The National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) has applauded the consensus reached on the appointment of a new Auditor General. The following is the text of the statement issued by NMSJ: “As a civil society organisation, we are pleased that the Constitutional Council (CC) has unanimously agreed on the appointment of Samudrika Jayaratne as the Auditor General (AG), bringing to an end the prolonged disagreement over this key position. The eight-month delay in appointing an AG was harmful to the country, both domestically and internationally, and this must be acknowledged.

It is evident that the process posed significant challenges for the CC. We congratulate the three newly appointed members of the Council for overcoming these difficulties and acting in a manner that serves the national interest. We also pay tribute to the three former members of the CC, who carried out their duties with dignity and independence. Notably, they discharged their responsibilities impartially under three successive Governments.

Samudrika

In the future, the responsibility of completing important appointments, without undue delay, rests with all stakeholders. In this regard, the executive also bears a significant responsibility to nominate suitable and qualified individuals for senior positions to the CC.

There is another important aspect that deserves attention. The 17th Amendment to the Constitution demonstrated how all-party consensus can strengthen democratic traditions and promote good governance. The role played by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna in advancing that amendment through cooperation with the Government at that time stands as an example of what can be achieved through collective political will.

Since then, with a few limited exceptions, CCs have generally approved key appointments through unanimous decisions. This is a positive development for the country. Those who value democracy hope that this spirit of consensus will continue in the future.”

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) officers arrested businessman, named Mohottalalage Nihal Sisira Kumara on 28 January, 2026, for committing an offence under Section 3(1)(b) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, No. 05 of 2006, as amended by Act No. 40 of 2011, for aiding and abetting money laundering, and for committing an offence under Section 3(2) of the same Act by knowingly possessing Rs. 30,000,000 out of the Rs. 748,000,000 allegedly realised directly or indirectly from unlawful activity by former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, CIABOC said.

The ruling Democratic Party (DP) Monday (9) expelled the head of Jindo County over his recent disputed call to bring in women from Vietnam and Sri Lanka to address population decline.

News agencies quoted DP spokesperson Park Soo-hyun as having said that the DP’s Supreme Council unanimously voted to kick out Kim Hee-su, the county chief of Jindo in South Jeolla Province, for what the party called derogatory remarks.

The decision came five days after Kim proposed “importing young women from Vietnam and Sri Lanka” to marry young men in rural areas during a televised town hall meeting in South Jeolla last Wednesday, triggering public outrage.

Kim issued an apology the following day, saying his remarks were intended to highlight structural problems facing rural regions, including severe population decline and the “weakening foundations for marriage,” and to stress the need for a merger between South Jeolla Province and Gwangju.

In response, the Vietnamese Embassy in Seoul sent a letter to the province in protest of Kim’s remarks.

South Jeolla Province earlier said it extended its apology to the Vietnamese Embassy and the Vietnamese government, as well as to the Vietnamese people and women who were “deeply hurt” by Kim’s “inappropriate remarks.”

There has, however, been no reaction from Colombo to the proposal to import Lankan prospective brides.