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.
Suspect also wanted for child abuse: Extradition process underway
Among seven persons arrested in the United Kingdom for people smuggling is a Sri Lankan wanted by French authorities for the rape of a child.
UK’s National Crime Agency said that it collaborated with police and international partners in INTERPOL’s largest-ever operation targeting people smuggling and human trafficking.
Operation Liberterra III was led by the NCA’s Joint International Crime Centre (JICC) and targeted offenders wanted for a range of crimes who had entered the UK illegally.
Officers from the National Extradition Unit at the JICC made five arrests across London, Bedfordshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester.
Those arrested included:
A 30-year-old Sri Lankan man arrested in Liverpool and wanted in France for the rape of a child
A 38-year-old Iraqi man wanted for rape in Germany arrested in Greater Manchester
A 29-year-old Egyptian man wanted for murder in France arrested in Bedfordshire
A 41-year-old Syrian man arrested in Greater Manchester and wanted in Germany for organising illegal small boat crossings
A 30-year-old Bulgarian man arrested in London for human trafficking and wanted in France
Greater Manchester Police teams also made two arrests across the county during the operation which was held between 10 and 21 November last year.
A 23-year-old Ukrainian man wanted in Germany for sexual exploitation
A 31-year-old Romanian man wanted in Romania for sexual exploitation
Extradition proceedings are underway for all seven suspects.
The NCA website quoted its Deputy Director of International Rick Jones as having said: “This global operation is a prime example of our commitment to working closely and effectively with international partners to tackle people smuggling and human trafficking.
“We were proud to host the European Co-ordination Unit and used a range of our specialist capabilities to gather and disseminate intelligence to law enforcement agencies across the world, and to enable our officers to identify, locate and detain offenders wanted overseas.
“As a result, seven suspects wanted in connection to serious offences have been removed from our communities and extradition proceedings are ongoing to ensure they face justice.”
Globally, 3,744 suspects were arrested including 1,800 for human trafficking and migrant smuggling offences.
Addressing a gathering of the world’s consular community, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath issued a pointed, diplomatic request yesterday for the enhanced protection of Sri Lankan citizens abroad, a message delivered against the backdrop of a recent alleged assault on Sri Lankan fishermen by the Indian Coast Guard.
The occasion was the inauguration of the FICAC 2026 South Asia Regional Conference, hosted by The Association of Consuls in Sri Lanka together with the World Federation of Consuls (FICAC) at Cinnamon Life.
Minister Herath, while outlining Sri Lanka’s foreign policy of “non-alignment, strategic autonomy, and constructive engagement,” directly tasked the honorary consul community with a critical role. “I request the honorary consul community to maintain a continued and enhanced focus on safeguarding the rights and welfare of Sri Lankan nationals in respective jurisdictions,” he stated.
The appeal carries significant weight following recent media reports which detailed claims by a group of fishermen from Wennappuwa that they were assaulted by uniformed Indian Coastal Guards. The incident, alleged to have occurred partly in Sri Lankan territorial waters, resulted in hospitalisations and has been referred to the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Navy for investigation. Minister Herath’s carefully calibrated statement before the international audience underscored the government’s proactive but diplomatic approach to citizen welfare overseas.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, who also addressed the inaugural session, framed Sri Lanka as a nation on a resurgent path. She thanked FICAC for selecting Sri Lanka, noting the choice reinforces the country’s returning credibility under President AKD’s administration.
“Fiscal management is in good control with contained inflation and increased reserve levels and global confidence is returning as the country is moving towards stability, expanded economic activity and inclusive growth,” the Prime Minister stated. She also acknowledged the severe challenge posed by climate change, citing Cyclone Ditwah, and thanked the international community for its support during the disaster, which helped quickly revive the tourism sector.
Both leaders positioned the consular network as indispensable partners in Sri Lanka’s recovery and global re-engagement. Minister Herath emphasised their role in bridging “governments, businesses and communities,” while the Prime Minister stated such forums help reconsolidate the support of global actors.”
The three-day FICAC conference brings together consular officials from across South Asia, focusing on their unique role in facilitating diplomacy, trade, and legal cooperation outside traditional embassy channels.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has reached agreement with Sri Lanka to strengthen the country’s Thriposha nutrition programme through climate-resilient, locally sourced food systems.
According to the Korean Embassy here the agreement formalised a USD 10 million partnership that would enhance domestic production of high-quality maize, reduce reliance on imports, and reinforce the sustainability of Sri Lanka’s flagship nutrition intervention for children and mothers. The agreement in this regard reflected the shared commitment of the Republic of Korea and Sri Lanka to advancing inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development outcomes, the Embassy stated.
The agreement was signed in the presence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka Ms. Miyon Lee, the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Dr. Upali Pannilage, Country Representative, World Food Programme (WFP) Philip Ward, and senior representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Trade, Sri Lanka Thriposha Limited, demonstrating the commitment by all relevant stakeholders of this unique project.
Shower will occur in the Northern, North-central, Eastern and Uva provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya and Matale districts
Interpol crackdown: Sri Lankan man among seven arrested in UK for human smuggling
Sri Lanka calls on global consular corps to protect nationals amid fishermen incident
Korean boost for Thriposha programme: Partnership worth USD 10 mn
Development Officers’ Association steps up protest campaign
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