News

MPs vocal during PM’s meeting to go against Keheliya?

Published

2 years ago

August 29, 2023

editor

There is suspicion within the government whether the MPs who vowed to defeat the expenditure heads of three ministries in the upcoming Budget, will support the vote of no confidence against Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

Several MPs were being vocal during the ruling party parliamentary group meeting held last week. It was chaired by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena as the President was in Singapore.

At the meeting, a number of backbench MPs and state ministers had accused the ministers in charge of five key ministries.

They have levelled allegations against 12 ministers including five senior ministers.

MPs Madhura Withanage, Janaka Tissakuttiarachchi, Jayantha Katagoda, Upul Mahendra Rajapaksha, Samanpriya Herath, Sumith Udukumbura, Kumarasiri Ratnayake, Jagath Samarawickrama, Piyal Nishantha, Milan Jayathilaka and Geetha Kumarasinghe were among those who made accusations.

Accusing five ministries, they have vowed to defeat the head of expenditure of three ministries in the upcoming budget.

It is said that the backbench MPs have strongly accused a number of ministers of not giving jobs to even one person recommended by the MPs as requested, distributing land unfairly, giving priority to Opposition MPs over the ruling party MPs in admitting children to schools and not taking into account the proposals of the ruling party members when allocating funds for regional development projects.

Meanwhile, SLFP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara and another Opposition politician were accused of admitting children to schools with the blessing of the Ministry of Education.

Next no confidence motion against Nalin?

The MPs have also expressed displeasure over the behavior of Trade Minister Nalin Fernando.

They have alleged that Minister Fernando is enabling irregularities by following the instructions of his predecessors Nimal Lanza and Johnston Fernando.

Meanwhile, it was reported that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is planning to bring the next no confidence motion against Minister Nalin Fernando, who aggravated the issue of poultry products without lowering the tax on maize.

The frustrated MPs have suggested to the Prime Minister that all these issues should be discussed in a special meeting with the President.

Due to this situation, the President has prohibited the MPs from travelling overseas next week as the no-confidence motion against Minister Rambukwella is to be taken up in Parliament.

News

Heavy traffic on Ella-Wellawaya road

Published

8 minutes ago

April 16, 2025

editor

Heavy traffic congestion has been reported along the Ella-Wellawaya road due to continuous rainfall.

According to the police, vehicle queues had stretched up to five kilometres.
Motorists are advised to use alternate routes to avoid the traffic congestion.

News

Govt. needs a plan to face US taxes – RW

Published

4 hours ago

April 16, 2025

editor

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.

News

50 schools in Kandy to be closed next week

Published

5 hours ago

April 16, 2025

editor

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