Commission appointed to propose electoral reforms given more time

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has taken steps to extend the time given to the nine-member Commission of Inquiry appointed to prepare proposals for electoral reforms, to submit its final report.

The Commission of Inquiry headed by former Chief Justice Priyasad Dep was appointed by the President in October last year through a special gazette notification issued by the President.

The commission had been tasked with making recommendations to amend election laws to suit current societal needs by conforming with principles of good governance and strengthening representative democracy and also to restore trust and accountability by strengthening the legal framework for registration and operation of political parties.

The relevant commission had been instructed to make recommendations on many related matters including increasing the representation of women and youth, reducing the time period from the day the election is announced to the day the election is held and the results are released, providing the opportunity to vote by using modern technology in voting and making the necessary arrangements for Sri Lankans living abroad to cast their votes.

The commission had previously been instructed to submit the relevant recommendations before 15th of April 2024, however steps have been taken to extend the period by another 02 months.

Accordingly, it is reported that President Ranil Wickramasinghe has taken steps to give the commission time until June 15 to submit the relevant final report.

Sirisena’s Easter attacks revelation: CID seeks AG’s advice on questioning ex-President

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is seeking the Attorney General’s (AG) instructions on questioning former President Maithripala Sirisena regarding his recent assertion of being “well aware” of the true perpetrators behind the Easter Sunday bombings in 2019.

This revelation, made by Sirisena during a public address in Kandy on Friday (22), has sparked widespread speculation and raised questions about the former President’s knowledge and involvement in the tragic events.

“The suspects who are currently in remand custody in connection with the attacks are minor offenders. The real culprits are still at large. However, I am ready to shed light on the perpetrators of the Easter Sunday attacks and make a special statement if I am summoned to court,” he had stated.

“I have been keeping this information under wraps, and therefore, it is imperative for the judges also to keep a lid on it,” Sirisena had added.

Sirisena in a special statement said that the remarks he made on Friday had been based on information he had received three weeks ago and expressed readiness to disclose this information to the courts if ordered to do so.

“The statement will be made secretly, as making it public would pose a huge risk to my life and the lives of my family members,” he added.

Soon after the former President’s controversial statement was made public on Friday, the Catholic Church demanded that the CID, the Public Security Ministry, and all relevant authorities take immediate action to arrest Sirisena.

Meanwhile, speaking to The Sunday Morning, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Kavinda Jayawardana stated that the SJB’s Catholic Committee had lodged a complaint with the Police yesterday morning (23), urging an impartial inquiry into the statement made by Sirisena and demanding his appearance before court.

A senior CID official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, disclosed that the department had forwarded a request to the AG’s Department for assistance and was awaiting a response.

“Questioning may start, but we have not started yet. We will have to get instructions from the AG’s Department,” the official said.

When asked whether Sirisena could be arrested over the statement, Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said: “That comes under the Ministry of Public Security. It will have to decide.”

Meanwhile, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles last evening directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to initiate an immediate investigation into the recent remarks made by Sirisena regarding the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

Alles has refrained from making definitive statements regarding the possibility of Sirisena’s arrest over the suppression of evidence in connection to his recent revelation about the Easter Sunday bombings.

When approached for clarification on the issue, Alles emphasised that it was premature to comment on such matters until a statement had been obtained from Sirisena.

“It’s too early to make a comment on that. First, we will have to look into it. All these things can be done, but it’s too early to comment,” stated Alles.

Regarding the CID’s decision to seek the Attorney General’s instructions on the matter, Alles expressed unawareness: “I don’t know. That’s news to me.”

The Sunday Morning reliably learns that Alles is under pressure regarding Sirisena’s statement, with a number of parties calling for his arrest.

On 21 April 2019, the National Thowheeth Jama’ath, an Islamist militant group, orchestrated a series of devastating attacks targeting churches and hotels across Sri Lanka. These coordinated bombings resulted in the loss of 269 lives and left over 500 individuals injured.

Almost immediately, criticism arose regarding alleged negligence within the highest levels of the political and security apparatus. Multiple petitions were filed, alleging violations of fundamental rights against Government and intelligence officials.

The Supreme Court deliberated on 12 Fundamental Rights petitions and reached a consensus that the respondents, including former President Maithripala Sirisena, former Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara, former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, and former Chief of National Intelligence Sisira Mendis, had failed to address the intelligence warnings regarding the impending attacks with the necessary gravity.

