• SLPP announces three more rallies in Ratnapura, Matara, Kurunegala after successful Nugegoda rally
• MR said, ‘won’t attend,’ then ‘will attend,’ finally no show in Nugegoda, calls on Opposition to unite
• RW leaves for India with Maithree on Friday morning to attend Jeevan’s wedding in India on Sunday
• Wedding bells for Jeevan in Tamil Nadu today, Colombo banquet on Friday and then in constituency
• RW asks seniors to attend rally at UNP Management Comm.; Navin openly refuses, Ruwan stays away
• Thalatha, Wajira, Sagala, Harin attend rally, get front row; Thalatha waits for seat allocation at the rally
• Harin praises MR as nation’s saviour and Namal as ‘prince of the stage,’ gathers flak from UNP seniors
• SLPP, SLPP dissidents hold more discussions to unite; politicos visit astrologers locally, internationally
• Doubts over Namal’s educational qualifications resurface; Nalinda asks Namal to explain to the House
• Sajith, SJB firm on not joining Namal-led rallies; SJB seniors meet and decide to hold separate rally
• AKD speaks during defence budget in House; reveals drug and media links, challenges in key probes
• Trinco controversy takes new twist, court orders maintaining status quo by all parties during case
• Ananda says statue moved for protection and returned; ITAK says disappointed over Govt. actions
• JVP/NPP gains control of Seethawaka LG after six months with Sarvajana Balaya Councillor’s support
• Dilith loses his cool in Parliament, warns that Govt. will be defeated at first possible opportunity
• Sarvajana Balaya, SLFP initiate disciplinary action against LG members who violated parties’ stances
• JVP/NPP continues to lose budgets at LGs, this time in Tangalle, Yatiyanthota, Kalutara, Dambulla
• Marikkar reveals double standards in security allocation; Speaker, seven ministers using Govt. houses
• Govt. makes contradictory statements on PC Polls; Chandana says all-party meeting, Bimal says PSC
• AKD meets with ITAK members; Shanakiyan expresses confidence in AKD assurance on holding PC Polls
• Govt. reveals AKD, RW foreign travel expenses; probe team in UK over RW’s ongoing State expenses case
• RW gets entangled in building lease during ‘Yahapalana’; Basil not in court again, cites medical issues
• Chamara notes spending on sleuths’ travel double the amount being probed; probes expand on foreign assets
• Talks ongoing with Singapore on bond scam probe; MR celebrates b’day with religious observances

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) is continuing as the driving force of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) Government, with ‘brand AKD’ having to come to the rescue at every misstep of Government members. This was yet again witnessed last week over the controversy surrounding the Buddha statue in Trincomalee.

While senior Government ministers and in some instances senior Government officials continue to push the Government into tight spots through their actions and words, President AKD continues to be the one to respond to the public and get the Government back on track. This, however, is not a trend that can continue in the long term given that the people are also becoming weary of Government ministers and their failures. It is therefore important for the Government to understand the limits to which ‘brand AKD’ can be exploited.

It is in such a backdrop that outspoken Opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dasanayake claimed in Parliament last Tuesday (18) that the Government seemed to be supporting the Opposition rally on Friday through its actions and claims against the Opposition. A group of Opposition parties held the ‘Maha Jana Handa’ rally in Nugegoda on Friday (21).

The rally, which had initially been identified as a joint Opposition rally, was reduced to being identified as one organised by a group of Opposition parties. The attempt of the key organisers to refer to the rally as a ‘joint Opposition’ event could not be achieved since the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Sarvajana Balaya, and several other active Opposition political parties, including Tamil and Muslim parties representing the Northern and Eastern Provinces as well as the upcountry region, did not participate in it. 

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) led by its National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa took the lead in Friday’s rally by also pulling in its highest number of participants.

Namal arrived at the rally midway and, unable to make it through the crowd around the stage and the entrance to the stage, climbed the iron fence near the stage and got on stage after jumping over the fence. His youthfulness made the crowds go wild, and along with the hype, Namal warned the Government that if it failed to deliver on its promises to the people, a united Opposition would not hesitate to defeat the Government at the first possible opportunity.

Namal was also seen standing inside his vehicle and greeting those gathered through the sunroof.

