News

Parliament divided over PSC probe on Siyatha

Published

4 years ago

2022/12/19

Thilina Walpola

Ex-top House official says govt. move meant to suppress all media

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) and Jathika Jana Balavegaya (JJB) yesterday (18) condemned a government move to appoint a seven-member Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to inquire into the conduct of Siyatha television.The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) didn’t respond to The Island query pertaining to the issue at hand.

Former Director (Administration) Parliament, Lacille de Silva, has alleged that Parliament was making an attempt to suppress the media as part of the overall measures to counter growing opposition to its agenda.The civil society activist claimed that the move to appoint a Select Committee to investigate infringement of parliamentary privileges, as a result of criticism of decisions taken by the President and Parliament to meet representatives of all parties represented in parliament, was nothing but a warning to both print and electronic media.

The former Secretary to the Yahapalana anti-corruption Presidential Commission said so, addressing the media on behalf of civil society group ‘People’s Tomorrow’ at the Centre for Society and Religion (CSR) in Maradana on Saturday (17).President Ranil Wickremesinghe convened an All-Party Conference (APC) on national reconciliation on 13 Dec., at the Presidential Secretariat.

Declaring his readiness to represent Siyatha at Select Committee proceedings, Lacille de Silva urged the other media to take up the issue at hand or be prepared to face the consequences. Responding to another query, de Silva said that civil society groups should vigorously take up this issue. “They can’t keep quiet. Foreign governments, which meddle in domestic affairs constantl, should also be concerned about this move.”

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha, who is the leader of the House, on Dec. 12 declared the appointment of the PSC.The Education Minister proposed a Select Committee of Parliament to investigate incidents of infringement of privileges of the Members of Parliament and of the Parliament and to make suitable recommendations in that

regard,— Whereas the President, the Prime Minister and the Members of Parliament agreed on 23 November 2022 on the floor of the House, to meet representatives of all parties and discuss the measures to solve the ethnic problems so that the people of the country can live as children of one mother and it is to be investigated whether the privileges of the Members of Parliament and of the Parliament have been infringed by the comments made in the programmes telecast by the Siyatha television channel on the 24, 25 and 27 of November 2022 in relation to that;

And whereas if the privileges of the Members of Parliament and of the Parliament have been infringed, it should be investigated into and suitable recommendations in that regard should be made;This Parliament resolves that a Select Committee of Parliament be appointed to investigate into the infringement of privileges of the Members Parliament and of the Parliament and to make suitable recommendations in that regard.

Lawmaker Premjayantha proposed that the Chair and Members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Speaker and that in terms of the provisions of Standing Order 101 of Parliament, the Committee shall consist of seven (07) Members.

The minister also proposed that the Committee shall have the power to—(a) fix its quorum; (b) summon any person to appear before it, to require any person to procure any document or record, to procure and receive all such evidence, written or oral, as the Committee may think it necessary for the fullest consideration of the matters referred to above;(c) Obtain the services of specialists and experts in the relevant fields to assist the Committee; and (d) Make interim reports from time to time and to sit notwithstanding any adjournment or prorogation of Parliament.

The Committee shall present its report to Parliament within a period of one month (01) from the first meeting of the Committee or within such further period as Parliament may grant.

Thamil Makkal Thesiya Kutani (TMTK) leader C.V. Wigneswaran said that perhaps those in authority should have called for a meeting with the relevant Siyatha journalist and the management before the appointment of the Select Committee. The former Supreme Court judge said so when The Island sought his response to the announcement made by the Leader of the House. Jaffna District lawmaker Wigneswaran said that he was not consulted on the appointment of the Select Committee.

Lacille de Silva said that the declaration made by Leader of the House Premjayantha was meant to intimidate the entire media. Declaring that Premajayantha spoke on behalf of the government, the ex-House official asked political parties and groups other than the SLPP and UNP to state their position on this issue.

Would they join the proposed seven-member Select Committee, de Silva asked.In response to The Island query, SJB leader Sajith Premadasa issued the following statement: “We consider the move to investigate views expressed by Siyatha ‘telewakiya’ an attempt to suppress the media. We condemn the attempt to utilize the Select Committee process to suppress the media.”

JJB MP Vijitha Herath said that the government move was not unacceptable at all. Lawmaker Herath warned that this was part of the government strategy. “Telewekiya has attracted quite significant public attraction and the government seems obviously concerned about widespread criticism of its strategies,” the JVPer said.The JVP boycotted the APC. MP Herath said that the national issue couldn’t be addressed by such endeavors. Referring to past APCs, the MP said that the government realized consensus on port-war national reconciliation couldn’t be achieved though it felt such efforts served propaganda purposes.

