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GL: President all out to retain power without holding elections

Published

2 years ago

2024/06/26

Sahan Weerasooriya

G. L. Peiris

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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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the Districts of Kurunegala and Ratnapura

Published

10 hours ago

2026/04/23

Priyan

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued Landslide Early Warnings to the Districts of Kurunegala and Ratnapura effective from 16:00 hrs on 23.04.2026 To 16:00 hrs on 24.04.2026

Accordingly,

Level 1 landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Rideegama in the Kurunegala district and Kuruwita, Kalawana, Ratnapura, Nivithigala, Pelmadulla and Eheliyagoda in the Ratnapura district.

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued for the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Ampara and Batticaloa districts

Published

11 hours ago

2026/04/23

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology
Issued at 12.00 noon 23 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 23 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
• Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

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Compensation payments and reconstruction activities related to the Ditwah relief measures must be expedited with special attention at the district level – PM

Published

21 hours ago

2026/04/23

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that compensation payments and reconstruction activities related to the Ditwah relief measures must be expedited with special attention at the district level. She further stated that all necessary allocations have already been made to Provincial Councils and instructed that the progress of disaster damage assessments and reconstruction efforts be closely monitored at the provincial level.

The Prime Minister made these remarks at a discussion held on Tuesday (21) at Temple Trees under her patronage, aimed at informing Chairpersons of District Coordination Committees and public representatives from disaster-affected districts, in order to accelerate the implementation of the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme. The discussion focused on expediting disaster relief and compensation payments, as well as the swift restoration of infrastructure damaged by the disaster.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Rs. 500 billion has been allocated for damages caused by the Ditwah cyclone, and that all relevant development activities must be completed before the end of 2026. The Prime Minister also instructed officials to pay special attention to resolving issues at the local level that are causing delays in compensation payments.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President, G.M.R.D. Aponsu, stated that the estimated cost for reconstruction following the Ditwah cyclone is approximately USD 3.4 billion. Accordingly, funds have been allocated for compensation across several sectors including housing and social infrastructure, agriculture and livestock, fisheries, industry and livelihoods, and irrigation. He further noted that 99% of the Rs. 25,000 allowance has already been disbursed, while 95% of the Rs. 50,000 resettlement allowance has been paid. Compensation for fully and partially damaged houses is still ongoing, and 99% of temporary relief centres have been closed.

Additionally, attention was drawn to several other measures, including providing Rs. 25,000 to affected schoolchildren, paying Rs. 1 million as compensation for each deceased individual, compensation for children who lost one or both parents, support for persons with disabilities affected by the disaster, compensation for agricultural losses, and expediting resettlement of displaced families. Measures such as allocating land for new housing construction and accelerating the issuance of reports from the National Building Research Organization were also discussed.

Focus was also placed on the reconstruction of affected schools, hospitals, and daycare centres, improving the accuracy and speed of data collection at the local level, and accelerating infrastructure development.

The event was attended by Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Samantha Vidyarathna, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Dr. Chandana Abayarathna, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperatives R.M. Jayawardena, Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna, Members of Parliament, Chairpersons of District Coordination Committees, Chief of Staff to the President and Commissioner General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Additional Secretary to the President Jayantha Bandara; and officials of the Prime Minister’s Office.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]