The rally that was to commence at around 2 p.m. was delayed due to a power cut in the area at the time as well as a breakdown in the standby generator. The organisers managed to get the show started about an hour and a half late.

Meanwhile, there were also bunches of grass placed around the Nugegoda rally area by pro-Government supporters indicating that it was food for those who were attending the rally.

While the Government and its supporters mocked those who gathered at the rally while disputing its number of participants, it would serve well for the Government and its strategists to also keep in mind that the gathering of such a crowd just one year after the JVP/NPP Government assumed office is a warning signal that all is not well. 

Instead of resorting to attacking the Opposition for playing its role, the JVP/NPP Government should look at turning inward to understand its shortcomings and address them. Failure to do so would result in more crowds joining Opposition protest campaigns and the damage control capacity of ‘brand AKD’ will also be reduced with time.

The SLPP meanwhile has decided to organise three more rallies like the one held in Nugegoda on Friday. The venues of the three rallies will be Ratnapura, Matara, and Kurunegala.

MR’s no show

Meanwhile, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR) whom many believed would attend Friday’s rally did not make an appearance, allowing his son Namal to become the star of the show.

After initially stating that he would not be attending the rally on Friday, MR seemed to have had a change of heart by Wednesday (19) with news reports stating that he would be attending the Nugegoda rally.

Former President Rajapaksa had told reporters in Kandy on his birthday last Tuesday (18) that he would be attending it and that large crowds were expected to participate in it. 

However, MR refrained from speaking about his attendance at the Opposition rally when he visited the Abhayarama Temple in Colombo 5 where he met with the temple’s Chief Incumbent, Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera. The monk had blessed the former President for his birthday a few days earlier.

When making his way out of the temple, MR told the media that all Opposition parties needed to unite and that there would be large crowds attending the rally the following day.

RW leaves for India

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe meanwhile left for India on early Friday (21) morning. Wickremesinghe and his wife Maithree had in fact left for South India to attend Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) General Secretary Jeevan Thondaman’s wedding that is to be held today (23) in Tamil Nadu.

Given the short flight time between Sri Lanka and South India, everyone wondered why Wickremesinghe had left for India so early. It is believed that Wickremesinghe and his wife are likely to participate in some religious rituals at the Guruvayur Temple in South India prior to attending Thondaman’s wedding.

Wickremesinghe was keen to lead the Opposition’s anti-Government rally and wanted to bring all Opposition parties including the SJB together. He wanted Namal and the SLPP to bring the crowds. However, Namal and the SLPP decided not to be seen as co-leaders with Wickremesinghe and managed to strategically leave him out of the rally.

On Wednesday, Wickremesinghe convened the United National Party (UNP) Management Committee at his Flower Road, Colombo office for a discussion on current political issues and the rally. While earlier, the party had decided to assign newly appointed Deputy General Secretary of Political Mobilisation Harin Fernando to attend the rally, Wickremesinghe on Wednesday had asked the UNP seniors to attend the rally.

This change of heart, it is learnt, had taken place following a request by one of Wickremesinghe’s close confidantes, UNP National Organiser Sagala Ratnayaka, who met with Namal at the Flower Road office recently to discuss the rally. UNP seniors were notable absentees at this meeting between Sagala and Namal.

UNPers at the rally

The UNP was finally represented by General Secretary Thalatha Atukorale, Chairman Wajira Abeywardena, Ratnayaka, and Fernando.

Abeywardena, Ratnayaka, and Fernando had also participated in the preparatory work for the rally the previous day, Thursday (20) as well.

While UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene was a notable absentee at the rally, senior member Navin Dissanayake openly claimed last week that he would not be attending the Nugegoda rally on Friday.

Harin gathers flak

However, Fernando, who addressed the rally on behalf of the UNP, is gathering flak post-event over a statement made by him in his speech.

Commencing his speech, Fernando went overboard in his praise of Namal Rajapaksa, which did not bode well with a majority of the remaining lot of hardcore UNPers. Fernando addressed Namal as the “prince of the stage” (‘vedikawe kumaraya’).

