By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has threatened disciplinary action against those who voted for the 20th Amendment on Oct 22, but it is struggling to cope with the situation as rebels are in the majority, according to political sources.
The expulsion of the rebel group was certainly not possible, sources said, pointing out that of the five-member SLMC group, four elected MPs, H. M. M. Harees (Digamadulla), Faizal Cassim (Digamadulla) , M.S.M. Thowfeek (Trincomalee) and Nazeer Ahamed (Batticaloa) had switched their allegiance to the ruling SLPP. They are among the eight Opposition members who voted for the 20th Amendment, which was opposed by the SJB-led Opposition.
By Ifham Nizam
The Sri Lanka Customs Preventive Investigation Branch yesterday detected more than 25,000 kilos of contraband dried turmeric with a market value of Rs. 19 million.
“With the slashing of the import tax on onions to 25 cents a kilo, smugglers are attempting to smuggle in other commodities by concealing them among onion consignments,” Customs Department Spokesman, Director Sunil Jayaratna said.
He said that the importer had paid Rs. 26,880 by way of customs duty for the imported consignment.
Dried turmeric stock was concealed among fresh onions in four containers.
Customs however refused to disclose the name of the errant importer.
The courts had quite justly come to be regarded as the sentinel over the powers of the legislature and the executive in Sri Lanka in order to safeguard the rights of the citizen under the law and the Constitution, Attorney General Dappula de Livera, PC has said on March 23 at the ceremonial sitting of the Court of Appeal
State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID-19 Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle addressing the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus after she was elected Caucus’ Chairperson. Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera looks on.
State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID-19 Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle has been elected unanimously as the Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, Parliament sources said yesterday.
Accordingly, the State Minister of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation Dr. Seetha Arambepola and Parliamentarian Rohini Kumari Wijerathna Kavirathna were appointed as Deputy Chairpersons of the Caucus.
These appointments were made at the inaugural meeting of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus held at the Parliament Complex recently.
By M.A. Kaleel
The claim that the burial of dead bodies of COVID-19 victims could lead to the spread of coronavirus is nonscientific, says Professor Malik Peiris, a world renowned Pathologist and Virologist, currently serving as the Chair Professor of the Department of Virology at the University of Hong Kong. He is also one of the leading scientists who discovered the virus that causes SARS.
Dr Peiris told The Island: “The answer is simple. Viruses can only replicate in living cells unlike certain bacteria like Ebola. Viruses by definition require living cells to replicate. Once a person has died and the cells in his body have died the virus will die. This is the first reason.