News

JVP vows to go all out to torpedo 20 A

Published

5 years ago

2020/09/8

JVP MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya flanked by former MP Bimal Ratnayake and NPP Leadership Council member Attorney-at-Law Lal Wijenayake addressing a press conference held at the JVP headquarters in Pelawatte,

By Saman Indrajith

The JVP-led National People’s Power yesterday called the proposed 20th Amendment to the constitution a betrayal of mandate the people had given to the government at the last general election.

Addressing the media at the JVP headquarters in Pelawatte, JVP MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that the government, claiming to respect people’s sovereignty, had unveiled a draft amendment to concentrate more powers in the executive presidency at the expense of the rights of the people. The draft of the amendment envisaged stripping the Prime Minister and Parliament of their powers. Those who drafted the bill had shown that they had no trust in either their political enemies or the PM or their parliamentary group. The proposed amendment wouldgive more powers to the executive presidency than when it was under the J. R. Jayewardene government.

Amarasuriya said it was tragic and ironic that there were some Cabinet minsters who opposed the executive presidency in 1978, but were now fighting for the passage of the 20th Amendment which further strengthened it. “We see that some of those who had to go to jail because they opposed executive presidency are today supporting the 20th Amendment. We have decided to fight in and out of parliament against the proposed amendment and to take whatever measure to defeat it.”

Former JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake: “We have been warning the people of the dangers of giving a two-thirds power to any government. We are planning to create a public discussion on the 20th amendment. The most dangerous provision envisaged in the draft bill is to reduce Parliament’s powers as regards control over public finance. In parliamentary systems in the world, the control over public funds comes under the purview of Parliament. The proposed 20th Amendment is to remove those powers from parliament and this will pave the way for a dictatorship. The Amendment also seeks to remove the powers of the Auditor General to audit state sector corporations. We had the opportunity to bring corrupt state sector corporations such as SriLankan before the parliamentary watchdog committee – COPE. Such action would not be possible if the 20th Amendment is passed.

NPP Leadership Council member Attorney-at-Law Lal Wijenayake: The executive presidency is a threat to democracy. Therefore, Presidents Chandrika Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa came to power twice, promising to abolish it. President Maithripala Sirisena too promised to do the same. Now, these presidents have come and gone but the executive presidency remains. The proposed 20th Amendment will make the situation far worse. We urge the people to oppose this undemocratic amendment.

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Advisory for Heavy Rain issued for the Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts

Published

2 hours ago

2026/02/22

Priyan

Advisory for Heavy Rain Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 08.30 a.m. on 22 February 2026 valid for the period until 08.30 a.m. 23 February 2026

Due to the influence of the low level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Therefore, general public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by heavy rain, strong winds and lightning during thundershowers

News

Matara Festival for the Arts’ inaugurated by the Prime Minister

Published

8 hours ago

2026/02/22

Priyan

The inaugural ceremony of the Matara Festival for the Arts, featuring a wide range of creations by local and international artists, was held on February 19 at the Old High Court premises of the Matara Fort, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The festival, centred around the Old High Court premises in Matara and the auditorium of the Matara District Secretariat, will be open to the public from 20 to 23 of February. The festival will be featured by visual art exhibitions, short film screenings, Kala Pola, and a series of workshops conducted by experts.

The inaugural event was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Ms. Saroja Paulraj, along with artists, guests, and a large number of schoolchildren.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

News

Only single MP refuses salary as Parliament details pays and allowances

Published

12 hours ago

2026/02/22

Thilina Walpola

SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilake is the only MP to forego salary and allowances, with all payments suspended following his written notification on August 20, 2025.

Only one Member of Parliament has chosen not to receive the salaries and allowances entitled to MPs, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya revealed in Parliament last Thursday, shedding light on the financial perks enjoyed by members of the Tenth Parliament.

Speaking on Thursday (Feb. 19) in response to a question from SJB Badulla District MP Chaminda Wijesiri, the Prime Minister outlined the full range of pay and allowances provided to parliamentarians.

According to Dr. Amarasuriya, MPs receive a monthly allowance of Rs. 54,285, an entertainment allowance of Rs. 1,000, and a driver’s allowance of Rs. 3,500—though MPs provided with a driver through the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs are not eligible for the driver’s allowance.

Additional benefits include a telephone allowance of Rs. 50,000, a transport allowance of Rs. 15,000, and an office allowance of Rs. 100,000. MPs are also paid a daily sitting allowance of Rs. 2,500 for attending parliamentary sessions, with an additional Rs. 2,500 per day for participation in parliamentary sittings and Rs. 2,500 per day as a committee allowance.

Committee meetings held on non-parliament sitting days also attract Rs. 2,500 per day.

Fuel allowances are provided based on the distance between an MP’s electoral district and Parliament. National List MPs are entitled to a monthly allocation equivalent to 419.76 litres of diesel at the market price on the first day of each month.

Despite the comprehensive benefits, only SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilaka has opted not to draw a salary or allowances. Dr. Amarasuriya said that in accordance with a written notification submitted by MP Wasalathilaka on August 20, 2025, payments have been suspended since that date.

The Prime Minister also confirmed that she, along with the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, committee chairs, ministers, deputy ministers, the Opposition Leader, and senior opposition whips, have all informed the Secretary-General of Parliament in writing that they will not claim the fuel allowance.

Challenging the ruling party’s voluntary pledge to forgo salaries, MP Wijesiri pointed out that all MPs except Wasalathilaka continue to receive their salaries and allowances. “On one hand you speak about the people’s mandate, which is good. But the mandate also included people who said they would voluntarily serve in this Parliament without salaries. Today we have been able to prove, Hon. Speaker, that except for one SJB MP, the other 224 Members are drawing parliamentary salaries,” he said.

The Prime Minister responded by defending the political culture and practice of allocating portions of MPs’ salaries to party funds. Referring to previous practices by the JVP and NPP, she said: “It is no secret to the country that the JVP has for a long time not personally taken MPs’ salaries or any allowances. I think the entire country knows that these go to a party fund. That is not new, nor is it something special to mention. The NPP operates in the same way. That too is not new; it is the culture of our political movement.”

When MP Wijesiri posed a supplementary question asking whether diverting salaries to party funds was an indirect method of taking care of MPs, Dr. Amarasuriya said: “There is no issue there. No question was raised; the Member made a statement. What we have seen throughout this week is an inability to understand our political culture and practice, and a clash with decisions taken by political movements that misused public funds. What is coming out is a certain mindset. That is why there is such an effort to find fault with the 159. None of these facts are new to people. He did not ask a question, so I have nothing to answer.”

The disclosures come days after the Government moved to abolish the parliamentary pension, a measure that has sparked renewed debate over MP compensation and the transparency of funds allocation.