• UN Human Rights Chief releases advanced unedited report on visit to Sri Lanka; notes many concerns
• Push for Govt. to accede to Rome Statute of ICC; calls for repeal or amendment of suppressive laws
• Core Group working on new motion; Opposition looks at PSC to commence work on new constitution
• ITAK postpones N-E hartal from Friday to tomorrow due to Madhu feast; CWC, SLMC express support
• ITAK sends letter to AKD asking for removal of excessive presence of the military in the north and east
• Farmers, public clash with Govt. representatives over delayed solutions; threaten to take to the streets
• Some Govt. members fail to keep pledge on low-profile launches; Namal slams Govt. over no public days
• Sarath says Govt. will be in power for 15 years; Namal says ready to quit if proven he had eaten mud
• Sajith ready to form Govt. with defecting JVP/NPPers; Bimal hits back, says all working with ‘full love’
• Patali, Wimal and Co. taking over Opposition role outside House; Sajith toughens, hits out at Govt.
• GL convenes another meeting at residence; talks to draft a vision paper with solutions to current issues
• Patali says discussions are not a conspiracy to topple Govt., no forming of alliance, only discussing issues
• Mano says working on forming a broad platform and not alliance; reaching consensus on key concerns
• Vision paper to be discussed with Leaders of SJB, SLPP, UNP; special talks to be held with Sajith, RW
• SLPP stays away from GL’s talks; decides to work jointly with Opposition parties on case-by-case basis
• Sajith decides to keep SJB out of GL’s discussions, believes new platform a work to promote Milinda
• Digambaram says Sajith had asked SJB alliance partners not to attend GL’s and Milinda’s meetings
• Sajith makes unique video, issues statement next to wild jumbo; RW gives the slip after WC meeting
• RW turns to get young politicians to UNP fold; Kanchana, Shehan turn down offer, say rejoining SLPP
• FCID probing 28 politicians over asset accumulation; after Sagala, records statement from Wajira
• Senior UNPers hit out at Nishantha after latter says Ravi not a UNPer; Ravi exposes irregularities at CBSL
• Ex-Presidents discuss slashing entitlements and legal action; CBK denies, RW backtracks, only SLPP acts
• Around 499 ex-MPs to lose pension if proposed law enacted; red notices to be sent on President’s Fund
• Opposition hands over no-faith motion against Deputy Minister of Defence; Dilith says will support Aruna
• SLPP undecided on supporting ex-military man Aruna or standing by the motion mooted by SJB
• Govt. look at legal issues in motion; Speaker holds back on motion until AG provides legal observation
• Rathana Thera, Rajitha missing, Police continues hunt; CIABOC looking at freezing Rajitha’s assets
• No high-profile visitors for Shasheendra despite being a Rajapaksa; only family and friends visit

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) and his Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) Government are continuing to suffer from growing pains of governance as they face unending challenges on multiple fronts. Starting from the economic crisis to facing the continuous criticism of the Opposition over certain questionable actions of some members of the Government as well as talk of disunity among the ruling party, the latest to be added to the list of woes is the country’s human rights agenda before the international community.

However, the fact that the JVP/NPP Government continues to ride on President AKD’s popularity among the masses was revealed in a public sentiment survey conducted recently. The report has found that AKD’s popularity among the youth population of the country is at a high level and some of the key reasons for this popularity have been attributed to the President’s anti-corruption drive, reduced interference in investigative mechanisms, and contributions to ethnic unity. The North Central, Uva, and Eastern Provinces are among the areas where AKD is said to be enjoying a high degree of popularity.

Meanwhile, on the economic recovery front, Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has said during an interview with Channel News Asia that Sri Lanka’s economic recovery is progressing faster than initially anticipated, with the country expected to surpass pre-crisis levels within the next year. He has said economic reforms were delivering results more quickly than predicted at the height of the crisis.

“Once a country is hit with a crisis, it will take four to five years to come back to the same level to recover the output loss. In our case, within three years, we have almost reached there,” the CBSL Governor has stated, while expressing confidence that within the next year, Sri Lanka would exceed pre-crisis levels in key areas such as employment, poverty reduction, incomes, and cost of living.

Be that as it may, a report published last week by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) of the United Nations (UN) has pointed to the serious impacts of the economic crisis and current debt burden on all Sri Lankans, particularly the poorest and those in other situations of vulnerability, including the Malaiyaga Tamil community in the plantation sector.

The report has pointed out that due to the food insecurity triggered by the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, more than half of all households have turned to coping strategies such as skipping meals, eating less preferred food, or limiting portion sizes, while over 27% of households consume inadequate diets.

