News

Tense situation in Parliament over govt. move to pass resolution to summon EC officials

Published

2 years ago

2023/07/19

By Saman Indrajith

A tense situation arose in Parliament yesterday as the Opposition tried to prevent the passing of a motion by SLPP backbenchers to summon the officials of the Election Commission (EC) before a parliamentary select committee to ascertain whether they had violated the privileges of MPs.

The ruckus commenced when SLPP MP D. Weerasinghe moved a motion for the appointment of a “Select Committee of Parliament to investigate the matters relating to the Election Commission in respect of the incidents of infringement of privileges of the Members of Parliament and of the Parliament and to make suitable recommendations in that regard.” The motion was seconded by SLPP MP Manjula Warnakumara.

SJB MP Gayantha Karunathialke said that the Opposition was totally against the motion being passed without a debate.

SLMC leader Rauff Hakim said that the motion was unprecedented. “Generally, a PSC is appointed only to find solutions for a problem of national importance. This PSC is proposed for a selfish need of the government. Just because the government has a majority in Parliament it cannot be allowed to abuse parliamentary procedures for its gain. We are against this move. There is a motive to exert influence on the judiciary here. This is wrong. We need a debate on the matter,” Hakim said.

Leader of the House, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha:

We made a decision on this at the business committee. The matter could be referred for a debate.

JVP-led NPP MP Vijitha Herath:

You have no right to summon the members of the EC to Parliament and question them at a time when an election is in progress. In addition, there are several cases with regard to the election pending before the courts. We are against this PSC. None of us would attend this PSC. We call on the Speaker not to permit for wrong precedents. This would be detrimental to the independence of the NEC.

Gampaha District SLPP MP Nimal Lansza:

We have to appoint the PSC because the EC is not independent. The EC is known as a place where the decisions had been made by only two persons. By their act, our privileges were breached.

Chief Opposition Whip SJB Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella:

What is the meaning of this? The EC members are to be summoned and grilled because they have pushed for holding of elections. You did the same to the judges who gave the ruling to hold the elections. This motion has been brought with the intention of exerting pressure on the judiciary again. This is against the Standing Orders. We oppose this.

Deputy Speaker:

The motion has now been seconded.

Gampaha District SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna:

You are talking about the breach of privileges of MPs for not holding the elections. What about the violation of the rights of 22 million people because of not holding elections?

JVP-led NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake:

We are in the middle of an election process. It is not right to conduct a probe against the EC by Parliament after an election is declared. This is an attempt against the independence of the EC. There are two cases with the regard to this election pending before the Supreme Court. The President has exerted pressure on the EC.

Leader of the House, Minister Susil Premajayantha said the government would not appoint a PSC to influence the judiciary and that the PSC would inspect only matters with regard to the privileges of the MPs, moved that the House be adjourned.

The motion has been signed by SLPP members Lalith Warnakumara, Upul Mahendra Rajapaksa, D. Weerasinghe, Jagath Samarawickrama, Sudarshana Denipitiya, Milan Jayathilake, Kokila Gunawardena, Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda, Sahan Pradeep Vithana, Tissa Kuttiarachchi, Kapila Athukorala, Sudath Manjula, Gamini Lokuge and Sampath Athukorala.

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Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya for the next 24 hours commencing at 1200hrs today [08]

Accordingly
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy District, Wilgamuwa in the Matale District, and Nildandahinna and Walapane in the Nuwara Eliya District.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Meegahakiwula, Welimada, Kandaketiya, Lunugala, Badulla, Passara, Uva Paranagama and Hali_Ela in the Badulla District, Ambanganga Korale in the Matale District, and Mathurata and Hanguranketha in the Nuwara Eliya District.

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Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area

Published

9 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

Deep depression Track. [Source: RSMC]

Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area.
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, Department of Meteorology at 10.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 for the period until 10.30 a.m. 09 January 2026

The depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka has intensified into a deep depression and is centered near latitude 5.4°N and longitude 85.3°E, about 420 km southeast of Pottuvil at 05.30 a.m. today (08th). The above system is currently (10:00 a.m.) located about 300 km southeast of Pottuvil.

It is very likely to move west-northwestwards across the southwest Bay of Bengal and cross the Sri Lanka coast between Hambantota and Kalmunai between 5.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. on Friday [9th January 2026].

Hence, showery, and windy condition over the island, particularly in the Northern, NorthCentral, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces is expected to enhance from today (08th).

For the Land area:

DAMAGE EXPECTED:
• Damage to huts, temporary shelters and light structures
• Destroy the roof tops/ sheets etc.
• Damage to power and communication lines.
• Breaking of tree branches and uprooting of large avenue trees.
• Damage to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards.
• Damage to harbor yachts
• Flash flood
• Sea water inundation in low lying areas in the near coast.

Action suggested for the Land area:
• Coastal hutment dwellers are advised to move to safer places. Other people in the affected areas to remain indoors.
• People living in hilly areas (particularly landslide prone areas) and low lying areas in river basins are requested to be vigilant.
• Drivers and people using roads in the hilly areas are requested to be vigilant.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• General public is requested to be vigilant regarding impending extreme weather situation.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
• Requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.

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Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and showers about 50-75 mm in other areas

Published

15 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

WEATHER FORECAST FOR 08 JANUARY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

The depression over the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka, was centered near latitude 5.3°N and longitude 86.0°E, about 490 km southeast of Pottuvil, at 11:30 p.m. yesterday (07). It is expected to move west-northwestwards and towards the eastern coast of the island during next 24 hours. This system is likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours.

Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere in the Island after 1.00 p.m. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces. Fairly Heavy showers about (50 – 75) mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island.

Strong winds about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over the Eastern slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.