<ul><li>Opposition pushes for emergency debate on courts and appointments</li><li>NPP rejects request; Speaker blocks immediate discussion</li><li>Parliament suspended briefly as tensions boil over</li></ul> A bid by the Opposition to force an emergency Parliamentary debate on alleged judicial shortcomings triggered a tense showdown in the House yesterday (23), with the Government rejecting the request and the Speaker ultimately ruling it out of order.The dispute centred on a motion submitted under Standing Order (SO) 19(1), which sought an urgent discussion on delays in the administration of justice, judicial appointments and other issues affecting the Judiciary. The standoff escalated into heated exchanges between Government and Opposition MPs, prompting Speaker Dr&nbsp; Jagath Wickramaratne to suspend proceedings for 10 minutes before later referring the matter to the Committee on Parliamentary Business.A letter signed by 20 Opposition MPs requesting the emergency debate was handed over to the Speaker, arguing that Parliament should intervene immediately to address what they described as structural issues within the judicial sector and identify appropriate solutions.Raising the matter in the House, Opposition MP and attorney Ajith P Perera said the motion had been submitted earlier in the day with the backing of 20 MPs and dealt with matters of urgent public importance.“At present, there are serious issues relating to delays in the administration of justice and several matters connected to it. We believe that this deep and important issue must be discussed urgently,” he said.Perera requested that Parliament allocate two hours for the discussion after the day's scheduled debate, stressing that such a move would not disrupt Government business.“It will not interfere with the Government’s agenda. Judicial power belongs to the people and is exercised through Parliament and the courts under Article 4(c) of the Constitution. Therefore, issues relating to the Judiciary, including the appointment of judges, the efficiency of the court system and delays in legal proceedings, are matters that Parliament should be able to discuss,” he added.Responding on behalf of the Government, Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake said the proposal had only been received that morning and argued that many of the matters raised by the Opposition did not fall solely within Parliament’s authority.“Decisions regarding case delays and judicial appointments are not matters determined entirely by Parliament, and in some instances not even by the Justice Ministry. Certain functions are handled by the Judicial Service Commission, while others come under the Constitutional Council,” he said.Rathnayake maintained that the Government did not consider the issue sufficiently urgent to interrupt the day’s Parliamentary business.“We don’t see this as a matter requiring special priority at this stage. Therefore, we don’t agree to the request,” he said.He also criticised the Opposition’s interpretation of Parliament’s authority over judicial matters, warning against a return to past practices.“In the past, the argument that judicial power rests with Parliament was used to bring Supreme Court judges before Parliamentary Select Committees. Those were extremely serious developments. We are a Government with a two-thirds majority. One must consider the implications if we were to adopt the same thinking. We therefore seek a vote on this matter and request that the Speaker make a determination thereafter,” he said.Opposition MP and attorney Dayasiri Jayasekara objected to the Government’s stance, arguing that the Standing Orders did not require the approval of the House Leader for such a motion to be entertained.“We are making this request in accordance with the Standing Orders. It is clear that approval from the House Leader is not required,” he said.Jayasekara went on to accuse the Government of undermining the Constitution by failing to fill judicial vacancies.“The President is violating the Constitution by not appointing judges. Eight judges have not yet been appointed. In some instances, benches are being fixed to hear cases. Lawyers are not being given opportunities to speak. The Government is also attempting to extend the terms of certain judges. These are the kinds of pressures being exerted on the Judiciary. If we can’t discuss these matters here, where can they be discussed?” he asked.He further claimed that Government members lacked the moral authority to lecture others on judicial independence.“These are the same people who set fire to courts in the past,” he alleged.Rathnayake responded by saying that where disputes arise concerning Parliamentary procedure, the Speaker had the authority to make a determination.“If there is a disagreement regarding the conduct of business in this House, Parliament can make a determination. We therefore seek a vote. This Parliament has had many such experiences,” he said.Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa also backed the request, arguing that the issues raised had a direct bearing on the administration of justice, democratic governance, the rule of law and judicial independence.“The motion we have presented today relates to the administration of justice, the rule of law, the need to safeguard an independent Judiciary, the appointment of eight judges who remain unappointed, and proposals to extend the retirement age of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges by two years. These developments are dealing a deadly blow to the functioning of the judicial system,” he said.As tensions escalated in the Chamber, the Speaker ruled that Government business scheduled for the day would take precedence.“The business of the Government has priority today. Therefore, this request is out of order. Based on technical advice received from the Parliamentary Secretariat, I rule that the matter is procedurally irregular,” Dr&nbsp; Wickramaratne said.Several Opposition MPs attempted to raise points of order but were not given an opportunity to do so.Chief Government Whip Dr&nbsp; Nalinda Jayatissa then suggested that a vote could be taken to determine the position of the House, while Rathnayake noted that SO 146 provided the Speaker with the authority to proceed accordingly.Premadasa again pointed out that the motion had been submitted in compliance with SO 19(1) and carried the support of 20 MPs.Parliamentary proceedings were subsequently suspended for 10 minutes amid the heated exchanges.When the House reconvened, the Speaker announced that the Opposition’s motion would be referred to the next meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business for consideration and the allocation of a suitable date for discussion.

