News
SC deems Electricity Amendment Bill inconsistent with Constitution
By Saman Indrajith
The Supreme Court has determined that the Electricity Amendment Bill is inconsistent with the Constitution as a whole.
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday informed the Parliament of the SC’s ruling.
The Supreme Court has determined that some clauses in the draft Bill were inconsistent with the Articles 3, 4 (a), 12 (1), 14 (1) a, and 76 of the Constitution.
The Court has ruled that the Bill could be passed if it is amended, as per the guidelines stipulated by the Court.
Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella raising a point of order said that the amendments recommended by the SC for the Bill could not be studied within a day. Kiriella asked the Speaker to put off the debate scheduled for Thursday (06).
“At the last party leaders’ meeting we pointed out this. It is practically not possible to study all these guidelines today and then go for the debate the day after tomorrow.
This is a very important Bill. It proposes that the CEB be divided into 12 sectors to pave the way for privatization. This affects the lives of 23,000 employees of the CEB. We need time. “
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena’s declaration that he couldn’t rule on the matter led to exchange of words between government and Opposition members.
Speaker Abeywardena said that the matter of making that decision was not up to him but to the party leaders.
However, when the MPs kept demanding that a party leaders’ meeting be announced, the Speaker continued in reading his announcements.
SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa called for a postponement of the debate. “We need to conduct a broad study on the Bill and the Supreme Court determination and therefore we call for a postponement of the debate set for Thursday,” Premadasa said.
Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said that the Bill would be amended as per the Supreme Court determination. “We can go ahead with the debate on Thursday with the amendments. The Supreme Court determination is a guideline to ensure that the Bill is consistent with the Constitution. We will ensure that the Electricity Amendment Bill will be made consistent with the Constitution. We have already agreed with some amendments, and we stated this when the case was heard by the Supreme Court. We wonder why the SJB is shouting about the Bill as they themselves have stated in their economic blueprint that they will also restructure the CEB,” the Minister said.
NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa said that it was regrettable to note the way Minister Wijejesekera oversimplified the Supreme Court recommended amendments. “We must study these recommendations and make sure that they are incorporated because this government is notorious for overlooking Supreme Court recommendations in passing Bills,” Weerawansa said.
SLPP dissident MP Chandima Weerakkody: The Supreme Court has determined that this draft Bill violates Article 12(1) of the Constitution. That Article is there to ensure equality of opportunity for all. There are some other recommendations, too. We need time. This could be debated in the Sectoral Oversight Committee for two days.
SLPP Dayasiri Jayasekera: I am a member of Sectoral Oversight Committee on Power and Energy. I know that not all the stakeholders of the power and energy sector have been consulted in making this draft Bill. The reason for trying to rush this Bill through Parliament is obvious to some of us. There are companies lining up to enter into agreements. Suppose the Minister signs an agreement this evening with a wind power company and gets this Bill passed tomorrow, then the provisions of this draft Bill would not be applicable to that company. It is to favour such deals that the need to rush through the Bill arises.
SLPP dissident MP Genvindu Cumaratunga said that the MPs have not been given copies of the Supreme Court ruling. When we ask for the SC rulings, the officials tell us that it would be printed in the Hansard. The Supreme Court rulings are printed in very small letter size in the Hansard that no one bothers to find magnifying glasses to read them. We demand that a copy of the SC ruling be given us today,” he said.
Leader of the House Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said that the government would include all recommended guidelines by the Supreme Court, and it would go ahead to hold the debate on Thursday as scheduled.
Minister Wijesekera said that the government would adhere to the parliamentary process and to the agreements reached at the party leaders meeting. The debate would be on Thursday and the vote would be taken at 6 pm on that day. Those who oppose this bill can come and oppose it on that day too.
State Finance Minister Shehan Samarasinghe said MP Cumaratunga does not know the parliamentary process and becomes a nuisance by raising impertinent points of order. We invite private companies to invest in the electricity sector. We break the ongoing monopoly so that people would benefit. We do so while upholding Supreme Court guidelines. There are some MPs who think like frogs in a well.
JVP/NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that Minister Semasinghe was against privatization when in the Rajapaksa camp and now being a member of the Wickremesinghe camp become an ardent supporter of privatization. “According to his description he was in the well when with Rajapaksas and now is out of the well. This House is known for bypassing Supreme Court determinations. We did not have a chance to attend the party leaders’ meeting that determined the dates for this debate. We keep on asking the Speaker to hold party leaders’ meetings on sitting days. This is what happens when party leaders’ meetings are held on non-sitting days.”
MP Nimal Lanza said that the debate should be held on Thursday and should not be postponed under any ground cited by the Opposition because the latter opposes anything done by the government.
