News

‘Amendments to proposed Amendment highlight continuing chaos’

Published

6 years ago

2020/10/3

Sahan Weerasooriya

20 A: SLPP’s assurance as regards revisions to SC victory for Opp. – SJB MP

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The Attorney General having had to assure the Supreme Court that amendments would be moved to the proposed 20th Amendment during the Committee Stage revealed the chaotic way the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) led coalition undertook high profile political project, Matale District Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) lawmaker Rohini Kaviratne said.

There couldn’t be any other explanation, MP Kaviratne said, pointing out the absence of proper consultations within the SLPP parliamentary group proved beyond doubt sharp differences within the coalition. The lawmaker acknowledged that the SJB led Opposition had rallied around the 20th Amendment and was pursuing a common strategy, both in and outside parliament. “Whatever the circumstances, the government’s submissions to the Supreme Court is a victory for the Opposition,” the lawmaker said.

Moving the Supreme Court against the proposed amendment had been in line with the overall Opposition project, MP Kaviratne said, asserting the government seemed to have suffered quite a setback.

Responding to another query by The Island, MP Kaviratne faulted the way the cabinet cleared the 20th Amendment draft for the issuance of the gazette on Sept. 2 and then assured the Supreme Court of amendments at the Committee Stage. The SJB member emphasized that the government’s assurance as regards amendments to the new piece of legislation was irrelevant as cases now heard were against what was now in the public domain.

Referring to a public meeting Ms. Kaviratne recently addressed at Kaikawala where she explained the status of the proposed amendment, the Matale District MP said that of the 57 sections in the 20th Amendment, 32 were to be altered. Those who had prepared the original and proposed amendments to the 20th Amendment bungled the whole project, she said.

MP Kaviratne faulted Viyathmaga for the 20th Amendment project. The former UNPer asked how the SLPP government considered verbal instructions issued by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as circular having failed in bid to introduce the 20th Amendment.

Lawmaker Kaviratne said the SLPP owed an explanation as regards the recommendations made by the nine-member Prime Ministerial Committee headed by Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris as well as concerns expressed by the National Joint Committee (NJC) and the Federation of National Organizations (FNO) as those groups backed the SLPP at both presidential and parliamentary polls. Did the government take their recommendations and concerns into consideration before the Attorney General made submissions to the Supreme Court on behalf of the government? MP Kaviratne asked.

Lawmaker Kaviratne also welcomed the fresh initiative launched by civil society grouping National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) to thwart the SLPP project. The former UNPer said that the opposition to the 20th Amendment was growing with even the UN Human Rights Chief raising serious concerns at the onset of Geneva sessions. Obviously, the SLPP never expected the parliamentary Opposition et al to swiftly reach consensus on a common programme in the wake of presidential and parliamentary polls defeats, the MP said.

The SJB member asked whether the SLPP really commanded 150 votes in parliament though on its own the SLPP won 145 seats at the general election. “They won 145 seats. In addition to them, there are three more – one each from the SLFP, Sivanesanthurai Chandrakanthan and A.L.M. Athaulla. Still they are short of 150,” MP Kaviratne said.

The SLPP seemed to have believed that it could take advantage of unprecedented victory at the general election to go ahead with the controversial project, she said. The 20th Amendment however had caused so much turmoil, the government was already on the back foot, the SJB MP declared.

She said that the Opposition received a huge boost thanks to SLPP’s muddled political operation. The SLPP caused itself immense damage by seeking to do away with State auditing as well as the procurement process meant to curb waste, irregularities and corruption. The SLPP could have justified the President’s bid to take over the defense portfolio in the wake of Easter Sunday attacks, the MP said. The government could have avoided a lot of trouble if the ruling coalition consulted constituents and the Parliamentary Opposition, she said. Now the matter was before the Supreme Court, MP Kaviratne said, expressing confidence the judiciary would take remedial measures.

Commenting on the AG making submissions on behalf of the government having declared that the 20th Amendment needed to be approved by 2/3 majority, MP Kaviratne pointed out that the Court of Appeal allowed Premalal Jayasekera to attend parliament contrary to the position taken by the AG.

The AG gave the opinion that Jayasekera sentenced to death by Ratnapura High Court over the killing in January 2015 couldn’t take oaths as an MP.