Fernando in his speech also claimed that former President MR was the saviour of the nation, which was also criticised by party seniors. “He seems to have forgotten the leaders of the UNP who rendered yeoman service to the nation,” one senior said.

Senior UNPers who did not attend the rally, but watched it online, were displeased with Fernando’s behaviour, stating that it was demeaning to UNPers. 

Fernando also became the target of an online campaign, with posts being shared noting that it was disgraceful to see him now pandering and praising the Rajapaksas when he had protested in 2022 demanding the ouster of the then Gotabaya Rajapaksa Government.

Thalatha waits for a seat

Meanwhile, UNP General Secretary Atukorale had to spend some time standing until the chief organisers of the rally prepared a seat for her.

When Atukorale made her way to where the Opposition leaders were seated, there were no seats available in the front row. SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam was seen quickly making his way towards Atukorale and exchanging pleasantries while organising a seat for her. 

After a few minutes, a chair was kept on the side of the front row and some of the organisers seated in the front row were asked to shift a chair to make space for Atukorale towards the middle of the row.

An embarrassed Atukorale was seen smiling and making her way to the seat.

SLPP and SLPP dissidents

Meanwhile, Friday’s rally also managed to bring together the SLPP with its dissident members who defected and joined former President Wickremesinghe during last year’s Presidential Election.

While several meetings between the two factions were held during the run-up to the rally, a key meeting was held last week in the Rajagiriya area.

It is learnt that Namal and the SLPP dissidents had had a cordial discussion with all agreeing to work together to defeat the Government.

Looking at the stars

Meanwhile, while Opposition political parties are mobilising to protest against the Government following Friday’s (21) rally, Opposition politicians are also once again competing with each other to look at who will lead the next winning political coalition.

It is learnt that some senior politicians have even resorted to checking what the stars have waiting for them by travelling overseas, especially to India, to seek astrological advice on the rituals to be followed to invoke divine blessings on them. While some politicos have travelled overseas to get their horoscopes read, some others have visited astrologers in Sri Lanka.

Questioning Namal’s qualifications

Amidst the developing anti-Government campaign led by Namal, an investigation carried out by journalist Nirmala Kannangara and published on an online platform has raised fresh questions over Namal’s admission to the Sri Lanka Law College in 2009, alleging irregularities in the recognition and completeness of his academic qualifications.

According to the investigative report, the Law College had admitted Namal on the same day he had submitted his application, despite City University of London – where Namal had claimed to have completed his LLB degree – not being recognised by the Law College at the time.

A response to a query submitted under the Right to Information Act (RTI), that has been cited in the story, has shown that the university had been added to the approved list only on 15 October 2009, nearly three weeks after his enrolment.

The report has further noted that Namal’s student file did not contain a degree certificate, but only a transcript and a letter from City University confirming a “Third Class degree”.

It has also been pointed out that there were discrepancies between the transcript submitted to the Law College and a separate degree certificate produced years later for a master’s programme, which carries the signature of a vice chancellor who had already left office.

Namal, however, has rejected the allegations as being entirely false. He has told reporters that the Government had initiated a B report inquiry soon after taking office seeking to investigate his degree, but months of inquiries had not produced any findings in court. 

“This Government, just weeks after taking office, submitted a B report to investigate my degree. Several months have passed, but nothing has been officially reported. Now they are frightened by the Nugegoda rally and are spreading false propaganda. We will respond to all these allegations on the 21st,” he said, referring to the Opposition rally scheduled for Friday.

According to Namal, the City University of London has published a list where his name appears among its list of 100 notable alumni.

Seeking clarification

Meanwhile, Chief Government Whip, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa raised the issue of Namal’s educational qualifications in Parliament on Wednesday (19). While stating that he was tabling the details outlined in the website story, Jayatissa called on Namal to clarify the questions over his educational qualifications to safeguard the sanctity of the august assembly.

SLPP Member of Parliament (MP) D.V. Chanaka responded, saying that the Government was framing various allegations against Namal due to its insecurity over the Opposition’s anti-Government rally.

The SLPPers responded saying that the Government would be able to see the certificates at the rally on the 21st.

SJB rally

The main Opposition SJB meanwhile believes that the Opposition parties should resort to different strategies to engage in anti-Government campaigns and to mobilise the masses. 

