News
Over 20 MPs flout party decisions at Budget vote
Unseating of Ahamed no deterrent:
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The unseating of Batticaloa District Opposition MP Naseer Ahamed for voting for the 2022 Budget during its Third Reading on Dec 10, 2021, was widely expected to serve as a deterrent to other dissidents, but over 20 MPs voted for or against the 2024 Budget last week in violation of their parties’ stances on the Appropriation Bill. The majority of them were SLPP members.
In October 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the expulsion by the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) of the then Environment Minister Naseer Ahamed. The MP was found guilty of acting against the SLMC’s decision to vote against the 2022 Budget.
Soon after the SC decision, SLMC General Secretary Nizam Karipper said that the expulsion of Nazeer Ahamed would have a bearing on the 2024 Budget vote in Parliament. He said so in response to The Island query. MPs would think twice before switching allegiance to another party for personal gain, he predicted.
Dissident SLPP MP Ranasinghe was among those who voted against the Budget. Ranasinghe, who was sacked as the Sports Minister over the continuing dispute over Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) corruption, voted against the SLPP’s decision to back the Budget.
According to a list prepared by the Office of Chief Government Whip, three Opposition MPs A. H. M. Fowzie, Ali Sabry Raheem, who had been expelled by All Ceylon Makkal Congress over failed gold and smartphones smuggling bid, and Vadivel Suresh, voted for the Budget.
Those who voted against the SLPP’s decision to back President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s budget after having elected/appointed on the SLPP lists were Prof. G.L. Peiris, Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Jayantha Samaraweera, Lalith Ellawala, Udayana Kirindigoda, Wasantha Yapa Bandara, Shan Wijayalal de Silva, Dallas Alahapperuma, Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Dr. Upul Galappaththi, Dr. Thilak Rajapaksha, Gunapala Ratnasekera, Jayantha Herath, Dayasiri Jayasekera, Prof. Channa Jayasumana, Sarath Kumarasiri, Maithripala Sirisena, Dilan Perera, Gamini Waleboda, Sarathi Dushmantha, Mohammed Muzammil, Gevindu Kumaratunga and Prof. Charitha Herath.
In addition to them, SLPP MPs Chamal Rajapaksa and Namal Rajapaksa abstained contrary to a decision taken by the government group at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.
The vote on the Budget also divided those who had distanced themselves from the SLPP with some voting against, some for and the rest skipping it. Of them Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Priyankara Jayaratne voted for, while Dr. Sudhashini Fernandopulle, Chandima Weerakkody, Nimal Piyatissa, Asanka Nawaratne, Uddhika Premaratne and Prof. Tissa Vitharana abstained.
MPs Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Dr. Gayeshan Nawanandana, both of the Democratic Left Front, who also entered Parliament on the SLPP ticket, took different stands at the Budget vote. Nanayakkara abstained, while Dr. Nawanandana backed Wickremesinghe’s Budget.
Three SJB MPs, namely Manusha Nanayakkara, Harin Fernando and Diana Gamge, voted for the Budget.The SLFP was also divided over the vote. Of the 14 MPs (12 elected on SLPP ticket, one appointed on the SLPP National List, and one elected on the SLFP ticket). However, the only MP elected on the SLFP ticket, from Jaffna electoral district, skipped the vote.
Tamil political parties couldn’t reach consensus on the Budget. Some MPs, including former LTTE cadre Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pilleyan of the TMVP, voted for the Budget, along with Douglas Devananda and Kulasingham Thilipan, both of the EPDP.Of the Opposition MPs present, former justice C.V. Wigneswaran was the only MP to refrain from voting.
The countrywide dengue outbreak has intensified, with the death toll rising to 50, by July 16, as the number of reported infections surpassed 73,000, according to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU).
The country has recorded 73,455 dengue cases so far this year, with the case fatality rate standing at 0.07 percent, highlighting the severity of the ongoing outbreak.
The Western Province continues to remain the worst affected region, accounting for more than half of the total cases, with 38,700 infections. The Gampaha District has recorded the highest number of cases in the province with 15,341, followed closely by Colombo with 14,625.
The Southern Province has reported 11,382 cases, while the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces have each recorded more than 6,000 infections.
Dengue cases have shown a sharp increase in recent months, with June recording the highest monthly total of 21,538 cases, while July has already reported 18,076 infections. In comparison, 8,590 cases were reported in May, and 5,651 in April.
Health authorities have identified 175 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas as high-risk locations during the 27th epidemiological week. An average of 2,677 new dengue cases are being reported daily, prompting authorities to intensify prevention and mosquito control measures.
The Colombo High Court yesterday (17) resumed hearing the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The proceedings were held before High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, where evidence was recorded from prosecution witnesses, under the direction of Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara.
President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, appearing for Yoshitha Rajapaksa, cross-examined the witnesses during the hearing.
After recording evidence, the court ordered that further examination of evidence be postponed until July 24.
The Attorney General has filed indictments, alleging that Yoshitha Rajapaksa committed an offence, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, by purchasing five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana, valued at more than Rs. 73 million.
Former IGP Chandana Deepal Wickramaratne died after sustaining a gunshot injury at his residence, in Thalangama, yesterday (17), with police saying preliminary investigations indicate that the incident was a suspected suicide.
Kaduwela Magistrate Aruna Indrajith Buddhadasa, on Friday, ordered the Officer-in-Charge of the Malabe Police Station, Police Inspector Pradeep Ranasinghe, to conduct a formal investigation into the death and submit a report to court on its progress.
The order was issued after the Malabe Police Station presented facts before court regarding the incident.
According to police, the Malabe Police Station received information from the Police Unit of the Colombo East Base Hospital, in Mulleriyawa, that Wickramaratne, who resided in the Thalahena area, within the Malabe Police division, had died after being admitted to hospital, with gunshot injuries.
Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said Wickramaratne had allegedly used the firearm of his personal security officer and shot himself at his residence.
Police said the shooting had taken place at his residence on Parakum Road, Thalangama, on Thursday morning, before he was due to leave for his regular exercise routine. He was rushed to the Colombo East Base Hospital, in Mulleriyawa, with serious injuries but was pronounced dead upon admission, police said.
The deceased’s remains were placed at the Colombo East Base Hospital, where a post-mortem examination was scheduled to be conducted.
ASP Wootler said three police teams have been appointed to investigate the incident. Further investigations are being conducted by the Crime Division of the Western Province South Range and the Malabe Police Station.
Wickramaratne, 63, served as the 35th Inspector General of Police of Sri Lanka from November 27, 2020, to November 23, 2023.
He joined the Sri Lanka Police in 1986 as a Probationary Assistant Superintendent of Police and later served in several senior positions.
A graduate of the University of Colombo and the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, he also served as Acting IGP for more than a year, from April 28, 2019, before being appointed IGP, in November 2020.
He retired from the post of Inspector General of Police, in November 2023.
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