Enactment of 19A alike issuing death warrants to Sinhalese: Abayathissa Thero

Enactment of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution is alike issuing a death warrant to the Sinhalese, Venerable Medagoda Abayathissa Thero said on Monday (27).

The observation was made at a press conference held this afternoon.

Sobitha Thera calls off Sathyagraha

The Sathyagraha, which was staged by Chief Incumbent of the Naga Vihara in Kotte and leader of the National Movement for a Just Society, Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, has been called off. 

The Sathyagraha was staged in a bid to urge the authorities to enact the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

Stay order on full-face helmets extended

Court of Appeal extends the stay order issued on the ban on full face helmets until May 19, the Ada Derana correspondent confirms.

A petition argued that if a ban implemented on full-face helmets, it would greatly inconvenience motorcyclists in the country and therefore sought an interim order suspending it.  

President has become ‘Wessanthara’ of the era, says Silva

The President has become the ‘Wessanthara’ of the era due to his work towards the enactment of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, said Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva on Monday (27).

“No president wanted to abolish the executive powers of the President,” he said. 

Historic moment where modern-day slavery will be abolished - Wijedasa

The next two days will be a historic moment for all Sri Lankans, Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksa said in parliament today. He added that with the 19th amendment to the constitution Sri Lankans will finally be rid of modern-day slavery.

Rajapaksa made these comments after the second reading of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution at the Parliament.

World’s first self-powered video camera developed

The world’s first self-powered video camera that runs without a battery and can produce an image each second has been developed by researchers led by an Indian-origin scientist.

To develop the prototype camera, researchers designed a pixel that can not only measure incident light but also convert the incident light into electric power.

“We are in the middle of a digital imaging revolution,” said Shree K Nayar, TC Chang Professor of Computer Science at the Columbia University, who led the study.

He noted that in the last year alone, approximately two billion cameras of various types were sold worldwide.

BC will visit and record a statement from Rajapaksa- Justice Minister

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe on Tuesday (21) told the Parliament that the Bribery Commission will not summon the former President to the commission instead the officials will visit him and record a statement.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa for the second time adjourned the session for 30 minutes, as a tense situation arose between the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MPs and the government.

Rajapakas never siphon off state money- Basil

Rajapakas never wanted to siphon off state money but they always contributed to the development of the island nation, former Minister Basil Rajapaksa said.
Rajapaksa made the observation upon his arrival in the country on Tuesday (21).
He also expressed some major development projects that had been initiated by the former government has come to an abrupt end under the new ruling.

New members appointed to institutes including Rakna Lanka ltd

A new board of directors has been elected and new chairpersons have been appointed to Lanka Logistics & Technologies ltd, Rakna Araksha Lanka ltd, and the

Opposition demands anti-graft chief’s sacking

Main opposition demanded on Tuesday the country’s anti-graft chief be sacked for summoning former president Mahinda Rajapaksa to answer bribery allegations amid renewed uproar in parliament.
Opposition lawmaker Bandula Gunawardane told parliament the director general of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, Dilrukshi Wickramasinghe, should be dismissed for her “arbitrary action”.

No-confidence motion to be filed against Ravi Karunanayake

A no confidence motion to be brought against Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, Parliamentarian Bandula Gunawardena said.

Basil returns to the country

Former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa has arrived in the Country a short while ago. He has arrived from London via Dubai on an Emirates flight EK 347.
A large crowd has gathered outside the Bandaranaike International Airport to welcome Rajapaksa and authorities have taken measures to temporarily close the arrival lounge.

Parliament adjourned till 27 April

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa adjoined the Parliament till 27 April. The 19th Amendment will be presented to the Parliament on the same day, Ada Derana reporter said.
A tense situation arose at the House when the Opposition Parliamentarians questioned the

Parliament adjourned for 15 minutes

A tense situation arose in the Parliament and Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa  adjourned the session for 15 minutes, Ada Derana reporter said.
The tense situation arose when the Opposition Parliamentarians questioned the government over former President Rajapaksa being summoned before the Bribery Commission.

Police read out Court order at protest

Police read out a court order at a protest currently being carried out near the Parliament, issued by the Kaduwela Magistrate pronouncing that no protests should be held near the Parliament or its surrounding areas.