Sri Lanka Original Narrative Summary: 03/12

Date:

  1. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held a discussion with small and medium-scale rice mill owners at the Presidential Secretariat: The meeting focused on ensuring a continuous and affordable rice supply, improving storage facilities, and addressing concerns about declining Nadu rice availability: The President also proposed a QR code system to streamline fertiliser subsidies and boost domestic agricultural production.
  2. Gayantha Karunatilake, the Samagi Jana Balayawegaya (SJB) MP for Galle District, has been appointed as the Chief Opposition Whip in Parliament: This announcement was made by MP Harshana Rajakaruna, highlighting Karunatilake’s new role in leading the opposition’s parliamentary activities and ensuring party discipline within the legislative body.
  3. The government plans to auction or repurpose 344 luxury vehicles previously used by former ministers and presidents: In line with its election manifesto, it will discontinue state-owned bungalows for ministers and eliminate duty-free vehicle permits for MPs: Instead, MPs will receive cost-effective vehicles: The government will also end pension benefits for MPs and seek Cabinet approval to auction the identified vehicles.
  4. The Election Commission has instructed candidates from the 2024 General Election, along with party secretaries and independent group leaders, to submit their expense reports by December 6, 2024: Reports must be submitted to the respective District Returning Officer or the commission for National List candidates: Special units will be set up to assist with submissions, and failure to comply will result in legal action.
  5. The Attorney General’s Department informed the Supreme Court that the Cabinet of Ministers recommended not re-conducting the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, citing the mental stress on students and the impact on the examination calendar: This decision follows three Fundamental Rights petitions seeking to cancel the exam: The Supreme Court will hear the matter on December 11, 2024.
  6. The deadline for submitting applications for the 2024 (2025) G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination has been extended to December 10, 2024, due to recent adverse weather conditions: Applications must be submitted online via the Department of Examinations’ official websites: School applicants should apply through their principals, while private candidates can apply directly: For inquiries, the department provided contact details.
  7. The National Building and Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued a Level 1 (Yellow) landslide warning for several areas in six districts, including Badulla, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale, and Nuwara-Eliya, due to ongoing heavy rainfall: The warning is effective until 4:00 p.m. on December 3 and covers multiple Divisional Secretariat Divisions in these districts.
  8. The report of the committee tasked with reviewing the allowances, perks, and privileges of Members of Parliament, Ministers, and former Presidents has been submitted to President Anura Kumara Dissanayke: The report, led by former Supreme Court Justice K.T. Chitrasiri, was handed over at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (02).
  9. The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court granted bail to Kelum Harshana, arrested for allegedly promoting LTTE ‘Mahaviru’ celebrations: The court ruled that the charges did not prove promotion of terrorism: On November 30, the CID arrested three individuals for causing public disturbance by sharing images and videos related to LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on social media, misrepresenting past celebrations.
  10. Dilruwan Perera has stepped down from the National Selection Committee (NSC) to take up the role of Spin Bowling Coach for Sri Lanka’s Under-19 team: Perera, a former successful Sri Lankan spinner, resigned after serving on the NSC since December 2023: He is currently in the UAE with the U-19 team, acting as Head Coach for the Asia Cup series.

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