The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) Government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) is undoubtedly witnessing the intricacies – or in some instances, the difficulties – in governance, given the delays, stumbling blocks, and irregularities that continue to come to light.

The delay in implementing an electricity tariff pegged to a pricing formula, which is part of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, and the controversy over presidential pardons to prisoners are but some of the issues that the Government faced last week.

Meanwhile, President AKD was last week conferred with the title of ‘Maha Mahendra Prasadini’ by the Mihintale Temple Chief Incumbent Ven. Dr. Walawahengunawewa Dhammarathana Thera, during the official event held to mark Poson Poya festivities. 

AKD’s visit to Mihintale and climbing to the top of the Mihintale rock, while taking many devotees by surprise, was praised by the Chief Incumbent of the temple. Ven. Dhammarathana Thera stated in his speech that the Mihintale Temple had been graced by kings in the past and not every king had been able to climb to the top.

However, President AKD’s scheduled visit to Germany had nearly resulted in his being unable to attend the State Poson Festival in Mihintale in Anuradhapura last Tuesday (10). The President was expected to attend the festival last week since the event was being held under State patronage after a lapse of two years.

A few days prior to the event, an official from the President’s Office had telephoned the Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Temple and stated that the President wanted to participate in the official Poson festival, but he was facing a difficulty since he had to leave for Germany that evening.

The Chief Incumbent of the temple had responded saying that the official festival could be shifted to the afternoon to enable the President to attend the event prior to his departure to Germany.

Accordingly, AKD attended the Poson Poya festival in Mihintale and left for Germany afterwards.

AKD’s German visit

President AKD made his fifth official overseas trip since assuming office to Germany from Wednesday (11) till Friday (13). He left the country on Tuesday (10).

The President’s visit to Germany, as well as his previous official overseas visits, not only showed AKD’s commitment as well as that of the Government to further strengthen Sri Lanka’s ties with foreign nations, but also revealed the regressive nature of some Sri Lankans. This revelation could be witnessed by anyone who monitors social media platforms. 

A comparison between many Sri Lankans and citizens of many foreign countries was witnessed in a recent social media post. The post that was in Sinhala indicated that while citizens of foreign nations were interested to see what steps their head of state would take to strengthen international relations – from the handling of geopolitics in a manner that would benefit the country to the new trade and economic agreements that would be reached during a foreign visit – Sri Lankans focused on petty things like what the Head of State’s attire would be, if he would properly button his shirt, if his tie would be properly worn, and other such petty matters unrelated to the progress of the country. This behaviour has been witnessed among many Sri Lankans during successive governments and is not limited to President AKD.

Amidst all this, during the visit to Germany, President AKD held discussions with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Wednesday. The Sri Lankan President was welcomed with full State honours, including a ceremonial Guard of Honour accorded by the German armed forces at the Bellevue Palace in Berlin. AKD had also participated in the inspection of the military parade.

The following day, AKD met German Foreign Minister Dr. Johann Wadephul at the Waldorf Astoria Berlin. The discussion focused on identifying new avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade, the digital economy, investment, and vocational training.

On Friday, AKD met with the Sri Lankan community currently residing in Germany.

However, President AKD was not able to meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is most often believed to be the key official to meet in relation to German affairs. Nevertheless, he holds the third highest office in Germany after the Head of State (the President of Germany) and the President of the Bundestag (similar to the speaker of parliament).

Strengthening trade ties

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka and China had worked on further strengthening trade ties between the two countries by signing two key agreements at the eighth meeting of the China-Sri Lanka Joint Trade and Economic Commission held in Colombo that was co-chaired by Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Sri Lanka’s Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe. The meeting had focused on advancing Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation, increasing trade and investment, and supporting the multilateral trading system.

Following the talks, two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed – one to establish a trade facilitation working group and another to enhance industrial and supply chain cooperation.

Tilvin in China

Meanwhile, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva and a delegation of party members, including Members of Parliament (MPs), were on an official visit to China last week. The visit had taken place on an invitation extended by the Chinese Government.

