Author: TELO Admin

Mannar in north-western Sri Lanka and Madurai in southern India have been identified as the connecting points of the proposed electricity transmission line between the two countries, a source familiar with the process said.

The detailed report has almost been finalized to be considered by the working group headed by the power secretaries of the two countries.

The grid connectivity has been an idea mooted as far back as 2003, but tangible work has been done only now. The project is envisaged in the joint statement issued after the conclusion of the visit of President Ranil Wickremesinghe in recent times.

According to the source, the total distance of the proposed power line will be 280-300 kilometres unless the identified connecting points are not altered later. The Sri Lankan side has kept both undersea cables and overhead lines optional in the execution of the project.

According to the initial estimate, it is likely to cost more than US $ 400 million.

“This is according to the latest prices which we took into account. It might change later depending on fluctuations. The cost will be higher if undersea cables are used,” he said.

A land mark political development has emerged this week. Based on reports that few weeks ago President Ranil Wickremesinghe (RW) and National Organiser of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Basil Rajapaksa (Basil) discussed the future political agenda, a new situation has emerged. News analysts and some politicians have revealed that a plan is set to abolish the Executive Presidency, and as a result, allow the life of the current parliament to the end of August 2025- the full 5 years it was elected for.

This video has interesting public speeches. Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) of National People’s Power (NPP) revealing a RW plan to abolish the Presidency before the scheduled next Presidential Election in October 2024. The same clip shows a speech by Mahindananda Aluthgamage – SLPP announcing that the next parliamentary election will be in two years.

Let us look at the technicalities. Next Presidential election has to be held before 17 October 2024, and nominations to be called latest in August 2024. Likely Presidential Candidates RW (supported by Pohottuwa and possibly Namal Rajapaksa to be PM), Sajith (SJB) and AKD (NPP), and possibly Dulles Alahapperuma (Freedom People’s Congress- Nidahasa Janatha Sabha). The current public anger against the Rajapaksas and the resignation of Gotabaya and Mahinda during the Aragalaya, places the SLPP at a distinct disadvantage in any coming elections. RW on the other hand and the UNP could not win a single seat at the last election, albeit the one seat allocated free. RW – SLPP Presidential alliance will have a major Challenge. AKD and NPP had a significant public following on their anti- corruption stand and demand for a “revolutionary” political change away from the historical “family” driven politics and overcoming the county bankruptcy. Recent RW tactic to not hold the local elections (saying no funds available) is due to the fear of the AKD-NPP public support. Sajith (SJB) chances also difficult to assess. In a 3 horse or 4 horse race, it is highly likely AKD- NPP has a good chance to win. If a non- RW-SLPP candidate wins, the winner will definitely dissolve the Parliament currently dominated by the SLPP.

On the other hand, if the Presidency is abolished through a 2/3 Parliamentary vote and a public referendum, there will be no Presidency after October 2024. Hence the current parliament would run the full 5 year term ending on 20 August 2025. Current SLPP aligned MPs are fully aware that if RW/SLPP aligned Presidential candidate is defeated in October 2024, the new President will definitely dissolve parliament. If the Presidency is abolished these SLPP aligned MPs will hold the Parliamentary power till August 2025. On the one hand, without a President, SLPP allied parliament will handle the budget and pass voter friendly projects to please the electorate, and hope for a revival of SLPP political chances. Current SLPP Linked MPs are fully aware that if an election is held next October, their chances of re-election as MPs are pretty slim. Additionally, they also know that Sri Lankan voters have a very short memory and given a chance to entice them with roads, jobs, gifts, Samurdhi etc., SLPP political future can be secured. A further factor is, if an AKD-NPP candidate wins, they may start an immediate anti-corruption drive and some current MPs may end up in jail. These are all the reasons to abolish the Presidency and keep their Parliament power till August 2025.

If the covert RW/Basil plan to abolish the Presidency through 2/3 and a referendum goes ahead, it will be difficult for opposition politicians AKD/NPP, Sajith/SJB, SLFP or even Wimal Weerawansa and Tamil and Muslim parties to oppose the move, as almost all have in the past campaigned for the abolition of the Presidential system. AKD/ NPP in the video quoted above responds supportive of the abolition of the Presidential system, but add that they will only support if the abolition referendum is also linked to the dissolution of the parliament at the same time. This is wishful thinking on AKD part. The Parliamentary proposal for the abolition of the Presidency will be drafted and passed by SLPP allied MPs. They would never add the AKD proposed clause to dissolve the Parliament as well. If the referendum to abolish the Presidency comes to vote even the public tired of the current Presidential system would vote to pass it. AKD/NPP, Sajith/ SJB, SLFP and other parties would find it difficult to publicly oppose the referendum. So there is a pretty good chance the abolition referendum will be passed, Presidency abolished in October 2023 and the current Parliament to run the country till August 2025 with the SLPP having a very comfortable majority.

JR Jayewardena (JRJ) was referred to as the cunning fox. He used the massive parliamentary majority to extend parliament by six years in the face of a potential election loss.

There was a political dark side of JRJ political coup through the referendum. He enjoyed power beyond the initial public mandate and used the power to ban the JVP. Rohana Wijeweera that came to mainstream politics after the failed 1971 JVP uprising had to go into hiding. They again took up arms in the late 1980s and terror to fight the regime, as there were no options for a banned party to contest elections. The current AKD/ NPP have chosen a fully democratic path. They were again cheated by RW who blocked the April 23 planned local government election which AKD/NPP were expected to win. Now if through the abolition of the Presidency and allowing the current parliament to go the full term till August 2025, the move would block/delay AKD/NPP plans to come to power.

RW on the other hand can even claim he is a full democrat and was against the Presidential system for some time. He can state though many former Presidents came to power with a promise to abolish the Presidency, after getting power they ignored the pledge, and only he would abolish it. RW can justify his past action to block the April 23 local Government election on grounds of saving costs (no funds to hold the election), more after the abolition of the Presidency. He can claim he saved billions for the future Sri Lankans from totally abolishing Presidential Elections.

A further twist on the Gimmicks side was presented by Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe. He has submitted a Cabinet resolution seeking approval to introduce a new system to elect members to Parliament under a mixed system. According to the resolution, the electorates will return 160 members to the House whereas another 65 seats will be reserved under proportional representation. Such a resolution if passed and implemented through the referendum, it would require the “de-limitation” Commission to come up with the boundaries for the new 160 seats. We have seen the local Government elections getting postponed due to the de-limitation committee delay and parliamentary consensus in defining the new electoral boundaries, which would be accepted by all parties. That could take ages and the current parliament life can be “indefinitely” extended until agreement is reached.

The final word. From the two cunning foxes (RW & BASIL) who would have the last laugh is an open question. RW agreement to abolish the Presidency must be on condition that after Presidency is abolished, SLPP would make RW the Prime Minister till August 2025. What guarantees would RW get on that! How well SLPP would keep such a promise? With SLPP and Namal political ambitions, surely they would discard Ranil to history and appoint Namal as the new Prime Minister.

Sri Lanka’s political circle has gone into a quandary after information has spread that moves are underway to abolish the executive presidency before the Presidential Election next year as no candidate or political party will be able to secure an over 50 percent win at the polls.

The Daily Mirror learns that discussions to this effect have already been held by President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has already drafted a cabinet paper to change the electoral system.

This cabinet paper is part of the step which might eventually lead to a public referendum being called to see if the Executive Presidency should be abolished and Parliament being further strengthened with an executive prime minister.

However the main political parties, after hearing of such moves have already begun holding internal discussions with most of them stating that they will object to such a move when it is raised in Parliament.

The main SLPP is of the view that the Executive Presidency should continue at least till the 2025 General Elections are over as the current government has been elected on a mandate to continue with an executive President. “If this system is to be abolished, then it should be after the 2025 General election once a new government is in place” a top SLPP source told Daily Mirror.

The Daily Mirror learns that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) who have always called for an abolishment of the Executive Presidency will also oppose this move once it is brought to Parliament as the JVP is also of the view that this matter must be raised once a new government is in place after the 2025 General Election. “The next government will come in with the people’s mandate so till then we cannot decide to abolish the Executive Presidency. Any moves before that will be unsuccessful,” a senior JVP MP said.

