DOCSLIB.ORG

National Forum on Parliamentary Best Practices on 16Th February 2012 at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
National Forum on Parliamentary Best Practices on 16Th February 2012 at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka NATIONAL FORUM ON PARLIAMENTARY BEST PRACTICES 2012 Organized by Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) & South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) 16 February 2012 Colombo SRI LANKA Contents page Agenda 2 1.0 Introduction 3 2.0 Welcome address 4 - Dr. Wijaya Jayatilaka, Executive Director, TISL 3.0 ‘Parliament Watch’ – A short introduction 5 - Shiranthi Jayatilaka, Executive Director, SAHR 4.0 PARLIAMENT WATCH: Recommendations for South Asian Regional 6 Legislative best practices, South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) - Buveendra Illangage, Regional Coordinator, SAHR 5.0 Relevance of ‘Parliament Watch’ 10 - Mr. Manik de Silva, former President of the Editors’ Guild & Editor-in- chief - Sunday Island 6.0 ‘Parliament Watch Sri Lanka’ – Findings & Recommendations 10 - Dilrukshi Handunnetti, Senior Manager, Transparency International Sri Lanka 7.0 Address by Hon. D E W Gunasekera 13 - Senior Minister of Human Resources & Chairman – Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) 8.0 Address by Hon. Rauf Hakeem 15 - Minister of Justice; Chairman – Public Accounts Committee (PAC) 9.0 Panel Discussions 16 PANEL I - Citizens’ role in enhancing public access to Parliament 16 PANEL II - MP’s role in making Parliament more responsive to Human 20 Rights (HR) PANEL III - The role of Civil Society & Media in promoting 23 transparency of Parliament 10.0 Vote of thanks 26 1 Agenda PLENARY SESSION Welcome address - Dr. Wijaya Jayatilaka, Executive Director, TISL Audio-visual presentation ‘Parliament Watch’ – a short introduction - Shiranthi Jayatilaka, Executive Director, SAHR Parliament Best Practices in the Region - Buveendra Illangage, Regional Coordinator, SAHR Relevance of ‘Parliament Watch’ - Manik de Silva, Former President, Editors’ Guild ‘Parliament Watch Sri Lanka’ – Findings & Recommendations - Dilrukshi Handunnetti, Senior Manager, TISL Presentation of ‘Transparency in Parliament’ – SAHR publication Launch of ‘Our Parliament’ website Address : Hon. D E W Gunasekera, Minister of Human Resources & Chairman – Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Address : Hon. Rauf Hakeem, Minister of Justice & Chairman – Public Accounts Committee (PAC) 10.30 – 10.45 a.m. Tea PANEL DISCUSSIONS Citizens’ role in enhancing public access to Parliament Moderator – Ms. Shanthi Sachithanandan Panelists - Hon. Athuraliye Rathana Thero Hon. Eran Wickramaratne Mr. Elmore Perera MP’s role in making Parliament more responsive to Human Rights Moderator – Mr. Mirak Raheem Panelists – Hon. Dr. Harsha de Silva Mr. Charitha Ratwatte Mr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu The role of Civil Society & Media in promoting transparency of Parliament Moderator – Mr. Sanjana Hattotuwa Panelists – Mr. Sunil Jayasekera Hon. Rosy Senanayake Hon. Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena Mr. Victor Ivan Vote of thanks Lunch 2 1.0 Introduction Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) and South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) organized a National Forum on Parliamentary Best Practices on 16th February 2012 at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka. The proceedings commenced with the traditional lighting of the oil lamp and singing of the National Anthem. Delivering the welcome address Dr. Wijaya Jayatilaka, Executive Director, TISL recalled the history of the governance system in Sri Lanka. He said it is through review and analysis that we are able to identify areas for up-scaling for improvement or for change in the legislature within the ideals of democracy. This was followed by a presentation of some images of events undertaken by the two organizations. Ms. Shiranthi Jayatilaka, Executive Director, SAHR gave an introduction to the ‘Parliamentary Watch’ program initiated by SAHR. Mr. Buveendra Illangage, Regional Coordinator, SAHR then spoke of the efforts of SAHR to promote good governance in 6 South Asian countries and presented a study done in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka with major findings of the study and its recommendations in the publication ‘Transparency in Parliament’. Mr. Manik de Silva then expressed a few thoughts on the relevance of ‘Parliament Watch’. Ms. Dilrukshi Handunnetti, Senior Manager, TISL presented the results of a Baseline Study commenced in 2010 by TISL and spoke on the ‘Parliament Watch Sri Lanka’ – Findings & Recommendations. Following the above presentations, the SAHR publication ‘Transparency in Parliament’ was presented to invited guests and ‘Our Parliament’ website was launched. Hon. D E W Gunasekera, Minister of Human Resources & Chairman – Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), addressed the gathering thanking the organizers for conducting this public forum. He said the Sri Lanka parliament is a young democracy which had best practices that were on the verge of decline. Stating that the publication carried some good recommendations, he listed a few more issues that could have been looked into during the study. Hon. Rauf Hakeem, Minister of Justice & Chairman – Public Accounts Committee (PAC) then addressed the gathering and said that he was extremely pleased that this National Forum has come into being. Certain changes are deemed necessary and the responsibility of civil society and media for effecting this change was highlighted by him. The plenary session was followed by Panel Discussions on three topics, namely, Citizens’ role in enhancing public access to Parliament, MP’s role in making Parliament more responsive to Human Rights and The role of Civil Society & Media in promoting transparency of Parliament. Selected panellists presented their views and answered questions forwarded by participants during these discussions held in plenary. Ms. Sharmini Boyle was the compeer for the program and the proceedings of the Forum ended with the vote of thanks followed by lunch. 3 2.0 Welcome address - Dr. Wijaya Jayatilaka, Executive Director, TISL Mr. Jayatilaka, welcoming all present, recalled the changes that the Legislature in Sri Lanka has gone through. He stated that the Legislature in Sri Lanka has moved geographically from Gordon Gardens to Galle Face and then to Sri Jayawardenapura. He further said that the legislature has changed in name, stature and influence and recalled the history of the legislature beginning as a Legislative Council in 1833, ending with the Parliament in 1978 which has been entrusted with the noble task of law making in the best interests of the people, enacting laws to ensure equality, inclusion and justice as its core business. From 101 Members of Parliament (MPs) engaged in its business in 1947, today we have 225 honourable MPs. Since establishing a constitutional form of governance in the country, we have had 23 governments under 10 Heads of State. The Legislature had 21 speakers. People elect their representatives to Parliament from among whom a group forms the government to manage the affairs of the State. The Parliament legislates processes to ensure that people’s rights and needs are met. The 1978 Constitution defines the responsibilities of Parliament in Articles 4a, 75, 76 & 152. Moving on to a different Continent, Mr. Jayatilaka stated that the Inter-parliamentary Union undertaking two studies in Zambia and Tanzania in 2009 made several recommendations on how to improve the functioning of these Parliaments. This came out of an analysis of all aspects of how the legislators should function. Most countries have robust systems that examine the functioning of the legislature based on which improvements are made. This diagnosis is an inevitable requirement if people are to benefit consistently from this powerful and influential institution. It is within the ideals of democracy that the legislature is examined. It is through review and analysis that we are able to identify areas for up-scaling for improvement or for change. Transparency International Sri Lanka as a leader in anti-corruption research and advocacy work published the National Integrative Systems Assessment (NIA) in 2010. One sector has focused on the Parliament. The findings and recommendations are shared in a report which is available on-line in our website. The Parliament Watch project adds to this knowledge base. The Parliament Watch project launched in South Asia is a similar effort. Transparency International supported by South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) has reviewed the functioning of the Sri Lanka Parliament for 2011 and we are gathered here to learn about the findings, to appreciate what is positive, and to identify methods on how best to improve and strengthen the Parliament. No Parliament in the world is perfect. Perfection is an ideal we all strive for. Parliament including its elected representatives, the administration of the management of its business, the citizens and other stakeholders we hope, will reflect on the findings and identify methods of improvements and commit to change management in a meaningful way. On behalf of SAHR and Transparency International Sri Lanka Mr. Jayatilaka once again welcomed all, wishing for the successful completion of the program. 4 3.0 ‘Parliament Watch’ – a short introduction - Shiranthi Jayatilaka, Executive Director, SAHR At the outset Ms. Jayatilaka said it was her pleasure to introduce the participants to the Parliament Watch Programme, initiated by South Asians for Human Rights, and to share a brief history of the programme as well as its objectives. She commenced with a brief introduction to the organisation SAHR. South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) is a democratic regional network with a large membership base from across South Asia, of individuals and institutions committed to address human rights
Load more

Recommended publications
  • UPFA Poised to Take Moneragala by 4 Seats to 1 by Shamindra Ferdinando Padma Udayashantha Gunasekera Were Moneragala Result of PC Member), Chamara Nanayakkara, R
    2 Wednesday 24th February, 2010 The Island Home News Page Two Are you a lucky winner? SATURDAY FORTUNE VASANA SAMPATHA MAHAJANA SAMPATHA DEVELOPMENT FORTUNE JAYAVIRU SUWASETHA Date 23-01-2010 Date:18-02-2010 JAYAVIRU Date: 23-02-2010 Draw No: 1168 Date:17-02-2010 Date10-02-2010 Date: 21-02-2010 Draw No.2090 Draw No.807 Date 23-02-2010 Draw No. 2209 Draw No. 499 Draw No.498 Draw No. 359 Bones No55 Bonus No:54 Zodiac Symbol: Scorpio Winning No: Winning Nos : Winning Nos: Bonus No. 35 Winning No: Winning Nos: Winning Nos: K-3-0-1-3-3-6 08 - 21 - 22 - 29 K- 23-34- 40- 63 Q-28- 46- 55- 59 Y- 09-22-27-39 Q- 03- 28- 33- 45 S - 20 - 39 - 49 - 62 Parliamentary Polls 2010-Moneragala District UPFA poised to take Moneragala by 4 seats to 1 by Shamindra Ferdinando Padma Udayashantha Gunasekera were Moneragala result of PC member), Chamara Nanayakkara, R. Moneragala electorate. Asked whether The UNP-led United National Front elected on the UPFA ticket. Gunasekera, the April 8 election Alagan (CWC) and Chandrasena the UNF would field any Tamil speak- (UNF) is set to lose Moneragala elec- a JVP nominee, who had contested on was a foregone con- Weerakoon (Wellawaya Pradeshiya ing candidates, he said that talks were toral District in the Uva Province at the the government ticket, was among 36 clusion. Although Sabha member). Gunasekera is among continuing with constituent parties of forthcoming parliamentary polls. Uva elected members whereas three the UNP had vowed the JVP MPs who had switched their the UNF.
