Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) took oaths as a Member of Parliament today (05).

He was sworn in before Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne in Parliament this morning.

Mohamed Thahir was appointed by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya to fill the vacancy created following the resignation of National List MP Muhamudu Ismail Muththu Muhammad. (Newswire)

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The National Lotteries Board (NLB) has disclosed that several lottery sales agents have been appointed through political influence, hinting at the involvement of current and former Parliamentarians. 

Addressing the media, NLB Chairman M.D.C.A. Perera revealed that it has been found that the politically appointed agents have failed to remit millions of rupees owed to the Board for years.

He said several district agents have been selling tickets for the National Lotteries Board, with some having not paid their dues for over five years. 

“One such agent is Lakisha Tharangika Rajapaksha, appointed in 2016 on the recommendation of then Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam. She owes Rs. 9.8 million since 2019/20. When looking into why no action had been taken, investigations revealed she is a close relative of the former minister, confirmed through her marriage certificate. Another agent, Disanayaka Mudiyanselage Geetha Nandani, owes Rs. 2.1 million since 2019. Her application listed the email address of MP Hesha Vithanage, and her marriage certificate confirmed she is his wife,” the NLB Chairman said. 

M.D.C.A. Perera noted that the National Lotteries Board has now halted its work and has been forced to run behind the relatives and wives of former and current Parliamentarians. (Newswire)

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Cabinet approval has been granted to cancel the housing concession provided to Members of Parliament under the “Viyathpura Housing Scheme” with immediate effect.

According to the government, several MPs lost their residences due to the unrest in the country on May 9, 2022, and as a temporary measure, the Urban Development Authority was authorized during the Cabinet meeting on July 4, 2022, to provide 101 housing units from the Viyathpura complex on a rental basis for one year.

Subsequently, those MPs requested the opportunity to purchase the units under a concessionary scheme.

Accordingly, housing units that were originally priced between Rs. 15.5 million and Rs. 22 million for the general public were offered to MPs at reduced rates of Rs. 13.34 million minimum and Rs. 18.21 million maximum. 

As per the Cabinet approval on July 15, 2024, MPs were to pay 25% upfront, with the remaining amount payable over 15 years at an annual interest rate of 10%.

The government further stated that 29 former MPs had deposited the initial 25% by December 31, 2024.

However, this concessionary scheme resulted in a financial loss of approximately Rs. 92.126 million to the Urban Development Authority, which could not be recovered through the incurred costs.

As such, the Cabinet has approved the immediate cancellation of the previously sanctioned concessionary scheme, while allowing the 29 MPs to purchase the housing units under the same pricing and procedures available to the general public. 

The proposal in this regard was submitted by the Minister of Urban Development, Construction, and Housing. (Newswire)

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The Government has decided to provide electronic equipment required by Members of Parliament under a plan for usage and ownership of the equipment during their tenure.

According to a circular issued by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, a decision has been taken to provide computers, photocopy machines, fax machines, and mobile phones for the tenure of Parliamentarians of the current Parliament. 

Per the circular, the depreciation value of the goods will be charged on an instalment basis after purchase.

Ownership of the goods will be transferred to the Parliamentarian after the payments are collected.

As such, the Ministry has proposed allocating Rs. 800,000 during an MP’s tenure for this purpose.

Previously, Rs. 01 million could be obtained under two instalments of Rs. 500,000 from MPs during their tenure in Parliament. (Newswire)

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A man was killed in Haldanduwana, Chilaw, after being hit by a vehicle belonging to Puttalam District NPP MP Mohamed Faisal.

The vehicle, which was en route to Parliament, was driven by a relative of the MP at the time of the accident. 

The driver has been arrested, and investigations are underway. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s first-ever vision-impaired Member of Parliament, Sugath Wasantha de Silva has requested the public to immediately seek medical attention if they sustain any injury to the eye, and not take it lightly.

Speaking during an interview with local media, the National Peoples’ Power (NPP) MP narrated the story behind the injury of his eye, as a lesson for the public, revealing that one of his eyes had been injured after a cricket ball hit the eye while playing cricket at the age of 11.

“The first mistake I made was not using my hands to catch the ball. The second mistake was that I hid the injury and failed to report it to my family at the time. This caused me to become vision-impaired. My advice to the public is to immediately go to the eye hospital even if it is as simple as dust in your eyes. These eye injuries go a long way,” he added. 

MP Sugath Wasantha de Silva also warned that the life of a vision-impaired person was extremely difficult and people cannot recover from such eye injuries if ignored. 

MP Sugath Wasantha de Silva has been appointed as a Member of Parliament through the National List of the National Peoples’ Power (NPP). (Newswire)

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The Secretary General of Sri Lanka’s Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera has announced plans to introduce special arrangements to meet vision-impaired MP Sugath Wasantha de Silva’s requirements.

MP Sugath Wasantha de Silva has been appointed a Member of Parliament through the National Peoples’ Power’s (NPP) National List. He is also Sri Lanka’s first-ever vision-impaired Member of Parliament.

Revealing details on the arrangements being made for the MP, Kushani Rohanadeera said measures are being taken to ensure smooth passage to enter and exit the Chamber.

She further said that arrangements are also being made to ensure the MP’s participation in voting, making technical adjustments to accommodate the unique requirements of the new MP.  

The Parliament is also considering introducing the braille system and voice prompt for voting to assist MP Sugath Wasantha de Silva in his parliamentary activities.

The inaugural session of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka will be held on 21 November 2024. (Newswire)

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The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for the establishment of an independent body to oversee the conduct of Members of Parliament (MPs).

The government said many countries in the world have recognized the need to establish an independent body to implement a code of conduct for Parliamentarians, and Sri Lanka has addressed the need to establish a similar authority. 

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe have tabled a joint proposal in this regard at the last Cabinet meeting.

Accordingly, the Cabinet has given permission to obtain the views of the Speaker and leaders of political parties representing the Parliament on the basic draft bill for setting up of a code of conduct for MPs and appointing a panel to oversee.

Cabinet approval was also given to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill after taking into account the views of the Speaker and political party leaders.

The government has proposed the establishment of an independent body to oversee the conduct of MPs with the aim of increasing the public’s confidence in Parliamentarians. (NewsWire)

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