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Media organizations urge not to suppress media using Parliamentary Powers & Privileges law

Published

1 year ago

February 12, 2024

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A collective of several media organizations have stated that there are attempts to suppress media activity using Parliamentary Powers and Privileges law against journalists.

The Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, the Free Media Movement, the Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum, the Tamil Media Alliance, the Sri Lanka Young Journalists’ Association and the South Asian Free Media Association – Sri Lanka Chapter have issued a joint letter directed to the Speaker – Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena in this regard.

Noting that they “remain strongly opposed to and condemn any attempts to summon journalists before the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges for fulfilling their journalistic and social responsibility obligations,” the Media Organizations Collective urges the Speaker to “not to contribute to the government’s efforts to suppress the media using the powers and privileges of Parliament.”

“When Parliament met on February 08, Member of Parliament D. Weerasinghe cited an article in the Sunday Lankadeepa newspaper dated January 28, 2024, headlined ‘Supreme Court amendments not in Online Safety Act; Opposition demands meeting of party leaders before Speaker signs it’ as having breached his privileges as a member who voted for the Bill and requested the Speaker to direct the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges to take appropriate action. In response, you had stated the request would be presented to the Committee as a question of privilege,” the collective points out.

“We, as leading media organisations in Sri Lanka who are signatories to this letter, wish to inform you that while alert to the government’s contemptible efforts to use parliamentary powers and privileges to stifle media freedom, unequivocally condemn all attempts to suppress people’s rights to know the truth by intimidating journalists,” they emphasize.

“We, as leading media organizations, question how reporting on demands made by the opposition regarding the Online Safety Act or any other Act, can be deemed a breach of parliamentary privileges of MPs. Our conviction is that the media has tried to report on the fundamental rights violation of the people in the hopes of rectifying it, not questioning the parliamentary powers and privileges of its members. This is the role of the media. This is fulfilling its social responsibility,” the letter says.

“Your decision to refer the matter related to the news report to the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges is an unwelcome surprise. However, we take this opportunity to inform you that we are keenly watching the government’s efforts to suppress the media using an obsolete law with no specific provisions for ‘trial and punishment’. Your action is an obstruction to the right of journalists to report freely and also impinges on the right of the public to true and accurate information,” it adds.

The full letter is as follows :

2024.02.09-media-collective-statement-e Download

News

Govt. needs a plan to face US taxes – RW

Published

2 hours ago

April 16, 2025

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Former President – Ranil Wickremesinghe has emphasized that the Sri Lankan government needs to unveil a plan to face the situation created by the US reciprocal taxes.

Making a special statement, Mr. Wickremesinghe points out that although the taxes have been paused at the moment, it will not be scrapped altogether as it is a part of Trump’s manifesto.

As a direct consequence of these taxes, around 100,000 jobs are at risk, he warned, adding that the consequences would ripple across the broader economy.

“Even if the taxes imposed on Sri Lanka are slashed, we will be compelled to pay taxes of 25% – 30%, resulting in exports still declining” he said.

Noting that Sri Lanka will have to generate funds to start setting its debts by 2028 as per the debt restructuring programme, Mr. Wickremesinghe emphasizes that the Government will have to treat this as an emergency situation and come out with a plan to face the situation.

He emphasizes that firstly, discussions must be held with the US and secondly, it must be planned how to solve this issue domestically.

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50 schools in Kandy to be closed next week

Published

2 hours ago

April 16, 2025

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50 schools in Kandy town and surrounding areas will remain closed from April 21 – 25 in view of the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the Central Province Chief Secretary and Education Secretary – Madhupani Piyasena said.

The special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic is scheduled to take place at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on April 18. Thereafter, it will continue daily for ten days, from 12:00 noon to 5:30 p.m.

The schools that will closed are as follows :

1. Gurudeniya Maha Vidyalaya
2. Vidyaloka Maha Vidyalaya, Thennekumbura
3. Dharmaraja College
4. D.S. Senanayake Maha Vidyalaya
5. Mahamaya Girls’ College
6. Berrewaerts College
7. Berrewaerts Primary School
8. Siddhartha College, Ampitiya
9. Dambawela Primary School
10. Gothami Balika Vidyalaya
11. Sri Rahula National School
12. St. Anthony’s College
13. St. Anthony’s Girls’ College
14. Sri Chandananda Buddhist Girls’ College
15. Vidyartha College
16. Thakshila College
17. Hemamali Girls’ College
18. St. Sylvester’s College
19. Gannoruwa Junior School, Denuwara
20. Eriyagama Pushpadana Vidyalaya, Denuwara
21. Samudradewi Girls’ College, Wattegama
22. Kandy Model School, Wattegama
23. Mahaweli Maha Vidyalaya, Wattegama
24. Kappetipola Vidyalaya, Kandy
25. Sanghamittha College, Kandy
26. Dharmasoka College, Kandy
27. Senkadagala Weerodhara Vidyalaya, Kandy
28. Rasindev Vidyalaya, Kandy
29. Vimalabuddhi Vidyalaya, Kandy
30. Lumbini Royal College, Kandy
31. Peradeniya Hindu College, Kandy
32. Peradeniya Junior Secondary School, Kandy
33. Peradeniya Central College, Kandy
34. Sarasawi Uyana Maha Vidyalaya, Kandy
35. Ranabima Royal College, Kandy
36. Mahanama College, Kandy
37. Kingswood College, Kandy
38. Seethadevi Girls’ College, Kandy
39. Dharmawickrema Girls’ College, Kandy
40. Siddhi Lebbe College, Kandy
41. Swarnamali Girls’ College, Kandy
42. Girls’ High School, Kandy
43. Viharamahadevi Girls’ College, Kandy
44. Madduma Bandara Vidyalaya, Kandy
45. Hindu Senior College, Kandy
46. Good Shepherd’s Convent, Kandy
47. Pushpadana Girls’ College, Kandy
48. Vivekananda Vidyalaya, Kandy
49. Wariyapola Sri Sumangala College, Kandy
50. Badi-Ud-Din Mahmud Girls’ College, Kandy

News

Norochcholai shuts down one generator

Published

2 hours ago

April 16, 2025

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The Norochcholai Power Plant has temporarily shut down one of its generators due to a decrease in daily electricity demand, according to Dhammika Wimalaratne, the spokesperson for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

This measure has been in effect since April 11th.

The CEB expects to reconnect the inactive generator to the national grid by April 21st.

According to reports, power plants that generate electricity using fuel have also been deactivated, prioritizing electricity generation from hydropower plants and renewable energy sources.

Disconnect only if an SMS is received

Meanwhile, the CEB has urged rooftop solar system owners to temporarily disconnect their units only if they receive an SMS notification from the board and only until 03.00 pm.

A statement by the CEB notes that they have decided that the electricity supply needs to be managed during the April holidays, following a detailed study on the forecast demand for electricity during the time period.