SJB seniors, it is learnt, have decided to organise a separate rally against the Government early next year. It is learnt that this campaign is likely to commence around January next year. The protest rallies will be the first mobilisation of the SJB’s membership and supporters since the elections in 2024.

Party seniors have also discussed that the party should not join the group of Opposition parties that are currently focused on holding a series of rallies after Friday’s rally in Nugegoda.

While the SJB extended its best wishes to Friday’s rally, the party did not attend it. Despite some media reports that there were a group of SJB seniors who were planning on attending the rally, there were no senior SJBers at the event on Friday.

One of the key concerns of the SJB was that the rally was being led by the SLPP and Namal.

Revealing links

President AKD, meanwhile, addressed the House last Tuesday (18) in his capacity as Defence Minister, where he responded to many of the criticisms being levelled against the Government by the Opposition regarding national security, ongoing probes, and the programme to crack down on narcotic drugs and organised crime networks. 

Speaking on the ongoing programme to crack down on these networks, he explained the challenges in effectively carrying out the programme given the extent of infiltration of the networks into law enforcement authorities and the history behind the building of these networks.

The President also made an interesting remark when he said that the influence of narcotic drugs and organised crime networks had later extended into legitimate businesses and even media organisations. “Some businessmen even started investing money in the media,” he said, adding that this created a coordinated structure combining political authority, drug financiers, armed criminals, corrupt State officials, and a media network.

AKD noted that the Intelligence services would soon reveal links between certain media networks and the drug underworld.

Responding to this statement, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa noted that the Government needed to reveal the links between narcotic drugs and organised crime networks and media institutions soon.

Progress in probes

President AKD in his speech also spoke of the progress in ongoing probes into key emblematic cases.

He noted that a renewed investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks was now underway given that previous attempts to uncover the truth had been deliberately obstructed when political groups suspected of involvement had assumed power.

He said that investigators were currently analysing phone records, connections, and other technical data to identify the masterminds behind the attacks, and that evidence must be re-established in court after years of suppression. The President further noted that the Easter Sunday attacks should have been investigated when memories and evidence were still fresh, but that the process had stalled due to political interference.

AKD added that the same pattern of interference had affected other high-profile cases such as the murders of Lasantha Wickrematunge, rugby player Wasim Thajudeen, and cartoonist Prageeth Ekneligoda, where fresh investigations had been launched many years after the incidents.

Trinco Buddha statue saga

Another key issue that AKD spoke of in Parliament was the controversy over a Buddha statue in Trincomalee at the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Vihara.

Speaking of the tense situation that arose after a group of monks had attempted to place a Buddha statue in a land adjoining a Buddhist temple in the area, AKD vowed that there would be no space for racist and extremist elements to raise their head. 

There was much online chatter and many speeches in Parliament after a video circulated on social media showing a Buddhist monk claiming that the site was a religious heritage location and engaging in a heated exchange of words with law enforcement authorities. 

However, it was also reported that the respective land fell under the jurisdiction of the Coast Conservation Department (CCD), and that complaints had been filed regarding unauthorised activity on the land. According to the Police, the land is subject to a court order prohibiting any development.

Another video of a physical altercation between several Police personnel and civilians including Buddhist monks, also showing a Buddhist monk hanging on to a Buddha statue while the Police try to take it away, went viral on social media last Monday (17) morning. 

There was much confusion about the incident initially with many wondering why the Police was taking away a Buddha statue from a temple land. However, it was later that information related to the land dispute was revealed. 

It was reported that the land belonged to the CCD and there was a dispute over an illegal construction of a snack bar on the premises and now the construction of a dhamma school. The clash had taken place when the Police had informed the snack bar and the dhamma school that constructions on the premises were unauthorised and could not be permitted. 

However, by the time the details behind the incident were released, many Buddhist monks and mahanayakes had condemned the ‘attack’ on Buddhist monks and the removal of the Buddha statue.

Many Opposition MPs including Opposition Leader Premadasa questioned in Parliament about the Police intervention during a tense situation at the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Vihara in Trincomalee, warning of fuelling communal tensions.

