• SL signs seven MOUs with India including grid link; five projects launched during Modi’s visit
• Govt.’s failure to be proactive in diplomatic engagements makes exporters meet RW, Sajith
• RW says Govt. should sign ETCA with India, operationalise FTAs with Singapore, Thailand, and push RCEP
• IMF team starts reviewing SL’s economic progress; pressure mounts on ensuring EU GSP+
• US State Dept. asked to list SL on a ‘Special Watch List’ based on religious freedom-related conditions
• All political parties commence LG Polls campaigns; Govt. says no polls for Provincial Councils this year
• SJB files writ and FR petition challenging EC’s alleged failure to reject NPP nomination list for Kesbewa
• Opposition hits at AKD’s statement on Easter Sunday attacks probe action prior to 6th anniversary
• More JVPers than NPPers fielded at upcoming LG Polls; AKD pledges action, authorities move on probes
• Opposition accuses JVP/NPP Govt. of suppression; another list of President’s Fund users in the making
• Champika’s party complains to EC about AKD’s rally speech; EC stops Govt.’s Avurudu relief pack
• GR back in the limelight during discussion on presidents campaigning at Local Government Polls
• Talks for Opposition alliance for polls fail after three party leaders wanted lead in proposed alliance
• SJB holds fourth convention targeting LG Polls; Ranjith proposes Sajith as Party Leader, all approve
• Convention organised within short time span by Ranjith, Nalin comm.; theme formed by Erananda
• Sajith proposes Imthiaz back to SJB Chairman post, shocking many, ending Imthiaz’s move to resign
• Sajith secretly meets Imthiaz with Tissa and Ranjith; convinces Imthiaz to return, says party needs him
• RW turns down proposal to lead UNP LG Polls campaign; 11-member comm. appointed for campaign
• Akila appointed UNP Assistant Leader; RW meets Wasantha, Yoshitha at Flower Road for closed-door meet
• Wijeyadasa questions legality of motion for removal before the House; Harshana dismisses claim
• Motion to be taken up in the House on Tuesday; Sajith to reveal how Deshabandu was appointed
• Deshabandu remanded till Thursday; statement likely to be recorded from RW on IGP appointment

The past week was undoubtedly an important one for President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) and his Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) Government, given the visit of the first high-level foreign dignitary since AKD and the Government assumed office as well as US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose an over 40% tax on Sri Lankan exports to the US, which is Sri Lanka’s single largest export market. 

However, Trump’s announcement of the reciprocal tariffs just a day before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in Sri Lanka in some ways took the spotlight that would have been focused on the Indian Prime Minister towards economic concerns.

Sri Lanka also managed to make its way to a list of top ten, with the country having the sixth highest trade tariffs imposed on it.

President AKD and his Government’s handling of the US reciprocal tax on Sri Lanka has left many exporters disgruntled, with some even meeting with former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa to express their fears and grievances. 

Despite many warnings by the likes of Wickremesinghe, Premadasa, and other Opposition leaders on the possible impact Trump’s new trade taxes could have on Sri Lanka, the Government did not pay much attention to the warnings. As pointed out by Premadasa last week, whenever he had raised concerns about the impending trade tax by the US weeks ago, his microphone had been switched off and the ruling party had subjected him to ridicule.

Wickremesinghe meanwhile told the Indian media last week that in light of the recent tariffs placed on Sri Lanka, it was essential that the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) be finalised between Sri Lanka and India. He further stated that the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) signed with Singapore and Thailand must be operationalised while the country continued to pursue Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) membership. 

“ETCA should be complete. My idea was that it be completed in 2025. We have to go ahead now. We were relying on the US and others. But you can see how the US trade policies are now; the US as a market will not be that open. 

“We don’t know what will happen with the European Union (EU) because we are depending solely on these for our apparel markets. So first, we have to complete this agreement and sign it this year. We have to have a new trading policy,” Wickremesinghe noted.

However, similar to the infamous statement made by the then Defence Secretary when the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks took place that the Government had some idea about an attack but did not think it would be such a large hit, members of the incumbent Government have also stated that while they were aware of the new trade tariffs on Sri Lanka by the US, they did not anticipate them to be so high. 

