• AKD’s 5th official visit will be to Germany next month, meetings being finalised; focus likely to be on PTA
• Govt. to send second delegation to US for trade tariff talks; US to send letter outlining requirements
• Nationalist camp focuses on confusion over War Heroes’ Day and AKD; amidst confusion, AKD attends event
• RW did not attend War Heroes’ Day event, Dinesh attended; issue due to Prez, PM avoiding main event
• MR makes public appearance after surgery with GR at SLPP’s War Heroes’ Day event after national event
• Ananda drops bombshell in House over SJB, UNP, SLPP link with organised crime/underworld gangs
• Opposition demands that Govt. reveal names; clash between Dayasiri and Bimal turns into intense debate
• Complaint made against Dayasiri with Speaker announcing probe; Opposition to complain against Bimal
• Sajith meets Opposition MPs over security concerns, decides to seek Speaker’s intervention with MSD
• Sajith questions Govt. on social media after being ‘silenced in Parliament’; CID probes politicos’ accounts
• Sajith and RW take a backseat as SJB-UNP agree to cooperate in LGs; secretaries issue joint statement
• Thalatha speaks to media, stopping Wajira from making controversial statements; Wajira shows statement
• SJB seniors previously engaged in talks with UNP not involved; Harsha says unaware of SJB-UNP tie-up
• Some SJBers suspicious of deals between party seniors and JVP/NPP; defeat to be blamed on Sajith, SJB
• AKD meets with independent councillors in CMC; claims support of 9 independents, JVP/NPP up to 57
• Some independents meet with Sajith after AKD meet; DNA says support only if proposals are accepted
• SJB faces internal battles in Kuliyapitiya LG; power struggle between Ajith and Rajitha in Kalutara UC
• SJB’s Jagath challenges JVP/NPP, says will provide funds for LGs led by SJB if ruling party withholds funds
• CC denies AKD’s nominee for auditor general post twice; agrees to 6-month extension for incumbent
• Keheliya, Mahindananda in M2 ward at CRP; Ramith admitted to prison hospital over breathing issue
• CoI on Deshabandu to proceed after rejecting preliminary objections; next hearing on Wednesday
• House informed of probe on alleged plot to assassinate Deshabandu; Kanjipani Imran implicated

The ruling Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) and Opposition parties led by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and United National Party (UNP) are engaged in a race to secure majorities in Local Government (LG) bodies as the 2 June deadline to form the councils of LG bodies inches closer. 

The tussle for supremacy in the LG bodies where the ruling party has recorded victory but failed to secure a majority has resulted in foes turning into friends and vice versa. The intensity of the ongoing battle to form LG councils for hundreds of bodies is evident, with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) taking the lead in securing the numbers for the ruling JVP/NPP.

However, despite the focus of the local political scene being mostly framed on the formation of the LG bodies, the country continues to engage in its uphill battle to push its economy from stability towards a growth trajectory. Getting the pending tranche from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) while continuing to meet the conditions of the programme, reaching a deal on the US’s proposed trade tariffs on Sri Lanka, and ensuring the overall functions of the Government amidst increasing incidents of gun violence in the country and shortages of food commodities are presenting quite a number of challenges to the Government.

It is also becoming evident to President AKD and his Government that rabble-rousing on the ‘76-year curse faced by the country’ under previous governments and their failures while engaging in a blame game alone will not help the governance process in resolving the issues faced by a still ailing nation.

The efforts being made by President AKD in strengthening the country’s bilateral and trade ties with foreign countries indicate that the President seems to be aware of the need for such relations.

It is in such a backdrop that Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath on Friday (23) announced that President AKD was scheduled to undertake an official visit to Germany on 10 June, marking the President’s fifth international trip since assuming office in September 2024. His previous visits have been to India, China, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.

Nevertheless, when engaging in such State visits, it is important for the Government to understand the pledges that Sri Lanka has made to these countries as well. The German Government is reportedly preparing to discuss the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), which is frequently being identified as a tool of victimisation, with the President during his visit to the country next month due to the commitment expressed by successive governments in Sri Lanka, including the incumbent JVP/NPP Government, to repeal the piece of legislation.

It is also learnt that the Sri Lankan Government is still finalising meetings for President AKD in Germany, including with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Appointments have however been secured with Germany’s Federal President and the Foreign and Defence Ministers.

US tariff talks

Meanwhile, President AKD is also engaged in discussions with the Government delegation involved in trade negotiations with the US over the reciprocal trade tariffs pushed by President Donald Trump. 

Accordingly, a second Sri Lankan delegation is set to participate in discussions in Washington, DC, focusing on tariff-related matters, following an invitation extended by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). 

The Government has stated that this initiative builds on several prior virtual interactions held between the USTR and Sri Lankan officials and underscores a commitment to deepening economic ties. 

Letters from the US

However, the US has stated that it will send letters within the next few weeks to trading partners setting out a tariff decision and the US’s requirements, citing that it is not possible to meet all the countries.

President Trump has said in Abu Dhabi recently: “We have, at the same time, 150 countries that want to make a deal, but you’re not able to see that many countries… So, at a certain point, over the next two to three weeks, I think Scott and Howard will be sending letters out, essentially telling people – we’ll be very fair – but we’ll be telling people what they’ll be paying to do business in the United States.”

Trump has further noted: “I guess you could say they could appeal it, but for the most part, I think we’re going to be very fair, but it’s not, it’s not possible to meet the number of people that want to see us.”

Given Trump’s words, it could be said that the trade negotiations between Sri Lanka and the US could take more time unless Sri Lanka agrees to the US’s requirements.

Participation confusion 

Meanwhile, the National War Heroes’ Day last week, marking 16 years since the end of the war, created quite a stir, with nationalist political parties criticising President AKD for initially deciding not to attend the commemoration event.

There was much confusion after a Defence Ministry press briefing, where it was stated that the Deputy Minister of Defence would attend the event representing the President. This led to criticism from certain quarters regarding the President’s absence. However, officials have since clarified that President Dissanayake was always scheduled to attend the ceremony.

Finally, the Ranaviru Seva Authority confirmed that President AKD would attend the National War Heroes’ Day ceremony on Monday (19). 

Nevertheless, the confusion over the President’s participation at the National War Heroes’ Day commemoration took a new twist with the official invitation for the event not including the President’s name as the Chief Guest. According to copies of the invitation posted on social media, the event was to be led by the Deputy Defence Minister.

President AKD however attended the event and reiterated his commitment to ensure there will not be any space for communal violence or war.

RW did not attend

However, amidst the chaos over the National War Heroes’ Day event and the criticism levelled against President AKD not attending the official commemoration event, it was missed by many that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe had also not attended such events during his term in office. Such events were attended by then Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

There were no objections or criticisms raised by the nationalist camp over the Prime Minister’s attendance at commemoration events for war heroes. It seems that issue this time was mostly due to the fact that the President and the Prime Minister were both not listed as VIP invitees at the event with the Deputy Defence Minister named as the Chief Guest. 

MR, GR come out

Meanwhile, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR), who was recuperating following a knee surgery, and former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa (GR), who has been maintaining a low profile, participated in a Heroes’ Day commemoration organised by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) on Tuesday (20), the day after the national event attended by President AKD. 

The event was attended by SLPP politicians and supporters. MR said at the event that he had led the war effort to conclude the 30-year war against terrorism and not against any ethnic group.

Canada urges accountability

Amidst Sri Lanka’s politicised commemorations of the National War Heroes’ Day, newly-appointed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called for accountability in Sri Lanka, in a statement issued to mark Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day.

Carney said that Canada continued to support independent international efforts to seek accountability and push for truth and justice. “Today marks 16 years since the end of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka – a conflict that spanned over 26 years and killed tens of thousands of civilians. 

