News
BASL slams attempts to interfere with elections as blatant attack on democracy
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) says that it is gravely concerned by attempts by the Government to interfere in the exercise of franchise by the people at the local council election.Issuing a statement, the BASL specifically referred to the decision of the Government on the 9th of January 2023 to instruct the Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government to direct all District Secretaries/Government Agents not to accept deposits from candidates for the Local Authorities election, until further notice and the consequent circular sent to District Secretaries/Government Agents by the Secretary to the Ministry which has now been apparently recalled.
The decision to direct all District Secretaries to refrain from accepting deposits from candidates for the Local Authorities election could result in the nomination process to the local authorities being brought to a standstill thus effectively overturning the decision of the Returning Officers and the Elections Commission to receive nominations and thereafter to conduct elections to the Local Authorities in the country, the BASL said.
The Bar Association pointed out that the Supreme Court has held in the case of Waruna Karunathileke and another v Dayananda Dissanayake 1999 1 SLR 156 that the exercise of the franchise by the people is a Fundamental Right which must be protected.
Fundamental rights and Franchise are two important aspects of the sovereignty of the people of Sri Lanka which is inalienable, the BASL stressed.Any unlawful attempt to interfere with the exercise of the franchise and any attempt to prevent people from exercising their sovereign right to choose their representatives at whatever level of Government will be a blatant attack on the Rule of Law and Democracy in Sri Lanka. Such a move will have far reaching consequences. Previous attempts by different administrations over the years to interfere with the franchise of the people have resulted in disastrous consequences on the country and its people, the BASL pointed out.
The BASL said it is firmly of the view that the Elections Commission should be allowed to exercise its powers mandated under the Constitution and the law without interference.
The President and the Government must refrain from taking any steps which could be construed as an interference with the independent functions of that Commission and with the exercise of the franchise by the people.
The BASL noted that notwithstanding the decision by the Government by letter dated 10″ January 2023, the Commissioner General of Elections has called upon the returning officers to continue to accept deposits.
The BASL called upon the Chairman and members of the Elections Commission and all public officers to continue to act according to the Constitution and the law so that the franchise of the people will be protected.
Advisory for strong winds and rough seas for Multi-day boats in the Bay of Bengal deep sea areas
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 05.00 p.m. 18 September 2026, valid for the next 24 hours.
PLEASE BE AWARE!
The atmospheric disturbance to the North of the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal, is likely to develop into a low pressure area within the next 24 hours.
Due to its influence, wind speed over the Bay of Bengal sea areas will increase during the next few days starting from
tomorrow (19th).
The wind speed in the sea areas marked under the “Advisory” category on the map below will increase to 55-65 kmph at times and those sea areas will be rough or very rough at times.
Navel and fishing communities engaging the activities over this sea area are advised to be vigilant and be attentive to the future forecasts and bulletins issued by the department of Meteorology in this regards.
Text and Pic by Priyan de Silva
Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) Ranga Dissanayake has questioned whether some promises contained in the National People’s Power (NPP) manifesto, A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life, could be fulfilled even if the government wanted to implement them.
Dissanayake raised the issue during a discussion following the release of the third biannual report on manifesto monitoring by the March 12 Movement, at the BMICH, on Wednesday.
He questioned whether the report had taken into account legal and institutional constraints affecting the implementation of certain pledges.
Citing the proposal to establish Anti-Corruption Investigation Offices in each district, Dissanayake said such offices could be established only with the agreement of CIABOC and that amendments to the Anti-Corruption Act would be necessary.
He also referred to the pledge to abolish the Executive Presidency, noting that successive governments had made similar commitments since 1994. He questioned whether there had been adequate consideration of where the powers vested in the Executive President would be transferred if the system were abolished.
On the proposal to establish a Public Prosecutor, Dissanayake questioned whether the Government intended to maintain the office alongside the Attorney General, who currently performs prosecution-related functions.
Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES) Manjula Gajanayake said Dissanayake’s remarks should be regarded as his personal views and not as Government policy.
Monitoring and Evaluation Consultants M. Thilakarajah and D.D. Mataharaarachchi presented the third-phase findings, covering January to June 2026.
The corruption case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) against former Navy Commander, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, and Yoshitha Rajapaksa was set for a pre-trial conference by the Colombo High Court.
The case was taken up before the Colombo High Court on Thursday (17), when the accused, who are currently out on bail, appeared before the court. After considering the submissions made, the court ordered that the case be called for a pre-trial conference.
The CIABOC had filed the case against the accused, alleging that a corruption offence was committed by sending Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, for training at the Royal Naval College in the United Kingdom despite him not having the required qualifications.
Advisory for strong winds and rough seas for Multi-day boats in the Bay of Bengal
Showers in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya Districts
Some NPP manifesto promises may be difficult to fulfil – CIABOC DG
Yoshitha and ex-Navy chief Karannagoda’s case fixed for PTC
Court orders probe into Wimal’s rally speech
Court to rule on Dilith’s writ petition on September 30
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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