The report has also stated that “the poverty rate in Sri Lanka was at 24.5%, almost double the figure in 2019. Food prices more than doubled between 2021 and 2024. Despite macroeconomic recovery, employment and real wages remained below pre-crisis levels, resulting in elevated levels of poverty and food insecurity.”

It is evident from the facts referred to in the UN Human Rights High Commissioner’s report that Sri Lanka continues to face challenges on the economic recovery front, and for the AKD Government, it shows there is still more to be done on the recovery aspect while preparing its budget for 2026. All these factors continue to place much pressure on the Government to sign, seal, and deliver the deal with the US on the trade tariff talks to ensure the country’s export revenue amidst a possible decline in import tariff revenue as Sri Lanka works to minimise the trade gap with the US.

Human rights focus

However, with the September UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions round the corner, Sri Lanka is once again beginning to feel the heat of the commitments undertaken by successive governments before the UNHRC. 

The statement by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk that the Government should start with a clear and formal acknowledgment of the violations, abuses, and crimes that had occurred, especially during the period of the war, will be a matter that the AKD Government will have to strategically manoeuvre given the political sensitivities in Sri Lanka.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Türk visited Sri Lanka recently and has prepared a report on his findings during the visit. This report will play a crucial role on the proposed resolution to be moved by the Sri Lanka Core Group – the UK, Canada, Malawi, North Macedonia, and Montenegro – at next month’s UNHRC sessions.

An advanced unedited report published last week by the UN Human Rights Office has called on the Sri Lankan Government to seize the historic opportunity to break with entrenched impunity, implement transformative reforms, and deliver long overdue justice and accountability for serious violations and abuses committed in the past, including international crimes.

Türk has called on the Government to start with a clear and formal acknowledgment of the violations, abuses, and crimes that occurred, including during the civil war.

The High Commissioner has also welcomed the Government’s initiative to establish an independent Public Prosecutor’s Office. The report recommends the establishment of a dedicated judicial mechanism, including an independent special counsel, to address cases of serious human rights violations and grave breaches of international humanitarian law. 

However, on the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), the report stated: “Despite its commitments to repeal the PTA, the new Government continued to use the law to arrest and detain people.” The report has detailed ongoing arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, and deaths in custody, and urges the Government to impose an immediate moratorium on the use of the PTA.

The report has further called for the amendment or repeal of other laws or proposed laws that restrict Fundamental Rights, such as to freedom of opinion and expression, association, and peaceful assembly, including the Online Safety Act, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act, the draft Non-Governmental Organisations Bill, and the Personal Data Protection Act No.9 of 2022.

Push to join ICC

The UN Human Rights High Commissioner’s report has also pushed for the Sri Lankan Government to accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

On page 14 of the report, in ‘Conclusions and Recommendations,’ Clause 63 a) states: “Create an enabling environment for transitional justice by acceding to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, implementing confidence-building measures such as releasing military-held lands, halting new land seizures and accelerating titling efforts in the north and east, releasing all long-term detainees under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, supporting victims’ memorialisation initiatives, and ensuring impartiality of the Office on Missing Persons, including by seeking international expertise and monitoring to build its credibility.”

The Rome Statute is the international treaty that has founded the court and established its governing framework. Adopted at the Rome Conference on 17 July 1998, it entered into force on 1 July 2002, creating the ICC. Past governments declined to make Sri Lanka a signatory to the Rome Statute.

Hartal in the north

While Sri Lanka’s human rights record is once again under the spotlight of the international community, the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) has called for a hartal in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. The hartal was initially announced to be held on Friday (15) in order to protest against the death of an individual who was summoned by the Sri Lanka Army in Muthuiyankattu.

However, on Wednesday (13), the ITAK announced that the hartal planned for Friday across the north and east had been postponed to tomorrow (18).

According to the party, the date change was due to a request from the Bishop of Mannar who had noted that the hartal, if held on Friday, would clash with the feast of the Madhu Church in Mannar.

ITAK Acting General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran and ITAK President C.V.K. Sivagnanam had then issued an announcement urging the public to support the hartal on Monday by closing shops and offices across the Northern and Eastern Provinces to express opposition on key issues.

Meanwhile, Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) General Secretary Jeevan Thondaman had also extended his support for the hartal in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. “I extend my support for this hartal, which calls for justice and protests the unlawful actions of the Army,” he said. 

