News

SC rules Manusha & Harin’s expulsion from SJB is lawful

Published

5 months ago

August 9, 2024

editor

The Supreme Court has ruled that the decision taken by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to suspend the party membership of Ministers Manush Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando was lawful.

The court issued this verdict while dismissing a petition filed by the two ministers seeking an order declaring that the SJB’s decision to remove them from the party is unlawful.

The decision was announced by the three-member Supreme Court bench consisting of Justices Vijith Malalgoda, Achala Vengappuli and Arjuna Obeysekara this morning (09).

On July 18, 2023, the Working Committee of the SJB decided to expel party members Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara from the party. In May 2022, the SJB had suspended the party membership of the two parliamentarians after they had accepted ministerial portfolios in the government while the party had vowed to take disciplinary action against them.

MPs Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara were sworn in as the Minister of Tourism & Lands and Minister of Labour & Foreign Employment, respectively whereas Minister Fernando was also appointed as the Sports Minister.

Fernando and Nanayakkara had said they accepted ministerial portfolios in the government under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to do their utmost to find solutions to the ongoing economic crisis as a positive response was not received from many political party leaders for a collective effort.

They both subsequently resigned from their ministerial portfolios on July 9, 2022 along with the rest of the Cabinet, after then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa informed the Speaker of Parliament that he intends to resign.

However, they were both reappointed to the same ministerial portfolios by President Ranil Wickremesinghe when he appointed a new Cabinet on July 22, 2022.

(adaderana.lk)

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

News

Cultural celebration held to mark Chinese New Year (Pics / Video)

Published

7 hours ago

January 20, 2025

editor

To mark the upcoming Chinese New Year festival, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism jointly hosted a cultural celebration last night (Jan. 19) at the Cinnamon Life Hotel.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who attended the event as Chief Guest, delivered a congratulatory message from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for the Chinese New Year.

The celebration was also attended by former President – Maithripala Sirisena, former Prime Minister – Dinesh Gunawardena, Industry Minister – Sunil Handunnetti, Deputy Minister Finance and Planning – Dr. Harshana Sooriyapperuma and other political dignitaries, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka – Qi Zhenhong, Prime Minister’s Secretary – Pradeep Saputhanthri as well as a large gathering of Sri Lankans and Chinese nationals.

Impressive Kungfu performances, colourful dances and musical performances graced the evening as well as traditional Chinese art forms such as paper cutting, calligraphy and sugar crafting.

A special delegation comprising 34 members from the Henan Art Troupe and the Sichuan Chef Team has also arrived in Sri Lanka as part of the New Year celebrations. In addition, the festivities will feature the “Chinese Food Festival” and the “Port City Chinese Cultural Night,” scheduled to take place from January 20 to 23.

According to the Chinese lunar calendar, 2025 is the year of the wood snake. The Snake is known for qualities such as grace, intelligence, and intuition.

(Pics – Shanika Jayasekara / Video – Kelum Shivantha)

News

UNP – SJB talks to kick off tonight

Published

8 hours ago

January 20, 2025

editor

The Working Committee of the United National Party (UNP) has given the green light to initiate discussions with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) on the possibility of uniting for the upcoming elections.

The Working Committee of the UNP convened this afternoon (Jan. 20) at the party headquarters to deliberate on the matter.

Meanwhile, General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Ranjith Madduma Bandara has said that the first discussion regarding the potential unification of the UNP and the SJB for the upcoming elections will take place in Colombo tonight (Jan. 20).

News

Schools in North Central & Eastern Provinces to reopen tomorrow

Published

8 hours ago

January 20, 2025

editor

All government schools in the North Central Province which had remained closed today (Jan. 20) due to adverse weather conditions will also reopen tomorrow (21), the provincial education authorities said.

Earlier today, it was announced that all government schools in the Eastern Province will also be reopened from tomorrow.