News

Further delays in presenting 21A will enrage people – NMSJ

Published

4 years ago

2022/05/29

The National Movement for Social Justice on Friday called on the Government to incorporate the democratic principles enshrined in the 19th Amendment and pass the 21st Amendment to the Constitution immediately.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo NMSJ Chairman and former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said: “Today the whole country is discussing the 21st Amendment to the Constitution. Yesterday, we were confident that by repealing the 20th Amendment and re-enacting the 19th Amendment, Sri Lanka would earn the respect and recognition of the international community as a democratic country in the civilised world thereby allowing us to gain the trust of powerful countries and seek their assistance. However, given the circumstances, it is unfortunate that one faction of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna has quite publicly refused to support these constitutional amendments. This can only be described as a power hungry political decision.

The damage caused by the 20th Amendment to the Constitution needs no further explanation. It was widely accepted as a selfish and nefarious bill that would lead the country to an undemocratic, dictatorial regime.

In fact, over 600 votes were cast against Sri Lanka at the European parliament following its enactment, impressing upon us that it was seen as an uncivilised bill. It is unfortunate that the leaders of the government have refused to acknowledge this fact.

Before the President embarked on the government’s new reform process, he agreed to ratify the 19th Amendment and abolish the executive presidency while calling on party leaders to work together to form an interim all-party government. What the President must understand at this juncture is that if this amendment is delayed due to the undue influence of the ruling party, it will lead to a massive public outcry.

People will inevitably be led to believe these were nothing but empty promises and this will only further destroy the image of the President. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Justice and other Ministers who supported the new move will be left humiliated.

More importantly, the government must understand the attitude of the international community towards this issue. They have always maintained that the 20th Amendment was undemocratic and therefore should be repealed immediately. Meanwhile, religious leaders, civil society, intellectuals and trade unions in our country have repeatedly stated that the 20th Amendment is a bill that leads to a dictatorial path.

Although the Prime Minister clarified that the proposed bill will be presented to the Cabinet next Monday, the General Secretary of the SLPP has stated that the country’s economic issues should be resolved first. In other words, he has indirectly stated the party would not support the constitutional amendments. We truly regret that the Secretary-General does not understand the need to win the confidence of the international community to resolve the country’s economic problems.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has also pointed out the shortcomings of the proposed bill. Similarly, our organisation has also presented a few observations. I hope these proposals will be brought to the attention of the Minister of Justice.

The people have already understood the devastating effects of the 20th amendment. Therefore, delaying the new amendment will only lead to a more aggressive and heightened people’s struggle.

Therefore, we call on the Government, led by the President, to incorporate the democratic principles enshrined in the 19th Amendment and pass the 21st Amendment immediately.

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News

INS GHARIAL makes port call in Colombo

Published

5 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) GHARIAL made a port call in Colombo for operational turnarounds on 04 Feb 26. The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.

Commanded by Commander Gaurav Tewari, INS GHARIAL is a vessel with a length of 124.8 meters.

During this visit, ten (10) Bailey Bridges, brought by ship, through the coordination of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, will be handed over to the Disaster Management Center. These bridges will provide temporary transportation links while bridges damaged across the island by adverse weather conditions are repaired.

The crew’s itinerary features scheduled goodwill activities with the Sri Lanka Navy, alongside visits to several tourist attractions across the island.

News

Speaker’s personal secretary accused of interference with ongoing bribery investigation

Published

6 hours ago

2026/02/6

Thilina Walpola

Harshana

SJB Gampaha District MP Harshana Rajakaruna yesterday told Parliament that the Speaker’s Personal Secretary had written to the Secretary-General of Parliament seeking information on a complaint lodged with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) by a former Deputy Secretary of Parliament against the Speaker. Rajakaruna called for an immediate investigation into what he described as interference with an ongoing probe.

Raising the matter in the House, Rajakaruna said he had formally requested the Commission to initiate an inquiry into the conduct of the Speaker’s Personal Secretary, Chameera Gallage, questioning the authority under which such information had been sought.

Rajapakaruna tabled in Parliament a copy of the letter allegedly sent by Gallage to the Secretary-General requesting details of the bribery complaint.

Addressing the House, Rajakaruna said that the letter, sent two days earlier, had sought “full details” of the complaint against the Speaker. He maintained that seeking such information amounted to interference with an investigation and constituted a serious offence under the Bribery Act.

“The Speaker’s Secretary has no right to interfere with the work of the Bribery Commission. Under what law is he acting? What authority does he have? The Speaker, like everyone else, is subject to the law of the land,” Rajakaruna said, urging the Commission to take immediate action.

He noted that the Bribery Act treated the obstruction of investigations and the destruction of documents relating to such inquiries as serious offences punishable by law, and said he believed the Minister of Justice would concur.

The allegations sparked sharp reactions in the Chamber, as Opposition members called for accountability and due process in relation to the complaint against the Speaker.

By Saman Indrajith

News

Govt: Average power generation cost reduced from Rs. 37 to Rs. 29

Published

6 hours ago

2026/02/6

Thilina Walpola

Kumara

The Ceylon Electricity Board has managed to reduce the average cost of electricity generation from Rs. 37 per unit to Rs. 29, marking a 22 percent reduction, Minister of Power and Energy Eng. Kumara Jayakody told Parliament yesterday.

Responding to an oral question raised by Opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake, the Minister said that electricity tariffs cannot be reduced unless the cost of generation is brought down.

“You cannot reduce electricity tariffs without reducing the cost of generation. What we are currently doing is buying at a higher price and selling at a lower price. When we assumed office, the cost of purchasing and generating electricity was Rs. 37 per unit. We have now managed to bring it down to Rs. 29, a reduction of 22 percent.

Our target is to further reduce this to Rs. 25. Once that is achieved, we will reduce electricity tariffs by 30 percent within three years, as we promised,” Minister Jayakody said.

He added that the government has already formulated a long-term generation plan to further expand the country’s power generation capacity.

According to the Minister, key measures include increasing the absorption of renewable energy into the national grid, expanding the national transmission and distribution network, introducing renewable energy storage systems, and constructing thermal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plants to replace aging facilities and meet future demand.

He also said that steps would be taken to enhance the capacity of existing hydropower plants as part of the broader strategy to ensure energy security and reduce long-term electricity costs.

By Ifham Nizam