President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) and his Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) Government continue to face a series of political, legal, and economic challenges. While the administration has thus far managed to withstand pressure from both political opponents and interest groups, several developments over the past week have once again placed the Government under intense public and political scrutiny.

The detention of former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) Major General Suresh Sallay has emerged as one of the most contentious issues confronting the Government, triggering a heated debate that extends far beyond the ongoing Easter Sunday attacks investigation. Allegations regarding his treatment in custody, his subsequent hospitalisation following a reported hunger strike, and growing Opposition-led protests have reignited discussions on due process, detainee rights, and the continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

At the same time, the battle over Provincial Council (PC) Elections has intensified, with the JVP/NPP Government maintaining that polls will only be held after the introduction of a new electoral system that guarantees greater representation for women and youth. The Opposition, however, has accused the Government of deliberately delaying the long-overdue elections due to concerns over its electoral standing following last year’s Local Government (LG) Polls.

Meanwhile, questions over economic management and accountability have resurfaced amid controversy surrounding an alleged $ 2.5 million debt transaction, prompting parliamentary scrutiny and renewed calls for transparency from the Opposition. As political parties reposition themselves, investigations involving several prominent political figures continue to gather momentum, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the country’s political landscape.

Against this backdrop, the coming weeks are likely to test the political resilience of the AKD administration as it seeks to balance governance, accountability, and reform while confronting an increasingly assertive Opposition and growing public expectations.

The Sallay saga

The detention of former Chief of the SIS Sallay has evolved into one of the most closely watched and politically charged controversies in recent months, with concerns over his health, allegations of mistreatment, Opposition-led protests, and growing calls for due process dominating public discourse.

The latest developments unfolded after the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that Sallay, who was being held under a detention order in connection with investigations into the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, had been admitted to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka in Colombo for emergency treatment last Sunday (7) night.

CID officials notified the court through a motion, stating that Sallay’s health had deteriorated while in custody.

The hospitalisation came amid reports that the former Intelligence Chief had begun a hunger strike while in detention. According to those close to him, Sallay had refused food in protest against what he had described as inhumane treatment and his continued detention. His condition reportedly worsened in the days that followed, ultimately leading authorities to transfer him to hospital care.

The development has transformed what began as a criminal investigation into a broader national debate involving human rights, political accountability, and the treatment of detainees.

Family breaks silence

Adding an emotional dimension to the controversy, Sallay’s wife, Manori Sallay, spoke publicly for the first time outside the CID Headquarters last Sunday, passionately defending her husband and rejecting allegations against him.

Fighting back tears, she described the former Intelligence Chief as a dedicated public servant who had spent nearly four decades serving the country and safeguarding national security. Manori insisted that her husband was innocent and was being unfairly used as a “scapegoat” in relation to the Easter Sunday attacks.

She revealed that despite repeated pleas from family members, Sallay had chosen to continue what she described as a fast unto death, maintaining that he would not abandon the protest because he believed he was being subjected to grave injustice.

Taking to the streets

The Sallay controversy also spilt onto the political stage with several Opposition parties launching a satyagraha campaign in Colombo on Monday (8), protesting what they described as inhumane treatment and harassment of the former Intelligence Chief.

The demonstration, held near the Fort Railway Station, drew politicians and activists, including former Ministers Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila.

Organisers said that the protest would continue until authorities responded to concerns regarding Sallay’s treatment in detention. They called on supporters to join the campaign, arguing that the issue extended beyond politics and touched upon fundamental questions of justice and human rights.

The event was led mostly by Weerawansa and Gammanpila, and the participants accused authorities of subjecting Sallay to unnecessary hardship and questioned whether due process was being adequately observed.

The protests have further polarised opinion, with supporters viewing Sallay as the victim of political persecution, while others maintain that all allegations linked to the Easter Sunday attacks must be thoroughly investigated irrespective of the status or position of those involved. This was also witnessed on social media where there were two clear camps putting up posts – one pro-Sallay and the other in favour of justice for Easter Sunday attacks victims without any special treatment for any individual.

