News

AG turns down plum diplomatic post, keeps his options open

Published

5 years ago

2021/05/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

… offer made after Canada rejected ex-Air Force Chief as High Commissioner

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Attorney General Dappula de Livera, PC, scheduled to retire later this month, has kept his options open by turning down a government offer of a plum diplomatic post. The Island learns that the government has made the offer in writing.

The offer came in the wake of Canada refusing to accept the appointment of retired Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sumangala Dias as the High Commissioner to Ottawa. Canada, a key member of Sri Lanka Core Group at the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) asserted that the retired Air Force Chief couldn’t be accommodated due to war crimes allegations against the Sri Lankan military.

Subsequently, Air Marshal Dias was named as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Italy, a member of the European Union (EU) backing Geneva moves against the war winning military. EU is also represented in the Sri Lanka Core Group led by the UK.

The Canadian High Commission in Colombo declined to comment on the issue saying, “… It is subject to state-to-state confidentiality.”

The AG’s Office told The Island that the President’s Counsel de Livera, having appreciated the offer of high profile diplomatic posting, has informed the Office of the President, in writing, of his intention to serve the people further.

The AG has received the offer before the all-party parliamentary High Posts Committee (HPC) chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena cleared the appointment. However, HPC’s approval is routine with successive governments seeking its consent after having made the announcement.

Authoritative sources said that the Constitution allowed the AG and IGP to serve in same capacity even after reaching the retirement age consequent to the enactment of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution last October. The 19th Amendment made it mandatory for the IGP and the AG to retire at 60.

There has been no previous instance of a top public servant giving up an opportunity to serve as head of a top diplomatic mission.

The then Additional Solicitor General and President’s Counsel de Livera captured public attention during the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (P CoI/January 2017-Dec 2017)) into Treasury bond scams perpetrated in 2015 and 2016 before being appointed as the Solicitor General in Feb 2018. A week after April 21, 2019 Easter Sunday carnage, de Livera, received the appointment as Acting AG before being cleared by the Constitutional Council on May 7.

Livera succeeded Jayantha Jayasuriya, PC, who was elevated to the post of Chief Justice.

Following the change of government in Nov 2019, SLPP administration recalled heads of missions to pave the way for new appointments. In addition to the offer made to the incumbent AG, the only other person from legal fraternity to receive diplomatic posting was one-time Chief Justice Mohan Pieris, PC, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative in New York.

The change in the Office of the AG takes place amidst two high profile cases-Treasury bond scams and Easter Sunday carnage, both perpetrated during the previous administration.

Sources said that the Easter Sunday case had taken a new turn with the unprecedented stand taken by Public Security Minister Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera that anyone detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) shouldn’t be allowed to participate in parliamentary proceedings. The Minister’s position contradicted the incumbent AG’s recent instructions issued to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) that All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) leader and Samagi Jana Balavegaya Vanni District MP Rishad Bathiudeen could attend parliament without any hindrance.

In spite of the consensus among the Speaker’s Office, AG and the CID as regards MP Bathiudeen’s participation in the parliamentary proceedings on May 4 and 5, Minister Weerasekera intervened. The Minister on Wednesday appealed to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to reconsider his request to prohibit PTA suspects attending parliament.

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Latest News

Sun directly overhead Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon today (05th April)

Published

2 hours ago

2026/04/5

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (05th) are Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

2 hours ago

2026/04/5

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 04 April 2026, valid for 05 April 2026

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

News

Global ‘Walk for Peace’ to be held in Lanka

Published

2 hours ago

2026/04/5

Thilina Walpola

The internationally recognized “Walk for Peace,” originating from the United States, is set to take place in Sri Lanka starting April 21, 2026, led by the Most Venerable Paññakara Thero and a delegation of twelve monks from the Maha Sangha, President’s Media Division said.

Spanning seven days across the island, this pilgrimage’s purpose and concept are guided by the Buddha’s teaching, “Caratha bhikkhave carikam bahujana hitaya bahujana sukhaya lokanukampaya” (Wander forth, O Monks, for the welfare and happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world).

This program aims to promote peace and lovingkindness within society. It serves as a practical demonstration that peace cannot be attained by force, but must be cultivated step-by-step through mindfulness.

The inaugural event of this program is scheduled to be held in Anuradhapura on April 21, 2026. A ceremony to receive the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi will take place at 4:00 PM, followed by special religious observances at the sacred Ruwanweliseya premises at 5:00 PM.

Thereafter, the walk will commence from the ancient Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and proceed towards Kandy. Upon reaching Kandy, the Maha Sangha will pay their respects to the Chief Prelates (Maha Nayaka Theros) of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters, before visiting the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) to receive blessings.

Throughout the journey, the procession will carry the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, along with venerated relics from the historic Nilagiri Cetiya, Madanwala Raja Maha Viharaya in Hanguranketa, Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya, and the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya.

The walk will conclude at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Subsequently, the venerated relics and the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi are to be carried from Independence Square to Gangaramaya Temple, Hunupitiya, Colombo by a procession.

The Sri Lankan coordination of the event is spearheaded by Venerable Melpitiye Wimalakirti Thera. The Government of Sri Lanka’s flagship national program, “Clean Sri Lanka,” serves as the principal state partner.

Additionally, the event receives extensive support from various state institutions, including the National Design Centre, the Tri-Forces, and the Department of Information.

At the conclusion of the seven-day walk, a special State Ceremony will be held at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Concurrently, a special exhibition showcasing Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage and traditional handicrafts will be organized by the National Design Centre at the Gangaramaya premises on April 28 and 29, 2026.

This exhibition will feature brass items (ceremonial fans, flags, statues, bowls, and pinnacles), lacquerwork (caskets and boxes), clay crafts (bowls and statues), palm leaf crafts (fans and sesath), natural dyeing of robes, Dumbara wall hangings, traditional drums, and traditional paintings.

The primary objective of this cultural program is to contribute Sri Lanka’s Buddhist and cultural heritage to a project in Texas, USA, where the Tripitaka is being inscribed in 10 languages and enshrined within 840 stupas to create a centre for Buddhist education.