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Explanation sought from govt; Douglas silent on issue at Romesh de Silva Committee

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5 years ago

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North granted land powers:

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Myanmar, Prof. Nalin de Silva, has said that the government owes an explanation as regards EPDP leader Douglas Devananda’s recent claim that the current administration granted the Northern Province (NP) land powers in terms of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

Responding to The Island report headlined ‘North granted land powers’ published on 19 Feb, Prof. de Silva emphasised the responsibility on the part of the government and Devananda, who holds the fisheries portfolio to set the record straight as far as he was concerned Provincial Councils never received police and land powers.

The NP consists of the administrative districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya. Prof. de Silva challenged Devananda’s claim that the NP had received land powers hitherto enjoyed by other Provincial Councils.

The retired Academic underscored the pivotal importance in establishing whether provinces other than the North exercised land powers before it was granted the same.

According to a missive from Prof. de Silva received by The Island, the academic asked what were the specific land powers granted to the North, did the government act in terms of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and when exactly such powers were granted? Ambassador de Silva pointed out that even in the absence of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution; respective Land Commissioners enjoyed certain powers. Therefore, it would be pertinent to ask whether powers in terms of the 13th Amendment, too, had been granted, Prof. de Silva said pointing out that Devananda had faulted Public Security Minister retired Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera for taking a public stand against the devolution of power to the Provinces.

Prof. de Silva said that the vast majority of the Sinhala community was of the same opinion that if necessary a referendum could be held on the devolution of powers.

He referred to a court ruling that a particular land matter couldn’t be dealt in terms of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

The academic turned diplomat questioned the rationale behind the EPDP leader’s claim. Although politicians routinely made all sorts of claims, Devananda’s declaration couldn’t be taken lightly as he was a member of the cabinet of ministers.

Prof. de Silva speculated on the possibility of Devananda’s claim being part of propaganda as he battled with other Tamil political parties based in the Northern Province.

Recently, the Indian High Commission discussed with TMVP lawmaker Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pilleyan and former MP Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan aka Karuna, both former members of the LTTE, the need for the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

Referring to the roles played by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in the government and the SLPP, respectively, Ambassador de Silva appreciated the recent decision taken by SLPP constituents to meet under the President’s leadership. He said that the decision should have been taken earlier. Emphasizing that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was the leader of the SLPP-led coalition in power, Amb de Silva said that Minister Devananda had quite rightly recognized the ground realities. Prof. de Silva said now that the SLPP constituents would meet once in two weeks, Devananda would get an opportunity to discuss matters of mutual interest such as the operation of Provincial Councils system with the focus on land powers.

Amb. de Silva explained that it was important to understand who was in control of the incumbent administration. The mathematician emphasized that the coalition led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was in control, not the SLPP as believed by many.

Meanwhile, Minister Devananda on Saturday (20) appeared before the government appointed 9-member committee tasked with formulating a new Constitution. The committee headed by Romesh de Silva, PC is in the process of receiving representations from political parties. Well informed sources told The Island that during Saturday’s representations Minister Devananda didn’t make reference to the NP being granted land powers.

Successive governments refrained from implementing land and police powers though President JR Jayewardene set up Provincial Councils in terms of the 13th Amendment enacted under Indian pressure in the late 80s with those provisions.

All Provincial Councils are defunct due to the failure on the part of the previous government to conduct elections though Governors appointed by the executive run them. Government sources said that a section of the government was opposed to polls before Romesh de Silva’s committee finalized its proposals. Sources said that the proposed Constitution would be ready by April for consideration of the cabinet.


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Sun directly overhead Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon today (05th April)

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2026/04/5

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On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (05th) are Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district

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57 mins ago

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2026/04/5

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 04 April 2026, valid for 05 April 2026

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

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Global ‘Walk for Peace’ to be held in Lanka

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1 hour ago

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2026/04/5

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The internationally recognized “Walk for Peace,” originating from the United States, is set to take place in Sri Lanka starting April 21, 2026, led by the Most Venerable Paññakara Thero and a delegation of twelve monks from the Maha Sangha, President’s Media Division said.

Spanning seven days across the island, this pilgrimage’s purpose and concept are guided by the Buddha’s teaching, “Caratha bhikkhave carikam bahujana hitaya bahujana sukhaya lokanukampaya” (Wander forth, O Monks, for the welfare and happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world).

This program aims to promote peace and lovingkindness within society. It serves as a practical demonstration that peace cannot be attained by force, but must be cultivated step-by-step through mindfulness.

The inaugural event of this program is scheduled to be held in Anuradhapura on April 21, 2026. A ceremony to receive the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi will take place at 4:00 PM, followed by special religious observances at the sacred Ruwanweliseya premises at 5:00 PM.

Thereafter, the walk will commence from the ancient Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and proceed towards Kandy. Upon reaching Kandy, the Maha Sangha will pay their respects to the Chief Prelates (Maha Nayaka Theros) of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters, before visiting the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) to receive blessings.

Throughout the journey, the procession will carry the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, along with venerated relics from the historic Nilagiri Cetiya, Madanwala Raja Maha Viharaya in Hanguranketa, Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya, and the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya.

The walk will conclude at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Subsequently, the venerated relics and the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi are to be carried from Independence Square to Gangaramaya Temple, Hunupitiya, Colombo by a procession.

The Sri Lankan coordination of the event is spearheaded by Venerable Melpitiye Wimalakirti Thera. The Government of Sri Lanka’s flagship national program, “Clean Sri Lanka,” serves as the principal state partner.

Additionally, the event receives extensive support from various state institutions, including the National Design Centre, the Tri-Forces, and the Department of Information.

At the conclusion of the seven-day walk, a special State Ceremony will be held at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Concurrently, a special exhibition showcasing Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage and traditional handicrafts will be organized by the National Design Centre at the Gangaramaya premises on April 28 and 29, 2026.

This exhibition will feature brass items (ceremonial fans, flags, statues, bowls, and pinnacles), lacquerwork (caskets and boxes), clay crafts (bowls and statues), palm leaf crafts (fans and sesath), natural dyeing of robes, Dumbara wall hangings, traditional drums, and traditional paintings.

The primary objective of this cultural program is to contribute Sri Lanka’s Buddhist and cultural heritage to a project in Texas, USA, where the Tripitaka is being inscribed in 10 languages and enshrined within 840 stupas to create a centre for Buddhist education.

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