February 17, Colombo (LNW): The Court of Appeal today heard preliminary objections raised by the Attorney General regarding a petition seeking to revoke the Parliamentary seat of Minister of Public Security, Ananda Wijepala.

The petition, lodged by Renuka Perera, the Administrative Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), prompted a legal dispute before the Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Mohamed Lafar Tahir, and Justice K.M.S. Dissanayake.

In the proceedings, the Additional Solicitor General, representing the Attorney General, argued that the petition was flawed due to the omission of critical stakeholders as respondents.

Specifically, the President’s Chief of Staff, who is appointed by the President’s Secretary on the President’s directive, was not included in the petition.

The Additional Solicitor General stressed that the absence of the President’s Secretary in the case was a significant legal oversight, rendering the petition invalid and unable to proceed.

Given these concerns, the Attorney General’s representative requested that the petition be dismissed outright, without further examination.

On the other side, Attorney Upul Kumarapperuma, representing Minister Wijepala, contended that the President personally appointed the Chief of Staff and argued that such an act could not be challenged in the Court of Appeal through a writ petition.

He further questioned the court’s jurisdiction over the matter and requested its dismissal on the grounds that it fell outside the court’s purview.

Meanwhile, Attorney Vishva Perera, appearing for the petitioner, clarified that the challenge was not regarding the appointment of the Chief of Staff, but rather the eligibility of Minister Wijepala to sit in Parliament and cast a vote.

Perera emphasised that the primary concern was whether the minister met the legal requirements to hold his parliamentary seat.

Taking these arguments into account, Acting President of the Court of Appeal Mohamed Lafar Tahir noted the raised preliminary objections and decided that a ruling on the matter was necessary before the case could progress further.

The court then instructed all involved parties to submit written submissions on the objections by 18 March 2025, to facilitate a decision on whether the petition could move forward.

February 17, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his much-anticipated address to Parliament, laid out a bold and far-reaching budget for 2025 aimed at both bolstering Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and improving the well-being of its citizens.

The President announced several key initiatives to support vulnerable populations, including an increase in the monthly allowance for kidney patients from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 10,000, and a rise in the allowance for low-income senior citizens from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000.

The government also plans substantial investments in key sectors. Notably, Rs. 2.5 billion will be allocated to develop the country’s dairy sector, and Rs. 500 million will be set aside for the cultivation of 16,000 acres of coconut within the Northern Coconut Triangle.

These measures are aimed at boosting local production and improving the livelihoods of those in rural areas.

The President also unveiled the largest-ever allocation for Sri Lanka’s social welfare programme, with Rs. 232.5 billion earmarked for the Aswesuma initiative, which supports low-income and vulnerable groups.

Further commitments were made to improve public healthcare, including an allocation of Rs. 604 billion for the health sector and Rs. 185 billion for the purchase of essential medical supplies.

Education and infrastructure also received significant attention in the 2025 Budget. The President announced an increase in the Mahapola Scholarship allowance from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 7,500, and a rise in the Grade 5 Scholarship allowance from Rs. 750 to Rs. 1,500 for students from low-income families.

Additionally, Rs. 100 million will be allocated to upgrade the Jaffna Public Library, and Rs. 500 million will be invested in the development of sports schools across five provinces.

In a move to foster greater economic growth, President Dissanayake announced the establishment of a State Development Bank to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Additionally, the government is keen to boost tourism, with Rs. 500 million allocated for the development and marketing of key historical sites such as Anuradhapura and Yapahuwa. A digital ticketing system will also be introduced for these attractions.

The budget also prioritises Sri Lanka’s digital transformation, with a planned allocation of Rs. 3 billion to enhance the country’s digital infrastructure. President Dissanayake revealed that a Digital Economic Authority would be created as part of a phased transition to a cashless economy, ensuring data security and privacy along the way.

On the economic front, the President projected a 5 per cent growth for the year, supported by a National Export Development Plan and a focus on economic diplomacy.

He also outlined a clear path to resume debt repayments from 2028, with a commitment to manage public funds prudently and responsibly.

President Dissanayake also announced a series of fiscal measures aimed at improving Sri Lanka’s infrastructure. Rs. 1 billion will be allocated for the improvement of school infrastructure, while Rs. 750 million will be dedicated to upgrading scanning services at key entry points such as the Colombo Port and Bandaranaike International Airport.

In an effort to curb government spending, the President confirmed that Parliamentarians would not receive new vehicles in 2025, with all luxury government vehicles to be auctioned off in March. Additionally, no vehicle permits will be granted to MPs this year.

Overall, the 2025 Budget demonstrates the government’s commitment to addressing both immediate social needs and long-term economic development. With a total estimated expenditure of Rs. 4,218 billion, the President plans to lay a solid foundation for Sri Lanka’s recovery and growth in the years ahead.

Click Here to view full speech: https://lankanewsweb.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-budget-parliament-final.pdf

February 17, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has arrived in Parliament this morning to deliver the highly anticipated 2025 Budget speech.

The Cabinet of Ministers had earlier given their approval for the presentation during their meeting earlier today, allowing for the commencement of the second reading of the Appropriation Bill for the fiscal year 2025.

The President is currently delivering the budget speech in Parliament.

At precisely 10.30 a.m., President Dissanayake, also the Minister of Finance, will address Parliament with the country’s 79th Budget, outlining the financial plans for the year ahead.

His speech is expected to be a defining moment for the government as it seeks to chart a course for national economic recovery and growth.