The court expressed profound dismay at the evident lack of oversight and inaction prevalent in matters concerning security, law enforcement, and intelligence.

Notably, President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who served as Prime Minister at the time of the attacks, was initially named as a defendant in all cases. However, in July 2022, he was removed as a defendant due to his status as Executive President, affording him immunity from prosecution.

As per the verdict, Sirisena was ordered to pay Rs. 100 million in compensation to the victims of the attacks, while Jayasundara is required to pay Rs. 75 million.

Additionally, other defendants, including prominent defence and intelligence officials, were instructed to pay significant compensation amounts. These payments are to be sourced from their personal funds.

Furthermore, the State was mandated to provide Rs. 1 million to the families of the deceased and Rs. 500,000 to each individual injured in the tragic incidents.

Earlier this month, a writ petition was lodged before the Court of Appeal, urging the IGP and other respondents to initiate legal proceedings against Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena, the former Chief of the State Intelligence Service.

The petition, brought forth by Centre for Society and Religion (CSR) Director Rev. Fr. Jude Vernon Rohan Silva and Easter attacks victim Devage Surach Nilanga, alleges Jayawardena’s failure to prevent the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks despite receiving intelligence.

Named as respondents in the petition are the IGP, SDIG Jayawardena, and the Attorney General. The petitioners argue that despite ample evidence demonstrating Jayawardena’s negligence in thwarting the coordinated bombings, no legal action had been taken against him.

The petition calls upon the Court of Appeal to issue an order compelling the named respondents to implement the recommendations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) on the Easter Sunday attacks.

Furthermore, the petitioners are seeking a writ of mandamus for Jayawardena’s criminal arrest, followed by subsequent legal proceedings against him.

Meanwhile, Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith recently disclosed that over 1,500 pages of crucial evidence were missing from the soft copy of the PCoI report on the Easter Sunday attacks provided to the church by the Government.

Despite repeated requests, the Government has withheld these pages containing vital testimonies, including those of key witnesses such as Hadiya, wife of Zahran Hashim, and Sarah Jesmin, a close associate of the terrorists.

The Cardinal criticised Government officials for misleading the public about the completeness of the report and accused them of ignoring emerging evidence, such as allegations from witness Azad Moulana implicating high-ranking officials.

These revelations come as the fifth anniversary of the Easter Sunday attacks approaches.

The Cardinal also emphasised on the need for a fresh, fair, and independent investigation into the attacks, given the new evidence and allegations surfacing in the case.

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Basil to meet Ranil this afternoon

The role played by Ranil Wickremesinghe as the president so far should not be forgotten, said SLPP national organizer Basil Rajapaksa.

Addressing the party’s parliamentary group at the SLPP headquarters, he said some have forgotten the past, where they could not even go to the airport.

The president changed that situation, which should not be forgotten, Basil noted.

He also said the party would choose its presidential candidate under certain criterion.

Meanwhile, Basil Rajapaksa is due to meet the president this afternoon to discuss the upcoming presidential polls and other matters of politics.

The duo met recently, with ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa too, participating.

India Indigo to fly to Sri Lanka’s Jaffna

India’s Indigo Airlines will fly to Jaffna International Airport from Chennai, Sri Lanka’s state-run Airport and Aviation Service Ltd, which run the Indian Ocean island’s airport said.

At the moment India’s Alliance Air flies once a day to Jaffna from Chennai.

Due to the short runway length the airline uses smaller ATR-72 aircraft.

According to Indigo’s website, the airline also has 45 ATR-78 aircraft in its fleet.

AASL did not say when the flights will begin.

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IMF ready to listen alternative views, but Sri Lanka is on “knife edged path”: Mission Head

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is willing to listen to alternative views in Sri Lanka’s loan program implementation steps, but the island nation is on a knife edged path and it could slip to a vicious cycle, the global lender’s Mission Head for Sri Lanka said.

The economic reforms under the IMF program have burdened the Sri Lankans with higher taxes, resulting in low disposable income for the public.

With Sri Lanka going for presidential polls later this year, President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government is likely to slow down the implementation of the IMF reforms, government officials have said.

An IMF mission was in Sri Lanka for the second review of its $3 billion, 4-year loan and met officials from the government, opposition, and civil society organizations.