The main opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya have also begun discussions on the matter and are very likely to oppose it, maintaining the same stance that a new government has to be first elected in the 2025 Parliamentary Election in order to vote for the abolishment of the Executive Presidency.

Meanwhile, according to senior Parliamentarians, rumors are rife that once the cabinet paper on the changes to the electoral reform come through, and if the political environment is right, discussions will be held within the higher circles to call for a public referendum with the President’s consent as it is only the President who can call for a public referendum according to law.

Based on the results of the referendum the matter will then be brought to Parliament to gain a two thirds majority for the abolishment of the Executive Presidency.

If this happens, then the Presidential Election which is expected to be held in November 2024, is likely to be postponed if the necessary amendments are made to the legislation.

Following the economic crisis which erupted in nationwide protests last year, it is unlikely that any political party will gain over 50 percent win in the Presidential or Parliamentary Polls. With the Supreme Court’s recent historical verdict to expel Nazeer Ahamed after he left the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and accepted the post of Environment Minister in the government, the Daily Mirror learns that the SLPP is getting ready to file court cases against those who left the government and are now seated in the opposition. If the court rules in favor of the SLPP, then at least four MPs are likely to lose their seats with the SLPP being able to fill it in with their members.

With 2024 and 2025 being crucial years for Sri Lanka with the Presidential and Parliamentary polls, it is now to be seen if the information spreading among the political circles is implemented with the executive presidency being abolished in the coming months. Only time will tell.

The National Catholic Committee for Justice to Easter Sunday Attack Victims has expressed that it does not seem like the President and his government, who assumed power through the Aragalaya, have genuinely endeavored to conduct an impartial and transparent investigation into the Easter Sunday attacks.

The National Catholic Committee for Justice to Easter Sunday Attack Victims on October 9 had directed a letter to the President, requesting a fair, independent, and transparent investigation into the Easter Sunday attacks.

This committee includes prominent figures such as His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, along with Bishops of Kurunegala, Kandy, Galle, and three Assistant Bishops of Colombo.

Additionally, the committee comprises several judicial and regional religious leaders, as well as prominent legal figures such as Rienzie Arsecularatne, Neville Abeyratne, and Shamil Perera.

The letter addressed to the President bears the signatures of all these individuals.

In the letter, the committee emphasizes that if the President genuinely seeks justice for the victims, he should rectify unfair transfers within the Criminal Investigation Department and resume investigations from where they left off.

They contend that the current actions are shielding criminals and suppressing the larger conspiracy behind this tragic event.

Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando told reporters that over 20 officers of the Criminal Investigation Department were transferred to various parts of Sri Lanka, and following these reassignments, no suspects have been apprehended or brought to court in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks.

He said, “We firmly believe and assert that this represents a malicious endeavor to obstruct a thorough investigation into the Easter attacks, conceal the truth, and shield those responsible for this atrocity.”

He said that the National Catholic Committee for Justice to Easter Sunday Attack Victims views it as an effort to conceal the facts behind this tragic event.

The National Catholic Committee for Justice to Easter Sunday Attack Victims highlighted several critical issues in their letter to the President.

These concerns have emerged after a careful examination of documents, including the presidential commission report on the Easter attacks and former CID director Shani Abeysekera’s fundamental rights petition.

One significant point is the involvement of the FBI, which provided an IP address linked to frequent communication with Zaharan.

However, the Ministry of Public Security, under the Director of Military Intelligence at the time, hindered questioning when the person was arrested.

They also raised the issue of a person known as Sonic Sonic, who had contact with Zaharan, revealed to be a police inspector named Bandara.

This officer allegedly forced ISIS, through Podi Zaharan, to claim responsibility for the attack.

Another concern pertains to an individual code-named Abuhind, closely associated with Zaharan.

Investigations revealed that Abuhind was not an organization but an individual from a neighboring country.

Hadiya, Zaharan’s wife, disclosed in her testimony to the Presidential Commission that Zaharan conversed with Abuhind over the phone from India, speaking in a Dravidian language since 2018.