    [Show full text]
  • Ruwanwella) Mrs
    Lady Members First State Council (1931 - 1935) Mrs. Adline Molamure by-election (Ruwanwella) Mrs. Naysum Saravanamuttu by-election (Colombo North) (Mrs. Molamure was the first woman to be elected to the Legislature) Second State Council (1936 - 1947) Mrs. Naysum Saravanamuttu (Colombo North) First Parliament (House of Representatives) (1947 - 1952) Mrs. Florence Senanayake (Kiriella) Mrs. Kusumasiri Gunawardena by-election (Avissawella) Mrs. Tamara Kumari Illangaratne by-election (Kandy) Second Parliament (House of (1952 - 1956) Representatives) Mrs. Kusumasiri Gunawardena (Avissawella) Mrs. Doreen Wickremasinghe (Akuressa) Third Parliament (House of Representatives) (1956 - 1959) Mrs. Viviene Goonewardene (Colombo North) Mrs. Kusumasiri Gunawardena (Kiriella) Mrs. Vimala Wijewardene (Mirigama) Mrs. Kusuma Rajaratna by-election (Welimada) Lady Members Fourth Parliament (House of (March - April 1960) Representatives) Mrs. Wimala Kannangara (Galigomuwa) Mrs. Kusuma Rajaratna (Uva-Paranagama) Mrs. Soma Wickremanayake (Dehiowita) Fifth Parliament (House of Representatives) (July 1960 - 1964) Mrs. Kusuma Rajaratna (Uva-Paranagama) Mrs. Soma Wickremanayake (Dehiowita) Mrs. Viviene Goonewardene by-election (Borella) Sixth Parliament (House of Representatives) (1965 - 1970) Mrs. Sirima R. D. Bandaranaike (Attanagalla) Mrs. Sivagamie Obeyesekere (Mirigama) Mrs. Wimala Kannangara (Galigomuwa) Mrs. Kusuma Rajaratna (Uva-Paranagama) Mrs. Leticia Rajapakse by-election (Dodangaslanda) Mrs. Mallika Ratwatte by-election (Balangoda) Seventh Parliament (House of (1970 - 1972) / (1972 - 1977) Representatives) & First National State Assembly Mrs. Kusala Abhayavardhana (Borella) Mrs. Sirima R. D. Bandaranaike (Attanagalla) Mrs. Viviene Goonewardene (Dehiwala - Mt.Lavinia) Lady Members Mrs. Tamara Kumari Ilangaratne (Galagedera) Mrs. Sivagamie Obeyesekere (Mirigama) Mrs. Mallika Ratwatte (Balangoda) Second National State Assembly & First (1977 - 1978) / (1978 - 1989) Parliament of the D.S.R. of Sri Lanka Mrs. Sirima R. D. Bandaranaike (Attanagalla) Miss.
    [Show full text]
  • Empowering Your Dreams
    EMPOWERING YOUR DREAMS Annual Report 2018/19 Financial Year : 1st April 2018 to 31st March 2019 Operational Year : 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2019 THE NATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SRI LANKA THE NATIONAL • ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 EMPOWERING YOUR DREAMS ENTREPRENEURS CONTINUE TO BOLSTER THE LIFELINE OF OUR ECONOMY, FOSTERING ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE AND THE HOPE FOR A STRONGER, MORE SELF-SUFFICIENT ECONOMY FOR OUR MOTHERLAND. AS A LEADING AUTHORITY IN UPLIFTING AND DEVELOPING ENTREPRENEURIAL VISIONS, NCCSL CONTINUES TO EMPOWER THE DREAMS OF OUR ENTREPRENEURS PROVIDING ESSENTIAL GUIDANCE TO SMES AND LARGE SCALE ENTERPRISES. WHETHER THEY ASPIRE TO BREAK INTO THE LOCAL PLAYING FIELD OR TO ENTER INTERNATIONAL MARKET-SPACES, WE SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR MOST CRUCIAL STRATEGIC MILESTONES, PROVIDING VITAL RESOURCES; INFORMATION AND STRATEGIC DIRECTION, HELPING THEM BREAK CHALLENGING FRONTIERS. ACROSS THE YEARS, NCCSL HAS SUPPORTED MANY BUDDING ENTERPRISES TO BECOME INDUSTRY LEADERS, PROVIDING ASSISTANCE IN FINANCIAL LITERACY, BUSINESS CONSULTATION AND MARKET PLACEMENT OF PRODUCTS WHILE ASSISTING BUSINESSES OF YOUTH AND WOMEN. WE CONTINUE TO BE A PARTNER IN THEIR GROWING VENTURES WHILE CONTINUING TO ASSIST OUR ENTREPRENEURS TO ACHIEVE GROWTH POTENTIALS AND BUSINESS ASPIRATIONS. THE MISSION IS TO PROVIDE TRADE PROMOTION SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE REQUIRED BY BUSINESSES TO FUNCTION COMPETITIVELY IN DOMESTIC AND OVERSEAS MARKETS AND TO REPRESENT THEM IN MATTERS OF COMMON AND INDIVIDUAL INTEREST AT ALL FOR INCLUDING DISCUSSIONS AND DELIBERATIONS CONVENED BY THE GOVERNMENT. THE MISSION IS TO BE ACHIEVED PRIMARILY THROUGH ENHANCING THE EFFICIENCY AND COMPETITIVENESS OF FIRMS COUNTRYWIDE AND STRENGTHENING THE DIALOGUE WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST IN CREATING A CONDUCIVE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT.