“On this Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, we remember the lives lost – the families torn apart, the communities devastated, and those who remain missing to this day. We also think of Canada’s Tamil community, who carry with them the memory of loved ones, and the many remembrance services planned across Canada.

“As we mark this solemn anniversary, let it strengthen our resolve to act in tribute, with courage, and for lasting peace.”

Meanwhile, rallies were also held in Australia, the UK, and Canada to commemorate the ‘Mullivaikkal massacre,’ with hundreds of Tamils taking to the streets and demanding justice. Mass rallies were reportedly held in Sydney in Australia while smaller rallies were held in Melbourne and other cities around the world. 

Some British and Australian politicians, including those with links to Sri Lanka, had expressed solidarity with the families of the victims.

Ananda’s bombshell

Meanwhile, the increasing number of shooting incidents in the country, which the Government claims is a result of clashes between organised crime and underworld gangs, saw the Public Security Minister making a startling revelation in Parliament.

Minister Ananda Wijepala claimed during a statement in Parliament on Tuesday (20) that the State Intelligence Service (SIS) had found links between several politicians of key political parties and 10 organised criminal gangs. He further noted that the SIS had reported links between politicians from parties such as the SLPP, SJB, and UNP and organised criminal gangs.

According to Wijepala, former ministers and deputy ministers, parliamentarians, and current and former local council politicians have also been found to have links with the organised criminal gangs. “Several teams have been launched to probe the matter and arrest those involved,” he added.

Verbal altercation

However, Wijepala’s statement resulted in a heated exchange of words in the House between the Opposition and Government sides. Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs), including Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, demanded that the Government name the individuals whom the Minister had referred to in his statement.

The Opposition members further claimed that Wijepala’s statement was a serious one and that the Government needed to reveal the truth by naming the politicians allegedly linked to underworld and organised crime gangs.

SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekara continued to question the Government while also demanding that the Speaker ensure security for the Opposition members, noting that the VIP security heads had not responded to security concerns of MPs. “If the Government members do not want additional security that’s their choice, but there needs to be an evaluation of Opposition members’ security and the necessary security provided,” Jayasekara claimed in Parliament last week.

Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake, while claiming that the Government was committed to ensuring the safety and security of every citizen, criticised Jayasekara over what he claimed to be “the continued wasting of time in the House,” adding that the Opposition MP had made it a habit of raising Points of Order to speak but failed to adhere to them.

A heated exchange of words between the Government side and the Opposition side followed these statements, with the Speaker attempting desperately to bring order to the House.

The Government however had lodged a complaint with the Speaker of Parliament against Jayasekara’s conduct in the House, resulting in the appointment of a three-member committee to probe the complaint. It is learnt that a group of Opposition MPs have prepared a complaint against a senior Government member’s behaviour in Parliament.

Probing accounts

Meanwhile, the Government is continuing with its probe into the alleged misuse of public funds by previous governments. 

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is currently probing several politicians of former governments over the alleged misuse of monies of the President’s Fund, including Dayasiri Jayasekara, P. Harrison, Piyasena Gamage, Sumedha Jayasena, Manoj Sirisena, P. Dayaratna, S.A. Muthukumarana, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Sarath Amunugama, S.B. Nawinne, Piyal Nishantha, Susil Premajayantha, Isura Devapriya, S.A. Jagath Kumara, K.P.S. Kumarasiri, Jayalath Jayawardana, Namal Gunawardhana, Dharmadasa Banda, Vidura Wickramanayaka, Wimalaweera Dissanayake, Lucky Jayawardana, P. Chandrasekaran, John Amaratunga, Joseph Michael Perera, T.B. Ekanayake, W.M.S. Fonseka, Jayantha Weerasinghe, Alick Aluwihare, Ranjith Aluwihare, Rajitha Senaratne, Keheliya Rambukwella, M.K.A.D.S. Gunawardana, Ranjith De Zoysa, and D.M. Jayaratne.

The court had last week granted permission for investigators to probe the bank accounts of 12 politicians in this probe, with Jayasekara being among them. 

