UNP-JHU ready to discuss draft constitution

 UNP-JHU ready to discuss draft constitution 

13th Amendment

Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) said today that it would start discussions with the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) tomorrow regarding the 13th Amendment to the constitution and the national constitution proposed by the UNP.
UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said that the JHU had requested for the meeting with the UNP and the UNP had accepted the invitation. 

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said the UNP would discuss the draft constitution with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), government political parties as well as the Mahanayaka theros.

Sri Lanka government to submit a proposal to amend powers of Provincial Councils

 Amend powers of Provincial Councils

Powers of the Provincial Councils

The Sri Lankan government plan to submit a proposal to the cabinet this week regarding the amendment of several powers of the Provincial Councils, government news sources said.

The amendment will withdraw the provisions that enable the Provincial Councils to merge.

It will also withdraw the provisions that the nationally important bills needed to be passed in all Provincial Councils. Instead, the amendments will be brought so that such a bill will be sufficient to be passed in majority of Provincial Councils.

However, the proposals of certain government coalition parties to take back the land and police powers of the Provincial Councils have not been included in the government's proposals, government news sources said.

Sources further said that the government has planned to appeal for a definition of the land powers from the Provincial Councils.

UNP Parliamentarian Dr. Jayalath Jayawardhana passed away

UNP Parliamentarian Dr Jayalath Jayawardhana
passed away

UNP Parliamentarian Dr. Jayalath Jayawardhana

UNP Gampaha District Parliamentarian Dr. Jayalath Jayawardhana passed away in Singapore hospital. the parliamentarian passed away while he was receiving treatment at a hospital in Singapore.

Dr. Jayalath Jayawardana was born in 1953 and obtained his MBBS Medical Degree from the Medical Faculty of the University of Colombo.  He has also obtained several Postgraduate degrees from the USA, Russia, etc.,  He has been the Personal Medical Doctor to the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa and to his family.

Elected to parliament in 1994 representing the United National Party, Jayawardena was known for his strong loyalty to the UNP.

He once held the cabinet portfolio of Minister of  Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Refugees during the UNP regime which came to power in early 2000’s.

Jayawardena who was 59 years of age at the time of his demise was a medical doctor.

Massive protest on the 21st against the electricity tariff hike

Massive protest on the 21st against the electricity tariff hike

Protest against Government urging to withdraw power tariffs

Trade unions, opposition parties and civil society organizations are to hold a massive protest on the 21st against the electricity tariff hike and the performance of the government.

The Coordinating Committee for a Joint Trade Union Alliance of Sri Lanka that has called for the nationwide strike on the 21st says it would be a protest against the increase in electricity tariffs as well as the government's current performance.

The Committee will canvass for the support of the agriculture, fisheries and other sectors and also the civil society and continue to broaden its platform with the support of other organizations to further strengthen the agitation campaign against the increase tariffs.

Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS), a trade union affiliated with Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP), has also decided to fully support and participate in the nationwide strike next week.

NPC polls in first week of September 2013

NPC polls in first week of September 2013

Wayamba and Central PCs later

Polls for Central and Wayamba provincial councils are likely to be postponed.the government is planning to hold the Northern Provincial Council elections in early September and to conduct the polls for the Central and Wayamba Provincial councils later in the same month,news source said.
The official announcement by President Mahinda Rajapaksa regarding the holding of Northern Provincial Council elections is expected to be sent to the Elections Commissioner by the end of next month.

BBS challenges Sri Lankan Minister over claim of Norwegian funds

BBS challenges Sri Lankan Minister
 over claim of Norwegian funds

BBS accuse Minister Wimal Weerawansa 

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) challenged the Construction, Engineering Services and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa to prove his accusation that it has raised funds from Norway or any international non governmental organization (INGO) or other western countries.


"If anyone could prove that our organization had taken money from America or Norway we will obtain pardon from the people and dissolve the Bodu Bala Sena within just two hours," the general secretary of BBS Ven. Galabodaaththe Gnanasara Thero stressed.

Minister Wimal Weerawansa accused that the BBS has benefited from the funds donated by Norway for educational purposes.

UNP drafts a new constitution for Sri Lanka

UNP drafts a new constitution for Sri Lanka

New constitution for the country

Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) has taken measures to draft a new constitution for the country to address the current issues and decided to appoint a committee to draft the constitution. Parliamentarian and former Bar association President Wijedasa Rajapaksa is slated to be appointed as the Chairman of the committee,party sources said.

UNP general secretary Tissa Attanayake said the committee would meet for the first time on May 29 to start the drafting of the constitution.
He said that all ethnic communities would be consulted and views of other parties would also be taken in to account when drafting the new constitution.
The party expects to present the draft constitution at the future elections to seek a mandate to enact it, UNP sources said.

Northern Provincial Council elections in September 2013

Northern Provincial Council elections in September 2013

first time the provincial council elections in NPC

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the election for the Northern Provincial Council would be held in September this year 2013.