MP Harsha de Silva said that the reforming of CEB was there in the SJB blueprint to revive the economy, but it was wrong for the government to interpret it as privatization. He requested that the debate on the Bill be extended to two days and not to be confined to a single day.
NFF leader Weerawansa said that he and other SLPP dissidents are not represented in the party leaders’ meeting. “We have 17 MPs. When the time is allotted for debates, we get only two slots of seven minutes. Therefore, we, too, demand that the debate on the Bill should be held on two sitting days.”
SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman said that the content of the draft Bill was in contradiction with the SLPP manifesto ‘Vistas of Prosperity.”
Speaker Abeywardena said that the matter should be sorted out at a party leader’s meeting. Then the opposition MPs demanded that a party leaders’ meeting be held, however, the Speaker continued to read the next items in the list of announcements despite the shouting by MPs.
SJB trying to take control of CMC
Govt. suffers set back in N&E
SLPP records significant increase in votes but fails to win single body
The ruling National People’s Power (NPP) secured 266 out of 339 local government bodies at the May 6 election but suffered a setback in the northern and eastern regions as the Illankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) won 42 local authorities.
The ITAK and SLMC secured 37 and 05 local government bodies, respectively, although President Anura Kumara Dissanayake personally led the NPP’s campaign in the former war zone. The National Congress won the Akkaraipattu MC. In the last parliamentary election held in Nov. 2014, the NPP won all electoral districts, except Batticaloa.
The NPP obtained 4,503,930 votes countrywide whereas in the last parliamentary election it received 6,863,186 votes; there has been a drop of 2,359,256 votes.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) won 13 local government bodies, but the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) failed to secure any.
The SLPP obtained 954,517 votes and 742 seats, accounting for 9.17% of the national vote. In a post on X, SLPP’s National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa said: “Over the past six months, the SLPP has regrouped and gained momentum by staying true to our principles. While some rely on false promises, we remain committed to honest, principled politics that put the people first. Thank you to everyone who stood by us. This is just the beginning. We will keep working, village by village, to rebuild and restore trust in real leadership.” The SLPP polled only 350,429 votes in last year’s general election.
In the 2018 LG polls, the SLPP won 231 councils. That was the first time the government of the day failed to win mini polls. Yahapalana partners, UNP and SLFP, having contested separately, suffered a debilitating setback.
In spite of the massive campaign carried out by the NPP, targeting the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), the ruling party failed to secure an overall majority there. The NPP polled 81,000 votes to obtain 48 seats whereas the SJB and UNP polled 58,375 (29 seats) and 26,297 (13 seats) votes, respectively. The SLPP (05), SLMC (04), United Republican Front (01), United Peace Alliance (02), Sarvajana Balaya (02), and National People’s Party, National Freedom Front, People’s
Alliance and Democratic National Alliance one each.
In addition to political parties, five Independent Groups shared the remaining 09 seats of the CMC.
With no party holding a clear majority, the next Colombo Mayor will need to be elected through a Council vote.
SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara told a hastily arranged media conference that the SJB intended to elect an SJBer as Colombo Mayor with the help of the other Opposition parties. The former Minister said that the SJB would cooperate with the other parties in the Opposition regarding the appointment of Mayors and Chairmen of the hung local councils.
Meanwhile, the Leader of the House, Bimal Ratnayake, has said those who won local government bodies in the Northern Province but without absolute majorities have sought NPP support to form administrations.
Addressing a separate media briefing, JVP General Secretary, Tilvin Silva, declared that the ruling party wouldn’t, under any circumstances, form coalitions with those who had been rejected by the people.
Colombo District
NPP:
Colombo MC, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia MC, Sri Jayewardenepura MC, Moratuwa MC, Kaduwela MC, Kolonnawa UC, Seethawakapura UC, Maharagama UC, Kesbewa UC, Boralesgamuwa UC, Kotikawatte PS, Seethawaka PS and Homagama PS.
Gampaha District
NPP:
Negombo MC. Gampaha MC, Wattala-Mabola UC (both NPP and SJB obtained six seats each), Katunayaka-Seeduwa UC, Minuwangoda UC, Ja-ela UC, Peliyagoda UC, Wattala PS, Katana PS, Divulapitiya PS, Mirigama PS, Minuwangoda PS, Attanagalle PS, Gampaha PS, Mahara PS, Dompe PS, Biyagama PS and Kelaniya PS.
