JHU approaches UNP, JVP and TNA
Tuesday, 28 May 2013 
The JHU is to initiate a discussion with opposition political parties like the UNP, JVP and TNA to get their support to abolish the provincial council system in the country.
The JHU is to present to parliament a draft motion seeking an amendment to the Constitution to abolish the provincial council system.
However, the decision by several governing party members of parliament including leftist ministers not to support any amendment to the Constitution to repeal the 13th Amendment has posed a problem to the government in finding the two thirds majority in parliament to pass the legislation.
The JHU has therefore decided to initiate discussions with the members of opposition political parties to build the numbers to pass the legislation in the House.
Lokuge takes a step back on Lalkantha’s demand
Tuesday, 28 May 2013
Labour Minister Gamini Lokuge took a step back when head of the National Trade Union Center (NTUC) K.D. Lalkantha demanded that the government stop utilizing public funds to pay the electricity bills of ministers’ houses.
Lalkantha claimed during the Jana Handa political debate on TNL TV that Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s March electricity bill for his house was over Rs. 120,000 and that it was borne by the public along with the electricity bills of other ministers.
Lokuge after debating the issue finally agreed that the government should discuss and re-consider the payment of ministerial electricity bills with public funds.
The non utilization of public funds to pay the electricity bills of ministers’ houses was among the demands put forward by the Coordinating Committee for a Joint Trade Union Alliance that called for a token strike on the 21st.
Lalkantha explained that given the current financial crisis faced by the CEB, the government needed to take steps to increase the efficiency of the institution and cut down on its wastage and corruption instead of burdening the people.
