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Cardinal Ranjith demands drastic changes of existing political system

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by Norman Palihawadane

The laws of this country now in operation have been promulgated to empower a single person or one particular group to rule the entire nation at his or their will, said Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith at an event in Ja-ela last week.

Addressing a meeting held at Panahawatte in Bollatha, Ja-Ela to hand over 12 newly built houses to 12 Easter Sunday terror victim families last week, the Cardinal said: “Drastic changes should be brought into the existing political system if we want to see our country march forward. The laws empower only a single person or a particular group. Such empowerment vested on a single group or a person is detrimental to the progress of the country. Therefore we have need for change. The change we seek should ensure a new constitution that would permit a true democracy.

“The laws of the country should be independent and the Head of State and Government (President) should not play with the Constitution of the land at his or her will. We must wipe out fraud and corruption. During the past 74 years since independence, all what our political leaders had been doing was telling lies to the people and deceiving them at every turn. They manipulated the law to achieve what they wanted and not

what the country needed or the people aspired to. As a result now there is no justice and fair play in our society,” he said.

The houses distributed had been constructed by Sethsarana-CARITAS institute of the Archdiocese of Colombo using the funds from CARITAS ATHONISANO of Italy. The recipients were families of 12 victims who were killed while they were attending religious services at St Antony’s Shrine in Kochchikade.

Colombo Archdiocese Auxiliary Bishop Rev Dr Anton Ranjith, Msgr Neville Joe Perera, Archdiocese Procurator General Rev Fr Jude Samantha Fernando, Assistant Procurator General Fr Gihan Ridley, Bollatha Parish Priest Rev Fr Anton Niroshan Fernando and Rev. Fr Kennedy Fernando were also present.



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Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)

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The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla,  Kandy,  Kurunegala,  Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till  08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)

The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district,  and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.

LEVEL II AMBER   landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions  and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara,  Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and  Kandeketiya in the Badulla district,  Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district,  Rideegama in the Kurunegala district,  Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district,  and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of  Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district,  and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.

 

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PM says govt. will introduce a new Constitution to abolish executive presidency

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Harini Amarasuriya

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya yesterday sad that the Executive Presidency would be abolished, in line with the NPP’s election manifesto.

Speaking in Parliament, in response to a question raised under Standing Order 27/2 by Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Prime Minister said the abolition would take place through a proposed new Constitution.

She added that preliminary work on drafting the new Constitution had already begun, with previous committee reports and other proposals being studied to guide the process.

“A concept paper on the draft will be presented to the Cabinet,” Amarasuriya said, noting that a formal study has been initiated on abolishing the Executive Presidency.

She said that the move cannot be implemented without introducing a new Constitution.

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Opposition Leader rises in defence of Dr. Bellana 

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Sajith

Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday that the suspension of duties imposed on Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the National Hospital, amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.

Raising the issue during parliamentary proceedings, Premadasa, who is also the SJB Leader, questioned the decision to suspend the senior medical officer for issuing a statement to the media, particularly on matters relating to children’s medicines.

He said health was a fundamental right and noted that two children had reportedly died, stressing that the focus should be on accountability over the incident rather than penalising a medical professional for speaking out.

Premadasa criticised the authorities for suspending Dr. Bellana solely for communicating with the media, asking whether such action constituted justice for families who had lost their children.The Opposition Leader said silencing officials, who raise concerns, undermines fundamental rights and does not address the underlying issues related to patient safety and public health.

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