News

NFE deal at risk over privilege matter raised by Ranil

Published

5 years ago

2021/11/21

by Saman Indrajith

A privilege matter raised by UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in Parliament last week relating to the government’s agreement with US-based New Fortress Energy (NFE) places the entire deal at risk, parliamentary sources said.

Raising a privilege issue, Wickremesinghe claimed that the framework agreement between the Government and New Fortress Energy Sri Lanka Power Holdings LCC had been entered into in violation of the powers, privileges and immunity of Parliament. He called on the Government to make a full disclosure to the House.

The UNP leader identified clauses in the agreement breaching the powers and privileges of Parliament. Among these, Clause 8 on ‘Confidentiality and Announcement’, states that for five years, either party shall not without the prior written consent of the other parties disclose to any person any information.

The permitted disclosures are in regard to the order of a court, arbitration tribunal or an order or decree, rule and regulation of any ‘governmental authority’. “It makes reference to ‘governmental authority’, but Parliament is not a government authority. It is the legislature. Therefore, the minister cannot obtain information under this joint venture agreement for the purpose of disclosing it to Parliament,” Wickremesinghe said.

He requested Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to summon the Treasury Secretary, Directors of New Fortress Energy Sri Lanka Power Holdings LLC, and Attorney General to discuss the framework agreement on LNG supply.

Parliament sources said that once an MP presents a privilege matter in the House, the Speaker must announce within a couple of days that the matter would be referred to the Privileges Committee of Parliament. “The Speaker did not make such an announcement so far,” a committee member told the Sunday Island.

“After it is referred to the committee it is for us to decide whether the privilege of an MP has been breached and recommend action. Given the prevailing situation, it is most likely the committee would rule in favour of the UNP leader because even some government members in the Privileges Committee have voiced their opposition to this agreement,” he said.

The 12-member Ethics and Privileges Committee of Parliament comprises of six from the government and six from the opposition. They are Tharaka Balasuriya, M .U. M. Ali Sabry, Vijitha Berugoda, Kanaka Herath, Anuradha Jayaratne, Kabir Hashim, G. G. Ponnambalam, Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, A. Aravindh Kumar, Velu Kumar, Kokila Gunawardene, Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, Shan Vijayalal de Silva, C.V. Wigneswaran, Gevindu Cumaratunga and Prof. Ranjith Bandara.

Parliament sources said that the Article 4 (c) of the constitution provides an exception to the rule that judicial power of the people should be exercised by Parliament through the courts. In matters relating to parliamentary privileges, parliament itself directly exercises a degree of judicial power.

The provisions of the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act No 21 of 1953 and its subsequent amendments, the Supreme Court as well as the Parliament has jurisdiction to hear cases relating to breaches of privileges.

The Ethics and Privileges Committee can examine all matters relating to privilege with reference to the facts of each case and decide whether there has been any breach, if so its nature and circumstances and make such recommendations as the committee may deem fit.

The committee is empowered to send for persons, documents and other records and do everything necessary for the fullest investigation of the matters referred to it, these sources said.

“The legitimacy of the agreement is being questioned and has already been challenged in the Supreme Court. There are some Privileges Committee members belonging to the government who consider that this agreement is against the national interest. It is most unlikely that the issue would be decided in favour of the government if Wickremesinghe’s privilege matter is referred to the committee by the Speaker.

“That will certainly upset the apple cart,” he said on Friday.

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All set for Colombo rally against govt.’s tax policies

Published

15 hours ago

2026/10/3

Thilina Walpola

People’s Struggle Movement’s National Executive Council members Wasantha Mudalige and Jayantha Amarasinghe speaking to the media yesterday

The Frontline Socialist Party-backed People’s Struggle Movement is set to stage a protest march in Colombo today (03) against what it describes as the growing tax burden on the public and the rising cost of living.

The organisers are due to commence the “Colombo March Against Unjust Taxes” at noon from Campbell Park, Borella. The FSP has also been mobilising support for the protest in Colombo and its suburbs in the run-up to the event.

People’s Struggle Movement National Executive Council member Wasantha Mudalige, speaking at a media briefing in Nugegoda yesterday (02), called on the public to join the protest, saying the movement intended to bring the tax burden faced by ordinary people to the forefront.

Mudalige alleged that successive tax measures had placed an excessive burden on households, particularly through taxes on food and educational items. He also criticised the Government over what he described as the high cost of basic food items and the difficulties faced by parents in meeting their children’s educational expenses.

He accused the Opposition of failing to adequately address the issue, claiming that opposition parties raised such concerns, mainly during election periods.

Mudalige also criticised the Government for what he described as a departure from promises made before the 2024 presidential election regarding taxes on educational equipment.

He questioned the tax burden on food items, citing figures of Rs. 100 per kilogramme on dried sprats, Rs. 310 per kilogramme on chicken and Rs. 11 per egg.

He further alleged that while ordinary people were bearing a heavy tax burden, wealthy groups were receiving tax concessions. He also criticised the Government’s economic programme and its implementation of measures associated with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The movement has framed today’s protest as part of a broader campaign over the cost of living and taxation. The People’s Struggle Alliance has separately announced that the Campbell Park demonstration will be the first in a series of public actions, with further protests planned in November.

Mudalige said the movement would continue to take the issue to the streets and urged the public to participate in today’s demonstration.

People’s Struggle Movement National Executive Council member Jayantha Amarasinghe also addressed the press.

News

Yoshitha R money laundering trial postponed

Published

15 hours ago

2026/10/3

Thilina Walpola

The Colombo High Court yesterday postponed the trial in the case filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, with Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who is currently out on bail, appearing in court.

The trial was postponed as the President’s Counsel appearing for the defence was indisposed.

The Attorney General has filed the case against Rajapaksa, alleging that he committed an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by purchasing five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana, worth more than Rs. 73 million.

News

Lankan troops test mettle in Russian war games

Published

15 hours ago

2026/10/3

Thilina Walpola

Lankan Army troops participating in Exercise ‘Wolverine Path II–2026’ in the Russian Federation

A contingent of the Sri Lanka Army, comprising 20 officers and 55 other ranks, participated in the combined military exercise ‘Wolverine Path II–2026’, conducted with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in Vladivostok, Russia, from September 18 to 25.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the exercise primarily focused on counter-terrorism operations and provided participating troops with training in a challenging combined operational environment.

The exercise included a range of tactical activities, including heli-rappelling, close-quarters battle (CQB), ambush operations, sniper firing, drone operations, buggy training and combat medical support.

The Ministry said the training enabled Sri Lankan troops to further develop their combat skills, tactical coordination and operational readiness.

It also provided an opportunity for the two militaries to exchange professional knowledge, operational experience and tactical expertise. Sri Lankan personnel gained exposure to training methodologies, tactical approaches and operational practices adopted by the Russian Armed Forces, the Ministry said.

The participation also enabled the Sri Lankan contingent to identify lessons from the joint training and share its own experiences with the Russian military.

The Sri Lankan contingent returned to the country following the exercise and arrived at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport on September 28.

The Ministry said participation in the exercise contributed to enhancing the professional knowledge, tactical awareness and operational preparedness of Army personnel while promoting military-to-military cooperation, mutual understanding and professional relations between Sri Lanka and Russia.