It is statements like these that have obviously eroded the confidence of exporters in the Government as they fear that some of their investors might opt to shift operations to other countries in the region that have been taxed at a lower rate than Sri Lanka. The apparel industry has already warned of a 20% decline in its exports.

Nevertheless, the impact of the new US tariff on Sri Lankan exports will affect the country’s export industry, which is a key revenue generator for the country with exports to the US standing at an annual $ 3 billion. The Government, authorities, as well as stakeholders will have to formulate a plan to counter the possible adverse impact the tariffs will have on local exports.

Soon after Trump’s announcement, President AKD and his Government turned to their usual mode of reactive action.

President AKD appointed a committee comprising key Government members including representatives from export businesses to study the impact of the new US tariffs and make recommendations to the Government.

The Government meanwhile on Friday (4) acknowledged the US administration’s efforts to address trade imbalances and recognised the changing global trade landscape. While expressing concern over the potential impact of the tariffs on Sri Lanka’s export-driven recovery, the Government had voiced readiness to engage in constructive dialogue with US officials to manage trade relations in a mutually beneficial and fair manner.

While the Sri Lankan Government is awaiting recommendations from a committee, countries like Vietnam have already approached the US to negotiate the reciprocal tariffs. Vietnam’s Leader To Lam had reportedly agreed on Friday (4) to discuss a deal to remove tariffs. 

“Just had a very productive call with To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, who told me that Vietnam wants to cut their tariffs down to zero if they are able to make an agreement with the US,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. According to the Vietnamese Government, the two leaders had agreed they would continue talking “to soon sign a bilateral agreement” on tariffs.

Several other Asian countries have already commenced discussions with the US on re-evaluating the reciprocal tariffs. It is now the hope of Sri Lanka, a nation still on the mend, that the Government understands the importance of diplomatic engagement and becomes more proactive in its approach in diplomatic relations rather than resorting to reactive action.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) meanwhile has also appealed to the US and its trading partners to work constructively to resolve trade tensions and reduce uncertainty created by the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said in a statement that the IMF was still assessing the macroeconomic implications of the announced tariff measures, but that they clearly represented a significant risk to the global outlook at a time of sluggish growth. 

Focus on GSP+

However, the decision by the US now places much pressure on the incumbent Government to ensure the continuity of the EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) trade concessions to Sri Lanka. 

With the EU GSP+ now up for review this year, President AKD and his Government have their work cut out for them in ensuring the continuity of the trade concessions given that Sri Lanka is yet to meet some of the undertakings during the last review. 

Sri Lanka could face losses of up to $ 1.23 billion if it loses the trade facility.

A GSP+ review team is due from the EU during the end of this month and the Government by then will have to present the country’s scorecard with regard to honouring the undertakings during the last review. Key among these conditions are laws related to labour, human rights, and freedom of expression. 

IMF review

Amidst all these developments, a team from the IMF has been engaged in carrying out the fourth review on Sri Lanka starting last week until Friday (11).

Although it was earlier believed that the review would focus on some of the proposed legislation by the previous Wickremesinghe Government that are yet to be implemented, it is learnt that the ongoing review will focus on the developments last year, given that the review was due last year but was delayed due to the holding of two national elections.

Modi’s visit

Be that as it may, Indian Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka marked a key milestone for President AKD and his Government, but more so for AKD’s party, the JVP. 

It is ironic that President AKD and his Government held the official welcoming of the Indian Prime Minister yesterday (5), which is when the JVP usually marks April Heroes’ Day, which commemorates the party’s fallen comrades during the first insurrection of the JVP.

However, Modi arrived in Sri Lanka on Friday (4) evening from Bangkok, Thailand on the special Boeing 777 aircraft ‘India One’ belonging to the Indian Government. Following the official welcome at the Independence Square in Colombo at 9 a.m. yesterday (5), President AKD and Modi engaged in bilateral discussions at the Presidential Secretariat.

The two countries also signed several bilateral agreements on defence, health, power, energy, economy, digital economy, IT, and digital transformation yesterday.

A trilateral agreement was signed between India, Sri Lanka, and the UAE to develop Trincomalee as an energy hub. 

