19th Amendment Draft Bill Was Passed In Parliament By Two Thirds Majority

The 19th Amendment Draft Bill which reduces the key powers of the Executive Presidency and establishing Independent Electoral,Constitutional ,Judicial and Police Commissions has been passed in  the Parliament this evening on it's second reading by two thirds majority.At the voting 215 MP's out of  225 MP's in the Parliament have voted in favor of the amendment while MP Sarath Weerasekere of the opposition voted against it.Nine MP's were absent during the voting.

MP's were individually expressed their opinion on the 19th Amendment after the speaker Chamal Rajapakshe has asked the MP's whether they are agreeable or not to   the  amendment .

Earlier the voting for the second reading of the amendment draft bill was scheduled at 6 p.m ,but it was rescheduled at 7 p.m after the speaker has extended the debate on the 19th amendment from one hour.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY -2

Twelve Market Stalls At Kalmunai General Market Had Destroyed Due To A Fire

Around 12 Market Stalls at the General Market in  Kalmunai(Northern Province) had been completely  destroyed this evening due to a sudden fire according to the Police.Businesmen,residents in the area and fire fighters attached to the Kalmunai Urban Council have managed to doused the fire before it spreads further.

The Police have suspected that an electric leakage may have caused the fire. Kalmunai Police have launched an investigation on the incident.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY -1

Former Presidential Secretary Laith Weeratunge And Two Others Have Been Summoned To The Police Financial Crimes Division

Lalith Weeratunge

The Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division has questioned and recorded a statement from the former Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunge over the controversial financial transaction of the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.

Along with Mr.Weeratunge former President of the Tourism Development Authority Bhashwara Senanke Gunaratne and Kanthi Wijwthunge have been also summoned today on the same issue according to the Police.

The former Presidential Secretary was questioned by the Police Financial Crimes Division over the same issue on  an earlier occasion
too.

Four Persons Died And Another Two Injured Due To A Van-Train Collision

Four persons were killed and another two severely injured due to a collision between a Van and a Train this evening at Mankulam(Northern Province) .The injured were admitted to the Kilinochchi General Hospital for treatment.

According to the Railway Control Room the van was collided with the  train which transporting goods from Anuradhapura to Jaffna when the van tried to cross the rail track at an unprotected Rail crossing.

Sections In The 19th Amendemnt Related To Media To Be Removed-Prime Minister

Prime Minister Ranil Wikarmasinha has said today(27) in Parliament that the sections related to the Media in the proposed 19th Amendment Draft Bill will be removed as Local Media and several critics have shown that media freedom will be affected through these sections.

Former President Mahinda Rajapakshe too has stated  last Saturday during a function that through some sections in the Amendment media freedom will be affected.

The debate on the 19th Amendment Draft Bill  has began this morning at Parliament and the President Maithripala Sirisena has been inaugurated the debate.Addressing the Parliament the President has said that this will be a historical occasion and all 225 MP's in the house should vote in favor of the Draft Bill which includes the amendments removing several key powers of the executive president .