News

CBK plan to get country on an even keel

Published

4 years ago

2022/05/15

Former president Chandrika Kumaratunga made the following proposals to tackle the enormous problems no confronting the country. She has said her draft must be perfected in legal terms.

This proposal is made in the present context of the major political crisis facing the country. The Government has totally failed to deliver proper governance, resulting in the complete breakdown of the economy. The country has no Government. The vast majority of the citizens are out on the streets demanding the resignation of the President and the entire Government in a peaceful but powerful movement. Peoples’ power seems to have taken over the country.

This proposal is an attempt to find a resolution to the immediate problems arising from the situation. We have taken into serious consideration the need for a creation of a Government with the participation of Civil Society.

The present situation does not permit an election to be held immediately. It seems evident that an interim government is needed, in order to bring back political and social stability, and to resolve the most urgent economic issues.

The most feasible option is that of an interim Government that will function for a maximum period of six months, with the responsibility to restore order and stabilize the economy before calling for Parliamentary elections.

The proposal below has been worked out after dialogue with representatives of civil society, academics and the youthful protesters on the one hand, and taking into consideration the Constitutional stipulations as well as the existing Parliamentary situation, on the other.

PROPOSAL

1. An Interim Government will be formed for a maximum of six months.

2. (i) The Head of the Government shall be the Prime Minister elected from among the Members of Parliament, who enjoys the confidence of the majority of Parliament.

(ii) The Prime Minister will be the Head of Government and Head of the Cabinet.

(iii) The Cabinet of Ministers will be charged with the direction and control of the Government.

They shall be collectively responsible and answerable to Parliament.

3. The Cabinet will comprise of 12 Ministers from among the Members of the present Parliament as per Article 42 of the Constitution.

4. The Interim Government shall bring amendments to the Constitution which will :-

(a) abolish the office of the Executive President and replace it with that of a Head of State who will be the nominal President.

5. Strengthen the Constitutional Council and Independent Commissions.

The independence of all these Institutions from political influences shall be guaranteed.

Chairman of the Constitutional Council will be the Speaker of the Houses of Parliament. The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition will be members, together with seven others who will be distinguished citizens from the professions and academia.

The Chairman of the Council of State will be one of the seven members.

Members of Parliament, Pradeshiya Sabhas and Local Government bodies shall not be members of the Constitutional Council.

All members of the Constitutional Council shall be selected from those who have no allegations of corruption or other wrong doing.

The members of the Independent Commissions shall be appointed by the Constitutional Council, selected by consensus, from among persons who have recognized expertise in their professions with no allegations of wrong doing.

The President of the Republic and the Leader of the Opposition shall nominate one member each. One-third of the total number of members shall be below 40 years of age and one-third of the total members shall be women.

6. There will be a Council of State for National Policy (COS).

The Cabinet shall act in consultation with the Council of State on all matters relating to the drafting and implementation of Policy, Laws and Regulations.

(a) The Council of State will promote democratic governance and prevent authoritarianism through the effective participation of citizens in decision making and implementation of government policy.

(b) Provision is made for 40% of the members of the Council to comprise of youth, permitting effective youth participation in the government.

(c) The Council of State shall act in close collaboration with the Cabinet of Ministers and other relevant government institutions in the performance of its duties.

(d)The Cabinet of Ministers is deemed to consult the COS on important laws and policies, before they are presented to Parliament and/or implemented.

(e) The Council of State will review important laws and policies before they are presented to Parliament by the government. It may also propose laws to the Cabinet and Government.

The Council of State will review policies of the Government, especially regarding Constitutional Amendments; the Economy; Governance, Education and matters relating to anti-corruption and transparency in government. The Council may also present proposals to the Government on the Economy and economic development and social matters.

(f) The Council of State will promote dialogue between the Government and the various sectors of civil society- professionals, business/private sector, academics and NGOs in the process of Government policy formulation and implementation.

7. The membership of the Council of State shall comprise of representatives of all ethnic and religious communities in Sri Lanka.

The term of office of the members of the Council will be five years and shall be concurrent with the term of office of the Parliament.

Elected members of political parties, individual MPs, Provincial Councillors and members of Local Government bodies will not be eligible for membership of the Council of State.

(i) The Council of State will be comprised of 36 members of which 27 shall be nominated by Civil Society Organizations, the professions, business and private sector, academics and NGOs and nine members nominated by the PM and Leader of the Opposition.

