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Electricity Bill clauses unconstitutional – SC

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The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has ruled that several clauses in the proposed Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill are inconsistent with the Constitution.

The determination, delivered to Parliament and announced by Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih, follows petitions filed under Article 121(1) of the Constitution challenging the bill’s legality.

According to the Deputy Speaker, the Court determined that these provisions would require approval by a special majority in Parliament as well as a public referendum in order to be enacted in their current form.

The Deputy Speaker also  ordered that the full Supreme Court determination be included in the official parliamentary record of the day’s proceedings.

Key findings from the Supreme Court include:

Clause 8(2) shall be amended suitably to provide that the members of the committee referred to therein shall be liable under the anti-corruption act  N0.9 of 2023.

Clause 13 (1) (c) is violative of article 3 of the constitution, and requires it to be passed by a special majority of parliament, and be approved by the people at a referendum. However, the said violation shall cease if this clause is amended as set out in the summary of the determination of the Supreme Court.

Clause 13 (1) (b) is vague and arbitrary as it does not contain any provision relating to the transfer of employees and their right as employees during the second stage of unbundling. Therefore the clause is violative of article 12 (1) read with article 14 (1) (g) of the constitution. And this clause shall only be passed by the special majority required under article 84 (2). The said violation shall cease if this clause is amended as set out in the summary of the determination of the Supreme Court.

Clause 13 (12), is in violation of articles 12 (1) and 14 (1) (g) of the constitution. The said violation  shall cease if this clause is amended as set out in the summary of the determination of the Supreme Court.

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SJB establishes control of Seethawakapura UC

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The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has established control of the Seethawakapura Urban Council.

At the council’s inaugural meeting held today (July 15), SJB candidate Sunil Jayaratne was elected Chairman through a secret ballot.

Ajith Wijayamuni Zoysa, who ran as an independent, secured the post of Deputy Chairman.

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SL delegation leaving for US this week for tariff talks

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A Sri Lankan government delegation is scheduled to leave for the United States this Friday (July 18) to negotiate a further reduction in the tariffs imposed on Sri Lankan exports to the US, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said.

The Foreign Minister made this statement while speaking to the media following an event held in Colombo today (July 15).

A recent announcement made by the US President on July 09 saw the reduction of reciprocal tariff tariffs to 30% from the initially imposed 44%.

The new 30% tariff is scheduled to take effect on August 1, 2025.

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Laws against shooting of wild jumbos, to be tightened

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A meeting was held today (July 15) at the Ministry of Environment with officials from the Department of Wildlife Conservation, aimed at tightening laws against the shooting of wild elephants.

The discussion was chaired by the Minister of Environment – Dr. Dammika Patabendi, along with the Deputy Minister of Environment – Anton Jayakody.

Noting that incidents of elephant shoots are regularly reported to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Minister instructed the Director General of the Department to take the necessary steps to strictly enforce the law against such acts.

The discussion also focused on strengthening the process of punishing offenders by updating laws related to the killing of wild animals. It also emphasized enforcing strict laws against the illegal construction of electric fences on private lands, which often harm elephants.

To help reduce human-elephant conflict, the Ministry and the Department are working together on long-term, positive solutions. Accordingly, elephant fences are being built in districts with frequent elephant encounters.

Furthermore, multi-purpose officers have been recruited for the maintenance of these fences and the involvement of civil defense personnel is also being considered.

The Department of Wildlife Conservation announced that a special media briefing will be held in the coming days to inform the public on these initiatives.

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