News
Opp. parties ask for external pressure on Prez to conduct LG polls
JJB not among the signatories to appeal
Opposition political parties, except the JVP-led NPP, have appealed to the international community to exert pressure on the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government to conduct the local government polls, scheduled for 09 March.
The following is the text of the letter addressed to heads of diplomatic missions in Colombo. It has been signed by General Secretary, Freedom People’s Alliance Thilanga Sumathipala, Convener Freedom People’s Congress MP Prof. G L Peiris, Leader of the Freedom People’s Congress MP Dullas Alahapperuma, Chairman Uttara Lanka Sabaghaya MP Wimal Weerawansa, Sri Lanka Freedom Party General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, Leader Jana Jaya Front MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, MP Freedom People’s Front Leader Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Sri Lanka Mahajana Party General Secretary MP Asanka Navarathne, and Uttara Lanka Sabaghaya General Secretary Dr. G. Weerasinghe: “We would like to express to you our deep concern about the unprecedented situation which has currently arisen in our country with regard to so basic a matter as the franchise of the People.
As you are aware, the time frames for the conduct of elections, at all levels -Presidential, Parliamentary, Provincial Councils, and local government authorities – are defined by the Constitution of Sri Lanka, and other applicable statutory regimes. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory, there being no flexibility or scope for exercise of discretion.
Elections have consistently taken place in our country, at regular intervals, and the nation is justly proud of its rich and vibrant democratic tradition, which is an integral part of our culture.
For the first time in our history, the government of the day has adopted the startling position that an election cannot be held because the financial resources required are not available. The implications of this will be apparent upon a moment’s reflection.
It would now seem, in accordance with the government position that it is for the incumbent administration to decide whether resources can or cannot be utilized for the holding of an election. The matter, consequently, is entirely in the hands of the government in power.
At its sole discretion, the government of the day will be entitled to postpone any election, on the ground of unavailability, or inadequacy of resources – a power which it will no doubt be tempted to exercise in any circumstances, where imminent defeat is probable.
This will inevitably result in withholding from the people their cherished right of suffrage, the source from which all other democratic rights and freedoms flow.
The funds required for the election, scheduled to be held on 9th March, 2023, have been allocated by Parliament in the Annual Appropriation Act, which was passed in December last year.
It is the imperative duty of the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance to place these resources at the disposal of the Election Commission. Failure to do so, manifestly, exposes this official to serious consequences arising from intentional violation of the Constitution.
Article 3 of the Constitution which deals with the Sovereignty of the People, makes reference to “the franchise” which has been authoritatively interpreted by the Supreme Court as including elections to local government bodies. Article 3 is entrenched by Article 83 which has the effect that the former Article can be amended, or repealed, only by a two–thirds majority in Parliament, followed by acceptance by the People at a referendum.
In Mohamed Hussain vs Election Commission of Sri Lanka, the Supreme Court observed: “Local authorities have a long history and play an important role at the grassroots level. Their functions are regulation, control and administration of all matters relating to the public health, public utility services and public thoroughfares and generally with the protection and promotion of comfort, convenience and welfare of the people and the amenities of the town or village. By delay in holding elections people are deprived of representatives who could have addressed their grievances and attended to their welfare and needs”. The Court explicitly held: “The failure to hold elections on the due date or postponing is a violation of the fundamental rights of the people”.
It is clear that every conceivable form of pressure has been brought to bear by the Executive on the Election Commission to prevent them from fulfilling their constitutional obligations. The Commission has publicly referred to more than 20 attempts by the government to thwart the holding of the election.
The result of these sustained initiatives is to erode core democratic values and to place in jeopardy the very survival of the democratic system of governance in Sri Lanka. Entrenchment of this dangerous precedent has incalculable consequences for the wellbeing of our people.
We ask Your Excellencies to bring this distressing state of affairs to the notice of your respective capitals, with a view to prevailing on the government of Sri Lanka to desist from a course of action, gravely detrimental to the nation.”
The Sri Lanka Navy successfully recovered its Fast Attack Craft P 4447 following a successful salvage operation, bringing a multi-stage emergency response to a close.
The craft, which ran into distress during a routine patrol on 15th August 2026 off Angulana, was brought to the surface on 11th September, from a depth of approximately 80 feet. It was
subsequently towed to the Colombo Dockyard premises.
The initial phase of the operation immediately following the incident focused on search and rescue. A joint effort involving the Navy, Air Force, Police, and local fishermen from Angulana
resulted in the rescue of 11 crew members. The search and rescue phase drew to a close with the recovery of the remains of the Second in Command of the craft, on 4th September.
Following the search and rescue phase, specialized Navy diving and salvage teams launched a dedicated recovery phase against rough sea conditions and underwater challenges, adhering to
strict safety protocols. The Navy’s marine, hull, electrical, and electronic engineering teams utilized specialized technical know-how and equipment to raise the vessel in stages.
Thus, the salvage operation marked an outstanding achievement attained through the professionalism, technical expertise of Navy divers, and coordinated contribution of all
engineering and technical branches of the Sri Lanka Navy. Technical support and specialized expertise were also extended by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Colombo Dockyard PLC.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Opposition should intensity its focus on the forthcoming selection of a member of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and remain vigilant as Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne, MP, the head of the Constitutional Council (CC) tasked with making the relevant recommendation, is under investigation by the CIABOC, sources familiar with the ongoing inquiry told The Island.
Chethiya Goonasekara, PC, is expected to complete his three-year term on Dec 31, 2026. Sources pointed out that CIABOC Commissioners are appointed by the President on the recommendation made by the 10-member Constitutional Council.
The CIABOC initiated the investigation following a complaint lodged by suspended Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne in early February this year. Sources said that as Goonasekera is scheduled to complete his term toward the end of 2026, the CC would have to call applications soon to choose the successor.
Goonasekara received his appointment from President Ranil Wickremesinghe in January 2024. A Justice W. M. N. P. Iddawala was appointed Chairman of the CIABOC. The other commissioner is K. Bernard Rajapakse.
Asked whether Iddawala and Rajapakse, too, would complete their terms soon, sources said that in terms of the Anti-Corruption Act No 09 of 2023, the Chairman of CIABOC would hold office for a period of five years, second commissioner (K. Bernard Rajapakse) for four years and the third commissioner (Chethiya Goonasekara) for a period of three years.
Sources said that the Opposition as well as civil society representatives in the CC should take up the issue of Speaker facing an investigation by the CIABOC taking part in the forthcoming selection process. Responding to queries, sources emphasized that the issue was whether in terms of Section 107 of the Anti-Corruption Act the participation of the Speaker in the selection process amounted to a violation of the Act itself.
The current members of the CC are Dr Jagath Wickramaratne, Speaker and Chairman of the Constitutional Council, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister, Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, Bimal Rathnayake, MP, Aboobucker Athambawa, MP, Ajith P. Perera, MP, Sivagnanam Shritharan, MP, Austin Fernando, Civil society representative, Prof. Wasantha Seneviratne, Civil society representative and Ranjith Ariyaratne, Civil society representative.
Sources pointed out that in spite of the sensitivity of the case, the CIABOC recorded Kularatne’s statement in the second week of August, six months after he lodged the complaint.
The CIABOC on 3, 8 and 10 Sept recorded the statements from the Transport Officer, Deputy Director, Administration and Assistant Director, Finance regarding the use of facilities by the Speaker, those assigned to his staff and other relevant matters.
The NPP named Dr. Wickramaratne as the Speaker after Asoka Ranwala resigned over controversy regarding his higher education qualifications.
SJB lawmaker Dayasiri Jayaskera has repeatedly raised the issues concerning the Speaker with the focus also on the Speaker using two government-managed residences, relevant staff in addition to expenditure on food, transport and fuel provided to the Speaker’s private secretary.
Political sources said that trouble erupted after the Parliamentary Staff Advisory Council in late January sacked Kularatne accusing him of providing false information to secure his appointment. Before being appointed as the Deputy Secretary-General of Parliament in 2023, Kularatne held several high-ranking positions, including Secretary to the Chief Government Whip, Additional Secretary to the President, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Additional Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition.
The SJB declared in Parliament that Ranwala should be brought back as the Speaker as they have no faith in Wickramaratne. MP Mujibur Rahuman jokingly told parliament that the Opposition wouldn’t raise Ranwala’s educational qualifications.
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has stressed the need to conduct a comprehensive countrywide cadre revision urgently.
GMOA spokesman Dr. Lasitha Dhammika told The Island that the failure on the part of successive governments to conduct cadre revision caused the deterioration of the public sector health services. Due to the absence of required statistics, they hadn’t been able to fully comprehend the situation on the ground and to ascertain the requirements of the public.
Dr. Dhammika pointed out the expansion of the services without supporting statistics and the need to initiate an immediate cadre revision. According to him, the GMOA had raised this issue with successive governments without success. The GMOA spokesman said that they also sought relevant information from the Health Ministry in terms of the Right to Information (RTI) Act two weeks ago but was yet to receive response.
(SF)
Fast Attack Craft P 4447 recovered in successful salvage operation
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CIABOC member’s appointment: Controversy over Speaker under probe heading selection process
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