<ul><li>Qatar Airways, Emirates, Omani carrier make requests: Min.</li><li>Govt. proposes MRIA as alternative&nbsp;</li><li>CAA awaits flight plan details to arrange MRIA</li></ul> The closure of parts of Middle Eastern airspace has prompted preliminary discussions on the potential use of the loss-making Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) as a contingency hub for Gulf carriers.A detailed discussion on the matter is scheduled for tomorrow (23), following a number of international carriers seeking more access to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).Speaking to the media, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka said that airlines such as Qatar Airways, Emirates, and an Omani carrier had requested facilities at the BIA to operate additional flights.“They have made these requests under the current war situation to operate additional flights. In fact, they are currently requesting the BIA. However, due to congestion at the BIA, we are proposing Mattala as an alternative,” he said.Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Media Spokesperson and Air Navigation Services Director Thilina Warnasinghe told The Sunday Morning that the proposal remained under discussion, although the airport was operationally ready.&nbsp;“Mattala Airport is fully prepared and operationally ready to handle any requirements that may arise. However, specific details regarding which airlines are making requests and the precise nature of their operational plans are not yet available for comprehensive analysis,” he said.“The concept of utilising Mattala as a hub for Gulf flights is currently under active discussion rather than a finalised plan. Nevertheless, the facility is available, it is functioning in line with all regulatory requirements, and it is ready to facilitate any diverted traffic if carriers from the Middle East choose to use it,” he added.However, he cautioned that physical capacity constraints could limit the airport’s ability to accommodate a large influx of aircraft.“The primary challenge we anticipate relates to structural limitations in terms of how many aircraft we can park and accommodate at a given time. The apron capacity is limited to approximately 10 aircraft in total. This depends on the mix of narrow-body and wide-body aircraft. If the incoming traffic consists entirely of wide-body aircraft, the maximum capacity decreases to around seven or eight. We must be mindful of these spatial limitations when assessing the feasibility of this proposal,” he said.&nbsp;The MRIA is currently used for a limited number of flight operations. At present, it serves the Russian airline Red Wings and accommodates special flights that do not operate on fixed schedules. It is also used as an alternate airport during adverse weather conditions.&nbsp;Given its significant operational losses, the Government plans to call for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from private entities across several sectors, including repair and maintenance, cargo operations, hotel and hospitality services, and a flying school, to develop Mattala Airport.Officials noted that a significant investment was required to normalise operations and resume regular aircraft movements, which the Government is currently unable to undertake. The airport is reported to incur a monthly loss of approximately Rs. 250–300 million.

ME conflict: Airlines seek more BIA access

<ul><li>Colombo Port-Kolonnawa link to modernise fuel logistics</li></ul> Sri Lanka has launched an international tender for a Rs. 12.78 billion pipeline project linking the Colombo Port to Kolonnawa, in a bid to modernise the country’s fuel transport infrastructure and strengthen energy supply chains amid ongoing global market volatility.The move comes as the island faces another round of energy insecurity, with consecutive governments failing to upgrade ageing infrastructure and build capacity due to poor policymaking, lack of capital, and political will to privatise due to trade union pressure.The Ministry of Energy, through the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), has issued an international competitive bidding notice for the Kolonnawa to Colombo Port pipeline project, aimed at improving the efficiency and reliability of transporting refined petroleum products, including aviation fuel.Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku told The Sunday Morning that improving aviation fuel transportation remained a key priority.“The ministry and the CPC are preparing to build the pipeline from either Sapugaskanda or Kolonnawa, directly to Katunayake. This infrastructure is specifically being built to transport jet fuel. We do not have the specific technical details of the project with us right now because the entire project is being handled directly by the CPC. It is an entirely new project. This initiative started only after this Government took over. The funding for this is located within the CPC budget and it has been formally included in its financial allocations,” he said.According to official procurement documents, the project will be executed on an engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning basis, requiring the selected contractor to design and install multiple pipeline systems, connecting key fuel handling points.The core scope includes the installation of an 18-inch diameter pipeline and a 14-inch diameter pipeline running from the Dolphin Tanker Berth at the Colombo Harbour to the Kolonnawa Installation, incorporating subsea components that add technical complexity to the project.In addition, a 12-inch diameter pipeline will be constructed to link the Dolphin Tanker Berth to the existing pipe rack within the Colombo Harbour. The contractor will also be responsible for carrying out modifications and installing additional infrastructure at both the harbour and Kolonnawa facilities to support the efficient loading and unloading of refined petroleum products.The Government has set a construction timeline of 540 calendar days for the completion of the project, underscoring its urgency within the broader national energy strategy.

