News

NMSJ Chief urges Prez to take decisions through consensus

Published

5 years ago

2021/05/12

Former Speaker and Chairman of the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) Karu Jayasuriya has urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to take tangible measures to bring all political parties together as the country faces the Covid-19 challenge.

The NMSJ, in a statement issued, attributed the following comments to its leader Karu Jayasuriya: “Different political ideologies or aspirations for power should not be prioritized. First and foremost, we must save the country and its people from this catastrophe before us.

The whole country must unite for that. We made an appeal towards this for the first time in Kandy recently. I called on the Most Venerable Mahanayake Theras to discuss these matters. It was then that we realised that we also had the blessings of the chief prelates towards our endeavours. Accordingly, we call on the President and the people of this country to come forward. We make this appeal with the utmost sincerity. If you have love for the country, all political forces and all communities must join hands and face this challenge without delay and the President should extend an invitation to all to join hands in this regard. This is also the opinion of the majority of the people in the country. Otherwise, this country will suffer dire consequences.

In fact, this endeavour should not be limited to the efforts taken to control the Covid-19 pandemic. As a country, we have to make decisions by consensus, even on matters of national importance, such as the government’s decision to ban chemical fertilizers at once as well as the Colombo Port City Project. This is also the position of the National Movement for Social Justice.

We are conducting this press briefing today to reaffirm our position. We hope that all political leaders as well as the civil society will pay attention to this.

If we are to take such an approach, there are a number of factors to consider. The legislature has been weakened due to the transfer of power to the executive by the 20th amendment. There is no discussion in Parliament today on matters of national importance. There is no participation of the people’s representatives.

In countries like the United States, the UK, and Europe where democracy reigns, all important political decisions are made taking into account the advice and guidance of experts. There are special committees and procedures for this purpose. In Sri Lanka, such matters are taken up through sectoral oversight committees. This is a very strong democratic process that is accepted throughout the world.

Our Honorable President is an experienced person after having lived in the United States for a long time. We are of the view that we do not need to explain in detail the importance of such committees to the US Congress with regard to the crucial decisions such committees make. We believe that perhaps he has a better understanding of it than many others.

If so, we propose to activate public representation through parliamentary sectoral oversight committees. Despite not being able to achieve accepted results from all sectoral oversight committees that were initiated in 2015 mainly due to the lack of interest of committee members, we must acknowledge that the sectoral oversight committees on education, justice and national security have been very active. It was through these committees that proposals to increase the number of attorneys in the Attorney General’s Department from 118 to 218, increase the number of High Court Judges from 70 to 108 and to establish two special courts to hear cases of corruption and bribery came to fruition. In addition the wages of judges and officials of the Attorney General’s Department were significantly increased on the proposals made by those committees.

Further, the University of Batticaloa was taken over and the long standing salary anomalies were rectified while the SAITM and Kotelawala faculties of education were merged according to the recommendations made by the parliamentary sectoral committee on education. We should also understand that a great deal was done to bring about unity among the Sinhala and Muslim communities after the Easter Sunday attacks.

Therefore, a sectoral oversight committee on health can be established to find solutions to the pandemic. It would be prudent to explore the possibility of allowing foreign and local experts to submit their views in addition to Opposition members as this is a national endeavour. We see this as a very timely step and can be set up in a few weeks.

A similar approach to the Port City Project would be the most appropriate course of action for the President and the Government. A peaceful solution to the present problem is to set up an All-Party Oversight Committee and seek expert local and foreign opinions and advice in order to finalise this project. No one has objected to the creation of special trade zones. The question arises with regard to the powers that are vested in it, and whether or not the institutions that govern them are in accordance with the constitution of the country. It is important to listen to the views of eminent legal academics such as Prof. Suri Ratnapala as well as institutions such as the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.

President J.R. Jayewardene launched the Public Private Partnership (PPP) concept for the first time in Asia under the Greater Colombo Economic Commission. A state-owned corporation dealing with leather products collaborated with two well-known Korean companies and established the largest export oriented footwear factory in Asia. Despite some difficulties at the inception, it later became a successful business venture.

The then Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad and his wife visited Sri Lanka to study this. Deng Xiaoping, the then leader of China sent the Mayor of Shanghai to Singapore and Sri Lanka as his special envoy. They wanted to study how we operated.

Also, former President J.R. Jayewardene gave special powers and facilities to the factories of the Greater Colombo Economic Commission. These institutions also enjoyed administrative and commercial independence. The functions of the Customs Department were also streamlined while providing special facilities for selected imports. I responsibly state these facts based on the experience gained as the chairperson of those companies and a member of the Presidential Commission on Privatization.

We opine that the decision taken by the Government to completely stop the use of chemical fertilizers should be referred to a sectoral oversight committee. Important decisions like these should be made only after having extensive discussions with all relevant stakeholders. The safety of the environment, the safety of the people, the food security of the country, and the living standards of the farmers as well as the overall consumer needs of the country should be taken into consideration.

