News

No satisfactory progress ; President writes to Speaker

Published

1 year ago

November 3, 2022

editor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe pointed out that although the formation of the National Assembly has been concluded to bring far-reaching systematic changes, satisfactory progress has not been made with regard to other proposals.

The President has indicated this in a letter to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena today.

The establishment of a National Assembly and the appointment of three committees related to public finance and banking were proposed under far-reaching systematic changes.

In addition, it was also proposed to appoint the Banking and Financial Services Committee, the Economic Stabilization Committee and the Committee on Ways and Means related to banking affairs, as well as to delegate five youth representatives for the Sectoral committees and to establish the Parliamentary Budget Office.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed that although 17 Parliamentary Sectoral committees should be established as indicated by these proposals; the chairpersons have not been designated for them and the criteria for selecting the youth representatives to be appointed for this purpose has yet to be prepared.

The President has further stated in the letter that these proposals can be implemented when next year’s budget is implemented and consequently the systemic change expected by the government will be achieved immediately.

The drafted Bill for the Parliamentary Budget Office has also been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers and the President has informed Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena that he intends to present it to the Parliament after consultation with the party leaders and certification by the Attorney General.

News

12-hr water cut in Gampaha

Published

4 hours ago

April 19, 2024

nipuni

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWS&DB) has announced a 12-hour water cut in Gampaha District on April 24.

Accordingly, esidents in various areas including Peliyagoda, Ja-Ela, Katunayaka Seeduwa Municipality areas, Kelaniya, Wattala, Biyagama, Mahara, Dompe, Katana, Munuwangoda, and Gampaha Municipality areas will be affected.

The water supply in Gampaha will be interrupted due to emergency repair work on the electricity subgrid in Sapugaskanda.The NWSDB regrets any inconvenience caused and advises the public to store enough water in advance to mitigate the impact of the interruption.

News

Final rites of Palitha Thewarapperuma today

Published

5 hours ago

April 19, 2024

nipuni

Final rites of former Deputy Minister and former UNP parliamentarian – Palitha Thewarapperuma will be held later today (April 19).

His remains are currently lying at his residence in Yatadolawatta, Mathugama and according to reports, a large number of civilians have been arriving to pay their final respects.

His remains will be buried at the gravesite he had built himself sometime back.

The former Kalutara District MP died from electrocution earlier this week.

A prominent figure of the United National Party (UNP), Thewarapperuma had served as Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs in the UNP-led national government in 2015. He was also the chairman of the Mathugama Pradeshiya Sabha in 2002 and was also a member of the Western Provincial Council. He served as a Member of Parliament from Kalutara District from 2010 – 2020.

He was popular for his active social services to the rural masses of his constituency, opting to join social work himself with his supporters, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and during natural disasters such as floods.

News

Fr. Cyril Gamini arrives at CID

Published

5 hours ago

April 19, 2024

editor

Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, the Editor of the official Catholic Sinhala weekly ‘Gnanartha Pradeepaya’, had arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) premises this morning (19), complying with the summons issued to him.