Imprisoned Former Minister Basil Rajapakshe Said He Is Ready To Face Divi Naguma Allegations Behalf Of The People.

The imprisoned former Minister MP Basil Rajapakshe who is now in Merchants Wards of Colombo National Hospital has stated Yesterday  (24)that if there is any wrong doing occurred in "Divi Naguma" Programme Funds he is ready to face any challenge behalf of the people.

Issuing a Media Release to the media organizations MP Rajapakshe who was admitted to the Merchant's Ward after complained about a  Chest Pain on Thursday (23) has said that the  "Divi Naguma' Programme was created for people's welfare and it was a people's programme.The former Minister has seems to be in good health now  although complained of a chest pain  earlier.



He along with the former secretary of the Economic Development Ministry Dr.Nihal Jayathilake and the director general of the Divi Naguma Programme R.A.K Ranawake were ordered to remand till 05th of May over the allegation leveled against them on misusing a sum of over Rs.700 million that belongs to the "Divi Naguma" Programme.All three of them were admitted to the Ward 15 of the Merchant Wards by Thursday  evening  after complained about  a chest pain.

Colombo Magistrate Court Issued Notices To 18 Politicians Over A Chrages Of Contempt Of Court

The Colombo  Magistrate's Court  has today(24) issued notices to 27 politicians and individuals   including 10 Parliamentarians attach to the main opposition United Peoples Freedom Alliance(UPFA) to appear before the courts on 8th of May on charges of Contempt of  Court.

Those Politicians and individuals including some Buddhist monks who were issued notices today have been launched a protest campaign in front of the Bribery Commission in Colombo yesterday (23) to protest against summoning Former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakshe at the commission.

As they were conducted the protest campaign by violating the Colombo Magistrate's  Court order issued on previous day by banning any protest campaigns  in front of the bribery commission.
the Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya has today issued the notices to those participated the protest after considering the report submitted to the court by the Cinnamon Garden Police.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Central Committee Of The Main Opposition Sri Lanka Freedom Party To Vote In Favor Of 19TH Amendment

The Central Committee of the main opposition Sri Lanka Freedom Party(SLFP)  has today (23) unanimously decided to vote in favor of  the Draft Bill on 19th Amendment which is scheduled to be taken in to debate by Next Monday(27)according to the Cabinet Spokesman Dr.Rajitha Senaratne .

The President Maithripala Sirisena has also assured to pass the  20th Amendment on new electoral system which proposed by the SLFP.The Parliamentary Group representing the SLFP has earlier decided to support 19th Amendment Draft Bill only if the government will presented it to the Parliament with new electoral reforms.

Under the 19th Amendment Draft Bill Eight Key powers vested with the Executive Presidency will be amended including the power of the President to dissolving the Parliament.Under the amendment the power of dissolving the parliament which now vested with the executive presidency will be transferred to the Parliament it self.The President's term will be reduced to two terms and one term will be reduced to five years from six years .

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.