A special discussion between the JVP and the TNA regarding abolishing the executive presidency and also regarding the 20th amendment to the Constitution the JVP has presented in Parliament was held at the JVP head office at Pelawatta today (11th).
The TNA was represented by Messrs. R. Sampanthan, M.A. Sumanthiran, Selvam Adaikalanathan and D. Siddharthan while the JVP was represented by its Leader Anura Dissanayaka, General Secretary Tilvin Silva and the Member of the Political Bureau K.D. Lal Kantha.

The discussion between the JVP and TNA regarding the draft of the 20th amendment to the Constitution the JVP has presented in parliament in a bid to abolish executive presidential system will take place at the JVP head office at Pelawatta tomorrow (11th) say reports.
The Leader of the JVP will lead the delegation from the JVP for the discussion while several leaders of the TNA are expected to represent that party.
Earlier, the JVP had a discussion with the delegation led by the Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa at the office of the Leader of the Opposition regarding the 20th amendment.

The preliminary set of policies named as ‘Let’s Build Sri Lanka’ formulated by the National Intellectuals Organization (NIO) with views and suggestions from the public to turn the country towards an auspicious direction would be presented to the people at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium tomorrow (19th) in a bid to get more views, reviews and suggestions from the public.
This was stated by the President of NIO Prof. Chandana Abeyrathne, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences in the University of Kelaniya at the press conference convened at Pita Kotte yesterday (17th) to announce the event.
He said despite the country is said to have received independence 71 years ago, Sri Lanka has become a country that depends on loans instead of establishing a production economy. He said as crises have developed in all sectors including the economy, education, health, transport, Fine arts and culture as well as sports, living has become a tribulation for the people. He said the present situation is the result of handing over the administration of the country to crafty politicians and now it is high time that intellectuals, scholars and professionals as well as artists and authors who have been silent and inactive all this time come forward to direct the country towards a correct path.
Speaking further Prof. Chandana Abeyrathne said, “The NIO appointed 10 committees consisting of doctors, engineers, professors, artists and scholars to formulate preliminary policies that could turn the country towards a new direction. On the 19th we present it to the people to get the people to have a broad dialogue so that more views and suggestions could be got from the people.”
Former Ministry Secretary E.A.P. Gunasekera, Attorney at Law Harshana Nanayakkara, Senior Lecturer Dr Harini Amarasuriya, Dr Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Award-winning Author Keerthi Welisarage, Senior Lecturer Vijith Rohana Fernando also addressed the media.

The motion to bar all cabinet ministers, state ministers, deputy ministers and their personal staff from using state funds was passed in Parliament today with 122 voting in favour for it and no one voting against it. 102 MOs did not attend Parliamentary session today (30th).
As the motion was passed with a majority, the notice of barring expenditure for Ministers, State Ministers, Deputy Ministers and their personal staff would be sent to the relevant ministries through the Speaker.
With the adoption of the motion it was again confirmed that the illegal government of Mahinda Rajapaksa doesn’t have a majority in Parliament.

The ‘Brotherhood Day’ organized every year by the Socialist Youth Union (SYU), the youth wing of the JVP will be celebrated today (23rd) with several events.
A progamme named ‘One country and a human wall’ organized in a bid to develop unity among communities was held throughout the months of June and July as a part of the overall programme leading to ‘Brotherhood Day’.
Among the programmes that had been carried out were developing national unity in 100 selected villages in the country, assembling intellectuals, teachers and professionals who are willing to represent national unity to one center, involving them to take the message of national unity to schools and their places of work, carrying out religious programmes in temples and other religious places to develop solidarity among religious groups were worked out.
Today, motorcycle tours commencing from Chilaw, Ratnapura, Kandy and Galle at 9.00 a.m. will converge at Ananda Samarakone Outdoor Stadium at Nugegoda where a cultural show and a rally will be held starting at 3.30 p.m.
The Leaders of the SYU, representatives of various organizations and leaders of political parties are expected to address the rally.

He would not vote for the no-confidence motion against Mr. Ravi Karunanayaka filed by a group of MPs of the joint opposition says retired president Kurunegala district parliamentarian Mahinda Rajapaksa.
He said this speaking to the media at Beruwala.
The no-confidence motion filed against current Minister of foreign affairs Ravi Karunanayaka, who was the Minister of finance when the bond scam was committed has been signed by a group of Parliaments in the joint opposition including Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Wimal Weerawansa, Rohitha Abeygunawardene and Kumara Welgama.
Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa had earlier stated that Ravi Karunanayaka was only an individual and bringing in a no-confidence motion against him would not be fruitful.

Three children who were at the boutique of their father were injured when a motor cycle gang shot at officials attached to the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) killing a police Constable and injuring others yesterday at Piliyandala. One of the children who was injured succumbed to the injuries today (10th) morning.
Two other children and the Inspector of Police injured in the incident are being treated at Kalubowila Hospital.

The 19^th National Convention of the Lanka Teacher Services Union (LTSU) was held at Youth Center at Maharagama yesterday (21^st) with the participation of a large number of teachers.

The keynote address of the Convention, held with the leadership of the General Secretary of the LTSU Mahinda Jayasinghe, was delivered by the Leader of the JVP Anura Dissanayaka. The President of National Trade Union Center (NTUC) K.D. Lal Kantha also addressed the Convention.

A team of new office bearers for the LTSU was elected and a set of resolutions needed to solve the serious issues confronted by the education sector was adopted.