The Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission, Mr. Jose Ignacio Sanchez Amor, Member of the European Parliament, and his delegation met with the Speaker – Jagath Wickramaratne at Parliament on Jan. 17.

Secretary General of Parliament of Sri Lanka, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, was also present on this occasion.
During this meeting, the Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission first extended his congratulations to the Speaker and the new government. He then presented the final report of the Presidential Election Observation Mission – 2024 to the Speaker. The Chief Observer praised the democratic conduct of the elections and acknowledged the vital role of the Election Commission, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the Commission. He also expressed his appreciation for the increase in women’s representation in the current Parliament.

Speaking at the meeting, Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne expressed his gratitude to the European Union Election Observation Mission for sharing their experience. 

The Speaker emphasized that the government is currently working towards a more transparent, corruption-free governance with true democratic qualities. Meanwhile, the Speaker further stated that plans are being made to hold a conference of Members of Parliament with disabilities for the first time in the country.

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the US from the World Health Organization (WHO).

“Oooh, that’s a big one,” the newly inaugurated US president said as he approved the document after arriving back at the White House. It was one of dozens of executive actions he put his signature to on day one in office.

This marks the second time Trump has ordered the US be pulled out of the WHO.

Trump was critical of how the international body handled Covid-19 and began the process of pulling out from the Geneva-based institution during the pandemic. President Joe Biden later reversed that decision.

Carrying out this executive action on day one makes it more likely the US will formally leave the global agency.

“They wanted us back so badly so we’ll see what happens,” Trump said in the Oval Office, referring to the WHO, perhaps hinting the US might return eventually.

The order said the US was withdrawing “due to the organization’s mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states”.

The executive order also said the withdrawal was the result of “unfairly onerous payments” the US made to the WHO, which is part of the United Nations.

When Trump was still in office the first time around he was critical of the organization for being too “China-centric” in its tackling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Trump accused the WHO of being biased towards China in how it issued guidance during the outbreak.

Under the Biden administration the US continued to be the largest funder of the WHO and in 2023 it contributed almost one-fifth of the agency’s budget.

The organization’s annual budget is $6.8 billion (£5.5 billion).

Public health experts have been critical of Trump’s decision to leave the WHO, warning there could be consequences for Americans’ health.

Some have suggested the move could reverse progress made on fighting infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and Hiv & Aids.

Ashish Jha, who formerly worked as Covid-19 response co-ordinator under President Biden, previously warned leaving would “harm not only the health of people around the world, but also US leadership and scientific prowess”.

“It’s a cataclysmic presidential decision. Withdrawal is a grievous wound to world health, but a still deeper wound to the US,” Lawrence Gostin, a global public health expert and Georgetown University professor said.

(BBC News)

Sri Lanka’s parliamentarians are on track to get completely tax payer financed vehicles instead of the earlier practice of financing their own cars without tax, according to statements made by government spokesman.

“To all parliamentarians, including opposition members, the government will give a vehicle to do their work,” Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told a late-night talk show on Sri Lanka’s Derana television.

There had been unhappiness at the way politicians and government workers were given tax free and tax slashed cars, in a selective application of the law, when the public had to pay very high taxes for cars and motorcycles.

Unlike other people, MPs are the people who vote to charge high taxes from the people.

The practice started in the 1980s.

The anchor pointed out that the tax payer will now have to pay the cost of the vehicle as well under the planned policy.

It is not clear whether the tax-free, cost-free cars for 225 legislators will also be maintained at tax payer expense.

MPs will also be allowed to buy the vehicle at the end of 5 years at a depreciated price, Minister Herath said.

“When it is a government vehicle, they will not be careful about its use,” Minister Herath said.

“That is a problem with government vehicles. Even if is damaged they will not fix it. If we create a situation where they can get it after the end of five years base on how they have used it, on the valuation they can get it.”

Government vehicles are usually not insured. It is not clear whether the accidents will be repaired at tax payer expense or whether insurance will also be paid at tax payer expense.

National Peoples Power MP Dharmapriya Dissanayake had earlier told reporters that all parliamentarians will get new cars.

If old cars are given there will be complaints that vehicles have different mileage, Minister Herath said.

“We have to give everyone a car equally,” Minister Herath said. “If used vehicles are given there will be a problem. One person is given a vehicle driven for 45,000. The other one is given 60,000. So one MP will say the one was treated this way.

“The government MP was given this and we were given this. That cannot happen.”

Government Minister are usually given tax payer financed cars.(economynext.com)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by economynext.com has not been edited by SLM staff)