It is learnt that the visit is deemed as being part of ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between the JVP and the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Silva and the JVP/NPP delegation had also visited Wuxu Village in China’s Daxing District and met officials from Huzhou City with the aim of receiving rural development insights. 

IMF team to arrive

Meanwhile, a delegation of the IMF led by First Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath and Asia-Pacific Director Krishnamurthy Subramanian is set to arrive in Sri Lanka today (15) for crucial talks on the Government’s progress in meeting the fund’s conditions, especially the conditions required to be met ahead of the IMF Executive Board’s upcoming review.

The high-level delegation is expected to have two rounds of talks with the President and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). It is the first time since 2005 that a serving First Deputy Managing Director of the IMF will be visiting Sri Lanka.

It is learnt that the IMF team will also use the visit to determine the Government’s stand with regard to staff-level agreements, including the proposal to implement an electricity tariff structure in line with a pricing formula.

During this visit, Gopinath will be the Guest of Honour at the conference on ‘Sri Lanka’s Road to Recovery: Debt and Governance,’ jointly co-hosted by the Ministry of Finance, the CBSL, and the IMF, scheduled to be held tomorrow (16). 

The missing banknotes

Meanwhile, a telling state of the country’s economic conditions was recently revealed when it was noted that there was a difference in the number of Rs. 5,000 banknotes released for open money circulation and the number of notes that were in actual use. The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has noted that the number in use is less than the number of notes released to the economy.

IRD Deputy Commissioner General B.K.S. Shantha has stated during a recent interview on a private electronic media channel that it seemed that people were holding Rs. 5,000 banknotes in their personal possession rather than depositing them in a bank.

The IRD official had further noted that people were now holding their monies without depositing them in banks due to the current economic conditions in the country as well as the low interest rates.

He had added that even the IRD was unable to locate the banknotes that were being held by the public.

LGs’ D-day

Be that as it may, the formation of administrations in Local Government (LG) bodies where any party had failed to secure a clear majority commenced last week, with some of the key councils scheduled to be formed from tomorrow (16). In 178 LG bodies, neither the ruling party nor the Opposition parties secured a majority.

These bodies are to be convened under the respective LG commissioners to form the councils and make the appointments to their administrations.

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), which is the main prize among LG bodies, where the ruling JVP/NPP and the combined Opposition led by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) have been engaged in a battle for supremacy since the conclusion of the LG Elections last month, is set to hold its inaugural session tomorrow. Priority at the sessions will be given to the election of the mayor, the deputy mayor, and other key positions in the council administration.

JVP/NPP works on optics

Meanwhile, the JVP/NPP, after continuously claiming that the party had managed to secure a majority in the CMC, decided to turn towards creating the optics of a victor by getting the party’s mayoral candidate Vraie Cally Balthazaar to commence work related to the office of the Colombo mayor on the ground.

Accordingly, Balthazaar, flanked by Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala and several other JVP/NPP politicians, was seen last week inspecting and directing work in some areas of the city of Colombo.

However, Balthazaar’s moves were questioned by the main Opposition SJB. The SJB’s Mujibur Rahman questioned how Balthazaar could act as the Colombo mayor even before the administration of the council had been formed.

Visitors to Pelawatte

Meanwhile, Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe made an interesting statement recently about the support being received by the ruling party.

He claimed that while Opposition parties had to go in search of elected councillors from other Opposition parties and independent groups to secure their support for the combined Opposition in LG bodies, many elected councillors were visiting the Headquarters of the ruling party and expressing their willingness to support the JVP/NPP in the councils whose administrations were yet to be formed.

“You don’t know this. While you (the Opposition) have to go after other elected councillors, they come to us. They are continuing to visit our Headquarters to express support. You will witness the results very soon,” Samarasinghe stated in Parliament recently.

