News

Legal action to stop unapproved awarding of national honors

Published

4 months ago

February 23, 2024

nipuni

The Secretary to the President, Mr. Saman Ekanayake, has directed the initiation of legal action against the unauthorized conferment and utilization of national awards and honorary titles.

The Presidential Secretariat is actively overseeing instances where individuals and non-governmental entities are bestowing awards, certificates, and titles falsely representing the prestigious national honours granted by the President to distinguished Sri Lankans. These recognitions are traditionally bestowed through a formal process meticulously evaluated by designated authorities.

Emphasizing the imperative to promptly cease the misappropriation of national award titles by unauthorized entities, the President’s Secretary underscores the potential for such unauthorized actions to inflict considerable injustice and disrespect upon the genuinely esteemed Sri Lankan recipients of these honours.

The establishment of the National Awards in 1986, as outlined in Extraordinary Gazette No. 387/3 dated 02.03.1986, was followed by subsequent amendments detailed in Government Gazette No. 627/8 dated 12-09-1990, Government Gazette No. 863/4 dated 20-03-1995, and Government Gazette No. 1535/12 dated 08-02-2008.

Furthermore, the introduction of two new awards, namely “Vishishta Kaushalyabhimani” and “Vishishta Republica Abhimani,” was ratified through Ministerial Note No. PS/NC/ACD/95/2023 presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe on 18-02-2023.

The process for nominations for National Awards is facilitated by Provincial Governors and Cabinet Ministers. Recommendations for the selection of awardees, both Sri Lankan and non-Sri Lankan individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service to Sri Lanka, are evaluated by a Selection Committee appointed by the President and chaired by the Prime Minister’s Secretary. Plans are underway to devise a new application system to engage eligible Sri Lankans in the nomination process.

Subsequently, following the President’s endorsement, a panel of academic experts appointed by the President’s Secretary convenes to assess and select the awardees. The names of the chosen recipients will be officially published in a gazette, and the awards will be presented by the President on designated occasions, which may include Independence Day, National Hero’s Day, and ceremonies honouring non-Sri Lankan recipients.

(President’s Media Division)

News

Fuel prices reduced from tonight

Published

2 hours ago

June 30, 2024

editor

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has reduced its fuel prices with effect from tonight.

Accordingly, a litre of Lanka Petrol 92 Octane Euro 4 (Rs. 355) has been reduce by Rs. 11, and its new retail price will be Rs. 344

A litre of Lanka Petrol 95 Octane Euro 4 (Rs. 420) has been reduce by Rs. 41, and its new retail price will be Rs. 379.

A litre of Lanka Auto Diesel (Rs.377) has been reduce by Rs.22, and its new retail price will be Rs.355.

However, there is no price change for a litre of Lanka Super Diesel 4 Star Euro 4 (Rs. 317) and a litre of Lanka Kerosene (Rs. 202).

News

Speaker to present JSC response to Justice Minister’s statement in Parliament

Published

3 hours ago

June 30, 2024

editor

In a letter to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has responded to the recent statement made by Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, against the judiciary.

The JSC said it has a conducted an observation into the Minister’s statement.

The documents tabled by the Justice Minister during his parliamentary speech have been forwarded by the Justice Ministry to the JSC.

The JSA observations have been communicated in a letter signed by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya in his capacity as the President of the JSC and JSC members Justice Vijith Malalgoda and Justice Gamini Amarasekara.

The speaker confirmed this to News 1st today and said he had recieved the observation by the JSC.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said it would be tabled in Parliament on July 9.

In a statement on June 24, the Judicial Service Association said that it observed a specific effort to discredit impartial judges, is unfolding in parts.

The Judicial Service Association points out that one of the steps in the discrediting effort is to create ideologies that will cause personal discredit to the judges who have taken important decisions for the well-being of the judicial system after they are transferred.

The Judicial Service Association serves as the premier professional organization for District Judges and Magistrates in Sri Lanka.

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