News
Lawyers’ Collective alleges service extensions for IGP unconstitutional
says those named by PCoI on Easter Sunday carnage must not be considered for top post
The Lawyers’ Collective has strongly condemned the fourth extension granted to C. D. Wickremeratne, who passed the mandatory retirement age eight months ago. The group alleges that the extension has been granted unconstitutionally without the concurrence of the Constitutional Council.
The Lawyers’ Collective is an umbrella organization of several groups of legal professionals, individual lawyers and legal academics protecting democracy, the rule of law and judicial independence.The following is the text of the statement by the Lawyers’ Collective:
“The Lawyers’ Collective expresses deep concern over the failure to appoint an Inspector General of Police according to the Constitution and its profound impact on the Police Department and the criminal justice system. Over the last eight months, the President has repeatedly extended Mr. C D Wickremeratne’s tenure, even after he has surpassed the age of compulsory retirement. Yet another purported extension, without approval of the Constitutional Council, appears to have been made by the President on or about 3rd November 2023.
The failures of leadership have contributed to a significant erosion of public confidence in the Sri Lanka Police over the past few decades. Issues such as a lack of independence, politicization, torture, custodial deaths, and a lack of professionalism have all played a role in diminishing trust in the police.
The recent Supreme Court case of Mohammed Rashid Fathima Sharmila v K.W.G. Nishantha and others (SCFR 398/2008- S.C.M. 03.02.2023) highlighted the loss of credibility within the police force, stating, “It only highlights the utterly unprofessional approach to duty by the personnel who man it, and as a consequence, people are increasingly losing trust in the police.
It had lost the credibility it ought to enjoy as a law enforcement agency.”
In these circumstances, the Lawyers’ Collective emphasizes the critical importance of restoring public confidence in the Sri Lanka Police for the administration of justice and the rule of law.
In accordance with the Constitution, Article 41C, the President has a duty to nominate a candidate for the IGP position and shall only appoint a candidate approved by the Constitutional Council. Both the President and the Constitutional Council are entrusted with the sacred duty of ensuring that the appointed individual possesses an exemplary service record, is free of any blemishes, and has the capability to rebuild trust in the police.
The Lawyers’ Collective reminds that the highest norms and standards of good governance guaranteed by the Constitution must be upheld by the Executive in the selection of the Inspector General of Police. It is of paramount importance that individuals who have been found to have violated fundamental rights or perpetrated illegalities or criminal acts, against whom there are fundamental rights or criminal cases pending and against whom allegations of involvement in unlawful activities, including torture and police brutality, or serious negligence in their duties including in relation to the Easter Sunday massacre should not be considered for this appointment. The Collective emphasizes that seniority is but one consideration and that the appointment to this office demands that the most suitable candidate be nominated.
Furthermore, the Lawyers’ Collective suggests that prior to the approval of the Inspector General of Police’s appointment, the Constitutional Council adopt rules for the procedures and processes governing the performance and discharge of the Council’s duties and functions, as provided for by the Constitution, to ensure a rigorous process and merit based and accountable decisions.”
A discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and senior officials of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) was held this afternoon (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The meeting focused extensively on new development projects planned by the Urban Development Authority. The President emphasised the need to ensure that the budgetary allocations made for these projects in the current year are utilised effectively within the same financial year.
Detailed discussions were also held on projects planned to be implemented jointly by multiple institutions, including the importance of holding consultations with all relevant agencies to reach final decisions and the need to clearly define responsibilities for each institution in both implementation and maintenance phases of the projects.
Attention was drawn to key initiatives such as the Kelani River flood control project, water management projects in Colombo city and the Beira Lake restoration project. The need for a dedicated programme for low-income housing in areas such as Ratmalana and Moratuwa was also highlighted. During the discussion, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake underscored the importance of introducing a structured management framework for the effective coordination of certain projects.
Deputy Minister of Urban Development, Eranga Gunasekara, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Senior Professor Kapila C.K. Perera, Chairman of the Urban Development Authority (UDA), M.G. Hemachandra and the Heads representing the Urban Settlement Development Authority (USDA), Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC), National Physical Planning Department (NPPD) and the Condominium Management Authority (CMA) were also present at the meeting.
(PMD)
News
CEAT Kelani Branch Inter-Company Employees’ Union makes donation to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
The Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the Kelaniya Branch of CEAT Sri Lanka has made a financial donation of Rs. 1,148,000.00, a day’s salary of its members to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund established to support the restoration of livelihoods and the rebuilding of areas affected by cyclone Ditwah.
Secretary of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, D.G.S.D. Navaratne, handed over the donation to the Chief of Staff to the President, Prabhath Chandrakeerthi at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (18).
Treasurer of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, Y.P.I.C. Karunathilaka, together with members of the Executive Committee, were also present on the occasion.
(PMD)
Latest News
Prime Minister off to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed on an official visit to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.
During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to participate in several high-level academic and diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of education, development studies, research collaboration, and international partnerships.
As part of the visit, the Prime Minister will meet with Ms.Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education of the United Kingdom, at the UK Department for Education, to discuss areas of cooperation in education and related sectors. She is also expected to meet Ms.Yvette Cooper, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, for discussions on matters of bilateral interest and cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.
In addition, the Prime Minister is expected to meet Ms.Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on the sidelines of the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.
During the visit, the Prime Minister will attend a public event at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex and she will also take part in the ceremony marking the 60th Anniversary of the Institute of Development Studies. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to address a session at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies at the University of Oxford, followed by a question-and-answer session with scholars and students.
The visit is expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s engagement with academic institutions, international development partners, and Commonwealth member states, particularly in the areas of education, research, policy dialogue, and capacity building.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
President meets senior officials of the Urban Development Authority
CEAT Kelani Branch Inter-Company Employees’ Union makes donation to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
Escaped tiger shot by German police after attacking man
Prime Minister off to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum
Steps initiated to safeguard Sri Lanka’s Maritime Heritage
Fighter jet crews parachute safely after collision at US air show
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