Peter Breuer, the IMF Senior Mission Chief said they got many proposals during their discussions,

“With respect to the election, yes, we heard many different proposals,” Breuer told reporters in Colombo at the conclusion of the second review of the program.

“For us, what is absolutely key is that the program objectives are achieved. Because, with those, Sri Lanka has a chance of emerging from the crisis. That path is a knife edged path.”

Many political parties including the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) want to reduce the tax burden faced by the people.

Higher taxes have made Wickremesinghe’s government unpopular among the voters.

The IMF mission met many groups this time including main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and Marxists Janatha Vimukthi Peremuna (JVP) who have promised to renegotiate Sri Lanka’s deal with the IMF.

“KNIFE EDGED”

Breuer, however, warned the country could go back to crisis again if the reforms are not sustained.

“We acknowledge in our press report that the green shoots we see for the economy that’s the beginning of the virtuous cycle and we have to keep it there,” he said.

“It’s knife edged and could easily go back to the vicious cycle and that’s what we want to prevent.”

He said alternative proposals should not deviate from the original goals of the programs including fiscal and economic reforms.

“We are willing to listen to alternative suggestions of how the program objectives can be reached and these must be realistic and achievable within the time frame of the program,” he said.

“The program is the result of robust discussions that we had in the summer of 2022 and since then at the periodic reviews we have been looking at progress under the program.”

“I would argue that it is quite well thought out but of course we are willing to take alternative views. The important part is that the hard won gains of the Sri Lankan people over the past two years are not unravelled.”

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PAFFREL concerned over proposal to amend electoral system, warns of election delay

The elections are likely to get postponed if the proposals put forward to amend the parliamentary electoral system are not properly implemented, the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has said, raising concerns about the Cabinet of Ministers green-lighting a proposal in this regard.

Acknowledging the need to revise the country’s electoral system, the executive director of the election watchdog Rohana Hettiarachchi, however, highlighted the importance of finalizing the delimitation process before any changes are to be made to the parliamentary electoral system.

“But if the delimitation process is not concluded even if the electoral system is revised by August, it is imperative that this draft bill incorporates an amendment that allows the Election Commission to conduct the polls pursuant to the existing electoral system,” he added.

Hettiarachchi also referred to the past instances where the local government and provincial council elections were compelled to be postponed as a result of the delays in finalizing the delimitation process.

As per a recent Cabinet decision, necessary laws are to be drafted to amend the electoral system to elect 160 MPs directly from the voters of the respective constituencies, also known as the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system, and for the remaining 65 MPs to be elected according to the proportional voting system at the national or provincial level.

The government said the need to revise the current electoral system was identified in order to meet the objectives of the Election Expenses Regulation Act No. 3 of 2023 and to achieve a fully democratic election.

Accordingly, a Cabinet sub-committee was appointed to ask the views of all party leaders and other relevant parties representing the Parliament and submit a report to the Cabinet with relevant recommendations.

Suggestions have been presented to the committee to elect 160 MPs directly from the voters of the respective constituencies and the remaining 65 MPs to be elected at the national or provincial level according to the proportional voting system and the agreement of the majority has been received for this, the government said further.

The proposal had been tabled by Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reform Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.

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“Absolute power corrupts” Receiving a huge mandate turned out to be a problem for us

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) stalwart Basil Rajapaksa, who recently returned to the country in time to face a possible election heat, in an interview with the Daily Mirror said that following the collapse of the Gotabaya Rajapaksa Government, he and his brother Gotabaya do not get into each other’s way. Basil also said that he had requested from President Ranil Wickremesinghe not to deal with SLPP members individually bypassing the party hierarchy.

Following are excerpts of the interview:

We also requested the President not to deal with our members individually bypassing the party hierarchy.

The mere fact that we received an overwhelming majority at the election turned out to be a curse at the end.

Whenever a government gets the absolute majority anywhere, it collapses sooner than expected.

The more members you have the greater the problems you get.

Now, there are even more draconian pieces of legislations being enacted. If we had brought such laws, all hell would have broken loose.

I did not get the book (the one penned by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa) even. I did not bother to find a copy and read.

What happened at the end was a concentration of too much power.

I did not get the book (the one penned by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa) even. I did not bother to find a copy and read.