JVP/NPP leads CMC

Meanwhile, the latest calculations on the CMC carried out as of last week shows that the ruling JVP/NPP has the edge over the combined Opposition. It is learnt that the JVP/NPP is confident of securing 63 votes for the party’s mayoral candidate at the election for the post. The majority required by a party to form the council’s administration is 59 votes.

The main Opposition already has 29 seats in the CMC and with the support of the United National Party (UNP) and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) alone, the Opposition will be short of the required majority in the council.

However, in the event the vote to elect the Colombo mayor is an open one and not a secret ballot, it could serve the combined Opposition led by the SJB well, since members of the Opposition who may have decided to support the ruling party candidate would be compelled to change sides.

Sajith missing

Meanwhile, Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa was a notable absentee during most parts of the last parliamentary session. Premadasa was seen in Parliament one day during the last session and was not seen much publicly as well.

Several Government-side MPs had even asked SJB MPs where Premadasa was, while noting that the Opposition Leader had not been seen raising questions under Standing Order 27/2 of Parliament.

However, it is learnt that several SJB MPs had responded saying that Premadasa’s absence in the House had given them more time to speak in the Chamber since Premadasa otherwise used most of the time allocated to the Opposition side.

It is further learnt that Premadasa had kept silent during the last Parliament sessions since he had been indisposed due to a throat infection but is now doing well. The Opposition Leader had also visited the SJB Headquarters last week and met with councillors from the CMC.

Do or die game

However, the election in the CMC for key posts in the council will be a ‘do or die’ game for the SJB leadership and several party seniors.

It is learnt that Premadasa, along with MP Rahman, is putting in a great effort to secure power in the CMC for the SJB-led Opposition. SJB Colombo District MPs Harsha de Silva and S.M. Marikkar as well as former Colombo MPs Eran Wickramaratne and Hirunika Premachandra have not been included in the party’s efforts to secure power in the CMC.

A failure of the SJB to secure power in the CMC will have an adverse impact on the SJB Leader, who had even held the Colombo District leadership of the party with the target of ensuring the SJB regained power in Colombo. 

Warnings to SJBers

Meanwhile, the SJB, it is learnt, has warned the party’s councillors to LG bodies that disciplinary action will be initiated against them if they fail to follow the directives issued by the party in relation to work concerning their respective LG bodies.

It is also learnt that the SJB leadership has directed that a letter be sent out to councillors representing LG bodies which are still being constituted due to the failure of any party to secure a majority in the council, noting that disciplinary action will be taken against any SJB councillor who fails to follow the party’s directions, especially in the appointment of chairs and deputies to the said councils.

The first directive to the councillors has been to vote in favour of an open vote instead of a secret vote to elect the chairs and deputies of the councils that are being constituted. 

The next directive is that the councillors should support the candidates nominated by the SJB for the key positions in the councils like the chairs and deputies.

Any SJB councillor who fails to adhere to these directives will face disciplinary action.

TPA to act against members

Meanwhile, MP Mano Ganesan claims that the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) will initiate disciplinary action against two local councillors of the party in the Haldummulla LG body. The two councillors had voted with the ruling JVP/NPP during the vote to elect the chair of the LG body.

Ganesan has alleged that the two councillors had been offered monetary rewards to support the ruling party. “We curse the NPP for what it has done. The party came into power promising to change the system. However, it seems to be following its predecessors.”

ITAK, SJB join in Batti

Meanwhile, Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) candidate Sivam Pakkiyanathan was elected as the Mayor of the Batticaloa Municipal Council last Wednesday (11). This was revealed by Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam.

Taking to X, Rasamanickam stated that Pakkiyanathan had been elected with the support of the SJB members. “In a surprising turn, the NPP Government reportedly employed various unconventional tactics to rally support for their candidate, even going so far as to form an alliance with former MP Pillayan’s Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP),” the ITAK MP has noted. 

Rasamanickam had further pointed out that given that Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias Pillayan, remained in custody over multiple serious allegations, the Government’s willingness to align with such a figure in pursuit of power raised serious concerns.

