News
Sumanthiran claims govt. has violated Constitution by spending money without parliament sanction
By Saman Indrajith
The Appropriation Bill 2020 was a cover-up for various illegal acts committed by the government during the recent past, TNA Jaffna District MP M.A. Sumanthiran said in Parliament on Thursday (12).
Participating in the debate on the bill, the MP said: “Today we are debating a very strange Bill. It is called the Appropriation Bill for 2020, and we are debating it in the month of November 2020.”
He said that an Appropriation Bill should have been debated and approved prior to the financial year concerned. “It is only then the executive obtains the approval of Parliament to draw from the consolidated fund, borrow and generally administer the finances of the country. Article 148 of the Constitution very clearly says that the Parliament will have full control over public finance. No tax rate or any other levy will be imposed by any local authority or any other public authority except by or under the authority of law passed by Parliament or of any existing law. So, there is no law for the financial year 2020.
“So, what can a resolution under Article 150 sub article 2 authorize? It can only authorise the drawing from the Consolidated Fund for public services only. That too is for specified public services only, as stated in Article 152. Those funds cannot be used for any developmental work.
“Now during this financial year, we have had two such resolutions passed. One covering the periods 1st Jan 2020 until 30th April 2020 passed in October last year, and another covering the period 1st Sept 2020 to 31st December 2020. Now even those two resolutions passed by this House can only be used for specified public services and not anything else.
“All of us know that this is not how finances have been handled in the country for this year. There has been a severe need to give the general public who were affected in several areas Rs. 5000 each in the month of April and May. None of those were public services. But all those expenditures were met and developmental activities carried out. All this was in violation of the very strict limitation imposed by the Constitution.
“This is a blatant violation of the Constitution by the government. We are trying to legitimise grave illegal and unconstitutional acts that have been purported in this country. The Appropriation Bill 2020 before the House today is not a covering approval; it is not ratification. It is something that can only be done legally. If something is done legally then you can ratify and grant covering approval for it. But illegal acts cannot be handled in that manner. This is the sorry state we are in today.”
Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, met with a delegation from the World Food Programme (WFP) at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (11).
During the meeting, the WFP representatives agreed to continue their on-going programs in Sri Lanka without disruptions.
Although the food crisis in Sri Lanka has eased to some extent, the WFP officials expressed their willingness to extend further support through new programme whenever additional needs arise.
The WFP delegation included WFP Country Director Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, the Government Partnerships Officer Musthafa Nihmath and the Gerard Rebello , WFP Sri Lanka ‘s Deputy Country Director. Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage, also attended the meeting.
News
President directs officials to provide a monthly allowance of Rs. 3,000 to Pensioners from Next Week
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials of the Ministry of Finance to take necessary action to provide a monthly interim allowance of Rs. 3000 to all pensioners, from next week.
After reviewing the delay in adding the Rs. 3000 allowance to the October pension, the President directed that this amount be credited to the pensioners’ accounts within the next week.
These instructions were given during a meeting held on Thursday (10) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat with senior officials of the Ministry of Finance, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Despite the circular No. 02/2024 dated 2024/08/24 issued by the Public Administration Department to grant a monthly interim allowance of Rs. 3000 to all pensioners, funds were not allocated for this purpose.
Upon reviewing the matter, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake informed the officials of the Ministry of Finance to ensure that the required funds are provided.
Considering the hardships faced by pensioners due to the non-payment of the Rs. 3000 allowance with the October pension, and their subsequent requests, the President decided to proceed with the payment from this month, despite the prevailing financial difficulties of the government.
Since the October pension has already been credited to the pensioners’ accounts, the President instructed officials to ensure that the Rs. 3000 allowance is credited to their accounts within the next week, and from next month, this allowance will be added to the monthly pension.
Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardena and several senior officials from the Ministry of Finance were present at this meeting
[PMD]
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Sail Training Warship ‘PO LANG’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on 08th October 2024, departed the island today (11th October), on successful completion of its formal visit. The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Colombo port, following naval traditions.
While the ship was in Colombo, the crew took the opportunity to explore some of the country’s tourist attractions. They also participated in various programmes designed to foster camaraderie between the two navies. Moreover, Sri Lanka Navy personnel attended briefings on the operational functions of the visiting ship.
WFP Assures Continuous Support to Sri Lanka
President directs officials to provide a monthly allowance of Rs. 3,000 to Pensioners from Next Week
Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Sail Training Warship ‘PO LANG’ departs Island
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