News

The country requires a strong Executive Presidency to navigate the Post-Covid world says Milinda Moragoda

Published

6 years ago

2020/07/30

Milinda Moragoda, former Cabinet Minister and founder of the Pathfinder Foundation spoke about the need for Sri Lanka to be fast and agile in order to face the economic, social and international challenges of the Post-Covid environment.

He stated that: ‘there is no disputing the fact that the country benefited from having strong executive decision-making during the early stages of the pandemic. And as a result, many lives were saved.

Disappointingly, no major political party has yet put forward a coherent governance and governing structure for the nation in their policy platforms.

‘Each has been predictably very chameleon-like when addressing issues related to constitutional and governance-structure related matters in their manifestos. This is especially unfortunate in light of the dysfunctional relationship that now exists between the Executive and the Legislature and the proven potential for gridlock, both a result of the enactment of the 19th Amendment.’

Against this backdrop, without any coherent or credible proposals thus far having been presented by any major political party, Moragoda proposes that all thoughtful Sri Lankans take up the following points for their consideration, discussion and if appropriate advocacy :

A. The establishment of a strong Executive Presidency that can act decisively and yet be ultimately accountable to Parliament. After all, the presidency is the only office elected by all Sri Lankan voters. Thus, the individual occupying this post will be implicitly accountable to all citizens, be they from Kankesanturai or Dewinuwara.

B. An independent legislature that will promulgate legislation and act as a

responsible check and balance to Executive excess. This legislature

should be elected on a first-past-the-post basis with a small percentage

of members being chosen through a proportional representation system.

This change should lead to a stable parliament where most members are

directly accountable to their constituencies and citizens. The preference

vote system which has only created chaos and in-fighting should be

dispensed with.

C. The Provincial Councils should be abolished and empowered local

councils set up to address the day-to-day issues of the citizenry.

D. An empowered Senate should be created to represent minority and

regional interests.

Moragoda further pointed out that ‘Forty-two years have passed since the establishment of Sri Lanka’s Executive Presidency and that all those who criticize this form of government have still not been able to convince Sri Lankans of any better option. Notably, when the opportunity for abolishing the presidential system presented itself in 2015, the then government was unable or unwilling to conduct a referendum to abolish the presidency. And, as we are now on the verge of facing the most challenging period in our post-Independence history, the need of the hour is a strong executive.’

To lend further context to his point he noted that: ‘The first conception of a Presidential system was forged in the late 18th century after the American war of Independence against the British. Extensive debates surrounding the extent of the powers of an Executive Presidency took place during the drafting of the American Constitution. One of the founding fathers and authors of the US Constitution, Alexander Hamilton, argued for a strong Executive leader making the point that:

” ‘A feeble Executive implies a feeble execution of the government. A feeble execution is but another phrase for a bad execution, and a government ill-executed, whatever it may be in theory, must be, in practice, a bad government.’”

‘In the final analysis Sri Lanka cannot afford to have a crippled government especially at this critical juncture where a large number of lives and livelihoods are at stake.

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News

India A beat Sri Lanka A by 8 runs in thriller

Published

7 hours ago

2026/06/9

Priyan

Sahan Arachchige played a crucial knock for Sri Lanka A

India A beat Sri Lanka A by eight runs in the first match of the tri series being played at Dambulla.

Batting first India A powered by almost a run a ball century by Rutraj Gaikwad [101 off 114 balls] and a half ton from Tilak Varma [60] posted 277/6. Mohammed Shiraz captured 2 wickets including the wicket of India’s 15 year old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooriyawanshi who was caught by Sahan Arachchige for 14.

In the chase Sri Lanka were in the hunt with 40 plus scores from Niroshan Dikwella, Avishka Fernando and Saddera Samarawickrema and a 72 ball 74 from Shan Arachchige but lost the momentum after Arachchige fell with the score on 262. Sri Lanka A fall short by 8 runs losing their last three wickets for the addition of seven runs !

SCORES:
INDIA A 277/6 in 50 overs [Priyansh Arya 32, Rutraj Gaikwad 101, Tilak Varma 60; Mohamed Shiraz 2-67] beat SRI LANKA A 269 in 48.5 overs [Niroshan Dickwella 47, Avishka Fernando 45, Sadeera Samarawickrama 46, Sahan Arachchige 74; Arshad Khan 2-24, Anukul Roy 2-49, Ayush Badoni 2-46, Vipraj Nigam 2-46] by 8 runs

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in action on India A debut•Jun 09, 2026 [SLC]

Mohamed Shiraz celebrates the wicket of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi [SLC]

News

Food Policy and Security Committee meets

Published

10 hours ago

2026/06/9

Priyan

A meeting of the Food Policy and Security Committee was held on Monday (08) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat under the co-chairmanship of Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Lal Kantha and Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe.

