News

Mano says talks failed due to SJB’s lukewarm response

Published

3 years ago

2023/04/18

Thilina Walpola

Tamil MPs’ caucus gathers momentum

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader Mano Ganeshan MP yesterday (17) said that he along with SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem initiated talks with the UNP to explore ways and means of bringing the SJB and the UNP together following a spate of requests from SJB lawmakers as well as members of the now defunct Local Government bodies.

Lawmaker Ganeshan said so in response to The Island query whether they acted unilaterally in opening talks with the UNP in January this year.

Asked whether they obtained prior approval from SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to make the move, MP Ganeshan said that they didn’t. “There was no question of obtaining the SJB leader’s approval, since it was not a finalised concrete mission but a mission to check all possibilities. Besides, most SJB MPs informally requested that we make such a move.”

Responding to another query, MP Ganeshan said that during talks with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, they were told of the UNP leader’s decision to nominate persons to represent him and he suggested the SJB leader did the same. The President expressed the belief that minority parties, too, would be there, MP Ganeshan said, adding that they briefed both the SJB leader and SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara MP regarding the developments.

Asked to explain the current status of their initiative, MP Ganeshan said that they gave up the effort in February/March this year due to what he called the negative response of the SJB leader and SJB General Secretary.

MP Ganeshan said that President Wickremesinghe never offered premiership to the SJB leader though some speculated and claimed so.Asked whether the failed effort was in any way linked with his effort to establish a Tamil MPs caucus in Parliament and bring the UNP and the SJB together, MP Ganeshan emphasized that there was no connection at all.

The MP said that he really appreciated the declaration made by TMK General Secretary C.V. Wigneshwaran that he too would join the Tamil MPs’ caucus.The former NPC Chief Minister has informed MP Ganeshan of his readiness to back the move.

MP Ganeshan said that as of yesterday, TELO, DPLF, TMK of the north-east and TPA constituents in the South, DPF, WNF, UPF were in agreement to the proposal mooted by him.Only the TNA’s response is awaited, MP Ganeshan said.

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Members of Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Officially Appointed

Published

1 hour ago

2026/05/5

Priyan

The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.

The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:

Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage

The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.

The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.

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Three prison guards arrested following the death of an inmate

Published

2 hours ago

2026/05/5

Priyan

(File pic)

Three prison guards attached to the Welikada Prison have been arrested by Borella Police following the death of an inmate on Monday (04).

News

CJ urged to inquire into AKD’s remarks on May 25 court verdict

Published

6 hours ago

2026/05/5

Sahan Weerasooriya

CJ Surasena

‘Bar Association must reveal its stand’

Civil society group ‘Free Lawyers’ has requested Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena to probe whether political pressure was brought on a Magistrate, or a High Court Judge, in respect of an ongoing high profile case.

Speaking to The Island on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon said that they felt the urgent need to seek the CJ’s intervention, following the May Day declaration by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the verdict of a case that was heard on 30 April would be given on 25 May. Tennakoon said that addressing the NPP’s main May Day rally at Maharagama, the President asked the people to be ready to celebrate that verdict. The President couldn’t have said so if he hadn’t been aware of the impending verdict, Tennakoon said, while emphasising the responsibility on the part of the Bar Association to state its position on the issue.

‘Free Lawyers’ recently captured pubic attention following its exposure of the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.

Responding to a query, Tennakoon said that on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Maithri Gunaratne, PC, on Monday, 4 April, wrote to both CJ Surasena and President of the Bar Association Rajeev Amarasuriya.

Alleging that President Dissanayake’s declaration caused immense harm to the independence of the judiciary and raised controversy over the judgement that would be given on 25 May, ‘Free Lawyers’ organisation also asked the CJ to inquire into whether the entire judicial process was under political pressure.

Tennakoon said that they expect the Bar Association to reveal its position on President Dissanayake’s statement. Tennakoon pointed out that during the May Day address, President Dissanayake made reference to 15 cases that were to be taken up during this month, whereas Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister, as well as Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake, mentioned nearly 10 names of politicians, both sitting and former lawmakers, to be summoned beginning, May.

Tennakoon said that the NPP appeared to have used May Day to counter growing accusations over the Colombo port container controversy, coal scam, Rs 13.2 bn NDB fraud and theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury and USD 625,000 from the Sri Lanka Postal Service.

By Shamindra Ferdinando