JVP/NPP takes Bandarawela

Meanwhile, the ruling JVP/NPP secured power in the Bandarawela Municipal Council with the party’s mayoral candidate Sagaradheera Vishva Vikrama being elected as the Mayor of the Bandarawela LG body on Wednesday (11). 

Vikrama had secured eight votes in the council during the election for the post of mayor with a majority of four votes – six votes from the JVP/NPP, one from Independent Group 2, and one from Independent Group 1.

It was however notable that the SJB was absent at the time of the vote.

SJB crisis resurfaces

The formation of the administration of the Bandarawela municipality once again showed the internal crisis in the SJB. It is this internal crisis that had prevented the Opposition from wresting control over the Bandarawela LG body, where the combined Opposition held a majority over the JVP/NPP.

The combined Opposition has 10 seats in the Bandarawela municipality – Independent Group 1 has five seats, the SJB has three seats, Independent Group 2 has one seat, and the SLPP has one seat.

Despite the SJB holding three seats, none of the party’s councillors had attended the inaugural session. This situation is believed to have been as a result of the recent resignation of the SJB’s Bandarawela Organiser, MP Chaminda Wijesiri, from the post over a dispute in the nomination of names to the party’s list to the LG body.

Given what had happened in Bandarawela, there is growing concern over how the SJB’s internal crisis could affect the formation of the remaining LG bodies, including the CMC, this week.

Joint Opposition announcement

Meanwhile, several Opposition parties – the SJB, UNP, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), and SLPP – held a joint press conference last week to announce the consensus reached between the parties to collaborate in the formation of some LG bodies.

The SJB was represented by National Organiser Tissa Attanayake, UNP by General Secretary Thalatha Atukorale, SLFP by Treasurer Lasantha Alagiyawanna, and SLPP by General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam. It was noted that the parties had worked together to form the administrations of councils in Akurana, Kadugannawa, Kuliyapitiya, and Udubaddawa already, and that they would continue to work together to form more council administrations in the coming days.

During the news conference, Alagiyawanna noted that the consensus reached between the parties would go further than just forming administrations in LG bodies and would work to improve the livelihoods of the people. He further stated that a committee consisting of all parties would be appointed to look into this matter.

SLPP supports SJB

It is in such a backdrop that the SLPP had supported the SJB to form the council in the Akurana LG body.

Central Province Local Government Commissioner Chamila Atapattu had announced on Thursday (12) that Isthihar Imadudeen had been appointed as the Chair of the Akurana LG body while Chaminda Thilakaratne of the United People’s Alliance had been appointed as the Deputy Chair of the body.

Out of the 30 members in the Akurana LG body, one member had been absent at the inaugural session.

Four chairs for UNP

Meanwhile, the UNP is to receive the chair of four LG bodies following the agreement reached with the SJB and other Opposition parties to form the administrations of some councils as the combined Opposition.

Accordingly, UNP members are to be nominated by the combined Opposition to chair the Peliyagoda, Madurawala, Mahaoya, and Rattota LG bodies.

The UNP is to receive the deputy chair positions in many other LG bodies as well.

SLPP gets two chairs

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the SLPP had decided not to accept posts in the LG bodies where the party would extend support in the formation of administrations. While this decision had been made by a group of SLPP seniors, Party Leader, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR) had advised that the SLPP should cooperate with Opposition parties where needed and understand that the JVP/NPP would complete its full term in office.

The SLPP had then decided that the party would collaborate with Opposition parties where needed and subsequently agreed to participate in the joint Opposition press conference that was held last week.

Accordingly, the SLPP last week took control of the Kuliyapitiya and Udubaddawa LG bodies, in which the JVP/NPP secured a majority of seats at the LG Polls.

The SLPP had formed the two administrations with the support of the SJB and other Opposition political parties. 

During an election held on Thursday (12), the SLPP’s Wijesiri Ekanayake was elected with a majority of votes as the Chairman of the Kuliyapitiya LG body.