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News

Review of progress in reforms and modernisation of key state revenue-collecting institutions

Published

7 hours ago

2026/10/17

Priyan

A progress review meeting on reforms and modernisation initiatives at Sri Lanka’s key state revenue-collecting institutions was held on Thursday (15) at the Presidential Secretariat, chaired by Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, with the participation of representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and officials of the Revenue Administration, Reform and Modernisation Bureau (RARMB) of the Presidential Secretariat.

At the meeting, the IMF representatives commended the revenue collection efficiency of the Department of Inland Revenue, Sri Lanka Customs and the Department of Excise, the country’s three leading state revenue-collecting institutions. Extensive discussions were also held on the progress of the reform and modernisation programmes being implemented at these institutions.

Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake outlined the progress achieved by the three institutions to date and the reforms planned for implementation in the future.

The IMF representatives also highlighted the importance of strengthening risk management, developing human resources and ensuring the efficient operation of computer systems at the respective institutions.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President Seevali Arukgoda also attended the meeting. The IMF was represented by Cindy Negus, Senior Economist in Revenue Administration for the Asia and Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Central Asia regions; Alison Lister, Revenue Administration Adviser; and Gregory Toppin, Resident Revenue Adviser in Sri Lanka. A group of senior officials from the Revenue Administration, Reform and Modernisation Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat also participated.

(President’s Media Division)

News

Cut power bills by 3-5%, don’t hike them, consumers demand

Published

13 hours ago

2026/10/17

Thilina Walpola

By Anuradha Hiripitiyage

Electricity tariffs should be reduced by between 3 and 5 percent instead of being increased by 2.88 percent in the fourth quarter, as proposed by the National System Operator (NSO), Electricity Consumers’ Association Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said.

Addressing a media briefing in Maradagahamula, Divulapitiya, Gampaha, yesterday (16), Dhammika said a proper assessment of electricity generation costs, including the contribution of hydropower, could justify a reduction in tariffs.

He said the NSO had sought approval from the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) for a 2.88 percent tariff increase, which was expected to generate an additional Rs. 4,438 million.

However, the Commission had indicated that an increase of only 1.46 percent was warranted, amounting to Rs. 2,245 million, he said, adding that even this increase was unnecessary.

Dhammika alleged that the proposed revision sought to pass on to electricity consumers the financial burden arising from the non-arrival of five coal shipments and failed tenders.

“The Government had said that the burden of coal-related losses would not be passed on to the public. It is therefore unjust to make consumers bear these costs,” he said.

He pointed out that the PUCSL had forecast that hydropower would account for 32.34 percent of total electricity generation in the coming quarter, while the cost of such generation would represent only 3.45 percent of the overall cost of electricity production.

Consumers should benefit from the lower cost of hydropower generation rather than bear the burden of more expensive thermal power generation, he said.

Dhammika also questioned the inclusion of Rs. 669 million in capacity charges that had not been approved by the PUCSL, as well as a further Rs. 1,069 million to repay loans relating to incomplete projects.

Including such charges in the proposed tariff revision was unjustifiable, he said.

The PUCSL has given the public until October 30 to submit their views on the proposed tariff revision.

Dhammika said the possibility of increased hydropower generation in the coming weeks, as reservoir levels rise, should also be taken into account when determining electricity tariffs.

He maintained that tariffs could be reduced by 3 to 5 percent if hydropower generation was properly assessed and coal-related losses and unapproved charges were excluded from the calculations.

He further claimed that electricity tariffs could be reduced by as much as 10 percent through the promotion of renewable energy and the effective use of solar power and battery storage systems.

The Electricity Consumers’ Association urged the Government to withdraw the proposed tariff increase, insisting that consumers should not be made to bear costs arising from coal supply problems and other disputed charges.

News

Asgiri Mahanayake calls for immediate release of Gnanasara Thera

Published

13 hours ago

2026/10/17

Thilina Walpola

Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanaratana Mahanayake Thera

By S.K. Samaranayake

Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanaratana Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiri Chapter has called for the immediate release of Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, who is currently serving a prison sentence, following a court ruling.

The Asgiri Mahanayake made the appeal when a delegation of senior prison officials, including Assistant Commissioner of Prisons and Director of Operations Senaka Pallegedara, called on him on the 16th.

During the meeting, the prelate warned that the continued incarceration of Ven. Gnanasara Thera could lead to a volatile situation and cause public agitation.

Responding to the appeal, the prison officials informed the Mahanayake Thera that the authority to order the release of Ven. Gnanasara Thera did not rest with the Prisons Department but with the President.

Other senior prison officials, including Rajeev Srimal Silva, Sampath Warnakulasooriya and Mangala Welivita, were also present at the meeting.