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X-Press Pearl debate: Justice Minister draws fire; sittings suspended

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By Saman Indrajith

Parliament sittings were suspended abruptly yesterday after a heated argument that ensued over attempts to deprive Sri Lanka of compensation for the X-Press Pearl ship disaster.

The heated argument started after Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, rising to a point of order, told the House that the matter could not be debated in the House as a case pertaining to the same was pending before the courts.

When SJB Kurunegala District MP Thushara Indunil Amarasena sought to move a motion for the debate on the matters related to the X-Press Pearl ship disaster, the Justice Minister said the matter was sub judice and could not be permitted for debate.

MP Amarasena said that it was unreasonable for Minister Rajapakshe to attempt to prevent the debate after making a controversial statement in the House that the latter had information pertaining to a payment of a bribe of $ 250 million to a certain individual.

Minister Rajapakshe warned the MP that the latter should know better that the matter should not be debated in the House and that was against the Standing Orders. “Do not behave like a Montessori kid. This is a Parliament not a Montessori. This is the place where the laws are made. If you have come to this place behave like a lawmaker not as a Montessori kid,” the Minister said.

At this point several Opposition MPs shouted at Minister Rajapakshe and accused him of trying to shield the wrongdoers.

Minister Rajapakshe:

You cannot stop me from talking by shouting at me. I would not stop talking because you are shouting.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene:

The Minister has raised a point of order. If you have another point of order, you can raise it after the Minister makes his speech. Till then take your seats.

MP Amarasena:

It is the Minister of Justice who raised this issue in the House. He said that a deal amounting to billions of rupees had been struck to deprive the country of compensation. He mentioned the names and addresses of the persons involved in this racket. The one who made the revelation the other day now tries to hush it up.

Minister Rajapakshe:

It is up to the Speaker to decide whether the House should be moved for the debate on this matter. The issue of $ 250 million payment was first raised by your colleague MP Ajith Mannapperuma. I lodged a complaint with the CID.

Speaker Abeywardena suspended sittings for 10 minutes for an immediate party leaders’ meeting.



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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs pays his last respects to Pope Francis

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Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]

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RW to visit CIABOC on Monday

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Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.

Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.

Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.

In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.

Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.

The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.

The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.

He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.

According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.

Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.

However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.

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