Kalutara District
NPP:
Panadura UC, Horana UC, Kalutara MC, Panadura PS, Bandaragama PS, Horana PS, Madurawala PS, Bulathsinhala PS, Matugama PS, Dodangoda PS, Kalutara PS, Beruwala PS, Agalawatta PS (both NPP and SJB obtained six seats each), Millaniya PS and Walallawita PS
Kandy District
NPP:
Kandy MC, Wattegama UC, Kadugannawa UC, Nawalapitiya UC, Thumpane PS, Harispattuwa PS, Poojapitiya PS, Pathadumbara PS, Udadumbara PS (both NPP and SJB obtained six seats each), Minipe PS, Medadumbara PS, Kundasale PS, Pathahewaheta PS, Kandy Four Gravets and Gangawatta Korale PS, Yatinuwara PS, Udunuwara PS, Udapalatha PS, Ganga Ihala Korale PS and Pasbage Korale PS.
Matale District
NPP:
Dambulla MC, Matale MC, Pallepola PS, Galewela PS, Dambulla PS, Naula PS, Laggala-Pallegama PS (both NPP and SJB obtained six seats each), Wilgamuwa PS, Matale PS, Yatawatta PS, Ukuwela PS, Rattota PS.
Nuwara Eliya District
NPP
Nuwara Eliya MC, Hatton-Dikoya UC, Thalawakale-Lindula UC, Maskeliya PS, Norwood PS (NPP and Ceylon Workers’ Congress ‘P’ wing won six seats each), Ambagamuwa PS, Agarapathana PS (NPP and Ceylon Workers’ Congress ‘P’ wing won four seats each), Kotagala PS ((NPP and Ceylon Workers’ Congress ‘P’ wing won five seats each), Nuwara Eliya PS, Kothmale PS, Hanguranketha PS and Walapone PS.
Galle District
NPP:
Galle MC, Ambalangoda UC, Hikkaduwa UC, Balapitiya PS, Ambalangoda PS, Welivitiya Divithura PS, Karandeniya PS, Bentota PS, Neluwa PS, Thawalama PS, Nagoda PS, Niyagama PS, Baddegama PS, Yakkalamulla PS, Rajagama PS, Akmeemana PS, Bope Poddala PS, Imaduwa PS and Habaraduwa PS.
Matara District
NPP:
Matara MC, Weligama UC, Pitabeddara PS, Kotapola PS, Kirinda Puhulwella PS, Mulatiyana PS, Pasgoda PS, Athureliya PS, Akuressa PS, Malimbada PS, Hakmana PS, Kamburupitiya PS, Thihagoda PS, Devinuwara PS, Dikwella PS, Matara PS and Weligama PS.
Hambantota District
NPP:
Hambantota MC, Tangalle UC, Weeraketiya PS, Katuwana PS, Beliatta PS, Tangalle PS, Angunakolapelessa PS, Ambalantota PS, Tissamaharama PS, Sooriyawewa PS, Hambantota PS and Lunugamwehera PS.
Jaffna District
ITAK:
Jaffna MC, Chavakachcheri UC (ITAK and ACTC won six seats each), Delft PS, Velanai PS, Walikamam west PS, Walikamam north PS, Walikamam south-west PS, Walikamam south PS, Walikamam east PS, Vadamaratchchy South West PS, PPD PS, Chavakachcheri PS and Nallur PS.
ACTC
VVT UC, PPD UC, Karainagar PS ( ACTC, UNP, NPP , TMK and Ind group ii won two seats each), Kayts PS (EPDP),
Kilinochchi District
ITAK:
Pachchilaippalli PS, Karachchi PS and Poonakary PS
Mannar District
ITAK:
Mannar UC, Mannar PS, Manthai West
NPP:
Nanattan PS
SJB:
Musali PS
Vavuniya District
Vavuniya MC (DTNA, NPP and Sri Lanka Labour Party won four seats each)
NPP:
Vavuniya north PS, Vavuniya south (Tamil) PS and Vavuniya South (Sinhala) PS
SJB:
Vengalasettikulam PS
Mullaitivu District
ITAK:
Manthai East PS, Thunukai PS
ITAK:
Puthukudirippu PS and Maritimepattu PS
SJB:
Kalutara District
Palindanuwara PS
Kandy district
SJB:
Gampola UC
Akurana PS
Panwila PS
Matale
Ambanganga Korale PS
Kalutara District
Ind. Group 1 Beruwela UC
Batticaloa district
ITAK:
Batticaloa MC, Eravurpattu PS, Koralaipattu PS, Manmunai South and Eluvil Pattu, Manmunai Pattu PS, Manmunai West and Porathivu Pattu PS.
