News
Democratic Party predicts weakened minority representation in next Parliament
Chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) Dr. Arosha Fernando said that representation of minority groups in Parliament was likely to be further reduced in the forthcoming parliamentary election.Major political parties had gradually and, perhaps, deliberately reduced minority representation over the years and that development posed quite a threat to a balanced Parliament, he said.
The DP contests the Puttalam, Batticaloa and Digamadulla electoral districts. “We intend to contest the next Provincial Council countrywide,” Fernando said.
Asked whether ex-MPs contested on the DP ticket, under the ‘Flaming Torch’ symbol, Fernando said that there weren’t any former parliamentarians on their lists. “Perhaps as many as 99% of contestants are newcomers,” he said.
When The Island pointed out that the DP that had been formed in 2013 ahead of the 2015 general election belonged to the then former war-winning Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka, Fernando disclosed that in the wake of the Field Marshal’s decision to contest the recently concluded presidential poll as an independent candidate the DP’s control was passed to Senaka de Silva, an ex-aide to Fonseka.
Referring to NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s victory at the 21 Sept. presidential election, Fernando said that political parties sought to reach consensus with minority parties regarding submission of nominations.
At the last parliamentary election, conducted in August 2020, the SLPP refrained from nominating a single candidate from a minority community in Colombo and other parties also had minimal representation from minority groups, the DP Chairman said. “The SLPP overall had a reduced number of minority candidates in their nomination list compared to UNP and SJB,” he said.
Responding to another query Fernando pointed out that a study, funded by the European Commission, had recently highlighted what he called the deterioration of minority representation in Parliament.
Research by Oxford Brookes University as part of the ‘minority empowerment for democracy and pluralism programme’ had revealed that major national parties have successively reduced the space within their parties for minorities to participate and raise their issues, Dr. Fernando said. The study also stressed that minority ethnic parties are also divided and their campaigning is shaped by the majority agenda rather than the needs and rights of their communities.
According to the study: “The main national parties in Sri Lanka have had a history of nominating representatives from minority communities who have gone on to take leadership positions. This is changing now with minority politicians in these parties often feeling isolated and finding fewer opportunities to raise minority rights issues further identified by the conducted research.”
Fernando said that the research also stressed the failure on the part of political parties to nominate women from minority communities.
The main parties need to nominate more women from minority communities, and they need to offer them funds and support to be able to contest, the report added, pointing out no ethnic Tamil or Muslim woman had been elected or nominated to the last Parliament of Sri Lanka – 2020 to 2024.
Minority representation is in danger of splintering and weakening at the next Sri Lankan election, the new research revealed.
Major national parties, such as the UNP, SJB and SLPP, have successively reduced the space within their parties for minorities to participate and raise their issues while minority ethnic parties are divided and their campaigning is shaped by the majority agenda rather than the needs and rights of their communities, Fernando said referring to the study.
Minority MPs from the Muslim and Malaiyaga community preferred to be part of the government because they see it as an opportunity to do something for their community. This recent desperation to move with power has seriously affected their legitimacy and credibility, leaving voters from this community in despair, the report added.
Fernando said: “This is especially a concern in the Eastern province in this election where many new independent candidates are contesting and there are lots of splits in parties. This competition between parties and ethnic groups creates unnecessary tensions and increases the prospect of violence.
The NPP also has significant work to do to promote minority representation and rights within their party. In the last election the party fielded only one minority candidate out of a total of 15 in Colombo, at the last presidential election they offered little to minorities on substantive issues of rights or reconciliation and they mainly function in the Sinhalese language, excluding Tamil speaking populations.
The NPP has made strong commitments towards increasing women’s representation in their nomination list, which they need to advance to those from minority communities as well.”
Harsha rejects what he called frivolous accusations
Chairman of Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) Dr. Harsha de Silva dismissed Free Lawyers’ claim that his Committee had helped delay a proper investigation into the theft of USD 2.5 mn (nearly Rs 1 bn) from the Treasury.
The Colombo District SJB MP said that he wouldn’t comment on frivolous accusations against his Committee. “We conduct ourselves in keeping with the highest standards of professionalism and responsibility.”
Dr. de Silva said so when The Island raised the Free Lawyers’ allegation that the Treasury and the Central Bank were using the CoPF as a tool to prolong investigations into the unprecedented theft of funds. Free Lawyers targeted the CoPF in a statement issued by Maithri Gunaratne, PC, and civil society activist Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon.
The other members of the CoPF are Harshana Rajakaruna (SJB), Ravi Karunanayake (NDF), Nimal Palihena (NPP), Wijesiri Basnayake (NPP), Thilina Samarakoon (NPP), Lakmali Hemachandra (NPP), Chathuranga Abeysinghe (NPP), Kaushalya Ariyaratne (NPP), Akram Ilyas (NPP), Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanikkyam (ITAK), Champika Hettiarachchi (NPP), Sunil Rajapaksha (NPP),
M. K. M. Aslam (NPP), Ajith Agalakada (NPP), Rauff Hakeem (SLMC), Chitral Fernando (SJB) and Nishantha Jayaweera (NPP).
Tennakoon said the theft of funds happened over eight months ago and the Parliament owed the country a clear explanation regarding the disappearance of USD 2.5 mn. The CoPF, instead of expediting the process, has conveniently granted time for those responsible for the loss to cover up their tracks. “Free Lawyers pursue the issue at hand vigorously as we were the first to reveal the loss of USD 2.5 mn. Those who knew it remained silent until our disclosure,” he said, alleging that Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne was yet to respond to their letter regarding the USD 2.5 theft.