There is no need for me to read his book now because the content has been communicated to me by journalists

I can give him (Namal) something if I have any. Otherwise, how can I offer? In history, King Sirisangabo gave away everything including his children. He could do so because he had everything. What can I give Namal? I don’t have anything in the party. Namal should earn it

I have informed (about my retirement) actually. Still, I am not allowed to quit politics. I don’t hold any responsibility in the government. Also, I don’t hold any post in the party. Still I am not allowed to stay away from politics

When I met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi once, we talked about palm oil cultivation. At that time, the Russia-Ukraine war had started. Ukraine was the key supplier of palm oil to India. Mr. Modi told me that Sri Lanka had been seen as one of the three best countries in the world for growing palm oil. He sought to cultivate palm oil under a buyback agreement for 35 years

In the run up to the 2020 election, even the Election’s Commissioner asked me whether my party was going to get two-thirds. I told him I would be happy to get 130-135 seats instead of 150. That is because absolute power can lead to various other problems. Too much concentration of power is not helpful

Q:President Ranil Wickremesinghe appeared to have declined to entertain your request for a snap General Election. Won’t this lead to a rift between your Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and the President?

I am yet to present this idea to the President formally. When I meet him today, I will do it. I have mooted this idea now. Otherwise everybody is of the opinion that the Presidential Election should be conducted first. However, we won’t leave any room for a rift between the SLPP and the President over this matter.

Q:Again, the Cabinet approved a proposal to draft legislation to change the parliamentary electoral system. Will your party extend support to it?

I cannot commit on it at the moment because we, as a party, are yet to see the proposal. I learnt about it from you only. Let’s see the proposal first and see to it.

Q:How can you say you are not aware of it when the Cabinet comprises some SLPP MPs?

The Cabinet does not comprise mostly of our members. Even our members have not notified us so far.

Q:How are you getting ready for the elections now?

We faced ups and downs. Despite upheavals at times, we re-emerged and managed to stay afloat. We will face the elections with vigor again.

Q: When you met the President last time, what did you actually discuss about the elections?

We did not discuss a single thing about the elections. However, we said that the SLPP, as a party only, should take a decision whether to support the President at future elections. Otherwise individual members of the party should not decide. We also requested the President not to deal with our members individually bypassing the party hierarchy.

Q:Some members who were elected on the SLPP ticket are in touch with the President. For example, the MPs such as Nimal Lanza and Prasanna Ranatunga deal with the President directly bypassing the party. Is that the reason for you to make such a request?

Yes, we cited it as a reason. However, the MPs such as Nimal Lanza have been directly in touch with the President for a long time. They openly supported the President at the parliamentary vote to elect him.
We only said it is always advisable to deal with parties, not their individual members.

Q:A number of reasons affected the collapse of the Gotabaya Rajapaksa Government. Some factors such as the pandemic are beyond your control. Yet, there are some other decisions that led to the downfall of the government. In your view, what was the biggest blunder?

I don’t know. In running a government, there are mistakes being done. Those mistakes lead to adverse results.

Q:I am asking about those reasons. What are they?

There are many. There are economic, political and social reasons. The mere fact that we received an overwhelming majority at the election turned out to be a curse at the end. That is also a reason for our downfall. Absolute power corrupts.

Q:You got a two-thirds majority. When you have such power, you can even change the Constitution. You can do wonders. It is ironic to say that such a majority was harmful to you. Isn’t it?

Whenever a government gets the absolute majority anywhere, it collapses sooner than expected.

Q: How did it happen in Sri Lanka? Did you lose grip on such a large group?

In world history, you find empires that wielded enormous power and authority. Such empires collapsed sooner than expected.

Q: In the current local context, it is convenient for you to pass laws when an absolute majority is there. Isn’t it?

The more members you have the greater the problems you get.

Q:At that time, you bulldozed your way and managed to get the 20th Amendment incorporated into the Constitution. Some people criticise you for it and cite it as the beginning of the end of the government. What is your view?

It is interpreted in different ways by various people. It may be the reason. Or it may not be the reason. Now, there are even more draconian pieces of legislations being enacted. If we had brought such laws, all hell would have broken loose. What would have been the reaction had laws such as Online Safety Act been brought by us? What would have been the scenario had we introduced privatization? What would have been the reaction had we increased VAT (Value Added Tax), electricity tariff and all?

Q:Are you opposed to the Online Safety Act and other laws introduced?

It is not a criticism driven against them. I can only say people would have reacted differently had we introduced them.

Q:Why did you fail to manage public opinion as a party that polled as many as 6.9 million votes?

