News

President hopes to reach agreement this year to resolve ethnic issue

Published

1 year ago

May 1, 2023

editor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that he expects to reach an agreement this year to solve the country’s long-drawn ethnic issue with the Government’s commitment to policies that benefit all communities in Sri Lanka.

He has said he intends to address the ethnic problem in the country while implementing the agreement with the IMF, noting that it is important to move forward while respecting and protecting the rights of all communities.

He said this while joining the United National Party May Day celebrations held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo today (01) virtually.

In order to address the issues faced by the Tamil community in this country, it is futile for Tamil political parties to distance themselves & called on all parties to work together towards building a new, competitive, and sustainable economy that is inclusive and just for all communities in Sri Lanka, he added.

In his May Day address, the President said, “My motivation was not rooted in politics, but in properly managing the country’s economy and alleviating the burdens on its citizens. For this reason, I took on the role of the presidency, as I had faith in my ability to revive the economy and work alongside supportive ministers to achieve these outcomes.

President Wickremesinghe also noted that as the country approaches the centenary of independence in 2048, the goal should be to become a country with a developed economy, just like India aims to achieve in 2047 and China in 2049. “Let 2048 be the year of development for Sri Lanka. We are not only building this economy for the present generation but also for the youth and children of the future.”

“We need to address the growing demand for change in our political and economic systems, particularly from the youth. As leaders, it is our responsibility to listen to their voices and take action,” he said.

Considering the growing demand for political & economic change, particularly from the youth, the President said it is the responsibility of political leaders to listen to their voices & take action. Additionally, the Government plans to submit the Jana Sabha draft to Parliament, following former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya’s proposal.

News

Bill suspending Parate Law, passed

Published

7 hours ago

May 7, 2024

editor

The Recovery of Loans by Banks (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Bill, which was amended to facilitate legal provisions for the suspension of Parate Law until December 15, 2024, was passed in Parliament without amendments today (May 07).

This amendment introduces legal provisions for the suspension of the Parate Law until December 15, 2024.

News

Mervyn granted bail

Published

8 hours ago

May 7, 2024

editor

Colombo Additional Magistrate Tharanga Mahawatta today (May 07) ordered the release of former Minister Mervyn Silva on bail over the SLRC assault incident in 2007.

He was ordered to be released on a surety of Rs. 500,000.

Silva was accused of threatening and assaulting a former journalist of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation.

The Magistrate also ordered to immediately arrest former municipal councillor – Lal Peiris, who was named as the third suspect in the case, and produce him before the court.

The Magistrate also banned him from travelling overseas.

(Source : Lankadeepa)

News

Appeals Court rejects Wijeyadasa’s petition against interim order

Published

8 hours ago

May 7, 2024

editor

The Court of Appeal today dismissed the petition filed by Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe seeking to suspend the interim injunction issued by the Colombo District Court preventing him from functioning as the Acting Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe was appointed as the Acting Chairman of SLFP during an executive committee meeting held on April 21, by the party’s faction led by former President Maithripala Sirisena.

On April 24, the Colombo District Court issued an injunction order preventing Minister Wijeyadasa from functioning as the Acting Chairman of the SLFP.

The court has also issued an injunction order preventing MP Sarathie Dushmantha Mithrapala from functioning as the General Secretary of SLFP.

Meanwhile, the court had issued another injunction preventing the implementation of the decisions taken by the SLFP Acting General Secretary.

The Colombo District Judge issued these injunctions after considering a plaint submitted by Ministers Mahinda Amaraweera, Lasantha Alagiyawanna and Member of Parliament Duminda Dissanayake.

It was mentioned in the order that these injunctions will remain in effect until May 08, 2024.

However, Minister Rajapakshe had later filed a petition with the Court of Appeal seeking to invalidate the recent order issued by the Colombo District Court preventing him from functioning as the Acting Chairman of SLFP.

(adaderana.lk)

(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)