Sajith meets Opposition

Meanwhile, Premadasa convened a meeting at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Parliament with Opposition party representatives on Tuesday (20) to discuss the increasing threats to lives and security concerns in the country.

Several issues had been discussed at this meeting, including the threat to civilian life due to the deteriorating security situation in the country and the difficulties faced by MPs as public representatives in engaging with the public as a result.

It was decided to hold a meeting with the Speaker of Parliament to explain his responsibility to ensure the safety of MPs and to enable them to engage in their duties without hindrance by ensuring their safety.

The Opposition party leaders had also agreed that the Speaker should be asked to summon the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Director of the VIP Security Division for a meeting to discuss the security of MPs.

Being silenced

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Premadasa has also raised concerns over what he has termed as being “silenced in Parliament”. Premadasa has claimed on social media that he was silenced when he tried to question the Government’s failure to reduce electricity tariffs and the possible hike in water tariffs, since it would impact already-strained households.

Taking to X, Premadasa has stated that there are rumours of a hike in water tariffs following the recent proposal to increase electricity tariffs. “Silenced in Parliament today, so I’ll ask here: power bills proposed hike at 18.3% after a promised 33% cut, now water tariff hikes are rumoured next. When will they land, and how hard will they hit already-strained households?” he has questioned.

SJB-UNP cooperation

Be that as it may, the formation of the LG bodies prior to the 2 June deadline continues to dominate the local political scene.

One of the main events that took place last week was the meeting between the SJB and UNP, where the two parties agreed to cooperate in ensuring the Opposition secures power in LG bodies where the ruling party had failed to secure a majority despite recording victory.

The meeting was held on Monday (19) at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo 7. The SJB team was led by Opposition and SJB Leader Premadasa and included General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Lakshman Kiriella, and Mujibur Rahman. The UNP team was led by Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene and included General Secretary Thalatha Atukorale, Wajira Abeywardena, and Sagala Ratnayaka.

The meeting was the first time Atukorale had met Premadasa since she defected from the SJB to join the UNP during last year’s Presidential Election.

Sajith, Ranil stay aside

Meanwhile, it is learnt that Premadasa, who had also attended the discussion between the SJB and UNP, had been mostly silent, allowing the two General Secretaries – Madduma Bandara and Atukorale – to carry out the discussion on reaching a final consensus on the cooperation between the two parties in the LG bodies.

It is also learnt that even the joint statement had been drafted by the General Secretaries of the two parties and that Premadasa had not interfered with it although he had presided at the meeting.

In a similar manner, UNP Leader, former President Wickremesinghe had also not interfered with the discussion between the SJB and UNP and had left it for the party’s delegation, which included UNP seniors, to handle.

Thalatha silences Wajira

However, it was interesting to see the UNP’s Abeywardena not making enthusiastic statements to the media. His statement to the media following the recent meeting of Opposition party representatives convened by former President Wickremesinghe was seen as a key stumbling block in progressing with the talks on forming a combined Opposition. Abeywardena had claimed to the media that the UNP and Wickremesinghe were leading the initiative to bring together the combined Opposition to secure power in LG bodies.

Soon after his statement, the SJB and SLPP withdrew from the process while Sarvajana Balaya Leader Dilith Jayaweera denied making any calls on joining the combined Opposition initiative.

This time around, when the media held mics to Abeywardena’s vehicle, Atukorale, who was seated next Abeywardena, had immediately told the media that the talks between the SJB and UNP had been successful, a joint statement had already been released, and to refer to it.

Abeywardena was seen smiling to the cameras and showing the joint statement out of the vehicle’s shutter to the cameras.

Harsha excluded

Meanwhile, several senior SJB members who had previously attended discussions to bring the SJB and UNP together were notable absentees at the meeting where the two parties agreed to cooperate in LG bodies. Among these seniors were Tissa Attanayake, Gayantha Karunatilleka, and Harsha de Silva.