SLMC:
Eravur UC, Kathankudi UC,
TMVP:
Koralai Pattu North, Manmunai South West PS (ITAK and TMVP won six seats each)
Ampara district
National Congress:
Akkaraipattu MC, Akkaraipattu PS
NPP:
Ampara UC, Dehiattakandiya PS, Damana PS, Uhana PS, Mahaoya PS, Namaloya PS, Padiyatalawa PS, Lahugala PS,
ITAK:
Navithanveli PS, Alayadiwembu (ITAK and NPP won seven seats each), Karaitheevu PS
ACMC:
Sammanthurai PS, Ninthavur PS
SLMC:
Irakkamam PS, Addalachenai PS,
Independent Group 4
Pottuvil PS
Independent Group 1
Thirukkovil PS
Trincomalee District
ITAK:
Trincomalee MC, Verugal PS, Trincomalee town and Gravets PS, Muttur PS,
ACMC:
Kinniya UC (SJB and ACMC won four seats each) and Kinniya PS
NPP:
Seruwila PS, Kantale PS, Morawewa PS, Gomarankadawela PS, Padavisripura PS, Thambalagamuwa PS (NPP and SJB won three seats each)
SLMC:
Kuchchuveli PS,
Kurunegala District
NPP:
Kurunegala MC, Kuliyapitiya UC, Giribawa PS, Galgamuwa PS, Polpithigama PS, Nikaweratiya PS, Kobeigane PS, Mahawewa PS, Ibbagamuwa PS, Wariyapola PS,Panduwasnuwara PS, Bingiriya PS, Udubaddawa PS, Pannala PS, Kuliyapitiya PS, Alawwa PS, Narammala PS, Polgahawela PS, Kurunegala PS, Mawathagama PS and Rideegama PS.
Puttalam District
NPP:
Puttalam MC, Chilaw UC, Kalpitiya PS (NPP and SJB won 10 seats each), Puttalam PS, Wanathawilluwa PS, Karuwalagaswewa PS,Nawagaththegama PS, Anamaduwa PS, Arachchikattuwa PS, Chilaw PS, Nattandiya PS and Wennappuwa PS.
Anuradhapura District
NPP:
Anuradhapura MC, Medawachchiya PS, Rambawewa PS, Kebitigollewa PS, Padaviya, Kahatagasdigiliya PS, Horowpothana PS, Galenbindunuwewa PS, Thalawa PS, Nuwaragampalatha Central PS, Nuwaragampalatha east PS, Nochchiyagama PS, Rajanganaya PS, Galnewa PS, Ipologama PA, Mihintale PS, Thirappane PS, Kekirawa PS and Palagala PS.
Polonnaruwa District
NPP:
Polonnaruwa MC. Elahera PS, Hingurakgoda PS, Medirigiriya PS, Lankapura PS, Welikanda PS, Dimbulagala PS and Polonnaruwa PS.
Badulla District
NPP:
Badulla MC, Bandarawela MC, Mahiyanganaya PS, Ridimaliyadde PS, Soranthota PS,Meegahakivula PS, Kankaketiya PS, Passara PS, Lunugala PS, Badulla PS, Hali ela PS, Uva Paranagama PS, Welimada PS, Bandarawela PS, Ellpa PS,Haputale PS and Haldamulla PS.
Independent Group:
Haputale UC
Moneragala District
NPP:
Bibile PS, Medagama PS, Madulla PS, Siyambalanduwa PS, Monaragala PS, Badalkumbura PS, Buttala PS, Kataragama PS, Wellawaya PS and Thanamalwila PS
NPP also won all LG authorities in Ratnapura and Kegalle districts.
Fifteen Lankans, forcibly held in cybercrime camps in Myanmar, had been rescued on Tuesday (06), government sources said.
This operation was carried out through coordination between the Sri Lankan Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, along with the Sri Lankan Embassy in Thailand and the Thai government.
The rescued Sri Lankan youth were handed over to the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Thailand, Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, by Thai authorities on Tuesday morning in Mae Sot, located in the Myawaddy region, along the Myanmar-Thailand border. Officials from the Thai Embassy also attended the handover.
This rescue was the result of diplomatic efforts and telephone discussions held by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, with Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maris Sangiampongsa, and Myanmar’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, U Than Swe.
The rescue operation was supported diplomatically by the Thai Embassy, the International Organisation for Migration (which provided transportation), non-governmental organisations offering welfare assistance, and officials of the Thai and Myanmar governments.
Minister Vijitha Herath expressed appreciation for their roles.
Previously, 14 Sri Lankans were rescued from cybercrime camps in Myanmar on March 18, and 27 others were brought back to Sri Lanka on Dec. 17, 2024.
By Shyam Nuwan Ganewatte
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