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Lawyers’ Collective expresses concern over Commission of Inquiry on Electoral Process
The Lawyers’ Collective in a release yesterday expressed its profound concern about President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent appointment of a Commission of Inquiry, with retired Chief Justice Priyasath Dep PC as its chair. This commission’s mandate is to examine all existing election laws and regulations, ostensibly “to suit current needs” and make necessary recommendations for their amendment.
The Lawyers Collective highlights that, according to the Constitution, the Elections Commission is already mandated to issue guidelines to the media and political parties for the proper conduct of elections. It has also prepared numerous reports on many of the matters outlined in the Gazette Notification. The notice published in the Gazette outlines several objectives, many of which fall within the purview of the Elections Commission, the constitutionally mandated body responsible for ensuring the conduct of free and fair elections.
This has led to concerns about the motives behind the Commission’s appointment. The ostensible objectives of this Commission of Inquiry include: • Formulating an electoral system that blends the first-past-the-post system and the proportional representation system. • Increasing representation for women and youth. • Reducing the time between the declaration of an election and the release of results. • Exploring opportunities for electronic voting. • Facilitating voting for Sri Lankans overseas. • Expanding the use of postal voting. The notification also charges the Commission with making recommendations for the formulation of media standards for the appropriate use of media by political parties and independent groups and introducing a code of conduct for political parties, independent groups, and their membership in performing political and public affairs.
Additionally, the Commission is tasked with suggesting ways to strengthen laws and regulations related to the registration and operations of political parties, ensuring public trust and accountability. The Lawyers’ Collective notes with deep concern that the notification specifically calls on the Commission to explore the possibility of allowing an individual to contest two elections for the selection of people’s representatives and to hold positions in both institutions simultaneously if elected. The Collective is of the view that such a provision completely undermines the electoral process in a democracy.
The Lawyers Collective underscores that the Commission of Inquiry has been appointed without any prior consultation, even with recognized political parties in Parliament. While electoral reforms are indeed imperative, we know that there have been Select Committees and other entities previously appointed to make recommendations to change the system. No action has been taken on these proposals for decades. The Lawyers’ Collective is very concerned about the timing of this particular proposal. There is an apprehension that these appointments might be intended to stall the electoral process in the country, especially when, according to the Constitution, the Presidential Election is just 11 months away and is set to be conducted between September and October 2024.
The Lawyers’ Collective also notes that, prior to the President withholding funds for the Local Authorities Elections, the Prime Minister appointed a purported delimitation committee, ostensibly to reform the electoral process for Local Authorities. Following this and despite a specific order of the Supreme Court preventing the treasury from withholding the funds for the holding of the Local Elections, the President and the Government continues to withhold funds for the election. In light of the above considerations the Lawyers’ Collective calls upon the President not to use this Commission as a pretext to delay constitutionally mandated electoral processes. It also calls on the President to ensure that by legal design and for political advantage there is no further interference with elections and democracy at large.
The statement has been signed by Rienzie Arsecularatne PC, Prof Savitri Goonesekere, Upul Jayasuriya PC, Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne PC, Geoffrey Alagaratnam PC, Dinal Phillips PC, M.M. Zuhair PC, Anura Meddegoda PC, Saliya Pieris PC, S.T. Jayanaga PC, Prof Camena Guneratne, Upul Kumarapperuma AAL, K.W. Janaranjana AAL, Srinath Perera AAL, Ermiza Tegal AAL and Manoj Nanayakkara AAL.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Udaygiri arrived at the Port of Colombo on an official visit today, 8 September 2026, where it was received by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with time-
honoured naval traditions.
INS Udaygiri is a 149.02m long Frigate, Commanded by Captain Vikas Sood. Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship is scheduled to call on Commander Western Naval
Area, Rear Admiral Harsha De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
Captain Sood served as the Defence Adviser at the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka from July 2020 to October 2023.
During their stay in the island, the crew of INS Udaygiri will participate in several goodwill events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two forces.
The visiting personnel are also scheduled to visit prominent tourist and cultural locations across the island.
Additionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel are expected to visit the ship for capability observation and knowledge sharing, and will conduct onboard training during its stay.
The Supreme Court has been petitioned seeking an explanation as to how eight petitions filed against the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution were not listed for hearing . Two of the petitioners, namely Dias Bandaralage Ajith Shantha Kumara Jayathilaka and Gunathilakage Dakum Dulara Gunathilaka, have requested an opportunity to examine the official Registry and parliamentary records so that all material facts may be objectively established. They said that their petitions that had been registered by the Supreme Court should have been heard along with other petitions.
The Registrar of the Supreme Court, Secretary General of Parliament, Speaker and the Attorney General have been named as the respondents.
The five-member bench that heard the petitions consisted of Chief Justice P. Padman Surasena, Achala Wengappuli, J, Arjuna Obeyesekere, J, Sampath B. Abayakoon, J and K.M.G.H. Kulatunga, J.
The petitioners sought the explanation in the absence of any judicial order dismissing, rejecting, striking out, terminating or otherwise disposing the said petitions. They have requested the disclosure of the complete procedural history of the unlisted cases.
The second petitioner Gunathilaka has referred to a speech by Jaffna District Independent MP Ramanathan Archuna in Parliament, on 21 August, 2026, regarding X-Press Pearl, a container carrier that sank off the port of Colombo, and related matters.
They have sought leave to proceed under Articles 17 and 126 of the Constitution and asked for a full Bench of the Supreme Court, or the widest Bench, constitutionally permissible.
They also requested that the Chief Justice and Achala Wengappuli refrain from participating in the hearing and determination of their application, having regard to the objective-appearance issue arising from their prior constitutional and judicial participation in matters forming part of the factual subject matter now requiring examination.
Meanwhile, General Secretary of Vinivida Foundation, Nagananda Kodituwakku, has requested the Supreme Court Registrar not to proceed with the determination of 22nd Amendment process, pending the hearing of fundamental rights petition filed by Chairman of the Vinivida Foundation lawyer, Sugandhika Fernando, seeking a full bench, excluding Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, to hear the petitions challenging the 22nd Amendment Bill. She also requested that the hearing be suspended immediately until the matter was fully heard and determined.
Among the respondents are Chief Justice Surasena, the first respondent, and Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe. Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Shiran Gooneratne, Achala Wengappuli and Priyantha Fernando.
(SF)
Sri Lankan passport holders travelling to Thailand wouldn’t be eligible for visa-free entry from 15 September, 2026, according to a new visa notice issued by the Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo.
Under the new measures, all Sri Lankan travellers will be required to obtain a Thai visa before departing for Thailand. Visa applications must be submitted online through Thailand’s official e-Visa system.
The Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo has also clarified that it will not accept visa applications submitted in person or in physical form.
According to the Embassy, tourist visa applications submitted by Sri Lankan passport holders are expected to take approximately 3–7 working days, calculated from the date on which all required documents have been duly completed and submitted.
Processing times for Non-Immigrant Visa and DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) applications may take longer.
Foreign nationals residing in Sri Lanka or the Maldives who hold valid work or residence permits may also require additional processing time.
The Embassy has cautioned applicants that it reserves the right to request additional documents or information when necessary. Applicants may also be asked to attend a visa interview on a case-by-case basis.
The new requirement represents a significant change for Sri Lankan travellers, who will need to complete the visa process before travelling to Thailand from September 15 onward.
The Embassy has urged applicants to rely only on its official communication channels for the latest visa requirements, procedures and updates.
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