Archives for August 18, 2018

The additional Rs. 200,000 paid to government Parliamentarians is a bribe given to keep them from crossing over says the Chief Opposition Whip JVP Leader Anura Dissanayaka.
Mr Dissanayaka further says the move to pay such money is a violation of the state financial discipline and he would question it in Parliament. He said his party hopes to ask in Parliament how the funds were allocated for the payments and whether it is not a bribe to keep the MPs within the government.
The JVP Leader said the salary and other privileges given to a Parliamentarian have been determined and the tradition of serving oneself should be abolished.

Imran Khan, former Pakistan Cricket captain-turned-politician and the leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was sworn in as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan today (18th) in presence of several leaders and cricketers. The oath-taking ceremony was administered by President Mamnoon Hussain at the President House in Islamabad.
Imran Khan’s party won the most number of seats in July’s elections – setting up Imran Khan to become PM with the help of small parties, more than two decades after he first entered politics.
At the election held on 25th July Imran Khan won only 116 seats 342-member lower house of Parliament. However, on Friday 176 National Assembly members voted in favour of Imran Khan, while his opponent, Shahbaz received 96 votes making the way clear for Imran Khan to become the new PM.
Notable guests present at the swearing-in ceremony included senior PTI leaders, former Indian cricket star Navjot Singh Sidhu, cricketer-turned-commentator Rameez Raja, legendary paceman Wasim Akram, newly elected Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, singers Salman Ahmed and Abrarul Haq, actor Javaid Sheikh and former National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza.

Preparations are being made to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Anti-imperialist struggle of Uva-Wellassa together with the assassination of Keppetipola Maha Adhikaram, who gave the leadership to the struggle, says the convener of the Front for the Protection of People’s Rights of Uva –Wellassa Samanatha Vidyaratna. He said a solemn ceremony has been arranged for the commemoration on 26th November 2018.
He said arrangements have been made to get a commandment from Maha Sangha and signing of a petition headed by Maha Sangha to protest against handing over 62500 acres from Uva-Wellassa for sugarcane plantation that would disrupt the lives of the people in the area. Mr Vidyratna said a massive rally too has been arranged against the move by the government to hand over the land for sugarcane cultivation. He said his organization has requested a discussion with the President before carrying out the protest programme.
The press conference held at Bodhrukkaramaya at Bibile on the 15th was also attended by the Deputy Registrar of Monaragala District Shanarakshaka Balamandalaya, Registrar of Bibile Shanarakshaka Balamandalaya, Patron of Front for the Protection of People’s Rights of Uva –Wellassa Ven. Dodangolle Soratha Thero, the President of Front for the Protection of People’s Rights of Uva –Wellassa Attorney at Law Sarath Kumara and the Members of the Executive Committee of the Front for the Protection of People’s Rights of Uva –Wellassa.

 

Naminda Anurapriya, Member of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council elected from Parliamentarian Vasudeva Nanayakkara’s party, together with 14 others have been arrested while illegally mining for gems in Angamedilla National forest reserve.
It has been revealed that the group had been mining in the nature reserve with the assistance of Wildlife officials.
The equipment for mining had been transported to the site in PC Member Naminda Anurapriya’s vehicle. The PC Member, two Wildlife officials and 12 others in the group were arrested by Polonnaruwa Police and were taken before Polonnaruwa Magistrates Court.
The raid was carried out on information received by the Wildlife deputy minister Palitha Thewarapperuma.