<ul><li>Will reconsider position if probes substantiate allegations&nbsp;</li><li>44 Opposition MPs submit no-confidence motion against Speaker</li><li>Motion cites alleged violations of laws, parliamentary rules, Constitution</li></ul> The governing National People’s Power (NPP) will support Speaker of Parliament Dr Jagath Wickramaratne in the no-confidence motion (NCM) brought against him by the Opposition, but may reconsider its position if investigations produce reports substantiating the allegations, NPP General Secretary and Government MP Dr Nihal Abeysinghe said.Speaking to The Daily Morning, he said institutions were in place to investigate the allegations and that the NPP would discuss its position if their findings provided reasonable grounds to establish the claims.“If they come up with reasonable reports to establish these allegations, then we will discuss and make a decision. Otherwise, just because the Opposition comes up with allegations, we won’t let the Speaker down at this point,” he said.Abeysinghe said the NPP had not discussed the matter internally and would state its position when the motion was taken up for debate in Parliament.“We haven’t discussed it among ourselves. When it comes to Parliament, there will be a debate, then our side will represent our position,” he said.Asked whether the NPP would support the Speaker, he replied: “Certainly. Why not? These are all allegations. We will see how these allegations can be proved. When there are just allegations, we really should not be disturbed by those.”The remarks follow the submission of an NCM against Dr Wickramaratne by 44 Opposition MPs representing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, the New Democratic Front and independent groups. The motion was handed over to Parliament Secretary-General, attorney Kushani Rohanadeera, on 9 October.The NCM cites alleged violations of the Constitution, the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, the Offences Against Public Property Act, the Penal Code, the Right to Information Act, the Code of Conduct for MPs and Parliament’s Standing Orders.&nbsp;

NPP backs Speaker, for now  

<ul><li>E-monitoring system in the offing&nbsp;</li></ul> The prison population in the country has declined by around 6,000 inmates over the past few months due to improvements in the issuance of Government Analyst (GA) reports, while the Prisons Department expects to ease overcrowding further through the introduction of an electronic monitoring system.Speaking to The Daily Morning, Department Spokesperson and Commissioner Senaka Pallethenna said that the inmate population had dropped from around 42,000 to 36,000 as the process of issuing GA reports had become more efficient. “Earlier, there were generally around 42,000 inmates at any given time, but now, the number has been reduced to 36,000. We are receiving the GA reports very efficiently now,” he said. However, Pallethenna said that the Department could not predict when the prison system would reach a manageable level of congestion, as this would depend on the pace at which GA reports are issued.He added that the proposed electronic monitoring system, under which suspects could be monitored while remaining in society instead of being remanded in custody, is also at its final stage of preparation. According to Pallethenna, the legal provisions required to establish the system had been drafted, and the mechanism is expected to be implemented soon.According to the latest reports of the Auditor General’s Department, the official standard space allocated per inmate in Sri Lanka is 3.4 square metres. However, for the past few years with more than 42,000 inmates accommodated in facilities designed to hold approximately 10,000, the actual space available per inmate has been reduced. Hence, prison overcrowding has remained a longstanding concern, repeatedly raised by activist groups and prisoner rights advocates. They have pointed to overcrowding as a contributing factor to frustration among inmates and conflicts within prisons, with several such incidents reported in recent times.Multiple attempts to contact the GA’s Department for comment proved unsuccessful.

