News

JVP policies differ from those of NPP – SB spokesman

Published

1 year ago

2024/09/19

Sahan Weerasooriya

Gevindu and Vijitha

NPP will retain constitutional provision that guarantees foremost place for Buddhism nor weaken unitary status – Vijitha

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Sarvajana Balaya spokesman Gevindu Cumaratunga, MP, has alleged that the NPP manifesto differs quite significantly from what the party is propagating in support of its presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The dissident SLPPer said among contestable issues were the constitution making process and the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

Referring to page 230 of the NPP manifesto, released in the run-up to the Sept. 21 presidential election, Cumaratunga, who appeared on behalf of Sarvajana Balaya candidate Dilith Jayaweera at a public forum organised by All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, questioned the NPP’s intention to expedite the constitution making process undertaken by the Yahapalana administration during the 2015-2019 period. The then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe led the process that was brought to an end with the election of Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the 2019 presidential election.

MP Cumaratunga explained how the JVP had surreptitiously backed Wickremesinghe’s strategies.

Cumaratunga questioned why the government had tabled the National Land Commission Bill and the Commission for Truth, Unity and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka Bill in Parliament ahead of the presidential election.

Declaring that land and police powers hadn’t been fully granted yet, regardless of the enactment of the 13th Amendment, MP Cumaratunga warned of dire consequences in the event of forming a separate provincial police unit for each province. He said that the real issue was not the provincial police coming under the purview of a Senior DIG answerable to the relevant Chief Minister, but the formidable challenge posed by a police force empowered to procure arms.

Against the developing situation, the NPP declaration that it would revive the Yahapalana constitution making process amounted to an extremely serious threat to the country, MP Cumaratunga said, alleging that the constitution proposed during the Yahpalana regime had been aimed at doing away with Sri Lanka’s unitary status. The MP said that the NPP wanted to resume a project that had been defeated by the nationalistic forces at that time.

While condemning the Commission for Truth, Unity and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka Bill, MP Cumaratunga pointed out that the NPP, in its manifesto assured that measures proposed in terms of the new law would be further expanded. He said the NPP was determined to go ahead with a controversial law that had been enacted at the behest of President Wickremesinghe.

MP Cumaratunga sought a clarification from the NPP regarding its assurance regarding the full implementation of the 13th Amendment pending enactment of a new Constitution within 2 years.

However, by then NPP MP Herath had left the forum after making his presentation.

Addressing the gathering on behalf of Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Gampaha District MP Herath assured that they wouldn’t under any circumstances resort to an agenda inimical to the country.

MP Herath declared that Article 09 of the Constitution that dealt with Buddhism wouldn’t be altered in anyway. The JVPer also assured the gathering of the country’s unitary status while declaring that the NPP wouldn’t proceed beyond the current status of the 13th Amendment.

Recalling their initial rejection of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1987, MP Herath said that particular law never addressed the national issue or facilitated development.

Referring to Article 14 of the Constitution, MP Herath said that their administration upheld and would guarantee the freedom of speech, and other rights of the public.

Herath also dismissed often repeated allegations that the NPP would bring in laws targeting law enforcement and military officers in respect of accountability issues though they wouldn’t interfere with crimes being dealt with according to the law.

One-time Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Minister Herath said that the JVP wouldn’t move against Buddhism. The JVPer said that their presidential candidate, Dissanayake, had been the Chairman of the Buddhist Society of the Kelaniya University.

MP Cumaratunga, in his presentation discussed how the government had used Parliament to enact laws that were inimical to the country’s interest. The MP named Sri Lanka Electricity Bill as one such law that should be abolished.

MP Cumaratunga said that MPs merely rubber-stamped bills that were contrary to Sri Lanka’s interests and in fact undermined national security. Parliament passed Sri Lanka Electricity Bill by a majority of 44 votes on June 06 this year.

