News
PM won’t be replaced, SLPP agreeable to National Government- Chief Govt. Whip
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Chief Govt. Whip, Prasanna Ranatunga, yesterday (23) said the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) wouldn’t replace incumbent Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.Responding to media queries, after paying a floral tribute at the Reggie Ranatunga memorial at Udugampola, Gampaha, the Urban Development and Housing Minister alleged that canard was spread by the Opposition. Gunawardena is the leader of the MEP, a constituent of the SLPP. The MEP group in Parliament, including the Premier, consists of three MPs.
Minister Ranatunga said that some interested parties propagated the lie that Mahinda Rajapaksa was to be appointed Prime Minister again. When that was denied, the same lpersons speculated that Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa was to be appointed the Prime Minister.
The Minister alleged that the Opposition was working overtime to undermine government efforts to stabilize the country.Minister Ranatunga dismissed the SLPP had been divided and was struggling to cope up with political developments.
Commenting on the proposed expansion of the Cabinet of Ministers, lawmaker Ranatunga declared his support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s call for the formation of a National Government. Minister Ranatunga said that there had been occasions when the number of Cabinet Ministers passed 100. The proposed National Government was meant to accommodate all political parties, Minister Ranatunga said, declaring that Cabinet appointments would be made by President Wickremesinghe in consultation with Premier Gunawardena.
The formation of a National Government would enable the government to overcome constitutional restriction on the number of Cabinet Ministers. The 19th Amendment restricted the number of Cabinet Ministers to 30 and non-Cabinet Ministers to 40. However, in case the government reached consensus with Opposition political parties, regarding the National Government, constitutional provision regarding the number of ministers didn’t matter.
Recently, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said that his party submitted a list of members to President Wickremesinghe whom the party felt should be appointed as ministers. The disclosure was made in response to a media query though he declined to name the SLPP’s nominees.
(Ms.) Nina P. Cainglet, Ambassador of the Philippines to Sri Lanka based in Dhaka, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Prime Minister’s Office on May 16, 2025.
The Prime Minister welcomed Ambassador Cainglet and extended her congratulations on the new appointment. The discussion focused on expanding cooperation in trade and tourism, with both sides expressing their commitment to exploring new opportunities in these key sectors. The meeting also addressed consular matters relating to the Filipino community in Sri Lanka. In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured continued dialogue and necessary support on relevant issues.
The meeting was attended by Ms. Judienne Capiz, Vice Consul of the Embassy of the Philippines in Dhaka, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. S.S. Premawardhane, Additional Secretary, Bilateral Political Affairs (East); and M.R. Keegel, Deputy Director, Southeast Asia & Central Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division].
The Bribery Commission on Friday filed a corruption case against former Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena and ex-BOI Director General Jayantha Edirisinghe, accusing them of misusing public cash for a lavish newspaper ad campaign back in 2014.
They stand accused of siphoning Rs. 1.7 million in state funds to publish 11 newspaper supplements marking the second inauguration anniversary of then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa on November 19, 2014.
According to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), the move amounted to a clear breach of anti-graft laws, with five formal charges now filed before the Colombo High Court.
The case, centred around alleged misuse of Board of Investment (BOI) funds, is backed by 21 pieces of documentary evidence and testimony from 15 witnesses.
The Bribery Commission maintains that the ad blitz had no official sanction and led to a direct loss of Rs. 1,748,877.76 to the state.
Inspector General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon is set to face formal questioning tomorrow (May 19) over serious allegations of misconduct and abuse of power, parliamentary sources said on Friday.
A special committee appointed to investigate the claims will commence formal proceedings next week, following several rounds of preliminary discussions held within the parliamentary complex in recent weeks.
The IGP has been officially notified to appear before the committee and is expected to face the inquiry for the first time at 2:00 PM in Committee Room No. 8.
The committee, which met again on Thursday (15) to finalise arrangements, is investigating allegations that Tennakoon misused his official powers in a manner deemed severe and improper.
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