No one has objected to the promotion of compost or organic fertilizer. At an online forum with over 1200 participants, I listened to the various observations made by them. Everyone at the forum was of the view that the proposal to stop the importation of chemical fertilizer was correct but it would be difficult to implement for at least another few years. It is clear that all stakeholders of the agriculture industry have the same views. The protests carried out by members of the farming community in many parts of the country today illustrate this reality.

As such, these issues can be resolved amicably by subjecting these proposals to a lengthy study through oversight committees over a period of several months. Instead of criticizing one another in and out of Parliament, we strongly believe that the burning issues of the country can be resolved through such a cordial approach.

We present these proposals with the noble intention of resolving the issues affecting our country. I hope that these matters will be brought to the attention of the authorities and the public.”

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News

Utilisation of Consolidated Fund for estate workers’ incentives challenged

Published

11 hours ago

2025/11/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

Rohini

SJB MP warns Budget Chief may end up behind bars

Matale District lawmaker Rohini Kaviratne (SJB) has questioned President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s proposal to utilise the Consolidated Fund to pay a section of the estate workers’ salary increase, beginning January next year.

President Dissanayake, who also holds the Finance portfolio, on 07 November announced that the daily wage of estate workers would be increased to Rs. 1,750 from Rs. 1,350 under the proposed new scheme. President Dissanayake proposed that estate owners contribute Rs. 200 while the Treasury granted an additional Rs. 200 as a daily attendance incentive.

Declaring that the SJB believed that the daily wage of estate workers should be Rs 2,000, the former UNPer emphasised that the government couldn’t, under any circum stances, grant privileged status to those working for big estates.

According to her, the President’s proposal was contrary to the Public Financial Management Act, No. 44 of 2024 (PFMA) that became operational on 09 August, 2024. Introduced in the wake of Aragalaya and declaration of bankruptcy, PFMA replaced the previous Fiscal Management (Responsibility) Act, No. 3 of 2003.

Kaviratne said that Finance Secretary, Harshana Sooriyapperuma, who previously served as a National List MP of the NPP, may not have been conversant with that Act, and other related laws, hence the unprecedented proposal.

The SJB MP said that she had raised the issue with the Auditor General, the National Procurement Commission, as well as the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

The Opposition MP warned that in case the government acted, regardless of the laws of the land, the Director Budget, too ,could end up in prisons like former Immigration and Emigration Chief Harsha Illukpitiya.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

News

Oxford Walk raises $13,000 for rural communities in Sri Lanka

Published

11 hours ago

2025/11/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

Some of the participants

After a week of typical British rain, on Sunday 2 November 2025 the clouds parted, and a glorious Autumnal sun rose splicing together the blue skies over the historical and beautiful city of Oxford, England. University of Oxford Sri Lanka Society students Leo, Ethan, Pradeep, Niorla, Taya, and others clad in distinctive neon yellow vests bearing the Solar Village SDG emblem on their backs, gathered outside the prestigious Saïd Business School of the Oxford University, to greet an avid group of fundraising walkers.

Solar Village SDG, a community interest company, based in Oxfordshire UK, had organised a sponsored walk taking sizeable groups of fundraisers on an 8 km walkabout through this gorgeous city’s most famous touch points, taking in the Radcliffe Square, the Bridge of Sighs, Bodleian Libraries, Museums and numerous other historic landmarks. Oxford University’s student marshals guided the walkers through their colleges and provided fascinating facts about this international city, its world-renowned history and alumni as well as the unique aspects of Oxford University life.

The organiser, Solar Village SDG, is dedicated to promoting sustainable development, poverty reduction, and climate action in Sri Lanka. The total funds raised in the region of £10,000 including the funds raised on the day, will go towards funding two solar villages and IT classrooms in rural sites in Anuradhapura and Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, to provide solar power solutions and sustainable development. The funding page will remain open through to the end of November: https://solarvillagesdg.enthuse.com/cf/oxford-city-walkabout-2025 . Solar Village SDG anticipates the full fundraising targets to be met over the course of the coming year.

In Anuradhapura, they will support a primary school. By installing a solar panel roof at the school, a Village Development Committee will ensure much needed work is carried out. They also hope to install a smart room to support education through IT once further funds are realised.

In Batticaloa, they hope to support a community in Navat Kulam struggling without clean running drinking water, or sanitation. Solar Village SDG aims to provide solar water pumping, desalination and drip irrigation systems to support cultivation. In time, they hope to support the community with water filtration mechanisms with support from the local authorities.

Solar Village SDG’s goals align with 14 of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), demonstrating the company’s innovative approach to integrating poverty reduction in rural populations with climate action and education. In supporting rural communities and remote schools in Sri Lanka, they will support education, cottage gardens, a clean environment, and the empowerment of the entire community notably female-led households where the need is greatest.

