News
Church and activists demand timely, fair election
(UCAN) Church officials in Sri Lanka joined rights activists to demand the government not delay presidential elections and decried attempts to hold a referendum to extend the term of embattled President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo said the government’s bid to retain power is contrary to the people’s aspirations and rights.
“Now the politicians are sending out kites to see if they can hold a referendum, then hated politicians can rule this country another two or three years. Absolutely unacceptable,” Ranjith said during a gathering in the national capital on June 11.
Sri Lanka’s top Catholic leader said that the state cannot strip away the rights of the people, nor can it deprive them of freedom, dignity, and the right to vote.
“We have our constitution; it gives the president a five-year term of office. They must go to the polls at the end of those five years. That is our right as citizens. The state can’t take that away from us. …it can’t take away our freedom, dignity, and all the manifestations of that freedom and dignity,” Ranjith said.
Opposition parties and activists have been protesting ever since a top leader of the ruling United National Party hinted at a possible referendum to extend Wickremesinghe’s term.
Wickremesinghe has faced widespread criticism for failing to revive the ailing economy and using power to muzzle dissent.
The party’s general secretary, Palitha Range Bandara, said the government aims to extend the president’s term by two years through the referendum.
“We want to be able to choose our leaders in a free franchise; that is our right, and we demand it,” Ranjith insisted.
The Election Commission recently said the presidential election is scheduled between Sept. 17 and Oct. 17.
Rohana Hettiarachchi, executive director of the advocacy group People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections, said extending the president’s term through a referendum is both illegal and unethical.
Hettiarachchi told reporters on June 11 that even Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, who was ousted in mass protests in 2022, came to power through an election for a term of five years.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brother, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, were forced to resign in 2022 when massive protests spiraled out of control following the country’s worst economic crisis.
Wickremesinghe, once considered a rival by the powerful Rajapaksa political dynasty, was appointed acting president with alleged backing from former foes.
He has been accused of covering up massive corruption and rights violations by the Rajapaksa regime since 2005 to strengthen his political future.
Critics see his government as a continuance of the previous regime, which was blamed for pushing Sri Lanka to bankruptcy.
Nuwani Sunimalee, a university student from Colombo, said the government is receiving support from the large number of current parliamentarians who fear losing in a new election.
“They argue that within two-three years, the economy will stabilize, so a referendum is preferred over an election. They are afraid of losing their benefits,” she told UCA News.
Rights activist Raveen Silva said Wickramasinghe’s attempt to continue in power is illegitimate since people have not elected him.
The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.
The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:
Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage
The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.
The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.
Three prison guards attached to the Welikada Prison have been arrested by Borella Police following the death of an inmate on Monday (04).
‘Bar Association must reveal its stand’
Civil society group ‘Free Lawyers’ has requested Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena to probe whether political pressure was brought on a Magistrate, or a High Court Judge, in respect of an ongoing high profile case.
Speaking to The Island on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon said that they felt the urgent need to seek the CJ’s intervention, following the May Day declaration by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the verdict of a case that was heard on 30 April would be given on 25 May. Tennakoon said that addressing the NPP’s main May Day rally at Maharagama, the President asked the people to be ready to celebrate that verdict. The President couldn’t have said so if he hadn’t been aware of the impending verdict, Tennakoon said, while emphasising the responsibility on the part of the Bar Association to state its position on the issue.
‘Free Lawyers’ recently captured pubic attention following its exposure of the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.
Responding to a query, Tennakoon said that on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Maithri Gunaratne, PC, on Monday, 4 April, wrote to both CJ Surasena and President of the Bar Association Rajeev Amarasuriya.
Alleging that President Dissanayake’s declaration caused immense harm to the independence of the judiciary and raised controversy over the judgement that would be given on 25 May, ‘Free Lawyers’ organisation also asked the CJ to inquire into whether the entire judicial process was under political pressure.
Tennakoon said that they expect the Bar Association to reveal its position on President Dissanayake’s statement. Tennakoon pointed out that during the May Day address, President Dissanayake made reference to 15 cases that were to be taken up during this month, whereas Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister, as well as Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake, mentioned nearly 10 names of politicians, both sitting and former lawmakers, to be summoned beginning, May.
Tennakoon said that the NPP appeared to have used May Day to counter growing accusations over the Colombo port container controversy, coal scam, Rs 13.2 bn NDB fraud and theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury and USD 625,000 from the Sri Lanka Postal Service.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
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