The impact of the unfolding developments on the global stage is bound to be felt by many countries including Sri Lanka. It would therefore be correct to state that a new set of challenges has now fallen before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) and his Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) Government.
Within the first few days of the new year, the masses were treated to price hikes as well as proposed tariff hikes. Fuel prices were increased with a cascading effect on the prices of goods as well as services and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has requested the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCLS) for a 11% electricity tariff hike for the first quarter of this year.
Meanwhile, the indicative USD/LKR spot rate announced by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has crossed the Rs. 310 level for the first time since 29 February 2024. Official data released last Wednesday (7) has reported the spot rate at Rs. 310.02 with the buying rate of the US Dollar recorded at Rs. 306.28, while the selling rate stood at Rs. 313.81.
Be that as it may, apart from Sri Lanka’s continuing economic recovery programme amidst efforts to rebuild the country post-Cyclone Ditwah, the increasing tensions in the global political and economic stages would also have an impact on Sri Lanka. The Government will therefore have to closely monitor the growing global tensions centred around the US, with which Sri Lanka is still engaged in discussions to finalise trade tariffs, to predict and mitigate adverse impacts that could affect the country. All these would be in addition to the continuing challenges on the socio-economic and political fronts in the country.
Impact on fuel prices
Meanwhile, Cabinet Spokesperson, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has said that following recent US strikes on Venezuela, fuel prices were expected to change in the world market and that it could in turn cause fluctuations in local fuel prices.
He has further noted that the Government could not currently predict the exact impact on domestic fuel prices. “At present, we are observing price fluctuations in certain goods and services,” Jayatissa has noted, adding that the Finance Ministry and relevant ministers would take appropriate decisions in response to changing conditions.
Differentiating Govt. and JVP
The US’s move to enter Venezuela violating international laws and to seize its President Nicolás Maduro and his wife has become a focal point in global politics. However, the incident put the ruling party and the JVP-NPP Government in a difficult spot.
While the JVP/NPP Government adopted a diplomatic approach without condemning the US’s actions, the JVP, which is the main party in the ruling NPP coalition, has continuously stood for Venezuela’s sovereignty in the past. The JVP even protested against the US in the past while shouting slogans like “hands off Venezuela”.
Hence, the JVP had to carefully pick its path in the US-Venezuela conflict given that the Marxist-leaning JVP had to protect its identity while also balancing ties with the US, which is an important fact for the Government that is led by a JVP coalition.
As soon as news of the US’s intervention in Venezuela reached the public domain, all eyes were focused on AKD and his Government.
During a press briefing last Sunday (4), Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath explained the Sri Lankan Government’s stance on the US military intervention in Venezuela and the capture of President Maduro and his wife.
Responding to questions posed by journalists, the Foreign Minister noted that the Sri Lankan Government had called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations (UN) Security Council to discuss further action over the breach of international law and the UN Charter.
“According to the UN Charter and international law, action must be taken to protect the sovereignty of all nations. All UN member states are required to adhere to these principles. Accordingly, an urgent UN Security Council meeting has already been convened for tomorrow (5). From our side, we too have proposed that this meeting be held without delay,” Herath said.
He added that necessary action should also be taken at the UN General Assembly against violations of the UN Charter and its fundamental principles, stating that this reflected the Government’s position.
Meanwhile, the JVP has strongly condemned what it described as a military intervention by the US against Venezuela, accusing Washington of violating the country’s sovereignty.
In a statement issued last Sunday (4), the JVP has alleged that the US had carried out a forceful military action against Venezuela and claimed that Venezuelan President Maduro, who was elected by popular vote, and his wife had been abducted during the operation.
The ruling party has noted that the authority to determine a country’s future and its leadership lies solely with its people, stressing that no external power has the right to interfere in the internal affairs of a sovereign and independent state.
The JVP has also noted that democracy, human rights, and the independence and sovereignty of states are universally accepted principles, adding that military interventions or invasions of countries under any pretext are unacceptable in the modern world.
The party has further stated that it firmly believes that the international community will not approve of what it described as a coercive military intervention carried out by the US against Venezuela.
The JVP/NPP Government’s stance was that the JVP as a party could hold a different view than the NPP Government where the JVP is the main coalition partner.
