News

Development projects linked to Bathiudeen suspended by Presidential Secretariat

Published

4 months ago

August 18, 2024

editor

More than Rs 200 million worth ongoing development projects secured by All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) leader and Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen in six districts have been put on hold with immediate effect following directives issued by the Presidential Secretariat.

Earlier, the ACMC leader secured approval to carry out development activities in six districts—Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Puttalam, Trincomalee, and Batticaloa. Mr. Bathidueen said the projects were based on the requests of people, rural development societies, welfare societies, and other community-based organisations for the urgent development activities in those areas.

However, a directive was issued on Thursday by Presidential Secretariat accountant S.A.P. Kumari to the respective district secretaries, instructing them to halt those projects and directing them to transfer the funds to the Presidential Secretariat with immediate effect.

“I further request you to inform me of the receipt of this letter immediately and not to enter into any obligation using these provisions,” according to the letter signed by the accountant and seen by the Sunday Times.

On the following day, the ACMC leader wrote to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, saying that it was “extremely doubtable (sic) that these actions had been taken following his announcement to support Presidential Candidate Sajith Premadasa at the upcoming presidential election.”

“I hope that this sort of action had been taken by certain individuals and officials without Your Excellency’s knowledge unethically…,” the ACMC leader said in his letter seen by the Sunday Times while urging him to revoke the orders and instruct relevant authorities to expedite the implementation of the projects.

He warned he would be forced to appeal to the Elections Commission if the directives were not revoked, saying he believed these attempts were “unethical activities” and violations of election laws.

(sundaytimes.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Members Appointed to the Port City Economic Commission

Published

19 hours ago

December 14, 2024

editor

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed members to the Colombo Port City Economic Commission.

The appointment letters were presented today (13) by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake at the President’s Office.

Harsha Amarasekara PC has been named Chairman of the Commission.

Damian Amal Cabraal, Mohan Ray Abeywardena, Sanjay Kulatunga, and Dr. Harsha Subasinghe have also been appointed as members of the Commission.

News

Parliament to meet on Tuesday, Wednesday

Published

19 hours ago

December 14, 2024

editor

Parliament will meet only on Tuesday and Wednesday (17 and 18), said Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera. The Parliamentary business with regard to that week was decided at the Committee on Parliamentary Business held on December 6 under the chairmanship of the Speaker.

Parliament will meet at 9.30 a.m. on Tuesday (17) and the time from 9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. has been allotted for Questions for Oral Answers.

Thereafter, from 10.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m., the supplementary estimate for providing an allowance for schoolchildren to obtain stationery and the supplementary estimate for allocating provisions for road projects for 2024 will be taken up for debate and it was decided to continue the debate on Wednesday (18).

The Adjournment Motion (Opposition) on the “Restructuring of International Sovereign Bonds” is scheduled to be debated from 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Parliament will meet at 9.30 a.m. on Wednesday (18) and the time from 9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. has been set aside for Questions for Oral Answers.

Thereafter, from 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., along with the debate on the two supplementary estimates adjourned the previous day, the debate on Regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, Order under the Foreign Exchange Act, Regulations under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, Regulation under the Casino Business (Regulation) Act, Order under the Ports and Airports Development Levy Act, Regulations under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act will be held. All of these subjects are scheduled to be presented to Parliament in the afternoon and passed.

Thereafter, time has been allotted for Questions at the Adjournment Time (two questions) from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

News

US officials’ visit enhanced diplomatic ties between two countries

Published

19 hours ago

December 14, 2024

editor

U.S. Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs at the Department of State Ambassador Donald Lu, along with Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia and the Pacific at the U.S. Department of the Treasury Robert Kaproth and Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Asia at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Anjali Kaur recently concluded a visit to Sri Lanka.

They engaged in discussions with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath.

The visit underscored the deepening diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the United States, highlighting a shared commitment to regional peace, economic cooperation, and democratic development.

The delegation met President Dissanayake and discussed Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, ongoing anti-corruption initiatives, and efforts to strengthen governance and democratic institutions. The President also outlined his vision for uplifting rural living standards and enhancing the quality of the public sector.

The delegation also held a meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya, where they engaged in discussions on economic recovery and education reforms.

The delegation conducted discussions with Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Minister on issues related to regional security, human rights, and multilateral cooperation.

The Minister briefed the delegation of the third review under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme and assured Sri Lanka’s commitment to enhancing bilateral relations with all countries while maintaining a peaceful Indian Ocean region.

He also commended the U.S. for its continued support extended to Sri Lanka. Deputy Assistant Administrator Kaur expressed the U.S.’s keen interest in tailoring future USAID projects to suit the priorities of the Sri Lankan Government.

This visit serves as a testament to the deepening relationship between Sri Lanka and the United States, with both countries committed to fostering stronger ties in the years ahead across various sectors of mutual interest.

(DailyNews)

(This story, originally published by DailyNews has not been edited by SLM staff)