News
GL: Visa scam bigger than T-bond rackets
… both aimed at raising funds for elections
Declaring that the online visa scam perpetrated by the incumbent government was even bigger than the Treasury bond rackets carried out under the UNP-led Yahapalana government in 2015 and 2016, Opposition lawmaker Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (03) alleged that in both cases the primary objective had been funding elections—the 2015 parliamentary polls and the 2024 presidential election, respectively.
Addressing the media at Nidahasa Janatha Sabhawa office at Kirula, the former External Affairs Minister said the suspension by the Supreme Court, last Friday, of the controversial contract given to private consortium IVS-GBS and VFS Global to deal with visa issuance had wrong-footed the government.
Among the eight fundamental rights petitioners were Opposition legislators Patali Ranawaka, M. A. Sumanthiran and Rauf Hakeem who challenged the decision to award the contract without following proper tender procedures.
SJB leader Sajith Premadasa had fired the first salvo against the deal in Parliament and the main Opposition party pressed the government in the run-up to the SC decision, Prof. Peiris said.
The dissident SLPP MP now backing the SJB said that the formation of the SJB-led alliance on 08 August to ensure Sajith Premadasa’s victory at the Sept. 21 presidential election would bring the genuine Opposition under one umbrella. The ex-minister pointed out that while the SJB consolidated its position, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had lost his parliamentary majority.
Prof. Peiris said that Wickremesinghe received 134 votes, including his at the July vote in Parliament. However, last week the Presidential Media Division (PMD) announced Wickremesinghe had the backing of 92 MPs, Prof. Peiris said, pointing out that Wickremesinghe was in a difficult position.
Against the backdrop of setbacks, the SC’s stand in respect of fundamental rights petitions had jeopardized Wickremesinghe’s political strategy.
Prof. Peiris said that Wickremesinghe ought to explain to the public why he had allowed Singaporean Arjuna Mahendran who served as the Governor, Central Bank, at the time of Treasury bond scams to leave the country in early 2016. Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Premier had assured Parliament that he would accept responsibility for Mahendran, Prof. Peiris said, adding that the Singaporean never returned to the country and Wickremesinghe conveniently remained silent.
There was no better example than the utterly corrupt on-arrival visa scam to highlight how the incumbent government violated the law, Prof. Peiris said, adding that the on-arrival visa fee had been increased to USD 18.50 per person from USD 1 paid to SLT Mobitel and couldn’t be so hard to identify the corrupt lot. (SF)
The Royal Navy of Oman Ship ‘AL SEEB’ concluded a logistics replenishment visit to Sri Lanka and departed the Port of Colombo on 24 Jan 26.
In accordance with naval tradition, the Sri Lanka Navy extended a customary farewell to the departing ship.
The price of gold has risen above $5,000 (£3,659) an ounce for the first time, extending a historic rally that saw the precious metal jump by more than 60% in 2025.
It comes as tensions between the US and NATO over Greenland have added to growing concerns about financial and geopolitical uncertainty.
US President Donald Trump’s trade policies have also worried markets. On Saturday he threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Canada if it strikes a trade deal with China.
Gold and other precious metals are seen as a so-called safe-haven assets that investors buy in times of uncertainty.
Demand for gold has also been driven by a range of other factors including higher-than-usual inflation, the weak US dollar, buying by central banks around the world and as the US Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates again this year.
Wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as Washington seizing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, have also helped push up the price of gold.
On Friday, silver topped $100 an ounce for the first time, building on its almost 150% rise last year.
[BBC]
SJB Working Committee member and ex-SLPP lawmaker Charitha Herath says that all eyes are on the newly constituted Constitutional Council (CC) as to how it will handle the dispute between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and the previous CC, over the appointment of Auditor General (AG).
The former parliamentarian said so in response to The Island query yesterday (25). In terms of the Constitution, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa last week agreed on the appointment of former civil servant Austin Fernando, Professor Wasantha Seneviratne and Ranjith Ariyaratne as non-MP members of the CC.
They replaced former Ministry Secretary Dr. Prathap Ramanujam, former Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Medical Association Dr. Dilkushi Anula Wijesundere and Dr. Dinesha Samararatne of the University of Colombo. Pointing out that they rejected the President’s nominees for the AG’s post on several occasions, Herath emphasised the pivotal importance of the appointment of a person with impeccable credentials.
The other CC members are the Prime Minister, Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne (Chairman), the Opposition Leader, the President’s nominee Bimal Rathnayake and five persons appointed by the President, upon being nominated as follows: one MP nominated by agreement of the majority of the MPs representing the Government (Aboobucker Athambawa, MP), one MP nominated by agreement of the majority of the Members of Parliament of the political party, or independent group, to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs (Ajith P. Perera, MP), and one MP nominated by agreement of the Members of Parliament other than those representing the Government and those belonging to the political party or independent group to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs, and appointed by the President ( Sivagnanam Shritharan, MP.)
The present CC was established on October 31, 2022 in terms of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution. The Attorney General heads the National Audit Office (NAO). One-time COPE Chief said that it would be the responsibility of the government to ensure the integrity of the NAO.
Chulantha Wickramaratne, who served as AG for a period of six years, retired in April 2025. Following his retirement, President Dissanayake nominated H.T.P. Chandana, an audit officer at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation as the AG. The CC rejected that nomination. Subsequently, President Dissanayake appointed the next senior-most official at the NAO Dharmapala Gammanpila as Acting Auditor General for a period of six months. Then, the President nominated Senior Deputy Auditor General L.S.I. Jayarathne to serve in an acting capacity, but her nomination, too, was also rejected. Many an eyebrow was raised when the President nominated O.R. Rajasinghe, the Internal Audit Director of the Sri Lanka Army for the top post. That nomination too was rejected. As a result, the vital position remains vacant since 07 December, 2025.
Herath said that the government was in a bind over the Auditor General’s appointment and the disgraceful campaign launched against Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe, Jr, PC.
The ex-lawmaker said that JVP/NPP loyalists masquerading as journalists and civil activists had launched the protest against the Attorney General. Herath said that the decision to send Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne, on compulsory leave, too, was a matter of serious concern.
Herath said: “This is the same government that campaigned strongly on non-interference, institutional independence, and respect for the rule of law—principles they used to criticise every previous administration. Now, they appear to be doing exactly what they once opposed, only more openly. If this pattern continues, these undemocratic actions will eventually lead to their own downfall.”
BASL in late December, 2025 urged President Dissanayake and others, including the Opposition Leader, to consult civil society and professional bodies, including them, before the appointment of civil society representatives.
Herath said that the newly constituted CC would face its first acid test when it addressed the Auditor General issue.
by Shamindra Ferdinando
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