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‘One-Country-One-Law’ PTF will serve no useful purpose – BASL

Published

5 years ago

2021/11/3

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) says no useful purpose would be served by the creation and appointment of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) to facilitate the implementation of the “One Law, One Country” concept. The BASL asserts that the proposed PTF would carry out the functions of many institutions established under the Constitution and the law, including Parliament and the Ministry of Justice.

The following is the text of the letter sent by the BASL to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa: “The Bar Association of Sri Lanka notes that Your Excellency has appointed a Presidential Task Force for One Country, One Law, by virtue of the powers vested under Article 33 of the Constitution.

“The proclamation published in the Gazette under the hand of the Secretary to the President states that the appointments are being made focusing on the fact that the administration of justice, its implementation and protection under the law should be fair by all as set out in the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The proclamation notes that under fundamental rights that no citizen should be discriminated against in the eye of the law or meted out special treatment on grounds of nationality, religion, caste, or any other grounds. It further states that the implementation of the concept; ‘One Country, One Law’ within Sri Lanka is reflected as a methodology of ensuring nationally and internationally recognized humanitarian values and the fact that all citizens are treated alike in the eye of the law should be further ensured.

“The Task Force is required to make a study of the implementation of the concept; ‘One Country, One Law’ within Sri Lanka and to prepare draft legislation for the said purpose and to study the draft legislation that has already been prepared by the Ministry of Justice in relation to this subject and their appropriateness and to submit proposals for any amendments thereto.

“Your Excellency is no doubt aware that the preparation of draft legislation and the study of existing legislation are tasks of a serious nature involving several institutions of the State. Legislative power is one of the aspects of the sovereignty of the people.

“The Constitution itself provides a framework for the legislative process which is supplemented by other laws and by the Standing Orders of Parliament. There already exist within the framework of the Constitution, the law and Standing Orders and adequate mechanisms for this purpose.

“The Sectoral Oversight Committees of Parliament as well as Standing Committees and Select Committees which can be constituted as per the Standing Orders of Parliament, the Law Commission which is an institution established by law are among these mechanisms. In addition, during the last year the Ministry of Justice has appointed several committees to propose reforms to various laws.

“Whilst the Sectoral Oversight Committees are chaired by members of the legislature, the Law Commission is presided over by a senior President’s Counsel. Many of the Committees appointed by the Minister of Justice consist of senior members of the legal profession and of senior academics. Some of these Committees are chaired by Judges of the Superior Courts.

“Apart from these mechanisms, the Attorney General and his Department also play a key role in the law-making process and is recognized by the Constitution. Given that the Department of the Attorney General too plays a key role in this process, questions arise of the role the Task Force will play vis-a-vis the Attorney General and his officers.

“In these circumstances, the appointment of a Task Force to oversee the work of the Ministry of Justice is in view of the BASL improper and outside the accepted framework for lawmaking. Any alienation of what are properly functions of the duly elected legislators and proper legally mandated executive functionaries by relocating their functions elsewhere involves erosion of the Sovereignty of the People.

“The BASL further observes that the Task Force itself is not a representative body, given that it has no female representation nor representation from several ethnic groups and religious groups in the country. Serious doubts also exist as to the qualifications, expertise, and suitability of the Chairperson of the Task Force and of many of its members to engage in the functions described in the Gazette.

“Whilst there is no doubt that the concepts of equality, fairness, non-discrimination, the protection of the law and nationally and internationally recognized humanitarian values are all laudable principles, it is doubtful if the process set out in the Gazette and the creation of the Task Force can make any meaningful contribution in upholding these values.

“What is of utmost importance at present is that the State and the organs of the government including the Executive of which Your Excellency is the head, upholds the rule of law and moves to protect and safeguard the fundamental rights of the people as described in Article 4(d) of the Constitution. In fact, the best way to ensure the objectives set out in the proclamation are by upholding the rule of law and respecting the fundamental rights of the people.

“In the past few months, the BASL which is committed to the Rule of Law has drawn the attention of Your Excellency and to the Government on several instances where the Rule of Law and the Fundamental Rights of the people have been violated. However, the BASL notes with regret that no remedial measures have been taken in this regard.

In the above circumstances the BASL is of the view that no useful purpose would be served by the creation and appointment of the aforesaid Task Force, which in view of the BASL would usurp the functions of many institutions established under the Constitution and the law, including Parliament and the Ministry of Justice.”

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President meets with Department of Prisons Officials

Published

59 mins ago

2026/07/18

Priyan

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with the officers of the Department of Prisons, including Superintendents of Prisons, Jailers and other officials, on Friday (17) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat.