Security for the statue

However, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala responded to the questions posed by Opposition MPs in Parliament, stating that the statue had been removed due to information of possible vandalism, adding that steps were taken to place the statue at the dhamma school that morning (17) and that special Police protection would be provided for its safety. 

“The statue was removed yesterday (16) after the Police had received information on possible vandalism. The tense situation had arisen due to the Buddha statue. We have issued a directive to the Police to place the statue at the dhamma school today. A special security plan will also be implemented from today for the safety of the statue,” the Minister said.

Wijepala further clarified that the CCD had filed a complaint with regard to a restaurant operating in the area, claiming that it was illegal and that the Police was taking the necessary measures to initiate legal action in this regard. “We can only act in this regard based on the court’s directive,” the Minister added.

ITAK’s stance

The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) meanwhile demanded the immediate resignation of all Tamil members of the ruling NPP, including Trincomalee District MP and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra, following the Government’s handling of a Buddha statue installation in Trincomalee.

ITAK General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran, referring to Minister Wijepala’s statement, said the Government and Public Security Minister Wijepala had given in to the undue pressures of the majoritarian forces.

“Last night (16), when the Police removed the illegally installed statue on the Trincomalee beach on the orders of the Minister, some people actually thought that the Government was acting properly without any racist mindset. Alas! That was short-lived as the Minister demonstrated in Parliament that this Government’s feet are also made of clay,” he has noted in a statement on X.

Sumanthiran has further pointed out that the Government’s rhetoric of treating all people equally fell flat on its face when the Minister unashamedly announced in Parliament that the statue had been removed due to security concerns and that it would be reinstalled on that day (Monday). 

“The NPP Government stands exposed as a racist, Sinhala Buddhist nationalist force, no different from those before it,” the statement said, adding that the Minister’s remarks had undermined the Government’s earlier pledges of equality.

Court directive

Meanwhile, the Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (19) ordered that the status quo regarding the disputed land be maintained with the existing temporary structure remaining intact while any changes to it or new constructions were not permitted.

Trincomalee Magistrate M.N.M. Samsudeen had reportedly issued the directive following a B report filed about the recent incident by Trincomalee Superintendent of Police J.L. Ajith Kumara and Officer in Charge of the Harbour Police K.W.G.S.K. Samarasinghe. The B report had referred to a clash between the Coast Conservation Department and the Chief Incumbent of the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Temple in Dutch Bay in Trincomalee following a complaint by the former about an unauthorised construction by the latter.

After considering the case, the Magistrate has directed the Harbour Police to provide a progress report on the ongoing inquiry to court on Wednesday (26). The Magistrate’s directive had also been presented to the Chief Incumbent of the temple as well as the General Secretary of the Dayaka Sabha.

Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal has fixed to hear the writ petition filed by Chief Incumbent Venerable Kalyanawansa Tissa Thera seeking an order to prevent the demolition of a section of the temple premises on 16 December.

JVP/NPP secures Seethawaka

Meanwhile, the ruling party, which is facing challenges in sustaining its power at cooperative societies and some Local Government bodies, on Tuesday (18) managed to secure power in the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha, ending a six-month deadlock following the conclusion of the Local Government Elections in May this year.

Although the JVP/NPP secured 23 seats in the council, Opposition parties together held 24 seats, resulting in two attempts on 17 June and 15 July to elect a chairperson to the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha failing due to procedural issues.

However, when the council reconvened last Tuesday, the JVP/NPP’s P.K. Premaratne was elected as its Chairperson, with the council member representing the Sarvajana Balaya, who had previously voted against a secret ballot, abstaining from casting his vote.

Following this development, the Sarvajana Balaya immediately issued a statement announcing the suspension of the party member in the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha for acting against the party decision.

Dilith slams Govt.

Meanwhile, Sarvajana Balaya Leader Dilith Jayaweera lost his cool and warned the ruling party in Parliament that the Government would be defeated at the first opportunity and that he was prepared to make any sacrifice needed for the purpose.

While condemning the ruling party over what he alleged as the ‘buying over’ of the party’s councillor in the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha, Jayaweera vowed that the JVP/NPP Government would be sent home at the first opportunity received.

“Is this the change you want for democracy? Is this the pure political culture you wished to create?” Jayaweera questioned.

