News

449,979 families should be removed from Samurdhi subsidy – COPA

Published

1 month ago

April 29, 2023

editor

Nearly 33% of the families receiving Samurdhi benefits are families that should not be entitled to Samurdhi benefits – COPA disclose

COPA disclosed that almost 33% of the families receiving the Samurdhi benefit are families who should not be entitled to the Samurdhi benefit, and a similar percent of families are the families who should be entitled to the Samurdhi benefit who are not entitled to the Samurdhi benefit.

According to a survey conducted covering the entire island from 2015 to 2017, this information was discovered and it was stated that 449,979 families should be removed from the Samurdhi subsidy.

Also, the officials of the National Audit Office said that an informality is observed in the selection of Samurdhi beneficiaries.

This was disclosed when the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) Chaired by Lasantha Alagiyawanna, met recently (25) in Parliament to review the matters included in the reports of the Auditor General for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021 and the current performance of the Department of Samurdhi Development.

Accordingly, it was also disclosed that some of the Samurdhi beneficiaries who received the monthly benefits remitted to the Prajamula Banks, kept them in their bank accounts for a long period of time and according to the surveys, the amount kept in the savings accounts of 2433 beneficiaries in 41 domains of 10 Prajamula Banks amounted to Rs. 59,951,537.

Moreover, the empowerment of the beneficiaries was also discussed at the Committee meeting and the COPA Chair was of the vies that it was observed that there has been no proper program regarding the empowerment of the beneficiaries.

Furthermore, The Committee inquired about the inclusion of the number of employees there when the Samurdhi Authority was made a department, and since the correct data was not submitted, it was recommended to recall this department before COPA on the 26th of May, and the Chair further said that all the correct information about this would be required on that day.

Also, the financial subsidies received in the year 2022 under the assistance of the World Bank were also discussed here and the future plans of this department were also inquired about according to the updates planned to be done from the coming July. As no successful program was presented regarding the future plans, when the Samurdhi Development Department comes before this committee on May 26th, COPA also recommended that a successful program be presented.

News

Cabinet green light to ratify Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

Published

15 hours ago

June 6, 2023

editor

Cabinet approval has been granted to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and to take the necessary steps for legislation to enforce the provisions of the agreement.

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Sep. 10, 1996. By the treaty, member states agreed to ban “any nuclear weapons test or other nuclear explosion” anywhere in the world. So far, 186 countries have signed the agreement and 177 countries have ratified the agreement.

Sri Lanka signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty on October 24, 1996. Sri Lanka is currently cooperating with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization in the areas of training, capacity development, data and information sharing. Sri Lanka’s ratification of the treaty would recognize Sri Lanka’s diplomatic role as an active proponent of international peace and security in a world free of nuclear weapons.

According to the government, ratifying the agreement will also enable the country to obtain useful data for civil and scientific purposes that will benefit many developing countries including Sri Lanka, such as tsunami warnings, climate change and geographical studies.

News

Overseas travel ban slapped on Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam

Published

15 hours ago

June 6, 2023

editor

The Kilinochchi Magistrate’s Court has issued an overseas travel ban on Ahila Ilankai Thamil Congress (AITC) MP – Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam over the recent incident of verbally abusing police officers during a function, police spokesman – SSP Nihal Thalduwa says.

Yesterday, the magistrate ordered to remand the AITC’s main female organizer in the North – East region, over the incident.

News

Verdict on petition challenging Diana Gamage’s MP seat, postponed

Published

15 hours ago

June 6, 2023

editor

The Court of Appeal has deferred the pronouncement of the verdict on the petition filed seeking an order to annul the Parliamentary seat of State Minister Diana Gamage.

Accordingly, the verdict is expected to be pronounced on the 25th of July.

The petition was called this morning before President of the Court of Appeal Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice A Marikkar.

Court heard arguments pertaining to the petition previously and was expected to announce the verdict today.

The writ petition was filed before the Court of Appeal calling for State Minister Diana Gamage to be stripped of her Parliamentary seat by activist Oshala Herath on the 15th of November 2022.

State Minister Gamage, the Immigration and Emigration Controller, the Minister of Public Security, the General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the National Election Commission and its members, and the General Secretary of Parliament were cited as respondents in the petition.

(newsradio.lk)