Calls for judicial independence

Amid the heated political exchanges, Archdiocese of Colombo Director of Communications Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando urged restraint and emphasised the role of the Judiciary.

Speaking at a media briefing, Fr. Fernando stated that the courts should ultimately determine Sallay’s fate. “The Judiciary will decide the fate of Suresh Sallay,” he said, noting that a motion had already been filed concerning allegations of harassment.

Fr. Fernando stressed that investigations should be allowed to proceed without interference while simultaneously insisting that no individual should be subjected to harassment or mistreatment.

His comments reflected a position increasingly echoed by legal observers who argue that both accountability and human rights protections must be upheld throughout the investigative process, especially in a probe like the Easter Sunday attacks.

A broader debate

Beyond the immediate legal questions, the Sallay case has reopened broader discussions about detention powers, custodial rights, and the treatment of suspects in high-profile investigations.

Human rights advocates have long maintained that detainees, regardless of the allegations against them, are entitled to humane treatment, medical care, and the protection of the law. At the same time, victims’ groups and campaigners continue to call for a full and transparent investigation into the Easter Sunday attacks and the circumstances surrounding intelligence failures before the bombings.

As Sallay receives treatment under medical supervision and Opposition protests continue, the case remains at the centre of a complex connection of law, politics, and public sentiment.

For supporters, it is a question of justice for a former Intelligence Chief who they believe is being unfairly targeted. For others, it is a test of whether accountability for one of Sri Lanka’s darkest tragedies can be pursued without fear or favour.

With the courts expected to play a decisive role in the days ahead, the controversy surrounding Sallay is likely to remain a focal point of political debate, raising difficult questions about due process, human rights, and the search for truth in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks.

PTA debate back into focus

Sallay’s detention has also reignited debate over the controversial PTA, drawing renewed attention to long-standing concerns about prolonged detention and detainee rights.

The issue gained further prominence after Sallay was admitted to hospital following a hunger strike he reportedly began while in CID custody. 

The case has prompted legal experts and human rights advocates to revisit criticisms that have surrounded the PTA for decades. Former President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) Saliya Pieris recently noted that laws such as the PTA had often been used to keep individuals in custody for extended periods and had contributed to allegations of torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.

Pieris argued that decisions on detention should be made by judges rather than Executive authorities, stressing that constitutional protections must apply equally to all individuals regardless of the allegations against them.

The debate surrounding Sallay’s detention has also highlighted a recurring feature of Sri Lankan politics: many who once defended the PTA have later found themselves subject to its provisions, while some who campaigned for its repeal have gone on to use it when in power.

While opinions remain divided on Sallay’s case and the ongoing Easter Sunday investigations, the controversy has once again placed the spotlight on the PTA and the Government’s repeated but still unfulfilled promises to repeal or replace the law with legislation that better balances national security and Fundamental Rights.

It is therefore evident that the JVP/NPP administration could face renewed pressure internationally, especially from the European Union (EU), over the Government’s undertaking to repeal the PTA as a condition for the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) trade concession.

SJB’s view

Meanwhile, the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has also discussed the controversy surrounding Salley’s detention during a meeting chaired by the Party Leader that was attended by SJB MPs.

During the meeting, it is learnt that the long-drawn-out probe into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks was also discussed while talking about the campaign launched by some Opposition parties, mainly those representing the nationalist camp, to demand Salley’s release.

It is also learnt that the SJB leadership had drawn attention to the fact that justice for Easter Sunday victims could not be undermined at any moment and that the continuing fight by the Catholic Church for justice should also not be forgotten. However, the party leadership had also noted that the party would stand for the rights of individuals being detained under the PTA and that the SJB would never condone the inhumane treatment of detainees under any circumstance.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa focused on issues faced by the Judiciary during last week’s parliamentary session. He raised concerns in Parliament on Thursday (11) over the Government’s failure to fill long-standing vacancies in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, warning that the delays could affect the functioning of the Judiciary.

Raising a question under Standing Order 27/2, Premadasa noted that four vacancies each in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal had remained unfilled for more than six months. He said that the prolonged delay had resulted in some career judges retiring without being appointed to higher judicial positions.