De Silva had however attended the SJB Management Committee meeting at the Opposition Leader’s Office on Monday morning where the SJB-UNP discussion was held and the agreement to cooperate was reached. However, de Silva was not included in the meeting between the SJB and UNP that took place after the SJB Management Committee meeting.

When the media asked de Silva about the talks between the SJB and UNP, de Silva had responded saying that he was not part of it and could not make statements about matters he was not aware of.

AKD meets independents

Meanwhile, President AKD on Monday (19) met with a group of independent candidates at the LG Elections who were elected to councils.

The meeting, which was earlier scheduled to be held at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday evening, was later shifted to the JVP/NPP Headquarters in Pelawatte since the President was in the area attending the War Heroes’ Day commemoration near Parliament.

Several independents who attended the meeting had noted that they had attended the discussion on an invitation from the ruling party to discuss how they could extend their support to the JVP/NPP in LG bodies where the ruling party had not secured a majority.

It is learnt that AKD had met with five independent groups from the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) at this special discussion.

Accordingly, the representatives of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) – one seat, United Peace Party (Eksath Sama Pakshaya) – two seats, and three independent groups (Independent Group No. 2 – one seat, Independent Group No. 3 – three seats, and Independent Group No. 4 – two seats) had agreed to support the JVP/NPP at the CMC. The JVP/NPP has therefore managed to secure the support of nine independent councillors in the CMC, which will increase the JVP/NPP’s seats in the council from 48 to 57 seats.

The independent groups that attended the meeting with the JVP/NPP also expressed confidence that the ruling party would be able to secure the 59 seats or even more required to hold a majority in the CMC.

Independents talk to Sajith

However, the day after meeting with President AKD and the JVP/NPP, several other councillors elected to the CMC had met with Opposition and SJB Leader Premadasa. While the JVP/NPP has managed to increase its support base to 57 seats in the CMC, including the nine independent councilors, the combined Opposition still holds 60 seats in the council.

The DNA meanwhile later stated after the meeting with the JVP/NPP that a final decision on whom to support in the CMC would be made by the party’s Central Committee. DNA National Organiser Niluksha Kumara, who said on Monday evening that the party would support the ruling party, on Tuesday said that the party had presented a set of proposals to the President and that the party could consider supporting the Government if these proposals were accepted.

DNA Leader Praba Ganesan noted that while both the President and Premadasa had sought their support in the CMC, the party had asked both sides to first secure 58 seats and that the DNA would then consider supporting the side that secured this number.

Ganesan further noted that the DNA had still not agreed to support the ruling party in the CMC.

Battle for CMC continues

Meanwhile, the battle to form councils in the LG bodies continues, with the CMC taking centre stage. Given that Colombo is the commercial hub of the country, the formation of the council serves as political posturing for the victor. 

The JVP/NPP has the highest number of councillors in the CMC as a single party while the combined Opposition holds a majority of seats in the council.

The CMC has been a UNP stronghold until the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) won the council in 1954, paving the way for N.M. Perera to become Mayor of Colombo. Other than during this period, the UNP has always held power in the CMC till now. When the UNP’s nomination list for the CMC was rejected in 2006, it was an independent group backed by the UNP that emerged victorious.

Since the first Mayor of Colombo, R. Saravanamuttu, assumed office in 1937, there have been well-known individuals who have held the post of Colombo Mayor – N.M. Perera, A.E. Goonesinghe, George R. de Silva, V.A. Sugathadasa, M.H. Mohamed, A.H.M. Fowzie, Vincent Perera, Sirisena Cooray, Karu Jayasuriya, and the first female mayor, Rosy Senanayake.

However, senior JVP/NPP Minister K.D. Lalkantha expressed confidence last week when he said that everything had been finalised to appoint the party’s nominee Vraie Balthazaar as Colombo’s next mayor. Lalkantha further noted that despite attempts by some Opposition political parties to grab power in some LG bodies, the ruling JVP/NPP had already taken the necessary measures to form the administrations of all councils won by the party.

