Parliament

Civil servants who submitted nominations for LG Polls

“Awaiting AG’s instructions  on payment of salaries”

The Government is of the opinion that the salaries of the public servants who submitted nominations for the local government (LG) elections should be paid to them, Provincial Councils and Local Government State Minister Janaka Wakkumbura said in Parliament yesterday.

He also mentioned that further instructions have been sought from the Attorney General in this regard. Minister Wakkumbura said this while answering a question raised by the Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa.

“We accept that they have been wronged by not receiving their monthly salary. The Election Commissioner has informed that they cannot return to work under Article 102 of the Constitution. But they have been instructed to pay only the basic salary. According to the Constitution, there is a problem in paying salaries to those who engage in politics from home without being in government service. Accordingly, advice has been sought from the Attorney General in this regard,” he said.

“A situation like this happened in the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha. In that instance, a Cabinet paper was sent and salaries were paid. But that cannot be done today. The reason is that the Election Commissioner has given a date of April 25 for the local government elections. Because of this date, civil servants have been treated unfairly. We are also of the opinion that the salary should be paid to them,” the State Minister said. He said that he would get an affidavit from each of those public servants that they will not engage in politics while in public service and give them their salary.

 

“Stalled road transport projects will be completed by year end”

Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardana stated in Parliament yesterday that efforts will be made to reduce the difficulties in the road system throughout the country by the end of this year.

He also mentioned that after receiving the financial aid from the International Monetary Fund, funds will be available for some of these projects. The Minister stated this while replying to an oral question by Parliamentarian Muditha Prishanthi.

Commenting further, the Minister said that the construction works of many roads under the programme of ‘100,000 kilometres of roads’ had been stopped due to the Covid pandemic, the financial crisis in the country, non-payment of outstanding bills for contractors, and the fuel crisis.

Accordingly, the Minister said that the construction works on the unfinished projects have been completed and the roads can be used at the end of this year.

“Outstanding bills of contractors will be paid before the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Contractors do not need to come to the ministry to get the money. The money will be credited to their accounts,” he said.

 

Sectoral Oversight Committee on  Reconciliation and National Unity

Dilan Perera appointed Chair

Parliamentarian Dilan Perera speaks at the meeting yesterday.

Parliamentarian Dilan Perera was appointed as Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Reconciliation and National Unity yesterday at the Committee meeting held in Parliament.

Parliamentarian Mayadunna Chinthaka Amal proposed the name of Dilan Perera whilst Gevindu Cumaratunga seconded it. The Chair addressing the Committee stated that as the Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Reconciliation and National Unity, he is happy that his name was proposed by a Member of the Government where as a member representing the Opposition seconded it with no Member opposing it.

 

Gamini Lokuge appointed Chair to Standing Committee on Banking and Financial Services

Parliamentarian Gamini Lokuge was unanimously appointed as the Chair to the Standing Committee on Banking and Financial Services yesterday.

State Minister Anupa Pasqual proposed the name of Gamini Lokuge, while Member of Parliament Karunadasa Kodithuwakku seconded it.

Accordingly, the Committee met yesterday in Parliament, and the Chair requested for the support of all the members to successfully carry out the work of the Committee.

Moreover, the Committee members also agreed call the heads of institutions related to the scope of the committee for discussions.

The said Committee was established to consider policy issues related to the accounts of banking, insurance and other financial sector services in Sri Lanka.

Members of Parliament Chamal Rajapaksa, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, Udaya Gammanpila, Eran Wickramaratne, Ajith Mannapperuma, B.Y.G. Rathnasekara, Sampath Athukorala and Yadamini Gunawardena were present at the Committee meeting.