The Opposition Leader questioned the Government’s commitment to institutional reforms like extending the retirement ages of judges of higher courts, arguing that it was inappropriate for an administration elected on a mandate of system change to delay appointments to key judicial offices.

Responding on behalf of the Government, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said that the appointment of judges fell under the authority of the President and he informed Parliament that he would seek the relevant information from the Presidential Secretariat before providing a detailed response. The Minister assured the House that the vacancies would be filled but said that he was unable to specify a timeframe for the appointments.

Evidence against Sallay

Meanwhile, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament on Wednesday (10) that investigators had gathered sufficient evidence to establish Sallay’s alleged involvement in a conspiracy linked to the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Speaking in Parliament, Wijepala alleged that Sallay had prior knowledge of both the planned attacks and related extremist activities. He claimed that three weeks before the bombings, Sallay had deployed four Muslim individuals to gather intelligence, including information on church attendance in Negombo. According to the Minister, one of those individuals has been identified by CID witnesses as an Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) extremist and has remained missing since the attacks.

Wijepala further alleged that evidence indicated that Sallay had met an informant who had warned Army Intelligence about the impending attacks and also accused the former Intelligence Chief of attempting to suppress information that could have revealed critical details about the events leading up to the bombings.

Rejecting claims that Sallay had been subjected to inhumane treatment, the Minister said that all legal safeguards had been provided, including access to lawyers. He noted that no complaints had been made either to the Magistrate or any other authority regarding his treatment.

The Minister also revealed that Sallay had declined to provide investigators with passwords to his laptop and mobile phone, which he said was obstructing the investigation. Wijepala further stressed that the Easter Sunday probe would continue regardless of protests or satyagraha campaigns.

Meanwhile, Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena ordered on the same day that a report be submitted to the court on 1 July after a five-member medical board comprising three specialist psychiatrists and two Judicial Medical Officers (JMOs) examine whether Sallay has been subjected to any prior ill-treatment or torture.

The Court of Appeal meanwhile postponed until 10 July consideration of further submissions in a writ petition filed by Sallay, seeking to invalidate a detention order issued under the PTA following his arrest by the CID. The petition was taken up before a bench comprising Justices Rohantha Abeysuriya and Priyantha Fernando.

Calling off satyagraha

However, the latest developments related to Sallay’s detention resulted in the satyagraha campaign staged opposite the Fort Railway Station in support of Sallay being called off.

Former Minister Weerawansa said the decision was taken after the Fort Magistrate’s Court appointed a five-member panel of judicial psychiatrists to examine allegations that Sallay had been subjected to torture while in detention.

The protest, which drew supporters of the former Intelligence Chief, had continued for several days despite challenging weather conditions, with several leaders of Opposition political parties participating and supporting it.

Report from CBSL

Meanwhile on the economic front, the parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF) last week decided to obtain a report from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) concerning an incident in which a $ 2.5 million debt owed to an Australian company allegedly ended up in the possession of third parties.

The committee requested the CBSL Governor to submit a report on the matter and spent more than three hours discussing a report submitted by the Treasury regarding the incident.

The meeting, held in Parliament, was chaired by MP Harsha de Silva and attended by Treasury Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma.

Demand for transparency

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Premadasa has pressed the Government for greater transparency over the alleged $ 2.5 million loss, calling for the immediate release of the Treasury report at the centre of the controversy.

Premadasa argued that conflicting statements from the Treasury and the CBSL had exposed inconsistencies in the Government’s economic narrative, raising questions about policy coordination at a critical stage of the country’s recovery.

He also sought clarity on the Government’s fiscal and monetary strategy, including the role played by agreements with international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and Asian Development Bank (ADB) in shaping economic policy.

Shifting focus to the public’s economic hardships, Premadasa challenged claims that Rs. 17,000 was sufficient for an individual’s monthly expenses, arguing that rising taxes, spending restraints, and high interest rates continued to burden middle-income families, professionals, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), and low-income groups.

The Opposition Leader maintained that stronger parliamentary oversight and greater public accountability were essential to restoring confidence in the country’s economic management.