The meeting extensively discussed the measures that should be taken and the preparedness required to mitigate any potential impacts on Sri Lanka arising from the anticipated global El Niño phenomenon.

Particular attention was given to the possible effects of El Niño on the agricultural sector. Discussions also focused on the need to ensure adequate water storage in reservoirs for the forthcoming Yala season and to safeguard drinking water supplies. Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe instructed officials to obtain the views and recommendations of the relevant institutions on these matters.

It was further decided to convene a special meeting of the Food Policy and Security Committee in the near future to continue discussions on the issue. Relevant line agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Department of Agriculture, the Mahaweli Authority and the Department of Irrigation, were instructed to prepare and submit comprehensive plans outlining measures to address the potential impacts of the El Niño phenomenon.

The Ministers noted that, just as the country had successfully managed challenges arising from Cyclone Ditwah and the conflict situation in the Middle East, plans were already in place to effectively manage this potential global challenge. They emphasised that the Government was giving special attention to the matter.

Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe further pointed out that natural disasters cannot be predicted with certainty and stressed the importance of developing contingency plans in advance to respond effectively to any eventuality.

Among those present were Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, S. Aloka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Acting Director General of the Department of Meteorology, A. L. K. Wijemannage, Director General of the Department of Agriculture W. A. R. T. Wickramarachchi and other members of the Food Policy and Security Committee.

President’s Media Division (PMD)

News

PM launches the first phase of the National Education Management Information System

Published

19 hours ago

2026/06/9

Priyan

Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that as a government committed to ensuring the future of the nation’s children, it is essential to establish an education system in which every child can equally experience quality education. The Prime Minister emphasized that decisions must be made based on accurate data, sound policies, and technological evidence in order to achieve this goal.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the official launch of the first phase of the Human Resources Module of the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) and the pilot project of the e-Thaksalawa Learning Management System (LMS), held at Temple Trees on Saturday [6th of June 2026].

The National Education Management Information System has been developed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of human resource management and administration, which are among the five key pillars of the ongoing education reforms.

Previously, each province operated its own independent information systems, and through this new platform, it is expected to manage all information relating to both national and provincial schools under a single integrated system. Accordingly, the first phase, the Human Resources Module, was officially launched. Under this initial module, teacher transfers in the provinces of Sabaragamuwa, Western, Southern, and North Western will be managed through the system, with plans to expand it island-wide in due course.

The remaining modules to be introduced in the future are designed to facilitate comprehensive human resource management for all academic staff in schools.

This initiative has been implemented through the collaborative efforts of the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Ministry of Digital Economy, the Task Force on Digital Transformation in Education, provincial and zonal education authorities, technical teams, and the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Simultaneously, the pilot project of the e-Thaksalawa Learning Management System (LMS) was also launched, aiming to expand digital learning opportunities and enhance the teaching, learning, and assessment processes for students.

Addressing the occasion, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

“Instead of allowing different sectors of the education system to function in isolation, we are integrating educational administration, the delivery of education, and educational content into a one framework. What we have embarked upon is by no means a minor undertaking.

Digitalisation is importance to our government. We must evolve and move forward with rapidly changing world. We believe that digitalisation is essential in order to deliver the public services more efficiently and transparently. In particular, the education reforms we will implement in the future require accurate data. Through the National Education Management Information System, we will be able to obtain reliable data while ensuring transparency and quality in education.

All national schools will be incorporated into this system in the near future. Teacher data from several provincial schools have already been entered. Through this platform, we expect to manage teacher recruitment, transfers, promotions, and other services related to the education sector in a transparent and efficient manner.

When digitalising public services, we must also nurture citizens with the knowledge and skills to use them. The primary responsibility for this lies with the education sector. That is why we have planned to build human capital through the e-Thaksalawa Learning Management System.

Digitalisation is not a substitute for teachers. Education is fundamentally based on human relationship. No matter how much technology is available in classrooms, learning does not happen automatically. It is the teacher who engages directly with students. Therefore, digital technology should serve as a tool that empowers teachers and further enhances their importance.

By using digitalisation, we intend to address key challenges such as providing high-quality education to under-resourced schools, ensuring that every school benefits from the expertise of capable teachers, and creating educational opportunities for children with special needs. Our vision is to use digitalisation to nurture humane, enlightened citizens who are prepared for the future.

During the event, commemorative plaques were presented by the Prime Minister to officials representing the Sabaragamuwa, Eastern, and Uva Provinces, as well as to officers of the Sri Lanka Air Force, in recognition of their contribution to the development of the first phase of the National Education Management Information System.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, and Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy Waruna Sri Dhanapala, and Chief Secretaries of Provincial Councils, the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Provincial Secretaries of Education, provincial education authorities, senior officials representing the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Digital Economy and the Ministry of Education, as well as members of the Task Force on the Digital Transformation of Education and senior officers of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]