News
Sumanthiran’s Private Member’s motion calling for PC polls postponed
By Saman Indrajith
The TNA registered its protest in Parliament yesterday when Jaffna District MP M.A. Sumanthiran’s Private Member’s Bill to amend the Provincial Councils (PC) Elections Act to enable the conduct of the PC polls was put off. MP Sumanthiran stated that the Bill had now been published in the government Gazette.
Sumanthiran criticised the government’s delay in taking up the Bill for debate. He accused the President of failing to deliver on promises made to the Tamil people.
He warned that if the government opposed the Bill, such action would amount to ignoring the interests of the Tamil people.
If the Bill was passed by Parliament, it would help amend the existing Provincial Council Elections (Amendment) Act No. 17 of 2017 and hold the PC polls under the previous electoral system.
Sumanthiran’s motion to amend the PC Elections Act was initially published in the government Gazette on October 11, 2019. Leader of the House, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha, said he personally approved the content of Sumanthiran’s motion. “It is because of another motion brought during the Yahapalana era that we are currently in a dilemma regarding Provincial Council elections. Sumanthiran’s motion aims to resolve this deadlock. We all agree with his intention. He raised this issue at the Business Committee meeting. My position is that we must allocate time for a debate on this matter. Sumanthiran should first secure the support of the Opposition for a debate. If there is agreement among the Opposition parties, we are ready to allocate time,” Premajayantha said.
SLPP dissident MP Dayasiri Jayasekera: “The main issue is that we have not been able to hold Provincial Council elections for seven to eight years. Sumanthiran’s motion should be considered for the Third Reading. We can debate it and resolve the issue so that PC elections can be held.”
Chief Opposition Whip and SJB Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella added: “The Leader of the House agreed to take up this motion and set today as the date. We are prepared to contest the Provincial Council elections under the previous electoral system. The motion could be debated. I am asking whether you will bring this Bill up for debate or not.”
Leader of the House Minister Premajayantha responded: “We must listen to MP Gevindu Kumaratunga before making that decision.”
MP Kumaratunga said that many MPs in the House had previously supported postponing the Provincial Council elections, arguing for a new electoral system. He questioned whether Parliament should revert to the previous system after remaining silent for seven to eight years. “Are we mad to act in this manner? Candidates make promises here and there, saying one thing in the South and another in the North. We oppose this and demand that a new government with a new mandate address this matter.”
SLPP dissident MP Dullas Alahapperuma: “President Ranil Wickremesinghe stopped funds allocated to MP Rishard Bathiudeen after he decided to support another candidate.
This is another attack on democracy.”
NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa argued that the Bill should not be debated now but after the elections.
Leader of the House Minister Premajayantha replied: “Parliament is scheduled to meet on October 8 after the presidential election. We can address this matter then. The person elected with the new mandate will make the decision. If we pass this today or tomorrow, could we set dates for Provincial Council elections without considering the presidential elections scheduled for September 21?” he asked.
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.
by Norman Palihawadane ✍️
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