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President to make Special Statement on 13A next week

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe will present the Government proposals related to the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution to Parliament next week, it was reported.

The President will do so while making a Special Statement where he will explain in detail, the proposals to Parliament except seperate police powers.

An All-Party Conference was held under the patronage of the President on July 26 to inform the party leaders representing Parliament about the programme of the Government in relation to national reconciliation.

It was said that President Wickremesinghe would also explain about introducing laws and regulations to strengthen the 13th Amendment.

The Party leaders during the discussion presented their views and suggestions. After the completion of the preliminary work on the devolution of powers, Bills are to be submitted to the Parliament regarding the conduct of affairs at the Provincial Councils.

Under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, when transferring powers to the Provincial Councils, the power to make decisions regarding certain subjects is vested with the Central Government and these subjects must be legally announced.

Earlier, the President said that he will present the best proposals related to solving the problems of the people of the North and East and added that the leaders of the Tamil parties should decide whether to take them forward or not.

The President stressed that there were no plans to merge the Northern and Eastern Provinces and that the aim of this programme is not to seek political mileage but to solve the problems of the Tamil people in the North and East.

The President has decided to fully implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution only if all the party leaders representing Parliament agree to a full devolution of powers, the Daily News reported.

The President is of the opinion that the consent of all the party leaders representing Parliament is necessary for granting the Police Powers mentioned in the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and for that a two third majority in the Parliament is required.

The President during a recent discussion held with the members of Parliament representing North and East on July 18 said the draft of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) has been referred to the Attorney General to determine whether it is compatible with the Constitution and will soon be presented to Parliament and the National Action Plan on Reconciliation drafted by the ONUR will also be presented to the Cabinet soon.

Source – Daily News

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Heavy rainfall and thunderstorm warning issued for several provinces

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The Department of Meteorology has issued a warning of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in several areas.

The warning which was announced last night, will remain in effect until 11:15 am today.

The North-Western, Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, North-Central, and Eastern provinces are expected to experience heavy rainfall exceeding 150 mm in some areas.

The Department urges the public to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Batticaloa has received the highest rainfall at 129.5 mm Since 8:30 am yesterday, followed by 111 mm in Wadakada, Kurunegala and Mahaoya in Ampara with a rainfall of 105.5 mm.

Due to the ongoing showers, the landslide warning issued for several divisional secretariats across six districts will remains in effect until this evening.

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President’s Secretary orders urgent probe into salinity barrier’s role in Matara flooding

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A special discussion was held at the Presidential Secretariat, led by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake the Secretary to the President, and attended by officials from the Irrigation Department, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, and related Ministries.

The meeting was held yesterday (08)  focusing on determining if the Salinity Barrier is indeed contributing to the floods leading to agricultural damage, according to President’s Media  Division (PMD).

It was decided that a thorough study is necessary to address these concerns and that the Engineering Department of the University of Peradeniya will assist in this investigation. The Secretary to the President supported this proposal and directed the officials to create an action plan based on the findings from the study.

Additionally, officials reported that saltwater intrusion has adversely affected livelihoods, with many residents losing farmland. The Secretary highlighted that restoring normal conditions is both a government and official responsibility and directed further action to address flooding in the Matara area, the PMD stated.

Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake has instructed officials to prepare a proposal based on a study by the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Peradeniya. The solutions derived from this report will guide the second phase of the project, with necessary funding requests to be submitted.

He also emphasized the importance of implementing a structured flood management plan for the Matara district and directed the coordination between the Irrigation Department and Water Supply and Drainage Board to establish a sustainable flood management plan in Matara, said the PMD.

The Secretary noted that there have been complaints from residents by the river banks regarding the adverse effects of the salinity barrier, which has led to the loss of farmland and livelihoods along the Nilwala River. He stressed that it is the government’s responsibility to address this issue urgently and to restore normalcy. Additionally, he directed officials to continue working towards solving the flooding issue in the Matara region.

–PMD–

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Sri Lanka to face New Zealand in first T20 at Dambulla Tonight

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The first of the two-match T20 series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand takes place tonight at Dambulla, starting at 7 p.m. 

The Blackcaps hold a slight advantage in their head-to-head, winning 5 out of 10 past T20 encounters. 

This marks the teams’ first T20 match at Dambulla, with New Zealand arriving after a 3-0 Test victory over India but fielding a younger T20 lineup. 

The last series between the sides, in 2019, saw New Zealand win 2-1 in Pallekele.

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