News
BASL reiterates call for abolition of Executive Presidency
‘Consensus between new PM and Opposition necessary’
Amidst continuing political turmoil with the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) declaring that it will not accept ministerial positions in the interim administration headed by UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Executive Committee of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has asked newly-appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to bring about a consensus among all the political parties represented in Parliament and endeavour to build a representative Government of National Unity to implement a Common Minimum Programme (CMP) in the interests of the people.
The BASL has emphasised the need to establish a timeframe for introducing critical constitutional amendments proposed by the BASL, including the introduction of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution and the abolition of the Executive Presidency.
The following is the text of the statement issued by Saliya Pieris, President BASL and Isuru Balapatabendi, Secretary, BASL: “The Executive Committee of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) notes that His Excellency the President has appointed Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe MP as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.
The appointment of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers are important steps to restore economic and political stability in Sri Lanka. As such it is necessary that such appointments are made in a manner which will establish public confidence.
On the 23rd of April 2022, the BASL submitted its Proposals to His Excellency the President to restore political and economic stability in Sri Lanka. The Management Committee of the Bar Association met the President on his invitation on the 8th of May 2022 at the President’s House in order to discuss the said Proposals. On that day the President indicated broad agreement with the Proposals including the establishment of a Government of National Unity.
In the said Proposals the BASL Bar Association set out its proposals on establishing a Government of National Unity as follows:
“Establish an Interim Government of National Unity consisting of 15 Cabinet Ministers. The Prime Minister is to be a Member of Parliament who is able to establish a consensus among all political parties, recognized by the Speaker in Parliament, on the national economy and to enact necessary reforms.”
The essence of the proposal was that in the face of the present political and economic instability it was necessary to appoint a Prime Minister who is able to establish a consensus among all political parties, within Parliament, rather than merely relying on the existence of a parliamentary majority.
This proposal is fundamental to achieving the overall requirement of the Proposals which was to establish a ‘stable Government with the ability to carry out reforms, domestically, and the ability/credibility to negotiate with the IMF, other multilateral agencies, and friendly countries to help Sri Lanka get out of the economic crisis. The ability to carry out domestic reforms necessarily envisages a Government which can secure the confidence of the People.
The Executive Committee of the BASL is of the view that Mr. Wickremesinghe should at the earliest possible stage demonstrate his ability to establish a consensus among the political parties in Parliament and endeavor to build a representative Government of National Unity to implement a Common Minimum Programme (CMP) in the interests of the people.
It is also imperative that the Government establishes a clear timeline to introduce critical constitutional amendments proposed by the BASL, including the introduction of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution and the abolition of the Executive Presidency. In this period of tremendous uncertainty, disaffection and suffering it is vital that the new Government acts with transparency and purpose of vision so as to restore confidence among the citizens of this country and the various international and domestic actors whose assistance is required in this moment of crisis.”
A discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and senior officials of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) was held this afternoon (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The meeting focused extensively on new development projects planned by the Urban Development Authority. The President emphasised the need to ensure that the budgetary allocations made for these projects in the current year are utilised effectively within the same financial year.
Detailed discussions were also held on projects planned to be implemented jointly by multiple institutions, including the importance of holding consultations with all relevant agencies to reach final decisions and the need to clearly define responsibilities for each institution in both implementation and maintenance phases of the projects.
Attention was drawn to key initiatives such as the Kelani River flood control project, water management projects in Colombo city and the Beira Lake restoration project. The need for a dedicated programme for low-income housing in areas such as Ratmalana and Moratuwa was also highlighted. During the discussion, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake underscored the importance of introducing a structured management framework for the effective coordination of certain projects.
Deputy Minister of Urban Development, Eranga Gunasekara, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Senior Professor Kapila C.K. Perera, Chairman of the Urban Development Authority (UDA), M.G. Hemachandra and the Heads representing the Urban Settlement Development Authority (USDA), Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC), National Physical Planning Department (NPPD) and the Condominium Management Authority (CMA) were also present at the meeting.
(PMD)
News
CEAT Kelani Branch Inter-Company Employees’ Union makes donation to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
The Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the Kelaniya Branch of CEAT Sri Lanka has made a financial donation of Rs. 1,148,000.00, a day’s salary of its members to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund established to support the restoration of livelihoods and the rebuilding of areas affected by cyclone Ditwah.
Secretary of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, D.G.S.D. Navaratne, handed over the donation to the Chief of Staff to the President, Prabhath Chandrakeerthi at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (18).
Treasurer of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, Y.P.I.C. Karunathilaka, together with members of the Executive Committee, were also present on the occasion.
(PMD)
Latest News
Prime Minister off to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed on an official visit to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.
During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to participate in several high-level academic and diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of education, development studies, research collaboration, and international partnerships.
As part of the visit, the Prime Minister will meet with Ms.Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education of the United Kingdom, at the UK Department for Education, to discuss areas of cooperation in education and related sectors. She is also expected to meet Ms.Yvette Cooper, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, for discussions on matters of bilateral interest and cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.
In addition, the Prime Minister is expected to meet Ms.Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on the sidelines of the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.
During the visit, the Prime Minister will attend a public event at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex and she will also take part in the ceremony marking the 60th Anniversary of the Institute of Development Studies. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to address a session at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies at the University of Oxford, followed by a question-and-answer session with scholars and students.
The visit is expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s engagement with academic institutions, international development partners, and Commonwealth member states, particularly in the areas of education, research, policy dialogue, and capacity building.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
President meets senior officials of the Urban Development Authority
CEAT Kelani Branch Inter-Company Employees’ Union makes donation to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
Escaped tiger shot by German police after attacking man
Prime Minister off to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum
Steps initiated to safeguard Sri Lanka’s Maritime Heritage
Fighter jet crews parachute safely after collision at US air show
‘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
-
News6 days agoEx-SriLankan CEO’s death: Controversy surrounds execution of bail bond
-
Features2 days agoSri Lankan Airlines Airbus Scandal and the Death of Kapila Chandrasena and my Brother Rajeewa
-
Features7 days ago
High Stakes in Pursuing corruption cases
-
Features7 days agoWhen University systems fail:Supreme Court’s landmark intervention in sexual harassment case
-
News3 days agoLanka’s eligibility to draw next IMF tranche of USD 700 mn hinges on ‘restoration of cost-recovery pricing for electricity and fuel’
-
Midweek Review6 days agoA victory that can never be forgotten
-
News2 days agoKapila Chandrasena case: GN phone records under court scrutiny
-
Features4 days agoMysterious Death of United Nations Secretary General Hammarskjöld