Judicial crisis parks House standoff 

The Colombo High Court (HC) yesterday (23) upheld the prison sentence imposed on General Secretary of Bodu Bala Sena, Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, by the Colombo Magistrate's Court (MC).&nbsp;Colombo HC Judge Manjula Tilakaratne delivered the verdict, dismissing an appeal filed by the Thera seeking his acquittal and release from the sentence.The Police had filed a case against Gnanasara Thera under the Penal Code, accusing him of making a statement that disrupted communal harmony by allegedly insulting Islam. Following a trial, the Colombo MC found Thera guilty of the charge and sentenced him accordingly.

Colombo HC upholds Gnanasara Thera’s sentence 

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed a 15-member Public Servants’ Salaries and Pensions Commission to examine long-standing salary and pension-related issues affecting public officers and pensioners, and to recommend reforms aimed at strengthening the public service.&nbsp;The appointment was made through an Extraordinary Gazette notification issued on Monday (22) by the President under the powers vested in him by Article 33 of the Constitution.The Commission has been tasked with providing sustainable solutions to salary and pension anomalies, taking into consideration challenges in public financial management, while recommending appropriate salary structures, allowances, incentives, and pension-related measures for public sector employees. The Commission will also examine structural reforms required within the public service, taking into account technological advancements, global trends, and the need to enhance efficiency, productivity, professionalism, and accountability among public officers.&nbsp;The appointed members of the Commission are: Thelge Asoka Peiris, Kuruppuge Khema Anne Vidurya Swarnadhipathi, Alagiyadura Premalal Abeysingha Gunasekara, Niyangama Balasooriyage Monty Ranatunge, Nadaraj Ravichandar, Dr&nbsp; Randombage Wimal Jayantha, Dr&nbsp; Gamlath Mohottige Mudith Sujeewa, Haththasinge Thilakawardhana, Piyal Jude Fernando, Ahamed Lebbe Mohamed Mukthar, Senerath Tissa Bandara Ratnayake, Abeysinghe Weerakoon Lal Chandra Weerakoon, Gajadeera Arachchi Piyal Pathmanatha, Jayaweera Pathirana, and Koswinnage Sarath Lal Perera. Peiris has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Commission, while D.M.C. Nalaka Dissanayake has been appointed as its Secretary.&nbsp;According to the Gazette notification, the Commission will submit recommendations on: Developing sustainable salary and pension policies for public officers and pensioners; Proposing structural reforms for the public service in line with the Supreme Court judgement dated 25 February, related to the Fundamental Rights Petition Number SC/FR 23/2014, and the relevant Cabinet of Ministers decision; Identifying future requirements arising from technological developments and international trends; and Establishing a technologically empowered, citizen-centred, ethical, and accountable public service.The Commission has been directed to complete its assigned tasks within one year and submit reports to the President periodically.The Gazette further states that all public officers and relevant institutions are required to provide necessary information and assistance requested by the Commission. The directive explicitly instructs the Commission to report any instances where State officials or institutional employees delay or fail to fulfill their requested duties during this period.