The NPP had won 21 seats, SJB nine seats, SLPP six seats, UNP four seats, All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) two seats, and Sarvajana Balaya one seat.

Meanwhile, the SLPP’s Nihal Jayasinghe was elected the Chairman of the Udubaddawa LG body with a majority of votes during the election on the same day. The NPP had secured nine seats, SJB six seats, SLPP three seats, and UNP one seat.

Extent of bribery

Meanwhile, the ongoing vigorous investigations into alleged cases of bribery and corruption during former governments being carried out by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) are likely to be further intensified, going by the recent words of CIABOC Director General, former High Court Judge Ranga Dissanayake.

During a recent event, Dissanayake had stated that the punishment for white-collar crimes should differ from the manner of sentencing of average offenders. He had stated that the extent of the monies earned through bribery and corruption was so great that he was unable to calculate or read them according to accepted methods.

Dissanayake had further noted that there was a system of corruption in place, where it started from the tractor that carried garbage. “Some teachers even take around 40 sarees home on World Teachers’ Day. Some children refuse to go to school if they are not given a saree to take for their teachers.”

However, the CIABOC Director General also stated that while the people had called for the arrest of rogues, they wanted to only see the rogues in their minds being captured.

The CIABOC meanwhile has announced that all undeclared assets held by politicians and State officials will be confiscated by the State, in accordance with the Anti-Corruption Act No.9 of 2023.

The directive comes amid a renewed push by authorities to enforce mandatory asset and liability declarations from a wide range of public figures, including the President, Cabinet ministers, MPs, senior Government officials, and judges.

According to CIABOC Director General Dissanayake, any asset not disclosed in legally required declarations will be considered eligible for seizure.

All relevant individuals are required to submit their asset declarations by 30 June. Failure to comply will trigger a series of penalties under the new legislation and a formal warning will be issued within two weeks of non-compliance.

Divine intervention

Amidst the ongoing probes on fraud, corruption, and other misdoings, politicians who had held positions in previous governments as well as officials who had held posts during these periods are currently lining up outside residences of astrologers as well as gathering at temples and places of religious worship seeking divine intervention for their protection.

Temples, devalayas, and kovils, it is learnt, are being frequented these days by these politicians and officials. It is also learnt that around two dozen former MPs have made their way to the Kataragama Devalaya for poojas in the past few days.

Meanwhile, some politicians have also made their way to India for special poojas seeking blessings and protection from probes.

A leading astrologer recently stated that a former senior official of a politician had brought his horoscope for a reading and after a few minutes had asked if there were any signs in his stars that indicated he would spend time behind bars in the near future.

To CID before Russia

Meanwhile, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who left for Russia on Thursday (12), was summoned before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Wednesday (11).

The former President was summoned by the CID over a complaint lodged by former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on the import of pharmaceuticals.

Wickremesinghe’s appearance relates to collective Cabinet responsibility during his tenure as President. The former President arrived at the CID on Wednesday afternoon and left in about an hour, after having recorded his statement.

It was later reported that Wickremesinghe had informed the CID that the law prevented members of the Cabinet from revealing details discussed or actions taken within the Cabinet and that even the Judiciary could not question matters related to the Cabinet.

The former President had reportedly explained that in the event details were to be divulged about approvals granted by it, then the very same Cabinet would have to reach an agreement on the matter before releasing such details. Otherwise, he had noted that it would be illegal.

Udaya reveals list

Meanwhile, former Minister Udaya Gammanpila, who was summoned before the CID last Monday (9) to record a statement over comments made by him regarding the release of 323 containers by the Customs without subjecting them to checks, which has caused much controversy, publicised a list of the controversial containers.

The list includes company names, countries of origin, descriptions of the imported goods, and corresponding reference numbers.

“The Government is unable to refute any of our revelations, as we speak only the truth. We do not make claims without evidence,” he said outside the CID.

