News

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

Published

9 months 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

Colombo air show and CADE 2024 exhibition postponed to next year

Published

1 hour ago

May 18, 2024

editor

The Colombo Air Show and Defence Exhibition (CADE 2024), initially set to take place from May 29 to June 2 at Galle Face and Colombo Port City, has been postponed to next year, according to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF).

The SLAF stated that the decision to reschedule the event was made in response to multiple requests from international partners, defence industry stakeholders, and foreign Air Forces. This postponement aims to enhance participation and provide a more diverse experience for spectators.

The rescheduled event will now be held from February 26 to March 2, 2025, coinciding with the 74th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

News

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar arrives in Sri Lanka

Published

1 hour ago

May 18, 2024

editor

The Global Peace Ambassador and Spiritual Leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar arrived in Sri Lanka this afternoon (18) for a three-day visit. He was welcomed at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake by State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon and Eastern Province Governor Senthil Thondaman.

During his stay from May 18 to 20, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will participate in an event titled ‘Ekamuthuva: An Evening of Music, Meditation and Wisdom,’ which will be held at Taj Samudra on May 19. Renowned for his global humanitarian efforts and as a peace envoy, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is also an Indian yoga guru and the founder of ‘Transcendental Meditation’.

News

President leaves for Indonesia

Published

12 hours ago

May 18, 2024

editor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has left for Indonesia this morning (18) to attend the 10th World Water Forum High-Level Meeting in Bali, at the invitation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

The 10th World Water Forum is being held from May 18th to 20th in Bali, Indonesia.

This significant gathering, themed “Water for Shared Prosperity,” will convene global leaders to address pressing issues related to water management and sustainability.

President Wickremesinghe left for Indonesia on Saturday, following an invitation from Indonesian President Joko Widodo, underscoring Sri Lanka’s commitment to international cooperation on water-related challenges.

Scheduled to deliver a keynote address on May 20th, President Wickremesinghe will articulate Sri Lanka’s perspective on achieving equitable access to water resources for all, the President’s Media Division said.

During the forum, President Wickremesinghe is expected to engage in bilateral discussions, including a meeting with President Widodo, to explore avenues for collaborative action in water resource management.

His delegation, comprising senior officials from the Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reflects Sri Lanka’s comprehensive approach to addressing global water issues.

President Wickremesinghe’s participation underscores Sri Lanka’s proactive role in advancing sustainable solutions to ensure water security, not only domestically but also on the global stage, the PMD said.