President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the government has brought before the people, a new constitution, which is a people-centric constitution. “This constitution is for the development of the country. This is not to extend my Presidential term. That is wrong. It is an opportunity to contest an election,” he said.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed the government officials to move away from the traditional procedures followed in budget formulation and implementation and instead to put forward their proposals in a manner that would ensure the completion of ongoing mega development projects initiated throughout the country at present.

 

Decline pointed to improved conditions in Sri Lanka

The number of asylum seekers arriving from Sri Lanka has slowed dramatically in the five months since the Australian government said it would stop processing claims from that country, the Sydney Morning Herald reported yesterday (1 Sep).

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has called on the nation to unite to nurture the future generation exploiting the resources of the motherland sans waiting for the arrival of ships from other countries. He made this appeal opening the Bata-atha Farmer’s Exhibition.

The Sri Lanka Transport Board is to provide a service in parallel to the Railways time-tables. Accordingly, if any commuter misses the
train, an opportunity would be provided for him to reach his office by bus.

Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao called on the President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday. President Mahinda Rajapaksa welcoming the Indian Foreign Secretary said that Indian investor interest in Sri Lanka is rapidly growing, and that several leading Indian entrepreneurs in industry and other sectors have expressed interest in setting up business in Sri Lanka.

Early in the 1950s when  a mere 3812 elite urbanites of the then population of 7.5 Million enjoyed more than ½ of the country’s income a group of patriotic intelligentsia met at Madampe and adopted a set of resolutions aimed at changing the course of government and ushering in real freedom to the oppressed masses and to safeguard the national values of the country, and the independence of the people.

Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna ruled out a call by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader T.R. Baalu to revisit the Indo-Sri Lanka agreement signed on the Katchatheevu islands in 1974 stating,“We cannot go back on the solemn agreement between two governments”.

Senior Film Director, laureate Dr.D.B Nihalsinghe assumed duty as the Consultant(Cinema and Rupavahini) to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information today (01 September , 2010). Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella presented his letter of appointment  to Dr.D.B Nihalsinghe at the Ministry.

Attorney – General said that removing the restriction on Presidency will enhance the franchise of the people as they would have wider choice to elect their head of State. Attorney General Mohan Peiris made oral submission before a five judge Supreme Court bench in favour of the proposed amendments to the Constitution yesterday.

Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao underlined that India stood with Sri Lanka in responding to the challenges posed by the task of resettlement and rehabilitation of the large number of IDPs resulting from the end of armed conflict in 2009.

Jaffna resettlement will be completed soon

The coordinating office for IDP said that total number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Menik Farm relief village has dropped to 28,659 as of today (1 Sep), due to the Government’s speedy resettlement programme. Economic Development minister Mr. Basil Rajapaksa during his recent visit to India had said that the resttlement of all IDPs will be completed before the end of this year.

More than three dozen Tamil migrants have been segregated from 492 others who arrived by boat, for questioning by police on suspicion of being linked to the LTTE, or other inadmissible groups, including war criminals, the Toronto Sun reported yesterday (31).

President Mahinda Rajapaksa launched the development drive for the Sabaragamuwa province “Sabaragamuwa Arunalokaya” when he participated at the Sabaragamuwa Progress Review meeting held at the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council yesterday.

The funeral of former minister Lakshman Jayakody, a Senior leader of the leftist movement and a veteran politician will take place at Divulapitiya on Thursday.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s Disciplinary Committee appointed to probe into alleged charges relating to a Samurdhi Officer being tied to a tree in Kelaniya has acquitted the former Deputy Minister of Highways Mr. Mervin Silva.  The three member committee which handed over his report to President Mahinda Rajapaksa has stated that there was no evidence that the alleged act was carried out by the Deputy Minister, and he was responsible for punishing the Samurdhi officer following an anti-dengue campaign. 

The price of 12.5 kg Cylinder of Gas has been reduced by the authorities and the revision was effective from midnight yesterday.The Consumer Affair Authority said the price of a cylinder of domesticGas was reduced by 46 rupees.

A major road rehabilitation and development project is to be undertaken by the Government with Chinese financial assistance in the Northern province. Accordingly, 332km length of roads inclusive of Kandy- Jaffna A9 highway will be developed and modernized on a proposal by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Former Minister Lakshman Jayakody, who was in poor health for a couple of months passed away yesterday evening at the Colombo National Hospital. Mr. Jayakody got elected to Divulapitiya electorate in the 1970 General Election, and served as the Deputy Minister of  Defence in Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s government during 1970 to 1977 and was also the Minister of Buddha Sasana and Cultural Affairs in the People’s Alliance Government during 1994 to 2000. Mr. Jayakody was one of the senior members of the SLFP and has also served as a vice president of the Party. Furthermore, he was also serving as a senior presidential Adviser to President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

A  Chinese delegation led by Yunnan Province Governor Qin Guangrong arrived at BIA a little while ago  to participate in a trade fair to be held at the Hilton Colombo on September 1.