News
State Minister Semasinghe gives measured answer to Opposition Leader’s question on relief
By Saman Indrajith
Samurdhi, Household Economy, Micro Finance, Self-Employment, Business Development and Underutilized State Resources Development State Minister Shehan Semasinghe told Parliament yesterday that since Nov 9 the government had spent Rs 7,702 million to grant Rs 5,000 each to the families in the lockdown areas in the Colombo District.
The allocation was for the months of October and November.
Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on behalf of the Finance Minister, the State Minister said 498,883 persons in 103,252 families were in the lockdown and in areas isolated in the district. There were 42,380 persons in 8,436 families in eight flats in the Colombo district.
He said that Rs 5,000 allowance had been provided to 434,776 families in the district in November alone and the government had spent Rs 2,173 million for that purpose. In addition, there had been 31,270 appeals from persons who did not receive the allowance and action had been taken to provide them with the allowance, Minister Semasinghe said.
He said that dry rations worth Rs 10,000 each had been distributed among 19,923 families in the district and the government had spent Rs 199.3 million for that.
Distribution had been made at the Grama Niladhari division level.
Minister Semasinghe said that a Rs 5,000 allowance had been distributed among some families per week in area areas under lockdown.
Opposition Leader Premadasa: Now, you have given Rs 5,000 per week. If the areas remain under lockdown for one month would you give them Rs 20,000 as originally requested.
Minister Semasinghe: The decision on how much would be given in the form of Rs 5,000 allowance whether it would be given twice or more than that is made by the District Coordinating committee. The government would pay as per the decision of the committee which comprises all MPs in a district.
It has been reported that, former Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, General Hamilton Wanasinghe has passed away at the age of 91.
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake has instructed relevant officials to provide the maximum support necessary to successfully hold the Global Bora Community’s Spiritual Assembly and Convention scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka.
The Secretary to the President issued these instructions during discussions held on Thursday (12) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the Global Bora Conference and Convention.
The Bora Conference and Convention will be held from 27 June to 05 July, coinciding with the Bora Community’s Spiritual Assembly, centred on the Bambalapitiya Bora Mosque and the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre, with the participation of the community’s Spiritual Leader His Holiness Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin Sahib.
Approximately fifteen thousand members of the Bora Community from India and numerous other countries are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka for this Convention and Conference. Extensive discussions were held regarding the provision of all infrastructure facilities, including airport arrangements, for them.
A group of the Bora Community’s religious leaders, along with officials including the Secretary to the Foreign Ministry, Aruni Ranaraja and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, participated in this occasion.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has reached consensus with Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP), United National Party (UNP) and the People’s Alliance (PA) to take control of Akurana, Kadugannawa, Kuliyapitiya and Udubaddawa Pradeshiya Sabhas.
Opposition parties made the announcement at a joint media briefing by SJB National Organiser Tissa Attanayake, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, PA General Secretary Lasantha Alagiyawanna and UNP General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala.
Terms of 161 out of 339 local government bodies to which elections were held in May commenced on June 2. The ruling NPP and the Opposition parties have been trying to seize control of the remaining councils. Contestants failed to secure working majorities in 178 councils. Both sides have accused each other of trying to bribe elected members in a bid to take control of the councils.
Elections were not held to two local government institutions on 06 May—the Kalmunai Urban Council due to a court case and the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha (PS), which was elected last year.
Responding to questions, the Opposition spokespersons said that they were confident of forming administration and many more councils.
SJB sources said that the Opposition was also working on an arrangement regarding the Colombo Municipal Council scheduled to meet on Monday (16) for the first time when the Mayor will be elected.
Leader of Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Mano Ganeshan, MP, has alleged that the NPP bribed two of its members in the Haldumulla PS to vote in favour of the person nominated by the NPP as the chairman.
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