SLFP gets tough

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), meanwhile, also decided to take stern action against the party’s members in Local Government bodies who support the ruling JVP/NPP to get the budgets passed in councils under its control.

The party announced that it had temporarily suspended the membership of those who had voted in support of the JVP/NPP. The SLFP has also sought explanations from the concerned members and is to decide on further disciplinary measures based on their responses.

Accordingly, the SLFP on Wednesday (19) stated that the party had suspended the membership of eight of its members in Local Government councils for acting against party decisions.

Losing budgets

Meanwhile, the ruling JVP/NPP, it is learnt, has witnessed the defeat of its maiden budgets presented to around 30 Local Government bodies in the past few weeks. The Local Government bodies whose budgets have been defeated are now facing uncertainties in continuing their operations.

It is learnt that while these Local Government bodies whose budgets have been defeated have sought legal assistance to determine how they can proceed, the Local Government Ministry has also issued directives on the operations of these councils.

According to the ministry, the chairperson of the council has the power to continue with the functions of the council even if the budget is defeated twice.

Among the Local Government councils that are led by the JVP/NPP where the budgets for 2026 were defeated last week are the Tangalle Urban Council, Yatiyanthota Pradeshiya Sabha, Kalutara Pradeshiya Sabha, and Dambulla Pradeshiya Sabha.

Meanwhile, the Padiyathalawa Pradeshiya Sabha led by the ruling party saw its budget being defeated for the second time last week with seven votes in favour and 12 votes against.

Exposing Govt.’s security

Meanwhile, Opposition MP S.M. Marikkar exposed in Parliament what he claimed to be the Government’s duplicitous policy on security arrangements for legislators.

He had claimed that the Government had refused to assign security personnel to MPs, while the Minister of Public Security had been provided with special protection. “He (the Minister) was escorted out of Parliament by Special Task Force (STF) personnel who were not in uniform last Thursday at 2.39 p.m.,” Marikkar had said, while showing an image on his phone to Parliament and reading out the vehicle’s licence plate number.

“If national security is assured, there is no need for the Public Security Minister to be given security either,” he had added.

Govt. bungalows for Speaker

Also, the revelation in Parliament last week that the Speaker and seven Government ministers as well as deputy ministers had been allocated State-owned houses on a rent basis added to the Opposition’s argument of the double standards adopted by the ruling party.

Opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dasanayake posed a question to Public Administration Minister Chandana Abayarathna on the number of State-owned houses in Colombo and what they were being used for at present. 

The Minister responded saying that eight houses in total – one for the Speaker and seven for ministers and deputy ministers – had been released on a rental basis where it was deducted monthly from the relevant occupant’s salary. 

Dasanayake immediately questioned why the Government had not applied it to other MPs and former ministers where the rent could be deducted from their monthly salaries. 

“You said you will not use State-owned houses and made so many claims, but now you are using them. If so, the same policy should be applied to other MPs as well. It is good that the houses are being utilised without letting them fall apart, but it should be applied to everyone equally,” the Opposition MP added.

Minister Abayarathna also noted that one bungalow in Colombo had been assigned to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), one to the Police Department, and four to the Justice Ministry to set up court houses. 

PSC for PC Polls

All these political developments have resulted in Opposition parties demanding that the Government hold the delayed Provincial Council (PC) Elections. 

The Government, it is learnt, is exploring several avenues to evaluate the possibility of holding the delayed Provincial Council Elections. Nevertheless, the Government, while showing an urgency in making the necessary preparations to enable the holding of the polls, is making contradictory statements about the matter.

While Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Chandana Abayarathna has spoken of the possibility of convening an all-party meeting to discuss the amendment to the Provincial Councils Act to hold the delayed election, Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake says that a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) will be appointed to review the existing issues related to the relevant laws and to make recommendations to amend them. 

Nizam’s objection

Meanwhile, Opposition MP Nizam Kariapper accused the Government last week of breaking its promise to hold Provincial Council Elections, criticising what he called misleading statements and deliberate delays. He also tore up the report that was presented by the Opposition during the previous Parliament to overcome the deadlock over the law on holding the PC Elections.