Extensive discussions focused on the challenges currently faced by the prison system and the urgent measures required to address them.

Special attention was also given to the recent incident at the Negombo Prison, with lengthy discussions held on the steps needed to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

The meeting also addressed the challenges faced by prison officers and matters relating to their welfare.

The officials noted that this was the first opportunity they had been given to discuss their concerns directly with the President and expressed their appreciation for the opportunity.

Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration Ayesha Jinasena, Commissioner General of Prisons Prasad Hemantha Kumara, Commissioner of Prisons (Rehabilitation) S.K. Pallethanna, Commissioner of Prisons (Operation/ Intelligence) A.C. Gajanayake, along with a number of other officials of the Department of Prisons, were present at the meeting.

(PMD)

News

Prioritize Vocational Education in future Education Planning – President

Published

1 hour ago

2026/07/18

Priyan

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised that greater priority must be given to strengthening Sri Lanka’s vocational education sector in parallel with the country’s ongoing education reforms, stating that the Government is prepared to allocate the necessary funding through the 2027 Budget.

The President made these remarks on Friday (17) during a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat to review the progress of projects implemented under the 2026 Budget allocations for the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education and to discuss the Ministry’s funding requirements ahead of the 2027 Budget.

A total allocation of Rs. 303 billion has been made to the Ministry under the 2026 Budget, comprising Rs. 160 billion for general education, Rs. 122 billion for higher education and Rs. 20 billion for vocational education.

The meeting reviewed the implementation of projects funded under these allocations, future plans and the Ministry’s funding requirements for the coming year. The President stressed that budget allocations should not be spent merely because they have been provided, but should instead be utilised in line with national priorities and identified needs.

Officials noted that the largest-ever capital allocation of Rs. 8 billion had been provided this year for vocational education. They also reported that 57,959 students had been enrolled during the first two quarters of the year across 310 Government vocational training institutions.

Particular attention was given to increasing the annual intake of students into vocational education institutions. Discussions also covered the allocation of a permanent site for the Ocean University, the gradual increase in student admissions to the University of Vocational Technology from next year and measures to expand both the number and quality of University Colleges across the country, enabling students in the regions to access technical degree and diploma programmes more easily.

The meeting also focused on programmes implemented under the general education sector. The President stressed that projects financed through foreign assistance should not become an unnecessary debt burden on the country, but should instead be undertaken only where they are aligned with Sri Lanka’s education policies and genuine national requirements.

Attention was also directed towards welfare programmes for schoolchildren. The President instructed that priorities be established to ensure that benefits reach those who genuinely require them based on the effectiveness of each programme. The President further noted that the President’s Fund remains ready to support scholarship programmes and instructed officials to prepare and submit proposals outlining such funding requirements.

The meeting also held extensive discussions on increasing the monthly financial assistance provided to students with special educational needs from 2026 onwards, as well as raising the allowances paid to student teachers at the National Colleges of Education.

Officials also briefed the President on issues relating to the existing student insurance scheme.

Discussions further focused on plans to invest Rs. 382 billion in the education sector during the 2027–2031 period to support its continued development. Particular attention was given to the proposed Digital Transformation Project, which forms part of this investment programme.

It was also noted that work has commenced on the rehabilitation of 20 schools and National Colleges of Education damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, with Rs. 1.9 billion allocated for the programme.

The meeting also agreed that teacher shortages, vacancies among non-academic staff and salary anomalies within the education sector should be addressed through a coordinated approach across the public sector. It was further agreed that a special commission would be tasked with recommending permanent solutions to these issues.

Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya; Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando; Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi; Senior Additional Secretaries to the President Russel Aponsu and Kapila Janaka Bandara; Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma; Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa; together with officials from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, were also present at the meeting.

(PMD)

News

Navy brings fisherman in distress off Pothuvil, ashore

Published

8 hours ago

2026/07/18

Priyan

The Sri Lanka Navy rescued a fisherman from a local fishing trawler that encountered distress due to adverse weather conditions off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka.

The rescue operation took place on 17 July 2026, approximately 15 nautical miles off Pothuvil. The operation was launched following information received by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo.

In response, the Sri Lanka Navy deployed the Offshore Patrol Vessel SLNS Vijayabahu along with additional craft to conduct a search operation in the designated sea area, where they successfully located the distressed fisherman.

Following the rescue, the individual was brought aboard SLNS Vijayabahu, where naval personnel administered preliminary first aid. He was subsequently brought to the mainland and rushed for further medical attention.

Meanwhile, the Navy, along with the coordination of MRCC Colombo, remains constantly prepared to swiftly respond to the eventualities faced by maritime and fishing communities operating within the island’s Search and Rescue Region (SRR).