Day: 15 December 2015

The Chief Minister of the Northern Province C V Wigneswaran today expressed opposition to the Government’s plan to introduce “Grama Rajya” as the unit of devolution of power, the New Indian Express reported. Presenting the Northern Provincial Council’s budget for 2016, Wigneswaran said that as per a circular sent by the Central Government, under the proposed “Grama Rajya” scheme of devolution, the Center’s village and provincial level development programs will be implemented by committees which come directly under it. This is tantamount to sidelining the Provincial Administration and the Provincial Council, Wigneswaran pointed…

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The United States says the success in rebuilding Sri Lanka and reconciling the people will be an example to the rest of the world. Visiting US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Designate) Thomas Shannon, speaking in Trincomalee today, said that during his visit it was exciting to witness first-hand the important work that communities, civil society organizations, and local authorities across this island are undertaking to improve the living standards of Sri Lankans. “I am impressed by the progress your country has made, both economically and socially. And the United States is so proud…

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The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has called for the withdrawal of the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, placed on the Order Paper, citing that its provisions were identical to those of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), it is learnt. The government has decided to criminalize hate speech through the proposed legislation. The Bill seeks to introduce a new provision (Section 291C) to the Penal Code, No. 11 of 1887. A further Bill seeking to amend the Criminal Procedure Code Act, No. 15 of 1979 was also placed on the Order…

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EPRLF leader Suresh Premachandran claims that Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera is not providing the answer to his allegation that secret detention camps did exist in the North and East where hundreds of Tamils were detained. “The Foreign Minister has told the media that the government will take tough action if it can be proved that secret detention camps exist in the country, but this is not the answer to the question raised by the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances and me,” the former militant turned politician told…

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By Saman Indrajith Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs Minister D. M. Swaminanthan yesterday told Parliament that about 8,000 acres of private lands were still under the control of the security forces and they would be gradually released for resettlement. Participating in the committee stage debate on the budget proposals under the expenditure heads of the Ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs, Minister Swaminathan said that the government was in the process of releasing land to ensure the resettlement of IDPs and returnees where…

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The first meeting of the US-Sri Lanka Partnership Dialogue will take place in February 2016 in Washington, a top US official visiting Sri Lanka said today. US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Designate) Thomas Shannon, speaking to reporters after Meeting with Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, said that the annual meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss all aspects of the relationship and ways in which the United States may be able to engage directly with the people of Sri Lanka and the Government. “These efforts will be wide…

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A powerful minister in the previous regime had received commissions from the school uniforms programme too. The Good Governance government has cried halt to the era of ministers earning commissions, Health and Indigenous Medicine Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said. He was addressing the gathering at a felicitation ceremony organised in his honour by the Beruwala Good Governance Forum for receiving an International Award for Tobacco Control from the World Health Organisation. He said the government would continue the free school uniform programme without a break. The previous regime had to…

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The US Embassy has yet not given approval to the visa application submitted by Democratic Party Leader Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka two weeks ago, sources close to Field Marshal Fonseka said today Sources said the US State Department has blocked Field Marshal Fonseka’s visa application for the past two weeks in connection with war crimes charges against Sri Lanka during the time he was the army commander. “Most probably this must be why the US embassy has refused him a visa to visit the US. There are no other issues,”…

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