“President AKD once told this House that Provincial Council Elections would be held. Not only that, but he also said the same on every election stage. But this week he came to Parliament and told us with a smirk, ‘How can I hold elections when there is no law? Make this law and give it to me…’ I had to wonder if this speech was by President AKD or President Ranil Wickremesinghe,” Kariapper said.

Kariapper also questioned why President AKD was seeking Opposition support to draft the law when he had majority control in Parliament.

Shanakiyan’s revelation

Meanwhile, ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam says that President AKD has clearly stated that the PC Elections will be held. He noted that the President had made this statement when he met with ITAK members at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (19) afternoon.

Rasamanickam noted that he respected the President for meeting with the ITAK members and that they believed it when the President had noted that PC Elections would be held.

Basil’s no show

Meanwhile, SLPP Founder, former Minister Basil Rajapaksa was a no-show yet again when a case against him was taken before the Matara Magistrate’s Court on Friday (21). It was however an interesting coincidence that Basil was summoned before court on the same day that Opposition parties held the ‘Maha Jana Handa’ rally in Nugegoda.

When the case was taken up on Friday, the court was informed that he had booked his flight tickets to travel to Sri Lanka and later cancelled them due to medical complications.

Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama had reportedly told court that there was a serious suspicion that Basil was deliberately avoiding appearing before court, pointing to inconsistencies in the medical documents submitted on his behalf.

The Magistrate had ordered Basil’s legal team to submit a detailed medical report and warned that failure to comply could result in action regarding the forfeiture of bail, and sureties had also been instructed to ensure that the suspect appeared in court.

The case was postponed to 22 May 2026.

Basil’s case is in connection with a case involving the alleged illegal acquisition of land using Rs. 50 million in unlawfully obtained funds.

Basil’s legal team in May had informed the court that he was unable to appear before court since he was receiving treatment in the US for spinal and nerve complications following a fall from a chair. The counsel had noted that an American doctor had advised him to avoid air travel for six months.

While Basil’s absence at earlier hearings had prompted prosecutors to request that his bail be cancelled and a warrant issued, the court had declined, noting his prior compliance, but had directed him to appear on the next date, which was Friday.

Comparing travel expenses

The Government meanwhile revealed the foreign travel expenses incurred by President AKD and his predecessor Wickremesinghe. 

It was Minister Nalinda Jayatissa who disclosed in Parliament the foreign travel expenditure of President AKD and his predecessor.

The details presented by Jayatissa showed that former President Wickremesinghe had made 24 overseas trips during 2022–2024, accompanied by 385 participants in total, with the combined cost of these visits amounting to Rs. 1,007.346 million. These trips have included four trips in 2022 costing Rs. 129.31 million, 16 trips in 2023 at a cost of Rs. 577.9 million, and five trips in 2024 at a cost of Rs. 300 million.

President AKD meanwhile has undertaken eight foreign visits from December 2024 to September 2025. These trips – to India, China, the UAE, Vietnam, Germany, the Maldives, and a combined US-Japan tour – have cost a total of Rs. 14.9 million, according to Jayatissa. 

Excesses of House staff

While the Government is engaged in a programme against corruption and curbing State sector wastage, Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake recently revealed details about overseas tours undertaken by Parliament staff.

He told Parliament recently that officials from the Parliament Secretariat were travelling overseas more frequently than necessary and that while some officials had made multiple foreign trips, they had not presented a single effective proposal for the benefit of the country.

According to Rathnayake, although there are capable officers in Parliament, many have never visited a foreign country. He noted that it was a small group of officials in Parliament who were only concerned about privileges. 

Rathnayake took a swipe at House officials claiming that Parliament was subject to the mandate of the people, adding that the restructuring of parliamentary salaries and other functions instructed by the Speaker of Parliament was yet to take off.

Building probe targets RW

Meanwhile, former President Wickremesinghe has become the main target behind the ongoing probe on the controversial D.P. Jayasinghe (DPJ) building in Rajagiriya, more commonly known as ‘Sabeetha’s building,’ where the Agriculture Ministry was shifted to under the ‘Yahapalana’ Government.

