The government yesterday (8) accused Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa of violating parliamentary Standing Orders and called for stern action to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

The accusation was made after Premadasa, while raising a privilege matter, read out a list of questions from a document in the House, saying they were matters of national importance.

Leader of the House and Transport Minister Bimal Ratnayake told Parliament that Premadasa, under the guise of raising a privilege matter, had acted in violation of provisions of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act.

“Standing Orders are meant to ensure the proper functioning of the House and its procedures. The Opposition Leader acted in contravention of those provisions. We request the Chair not to allow this to set a precedent. This matter must be investigated,” Minister Ratnayake said.

Premadasa said the Leader of the House was misinterpreting the incident and misleading Parliament. “The Leader of the House says what took place was wrong. Our position is that it was right,” Premadasa said.

Chief Government Whip and Health and Mass Media Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said the Chair should not allow parliamentary time to be wasted on “jokes” by the Opposition.

Badulla District NDF MP Chaminda Wijesiri said Premadasa had not violated parliamentary privileges or Standing Orders by raising a privilege matter, adding that he had done so with the permission of the Chair.

By Saman Indrajith

Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena yesterday ordered that former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Private Secretary, Sugeeshwara Bandara be further remanded until 11 July pending investigations into allegations of criminal misappropriation of funds allocated under the Presidential Expenditure Head.

The Central Crimes Investigation Bureau arrested Bandara on June 18 and produced him before court in connection with the alleged financial irregularities.

The case was taken up before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday and the Magistrate rejected Bandara’s bail application.

Bandara is alleged to have misused public funds by drawing salaries and allowances from the Presidential Expenditure Head while simultaneously serving as former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Private Secretary and as Director of Special Projects to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe during the period from July 14, 2022, to December 21, 2024.

Recipient of RSP on nine occasions

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Rear Admiral Ravindra Tissera as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy from 1 July 2026.

In recognition of his battlefield bravery against the LTTE/Sea Tigers, he has been decorated with the Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP), an impressive nine times.

He joined the Executive branch of the Sri Lanka Navy as an Officer Cadet of the 10th Intake of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy (KDA) in 1992. On completion of basic training, he was commissioned as an Acting Sub Lieutenant in 1994 and went on to successfully complete his Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at the Naval and Maritime Academy in 1999. He specialized in Navigation with the Indian Navy in 2002.

The valiant officer completed his Naval Command and Staff Course in China and the National Defence and Strategic Studies Course at the National Defence College, Sri Lanka. He successfully completed Master of Maritime Policy Degree Programme at University of Wollongong, Australia. Climbing steadily through the ranks during his stellar career, he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral in January 2024.

Throughout his highly decorated career, Rear Admiral Tissera has held numerous key appointments in the Sri Lanka Navy. He has commanded Fast Attack Craft as well as various ships and establishments of the SLN. Furthermore, he has served in pivotal roles including Commanding Officer of the Special Boat Squadron (SBS), Director Naval Personnel, Director General Personnel and Commander Eastern Naval Area. Prior to his elevation as the Chief of Staff, the senior officer served as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy.