Cabinet Has Approved The "Right To Information " And " National Audit" Draft Bills

The Cabinet has yesterday (22) approved the Draft Bills on "Right to Information" and " National Audit" as promised through the government's 100 day public welfare programme according to the Cabinet Spokesman and Minister of Health And Ingenious Medicine Dr.Rajitha Senaratne.

Prime Minister Ranil Wikramasinha was presented the Draft Bill on " Right To Information "to the Cabinet last night and it will be presented to the Parliament as an " Urgent Bill" Dr.Senaratne has said.A commission is due to be set up in order to facilitate the " Right To Information" he has stressed.

The Cabinet has also approved a new electoral system presented by the President Maithripala Sirisena Cabinet Spokesman has further added.

A Group Of Protesters Have Caused A Tense Situation Near Bribery Commission -Former Defense Secretary Arrived To Give A Statement

A tense situation has occurred in front of the Bribery Commission Building this morning as a group of protesters lead by Pivithuru Heala Urumaya Party Leader Udaya Gammanpila have staged a protest campaign  there against summoning of former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakshe  at the bribery commission over corruption allegations.Mr.Rajapakshe who is also the brother of former president Mahinda Rajapakshe had arrived in bribery commission this morning  to give a statement to the commission regarding the corruption charges leveled against him.

Earlier he has requested the bribery commission to give him some more time to provide details of the allegations as the allegations leveled against him are old ones.The former Defense Secretary has been given a sufficient time by the commission to answer the allegations it has been revealed.

Meanwhile the protesters have chanted slogans by criticizing the bribery commission officials for summoning the former Defense Secretary at the commission. 

Former Minister Basil Rajapakshe Who Was Arrested Yesterday Has Been Transferred To The Colombo National Hospital

The former Minister Of Economic Development MP Basil Rajapakshe who was arrested  and remanded yesterday(22) evening has been transferred to the Colombo National Hospital this evening for a medical test the hospital sources have revealed.As MP Rajapakshe has complained that he is in poor health condition Kaduwela Magistrate Court has ordered the prison authorities this morning to admit him to the Welikada Prison Hospital and from there he has been transferred to the Colombo National Hospital in the evening.

At the moment MP Rajapakshe is at a Merchant Ward of the Hospital.The other two who were arrested yesterday along with MP Rajapakshe ,The former secretary to the Ministry Of Economic Development Dr.Nihal Jayathilake and the former director general of the Divi Naguma Programme R.A..K Ranawake were also admitted to the Welikada Prison hospital this morning after they too were complained on poor health condition which becomes a very common condition these days among the VIP's including the politicians in Sri Lanka whenever they are under an arrest order.

MP Rajapakshe and two other attached to his former Ministry were arrested yesterday by the Police Crimes Investigations Division over an allegation leveled against them regarding  misusing the state funds over Rs.700 million that belonging to the Divi Naguma Programme.

When arrived at Police Crimes Investigations Division to give statements yesterday regarding the allegation leveled against them all three were in good health condition according to the sources.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Former Minister Basil Rajapakshe Has Been Remanded Until 05th Of May

The Former Economic Development Minister MP Basil Rajapakshe who was arrested by the Police Crimes Investigations Division this evening has been remanded till 05th of May on charges of misusing the public funds over Rs.700 million belonging to the "Divi Naguma" Programme. Divi Naguma Programme has been implemented by his ministry.

The MP was reported as transported to the Welikada Prison by a Prison van .

The former Minister who is also the younger brother of  former President Mahinda Rajapakshe , has been ordered to be remanded by the Kaduwela  Magistrate after he was produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate Court few hours ago.

After MP Rajapakshe and two other accused officers served at Ministry Of Economic Development have been produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate Court a group of people believed to be the supporters of former minister were protested against his arrest in front of the court premises..Due to this situation the security from Kaduwela Magistrate Court to the Welikada Prison has been tightened up according to the Police.

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