The Agriculture Ministry, which was housed at the Govijana Mandiraya on Rajamalwatta Road off Parliament Road in Kotte, was shifted to the DPJ building in Rajagiriya after the Government had decided to assign the Govijana Mandiraya to house the proposed parliamentary sectorial oversight committees. 

However, the proposed plan did not take place although the Agriculture Ministry was moved to the building in Rajagiriya spending around Rs. 23 million per month as rent. Hundreds of millions of rupees were also spent to renovate the building and make adjustments to house the Agriculture Ministry at the time.

However, the Agriculture Ministry was once again moved back to the Govijana Mandiraya by then Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage under the then Gotabaya Rajapaksa Government.

A probe was initiated on the DPJ building transaction since the Agriculture Ministry shifted back to the Govijana Mandiraya.

It is learnt that the Agriculture Ministry was shifted to the DPJ building on a directive by then Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and that he had presented the relevant Cabinet paper co-signed by then Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake.

The CIABOC has also recorded a statement from former President Maithripala Sirisena regarding the probe into the whole DPJ transaction.

Completing UK visit probe

The Attorney General meanwhile has informed Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara that investigations into the case filed against former President Wickremesinghe over the alleged misuse of Rs. 16.6 million in State funds during a visit to the UK when he was President will be completed within a month. It has also been revealed in court that steps will be taken afterwards to initiate proceedings before a higher court.

Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, appearing for the Attorney General, had made these observations when a motion filed by former Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake had been taken up before court, where Ekanayake had sought court permission through a motion to have the travel ban imposed on him lifted since he needed to travel overseas.

Expenses on the probe

However, Opposition politicians have started to ridicule the authorities over the expenses incurred in relation to the ongoing probe into Wickremesinghe’s UK visit.

This fact was openly stated in Parliament by outspoken MP Chamara Sampath Dasanayake when he claimed that the authorities were spending over Rs. 32 million to send five law enforcement officers to the UK for several days to probe the alleged misuse of approximately Rs. 16.6 million by Wickremesinghe during a visit to the UK.

Discussions with Singapore

Meanwhile, it is learnt that officials engaged in probing the controversial Central Bank bond scam that took place during the ‘Yahapalana’ Government are expected to travel to Singapore for discussions with Singaporean authorities about former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran, who is currently residing in Singapore.

The JVP/NPP Government has come under criticism by many Opposition parties about its failure to expedite the probe into the Central Bank bond scam and to bring down Mahendran from Singapore to stand trial in Sri Lanka over his alleged involvement in the scam.

Probing overseas assets

The Government, meanwhile, it is learnt, has decided to act on one of its key political slogans on repatriating allegedly illegally accumulated funds held overseas. The JVP/NPP has continuously accused members of the Rajapaksa family of illegally accumulating assets with some held overseas and stated that these assets would be acquired by the State under a JVP/NPP Government.

Since assuming office, Opposition parties, including members of the Rajapaksa family, have been reminding the Government of these statements and questioning the delay in action.

It is in such a backdrop that the Government has directed the authorities probing illegally accumulated assets to probe the assets belonging to members of the Rajapaksa family in foreign countries, with special focus on the US.

It will be interesting to see how these probes unfold in the coming weeks and months given that the ruling party is focused on trying to maintain the public momentum on the Government’s anti-corruption programme that promises action against the corrupt.

Wedding bells for Jeevan

Meanwhile, like former President Wickremesinghe, several Opposition politicians are due to travel to South India this weekend to attend Jeevan Thondaman’s wedding.

Thondaman is to wed Seethai Srii Naachiar today (23) in Tamil Nadu, India. Naachiar hails from a business and political family in Tamil Nadu. 

A banquet is also to be held at the Hilton Colombo on Friday (28), with another event scheduled to be held in his constituency during the weekend.

MR’s birthday celebrations

Meanwhile, former President MR celebrated his 80th birthday last Tuesday (18). While there was no glitzy birthday celebration, the occasion was celebrated with religious observances and an almsgiving.

An almsgiving was held at Yoshitha Rajapaksa’s residence in Mount Lavinia that was attended by the Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthana in Anuradhapura. The coordination work related to the Buddhist monks had reportedly been carried out by Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo Chief Incumbent Ven. Assaji Thera.