News
Will Basil return to Parliament?
Speculation is rife in political circles that Basil Rajapaksa will return to Parliament as an SLPP National List MP.
Well informed sources told The Island that the SLPP founder was expected to return from the US this week. If consensus could be reached on the former SLFP National Organiser’s return to Parliament, one appointed MP would resign, sources said. At the last general election, the SLPP secured 17 NL slots out of 29.
The 20th Amendment to the Constitution enacted in October last year cleared the way for those holding foreign nationality to enter parliament. Sources said the recent crisis caused by fuel price hike appeared to have influenced the former minister’s return to Parliament.
Basil Rajapaksa last served as an MP during 2010-2015 period. Parliament is scheduled to meet today and tomorrow. Basil Rajapaksa expected back on Thursday. Several SLPP lawmakers, including its General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam recently declared Basil Rajapaksa would have thwarted the current crisis over fuel price hike if he were in the country. (SF)
BBC reported that at least 17 people have been killed in an explosion at a mosque in the Pakistani city of Peshawar.
The blast happened when the mosque was packed with worshippers and more than 90 people were injured.
A section of the building was destroyed, and officials say people are buried under the rubble. Several others are being taken to local hospitals.
The cause of the explosion is unclear.
BBC reported that residents in flood-hit northern New Zealand are bracing for more heavy rains as officials issued severe weather alerts.
At least four people have died and a state of emergency was declared in Auckland, which on Friday experienced its worst downpour on record.
by Priyan de Silva
Chairman of the Election Commission of Sri Lanka, Nimal Punchihewa, asked to comment on a special news release, purportedly issued by the Director General of the Department of Government Information, on Sunday (29), told The Island that preparations for the 09 March local government elections were going ahead, as planned, and that the media statement at issue was misleading.
The media statement says: “The gazette notice with signatures of the Chairman and other members of the Election Commission required for the commencement of the Local Government election process has not been sent to the Government Press for printing.”
Punchihewa requested the public not to be misled by any misinformation being spread in an attempt to create doubts in their minds.He also reiterated that the EC would not be deterred by any acts of intimidation.
Three of the EC members have been threatened with death by an unidentified caller to resign from their posts. They are S. B. Divaratne, M. M. Mohamed and K. P. P. Pathirana. The Opposition has accused the government of trying to sabotage the LG polls.
At least 17 killed after explosion in Peshawar mosque
More heavy rain ahead for New Zealand’s largest city
Very heavy showers (150mm) likely in Northern, Eastern, Uva, North Central and Central Provinces
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