Responding to queries, Tennakoon said that political parties represented in the CoPF should be held responsible for the developing situation. “The Committee on Public Accounts Committee (CoPA) headed by SJB MP Kabir Hashim too, should explain its failure to deal with the USD 2.5 mn theft. Both CoPF and CoPA led by two SJB MPs should act now. Dr. de Silva and Hashim are answerable to the public, particularly because they represent the main Opposition.”
The CoPA consists of Kabir Hashim, Maj. Gen. Aruna Jayasekera (NPP), Sugath Thilakaratne (NPP), Anton Jayakody (NPP), Chandana Sooriyaarachchi (NPP), Ruwanthilaka Jayakody (NPP), Nalin Hewage (NPP), Oshani Umanga (NPP), Manjula Suraweera (NPP), Sagarika Athauda (NPP), Janaka Senarathna (NPP), K.Illankumaran (NPP), Dinidu Saman Henanayake (NPP), Susantha Kumara Navaratna (NPP), Lal Premanath (NPP), Aravinda Senarath (NPP), Thushari Jayasinghe (NPP), T. K. Jayasundera, Ajantha Gammeddage (NPP), Sundaralingam Pradeep (NPP), Kavinda Jayawardena (SJB), J.C. Alawathuwala (SJB),Hector Appuhamy (SJB), Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran (ITAK), Chamara Sampath Dassanayake (NDF), Rohitha Abeygunawardena (NDF), M.L.A.M. Hisbullah (SLMC), M.A.M. Thahir (ACMC), Chanaka Madugoda (SLPP) and Sunil Ratnasiri (NPP).
Tennakoon said that both CoPF and CoPA were dominated by the NPP though the SJBers headed them. However, as heads of the two parliamentary committees, Dr. de Silva and Hashim, should be held responsible for lapses on the part of the committees or any deliberate omissions, Tennakoon said, questioning the rationale behind giving the Treasury and the CBSL six weeks to submit their findings to the CoPF.
Free Lawyers alleged that USD 2.5 had been released in spite of JP Morgan Chase and the Federal Reserve in the United States warning Sri Lanka about the suspicious nature of those foreign transactions via SWIFT messages. Tennakoon emphasized investigators should closely inquire into the decision taken to release funds regardless of such high-profile warnings.
Tennakoon said that the integrity of two key parliamentary committees is at stake. The civil society activist said that the country was in a highly critical phase of debt restructuring following a severe economic crisis. Tennakoon pointed out in terms of a condition of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programme, the government’s debt management functions, previously carried out by the CBSL, were recently transferred to a new institution established under the General Treasury—the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO).
by Shamindra Ferdinando
The number of patients hospitalised due to viral illnesses, including dengue fever, had increased significantly, health officials said yesterday, adding that there had been a rise in daily dengue-related admissions.
Acting Director of the National Dengue Control Unit Dr. Kapila Kannangara said Sri Lanka had recorded 41,144 dengue cases as of Saturday (13).
He said more than half of the reported cases—around 51 percent—were from the Western Province.
According to Dr. Kannangara, the number of dengue patients admitted to hospital daily had reached 750, but it had declined to around 630. However, he cautioned that infection levels remained “very high,” despite the slight drop in hospital admissions.
The dengue death toll has risen to 24, prompting several hospitals to issue red alerts amid continued pressure on wards treating incoming patients.
Health officials warned that the situation could worsen if case numbers continued to rise. Dr. Kannangara noted that the growing burden on healthcare facilities could eventually exceed system capacity.
The public has been urged to take preventive measures to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and to seek prompt medical attention if dengue symptoms develop.
by Chaminda Silva
Former President and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has warned that Sri Lanka is heading towards a severe economic crisis, alleging that the current administration is steering the country towards “total collapse.”
Addressing a meeting of the UNP Working Committee at the party headquarters on Flower Road on Thursday, Wickremesinghe claimed that the government was facing mounting difficulties on multiple fronts, with the economy continuing to deteriorate.
He also accused the administration of pursuing policies that, he said, marginalised war heroes and Buddhist monks.
Wickremesinghe expressed concern over what he described as an erosion of fundamental and legal rights, citing the arrest and alleged ill-treatment of former State Intelligence Service Chief Suresh Sallay as an example. He said the rising cost of living had emerged as one of the main concerns of the public.
Commenting on the political situation, the former President said the Opposition had not been able to forge unity among the anti-government forces and called for greater coordination among Opposition parties and groups. He advocated a phased mobilisation strategy, beginning at village and electorate level, instead of attempting to address all issues simultaneously.
Wickremesinghe also announced a series of political campaigns and rallies aimed at strengthening the Opposition movement. The programme is scheduled to commence in Kandy this weekend, with subsequent events planned in Kurunegala and Kalutara.
He said the UNP was engaged in discussions with several political parties and organisations, including those led by Minister Jeevan Thondaman, with a view to forming a broader political alliance.Wickremesinghe urged party members to expedite discussions and arrive at a collective decision on the way forward to address the country’s challenges.
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Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
Theft of USD 2.5 mn from Treasury: CoPF accused of complicity in NPP cover-up
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