News
Appointment of new EC may disrupt upcoming LG polls, GL tells CC
Prof. G. L. Peiris, MP, yesterday (23) urged the Constitutional Council (CC) to delay the appointment of a new Election Commission (EC) until the conclusion of Local Government polls scheduled for March 09. The EC consists of five members.
Addressing the weekly Nidahas Janatha Sabhawa (NJS) briefing at Nawala, Prof. Peiris requested the 10-member CC headed by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena not to take action that would jeopardize the election.
The former External Affairs Minister made the appeal a few hours before Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera announced the first meeting of the CC on January 25 morning, the first gathering since the appointment of three non-members of Parliament as members of the CC.
Referring to the recent reports pertaining to alleged death threats directed at two EC members, K.P.P. Pathirana and S.B. Divaratne, Prof. Peiris advised the CC not to resort to unilateral actions.
Prof. Peiris discussed how a bid to replace the EC in terms of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution against the backdrop of what he called an unprecedented series of despicable attempts meant to force cancellation of the scheduled election.
Referring to Finance Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena’s affidavit to the Supreme Court, pertaining to the developing economic crisis, Prof. Peiris questioned the controversial position taken by the official.
Accusing the Finance Secretary of facilitating the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government strategy, aimed at somehow calling off the politically sensitive election, lawmaker Peiris asked whether he would take a similar stand in Nov. 2024 at the time of the Presidential Election, next year.
Declaring that the EC decision on the March 09 polls couldn’t be reversed, under any circumstances, Prof. Peiris alleged that the Treasury Secretary’s affidavit to the SC was the seventh failed attempt to derail the ongoing election process.
The former law professor and ex-minister said that the government challenged the announcement of LG polls date by EC Chairman Nimal Punchihewa. The government found fault with EC Chairman Attorney-at-Law Punchihewa for not having all members with him when he made the announcement.
Prof. Peiris emphasized that there was no such stipulation that all members should be present in place when the date of a particular election was announced.’
The SLPP rebel said that both the UNP and the SLPP, struggling on the political front, feared facing the electorate as they realized the growing public anger at the way the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa administration addressed issues at hand.
Prof. Peiris asked whether the incumbent government consulted the Finance Ministry before the appointment of 39 State Ministers last September and two Cabinet ministers recently. If the economy was in such a precarious state, why on earth the incumbent administration appointed State Ministers who did nothing, Prof. Peiris queried. The Constitution allows the appointment of a 30-member Cabinet and 40 non-Cabinet Ministers. President Wickremesinghe has so far appointed a 20-Cabinet and 39 non-Cabinet ministers.
Prof. Peiris said that a thorough inquiry was required in the wake of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena’s denial of Public Administration Ministry Secretary Neil Bandara Hapuhinna’s claim that he directed Divisional Secretaries not to accept deposits from political parties on the instructions of the Cabinet of Ministers.
Hapuhinna is on record as having said he received instructions in this regard from Cabinet Secretary, Donald Fernando, Prof. Peiris said, demanding the exposure of those who made an abortive bid to subvert the electoral process.
The government couldn’t maintain silence on this issue, Prof. Peiris said. The UNP and the SLPP realized that their defeat at LG polls would influence the countrywide campaign for early General Election, the SLPP National List MP said.
In terms of the Constitution, the President can dissolve Parliament in March this year.
Referring to what he called the landmark Supreme Court verdict on the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, Prof. Peiris reminded those who failed in their responsibilities, for whatever reasons, would be held responsible.
As part of the official visit to London for the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, held discussions with academic experts from the British Council on Wednesday [20 May 2026].
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in education, particularly in the areas of teacher training, English language programmes, education frameworks, and language acquisition skills.
The British Council shared international experience and highlighted its ongoing engagement in Sri Lanka, while expressing readiness to support the country through technical assistance, teacher development initiatives, and policy collaboration.
Discussions also included views on improving quality assurance, expanding research collaboration, and enhancing learning opportunities.
The Prime Minister appreciated the British Council’s continued engagement in Sri Lanka and reiterated the importance of deepening partnerships.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division’
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is currently on an official visit to the United Kingdom, met with members of the Sri Lankan community living in London on Wednesday [20th] and engaged in cordial discussions.
Despite the event being held on a weekday, it was notable that nearly one thousand Sri Lankans representing the Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities attended with great enthusiasm.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that despite natural disasters and international crises, the present government has succeeded in stabilizing the country’s economy while providing relief to the people. She further noted that Sri Lanka’s political culture has now undergone a positive transformation that is irreversible.
Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj, addressing the event, stated that a governance system has now been established in the country where all communities are treated equally and the benefits of economic development are shared fairly among all citizens.
Moving away from the traditional method of political gatherings, the event also provided an open platform for members of the Sri Lankan community to directly raise questions and express their views to the Prime Minister and the Minister.
Commenting on the organization of the event, the organizing committee stated that all expenses, including dinner, were borne by the participants themselves. The organizers further remarked that it is unsurprising that opposition groups, accustomed to organizing such events through the misuse of public funds, appear unsettled by this transparent process.
The occasion was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj and Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya currently undertaking an official visit to London, United Kingdom, to participate in the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026 held a bilateral meeting with the Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom ON Wednesday [20]. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera, along with officials from the Sri Lankan High Commission.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed Sri Lanka’s appreciation to the United Kingdom for the support extended in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwa, including ongoing rebuilding and recovery assistance. The Prime Minister also commended the United Kingdom’s support in facilitating increased bilateral trade and exports for Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister briefed the UK delegation on Sri Lanka’s recent economic developments and policy priorities, the Government’s commitment to advancing human rights and reconciliation, as well as Sri Lanka’s positive growth trajectory.
The two sides also exchanged views on current global geopolitical developments, challenges in the energy sector, and the importance of enhancing regional connectivity and long-term energy security.
Both sides also emphasised the importance of strengthening structured academic mobility frameworks while ensuring fairness, clarity, and integrity within migration systems.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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