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Karu urges all stakeholders to discuss implementation of 13th Amendment
The National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) has called on all stakeholders including the government and Opposition political parties, presidential candidates, and civil organisations, to come together and discuss the resolution of ethnic issues, specifically the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
In a statement issued in this regard, the NMSJ Chairperson and the former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya highlighted the broad consensus on enforcing the 13th Amendment.
Full text of the statement titled ‘Call to Action for Unity and Justice: NMSJ Urges Parliament to Address National Issues with Urgency’: It is incumbent upon us today to cultivate mutual trust between the North and the South, ensuring that issues rooted in race and religion never resurface. Every citizen deserves the right to live with dignity and self-respect, and it is imperative that we address these challenges ourselves, rather than leaving them for future generations. We fervently believe that decisive intervention is necessary before the next Parliamentary Elections, with a commitment to prioritise and thoroughly address these concerns. In this spirit, we, the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ), earnestly call upon the ruling party, led by the President, and the entire opposition, to heed this call to action during the 09th Parliamentary term, in the pursuit of a just society.
The Opposition Leader has publicly emphasised the importance of enforcing the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in addressing these issues. The incumbent President, the Janatha Vimukti Peramuna (JVP), and former Heads of State Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa have also expressed their support for this cause. Furthermore, it is known that the majority of Parliamentarians currently working independently in Parliament, as well as the Presidential candidates expected to run in the future, share this strong conviction. We should recognise and appreciate these positive aspirations. In consideration of all these circumstances, we would like to once again request that a round table discussion involving the political parties represented in the current Parliament be convened to resolve these matters without delay.
Another important aspect to consider and appreciate is the involvement of a significant group of the Tamil diaspora of Sri Lankan origin towards the achievement of this goal. Their presence and support are crucial for addressing the important issues we need to tackle as a united nation. It is encouraging that prominent parties representing our society have already expressed their blessings for these efforts. We believe that the support and participation of the Tamil diaspora will be invaluable in achieving our goals.
It is the responsibility of all political parties, including all Tamil parties in this country, not to avoid or boycott discussions on this subject for any reason. Ignoring this opportunity, which has emerged beyond narrow political interests, could be deemed an act of treason by future generations. Therefore, we earnestly and repeatedly request the entire Parliament, led by the President, to intervene in this matter in good faith.”
The Colombo Central Bus Stand, which has a history of over six decades and had remained without a proper maintenance for many years, has now been renovated under the current government’s development programme and vested to the public. Following that, the Prime Minister undertook an inspection tour of the newly renovated Colombo Central Bus Stand.
Originally constructed in 1964, the bus stand was refurbished with modern facilities to meet current needs and was officially reopened to the public on April 8. The primary objective of this initiative is to provide passengers with a higher-quality and more comfortable transportation service.
During the renovation process, special attention has been given to the comfort and safety of women, which was commended by the Prime Minister. In particular, a modern rest area designed to ensure privacy for nursing mothers travelling from distant areas received special praise.
The Prime Minister also reviewed the newly introduced passenger seat reservation system and information services established to assist commuters. In addition, the modern surveillance unit and other security measures installed within the premises to ensure passenger safety were also inspected.
During the visit, the Prime Minister engaged in conversations with passengers at the bus stand and inquired about their views on the newly renovated facilities and the quality of transport services.
It was emphasized that the government’s objective is to transform public transportation into a safe, technologically advanced service that can be used with convenience by all citizens.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
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Sun directly overhead Nagawilluwa, Galgamuwa, Sigiriya, Palugasdamana and Mankerni about 12:11 noon today (10)
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from the 05th to 15th of April in this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (10th) are Nagawilluwa, Galgamuwa, Sigiriya, Palugasdamana and Mankerni about 12:11 noon.
No-faith motion to be taken up today
Former Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (9) said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake should remove Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody unless the minister stepped down on his own.Prof. Peiris, addressing a press conference called by the Opposition, said that Jayakody couldn’t under any circumstance continue to serve as a minister after the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) moved the Colombo High Court against the government member over a previous financial scandal.
Pointing out that Minister Jayakody had been indicted of a corrupt deal struck during the yahapalana regime, Prof. Peiris said it was wrong for the NPP to retain him as a minister, claiming that the offence was not committed during his tenure as a Cabinet minister in the current government.
Prof. Peiris and several other Opposition members dealt with the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against Jayakody that would be taken up today (10) with the academic calling the vote an acid test for the NPP. Having campaigned on an anti-corruption platform at presidential and parliamentary polls, the NPP couldn’t protect Jayakody though he was widely believed to be close to President Dissanayake.
As the Manager of the Procurement and Import Division of the Ceylon Fertilizer Company, Jayakody is alleged to have committed the offence of corruption, according to CIABOC.
Jayakody has been accused of causing a loss of Rs. 8,859,708 to the State by influencing and exploiting the procurement process.
Following the serving of indictments on 27 March, the judge ordered Jayakody’s release on two personal bail bonds of Rs. 1 million each. The court directed that the defendant’s fingerprints be obtained and a formal report be submitted. The case has been scheduled for a pre-trial conference on 6 May.
Prof. Peiris stressed that the CIABOC action against Jayakody is central to the NCM primarily moved over the irregularities ridden coal procurement process launched in 2025 that caused severe disruption to the power generation. Responding to The Island query after the media briefing, Prof Peiris expressed surprise that the JVP/NPP accommodated a person under investigation by the CIABOC. Having taken an utterly irresponsible decision, the JVP/NPP were now playing down the developing issue, prof. Peiris said.
The entire government parliamentary group faced the prospect of having its image tarnished by defending Jayakody, the former lawmaker said.
Prof. Peiris said that they intended to build a campaign around the issues involving the energy minister to expose the government. With yet another electricity tariff hike in the offing due to the growing demand for thermal generation as a result of coal-fired Lakvijaya power plant’s failure to meet the requirement[RA1] , the energy minister and ministry’s performances have to be examined, Prof. Peiris said.The timely release of the Auditor General’s report on controversial coal procurement should compel the government to decide on the energy minister’s fate or be prepared to face the fallout.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
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Sun directly overhead Nagawilluwa, Galgamuwa, Sigiriya, Palugasdamana and Mankerni about 12:11 noon today (10)
Showers expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Uva provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts after 2.00 p.m
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