News
13 A, ECT: India steps up pressure
Deputy HC in powwow with Karuna, Pilleyan and Hakeem
by Shamindra Ferdinando
Amidst a simmering dispute over the cancellation of an agreement on the Colombo port’s East Container Terminal (ECT) with India, the Indian High Commission in Colombo has discussed the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to Sri Lanka’s Constitution with two former LTTE leaders from the Eastern Province, namely Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan aka Karuna Amman and lawmaker Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan aka Pilleyan.
Chandrakanthan, recently released by the Batticaloa High Court after being remanded for five years over the 2005 killing of TNA MP Joseph Pararajasingham entered parliament on the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP). Pilleyan supports the ruling SLPP administration.
Karuna made an abortive bid at the last parliamentary election to enter parliament from Digamadulla district. Subsequently, Karuna received an appointment as Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaaksa’s coordinator for Ampara and Batticaloa districts.
Political sources said that the timing of the meetings was significant. In spite of the Cabinet deciding to do away with the 2019 Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC), India keeps pressing Sri Lanka to abide by the 2019 Memorandum of Cooperation on the ECT.
The Indian High Commission confirmed the separate meetings the Deputy Indian High Commissioner Vinod K. Jacob had with delegations from the Eastern Province led respectively by Pilleyan and Karuna Amman. Jacob has reiterated the commitment of India to a long term development partnership with Sri Lanka.
The IHC stated that Jacob and Pilleyan had also discussed the full implementation of the 13th Amendment as well as Provincial Councils.
The IHC quoted Karuna as having emphasised in particular, the prospects for future development cooperation especially in the areas of livelihood opportunities for war widows, handicapped persons as well as engagement in the education sector including scholarships. Deputy High Commissioner reiterated the position of the government of India that meaningful devolution is the way forward for achieving the aspirations of the Tamil people through full implementation of the 13th amendment and Provincial Council.
Meanwhile, Jacob discussed current developments with SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem. The IHC stated: Hakeem positively evaluated India’s gesture of early supply of Covid vaccines to Sri Lanka. Both sides also discussed matters pertaining to economic, financial and development cooperation opportunities.
Hakeem shared his assessment about the challenges facing the Muslim community in recent times. Hakeem also briefed about the issues involved in the forthcoming UNHRC session beginning later this month. Deputy High Commissioner Jacob recalled the conversations between the Indian and Sri Lankan leadership since November 2019. During the Virtual Bilateral Summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in September 2020, the latter had expressed the confidence that Sri Lanka would work towards realizing the expectations of all ethnic groups. Deputy High Commissioner reiterated India’s long standing and principled position on meaningful devolution through full implementation of 13th Amendment.
The Royal Navy of Oman Ship ‘AL SEEB’ concluded a logistics replenishment visit to Sri Lanka and departed the Port of Colombo on 24 Jan 26.
In accordance with naval tradition, the Sri Lanka Navy extended a customary farewell to the departing ship.
The price of gold has risen above $5,000 (£3,659) an ounce for the first time, extending a historic rally that saw the precious metal jump by more than 60% in 2025.
It comes as tensions between the US and NATO over Greenland have added to growing concerns about financial and geopolitical uncertainty.
US President Donald Trump’s trade policies have also worried markets. On Saturday he threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Canada if it strikes a trade deal with China.
Gold and other precious metals are seen as a so-called safe-haven assets that investors buy in times of uncertainty.
Demand for gold has also been driven by a range of other factors including higher-than-usual inflation, the weak US dollar, buying by central banks around the world and as the US Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates again this year.
Wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as Washington seizing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, have also helped push up the price of gold.
On Friday, silver topped $100 an ounce for the first time, building on its almost 150% rise last year.
[BBC]
SJB Working Committee member and ex-SLPP lawmaker Charitha Herath says that all eyes are on the newly constituted Constitutional Council (CC) as to how it will handle the dispute between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and the previous CC, over the appointment of Auditor General (AG).