After establishing provincial councils in 1987,It would be the first time the provincial council elections to be held in the Northern Province since the provincial councils came into existence under the 13th amendment to the Constitution brought on by the Indo Lanka Agreement in 1987.

News source said that Former media spokesman of the Tamil Tigers, Velayutham Dayanidhi alias ‘Daya Master’ is likely to contest the upcoming elections for the Northern Provincial Council.

Ranil Wickremesinghe request to the President Mahinda Rajapaksa

Ranil Wickremesinghe request to
the President Mahinda Rajapaksa

Implement LLRC recommendations

The United National Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has requested President Mahinda Rajapaksa to implement the proposals presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2009. According to  Ranil Wickremesinghe's proposal, the working committee appointed in this regard should comprise of 25 government members as well as opposition party members. 

Addressing a gathering held    addressing a press briefing at the Tamil National Alliance's office in Kilinochchi Ranil Wickremesinghe made the following observations in this regard.

"Vipakshaye Virodhaya" today

"Vipakshaye Virodhaya" today

Main UNP and other opposition parties to sign agreement

The memorandum of understanding between the United National Party(UNP) and several other opposition parties which are in the process of joining together is to be signed today(11th of February)at the New Town Hall.
The parties that have agreed to sign the agreement are as follows:

• UNP under the leadership of Ranil Wickremesinghe.
• Tamil National alliance led by R Sambandan
• Nava sama samaja party under the leadership of Dr. Wickremabahu Karunaratne
• Democratic national Front led by Mano Ganeshan
• United socialist party led by Siritunge Jayasooriya
• Nava Sihala urumaya led by Sarath Manamendraarachchi
• Ruhunu Janatha party led by Aruna Soysa
• Mawbima Janatha Front led by Hemakumara Nanayakkara
• Muslim Tamil national alliance led by Azad Sally
• United national front led by Sirimasiri Hapuarachchi

The JVP and the Democratic National Alliance, led by General Sarath Fonseka, have been left out of the new front.
"We have been working with the JVP on several occasions and we will be talking to them and the DNA at a later date," UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said.
"The common front will conduct a series of meetings on a countrywide basis to keep the masses informed of the shortcomings of the government and we are confident that a considerable opposition against the government would be built by the end of 2013," Tissa Attanayake remarked.

UNP challenges Govt. to hold referendum

UNP challenges Govt. to hold referendum

UNP party achieved a 60% target...

Sri Lanka main opposition, United National Party(UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe challenged the government to hold a referendum if possible to obtain public views whether the Rajapaksa regime should continue.opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe made this observation today while addressing the maiden ceremony of the Galle District UNP propaganda members’ ceremony.
The opposition leader alleged the government’s latest attempt was to hold a referendum to extend the term of the parliament. He asked the party activists to go to the villages and tell the masses to vote for the pot if they want the country and the nation to survive, or else to vote for the lamp if they wanted to see them destroyed.
Meanwhile General Secretary of the UNP MP Thissa Aththanayeke noted that the party had achieved a 60% target at present with regard to the enrolment of party propaganda members.

Sri Lanka Cabinet reshuffled

Sri Lanka Cabinet reshuffled

10 ministers, 6 deputy ministers take oaths 

Ten new Ministers, two project Ministers and six Deputy Ministers have sworn in before the President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Following are the Ministers together with assigned ministries

Ministers

• Anura Priyadarhsana Yapa- Petroleum
• Susil Premajayantha – environment
• Pavithra Wanniarachchi- power and energy
• Champika Ranawaka – technology and research
• Lakshman Senevirathne- Sugar Industries
• Lakshman Yapa- investment promotion
• Jayarathne Herath – Botanical gardens and public enterprises
• Duminda Dissanayake – Educational Services
• Bashir Segu Dawood- Productivity promotion
• Wijith Vijayamuni De Zoysa- Wildlife conservation

Project Ministers

• Rohitha Abeygunawardena-  Ports and Highways
• Nirmala Kothelawala- Ports and Highways

Sri Lanka Cabinet reshuffle today

Sri Lanka Cabinet reshuffle today

Sri Lanka new cabinet

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa will reshuffle his cabinet today, the swearing-in ceremony will be held at Temple Trees at 11 a.m.Presidential Spokesman Mohan Samaranayaka said.

Eight cabinet portfolios are expected to be changed at the reshuffle, and they will be in Power and Energy, Petroleum, Education, Environment, Sports, State Administration, Labor, Technology and Research portfolios.

A new prime minister is also expected to be named as a result of the poor health of current Sri Lankan Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne.

The current cabinet of President Rajapaksa consists of 9 senior ministers, 49 cabinet ministers and 31 deputy ministers.

