News
Speaker’s ruling raises heat
By Saman Indrajith
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena informed the House yesterday (24) that the privilege of making special statements on matters of urgent public interest would be available to only one leader of recognised political parties including the leader of the Opposition as per the provisions of the Standing Orders.
MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam was the leader of AITC but he could not be permitted to make a statement as the matter was sub judice, the Speaker said.
NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that they disagreed with the ruling of the Speaker. “We have been in this parliament for a long time and know of instances where the Speakers permitted party leaders to make special statements on issues of national importance and raise questions without any restrictions. I would like to know how you impose this restriction without even discussing with the party leaders.
The government sits on the right. The opposition sits on the left. The speaker’s chair is in the middle. But you are leaning to the right side. Do not take this opportunity away from party leaders. There have been three sitting weeks. So far I have not availed myself of the opportunity to make a special statement. That does not mean I will abandon my right to avail the opportunity. I hope to raise this matter at the next party leaders’ meeting.”
Leader of the House Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that not all parties in the Opposition had been allowed to make statements under the previous government. “We were not given that opportunity. The then Opposition got all the days for themselves without leaving us any. Besides, the matter with regard to MP Ponnambalam was different. It is not permitted because it is sub judice. MP Dissanayake’s observations are on a different matter.”
TNA MP M. A. Sumanthiran: There is nothing sub judice in this matter. There is nothing before any court pending over the matter. The Speaker has no discretion to make such a ruling.
AITC MP Ponnambalam: Please allow me to make this statement. Either allow me to make the statement or suspend sittings so that we could have a party leaders’ meeting.
Leader of the House Minister Gunawardena: The Speaker has given a ruling. This matter cannot be raised, today. The party leaders meet on Friday and we can discuss the matter there.
Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella: The case in question is over. Someone has misled the Speaker.
SJB MP Harin Fernando: I bring to the notice of the Speaker the Standing Order 27.2. There is no restriction on the number of speeches made by party leaders. There is no reference stipulating the number of speeches.
Leader of the House Minister Gunawardena: The Speaker has given a ruling. If the Opposition is willing to allow him to make a statement then there is no problem. We have no intention of depriving MP Ponnambalam of his right. The party leaders are meeting tomorrow, we can decide it there. Otherwise, we have the option to put it to the House. We are ready. Put it to the House.
Justice Minister Ali Sabry: Standing Order 76.1 has clearly provided for an occasion like this. It says the Speaker in Parliament and the Chair in any committee shall be responsible for the observance of the rules of order in Parliament and Committee respectively and their decision upon any point of order shall not be open to appeal and shall not be reviewed by Parliament except upon a substantive motion made after notice. You as the Speaker have given a ruling. They could bring in a substantive motion to put the matter before the House. Otherwise, you review it at the party leaders’ meeting.
The Sri Lanka Navy rendered assistance to bring ashore an ill fisherman, who was aboard a local multi day fishing trawler on the high seas south-west of Sri Lanka, about 881 nautical miles (1631km) off Dondra. Initially, the fisherman was taken aboard a Merchant Vessel in the sea area, on being coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo. After being brought ashore today (15th October 2024), he was rushed to the National Hospital of Colombo, for medical attention.
The local multi day fishing trawler “Sun City 02” (Reg No. IMUL-A- 1671 MTR) was reported to have left the Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour with 06 fishermen on 29th August 2024 on a fishing voyage. Meanwhile, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) alerted MRCC Colombo established in the Navy Headquarters that a crew member onboard the fishing trawler has developed an abdominal illness, and requested Navy’s assistance to transfer him ashore for treatment.
In the meantime, a nearby Merchant Vessel named ‘MV – CCNI Andes’ was directed to the trawler’s location to provide assistance, through the coordination of MRCC Colombo.
With the assistance of MRCC Colombo, the Merchant Vessel managed to retrieve the fisherman and he was brought to the Colombo Offshore Patrol Limit (OPL) by this morning, while administering first aid.
Following this, the Sri Lanka Navy dispatched a Fast Attack Craft (FAC), attached to the Western Naval Command, to the Colombo Offshore Patrol Limit (OPL), where they took on board the ill fisherman and brought him ashore.
The Sri Lanka Navy in coordination with MRCC Colombo continues to exemplify its dedication and unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives within Sri Lanka’s search and rescue jurisdiction, serving as a beacon of hope and security for seafarers and the fishing community.
Although, approval had been granted at the cabinet meeting held on 21-08-2024 to make remedial measures for the unfavorable effects to the fishing industry due to the considerable increase of the price of fuel, the said decision has not been implemented so far.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Agriculture, Land, Livestock , Irrigation, Fisheries and Water Resources to provide following concessions for a period of six (6) months with effect from 01-10-2024 with the objective of uplifting the economic condition of the fisheries community.
• To grant an allowance of Rs.25 per liter of diesel, subject to the maximum of rupees 300,000 per month for fishing vessel owners who utilise diesel.
• To provide “fishing industry recovery allowance” of Rs 25/- per liter of kerosene for vessel owners who obtain kerosene as a fuel, subject to a maximum of 15 liters of kerosene per day and 25 days per month.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the President to reestablish the Food Policy Committee comprising of the following officers.
• Secretary to the President
• Secretary to the Prime Minister
• Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Policy Compilation, Planning and Tourism
• Secretary, Ministry of Power and Energy
• Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Land, livestock, Irrigation, Fishery and Water Resources
• Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Council, Local Government and Labour
• Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Commercial, Food Protection\, Cooperative
Development, Industry and Entrepreneurship, Development
• Ministry of Health
• Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation
• Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Wildlife, Forest Resources, Water Supply, Plantation and Community Infrastructure Facilities
The food policy committee had been established as per the cabinet decision dated 03-10- 2022.
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