    [Show full text]
  • New Faces in Parliament COLOMBO Sudarshani Fernandopulle Dr
    8 THE SUNDAY TIMES ELECTIONS Sunday April 18, 2010 New faces in Parliament COLOMBO Sudarshani Fernandopulle Dr. Ramesh Pathirana UPFA Nimal Senarath UPFA Born in 1960 Born in 1969. S. Udayan (Silvestri Wijesinghe Doctor by profession. A medical doctor by profes- alantin alias Uthayan) Born in 1969. R. Duminda Silva Former DMO of the sion. Born in 1972. Educated at Kirindigalla MV Born 1974. Negombo Hospital. Son of former Education Studied at Delft Maha and Ibbagamuwa MV. Businessman. Served for more than 10 Minister Richard Pathirana. Vidyalaya. Profession – Businessman. Studied at St. Peter’s Col- years at the Children’s Health Studied at Richmond Col- Joined EPDP in 1992. UNP Organiser of Rambo- lege, Colombo. Care Bureau of the Health. lege, Galle. Former deputy Chairman of dagalla in 2006. Elected to the Western Pro- Chief Organiser of Akmeemana. the Karaveddy Pradeshiya Sabha. Elected to the North Western Provincial Coun- vincial Council in 2009 on the Executive Committee Member of the Cey-Nor cil in 2009. UPFA ticket and topped the preferential votes Fishing Net Factory. Father of two. list. Wasantha Senanayake SLFP Chief Organiser for Kolonnawa. Barister of Law. Studied at Sajin Vaas Gunawardene Awarded Deshabimana Deshashakthi Janaran- S. Thomas’ Prep. Graduated Born in 1973. WANNI PUTTALAM jana from the National Peace Association. Univ. Buckingham LLB. Prominent business Great grandson of Ceylon’s personality. UPFA UPFA first Prime Minister D. S. SLFP Galle District Senanayake and F.R. Organiser. Noor Mohommed Farook Victory Anthony Perera Thilanga Sumathipala Senanayake. President’s Coordinating Born in 1975. Native of Born in 1949. Born 1964 Secretary.
    [Show full text]
  • Columbia University
    COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK I NSTITUTE FOR THE S TUDY OF H UMAN R IGHTS Sri Lanka Peace-building Program PROGRAM ON PEACE-BUILDING AND RIGHTS Executive Summary Columbia University’s Peace-building and Rights Program seeks to advance post-conflict peace- building in Sri Lanka through (i) dialogue, (ii) education, and (iii) capacity building. Its overall goal is to help Sri Lanka realize its potential by helping address recent and root causes of conflict. Following is a comprehensive review of activities since the inception of Columbia’s activities in Sri Lanka. Needs Assessment David L. Phillips, Director of the Program on Peace-building and Rights at the Institute for the Study of Human Rights (ISHR), visited Sri Lanka, including Jaffna, to assess conditions and conduct field research on attitudes and issues of importance to Sri Lankans, including Tamils. Phillips met with Sri Lankan, U.S., Norwegian and Indian government officials as well as leading Sri Lankan NGOs and academics from the University of Jaffna (March 14 – 19, 2011). Curriculum Development Danielle Goldberg, Program Coordinator of the Program on Peace-Building and Rights at ISHR and Phillips drafted a Curriculum Fostering Social Harmony among University Students in Sri Lanka. The curriculum provides a comprehensive course incorporating theoretical and practical lessons on interpersonal interaction and intergroup understanding. Working with Sri Lanka’s Minister for Higher Education S.B. Dissanayake and U.S. Embassy/Colombo, the curriculum was vetted during a series of meetings in Sri Lanka with Ministry of Higher Education and University Grant Commission officials, student counselors and professors from throughout Sri Lanka, university students and civil society (April 3 – 6, 2011).