UNP Working Committee appoints Assistant Leader and National Organizer

UNP Working Committee appoints Assistant Leader
 and National Organizer

UNP Deputy Leader appointment postponed

Sri Lanka’s main opposition, the United National Party (UNP)  Working Committee  re-appointed UNP veteran Gampaha district parliamentarian Joseph Michael Perera and Member of the Eastern Provincial Council Daya Gamage as Assistant Leader and National Organizer respectively while the appointment of the Deputy Leader has been postponed,as the party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has told the working committee that he needed more time to decide on the reappointing the present Deputy leader again to the same position. 

Meanwhile the UNP general secretary Tissa Attanayake was not available when he was contacted for his comments on yesterday’s working committee meeting of the UNP.

Divi Neguma draft bill passed

Divi Neguma draft bill passed

Divineguma Bill

The controversial Divineguma draft  Bill was passed  in to law with a majority in parliament with a majority of 107 votes. 160 voted in favour of the Bill while 53 voted against it.Eleven MPs abstained from voting. The UNP, JVP and TNA voted against the bill.
The government has made 10 amendments to the Bill based on the recommendations made by the Supreme Court to avert a referendum.
The Supreme Court after considering 14 petitions filed against the Bill ruled that certain clauses of the draft bill had to be approved by a two-third majority in the parliament as well as through a public referendum unless those clauses were amended. The Divineguma Bill proposes the establishment of a new department by amalgamating the Samurdhi Authority, Southern Development Authority and the Udarata Development Authority to better achieve the grassroots economic development and alleviate poverty. The new department will function under the Ministry of Economic Development.

Impeachment vote 6 p.m. on January 11th

Impeachment vote 6 p.m. on January 11th

Impeachment against the Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake

Parliament will debate the Parliamentary Select Committee report that probed the charges against Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake on January 10 and 11, and the vote will be taken after 6 p.m. on January 11th.

Minister Maithripala Sirisena said that a majority of party leaders have agreed to hold the debate on January 10 and 11.

However The main opposition United National Party (UNP) today decided to participate in the two day debate on the impeachment motion and vote against it at the end, informed sources said.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is yet to decide whether to participate in it or not whereas the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has decided to boycott it.

UNP PSC members will not appear in Court of Appeal today

UNP PSC members will not appear in Court of Appeal today

Impeachment against the Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake

Sri Lanka’s main opposition, the United National Party (UNP) members, representing the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) that probed allegations against Chief Justice, Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake last month, have decided not to appear in Court of Appeal today. The members representing the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), however, will make their representations to Court.

UNP General Secretary, Tissa Attanayake, said yesterday “We will not attend court tomorrow as it is a matter concerning parliament. Our leader will be making a special statement on this”

“This does not mean that we have changed our opposition on the impeachment ruling. We still maintain that it was an unfair trial”, Mr. Attanayake added.

The Court of Appeal issued notices to the 11 PSC members to appear in court today. 

Election for Central and Northwestern PCs in April 2013

Election for Central and Northwestern PCs in April 2013

Provincial Council elections

Sri Lanka will hold election for the Central and Northwestern Provincial Councils in April 2013, a local News reported today.The elections of these two Provincial Councils were held in April 2009 and their mandate is to end in April 2014. However, the government has decided to go for early elections.
Currently ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) has 36 seats in Central Provincial Council while opposition United National Party (UNP) holds 22 seats. In Northwestern Provincial Council, UPFA has 37 seats, UNP 14 and Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has one seat. The Eastern, North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces held elections for the respective councils in September 2012. The government has said that election for the Northern Provincial Council, which currently does not have an elected administration system, will be held by September 2013.

Main opposition of Sri Lanka (UNP) to take the fight to the streets

Kurunegala District UNP parliamentarian
Akila Viraj Kariyawasam

United National Party (UNP)

Sri Lanka main opposition, United National Party (UNP) Says, It will launch a series of anti-government agitations in January next year(2013), to express condemnation over the crisis in the Judiciary.
Addressing the media, Kurunegala District UNP parliamentarian Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said public has now lost confidence in the judiciary due to the way the government is handling the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice.

“The education system is in a mess. The health sector has become quite unstable with the doctors and nurses engaging in trade union actions. All supposedly independent commissions, such as the Police Commission and the Public Services Commission are controlled by the government. Now the Judiciary is also not independent, as we can clearly see,” he said.

Sri Lanka Budget 2013 passed

Sri Lanka Budget 2013 passed

Sri Lanka Budget 2013

The Third Reading of the Sri Lanka 2013 Budget was passed with 158 votes in favour and 57 against it in Parliament today,after the amendment brought to Budget 2013 as per the Supreme Court ruling was passed with special majority (101)under Article 84(2) of the Constitution at the Committee stage at Parliament earlier today.

Sri Lanka main opposition United National Party has voted against the Appropriation Bill.The Tamil National Alliance (TNA)  andThe Democratic National Alliance (DNA) voted against Budget 2013 at Parliament today.