The 27 Civil Society representatives will be nominated as follows: –

(ii) A total of 16 members will be from the professional associations in the following fields on the basis of one /two representatives from each association:

a) The Legal Profession – 02

b) The Medical Profession – 02

c) Accountants – 02

d) IT Professionals – 1/2

e) Engineers – 01

f) Surveyors &Valuers – 02

g) Teachers& Principals – 02

h) Retired Senior Public servants – 03

Other professions

(iii) Representation from the following fields will be as follows:

a) Artists – 02

b) Private sector- 05

c) Academics – 02

d) NGOs – 02

(iv)not less than 40% of the total no.of members shall be below the age of 40 years, (15)

(v) 40 % of the total shall be women as per 6 (ii)and (iii) above. (15)

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News

Prime Minister on official visit to Manila, Philippines

Published

1 hour ago

2026/03/9

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed for Manila, Philippines, at midnight on 8 March on an official visit at the invitation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), where she will participate in events marking International Women’s Day.

Upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila, the Prime Minister was welcomed by Dr. Chanaka Thalpahewa, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Philippines, along with officials of the Government of the Philippines and representatives of the Asian Development Bank.

During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the International Women’s Day event hosted at the ADB Headquarters in Manila.

On the sidelines of the event, the Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with several Ministers of the Government of the Philippines to further strengthen cooperation and bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the Philippines in areas of mutual interest.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

It is the government’s responsibility to ensure women’s rights are realized in everyday Life, and are not confined merely to Laws – PM

Published

1 hour ago

2026/03/9

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that the political, economic, and social rights of women are not confined merely to laws or written documents, but are realized as a reality in the daily lives of every woman in the country.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating as the Chief Guest at the National Celebration of International Women’s Day 2026, held on March 8 at the Rabindranath Tagore Memorial Auditorium of the University of Ruhuna in Matara under the theme “The Pride of a Prosperous Country – She is the Nation’s Path Forward.”

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister further stated:

“The freedoms we enjoy today including the right to education and political rights were won through the struggles carried out by women throughout history. This day is not merely confined to flowers. Our goal is to safeguard those rights and create an environment where every woman in our country can lead her life towards a better future.

The products of women entrepreneurs in this country should not remain confined to their local areas. The government is working to create an environment to ensure that they become active contributors to the national economy.

At the same time, a proposal has recently been presented by the Parliamentary Women’s Caucus to introduce a National Care Policy in order to recognize both the paid and unpaid contributions made by women for their families and for the country’s economy.

The Prime Minister also emphasized that women have a significant responsibility to stand for humanity in the face of the various crises occurring around the world. She called upon the women of the country to unite with compassion and take the lead in raising their voices for peace.

Addressing the event, Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj stated that a new era has dawned in which the tears and sweat shed by women working abroad to strengthen the country’s foreign reserves will receive due recognition. She further noted that a comprehensive mechanism involving all ministries will be implemented to support women entrepreneurs, female heads of households, and women who have experienced violence.

At this national event, the Prime Minister also presented appreciation awards to 25 successful women entrepreneurs from across the island.

The occasion was attended by the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi, Southern Province Governor Prof. Susiripala Manawadu, Deputy Ministers including Dr. Namal Sudarshana, along with ambassadors, public representatives, and a large number of participants.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Latest News

India offered sanctuary to Iranian ship three days before US sank it

Published

2 hours ago

2026/03/9

Priyan

Iranian warship Iris Dena sank after being hit by a US submarine on 4 March [BBC]

The Iranian warship Iris Dena was given permission by India to dock three days before it was torpedoed by a US submarine, India has said.

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said Iran had sought permission for three of its ships to dock at Indian ports on 28 February – the day the US and Israel began a war on Iran – and permission was granted by India on 1 March.

The ships’ movements between 1 and 4 March are not clear and nor is why only one of them made it to India.

The sinking of the Iris Dena, with 130 sailors on board, in international waters off Sri Lanka’s southern coast on 4 March marked a dramatic widening of the war – and raised questions about India’s authority in its backyard.

It was the first military strike outside the Middle East since the US and Israel launched their war on Iran. President Donald Trump has said destroying Iran’s navy is one aim of the assault.

The three Iranian ships – Iris Dena, Iris Bushehr and Iris Lavan – had all participated in a military exercise hosted by India between 15 and 25 February in the coastal city of Visakhapatnam.

They left Indian waters on 25 February and were likely to have been in international waters on 28 February – when the US and Israel began attacking Iran.

“The Iranian side had requested permission on 28 February for three ships in the region to dock at our ports. This was accorded on 1 March,” Jaishankar told parliament on Monday. “Iris Lavan actually docked on 4 March in Kochi. The crew is currently in Indian naval facilities. We believe that this was the right thing to do.”