The fundraiser proved to be an immense success. This success is also dependent on the outstanding team of individuals who planned, attended, and supported these efforts.

Several performers illuminated the post-walkathon celebration, including Mrs. Athis Vadivale with a Bharatanatyam performance, Ms. Eresha Jayatilake singing covers of Yohani and the Beatles, Miss Ushara Dilrukshan with covers of Sade, Mr. Kris Dilrukshan performing covers of Bruce Springsteen, and the mother-daughter duo, Mrs. Chamari and Miss Sonali Samarasinghe, with a beautiful fusion of Sinhala and Bollywood dance. Alongside these performances were exhibiting Sri Lankan artists, including Lilani Dilrukshan, Nadee Ranasinghe, and Leilani Jeevaratnam. Ms. Dilrukshan also managed the performances and art sale.

The event was also fortunate to be graced by the presence of Mr. Sameera Dayasekara, Counsel who represented the Sri Lanka High Commission.

Moreover, The Coconut Tree, one of the top Sri Lankan Cuisine Restaurateurs based in Oxford (and other major UK cities) very generously donated a delicious Sri Lankan lunch for all walkathon attendees, allowing an international audience to enjoy a popular Sri Lankan meal.

While speaking and learning about the important issues facing rural Sri Lanka the participants enjoyed a tremendously enjoyable day out.

Solar Village SDG’s own members contributed extensively to this wonderful event. Cheryl and Katsuyori Yamamoto, Kamani and Ravi Hewagama, Marisa Rawlins, Emma Kokuhennedege and Priyanga Nugegodage to name but a few. Kshamara Fernando an Aberdeen University student in Scotland contributed to the preparation of a magnificent post-event souvenir alongside Solar Village SDG’s CEO Nilmini Roelens and this is available here. Further, Nilmini and Cambridge University student/American national Rashmi Raveendran worked hard collaboratively together to create a fabulous “A year in review” video to summarise the work and accomplishments from Solar Village SDG’s first year which is available here.

Of special note is the contribution of Canada based engineer and Master’s student Devni Jayasekara who set up and managed the fundraising platform Enthuse and without whose highly valuable IT skills the fundraising could not have been facilitated. University student leadership support in the UK from Evelyn and Neo was helpful in securing engagement.

One planet Abingdon and Abingdon Carbon Cutters, two Oxfordshire based climate action groups, provided extremely valuable fundraising support to this international mix of fundraisers. The top individual fundraiser spots for Oxford City Walkabout, went to Saliya and Sandya Samaranayake, Ravi and Kamani Hewagama, the pioneer of the Solar Village concept and Chair of Solar Village SDG cic, Emeritus Professor I M Dharmadasa as well as Lilani Dilrukshan, Eleanor Dangerfield and Fatima Aftab.

The truly international flavour of this worthy endeavour was sealed in when St Paul’s Milagiriya “Evergreens” Catheeja Ismail in Maryland, USA and Tung Chi Ching (“Tunchi”) based in Sydney, Australia took the excellent initiative to organise their very own sponsored “relay walk” locally in their own adoptive countries, contributing valuably to the Solar Village SDG’s Oxford City Walkabout fundraising.

Solar Village SDG CIC’s directors Professor IM Dharmadasa, Ms Nilmini Roelens and Mr Saroj Pathirana are extremely grateful for this outstanding support, and a Sri Lanka based team of experienced volunteers will now seek to implement the projects progressively in the coming months.

By Nilmini Roelens and Rashmi Raveendran

News

Sri Lanka and Latvia sign agreement on transfer of sentenced persons

Published

11 hours ago

2025/11/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

Latvian Ambassador Juris Bone shaking hands with Sri Lankan HC Mahishini Colonne

Deepening bilateral cooperation between Sri Lanka and Latvia in the field of consular and legal affairs, the Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons between the two countries has been signed on 11 November, 2025, at the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi.

The text of the statement issued by Sri Lanka HC in New Delhi: “The Agreement was signed on behalf of the Government of Latvia by Ambassador of Latvia to India, Juris Bone, who is also concurrently accredited to Sri Lanka, and on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka by High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, Mahishini Colonne.

The Agreement facilitates the transfer of sentenced persons between Sri Lanka and Latvia in accordance with each other’s national laws and regulations enabling individuals to serve their imposed sentences in their home countries. Guided by the principles of humanity and respect for human rights, the Agreement represents an important bilateral instrument promoting mutual legal collaboration and the social rehabilitation of sentenced persons while upholding humanitarian considerations.

The Ministry of Justice and National Integration of Sri Lanka will serve as the central authority for implementing the Agreement in Sri Lanka, while the Ministry of Justice of Latvia will act as the corresponding authority in Latvia.”