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Wijeyadasa says all profits from Port City will flow out to China

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by Chitra Weerarathne

The Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill would not help Sri Lanka’s economy as it seeks to allow all profits of the venture to flow out to China. The Bill was therefore disastrous, counsel Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC told the Supreme Court yesterday.

Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse appeared with Gamini Hettiarachchi for the petition filed by petitioners Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera and Attorney-at-Law Dasun Nanayakkara.

SLPP MP Dr. Rajapakse submitted that the Port City land had been reclaimed in keeping with an agreement between the government of Sri Lanka and a Chinese Construction Company. The original agreement had been revised followign the 2015 regime change. The Cabinet of Sri Lanka decided that the filled-up land in the Port City should be managed by Sri Lanka and vested in the UDA. The President had to obtain the approval of the UDA, to vest it in the Colombo Port City Economic Commission.

The Bill titled Colombo Port City Economic Commission should be a nullity. The Western Provincial Council had a solid hold on any transfer of this filled-up land in the Port City. In terms of Article 154/3/3 of the Constitution the Bill should be referred to the Provincial Council. It could not be placed on the Order Paper of Parliament, without referring it to the Provincial Council.

The delegation of presidential powers was unconstitutional. The state land might be disposed of by the presidential seal. The powers of the President should not be delegated to other persons, who might be Sri Lankans or Chinese or others. The powers of the President should not be delegated to the Commission to be an auctioneer of the people’s land. The sovereignty of the people, stated in Article 3, should be respected. Development should take place within the framework of the Constitution, upholding the sovereignty of the people. Investments of Sri Lanka should be protected.

The national security is very important. The Board of Investment might handle foreign investments. Article 27 and Article 28 of the Constitution would be violated by the proposed Bill. The Parliament had to protect the fundamental rights. A privilege was given to those to who would be in the new enclave. They would be given tax free benefits. They were living in a separate zone. Very likely the Chinese people would be employed in the new zone. Sri Lankans would not be employed. I

The Commission could lease or sell, the land within the Port City. They would manage the land in the new zone. The Port City would become a separate entity.

Dr. Rajapakshe said:”This Bill is inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the Constitution on equality. The business community in Colombo will have to collapse. The new land will be tax free. The new Bill will not help the economy of Sri Lanka. The profits in this region will flow out to China. The Bill is disastrous.”

“There will be money laundering in the newly proposed land which is stated in the Bill. Article 2,3, and 4 of the Constitution are violated. Article (2) states Sri Lanka is a unitary state. There cannot be another territory within it. The proposed Port City is excluded from the Customs Ordinance. Any prohibited article could be brought in here. All the foreign lands like India and USA are opposed to this Bill”, Counsel Rajapaksa stressed.

“This Bill cannot be passed without a referendum and a two third majority in Parliament.”

Counsel Krishmal Warnasuriya supported another petition. Among the petitioners were persons, from Samagi Jana Balavegaya.

On April 19, 2021, Counsel Weraduwa supported a petition against the Bill. The petitioner here was Kapila Perera.

General Secretary of the UNP, Palitha Ranga Bandara had filed a petition against the Bill. Counsel Viraj de Silva appeared for him.

S. R. Attygalla, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance had submitted an intervention supporting the Port City Economic Commission Bill. President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena, appeared for him.

V. K. Choksy, President’s Counsel submitted another intervention supporting the Bill. He appeared with Counsel, D.S. Ratnayake, Gamini Dissanayake, Minoli Alexander for the intervenient the Secretary of the Podu Jana Eksath Peramuna Lawyers’ Association.

Romesh de Silva, PC also submitted an intervention supporting the Bill.

The Bench comprised, Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justice Buwaneka P. Aluwihare, Justice Priyantha Jayawardena, Justice Murdhu N. B. Fernando and Justice Janak de Silva.

Additional Solicitor General Farzarna Jameel, President’s Counsel appeared with Senior Deputy Solicitor General Nerin Pulle for the Attorney General.



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Secretary to the President meets with heads of the Health sector

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A special discussion between Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and the heads of the health sector was held on Tuesday (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.

During the meeting, it was discussed that a committee would be formed to explore possible steps that could be taken through the President’s Fund to reduce the number of patients on long waiting lists for surgeries in government hospitals.

The committee is expected to submit a report on the matter within one month. Based on the findings, appropriate actions will be taken, as indicated by the Secretary to the President.

The discussion highlighted the significant number of patients, including those requiring cardiac, ophthalmic, and paediatric surgeries, who are currently awaiting procedures on long waiting lists at government hospitals.

Attention was also given to the potential support that could be provided by the President’s Fund and other relevant sectors to address the challenges faced by these patients.

Additionally, discussions were held regarding the possibility of conducting surgeries after regular working hours at government hospitals. The challenges faced by doctors and staff were also thoroughly discussed during the meeting.

The discussion was attended by several key officials, including Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Additional Secretary (Public Health Services) Dr. Lakshmi Somathunga, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, along with directors and specialist doctors from major hospitals across the country.

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Govt. plan to boost revenue with taxes on vehicle imports unrealistic, warns Harsha

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Dr. de Silva

By Saman Indrajith

SJB Colombo District MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament yesterday that vehicle imports would be affected by unusually high prices. Commencing the Second Reading debate from the Opposition side, Dr. de Silva said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had, in his Budget speech, projected a substantial portion of tax revenue from vehicle imports. “What is the feasibility of such expectations, given the current price surge,” the MP queried.

“Who can afford to import vehicles at these rates? I do not believe there are enough affluent individuals in Sri Lanka to sustain vehicle imports at these exorbitant prices.”

Providing examples of the dramatic price increase, Dr. de Silva pointed out that a Toyota Raize now cost Rs. 12.2 mn, a Toyota Yaris Rs. 18.5 mn, and a Toyota Prius a staggering Rs. 28.9 mn.

“Someone mentioned that a Toyota Vitz could be available at Rs. 1.4 mn.”

Dr. de Silva said that the government aimed to increase tax revenue by 1.6% of GDP with a significant portion expected from vehicle imports. However, he warned that achieving that target was unrealistic under current circumstances. The government must reassess its reliance on this sector for increasing tax revenue,” he said.

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SLN receives shallow water multi-beam echo sounder from Australia

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From left : Defence Advisor to the Australian High Commission in Colombo, Colonel Amanda Johnston, Australian HC in Colombo Paul Stephens, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and Chief Hydrographer of SLNHS and Commander Southern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Kosala Warnakulasooriya

Giving a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s hydrographic capabilities, the government of Australia handed over a state-of-the-art Shallow Water Multi-Beam Echo Sounder to the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) during a ceremony held at SLNS Rangalla today (18 Feb 25). The formal ceremony was held under the auspices of the High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, marking new chapter in the discipline of hydrography.

The Australian government provided the Sri Lanka Navy with this Multi Beam Echo Sounder to enhance its hydrographic capabilities. This advanced equipment will enable the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) to conduct precise hydrographic surveys, essential for creating nautical and electronic charts for international use. The device will also facilitate the production of high-precision nautical charts, ensuring safer maritime navigation.

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