JVP/NPP gaining in CMC

Amidst the battle for supremacy in the CMC, the ruling JVP/NPP, it is learnt, has managed to secure the support of several independent councillors to secure a majority power in the council. However, it is also learnt that the party is still short of securing the 59-seat majority required to hold power in the council.

While the CMC includes nine independent members elected under five different group lists, several independent councillors who had attended Monday’s meeting with AKD had said that they would support the JVP/NPP’s Balthazaar for the post of Colombo mayor.

Nevertheless, given the statements like that of Lalkantha that the administration of the CMC had been finalised with the final appointments ready to be made on 2 June when the LG bodies convene, some sections of the Opposition political parties had expressed suspicion over the possibility of some Opposition party leaders playing truant at the last minute and siding with the ruling party when council administrations are being formed on 2 June.

Suspicion brewing

It is in such a backdrop that there is suspicion brewing within the SJB ranks on whether the Party Leader was sincere in his statements about the combined Opposition forming administrations in several LG bodies. This is while a group of SJBers led by Mujibur Rahman are working tirelessly to ensure a majority in the CMC.

A senior SJBer noted that there was suspicion that several party seniors may have reached an agreement with the ruling party where a few SJB or other Opposition councillors would be given a way to cast their votes for the JVP/NPP during the secret ballots to elect the chairs of the relevant councils. 

Defeat for the SJB

These suspicions have also reached Opposition parties, including the UNP.

In the event the JVP/NPP manages to secure a majority in the CMC and form the council, it will then be considered a defeat of both the SJB and Premadasa. There’s no doubt that the UNP and other Opposition parties will then lay the blame on the SJB and its leadership for the failure of the combined Opposition to form the administration in the CMC.

The ball is now in the SJB Leader’s as well as his loyalists’ court to walk the talk and ensure that the combined Opposition parties are held together, especially when forming the administrations of hundreds of LG bodies.

Tussle in Kurunegala

Meanwhile, SJB MPs Dayasiri Jayasekara and Thushara Indunil are working hard to ensure that the Opposition holds the power in the Panduwasnuwara LG body in the Kurunegala District. 

However, the SJB’s struggle to establish the administration in the Kuliyapitiya LG body is apparently faced with some complications due to the actions of the party’s MP Nalin Bandara. SJB Organiser Piyasoma Upali, it is learnt, has accused Bandara of trying to appoint one of his confidants as the head of the council, resulting in a split within the SJBers in Kuliyapitiya.

However, it is learnt that while the SJBers are split in Kuliyapitiya, UNP Assistant Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam is all set to support the SJB to ensure the combined Opposition forms the council administration in Kuliyapitiya.

Power struggle

Meanwhile, there is a power struggle in the Kalutara District between SJB MP Ajith P. Perera and the UNP’s Rajitha Senaratne over the formation of the Kalutara Urban Council administration. 

The UNP has secured three seats in the Kalutara Urban Council and the support of these three councillors will be essential for the SJB at the election for the mayor.

However, Senaratne, it is learnt, has told his supporters that the support of the UNP would depend on whom Perera would pick as the mayoral candidate.

Jagath clashes with Nalinda

Also in the Kalutara District, SJB MP Jagath Withana has challenged the ruling party by saying that he is prepared to ensure that the power of five LG bodies, including Matugama, Agalawatte, and Palindanuwara, will be vested with the SJB. 

The Opposition MP has further claimed that he is prepared to utilise his personal funds to ensure the smooth-functioning of the LG bodies in his constituency if the Government fails to allocate funds for them.

Withana’s statements have resulted in many in the Kalutara District wondering if the SJB MP would be able to take away a part of the area under the purview of Minister Nalinda Jayatissa.

Dilith’s unique response

Amidst the ongoing hustle over forming partnerships and alliances to form LG bodies, Sarvajana Balaya Leader Dilith Jayaweera last week made an interesting statement in Parliament referring to the ruling party’s ongoing efforts to obtain support from Opposition parties to form the administrations of LG bodies where the JVP/NPP had not secured a majority.

