The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has informed the general public that despite claims made by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) and Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCLS) stating that the power cuts go against the rights of over 331,000 students sitting the Advanced Level exams, the scheduled power cuts will continue as previously planned.&nbsp; Meanwhile last evening, the PUCSL informed the general public to complain, in writing, to the PUCSL if power cuts do occur during the day.

Power cuts to continue: CEB 

It has been confirmed that the Parliament of Sri Lanka will be prorogued with effect from midnight today (27). The Presidential Secretariat is to issue a gazette regarding the prorogation within the day.

Parliament prorogued from midnight today

<ul><li>Punchihewa says election preparation will continue</li><li>EC yet to receive P.S.M. Charles’s resignation&nbsp;</li><li>Ex-Chairman Deshapriya points to Constitution</li></ul>The resignation of an Election Commission (EC) member will not affect the Local Government (LG) Poll, Chairman of the EC, Attorney Nimal Punchihewa noted yesterday (26).When queried by The Daily Morning as to whether the resignation of an EC member – in the backdrop of media reports that EC member P.S.M. Charles has resigned – would affect the upcoming election in any way, he noted: “No. It won’t affect the election process or our activities.”In a media release issued in this regard by the EC, it was stated that there had been media reports that the EC Chairman and the members have resigned from their posts, and that the resignations have been forwarded to the President's office. However, the EC stated that no such resignations were received. The EC also noted that preparations for the upcoming LG poll are being carried out uninterruptedly, as no resignation letters or copies of the said letters have been received thus far.Meanwhile, tackling this matter on social media, former EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya wrote that resignations will not weaken the EC. He also quoted Article 104 of the Constitution in connection with his post. Accordingly, Article 104(1) states that the quorum for any meeting of the EC shall be three members while as per Article 104(2)(b), the decisions of the EC shall be by a majority of the members present and voting at the relevant meeting, and that in the event of an equality of votes, the Chairman or the member presiding at the meeting shall have a casting vote.&nbsp;Further, Article 104(3) states that the EC shall have the power to act notwithstanding any vacancy in the membership of the EC and that no act or proceeding or decision of the EC shall be invalid by reason only of such vacancy or any defect in the appointment of a member.Charles had, according to news reports, tendered her resignation on Wednesday (25); however, attempts by The Daily Morning to confirm whether this was in fact and indeed the case, proved futile, as Charles was not available for comment. There are currently five members representing the EC, namely Punchihewa, S.B. Divaratne, M.M. Mohamed, Charles, and K.P.P. Pathirana.&nbsp;

An EC Member’s resignation will not affect LG election, say former and current EC Chairs

<ul><li>Sumanthiran says issues to be resolved by 4 Feb. remain unresolved</li><li>Wigneswaran disappointed over lack of progress</li><li>Mano Ganesan boycotts meeting</li></ul>Following their participation at the all-party conference held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (26), Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Spokesman and Opposition MP President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran said that issues that President Ranil Wickremesinghe promised would be resolved before 4 February are yet to be resolved, and Tamil Makkal Thesiya Kuttani (TMTK) Leader and Opposition MP C.V. Wigneswaran said that he is not satisfied with the progress so far, while Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Leader and Samagi Jana Balawegaya Opposition MP Mano Ganesan boycotted the conference altogether.Addressing the media, Sumanthiran said: “We expressed our dissatisfaction. However, he said that all these issues will be resolved in the future. He said that since the 13th Amendment is included in the Constitution, it would be implemented. He elaborated on the release of land.”Sumanthiran claimed that all the relevant reports are available and that issues could therefore be resolved within a day.Wigneswaran said that President Wickremesinghe had notified the conference participants that a report with regard to the issues discussed will be submitted to Parliament in early February. He said that the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was discussed, but that there was no indication of a merger of the North and East.&nbsp;He further noted: “I also submitted a document saying how our rights have already been usurped from us by the Central Government. Those which were usurped from us must be handed back to us and therefore, I gave a document to Wickremesinghe for him to go through. We are not quite satisfied with regard to the progress made so far.”He also said that it had been mentioned by President Wickremesinghe that the commission, headed by Supreme Court Judge Justice A.H.M.D. Nawaz, to inquire into and propose recommendations based on the findings of previous commissions and committees concerning alleged human rights violations committed during the civil war, would go through all reports in the past including the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission report.Meanwhile, the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) did not attend the all-party conference. TPA Leader MP Mano Ganesan stated: “We have been repeatedly demanding President Wickremesinghe to conduct talks with us and all the hill-country Tamil political parties on the political aspirations of the hill-country Tamil community in his stated attempt to find solutions to the national question. We have specifically told him to nominate a high-powered committee chaired by him for this subject. However, apart from certain remarks made from public stages, President Wickremesinghe has not done anything official in this regard.”

