PARLIAMENT

The 80th meeting of the Constitutional Council was held yesterday (24) under the patronage of its Chairman Hon.Karu Jayasuriya at the Speaker's official residence. Prime Minister Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, along with the members of the Constitutional Council, Bimal Ratnayake and Thalatha Athukora attended the meeting.

In addition, civil society representatives Javed Yousuf and Prof.Naganathan Selvakumaran, Secretary-General to the Constitutional Council and Secretary-General of the Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake as well as the Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Neil Iddawala were also present at the meeting.

Dr. Rani Jayamaha and Samantha Kumarasinghe who were nominated by H. E the President Gotabaya Rajapaksha, to the Central Bank's Monetary Board given the   vacant position created due to the resignation of Nihal Fonseka and Dushni Weerakoon, were discussed and approved unanimously by the Constitutional Council.

The chairman of the Constitutional Council informed its members regarding the resignation of the former member Dr. Jayantha Dhanapala and commended him for his excellent service rendered to the Constitutional Council.

The Chairman of the Constitutional Council informed the members that actions would be taken in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution to fill this vacancy.

The nomination of Brigadier (Retired) P.P J Fernando for the vacancy created at the Office for Reparations was also discussed in the constitutional Council.

The attention of Constitutional Council also drawn to the activities of the Election Commission and the Police Commission.

A letter received by the Constitutional Council regarding a statement made by Member of Elections Commission Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole to the media and the observations made by the Election Commission in writing on this regard were presented to the members by the Chairman of the Constitutional Council.

A copy of a letter sent by Ms. Ahimsa Wickramatunge to the Police Commission was brought to the attention of the members of the Constitutional Council by its Chairman.  It was decided that the observations should be obtained immediately as the said observations of the Police Commission on the letter have not yet been received.