Politics Archives - Page 2 of 8

‘Presidential control over DDO undermines power of Parliament’

July 3, 2023July 3, 2023 admin

‘Presidential control over DDO undermines power of Parliament’ By Shamindra Ferdinando Dissident SLPP MP Gevindu Cumaratunga has strongly opposed the government move to place the debt-restructuring programme under President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s control as the latter does not represent Parliament. Addressing Parliament on Saturday (01), the leader of civil society group ‘Yuthukama’ pointed out that the Resolution on the Domestic Debt Optimisation (DDO) was meant to bring the whole process under Finance Minister Wickremesinghe’s power. How could Parliament grant such authority to a person not among elected or appointed members of the current…

PAFFREL calls for Private Member Bill on LG bodies to be defeated

June 30, 2023June 30, 2023 admin

PAFFREL calls for Private Member Bill on LG bodies to be defeated .Says the bill is a death blow to the sovereignty of the people and democracy Claims bill does not specify for how long a Minister will be able to reactivate LG bodies Stresses governments could misuse the law to not hold elections when unfavourable Independent election monitors, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) yesterday called for the recently gazetted Private Member’s Bill presented by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Jayantha Ketagoda to be defeated. According…

Parliament unplugs powerful regulator

May 25, 2023May 25, 2023 admin

Resolution for ouster of Public Utilities Commission Chairman receives 123 votes in favour and 77 votes against in Parliament Janaka Ratnayake says ouster not defeat but loss for people and MPs who voted for it Opines vote exposed MPs acting on baseless allegations to oust Chairman of independent commission who put people’s interest first and challenged unfair actions by Govt. President Wickremesinghe’s Government has increased electricity tariffs by 1200% in August last year and by 275% in February 2023 Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera charged politically motivated Ratnayake’s actions…

Peddling the Government’s Narratives

April 15, 2023April 15, 2023 admin

Peddling the Government’s Narratives As of now, Ranil Wickremesinghe has three points in his favour. First, there is the IMF deal, which his government is more or less using as a shield against criticism of the many austerity measures being enforced in its name. Second, there is the SJB-UNP nexus or the many not so subtle commonalities that have linked the main opposition with the president’s party. Third, there is the SJB-JVP-NPP divide that has only fragmented the opposition to the government’s benefit. Contrary to what the neoliberal commentariat may…

Civil Society Collective calls on diplomatic missions to ensure LG polls are held

April 7, 2023April 7, 2023 admin

Civil Society Collective calls on diplomatic missions to ensure LG polls are held The Civil Society Collective for Protecting the Franchise has sought the support of Diplomatic Missions with regard to their call to hold the 2023 Local Government (LG) election on time, in a bid to protect democracy. Issuing a statement in this regard, the collective highlighted that failing to hold the LG polls in a timely manner would have serious implications for democracy and governance. “It would mean that the constitutional right to elect representatives at the local…

Why Sri Lanka could be the IMF’s most spectacular failure

March 20, 2023March 20, 2023 admin

Why Sri Lanka could be the IMF’s most spectacular failure (Following is the excerpts of Dyan Jeyathilake’s article in the Sri Lanka Finacial Times of 16th March 2023) Much of the discussion in and on Sri Lanka has either been a shrieking chorus of ‘Go to the IMF yesterday!’ coming mainly from the rightwing economists of the main Opposition, the SJB, or a no less shrill chorus of ‘beware the IMF!’ from the Oppositional left. My own ‘third position’ is different. It stands on two legs: ‘beware Ranil plus the…

Govt. agencies’ failure to hold the LG polls: SC grants leave to proceed with petition

March 16, 2023March 16, 2023 admin

Govt. agencies’ failure to hold the LG polls: SC grants leave to proceed with petition Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with a Fundamental Rights petition filed challenging the failure and refusal of several government departments to take the necessary steps to hold the Local Government Elections. Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Gamini Amerasekera and Janak De Silva granted leave to proceed with the petition under Articles 10, 12(1) and 14(1)(a) of the constitution. The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and its Executive Director Dr. Paikiasothy…

President writes open letter to bilateral creditors with appeals and assurances

March 15, 2023March 15, 2023 admin

President writes open letter to bilateral creditors with appeals and assurances Letter with clarifications aimed at providing comfort to all and enable SL to progress swiftly to next stage of the debt treatment negotiations Reiterates he is committed to stay the course, and says SL relies on creditors to do the right thing Woos all to maintain and even enlarge and strengthen official bilateral creditor coordination Says new era starts with full implementation of IMF-supported program and resolution of debt situation Commits to transparency and assures SL will not make any…

IMF urged Anti-Corruption Bill gets Cabinet approval

March 15, 2023March 15, 2023 admin

IMF urged Anti-Corruption Bill gets Cabinet approval (FT 15-03-2023) After years of long pursuit, the Anti-Corruption Bill ‒ a landmark piece of legislation defining measures to reduce corruption and vulnerabilities by improving fiscal transparency and public financial management was finally approved by the Cabinet of Ministers Monday to proceed with the next steps. The move is a result of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout package, amidst the ongoing economic crisis. Such a Bill was long overdue and should have ideally come as a result of…

Opposition unites to demand LG Polls

March 12, 2023March 12, 2023 admin

Local Government Elections and the Government’s attempt to prevent it. (The Morning 12-03-2023) Treasury Secy.’s absence at EC meeting criticised, EC asked for fresh date Secy. Siriwardana outlines four issues regarding attending EC’s meeting EC informed by Treasury Secy. that letter on funds passed on to Minister Dolawatte raises privileges issue against SC, Speaker requested to inquire The Election Commission (EC) last week decided on 25 April as the new date to conduct the Local Government (LG) Polls, in keeping with the Supreme Court’s recent and related order following a…