Tamil parties criticise or boycott all-party conference

<ul><li>Contradicts Parliament media announcement made on Wednesday</li><li>PAFFREL urges CC not to reconstitute EC until LG polls concluded</li></ul>Contradicting a press release issued by Parliament, which noted that an agreement had been reached to reconstitute the Election Commission (EC) at the first meeting of the Constitutional Council (CC) held on Wednesday (25), Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa claimed that the same was not discussed at the said meeting.Speaking at a gathering yesterday (26), Premadasa claimed: “At the CC meeting, there was no discussion on changing the current membership of the EC, nor did we discuss the calling for applications. I discussed this with the Speaker (Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena) and Parliament Secretary General (Dhammika Dasanayake) and confirmed that we won’t be calling for any applications, for the EC or for any commission, until the CC meets next Monday. I reiterate that I spoke to the Speaker and the Parliament Secretary General. When the discussion into the calling of applications was going on, I clearly asked that applications be called for the other commissions apart from the EC. But it has been decided to call applications for all commissions. We will take this decision at next Monday’s meeting.”However, a press release issued by Parliament on Wednesday (25) noted that a newspaper advertisement is to be published calling for applications for the appointment of members to the independent commissions including the EC. A period of two weeks from the date of advertisement will be given to furnish such applications, the statement further noted.Meanwhile, polls monitor, the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), yesterday appealed to the CC not to reconstitute the EC until the Local Government (LG) election is concluded on 9 March.“They can fill the vacancies at the EC but not reconstitute the EC until the election is over. Even if they change the EC, nothing would happen. Whoever is appointed as a new member can continue. But it may create uncertainty among the public. Therefore, we would appeal to the CC to not touch the EC for the time being,” PAFFREL’s Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi told The Daily Morning,.He further added, while appealing to the CC to refrain from reconstituting the EC until the conclusion of the said poll, that his organisation also urges them that the members for the independent commissions be appointed through nominations by the people and not via applications.&nbsp;He also said: “Nobody of that particular calibre would apply for these kinds of positions. There should be an opportunity given for the people to nominate members to these commissions.”Hettiarachchi also noted that the CC should prepare proper procedures and criteria to appoint such members.Opposition Leader Premadasa further noted that a conspiracy was being carried out with claims of officials of the EC handing in their resignations.&nbsp;“From last night (Wednesday), a media operation was carried out with reports that one member of the EC had resigned. Some said that the Chairman (Attorney-At-Law Nimal G. Punchihewa) has also resigned, through an operation that was launched to disrupt the election process. It Is apparent that in this country a conspiracy is being carried out to delay elections.”Speaking further, he noted: "No matter what the reason is, the Constitutional Council will not work towards changing the members of the EC during the election period. After 9 March, we can fulfil that duty. The CC is not here to stop elections, but to safeguard the people’s right to vote. It will not be a pawn for such, nor will it permit the same; however, if the CC comes to such a position, then I will no longer remain there as a member.”