Prime Minister Modi also launched work on the Sampur solar power project, inaugurated the Dambulla Cold Storage Facility, and opened solar power units donated to several religious places, online from Colombo.

President AKD also presented Modi with the Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana award, which is Sri Lanka’s highest honour for heads of state and heads of government.

Modi is to visit Anuradhapura today (6) where he will engage in religious observances at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and inaugurate the railway signalling system on the Maho-Anuradhapura line.

Shortcomings

However, an official photograph published in the media yesterday of President AKD shaking hands with Premier Modi showed a shortcoming in diplomatic protocol on the Sri Lankan side.

It was pointed out by a foreign policy analyst that when a visiting dignitary is welcomed by a head of state, the head of state stands on the left. The right hand is extended outwards and the body is in an open posture, indicating a comforting and open welcome. The visiting dignitary should reach across and accept the head of state’s open handshake.

“It’s great to see AKD being welcomed this morning by Modi,” the analyst said.

Meanwhile, the billboards that were put up to welcome the Indian Prime Minister to Colombo became quite a talking point on social media for several reasons.

The first was the grammatical error where Modi was referred to as ‘the India’s pride.’ The second was the violation of Sri Lanka’s trilingual policy by leaving out Tamil from most of the propaganda material. Most billboards were in Sinhala and English with some carrying Hindi wording.

Southern pressure

However, prior to Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka, the Central Indian Government came under pressure from the Tamil Nadu State in southern India. The two key issues that were urged by Tamil Nadu were the issue of arrested Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lanka and the ongoing move for India to retrieve Katchatheevu from Sri Lanka.

A few days prior to Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka, the Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the Union Government to take steps to retrieve Katchatheevu Island from Sri Lanka with the Opposition parties All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also supporting the motion.

The resolution has emphasised the challenges faced by Tamil Nadu’s fishermen due to ongoing arrests and seizures by the Sri Lanka Navy. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has led the discussion on the House floor, insisting that the only permanent solution is the retrieval of Katchatheevu, and has emphasised the ongoing plight of Tamil Nadu fishermen.

Stalin has also urged the Union Government to amend the agreement with Sri Lanka and called on the Prime Minister to discuss the issue with Sri Lankan leaders. 

US watchlist

Meanwhile, the US has also proposed Sri Lanka to a watchlist with the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), in its 2025 annual report, recommending that the US State Department lists Sri Lanka on a ‘Special Watch List’ based on religious freedom-related conditions recorded last year (2024), which include allegedly engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom.

The report, issued last week, has further recommended to the US Congress to raise ongoing religious freedom issues through the Congressional Caucus on Ethnic and Religious Freedom in Sri Lanka, foreign affairs committee hearings, resolutions, letters, and congressional delegations to Sri Lanka. 

Another recommendation was to prioritise meetings with the Department of Archaeology and the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs during congressional delegations, and specifically raise concerns over their expropriation of shared or disputed religious sites.

“Incorporate religious freedom concerns into the US-Sri Lanka Partnership Dialogue, including the need to repeal or significantly reform the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act as amended to require a higher threshold of evidence for charges, a definition of ‘terrorism’ that complies with international standards, and safeguards against abuses of religious freedom,” it was further recommended to the US Government.

Among the other countries that were recommended to be included in a Special Watch List along with Sri Lanka were Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Syria, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.

LG Polls

Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal last Tuesday (1) directed the relevant returning officers to suspend election activities until Wednesday (2) and again until Thursday (3), in relation to Local Government bodies where political parties and independent groups have filed petitions challenging the rejection of nomination papers.

Due to the rejection of over 400 nomination lists, several political parties filed motions before court against the rejection of their nomination lists.

When the case was taken up on Tuesday, it was also decided that the Election Commission should accept the nomination lists that had been handed over with the original birth certificates of the candidates.

However, the court finally delivered its decision last Friday (4) ordering the acceptance of 37 nomination lists for the upcoming polls that had been previously rejected.

The Court of Appeal bench comprised Acting President Justice M.T. Mohammed Laffar and Justice K.P. Fernando.

The Supreme Court meanwhile has dismissed over 50 petitions filed challenging the rejection of Local Government Elections nomination papers. Accordingly, 53 writ applications and six Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions that were filed by political parties were dismissed.

