News
Agro sector mess: SJB says sacked Ministry Secy one of the culprits
‘Prof. Jayasinghe grabbed one of our slogans’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Samagi Jana Balavegaya lawmaker Rohini Kaviratne has questioned the rationale behind sacked Agriculture Secretary Senior Prof. Udith K. Jayasinghe’s warning of a serious food shortage in April after having caused the crisis.
Addressing the media at Rattota, the Matale District MP pointed out that Prof. Jayasinghe was one of the culprits though he now pretended as if he didn’t have a hand in the disastrous agriculture policy adopted by the current dispensation.
The outspoken MP emphasised that Prof. Jayasinghe was equally responsible for the ruination of the agriculture sector as his political masters. The former UNPer pointed out the absurdity in the Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage having to contradict Prof. Jayasinghe over the latter’s high profile claim of an impending food shortage in early part of New Year.
The Matale District MP alleged that Prof. Jayasinghe in an obvious bid to deceive the public exploited both print and electronic media, including the social media to the hilt. The lawmaker compared the ousted official’s approach with that of a pickpocket fleeing a crowd in Pettah while himself shouting ‘thief’
Both the political leadership and the former Agriculture Secretary should be investigated for corruption charges in relation to fertiliser imports from China and India, MP Kaviratne said. The MP alleged that Prof. Jayasinghe had been involved in the entire process as regards liquid fertiliser imports from India. The MP said that ousted official had been in the relevant tender board, advised the technical committee, intervened to lower the price of liquid fertiliser when the Opposition revealed price manipulation and payment made subsequent to the opening of an account on a directive issued by Dr. P. B. Jayasundera as disclosed in Parliament.
Lawmaker Kaviratne said that the Opposition warned of a food shortage over the past several months and now suddenly one of those people responsible for the current sorry plight repeated what we have been saying.
Responding to SJB allegations, Prof. Jayasinghe said that there was no basis for such accusations though he didn’t want to comment on them. Prof. Jayasinghe also maintained that he didn’t know what prompted his sudden removal.
MP Kaviratne said that during Prof. Jayasinghe’s six month tenure as the Agriculture Secretary he was at the forefront of the government offensive meant to force carbonic farming on an unprepared community.
Responding to media queries, she compared the government operation that destroyed the agriculture sector with the signing of the Yugadanavi deal. Having signed a far reaching agreement with US energy company, SLPP constituents were engaged in a dispute, she said. A section of the government had accused the administration of betraying the country though they remained within the administration, MP Kaviratne said. Similarly, Minister Aluthgamage and Prof. Jayasinghe had been fighting over policy after being members of the same destructive team, the MP said.
She insisted that Prof. Jayasinghe grabbed one of the Opposition slogans to cover up his sins after the government dumped him. The former UNPer said that the government should have found fault with the Vice Chancellor of the Wayamba University for his recent statements pertaining to an impending food shortage, but that didn’t clear him of serious corruption charges.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Udaygiri arrived at the Port of Colombo on an official visit today, 8 September 2026, where it was received by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with time-
honoured naval traditions.
INS Udaygiri is a 149.02m long Frigate, Commanded by Captain Vikas Sood. Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship is scheduled to call on Commander Western Naval
Area, Rear Admiral Harsha De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
Captain Sood served as the Defence Adviser at the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka from July 2020 to October 2023.
During their stay in the island, the crew of INS Udaygiri will participate in several goodwill events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two forces.
The visiting personnel are also scheduled to visit prominent tourist and cultural locations across the island.
Additionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel are expected to visit the ship for capability observation and knowledge sharing, and will conduct onboard training during its stay.
The Supreme Court has been petitioned seeking an explanation as to how eight petitions filed against the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution were not listed for hearing . Two of the petitioners, namely Dias Bandaralage Ajith Shantha Kumara Jayathilaka and Gunathilakage Dakum Dulara Gunathilaka, have requested an opportunity to examine the official Registry and parliamentary records so that all material facts may be objectively established. They said that their petitions that had been registered by the Supreme Court should have been heard along with other petitions.
The Registrar of the Supreme Court, Secretary General of Parliament, Speaker and the Attorney General have been named as the respondents.
The five-member bench that heard the petitions consisted of Chief Justice P. Padman Surasena, Achala Wengappuli, J, Arjuna Obeyesekere, J, Sampath B. Abayakoon, J and K.M.G.H. Kulatunga, J.
The petitioners sought the explanation in the absence of any judicial order dismissing, rejecting, striking out, terminating or otherwise disposing the said petitions. They have requested the disclosure of the complete procedural history of the unlisted cases.
The second petitioner Gunathilaka has referred to a speech by Jaffna District Independent MP Ramanathan Archuna in Parliament, on 21 August, 2026, regarding X-Press Pearl, a container carrier that sank off the port of Colombo, and related matters.
They have sought leave to proceed under Articles 17 and 126 of the Constitution and asked for a full Bench of the Supreme Court, or the widest Bench, constitutionally permissible.
They also requested that the Chief Justice and Achala Wengappuli refrain from participating in the hearing and determination of their application, having regard to the objective-appearance issue arising from their prior constitutional and judicial participation in matters forming part of the factual subject matter now requiring examination.
Meanwhile, General Secretary of Vinivida Foundation, Nagananda Kodituwakku, has requested the Supreme Court Registrar not to proceed with the determination of 22nd Amendment process, pending the hearing of fundamental rights petition filed by Chairman of the Vinivida Foundation lawyer, Sugandhika Fernando, seeking a full bench, excluding Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, to hear the petitions challenging the 22nd Amendment Bill. She also requested that the hearing be suspended immediately until the matter was fully heard and determined.
Among the respondents are Chief Justice Surasena, the first respondent, and Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe. Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Shiran Gooneratne, Achala Wengappuli and Priyantha Fernando.
(SF)
Sri Lankan passport holders travelling to Thailand wouldn’t be eligible for visa-free entry from 15 September, 2026, according to a new visa notice issued by the Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo.
Under the new measures, all Sri Lankan travellers will be required to obtain a Thai visa before departing for Thailand. Visa applications must be submitted online through Thailand’s official e-Visa system.
The Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo has also clarified that it will not accept visa applications submitted in person or in physical form.
According to the Embassy, tourist visa applications submitted by Sri Lankan passport holders are expected to take approximately 3–7 working days, calculated from the date on which all required documents have been duly completed and submitted.
Processing times for Non-Immigrant Visa and DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) applications may take longer.
Foreign nationals residing in Sri Lanka or the Maldives who hold valid work or residence permits may also require additional processing time.
The Embassy has cautioned applicants that it reserves the right to request additional documents or information when necessary. Applicants may also be asked to attend a visa interview on a case-by-case basis.
The new requirement represents a significant change for Sri Lankan travellers, who will need to complete the visa process before travelling to Thailand from September 15 onward.
The Embassy has urged applicants to rely only on its official communication channels for the latest visa requirements, procedures and updates.
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