Connect with us

News

Presidential Houses to be limited to just two

Published

on

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the government has decided to release all Presidential Houses except those in Colombo and Kandy, and all ministerial bungalows, for suitable purposes.

Speaking during the ‘Satana’ programme on Sirasa TV yesterday (Jan. 21), he also elaborated on the expense incurred by the state to provide luxurious residences for former Presidents.

He also stated that this was not a personal vendetta but to change the political culture that the mandate had called for.

President Dissanayake also expressed gratitude towards former President Ranil Wickremesinghe for not accepting a government house, while noting that former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and former first lady Hema Premadasa had also handed over  their official residences some time ago.

However, the former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena and Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga have yet to hand in their houses and these houses were evaluated, the President said.

According to state evaluation, the rent of the residences resided by Mr. Rajapaksa, Ms. Kumaratunga and Mr. Sirisena is Rs. 4.6 million, Rs. 02 million and Rs. 0.9 million respectively, he pointed out, adding that according to the provisions of the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, former Presidents are entitled to either a ‘suitable house’ or to a sum equal to one-third of their pension.

News

Tissa Attanayake withdraws from SJB-UNP discussion’s

Published

on

By

Tissa Attanayake, National Organiser of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), announced on Monday (16) that he has withdrawn from the committee tasked with holding discussions with the United National Party (UNP) and will no longer participate in future talks between the two parties.

 Addressing a special press conference, the former parliamentarian criticized the lack of clarity surrounding the dialogue process, stating, “Our Working Committee and Management Committee had decided to initiate these discussions.

 If there was any ambiguity regarding the process, it should have been reported.” Attanayake emphasized that if the SJB-UNP discussions are deemed unnecessary, the party should formally discontinue them rather than engage in internal blame games. 

“Blaming each other is not relevant to the matter. If the party has taken a certain stance on these discussions, I will not rejoin until the next Working Committee decides on that stance,” he asserted.   

His withdrawal marks a significant setback in efforts to foster collaboration between the SJB and UNP, both key players in Sri Lanka’s opposition politics. 

The development raises questions about the future of potential alliances ahead of critical political engagements.

Continue Reading

News

SL Army personnel ordered to surrender passports

Published

on

By

The Sri Lanka Army has directed all personnel below the rank of Major to hand over their passports to their respective regiments, according to the Army Spokesman.

Army Spokesperson Brigadier Waruna Gamage further revealed that this step has been taken in connection with an administrative matter. 

However, he also mentioned that passports can be reacquired for personal purposes by informing the relevant departments.

Continue Reading

News

51 ASPs to be recruited

Published

on

By

Fifty-one Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) are to be recruited to the Police through an open examination conducted by the Examination Department.

These appointments are expected to take place shortly, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told the media.

He said the interviews began on February 5 and are scheduled to conclude next Wednesday.

A total of 255 candidates were called for interviews based on the results issued by the Examination Department, he said.

“According to the recruitment process rules, the number of candidates invited for interviews must be five times the number of vacancies. We are conducting these interviews in a very transparent and fair manner,” the Minister said.

Mr. Wijepala said that according to the Inspector General of Police the ongoing ASP interviews have the highest number of lawyers participating.

As the police already have a significant number of lawyers, including those currently practising and those studying to become lawyers, Minister Wijepala mentioned that there are plans to utilise their support in the future for representing the police in court cases.

“Currently, in most magistrate courts, only the police sergeant appears on behalf of the police. Instead of this, I proposed the idea of appointing lawyers who are already serving in the police,” Mr. Wijepala told The Sunday Times.

He emphasised that this is only a suggestion at this stage, and if implemented, the necessary position adjustments would be made accordingly.

(Sunday Times)
(This story, originally published by Sunday Times has not been edited by SLM staff)

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved