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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Construction of Jet A-1 Aviation fuel pipeline and new oil tank complex at Muthurajawela begins under President’s patronage

Published

2 hours ago

2026/10/4

Priyan

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the Government’s objective is to maintain a strong state presence in the energy market while providing an efficient service to the people, adding that significant progress has been achieved towards this objective over the past two years and that a strong energy market that does not place a burden on the people is now being built in Sri Lanka.

The President made these remarks on Friday (02) morning while attending the commencement of construction of the Jet A-1 pipeline system of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and two new oil storage tank systems belonging to the CPC and the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminal Limited (CPSTL).

The projects are being implemented in line with the Government’s national objective of developing infrastructure in the energy sector, with the aim of ensuring the security of aviation fuel supplies, reducing supply costs and providing the capacity required to meet future demand for aviation fuel.

A dedicated pipeline and associated tank complex are being constructed to connect Muthurajawela with the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, with the aim of meeting the future demand of the country’s aviation sector, ensuring the security of aviation fuel supplies and reducing transportation costs.

Construction has commenced on five new Jet A-1 fuel storage tanks with a total capacity of 92,000 cubic metres. These comprise two large Jet A-1 tanks, each with a capacity of 30,000 cubic metres; two medium-sized tanks, each with a capacity of 15,000 cubic metres; and an additional tank with a capacity of 2,000 cubic metres. The fuel supply pipeline system will be connected to the airport through a 21-kilometre-long underground pipeline with a diameter of 10 inches from the Muthurajawela tank complex. The project is scheduled for completion within 30 months.

Meanwhile, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen and expand storage and infrastructure facilities in the petroleum industry, the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminal Limited (CPSTL) commenced construction today of three new storage tanks at the Muthurajawela Terminal.

Upon completion, the three-tank system, comprising two tanks with a capacity of 15,000 cubic metres each and one tank with a capacity of 10,000 cubic metres, will provide an additional total storage capacity of 40,000 cubic metres.

This will further enhance the petroleum storage capacity of the terminal and support the continued development of the country’s petroleum infrastructure. The project has a contractual period of 18 months and is scheduled for completion in April 2028.

The tanks are being constructed in compliance with relevant international standards and recognised industry best practices, ensuring enhanced safety, reliability and operational efficiency. The additional storage capacity will strengthen the country’s fuel reserves, improve operational flexibility and support the reliable and uninterrupted distribution of fuel products to meet the country’s growing energy requirements.

Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy Anura Karunathilaka said,

“We are now in an era of energy transition. The world is rapidly moving towards the use of clean energy. The use of electric vehicles is very important in this regard, and our country is also now moving in that direction.

The use of solar energy is also important. We expect to add 1,200 megawatts of solar power capacity to the national grid by 2029.

As a country, we must focus not only on controlling fuel prices but also on controlling fuel consumption. The public also has a major responsibility in this regard.

It is particularly important to change our patterns of energy consumption. Greater energy security can be achieved by avoiding periods of high energy demand, shifting towards electricity use and using fuel-efficient vehicles, particularly electric vehicles.”

Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation D. J. Rajakaruna said,

“We faced a major challenge due to the war in the Middle East. However, with the intervention of the President, relief was provided to the people and the situation was managed very effectively.

As a result, while diesel prices in the global market increased by 91%, the increase in Sri Lanka was only around 39.5%. While petrol prices in the global market increased by 80%, the increase in Sri Lanka was only around 41%.

Despite providing fuel at lower prices in this manner, the Corporation has recorded a profit of Rs. 28 billion this year. We also recorded a profit of Rs. 36 billion last year.

This may raise the question of why fuel prices are not being reduced when there are such profits.

However, we have used those profits to commence a number of infrastructure development projects at the institution.

These include adding the capacity of 11 tanks, including the construction of six tanks that had previously been abandoned, to increase fuel storage capacity; modernising our oil-filling section, which is more than 90 years old, and establishing a gantry system similar to that at Muthurajawela; laying two new pipelines for unloading fuel from the port to Kolonnawa; constructing a new pipeline to transport Jet A-1 fuel to Katunayake; and upgrading the pipeline system and laying new pipelines, among many other projects.

