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Controversy over move to extend AG’s term: JJB, SLPP rebels oppose extension

Published

2 years ago

2024/06/10

Thilina Walpola

… warn of sharp deterioration of integrity of that Office

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The JVP-led NPP lawyers’ group yesterday (09) said the Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam’s term shouldn’t be extended under any circumstances. Upul Kumarapperuma, PC, on behalf of the JJB lawyers’ group, said that they were totally against President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s move to grant Rajaratnam an extension in service. Kumarapperuma warned that in case an extension was granted with the intention of elevating the incumbent AG to the post of Chief Justice in Dec this year it would create an extremely bad precedent.

Kumarapperuma said so when The Island sought his response to the controversial move. “If that happened, the whole process could be considered politically motivated and would also create serious suspicions of the independence of the judiciary.

The lawyer declared that every effort should be made to thwart this project. Sanjay Rajaratnam received the appointment on May 26, 2021, during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidency. He succeeded Dappula de Livera, PC.

Speaking on behalf of the dissident group of SLPPers now with the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Prof. Peiris, MP, warned that an extension granted to the AG would cause severe damage to the integrity of that position.

Asked to explain, Prof. Peiris stressed that the AG had vital functions to perform in relation to the criminal justice process. “The AG decides whether prosecution for serious offences is warranted by the available evidence. He has the power to discontinue proceedings in criminal cases, at any time, before judgment is delivered.

This is the extraordinary power known as the nolle prosequi. These powers, with a very far reaching impact for the administration of justice, have necessarily to be exercised impartially and objectively, and strictly excluding irrelevant considerations. There must not be a shadow of doubt in the public mind regarding the integrity of decision-making by the AG in respect of these crucial matters.”

Declaring that if President Wickremesinghe succeeded in his project, it would cause a catastrophic situation, the former External Affairs Minister said, adding that if the AG is on extension, thanks to the goodwill of the powers that be, public acceptance of his Office is inevitably compromised. “This is why the age of compulsory retirement, fixed at 60 years, has been consistently applied without any exception or deviation. Ever since Independence in 1948, there has not been an instance of the tenure of office of an AG being extended beyond the age stipulated for compulsory retirement. There are compelling policy reasons underpinning this established practice.”

Referring to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference refuting government inspired reports that the Catholic Church wanted the AG granted an extension due to his involvement in a dialogue regarding the Easter Sunday Presidential Commission report, Prof. Peiris said that the ridiculous bid to take cover behind the Catholic Church for this partisan act has ended in dismal failure.

The former Minister said: “The context in which this unprecedented extension is sought to be made, is important. The ensuing six months, during which this extension is to be purportedly made, coincides with the run up to a Presidential election. Moreover, the incumbent Chief Justice is due to retire before the end of the year. Manipulation of the system is fraught with the gravest consequences.”

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Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya

Published

1 hour ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya for the next 24 hours commencing at 1200hrs today [08]

Accordingly
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy District, Wilgamuwa in the Matale District, and Nildandahinna and Walapane in the Nuwara Eliya District.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Meegahakiwula, Welimada, Kandaketiya, Lunugala, Badulla, Passara, Uva Paranagama and Hali_Ela in the Badulla District, Ambanganga Korale in the Matale District, and Mathurata and Hanguranketha in the Nuwara Eliya District.

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Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area

Published

7 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

Deep depression Track. [Source: RSMC]

Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area.
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, Department of Meteorology at 10.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 for the period until 10.30 a.m. 09 January 2026

The depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka has intensified into a deep depression and is centered near latitude 5.4°N and longitude 85.3°E, about 420 km southeast of Pottuvil at 05.30 a.m. today (08th). The above system is currently (10:00 a.m.) located about 300 km southeast of Pottuvil.

It is very likely to move west-northwestwards across the southwest Bay of Bengal and cross the Sri Lanka coast between Hambantota and Kalmunai between 5.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. on Friday [9th January 2026].

Hence, showery, and windy condition over the island, particularly in the Northern, NorthCentral, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces is expected to enhance from today (08th).

For the Land area:

DAMAGE EXPECTED:
• Damage to huts, temporary shelters and light structures
• Destroy the roof tops/ sheets etc.
• Damage to power and communication lines.
• Breaking of tree branches and uprooting of large avenue trees.
• Damage to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards.
• Damage to harbor yachts
• Flash flood
• Sea water inundation in low lying areas in the near coast.

Action suggested for the Land area:
• Coastal hutment dwellers are advised to move to safer places. Other people in the affected areas to remain indoors.
• People living in hilly areas (particularly landslide prone areas) and low lying areas in river basins are requested to be vigilant.
• Drivers and people using roads in the hilly areas are requested to be vigilant.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• General public is requested to be vigilant regarding impending extreme weather situation.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
• Requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.

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Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and showers about 50-75 mm in other areas

Published

13 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

WEATHER FORECAST FOR 08 JANUARY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

The depression over the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka, was centered near latitude 5.3°N and longitude 86.0°E, about 490 km southeast of Pottuvil, at 11:30 p.m. yesterday (07). It is expected to move west-northwestwards and towards the eastern coast of the island during next 24 hours. This system is likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours.

Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere in the Island after 1.00 p.m. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces. Fairly Heavy showers about (50 – 75) mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island.

Strong winds about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over the Eastern slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.