SJB challenges NPP

The SJB meanwhile has filed a writ and an FR application (SCFR 73/25 and SC Writ 65/25) challenging the Election Commission’s alleged failure and/or inaction in respect of proceeding with the nomination list submitted by the NPP for the 2025 Local Government Elections for the Kesbewa Urban Council. 

The SJB alleged in its petition, filed through candidate Tenil Rathnasiri, that a female candidate whose nomination had been accepted was disqualified in terms of the law as she was an employee of the Kesbewa Urban Council during the relevant period one year prior to the nominations and that, accordingly, the nomination list of the NPP as a whole did not meet the mandatory male/female ratio. Accordingly, the petition alleges that the NPP nomination list is a nullity and that proceeding any further with such a nomination list was a violation of fundamental rights.

While the Supreme Court had dismissed all other writ and FR petitions concerning the Local Government Elections nomination rejections for several local authorities, the SJB petition was fixed for support on 28 April, when court proceedings are scheduled to resume after the New Year holidays. 

The three-judge bench has further issued instructions for notice to be served, within one week, on all relevant parties, including the Election Commission.

President’s Counsel Eraj De Silva, with Attorneys-at-Law Janagan Sundramoorthy, N.K. Ashokbharan, and Sanjana Mapatuna, instructed by Dimuthu Kuruppuarachchi had appeared on behalf of the petitioner in both applications.

More JVPers

However, the upcoming Local Government Elections will witness an increase in the number of full-time JVP members contesting the polls. The ruling party’s campaign under the slogan ‘Jaya niyathayi, gama apitayi’ is being led by President AKD.

It is learnt that the JVP/NPP is focused on recording yet another landslide victory at the upcoming Local Government Elections and the JVP has given nominations more to full-time JVPers than members of the NPP. The strategic move by the JVP seems to be the party’s plan of strengthening its hold at grassroots level.

Nevertheless, the JVP/NPP Government sent out a strong message to detractors during the final vote of the 2025 Budget last month by all 159 ruling party MPs being present during the vote. 

It is usually very rare to witness all members of the ruling party being present during a vote in Parliament, even during budget votes, with at least one or two MPs not being present most often. However, all JVP/NPP MPs attended the final Budget vote, implying that despite talk of internal clashes, the party stands united.

Easter attacks probe

Meanwhile, President AKD stated last week during a public meeting in Deiyandara that the investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks were progressing rapidly, with several responsible individuals set to be exposed before Easter this year.

The President further assured that justice would be served and emphasised his Government’s commitment to uncovering the full truth behind the attacks.

AKD’s assurance comes as Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith recently issued an ultimatum to the incumbent Government, saying that the Catholic community in the country wanted to see some positive sign in the Easter attacks probe prior to 21 April, which would mark six years since the attacks.

The Cardinal also warned that the Catholic community would have to take to the streets demanding justice if the Government failed to honour its pledge of justice for the Easter attacks victims. 

Meanwhile, Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, who has said he knows the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday attacks, has noted that he will reveal such information only if summoned by the relevant authorities.

Hitting back

However, Opposition parties have hit back at the President’s statement on the Easter Sunday attacks probe, saying that the JVP/NPP Government could easily conclude the investigation by questioning several individuals in their fold without politicising the probe.

The main Opposition SJB urged the Government to refrain from using the 2019 Easter Sunday bomb attacks for political objectives. 

“If it is not possible to serve justice for the victims of the attacks, at least the disgraceful act of renewing their pain and using it for politics should be stopped. It is clear that these attacks are being used for political purposes,” the SJB’s Waruna Rajapaksha stated.

“Individuals like former Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Shani Abeysekara and former Senior DIG in charge of the CID Ravi Seneviratne, who held key positions when the Easter Sunday attacks took place, are well aware of what happened and how. The Government should question them first,” Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa has claimed.

He has further noted that the sons of a National List member of the NPP had been involved in carrying out the bombings and that the Government could get the details from this member. 

Expediting action

Meanwhile, the investigations being carried out into the many allegations of fraud, corruption and other crimes are being expedited, with the Government pushing for quick action on one of its key campaign pledges.