We are implementing these projects using those profits. Therefore, we have returned the benefits to the people through these investments.”

The Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Chrishantha Abeysena; Deputy Minister of Energy, Arkam Ilyas; Member of Parliament Kumara Jayakody; Secretary to the Ministry of Energy and Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Russell Aponso; foreign ambassadors; government officials including officials of the Ministry of Energy and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation; and representatives of Sinopec were among those present at the occasion.

President’s Media Division (PMD)

News

Lanka enters new phase of prosecutions as hurdles clear

Published

12 hours ago

2026/10/4

Thilina Walpola

MONETABRIEF –The prosecution of high-profile individuals from the former Rajapaksa administrations is set to escalate this month with the clearing of legal hurdles and administrative bottlenecks, according to officials involved in the process.

Former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s attempt to secure an order preventing his arrest in connection with the Easter Sunday massacre was turned down by the Court of Appeal on Thursday.

An overseas travel ban has been in operation against Rajapaksa since June, but the Criminal Investigations Department made no move to question him. He instead filed a writ application seeking an order preventing his possible arrest.

President of the Court of Appeal Rohantha Abeysuriya noted that the court would not interfere with the investigative process. Any attempt by the court would amount to an obstruction of the investigation.

In an unrelated case, the same court rejected an application by opposition legislator Dilith Jayaweera seeking the quashing of a contempt charge filed against him by the Fort magistrate. The charges against Jayaweera and a few other opposition politicians are expected to be taken up in the coming week.

Jayaweera and other opposition politicians — Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, Sugeeshwara Bandara, and Asanka Navaratne

— were hauled up over their remarks relating to the arrest of Suresh Sallay, the former head of the State Intelligence Service.

SLPP academic Mahinda Pathirana is also charged over his public comments about Sallay’s arrest in February under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, legislator Namal Rajapaksa, is already in remand custody following his arrest in connection with three cases of bribery and money laundering relating to the 2013 Airbus deal and the Krrish property development in Colombo.

Although Namal has been granted bail in the Airbus money laundering charge, he is in custody until October 13 over the bribery charge relating to the same Airbus transaction. His arrest is under a provision of the Anti-Corruption Act that does not allow a magistrate to grant bail unless under exceptional circumstances.

Meanwhile, his mother Shiranthi Rajapaksa, who had been asked to report to the Financial Crimes Investigations Division on September 24, was a no-show and was yet to return from Singapore.

She had travelled overseas on September 16, and a family spokesman said she was handed the FCID summons at the departure lounge of Bandaranaike International Airport just before she boarded a flight to Singapore.

At the time, the family spokesman said she was due to return in three days.

“We will see greater momentum in the legacy cases in the coming weeks,” an official involved in the prosecutions said.

“We have cleared the legal hurdles to press ahead with more arrests,” he said.

“We are working on a few administrative issues which will be resolved very soon.”

The controversial prosecution of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is dragging on without him being formally indicted since his arrest in August last year. The Fort magistrate has listed the case again for November 11, when the Attorney-General is expected to report on his decision regarding action against Wickremesinghe.

News

Police warn: Court evaders face property seizure

Published

12 hours ago

2026/10/4

Thilina Walpola

Police have reminded the public that courts have the power to take legal action against individuals who evade arrest or remain in hiding after warrants have been issued against them.

Police said that under Section 60 of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act No. 15 of 1979, a court could issue a written proclamation requiring a person evading arrest under a warrant to appear at a specified place and time.

The proclamation must allow the person at least 30 days to appear before court, Police said.

If the person fails to appear even after the proclamation has been issued, the court may take further action under Section 61 of the Act.

This includes issuing an order for the attachment of the movable or immovable property belonging to the person concerned.Police issued the reminder highlighting the legal measures available against persons who deliberately evade arrest and remain in hiding after warrants have been issued.