Energy infrastructure: Rs. 12.78 b pipeline opens for bidding

<ul><li>Iran sprats supply hit; SL turns to Maldives, Malaysia to stabilise market</li><li>Govt. engages traders to curb spikes, assures steady supply of essentials</li></ul>Escalating tensions in the Middle East are impacting the cost of living in Sri Lanka even as authorities hold discussions with stakeholders to prevent a sharp increase in the prices of consumer goods during the upcoming festive season.Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Co-operative Development R.M. Jayawardana said that the Government had engaged with business communities and importers to address potential disruptions and contain price volatility.&nbsp;He added that the focus remained on managing market prices and ensuring supply stability, rather than imposing price controls.Jayawardana claimed that there was no shortage of essential food items at present, despite minor price fluctuations.“The likelihood of prices increasing by a massive margin is low. Our attempts are to manage market prices right through the festive season. We are trying our best to ensure that the current crisis is not used as an excuse to increase prices significantly,” he said, adding that Lanka Sathosa had also imported significant stocks of essential goods to support market stability.Despite Sri Lanka’s heavy reliance on imports – around 80% of potatoes and onions, and nearly 100% of dhal – Jayawardana stressed that the Government did not anticipate shortages, citing diversified import sources.“We import the majority of our goods from countries such as India and Pakistan, along with several others. We do not believe there will be an import barrier significant enough to cause a food shortage,” he said.Addressing concerns over disruptions to sprats imports from Iran, he said alternative suppliers such as the Maldives and Malaysia could meet the demand.“Iran is not the only country from which we import sprats. We can increase imports from other countries. Even now, we have stocks available. While the specific quality associated with imports from Iran may be reduced or absent, the supply can be maintained through other sources,” he said.Jayawardana added that the halt in canned fish imports was a planned policy decision taken last year to promote domestic production.“There are a number of local manufacturing factories. We are giving them the opportunity to meet the country’s requirements. Importing canned fish is not essential at present,” he said, adding that imports could resume if necessary.On price controls, he clarified that the Government’s approach was to manage prices through engagement with stakeholders rather than impose regulated pricing, although minor fluctuations may occur.He further said that multiple committees appointed by the President were working to maintain supply stability, including one led by Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake focusing on the food supply chain.“These committees have taken decisions after consulting the relevant institutions connected to the supply network. Stakeholders have agreed to maintain imports and stability, while Lanka Sathosa has intervened by importing goods to prevent shortages,” he said.