Reconstituting EC not discussed at CC meeting: Sajith

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has made a request to the World Health Organisation (WHO) to intervene to provide solutions to the problems faced by the people due to the shortage of pharmaceutical drugs and medical equipment in the country by providing material and technical support and exerting necessary pressure on the relevant authorities including the Ministry of Health.Speaking to the media after handing over the relevant request to the WHO Office for Sri Lanka yesterday (26), GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said: “We have continuously pointed out the crisis situation that the patients have to face due to the shortage of drugs and medical equipment to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and the other authorities. In addition to the shortage, there has been an unbearable rise in drug prices. Various irregularities and acts of corruption are taking place in the procurement of drugs. Although we have requested the authorities to solve these issues, there has been no favourable response from them.”&nbsp;Claiming that there is no idea when this issue will be resolved, he said that the GMOA has understood that the problems faced by the patients cannot be solved by bringing them to the attention of the local authorities anymore. Therefore, he said that the relevant committees within the GMOA had decided to inform the WHO in this regard. “The WHO has helped us in various ways during many crisis situations like the Covid-19 pandemic. We have also presented a 10-point proposal to the authorities. We submitted it to the WHO also. We have requested them to help us by providing the necessary material and technical support, and also to exert necessary pressure on the authorities.”As the country is seeing a serious economic crisis at present, the relevant authorities have, over the past few months, been finding it difficult to procure the required funds to import the pharmaceutical drugs and other medical supplies. Although the situation has subsided to some extent due to various grants and donations from several organisations and countries, the hospitals are still affected by the shortages of drugs and medical equipment. However, the Ministry has been stating that the provision of treatment can be managed even in the midst of the shortage of drugs and medical equipment.Meanwhile, claiming that the country’s healthcare sector has deteriorated to the extent that a patient with a serious illness cannot currently obtain the necessary treatment without bearing heavy expenses, the All Ceylon Medical Officers’ Association recently stated that it is vitally important to introduce necessary provisions to make the right to access healthcare a fundamental right.&nbsp;

GMOA sends SOS to WHO over medical shortages  

The Colombo High Court (HC) yesterday (26) ordered the acquittal of three accused, including former Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) Chairman and incumbent Opposition MP Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, in the case of the alleged misuse of State funds involving a sum of Rs. 5 million belonging to the SEC.Colombo HC Judge Amal Ranaraja stated that the Attorney General’s (AG) Department has not presented sufficient evidence to prove the charges against the accused.The case against Dr. Godahewa, former SEC Deputy Director General Dhammika Perera, and Roni Ibrahim of the “Tharunyata Hetak” organisation, over the misappropriation of Rs. 5 million taken from the SEC, and given to the “Tharunyata Hetak” organisation was taken up before Judge Ranaraja yesterday.Delivering the verdict at the end of a long trial, the judge ruled that the evidence presented by the prosecution (the AG’s Department) charging the accused was insufficient, and therefore, acquitted the accused Dr. Godahewa, Perera, and Ibrahim of all chargesThe AG had filed this case before the Colombo HC against the three accused for allegedly misusing Government funds by giving away Rs. 5 million to the Tharunyata Hetak organisation during the period from 2012 to 2015 when Dr. Godahewa was serving as the Chairman of the SEC.&nbsp;

Godahewa acquitted in  SEC funds misuse case due  to insufficient evidence

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has advised the relevant officials that it is their responsibility, as well as that of the political authority, to pay attention to the current financial situation of the country while estimating the expenses required for the 75th Independence Day celebration and in spending in a practical manner and reducing expenses, a President’s Media Division (PMD) press release announced yesterday (26).While pointing out that there is huge opposition among the people regarding the allocation of funds for the 75th Independence Day celebration, the President emphasised that efforts should be made to minimise the related expenses, the release stated.He made these remarks at a preliminary discussion held yesterday morning (26) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of the President regarding the Independence Day celebration being held in a grand manner but at minimum cost.Expressing his views further, President Ranil Wickremesinghe had said: “We must celebrate the 75th Independence Day, otherwise the world will say that we are not capable of even celebrating our independence. Similarly, we need to attract tourists and investors to our country. We need to build a positive image of our country. Therefore, let us minimise our expenditure and celebrate our Independence Day.”Accordingly, in conjunction with the 75th Independence Day celebration, many special programmes are scheduled to be implemented from 2 to 19 February. The special Dalada Pooja and Pirith chanting, religious ceremonies of all faiths, cultural show held at the Independence Square, the traditional Independence celebration main event held at Galle Face Green, the national parks and the zoo will be open to the public free of charge, the opening of the Jaffna Cultural Centre, the Kandy Republic parade, the cycle race from Dondra Point to Point Pedro, and other events, have also been planned.The President saud: “It has been planned to initiate a project to create urban forests in conjunction with the Independence Day celebrations. We expect to start the activities prior to attending the Climate Summit (COP28) in Dubai. In addition, we also expect to initiate several new institutions.“By the time the relevant laws would be passed and work could commence, it could be around August. Further, we have planned to establish the University on Climate Change, which will bring long-term benefits to the country.“However, the Treasury does not have enough funds to bear the full cost of these activities.&nbsp; Therefore, we will have to focus on other activities only after allocating funds for the main activities.”Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President on National Security Sagala Ratnayake, Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake, Secretaries to the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Defence, Foreign Affairs, Education, Cultural and Buddhist Affairs, Media, and Finance, and the officials of the Treasury and the line Ministries participated at this discussion.

