The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s (SLPP) call for an inquiry into the outcome of the vote on the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill turned into a hot topic among media circles over the past couple of days.
Government lawmakers were of the view that if the vote was announced properly, the Government would have secured a two-thirds majority for the Bill. Therefore, the SLPP had requested the Speaker to conduct an inquiry with regard to the Port City Bill vote in Parliament.
Following the SLPP’s request, a decision has been taken to conduct two inquiries into the allegations that votes were not counted properly during the vote on the Colombo Port City Bill in Parliament.
One inquiry will look into whether the vote was not properly calculated due to a technical error. The assistance of experts from the Ministry of Technology will also be sought for this purpose. In addition, another inquiry is underway to determine whether there was an administrative error with regard to the counting of votes; a committee headed by a retired Secretary-General of Parliament will conduct this inquiry.
The Speaker had told the media that instructions have been issued to submit the inquiry reports expeditiously. The SLPP in an announcement issued on May 21 said that during the Second Reading of the Colombo Port City Bill, the majority voted in favour was mentioned incorrectly
Green economy
The Ministers presented a roadmap prepared to transform Sri Lanka’s economy into a green socio-economy with sustainable solutions to climate change, to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The plans were presented at a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat on May 24 with representatives of the “Presidential Task Force on Creating a Green Sri Lanka with Sustainable Solutions to Climate Change”.
The President instructed the Ministers to prepare targeted plans to overcome the challenges in the areas of use of fertiliser, land, biodiversity, waste management, industries, renewable energy, urban and environmental education.
The Ministries have prepared future plans following a comprehensive study. During the meeting, the President stressed the importance of giving priority to crops that are suitable for human consumption and for animals as well, such as jakfruit, breadfruit and fruits when increasing the forest cover and forest density in the country.
The President stressed the importance of implementing programs based on environment and biodiversity in the fields of school education and extracurricular activities. The President also instructed officials to implement tree-planting projects when launching projects of the Urban Development and Road Development Authorities while paying special attention to environmental beautification.
Vehicle imports
The Cabinet of Ministers have decided to suspend the import of even a limited number of vehicles in view of the dire economic situation in the country amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on May 24 suspended the import of even a limited number of vehicles in view of the current situation in the country. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Premier Rajapaksa via zoom technology.
The Ministers had said that the import of vehicles should be further restricted due to the financial situation of the country. Steps have been taken to suspend the previous proposal to import a limited number of vehicles as per the decision of the Cabinet.
“Attempt to silence critics”
The JVP accused the Government of using the quarantine laws to silence people who are critical of it. JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva told the media in Colombo recently that the Government should stop trying to silence dissenting voices and should create an environment favourable to discuss nationally important issues openly and transparently. He said, “It would be a mistake for the Government to think of trying to intimidate us with this type of tactics. We will definitely do what we can to protect this country. If we have to go to jail for that, we are ready to accept it happily.”
Silva said the Government passed the Port City Bill in Parliament hastily without giving adequate time to discuss it. He said, “This is a very important Bill for the country. The Government passed it in a hurry during this Covid-19 pandemic without allowing an adequate discussion and protest in society.”
New AG
Attorney General Dappula de Livera PC, who retired, called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday (May 24). The President commended Dappula de Livera for his services he has rendered to Sri Lanka and extended well wishes for his post-retirement life.
He was the 47th Attorney General of Sri Lanka. The outgoing Attorney General also called on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees on Monday (May 24). He had informed the Prime Minister that he was retiring from the post of Attorney General and noted that during his tenure he had been able to decide on a large number of cases and move forward.
He said during his tenure he dealt with several crucial cases in the country as well as to initiate and advise on a large number of other criminal cases. Prime Minister Rajapaksa commended the services of Dappula de Livera and wished him the best on his retirement and future endeavors.
President’s Counsel Sanjay Rajaratnam was sworn-in as the Attorney General in the presence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (May 26). Rajaratnam has served in the Attorney General’s Department for 34 years and served as Senior State Counsel, Deputy Solicitor General, Additional Solicitor General, Senior Additional Solicitor General and Acting Solicitor General.
