MP Nizam Kariapper yesterday accused the government of breaking its promise to hold Provincial Council elections, criticizing what he called misleading statements and deliberate delays.

“President Anura Kumara Dissanayake once told this House that Provincial Council elections will be held. Not only that, he said the same on every election stage. But this week he came to Parliament and told us with a smirk, ‘how can I hold elections when there is no law, make this law and give it to me…’ I had to wonder if this speech was by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake or President Ranil Wickremesinghe,” Kariapper said.

He questioned why President Dissanayake, with majority control in Parliament, was seeking opposition support to draft necessary laws.

“We made laws. Our MP Rasamanickam drafted a law which was tossed in the bin. Then they came up with a report of their own, saying that a select committee must be formed to create our own mechanism. Isn’t it better to tell the people honestly and directly that you don’t want the provincial council election? Why are you lying to the public with these tricks?” He questioned.

Kariapper alleged that the government is intentionally avoiding elections, not due to fear of losing, but because of opposition to the provincial council system itself.

“You could have told this directly. I wished to vote in favour of the provincial council ministry as a gesture of respect for the minister. But you have destroyed the election. I will tear this report and oppose this,” he said, tearing the report in Parliament.

The United Kingdom has reiterated its continued support for religious freedom and the protection of the rights of all faith communities in Sri Lanka, Parliamentary Under-Secretary Seema Malhotra told UK Parliament.

In response to a written question, Malhotra informed Parliament that the UK consistently raises concerns over religious tolerance and the safeguarding of the rights of all Sri Lankans to practice their faith without discrimination. The British High Commission in Colombo continues to engage with government officials, religious leaders, minority communities, and civil society groups to address concerns and encourage interfaith dialogue.

She highlighted that during a visit to Sri Lanka in January 2025, the former UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific met activists working on freedom of religion or belief, reaffirming Britain’s commitment to defending fundamental rights.

More recently, the current Minister for the Indo-Pacific met with Sri Lanka’s Speaker, Justice Minister, and other senior officials in October, where discussions focused on the importance of upholding human rights and ensuring an inclusive and transparent reconciliation process, she said.

Malhotra stressed that the UK remains committed to supporting Sri Lanka’s efforts to promote equality, religious coexistence, and long-term reconciliation.

A proposal to review the existing legal framework pertaining to the conduct of Provincial Council elections — and to appoint a Selection Committee to fast-track the holding of the polls — is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament today.

The proposal will be presented by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Prof. Chandana Abeyratne.

During today’s Committee Stage debate of the 2026 Budget, the expenditure heads of the Ministries of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, and Labour are being taken up for debate.

Minister Abeyratne noted that the proposal would be formally presented during the course of the debate.

Sri Lanka has entered into a bilateral agreement with Denmark as part of its ongoing external debt restructuring process.

This milestone underscores Colombo’s unwavering commitment to achieving debt sustainability and revitalizing its economy.

The agreement follows extensive bilateral discussions after Sri Lanka concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Official Creditor Committee (OCC). Under the terms, Denmark will extend a debt relief measure by rescheduling outstanding obligations amounting to USD 39 million.

The pact was formally signed by Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, representing the Government of Sri Lanka, and Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Denmark’s Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The Government of Sri Lanka expressed its sincere appreciation to Denmark for its continued cooperation, noting that such partnerships are vital to rebuilding confidence in the country’s fiscal future.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament yesterday that a renewed investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks is now underway, stressing that previous attempts to uncover the truth were deliberately obstructed when political groups suspected of involvement assumed power.

The President said investigators are currently analysing phone records, connections, and other technical data to identify the masterminds behind the attacks, adding that evidence must be re-established in court after years of suppression.

He said the Easter Attacks should have been investigated when memories and evidence were still fresh, but the process stalled due to political interference.

According to the President, key evidence was tampered with or destroyed, including cases where “pages were torn from books,” while nearly 500 CID officers were issued travel bans during the previous administration. Several senior investigators were removed, transferred, or jailed, including former CID Director Shani Abeysekara, he noted.

The President said the same pattern of interference had affected other high-profile cases such as the murders of Lasantha Wickrematunge, rugby player Wasim Thajudeen, and cartoonist Prageeth Ekneligoda, where investigations were launched many years after the incidents.

Despite the challenges, he expressed confidence that the current investigative teams would independently and professionally pursue the Easter Attack probe and bring the culprits before the law.

With uncertainty swirling over the return of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) founder Basil Rajapaksa for a court case, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (18) asked the former Finance Minister to “come and face the law.”

Speaking in Parliament, the President said there was no reason to fear the legal process if one is innocent.

“Don’t be afraid to face the law. If you are clean, come and prove your innocence,” he said.

Rajapaksa who is currently settled in the US is supposed to appear before the Matara Magistrate’s Court on Friday, November 21, over allegations that he illegally acquired land using Rs. 50 million in unlawfully obtained funds.

Coincidentally, the case is scheduled to be taken up on a day when opposition parties led by the SLPP, which Basil founded are bringing crowds to Nugegoda for an anti-government rally. Basil Rajapaksa has been an instrumental and influential individual in the party in taking initiatives of this nature.

However, there is still no clarity on whether he will return to Sri Lanka in time for the hearing or the rally.

According to SLPP sources, Rajapaksa is yet to communicate his ability to return to the Sri Lanka.

Moreover, his legal team informed the court in May that Rajapaksa was receiving treatment in the United States for spinal and nerve complications following a fall from a chair.

They said his American doctor had advised against air travel for six months casting further doubt on his appearance for Friday’s proceedings.

Basil Rajapaksa has faced similar accusations of dodging court by travelling to the US in the past when he was wanted by the court.

However, police sources confirmed that if Rajapaksa fails to turn up this time, they will proceed with issuing an arrest warrant on the advice of the court.

Sources further said such action would be unavoidable if he continues to evade court.