News
Prez may change law to advance presidential election: Mano
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader Mano Ganesan says President Ranil Wickremesinghe is likely to propose a constitutional amendment to pave the way for an early presidential election.The Colombo District MP said that President Wickremesinghe had indicated to him the possibility of bringing an amendment to the Constitution. The Democratic People’s Front (DPF) disclosed that President Wickremesinghe had said he would contest the next presidential election.
Ganeshan said so when The Island asked him whether the TPA believed the country was heading for an early presidential election.The last presidential election was conducted on 16 Nov. 2019. In terms of the Constitution, the President is elected for a period of five years.
MP Ganesan said that President Wickremesinghe, who is also the leader of the UNP, would definitely receive the backing of a section of the ruling SLPP. The TPA consists of Democratic People’s Front (DPF), National Union of Workers (NUF) and Upcountry People’s Front (UCPF). The TPA contested the last general election on the SJB ticket.
MP Ganesan said that the SLPP would field a candidate of its own to protect its vote base.Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera several weeks ago declared that the majority of the government parliamentary group backed UNP leader Wickremesinghe’s candidature at the next presidential poll.
Responding to another query, MP Ganesan asserted that the SLPP backed Wickremesinghe and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa would be the main contenders with JVP-led JJB fielding Anura Kumara Dissanayake joining the fray. “The SLPP will come fourth,” the ex-minister said, adding that President Wickremesinghe seemed to be going ahead with his plans.
Asked whether recent moves to replace Governors in four provinces had been influenced by President Wickremesinghe’s desire to further consolidate his position ahead of presidential election, MP Ganesan said that the electorate couldn’t be significantly manipulated by appointing new Governors. “What really matters is the public acceptance of the presidential candidates. The President cannot expect major benefits by replacing Governors,” the MP said.
It would be pertinent to mention that active politicians and functioning members of political parties couldn’t be appointed as Governors, and such appointments would be unethical and unacceptable, MP Ganesan said.
The TPA, established in 2015 is active in Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa and Western Provinces. Over the years, it has emerged as a key political force representing the minority community. At the last general election in August 2020, the TPA won six seats though one (Badulla District MP A. Aravind Kumar) switched its allegiance to the SLPP in Oct 2020 when he voted for the 20th Amendment to the Constitution. The remaining TPA group consists of leader Mano Ganesan, deputy leader Palani Thigambaram (Nuwara Eliya), deputy leader V. Radha Krishna (Nuwara Eliya), Velu Kumar (Kandy) and M. Udaya Kumar (Nuwara Eliya).
The Island also sought an update on the TPA’s efforts to form a parliamentary Tamil caucus from its leader. MP Ganesan said that TNA’s constituent Illankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) was yet to respond to their proposal though TELO and PLOTE now calling themselves the Democratic TNA declared their support for the proposal. The TPA leader said that the TNA seemed to be in a dilemma against the backdrop of its partners agreeing to his proposal.
TMK led by CV. Wigneshwaran responded positively and they, too, were prepared to join hands, the MP said. Proposed formation of Tamil parliamentary caucus was pending, MP Ganesan said, while asserting in case TELO and PLOTE became part of the parliamentary grouping it would further divide the TNA.The TNA emerged the fourth largest grouping in parliament at the last general election. It won 10 seats.
Protesting Development Officers continued their hunger strike near the Presidential Secretariat, Colombo yesterday (01), for the seventh consecutive day.The protesters, who are members of the Lanka School Development Officers’ Association, are demanding that they be absorbed into the teacher service as they have served as teachers in state-run schools for nearly seven years.
Secretary of the Association, Viraj Manaranga, said the protesters were seeking an urgent meeting with the President. He added that a presidential aide had visited the protest site and offered to arrange for a meeting with the President on 03 Feb., but the union insisted on an earlier date. Manaranga warned that failure to grant a meeting could trigger a massive protest in Colombo today (02).
Four officers participating in the hunger strike have been hospitalised due to deteriorating health, while two more joined the fast on Saturday (31).
In a bid to raise awareness of their grievances, on 30 January a delegation of the All Island Development Officers’ Association visited Most Venerable
Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera, Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter, and subsequently with the Chapter’s Registrar, Ven. Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera. The prelates said promises that had been made to them should be fulfilled.
The protest began on 26 January as a satyagraha, after authorities failed to respond to repeated requests to integrate the officers into the teaching service. The escalation into a fast-unto-death underscores the protesters’ frustration over the prolonged delay
by Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon
The long-vacant post of Auditor General would be filled on 03 Feb., after months of controversy and delays, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake said on Friday (31) in Kandy.
The Constitutional Council met at the Parliamentary complex on Friday to discuss the appointment but failed to reach a decision on a suitable candidate. The President had previously proposed four names on four separate occasions, all of which were rejected. The Council is now set to consider the fifth nominee.
The post has remained vacant since April 2025, following the retirement of Chulanta Wickramaratne, who served as the 41st Auditor General. More than 10 months have passed without a permanent appointment.
Sources said a female officer in the Auditor General’s Department has been nominated again, though her previous recommendation was rejected due to some allegations against her.
Meanwhile, senior audit officer Dharmapala Gammanpila, with 31 years of service and the department’s most senior official, has received backing from the Mahanayake Theras of the three Nikayas, the Maha Sangha, and several civil society groups for appointment as the 42nd Auditor General.
Sources noted that the three civil society representatives on the Constitutional Council will play a crucial role in the final decision.
by Chaminda Silva and SK Samaranayake
Two 18-year-old youth were arrested by the Southern Division of the Western Province Crime Division on 31 January for allegedly aiding and abetting two murders carried out in Dehiwala and Kohuwala. ICE (crystal meth) was found in their possession at the time of arrest.
The suspects are residents of Mount Lavinia and Boralesgamuwa, according to the police. They are accused of having helped carry out a murder at a hotel in the Dehiwala Police Division on 9 January, 2026, and an attack on a person travelling in a three-wheeler at Bodhiyawatta, Kohuwala, on 12 December, 2025.
Police said the charges included sending photographs of the victims to a criminal living overseas.
Investigations revealed that the youth had acted under the direction of a criminal known as Sando.
Under the guidance of Janaka Kumara, Director of the Southern Division of the Western Province Crime Division, investigations are being led by Police Inspector Hemanta Kumara, assisted by Sub-Inspectors Prasanna Gunathilaka and Prasanna (40248), and Constables Chaminda (72987), Anil (79598), Kumar (88762), and Senanayake (19363), who are continuing the probe.
by Norman Palihawadane and Chaminda Silva
China executes four more Myanmar mafia members
No decision yet on ICC meeting to discuss Pakistan boycott
Shoulder injury casts doubt over Eshan Malinga’s T20 World Cup
Showers expected in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Western, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Central provinces
Development Officers threaten to intensify their protest
Auditor General to be appointed tomorrow
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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