Jayaweera has noted that while Sarvajana Balaya had received several invitations from Opposition parties to extend support to form administrations, the ruling party had also made similar overtures to obtain the support of the party.

However, Jayaweera has stated that he has turned down requests to support the ruling party in forming councils since he is being accused of being an ‘antigen hora’ and that him joining with the JVP/NPP as a result would not bode well for the ruling party, which has claimed it will never accommodate individuals or parties being accused of such allegations. 

Secret meetings

Meanwhile, the SLPP claims that the JVP/NPP is secretly approaching members elected to LG bodies from the SLPP, seeking their support to form council administrations.

SLPP MP D.V. Chanaka told Parliament last week that the party had CCTV footage of JVP/NPPers seeking the support of SLPP members and claimed that details would be released shortly.

“Those days the NPP claimed that there were looters in independent groups and old thieves had come from independent groups. They said thieves have contested from the SLPP. They now reach out to our members secretly. They use a new tactic. They do not use mobile phones due to the fear of being recorded, so they visit homes. We like to warn them that there are CCTV cameras at homes as well,” Chanaka claimed.

UNP’s lists for LGs

The UNP meanwhile has stated that the party will appoint its representatives to LG bodies strictly based on the percentage of votes received by each candidate in a bid to reinforce a merit-based approach to party representation.

The party has decided that only candidates who have obtained the highest percentage of votes will be eligible to represent the UNP in local councils. The decision had been taken following internal discussions and recommendations by a committee appointed to oversee LG appointments.

UNP Leader Wickremesinghe had also issued clear instructions to the committee not to alter this decision under any circumstances due to the need to ensure transparency and accountability in the appointment process.

MR’s call to Dullas

Meanwhile, former President MR had called former MP Dullas Alahapperuma recently after quite some time.

MR had made this call to Alahapperuma on his birthday and in fact it was the first call received by the former MP wishing him for his birthday. Alahapperuma had told several of his confidants that for around 30 years, his first telephone call had been from MR.

The duo had also engaged in a brief chat about the current political scene before MR had once again wished Alahapperuma before disconnecting the line.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung had visited Alahapperuma at his residence last Wednesday (21). Alahapperuma had posted on social media, along with a photograph taken during the visit, that the discussions had focused on the current political landscape in Sri Lanka, the new administration in the US, economic cooperation, and bilateral relationships.

“Grateful for her continued passionate engagement with Sri Lanka, its culture, and people,” the former MP had added.

Auditor General saga

However, amidst the ongoing political developments over the formation of LG bodies, President AKD was faced with a stumbling block at the Constitutional Council with regard to the appointment of a new auditor general. The Constitutional Council had in fact rejected the President’s proposed appointment for the post of auditor general twice.

In the second instance, five members of the Constitutional Council had voted against the President’s nominee, while three had voted in favour. Those who had voted against had included Opposition Leader Premadasa, MP Ajith P. Perera, and several members representing civil society. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Leader of the House Rathnayake, and NPP MP Abubakar Adambawa had voted in favour.

The rejection of the President’s nominee to the post of auditor general had come after it was reported that the nominee was an outsider and not an officer from the Auditor General’s Department. Opposition MPs Dayasiri Jayasekara, Harsha de Silva, and Mujibur Rahman have alleged in Parliament that the tradition was to nominate a person from within the Auditor General’s Department. 

Rahman had even alleged that the President’s nominee was a Board member of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation with only five years’ experience in the auditing field and was considered for the post of auditor general sidelining the senior officials at the department since he was a batch lower to the President at the Kelaniya University.

Auditor unions have also requested President AKD not to appoint an individual from outside the department to the post of Auditor General. 

The Constitutional Council on Thursday (22) however granted approval to the President’s request to grant a service extension of six months to incumbent Auditor General Dharmapala Gammanpila.