At the end of the debate on the Second Reading of the Bill held yesterday, the Opposition called for a division and accordingly, 59 votes were cast against and 103 were cast in favour.

Referring to ECTA (Economic and Technology Co-operation Agreement), MP Cumaratuga said that they intended to review all international agreements and agreements under consideration and discussion.

All News Advertisement

Latest News

Flood warning issued to the Mahaweli River Basin

Published

2 hours ago

2025/12/18

Priyan

The Hydrology and Disaster Management Division of the Department of Irrigation has issued flood warnings for the Mahaweli River Basin at 6:00PM today (18)

Due to rainfall received since Wednesday night in certain catchment areas of the Mahaweli River, there is a possibility of flood conditions during the next 48 hours in the low-lying areas along the Mahaweli River within the following Divisional Secretariat Divisions: Kinniya, Muttur, Kantale, Seruvila, Welikanda, Lankapura, Thamankaduwa, and Dimbulagala.

Furthermore, there is a risk of inundation of the Batticaloa–
Polonnaruwa Road (Gallella area), the access road to Somawathiya Raja Maha Vihara, and the surrounding areas of the Somawathiya Raja Maha Vihara.

Therefore, devotees travelling to the Somawathiya Raja Maha Vihara are kindly requested to avoid travel to the area until further notice.

In addition, the general public residing in close proximity to the Mahaweli River in the above-mentioned areas are requested to remain highly vigilant and to take necessary measures to protect themselves from possible flood conditions.

Relevant Disaster Management authorities are hereby requested to take necessary actions in this regard.

News

200 km of the 340 km of damaged electric fences in the Polonnaruwa Wildlife Zone Reactivated

Published

4 hours ago

2025/12/18

Priyan

A special discussion was held a few days ago (16th) at the Giritale Wildlife Center, chaired by the Deputy Minister of Environment, Anton Jayakody, to assess the environmental impact of Cyclone Ditwa on the Polonnaruwa District and its wildlife and forest conservation zones, and to study potential solutions.

During the meeting, special attention was drawn to the damage caused to electric fences in the Polonnaruwa area due to the recent disaster. It was revealed that out of the 1,100 km of electric fencing in the Polonnaruwa Wildlife Zone, over 340 km have been damaged.

Of the 340 km of damaged fences, steps have already been taken to restore 200 km to full operational capacity.

Furthermore, out of the 50 km of elephant fences identified as destroyed in the Polonnaruwa District, the Deputy Minister instructed relevant officials to provide the necessary provisions within this week to complete the construction of 10 km of new electric fencing.

Latest News

Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China meets Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya

Published

14 hours ago

2025/12/18

Priyan

An official meeting was held between Wang Dongming, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) of the People’s Republic of China, and Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya on Wednesday [17 December] at the Parliament of Sri Lanka.

During the meeting, the long-standing bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and China and areas for further cooperation were discussed.

The Prime Minister expressed her appreciation for the timely assistance extended by the Government of China during Sri Lanka’s recent disaster response efforts and noted that the country has now transitioned from the emergency rescue phase to the post-disaster recovery and reconstruction phase. She also acknowledged the support provided by volunteers and the international community during the rescue operations.

Expressing his condolences to those affected by the recent disaster in Sri Lanka, Mr. Wang Dongming stated that, following China’s assistance during the rescue phase, support would also be extended during the recovery and reconstruction phase. He reaffirmed China’s continued commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s social and economic development and expressed China’s readiness to work closely with Sri Lanka in regional and international affairs.

Special attention was paid to the matters discussed during the Prime Minister’s recent visit to China, including support for the provision of school uniforms and fertiliser assistance, technical cooperation in digital education, road development initiatives, and continued progress in the fields of education, health, and culture.

The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations based on mutual trust, understanding, and long-standing friendship.

Qi Zhenhong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka, Prime Minister’s Secretary Pradeep Saputhanthri, and officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also present at the meeting.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]