Caution over forex outlook

Meanwhile, the Government has moved to further tighten foreign exchange management as Sri Lanka continues to navigate its post-crisis economic recovery under the IMF programme.

In a gazette issued on Tuesday (9), CBSL Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe introduced new regulations requiring exporters to convert unused foreign currency earnings into Sri Lankan Rupees by the 10th day of the following month after meeting approved foreign currency obligations.

The regulations, issued under the CBSL Act, are aimed at strengthening the country’s foreign exchange position and supporting the stability of the rupee. The move comes at a time when policymakers remain focused on safeguarding external sector stability amid uncertainty in global markets, rising oil prices, and growing concerns over the impact of external shocks on Sri Lanka’s balance of payments.

While the CBSL has presented the measure as a precautionary step to improve foreign currency liquidity within the domestic financial system, some economists are likely to view it as an indication that authorities remain cautious about the country’s foreign exchange outlook. Although Sri Lanka’s reserves have improved significantly since the 2022 crisis, the decision suggests that policymakers are not taking external sector stability for granted and are seeking to ensure that export earnings continue to flow into the local economy.

Whether the regulations reflect a warning sign of emerging foreign exchange pressures or simply a preventive measure to strengthen reserves remains to be seen.

Tilvin expresses regret

Meanwhile, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva has expressed regret before the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate coal procurement.

Responding to a summons issued by the commission, Silva had appeared before it accompanied by his lawyers and submitted an affidavit expressing regret over remarks he had made during a public speech.

The commission had decided to summon the JVP General Secretary after he had indicated at a May Day rally that members of the JVP/NPP Government would be exonerated by the commission while members of the Opposition would be found guilty.

The commission had observed that such statements amounted to undue interference with its work and posed a threat to its independence. After considering Silva’s explanation and his expression of regret regarding the remarks, the commission had decided to issue him a warning.

The commission is chaired by Justice Gihan Kulatunga, with Justices Aditya Patabendige and Sanjeewa Somaratne serving as members. The deadline for submitting complaints to the commission expired on 22 May. According to Commission Secretary P.V. Bandulasena, a total of 28 complaints have been received.

The commission is reportedly examining these complaints and recording relevant statements at present, with public hearings expected to commence early next month.

Push for PC Polls

The Government is also facing pressure from the Opposition over the holding of the delayed PC Elections, with Opposition Leader Premadasa accusing the Government of intentionally delaying the polls out of fear following the outcome of last year’s LG Elections.

Speaking at a meeting with former PC members at the Opposition Leader’s Office, Premadasa alleged that the President and the Government were unwilling to face the electorate and were therefore reluctant to proceed with the long-delayed PC Polls.

The meeting was held under the theme ‘Let’s Defeat Anura’s Attempt to Postpone the Provincial Council Elections’. Premadasa argued that the Government’s hesitation to hold the election reflected its fear of public opinion and electoral accountability.

Harini gives Govt. stance

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya meanwhile told Parliament last week that the Government had no intention of conducting PC Elections under the existing Proportional Representation (PR) system, stressing that the polls would be held only after a new electoral framework was introduced.

Responding to a question raised by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Ravi Karunanayake, the Prime Minister said that electoral reforms were necessary to ensure broader and more inclusive representation within Provincial Councils.

She noted that conducting the elections without addressing the issue of adequate representation for women and young people would serve little purpose.

“There is no point in holding PC Elections without guaranteeing sufficient representation for women and youth,” Amarasuriya said, reiterating the Government’s commitment to implementing a revised electoral system before proceeding with the long-delayed polls.

Nandalal in Parliament

Meanwhile, a special briefing for MPs by the CBSL providing an overview of the country’s economic outlook, monetary policy direction, exchange rate developments, and fiscal performance was held in Committee Room No. 1 of Parliament on Wednesday (10). The session, held under the patronage of the Speaker, was led by CBSL Governor Dr. Weerasinghe and senior officials. 

The briefing underscored the remarkable turnaround achieved since the country emerged from its worst economic crisis in decades, while highlighting emerging challenges that require continued policy vigilance.