Cost of living: Commodity prices rise amid ME tensions

<ul><li>Public consultations underway</li><li>Patient rights, least restrictive care, regulatory safeguards at forefront</li></ul> Moves are underway to repeal Sri Lanka’s colonial-era mental health law, with a concept paper for a draft bill to replace the Mental Diseases Ordinance of 1873 now presented to the Cabinet.&nbsp;A public consultation on the draft was recently held at the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), with another scheduled for 2 April.&nbsp;The proposed Mental Health Bill introduces a legal framework aimed at modernising mental healthcare in Sri Lanka, formally repealing the long-standing ordinance.The legislation seeks to prioritise the rights, dignity, and autonomy of individuals living with mental disorders, while ensuring that care is provided in the least restrictive manner possible.&nbsp;A key feature of the draft is the introduction of a supported treatment framework for patients who lack the capacity to consent, or those who pose a significant risk to themselves or others.&nbsp;This includes both supported inpatient treatment and supported outpatient treatment, enabling structured care within institutions as well as within the community.&nbsp;The bill also proposes enhanced safeguards to prevent misuse and protect patients’ rights, including the establishment of oversight bodies such as a national mental health advisory council and provincial mental health act review boards.&nbsp;These bodies will review extended treatment orders and hear appeals from patients or their guardians regarding hospitalisation and treatment decisions.In addition, the legislation contains provisions to protect the human rights and property of persons with mental disorders, ensuring non-discrimination in access to services, treatment, and social benefits.&nbsp;Special provisions have also been included for minors, requiring specialised psychiatric assessments for patients under 18, with mandatory involvement of child and adolescent psychiatrists in certain cases.The draft further introduces strict clinical and legal guidelines governing interventions such as Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), as well as the use of restraint and seclusion. These measures are to be applied only as a last resort and under regulated conditions to ensure patient safety.&nbsp;Provisions have also been made for prisoners, prioritising voluntary treatment where possible and outlining procedures for transfers to mental health facilities when supported inpatient care is required.&nbsp;Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni said that the bill would be taken forward at the earliest possible opportunity.&nbsp;Speaking to The Sunday Morning, he said that the draft had been prepared in collaboration with the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists and was currently at the initial stages of the legislative process. He added that efforts were being made to expedite preliminary steps while ensuring public consultations were completed before finalisation.Responding to a query on whether the draft was the same proposal presented to the then Justice Minister in 2022, Dr. Wijemuni said the current initiative constituted new legislation, although it broadly followed a similar framework with updates to reflect present-day needs.Consultant Psychiatrist and former President of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists Dr. Kapila Ranasinghe described the move to repeal the 1873 ordinance as long overdue, noting that the existing law was outdated and inadequate.&nbsp;“The law we are still using was enacted during British colonial times. Although there were amendments in 1956, those changes were not sufficient to address the mental health needs of the country at an optimal level,” he said.&nbsp;Dr. Ranasinghe said that the current legal framework did not provide a safe or user-friendly system for individuals seeking mental healthcare and failed to adequately protect patients’ rights and dignity. While Sri Lanka has a National Mental Health Policy, its implementation has been inconsistent.&nbsp;The Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists submitted the draft of the proposed legislation for Cabinet approval through Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe in November 2025.&nbsp;

Mental health: New law to replace colonial-era ordinance

<ul><li>Govt. says no shortage; experts warn of long-term risks from global supply disruptions</li></ul> Sri Lanka’s food security outlook is coming under renewed scrutiny against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to key shipping routes, with experts warning of long-term risks to agricultural production despite Government assurances on fertiliser availability.The Government has sought to reassure farmers that fertiliser will remain available at controlled prices through State channels, even as rising global fuel prices continue to drive up transportation and logistics costs, stating that there is a stock of fertiliser available for planned cultivation till July.&nbsp;Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne said measures had been taken to maintain a stable supply and prevent price volatility in the domestic market.&nbsp;“There is undoubtedly an impact from rising fuel prices. Transport costs have increased worldwide, and this naturally affects fertiliser as well. However, the main concern among farmers right now is whether there will be a shortage. I want to assure them that fertiliser will not run out. Supplies are available as we have already planned and pre-purchased fertiliser stocks until July,” he said.&nbsp;Karunaratne said Sri Lanka currently possessed adequate stocks of key fertiliser types required for the ongoing cultivation season, including Triple Superphosphate (TSP), Muriate of Potash (MOP), and urea, with further orders already placed.&nbsp;“Even if those shipments are delayed, there will be no disruption to fertiliser availability,” he claimed.Amid concerns over rising prices, he urged farmers to rely on Government-backed distribution channels, warning against purchasing fertiliser from private vendors at inflated rates.&nbsp;However, agricultural experts caution that these measures may not be sufficient to shield Sri Lanka from broader structural risks.&nbsp;University of Peradeniya Faculty of Agriculture Senior Professor Buddhi Marambe warned that the country’s food system remained highly vulnerable to external shocks, particularly in the context of what he described as an ‘oil plus gas shock’ linked to the Middle East tensions.&nbsp;“The hidden devil of all of these things is food insecurity,” he said, noting that its impact was often visible only after significant damage had already occurred.&nbsp;Prof. Marambe pointed out that Sri Lanka’s heavy reliance on imports for both food and agricultural inputs, including fertiliser, seeds, and fuel, placed the country at considerable risk when global supply chains were disrupted.&nbsp;While ruling out an immediate food shortage due to the conclusion of the main cultivation season, he warned that emerging constraints could undermine future agricultural productivity.&nbsp;“As of early March, we had about 100,000 MT of urea in stock. But the total requirement exceeds that figure when you consider paddy, maize, and other crops,” he said, highlighting uncertainty over supplies of the most critical nitrogen fertiliser.&nbsp;He stressed that fertiliser availability could not be viewed in isolation, as energy costs played a central role in agricultural production. “Availability of fuel will be key with respect to the success of harvesting and land preparation,” he said, noting that more than 90% of paddy cultivation processes were mechanised.&nbsp;Prof. Marambe also warned that global disruptions, such as export restrictions by major fertiliser producers and logistical constraints in shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz, could further strain supplies.&nbsp;“One-third of the sea-shipped fertiliser goes through the Strait of Hormuz. That is something we have to be mindful of,” he said.&nbsp;Although the short-term outlook remains stable, he cautioned that reduced fertiliser use due to rising costs could lead to lower yields in the coming seasons.&nbsp;He urged the Government to prioritise key sectors such as paddy, maize, and tea, warning that insufficient nutrient supply could have serious implications for both food security and foreign exchange earnings.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in its latest report titled ‘Impacts of the 2026 Middle East conflict on global agricultural and food systems,’ warned that exports of nitrogen-based fertilisers such as urea and ammonia had already been significantly restricted, posing a growing threat to agricultural production across Asia, Africa, and other regions.&nbsp;