President orders to celebrate Independence   with pride but at minimal cost

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Director Dr. Krishnamurthy Subramanian said the political will displayed by the Sri Lankan leadership to speed up reforms and implement difficult tax increases in order to revive the economy is highly appreciable, according to a press release by the Prime Minister’s media division yesterday (26).Dr. Subramanian, who called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Prime Minister’s Office in Colombo yesterday (26) said almost all the requirements for the IMF relief package for Sri Lanka have been completed and the moment the final assurances from major lending countries is completed, the process would be finalised, the release said.“We will bat for you,” the IMF Executive Director said, using cricket jargon.&nbsp;“We play forward with a straight drive for you and whenever necessary, we play cover drives too,” Dr. Subramanian, who was Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India from 2018 to 2021, had stated.The Prime Minister had briefed the IMF delegation about the steps taken by the Government to face the unprecedented economic challenges faced by the country and to enhance agricultural produce to meet local demand and also for export.While elaborating the measures taken to reduce non-essential imports and increase export production, he had stressed the need for welfare for the poorest segments of the society. Dr. Subramanian had said, as the Prime Minister pointed out, a safety net for economically vulnerable groups is an essential requirement when plans are formulated to restructure debts and revive the economy.However, he had emphasised the public sector should be ready to make sacrifices, as they are at least assured of salaries while many others have lost their avenues of income.Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake, Central Bank Deputy Governor Dr. Chandranath Amarasekara (who is the IMF Alternate Executive Director), Central Bank Economic Research Department Director Dr. P.K.G. Harischandra, and Central Bank Economic Research Department Deputy Director Dr. V.D. Wickramarachchi also took part in the discussion. Meanwhile, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has stated that he is “hopeful” that Sri Lanka will receive the first tranche of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) due from the IMF soon, following a discussion with the IMF delegation led by Subramanian.While Siyambalapitiya expressed his confidence with regard to obtaining the EFF, the meeting also focused, at length, on the issues faced by the public of Sri Lanka, and the concerns surrounding State revenue.Technical issues in relation to obtaining loans were also discussed at the meeting, a release issued by the Ministry of Finance said, stating that it was ensured at the end of the said discussion that the island nation is entitled to financial facilities made available by the IMF.

Power cuts to continue: CEB

Parliament prorogued from midnight today

Parliament prorogued from midn ...

An EC Member’s resignation will not affect LG election, say former and ...

An EC Member’s resignation wil ...

Tamil parties criticise or boycott all-party conference

Tamil parties criticise or boy ...

Reconstituting EC not discussed at CC meeting: Sajith

Reconstituting EC not discusse ...

GMOA sends SOS to WHO over medical shortages

GMOA sends SOS to WHO over med ...

Godahewa acquitted in SEC funds misuse case due to insufficient evid ...

Godahewa acquitted in SEC fun ...

President orders to celebrate Independence with pride but at minimal ...

President orders to celebrate ...

IMF Director commends SL’s political will to speed up reforms

IMF Director commends SL’s p ...

Parliament prorogued from midnight today

Parliament prorogued from midn ...

An EC Member’s resignation will not affect LG election, say former and ...

An EC Member’s resignation wil ...

Tamil parties criticise or boycott all-party conference

Tamil parties criticise or boy ...

Reconstituting EC not discussed at CC meeting: Sajith

Reconstituting EC not discusse ...

GMOA sends SOS to WHO over medical shortages

GMOA sends SOS to WHO over med ...

Godahewa acquitted in SEC funds misuse case due to insufficient evid ...

Godahewa acquitted in SEC fun ...

President orders to celebrate Independence with pride but at minimal ...

President orders to celebrate ...

IMF Director commends SL’s political will to speed up reforms

IMF Director commends SL’s p ...

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