Thondaman had further noted that it was regrettable that such inhumane activities were still occurring in Sri Lanka, even though it had been 16 years since the end of the civil war.

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has also extended its support for Monday’s hartal.

Writing to AKD

The ITAK had reportedly taken steps to also write to President AKD requesting an urgent and impartial investigation into the death of 32-year-old Edirmanasingam Kabilraj, whose body was found in the Muthuiyankattu Tank on 9 August.

The party had claimed in the letter that on 7 August, five men had been summoned to the 63rd Division camp of the Sri Lanka Army in Muthuiyankattu, where they had allegedly been “severely beaten” by soldiers. One of the men, Kabilraj, had gone missing and was later found dead.

“It has now been revealed that some soldiers have been arrested in this regard,” the letter had stated, while noting the need for an “unhindered, thorough investigation” and for those responsible to be “brought to book”.

The letter had also used the incident to highlight what had been described as “the oppressive conduct and excessive presence of the military in the north and east,” calling on the President to take “immediate steps to remove the excessive presence of the military without delay”.

PSC for constitution

Meanwhile, the call for a new constitution continues with the Opposition looking at submitting a proposal to the Speaker of Parliament calling for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to commence work on a new constitution, it is learnt.

Leaders of all parties in the Opposition have reportedly given their consent to such a move during a recent discussion.

The Opposition members have also alleged that the Government, despite its election promise, is conveniently forgetting the need for a new constitution after assuming office.

Clashing with Govt.

However, the JVP/NPP Government is also beginning to face the displeasure of certain sections among the masses who seem to be losing their patience in waiting for the Government to deliver on its commitments to them.

It is in such a backdrop that a tense situation was reported near the JVP Headquarters in Pelawatte last week after the Police had prevented a group of unemployed graduates from entering the premises.

A group of unemployed graduates had staged a march to the JVP Headquarters seeking a discussion with Government officials. However, they were prevented from entering the premises, with heavy Police security being deployed to the area.

Meanwhile, a tense situation was reported at a meeting between Deputy Ministers Namal Karunaratne and T.B. Sarath and a group of farmers in Polonnaruwa. Farmers at the meeting expressed their displeasure at the Government’s failure to address the rice mill owners’ mafia. They asked why the Government had failed to strengthen small- and medium-scale rice millers. 

“The solution is to allow farmers to become rice manufacturers and not solely be limited to being farmers who produce paddy,” the farmers claimed. “We need a solution for the prices fetched by farmers for their produce,” they added.

Finally, a group of farmers, after engaging in a verbal altercation with the Deputy Ministers, had walked away from the meeting. Outside the meeting venue, a group of farmers asked the media: “Isn’t there an issue here? How can the mill owner travel in an aircraft and we travel on a push cycle? There is an issue where our issues have not been resolved.”

The farmers, making a statement to the media outside the meeting venue, urged the President to understand the severity of the situation and warned that they would take to the streets in a few weeks if their issues were not resolved.

Another incident was reported in the Trincomalee District in the Wan Ela area in Kantale when a group of residents engaged in a heated argument with JVP/NPP Member of Parliament (MP) Roshan Akmeemana.

The incident was over a notice issued by the Kinniya Divisional Secretariat for residents in the area to move out of an extent of 2,500 acres of land. The residents claimed during a meeting with the MP that the land was used for farming and that the Government’s move would result in them losing their livelihoods.

The residents claimed that if MP Akmeemana was sincere in intervening in helping the residents, the eviction notice must be withdrawn. Amidst objections by the residents, the MP proposed that he would inform the authorities to permit cultivation work on the land until a court ruling was obtained against the eviction notice. 

Grand launches

Meanwhile, there was also criticism levelled against several members of the Government over the holding of certain launch- and inauguration-related celebrations.

One of the widely shared social media videos was of a JVP/NPP MP being garlanded and firecrackers being lit after re-inaugurating the 155 bus route.

Another incident that was widely shared on social media was the opening of a renovated tank bund by a Deputy Minister following a procession led by the Western band of a school in the area.

These incidents have now been subjected to ridicule by the Opposition since the JVP/NPP, upon assuming office, claimed it would carry out its work under a low profile without any ceremony. 

No public days

Meanwhile, SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa has slammed the incumbent Government, saying that it has demeaned the standard of legislators by not permitting request letters usually sent through their constituencies to Government ministers to address and resolve issues of the respective members of the public. 

Rajapaksa claimed that the members of the Government did not hold public days in their constituencies that were usually held by all previous Government ministers to address issues faced by their constituents as well as the public at large. 