Prison reforms: Prison population down by 6,000 

<ul><li>Ministry plans survey to identify risks and develop interventions</li></ul> The Women and Child Affairs Ministry has identified concerns over alleged prostitution, child trafficking, drug-related activities and other forms of exploitation in some apartment complexes where families from shanties were relocated to make way for development projects.Speaking to The Daily Morning, Ministry Secretary Tharangani Wickramasinghe said overcrowding, low levels of education and limited household incomes had contributed to social and economic problems in some communities.“Various illegal activities are taking place in these flats. Most of the children don’t attend school beyond Grade Eight. We have identified many problems, including children living with human immunodeficiency virus and parents selling their children. Prostitution is also taking place when parents cannot afford their expenses,” she said.Wickramasinghe said some housing units allocated to a single family were occupied by two or three families, increasing the pressure on households with limited incomes. She also identified drug-related activities in areas such as Maradana and Borella, warning that children born into such circumstances were vulnerable from an early age.The Ministry plans to conduct a survey to identify the problems and develop targeted interventions, with the programme expected to begin in Kirulapone.“We have developed a questionnaire, and women are the main focus of these programmes. We already conduct awareness programmes. Through the data that they provide, we will be able to identify the issues and develop solutions accordingly,” she said.Wickramasinghe said the Ministry lacked a comprehensive database on the affected communities and relied mainly on complaints received through the 1929 and 1938 hotlines.She added that reaching residents and securing their participation in surveys remained difficult, despite the Ministry having legal provisions to enter the premises.“If we approach them directly and ask about these issues, they don’t provide us with data,” she said, noting that officials had to adopt different approaches to engage residents.The Ministry cannot address the problems alone and is receiving support from a non-governmental organisation to implement the programmes, she said.Wickramasinghe also raised concerns that child protection efforts focusing primarily on girls could leave boys vulnerable and comparatively neglected. The planned data-driven programme would examine measures to address this gap as well, she added.

Exploitation concerns in relocated housing complexes

<ul><li>To provide solution for elders with assets but sans care&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>More scope for pvt sector involvement&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul> The Government is looking to create opportunities for private individuals to care for older people who have assets but no one to look after them, alongside plans to strengthen the implementation of legislation on elder care and allocate additional funding, Deputy Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment Minister Wasantha Piyatissa said.Speaking to The Daily Morning, he said that the National Policy for Senior Citizens had been finalised by the Legal Draftsman’s Department and that the Government planned to regulate all elder care homes across the country, with increased funding and a greater scope for private sector participation under the proposed arrangements.&nbsp;“We are expecting to allocate more funds under this regulatory framework and give the private sector an opportunity to get involved.” He said that the proposed arrangement would also offer a way for senior citizens who own money or property but have no one to care for them to receive residential care in return for an agreed share of their assets. “There are older people who have money and property but no one to look after them. If they sign an agreement, a person caring for them could receive a share of their property or assets under that agreement, and provide them with comfortable care. We are hoping to create that opportunity.”The proposals come as Sri Lanka’s population continues to age. According to the final report of the 2024 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Census and Statistics Department, Sri Lanka has approximately 3.9 million people aged over 60. It was also reported recently that despite Sri Lanka having 496 reported elder care homes accommodating 10,770 older people, only 148 institutions (29.83 per cent) are currently registered with the National Secretariat for Elders. The Colombo District, one of the country’s most populated Districts, has no elder care centre directly operated by the Government or the Provincial Social Services Department. A total of 3,850 females and 6,920 males are currently living in 496 elder care homes across the country. Of the 496 homes, only three are managed by the Secretariat, six are owned by Provincial Councils, and 487 are operated by private organisations, voluntary organisations and private companies.

National Senior Citizens Policy finalised

Representatives of seven traders’ associations have sought a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake over the Cabinet decision to establish National Agri Markets (Private) Limited to take over the management, control and administration of Dedicated Economic Centres (DECs) across the country.The traders have raised concerns that the proposed company would fundamentally change the existing management structure of the economic centres, which currently operate under Trust Boards chaired by the respective District Secretaries and comprising ex-officio representatives of Government institutions and traders’ associations. They have also alleged that the proposal appears to have been made with “ulterior motives”.According to a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed before the Supreme Court, the Cabinet approved the proposal on 3 June 2025, following a memorandum submitted by the Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister on 7 May 2025.The petitioners allege that the decision was taken without consulting traders’ associations, farmers, wholesale traders, shop owners and other stakeholders whose livelihoods depend on the economic centres.They further claim that the Cabinet approved the proposal without adequately examining the problems affecting the existing centres or appointing an expert committee to investigate the issues and recommend solutions.Concerns have also been raised over proposals to issue shares in the proposed company to certain public officials, including the Treasury Secretary and the Secretaries of the Ministries responsible for Trade or Internal Trade or Market Places, Home Affairs and Agriculture.The petitioners contend that the restructuring was undertaken without giving them an opportunity to be heard, allegedly violating their constitutional rights to equality before the law and equal protection of the law under Article 12(1), and the freedom to engage in a lawful occupation under Article 14(1)(g).They also argue that the decision undermines traders’ legitimate expectations of being consulted and participating in the governance and management of the Trust Boards.The petitioners warn that implementing the decision could cause serious and irreparable harm to traders and their associations, while adversely affecting farmers, consumers and the national agricultural supply chain.The FR application names senior Government officials, Cabinet members, the Secretary to the President, the Secretary to the Cabinet, the Registrar General of Companies and the Attorney General as respondents. The petitioners are seeking judicial intervention over the Cabinet decision and its potential implications.The proposed company is expected to bring 15 DECs under its purview: Dambulla, Nuwara Eliya, Welisara, Veyangoda, Meegoda, Embilipitiya, Thambuttegama, Narahenpita, Keppetipola, Ratmalana, Bokundara, Kandahandiya, Piliyandala, Ampara and Kurunduwatta.