Deshabandu before CoI

Meanwhile, the special Committee of Inquiry (CoI) investigating suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon had rejected preliminary objections raised on Tennakoon’s behalf when he had appeared before the committee last Monday (19). The committee is to proceed with the probe after rejecting the preliminary objections.

Counsel for Tennakoon, Sanjeewa Weerawickrama had informed the CoI that he would reveal who was behind the exercise against him.

“On behalf of my client, I will reveal who is behind the removal of Deshabandu Tennakoon and who is motivating him in this exercise,” Weerawickrama had said, and had accused Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris of hiding evidence. “We need to study the evidence before we submit our objections,” he had said.

Meanwhile, the CoI had rejected three preliminary objections filed by counsel Weerawickrama. The objection that the committee cannot proceed with the inquiry under Standing Orders 92(F) was dismissed on the grounds that the provision applies only to MPs. The objection that Tennakoon cannot be considered the IGP due to a court-issued stay order was also rejected as the respondent continues to receive the perks entitled to the IGP.

Requests made by Weerawickrama for a representative from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) to monitor proceedings were also denied. “The committee has no mandate to bring in anyone to monitor the proceedings. The media we see today were not invited by us,” Committee Chairman Preethi Padman Surasena had noted.

An objection to the presence of the Additional Solicitor General was also dismissed by the CoI Chairman, stating that he had been appointed by the Attorney General to assist the committee. “The Additional Solicitor General has nothing to do with the committee,” Justice Surasena had said.

The committee is chaired by Supreme Court Justice Surasena and includes Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawela and National Police Commission Chairman E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake. The next hearing of the CoI is scheduled for Wednesday (28).

Assassination plot

Meanwhile, Public Security Minister Wijepala has told Parliament last week that a probe has been launched into an alleged plot to assassinate Tennakoon. 

The Minister has stated that the alleged plot was being operated by underworld leader Kanjipani Imran, who is believed to be in Dubai, and that it has been uncovered that the services of one V. Saman Kumara also known as ‘IDH Sudda’ at the Boossa Prison had been acquired for the plan by assigning the contract to him. The contract has reportedly been issued through a telephone call and investigators have studied the call records of the relevant mobile number that had been used.

According to the Minister, the court has granted permission to the investigators to record statements.

Basil’s fall

Meanwhile, former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, who was directed to appear before the Matara Magistrate’s Court last Friday (23), had failed to attend court sessions citing that he was undergoing treatment in the US for spinal and nerve complications sustained due to a fall from a chair. The defence had stated that Basil had been advised by a doctor in the US to avoid air travel for six months.

The case involves a 1.5-acre property in Brown’s Hill, Matara, allegedly purchased using proceeds from illicit activity. Basil and three others, including his sister-in-law Ayoma Galappaththi, are named as suspects.

Magistrate Aruna Buddhadasa denied the request, citing Rajapaksa’s prior compliance with court appearances, and instructed him to be present at the next hearing. 

Keheliya and son

Meanwhile, the arrest of former Ministers Keheliya Rambukwella and Mahindananda Aluthgamage over cases filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), it is learnt, has resulted in the two former colleagues ending up in the same ward – M2 ward – at the Colombo Remand Prison (CRP). Rambukwella’s son, Ramith Rambukwella, was also arrested last week and was remanded in the same prison.

However, Ramith had requested permission from prison officials to take along with him a medical item used for a breathing problem he was suffering from. Prison officials had then submitted Ramith for a medical checkup and once they were informed that Ramith was suffering from breathing difficulty, he had been admitted to the prison hospital.

While Rambukwella has received permission to receive his food from home, his son Ramith has not received such permission since he is in the prison hospital.

Duminda arrested

Former Minister Duminda Dissanayake was meanwhile arrested last Friday (23) by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) over a case involving a gold-plated T-56 weapon. The weapon that was found in the possession of two women at the Havelock City apartment complex has implicated Dissanayake’s former cook as well.

The case, which was first probed by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), was later handed over to the TID.

Dissanayake was presented before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court yesterday (24).