News

Supreme Court identifies inconsistencies in Telecom Bill

Published

12 months ago

June 18, 2024

nipuni

Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced the Supreme Court determination on the Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill.

According to the announcement the Supreme Court determination states that certain clauses in the Bill are inconsistent with the constitution, and certain clauses should be passed by a special majority.

The Supreme Court determination delivered by the speaker in parliament is as follows:

“I wish to inform Parliament that I have received the determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the bill titled Sri Lanka Telecommunications Amendment, which was challenged in Supreme Court in terms of Article 121(1) of the Constitution. In the said determination, the Supreme Court has summarized the constitutionality of the bill as follows.

Clause 8. Proposed Section 9A(2) of the bill is inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the Constitution. However, the inconsistency shall cease, if word ‘may’ be replaced with the word ‘shall’, as set out in the determination of the Supreme Court.

Clause 9, (Nine) of the bill is inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the Constitution and only can be passed with special majority required under Paragraph 2 of the Article 84. However, the inconsistency shall cease, if clause is amended as set out in the determination of the Supreme Court.

Clause 12, Proposed Section 17(10) of the bill is inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the Constitution and can only be passed with the special majority of Parliament required under Article 84 (2). However, the inconsistency shall cease, if clause is amended as set out in the determination of the Supreme Court.

Clause 13, Proposed Section 17A(1) and 17B of the bill are inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the Constitution and can only be passed with the special majority of the Parliament required under Article 84(2 ). However, the inconsistency shall cease, if clause is amended as set out in the determination of the Supreme Court.

Clause 18 (5), Proposed Section 22(3)A and 22(3)B of the bill is inconsistent with the provisions of Article 14(1)A, 14(1)G and 12(1) of the Constitution and shall only be passed with the special majority of Parliament required under Article 84(2). However, the said inconsistency shall cease, if clause 18(5) is amended as set out in the determination of the Supreme Court.

Clause 18(7), Proposed Section 22(7) of the bill is inconsistent with Article 12(1) and Article 14(1) A of the Constituion. However, the inconsistency shall cease, if clause is amended as set out in the determination of the Supreme Court.

Clause 20, Proposed Section 22(A)D is irrational and inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the Constitution and shall only be passed by the special majority of Parliament required under Article 84(2).

Clause 33, Proposed Section 59A is inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the Constitution and shall only be passed by the special majority of Parliament required under Article 84(2),(2). However, the inconsistency shall cease, if proposed 59A is deleted.

Clause 35, Proposed Section 68(1)A, B and 68(1)A, C of the bill are inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the Constitution and shall only be passed by the special majority required under Article 84(2). However, the inconsistency shall cease, if clause 35 is amended by deleting the Proposed Section 68(1)A, B and 61A, C as set out in the determination of the Supreme Court.

The other provisions in the bill are not inconsistent with any provisions of the Constitution. I order that determination of the Supreme Court be printed in the official report of the today’s proceedings of the House.”

(newsfirst.lk)

News

President AKD to undertake official visit to Germany

Published

3 hours ago

June 9, 2025

editor

President Anura Kumara Disanayaka will undertake an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany from June 11 – 13, 2025 on the invitation of the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

During this visit President Disanayaka will hold bilateral discussions with the President of Germany, key ministers of the Federal Government and other dignitaries to discuss new avenues for cooperation including in the spheres of trade, digital economy, investment and vocational training opportunities based on the government priorities.

President Disanayaka will Chair a Business Forum, organized by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), with key industries in Germany to highlight Sri Lanka’s economic transformation, investment opportunities available, growth potential of the country and opportunities for building new trade ties between the two countries.

Further, the President will meet tourism and travel industry associations of Germany during this visit.

The President will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism – Vijitha Herath and senior government officials.

News

2nd capacity-building program under NCGG-SLIDA MoU concludes

Published

3 hours ago

June 9, 2025

editor

The second customized training program for Sri Lankan civil service officers under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) and the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA) was successfully conducted from 26 May to 6 June 2025.

A total of 40 Sri Lankan officers participated in the program, which focused on strengthening public administration through digital governance and innovation.

The training program is part of a larger commitment under the MoU, signed during the state visit of the President of Sri Lanka, – Anura Kumara Disanayaka, to India in December 2024, aimed at training 1500 Sri Lankan civil servants over a period of five years.

Previously, 41 Sri Lankan civil servants attended the inaugural program on the same theme from 21 April to 02 May 2025.
The training focused on avenues for transforming governance through digital technologies – covering areas such as enhancing online public services, building robust digital infrastructure, expanding access to financial services via digital payments, and improving the way public grievances are addressed using innovative digital solutions. Senior Indian officials and domain experts shared insights into India’s leading digital governance initiatives such as ‘Aadhaar’, Digital Payments and Financial Inclusion, Government e-Marketplace (GeM), Public Finance Management System, among others. The participants also undertook field visits to key institutions such as the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, Election Commission of India, PM Gati Shakti Anubhuti Kendra, National e-Governance Division and the Computerized Land Record Centre in Uttarakhand. The program concluded with a cultural visit to the Taj Mahal.

Capacity-building is an important pillar of India’s development cooperation with Sri Lanka. Reinforcing India’s commitment further in this sector, Prime Minister of India during his recent state visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025 announced additional 700 customized training slots annually for Sri Lankan professionals. This significantly enhanced capacity-building endeavour of India thus will now benefit 1000 Sri Lankans annually.

News

Govt. urged to cap mask & sanitiser prices

Published

5 hours ago

June 9, 2025

editor

The National Consumers’ Front (NCF) Chairman Asela Sampath has called on the Government to impose a controlled price on surgical masks and sanitisers, warning of a potential health crisis.

He said this during a media briefing.

Pointing out that the current price of a surgical face mask has increased to Rs. 50, he urged it to be reduced to Rs.10.

Although manufacturers have cited increased costs of raw materials as the reason, Sampath has emphasised that it is the responsibility of the government to intervene immediately.

“If the government does not reduce the prices of raw materials used to produce these essential items, the public will be forced to stop using them risking the onset of another pandemic-like disaster,” he warned.