News
CP asks whether MoU with US a precursor to SOFA
The Communist Party of Sri Lanka (CPSL) has asked whether the NPP entered into a military agreement with the US as a condition for reduction of tariffs and precursor to signing SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement).
CPSL Leader Dr. G. Weerasinghe told The Island that the US had almost succeeded in finalising SOFA during the Yahapalana administration (2015-2019). On behalf of the party, Dr. Weerasinghe yesterday (18) issued the following statement: “We strongly condemn the NPP government for entering into a new military Memorandum of Understanding with the United States National Guard under the so-called State Partnership Programme (SPP). This agreement between the Sri Lankan Armed Forces and the Montana National Guard represents another step in the militarisation of the ‘Indo-Pacific’ and the erosion of Sri Lanka’s sovereignty.
The new US–Sri Lanka MoU formalises cooperation on a wide range of military activities: joint training, maritime surveillance, air operations, and disaster-response integration between the US National Guard and the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. The agreement should be seen as a pretext for embedding US military structures within Sri Lanka.
This MoU has been signed in a context of heightened US militarism, including Washington’s open threats of aggression against Venezuela and complicity in the Israeli genocide in Gaza. Moreover, this is the second military agreement reached by the NPP government, following the earlier India–Sri Lanka defence MoU whose contents remain entirely concealed from the public.
There are critical questions that every Sri Lankan must ask:
Was signing this agreement a political condition for the reduction in tariffs?
Is this MoU a precursor to signing a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the United States?
Will Sri Lanka’s military, naval and air force infrastructure facilities, as well as Sri Lanka’s ports and airports, be placed at the disposal of the US war machine?
Is Sri Lanka to be a pawn in US military aggression in Asia?
The CPSL reaffirms that Sri Lanka must be a non-aligned, sovereign country. We call on the NPP government to immediately disclose the content of all military agreements it has entered into, halt further defence cooperation with foreign powers, and place national security decisions under democratic scrutiny.
Further, we call upon all anti-imperialist and patriotic forces to come forward to protect the non-aligned status and sovereignty of the country.”
Protesting Development Officers continued their hunger strike near the Presidential Secretariat, Colombo yesterday (01), for the seventh consecutive day.The protesters, who are members of the Lanka School Development Officers’ Association, are demanding that they be absorbed into the teacher service as they have served as teachers in state-run schools for nearly seven years.
Secretary of the Association, Viraj Manaranga, said the protesters were seeking an urgent meeting with the President. He added that a presidential aide had visited the protest site and offered to arrange for a meeting with the President on 03 Feb., but the union insisted on an earlier date. Manaranga warned that failure to grant a meeting could trigger a massive protest in Colombo today (02).
Four officers participating in the hunger strike have been hospitalised due to deteriorating health, while two more joined the fast on Saturday (31).
In a bid to raise awareness of their grievances, on 30 January a delegation of the All Island Development Officers’ Association visited Most Venerable
Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera, Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter, and subsequently with the Chapter’s Registrar, Ven. Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera. The prelates said promises that had been made to them should be fulfilled.
The protest began on 26 January as a satyagraha, after authorities failed to respond to repeated requests to integrate the officers into the teaching service. The escalation into a fast-unto-death underscores the protesters’ frustration over the prolonged delay
by Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon
The long-vacant post of Auditor General would be filled on 03 Feb., after months of controversy and delays, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake said on Friday (31) in Kandy.
The Constitutional Council met at the Parliamentary complex on Friday to discuss the appointment but failed to reach a decision on a suitable candidate. The President had previously proposed four names on four separate occasions, all of which were rejected. The Council is now set to consider the fifth nominee.
The post has remained vacant since April 2025, following the retirement of Chulanta Wickramaratne, who served as the 41st Auditor General. More than 10 months have passed without a permanent appointment.
Sources said a female officer in the Auditor General’s Department has been nominated again, though her previous recommendation was rejected due to some allegations against her.
Meanwhile, senior audit officer Dharmapala Gammanpila, with 31 years of service and the department’s most senior official, has received backing from the Mahanayake Theras of the three Nikayas, the Maha Sangha, and several civil society groups for appointment as the 42nd Auditor General.
Sources noted that the three civil society representatives on the Constitutional Council will play a crucial role in the final decision.
by Chaminda Silva and SK Samaranayake
Two 18-year-old youth were arrested by the Southern Division of the Western Province Crime Division on 31 January for allegedly aiding and abetting two murders carried out in Dehiwala and Kohuwala. ICE (crystal meth) was found in their possession at the time of arrest.
The suspects are residents of Mount Lavinia and Boralesgamuwa, according to the police. They are accused of having helped carry out a murder at a hotel in the Dehiwala Police Division on 9 January, 2026, and an attack on a person travelling in a three-wheeler at Bodhiyawatta, Kohuwala, on 12 December, 2025.
Police said the charges included sending photographs of the victims to a criminal living overseas.
Investigations revealed that the youth had acted under the direction of a criminal known as Sando.
Under the guidance of Janaka Kumara, Director of the Southern Division of the Western Province Crime Division, investigations are being led by Police Inspector Hemanta Kumara, assisted by Sub-Inspectors Prasanna Gunathilaka and Prasanna (40248), and Constables Chaminda (72987), Anil (79598), Kumar (88762), and Senanayake (19363), who are continuing the probe.
by Norman Palihawadane and Chaminda Silva
Showers expected in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Western, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Central provinces
Development Officers threaten to intensify their protest
Auditor General to be appointed tomorrow
Two arrested for aiding and abetting murder
CID summons former First Lady again
Remembering Upali Wijewardene, founder of Upali Group of Companies
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
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Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
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