Category: Breaking News

A Bill seeking to repeal the Parliamentary Pensions Act, No. 1 of 1977, has been gazetted.

The Gazette notification has been issued under the direction of the Minister of Justice and National Integration.

The proposed legislation is titled the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Act and provides for the complete repeal of the Parliamentary Pensions Act, No. 1 of 1977, enacted by the National State Assembly.

The Bill further states, for the avoidance of doubt, that any person who is entitled to or currently receiving a parliamentary pension under the provisions of the Parliamentary Pensions Act, No. 1 of 1977, or under Section 9 of Act No. 1 of 1982 or Section 9 of Act No. 47 of 1990, shall cease to be entitled to receive such pension from the date on which the proposed repeal Act comes into operation, and from that date onwards.

Deputy National Organizer of SJB MP S.M. Marikkar said that UNP and SJB will contest the Provincial Council elections together.

He said that An alternative political force within the right-wing camp is essential, and such a force is now emerging. He said the United National Party and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya will inevitably unite, stressing that there is no debate on the matter.He noted that unity alone does not guarantee electoral victory, but is a necessary step to meet the aspirations of a globally connected younger generation. He explained that this alternative will be led by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya under the leadership of Sajith Premadasa, while making use of the experience, guidance, and political knowledge of Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The JVP has issued a statement following the attacks carried out by the United States in Venezuela and the move to take Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife into US custody.

The JVP statement says that the party strongly condemns this move, in which the United States intruded into Venezuela—a free and sovereign state—and abducted the President who was elected by the people, along with his wife.

It further states that, as in any free and sovereign country in the world, the supreme authority to decide Venezuela’s future and to determine who governs the country lies with the people of Venezuela and that no power has the right to violate this sovereignty.

The full statement is as follows:

We strongly condemn the United States of America’s military aggression against the independent and sovereign state of Venezuela and the abduction of democratically elected President Nicholas Maduro and his wife.

As in any other free and sovereign state, the right to determine the future and the leaders of the country rests on the people of Venezuela. Powerful countries do not have the right to violate this principle.

Modern society and governance should be civilized. Democracy, human rights and sovereignty of states are universally accepted principles. Military aggressions and invasions against sovereign states in violation of these principles cannot be justified.

In that line, we believe that nobody will approve of the forceful military aggression against Venezuela by the United States of America.

Accordingly, we condemn the military invasion of Venezuela by the United States of America and stand for Venezuela’s sovereignty and independence.

Turmoil in Iran has caused a stir among Sri Lankan tea exporters but shipments continue under the tea-for-oil barter deal between the two countries. Iran is one of the biggest buyers of Ceylon Tea.

The Iranian Rial that fell sharply against the US dollar has reportedly sparked protests initially among traders there that later spread to other parts of the country and a shutdown of public institutions. At least five deaths have been reported by Friday.

The devaluation of the Iranian currency has caused a worry among tea exporters but shipments are going to Iran, Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) Chairman Raj Obeysekera told the Sunday Times Business.

Precautions are being taken but allocations for tea exports have come from Iran and shipments are continuing, he said.

Exporters are worried that there will be defaults which is quite natural, Mr. Obeysekera said adding that however, some major exporters have said they are not worried. In addition, authorities are in contact with the Iranian Ambassador in Sri Lanka on the current developments.

However, tea exporters have been very cautious as there has been a delay by Iran in sending the required documentation to Sri Lankan authorities to make the necessary payments to the exporters.

As a result tea exporters have been holding back orders and are right now not keen on accepting any new orders, former Tea Exporters Association Chairman Jayantha Karunaratne said.

He noted that this development has arisen since the last six months and exporters are uncertain of their payments.

Tea exporters have been in discussion with the Plantation Minister Samantha Vidyaratna constantly, he said.

Exporters believe if the situation persists it could result in a fall in prices that could impact on producers and Sri Lanka, currently facing its own rupee depreciation which is not helping exporters.

Sri Lanka has engaged with Iran on a tea for oil barter agreement that will help clear the country’s oil debt of US$251 million. Commencing in August 2023 Sri Lanka shipped US$5 million worth of tea each month to Iran and this amount increased to US$10 million worth of tea by February. Payments are made to the exporters by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) through the Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB).

Sri Lanka continues to buy Iranian oil through a third party via Dubai and Singapore.

The government has obtained the approval of the Parliamentary Business Committee to move a resolution in Parliament to appoint a Select Committee to decide on the electoral system to hold the Provincial Council election.

The Business Committee that met in the Parliamentary Complex under the chairmanship of Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne approved the resolution to appoint the Select Committee on January 6.

The Select Committee will look into and report to Parliament on the matter of selecting the Electoral System under which the Provincial Council Elections should be held and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard has been scheduled to be approved.

Minister Bimal Rathnayake told Parliament in November last year that a special Select Committee will be appointed to review the legal situation related to conducting the Provincial Council elections and take necessary steps to hold the elections expeditiously.