Public salary review commission appointed 

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to remove legal provisions requiring the use of indelible ink during elections and referendums.&nbsp;The Government noted that voters are already required to verify their identity using valid identification documents before casting their ballots. As both identity verification and indelible ink serve the purpose of preventing multiple voting, maintaining both mechanisms is considered unnecessary.&nbsp;Accordingly, the Cabinet has approved amendments to several Election-related laws to remove provisions relating to the use of indelible ink at Presidential, Parliamentary, Provincial Council and Local Government Elections, as well as referendums.

No more indelible ink at polls 

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal to publish the Animal Welfare Bill in the Government Gazette and to subsequently submit it to Parliament for approval.&nbsp;The Bill was initially prepared to strengthen legal provisions relating to animal welfare. Following a Cabinet decision taken on 29 December of last year, the Secretary to the Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Ministry appointed a special expert committee to review the draft Bill and provide recommendations.&nbsp;Based on the recommendations submitted by this committee, the Legal Draftsman was instructed at the Cabinet meeting held on 18 May to prepare the final draft of the Bill. Accordingly, the Legal Draftsman has completed the preparation of the Bill, and it has also received clearance from the Attorney General.&nbsp;

Animal Welfare Bill to be gazetted

Liberty Publishers Private Limited, the publisher and printer of Aruna, The Morning, and Thamilan newspapers, won two Print Excellence Awards in the Newspapers and Supplements Printing categories at the Sri Lanka Association of Printers Awards Night, held at Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams in Colombo on 20 June.&nbsp;

Liberty Publishers wins big at Printers Awards 

<ul><li>Spl Police unit to also be established&nbsp;</li></ul>The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to establish a special committee to protect lands in the Eastern Province amid growing concerns over illegal land acquisitions, unauthorised land reclamation and unlawful coastal constructions.The Government noted that such activities, allegedly carried out through the misuse of political influence and power, have created significant social, economic and administrative challenges in the Province. The authorities have also raised concerns over the impact on coastal ecosystems, environmental degradation, obstacles to development activities and potential threats to national security.Accordingly, the Cabinet has approved the appointment of a committee chaired by the former Southern Province Land Commissioner and current Southern Province Local Government Commissioner Senaka Palliyaguruge, with the participation of representatives from the relevant institutions. Cabinet also approved the establishment of a special Police unit under a Deputy Inspector General of Police to prevent illegal land acquisitions and reclamation activities. In addition, approval was granted to reclaim lands allocated by the Mahaweli Authority for commercial purposes where no development work has commenced within five years, and to transfer such lands to Divisional Secretaries for local development projects. Cabinet also endorsed the preparation of an accelerated programme to promote tourism along the Eastern coastline while protecting coastal ecosystems, as well as a mechanism to ensure the transparent enforcement of laws relating to hotels operating in the area.