Dr. Weerasinghe has said that the economy has sustained positive growth since the third quarter of 2023, supported by improved stability, stronger business confidence, and increased economic activity.

However, inflation has re-emerged as a concern due to higher fuel and energy prices linked to global oil market volatility and Middle East tensions. In response, the CBSL raised its Overnight Policy Rate by 100 basis points in May, marking a shift towards monetary tightening after nearly three years of rate cuts.

The CBSL also highlighted recent pressure on the rupee, driven by higher imports, lower-than-expected tourism earnings, and increased demand for foreign exchange from businesses.

Private sector lending has continued to expand, supporting investment and consumption, while repayments by the Government and public corporations have helped ease pressure on the banking sector.

The CBSL noted significant improvements in public finances through tax reforms and expenditure controls, which have strengthened fiscal balances and supported ongoing debt restructuring efforts.

While growth and fiscal performance remain encouraging, the Central Bank stressed the need for continued policy discipline to manage inflation, exchange rate pressures, and external risks.

Opposition’s bouncer

It is interesting to note that during the session, which was well attended by MPs of both the Government and Opposition, it was Opposition MP Sujeewa Senasinghe who had reportedly thrown a bouncer at the CBSL Governor.

Senasinghe, while appreciating the briefing by the CBSL, had asked Dr. Weerasinghe with a smile whether he was still the Governor of the CBSL. Senasinghe had quickly explained the reason for posing the question. He had noted that it was Dr. Weerasinghe who had initiated the programme to declare Sri Lanka’s bankruptcy during the 2022 crisis and not former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa (GR). 

“Then Opposition MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake claimed that you (the Governor) should be put behind bars,” Senasinghe had said, citing it as the reason for asking whether Dr. Weerasinghe was still the CBSL Governor. Other Opposition MPs at the briefing had smiled at the point raised by Senasinghe.

In response, Dr. Weerasinghe had noted that the actions taken during the economic crisis had been all that needed to be done given the circumstances. 

Opposition Leader Premadasa had then questioned the CBSL Governor on the next course of action when the ongoing IMF programme with Sri Lanka came to an end next year. Premadasa had asked whether the country would move to a new programme with the IMF.

Dr. Weerasinghe had responded that it was a policy decision for the Government to make.

Joint Opposition at Amari

Meanwhile, the Joint Opposition group convened by former Minister G.L. Peiris held a seminar at the Amari Colombo on Monday (8).

The seminar was based on the economic crises faced by the country and its future path. Speeches were delivered by several senior intellectuals where the past and present economic policies as well as policies that should be adopted in the future were discussed.

Following the event, a group of Joint Opposition members had discussed the stance the group should take regarding the controversial issue of Sallay’s detention under the PTA and alleged inhuman treatment. Some of the members representing several parties had noted that they would be attending the satyagraha in Fort.

Nevertheless, most of the senior Opposition politicians who attended the satyagraha in Fort, until it was called off on Wednesday (10), seemed to have attended in a personal capacity rather than as official party representation. The reason, it is learnt, is that the event had been organised by Weerawansa and Gammanpila without much consultation with Opposition parties and the failure to plan it as a collective effort.

GL talks to RW

However, following the brief discussion at Amari Colombo, Peiris, it is learnt, had spoken to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe (RW) and briefed him about the sentiments of some members of the Opposition group and their intention of joining the satyagraha in Fort.

Wickremesinghe, after listening to Peiris’ explanation, had noted that there was no issue in members of the Joint Opposition group attending the satyagraha and supporting the cause, especially since it was mainly targeting the abolition of the PTA.

It is evident that Wickremesinghe has also understood the sensitivities of the Easter Sunday attacks probe and the need to not be seen as interfering in the probe.

Nevertheless, the United National Party (UNP) issued a statement on Tuesday (9) focusing on the rights of detainees and the issues related to the PTA.

RW meets UNP

Meanwhile, Wickremesinghe also held his first official meeting since his surgery in April with members of the UNP when he chaired a Management Committee meeting on Thursday (11).