Gammanpila and MP Dayasiri Jayasekara were questioned by the CID following a complaint lodged by an attorney-at-law seeking an investigation into their claims concerning the release of the containers by the Customs. The two politicians had publicly alleged that the containers had been released without proper inspection.

Chamal in line

Meanwhile, brother of two former Presidents and former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa is in the spotlight as a likely candidate to see legal action being initiated against him following a recent news report in a State-owned media. 

The news report has stated that Chamal was likely to be arrested in the coming days in connection with a controversial compensation payment he had received for a property allegedly damaged during the 9 May 2022 mayhem.

According to the report, Chamal had allegedly claimed Rs. 15.2 million from the Government, citing damage to his residence and property in Magama, Tissamaharama. However, investigations have reportedly revealed that the said property did not belong to him, nor did it contain a residential structure – only a paddy storage facility had been found on site.

Despite Chamal having submitted an affidavit stating the property was in his possession, further inquiries had reportedly uncovered that the land was registered under another person’s name. A valuation report from July 2023 had claimed the presence of a house worth Rs. 14.8 million on the premises alongside Rs. 222,600 in damages to the storehouse.

The Public Administration Ministry had later informed the relevant authorities that compensation under its purview could not be processed in this case. Despite this, the payment had reportedly been made in full.

The State-owned media has reported that the CIABOC is now set to question Chamal over the alleged misappropriation, with legal action expected against Government officials involved in authorising the payment as well. 

Harin under probe

Meanwhile, former Minister Harin Fernando is also under probe for spending millions of rupees on the ‘Smart Youth’ programme during the last Presidential Election period prior to receiving Cabinet approval and in violation of relevant circulars.

The latest report by the National Audit Office (NAO) has revealed that Rs. 31,417,778 had been spent on an unproductive venture called ‘Smart Youth,’ violating the relevant circulars. The report has noted that the ‘Smart Youth’ exhibition and show had been held before receiving the relevant Cabinet approval and before the approval had been conveyed to the National Youth Services Council, which was the organiser of the event.

The audit had revealed further irregularities, including the failure to submit critical documentation for review. These had included details on the number of exhibition stalls constructed, associated expenditure, income generated, and the number of students who had enrolled in training programmes linked to the event.

The report had further noted that some spending had violated national budget circulars that had explicitly instructed Government bodies to minimise and justify public expenditure.

The list of cases

Looking at the probes and cases filed before courts related to politicians, the following list notes the currently active cases:

Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and his son Ramith Rambukwella (causing an alleged loss of Rs. 8 million to the Government); former Minister Rajitha Senaratne (alleged loss to Government when leasing the Modara fisheries harbour); former Minister Chandrani Bandara (alleged failure to follow procedures when making an appointment); former Minister Mervyn Silva (alleged issues in assets owned by him above his declared income); former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga (appeal against verdict given over case on accepting Rs. 64 million from a businessman over a development project on a land in Meethotamulla); former Minister Johnston Fernando (accused of using Sathosa employees for political work and causing losses to the Government); former Minister Ravi Karunanayake (Supreme Court has reversed orders preventing further probe on the accusation of residing in a luxury apartment paid for by Arjun Aloysius who is accused in the bond scam); former Minister Piyasena Gamage (accused of making illegal appointments); former Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa (being probed over the alleged losses caused to the Government by the importation of substandard organic fertiliser); and former Minister Wimal Weerawansa (being probed over the alleged illegal accumulation of wealth).

Apart from these names, probes are also being carried out on MP Namal Rajapaksa, former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, former Deputy Ministers Sarana Gunawardena and Prasanna Ranaweera, and former MP Milan Jayathilaka.

Basil’s phone game

Meanwhile, former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, who is currently facing a case before court, is engaged in continuing with his political work over the phone despite being in the US.

It was earlier believed by many in the SLPP that Basil would return to the country around 23 May to appear in a court case where he had been issued summons. However, he did not arrive in Sri Lanka or appear before court and his lawyers instead informed the court that he was unable to travel since he was receiving treatment after having fallen from a chair in the US.

