A: In the current political situation, when it comes to party politics, the government is of course in a very strong position with its two thirds majority in parliament. Of course there are differences of opinion within the ruling party. That is how democracy works. But still in the government we are all united, compared to the opposition which is weak and not effective.
Q: The government came to power promising constitutional reforms. There were reports that the reforming process had commenced months back under your leadership. Would you like to comment on the current statusd of that process?
A:
by Suresh Perera
A shortage of automobile tyres in the market is driving motorists round the bend amidst complaints that dealers still holding stocks have inflated prices in the backdrop of existing import restrictions.
The worst affected are owners of small cars, many of whom derive an income by operating passenger taxi and affiliated services.
“We have no option but to ground our vehicles and be deprived of earnings to care for our families”, some passenger taxi services operators complained.
There is also the risk of facing legal action as the traffic police are now examining tyres of passenger vehicles on the roads following the bus accident at Passara, they noted.
SC issues Interim Order preventing Royal Park murder convict leaving country Daily News (via HT Media Ltd.)
The Supreme Court yesterday extended its interim order until June 10 directing the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration to prevent Park murder convict Don Shamantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha from leaving the country using all airports.
Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, L.T.B. Dehideniya and Preethi Padman Surasena made this order pursuant to a request made by President s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena who appeared for the petitioner.
Jayawardena submitted to court that the respondent Jude Anthony Jayamaha who left the country soon after the presidential pardon is granted has returned to the country. The petition was fixed for June 10.
By Ifham Nizam The Cabinet has endorsed a proposal by Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage to dissolve the Colombo Commercial Fertilizer Company and establish an Organic Fertilizer Authority. Minister Aluthgamage said his goal was to 70% of fertilisers used in the country would be organic. Aluthgamage said that only one per cent of the country’s fertiliser […]
By Saman Indrajith
Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella yesterday requested Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to permit MP Ranjan Ramanayake, sentenced by the Supreme Court to four years rigorous imprisonment for contempt of court, to attend Parliament sittings.
The Chief Opposition Whip made that request at yesterday’s party leaders meeting held at the Parliamentary complex with Speaker Abeywardena presiding.
MP Kiriella pointed out that MP Ramanayake would not lose his seat until the latter had served six months in jail and till then he was entitled to attend parliament.
Kiriella told
The Island: “I pointed out that SLPP MP Premalal Jayasekera who is on death row was permitted to attend parliament sessions after he filed an appeal against his death sentence. The Court of Appeal in its ruling held that it was the prerogative of the Speaker of Parliament to decide whether MP Jayasekera be permitted to attend parliament or not and accordingly the