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UNP WP members also seek right to vote |
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2010-06-23 |
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UNP representatives of local government bodies in the Western Province yesterday requested the party’s Reforms Committee to permit them to participate in the secret ballot for the election of key officer bearers. Around 90 representatives of the local councils in the Western Province met the Reforms Committee yesterday. These members had reportedly raised concern about the deterioration of the party’s vote base in rural areas.(Read More)
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UNP will go to court |
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2010-06-22 |
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The main opposition United National Party (UNP) yesterday vowed to challenge the proposed constitutional reforms in a court of law as soon as the government revealed the proposals. UNP media spokesman and parliamentarian Gayantha Karunatilake said the government had no right to amend the Constitution by keeping the proposals under wraps with only a few people knowing what the proposals were going to be. He said those who earlier opposed the executive presidency tooth and nail were now taking a different stand.(Read More)
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Irregular transfer of principals: CTU complains to HRC |
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2010-06-22 |
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The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) yesterday made a complaint to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) regarding the irregular transfers of 140 principals of the Eastern province. According to the CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin, the transfers of principals from the Kantale, Mahaoya, Ampara and Dehiattakandiya areas have not been made according to proper procedure and pointed out that every step in the transfer process was irregular. “We have learnt that two transfer lists were made prior to this list. After making numerous amendments the Provincial Ministry continued with the third transfer. He said that they were informed by the Provincial Education Secretary that they carried out transfers that were recommended by zonal directors. “But we were informed by the zonal directors that they did not intervene in the transfer process of the principals,” Stalin further said.(Read More)
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No vote for the IDPs in camps Again ! Thousands of IDPs haven’t received applications |
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2010-06-22 |
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The registration of the IDPs who were resettled in Mullativu and Kilinochchi and the amendments to the electoral registry are not been properly carried out claimed Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE.) Although the revision of the electoral registry commenced over three weeks ago those who reside in IDP camps and many who have been recently resettled in Mullativu and Kilinochchi areas have not received the preliminary survey forms. CaFFE has identified Mallavi, Mullativu, Paranthan, Weralabadapaththu, Madu, Vavuniya North and Manthei West Divisional Secretariats as areas that are thus neglected by the officials. It is unlikely that those who still live in the IDP camps will be resettled before the deadline for the electoral registration expires. Therefore the Department of Elections is obligated to visit the IDP camps and conduct the necessary activities. This step is vital since this is the only chance to ensure their right to vote. (Read More) |
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Victory Day parade Sajith says only LTTE sympathizers will question his right to accept invitation |
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2010-06-21 |
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UNP MP Sajith Premadasa, who is now embroiled in a leadership tussle with UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, says the country should celebrate the armed forces' victory over LTTE terrorism. Premadasa along with UNP MPs John Amaratunga and Gayantha Karunatilleke and SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem accepted an invitation from the Defence Ministry to attend the V-Day celebrations last Friday at Galle Face. Responding to a query by The Island, he said that the UNP would never ask him for an explanation, though LTTE activists both here and abroad may target him. MP Premadasa said no right thinking Sri Lankan could ignore the importance of eradicating the LTTE. He emphasised that nothing could be as stupid as making a political issue out of a military parade due to a squabble over the detention of General Sarath Fonseka MP. (Read More) |
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UNP PC members too push for 13th A, party reforms |
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2010-06-21 |
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The UNP will shortly launch a campaign to pressure the government to fully implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. Opposition Leader of the North Central provincial Council Kasthuri Anradhanayake told The Island that Opposition Leaders of all Provincial Councils would meet next Wednesday (June 24) in Kandy to force the government to implement the 13th Amendment without further delay. He said UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe would reside over the meeting. (Read More) |
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Left to oppose Council |
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2010-06-21 |
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The left parties in the ruling coalition are planning to propose to President Mahinda Rajapaksa that the members of the independent commissions should be appointed through a mechanism comprising the Prime Minister, the Opposition Leader and the Speaker, instead of the Constitutional Council. The three left parties, the Democratic Left Front (DLF), the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) and the Communist Party, earlier informed the President in writing that they would oppose any constitutional reform that seek to extend the terms of the executive presidency. Instead, they proposed in writing that the post of executive Prime minister who is answerable to Parliament should be created. (Read More)
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Can’t stop MP Fonseka - DNA |
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2010-06-20 |
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The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) plans to inform the Commonwealth Parliamentary Union (CPU) Secretary General about the government’s attempts to prevent General Sarath Fonseka from attending the CPU conference to be held in Kenya.
He added that the government has no right to prevent Fonseka from travelling to Nairobi since the Speaker has given the greenlight.
“The Speaker gave permission and parliament is the supreme institution. If the government tries to breach Fonseka’s parliamentary privileges, we will have to inform the CPU president and the secretary general. This will be discussed during the conference and it will show the status of democracy in Sri Lanka,” DNA General Secretary Vijitha Herath told LAKBIMAnEWS. (Read More)
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UNP reforms: Committee to meet LC members |
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2010-06-19 |
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The United National Party (UNP) Reforms Committee will hold talks next week with the party’s local council representatives to seek their views on the proposed reforms to be introduced to the UNP. The Reforms Committee led by senior UNPer Joseph Michael Perera submitted a report on the proposals for party reforms and this was approved by the UNP working committee. Subsequently the Reforms Committee decided to discuss the proposals with members of the local councils and incorporate their suggestions too and this is being done as the final stage in this process. “After this is done yet another report will be prepared and submitted to the Working Committee for its approval,” a member of the Reforms Committee said on condition of anonymity.(Read More) |
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UNP calls for applications to contest local government elections Polls announcement expected soon – Tissa Attanayake |
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2010-06-19 |
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The United National Party yesterday called for applications from its members who wish to contest the local government polls. General Secretary of the UNP, Tissa Attanayake, told "The Island" that the four year term of local bodies has already been extended by 12 months and they expect the government to announce elections shortly.
The UNP, he said, wants to be prepared for any eventuality and that was the reason for applications being called even before the polls date was set. "The selection of candidates for 340 local councils is bound to take time. So UNP members are advised to apply early." (Read More)
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