Actually, our 6.9 million votes got reduced to 6.8 million at the 2020 General Election.

Q:Still, it was large enough to give your party a two-thirds majority in the House?

Such an overwhelming majority only turned out to be a problem for us. In the run up to the 2020 election, even the Election’s Commissioner asked me whether my party was going to get two-thirds. I told him I would be happy to get 130-135 seats instead of 150. That is because absolute power can lead to various other problems. Too much concentration of power is not helpful.

Q:You said that you didn’t read the book authored by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is your elder brother. I know you are a politician who reads a lot. Why didn’t you read this book?

I did not get the book (the one penned by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa) even. I did not bother to find a copy and read. There is no need for me to read his book now because the content has been communicated to me by journalists.

Q:You didn’t get a copy of the book because you lost touch with your brother, right?

We don’t get in each other’s way

Q:What is the role for him in politics now?

He (Gotabaya) is prepared to lead a quiet life devoid of politics. Even I want to live such a life. But I am not left to myself. Now I am an old person.

Q:Are you speaking out your heart?

I am speaking fully with my heart.

Q:You can easily announce it to the party and step down. Why don’t you do it?

I have informed (about my retirement) actually. Still, I am not allowed to quit politics. I don’t hold any responsibility in the government. Also, I don’t hold any post in the party. Still I am not allowed to stay away from politics.

Q: Yet, I noticed even today that some ministers came to meet you. Why do they come to see you if you are a nonentity?

That is the thing. I don’t know.

Q:These days, we see MP Namal Rajapaksa, who is your nephew, travelling across the country meeting people and community leaders. He seems to be preparing for the party leadership. He is clad exactly like his father, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Are you trying to quit making way for him to take over?

There is nothing for me to offer him (Namal). The party will decide at the right time. I don’t hold any position in the party.

Q:It means the SLPP leadership position is cleared for him now?

I can give him (Namal) something if I have any. Otherwise, how can I offer? In history, King Sirisangabo gave away everything including his children. He could do so because he had everything. What can I give Namal? I don’t have anything in the party. Namal should earn it.

Q:How challenging is it for you to sustain the legacy of Mahinda Rajapaksa in his absence one day?

It is an issue for me. In the world, it has always been challenging to fill the vacuum left behind by the absence of a leader with towering personality. We find examples in our own history. It had been challenging for the successors to fill the vacuums created after great kings Dutugemunu and Parakramabahu.
Once a school principal with great, outstanding caliber retires, it is challenging for his successor to live up to expectations. In cricket, once legendary openers retire from the field, others find it difficult to fit in. People always compare newcomers with their predecessors.
I have done politics for more than 50 years. I have never ever faced such a challenging situation. This is the first time I am facing such an uncertain situation. The same goes for the country too.

Q: Earlier you said the absolute majority you got turned out to be a curse at the end. But, public perception is that too much involvement of the family members triggered the downfall. What is your response?

People only elected a number of Rajapaksa family members to Parliament representing districts such as Matara, Hambantota, Moneragala, Kurunegala and all. When you get unlimited power, it becomes a problem.

Q:You mean to say that the involvement of too many Rajapaksa family members also contributed to the failure at the end?

What happened at the end was a concentration of too much power. That is not good.

Q:You cannot put the blame on people for the election defeats of Rajapaksa members. You are the one who gave nominations to all these family members, didn’t you?

We gave nominations to many others too. But, the people have elected whom they wanted.

Q:Who advised Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa to ban chemical farming at a time when there was a looming food crisis?

I don’t know about it. A leader may consult others before making a decision. Once a decision is made, he should take the responsibility.

Q:You are familiar with rural economy and agriculture economy. Didn’t you as a responsible member of the government realise the gravity of such a decision?

When I met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi once, we talked about palm oil cultivation. At that time, the Russia-Ukraine war had started. Ukraine was the key supplier of palm oil to India. Mr. Modi told me that Sri Lanka had been seen as one of the three best countries in the world for growing palm oil. He sought to cultivate palm oil under a buyback agreement for 35 years.
I humbly refused it saying Sri Lanka stopped such cultivation over environmental reasons. Mr. Modi did not counter it. Instead, he changed the topic to sunflower cultivation.
Before making a decision, I can advise the leadership. If the decision is eventually taken, then the leader should take full responsibility.

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No-confidence motion against Speaker defeated in Parliament

The vote on the no-confidence motion against Speaker of the Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, was defeated in the Parliament today (March 21), following a three-day debate.

