Postal voting for LG polls postponed again
The Election Commission has informed that postal voting for Local Government elections has to be postponed for the second time and a decision on the polling date is be taken in the near future.
In a statement, the commission has announced that the postal ballots will not be marked on March 28, 29, 30, 31 and April 03 as scheduled in connection with the local government polls.
Postal voting in local government elections was initially scheduled to be held in February.
The Local Government election is scheduled to be held on April 25, 2023.
Below is the complete announcement issued by the Election Commission in this regard.
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Sri Lanka receives first tranche of IMF bailout
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Best anti-corruption law in S.Asia will be passed in Parliament this year
President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the necessary steps will be taken to pass the best anti-Corruption Act in South Asia in Parliament soon.
The President revealed that the cabinet approval for the Bill has already been granted and said that he will discuss it with the Opposition representatives in the future and present it to the Parliament.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe said this during a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat today (23) with the heads of media organizations.
President Wickremesinghe said :
“This process is very difficult. We all feel it. This is a four-year process. It will end in 2026. Those who were with me over a long period and supported these policies are now speaking against me. So is it a big thing for those who were against me to support me? We must remember one thing. We are in a difficult place now. We can’t play the old games again. If we do that, we will fall again. Let’s forget the old games and the past and move forward.”
“We all made mistakes. At least now agree with this and support us. This money we received will be used to pay the salaries this month. It’s not stealing. These were lost because of the allegations of theft. Don’t spread such stories. These people who point fingers steal more than this. My salary is lower than those of you here. We need to change attitudes.”
“They accused me of coming to protect thieves. But we are bringing the best anti-corruption bill in South Asia in consultation with the IMF. The opposition’s shouting did not bring anything. The Minister of Justice is also discussing this with the opposition.”
“We presented this to Parliament to get the support of all parties. No one can oppose this. Some new laws have also been introduced. We have taken several new steps.”
“We do not want to suppress the media. I hear the most criticism from the media. I also lost the media. I am the one who removed the criminal law imposed on the media. I was the one who gave the right to know the information. Independent commissions were brought to Parliament three times. So how do I suppress the media?”
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Won’t allow students to be held hostage by different groups – President
The President emphasizes that students will not be allowed to be held hostage by different groups.
A Bill to make schools an essential service will be submitted to Parliament if the issues are not resolved quickly.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that he will not allow the school children of Sri Lanka to be held hostage by various groups.
The President said that he believes that the problems in the education sector can be resolved quickly through discussions; failing which he will have to submit a Bill to Parliament to make schools an essential service.
The President made this statement during the National Ceremony where free textbooks and uniforms were distributed to students and student monks, by the Ministry of Education which was held at Sanghamitta Balika Vidyalaya in Colombo this morning (23).
In this event organized by the Ministry of Education, the President symbolically awarded textbooks and uniforms to 40 student monks, sil mātā and students.
Education Minister Dr. Susil Premajayantha, Acting Education Secretary Hemantha Premathilaka and Principal of Sanghamitta Balika Vidyalaya Thushari De Silva also presented a commemorative gift to President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
70% of the school uniforms related to the year 2023 have been received as a grant from the Chinese Government and all of them have been distributed throughout the islands by now. The rest of the uniforms are provided by local businesses. School textbooks printed by the Department of Government Printing and local suppliers using raw materials obtained with Indian assistance were officially distributed here.
These uniforms and textbooks are provided to students of Government schools and Government-aided schools and student monks who are studying in Pirivenas.
Minister of Education Dr. Susil Premajayantha, State Minister of Piriven Education Vijitha Berugoda, State Minister of Education Arvindh Kumar, State Minister of Higher Education Suren Raghavan, Governor of the Western Province Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Gunathilake, Member of Parliament Yadamini Gunawardena, Secretary of the Western Province Pradeep Yasaratne, Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Education Hemantha Premathilaka, Commissioner of Education – Publications Mr. Z. Thajudeen and officials of the Education and Line Ministries, Principals and Teachers of numerous schools took part in this event.