When SLPPers continued to ask whether Basil would be returning to the country, several senior SLPPers have responded saying that Basil will return to the country at the right time and that there is no hurry since there are no pending elections for him to engage in. The seniors have further claimed that Basil continues to engage in the party’s political work from the US over the phone.

Focus on presidential pardons

Be that as it may, one of the main talking points last week was the alleged irregularities in granting presidential pardons and the drama that has now unfolded with the arrest of several senior Prisons Department officials and the propelling of a prisons reforms programme.

While there have been previous instances where presidential pardons had been subjected to questions and doubts, this time around, the release of a prisoner who was not in the original list of inmates being pardoned by President AKD has resulted in an ongoing probe being conducted by the CID.

There were at least two recent presidential pardons that were even challenged before the Supreme Court, with the court reversing the pardons granted. One of the cases was related to the pardon that was reversed by court which was granted by former President Maithripala Sirisena to murder convict Jude Shramantha Jayamaha and the other was by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to former politician Duminda Silva.

Presidential pardons in the country have a long history. What started first as a Queen’s pardon and then a governor’s pardon later became a presidential pardon in the 1972 Constitution. At the time, granting presidential pardons was the only significant task assigned to the ceremonial president in office.

Successive presidents had used the presidential pardon to grant pardons to various individuals. According to reports, among some of the famous individuals to have received presidential pardons are Rohana Wijeweera, Vijaya Kumaranatunga, Rajitha Senaratne, Gonawala Sunil, S.B. Dissanayake, and Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka.

However, the pardon granted by then President J.R. Jayewardene to Gonawala Sunil, who at the time was known as a criminal, was a much-discussed topic at the time. Sunil was later appointed as an all-island Justice of the Peace (JP) by Jayewardene as well. 

Former President MR had granted a presidential pardon to former Basnayake Nilame of the Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya Anton Tennakoon, who was accused of shooting and murdering a domestic aid in his house. MR had also granted a pardon to former Minister Milroy Fernando’s wife, who was sentenced to life in prison over a murder charge.

Apart from Jayamaha, President Sirisena had also granted a pardon to a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) member who had tried to assassinate him in Polonnaruwa during the period of the war.

The mystery prisoner

The incident of the mystery prisoner who was released under a presidential pardon without his name being included in the list came to light when SJB MP Ajith P. Perera raised questions in Parliament regarding the pardon, highlighting that the release of one W.M. Athula Thilakaratne had taken place just weeks after the latter’s conviction. 

Perera had called on the Government to explain the process and transparency behind granting such pardons, especially as the individual was reportedly facing other cases as well.

According to the SJB MP, the suspect, who was found guilty by the Anuradhapura High Court in early May of misappropriating Rs. 4 million, was pardoned by President AKD on Vesak Poya Day, just weeks after his conviction.

Realising the gravity of Perera’s revelation, the President’s Office had immediately looked into the matter and issued a statement.

The Presidential Secretariat, while noting that the Head of State is vested with the authority to grant a pardon to convicted prisoners under Article 34(1) of the Constitution, stated that the official list of 388 inmates recommended for pardon submitted by the Commissioner General of Prisons to the Presidential Secretariat under reference number 06/01/Proposal/Pres.Pardon/List/05-12/2025 dated 6 May 2025 had not included the name of the individual in question, who had been convicted in connection with a financial fraud case.

The President’s Office further noted that the Presidential Secretariat had officially submitted a complaint to the CID under the title ‘Release of a Prisoner Without Presidential Approval Under the Presidential Pardon,’ requesting a special investigation into the matter. It was in 1978 that granting presidential pardons were transferred to the Executive.

Prisons Department responds

The statement released by the Presidential Secretariat resulted in what seemed like a clash with the Prisons Department.