Looking at 15 years

Amidst all these incidents and criticisms, the JVP/NPP Government has expressed confidence in its style of governance, with Deputy Minister T.B. Sarath reportedly stating that the incumbent Government was not going to conclude its governance in five years and was looking at governing the country for a longer period than five years.

Sarath has reportedly made this observation during a recent public event. He has also noted that a period of around 10-15 years would be needed to carry out the social, economic, and political transformation in the country and that the Government had already commenced this programme.

The Deputy Minister has further stated that the Government had assumed office for a period of five years with a public mandate in a democratic manner and that it would continue to govern the country in a similar manner.

Similar sentiments were recently expressed by JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva, who said that officials of the Communist Party of China (CPC) had noted the need for a government to hold office for 15-20 years to ensure socioeconomic transformation. 

Talk of JVP/NPP split

Meanwhile, Opposition parties started to claim that there were cracks appearing within ruling party ranks, with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, representing the NPP, being sidelined by the JVPers. 

These talks have resulted in some Opposition members claiming that there will be a huge erosion in the JVP/NPP Government if Prime Minister Amarasuriya defects from the fold. A senior Opposition leader had predicted that the Government could lose its two-thirds majority in the House in the event of such a defection since around 54 ruling party MPs would break away from the Government at the point. 

However, Minister Bimal Rathnayake has made an assurance that the JVP/NPP Government will not collapse and will remain in power till the end of its five-year term. He further noted that, after completing its term, the Government would go before the people to request another mandate.

Rathnayake told the media in Hambantota that the President and Prime Minister Amarasuriya were assets to the Government and that there were no divisions within the ruling party.

He also criticised Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and MP Namal Rajapaksa, urging them not to waste time trying to destabilise the Government. “They can continue their mudslinging campaigns on social media, but it won’t affect our administration,” Rathnayake said.

Working with love

Rathnayake also claimed: “The Government is carrying out its work with full love and in full fit form.”

He noted that the Opposition was split and was hoping that there would be a split in the ruling party as well. “This Government will not fall. That is a fact,” Rathnayake confidently noted.

“We (the Government) work with great unity. I can tell you that we are all working with full love,” the Minister said, adding that the likes of “Sajith (Premadasa) and Namal (Rajapaksa) can cry and wait until the ruling party splits”.

Namal ready to quit

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Namal Karunaratne meanwhile claimed recently that he would resign from his post if claims that he ate mud or paddy were proven.

Karunaratne made this statement during a public meeting, referring to some defamatory claims made in the media recently. 

“Some are saying Namal Karunaratne ate mud like this and ate paddy like this (while imitating eating something), while they are doing that. I have never eaten mud or paddy. If you can prove these, I will resign from my post,” he challenged. 

Sajith ready

While the JVP/NPP Government claims to be united without any splits within the ruling party, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Sujith Sanjaya Perera has said that Opposition Leader Premadasa is prepared to form a new government by forming an alliance with the progressive members of the ruling party, who are looking at defecting from the Government side.

However, Perera’s statement was ridiculed by members of the JVP/NPP including ministers, saying that Premadasa would have to wait longer to form his new government with members of the JVP/NPP.

New Opposition

Meanwhile, several former MPs and ministers as well as a splinter group of the JVP – the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) – are building themselves outside of Parliament as the emerging Opposition in the country.

Former Ministers Patali Champika Ranawaka and Wimal Weerawansa as well as FSP leaders including Pubudu Jayagoda have become vociferous critics of the JVP/NPP Government and have taken charge of the role of the Opposition.

It is this reason that has now compelled Premadasa to make public statements critical of the Government’s failures while taking on the Government in open forums, in order to assert the fact that he continues to hold the post of de jure Opposition Leader while attempts are underway by some to become the de facto opposition leader.

Another meet at GL’s

It is in such a backdrop that former Minister G.L. Peiris, who recently convened a meeting of around 17 Opposition parties at his Narahenpita residence, held yet another meeting of Opposition members last week. The latest meeting was held on Thursday (14) at Peiris’ residence.

However, a few days prior to last week’s meeting, Peiris also made a public statement saying that the discussions among Opposition party representatives was not a conspiracy against the Government. The decision to form a broad Opposition political platform had been mooted after former Minister Peiris had formulated a discussion paper on the economic impact the US trade tariffs would have on Sri Lanka.

Last week’s meeting was attended by Dayasiri Jayasekara, Nizam Kariapper, Mano Ganesan, Rishad Bathiudeen, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Ramesh Pathirana, Premanath Dolawatte, Mayantha Dissanayake, Mahinda Amaraweera, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, and Sri Lanka’s former High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda.

