Category: Featured

UNP fast eroding its Liberal image for power

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UNP fast eroding its Liberal image for power (MSM Ayub Mirror on line 4-03-2023) If the relevant authorities are to go by what President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament on February 23 about holding Local Government elections that had then been scheduled by the Elections Commission to be held on March 9, those elections have been laid to rest.    The main argument in his speech was that the Local Government elections have not been legally announced on the Ground that the decision by the Elections Commission to hold the elections…

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US$ 36 billion of Sri Lanka’s export money held offshore

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US$ 36 billion of Sri Lanka’s export money held offshore (Daily Mirror  24-02-2023) If Sri Lankan can secure the 36 billion US dollars of export income owed by Sri Lanka it would be able to improve its economy The Sunday Times reported in July (2022) about an investigation carried out by the Global Finance Integrity (GFI); a think tank based in Washington, USA operating with government support. Its task is to keep an eye on the export trade of countries of the world. GFI observes whether money is properly exchanged between…

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13th Amendment should be implemented in three steps: Douglas

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13th Amendment should be implemented in three steps: Douglas Kelum Bandara Mirror on line (23-02-2023) Some powers devolved to the Provincial Councils have been taken through actions by the executive arm or through administrative decisions. I am asking for the transfer of such powers back to the Provincial Councils as the first step The TNA wants the problem unsolved. They work for it. The President openly said he is prepared to settle all the pertaining issues- political issues, land issues etc. We have to support him. But, the TNA is…

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SJB backs full implementation of 13A: Kiriella

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SJB backs full implementation of 13A: Kiriella  Mirudhula Thambiah (The Morning 23-02-2023)    The main Opposition in Parliament, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya yesterday (22) stated that the Party supports the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, noting that National Land and Police Commissions would control related provincial commissions so that no issues would arise. Speaking to The Daily Morning, Chief Opposition Whip and SJB Parliamentarian, Attorney Lakshman Kiriella said: “We are for the 13th Amendment. It was former President and incumbent Government Parliamentarian Mahinda Rajapaksa who said that…

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Prez says SL completed all 15 tasks required for bailout, now up to IMF

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Prez says SL completed all 15 tasks required for bailout, now up to IMF (Daily Mirror 22-02-2023) After months of struggle and challenges, Sri Lanka has been successful in fulfilling the 15 tasks set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and now awaits for the verdict if enough has been done to unlock the bailout, the government said. President Ranil Wickremesinghe confirmed that only last week the final requirement of the Fund was fulfilled and with that Sri Lanka has done its part to obtain the relief package. The fifteenth…

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Local Government Elections indefinitely postponed?

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Local Government Elections indefinitely postponed? (Ceylon Today 18th Feb 2023) The Ministry of Finance has failed to provide the National Election Commission with the funds needed for the Local Government (LG) election, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said last Sunday. He said the Minister of Finance and the Secretary to the Finance Ministry are constitutionally obligated to provide the funds and that if this does not happen, legal action will be instituted against the competent authority. Speaking to the media, Hettiarachchi said they…

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Issues in fully implementing 13A: Land powers

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Issues in fully implementing 13A: Land powers The Island 15–2-2023) By C. A. Chandraprema Many of those who call for the ‘full implementation of the 13th Amendment’ believe that all State land should be completely under the control of the provincial councils. The actual extent of the devolution of land powers would depend on the language used in the text of the 13th Amendment, and the interpretation given to that text by the Supreme Court which has exclusive jurisdiction in respect of Constitutional matters. Provisions with regard to land are to be…

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‘Throne speech mania’ boycotted by Opposition, minority parties present

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‘Throne speech mania’ boycotted by Opposition, minority parties present (The Morning 9-02-2023) Freedom People’s Alliance in walkout protest, joins SJB, NPP as those outside P’ment SJB constituents TPA, SLMC, ACMC attend along with TNA Claiming that the prorogation of Parliament on two occasions within a short timeframe reflects a serious threat from the Executive Presidency to Parliamentary Legislative democracy and that the Government led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe has failed to provide solutions to the people’s issues, over 30 MPs representing the Freedom People’s Alliance chanted “Rajaasana (throne) mania” and…

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ElemeIs SLPP-UNP Regime attempts to postpone the LG Electionsntor #1540

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  Is SLPP-UNP Regime attempts to postpone the LG elections Wednesday 8th February, 2023 The Island editorial The Rajapaksa-Wickremesinghe regime is all out to derail the local government (LG) elections scheduled for 09 March. The Election Commission (EC) is determined to ensure that the country goes to the polls as scheduled, and the Opposition is bragging that the government’s plan to delay the mini polls has gone pear-shaped, and the SLPP-UNP combine will have to bow to the inevitable, but nothing is so certain as the unexpected in politics, which…

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ssues in fully implementing the 13th Amendment – Police Powers

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Issues in fully implementing the 13th Amendment – Police Powers By C. A. Chandraprema (The Island 6th Feb 2023) While most provisions of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution have been implemented, sticking points have persisted with regard to two matters – the devolution of police and land powers. Appendix I of the Provincial Councils List in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution provides for the devolution of police powers. The implementation of these provisions will entail the division of the Sri Lanka Police Force into a National Police Division…

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