Accordingly, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and the Attorney General’s Department have reportedly expedited the progress of nearly 40 high-profile cases that have been delayed for an extended period.

AKD meanwhile has announced that a bill aimed at recovering illegally acquired assets will be presented to Parliament on Tuesday (8) by the Government.

Speaking at a public meeting in the Welipitiya area of Matara, the President emphasised: “On 8 April, we will pass legislation in Parliament to recover stolen and illegally accumulated wealth. This bill is not about personal revenge but about upholding the law and restoring sovereignty in our motherland.”

Another list

Meanwhile, another list of names exposing what the Government has termed financial mismanagement during previous governments is now in the making, with the Financial and Commercial Crime Investigation Division (FCCID) of the CID conducting an investigation into 22 former ministers and MPs concerning funds they had allegedly received from the President’s Fund between 2008 and 2024.

The Police has reportedly said that 22 files related to the disbursement of monies from the President’s Fund are being examined by the CID and the investigators had last week sought approval from the Fort Magistrate’s Court to access details of cheques issued from the President’s Fund account.

Preliminary investigations had revealed that over Rs. 100 million had been received by 22 former ministers and MPs in various amounts, and investigations are being carried out as to whether any irregularity has occurred in receiving the money.

The JVP/NPP Government has thus far released several lists of names of alleged misdoings of members of previous governments.

Suppression charges

However, Opposition parties have once again united in their call against the Government to stop what they term as suppression of dissenting Opposition voices.

Leading the charge is Opposition and SJB Leader Premadasa, who has claimed at several public events that the Government is trying to suppress members of the Opposition to prevent them from pointing out the failures and shortcomings of the administration.

Several other members of Opposition parties, including Namal Rajapaksa, Ajith P. Perera, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Duminda Dissanayake, Champika Ranawaka, and Wimal Weerawansa, among others, have also raised voices in public about alleged moves by the Government to intimidate and suppress dissenting voices.

The MPs also condemned President AKD’s recent statement that with several former and incumbent MPs either behind bars or under probe, Parliament might have to meet very soon in jail.

However, the claim by the Opposition that the Government is trying to intimidate dissenting voices came about following a statement by a JVP/NPP Member of Parliament (MP) who claimed that unruly legislators who raised their voices the most in Parliament would be sent to prison. 

This statement was made by ruling party MP Dinindu Saman Hennayake at a public event recently. He claimed that unruly legislators would have their names included in the list of individuals who would be sent to jail.

According to the MP, the said legislators have become unruly because they know that they are under investigation by the authorities.

Complaint against AKD

Meanwhile, Patali Champika Ranawaka’s United Republic Front (URF) has taken on President AKD by lodging a complaint with the Election Commission last Wednesday (2) regarding a speech made by the President at an election campaign rally in Weligama on 31 March.

The URF has alleged that President AKD’s statement – declaring that the Central Government would only allocate funds to Pradeshiya Sabhas that are not corrupt and that only one such party, the NPP, met this standard – was an attempt by the Executive President to directly influence the election by determining Government support based on political affiliation.

The URF has further stated in its complaint that decisions on the development activities of Local Government institutions are made by Provincial Councils, the Ministry of Local Government, and relevant officials, not the President. The party has also accused the President of indirectly implicating Government officials in corruption through his remarks.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has also noted that it will keep a close watch on the actions of the Government during the campaign period and has taken measures to stop the Avurudu relief package that was being planned by the Government to be distributed among low-income families prior to the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, which falls during the campaign period.

No PCs

Meanwhile, the Government has also noted that the delayed Provincial Council (PC) Elections, which President AKD had earlier stated would be held towards the end of this year, would be further delayed.

Cabinet Spokesperson, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said last week that the Provincial Council Elections would not be held this year since, with the upcoming Local Government Elections, three elections would have been held within six months of each other, and since there were some laws that were required to be amended to enable the said polls.

He said during a public meeting in Panadura that the Government could not keep holding elections all the time but needed to carry out development programmes as well.

“After the Local Government Polls, the main elections will be completed. Only the Provincial Council Elections are to be held. They will not be held this year because some laws need to be changed and a large amount of money has been allocated for the development of the country,” Jayatissa has said.