The former parliamentarian said so in response to The Island query yesterday (25). In terms of the Constitution, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa last week agreed on the appointment of former civil servant Austin Fernando, Professor Wasantha Seneviratne and Ranjith Ariyaratne as non-MP members of the CC.
They replaced former Ministry Secretary Dr. Prathap Ramanujam, former Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Medical Association Dr. Dilkushi Anula Wijesundere and Dr. Dinesha Samararatne of the University of Colombo. Pointing out that they rejected the President’s nominees for the AG’s post on several occasions, Herath emphasised the pivotal importance of the appointment of a person with impeccable credentials.
The other CC members are the Prime Minister, Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne (Chairman), the Opposition Leader, the President’s nominee Bimal Rathnayake and five persons appointed by the President, upon being nominated as follows: one MP nominated by agreement of the majority of the MPs representing the Government (Aboobucker Athambawa, MP), one MP nominated by agreement of the majority of the Members of Parliament of the political party, or independent group, to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs (Ajith P. Perera, MP), and one MP nominated by agreement of the Members of Parliament other than those representing the Government and those belonging to the political party or independent group to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs, and appointed by the President ( Sivagnanam Shritharan, MP.)
The present CC was established on October 31, 2022 in terms of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution. The Attorney General heads the National Audit Office (NAO). One-time COPE Chief said that it would be the responsibility of the government to ensure the integrity of the NAO.
Chulantha Wickramaratne, who served as AG for a period of six years, retired in April 2025. Following his retirement, President Dissanayake nominated H.T.P. Chandana, an audit officer at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation as the AG. The CC rejected that nomination. Subsequently, President Dissanayake appointed the next senior-most official at the NAO Dharmapala Gammanpila as Acting Auditor General for a period of six months. Then, the President nominated Senior Deputy Auditor General L.S.I. Jayarathne to serve in an acting capacity, but her nomination, too, was also rejected. Many an eyebrow was raised when the President nominated O.R. Rajasinghe, the Internal Audit Director of the Sri Lanka Army for the top post. That nomination too was rejected. As a result, the vital position remains vacant since 07 December, 2025.
Herath said that the government was in a bind over the Auditor General’s appointment and the disgraceful campaign launched against Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe, Jr, PC.
The ex-lawmaker said that JVP/NPP loyalists masquerading as journalists and civil activists had launched the protest against the Attorney General. Herath said that the decision to send Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne, on compulsory leave, too, was a matter of serious concern.
Herath said: “This is the same government that campaigned strongly on non-interference, institutional independence, and respect for the rule of law—principles they used to criticise every previous administration. Now, they appear to be doing exactly what they once opposed, only more openly. If this pattern continues, these undemocratic actions will eventually lead to their own downfall.”
BASL in late December, 2025 urged President Dissanayake and others, including the Opposition Leader, to consult civil society and professional bodies, including them, before the appointment of civil society representatives.
Herath said that the newly constituted CC would face its first acid test when it addressed the Auditor General issue.
by Shamindra Ferdinando
Royal Navy of Oman Ship ‘AL SEEB’ leaves island
Gold tops $5,000 for first time ever, adding to historic rally
Showers will occur in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Matale, Matara, Galle and Nuwara-Eliya districts
U – 19 World Cup: Andrew, McKenzie deliver West Indies comfortable win
U – 19 World Cup: Bowlers, Hogan help Australia breeze past South Africa
Abhishek blasts 14-ball fifty to hand India unassailable 3-0 lead against New Zealand
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Business16 hours agoComBank, UnionPay launch SplendorPlus Card for travelers to China
-
Business2 days agoComBank advances ForwardTogether agenda with event on sustainable business transformation
-
Opinion7 days agoAmerican rulers’ hatred for Venezuela and its leaders
-
Opinion5 days agoRemembering Cedric, who helped neutralise LTTE terrorism
-
Business5 days agoCORALL Conservation Trust Fund – a historic first for SL
-
Opinion4 days agoA puppet show?
-
Opinion2 days agoConference “Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill: Neither Here, Nor There”
-
Opinion7 days agoHistory of St. Sebastian’s National Shrine Kandana