Traders challenge plan to take over economic centres 

<ul><li>Admitted to Cardiology Unit; MR admitted to hospital&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul> The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court yesterday (12) rejected an anticipatory bail application filed by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s wife, Shiranthi Rajapaksa, in connection with the Siriliya Saviya Fund investigation.The application, seeking bail in anticipation of a possible arrest by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), was taken up before the Court on 6 October. The Court also issued a notice directing the FCID Officer-in-Charge to appear yesterday and report facts regarding the matter.Shiranthi Rajapaksa, who is currently in remand custody at Welikada Prison, has been admitted to the Cardiology Unit of the National Hospital in Colombo.She was taken to the National Eye Hospital on 9 October for specialist treatment and was subsequently returned to prison custody. She had been referred to a prison medical specialist on 8 October due to an eye condition.Rajapaksa was arrested by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) at her residence on Poorwarama Road in Kirulapone on 7 October.According to CIABOC, the arrest followed the recording of a statement from her lasting nearly two hours in connection with investigations into alleged financial irregularities and transactions involving an account linked to the Siriliya Saviya Fund.Following her arrest, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court ordered that she be remanded until today (13). Additional Magistrate Darshima Premaratne also directed prison authorities to make arrangements for her to receive medical treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.Meanwhile, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was hospitalised yesterday morning following a sudden illness.He was admitted to a private hospital and was briefly treated in the Intensive Care Unit, according to reports. Several routine medical tests were subsequently conducted to assess his condition.The results of the examinations were reportedly satisfactory, and he is currently receiving standard medical care at the hospital.

Anticipatory bail rejected for Shiranthi  

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has found that the continued detention of two Tamil-language books by Customs violated the author’s fundamental rights and recommended their immediate release.In its recommendation in Case No. HRC/KIL/031/26, the HRCSL examined the decision by the Director General of Customs to seize four books imported from Chennai, India, on 27 March.The books were Ippothum Inge Irandu Thesangalthaan, Elluttal Nan Yuttam Ceykiren, Bayangaravaathi and Cyanide, authored by B Piratheepan.Following an assessment by the Arts Council and the State Literary Sub-Panel, Bayangaravaathi and Cyanide were released after experts classified them as works of fiction. However, 75 copies of Ippothum Inge Irandu Thesangalthaan and 147 copies of Elluttal Nan Yuttam Ceykiren remained detained.The HRCSL observed that the authorities had failed to establish the necessary intent and likelihood of harm to justify the continued seizure under the Customs Ordinance and Section 120 of the Penal Code.It held that the passages in question, although potentially offensive or disturbing to some readers, did not amount to direct incitement warranting such restrictions.The Commission concluded that the continued detention constituted unnecessary and disproportionate prior censorship, violating the author’s freedom of expression and publication guaranteed under Article 14(1)(a) of the Constitution.It also found violations of Articles 12(1) and 12(2), which guarantee equality before the law and prohibit discrimination, including on the grounds of language.Furthermore, the HRCSL held that the seizure violated the author’s right under Article 14(1)(f) to enjoy and promote his own culture and use his own language.The Commission recommended that Customs immediately release all detained copies of the two books.

Customs seizure of Tamil books: HRCSL recommends release of 222 books 

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has found the Kalmunai Base Hospital in Kalmunai North violated the fundamental rights of healthcare assistants by restricting their religious attire.The Commission found the hospital had violated the rights to freedom of religion and belief, freedom of thought and conscience, freedom to engage in a lawful occupation, equality before the law and equal protection of the law, and non-discrimination, guaranteed under Articles 14(1)(e), 10, 14(1)(g), 12(1) and 12(2) of the Constitution.Accordingly, the HRCSL has recommended that the hospital issue a written interpretation of the applicable public administration circulars to all its administrative staff, clarifying that staff members may wear head coverings, long-sleeved attire and trousers in addition to the prescribed uniform.The Commission has also recommended a full and impartial inquiry into all allegations of harassment by hospital staff and called for the complainants, who are healthcare assistants, to be offered the option of returning to work at the hospital in writing.In a further recommendation, the HRCSL has called on the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration to issue a new circular along the lines of Public Administration Circular No. 13/2019 dated 26 June 2019.The proposed circular should clarify that all public officers may wear religious attire in accordance with their religious beliefs alongside their basic uniforms, provided they can be clearly identified.

 Barring religious attire: HRCSL finds Kalmunai Hospital guilty 

Opposition Parliamentarian Chamara Sampath Dassanayake has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) after appearing before the Commission to provide a statement. The arrest follows an investigation into allegations that he solicited a bribe of Rs 8.1 million from three selected companies in exchange for facilitating phosphate exports without following the proper procedures and assisting the companies in obtaining the necessary export licences.Sumathipala Liyanarachchi, who served as Dassanayake’s private secretary during his tenure as the Primary Industries State Minister, was also arrested in connection with the investigation.Dassanayake had appeared before the CIABOC yesterday (12) following a summons issued by the Commission to record a statement in connection with an ongoing investigation into a bribery incident.Dassanayake, who was arrested by the CIABOC on charges of allegedly soliciting bribes, has been remanded by the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court until 23 October. He was ordered remanded by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga Bodaragama, after considering the facts presented before Court by the CIABOC and the defence counsel.

NPP backs Speaker, for now

Prison reforms: Prison population down by 6,000

Prison reforms: Prison populat ...

Exploitation concerns in relocated housing complexes

Exploitation concerns in reloc ...

National Senior Citizens Policy finalised

National Senior Citizens Polic ...

Traders challenge plan to take over economic centres

Traders challenge plan to take ...

Anticipatory bail rejected for Shiranthi

Anticipatory bail rejected for ...

Customs seizure of Tamil books: HRCSL recommends release of 222 books

Customs seizure of Tamil books ...

Barring religious attire: HRCSL finds Kalmunai Hospital guilty

Barring religious attire: HRC ...

MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake remanded

MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake ...

Prison reforms: Prison population down by 6,000

Prison reforms: Prison populat ...

Exploitation concerns in relocated housing complexes

Exploitation concerns in reloc ...

National Senior Citizens Policy finalised

National Senior Citizens Polic ...

Traders challenge plan to take over economic centres

Traders challenge plan to take ...

Anticipatory bail rejected for Shiranthi

Anticipatory bail rejected for ...

Customs seizure of Tamil books: HRCSL recommends release of 222 books

Customs seizure of Tamil books ...

Barring religious attire: HRCSL finds Kalmunai Hospital guilty

Barring religious attire: HRC ...

MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake remanded

MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake ...

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Prison reforms: Prison population down by 6,000

Prison reforms: Prison populat ...

Exploitation concerns in relocated housing complexes

Exploitation concerns in reloc ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

National Senior Citizens Policy finalised

National Senior Citizens Polic ...

Traders challenge plan to take over economic centres

Traders challenge plan to take ...

Anticipatory bail rejected for Shiranthi

Anticipatory bail rejected for ...

Customs seizure of Tamil books: HRCSL recommends release of 222 books

Customs seizure of Tamil books ...