4 December 2024 | Vol. 10, #221

Thinakkural: Will the 13th Amendment and provincial councils continue? ITAK to understand president’s position through a meeting says Leader of the House and Minister Bimal Rathnayake | On the 13th Amendment: “We cannot achieve anything by hating India and joining hands with China” – MP V. Radhakrishnan |“The country cannot be allowed to be set on fire” – Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijayapala | “The government is taking away all freedom” – Sajith Premadasa | Gas prices will not rise | 12 out of 20 seats in the opposition front row are Tamil and Muslim MPs

Thamilan: “Federal autonomy is needed. The door to peace for Tamils remains open” – MP Shritharan | Tonight’s debate to focus on the disaster situation: Party leaders agree | The government firmly states that it will not give room for racism

Mawbima: Attempts to locate 191 Indonesians scattered around the island without passports or visas; the eight apprehended at a mosque in Nuwara Eliya, remanded | Aswesuma allowance increased: The Rs. 8,500 allowance increased to Rs. 10,000 and the Rs. 15,000 allowance increased to Rs. 17,500; approval for a Rs. 6,000 equipment allowance for school children

Dinamina: Four women appointed to four high-ranks in the police, rewriting history

Aruna: Transfers for 54 police high-rankers including five DIGs; a woman appointed as the chief of the CID for the first time; Thalduwa removed from the post of police media spokesperson

Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only

Photo credits: Newswire 

“Doubts about the provincial council system? The president will hold discussions with ITAK MPs this week” – MP Bimal Rathnayake

Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thamilan

Minister Bimal Ratnayake announced he will arrange a meeting this week with the ITAK and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to discuss the provincial council system. MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam raised concerns in parliament about the system’s future under the 13th Amendment. Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra clarified that no proposals to abolish the provincial councils have been made, stressing the need for a stronger council and a new constitution. Hemachandra also stated that the new constitution would ensure equal status for all citizens and replace amendments one to 20. He further emphasised that the National People’s Power has no mandate to abolish the provincial council system.

“If you accept our nation, life and existence, we can travel together” – ITAK MP Shritharan informs parliament

Virakesari, Thamilan, Thinakkural

“If you accept our nation, life and existence, we can travel together” said ITAK MP Shritharan in the House. He called on the government to adopt a new political approach recognising both the Sinhala and Tamil speaking people as co-owners and co-partners of Sri Lanka, ensuring equal participation in the country’s future. Shritharan emphasised that for true partnership, the rights of Tamils must be respected and their nationhood must be acknowledged. He also advocated for federal autonomy, stating that the door to peace for Tamils remains open, and that a peaceful and united Sri Lanka is only possible through mutual respect and recognition.

“New bill to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act” – Cabinet spokesperson

Virakesari

Minister Nalinda Jayatissa highlighted that some political parties are trying to portray a rise in racism following the government change. He pointed out that followers of the SLPP and UNP have shared photos on social media, including the LTTE flag-raising ceremony from last week. While no one has been arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act for defaming government leaders, racism-inciting activities have resurfaced in the country. The minister expressed readiness to repeal the act and introduce a new law for national security, but emphasised that defeating racism cannot be achieved solely through legal measures at this time.

Photo credits: CounterPoint

“The government has not worked in accordance with the agreement arrived at at the AG’s office to give teaching appointments to development officers” – Nuwan Bopage

Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna

Attorney-at-Law Nuwan Bopage, representing the petitioners, told the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday (3rd) that the present government is not working in accordance with the SC ruling issued on July 22 to appoint development officers who have been working as teachers to teaching positions. The Cabinet has approved the appointment of a ministerial committee under the chairpersonship of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya to provide sustainable solutions to the problems that have arisen regarding the recruitment of development officers to the teaching service.

“The information storage of the government analyst has been inactive for four months” – AG informs court

Lankadeepa, Ada

The central information storage of the Sri Lanka Government Analyst’s Department has reportedly been inactive for four months. Deputy Solicitor General Madhawa Tennakoon informing Colombo Additional Magistrate Keminda Perera stated that there was no way to retrieve any information including specialist reports. Tennakoon added that it will take about three more months to update and re-establish the central information storage, and that it will take more than Rs. 10 million. 

“Is the reality that the president is talking about, to agree with Ranil’s IMF agreement?” – Premadasa

Lankadeepa

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa questioned as to whether the reality that new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been talking about was to agree to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement that was struck by former president Ranil Wickremesinghe? Premadasa added that he is willing to support the newly appointed government to remove from the agreement sections that have negative effects on the people.

Photo credits: Daily Mirror

Heated situation in parliament over assaulting MP Archchuna

Lankadeepa, Divaina, Ada, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thamilan

A heated situation arose in parliament yesterday (3rd) when Jaffna District MP Archchuna Ramanathan alleged that he was assaulted in parliament outside the opposition leader’s office. Raising a point of order during this evening’s parliament session, MP Ramanathan stated that he was assaulted by a person named Sujith. MP Archchuna stated that when he went to the opposition leader’s office to inquire about the time that was allocated for him in parliament, a person named Sujith had assaulted him. Ramanathan questioned as to how one could go out into the streets if this happens within the parliament itself. The MP was instructed to lodge a complaint with the Speaker into the incident. Responding to the incident, MP Nalin Bandara stated that MP Ramanathan behaved inappropriately at the opposition leader’s office.

Immediate transfers for 54 police high-rankers including five DIGs: Four female officers appointed to high positions

Divaina, Ada, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari

54 senior high-ranking police officers, including five Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), have been transferred with immediate effect following National Police Commission (NPC) approval for a request made by the Inspector General of Police (IGP). Additionally, making history, the police department has appointed four female officers to high-ranking positions of the police. Accordingly, SSP H.W.I.S. Muthumala, previously the deputy director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has been promoted as director of the CID. SSP H.M.L.R. Amarasena from the Police Headquarters has been appointed as the director of the Special Investigation Unit. SSP R.A.D. Kumari, formerly of the Cyber Crimes Investigation Unit, has been appointed as the commanding officer of the Police Field Force Headquarters. SSP P.G.S. Gunathilake has also been transferred, now serving as the director of the Medical Services Division, after previously heading the IGP’s Secretary Division.

Common priorities: Additional stories