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Lawyers’ Collective asks public to vote wisely
The Lawyers’ Collective has urged electorate to vote for a person committed to the safeguard and protection of the independence and integrity of institutions, including the judiciary, the Constitutional Council, the police, public service, the Central Bank, and independent commissions and to safeguard them from unwarranted political interference and pressure.
The text of the statement: As the Presidential Election draws close, the Lawyers’ Collective draws the attention of the voting public to areas vital to the future of governance in Sri Lanka: democracy, rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.
In a democracy, institutions must respect the different powers and responsibilities of Parliament, the Executive led by the President and the Courts. The preservation of the rule of law is key to the well-being of the nation and its people and is an integral part of building a sustainable and thriving economy, a democratic and just social order and accountable governance.
People and also governments must recognise that the rule of law, including the protection of human rights, includes many elements such as the right of the people to participate in decision-making in governance, the holding of periodic free and fair elections, the independence of the judiciary, the prevention of corruption, transparency in governance, subsidiarity and equitable power sharing, the right to equality, non-discrimination and equal protection of the law, the guarantee of accountability and rejection of impunity.
Over the years, Sri Lanka has witnessed a steady decline in the rule of law and democratic values and norms, which has directly affected the economic wellbeing of the nation and impacted the daily lives of people. The decline in the rule of law has resulted in economic mismanagement, large scale bribery and corruption, impunity, gross human rights abuse and violence against persons and property. Several laws that undermine human rights, democracy and decision making by those most affected have been enacted. The economic and political crisis of 2022 is essentially a crisis of governance resulting from the breakdown of the rule of law and weakening of key institutions. There is much to be reversed and changed.
If Sri Lanka is to achieve economic and social stability the strengthening of its institutions, including Parliament, the Judiciary, the Public Service, including the Police and other independent institutions, is essential. So, too, is addressing the issue of corruption and waste of public resources.
Therefore, it is necessary to elect a President who commits to the safeguard and protection of the independence and integrity of institutions, including the judiciary, the Constitutional Council, the police, the public service, the Central Bank, and independent commissions and to safeguard them from unwarranted political interference and pressure. These are essential for the sustainable economic development of our country. Towards this end, a clear Page 2 of 3 commitment to abolish the executive presidency and to step away from centralized authoritarian power is crucial.
Over the years a key source of interference or attempted interference with these institutions has been the executive President whose powers have often gone unchecked. After the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, the Supreme Court has become an important institution to act as a check on the abuses of the Presidential Office. Hence it is vital at present, and in the future, that the independence of the judiciary is preserved as it is a corner stone for the preservation of democracy and the rule of law in Sri Lanka. Without an independent and a courageous judiciary, citizens who have suffered from violations of their rights at the hands of State authorities will not be able to effectively vindicate their rights or to obtain redress.
The person who is elected as President will have a profound impact on democracy, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, the police and the public service. The Lawyers’ Collective notes that the President so elected will have the opportunity to fill several vacancies which will arise in the apex courts in the next few months, including the vacancy in the office of Chief Justice which will occur in December 2024.
As you cast your vote, the Lawyers Collective respectfully urges the voting public to keep in mind the vital need to safeguard democracy, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in our nation.
The following signed the statement: Upul Jayasuriya, PC, M.M. Zuhair, PC, Professor Savitri Goonesekere, Attorney-at-Law Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne, PC, Dinal Phillips, PC, Geoffrey Alagaratnam, PC, Saliya Pieris, PC, Professor Deepika Udagama, Professor Camena Gunaratne, S.T. Jayanaga, PC, Nalin Dissanayake, PC, Upul Kumarapperuma, PC, Srinath Perera, Attorney-at-Law, Darshana Kuruppu, Attorney-at-Law, Chandima Atapattu, Attorney-at-Law, Sandamal Rajapakse, Attorney-at-Law, Kosala Dabare, Attorney-at-Law, Manoj Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law, Amila Egodamahawatte, Attorney-at-Law and Jayantha Dehiaththage, Attorney-at-Law.
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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Monaragala
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.
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
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.”
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