News
Civil society in conundrum in issuing report card on NPP
Absence of transparency in public disclosure of Cabinet decisions highlighted
Senior election monitor Rohana Hettiarachchi explained the difficulty in ascertaining a government performance on the basis of Cabinet decisions taken as all such decisions weren’t made available to the public.
Appearing on Sirasa ‘Pethikada’ with presenter Asoka Dias, yesterday (30), Hettiarachchi revealed PAFFREL (People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections) and March 12 Movement (M12M) have discussed the conundrum with the government.
Hettiarachchi underscored the importance of transparency in respect of Cabinet decisions. In the absence of anticipated transparency, PAFFREL and M12M had no option but to examine 299 Cabinet decisions taken during the period November 2024 to May 2025.
Responding to Asoka Dias’ queries, Hettiarachchi said that the first bi-annual report that dealt with the NPP government’s manifesto titled, ‘A Thriving Nation-A Beautiful Life,’ indicated what he called a generally positive correlation between NPP’s actions and the commitments outlined in the manifesto. Of the 216 Cabinet decisions analysed, 23% had been taken in line with the manifesto, 27% showed support for manifesto themes, though not always with exact correspondence, 43% didn’t really correspond with the manifesto, whereas 7% were irrelevant.
Hettiarachchi appreciated the NPP’s commitment to restrict the number of Cabinet Ministers and Deputies to 50 as declared in their presidential manifesto.
There hadn’t been a separate manifesto for parliamentary elections, the civil society activist said.
The 50 Ministers and Deputy Ministers consists of 22 Ministers and 28 Deputies. While commending the NPP for enacting the ‘Proceeds of Crime Bill’ on 08 April, 2025, Hettiarachchci pointed out that the much touted promise to conduct long delayed Provincial Council polls were yet to be held. Hettiarachchi said that contrary to assurances given by the NPP, allowances granted to lawmakers haven’t been stopped and at least initial measures were yet to be taken in that regard.
The government hasn’t initiated action to do away with MPs pensions though there was a private member’s motion in that regard.
Although duty-free vehicle permits hadn’t been issued to members of Parliament, payments were being made for the maintenance of vehicles, Hettiarachchci said. Their report pointed out that the use of vehicles by MPs remains unclear.
According to Hettiarachchi, their report could guide the government and facilitate its efforts to achieve targets/objectives mentioned in NPP’s presidential polls manifesto.
Asked whether PAFFREL and M12M had taken over the responsibilities of the parliamentary Opposition, Hettiarachchi said that it would be a grave mistake on their part not to make an intervention. Hettiarachchi said that they wouldn’t continue to monitor the NPP’s performance while explaining how they determines the execution of the government’s manifesto.
Hettiarachchi said that in the run-up to presidential and parliamentary polls and thereafter, they had talks with the top NPP leadership. Top polls monitor said that they discussed the issues at hand with both JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva and NPP General Secretary Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe.
The civil society activist emphasised the responsibility on the part of the government to make available information necessary for them to make informed assessments. Appreciating the NPP’s response so far, Hettiarachchi pointed out that their work would benefit the government only if the administration fulfilled its promises. Otherwise, assessments undertaken by them would be inimical to the government, he said.
Hettiarachchi assured their intention was not to cause unbearable pressure on the government but facilitate implementation of its manifesto by continuously assessing the progress.
The examination of the report revealed that the NPP government would have to go a long way to achieve the objectives mentioned in its manifesto.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The countrywide dengue outbreak has intensified, with the death toll rising to 50, by July 16, as the number of reported infections surpassed 73,000, according to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU).
The country has recorded 73,455 dengue cases so far this year, with the case fatality rate standing at 0.07 percent, highlighting the severity of the ongoing outbreak.
The Western Province continues to remain the worst affected region, accounting for more than half of the total cases, with 38,700 infections. The Gampaha District has recorded the highest number of cases in the province with 15,341, followed closely by Colombo with 14,625.
The Southern Province has reported 11,382 cases, while the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces have each recorded more than 6,000 infections.
Dengue cases have shown a sharp increase in recent months, with June recording the highest monthly total of 21,538 cases, while July has already reported 18,076 infections. In comparison, 8,590 cases were reported in May, and 5,651 in April.
Health authorities have identified 175 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas as high-risk locations during the 27th epidemiological week. An average of 2,677 new dengue cases are being reported daily, prompting authorities to intensify prevention and mosquito control measures.
The Colombo High Court yesterday (17) resumed hearing the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The proceedings were held before High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, where evidence was recorded from prosecution witnesses, under the direction of Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara.
President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, appearing for Yoshitha Rajapaksa, cross-examined the witnesses during the hearing.
After recording evidence, the court ordered that further examination of evidence be postponed until July 24.
The Attorney General has filed indictments, alleging that Yoshitha Rajapaksa committed an offence, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, by purchasing five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana, valued at more than Rs. 73 million.
Former IGP Chandana Deepal Wickramaratne died after sustaining a gunshot injury at his residence, in Thalangama, yesterday (17), with police saying preliminary investigations indicate that the incident was a suspected suicide.
Kaduwela Magistrate Aruna Indrajith Buddhadasa, on Friday, ordered the Officer-in-Charge of the Malabe Police Station, Police Inspector Pradeep Ranasinghe, to conduct a formal investigation into the death and submit a report to court on its progress.
The order was issued after the Malabe Police Station presented facts before court regarding the incident.
According to police, the Malabe Police Station received information from the Police Unit of the Colombo East Base Hospital, in Mulleriyawa, that Wickramaratne, who resided in the Thalahena area, within the Malabe Police division, had died after being admitted to hospital, with gunshot injuries.
Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said Wickramaratne had allegedly used the firearm of his personal security officer and shot himself at his residence.
Police said the shooting had taken place at his residence on Parakum Road, Thalangama, on Thursday morning, before he was due to leave for his regular exercise routine. He was rushed to the Colombo East Base Hospital, in Mulleriyawa, with serious injuries but was pronounced dead upon admission, police said.
The deceased’s remains were placed at the Colombo East Base Hospital, where a post-mortem examination was scheduled to be conducted.
ASP Wootler said three police teams have been appointed to investigate the incident. Further investigations are being conducted by the Crime Division of the Western Province South Range and the Malabe Police Station.
Wickramaratne, 63, served as the 35th Inspector General of Police of Sri Lanka from November 27, 2020, to November 23, 2023.
He joined the Sri Lanka Police in 1986 as a Probationary Assistant Superintendent of Police and later served in several senior positions.
A graduate of the University of Colombo and the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, he also served as Acting IGP for more than a year, from April 28, 2019, before being appointed IGP, in November 2020.
He retired from the post of Inspector General of Police, in November 2023.
by Norman Palihawadane ✍️
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