Dilith questions AKD
Realising that the JVP/NPP Government would take a diplomatic stand regarding the US, casting aside its anti-US sentiments of the past, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Dilith Jayaweera said he expected President AKD to oppose what he described as Washington’s actions against Venezuela, pledging his “unconditional backing” should the President take a firm stand.
In a post on X, Jayaweera noted that he expected Sri Lanka’s “socialist President” to object to the US’s moves on Venezuela and expressed support for a bold response against what he termed an “anti-democratic move” by US President Donald Trump against a sovereign nation.
Wang Yi to Sri Lanka
While the JVP/NPP Government was caught in a tight spot with the US and Venezuela, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is to arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow (12) on his return trip to China from a tour in Africa.
During his brief visit to Sri Lanka, Wang is expected to meet President AKD, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and his counterpart, Foreign Minister Herath. He is likely to announce an assistance package for Sri Lanka in post-disaster rebuilding efforts. In Africa, he will visit Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, and Lesotho upon invitation.
It is believed that the Chinese Foreign Minister will announce China’s aid package for Sri Lanka’s rebuilding programme following the cyclone.
While India has already announced a $ 450 million financial package for Sri Lanka last month, China’s silence on its support for rebuilding efforts did not go unnoticed. Some analysts noted that China might have opted to stay silent to first see what India offered before announcing its support.
Wang’s visit to Sri Lanka therefore will be closely watched by all in the hope of hearing China’s financial package for the country.
Chinese concerns
However, prior to news of Wang’s visit to Sri Lanka, a Chinese delegation that recently visited the JVP Headquarters in Pelawatte, it is learnt, had informed the JVP delegation consisting of senior members of the party of concerns regarding several agreements reached with India last year.
It is, however, not yet clear on how the JVP side had responded to this.
Hearing of this development, a senior political analyst noted that the Chinese still seemed to be reeling from Sri Lanka’s decision not to permit Chinese research vessels to enter Sri Lankan waters for research work.
Since the JVP/NPP Government assumed office, the Chinese on several occasions had requested permission for at least two Chinese research vessels to enter Sri Lankan waters to engage in research work and for replenishment. The Government however had refrained from permitting research work from being carried out in Sri Lankan waters.
The Chinese, it is learnt, are of the view that the Government’s decision has been forced by another external party and China has since kept a close watch on Sri Lanka’s growing ties with neighbouring India.
India in a ‘sweet spot’
Meanwhile, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha has described the India-Sri Lanka partnership as being in a “historic sweet spot”. The High Commissioner has stated during a discussion with journalists in Colombo that bilateral ties have reached an unprecedented level of trust, goodwill, and cooperation.
The High Commissioner had noted that India’s role as a first responder following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah was a defining feature of the partnership, noting that New Delhi had launched large-scale rescue and relief operations under Operation Sagar Bandhu.
India has committed a $ 450 million assistance package to support post-cyclone recovery and rebuilding, comprising $ 350 million in concessional lines of credit and $ 100 million in grants, which is expected to assist in restoring damaged roads, railways, and bridges; rebuilding houses; strengthening health and education facilities; supporting agriculture; and improving disaster preparedness.
According to Jha, both countries were focused on faster implementation of agreed projects and closer engagement in the year ahead, with a clear emphasis on delivering tangible benefits to the people of India and Sri Lanka.
NCM against Harini
While President AKD and the JVP/NPP Government are trying to manage the increasing challenges faced by the country, Opposition political parties have commenced a campaign to slam the NPP and create a rift between the JVP and NPP through the ongoing controversy over the issue of unsuitable content in a Grade 6 English module and school textbook that has resulted in Prime Minister Amarasuriya, who is also the Education Minister, getting slammed in online and offline media.
Ever since the JVP/NPP Government assumed office following national-level elections in 2024, Prime Minister Amarasuriya has faced several campaigns against her appointment as Prime Minister. Even some JVPers and JVP supporters stated at the time that Amarasuriya should be appointed as foreign minister and not prime minister since that position should be vested with a senior JVPer.
However, the latest controversy related to the Grade 6 textbook has resulted in the Opposition led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa initiating a No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against the Education Minister.
Premadasa last week placed his signature on the NCM following a meeting in his office in Parliament with all Opposition party representatives where it was decided that a NCM should be moved against the Education Minister.
Delaying NCM
However, it is learnt that the Opposition’s NCM to be moved against Prime Minister Amarasuriya for her role as Education Minister is to face a delay with the Opposition deciding to amend the motion. Hence, the motion will not be handed over to the Speaker of Parliament any time soon.
The Opposition has decided to amend the motion after receiving information that apart from the Grade 6 English module that has created much controversy, there have been errors detected in other school education modules as well. Errors in other school education modules are also to be included in the NCM being moved by the Opposition.
Another reason for delaying the proposed NCM against the Education Minister is the decision that all Opposition parties and stakeholders should be involved in the move in order to get their support inside and outside Parliament for it.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) therefore is expected to take a few more days to finalise the NCM and hand it over to the Speaker.
New prime minister talk
Apart from the NCM to be moved in Parliament, a campaign has yet again been launched calling for Amarasuriya’s replacement as the Prime Minister and calling for a new premier to be appointed.
During a previous campaign last year against Amarasuriya, it was stated that senior JVPer, Minister Bimal Rathnayake would replace Amarasuriya as the prime minister when President AKD carried out his first Cabinet reshuffle when the Government completed one year in office.
However, while there were minor changes of portfolios, there was no proper Cabinet reshuffle last year. This time around, the campaign on replacing Amarasuriya has noted that senior JVPer, Minister Vijitha Herath will be appointed to the post.
It is learnt that these campaigns, mostly pushed on social media platforms, are being initiated by Opposition parties.
While campaigns are being carried out on replacing Amarasuriya, it is interesting to see how Rathnayake and Herath are being promoted as the possible replacements. While Rathnayake’s name is being promoted in these campaigns as a hardcore JVPer backed by JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva, Herath is being promoted as a pro-AKD member in the Government.
AKD stands by Harini
However, despite Opposition pressure to replace Amarasuriya, President AKD, it is learnt, has decided not to make any changes to the post of prime minister and has maintained that Amarasuriya will continue in the post without any changes.
The President, it is further learnt, has maintained that the Government has accepted responsibility for the error in the Grade 6 English module and textbook and has taken steps to rectify the error while initiating a probe into the matter and that there is no need to replace the Prime Minister over the issue.
AKD has therefore put an end to the speculation that Herath is likely to be appointed as the prime minister with Amarasuriya being appointed as the new foreign minister.
Opposition slams JVP/NPP MP
Meanwhile, the ruling party is facing criticism by Opposition parties, mainly for failing to deliver on the promise of bringing in individuals who are above board to serve the public.
It is in such a backdrop that JVP/NPP MP Shantha Padmakumara, who has been in the midst of a controversy over a Police raid on a cannabis plantation in the Embilipitiya area and an assault on a Police constable involved in the said raid, is being accused by Opposition parties, mainly the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), as being convicted by a court of law over a case.
SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam has revealed during a news conference last week that ruling party MP Padmakumara could face a jail term if found guilty of assaulting the Police constable who had raided the cannabis plantation allegedly owned by one of the MP’s relatives, since he (the MP) has been convicted by the Embilipitiya Magistrate’s Court and has a sentence of a three-month jail term suspended for a period of five years.
Kariyawasam has told the media that he had a copy of the verdict delivered by the Embilipitiya Magistrate’s Court in case No.63160/19 where the court had reportedly found Padmakumara guilty of obstructing the duties of a school principal in the Embilipitiya area and of harassment.
“This individual has been found guilty of a criminal offence. After a trial, the court had issued an order to jail the MP for a period of three months and had suspended the jail term for five years. He had also been ordered to pay compensation amounting to Rs. 20,000. This is the individual who is now being accused of assaulting a Police constable.
“If there are legal proceedings over this assault, the MP could face a jail term of three months, which has currently been suspended. The MP had filed an appeal and had later withdrawn it as well. Therefore, the suspended sentence can come into effect if he is found guilty of another offence. He had withdrawn the appeal on 3 August 2021. The suspended sentence is therefore valid for a period of five years from 3 August 2021, which means it is effective till 3 August 2026,” Kariyawasam has explained at the said briefing.