Think afresh
UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said that there is a need to think afresh and formulate a new program to fight the Covid-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka. Stating that Sri Lanka needs nearly 30 million Covid-19 doses, the former Prime Minister said that not all citizens will be able to receive their vaccinations this year despite the efforts of the Government.
Therefore, priority should be given to seeking medical advice as to how to prevent the further spread of the virus.
Issuing a statement, former Prime Minister Wickremesinghe urged the Government not to sacrifice people’s lives by focusing solely on the economy. He said that there would be no shortage of vaccines in the country if the Government had invested USD 200 million to purchase vaccines last November.
Wickremesinghe, in his statement, called on the Government to close down the country if needed and provide relief to those in need. He said that the President and the Cabinet should exercise the powers vested in them by the Constitution and make necessary plans to control the spread of the disease.
He said, “Don’t sideline the Cabinet. They must take steps to ensure the health and safety of the country.” However, a Government lawmaker who responded to the UNP Leader’s statement said when they were in power, they couldn’t even control the spread of dengue. After the UNP-led Yahapalana Government came to power, over 200 people died from dengue within a few months. They couldn’t even clear the garbage in Colombo. If we also think like them, we will also have to face the similar fate faced by them. They are a group who even ruined their party and its leader, he said.
Tested positive
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and his wife have tested positive for the Covid-19. Premadasa tweeted saying his wife was admitted to hospital with symptoms of Covid-19 on May 22. “She subsequently tested positive having done a PCR test. Following health guidelines, I did a PCR as well and was informed a short while ago that I too, was positive. While my wife is being treated for her symptoms, I remain asymptomatic. We are both being treated at hospital,” Premadasa tweeted.
He said that leading the Opposition in ensuring the safety of the people during these extremely difficult times, remains his priority. Premadasa said that he will continue to do his part in this united effort. He also urged the public to remain safe, and follow all the health guidelines and strictures as Sri Lanka fights this wave together, as a nation.
Two days later, SJB Parliamentarian Nalin Bandara posting a message on his official Facebook page confirmed that he and his wife had tested positive for Covid-19. The MP requested those who came in contact with him recently to be vigilant and to self-isolate.
Parliament had requested the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs who had close contact with Opposition Leader Premadasa to self-isolate. Premadasa tested positive for Covid-19 on May 23. Fifteen Parliamentarians and ten staff members of the Opposition Leader’s office have been identified through CCTV footage as close contacts of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. The officials of the Opposition Leader’s office had been informed to trace those who had attended several meetings at the office.
China always stood by Sri Lanka
Minister Wimal Weerawansa said that China always stood by the Sri Lankan Government. Addressing Parliament during the recent debate on the Port City Bill, Weerawansa slammed the Opposition for always creating a fear psychosis on China’s presence in Sri Lanka. He said, “Not only China, but companies in the US, India or any other country will also be attracted to the Colombo Port City.”
Sri Lanka’s economy will heal when the Port City thrives, he said adding the Colombo Port City is a part of sovereign Sri Lanka and it will not threaten the country’s sovereignty. The Minister said there will be no Local Government body and no Local Government Elections in Colombo Port City as it is a financial city with local and international residents.
Votes in favour of the Bill
Accusations have been levelled against Opposition Parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera for voting in favour of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill. However, Ven. Rathana Thera has clarified as to why he voted for the Bill along with the Government lawmakers. He said of the 12 amendments proposed by Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara, a constituent party leader of the Government, the President and Prime Minister have accepted 11 amendments. Therefore, Ven. Rathana Thera had also decided to vote for the Bill.
Ven. Rathana Thera said after Minister Nanayakkara moved those amendments, a lot of shortcomings in the Port City Bill were rectified. Ven. Thera said if SJB Parliamentarian Dr. Harsha de Silva asked for a division for some of the amendments moved by the SJB, he didn’t vote against them and followed a neutral policy. Ven. Rathana Thera has been nominated as the National List MP of the Ape Jana Bala Party and at present he has extended his support to the Government.