It is learnt that during the meeting it had been decided to draft a vision paper containing solutions to the existing crises faced by the country.

It has also been decided to hold discussions with the Leaders of the SJB, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), and United National Party (UNP) about the drafting of the vision paper to get their ideas for it as well.

No conspiracies

Meanwhile, former Minister Ranawaka, who had attended the meeting, said afterwards that the discussion had not been focused on pushing for a regime change.

According to Ranawaka, the discussion had been focused on forming a broad Opposition political platform, which he termed as the need of the hour. “The meeting was not to form any political alliance or an anti-Government alliance. We discussed the socioeconomic issues faced by the country and people and how we can form a consensus to work on common issues,” he said.

Ranawaka further noted that the group also planned to make a public statement in the near future and hoped that the masses would understand the intentions of the new platform.

Former Minister Amaraweera also noted that there was no move to obstruct the Government, adding that the group wanted it to carry out its work as promised for the betterment of the country and its people instead.

SLPP stays away

However, the SLPP is yet to decide on whether to participate in the ongoing discussions convened by Peiris to form a broad Opposition platform.

It is learnt that several SLPP seniors have opined that there is no need for the party to form any coalitions or alliances at present. They have further noted that the SLPP is now on a strong footing and is continuing to gain support given the splits and failures in the SJB.

“The SLPP will work together with Opposition parties on a case-by-case basis and will not become part of any coalitions or alliances,” a senior SLPPer noted, while adding that the party was now on a path to victory at the next election.

Sajith suspicious

Meanwhile, the SJB had also not participated in the meeting convened at Peiris’ residence, although several members of coalition parties of the SJB-led alliance had attended the meetings.

Several members of the SJB-led alliance had pointed out at the meeting at Peiris’ that the SJB Leader should be invited for the discussion as the Opposition Leader, along with former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. However, it is learnt that many at the discussion had expressed concern over Premadasa’s and Wickremesinghe’s involvement given the personality clashes between the two.

Nevertheless, it had been agreed to consult them separately and get their blessings and opinions for the broad Opposition platform. 

Milinda’s role

It is learnt that one of the reasons for some of the members of the SJB and UNP to be cautious about the new platform in the making is Moragoda’s involvement in it.

Moragoda is being viewed by many, including Opposition Leader Premadasa and former President Wickremesinghe, as the real leader of the platform, with Peiris merely serving as the front. A former Opposition MP noted that Peiris was used by the Rajapaksas when they formed the SLPP by naming him its Chairman and later replacing him with a Buddhist monk.

Premadasa, it is learnt, had told a confidante that the Opposition platform in the making was aimed at propping Moragoda’s image with the intention of promoting him later as its leader.

Diga’s revelation

Meanwhile, an MP of the SJB-led alliance, P. Digambaram, has recently revealed that Premadasa had asked partners of the alliance not to participate in the meetings convened by Peiris to form a political platform.

Digambaram has also noted that Premadasa had asked coalition parties not to attend these meetings, although coalition party leaders had already decided to attend the discussions.

However, MP Mano Ganesan has said that the ongoing discussions at Peiris’ residence were not to form an alliance but a platform. He also clarified that Peiris was not the leader of the platform either but was only the convener.

Sajith and the wild jumbo

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Premadasa made a unique public statement last week by speaking in front of a wild elephant at the Udawalawe National Park. Premadasa’s statement was to mark World Elephant Day.

Premadasa emphasised that the country must act with urgency to protect this precious resource amid the ongoing Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC), with elephants being lost on one side and human lives and property being lost on the other.

He further noted that the elephant population could be used to strengthen the country’s nature-based tourism industry, thereby improving the livelihoods of the people.

RW gives the slip

The UNP led by former President Wickremesinghe meanwhile held a Working Committee meeting on Tuesday (12). 

Many members had attended the meeting with keen interest, hoping to hear some news about talks that Wickremesinghe was looking at returning to Parliament. 

However, no such topic was discussed and one of the key topics discussed at the meeting had been the UNP’s convention to be held next month. 

Once the meeting had concluded, Wickremesinghe had avoided the media present outside the Party Headquarters by leaving through a side gate instead of the main gate. 

RW’s new face

Meanwhile, it is learnt that former President Wickremesinghe is looking at getting several young politicians, especially from among the former SLPP dissident MPs who had supported him during the last Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, to the UNP fold.

