Connect with us

News

Will allow no shortcomings at Poson festival – PM

Published

on

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena stated in the Parliament today (23) that there will be no shortcomings financially or in any other way for the state poson festival which will be held at the sacred grounds of Mihintale.

The Premier, who was responding to Opposition Leader – Sajith Premadasa in Parliament, stated that the President had directed that full state backing should be given to the festival.

At a recent press conference, Chief Prelate of the Mihintale Temple – Ven. Valawahangunuwewe Dhammarathana Thero had said that the government has not provided sufficient funds for the traditional Mihintale Poson Aloka Pooja this year or to provide necessary facilities to the devotees visiting the festival.

The Thero had mentioned that no organization has volunteered to sponsor the Aloka pooja this year, which costs around Rs. 06 million and that they would go on a ‘Pindapaatha’ to collect the necessary funds.

The matter was also taken up during the Cabinet briefing held today morning.

Responding to journalists, Cabinet Spokesman minister Bandula Gunawardena said that he had inquired from the Buddhasasana ministry secretary, who had informed him that the ministry had sent Rs. 3.1 million to the District Secretary for the Poson activities of the Mihintale Temple alone.

The minister said that the Buddhasasana ministry would soon make a detailed clarification in this regard.

News

Cabinet green light to ratify Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

Published

on

By

Cabinet approval has been granted to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and to take the necessary steps for legislation to enforce the provisions of the agreement.

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Sep. 10, 1996. By the treaty, member states agreed to ban “any nuclear weapons test or other nuclear explosion” anywhere in the world. So far, 186 countries have signed the agreement and 177 countries have ratified the agreement.

Sri Lanka signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty on October 24, 1996. Sri Lanka is currently cooperating with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization in the areas of training, capacity development, data and information sharing. Sri Lanka’s ratification of the treaty would recognize Sri Lanka’s diplomatic role as an active proponent of international peace and security in a world free of nuclear weapons.

According to the government, ratifying the agreement will also enable the country to obtain useful data for civil and scientific purposes that will benefit many developing countries including Sri Lanka, such as tsunami warnings, climate change and geographical studies.

Continue Reading

News

Overseas travel ban slapped on Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam

Published

on

By

The Kilinochchi Magistrate’s Court has issued an overseas travel ban on Ahila Ilankai Thamil Congress (AITC) MP – Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam over the recent incident of verbally abusing police officers during a function, police spokesman – SSP Nihal Thalduwa says.

Yesterday, the magistrate ordered to remand the AITC’s main female organizer in the North – East region, over the incident.

Continue Reading

News

Verdict on petition challenging Diana Gamage’s MP seat, postponed

Published

on

By

The Court of Appeal has deferred the pronouncement of the verdict on the petition filed seeking an order to annul the Parliamentary seat of State Minister Diana Gamage.

Accordingly, the verdict is expected to be pronounced on the 25th of July.

The petition was called this morning before President of the Court of Appeal Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice A Marikkar.

Court heard arguments pertaining to the petition previously and was expected to announce the verdict today.

The writ petition was filed before the Court of Appeal calling for State Minister Diana Gamage to be stripped of her Parliamentary seat by activist Oshala Herath on the 15th of November 2022.

State Minister Gamage, the Immigration and Emigration Controller, the Minister of Public Security, the General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the National Election Commission and its members, and the General Secretary of Parliament were cited as respondents in the petition.

(newsradio.lk)

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2022 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved