News
Stop living like parasites, Kiriella tells govt. MPs
By Saman Indrajith
Time had come for ministers and MPs of the government to step down from their posts and say goodbye to their parasitic lives, Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament yesterday.
“The government ministers and MPs are worse than leeches. You ruined our economy and destroyed this nation but shamelessly cling onto power. Resign with dignity if you have any remaining,” Kiriella said.
He said that the government sent its lawyers to the Court on the previous day to state that it had no funds to hold elections. “The government has funds to increase the cabinet of ministers. You destroyed this country and now go before the courts to say there are no funds for elections. Where have the funds gone? If we check the bank accounts and assets of those who shout for the government today we can find them. I challenge the government rank members to declare your assets if possible. Giving a report on assets to the Speaker to hold onto it without making it public is not asset declaration. I have published my assets on the Transparency International website so that anyone can see. Do the same if you can. I challenge the government ministers to publicise their assets.
“Today there is a bill to bring laws to postpone elections. I warn you against it. Do not delay the elections, because that would lead to a further crisis with a massive explosion of public pressure,” Kiriella said.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development to award the contract for printing and supplying vehicle number plates for the Department of Motor Traffic for a period of five (5) years to M/s South Asian Technologies based on the recommendations of the High-Level Standing Procurement Committee and the Procurement Appeal Board.
The National Lotteries board has been established subject to the Finance Act No. 11 of 1963. Having identified the requirement of amending that act which was imposed around 62 years to cater the current requirements of the lottery market, the Cabinet of Mnisters at their meeting held on 14.02.2017 granted approval to draft a new bill for the purpose.
Accordingly, the National Lotteries Board has recognized further amendments to be performed to the fundamental draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsmen.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the
resolution furnished by the President in his office as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to direct the Legal Draftsmen to finalize the formulation of the draft bill for the National Lotteries Board as soon as possible including the proposed new amendments as well.
The Werahara office of the Department of Motor Traffic performs issuance of temporary driving licenses in this country based on the driving licenses issued overseas, and measures have been initiated to render the service from a service window of the Department of Motor Traffic established at the Bandaranayake International Airport from 03.08.2025.
The fees charged for issuing temporary driving licenses have been published in Motor Vehicles (Driving License Levy) Regulations No. 3 of 2022 prepared under the provisions of the Motor Traffic (Authority 203) Act.
But, as the fee of Rupees 2,000/- charged for the service is not sufficient, the requirement of amending the regulations has been recognized.
The regulations for introducing the revised fees have been published in the government extraordinary gazette
notification No. 2463/04 dated 17.11.2025. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to
submit the regulations to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Selfies and smiles: South Korea seeks ‘new phase’ in ties with China
M/s South Asian Technologies awarded contract to supply vehicle number plates
A new act for National Lotteries Board to be introduced
Motor Vehicles (Driving License Levy) Regulations No. 3 of 2022 to be amended
Mrs. P. K. L. S. Panduwawala appointed to the post of Surveyor General
Implementing the programme to provide concession for pepper, coffee and cardamom plantations affected by the disaster
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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