News
GL: President all out to retain power without holding elections
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Dissident SLPP MP Prof. G. L. Peiris has alleged that President Ranil Wickremesinghe is making a last ditch attempt to consolidate political power without facing elections.
The President’s recent attack on the judiciary, in Parliament, over the Supreme Court determination on the Gender Equality Bill, highlighted an extremely dangerous and volatile situation that should be addressed by those interested in preserving our cherished democracy, the retired top law academic said.
Addressing the regular Nidahasa Janatha Sabhawa press conference on Monday (24) Prof. Peiris said that President Wickremesinghe was working overtime to advance his agenda, contrary to the Constitution. The President seemed to have reacted to the Supreme Court determination, believing that the independent judiciary posed quite a serious threat to his agenda, hence the blistering attack on it.
The former External Affairs attacked the President over his continuing efforts to somehow postpone the Presidential Poll. The President targeted the judiciary as he knew the Supreme Court is constitutionally empowered to thwart his despicable bid, Prof. Peiris said, emphasizing the pivotal importance of the entire country taking a strong stand in support of the judiciary.
Presidential election is scheduled to be conducted in Sept/Oct this year. Prof. Peiris alleged that in line with the overall political strategy, adopted by the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government, the Parliament last week approved a contentious proposal to allow President Wickremesinghe to spend as much as Rs 8,750 mn over the next three months, ahead of the elections. A vote wasn’t taken on the proposal.
The internationally renowned law academic questioned the very basis of the Parliament’s approval for such a vast sum of money, obviously for politically motivated projects. The required funding could be even obtained through loans, Prof. Peiris said, alleging that the government was engaged in a massive effort not to win, but to buy over the electorate.
A group of MPs, led by Prof. Peiris, recently switched its allegiance to the main Opposition SJB.
Prof. Peiris explained how the government exploited the situation, both in and outside Parliament, to its advantage, regardless of the consequences. The enactment of new laws has become a key part of the government’s political strategy, hence the SC determination on certain Bills angered the government, Prof. Peiris said. But President Wickremesinghe’s attack on the Supreme Court should be examined against the backdrop of the SC taking a stand contrary to that of the UNP leader’s increasingly dictatorial approach.
The former Minister alleged that Wickremesinghe would make an attempt to secure a 2/3 majority in Parliament, through bribery, and make a case for postponement of the Presidential Poll. The stepped-up attack on the judiciary and the Supreme Court, in particular, was an attempt to soften up the vital organ that could stand in his way, he declared.
The academic emphasized that the Parliament couldn’t disregard the SC determinations under any circumstances. The top Opposition spokesman urged all political parties, regardless of differences of opinion, to take a common stand on the disgraceful bid to influence the judiciary. “Like all other sectors, the government is trying to politicize the legal process.”
Prof. Peiris questioned the proposal for the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to review the SC determinations, a move that undermined the very basis of democracy. “SC judges are being harassed and pressurized to toe their line. An attempt to grant an extension to Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC, threatens to destroy the entire judicial setup,” Prof. Peiris said, appreciating the brave stand taken by the Bar Association in that regard.
The NPP government has issued a new extraordinary gazette renewing and extending Sri Lanka’s long-standing ban on the LTTE and several Tamil diaspora organisations and individuals, continuing to designate them as “terrorists”.
The gazette, published recently, replaces a previous gazette issued in May 2025 and reaffirmed the proscription of a wide range of Tamil political and advocacy bodies operating around the world, alongside dozens of named individuals. The government alleged both the organisations and individuals listed are involved in “terrorism-related activities”.
The organisations blacklisted by the Sri Lankan government include:
• Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
• Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO)
• Tamil Coordinating Committee (TCC)
• World Tamil Movement (WTM)
• Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE)
• World Tamil Relief Fund (WTRF)
• National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT)
• Tamil Youth Organisation (TYO)
While the majority of the designations mirror those contained in the May 2025 gazette, the latest document updates identification details and addresses for a number of individuals and introduces at least one additional organisation to the list. All entries have been reissued under new reference numbers for 2026, though the underlying allegations and framing remain unchanged.
Successive governemnts have maintained a sweeping proscription regime against Tamil diaspora groups and individuals. A ban can make it a criminal offence for Sri Lankan citizens to maintain contact with these organisations or their members, severely restricting political engagement and stifling links between the diaspora and the Tamil homeland.
The original mass listings were introduced in 2014 under the administration of Mahinda Rajapaksa. Despite repeated outcry, subsequent governments have continued to uphold and renew the proscription regime, even after the Rajapaksas were voted out of power.
Police yesterday (12) obtained an injunction order from the Kaduwela Magistrate’s court against the protest launched by National Freedom Front (NFF) leader and former Minister Wimal Weerawansa opposite the Education Ministry, Isurupaya, at Battaramulla.
Police informed Weerawansa of the court order. In line with the court order, the police informed Weerawansa that the road near the Ministry should not be obstructed and that no sound amplification equipment be used while the GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examination is in progress. The examination, put off due to Cyclone Ditwah, recommenced yesterday.
News
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expresses optimism that Sri Lanka is on the right path to progres
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath held productive discussions with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi today (12/01), during the latter’s brief visit to Sri Lanka.
The meeting aimed at further strengthening bilateral engagement and advancing the Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two countries. Both Ministers reaffirmed the longstanding friendship and time-tested cooperation between Sri Lanka and China rooted in centuries of exchanges and consolidated since the establishment of diplomatic relations seven decades ago. The discussion also focused on enhancing partnership in the areas of trade, investment, development cooperation and tourism.
Minister Herath extended deep appreciation to the Government and the people of China for the steadfast support extended to Sri Lanka following cyclone Ditwah and requested further support for the second phase of resettlement, relocation and rebuilding, particularly for the restoration of affected infrastructure including identified roads, railways and bridges that are vital to connectivity, economic recovery and daily lives of people. Minister Wang assured China’s fullest support for this initiative and expressed confidence that Sri Lanka will continue its rapid recovery under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Disanayaka. He also welcomed the people-centric policies of the Government and expressed optimism that Sri Lanka is on the right path toward fulfilling aspirations of its people.
Minister Herath expressed appreciation for China’s constructive role in international fora and reiterated Sri Lanka’s firm commitment to the One China Policy and China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Both Ministers also recalled the successful high level exchanges in the recent past, including visits of the President and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to China in 2025.
Showers in the Northern, North-central, Uva, Western, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Central provinces and Galle and Matara districts
Govt. extends ban on LTTE
Police obtain court order banning Wimal’s protest
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expresses optimism that Sri Lanka is on the right path to progres
India plans to restore northern regular train services to pre-Ditwah frequencies before traditional New Year 2026
Inauguration of first Bailey Bridge under Indian assistance package for post-Ditwah reconstruction
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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