The letter also mentions Jameel, the attacker in Dehiwala, who received a phone call before the attack. Military intelligence had prior knowledge of his connection to the National Tawheed Jamaat but did not share this information with the CID.

The DNA tests were conducted on the wife of the perpetrators of the St. Sebastian’s Church attack.

The National Catholic Committee for Justice to Easter Sunday Attack Victims has included several proposals in their letter to the President regarding the revelations brought to light by the Channel 4 report program on these matters.

Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said, “We have absolutely no confidence that a parliamentary select committee appointed by the parliament or a committee led by a retired judge appointed by the President will conduct these investigations impartially and honestly.”

He added, “Most of the recommendations put forth by the Presidential Investigation Commission have not been implemented. Therefore, we call upon the President to take immediate action to implement all these recommendations.”

A new rift is emerging in the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) as some MPs begin to openly oppose President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Senior SLPP MPs who have not been given Cabinet portfolios have even threatened to vote against the budget next month.

However, SLPP MP S.M Chandrasena insisted that the SLPP will not attempt to topple the Government of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

He admitted that a number of SLPP MPs were unhappy with the President, especially as they feel they have been sidelined by Wickremesinghe.

Chandrasena, however, said that the disgruntled MPs will not attempt to topple the Government.

The hearing of testimony for the prosecution, in the case filed against 25 accused, including Naufer Moulavi, who have been charged with the explosion of bombs targeting Catholic Churches and star class hotels, on Easter Sunday (21 April 2019) and conspiracy to set off bombs, commenced before the Trial-at- Bar of the Colombo High Court, yesterday.

The High Court Bench comprised Judges Damith Thotawatta, Amal Ranaraja and Navaratne Marasinghe. ASG Haripriya Jayasundera, prosecuted on behalf of the Attorney General’s Department.

Before the commencement of the hearing of testimony, ASG Jayasundera delivered the opening statement and she requested the Court to mete out justice on behalf of the scores of victims, of the Easter Sunday carnage.

She then noted that during the hearing of testimony, the prosecution would seek to explain to the Court, the manner in which the 25 accused had spread extremist views across the country, prior to the blasts, along with how they had coaxed certain people to take part in the suicide blasts, the way in which they had gathered and collected explosives and how the carnage, had been planned meticulously.

ASG Jayasundera then stated that the prosecution will also be submitting to Court, statements that had been recorded from the 25 accused, as per Provisions of the PTA and the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, CCTV Camera Footage, along with evidence from specialists.

The prosecution informed the Bench, that in the aftermath of the carnage, the Attorney General, at the time, had filed charges against the 25 accused, before the High Court, on 10 August, 2021.

She further added that upon the demise of the 17th defendant in the trial, the prosecution had amended the charge sheet, filed against the defendants and that to date charges were being sustained against 24 of the accused.

Ishanka Hansamali, who had worked as a receptionist at the restaurant, ‘Table 1’ at Shangri-La Hotel and who had been named as the 943rd witness to the prosecution, then testified.

She mentioned that on the day, which was Easter Sunday, special cuisine had been put on display at the restaurant for both locals and tourists alike and observed that at around 10.15 a.m., the loud noise of an explosion had been heard, from the side of the restaurant.

The witness explained that the restaurant, where she had been stationed, had been separated into four sections called A, B, C and D and that the first explosion, had taken place between the C and D sections.

She added that after the first explosion, the people had begun to run helter-skelter having become afraid for their lives and that a second explosion had then taken place near the lift of the restaurant.

After that, the prosecution showed the witness, four photos and she then identified Zahran Hashim, who was in one of the photos and stated that on the day of the incident he had been behind her and that she had not known him as Zahran, at the time.

Later, further hearing of testimony was put off to today, (11) and the prosecution informed the Court, that they will be submitting CCTV Camera Footage, captured from the hotel premises, as evidence.

The Court had also summoned DIG P. Ampawila and Chief Inspector Saman Perera, to testify for the prosecution and the judges advised them to be present to give evidence, when noticed again.