It is also learnt that one of the main individuals being looked at by Wickremesinghe is former Minister Kanchana Wijesekera.

Saying no

However, it is learnt that Wijesekera as well as another young dissident politician from the SLPP, Shehan Semasinghe, have both declined Wickremesinghe’s offer for them to join the UNP and accept positions in the party.

It is also learnt that Wijesekera and Semasinghe have informed Wickremesinghe that they are not prepared to join the UNP and that they have decided to re-engage in politics from the SLPP. The two former MPs have already held several discussions with Namal Rajapaksa on rejoining the SLPP.

The Lotus Movement

SLPP National Organiser Rajapaksa meanwhile is engaged in a programme. This is a membership drive, to be more precise, called the Lotus Movement, aimed at getting 1,000 youth to join the SLPP membership.

The programme coincides with the ongoing ‘Gamin Gamata’ programme where Rajapaksa is seen visiting villages and interacting with the masses at various public places.

Ravi hits back

Meanwhile, senior member of the UNP, MP Ravi Karunanayake, who was distanced by some party seniors following his nomination to Parliament to fill one of the two National List slots secured by the New Democratic Front (NDF), hit back at UNP member Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe after he had claimed Karunanayake was not a UNPer.

Warnasinghe had said during a recent political debate that Karunanayake was no longer a member of the UNP. Hearing this, Karunanayake has hit back that whoever claims he is not a member of the UNP needs to get their heads tested. “After Ranil Wickremesinghe (the UNP Leader), I’m the next most senior member of the party,” Karunanayake has added.

However, several senior UNP members had also been critical of Warnasinghe’s statement about Karunanayake, saying that it was quite ironic for the likes of Warnasinghe to make such a statement when he had joined the UNP recently after being a member of many political parties in the past.

Ravi’s revelation

Karunanayake also made an interesting revelation in Parliament recently where he alleged that there had been some irregularities in the procurement of brand new BYD vehicles for deputy governors of the CBSL.

According to Karunanayake, 10-11 BYD vehicles had been procured by the CBSL. He further alleged that fuel allowances had also been provided for these electric vehicles and that it had taken place for three months.

Questioning Wajira

Meanwhile, UNP Chairman Wajira Abeywardena was reportedly questioned by the Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) on how he had accumulated his wealth. 

Abeywardena had been questioned for about eight hours.

According to reports, the FCID is currently probing 28 politicians on issues related to the manner in which they have accumulated their wealth and a similar probe is also being carried out on a former military chief.

The FCID recently questioned former Chief of Staff to former President Wickremesinghe, Sagala Ratnayaka as well.

Uniting for legal battle

Meanwhile, news emerged on several former Presidents being currently engaged in discussions to initiate legal action against the Government’s move to slash the entitlements offered to former heads of State.

An initial round of discussions had recently taken place at former President Wickremesinghe’s Flower Road office. Former President Maithripala Sirisena had also attended the meeting.

A President’s Counsel who had attended the meeting has reportedly stated that representatives of former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR), Gotabaya Rajapaksa (GR), and Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga (CBK) had also attended this meeting.

CBK denies

However, CBK last Tuesday (12) dismissed the media reports about a joint move by former Presidents to initiate legal action to challenge the repeal of the Presidents’ Entitlements Act.

In a statement issued by her media unit, Kumaratunga said some outlets had incorrectly reported that she had been among the four former Presidents filing a case against the repeal.

RW also denies

Following CBK’s denial, former President Wickremesinghe had told several of his confidants that he too was not looking at legal action to safeguard the entitlements of a former president. 

He has observed that former Presidents MR and Sirisena had spoken to him about the Government’s move when he had met them during several recent events, but none of them had discussed taking joint action against the slashing of entitlements of former presidents. 

However, it is learnt that hearing Wickremesinghe’s response, several legal experts have warned that if the former Presidents had any plans of safeguarding their entitlements, they (the former Presidents) would have to reach a consensus on the matter and speak in a unified manner.

It is interesting that Wickremesinghe, who had first discussed the matter with the former Presidents, is now stepping out of it.

SLPP files petition

However, the SLPP led by MR initiated legal action against the move to slash entitlements of former presidents by filing a Special Determination petition before the Supreme Court last Monday (11).

The petition filed by SLPP Administrative Secretary Renuka Perera has reportedly challenged the constitutionality of the proposed Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill that was presented in Parliament recently.

The petition has further sought a declaration that the bill requires approval by the people at a referendum, in addition to approval by a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

MPs’ pension

Apart from the former presidents’ entitlements, the Government is also moving to do away with the MPs’ pension, which has drawn severe criticism from former MPs, especially from former senior JVPers.

