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SJB suggests govt use constitutional proposals finalised during yahapalana rule

Published

5 years ago

2020/12/16

By Saman Indrajith

The Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) yesterday (15) said that the government was bound by a national responsibility to introduce a Constitution acceptable to all communities in the country.

Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella, addressing the media at the Opposition Leader’s Office, Colombo, said that only the Soulbury Constitution had been able to ensure the contribution of the minority and minor parties to constitution making.

“When the country was set to be granted independence, Lord Soulbury came to Sri Lanka in 1946 and announced that he was working on a Constitution for the independence of Sri Lanka. He met the representatives of all parties, religious and communal organisations and minorities for that purpose. After Independence in 1948 it was implemented. Thereafter our leaders introduced two constitutions – the first republican constitution by Sirimavo Bandaranaike government in 1972 and the Second republican constitution by the JR Jayewardene government in 1978. The minority parties were not involved in formulating them. Both governments had two-thirds majorities in Parliament. The incumbent government too has the same power and we are asking it not to commit the same mistake. It is bound by a national responsibility to bring about a constitution acceptable to all.”

He said that the Yahapalana government had prepared an interim report on a new constitution and the incumbent government could make use of it. “During the time of Yahapalana government I moved a motion in Parliament in February 2016 to convert the then Parliament into a constituent assembly for preparing a new constitution. That motion was passed unanimously and the constituent assembly was formed. A steering committee ensuring the representation of all parties in Parliament was appointed. It had 20 MPs including me. The others were the then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Rauff Hakeem, Susil Premjayanth, Rishad Bathiudeen, Patali Champika Ranawaka, D.M. Swaminathan, Mano Ganeshan, Malik Samarawickrama, Dilan Perera, R. Sampanthan, Dinesh Gunawardena, Douglas Devananda, Anura Dissanayake, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Bimal Ratnayake, M.A. Sumanthiran, Prasanna Ranatunga, Jayampathi Wickremratne and Thusita Wijemanne.

“We had 78 meetings. We summoned representatives of all political parties, civil and religious organisations, trade unions and chief ministers of the provincial councils. I remember that it was the chief ministers of in the southern parts of the country who demanded more devolution of power to their provinces. The steering committee after considering all those opinions prepared an interim report and submitted it to Parliament and it was discussed during five sitting days. Almost every MP was given time to present his or her opinion over the content of the report. Finally, taking into consideration those opinions and the interim report, we prepared a document, which cannot be called a draft as there were agreements and disagreements. While we were getting ready to submit that document to the House, the 2018 October the coup took place and we lost parliamentary power. If the government is taking a genuine effort to formulate a constitution acceptable to all communities it could start from where we stopped. It does not need to start it all over again. There is no point of trying to reinvent the wheel. It could make use of the interim report and our observations. The incumbent government could start discussing the points of disagreements. As I said once the wheel has been invented and the government could move ahead because that process had the participation of all parties and all communities. It was for the first time after the Soulbury Commission that such a collective effort was made. The government could make use of it. If this government could bring about a constitution acceptable to all communities alike that would be a victory for our nation. The international community will praise this country and the government too can gain from it.”

Kurunegala District SJB MP Nalin Bandara also addressed the media.

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In order to safeguard the future of the country, a quality human resource must be developed. – Prime Minister

Published

3 hours ago

2026/02/1

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that in order to ensure the economic, social, and cultural security of the country, it is essential to develop a quality human resource, and that education plays a vital role in achieving this goal.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the government is committed to bring about a transformation in the education sector, and that the government will continue to move forward by overcoming obstacles encountered along the way, guided by a clear vision and purpose.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the EDCS Sisu Nena Pranama scholarship award ceremony held on Saturday (31) at Temple Trees, organized to recognize the children of the members of the Education Co-operative Society (EDCS) who have been selected to state universities for the academic year2023/2024.

Elaborating further, the Prime Minister noted that this program, organized by the Education Service Employees– Co-operative Thrift and Credit Society Ltd, is not merely about providing scholarships, but is an occasion that recognizes and appreciates the dedication of students and their parents who are preparing to shoulder the responsibility of the country’s future.

The Prime Minister also pointed out that it is a remarkable achievement that a society which began in 1930 with just 58 members and a membership fee of one rupee has today grown into the largest cooperative society in South Asia, with approximately 215,000 members.

The Prime Minister further highlighted how rapidly the world is changing, and the increasing necessity of developing human resources in the face of economic and environmental crises. She stressed that the education system must be transformed from the level of school education itself to align with the demands of the modern world, and that students entering universities should become leaders and active participants in this transformation.

Noting that out of nearly 300,000 students who enter primary education each year, only about 40,000 gain admission to universities, the Prime Minister urged students to make use of this opportunity for the development of the country.

Addressing the occasion, Deputy Minister of Labour and General Secretary of Ceylon Teachers Service Union, Mahinda Jayasinghe, stated that due to corruption-free management, it was possible to increase the financial stability of the society from Rs. 1,200 million to Rs. 1,700 million within a short period of approximately nine months.

Under this year’s program, scholarships amount to over Rs. 13.7 million were awarded to 2,292 students who have been selected to state universities.

This scholarship program, which initiated in 1984 with 15 students and an initial fund of Rs. 3,500, has been conducted continuously for 41 years. At present, scholarships of up to a maximum of Rs. 75,000 per student are awarded, demonstrating the collective strength and solidarity of the teaching community.

The event was attended by the Chairman of the Education Development Cooperative Society, Lal Kumara, the Western Province Director of Education, Darshani Iddamalgoda, along with other officials.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Police face 32,000-officer shortage:IGP

Published

8 hours ago

2026/02/1

Thilina Walpola

IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya says that the Police is facing a shortage of nearly 32,000 personnel and is currently operating well below its required strength.

He made these remarks while attending a ceremony held on Friday morning (30) to recognise the contribution of fingerprint officers, crime analysis officers and forensic photographers attached to the Criminal Investigation Department for their role in solving crimes.

Addressing the gathering, the IGP said that around 2,500 police officers are due to retire this year, with a further 2,700 officers expected to retire next year.

In view of the growing cadre shortfall, he said plans are underway to recruit 10,000 new officers to the Sri Lanka Police in the future.

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Lanka’s Sabina Yousaf wins Mrs. Photogenic, Second Runner-Up at Mrs. World

Published

8 hours ago

2026/02/1

Thilina Walpola

Sri Lanka earned international recognition at the 41st Mrs. World pageant, with Sabina Yousaf being named Second Runner-Up, marking a notable achievement for the country at the prestigious global competition.

In addition to securing a top-three finish, Yousaf also won the Mrs. Photogenic mini-title and placed among the Top 20 contestants, underscoring her strong performance on the international stage.

The Mrs. World 2025 crown was won by Chanita Seedaket Craythorne of Thailand, while Paige Ewing of the United States was declared First Runner-Up.

The grand finale was held on 29 January in Las Vegas, Nevada, and featured contestants from more than 60 countries competing for the coveted title.

The announcement of the Top Three finalists placed Sri Lanka alongside leading global pageant contenders, reinforcing the country’s growing presence in international pageantry.

Final Results – Mrs. World 2025:

Winner: Thailand – Chanita Seedaket Craythorne

First Runner-Up: United States – Paige Ewing

Second Runner-Up: Sri Lanka – Sabina Yousaf