No names

Meanwhile, all key political parties in the Opposition have started their campaigns for the upcoming Local Government Elections with their party leaders at the forefront.

The main Opposition SJB, it is learnt, is targeting victory in 100 Local Government bodies, with Premadasa taking the lead in campaigning. Premadasa is being accompanied by Party General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara and National Organiser Tissa Attanayake at the campaign meetings.

However, it is interesting that many parties have refrained from naming their mayoral candidates or those who would head the other Local Government bodies. Many ruling and Opposition parties have only named the mayoral candidate for the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).

The United National Party (UNP) has however decided not to name a mayoral candidate for the CMC. UNP National Organiser Sagala Ratnayaka had made the announcement during a meeting with CMC candidates at Wickremesinghe’s Flower Road political office recently.

He had explained that an administration for the CMC would be formed with the support of all Opposition parties after the election, and the party with the highest seats would be given the mayoral position.

The SLPP campaign led by the party’s National Organiser Namal has also not named a mayoral candidate for the CMC.

The SJB has not named mayoral candidates or heads for the other Local Government bodies, except for the CMC.

The Sarvajana Balaya led by MP Dilith Jayaweera has also named a mayoral candidate only for the CMC.

Alliance fails

Meanwhile, attempts among several Opposition political parties, including the SJB, to form an alliance prior to the Local Government Elections have failed due to a clash for the leadership of the proposed alliance, it is learnt.

The SJB had demanded that the leadership of the proposed alliance be vested with its own leadership while two other leaders of Opposition political parties – one headed by an incumbent MP and the other by a former Minister – had also demanded lead roles in the alliance.

It is further learnt that the failure to reach a final decision on the alliance leadership had resulted in the breakdown in talks to form an alliance. It was later decided that the parties would look at jointly forming administrative bodies in some Local Government bodies after the upcoming elections.

MP’s objections

Meanwhile, Premadasa had recently visited the Bandaragama electorate without any prior notice to the SJB organisers of the Kalutara District, resulting in objections being raised by some organisers. While over 400 nomination lists for the Local Government Elections were rejected, several lists of the SJB were also rejected.

There had been claims of a conspiracy behind the rejection of the SJB nomination list for Bandaragama with the Organiser for the electorate, Nayanaka Ranwella, noting that the document attached to the nomination papers with the Party General Secretary’s signature had gone missing after the documents were handed over.

However, talk of a conspiracy that had taken place in relation to the Bandaragama nomination list had resulted in Premadasa deciding to personally visit the electorate to find out what had happened. The day after the SJB’s nominations were rejected in Bandaragama, Premadasa had informed all SJB electoral organisers in Kalutara to come to the Maithree Hall in Bandaragama, saying he was visiting for a meeting that morning. 

SJB MP Jagath Withana had raised objections to this meeting saying that the Party Leader should not attend meetings without prior notice. “I’m an MP from this district (Kalutara). It is not right for the Party Leader to visit without prior notice. I should have been informed earlier,” Withana had said.

However, SJB MP Ajith P. Perera had explained to Withana that the decision to visit had been made by Premadasa in a hurry. 

SJB convention

The SJB meanwhile held its fourth convention at Hyde Park on Thursday (3) under Premadasa’s leadership. The theme of the event was ‘Dura dakimu, pela gesemu, anagathaya goda nagamu’ (‘Let’s see far, line up, and build the future’). This slogan had been coined by Erananda Hettiarachchi.

It is learnt that the SJB convention had been planned within a short period of time. The organising of the event had been assigned to SJB General Secretary Madduma Bandara and MP Nalin Bandara. The committee to organise the convention had met only five times due to time constraints.

Addressing the gathering, Party General Secretary Madduma Bandara proposed Premadasa’s name for the post of SJB leader, which was unanimously approved by everyone at the convention. Madduma Bandara then took a swipe at the UNP, saying that the party they had been members of prior to the SJB had never followed democratic principles and that there was no vote for the party leadership since the Party Leader remained in the post as long as he was alive. 

However, an interesting development was the re-appointment of Imthiaz Bakeer Markar as the Chairman of the SJB. Bakeer Markar resigned from all posts held by him in the party and his reappointment to the post of party chairman baffled many. His name was proposed to the post of party chairman by Premadasa and was unanimously approved by the gathering.