The court proceedings were also tabled in Parliament by Opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dasanayake.
Meanwhile, Police Constable Susantha Hettiarachchi, who was engaged in the raid on the cannabis plantation and later assaulted by individuals allegedly affiliated with the ruling party MP in question, continues to complain about the difficulties faced by his children due to the ongoing controversy. He is currently interdicted from service pending an inquiry and has noted that his children attend the school where the ruling party MP’s wife serves as a teacher.
Namal’s double standards
Opposition MP Namal Rajapaksa meanwhile continues to highlight the double standards of the JVP/NPP Government when addressing issues of accountability and transparency.
One of the key examples cited by Namal is the approach of the Government regarding the health sector. “The Health Minister of a former Government is being prosecuted for his alleged involvement in importing substandard medicines to the country and the loss of lives as a result. Once again there’s an issue of substandard medicines and of patients being affected, but there is no probe or prosecution of the Minister in charge,” he noted.
Namal further claimed that the Prime Minister, who is also the Education Minister, was accountable for the controversy surrounding the Grade 6 school textbook as well as the loss caused to the State as a result.
Challenging Energy Minister
Meanwhile, Opposition MP D.V. Chanaka, who alleged irregularities in a recent procurement of a coal shipment during a speech in Parliament last week, has challenged Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody to a publicly televised debate to present evidence to prove alleged irregularities in the recent coal import tender.
Chanaka has accused the Government of engaging in corruption and fraud since the beginning of its term, while claiming a large-scale coal scam, which he has alleged has caused losses to the State amounting to several billions. Chanaka has further stated that he will prove the transaction is “completely corrupt” if Minister Jayakody accepts the challenge for a debate.
According to Chanaka, while the coal shipments had arrived from South Africa, the certificate of sampling and analysis had been issued from Indonesia. Energy Minister Jayakody has, however, dismissed the allegations but has refrained from responding to Chanaka’s challenge.
Jayakody was also accused of allocating several renewable energy projects under the Expression of Interest (EOI) process to two leading former Sri Lankan cricketers as well as to a company in which the Energy Minister had earlier been employed.
These accusations were levelled by Opposition MPs Mujibur Rahman and Nalin Bandara. They claimed that allegations of irregularities continued to mount against the Minister and that he was already facing a probe before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
The auditor general conundrum
Meanwhile, Opposition MP Harsha de Silva, who is also the Chairperson of the parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF), raised the issue of the delay in appointing a permanent auditor general and the call he had received from President AKD regarding a letter sent by him to the President on the matter.
De Silva told Parliament last Tuesday (6) that he had written a letter to the President outlining the urgency of appointing an auditor general while urging immediate action on the matter, adding that the President had called him after receiving the letter.
“The President called me after receiving the letter, acknowledging receipt of it. He told me that he had nominated four names to the Constitutional Council. I cannot give directions to the Constitutional Council, but the council should look at working together with the President to resolve this issue. The country needs an auditor general,” he said.
De Silva further asked the Speaker of Parliament why he had turned down a request by him to provide a copy of his (de Silva’s) letter sent to the President to the members of the Constitutional Council. “I’m now tabling the letter I sent to the President, which you have turned down, in the House,” he added.
Meanwhile, Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, raising a question under Point of Order 92(2), noted that there had been no auditor general for a period of one month and that there were many clauses in the Constitution that were being violated as a result. He further pointed out that Clause 119(2) of the Standing Orders was also being violated due to the lack of an auditor general.
Jayasekara further noted that the parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) could not convene without an auditor general.
Responding to the concerns raised by Opposition MPs about the lack of an auditor general, Chief Government Whip, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa noted that the President had already proposed names of four suitable individuals to the post of auditor general to the Constitutional Council and that there could be a conspiracy to create some instability in the country.
Opposition MP Chaminda Wijesiri then noted that the members of the Constitutional Council could approve the nomination of a suitable individual to fill the position and not individuals being proposed to cover up shortcomings of the Government.
MP Mujibur Rahman meanwhile noted that the President had not nominated four individuals to the post of auditor general since one name proposed by him was for the post of acting auditor general. “The President has therefore nominated only three persons, and they were individuals not suitable to hold the post,” he added.
