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An EC Member’s resignation will not affect LG election, say former and current EC Chairs

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An EC Member’s resignation will not affect LG election, say former and current EC Chairs Punchihewa says election preparation will continue EC yet to receive P.S.M. Charles’s resignation  Ex-Chairman Deshapriya points to Constitution The resignation of an Election Commission (EC) member will not affect the Local Government (LG) Poll, Chairman of the EC, Attorney Nimal Punchihewa noted yesterday (26). When queried by The Daily Morning as to whether the resignation of an EC member – in the backdrop of media reports that EC member P.S.M. Charles has resigned – would affect the…

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Time to overcome ethnic divide is now

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By Jehan Perera (The Island 24th Jan 2023) Time to overcome ethnic divide is now After much procrastination, the Election Commission has finally decided that local government elections will be held on March 9. The elections to these bodies had already been postponed by a year, as permitted by law. Postponing elections, beyond a year, would take the country into the murky realms of extralegal governance, which would pose a threat to democracy, by eroding the rule of law. The country is being propelled in the direction of elections. It…

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9 March to be a historical day in SL’s history: S.M. Marikkar

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9 March to be a historical day in SL’s history: S.M. Marikkar Says ninth has been significant for Sri Lankans since 9 April last year  Blames the Rajapaksa led Govt. of 2019 for country’s rapid deterioration  Claims only group of capable and talented persons such as SJB can revive country Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Deputy National Organiser S.M. Marikkar says 9 March will be a historical day in Sri Lanka’s history.  Noting that the election has now been set for 9 March despite the Government’s repeated attempts to delay it,…

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Sri Lanka targeting European travellers hit by gas prices, tourism minister tells Quest

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Sri Lanka targeting European travellers hit by gas prices, tourism minister tells Quest ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka is looking to attract European tourists affected by rising gas prices in that region in the coming winter season, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando told CNN’s Richard Quest in an interview. Speaking on CNN’s Quest Means Business programme Tuesday November 08 evening, Fernando said Sri Lanka has short and long term plans to revive the island nation’s crisis-hit tourism sector. “The short term is jumping into India and getting all the Indians to come…

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CWIT construction project in Colombo Port kicked off today

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CWIT construction project in Colombo Port kicked off today The construction work of the newly built Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) within the Colombo Port was initiated today. The project was flagged off by Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva. The Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Gopal Bagle was also among the participants at this event as a special guest. The entire project will cost US$789 million. 51% of this total investment belongs to India’s Adani Group, 34% to John Keells Holdings PLC, and 15% to…

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Delimitation Committee to meet today

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Delimitation Committee to meet today Technical committees to be appointed this week BY Mirudhula Thambiah (The Morning) The five-member National Delimitation Committee on the Demarcation of Wards for Local Authorities appointed by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and chaired by former Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya, which is to submit its final report by 28 February 2023, is to meet and appoint technical committees during the course of this week. Speaking to The Morning on Sunday (6), Deshapriya said that a final report on the matter will be submitted to Premier Gunawardena by…

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Roundtable discussion on development of the Northern Province

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Roundtable discussion on development of the Northern Province A roundtable discussion on the development of the Northern Province was held last week hosted by Governor Jeevan Thiagarajah. Several Ambassadors and High Commissioners and representatives of international organisations attended the discussion which focussed on challenges and opportunities in Northern Province, some of the on-going initiatives and those planned to enhance socio-economic development. Northern Province Governor Jeevan Thiagarajah, Japanese Ambassador Hideaki Mizukoshi and Centre for Policy Alternative Executive Director Dr. Paikiyasothy Saravanamuttu addressed the forum. Korean Ambassador Santhush Jeong Woonjin, Thailand Ambassador…

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Sri Lanka opposition SJB demands elections, warns of protests against delay tactics

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Sri Lanka opposition SJB demands elections, warns of protests against delay tactics (Monday October 31, 2022)  ECONOMYNEXT – A proposal by Sri Lanka’s minister of justice for a special committee in parliament on election reforms is being challenged by the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) which claims that the proposal is an attempt to delay elections. SJB general secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara speaking at an event said on Monday October 31 claimed that President Ranil Wickremesinghe had given an assurance to ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) legislators that…

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BASL calls for strong independent institutions through 21A

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BASL calls for strong independent institutions through 21A Warns failure to create independent institutions will negatively affect future law reforms and rule of law Claims recent constitutional reform was a result of the public outcry due to the economic crisis Says 21A does not restore status quo which prevailed prior to 20A Calls on the President and all responsible to ensure integrity of nominations to independent institutions The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has called for strong independent institutions to be created through the 21st amendment to the constitution.…

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We should strive to be self-sufficient thus ensuring food security: Mahinda Amaraweera

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We should strive to be self-sufficient thus ensuring food security: Mahinda Amaraweera (Dily Mirror 29th Oct 2022) The World Food Programme estimates that 6.3 million people in Sri Lanka, which is more than 30 per cent of the country’s total population, are “food insecure” and in need of humanitarian aid. Of these individuals, around 5.3 million are either cutting down on the number of meals they eat or missing meals entirely, and at least 65,600 are in a state of acute food insecurity. Since its independence in 1948, Sri Lanka…

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