News

21 A: Consensus on non-inclusion of provisions that required approval at referendum sought

Published

4 years ago

2022/06/6

Thilina Walpola

JVP to submit written proposals to Justice Ministry

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Some political parties, represented in Parliament, have stressed the need to ensure that the 21st Amendment to the Constitution does not include provisions that require public approval at a referendum.SJB’s Patali Champika Ranawaka, PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila and the leader of civil society group Yuthukama Gevindu Cumaratunga have taken that stand at recent meetings, chaired by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.UNP leader Wickremesinghe chaired meetings, on 27 May and 03 June at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC, was present at both meetings which also attended by senior representatives of political parties.Of the 15 political parties, represented in Parliament, only the JVP led- Jathika Jana Balavegaya (JJB) declined to join the process spearheaded by Premier Wickremesinghe. The JJB parliamentary group comprises three MPs, including a National List member.

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told The Island that they wouldn’t attend meetings chaired by the UNP leader. Having questioned the circumstances Wickremesinghe received the premiership, lawmaker Dissanayake said their submissions would be made to the Justice Ministry.SLPP National List MP Cumaratunga told The Island that the 21st Amendment should be prepared following consultations with all stakeholders to ensure the effort received the backing of political parties represented in Parliament. SLPP National List MP Kumaratunga said so speaking on behalf of eight political parties. Of them, seven contested the last general election on the SLPP ticket or received SLPP National List slots.The SLFP, the largest party in the rebel group with 14 seats in Parliament is not among the eight-party grouping.

Lawmaker Cumaratunga emphasized that the success of the project largely depends on preparing the proposed 21st amendment on the basis of consensus reached through the ongoing consultation process.In spite of the main Opposition party, the SJB submitting far reaching constitutional proposals by way of a private member’s motion that required both 2/3 and approval at a referendum, the party has been represented at both meetings. SJB General Secretary Ranjith Mandumma Bandara, MP, and Attorney-at-Law Suren Fernando, who had been a SJB National List nominee, represented the party.

Yuthukama leader Cumaratunga said that the Justice Minister explained the main issues at the discussions, including who would exercise power to make cabinet appointments and whether the President could remove the Prime Minister. The civil society activist said that reaching agreement on the 21st Amendment was a prerequisite for a wider discussion on a new Constitution. MP Cumaratunga stressed that the SLPP received mandates at the last presidential and parliamentary elections in Nov 2019 and Aug 2020 for the introduction of a new Constitution. That mandate couldn’t be ignored but the immediate requirement was to get the 21st Amendment enacted, MP Cumaratunga said, urging all political parties to compromise on their respective demands.

SLPP Chairman and Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris and Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena who represented the ruling SLPP at the June 03 meeting have stated that the President should retain the power to appoint and remove the Cabinet-of-Ministers. The SLPP has declared that the President should have the power to remove the Prime Minister, too. Having made the request in writing, Ministers Peiris and Gunawardena left the meeting.Political sources said that the TNA that hadn’t attended the May 27 meet chaired by Premier Wickremesinghe was present at the June 03 all party discussion. The TNA has strongly suggested the abolition of the executive presidency. The TNA’s stand has received the SLMC’s backing though several other political parties asserted that provisions that would require a referendum shouldn’t be included in the proposed 21st Amendment.

SLPP lawmaker Rear Admiral (retd) Sarath Weerasekera declared at a recent meeting jointly chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Premier Wickremeisnghe at the President’s House, he wouldn’t support the 21 amendment under any circumstances. Lawmaker Weerasekera has told the gathering that the proposed amendment was contrary to the two mandates received by the SLPP at the presidential and parliamentary polls.Responding to The Island queries, the former Public Security Minister challenged the President’s right to pursue strategies at the expense of political stability.