It is learnt that around 499 former MPs stand to lose their pensions if the proposed legislation on slashing the pension granted to former MPs is passed. Among these former MPs who would lose their pensions are 30 JVP MPs.

Former JVP MP Nandana Gunathilaka continues to make public comments critical of the incumbent Government, its members, and the move to do away with the pension given to former MPs. Responding to a recent statement by a Government Minister that former MPs who face difficulties in surviving without the pension could make a request and that they could be given an ‘Aswesuma’ social welfare payment, Gunathilaka claimed that the Government should first give ‘Aswesuma’ to JVP seniors before talking about former MPs.

Red notices

Meanwhile, it is also learnt that the Government is looking at issuing red notices to relatives and family members of politicians who had acquired monies from the President’s Fund to obtain scholarships overseas, asking them to return the monies provided by the fund.

During the last parliamentary session, the Government released a list of names of relatives and family members of politicians who had received assistance from the President’s Fund for foreign scholarships.

It is further learnt that the Government has already obtained legal advice about the allocations made by the President’s Fund in this manner as well as the possibility of seeking repayment of monies spent in such a manner.

No-faith motion

The Opposition meanwhile handed a no-faith motion against Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara to the Speaker of Parliament on Tuesday (12).

The no-faith motion was to initially be handed over to the Speaker last Monday (11) but had to be postponed since the Speaker was out of Colombo for a few days on official engagements. The motion signed by 32 Opposition MPs containing 15 points against the Deputy Minister was handed over to the Speaker on Tuesday (12).

The Government meanwhile has responded to the no-faith motion by saying that it is prepared to face the motion and that the entire Government stands by Jayasekara.

Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake said: “Once the Speaker issues the order, we’ll make it public – there’s no issue with that. But I must say, politics shouldn’t be dragged down to such a low level. Honestly, we’re disturbed by the fact that the Opposition still operates in such a narrow-minded way.”

He has further noted to the media that former Presidents GR and Wickremesinghe as well as Opposition Leader Premadasa, who had been in power during and after the Easter Sunday attacks, had not conducted any investigations into Jayasekara at the time. 

“Over the last six years, no investigations have been conducted on Aruna Jayasekara. This is during the tenure of two Governments. When we have reinstated Ravi Seneviratne and Shani Abeysekara, when we have arrested Pillayan and his associate Iniya Bharathi, and have also established contact with Azad Maulana, the Opposition is submitting a no-confidence motion,” he said, adding that steps were currently underway to bring Maulana, the key figure featured in the Channel 4 documentary on the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, back to Sri Lanka. 

Dilith to support Aruna

Meanwhile, Sarvajana Balaya Leader, MP Dilith Jayaweera says he as well as his party will oppose the Opposition’s no-faith motion against Jayasekara. Jayaweera’s decision has been viewed by the Opposition as a move in support of the Government.

However, Jayaweera has explained his stance by noting that the motion is targeting a former Eastern Commander of the Sri Lanka Army rather than the current Deputy Minister. 

He added that he and his party viewed the motion as part of a conspiracy to blame the country’s security forces and that they would therefore not support such a move.

MR’s intervention

The SLPP meanwhile is yet to announce its stance on the no-faith motion against the Deputy Minister of Defence.

It is learnt that the SLPP is yet to decide whether it will support the motion that has been mooted by the main Opposition SJB or vote against it in support of the incumbent Government and one of its members.

However, SLPP Leader MR has on an earlier occasion advised the SLPP to not obstruct the JVP/NPP Government in its work and to allow it to continue to govern the country during its five-year period.

Nevertheless, the SLPP is yet to make a final decision on the no-faith motion and is currently weighing options between supporting the motion mooted by the SJB, opposing it and voting with the Government, or abstaining from voting.

Discussion in Govt.

Meanwhile, a discussion is currently ongoing within Government circles to determine the legal status of a no-faith motion moved against a deputy minister when the responsibility of a portfolio is held by the respective Cabinet minister. 

It is learnt that the Government has also sought legal advice to determine whether a no-faith motion against a deputy minister can be proceeded with since the Cabinet minister holds the power of the portfolio and a deputy minister’s role is to support the minister in his work.

Since the inception of the parliamentary system, a no-faith motion has not been moved against a deputy minister. 

Legal issue

However, a legal issue related to the no-faith motion has placed its progression in limbo, with doubts being cast over the possibility of taking it up for debate and a vote in the House.