SJB-UNP alliance
While Opposition attacks on the ruling party continue to intensify, members of the main Opposition SJB and United National Party (UNP) are in a good mood these days due to the renewed hope of an alliance being formed between the two parties.
The jubilation of the SJBers and UNPers is evident by the news that the photograph of Opposition and SJB Leader Premadasa with a group of UNP seniors following a meeting has gone viral on social media with views and shares amounting to millions. However, the path towards an alliance between the two parties is filled with many potholes.
Premadasa’s decision to head the discussions with the UNP alone has gathered criticism from some senior SJBers. The criticism is mainly focused on the fact that Premadasa is now making unilateral decisions and sidelining many SJB seniors.
It is learnt that several SJB seniors had even telephoned UNP Leader, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, expressing concerns over Premadasa’s conduct and noting that they were prepared to join Wickremesinghe at any given time.
It is in such a backdrop that MP Harshana Rajakaruna held a news conference to clear the air by saying that the SJB Management Committee had decided to give responsibility and power to Premadasa to conduct discussions with the UNP to form a common working programme. He also stated that the delegation that met with Premadasa had done so with the UNP Leader’s blessings as well.
Looking at the ongoing developments, several political analysts noted during a discussion that Wickremesinghe had always maintained that ‘politics is a game.’ Then one of them noted that it now seemed the ball was in Premadasa’s hand while the bat was in Wickremesinghe’s hand.
Issues with Kabir’s report
However, it is learnt that the reason for Premadasa leading the discussions with the UNP was following the receipt of the report from the committee that was appointed by the SJB to formulate a framework for the discussions with the UNP. The SJB committee to prepare this framework was headed by MP Kabir Hashim and included MPs Mujibur Rahman and S.M. Marikkar, with Eran Wickramaratne also being included later.
Once this committee was appointed, several SJBers had expressed concerns to Premadasa over Hashim’s role, stating that he was continuously engaged in a double game between the SJB and UNP leadership and that he (Hashim) was likely to prepare a framework beneficial to the UNP.
The report submitted by Hashim’s committee had proposed that the committee to discuss a common work programme between the SJB and UNP should consist of six members from each party. However, Premadasa had proposed that the committee should consist of six members from the SJB and four members from the UNP.
The disagreement between Premadasa and Hashim over the number of members to be represented by the two parties in the discussion had resulted in a group of senior SJBers proposing that the discussion be held between the leaders of the two parties. Following this proposal, the SJB had decided that Premadasa be given the power to lead the discussion with the UNP.
UNP decides
Meanwhile, the UNP Working Committee, which met last Wednesday (7) presided by Party Leader Wickremesinghe, had discussed the meeting that had taken place between several members of the UNP Working Committee and the SJB leadership.
At the outset of the meeting, Wickremesinghe had presented a lengthy programme aimed at reforming the party. The UNP Leader has noted that there was a need to completely overhaul the party.
Afterwards, details of the meeting between several senior UNPers and SJB Leader Premadasa had been taken up for discussion. After discussing details of the meeting, the UNP Working Committee had agreed to continue with the discussion with the SJB and to form a common work programme between the UNP and SJB.
Six proposals
The UNP Working Committee had decided to proceed with the discussion with the SJB based on six proposals.
Among the proposals were to form a joint national programmes committee to oversee the functions of UNP and SJB councillors in Local Government bodies where they could work on a common programme and to form a committee to enable the Working Committees of both the UNP and SJB to agree on three joint programmes.
Another proposal was to appoint a committee with the consent of the Leaders of both the UNP and SJB to explain the common work programme being prepared by the two parties with other political parties and leaders currently affiliated with the UNP and to further discuss the programme.
The UNP Working Committee has also agreed that once the UNP and SJB reach a consensus on these proposals, the leaders of the two parties should hold a discussion on the way forward.
It had also been decided at the meeting that the political alliances consisting of other political parties that are currently working with the UNP might also work together with the SJB.
Sajith-Sagala meet
Meanwhile, another interesting development related to the SJB-UNP alliance is slowly trickling out into the public domain. The latest development in uniting the two parties is the discussion that had taken place between Premadasa and Wickremesinghe’s confidant, senior UNPer Sagala Ratnayaka.
The meeting between Premadasa and Ratnayaka had taken place at the Colombo Club at the Taj Samudra hotel, where the previous meeting between Premadasa and UNP seniors Ruwan Wijewardene, Navin Dissanayake, and Akila Viraj Kariyawasam had taken place.
It is learnt that prior to meeting with Ratnayaka, Premadasa had informed Wijewardene, Dissanayake, and Kariyawasam of the meeting, and they in turn had told Premadasa that it was a good move.
The Premadasa-Ratnayaka meeting was pending from 1 January when Wickremesinghe and Ratnayaka had wished Premadasa over the telephone for the new year.
It is further learnt that Premadasa had explained to Ratnayaka his sincere intention of working together with the UNP and that he was committed to seeing it through at the outset of the discussion. Ratnayaka had also agreed that it was time for the two parties to work together.
UNP’s new Vice Chair
Meanwhile, another piece of news that came from the UNP side was the appointment of a new Vice Chairman to the party – Navin Dissanayake.
UNP Leader Wickremesinghe had reportedly confirmed the appointment in a letter to Dissanayake, stating that he would also serve as a member of the party’s Working Committee, in accordance with the Party Constitution.
Dissanayake’s announcement of the appointment by Wickremesinghe was also seen as the UNP Leader’s consent to his (Dissanayake’s) role in participating in a discussion with the SJB Leader to form a common work programme between the two parties.
However, several UNP seniors have said that Dissanayake’s appointment is nothing new since he was appointed as the Vice Chairman of the party some time back and that the Party Leader had given the new letter renewing Dissanayake’s post in the party for another year. “Navin (Dissanayake) has taken this letter renewing his position in the party and is trying to create hype on social media,” a senior UNPer has said.
Marikkar’s inclusive celebration
While the SJB and UNP are now looking at forming a common work programme, grassroots-level SJBers and UNPers are eagerly awaiting to hear of the official consensus.
It is in such a backdrop that the SJB’s S.M. Marikkar had organised an event to celebrate the New Year with both SJB and UNP members in his constituency at his office in Salamulla, Kolonnawa.
Marikkar had said at the event that the two parties would definitely unite this year. Amidst happy cheers from SJBers and UNPers, Marikkar had further stated that while Premadasa would lead the alliance between the SJB and UNP, Wickremesinghe would be the senior leader of the alliance.
Movie time for RW and MR
Meanwhile, former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR) and Wickremesinghe had watched a movie together last week. The movie – ‘Sanda Dadayama’ (Moon Hunt) – produced by former Minister Bandula Gunawardena was launched last week at a cinema at Galle Face.
Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi was invited for the screeding. MR, Wickremesinghe, and many former ministers were seen attending the screening of the movie. Former Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, former Ministers Mahinda Amaraweera, Rauff Hakeem, G.L. Peiris, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, and Wajira Abeywardena, and MP Dilith Jayaweera were among the invitees.
MR however had left the venue a little while after the movie had commenced. Wickremesinghe had stayed till the end of the movie and was seen in conversation with Gunawardena, artistes, and media personnel who had attended the launch.
SLPPers at SLFP office
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) saw Chamara Sampath Dasanayake officially assuming duties as the party’s National Organiser. Dasanayake assumed duties following a ceremony held at the Party Headquarters on Darley Road, Colombo last Monday (5).
The event was attended by former SLFP members who had later joined the Rajapaksa-led SLPP like Ramesh Pathirana, Ajith Rajapakse, and many others, including SLPP dissidents like Prasanna Ranatunga, Sugeeshwara Bandara, Tiran Alles, and several others. Several SLPP dissidents had noted that they were visiting their ‘political maha gedara’ after some time.
During the media briefing that was held at the SLFP Headquarters after Dasanayake assumed duties, SLFP Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva extended an invitation to former SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara, who has filed several court cases challenging the current party leadership and his removal from the post of general secretary, to return to the party fold.
Deputy leader post for SLFP?
However, Jayasekara, it is learnt, has informed the SLFP that he is prepared to rejoin the SLFP as its deputy leader. This new proposal had been presented after he had earlier turned down the post of SLFP national organiser.