Bakeer Markar had submitted his resignation letter, which Premadasa had refused to accept, and had returned home while refraining from speaking to many people, especially SJB seniors. 

However, Bakeer Markar had met SJB National Organiser Tissa Attanayake on several occasions after submitting his resignation letter. 

The SJB’s convention was held at a time when there was growing dissension within the party and several seniors decided to maintain a low profile. 

Sajith’s secret visit

Meanwhile, when everyone had started to inquire about Bakeer Markar’s reappointment as the SJB Chairman, it was then learnt that prior to the SJB convention, Party Leader Premadasa had engaged in a secret visit to meet a certain individual.

Premadasa had told Madduma Bandara to meet him with Attanayake since he was planning on meeting someone. Madduma Bandara had met Premadasa with Attanayake and it was then that Premadasa had asked them (Madduma Bandara and Attanayake) to meet with Bakeer Markar first and that he (Premadasa) would join the discussion midway.

Accordingly, Madduma Bandara and Attanayake had visited Bakeer Markar’s residence and met with him. Premadasa had also arrived at the residence a little while later. Bakeer Markar, it is learnt, had given an emotional speech to Premadasa, where he had pointed out many shortcomings within the party apparatus. 

Premadasa had listened and told Bakeer Markar that it was time to let bygones be bygones and that both he and the party needed him. Premadasa had further noted that Bakeer Markar would be reappointed as the party’s chairman at the convention. 

RW says no

The UNP’s Working Committee met last Tuesday (1) evening at the Party Headquarters, Sirikotha, under Party Leader Wickremesinghe’s patronage.

During the meeting, a proposal was presented by a Working Committee member for Wickremesinghe to take the lead in the party’s campaign at the Local Government Elections since the party was contesting solo under the ‘elephant’ symbol after a long time. However, Wickremesinghe had responded saying that he would not be taking the role as campaign lead.

The Working Committee, it is learnt, had appointed a committee of 11 members to steer the UNP Local Government Elections campaign, comprising Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, General Secretary Thalatha Atukorale, National Organiser Sagala Ratnayaka, Chairman Wajira Abeywardena, and several other party seniors. The Working Committee had also appointed a Legal Committee and a Media Committee to look into election-related work.

Campaign after Avurudu

It is also learnt that the UNP had decided during the Working Committee meeting to conduct heavy campaigning for the Local Government Elections after the New Year period, with focus until then being laid on door-to-door campaigning.

Meanwhile, the party’s Election Campaign Committee commenced islandwide meetings with organisers and candidates last week. 

Akila is back

Meanwhile, the UNP Working Committee also appointed former MP Akila Viraj Kariyawasam as the party’s Assistant Leader. 

Kariyawasam, who had served in several key positions in the UNP including General Secretary and as the President of the UNP’s trade union wing, the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya, took a back seat during last year’s Parliamentary Elections after pushing for the UNP to form an alliance with the SJB without the SLPP dissidents. With the UNP deciding to form an alliance with the SLPP dissidents, Kariyawasam decided to stay out of active politics for a while.

However, he has once again returned to active politics by accepting the role within the UNP.

RW-Yoshitha meet

Meanwhile, two individuals visited Wickremesinghe’s office at Flower Road in Colombo 7 on Thursday (3) morning. They were former Navy Commander, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda and one of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s sons, Yoshitha Rajapaksa.

Wickremesinghe had engaged in a closed-door meeting with Karannagoda and Yoshitha, and the details discussed are yet to be known.

However, it is believed that the trio may have discussed the recent sanctions imposed on Karannagoda by the UK as well as the current political situation in the country.

GR back in limelight

Meanwhile, the ongoing discussions on the Local Government Elections also saw former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa (GR) return to the limelight.

A recent discussion that was held among election observers and political party representatives on the Local Government Elections resulted in an exchange of words over the mentioning of GR’s name. Former SLPP MP Premnath Dolawatte had stated during this event that executive presidents should not get on election campaign stages and that former President GR had not done it and the tradition that had been put in place by him (GR) was being broken this time. 

