News
Kanag-Isvaran PC fires opening salvo against Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill before SC
By Chitra Weerarathne
It was beyond the powers of Parliament to add new parts to the territory of Sri Lanka, Kanaganayagam Kanag-Isvaran, President’s Counsel yesterday told the Supreme Court.
Kanag-Isvaran, PC appearing for petitioners the Centre for Policy Alternatives and Transparency International, told the Court that Sri Lanka could not claim sovereignty over the artificially created Colombo Port City.
He said that an artificial land did not form part of the sovereign state of Sri Lanka. The PC added that, in 1948, Sri Lanka had become an independent country, after being a British Colony; in 1972 it had become a sovereign Republic; in 1976, the Maritime Law had been brought in, claiming the territorial waters of Sri Lanka. Kanag-Isvaran added that in 1978, the second Republic of Sri Lanka had come into effect, with 25 administrative districts.
“The 25 districts can be subdivided. But Parliament can’t add man-made structures to Sri Lanka. The Colombo Port City is such an addition. No Parliamentarians were elected from the Port City,” he argued.
Kanag-Isvaran contended that the bill attempts to create an all-powerful commission that was answerable only to the President. Thus, it could be considered an alter-ego of the current and future Presidents.
The President’s Counsel said that the artificially created land known as Port City would be given tax benefits, turning it into a tax haven in violation of Article 12 of the Constitution. The Bill also violated Article 3 of the Constitution––the sovereignty of Sri Lanka. It would be a haven for money laundering. Sri Lanka Auditing Centres would have no control, he said.
The bill on multiple occasions stated that its objective was the development of the national economy, but the provisions of the bill did not reflect that, the counsel argued.
Kanag-Isvaran said that the national economy wouldn’t be improved through the port city, as investors in the port city were not liable to pay taxes. There was no parliamentary oversight over the Commission administering the port city and therefore was contrary to constitutional provisions that vested the control of public finances with Parliament. Considering those, the Bill should be thrown off, the counsel submitted.
Counsel Dharshana Weragoda said that the Bill should be referred to the Western Provincial Council, before being presented to Parliament.
The bench comprised Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justice Buwaneka Aluwihare, Justice Priyantha Jayawardene, Justice Murdhu N.B. Fernando and Justice Janak de Silva.
Altogether 19 petitions had been filed. Among the petitioners were the President of the Bar Association Saliya Pieris PC, Wasantha Samarasinghe of the JVP, Civil Society Activists Gamini Viyangoda, K. W. Janaranjana on behalf of Purawesi Balaya and the Centre for Policy Alternative. Farzana Jameel, Additional Solicitor General PC appeared for the Attorney General. Proceeding will resume today.
The Sri Lanka Navy rescued a fisherman from a local fishing trawler that encountered distress due to adverse weather conditions off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka.
The rescue operation took place on 17 July 2026, approximately 15 nautical miles off Pothuvil. The operation was launched following information received by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo.
In response, the Sri Lanka Navy deployed the Offshore Patrol Vessel SLNS Vijayabahu along with additional craft to conduct a search operation in the designated sea area, where they successfully located the distressed fisherman.
Following the rescue, the individual was brought aboard SLNS Vijayabahu, where naval personnel administered preliminary first aid. He was subsequently brought to the mainland and rushed for further medical attention.
Meanwhile, the Navy, along with the coordination of MRCC Colombo, remains constantly prepared to swiftly respond to the eventualities faced by maritime and fishing communities operating within the island’s Search and Rescue Region (SRR).
The countrywide dengue outbreak has intensified, with the death toll rising to 50, by July 16, as the number of reported infections surpassed 73,000, according to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU).
The country has recorded 73,455 dengue cases so far this year, with the case fatality rate standing at 0.07 percent, highlighting the severity of the ongoing outbreak.
The Western Province continues to remain the worst affected region, accounting for more than half of the total cases, with 38,700 infections. The Gampaha District has recorded the highest number of cases in the province with 15,341, followed closely by Colombo with 14,625.
The Southern Province has reported 11,382 cases, while the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces have each recorded more than 6,000 infections.
Dengue cases have shown a sharp increase in recent months, with June recording the highest monthly total of 21,538 cases, while July has already reported 18,076 infections. In comparison, 8,590 cases were reported in May, and 5,651 in April.
Health authorities have identified 175 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas as high-risk locations during the 27th epidemiological week. An average of 2,677 new dengue cases are being reported daily, prompting authorities to intensify prevention and mosquito control measures.
The Colombo High Court yesterday (17) resumed hearing the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The proceedings were held before High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, where evidence was recorded from prosecution witnesses, under the direction of Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara.
President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, appearing for Yoshitha Rajapaksa, cross-examined the witnesses during the hearing.
After recording evidence, the court ordered that further examination of evidence be postponed until July 24.
The Attorney General has filed indictments, alleging that Yoshitha Rajapaksa committed an offence, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, by purchasing five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana, valued at more than Rs. 73 million.
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Showers may occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts
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