Referring to the recent declaration made by JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva that the Provincial Council elections couldn’t be held this year as funds allocated for that purpose were utilised to provide Ditwah cyclone relief, Tamil Progressive Front (TPA) leader Mano Ganeshan, MP, has asked Dr. Harsha de Silva, MP Chairman, Committee on Public Finance, to inquire into the issue at hand and take action deemed appropriate.

The text of MP Ganeshan’s letter: “I write with reference to a statement reportedly made by Tilvin Silva, General Secretary of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the principal constituent party of the National People’s Power (NPP) Government.

According to media reports, Silva stated, in substance, that funds allocated and set aside for the conduct of Provincial Council Elections had been utilised by the Government for disaster-rebuilding and related purposes.

While he is reported to have made further remarks, I confine my attention to the above statement, which raises a serious matter concerning public finance and parliamentary oversight.

To the best of my knowledge, Parliament has not approved any transfer or reallocation of funds, earmarked for Provincial Council Elections, to any other expenditure head or purpose. If the statement, attributed to Mr. de Silva, is accurate, it may indicate that such funds have been utilised without the requisite parliamentary authorisation.

In view of the above, I respectfully request that the Committee on Public Finance inquire into this matter and ascertain whether any transfer, reallocation, or expenditure of funds allocated for Provincial Council Elections has occurred in a manner inconsistent with parliamentary approval and financial regulations.

I would be grateful if the Committee could examine the facts and take any action deemed appropriate within its mandate.”

Sri Kalyani Vesak Zone 2026 was held this year under the guidance of Venerable Emeritus Professor Kollupitiya Mahinda Sangarakkitha Nayaka Thero, the Chief incumbent of the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya and Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya.

The auspicious opening ceremony was held on 01st June, 2026, by Venerable Deniyaye Pannaloka Buddharakkitha Thero and Dhammika Attygalle, Chief Basnayaka Nilame of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya.

Former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain Sanath Jayasuriya also participated in this event.

Arrangements are underway for former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to give evidence online in a case regarding the disappearance of Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan in December, 2011.

The Jaffna Magistrate’s Court has granted permission for Gotabaya Rajapaksa to give evidence online in the ongoing case.

Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan, of the Movement for People’s Struggle, disappeared at Avarangal, on 09 December, 2011, a day before a protest, organised by relatives of those who disappeared during the war, to mark International Human Rights Day in Jaffna.

The relatives of Lalith and Kugan filed a Habeas Corpus petition before the Court of Appeal, in Colombo, in 2012. During the hearing of the petition, the Court of Appeal directed the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court to record evidence from witnesses and submit a report regarding the alleged abduction.

Accordingly, proceedings commenced before the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court on September 19, 2012.

During the Yahapalana administration, in 2017, Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s name was included in the list of witnesses. The court subsequently ordered him to appear and testify. However, Rajapaksa repeatedly informed the court that he was unable to travel to Jaffna due to security concerns.

Accordingly, through his lawyers, he sought permission to testify virtually via an online platform. The court had earlier instructed him to submit an affidavit confirming the alleged security threats.

When the case was taken up yesterday (02), the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court granted permission for Gotabaya Rajapaksa to give evidence online.