It is learnt that an official communication has been directed to the Attorney General to determine whether there are legal implications in proceeding with the motion. Given this development, the Speaker has reportedly directed Parliament staff to not include the motion in the Order Book until there is clarity on the matter.

However, responding to Government claims that the Deputy Minister was not vested with the powers of the Cabinet Minister and could therefore not be held responsible for the role of the Defence Minister, SJB MP Mujibur Rahman has claimed that it was the Deputy Minister of Defence who was appointed as Acting Defence Minister when the President was engaged in overseas tours. Rahman has further claimed that the Deputy Minister visited military installations and issued directives.

No visitors for Shasheendra

Meanwhile, former Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa, who is MR’s nephew and Namal Rajapaksa’s first cousin, has reportedly not received any high-profile visits ever since he was remanded. Shasheendra’s case is to be taken up for hearing this week.

Given his close relationship with the Rajapaksa family, many, including prison officials, had expected many high-profile visitors for Shasheendra. However, there have reportedly not been such visits and only his immediate family and close friends have visited him in prison.

The recently remanded former Deputy Director of the Prison Hospital Dr. Hemantha Ranasinghe is reportedly in the same ward as Shasheendra.

Search for Rathana Thera

Meanwhile, the Police is continuing with the search for former MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera in connection with the alleged abduction of Our Power of People Party (OPPP) General Secretary Ven. Wedinigama Wimalatissa Thera in 2020, with the intention of forcing his signature on documents enabling Rathana Thera to obtain the National List seat secured by the party in Parliament at the time.

The Colombo Crime Division (CCD) recently stormed Sadaham Sevana in Rajagiriya to arrest Ven. Rathana Thera, but he had not been present at the temple and his mobile phone had also been switched off.

Ven. Wimalatissa Thera was allegedly forced to sign several documents to secure the MP seat for Rathana Thera.

The CCD has already arrested two suspects in connection with the incident and phone records have reportedly shown that Rathana Thera was in unusual contact with the suspects around the time of the kidnapping.

Former President GR and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon are also to be questioned regarding the incident. The Police has said that Tennakoon had interfered in the original investigation, which was then under the CCD led by then Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) C.D. Wickramaratne.

Action on Rajitha

Meanwhile, the hunt for former Minister Rajitha Senaratne is also continuing, with the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (12) issuing an arrest warrant for Senaratne after the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) had informed the court that he was evading recording a statement.

Officials have reportedly said that Senaratne had disconnected his phone, abandoned his residence, and ignored multiple summons.

The CIABOC had previously told court that Senaratne was wanted over an alleged sand mining deal that had caused a Rs. 26.2 million loss to the State.

It is also learnt that the CIABOC is looking at the possibility of freezing Senaratne’s assets pending his surrender.

Hitting back at ‘Chichi’s rocket’

Meanwhile, the controversial ‘Chichi’s rocket’ continued to attract attention last week, with Minister Nalinda Jayatissa questioning: “Do you think that if a satellite generated such high income, the Rajapaksas would have stayed silent for the past 13 years?” He added: “Do you think the Rajapaksas would do something benefiting the country without also benefiting themselves?”

“Investigations are ongoing. We can discuss what happened once they conclude, and then determine the truth, which will be revealed soon,” Jayatissa noted, adding that this project should not be viewed in isolation but assessed alongside other activities involving the Rajapaksas to determine where it was positioned.

Meanwhile, Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe once again commented on the controversial SupremeSAT issue at a public gathering in Polonnaruwa by saying that the matter had resurfaced at a time when more important development discussions should be taking place.

“We have information that this company was established in May 2012, yet a satellite was launched in November the same year with an investment of Rs. 12,000 million,” he said, alleging that the satellite’s accounts were not reflected in the 2014/’15 financial statements.

The missing satellite

Minister Jayatissa also claimed that there was no satellite registered under the name of Sri Lanka in the records of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations agency responsible for global coordination of information and communication technologies.

He told the weekly Cabinet briefing that the ITU’s standard procedure for launching a satellite involved three stages – submitting technical details of the planned satellite network, coordinating with other member states to avoid interference, and notifying final parameters for registration and international recognition. The process typically takes between three and seven years.

“Sri Lanka’s Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, a member of the ITU, holds two geostationary orbital positions – 121.5°E and 50°E. While these positions are reserved for Sri Lanka, other countries such as Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Nepal, Tajikistan, and Romania may also operate in them without hindrance,” he said. According to ITU data, there is currently no satellite named ‘Sri Lanka’ occupying these orbital slots.