The Speaker survived the no-confidence motion, moved by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), by a majority of 42 votes.

A total of 117 lawmakers had voted against the motion while 75 voted in favour.

Accordingly, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena will continue to function as the Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.

The third day of the parliamentary debate on the no-confidence motion against the Speaker commenced at 09.30 a.m. this morning.

The parliamentary debate on the no-confidence motion tabled by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) was initially slated to be held for two days, however the Committee on Parliamentary Business later decided for it to be debated for three consecutive days.

The debate commenced in the Parliament on Tuesday (March 19).

The motion brought forth by the opposition against the Speaker was officially handed over to the Deputy General Secretary of Parliament on March 05.

It had been signed by 44 parliamentarians including Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella and MPs Prof. G.L. Peiris, Rohini Kumari Wijeratne, Hesha Vithanage, Mano Ganesan, Rishad Bathiudeen, M.A. Sumanthiran, S.M. Marikkar, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Thalatha Atukorale, Vijitha Herath and Chandima Weerakkody.

The no-confidence motion alleges that the Speaker had ignored the Supreme Court’s recommendations pertaining to Sections 13, 17, 20, 33 (6), 34 (1), 35 (1), 21, 22 and 33 of the Online Safety Bill.

The Speaker is also accused of allowing the third Reading of the Online Safety Bill to be passed without a vote and disregarding the Chief Opposition Whip’s call for a division at the Committee Stage.

Further, the opposition MPs claim that the Speaker had ‘unconstitutionally and unlawfully’ used his decisive vote to affirm the appointment of IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon when the other members of the Constitutional Council were divided on a tie on the matter. It was reported that four members had voted in favour of the appointment while 2 voted against and 2 others abstained. However, considering the 2 abstentions as votes cast against, the Speaker had used his vote as the deciding vote to go ahead with the appointment, they allege.

NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake Heads to Canada to Engage with Diaspora

National People’s Power (NPP) leader, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, is set to depart for Canada today, as confirmed by party sources.

His visit aims to engage with the Sri Lankan diaspora residing in Canada. Dissanayake’s itinerary includes addressing two meetings organized by the NPP Canada Committee on March 23 and 24, along with meetings with the Sri Lankan Muslim and Tamil diaspora communities in Canada.

Sri Lankan Authorities Detain Hindu Worshippers -HRW

Eight Tamil Hindu worshippers arrested by Sri Lankan police while engaging in festival rituals last week were detained for more than 10 days and allegedly abused. A magistrate released them on March 19.

In recent years, Sri Lankan government authorities and nationalist Sinhala Buddhist monks have been targeting Hindu as well as Muslim religious sites in the country’s north and east in violation of the right to freedom of religion and belief, among other basic rights.

The eight were arrested at the Veddukkunaari temple near Vavuniya, a Hindu shrine that Buddhist monks, backed by the government’s Department of Archaeology, say is an ancient Buddhist site. It is one of numerous temple sites in northeastern Sri Lanka claimed by nationalist Buddhist monks, frequently with the support of government agencies and the security forces.

The Vavuniya magistrates court had earlier ruled that the rituals for the festival of Shivaratri, the principal festival day of the god Shiva, could go ahead at Veddukkunaari. However, on the evening of March 8, police arrived and assaulted worshippers, including an opposition member of parliament. Rights activists told Human Rights Watch the detainees said they were beaten in custody, for which the court requested a medical report, and their families denied access to them for the first three days. On March 19, the authorities’ allegations were dismissed at their third court appearance.

Hindu worshippers consider the Veddukkunaari site to be an ancient Hindu shrine. The Archaeology Department had claimed that the worshippers damaged antiquities, while the police contended that arrests were made because small ritual fires posed a hazard. Similar Hindu rituals have been conducted at Veddukkunaari for many years.

Buddhist monks, accompanied by soldiers, had gone to the site in February and said that a shivalingam, a typically stone cylindrical symbol worshiped by Hindus as a representation of Shiva, had recently been installed. Hindu symbols and idols there were damaged and destroyed in 2023, while the military and archaeological officials have been attempting to block Hindu worshipers from the site since at least 2018.

The Sri Lankan government should publicly direct the Department of Archaeology to end its discriminatory interference in Hindu sites and order the police and other security forces to uphold the rights of Hindus and other minority communities.

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