News
Church of Ceylon urges govt. to withdraw proposed judicial retirement age amendment
The Church of Ceylon has urged the government to withdraw its proposed constitutional amendment to raise the retirement age of appellate court judges, warning that the move would undermine the Rule of Law and erode public confidence in the independence of the judiciary.
In a statement signed by Bishop of Colombo, the Right Reverend Dushantha Rodrigo, and Bishop of Kurunegala, the Right Reverend Nishantha Fernando, the Anglican Church in Sri Lanka expressed “concern and disappointment” over the Cabinet’s decision to proceed with the amendment.
Full text of the statement: The Church of Ceylon (the Anglican Church in Sri Lanka) expresses its concern and disappointment with the Cabinet’s decision to proceed with the proposed constitutional amendment to raise the age of retirement of appellate court judges. The Church of Ceylon hoped that the President and the Cabinet would listen to the powerful arguments of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, the wider legal community and civil society that pointed to the serious dangers of such an amendment undermining the Rule of law and public confidence in the independence and impartiality of the Judiciary.
The government’s attempts at justifying the amendment citing the need for a speedy disposal of a backlog of cases were seriously undermined by the fact that a large number of vacancies remain in the appellate courts for reasons that have no rational or principled explanation. We can only conclude, therefore, that the real motivation for this amendment lacks bona fides.
The Church of Ceylon has for many years, including before the last Presidential and parliamentary elections, highlighted the importance of constitutional reform to abolish the executive presidency, introduce an electoral system that promotes accountability and inclusion, strengthen independent institutions and the Bill of Rights and address the legitimate grievances of the minority communities in the country. Despite promises to do so, the NPP Government has said and done nothing to initiate this vitally important national process that requires widespread public consultation. Deciding instead to pursue constitutional reform on an issue that was not raised in constitutional reform debates in recent years or during the last national election campaigns, lacks moral legitimacy and constitutional propriety.
The Church of Ceylon believes that ultimately the leadership of the three main organs of government, the executive, legislature and the judiciary, have to examine their consciences to ascertain the real reason for this sudden, ad hoc and ad hominem constitutional amendment. The public is tired of politicians and leaders who champion the importance of independent institutions while in Opposition, and then, once they assume public office, initiate policies that promote executive convenience and self-interest. This politics of opportunism has gone on in this country for so long that an unhealthy cynicism has developed in the body politic of the country.
The Church of Ceylon calls upon the President and the Cabinet of Ministers to withdraw the proposed constitutional amendment, for the legislature to remember that its primary function is to check the executive, and the judiciary and its leadership to be mindful of the damage that this amendment will cause to its reputation and the Rule of Law in the country.
Former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, wife of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was produced before the Hulftsdorp court, after being arrested by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and produce
The U.S. Navy ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) arrived at the Port of Colombo this morning, 7 October 2026 for replenishment purposes.
The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions.
The 127.7-metre-long platform is a Littoral Combat Ship commanded by Commander BM Wanier. Commissioned on 16 February 2019, USS Tulsa has since been in service with the US Navy.
The ship previously made a port call in Sri Lanka on 27 August 2025.
Govt. tells fuel distributors to maintain stocks to ensure uninterrupted supplies
by Saman Indrajith and Norman Palihawadane
The government had instructed private fuel distributors to maintain minimum stocks and ensure uninterrupted supplies to the market, Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka told Parliament yesterday (06).
Karunathilaka said the Ministry of Energy Secretary had notified the relevant companies of the requirement, following a reduction in supplies by some private distributors, amid higher international fuel prices.
The Minister said private companies had informed the government that they were facing losses because international prices had risen while fuel was being sold, locally, at prevailing prices. As a result, some companies had reduced the volumes released to the market.
The reduced supplies had increased the burden on the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), whose share of the diesel market had risen from about 54% to 82%, the Minister said.
“The CPC currently holds an 82% share of the market,” he said, adding that it had increased its supplies, compared with February, to compensate for the reduction by private distributors.
Karunathilaka said the government could not, under the existing agreements with private companies, specify the quantities they should supply to individual filling stations. However, it could require them to maintain minimum stocks in the country.
The Minister said the Energy Ministry had already instructed companies that had failed to maintain the required stocks to take steps to prevent supply disruptions.
The Minister attributed the queues reported at some filling stations to reduced supplies from private distributors, as well as normal variations in fuel distribution. He also said demand for CPC fuel had increased because private companies generally did not provide fuel to dealers on credit, while the CPC offered a three-day credit facility.
“We expect that, as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation takes on this additional burden, the problem will ease to some extent by Wednesday or Thursday,” Karunathilaka said.
He said instructions had also been issued to increase supplies to CPC filling stations. A special discussion on the issue is scheduled for today (07), with officials of the Energy Ministry and CPC expected to participate,
along with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Meanwhile, Petroleum Dealers’ Association officials have called for an early solution to the supply issue. Association Chairman D.V. Shantha Silva said queues had been reported at many filling stations, mainly those operated by private distributors.
He said the situation was not due to an overall shortage of fuel, but was linked to reduced orders by Lanka IOC, Sinopec and R.M. Parks amid concerns over losses incurred on fuel sales.
The Ceylon Petroleum Private Tanker Owners Association has urged motorists to refrain from panic buying, saying there was no nationwide disruption to fuel supplies.
The government earlier increased fuel prices and introduced a per-litre diesel subsidy following concerns raised by distributors over rising international prices.
Former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa arrested by CIABOC
U.S. Navy ship USS Tulsa arrives in Colombo for replenishment visit
Smriti Mandhana appointed India captain across formats
Ronaldo apologizes for Portugal walkout; says Jesus broke promise
Showers in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, North-western and Southern provinces and in Anuradhapura and Mannar districts
Fuel crunch looms
‘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
-
News7 days agoUS-assisted ‘Ice’ detection: NPC to examine IGP’s move to transfer drug-busting team
-
Editorial6 days agoColombo Port drug bust: The plot thickens
-
Editorial7 days agoDrug busting, transfers and trust deficit
-
Features4 days agoThe first woman in the foreign service or Ceylon Overseas Service it was then called
-
Editorial5 days agoFuelling discontent and protest
-
News7 days agoSri Lankan facing death penalty in Saudi Arabia: Mano G appeals to Crown Prince
-
News3 days agoGeneva takes up Sallay’s case and govt. ignores opportunity to answer accusations
-
Latest News4 days agoTharindu Rathnayake, bowlers secure Asian Games Bronze for Sri Lanka