News
“New regime hasn’t learnt from past administrative blunder- Manjula Gajanayake (Executive Director IRES)
Text and picture by PRIYAN DE SILVA
Executive Director of the Institute of Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES) Manjula Gajanayake says the new regime has not learnt lessons from the administrative blunders made in the past.
Gajanayake pointed out that one could not blame former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa alone for mismanaging the country’s economy and that the entire Cabinet, MPs of the ruling party, advisors to the President and officials who held decision-making posts, during his tenure, should be equally blamed.
“At a time the whole country is demanding a new governance paradigm, it is sad to see President Ranil Wickremesinghe reappointing Cabinet ministers, as well as top government officials, who failed to prevent the nation’s economic downfall” Gajanayake said.
“It seems that President Wickremesinghe has not taken note that the failed administrations of his predecessors were headed by officers who had retired from public service and that these officials are also responsible for the nation’s economic bankruptcy”.
Gajanayake pointed out that the officials appointed to high posts by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had either not foreseen and warned the President of the economic downfall the country was heading for or their advice had fallen on deaf ears. He warned that if President Wickremesinghe continued with the unhealthy practice of sidelining young public officials with capacity and vision by appointing retired officials with outdated strategies to high posts, such action would further ruin the country.
“The best course of action President Wickremesinghe could take, if he intends to revive the nation’s economy, as promised, is to call for a parliamentary election which would allow the public to elect persons of their choice who will put country before self when making important decisions and until such time refrain from appointing retired officials who have failed the nation in the past to high posts.”
He said it could be that the government was reappointing corrupt officials to ensure that the fraudulent practices and large scale embezzlement of government funds that resulted in the present economic debacle would not be brought to light.
Three prison guards attached to the Welikada Prison have been arrested by Borella Police following the death of an inmate on Monday (04).
‘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
The Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Isabelle Martin over the last weekend met representatives of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) in the East. Tamil Guardian reported that talks focused on the challenges facing the Tamil people.
The meeting was held at the office of ITAK Member of Parliament Kaveendiran Kodeeswaran and brought together parliamentarians representing the Batticaloa and Ampara districts, alongside local government officials including divisional council chairpersons.
Discussions centred on a range of pressing issues, including livelihoods, access to education, employment opportunities and ongoing human rights concerns, as well as the broader state of democratic governance in the region.
High Commissioner Martin sought updates on prevailing socio-economic conditions, particularly the challenges confronting local communities in the East. She noted the concerns raised and indicated that she would follow up on the matters discussed.
Among those present were ITAK MPs Kaveendiran Kodeeswaran, Gnanamuthu Sirinesan and Dr Elayathamby Srinath, along with several local council representatives.
Three prison guards arrested following the death of an inmate
Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm.
CJ urged to inquire into AKD’s remarks on May 25 court verdict
ITAK MPs representing East take their woes to Canadian HC
People demand release of Keppapilavu land
Sajith calls VAT hike extortion, demands relief for the public
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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