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Further delay in LG polls won’t help restore stability -NPC

Published

3 years ago

2023/03/13

The National Peace Council (NPC) says that the government should end the continuing uncertainty over the Local Government elections. The NGO, in a statement issued on Saturday, said that for want of consensus on the issue at hand, uncertainty continues to grow.

The following is the text of the NPC statement: ” Recent statements by government leaders, and debates in Parliament, show them openly expressing the view that elections, at this time, would not be conducive to either economic growth, or advantageous to them, and so ought not to be held. This follows the postponement of Local Government elections, scheduled for 09 March, due to the failure of the government Treasury to release the required funds for the elections. It is important that government departments should cooperate with the Election Commission when it has declared elections, as mandated by the Constitution.

Two landmark rulings of the Supreme Court have sent a clear message to the country, at large, that the elections should take place, without delay. We are particularly distressed at the open calls being made, within Parliament, to government departments, to disregard the court orders, on the grounds that they breach parliamentary privilege. The open questioning and mockery of democratic processes, by government members, that is taking place, at all levels, was not expected, under the leadership of such an experienced a parliamentarian as President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The sovereignty of the people, and their right to elect their representatives, at all levels of government, through free and fair elections, and respect for the judiciary, constitute the foundations of democracy. The failure to uphold the rule of law, and the system of checks and balances, would severely undermine democracy, the country’s international credibility and the national interest. NPC appeals to the government to expedite the electoral process, by heeding the decisions of the Supreme Court, and abide by the new date of 25 April, as set by the Election Commission, for the Local Government elections to be held.

We are heartened by the joint initiative of civil society organisations to bring the Opposition political parties, to one forum, to uphold the principle of timely and free and fair elections, and to convince the government of the need for elections. Leading representatives of all the main Opposition political parties came together to sign a ‘Public representatives pledge to protect the right to vote’ at a meeting convened by the Civil Society Collective for Protecting the Franchise. Although the political parties represented widely different ideologies and ethnic affiliations, they stood without any division on the issue of upholding the democratic franchise.

We want the government to heed the voice of the Opposition parties, and civil society organisations, on this issue of the franchise, and not be isolated, as that would not be conducive to the political stability and economic recovery it seeks. The government’s development strategies require the willing cooperation of the rest of political society which is unlikely to be secured without timely elections being held as guaranteed by the Constitution. The government also needs to show respect to judicial decisions and to constitutional provisions, related to the rule of law that are essential for investor confidence, both national and international, without which the prospects for economic recovery will be a chimera.”

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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Monaragala

Published

2 hours ago

2026/05/11

Priyan

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Monaragala effective untill 2100hrs on 12th May 2026.

Accordingly,

Level II landslide early warnings have been issued to the divisional secretaries division and surrounding areas of Passara in the Badulla district.

Level I landslide early warnings have been issued to the divisional secretaries divisions and surrounding areas of Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Walallawita in the Kalutara district, Pasbage Korale, Akurana, Gangawata Korale, Panvila, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Doluwa and Udapalatha in the Kandy district, Mawanella, Bulathkohupitiya, Yatiyanthota, Aranayaka, Kegalle and Rambukkana in the Kegalle district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Rattota, Naula and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district and Badalkumbura and Wellawaya in the Monaragala district.

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Showers about 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, Southern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Trincomalee district.

Published

18 hours ago

2026/05/11

Priyan

WEATHER FORECAST FOR 11 MAY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 11 May 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

The low-level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka is likely to develop into a low-pressure area around the next 36 hours. Therefore, the prevailing showery conditions over the island are expected to continue during the next few days.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in most parts of the island and Cloudy skies are expected, under the influence of the aforementioned system. Heavy showers about 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, Southern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Trincomalee district.

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

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Treasury theft: Speaker’s conduct brought to IPU’s attention: SJB

Published

19 hours ago

2026/05/11

Thilina Walpola

Dayasiri

SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekera has sought the intervention of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to pressure the JVP-NPP government to respect the rights of the Opposition.

MP Jayasekera told The Island that they wouldn’t allow the NPP to suppress the truth regarding the theft of Treasury funds amounting to USD 2.5 million. He accused Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne of depriving the Opposition of its legitimate rights, at the behest of the government.

Jayasekera said that the Speaker’s conduct regarding the action taken against Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne, too, had been brought to the notice of IPU and other international associations.

The text of MP Jayasekera’s letter to the Secretary general of IPU: “I respectfully submit this petition seeking the attention and intervention of the Inter-Parliamentary Union concerning a matter affecting parliamentary accountability, the rights of elected representatives, and the proper functioning of constitutional oversight within the Parliament of Sri Lanka.

On 06 May 2026, I Dayasiri Jayasekara MP submitted a formal request to the Hon. Speaker of Parliament seeking permission, under the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act No. 21 of 1953 and Standing Order 29(1), to raise a question of privilege regarding alleged constitutional and parliamentary violations by Mr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Treasury of Sri Lanka.

The proposed privilege motion raised matters including:

1. Alleged violations of Articles 148, 149, and 150 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka concerning parliamentary control over public finance;

2. Alleged failure to report to Parliament concerning a controversial and unlawful transfer of approximately USD 2.5 million from the Treasury;

3. Alleged non-compliance with parliamentary committee procedures under the Standing Orders of Parliament;

4. Questions relating to constitutional eligibility under Article 91(1)(d)(xiii) of the Constitution concerning dual citizenship and qualification to sit and vote in Parliament;

5. A request that the matter be referred to the Parliamentary Ethics and Privileges Committee established under Standing Order 118.

Despite the seriousness of the constitutional and parliamentary issues raised, the Hon. Speaker declined permission for the privilege issue to be raised in Parliament.

It is respectfully submitted that this refusal has the effect of:

• Preventing an elected Member of Parliament from exercising his parliamentary oversight function;

• Restricting parliamentary scrutiny over matters involving public finance and constitutional accountability;

• Undermining the privileges of Members of Parliament to raise matters of urgent public importance;

• Limiting institutional transparency concerning allegations involving senior state officials.

The right of parliamentarians to raise questions of privilege and matters relating to constitutional governance is an essential component of parliamentary democracy and legislative independence. The refusal to permit even the presentation or preliminary consideration of such a matter raises serious concerns regarding parliamentary accountability mechanisms in Sri Lanka.

Accordingly, I respectfully request that the Inter-Parliamentary Union:

1.Take cognizance of this matter as one affecting the rights and functions of Members of Parliament;

2.Seek clarification from the relevant parliamentary authorities in Sri Lanka regarding the grounds upon which the privilege motion was disallowed;

3.Consider whether the refusal is compatible with internationally recognised principles of parliamentary democracy, accountability, and freedom of parliamentary speech;

4. Encourage the Parliament of Sri Lanka to ensure fair and transparent procedures governing parliamentary privilege motions and constitutional oversight.

I further request that this communication be placed before the appropriate committee or mechanism within the IPU dealing with the rights and duties of parliamentarians.”