The primary focus of the meeting had been on revitalising the party and enhancing cooperation with other political forces.

The meeting took place at the party’s political office in Colombo and was attended by a majority of Management Committee members.

Members had discussed the prevailing political climate and reviewed the party’s response to emerging developments on the national stage. Attention was also given to organisational restructuring efforts, with emphasis on strengthening the party’s grassroots network.

The committee was briefed on plans to expand future collaboration with other political parties, movements, and organisations.

In his address, Wickremesinghe had underscored the need for the party to confront future political challenges collectively rather than individually.

The committee had also reaffirmed previously announced disciplinary action against several Local Government representatives found to have violated party rules, a decision endorsed by the Management Committee following confirmation by the UNP General Secretary.

UNP Chairman Wajira Abeywardena had noted that the discussions were extensive, covering party rebuilding efforts and enhanced cooperation with other political groups, resulting in several key decisions.

Sajith assigns tasks

Meanwhile, Opposition and SJB Leader Premadasa, it is learnt, had convened several members of his parliamentary group and assigned them several key political tasks.

The first assignment was to entrust MPs Senasinghe and Dayasiri Jayasekara with leading a campaign opposing the President’s proposal to extend the retirement age of the chief justice and Supreme Court justices.

Subsequently, Premadasa had established a separate committee tasked with exposing alleged irregularities and misconduct within the Government and had appointed MP Mujibur Rahman to head that committee.

Premadasa had also assigned MP S.M. Marikkar the responsibility of conducting further investigations into the controversial issue of the importation of substandard coal, which has recently caused significant controversy for the Government, and of informing both Parliament and the public about the findings. This decision was reportedly influenced by information provided to Premadasa by experts in the power sector, who had warned that the country could face a serious energy crisis in the future.

In addition, Premadasa had met with representatives of civil society organisations recently to discuss launching a broader campaign against the Government.

According to the report, the discussions had focused on coordinating efforts with civil society groups to intensify Opposition activities and increase public scrutiny of the Government’s actions.

Navin turns to SJB?

UNP Vice Chairman Navin Dissanayake meanwhile has said that he is prepared to contest for the post of chief minister of the Central Province at the next PC Elections if the UNP and SJB decide to contest together as an alliance.

Dissanayake has stated that if the SJB and UNP form an alliance for the forthcoming PC Polls, he will certainly put himself forward as the candidate for chief minister of the Central Province.

Harsha commends RW

Meanwhile, SJB MP Harsha de Silva has recently praised aspects of former President Wickremesinghe’s economic management, noting that his administration’s debt restructuring efforts and fiscal discipline helped bring a degree of stability to the country.

However, he has added that the current Government should not take credit for this stability, arguing that it is largely benefiting from the economic foundation already established.

De Silva has also stated that Sri Lanka’s economic growth has slowed to around 3% and that the current policy approach is failing to deliver a “wealthy nation,” instead leaving many citizens trapped in poverty.

He has made these remarks while commenting on the country’s economic outlook in the context of the IMF decision to disburse over $ 600 million to Sri Lanka.

Referring to IMF assessments, the MP has said the primary reason for the slowdown in growth is the lack of meaningful liberalisation of trade and investment policies.

He has stressed that Sri Lanka must move away from what he described as a “narrow mindset” to attract investment, and instead adopt strategies outlined in the SJB’s Blueprint policy framework.

Rajitha reveals RW’s plan

Former Minister Rajitha Senaratne, meanwhile, has said that former President Wickremesinghe has no intention of returning to Parliament. Senaratne’s statement was in response to growing speculation among political circles that Wickremesinghe is planning a return to parliamentary politics in a few months.

Speaking during a television interview, Senaratne has stated that Wickremesinghe currently has no plans whatsoever to re-enter Parliament and that there was no preparation for such. “He has no intention of coming back to Parliament,” Senaratne has noted.

Sources close to Wickremesinghe noted that there was no point in his entering the current Parliament since its composition, where the JVP/NPP enjoyed 159 seats in the House, would not be helpful. In the previous Parliament, Wickremesinghe was able to make a power play given that he was able to secure the support of the Rajapaksa-led Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) to show a majority in the House.

