News
Sumanthiran’s Private Member’s motion calling for PC polls postponed

By Saman Indrajith
The TNA registered its protest in Parliament yesterday when Jaffna District MP M.A. Sumanthiran’s Private Member’s Bill to amend the Provincial Councils (PC) Elections Act to enable the conduct of the PC polls was put off. MP Sumanthiran stated that the Bill had now been published in the government Gazette.
Sumanthiran criticised the government’s delay in taking up the Bill for debate. He accused the President of failing to deliver on promises made to the Tamil people.
He warned that if the government opposed the Bill, such action would amount to ignoring the interests of the Tamil people.
If the Bill was passed by Parliament, it would help amend the existing Provincial Council Elections (Amendment) Act No. 17 of 2017 and hold the PC polls under the previous electoral system.
Sumanthiran’s motion to amend the PC Elections Act was initially published in the government Gazette on October 11, 2019. Leader of the House, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha, said he personally approved the content of Sumanthiran’s motion. “It is because of another motion brought during the Yahapalana era that we are currently in a dilemma regarding Provincial Council elections. Sumanthiran’s motion aims to resolve this deadlock. We all agree with his intention. He raised this issue at the Business Committee meeting. My position is that we must allocate time for a debate on this matter. Sumanthiran should first secure the support of the Opposition for a debate. If there is agreement among the Opposition parties, we are ready to allocate time,” Premajayantha said.
SLPP dissident MP Dayasiri Jayasekera: “The main issue is that we have not been able to hold Provincial Council elections for seven to eight years. Sumanthiran’s motion should be considered for the Third Reading. We can debate it and resolve the issue so that PC elections can be held.”
Chief Opposition Whip and SJB Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella added: “The Leader of the House agreed to take up this motion and set today as the date. We are prepared to contest the Provincial Council elections under the previous electoral system. The motion could be debated. I am asking whether you will bring this Bill up for debate or not.”
Leader of the House Minister Premajayantha responded: “We must listen to MP Gevindu Kumaratunga before making that decision.”
MP Kumaratunga said that many MPs in the House had previously supported postponing the Provincial Council elections, arguing for a new electoral system. He questioned whether Parliament should revert to the previous system after remaining silent for seven to eight years. “Are we mad to act in this manner? Candidates make promises here and there, saying one thing in the South and another in the North. We oppose this and demand that a new government with a new mandate address this matter.”
SLPP dissident MP Dullas Alahapperuma: “President Ranil Wickremesinghe stopped funds allocated to MP Rishard Bathiudeen after he decided to support another candidate.
This is another attack on democracy.”
NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa argued that the Bill should not be debated now but after the elections.
Leader of the House Minister Premajayantha replied: “Parliament is scheduled to meet on October 8 after the presidential election. We can address this matter then. The person elected with the new mandate will make the decision. If we pass this today or tomorrow, could we set dates for Provincial Council elections without considering the presidential elections scheduled for September 21?” he asked.
News
Chikungunya spreading rapidly in Colombo and suburbs

There has been a noticeable increase in the spread of Chikungunya in the city of Colombo, Kotte, and the suburbs of Colombo, according to the Health Ministry.
As of 14 March, the Weekly Epidemiological Report says 173 chikungunya cases have been reported from Colombo, Gampaha, and Kandy.
Acting Consultant Community Physician of the Ministry of Health Dr. Kumudu Weerakoon said that the Chikungunya virus had spread to Sri Lanka in 1960.
Meanwhile, Dr. Deepal Perera, Consultant Paediatrician at Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital, Colombo, told The Island yesterday that there had been an increase in the number of children affected by Chikungunya.
“To tackle this situation, it is extremely important to keep your homes, doorways, and school premises clean regularly,” he said.
“If a child has fever lasting more than two days, darkening around the nose, or joint pain, these could be symptoms of Chikungunya. In such cases, take the child to a doctor. Chikungunya is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The joint pain can persist for months. Therefore, we strongly urge both children and adults to take all precautions to avoid contracting Chikungunya.”
By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon and Chaminda Silva
News
Mayor Brown sees red over Namal’s comment

‘Genocide Memorial’ in Canada
Mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown has slammed SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa over the latter’s recent statement regarding the monument that was inaugurated in Canada commemorating the victims of the final stages of the North East conflict.
In a statement on ‘X’, Brampton Mayor, Patrick Brown said, “The Rajapaksas’ opposition to the Tamil Genocide Memorial is the surest signal that we are on the right path recognising the innocent civilian lives lost at the hands of this family.”
Patrick Brown further said that if confident that no genocide occurred, the Rajapaksa family should fully cooperate with the International Criminal Court rather than obstructing justice and hiding from prosecution.
“This is their Nuremberg moment, and instead of facing accountability, this family hides in luxury protected by the Sri Lankan state. It’s shameful. The crimes against humanity committed by the Rajapaksa family rival Pol Pot, Slobodan Milosevic, Heinrich Himmler, and Flicien Kabuga. It’s a badge of honour that they object to our Canadian Tamil Genocide Memorial,” he added.
His remarks came in response to SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa’s recent statement that it was concerning that Canada has inaugurated a Tamil
Genocide Memorial when, under international law, no genocide has been proven or can be proven against the Sri Lankan military in its conflict with the LTTE terrorists.
“The so-called Tamil genocide monument appears to be a politically driven move by the Canadian government, which has long been influenced by certain factions within the Tamil diaspora. Rather than working towards peace and unity, these groups have fueled division for their own interests,” MP Rajapaksa said, in a statement on ‘X’.
News
Pre-trial conference fixed for 21 July

Custodial death of domestic worker
The Colombo High Court yesterday fixed July 21 as the date for the pre-trial conference on a case filed against three police officers attached to the Welikada Police over the custodial death of a domestic worker in 2023.
When the case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge R.S.S. Sapuwida, Defence counsel informed court that they had not received some of the documents submitted in relation to the case. The judge instructed the State Counsel to ensure that the necessary documents were made available to the defence.
After considering all facts presented, the judge scheduled the pre-trial conference for July 21.
The victim, 41-year-old R. Rajakumari, a resident of Badulla, was arrested on May 11, 2023, following a complaint by her employer, Sudharma Nethicumara, alleging the theft of gold jewellery.
Rajakumari later died while in custody at the Welikada Police Station. Her family raised concerns over the circumstances that had led to her death, alleging that she may have been assaulted.
Later a disciplinary action was initiated against seven officers attached to the Welikada Police. A Sub-Inspector, two sergeants, and a constable were interdicted, while another constable and two Women Police Constables were transferred for the same reason.
BY AJA Abeynayake
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