Meanwhile, the dissident SLPP group, in response to the Justice Minister’s request, has submitted its proposals in writing pertaining to the proposed 21 amendment. The rebels have asked for the inclusion of what they called essential proposals: (1) The people should receive the right to challenge in Supreme Court amendments to a Bill at the committee stage within a month after the Speaker endorses that Bill (2) All bilateral and multilateral agreements should receive the parliamentary approval (3) Structural changes in state enterprise should be subjected to parliamentary approval (4) Procurement Commission should be expanded to inquire into investments into strategic fields such as ports and airports. Agreements on such assets once cleared by the Procurement Commission should be subjected to parliamentary approval (5) The Prime Minister should be a member of the National Security Council (6) The President can hold only the defence portfolio and (7) Ministers should receive the right to inquire from the Police Commission and the Public Service Commission the basis on which a particular decision was taken. They have the privilege of receiving response from both commissions within two weeks.

The rebels have also suggested some critical changes pertaining to the 21st draft in its present form. In respect of (1) 41 A (1) e, the three persons (not members of Parliament) appointed to the Constitutional Council should consists of a businessman or a company director named by Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, nominee of professionals groups and a Professor appointed by the University Grants Commission on the recommendation of Vice Chancellors of Universities. (2) 41 B (3) Formulation of a procedure for the Constitutional Council to receive names of those to be recommended to the President for positions in various commissions. Members of Parliament should receive the right to nominate members to the commissions (3) 41 (B) (3) formulation of criterion for the nomination of members to various commissions (4) 44 (1) amended as with Prime Minister’s written agreement instead of Prime Minister’s advice (5) 44 (2) amended as with Prime Minister’s written agreement instead of Prime Minister’s advice (6) 45 (1) amended as with Prime Minister’s written agreement instead of Prime Minister’s advice (7) 45(2) amended as with Prime Minister’s written agreement instead of Prime Minister’s advice (8) 46 (1) amended as with Prime Minister’s written agreement instead of Prime Minister’s advice (9) 50 (1) amended as with Prime Minister’s written agreement instead of Prime Minister’s advice (10) 153 C (a) specific time for the Constitutional Council to fulfill its obligations that hadn’t been addressed previously (11) 155 G provision for Police Commission to investigate complaints received against police officers in case senior officers failed to do so (12) 155 H (3) Police Commission to fulfill its obligations that had been disregarded previously (13) 155 K (4) Police Commission to fulfill its obligations that had been disregarded previously (14) 156 (C)1criterion for the promotion of domestic production/services should be included in the overall procurement process (14) 156 (C)1 Procurement Commission to fulfill its obligations pertaining to the declaration of relevant regulations within a specific period (15) 35 (1) remove provisions relating to interim arrangements pertaining to the life of Parliament as well as the presidency as the proposed amendment didn’t deal with both issues and (16) 36 (b) abolition of parliamentary seat of dual citizens immediately after the enactment of the 21st Amendment.

The rebel group has pointed out that the 21st amendment in its present form would allow a dual citizen to retain both the seat and ministerial portfolios for a period of three months by not attending parliament.

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Fuel crunch looms

Published

4 hours ago

2026/10/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

Govt. tells fuel distributors to maintain stocks to ensure uninterrupted supplies

by Saman Indrajith and Norman Palihawadane

The government had instructed private fuel distributors to maintain minimum stocks and ensure uninterrupted supplies to the market, Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka told Parliament yesterday (06).

Karunathilaka said the Ministry of Energy Secretary had notified the relevant companies of the requirement, following a reduction in supplies by some private distributors, amid higher international fuel prices.

The Minister said private companies had informed the government that they were facing losses because international prices had risen while fuel was being sold, locally, at prevailing prices. As a result, some companies had reduced the volumes released to the market.

The reduced supplies had increased the burden on the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), whose share of the diesel market had risen from about 54% to 82%, the Minister said.

“The CPC currently holds an 82% share of the market,” he said, adding that it had increased its supplies, compared with February, to compensate for the reduction by private distributors.

Karunathilaka said the government could not, under the existing agreements with private companies, specify the quantities they should supply to individual filling stations. However, it could require them to maintain minimum stocks in the country.

