23 August 2024 | Vol. 10, #152

Thinakkural: Conduct the local government elections as soon as possible – Supreme Court rules | “Non allocation of funds is the reason for local government elections not being conducted” – Saman Sri Rathnayake

Thamilan: Conduct the local government elections – Supreme Court makes a stupendous order

Mawbima:The postponement of the local government elections is a violation of the people’s fundamental rights. The local government elections should be held as soon as possible – Supreme Court orders the Election Commission |Cabraal faces legal action again regarding Rs. 1,840 million loss due to [investment in] Greek Treasury bills

Dinamina: [Visitors] from 35 countries to receive free visas to Sri Lanka, effective October 1 | 30-day visas available for a six-month period

Aruna: The [Election] Commission to convene to decide when to have local
government elections

Anidda: The president has violated the people’s fundamental rights by his autocratic actions to prevent the local government elections – Supreme Court states in its ruling regarding the local government elections | Here are the assets of the presidential candidates: Ranil holds Rs. 20,000 in cash, Sajith has Rs. 67,000, Namal possesses Rs. 31.2 million and Anura has no cash in hand

Photo credits:B’nai B’rith International

Sri Lanka needs drastic change in terms of reconciliation and accountability – UNHRC

Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan

Virakesari reports that the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in its report on Sri Lanka highlights that the Government of Sri Lanka has rarely agreed that human rights violations took place during the civil war.

Thinakkural reports the UNHRC as reporting that Sri Lanka needs a drastic change in terms of reconciliation and accountability as the presidential and general elections are ahead in Sri Lanka.

Thamilan reports the UNHRC urging to remove from power and refrain from appointing or promoting credibly alleged perpetrators of human rights violations to high-level positions in the government, the security sector or diplomatic service, as well as in any institution.

“Provide international justice for the Tamil genocide” – Shritharan urges South African high commissioner

Virakesari

ITAK MP Sivagnanam Shritharan has urged the High Commissioner of South Africa to Sri Lanka Sandile Edwin Schalk and South African Counsellor to Sri Lanka Rene Everson-Varney that the Government of South Africa must take constructive measures to provide justice for the genocide and enforced disappearances conducted against the Tamil people of Sri Lanka. He further urged that South Africa must disclose its concern over the said issues in Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session.

“The majority of the people will not vote for Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa or Anura Kumara
Dissanayaka” – Sarath Weerasekara

Virakesari

SLPP MP Sarath Weerasekara stated that the presidential candidates President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa and NPP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayaka have promised the people of the Northern Province to fully implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution (13A). He added that therefore the majority of the people of this country will never vote for them. He further added that the majority of the people will never support any action which affects the unitary state.

Photo credits: NewsWire

Declarations of assets by presidential candidates have been published

Lankadeepa, Divaina, Anidda

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has announced that the asset declarations of presidential candidates are now accessible to the public on its official website. In compliance with Section 89 of the Anti-Corruption Act, candidates submitted their asset and liability statements along with their nomination papers to the Election Commission.

According to Divaina, President Wickremesinghe’s salary is Rs. 97,500. Opposition Leader Premadasa receives Rs. 295,681 in allowances, NPP Leader Dissanayaka gets a total of Rs. 202,517 and SLPP candidate Rajapaksa receives Rs. 454,285.

Anidda reports that Wickremesinghe has Rs. 20,000 in cash, Premadasa holds Rs. 67,000, Rajapaksa has Rs. 31.2 million and Dissanayaka has no cash in hand.

Sajith and Anura in favour of ending executive presidency; Ranil disagrees, Namal has stipulations

Anidda

Candidates Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayaka have announced their intention to abolish the post of executive president upon assuming office. In contrast, Ranil Wickremesinghe has not addressed the issue. However, Director General of Trade Unions to the President and member of Wickremesinghe’s United National Party Saman Ratnapriya stated in a press conference that abolishing the executive presidency is neither feasible nor necessary at this time. Regarding the SLPP’s stance, General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam commented that the executive presidency should be abolished alongside the introduction of an electoral system suitable for the country. He emphasised that while his party supports the abolition of the executive presidency, this should be contingent upon implementing a parliamentary electoral system that ensures a clear majority for the winning party.

“The time that the SJB could rejoin the UNP is long gone” – Hashim

Anidda

SJB MP Kabir Hashim remarked that despite his previous hopes for the SJB to reunite with the UNP, that possibility is now a thing of the past. He emphasised that the SJB has since solidified its position and developed a clear strategy for rebuilding the country.

Photo credits:  Groundviews

The postponement of the local government elections is a violation of the people’s rights – Supreme Court

Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Ada, Mawbima, Aruna, Divaina, Anidda, Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan

The Supreme Court (SC) ruled yesterday (22nd) that the failure to hold the local government polls scheduled for March 9 last year violated the fundamental rights of the people. The court ordered the Election Commission to conduct the polls as soon as possible. This unanimous decision was delivered by a five-member SC bench in response to four petitions challenging the postponement. Additionally, the government was directed to pay Rs. 150,000 in court fees to each petitioner for the infringement of their fundamental rights.

“I do not regret the postponement of the LG polls; that time was spent on securing people’s lives” – President

Dinamina, Lankadeepa, Aruna, Divaina, Thinakkural, Thinakaran, Thamilan

President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated yesterday (22nd) that while the postponement of the Local Government (LG) elections has been criticised as a violation of fundamental rights, he does not regret the decision. He explained that the delay was necessary to prioritise securing the safety of the people. The president emphasised his respect for both the right to vote and the right to life. He made these remarks while addressing the national conference of the Nawa Janatha Peramuna at the Maharagama Youth Service Council Auditorium.

Common priorities: Additional stories