardena’s claime at the UNP’s Special General Convention that Wickremesinghe could win the next presidential poll with a staggering 10 mn votes. “The truth is the UNP down to just one MP in Parliament is scared of facing the electorate. Therefore, the President has decided not to hold LG polls,” Rahman said, adding that the President’s assurance in respect of the presidential and parliamentary polls could be a ruse to divert public attention.
Rahman urged the SLPP to explain its stand on the LG polls. Having elected Wickremesinghe the President in July last year the SLPP couldn’t remain silent on the issue at hand, the ex-MP said.
The former MP said that the Bar Association had condemned threats to the judiciary and attempts to influence the judges hearing cases pertaining to the postponed LG polls. Rahman said that civil society, Election Commission and political parties should respond to threats President Wickremesinghe posed to democracy.
The High Court has convicted 14 of the 24 men accused of being directly involved in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed 279 people.
The three-judge bench read out its decision on Tuesday after a five-year trial and said sentencing would take place later, the AFP news agency reported.
The charges included murder and conspiracy to commit terrorism.
Nine others were acquitted, while another defendant was found guilty of only some of the charges, the court said.
[Aljazeera]
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The ruling NPP yesterday (21) dismissed claims of a widening rift, within the government, over the proposed 22nd Amendment. Asked whether the NPP was concerned over a section of the Opposition alleging Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and two dozen MPs taking a view contrary to that of the party in this regard, authoritative party sources said some persons were propagating speculation for their own interest.
Declaring that there was absolutely no issue regarding the controversial Amendment, sources emphasised once it was tabled in Parliament, it would be passed with 2/3 majority.
Sources dismissed claims that out of its 159-member parliamentary group a section of NPPers was opposed to the government move. According to an influential Opposition activist, there are 57 JVPers and 66 NPPers in the government group and the rest contested the last parliamentary polls, having aligned with the JVP.
Ministerial sources told The Island that the government was confident of going ahead with the 22nd Amendment and Judicature (Amendment) Bills. Sources said that the NPP was not bothered about the Opposition protests in and outside Parliament.
Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne is expected to disclose the confidential ruling that he received from the Supreme Court in respect of more than 65 petitions for and against the 22nd Amendment and Judicial Amendment Bills. The enactment of the 22nd Amendment would pave the way for extending the retirement age of Supreme Court judges, from 65 to 67 years, and Court of Appeal judges, from 63 to 65 years.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Court of Appeal Judge Mayadunna Sri Mevan Anthony Edirimannasuriya Corea as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal.
The appointment has been made as President’s Counsel Nalin Rohantha Abeysuriya, who currently serves as President of the Court of Appeal, will be overseas until the 24th.
Accordingly Justice Mayadunna Corea was sworn in as Acting President of the Court of Appeal before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential secretariat last morning (21).
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake was also present at the occasion.
High Court convicts 14 over deadly Easter bombings
Mandhana, Shafali and Ghosh lead dominant India to Asian Games gold
Fatima Sana and Umm-e-Hani secure bronze for Pakistan in Asian Games
India bat first in Asian games womens cricket final
Showers about 100mm will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara Districts
Govt. confident of 2/3 majority despite NPP split speculation
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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