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Expulsion of gold smuggling MP: MNA yet to endorse ACMC’s decision

Published

2 years ago

2023/11/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Raheem and Bathiudeen

By Shamindra Ferdinando

In terms of the Parliamentary Elections Act No 01 of 1981, Ali Sabry Raheem, MP, in spite of being expelled from the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) over gold smuggling bid in late March this year couldn’t be deprived of his seat unless the Muslim National Alliance (MNA), which fielded him at the last general election, endorsed the action taken by the ACMC.

ACMC leader Rishad Bathiudeen yesterday told The Island that in terms of an agreement between his party and the MNA, its General Secretary M. M. Naimullah had to write to the Election Commission with a copy to the Secretary General of Parliament.

Asked why the ACMC had taken nine months to decide on the errant MP, the former Industries and Commerce Minister said that they had followed proper procedures in this regard though the MP concerned didn’t cooperate. “Therefore, we decided to expel the MP. We conveyed our unanimous decision to both Naimullah and Raheem,” lawmaker Bathiudeen said.

Customs fined him Rs. 7.5 mn after he was detained with undeclared gold valued at Rs. 74 mn along with smartphones worth Rs. 4.2 mn at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). The MP was returning from Dubai.

MP Bathiudeen said that his party and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress had fielded candidates on the MNA ticket thereby preventing a contest between them as they desperately wanted a Muslim elected from the Puttalam district. “We have now cleared the way for Naimullah to take punitive measures against an MP who brought disrepute to the community, his party, and the party which fielded him at the last general election, as well as Parliament,” MP Bathiudeen said.

If the MNA acted in terms of the Constitution and the Parliamentary Elections Act to remove the MP, Raheem would be the second MP to lose his seat in the current Parliament. Last month, the Supreme Court upheld the SLMC decision to unseat Batticaloa District MP Nazeer Ahamed for voting with the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) at the 2022 Budget vote, contrary to a decision taken by the party.

Former Chairman of the Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya explained how a party that had fielded a particular candidate could take action in case he/she was found guilty of an offense by an internal inquiry. Deshapriya, the incumbent Chairman of the Delimitation Committee said that in the case of MP Raheem the possibility of him seeking legal redress couldn’t be ruled out.

Naimullah didn’t answer his telephone or respond to SMS. Lawmaker Bathiudeen alleged that soon after being elected to Parliament, MP Raheem switched his allegiance to the SLPP. In spite of specific directive to all members of their grouping not to throw their weight behind the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, MP Raheem voted for that Bill and backed the SLPP on all other occasions, MP Bathiudeen said. However, Raheem voted with the Opposition immediately after his release from detention in March this year. The MP declared that he voted against the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government as it didn’t intervene on his behalf after his arrest at the BIA.

The Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration enacted the 20th Amendment to the Constitution in Oct. 2020.

At one point MP Raheem declared himself as the leader of the MNA, MP Bathiudeen said, alleging that he was among the favoured. “MP Raheem voted with the SLPP throughout Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s time,” the former SLMC MP said. Bathiudeen represented the SLMC in Parliament before he formed the ACMC.

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Related Topics:Ali Sabry Raheem Rishad Bathiudeen

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Prime Minister on official visit to Manila, Philippines

Published

3 hours 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

3 hours 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

4 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.”