News
Opposition to move no-faith motion against PM Amarasuriya
The Opposition yesterday (07) began collecting signatures for a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, over the inclusion of a link to an adult content website, in the Grade 06 English language textbook.
The signing of the no-faith motion commenced at the Opposition Leader’s Office at the Parliamentary complex with Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, placing the first signature on the motion.
Party sources said that key opposition parties, including the SJB, had reached a consensus to proceed with the initiative and were planning to submit the motion to the Speaker within the week.
Opposition MPs argue that the inclusion of an inappropriate web link in the Grade 6 English module, along with broader shortcomings in the education reform process, formed the basis of the no-confidence motion. Premadasa has described the incident as a violation of children’s rights, warning that it reflected serious lapses in oversight and accountability.
Addressing Parliament amidst the growing criticism, Dr. Amarasuriya said the disputed Grade 6 English module had not reached schoolchildren and its distribution had been halted immediately after the error was detected. She said an investigation had been launched without delay to determine how the mistake occurred, at what stage it was introduced, and who was responsible.
The Prime Minister assured the House that disciplinary or legal action would follow once accountability was clearly established. She said the National Education Commission operated under its own regulatory framework and that the inquiry was being conducted in accordance with procedures laid down by the relevant council appointed to examine the matter.
“Our intention is not to hide facts, but to understand why this happened and to ensure it does not happen again,” she said, stressing the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the education sector.
Dr. Amarasuriya said Grade 6 students are scheduled to receive their learning modules on January 21, while textbooks for Grade 1 students were due to be distributed by January 29. She noted that authorities were working to complete all revisions and approvals before those dates so that students receive only properly vetted materials.
The Prime Minister urged the public not to judge the entire reform programme based on a single incident, arguing that education reforms should be assessed on their long-term goals rather than isolated mistakes. “This incident should not be used to undermine education reforms,” she said, adding that student welfare remains the government’s top priority.
She also told Parliament that the controversial lesson had been formally removed following a recommendation by the academic advisory board of the National Institute of Education (NIE).
She said that the activity highlighted in the Grade 6 English module was a reading comprehension exercise involving hypothetical characters and did not require students to provide personal information. “It is simply a reading task, not a data collection exercise,” she said.
Parliament:
… sexual harassment claims dismissed
Recommendations made by retired High Court Judge Ms. Sujatha Alahapperuma, following an inquiry into claims by a female employee of the Department of Information Systems and Management of Parliament, regarding sexual harassment, denial of due salary increments and other forms of harassment, were yet to be implemented, sources familiar with the investigation said.
The retired HC Judge handed over the report to Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne on 24 November, 2025. Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera was also present on that occasion.
The retired judge has recommended that administrative decisions be taken expeditiously to grant her salary increments due for 2024 and 2025, reevaluation of all employees attached to the Department of Information Systems and Management and keep them under close scrutiny and strengthening of the ‘Helpdesk’ to meet the requirements.
Sources said that none of the recommendations have been implemented and the concerned employee in spite of still being the Senior Helpdesk coordinator remained attached to the Supplies and Services Office. She had been ordered to report to the Supplies and Services Office in January 2025 following a continuing dispute with the top management of the Department of Information Systems and Management.
Parliamentary Staff Advisory Committee on 25.07.2025 decided to conduct an external investigation into the issue after the employee refused to accept the outcome of the internal inquiry conducted in the wake of SJB lawmaker Mujibur Rahman raising the issue in Parliament.
The retired judge has emphasised the urgent need to take tangible measures to address administrative issues with a view to enhance discipline and human resources management among other issues.
However, the retired judge has declared that the complainant or any other female employee attached to the of Department of Information Systems and Management hadn’t been subjected to any form of sexual harassment as alleged.
The retired judge further asserted that the complainant had been prejudicially treated by two interview boards when she appeared before them seeking posts of Database Administrator and Parliament Officer.
The retired judge has also asserted that the Supplies and Services Office where the complaint continued to serve even now was not suitable and not in line with her qualifications. Some of those who had appeared before the retired judge during the inquiry claimed that was a temporary transfer. However, the report dismissed that claim declaring that transfer appeared to have been done outside acceptable procedure and her increments stopped without giving any justifiable reason.
The retired judge has stated that for want of proper procedures and systems, the administration seems to be in turmoil.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Motor Traffic Commissioner General Kamal Amarasinghe, taken into custody by the CID, was remanded until today (30) following his production before the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court.
The investigation was launched after the Central Anti-Corruption Task Force received information regarding an illegally assembled taxi, which was later handed over to the CID for further inquiries.
Preliminary findings revealed that the vehicle’s registered chassis number had been altered and documents submitted to obtain a “weight certificate.” These documents were then used to assign a registration number to the taxi, while the chassis modification files were concealed. False declarations were allegedly made to facilitate the fraudulent assembly, with Commissioner General Amarasinghe accused of aiding and abetting the operation.
The suspect was taken into custody on the afternoon of Friday (27) by a CID team at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Road, Colombo 7.
In parallel, the Bribery and Corruption Commission has launched a separate probe into the matter.
The initial investigation was conducted under the direction of SSP Indika Weerasinghe, Head of the Central Anti-Corruption Task Force, along with DIG Rohan Olugala and Senior DIG of CID Kamal Ariyawansa.
BY Norman Palihawadane
A public petition demanding the resignation of Kumara Jayakody, Minister of Power and Energy, over alleged irregularities in coal imports was launched yesterday (29) in Maharagama.
The initiative was organised by the Electricity Consumers’ Association.
Addressing the gathering, the Association’s secretary, Sanjeewa Dhammika, said the Minister was facing allegations related to coal imports, while concerns have also been raised over the poor performance of both the Minister and the Ministry Secretary. He said the petition’s primary demand is the immediate removal of the Minister from office.
Dhammika added that signatures for the petition will also be collected in front of the Colombo Fort Railway Station.
by Anuradha Hiripitiyage
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