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P M meets Sri Lankan community living in London

Published

6 mins ago

2026/05/21

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is currently on an official visit to the United Kingdom, met with members of the Sri Lankan community living in London on Wednesday [20th] and engaged in cordial discussions.

Despite the event being held on a weekday, it was notable that nearly one thousand Sri Lankans representing the Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities attended with great enthusiasm.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that despite natural disasters and international crises, the present government has succeeded in stabilizing the country’s economy while providing relief to the people. She further noted that Sri Lanka’s political culture has now undergone a positive transformation that is irreversible.

Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj, addressing the event, stated that a governance system has now been established in the country where all communities are treated equally and the benefits of economic development are shared fairly among all citizens.

Moving away from the traditional method of political gatherings, the event also provided an open platform for members of the Sri Lankan community to directly raise questions and express their views to the Prime Minister and the Minister.

Commenting on the organization of the event, the organizing committee stated that all expenses, including dinner, were borne by the participants themselves. The organizers further remarked that it is unsurprising that opposition groups, accustomed to organizing such events through the misuse of public funds, appear unsettled by this transparent process.

The occasion was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj and Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya meets Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom

Published

10 hours ago

2026/05/21

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya currently undertaking an official visit to London, United Kingdom, to participate in the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026 held a bilateral meeting with the Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom ON Wednesday [20]. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera, along with officials from the Sri Lankan High Commission.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed Sri Lanka’s appreciation to the United Kingdom for the support extended in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwa, including ongoing rebuilding and recovery assistance. The Prime Minister also commended the United Kingdom’s support in facilitating increased bilateral trade and exports for Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister briefed the UK delegation on Sri Lanka’s recent economic developments and policy priorities, the Government’s commitment to advancing human rights and reconciliation, as well as Sri Lanka’s positive growth trajectory.

The two sides also exchanged views on current global geopolitical developments, challenges in the energy sector, and the importance of enhancing regional connectivity and long-term energy security.

Both sides also emphasised the importance of strengthening structured academic mobility frameworks while ensuring fairness, clarity, and integrity within migration systems.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Suspects involved in sureties controversy granted bail

Published

16 hours ago

2026/05/21

Sahan Weerasooriya

Kapila Chandrasena

Airbus bribe case:

Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva yesterday (20) granted bail to Mohamed Riswan and Mohamed Irshan, who allegedly received money to stand as sureties for the late former SriLankan Airlines CEO, Kapila Chandrasena. They were identified as residents of Sanchi Arachchi Watta, situated next to the Hulftsdorp court complex.

Chandrasena was found dead at his brother-in-law, Aravinda De Silva’s residence, at No. 38, Pedris Road, Kollupitiya, on 8 May.

The Magistrate also granted bail to B. A. Tissa and Perumal Ganesh, who arranged for Riswan and Irshan to stand as sureties for Chandrasena, who is under investigation for allegedly receiving a USD 2 million bribe through his wife to facilitate an Airbus deal. They, too, residents of Sanchi Arachchi Watta, were granted bail on two personal bail of Rs. 500,000 each.

Airbus had to pay USD 4 billion in penalties after admitting it had paid huge bribes to secure contracts in 20 countries. Sri Lanka is among them.

The Magistrate directed that the Grama Niladhari should certify their residence and the relevant certificates submitted to court and to establish the financial status of those who stood as sureties for the four persons.

The court was told that Mohamed Riswan and Mohamed Irshan obtained 17 Grama Niladhari certificates from January till May 2026. On the basis of a statement recorded from Keselwatta Grama Niladhari S. Nilantha Silva police informed court that the first suspect had obtained 10 certificates and the second person seven.

Fourth suspect Ganesh had first met those who stood as sureties, on 05 May, in the court premises and struck the deal. Crime OIC of Keselwatta Police, Sub Inspector K.W.D. Anuruddha, told court that Mohamed Riswan, Mohamed Irshan and B. A. Tissa hadn’t even known who Chandrasena was and were not related to him in anyway, according to investigations. Police requested that the four persons be further remanded.

The Magistrate granted them bail and set the next hearing for 25 June.

Legal sources said that such illegal practices were rampant, and in this particular case the Court Registrar should have been able to see that the sureties were very much unlikely to be relatives of Chandrasena.

By Shamindra Ferdinando