News
Showdown expected in House today over govt. move to transfer Police Commission powers to IGP
Parliament is scheduled to debate today what the Opposition describes as a move to transfer the powers of the National Police Commission to the IGP.
An agreement was reached by the Opposition and the ruling party to hold the debate.
A motion was presented by Opposition MP Sujeewa Senasinghe on Tuesday morning, seeking Parliament to intervene in safeguarding the powers of the National Police Commission.
A tense situation arose in Parliament yesterday (08) over the issue of police transfers.
Chief Opposition Whip Galle District MP Gayantha Karunathilaka demanded to know how police transfers were carried out by the IGP, bypassing the Police Commission. He called for an end to that practice.
Kuruengala District SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said that since 2017, police transfers had been handled by the National Police Commission, and that delegating its authority to the IGP, at this stage, would be inappropriate.
He pointed out that 32 SSPs and several DIGs had already been transferred without the approval of the National Police Commission.
In response, the Speaker said the matter would be referred to the Constitutional Council.
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa said that the primary role of the National Police Commission was to ensure depoliticisation, and that it should not be reduced to a puppet of the government.
Comments from several Opposition MPs, including Chaminda Wijesiri, Sujeewa Senasinghe, and Ranjith Madduma Bandara, sparked heated arguments.
SJB Moneragala District MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara alleged that the government was intimidating the Police Commission.
Chief Government Whip Health and Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said that the transfers were being carried out in accordance with the Police Commission’s directives.
He said that in some cases, the Commission had granted the IGP permission to proceed and that there was now a mechanism in place for appeals to be submitted to the Commission.
The Minister clarified that previously there had been no provision for appeal regarding transfers made by the Commission, but that was now possible.
Several Opposition MPs claimed that the government was steadily moving toward establishing a police state.
The government rejected the allegation.
By Saman Indrajith
As part of the official visit to London for the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, held discussions with academic experts from the British Council on Wednesday [20 May 2026].
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in education, particularly in the areas of teacher training, English language programmes, education frameworks, and language acquisition skills.
The British Council shared international experience and highlighted its ongoing engagement in Sri Lanka, while expressing readiness to support the country through technical assistance, teacher development initiatives, and policy collaboration.
Discussions also included views on improving quality assurance, expanding research collaboration, and enhancing learning opportunities.
The Prime Minister appreciated the British Council’s continued engagement in Sri Lanka and reiterated the importance of deepening partnerships.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division’
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is currently on an official visit to the United Kingdom, met with members of the Sri Lankan community living in London on Wednesday [20th] and engaged in cordial discussions.
Despite the event being held on a weekday, it was notable that nearly one thousand Sri Lankans representing the Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities attended with great enthusiasm.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that despite natural disasters and international crises, the present government has succeeded in stabilizing the country’s economy while providing relief to the people. She further noted that Sri Lanka’s political culture has now undergone a positive transformation that is irreversible.
Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj, addressing the event, stated that a governance system has now been established in the country where all communities are treated equally and the benefits of economic development are shared fairly among all citizens.
Moving away from the traditional method of political gatherings, the event also provided an open platform for members of the Sri Lankan community to directly raise questions and express their views to the Prime Minister and the Minister.
Commenting on the organization of the event, the organizing committee stated that all expenses, including dinner, were borne by the participants themselves. The organizers further remarked that it is unsurprising that opposition groups, accustomed to organizing such events through the misuse of public funds, appear unsettled by this transparent process.
The occasion was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj and Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya currently undertaking an official visit to London, United Kingdom, to participate in the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026 held a bilateral meeting with the Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom ON Wednesday [20]. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera, along with officials from the Sri Lankan High Commission.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed Sri Lanka’s appreciation to the United Kingdom for the support extended in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwa, including ongoing rebuilding and recovery assistance. The Prime Minister also commended the United Kingdom’s support in facilitating increased bilateral trade and exports for Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister briefed the UK delegation on Sri Lanka’s recent economic developments and policy priorities, the Government’s commitment to advancing human rights and reconciliation, as well as Sri Lanka’s positive growth trajectory.
The two sides also exchanged views on current global geopolitical developments, challenges in the energy sector, and the importance of enhancing regional connectivity and long-term energy security.
Both sides also emphasised the importance of strengthening structured academic mobility frameworks while ensuring fairness, clarity, and integrity within migration systems.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
PM meets academic experts from the British Council
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