Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe says, once the President is in receipt of the correspondence sent by the Speaker detailing the No-Confidence Motion moved in Parliament today against the present government, the President will act according to the Constitutio

Cabinet Spokesperson: Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, speaking at a media briefing held this morning to announce decisions taken at yesterday's cabinet meeting said, cabinet approval was received for the proposal put forward by Minister of Education and Higher Education: Dr Wijayadasa Rajapakse to issue material instead of vouchers for school uniforms, from next year.

Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe also said, cabinet approval was received to conduct the forthcoming Provincial Councils Election under the Proportionate Representation System, in a manner in which the 25 percent women's representation is maintained.
The term of six provincial councils has expired.
Since the delimitation of wards under the Mixed Representation System is not complete, and since the Provincial Councils Election needs to be held soon, it will be held under the existing system.

Many prominent political leaders expressed their views with regard to the petition and a probable verdict on the dissolution of Parliament

Many prominent political leaders and lawyers expressed their views with regard to the petition and a probable verdict on the dissolution of Parliament. Representatives of all parties said they would abide by the Court’s decision. Most expressed the opinion that people have now been given an opportunity to elect a Government of their choice on January 5.

Minister Wimal Weerawansa said Sri Lanka has the only party in the world which goes to Court against elections. The people is seeking a mandate to chase away the bank robbers, to stop the persecution of war heroes and end the shady oil price formula. It is a pity that our opposition parties have stooped to this low level.

SLFP General Secretary Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa said the President has an option to seek the people’s verdict in a crisis. Holding an election is one such method. The President has taken that decision, but if some think it is not a good decision, they are free to seek the Court’s opinion. And going to Court is a much better option than resorting to violence. The people must reign supreme in all our endeavours.

Minister Udaya Gammanpila said the UNP suffers from people phobia and have been postponing elections for the last four years. However, now the President has given an opportunity for the people to elect their representatives. The power lies with the people. An election is the best feature of a democracy.

General Secretary of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party Professor Tissa Vitarana said they are happy that the UNP is seeking the Court’s opinion instead of going to foreign embassies. We should find solutions to our problems without foreign intervention.

An election is an opportunity to express the people’s will and supremacy. The President took every action within the confines of the Constitution.

Daughter of Former Minister Ravi Karunanayake summoned to court

Following an order issued by Colombo chief magistrate, Lanka Jayaratne, Onela Karunanayake, daughter of former minister Ravi Karunanayake, is to appear before courts yesterday with regard to the false statement given by her father.

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Parliamentarian Prasanna Ranathunga says the consequent actions of UNP shows that they are afraid of facing a general election

Parliamentarian Prasanna Ranathunga says the consequent actions of UNP shows that they are afraid of facing a general election. The Parliamentarian also said the UNP may face a very serious consequence when they go in front of the general public. The whole country knowns the UNP has many flaws and drawbacks in the leadership and among the members.

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MSD official involved with the Petroleum shooting identified

The identification parade with regard to the shooting incident at the Petroleum Corporation was held today. Two witnesses out of three have identified the officer of the Ministerial Security Division who was allegedly involved in the shooting.

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Sri Lanka Freedom Party will contest the election with a broad alliance

SLFP General Secretary Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa said that Sri Lanka Freedom Party will contest the election with a broad alliance. He said that it would forward an economic programme based on protecting national assets and local values.

The General Secretary said that the public have a great liking to the combination of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. He said that a meaningful government would be established through that combination. He added that discussions would be held with all parties.

Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe says that the actions taken by the president including dissolving of the parliament have been done according to legal provisions. If there was an injustice caused, they could have gone to the Supreme Court. During a media briefing at Sri Lanka Freedom Party Headquarters today, the Minister said that the former Prime Minister without doing so, met the ambassadors. He said that the speaker acted without responsibility when the parliament was prorogued, and it could have led to a conflict situation. Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said that the only alternative left to the president to conduct a general election to prevent an impending bloodbath which has been predicted.

Prime Minister: Mahinda Rajapakse obtains the party membership of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna

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The Central Committee of the Podu Jana Peramuna will meet this afternoon

General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Prof.Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa says that they will contest the forthcoming general elections with a broad alliance.

Preliminary measures will be taken tomorrow to prepare nominations.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna says, it will take a decision on contesting the General Election after discussions with their Central Committee which is scheduled to be met this afternoon.

Weather

The Meteorology Department says showers or thundershowers will occur at the several places in the Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and Central provinces in the afternoon.

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Former Chief Justice Sarath N.Silva emphasizes the 19th Amendment to the Constitution did not curtail Executive Presidential powers

Former Chief Justice Sarath N.Silva says, the 13 Amendment to the Constitution has further strengthen the powers of the executive president in connection with the legislature. The President has Constitutional Power to convene , dissolve and prorogue the Parliament.

Expressing his views to SLBC the former Chief Justice said that, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was introduced with the personal objectives of reducing powers of the Executive President.

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