News

Kiriella complains tabled report on political victimisation incomplete

Published

4 years ago

2021/03/10

By Saman Indrajith

Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament yesterday that the Report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI), which investigated the alleged incidents of political victimisation tabled by the government in Parliament, was incomplete.

When the report was tabled in Parliament by Leader of the House, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, the Chief Opposition Whip said that the testimonies of the report had not been included in what had been tabled.

The first three volumes of the Sinhala version of the report were tabled by the Leader of the House Minister Gunawardena.

Chief Opposition Whip Kiriella requested the government for recordings of evidence of the PCoI reports. “Not even the volumes containing the records of testimonies of the report on the Easter Sunday terror attacks have been given. The Attorney General says he too has not been given them. How could he institute legal action without reading them? We have been repeatedly asking for the complete report.”

Leader of the House Minister Gunawardena said: We agreed at the Party leaders’ meeting to debate the Presidential Commission of inquiry report on Easter Sunday attacks for three days. The first day of debate is scheduled for Wednesday. The next two days will be allocated on the third next sitting week. That was the agreement and we would work according to that.

Chief Opposition Whip Kiriella:

Where are the sections containing the testimonies? They too should be given to us.

Leader of the House Minister Gunawardena:

That is a future issue.

A three-member Presidential Commission of Inquiry was appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in January 2020, to inquire into alleged political victimisations that took place from 2015 to 2019.

The Commission consisted of retired Supreme Court Judge Upali Abeyratne, retired Court of Appeal Judge Daya Chandrasiri Jayatilake, and retired IGP Chandra Fernando.

The Commission was mandated to inquire into political victimisation as regards investigations conducted by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, FCID, CID, and the Special Investigation Unit of the Police from January 8, 2015, to November 16, 2019.

The Commission also investigated the cases of politically victimised public officers during the relevant period.

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Two books written based on parliamentary legacy presented to PM

Published

7 hours ago

2025/03/18

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was presented with two books namely ’Darkness at Daybreak’ by . Nandasiri Jasen Thuliyan and ’Memories of 33 Years in Parliament’ by Attorney-at-Law Nihal Senewiratne on March 15, at the Parliament premises.Both publications were written based on parliamentary recollection of events. Notably, Mr. Nihal Senewiratne, who served as the Secretary General to Parliament for 17 years, authored ’Memories of 33 Years in Parliament’ based on his extensive 33-year tenure in parliamentary service.The event was attended by the Attorney, Mrs. Dhanushki Liyanapatabendi.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

News

Strengthen law enforcement processes to protect public law and order without any external influence – President

Published

8 hours ago

2025/03/18

Priyan

President Anura Kumara Disanayake instructed police chiefs of the Southern Province to carry out their duties without any influence. The President further stated that his government would facilitate this process by ensuring political authority provides the necessary assistance.

President Disanayake made these remarks during a discussion held today (18) at the Presidential Secretariat with police chiefs of the Southern Province.

The President emphasized that everyone must abide by the country’s fundamental laws and stated that enforcing these laws is the responsibility of the police department.

During the discussion, police chiefs of the Southern Province briefed the President on reports related to organized crimes and drug-related offenses. In response, President Disanayake instructed officials to take all necessary measures swiftly to combat crimes.

He also directed the officers to strengthen law enforcement processes to protect public law and order without any external influence.

Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala; Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala; Acting Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasooriya; and several Southern Province police chiefs were also present at the discussion.

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President holds discussions with Western Province Police chiefs

Published

8 hours ago

2025/03/18

Priyan

President Anura Kumara Disanayake stated that steps will be taken to provide the necessary facilities to eliminate organized crime and drug abuse, as well as to introduce new legislation.

The President made these remarks during a discussion held today (18) at the Presidential Secretariat with the police chiefs of the Western Province.

He emphasized that maintaining the rule of law is a key responsibility of the Police Department.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake further stated that a just society cannot be established in Sri Lanka without ensuring the supremacy of the rule of law.

Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala; Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala; Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Ravi Seneviratne; Acting Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasooriya; and several Western Province police chiefs were also present at the event.