News

Harsha discloses 16 IMF recommendations imposed on SL

Published

7 months ago

October 5, 2023

editor

SJB MP Harsha de Silva said the contents of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Governance Diagnostic Assessment report has laid out a rigorous 16-point plan for Sri Lanka’s revival.

Speaking in yesterday’s Parliament session, the MP said that even if the second tranche is given to Sri Lanka, these recommendations will have to be implemented in order to carry forward the IMF programme.

He said that these recommendations will direct Sri Lanka on the right path. “This was the reason why I kept emphasizing from the beginning that we should go to the IMF,” he said.

The 16 IMF recommendations as disclosed by MP Dr. de Silva are as follows:

Establishing an Advisory Committee by November 2023 to nominate commissioners for the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

Publishing asset declarations for senior officials by July 2024, an act that brings much-needed transparency, with only 12 out of 225 MPs having disclosed their assets.

Enacting Proceeds of Crime legislation by April 2024 to align with international standards, combating money laundering and illicit financial activities.

Amending the National Audit Act to hold officials accountable for the use of public resources.

Finalizing and implementing regulations for beneficial ownership information and creating a public registry by April 2024.

Enacting a Public Procurement Law by December 2024, addressing the alarming procurement and corruption issues.

Publishing reports on increasing competitive tendered procurement contracts, targeting agencies with low levels of competition.

Requiring the publication of all public procurement contracts above LK 1 billion and other critical financial information on a designated website.

Implementing the State-Owned Enterprise Reform Policy to ensure ethical management.

Abolishing or suspending the Strategic Development Projects Office Act until a transparent process for evaluating proposals is established.

Amending tax legislation to prevent unilateral tax changes without parliamentary approval.

Implementing short-term anti-corruption measures within revenue departments to enhance oversight and sanctions.

Exploring options for new management arrangements for the Employee Provident Fund to avoid conflicts of interest.

Revising legislation, regulations, and processes for stronger oversight in the banking sector.

Establishing an online digital land registry and ensuring progress in registering/titling-state land.

Expanding the resources and skills available to the Judicial Services Commission to strengthen justice.

News

Veteran journalist A.D. Ranjith Kumara no more

Published

14 hours ago

May 10, 2024

editor

Veteran journalist, artist and author A.D. Ranjith Kumara passed away today (May 10).

He passed away at the age of 77.

His remains will be laid at the Mahinda funeral parlour in Mt. Lavinia from 8.00am tomorrow (May 11) before being handed over to the Kotelawala Medical Faculty as per his final wishes.

News

CID tells Maithripala’s statements contradict each other

Published

14 hours ago

May 10, 2024

editor

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) conducting investigations into the controversial revelation made by former President Maithripala Sirisena regarding the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, informed court that his two statements given to the CID and evidence gathered from CCTV footage contradict each other.

Counsel Rajitha Lakmal, appearing for Parliamentarian Kavinda Jayawardena, moved the court to issue an order for the former President’s arrest if he has provided false statements by concealing the truth. Considering the facts, Maligakanda Magistrate Lochani Abeywickrema directed the CID to take necessary action regarding former President Sirisena if he has committed something with criminal liability. The progress of the investigation was ordered to be reported to the court on July 26.

The CID had filed a facts report before Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court regarding the statement the former President had made recently. Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles had instructed the Inspector General of Police to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the statement made by the former President in Kandy that he knew the people involved in the Easter Sunday bomb attacks on 21 April 2019.

(dailymirror.lk)

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

News

Supreme Court moves another petition by Diana Gamage

Published

20 hours ago

May 10, 2024

nipuni

The Supreme Court has ordered that the petition filed by former State Minister Diana Gamage challenging a decision taken by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to cancel her party membership, be called on May 28.

This petition was taken up before the three-member Supreme Court bench consisting of Justices Gamini Amarasekara, Kumuduni Wickremesinghe and Mahinda Samayawardhena today (10).

At the time, President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha who appeared for the petitioner Diana Gamage, requested for a date to inform the court of the decision to be taken regarding this petition.

Accordingly, the judge bench ordered that the relevant petition be called on May 28 and that the decision regarding the maintaining of this petition be announced on the relevant date.

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, General Secretary of the SJB Ranjith Madduma Bandara and several others have been named as respondents in this petition.

The SJB had earlier decided to expel Diana Gamage from the party citing that she had failed to comply with the unanimous decision taken by the party to vote against the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, by voting in favour. The SJB had also highlighted that this was a serious violation of party discipline, and that the Opposition Leader and the SJB’s leader Sajith Premadasa decided to suspend her party membership for the reputation or well-being and prosperity of the party.(adaderana.lk)

(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk) has not been edited by SLM staff)