Archchuna’s prediction

Meanwhile, Opposition MP Ramanathan Archchuna has predicted that SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa will eventually return to power, arguing that growing public dissatisfaction with the country’s direction could pave the way for the Rajapaksa family’s political comeback. He has said he believed Namal would emerge as a key political force by 2029.

“Record this and keep it. Namal will come in 2029. No one can stop that. I have no personal desire for Namal to come to power, but given the condition the country is in, the people will hand it back to the Rajapaksas,” he has told the media.

Archchuna has also criticised the current Opposition, claiming that it lacks the strength needed to effectively challenge the Government. He argued that an opposition leader must be assertive and willing to confront those in power. “The problem with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa is that he is too soft. When you are in the Opposition, you cannot be throwing bouquets; you have to be throwing brickbats,” he has observed.

He has further contended that Sri Lanka currently lacks a strong Opposition figure capable of mobilising public support, while praising MP Chamara Sampath Dasanayake for his speaking abilities.

When asked whether Namal would be suited to the role of opposition leader, Archchuna has dismissed the suggestion, insisting that Namal’s political future lay elsewhere. “Namal Rajapaksa does not need to become opposition leader. He will become president. You can keep this on record. I will not be in politics at that time, but you will see,” Archchuna has said, adding that he had made similar predictions in the past that were initially ridiculed. Recalling his comments about Indian actor-turned-politician Vijay, he has said many had dismissed him as ‘crazy’ before the politician went on to achieve electoral success.

Spotlight on Tissa Kutti

Meanwhile, a significant number of requests have reportedly been made within the SLPP urging the party’s National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa to immediately remove former MP Janaka Tissa Kuttiarachchi from the party.

According to party sources, senior SLPP members have informed Namal that Kuttiarachchi’s repeated statements targeting the SJB and its leadership are proving detrimental to the party and damaging its political interests.

In addition, party members in the Anuradhapura District have reportedly expressed strong opposition to comments made by Kuttiarachchi in his capacity as the District Organiser. Sources indicate that dissatisfaction over his conduct has already led to several party supporters and members leaving the party.

It has been further noted that on several previous occasions, senior party figures had warned Kuttiarachchi over remarks he had made about women, which were widely viewed as derogatory and offensive.

As a result, senior members of the SLPP have reportedly concluded that Kuttiarachchi has become a political liability to the party and are seeking action against him.

Rajapaksas facing pressure

Against this backdrop, there are indications that the Government has intensified its actions concerning members of the Rajapaksa family.

The first sign of this emerged recently when a court imposed a foreign travel ban on former President GR and two former military officers. The order was reportedly based on statements made by former Director of the SIS Sallay, who is currently in custody in connection with investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks.

According to reports, the travel ban imposed on GR caused considerable concern among senior members of the Rajapaksa family. During a meeting of senior family members held recently, the development had reportedly been viewed as a serious warning sign. It had been discussed that the move could indicate preparations to arrest GR in the coming days.

The travel ban came amid another legal challenge facing the family. Warrants had already been issued by two courts against Basil Rajapaksa. As a result, Basil is currently wanted under court-issued warrants.

However, because Basil is residing in Los Angeles, Government authorities are said to be quietly exploring the possibility of obtaining an international Red Notice to facilitate his arrest. According to reports, if those efforts are successful, authorities will seek to have him arrested in the US and extradited to Sri Lanka through international legal channels.

Shashi’s appeal dismissed

Meanwhile, the Colombo High Court last week dismissed an appeal filed by former Minister Wimal Weerawansa’s wife, Shashi Weerawansa against her conviction and sentence for possessing an irregularly obtained passport.

Delivering the judgment, Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne upheld the 2022 ruling of the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, finding no grounds to interfere with the conviction or sentence.

Shashi had been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and fined Rs. 100,000 after being found guilty of possessing an unlawfully obtained foreign passport.

The High Court’s decision confirms the original judgment and brings the appeal proceedings to a close.