Food security: Fertiliser stocks secure till July?

<ul><li>Seek interim order to halt Trial-at-Bar proceedings pending SC ruling</li></ul>Four suspects linked to the Easter Sunday attacks have filed a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition before the Supreme Court, claiming that their trial has reached a procedural impasse that undermines their right to a fair hearing.The petitioners – Muhammad Akram Ahakkam, Mohamed Hanifa Seinul Abdeen, Jazeem Zeinulabdeen, and Razik Rasa Hussain – who are currently in remand at the New Magazine Prison in Borella, state that they have been held for over six years and deny any involvement in the attacks.In their petition, they contend that recent court directives requiring the High Court Trial-at-Bar to proceed on a continuous day-to-day basis have effectively left them without legal representation.The directive issued by the Supreme Court to expedite proceedings in Case No. HC (TAB) 2972/2021 led to the withdrawal of several private defence counsel. Lawyers informed the court that it was ‘professionally and practically impossible’ to attend daily hearings while managing previously scheduled cases in other courts.The petitioners further state that the scale and complexity of the case, involving 23,270 charges and more than 2,300 witnesses, requires extensive preparation and sustained legal representation, which they claim are currently unattainable under the existing trial structure.Meanwhile, efforts to secure alternative representation have also proven unsuccessful. According to the petition, State-appointed lawyers have faced difficulties, including language barriers, when communicating with the Tamil-speaking accused, and some have withdrawn due to the demands of continuous proceedings.The petitioners argue that continuing the trial under these conditions could cause serious prejudice and compromise the fairness of the proceedings. They also claim violations of their Fundamental Rights under Article 12(1) (equality before the law), Article 13(3) (right to a fair trial), and Article 13(5) (presumption of innocence).They further state that they had been placed in an untenable position, forced either to proceed without experienced legal counsel, incur significant financial burden to retain private representation, or represent themselves in a highly technical criminal trial.&nbsp;The petition, therefore, seeks a declaration that their Fundamental Rights have been violated, and requests an interim order staying the Trial-at-Bar proceedings until the matter is determined. It also calls for directions to ensure that the trial is conducted in a manner that enables the petitioners to obtain effective legal representation.Four defence lawyers – Attorneys K.S. Ratnavale, H. Ghazali Hussain, Rushdhie Habeeb, and Niranjan Siriwardena – who collectively represented 24 accused persons, withdrew from the ongoing Permanent Trial-at-Bar in January.&nbsp;They filed a motion informing the bench that they would refrain from representing the accused, citing limited access to their clients and difficulties in obtaining clear and detailed instructions within the available time.The court has been presented with approximately 23,000 pages of translated indictment material in Sinhala and Tamil, while the Attorney General has also listed 184 physical items as evidence, including 76 swords, detonators, and batteries, and named 2,190 potential witnesses.Owing to the lack of legal representation, proceedings have had to be postponed several times. However, on 2 February, the court made it clear that the trial could not be delayed indefinitely, and confirmed that daily hearings would resume on 9 February.In light of the shortage of lawyers, the Trial-at-Bar outlined three options available to the accused to ensure proceedings continued without interruption: appoint legal counsel at their own expense, accept representation provided by the State, or represent themselves.As a result, cross-examination in the case against 25 suspects remanded over the Easter Sunday suicide bombings has, at times, been conducted by the accused themselves during the ongoing evidence examination.&nbsp;

