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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.
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Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and showers about 50-75 mm in other areas
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 08 JANUARY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 by the Department of Meteorology
The depression over the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka, was centered near latitude 5.3°N and longitude 86.0°E, about 490 km southeast of Pottuvil, at 11:30 p.m. yesterday (07). It is expected to move west-northwestwards and towards the eastern coast of the island during next 24 hours. This system is likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours.
Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere in the Island after 1.00 p.m. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces. Fairly Heavy showers about (50 – 75) mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island.
Strong winds about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over the Eastern slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala told Parliament yesterday that information uncovered during ongoing investigations indicated that Pulasthini Mahendran, also known as Sara Jasmine, linked to the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, was not dead.
Responding to a question raised by Opposition MP Mujibur Rahuman, the Minister said there was no confirmation that Sara Jasmine was currently in India, despite speculation to that effect. He added that investigators suspected she may have fled the country and stressed that further inquiries were underway to establish her whereabouts.
“If necessary, the government will take steps to obtain a warrant,” Wijepala said, noting that legal action related to the Easter attacks had already been initiated, based on available evidence.
Minister Wijepala said the new government had launched an thorough probe to determine whether a political or other conspiracy had been behind the attacks that killed more than 270 people in 2019. However, he declined to disclose certain details in Parliament, citing the risk of hampering investigations.
Sara Jasmine, Mohammed Hashtun, who bombed St. Sebastian’s Church, in Katuwapitiya, in 2019, was long presumed to have died in a suicide blast in Sainthamaruthu, days after the attacks. Wijepala said attempts by previous administrations to establish her death had failed, with recent reports indicating that DNA tests conducted at the time were inconclusive.
During the debate, MP Rahuman recalled that senior figures, including then-Opposition MP Nalinda Jayatissa, had previously claimed Sara Jasmine was in India. He questioned why authorities had not sought an open warrant for her arrest whether the issue had been raised in talks with Indian officials.
Wijepala, responding on behalf of Deputy Minister of Defence Arun Jayasekara, said the government would not hesitate to pursue legal action, including warrants, if necessary.
By Saman Indrajith
The Chief of the Indian Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday (07). On arrival, the COAS was accorded a Guard of Honour by the Sri Lanka Army.
The Indian HC said that: “He will engage with senior military and civil leadership, including the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Deputy Minister of Defence and the Defence Secretary; and hold detailed discussions on matters of mutual interest, including training cooperation, capacity building and regional security.
During the visit, the COAS will address officers at the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) and interact with officers and trainees at the Army War College, Buttala, reflecting India’s strong commitment to defence education and professional military exchanges with Sri Lanka.
General Dwivedi will also pay homage at the IPKF War Memorial, honouring the supreme sacrifice of Indian soldiers.”
General Dwivedi arrived here from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he attended several events during 05 to 06 January.
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