    [Show full text]
  • Yahapalana Minister Pilfered Rs 1B
    SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER 2020 LATEST EDITION VOL: 09/48 PRICE : RS 70.00 Events and Athletes Limited Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) decision to limit the number of events and number of athletes for the upcoming performance test next weekend (24 and 25) at Sugathadasa Stadium, has created an uproar among athletes and coaches islandwide. A16 Buddhist Monks write to President on 20A Three Buddhist monks submitted a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa urging him to reconsider the RDA official makes damning allegation decision to ratify the proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution, introducing necessary amendments before passing it. Yahapalana Story Continued on PAGE 2 EC urges Minister President to hold PC elections BY J.T. DE SILVA Pilfered Rs 1B Chairman of the Election Commission Mahinda BY W.K. PRASAD MANJU claimed that a former Minister pilfered a sum of Rs 1,000 Deshapriya requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to of the previous United National million from a highway project. take necessary actions to pass a Parliamentary Act as A top officer from the Road Front-led regime, hailing from He confirmed that necessary soon as possible in order to hold the postponed Provincial Development Authority (RDA) the Kalutara District, had legal action against the... Council elections. Story Continued on PAGE 2 Story Continued on PAGE 2 Brandix COVID-19 cluster Chief Epidemiologist’s duty to reveal origin – GMOA Rosy Senanayake undergoes PCR test BY DILANTHI JAYAMANNE purpose of having a Chief Epidemiologist was to provide the Although the origin of the Brandix technical answers to the country. Minuwangoda facility COVID-19 “When the first wave of the virus cluster is not important to treat was controlled, the people were patients, it is the duty of the Chief informed of the origin and the Epidemiologist to reveal its origin, spread of the disease.
    [Show full text]
  • 21.02.2014 (223-10) Final (?For Web)
    223 වන කාණ්ඩය - 10 වන කලාපය 2014 ෙපබරවාරි 21වන සිකුරාදා ெதாகுதி 223 - இல. 10 2014 ெபப்வாி 21, ெவள்ளிக்கிழைம Volume 223 - No. 10 Friday, 21st February, 2014 පාලෙනත වාද (හැනසා) பாராமன்ற விவாதங்கள் (ஹன்சாட்) PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) ල වාතාව அதிகார அறிக்ைக OFFICIAL REPORT (අෙශෝධිත පිටපත /பிைழ தித்தப்படாத /Uncorrected) අන්තර්ගත පධාන කරුණු නිෙව්දන: කථානායකතුමාෙග් සහතිකය පශනවලට් වාචික පිළිතුරු ෙපෞද්ගලිකව දැනුම් දීෙමන් ඇසූ පශනය් : අද්විතීය ෙයෝජනා සහ අ නෙප්ක්ෂිත ෙයෝජනා ආශිත වාපෘති අධිකරණ හා නීති ක්ෙෂේතෙය් මතු වී තිෙබන ගැටලු ෙශෝක පකාශය : ගරු ෙෆස්ටස් ෙපෙර්රා මහතා பிரதான உள்ளடக்கம் அறிவிப்கள்: சபாநாயகர சான்ைர வினாக்கக்கு வாய்ல விைடகள் தனி அறிவித்தல்ல வினா: தன்னிைலயான மற்ம் ேவண்டப்ெபறாத ன்ெமாழிகள்சார் கத்திட்டங்கள் நீதி மற்ம் சட்டத்ைறயில் எந்ள்ள பிரச்சிைனகள் அதாபத் தீர்மானம் : மாண்மிகு ெபஸ்டஸ் ெபேரரா PRINCIPAL CONTENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS: Speaker’s Certificate ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS QUESTION BY PRIVATE NOTICE: Projects on Stand-Alone Proposals and Unsolicited Proposals Problems arisen in Judicial and Legal Fields VOTE OF CONDOLENCE: Hon. Festus Perera 1133 1134 පාර්ලිෙම්න්තුව පශ්නවලට වාචික පිළිතුරු பாராமன்றம் வினாக்கக்கு வாய்ல விைடகள் ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS PARLIAMENT —————–—- ෙකොළඹ මහ නගර සභාව : හිඟ වරිපනම් බදු 2014 ෙපබරවාරි 21වන සිකුරාදා ெகாம் மாநகர சைப : ஆதன வாி நிைவ 2014 ெபப்வாி 21, ெவள்ளிக்கிழைம COLOMBO MUNICIPAL COUNCIL: OUTSTANDING Friday, 21st February, 2014 ASSESSMENT TAX —————————————- 3267/’12 අ.භා.1.30ට පාර්ලිෙම්න්තුව රැස ් විය.
