A preliminary discussion to initiate a program to preserve the valuable architecture in the Parliament complex was held in Parliament on Nov. 27 under the patronage of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena. Representatives of several institutions participated in the initial discussion related to this program to be implemented according to a proposal made by Parliament of Sri Lanka.

Due to the cultural symbolism, landscaping and surroundings, historical context, and national identity of the valuable architectural structures in the Parliament complex, the need to preserve them for future generations was emphasized at the meeting.

The program is intended to protect them as a cultural symbol for future generations, to protect their copyright while giving due recognition to the creators, and to preserve the structures of architectural and artistic values without allowing them to be destroyed.

Representatives from Ministry of Buddhasasana Religious and Cultural Affairs, Department of Cultural Affairs, Department of National Archives, Department of National Museums, Central Cultural Fund, Department of Archeology, National Council of Arts, Department of Government Information, Ena de Silva Trust Fund, Geoffrey Bawa Trust Fund, National Crafts Council, Sri Lanka Handicrafts Board and University of Visual and Performing Arts participated in this discussion.

Accordingly, the Parliament Building, the Mace, the Silver Door, the Copper Door, the Lion Gate, the Bar of the House, 18 Brass Flags, Cluster Lamps, the Ceiling of the chamber, the Ceiling in front of the Copper door, 18 Ceremonial Flags, Line Arts, the Wooden Mural at the Members Entrance, Murals in staff entrance, Paintings in the guest lobby, Paintings of the private dining room of Hon. Members, Portrait Gallery at Second Floor, photo gallery and other important photos/images at ground floor and Antiques in the showroom are Proposed for the conservation.

The group agreed to the proposal made by the speaker to prepare a proposal that includes short-term, medium-term and long-term solutions for the preservation of the architecture in the Parliament complex and to conduct proper condition assessment on the related architecture and set up several committees separately.

Accordingly, it was decided to meet again on December 12 to discuss the entire proposal and future program.

Parliamentarian Patali Champika Ranawaka the amount of loans  not recovered by the People’s Bank & National Savings Bank, amounts to Rs. 700 billion.

Speaking in Parliament today (Nov. 29), he said that it extremely unfair to recapitalize banks through public taxes without recovering these loans.

He also revealed that names of several MPs are also among the lists of those who owe to banks in this manner.

The MP emphasised that although the Committee of Public Finance has requested for the lists, the banks have failed to produce them so far.

He added that if these lists are revealed, the reputation of many persons who talk of things such as corruption, injustice as well as law and order, will be in tatters.

Therefore, what the government should actually do is to propose an active programme to recover these loans instead of pressing the taxpayer for more.

A school principal who had allegedly forced a group of school students to eat the polythene lunch sheets they had wrapped food in, has been remanded until December 04.

The 47-year-old, who was the former Principal of Rambukpitiya Central College, was produced before the Nawalapitiya Magistrate Nilantha Wimlaweera earlier today (Nov.29).

The incident was reported on Nov. 22.

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