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SLPP rebels: President’s strategy may jeopardise appointment of CJ, SC Judges, others
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Top Opposition spokesperson Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (23) alleged President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s actions could jeopardise top appointments that are made subject to the Constitutional Council’ approval.
The former Minister of External Affairs said so strongly criticising President Wickremesinghe’s decision to disregard the CC’s rejection of a third extension to IGP C.D. Wickremaratne. The CC consists of seven MPs including the Prime Minister, the Speaker and the Opposition Leader, and three civil society representatives.
Addressing the media at SLPP rebel group’s Nawala office, Prof Peiris said that President Wickremesinghe had declared his intention to pursue a contentious political strategy regardless of what the ex-minister called constitutional consequences.
The SLPP National List MP said that against the backdrop of Wickremaratne remaining in office regardless of CC’s rejection of the President’s recommendation, the powers that be had challenged the very purpose of maintaining such a body at public expense with his doggedness.
Alleging that the President had set the stage for a major confrontation with those who genuinely valued democracy, the academic pointed out the appointment of the Chief Justice, Attorney General as well as judges of the Supreme Court was subjected to the same constitutional provisions as the approval of a suitable person for the post of IGP.
Prof. Peiris alleged that the UNP leader had resorted to dictatorial strategies while assuring and reassuring the country and the global community of his commitment to democracy.
Prof. Peiris emphasized that under no circumstances the President ignored the stand taken by the CC in respect of a particular appointment.
Commenting on the sudden but minor cabinet reshuffle, Prof. Peiris said that public confidence in the health sector couldn’t be restored by replacing Keheliya Rambukwella. Alleging that once proud and efficient public health sector had been ruined under Rambukwelle’s watch, Prof. Peiris said that the President couldn’t pull wool over the eyes of the people by such gimmicks.
Prof. Peiris accused the UNP leader of quite conveniently forgetting why the parliament chose him as the President in July last year. Wickremesinghe was supposed to complete the remainder of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s five-year term won at the last presidential polls conducted in Nov, 2019, MP Pieris said. Instead, Wickremesinghe sought to extend his term by postponing elections at all levels, Prof. Peiris said, alleging that the UNPer explored ways and means to put off presidential and parliamentary polls scheduled for 2024 and 2025, respectively.
The President feared the electorate so much his camp sought to convince the public the executive presidency could be scrapped and fresh electoral reforms undertaken in another bid to delay the anticipated electoral process, the MP said.
Prof. Peiris said that President Wickremesinghe in recent days gave an assurance regarding his intention to conduct presidential and parliamentary polls next year followed by and Provincial Council polls in 2025 after his efforts meant to put off presidential polls suffered setbacks.
The former minister said that the Attorney General on behalf of the government had to furnish an assurance to the Supreme Court regarding amendments for the ‘Online Safety Bill’ in the wake of strong opposition to the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government’s move. The AG assured the SC of 32 amendments to be moved at the Committee Stage while Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena told parliament the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill was removed from the agenda. Pointing out that the government hadn’t been able to achieve its ulterior political objectives due to the Opposition backed by the civil society taking a strong stand against both Bills, Prof. Peiris dismissed Premier Dinesh Gunawardena’s move to initiate a fresh dialogue on electoral reforms, which he claimed was a politically motivated project to sabotage elections.
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Landslide RED warnings continue to be in force for the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya
The RED Landslide Early Warnings issued by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organization [NBRO] to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya have been extended until 1600hrs today [06th December 2025]. Landslide Early warnings have also been issued to the districts of Badulla, Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Matara, Monaragala and Ratnapura,
Accordingly,
LEVEL III RED warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Gangawata Korale, Deltota, Doluwa, Thumpane, Medadumbara, Minipe, Pathahewaheta, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Akurana, Udunuwara, Panvila, Pathadumbara, Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Ududumbara, Poojapitiya, Harispattuwa and Udapalatha in the Kandy district, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Mawanella, Rambukkana, Dehiowita, Warakapola, Deraniyagala, Bulathkohupitiya, Ruwanwella, Yatiyanthota and Aranayaka in the Kegalle district, Narammala, Mawathagama, Mallawapitiya, Alawwa, Rideegama and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district, Rattota, Wilgamuwa, Ukuwela, Pallepola, Matale, Laggala Pallegama, Yatawatta, Naula and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district, and Nildandahinna, Walapane, Hanguranketha and Mathurata in the Nuwara Eliya district.
LEVEL II AMBER warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Passara and Haldummulla in the Badulla district, Nuwara Eliya, Ambagamuwa Korale, Thalawakele, Norwood, Kothmale West and Kothmale East in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kahawaththa, Godakawela and Kolonna in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I YELLOW warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Padukka and Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Elpitiya and Yakkalamulla in the Galle district, Mirigama, Attanagalla and Divulapitiya in the Gampaha district, Bulathsinhala, Ingiriya and Horana in the Kalutara district, Athuraliya and Pasgoda in the Matara district, Bibile and Medagama in the Monaragala district, and Kiriella, Nivithigala, Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Pelmadulla, Elapatha, Balangoda, Openayake, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Ratnapura and Kaltota in the Ratnapura district.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), on Thursday, signalled strong solidarity with Sri Lanka in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, confirming that it is actively exploring options to provide further support for recovery and resilience beyond the existing Extended Fund Facility (EFF).
Julie Kozack, Director of the IMF’s Communications Department, opened her remarks with heartfelt condolences:
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the people of Sri Lanka for the effects of the devastating cyclone. Our hearts mourn the loss of life that has taken place,” she said, extending condolences to other Asian nations also grappling with severe flooding, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
On Sri Lanka, Kozack emphasised that the IMF is closely engaging with authorities, development partners, and counterparts to assess the humanitarian, social, and economic toll of the disaster.
“Large parts of Sri Lanka have been affected by floods, and we expect economic activity to be adversely impacted, in addition to the significant human toll,” she noted.
The IMF is awaiting the completion of a rapid post-disaster damage assessment, led by Sri Lankan authorities, in collaboration with international partners, to better gauge the economic impact.
“We are continuing to support Sri Lanka’s recovery, reform, and resilience under the EFF arrangement. Our staff is looking into options to further support Sri Lanka in the recovery process,” Kozack confirmed.
She reiterated that the Board meeting, scheduled for 15 December, remains on track, following the staff-level agreement on the fifth review reached in October—prior to the cyclone.
“We will provide additional details as the assessment of economic needs and damages moves forward, and as we have more information to inform our thinking around the options,” she added.
Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir was sworn in as a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National List Member of Parliament before Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday (05).
His appointment follows the resignation of SJB Parliamentarian Muhammathu Ismail Muththu Mohamed, who stepped down from his position on 28 November.
The SJB subsequently nominated Thahir to fill the resulting vacancy.
Accordingly, the Election Commission issued a Gazette Extraordinary declaring Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir a Member of Parliament, in terms of Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, as amended by Section 6 of the Elections (Special Provisions) Act, No. 35 of 1988.
With the issuance of the gazette, and the subsequent swearing-in, Thahir has officially assumed duties as a National List MP, representing the SJB.
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