News

Interim order against Sports minister’s gazette

Published

1 year ago

February 27, 2023

editor

The Court of Appeal has issued an interim order preventing the implementation of a gazette notification issued by the Minister of Sports in relation to the regulation of activities of sports associations including Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), until the hearing of the writ petition filed by the SLC and several sports associations is concluded.

The order was issued by the two-member appellate court bench consisting of the President of the Court of Appeal Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice A. Marikkar when a writ petition filed by several sports associations including the Sri Lanka Cricket was taken up for consideration today (Feb. 27).

Accordingly, the Court of Appeal also ordered the respondents of the case including the Minister of Sports to file objections related to the petition on or before April 27, if any.

Further, the petitioning party was ordered to file any relevant contradictions before June 12, whereas the petition was ordered to be recalled on June 22.

The petitions point out that the Minister of Sports has issued a series of regulations on December 14, with regard to the matters including the Tenure of Sports Associations, holding elections, term of office of the positions held in sports associations and age limitations.

President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva and other attorneys, who presented facts before courts on behalf of the petitioning party, mentioned that these regulations issued by the Minister of Sports are beyond his authority.

The attorneys of the petitioning party also stated that the Minister has violated the power of the Parliament by enacting the laws, pointing out that the relevant regulations are against the law.

President’s Counsel Uditha Egalahewa, who appeared for the responsible Sports Minister, expressed that the Government’s Auditor General has also conducted an investigation and submitted a report on the alleged corruption irregularities carried out in the SLC.

He further emphasized that the Government’s Auditor General has recommended that a criminal investigation be conducted on such suspicious activities, adding that the Minister proceeded to issue the series of relevant regulations after taking all those facts into consideration.

The President’s Counsel also alleged that the petitioners have tried to conceal the facts through these petitions.

(adaderana.lk)

News

Planters’ Association clarifies on daily wage increase

Published

2 hours ago

May 3, 2024

nipuni

The Planters’ Association of Ceylon, in a statement has issued a clarification with regard to the reported wage increase in the tea and rubber sector.

“Given the facts stated in the Gazette notification, the implication in media reports that the increased payments will be applicable from 1st May 2024, is inaccurate and misleading. Neither the effective date – on which the new proposed minimum payment will be applicable – nor the quantum of such payment has, as yet, been determined,” the statement notes.

Noting that the relevant gazette also notes that objections to the proposed determination will be received until May 15th, the Association also states they will be filing objections to these proposals within the time frame stipulated by the Labour Commissioner.

News

China – SL to expedite implementation of MoUs

Published

3 hours ago

May 3, 2024

nipuni

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong had called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees in Colombo yesterday (May 02) to discuss ways and means of early implementation of the agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) reached between the two countries during the Prime Minister’s official visit to China in March 2024.

The Prime Minister said the implementation of the MOUs would begin a new chapter in the long-term friendship and economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and China.

Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake had signed the agreements on behalf of Sri Lanka, and the secretaries of nine Ministries signed on behalf of China in the presence of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang.
During the talks with Ambassador Qi Zhenhong, the Prime Minister stated that in addition to implementation of the MoUs, Sri Lanka would also welcome direct private investments from China as well as investments in agriculture, renewable energy, IT, education and water supply sectors to provide long term solutions to economic issues.

Ambassador Qi Shenhong said he was pleased to see the resilience of Sri Lanka to overcome difficulties and assured China’s continuous support to Sri Lanka’s current efforts at debt restructuring and meeting economic challenges.

Prime Minister’s Secretary Mr. Anura Dissanayake and Chinese Economic Counsellor were also present at this meeting.

(Prime Minister’s Media)

News

Special notice for O/L candidates as school term ends

Published

3 hours ago

May 3, 2024

editor

The second phase of the first term of Government schools ends today (May 03) and will reopen on May 20.

The GCE Ordinary Level Examination will be held May 06 – 15.

Meanwhile, selected branches of the Department for Registration of Persons will be operational tomorrow (May 04) for students sitting for the upcoming GCE Ordinary Level Examination 2023 (2024).

The Department announced that its main office in Battaramulla and its provincial offices in Galle, Kurunegala, Vavuniya, and Batticaloa will be open on Saturday.

These selected offices will be operational from 08.30 am to 01.00 pm tomorrow for only the O/L students to obtain their National Identity Cards (NIC).

Applicants who have not yet submitted their NIC applications have been requested to carry their completed application forms certified by the Principal or Grama Niladhari.