News

Drugs being sold through eZ cash transactions

Published

1 year ago

September 5, 2023

editor

The Select Committee of Parliament to look into and identify the mechanisms to be implemented in order to immediately control and eradicate the rapidly spreading drug menace in the country and to submit observations and recommendations to Parliament in that regard too into discussion the current setup of establishing a drug destruction center.

This was taken up for discussion when the said committee met in Parliament recently (23) under the Chairmanship of Minister of Public Security – Tiran Alles.

Ministry Of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms, Ministry of Fisheries, Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Customs, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, Postal Department and Prison Department were called before the Committee where the measures taken by these departments to control the drug menace in this country were discussed.

Drug destruction center in Kalpitiya

Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Chairman of the Presidential Task Force appointed to control narcotics, stated that a drug destruction center will be built in Kalpitiya area and if the Committee intervenes to get water, electricity and road facilities for this purpose, this center could be prepared by the end of this year. In light of the said, the Committee Chair, Hon. Tiran Alles, mentioned that necessary interventions will be made for this purpose.

Delay in Government Analyst’s reports

Furthermore, Members of Parliament who were present inquired about the delay in Government Analyst’s reports and the officials present mentioned that in the past it took about 9 months for this and now it only takes about 3 months. The officials present mentioned that the lack of officers has affected this and accordingly, they will take steps to recruit the necessary officers in the future.

Drugs being sold through eZ cash transactions

Drugs being sold through cash transactions through eZ cash and the measures that can be taken by the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission regarding this was also discussed.

Furthermore, the State Minister – Sisira Jayakody, suggested to the Ministry of Health to seek the support of the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine for the task of controlling drugs.

The measures taken to prevent the arrival of drugs through mail, the measures taken to reduce the spread of drugs related to schools and the measures taken to prevent the arrival of drugs through sea routes were also discussed here.

Moreover, the Leader of the Opposition – Sajith Premadasa, also joined this committee and he mentioned that controlling the menace of drugs is directly related to national security and necessary steps should be taken for this purpose.

State Ministers Sisira Jayakody, Dr. (Mrs.) Seetha Arambepola, Members of Parliament – Buddhika Pathirana, Jayantha Samaraweera, Dr. Upul Galappaththi, Major Sudarshana Denipitiya, and Upul Mahendra Rajapaksha were present at the committee meeting held.

News

Members Appointed to the Port City Economic Commission

Published

20 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

20 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

21 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)