Former Chairman of the Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya had responded to Dolawatte’s statement saying that GR could not be used to make such a comparison since he was “not a politician”. “He was not the main speaker even at the Presidential Election campaign, besides he was also not the party leader. Therefore, don’t mix things up. Party leaders have always taken part in the campaigns of their parties,” Deshapriya had noted.

However, when the argument was taking an intense turn, election observer Rohana Hettiarachchi had intervened saying that the discussion was moving off topic and that it was important to maintain the focus of the discussion.

Chamara follows Deshabandu

Opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dasanayake who was remanded recently has also requested permission to get meals from his residence. Dasanayake’s request had come after suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon had received permission to receive his meals from home.

Dasanayake was held in the ‘M’ ward of the Colombo Remand Prison. Doctors have also advised the prison authorities, it is learnt, to provide a mattress for Dasanayake due to health concerns. 

It is learnt that while Dasanayake receives his breakfast and lunch from home, he does not consume dinner and he shares his food with others in his ward.

Dasanayake was further remanded till Tuesday (8) when his case was taken up last Tuesday (1).

Motion under question

Meanwhile, the motion before Parliament seeking Tennakoon’s removal from the post of IGP is facing questions of legality given that the matter is already before courts.

Former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has noted that the motion to be taken up in Parliament is invalid given that the Supreme Court has issued an enjoining order against Tennakoon’s appointment as IGP.

“In such a scenario, Deshabandu Tennakoon is no longer the IGP. The court directive still stands. It is in this scenario that a group of MPs has signed and handed a motion to Parliament seeking Tennakoon’s removal. 

“According to the law, such a motion can only be presented against a sitting IGP. It is in such a backdrop that the Speaker has accepted a motion by a group of MPs calling for the IGP’s removal,” he noted.

Rajapakshe further noted that a Supreme Court justice would be required to be appointed to a committee probing bribery and corruption charges being levelled against Tennakoon.

Harshana’s dismissal

However, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara responded to Rajapakshe’s claim that a motion to remove the suspended IGP was legally questionable.

Nanayakkara stated during an interview with a private television channel that the Supreme Court’s interim order restraining Tennakoon from functioning as the IGP proved that he still held the position.

“The Supreme Court has issued an interim order because Tennakoon remains the IGP. This contradicts Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’s argument that he is no longer in office,” the Minister stated, clarifying that Fundamental Rights petitions had been filed against Tennakoon’s appointment as IGP and that the motion to remove him was based on allegations of misconduct. 

According to the Minister, the motion is not sub judice, as it deals with Tennakoon’s misconduct, while the Supreme Court’s order pertains to his appointment.

Nanayakkara re-affirmed that the ruling party was correct in submitting the motion and rejected claims that the Speaker had undermined Parliament’s authority by accepting the motion.

Meanwhile, the Committee on Parliamentary Business last week decided to present the Notice of Resolution to appoint a Committee of Inquiry for the removal of IGP Tennakoon from his post to Parliament on Tuesday (8) for approval.

Sajith’s revelation

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Premadasa, who opposed Tennakoon’s appointment to the post of IGP at the Constitutional Council at the time, is gearing to make several revelations behind the suspended IGP’s appointment.

It is learnt that Premadasa is looking at exposing the manner in which Tennakoon was appointed as the IGP and the discussions that had taken place at the Constitutional Council meeting when Tennakoon’s appointment had been taken up for discussion as well as the individuals who had intervened to push for Tennakoon’s appointment.  

Deshabandu re-remanded

Tennakoon was remanded again until Thursday (10) by the Matara Magistrate last week when the case was taken up for hearing last Thursday (3). The Magistrate once again rejected bail for Tennakoon.

Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris had noted that Tennakoon had repeatedly misled investigators with false statements, obstructing investigations, and expressed concerns that releasing him on bail could hinder ongoing inquiries. The prosecution had urged the court to deny the application. 

Peiris had also noted that despite Tennakoon’s statement that he had been staying at his Giriulla residence until he had arrived in Matara, it was not so since CCTV footage had shown Tennakoon travelling in vehicles and places he had visited.

Meanwhile, former President Wickremesinghe is also likely to be asked for a statement by the CID as part of the probe on Tennakoon.