The Minister said the Energy Ministry had already instructed companies that had failed to maintain the required stocks to take steps to prevent supply disruptions.

The Minister attributed the queues reported at some filling stations to reduced supplies from private distributors, as well as normal variations in fuel distribution. He also said demand for CPC fuel had increased because private companies generally did not provide fuel to dealers on credit, while the CPC offered a three-day credit facility.

“We expect that, as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation takes on this additional burden, the problem will ease to some extent by Wednesday or Thursday,” Karunathilaka said.

He said instructions had also been issued to increase supplies to CPC filling stations. A special discussion on the issue is scheduled for today (07), with officials of the Energy Ministry and CPC expected to participate,

along with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Meanwhile, Petroleum Dealers’ Association officials have called for an early solution to the supply issue. Association Chairman D.V. Shantha Silva said queues had been reported at many filling stations, mainly those operated by private distributors.

He said the situation was not due to an overall shortage of fuel, but was linked to reduced orders by Lanka IOC, Sinopec and R.M. Parks amid concerns over losses incurred on fuel sales.

The Ceylon Petroleum Private Tanker Owners Association has urged motorists to refrain from panic buying, saying there was no nationwide disruption to fuel supplies.

The government earlier increased fuel prices and introduced a per-litre diesel subsidy following concerns raised by distributors over rising international prices.

News

Gnansara Thera to be assigned to prison printing section: Officials

Published

4 hours ago

2026/10/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, who was taken into custody to serve the remainder of his prison sentence, was produced before the Colombo High Court yesterday by prison officials in connection with a warrant issued by the court. He appeared before the court in layman’s clothes. Pic by Nishan S. Priyantha.

by Norman Palihawadane

Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera, who has been ordered by the court to serve the remainder of his prison sentence, is to be assigned to the prison ‘printing work party’, prison officials said yesterday.

The monk was produced before the Colombo High Court yesterday by prison officials in connection with a warrant issued by the court.

He appeared before the court in civilian attire.

Prison sources said arrangements were being finalised for his detention and that he would subsequently be assigned to the printing work party.

The Thera initially objected when prison officials instructed him to change from his robes into the attire worn by convicted prisoners.

He later agreed to wear the prescribed prison clothes, sources said.

The Supreme Court, in September, annulled the presidential pardon granted to Gnanasara Thera in 2019. He had been serving a six-year prison sentence imposed following his conviction for contempt of court but had served only about nine months when then President Maithripala Sirisena granted him a presidential pardon in May 2019.

Following the Supreme Court ruling, the Thera was required to serve the remainder of his sentence. He was subsequently reported missing, prompting the Court of Appeal to issue an open warrant for his arrest.

The Court of Appeal on Monday ordered the authorities to enforce the remainder of his prison sentence.

News

Speaker rejects Ajith Perera’s privilege complaint

Published

4 hours ago

2026/10/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday ruled that a privilege complaint submitted by SJB Kalutara District MP Ajith P. Perera did not constitute a prima facie breach of parliamentary privilege.

The ruling was made in response to a notice of privilege submitted by Perera on October 02.

Perera alleged that his parliamentary privileges had been breached over the failure to take formal action or reach a final decision on a written request submitted on August 03 by 18 Opposition MPs seeking the appointment of a Special Select Committee to investigate delays in the judicial system and prison overcrowding.

He had also requested that the matter be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges for investigation and recommendations.

In his ruling, Speaker Wickramaratne said the Speaker, as the Presiding Authority and guardian of the powers, rights and privileges of Parliament, could not be subjected to a privilege complaint or disciplinary inquiry by a committee subordinate to the Chair in respect of actions taken in an official capacity.

He said that, under the Standing Orders, the Speaker was required to independently determine whether a prima facie case of breach of privilege existed.

Referring a complaint against the Speaker to a committee functioning under the Speaker’s authority would, therefore, create a procedural contradiction, he said.

Accordingly, the Speaker ruled that Perera’s notice did not constitute a prima facie breach of parliamentary privilege and disallowed the request to refer the matter to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.