News

President establishes 3 special committees

Published

11 months ago

July 31, 2024

editor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has arranged to appoint three special committees as a preliminary measure to address the security and economic pressures that may affect Sri Lanka, considering the potential developments in the Middle East and globally, including the assassination of a Hamas political leader in Iran.

Accordingly, the President has initiated the formation of a special committee on national security, a committee to assess economic impacts, and a high-level committee to oversee the proposals of the other two committees.

The Special Committee on National Security includes Minister of Public Security Tiran Alas, Minister of Foreign Affairs President’s Attorney Ali Sabry, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera, and Chief of Presidential Staff and Senior Advisor to the President on National Security Sagala Ratnayaka.

Additionally, the committee responsible for assessing the economic impact includes Chief of Staff and Presidential Senior Adviser on National Security Sagala Ratnayaka, Presidential Adviser on Economic Affairs Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aruni Wijewardena, and Secretary of the Ministry of Power and Energy Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena.

The high-level committee appointed to oversee the work of these committees consists of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake, and Prime Minister’s Secretary Anura Dissanayake.

The two committees are tasked with determining the preliminary measures to be taken and reporting their findings to the high-level committee. This is to address any direct or indirect impact on Sri Lanka’s national security and economy due to emerging situations in the Middle East, including Iran, and globally.

The President has also tasked the two relevant committees with ensuring the uninterrupted supply of fuel and other essential commodities, minimising any impact on the public. These committees are required to submit their reports to the high-level committee, which will then make prompt decisions based on the findings.

(President’s Media Division)

News

CoI on Deshabandu concludes examining evidence by both parties

Published

3 hours ago

July 2, 2025

editor

The examination of evidence by both the Respondent and the Prosecution before the Committee of Inquiry concluded.

The Committee recommends that both parties submit their written submissions to the Committee of Inquiry before 3:30 p.m. on the 8th of July.

Examining evidence before the Committee of Inquiry to inquire and report its findings on IGP T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon in respect of acts of gross abuse of power, concluded yesterday (July 01), with the presentation of evidence by both the Respondent, representing Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon and the Prosecution.

The Committee of Inquiry, chaired by Supreme Court Judge P.P. Surasena and comprising Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawala and E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake, Chairman, National Police Commission, convened today, during which, testimonies were obtained from two additional witnesses by the Prosecution.

These two witnesses had been overseas on official duty. Thus, in accordance with the prior agreement between the two parties, reached to obtain the evidence post June 26, held before the Committee of Inquiry with the participation of Additional Solicitor General (President’s Counsel) Dileepa Peiris and

Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera, representing the Attorney General’s Department, and R.S. Weerawickrama Attorney-at-Law, appearing on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, it was decided to record the statements of these two witnesses today.Furthermore, both the Prosecution in representation of the Attorney General’s Department and the Respondent Inspector General of Police agreed to submit their respective written submissions to the Committee of Inquiry before 3:30 p.m. on July 08, 2025.

News

Govt to present 2026 Appropriation Bill in October

Published

6 hours ago

July 2, 2025

editor

Cabinet approval has been granted to a proposal presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Finance , Planning and Economic Development to present the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026 to Parliament in October 2025.

Approval has also been granted to present the Budget speech in November 2025 and to hold the third reading and budget debate during November and December.