    [Show full text]
  • Sri Lanka Attends Elephant-8 Ministerial Meeting in Delhi
    2 Friday 27th May, 2011 The Island Home News Govt. determined to Deputy ... From page 1 eradicate ragging - SB Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Chief of entrants and they would be instructed how to BY SAMAN INDRAJITH Mission of IOM Richard Danziger and stand up against abuse. The students would be Ms Anoja Weerasinghe with some The Government is determined to elimi- versity entrants, the Minister said that ragging given training to bear the pressure and stand for rehabilitated youth in Colombo nate ragging from the universities, Higher had become a nuisance and it was high time that their rights instead of becoming cat’s paws of Education Minister S. B. those acts of torturing freshers was swept out political parties, the minister added. Dissanayake said in Parliament yester- from the university system once and for all. He admitted that there could be single inci- Minister Milinda Moragoda, he had day. The ragging phobia has taken a heavy toll dents of mishaps and troubles in the implementa- an opportunity to join with several “There would be no ragging in universi- among the students and many had opted out of tion of the leadership training programme. others to assist in the rehabilitation of ties next year. We will put an end to this horri- the university education due to a verbal, physical However, the opposition should not harbour any child soldiers. “In fact, we were the ble practice and if the need arises we will or psychological abuse of newcomers. Each year, fears of the outcome of this programme because first outsiders given access to child sol- shut down the universities to stop rag- dozens of students leave their course due to the government was determined to continue with diers before the army moved them to ging,” Dissanayake said.
    [Show full text]
  • July - September 2015
    Issue No. 148 July - September 2015 WILL DEAL WITH PAST HONESTLY– MS AT UN President Sirisena addresses the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly Says SL will use a process of truth seeking, justice, reparation and non-recurrence President Maithripala Sirisena addressing the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York yesterday, said that a fundamental requirement to achieve his gov- ernment’s main vision -- sustainable development and reconciliation -- was to deal with the past honestly and build a modern nation: and that in dealing with the past, Sri Lanka would use a process of truth seeking, justice, reparation and non-recurrence. Human Rights Review : July - September Institute of Human Rights 2 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Editorial 03 Challenges before the new regime Politics – The General Election The folly of our citizenry 06 Sobitha Thera supports UNFGG on conditions 07 Criminals and Politicos Priorities of new Govt. 08 Jayawewa Sri Lanka A national govt. for peace & unity 09 A lesson for communal elements 10 Dilemma of finding Qualified and Untainted candidates 11 Sobitha Thera blasts move to form jumbo Cabinet 12 The Ethnic Problem Saravanabawan To Attend Canada Event 13 Tamil Diaspora organizations look to TNA for lasting solution Sri Lanka in the International Scene 14 Domestic Vs International Probe: Battle Begins UNHRC Calls for a Hybrid Special Court Resolution adopted without a vote An extract from the Statement by Sri Lankan Civil Society members on 15 OHCHR reports on Sri Lanka Investigating corruption
    [Show full text]
  • Select Committee Report
    PARLIAMENTARY SERIES NO. 281 OF The Seventh Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (First Session) REPORT OF SELECT COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENT TO DISCUSS THE HEADS OF EXPENDITURE OF MINISTRIES SELECTED FROM THE BUDGET ESTIMATES OF 2014 Presented by Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva Chairman of the Committee Ordered by the Parliament of Sri Lanka to be printed on 14 December 2013 PRINTED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING, SRI LANKA TO BE PURCHASED AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS BUREAU, COLOMBO Select Committee to discuss the Heads of Expenditure of Ministries selected from the Budget Estimates of 2014 Committee: Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva (Chairman) Hon. W. D. J. Senewiratne Hon. (Dr.) Sarath Amunugama Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena Hon. Rauf Hakeem Hon. Athauda Seneviratne Hon. Chandrasiri Gajadeera Hon. Muthu Sivalingam Hon. Lasantha Alagiyawanna Hon. M. Joseph Michael Perera Hon. John Amaratunga Hon. Sunil Handunnetti Hon. Suresh K. Premachandran Hon. Pon. Selvarasa Hon. R. Yogarajan Hon. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam Hon. Silvastrie Alantin Hon. (Dr.) Harsha De Silva Hon. (Dr.) (Mrs.) Sudarshini Fernandopulle Hon. (Mrs.) Rosy Senanayake Hon. Hunais Farook ( 2 ) REPORT The following motion moved by the Leader of the House of Parliament on 22 November 2013 was approved by the House. The Leader of the House of Parliament,— Select Committee of Parliament to discuss the Heads of Expenditure of the Ministries selected from the Budget Estimates of the year 2014,— Whereas the period of time allocated to the Committee stage programme
    [Show full text]
  • News Round up 13.02.2019
    NEWS ROUND UP Mondy Wednesday, February 13, 2019 Contents Competitive entrepreneurs cure for economic ills: PM ............................................................................... 2 Govt. nod for two LNG plants ....................................................................................................................... 3 Access Engineering ups 9-month after tax profit by 43% to Rs. 1.6b ........................................................... 4 Rupee ends weaker on stock-related outflows ............................................................................................ 5 World Bank VP arrives in Sri Lanka to support country’s reform plans ....................................................... 5 Taprobane Securities (Pvt) Ltd – Research + 94 11 5328200 [email protected] Competitive entrepreneurs cure for economic ills: PM Competitive entrepreneurs will decide Sri Lanka’s future, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday, acknowledging that the country is in the midst of a “bad dose” of fiscal consolidation to repay debt that has hurt growth, but that prospects could be improved through exports and investment. Speaking at the Entrepreneur of the Year awards ceremony, organised by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FCCISL), Wickremesinghe noted that homegrown entrepreneurs have to become more competitive to foster growth. Taking the example of China, he pointed out how private enterprise could grow in a short period of time, and called for Sri Lankans to get in touch with their entrepreneurial spirit. “We have to work together to ensure stronger and more competitive enterprises in Sri Lanka. I went to China in 1979, there was no private enterprise; when I went to China in 1987, private enterprise was starting; today when you go to China, everyone is a private entrepreneur. We have had a culture of entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka, so we have to promote entrepreneurship. As a Government, we can support, but it also needs ability.
    [Show full text]
  • Voting in Hate
    Voting in Hate A study of hate speech on Facebook surrounding Sri Lanka’s Parliamentary Election of 2015 Sanjana Hattotuwa & Roshini Wickremesinhe Centre for Policy Alternatives March 2016 Voting in Hate | Centre for Policy Alternatives – March 2016 The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) is an independent, non-partisan organisation that focuses primarily on issues of governance and conflict resolution. Formed in 1996 in the firm belief that the vital contribution of civil society to the public policy debate is in need of strengthening, CPA is committed to programmes of research and advocacy through which public policy is critiqued, alternatives identified and disseminated. Address: 24/2 28th Lane, off Flower Road, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka Telephone: +94 (11) 2565304/5/6 Fax: +94 (11) 4714460 Web www.cpalanka.org Email [email protected] Facebook facebook.com/cpasl Twitter @cpasl 1 Voting in Hate | Centre for Policy Alternatives – March 2016 Contents INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY ............................................................................................................................................... 3 METHODOLOGY ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3 SCOPE OF THE STUDY ..........................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]