Easter Sunday attacks: Four suspects file FR petition

The Government is exploring mechanisms to enable Sri Lankans living overseas to cast their votes, with initial discussions currently underway among key institutions.Sources close to the matter said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had initiated a round of stakeholder consultations with line ministries, focusing on a comparative analysis of overseas voting models.&nbsp;However, it is learnt that large-scale models used in some foreign countries are reportedly not being considered at this stage.Authorities are also examining which categories of overseas Sri Lankans will be eligible to vote. One proposal under consideration is an in-person voting system conducted through Sri Lankan embassies.It is learnt that some officials have advocated for a mandatory advance registration system, along with mechanisms to verify citizenship and electoral eligibility prior to voting.Speaking to The Sunday Morning, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that many Sri Lankans living abroad, particularly those working in the Middle East, had retained their Sri Lankan citizenship and contributed significantly to the national economy.“They have a right to choose their leaders,” the spokesperson said, adding that internationally, several countries already allowed their citizens to vote from overseas through their embassies.“In such instances, the Foreign Ministry facilitates the process by providing the necessary support, including arrangements such as security at polling locations,” the spokesperson explained.The spokesperson confirmed that a committee had been established to study the legal frameworks and assess how such a system could be implemented in Sri Lanka. The committee includes representatives from the Department of Immigration and Emigration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Election Commission (EC).Discussions are currently ongoing, with the process still at a preliminary stage.Meanwhile, the EC also confirmed that a separate committee tasked with recommending the necessary legal and procedural reforms was continuing its deliberations.The committee had earlier invited views and suggestions from Sri Lankan citizens living abroad, civil society organisations, and Sri Lankan missions and embassies as part of efforts to establish a mechanism for overseas voting.EC Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake told The Sunday Morning that discussions on this matter were currently underway.&nbsp;The Cabinet had previously appointed the committee to study possible amendments to existing laws, as Sri Lankan citizens residing overseas are currently unable to vote under the country’s electoral framework.Following its appointment, the committee issued a public notice calling for written submissions from stakeholders, including Sri Lankan missions abroad, civil society organisations, and overseas Sri Lankan citizens, with a view to developing a more democratic, transparent, and efficient system.Submissions were sought on key areas such as voter registration, election campaigning and advertising, voting procedures, and the counting of votes and declaration of results.The deadline for submissions closed on 15 February.Establishing a formal mechanism for overseas Sri Lankans to exercise their voting rights is a pledge in the manifesto of the National People’s Power.

Ballot for Lankans overseas?