The department then issued a statement defending Thilakaratne’s release, clarifying that it was part of a general presidential pardon granted on Vesak Poya Day.

Prisons Media Spokesman at the time and Commissioner Gamini B. Dissanayake had stated that Thilakaratne was among a group of inmates released under the annual Vesak pardon, which was granted to prisoners who met certain conditions. He had noted that the individual was not specifically singled out for release, but was eligible under general criteria due to his sentence and the remission of the fine imposed by court.

According to the statement, Thilakaratne had been convicted under Section 386 of the Penal Code and sentenced to a suspended prison term with a fine of Rs. 2 million as compensation. The High Court had also ruled that failure to pay the fine would result in six months of rigorous imprisonment. His release had been granted as the fine had been waived under the Vesak pardon provisions.

Meanwhile, it was also stated that there were suspicions over holding Thilakaratne in the Anuradhapura Prison following his conviction without bringing him down to the Welikada Prison. It has been stated that persons facing a convicted jail term for the first time have to be registered at the Welikada Prison.

A separate investigation has been launched by the CID under the direction of the Public Security Minister to locate and apprehend Thilakaratne.

Prisons Spokesperson Gamini B. Dissanayake resigned from the post of spokesperson last Thursday (12), submitting his resignation letter to the Acting Commissioner General of Prisons.

Arresting Prisons Chief

However, the CID last Sunday (8) arrested the Assistant Commissioner of the Anuradhapura Prison over the controversy.

Following the arrest of the prison’s Assistant Commissioner, the investigation turned next to Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya.

Upuldeniya was first suspended from his post last Monday (9) and the Government had also decided to grant him a half-month salary due to his suspension. He was later arrested by the CID over the ongoing probe and was remanded by the Colombo Magistrate last Wednesday till 25 June.

The Justice Ministry meanwhile appointed the ministry’s Additional Secretary Nishan Dhanasinghe as the Acting Commissioner General of Prisons.

The Superintendent of the Anuradhapura Prison meanwhile has been further remanded till 23 June.

Held in isolation

Meanwhile, it is learnt that Upuldeniya is currently being held in a secret location in isolation within the prison premises to ensure his safety.

Some media reported that Upuldeniya had been admitted to the Prison Hospital, with some questioning whether he was suffering from ill health to be sent to the hospital.

However, it is learnt that he is being held in isolation in a location within the Prison Hospital premises, which is under the purview of the Welikada Prison.

More inmates released

Meanwhile, it has now been revealed through the CID probe that prisoners have been released in an irregular manner in many instances under the guise of presidential pardons.

This fact was revealed by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Dileepa Peeris at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court when Upuldeniya was produced before Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Ratnayake.

Peeris has claimed that further investigations have revealed additional instances of prisoners being illegally released under the guise of presidential pardons. 

According to the ASG, 57 prisoners have been wrongfully released during Christmas 2024 and 11 more during Independence Day 2025. The prisoners released in this manner had not met the required conditions.

He has further claimed that out of the 338 prisoners released from 29 prisons islandwide during Vesak Poya, at least two of them had been freed illegally.

It is in such a backdrop that Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has stated that he would appoint a committee to work out fresh criteria for the release of prisoners in future under presidential approval.

The authorities meanwhile are looking at apprehending the prisoners who had been released in an irregular manner under the guise of presidential pardons.

Türk’s pending visit

Amidst the ongoing developments in the country, United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk is expected to visit Sri Lanka from 23-26 June. This will be Türk’s first visit to Sri Lanka since assuming office in October 2022. 

During his visit, he is expected to meet with President AKD, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath, other senior Government officials, and a broad range of stakeholders.

He is also scheduled to visit multiple parts of the country, including areas outside Colombo, to gain a direct understanding of the human rights situation. The trip is expected to include discussions on issues such as accountability, reconciliation, freedom of expression, and institutional reforms.

It is learnt that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights will present a report on his observations during his visit to Sri Lanka at the next sessions of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) scheduled to be held this September.