News
NMSJ urges Parliament to pass bill on election expenses
Parliament should pass the proposed Bill on election campaign finance soon and take into account the positive criticisms thereof, Karu Jayasuriya, Chairman of the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) says.
Jayasuriya has in a media statement said: “As the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ), we express our deep appreciation for the fact that a bill has been presented to Parliament with the aim of creating an environment for a free and fair election culture by regulating election expenses. In order to achieve our desired goal of passing the Bill, we emphasise the need to pass it, taking into account the positive criticisms that have been, raised regarding the Bill.
“In order to civilise the political culture of Sri Lanka, it is essential to regulate the expenses incurred by every political party, as well as candidates. It is also important to regulate the way of collecting funds, as well as ensure that the relevant funds are procured through legal means. It is extremely important to enforce a law for that. Accordingly, the regulation of the election expenses of the candidates, running for the local government (LG) elections, provincial councils (PC) elections, general elections and presidential elections, which is expected to be adopted by the enforcement of this Bill, will definitely be a positive approach. In addition to that, we are of the view that the expenses of each political party and group in referendums should also be included in this legal framework.
“Moreover, we expect that certain loopholes, found in this Bill, which may enable political parties and candidates to exert undue influence on voters, through campaigning and other expenses during the elections, will be rectified. If any money is spent by another party, on behalf of a certain candidate, or political party, it should be made mandatory to obtain prior permission from the candidate or the party concerned, and the law should make such cases clear and accountable. Also, as seen in the original Bill, it was suggested that every candidate should spend their expenses through a specific bank account, but attention should also be paid to the fact that it is not included in this Bill.
“It is also our conclusion that it is important to include provisions in this Bill in such a way that funds cannot be obtained from organisations established in Sri Lanka that receive foreign aid, as well as from organisations established as non-profit organisations under the Companies Act No. 07 of 2007 or by Acts of Parliament.
We, as the NMSJ, express our strong support and gratitude to all those who are working for the need to enforce a law on election expenses. We request from the Government as well as all the Members of Parliament to make this a great opportunity to prepare a successful legal basis for regulating the election expenses in Sri Lanka, taking into consideration the proposals prepared and submitted to the relevant authorities by the Elections Commission of Sri Lanka, as well as by various other election monitoring organisations.”
It has been reported quoting police sources that the death toll from the renewed unrest at the Negombo Prison which this morning, has risen from nineteen to twenty five (25).
A clash initially broke out between two groups of inmates (a group of remand prisoners and a group of convicted inmates serving sentences) at the Negombo Prison at around 1.00 p.m. on Sunday (05).
Two inmates died in yesterday’s clash, while around 40 others sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at hospital.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the children of Sri Lanka are well capable of viewing the world with creativity and critical ways of thinking, and that the Government is committed to equipping them with the required knowledge and modern technologies necessary to realize their full potential.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the opening of the ’Arumasiya’ Exhibition and the occasion of laying the foundation stone for a new three-storey building at Balangoda Vidyaloka Central College, on the 4th of July.
During the visit, the Prime Minister officially declared open the exhibition showcasing the students’ innovations and creative talents and commended them for their remarkable achievements. The Prime Minister also participated in the ceremony of laying the foundation stone for the construction of the College’s new three-storey building.
Addressing the occasion, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:
“It is a pleasure to participate in this special event at Balangoda Vidyaloka Central College, the school where Sri Lanka’s first female Prime Minister received her education
I had the opportunity to visit the exhibition featuring the outstanding creations and innovations of the students. What I witnessed was a group of talented young people who have moved beyond textbook learning and are capable of viewing the world with creativity and critical thinking.
We are introducing a new education reform process that moves away from a rote-learning, examination-oriented system towards a practical and skills-based one. The Government is now systematically completing all the necessary preparations to implement the new education reforms scheduled to commence in 2027.
Our objective is to ensure that every child leaving school has access to vocational and technical education that matches their individual talents and meets the demands of the modern labour market. We are committed to transforming vocational education into a field that enjoys the same dignity and recognition as university education.
Finally, I commend the Principal and the academic staff of Balangoda Vidyaloka Central College for organizing this exhibition, and to the students and parents whose dedication made this event a success.”
The event was attended by Members of Parliament for Ratnapura District Wasantha Pushpa Kumara and Sunil Rajapaksha, the Mayor of Balangoda and members of the Municipal Council, the Zonal Director of Education, the Principal and academic staff of Balangoda Vidyaloka Central College, parents, and students.
Prime Minister’s Media Division
The appointment of a Special Parliamentary Ombudsman (SPO) to inquire into the complaints against the Attorney General, as promised in the NPP manifesto, is on hold, pending the establishment of an Independent Office of the Public Prosecutor and provincial Sub Officers.
Authoritative sources told The Island that the Justice and National Integration Ministry was awaiting the recommendations, regarding the new legislation for the establishment of such an Office, from a Committee of Technical Experts, chaired by Justice Yasantha Kodagoda, PC.
Responding to a query raised in Parliament by SJB lawmaker Ajith P. Perera about the delay in appointment of SPO, Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the government couldn’t take a decision until the Kodagoda Committee made recommendations.
Nanayakkara said that the positioning of the SPO couldn’t be decided before they differentiate the powers of the Attorney General and the an Independent Office of the Public Prosecutor and provincial Sub Officers.
According to the NPP manifesto, provincial Sub Officers were to be established under a senior Additional Solicitor General.
Opposition sources pointed out that the relevant Cabinet decision was taken on 7 May 2025. According to the Cabinet Office, the government decided to establish an Independent Office of the Public Prosecutor and provincial Sub Officers in line with a proposal made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in her final report on Sri Lanka, submitted in September, 2024.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
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