It is learnt that SLFP seniors are split over agreeing to Jayasekara’s proposal, with several seniors raising objections saying that Jayasekara is not suited for such a senior post in the party, especially since he has been affiliated with several other political parties till now.
The SLFP leadership, meanwhile, is keen on resolving the conflicts between several factions of the party and uniting the party.
Split in ITAK
Meanwhile, a split has emerged in the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), with the party calling on MP Sivagnanam Shritharan to step down from the Constitutional Council following controversy over his support for the appointment of an Army officer as auditor general, ITAK General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran has said.
Sumanthiran has noted that the decision had been taken by the ITAK Politburo, citing concerns over Shritharan’s stance on what the party views as the militarisation of independent State institutions. It is learnt that the ITAK Politburo’s decision to call on Shritharan to resign from the Constitutional Council follows criticism from former Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Ambika Satkunanathan, who had questioned Shritharan’s vote in favour of appointing an Army officer as auditor general.
In a post on X, Satkunanathan has stated that Shritharan, an ITAK representative on the Constitutional Council, had voted to approve the appointment of O.R. Rajasinghe, an officer attached to the Sri Lanka Army’s Audit Division.
“If this is true, MP Shritharan must explain to the Tamil people the reason for his vote,” she has noted, adding that supporting a serving military officer contradicts his public opposition to militarisation and its impact on the rights of Tamils.
She had further warned that appointing a military officer would undermine the independence of the office of the auditor general, weaken good governance, and entrench militarisation.
Satkunanathan had added that previous auditors general had identified financial waste, mismanagement, and possible corruption that had taken place within the Army.
Her comments came after it was reported that the Constitutional Council had rejected Rajasinghe’s nomination to the post of auditor general.
According to ITAK sources, the decision to ask Shritharan to step down from the Constitutional Council is not based on a single vote as Shritharan had supported Government-backed positions at the council on eight occasions since becoming a member. Of these, three votes involved the appointment of military personnel to civilian or independent institutions, including the Office for Reparations and the National Police Commission, as well as the proposed appointment of an Army officer as auditor general.
RTI on Police expenses
Meanwhile, an application requesting information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act was submitted seeking information from the Police regarding a visit by a group of Police officers to the UK to an English university linked to an ongoing case involving former President Wickremesinghe.
The RTI application was submitted by one Thilini Ranasinghe. Ranasinghe had told the media after submitting the application that she had visited the Sri Lanka Police to confirm facts related to reports that officers had travelled to England in connection with a case involving the imprisonment of Sri Lanka’s eighth Executive President.
She had noted that she had formally requested details about the visit under the RTI Act No.12 of 2016, seeking information on the number of Police officers who travelled to England, their identities, the expenses incurred, and the outcomes of the visit.
“I am not requesting any sensitive information about the case itself, because it is still ongoing,” Ranasinghe has said, adding: “What I need to know is how much public money was spent and what results were achieved from this visit.”
She had further stated that her request was made in her capacity as a citizen and taxpayer. “If there has been any wrongdoing, I will file a Fundamental Rights petition and take the necessary legal steps,” she had added.
No PSC on judicial appointments
Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne meanwhile has dismissed a request by the Opposition to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to probe the appointments, transfers, and promotions of judicial officers.
The Speaker had stated on Friday (9) that the Legislature did not have the power to interfere with the Judiciary and that forming such a committee would violate the constitutional principle of separation of powers.
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) recently drew President AKD’s attention to concerns over the process of promotion of judicial officers and judges of the High Court and the Court of Appeal in the country.
In a letter addressed to the President, the BASL has pointed out that traditionally, promotions within the Judiciary have been granted on the basis of seniority, but in the recent past there have been occasions of departure from this principle.
The BASL has noted that if seniority has been overlooked on the basis of merit, it is observed that there are no clear or established guidelines at present governing the assessment of merit in granting such promotions in the Judiciary. It has also warned that the absence of transparent criteria risks undermining the fairness and consistency of the process.
The association has further emphasised the importance of a transparent and fair system in the granting of promotions and appointments in the Judiciary. Such a system is vital to maintaining public confidence in the Judiciary and ensuring that the administration of justice remains impartial and credible.