Following the Budget speech, the second reading will be followed by a debate from February 18 to February 25, lasting a full seven days.

The vote on this second reading is scheduled to take place on February 25 at 6:00 p.m., marking a critical step in the parliamentary process.

In the coming weeks, the debate will continue through the Committee Stage, which will be held over 19 days, including four Saturdays, from February 27 to March 21.

The third and final reading of the Appropriation Bill is set to take place on March 21 at 6:00 p.m., after which the government hopes to pass the budget with the necessary approvals.

February 17, Colombo (LNW): In response to the sweltering heat across the country, the Ministry of Education has issued a strong advisory urging schools to refrain from sending children outdoors in the intense midday sun.

Secretary of the Ministry, Nalaka Kaluwewa, highlighted the dangers posed by the extreme weather and stressed the importance of safeguarding students from excessive heat exposure.

“Given the current heatwave, it is imperative that we ensure the well-being of our schoolchildren,” Mr. Kaluwewa stated. “We will soon circulate guidelines on how inter-house sports events should be conducted during this period, with a focus on minimising any health risks to the children.”

To ensure the measures are in line with health and safety standards, the Ministry plans to consult with health experts before finalising and distributing the official circular.

These guidelines will include recommendations for limiting outdoor activities, as well as adjusting the duration of sports events to avoid long periods of exposure to the extreme heat.

February 17, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has revealed that the government’s comprehensive plan to drive the nation’s development will be unveiled in the upcoming budget speech, which is scheduled for presentation in Parliament today (17).

Speaking at a public gathering in Mullaitivu, the Prime Minister emphasised that the 2025 budget would focus on ensuring equitable progress across all regions of the country, ensuring that every citizen of Sri Lanka reaps the benefits of the proposed development.

Dr. Amarasuriya stressed that the government is determined to create a nation where no citizen lives in fear, and where development is not limited to urban areas or only a select group of people.

She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to broadening access to opportunities, thereby ensuring that growth reaches every corner of the island, including remote rural areas.

Highlighting the importance of addressing rural poverty, the Prime Minister outlined that a significant portion of the government’s efforts will focus on revitalising key sectors such as agriculture and fisheries, which are critical for the livelihoods of rural populations.

She pointed out that initiating new policies and programmes in these sectors would be vital to stimulating growth and empowering communities.

Dr. Amarasuriya also mentioned that the government is deeply committed to creating an administration that listens to the voices of the people.

She stressed that the government’s focus on inclusive development would be at the heart of the 2025 budget, which, according to the Prime Minister, will serve as a detailed roadmap for achieving national prosperity.

As President Anura Kumara Dissanayake prepares to present the budget in Parliament later today, all eyes will be on the plan that promises a balanced and inclusive approach to the country’s future.

February 17, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has recently received crucial laboratory reports from India and Germany concerning the human immunoglobulin drug, a matter that has drawn considerable attention.

Police confirmed that a team of officers had been dispatched to both nations to gather the necessary documentation and scientific analysis.

The reports, which are expected to play a pivotal role in ongoing investigations, will now undergo a detailed review. The Attorney General’s Department of Sri Lanka has indicated that the findings will be used as key evidence in the case.

Legal authorities have made it clear that a final decision regarding the situation will be made once all aspects of the reports are thoroughly scrutinised and understood.

The human immunoglobulin drug issue has sparked widespread interest due to its potential implications on public health and regulatory standards.

As the authorities await further analysis, the matter continues to unfold, with the results from the international laboratories expected to provide vital insight into the drug’s safety and efficacy.

February 17, Colombo (LNW): Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar engaged in a productive meeting with Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, on the sidelines of the 8th Indian Ocean Conference held in Muscat on Sunday (16).

Jaishankar, sharing details of the discussion on social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), described the meeting as “productive,” and said they had taken stock of the “wide-ranging cooperation” between India and Sri Lanka.

He reiterated India’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and progress during the meeting.

The ongoing conference, taking place in the Sultanate of Oman, carries the theme ‘Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership.’ It is aimed at fostering dialogue on various regional and global issues, including enhancing maritime cooperation, boosting trade, addressing sustainable development, and safeguarding maritime security, with a strong focus on ensuring freedom of navigation and the use of modern technologies for improving port security and governance.

Earlier in the day, Jaishankar also met with former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, another key figure at the conference, as the discussions continued around vital issues impacting the region.

The Indian Ocean Conference is an important platform for countries surrounding the Indian Ocean to engage in dialogue and collaboration on shared challenges and opportunities.

Organised annually by India’s Ministry of External Affairs in partnership with the India Foundation, the event serves as a flagship consultative forum for deepening relationships, particularly in the areas of maritime security, trade, and regional cooperation.

February 17, Colombo (LNW): In a move aimed at highlighting ongoing concerns within the Department of Irrigation, the Assistant Engineers have announced their decision to take trade union action by reporting sick for today (17) and tomorrow (18).

The protest, which has been organised by the engineers’ association, is a direct response to unresolved issues surrounding the department’s promotion system.

According to Niroshan Silva, the President of the Association, the decision to take such action stems from long-standing frustrations with the promotion process, which the engineers believe has been inefficient and unfair.

He emphasised that despite numerous attempts to resolve the matter through dialogue with authorities, the issues have not been adequately addressed, prompting the union to take this step.

The union has expressed hope that this action will prompt immediate attention from relevant authorities, urging them to take decisive steps to improve the promotion procedures and address the grievances of the staff.