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5000 hectares in Monaragala, Kotiagala & Kabilitta temporarily given for farming

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A discussion was held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (01) under the patronage of President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Rathnayake on the utilization of land in Monaragala, Kotiyagala and Kabilitta areas for farming to face the food crisis in the future. These lands were previously reserved for reforestation.

Currently, around 8000 hectares of land in the Monaragala, Kotiyagala and Kabilitta areas owned by the Forest Department has been reserved for reforestation.It was decided to commence the afforestation activities immediately in the 3000 hectares where saplings have been prepared for afforestation.

The issue of the remaining 5000 hectares of land to be distributed among farmers temporarily for cultivation until the necessary facilities for reforestation were prepared was also discussed at length.

It was also focussed, during the discussion on the possibilities of releasing a certain extent of land for cattle rearing on a temporary basis.

President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayake advised the Forest Conservation Department to seek the advice of the Attorney General to resolve the legal issues that may arise in carrying out these activities and instructed heads of all related line institutions accordingly.

Presidential Adviser on Food Security Dr Suren Batagoda, Secretary to the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation R.M.C.M. A. Herath and a group of heads of line institutions and officers also participated.

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High Posts committee approves appointments of 4 ministry secretaries

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The Committee on High Posts, which met recently in the Parliament under the patronage of the Prime Minister – Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, has given its approval for the appointment of 04 secretaries for ministries.

Accordingly, the following appointments have been approved :

Prof. K. T. M. Udayanga Hemapala – Secretary to the Ministry of Energy 
K.M.G.S.N. Kaluwewa – Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education
S.M. Piyatissa – Secretary to the Ministry of Labor
K.D.R. Olga – Secretary to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs

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Tense situation in Kimbulawala (Video)

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A heated situation took place in Kimbulawala today (July 11) after officials of the Road Development Authority (RDA) attempted to remove several roadside food stalls in the area. 

Several stalls were dismantled and loaded onto a lorry amid the strong objection of vendors.

Police had also arrived at the venue to control the situation.

Amid the heated situation, RDA officials had returned the loaded belongings to the vendors.

(Video : Madyawediya)

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Petition filed against barring women from ‘Station Master’ posts

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The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka today (July 11) granted leave to proceed with a Fundamental Rights petition filed by two women challenging the gender-based restriction preventing women from applying for the position of Station Master in Sri Lanka Railways.

The petition was taken up before a three-judge bench comprising Justices A.H.M.D. Nawaz, Priyantha Fernando, and Sampath Wijeratne.

Appearing on behalf of the petitioners, Attorney-at-Law Nuwan Bopage submitted that the Railways Department had issued a gazette notification dated June 13, calling for applications to fill 106 vacant Station Master positions.

However, the notification stipulated that only male applicants were eligible to apply.

The counsel for the petitioners argued that this constituted a violation of the petitioners’ fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 12(1) and 12(2) of the Constitution, which ensure equality before the law and prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender.

He further contended that the restriction also infringed upon the petitioners’ right to engage in employment of their choice.

Accordingly, the petitioners sought a declaration from the court that their fundamental rights had been violated and requested an order to remove the discriminatory provision in the said gazette notification, which limits eligibility to only male candidates.

After considering the facts presented, the Supreme Court granted leave to proceed with the petition and scheduled the plaint for hearing on August 27.

(adaderana.lk)

(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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