News

Is Ranil looking for two thirds majority in Parliament again?

Published

2 weeks ago

June 14, 2024

nipuni

Speculations are raised on whether President Ranil Wickremesinghe is once again on the search for a two thirds majority in Parliament.

That is mainly due to media disclosures of recent pro-government discussions held to explore the possibility of holding a referendum in July.

Meanwhile, ‘Ada Derana’ has reported that two rounds of discussions were held at a well known hotel in the Battaramulla area.

During the discussion, legal experts have been asked whether the current government can proceed in the same way that former President J. R. Jayawardena held a referendum to extend the term of Parliament.

Reports also state that discussions have taken place on alternative action if the courts oppose this move.

Legal experts have been of the view that a referendum could only be held on two occasions.

One would be an instance of national importance that the President could present to the voting public.

The other would be through the Supreme Court accepting the fact that a relevant Act was passed by a two thirds majority in parliament.

Accordingly, it is said that more attention is given to the MPs’ request seeking duty free vehicle permits, in a bid to secure the two thirds majority.

Thus, providing duty free permits for the 79 first-time parliamentarians, would be given priority, reports say.

News

Wijedasa requests Speaker to summon key officials of JSA

Published

8 hours ago

June 25, 2024

editor

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has formally requested the Speaker to summon key officials of the Judicial Service Association (JSA) to the Committee on Privileges.
This follows a JSA statement, which the Minister alleges, has breached his parliamentary privileges.

In a letter addressed to the Speaker, Minister Rajapakshe highlighted his concerns regarding the recent statement made by the Chairman and Secretary of the JSA.

News

Five-member judge bench appointed to hear ex-Navy chief’s writ

Published

9 hours ago

June 25, 2024

editor

The Court of Appeal has decided for the writ petition filed by former Sri Lanka Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda over the alleged abduction of 11 youths in 2008 and 2009, to be taken up for hearing before a five-member judge bench.

The former Navy Chief has filed the relevant petition seeking an order preventing the hearing of a case filed before the Colombo High Court against him and several others, related to the alleged abduction of 11 youths in Colombo and its suburbs in the 2008 and 2009.

Accordingly, the petition will be taken up for hearing before a five-member judge bench comprising Justices Menaka Wijesundera, Sampath B. Abeykoon, Mayadunne Corea and Chamath Morais on September 25, 2024.

The petitioner’s attorney has alleged through this petition that despite the investigations into the case stretching out for 10 years and statements being recorded from over 150 persons, the police had failed to uncover evidence to prove his client guilty of abducting and killing the said 11 youths.

(adaderana.lk)

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

News

Rulers can’t decide whether country isn’t bankrupt anymore – Sajith

Published

10 hours ago

June 25, 2024

editor

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has slammed the government, saying that rulers themselves cannot decide if the country is bankrupt any longer.

He said that making the relevant decision is up to international rating agencies, and they are yet to find the country eligible to be so.

“When the debt repayment system is prepared, the international rating companies such as Fitch, Moody’s, and Standard and Poor’s, will use the financial data to declare whether our country is bankrupt or not because our country has entered into a debt repayment system,” he pointed out.

“One of the reasons for the decline of this country is the deception, desperation and trickery of the people. The people of a bankrupt country should pay attention to the information and data provided by international financial rating agencies which decide whether the country is bankrupt or not,” he added.

Mr. Premadasa was speaking after donating smart classroom equipment to St. John’s College, Kalutara yesterday (June 24).