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Tense situation in Parliament over govt. move to pass resolution to summon EC officials
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 RED warnings continue to be in force for the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya
The RED Landslide Early Warnings issued by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organization [NBRO] to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya have been extended until 1600hrs today [06th December 2025]. Landslide Early warnings have also been issued to the districts of Badulla, Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Matara, Monaragala and Ratnapura,
Accordingly,
LEVEL III RED warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Gangawata Korale, Deltota, Doluwa, Thumpane, Medadumbara, Minipe, Pathahewaheta, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Akurana, Udunuwara, Panvila, Pathadumbara, Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Ududumbara, Poojapitiya, Harispattuwa and Udapalatha in the Kandy district, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Mawanella, Rambukkana, Dehiowita, Warakapola, Deraniyagala, Bulathkohupitiya, Ruwanwella, Yatiyanthota and Aranayaka in the Kegalle district, Narammala, Mawathagama, Mallawapitiya, Alawwa, Rideegama and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district, Rattota, Wilgamuwa, Ukuwela, Pallepola, Matale, Laggala Pallegama, Yatawatta, Naula and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district, and Nildandahinna, Walapane, Hanguranketha and Mathurata in the Nuwara Eliya district.
LEVEL II AMBER warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Passara and Haldummulla in the Badulla district, Nuwara Eliya, Ambagamuwa Korale, Thalawakele, Norwood, Kothmale West and Kothmale East in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kahawaththa, Godakawela and Kolonna in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I YELLOW warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Padukka and Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Elpitiya and Yakkalamulla in the Galle district, Mirigama, Attanagalla and Divulapitiya in the Gampaha district, Bulathsinhala, Ingiriya and Horana in the Kalutara district, Athuraliya and Pasgoda in the Matara district, Bibile and Medagama in the Monaragala district, and Kiriella, Nivithigala, Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Pelmadulla, Elapatha, Balangoda, Openayake, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Ratnapura and Kaltota in the Ratnapura district.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), on Thursday, signalled strong solidarity with Sri Lanka in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, confirming that it is actively exploring options to provide further support for recovery and resilience beyond the existing Extended Fund Facility (EFF).
Julie Kozack, Director of the IMF’s Communications Department, opened her remarks with heartfelt condolences:
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the people of Sri Lanka for the effects of the devastating cyclone. Our hearts mourn the loss of life that has taken place,” she said, extending condolences to other Asian nations also grappling with severe flooding, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
On Sri Lanka, Kozack emphasised that the IMF is closely engaging with authorities, development partners, and counterparts to assess the humanitarian, social, and economic toll of the disaster.
“Large parts of Sri Lanka have been affected by floods, and we expect economic activity to be adversely impacted, in addition to the significant human toll,” she noted.
The IMF is awaiting the completion of a rapid post-disaster damage assessment, led by Sri Lankan authorities, in collaboration with international partners, to better gauge the economic impact.
“We are continuing to support Sri Lanka’s recovery, reform, and resilience under the EFF arrangement. Our staff is looking into options to further support Sri Lanka in the recovery process,” Kozack confirmed.
She reiterated that the Board meeting, scheduled for 15 December, remains on track, following the staff-level agreement on the fifth review reached in October—prior to the cyclone.
“We will provide additional details as the assessment of economic needs and damages moves forward, and as we have more information to inform our thinking around the options,” she added.
Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir was sworn in as a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National List Member of Parliament before Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday (05).
His appointment follows the resignation of SJB Parliamentarian Muhammathu Ismail Muththu Mohamed, who stepped down from his position on 28 November.
The SJB subsequently nominated Thahir to fill the resulting vacancy.
Accordingly, the Election Commission issued a Gazette Extraordinary declaring Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir a Member of Parliament, in terms of Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, as amended by Section 6 of the Elections (Special Provisions) Act, No. 35 of 1988.
With the issuance of the gazette, and the subsequent swearing-in, Thahir has officially assumed duties as a National List MP, representing the SJB.
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