Spl committee to protect Eastern lands

A warning has been issued regarding a sophisticated financial scam being circulated via WhatsApp, in which fraudsters impersonate the Department for the Registration of Persons, the Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) has stated. The scam messages are crafted in a highly official and convincing manner, creating a significant risk that individuals may easily fall victim. The fraudulent messages reportedly mimic official communication from the Department, using its name, contact details and references to directives allegedly issued by the Commissioner General. The messages are sent via WhatsApp and appear to be legitimate Government notices. The message claims that, under the Registration of Persons Act, recipients are required to visit the Department for updating and verifying their National Identity Card (NIC) information. It also includes the recipient’s full name, NIC number, and address, adding to its credibility. Additionally, the message provides specific appointment details, including the date, time and location, as well as instructions on documents to bring and biometric verification requirements, such as a right thumb impression. The failure to attend the verification may result in the temporary suspension of services linked to the NIC. It also instructs recipients to contact a helpline at least 24 hours in advance if they wish to reschedule.&nbsp;Recipients often receive these messages shortly before the alleged appointment time, creating urgency and fear. As a result, victims may contact the provided numbers, where fraudsters attempt to obtain sensitive information, including one-time passwords (OTPs) and banking credentials, ultimately leading to financial losses. The Department does not conduct any identity verification or official communication through WhatsApp. The general public is advised to avoid engaging with such messages, clicking on suspicious links, or calling unverified numbers. Individuals are also urged not to share OTPs or confidential banking information with any third party under any circumstances.

WhatsApp financial scam: Fraudsters impersonate the Dept of Registration of Persons 

<ul><li>Garage owners to also come under scrutiny&nbsp;</li></ul> The Police warned that they will launch special operations during the Poson festival period to take action against motorcycles with illegal modifications, particularly those fitted with excessively loud silencers, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Traffic Control and Road Safety) W P J Senadheera said.Addressing the media, Senadheera said yesterday (23) that the Police had observed during the recent ‘Vesak’ festival period that large groups of young people were riding motorcycles on roads causing inconvenience to the public while travelling to view lanterns and pandols. “Some groups created a significant public disturbance. Police officers have been informed to carry out special operations, especially against motorcycles with loud silencers,” Senadheera said. He said that motorcycles found with such modifications would be taken into Police custody through traffic officers, while legal action would be taken against the riders under the Motor Traffic Act. Senadheera also advised young people to restore their motorcycles to their proper condition if illegal modifications had been carried out.He further warned that investigations would also be conducted against garage owners and other individuals involved in carrying out such vehicle modifications, and legal action would be taken where necessary.

Judicial crisis parks House standoff

Colombo HC upholds Gnanasara Thera’s sentence

Colombo HC upholds Gnanasara T ...

Public salary review commission appointed

Public salary review commissio ...

No more indelible ink at polls

No more indelible ink at polls ...

Animal Welfare Bill to be gazetted

Animal Welfare Bill to be gaze ...

Liberty Publishers wins big at Printers Awards

Liberty Publishers wins big at ...

Spl committee to protect Eastern lands

Spl committee to protect Easte ...

WhatsApp financial scam: Fraudsters impersonate the Dept of Registrati ...

WhatsApp financial scam: Fraud ...

Poson festival: Police to crackdown on modified mobikes

Poson festival: Police to crac ...

Colombo HC upholds Gnanasara Thera’s sentence

Colombo HC upholds Gnanasara T ...

Public salary review commission appointed

Public salary review commissio ...

No more indelible ink at polls

No more indelible ink at polls ...

Animal Welfare Bill to be gazetted

Animal Welfare Bill to be gaze ...

Liberty Publishers wins big at Printers Awards

Liberty Publishers wins big at ...

Spl committee to protect Eastern lands

Spl committee to protect Easte ...

WhatsApp financial scam: Fraudsters impersonate the Dept of Registrati ...

WhatsApp financial scam: Fraud ...

Poson festival: Police to crackdown on modified mobikes

Poson festival: Police to crac ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Colombo HC upholds Gnanasara Thera’s sentence

Colombo HC upholds Gnanasara T ...

Public salary review commission appointed

Public salary review commissio ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

No more indelible ink at polls

No more indelible ink at polls ...

Animal Welfare Bill to be gazetted

Animal Welfare Bill to be gaze ...

Liberty Publishers wins big at Printers Awards

Liberty Publishers wins big at ...

Spl committee to protect Eastern lands

Spl committee to protect Easte ...