<ul><li>Prices double to $ 4 per gallon; airlines impose surcharges</li></ul>A sharp escalation in global Jet A-1 fuel prices, driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has doubled aviation fuel costs and pushed airfares to nearly twice their previous levels.&nbsp;Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku confirmed that while prices had surged significantly in the international market, the country’s fuel reserves and incoming shipments were expected to maintain uninterrupted operations.“Regarding jet fuel, our checks last Monday (16) indicated that we possessed sufficient stocks to last 28 days. This means we currently have enough jet fuel on hand to sustain operations for approximately 21 more days,” he noted.He added that Sri Lanka had also actively placed new orders: “As the President mentioned in his recent address, we have secured a jet fuel shipment scheduled for early April. We are confident that there won’t be any supply disruptions with jet fuel because our current reserves provide a secure buffer of 21 days and we expect another shipment to arrive prior to 10 April.”He stressed that the primary impact of the crisis was financial rather than logistical, with airlines directly absorbing the increased cost of fuel.The surge in fuel prices has placed significant pressure on SriLankan Airlines, with Chief Financial Officer and Acting Chief Executive Officer Yasantha Dissanayake warning of substantial financial strain.“This price hike has a very serious financial impact on our operations. Jet fuel is one of our primary operational components and represents our highest singular cost. Therefore, when the price doubles, it causes a highly significant disruption to our financial planning,” Dissanayake said.“Our operational costs have risen drastically, and unfortunately, this is an international market dynamic that remains entirely outside of our control. We are compelled to purchase fuel at whatever prices dedicated by the prevailing global rate,” he added.“Compounding the issue is the fact that we have already sold tickets at previous rates, and we cannot retroactively increase the prices for those passengers. It is a highly unusual and unprecedented situation that we have not encountered before.”He added that globally airlines had introduced fuel surcharges while maintaining passenger demand, except on routes directly affected by regional instability.&nbsp;“To mitigate these expenses, every airline operating globally is now imposing additional fuel surcharges to recover at least a fraction of this unexpected cost. In terms of passenger demand, we have not witnessed a significant number of cancellations. People who have travel requirements are continuing to fly,” he noted.“The only cancellations we are experiencing are limited strictly to the Middle East, where airspace restrictions currently make travel impossible. Beyond those specific routes, passenger retention remains stable, and we have even added extra flights to European destinations to help diversify our revenue streams during this period,” he added.According to Deputy Minister Kodithuwakku, the current market price is hovering at around $ 4 per gallon – a significant jump from the previous rate of approximately $ 2.25.&nbsp;“We are supplying airlines at this revised international rate, and consequently, they must base their ticket fares on these new figures. This direct pass-through of costs means that ticket fares have now escalated to nearly double their previous amounts,” he said.&nbsp;He noted, however, that despite the global fuel volatility, Sri Lanka’s maritime sector had not experienced disruptions.“We are currently carrying out bunkering operations without hindrance. Although Sri Lanka has not yet developed into a primary bunkering hub like Singapore, the vessels that regularly call at our ports continue to do so without any changes to their schedules. While we acknowledge the existence of a broader fuel crisis, it has not yet generated any negative impact on either the local shipping industry or the aviation sector’s operational capacity,” Kodithuwakku assured.

Airfares soar as fuel costs double

<ul><li>PSC process underway to determine electoral framework for delayed polls</li></ul>The Government has indicated that addressing the ongoing crisis will take precedence over holding long-delayed Provincial Council (PC) Elections, even as it moves to resolve legal and procedural barriers to conduct the polls.Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Prabha Ruwan Senarath said the Government was not opposed to holding elections but stressed that current circumstances required urgent attention.“First, we must face the current situation. A Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) has been appointed and we hope to discuss and take a decision regarding that. But right now, rather than talking about an election, we must face the situation that has arisen internationally (in the Middle East),” he said.He emphasised that funds had already been allocated for the election, rejecting claims that the Government was attempting to sideline the process.“I’m not saying to forget about holding the election. If we were forgetting it, we wouldn’t need to allocate Rs. 10 billion from the budget for the election. We are ready to hold the election. The issue is not with us or the Election Commission. Those who created the obstacles were the ones who postponed the election. They must now come together and make the law to hold it again,” Senarath said.The debate over PC Elections resurfaced following criticism from Opposition figures over the lack of progress, particularly in the Northern Province, where polls have been repeatedly delayed for several years.Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Leader Mano Ganesan questioned the Government’s commitment to holding the elections.“If Mahinda Rajapaksa, who fought a brutal war in the north and earned the resentment of Tamils, could still hold the Northern Provincial Council Election, why can’t President Anura Kumara Dissanayake do the same?” he said in a statement shared on social media on 14 March.Responding to such criticism, Senarath reiterated that the delay was not attributable to the current administration, pointing instead to unresolved legal and structural issues.“We should not be focusing on elections right now. Parliament has appointed a PSC and we are awaiting its decision. Our absolute priority is resolving the national crisis while operating strictly within the Constitution,” he said.Meanwhile, Minister Vijitha Herath, who chairs the PSC appointed to examine the electoral system for PC Elections, said that the Government remained committed to holding the polls once the necessary framework was finalised.He said that the committee’s first meeting had been scheduled to be held in Parliament on Tuesday (17), with the aim of resolving legal hurdles and enabling the Election Commission to proceed with the elections.&nbsp;

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Energy infrastructure: Rs. 12.78 b pipeline opens for bidding

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Ballot for Lankans overseas?

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