Author: TELO Admin

New rift emerging in SLPP as some MPs oppose Ranil

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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.

5000 days later, Sandya still awaits truth and justice…By Kamanthi Wickrasinghema

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A cartoon of a politician removing the eyes off the common man caught the attention of the writer amidst many other black and white cartoons mounted on the walls of veteran cartoonist and journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda’s house. For October 4, 2023 it has been 5000 days since he had been reported missing. His spouse, Sandya Ekneligoda, like any other loved one of a person who had been subjected to an enforced disappearance had been demanding justice since day one. From protest marches and campaigns to solo protests, Mrs. Ekneligoda continues her struggle to find her beloved husband. This time, their home has been transformed into an exhibition of sorts; his computer, floppy disks, pens and pencils lay idle in an enclosed container and a collection of Prageeth’s most satirical cartoons have been mounted on the walls, for visitors to admire.

A long quest for justice

For families of persons subjected to enforced disappearances, justice has been like a feather in the wind, a feather that is blown away by changing political winds over successive regimes. Since January 24, 2010, the day Prageeth was reported missing, Mrs. Ekneligoda had been openly accusing the Rajapaksa family for the abduction. Having languished in police stations and local courts, Sandya’s quest for justice landed her at The Hague Tribunal as well. But in 2022, she took a different approach, abandoning her white saree which was worn as a sign of mourning, shaving her head and seeking divine intervention.

When Gotabaya Rajapaksa assumed duties as President in 2019, Sandya delivered a missive containing a traditional ‘vas kaviya’ – a poem titled ‘Naga Sandeshaya’ wishing for the destruction of enemies at the Modara Sri Maha Badra Kali Amman Kovil on January 24, 2022. The missive appeared to have written by Goddess Paththini to Goddess Kali calling for the destruction of the Rajapaksa’s and those who were responsible for Prageeth’s abduction. Coincidentally or otherwise, several months later, a massive people’s protest was staged against the Gotabaya Rajapaksa regime demanding him to resign as people battled with multiple crises.

Justice denied ?

Justice through judicial means have failed Sandya on numerous occasions. Suspects who were arrested in connection to the case have already been bailed out. Apart from the appreciations, Sandya and her two sons have been threatened on numerous occasions as well. “The biggest threat I received back in 2010 was that people claimed that I didn’t cry,” said Mrs. Ekneligoda in an interview with the Daily Mirror. “Then in 2012 people blamed me for wearing a smile because they were of the view that I should be weeping since my husband is missing. I have heard a media minister claiming that he has no evidence to determine that Prageeth is a journalist. Then a senior Attorney General at the time claimed that he saw Prageeth during an overseas tour. But when he was summoned to courts he says he doesn’t have sufficient evidence to prove his claim and that ‘God only knows where Prageeth is’. Another minister at the time claimed that he had seen Prageeth in France. But things took a drastic turn after 2015 where the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was appointed to probe the incident. Eventually Prageeth was labelled as an LTTE sympathizer and that he plotted against the Rajapaksa’s and the entire investigation process became a mess. I continued to face humiliation. Things escalated to a point where some even made remarks to the effect that they would kill my sons and would give me their flesh.”

Speaking about the cases filed Mrs. Ekneligoda claims that the judicial process has been hindered due to various political interventions. “When the case was heard in May this year, neither the judge nor the representative of the Attorney General’s Department or the usual CID officer were present. The judge was asking me to look for the prosecution party. I was appalled because my lawyer too was absent. Based on my experiences, the court officials usually ring the officials who should be appearing for the case and remind them to be present. But nothing of that sort happened that day and I was shocked.”

Sandya observes that things haven’t changed even though the Rajapaksas have been ousted. “Witnesses continue to be pressured”

She had already written to the Chief Justice requesting an explanation as to why a judge who has connections to the military was appointed to hear the case. “But I still haven’t heard from him. The Attorney General’s Department claims that the judge’s service has been terminated. As such a new judge is now hearing the case,” she said while adding that if the government has been accused of a criminal case, the least they could do is to turn up at a court proceeding and present their evidence as it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that justice is served to victims.

In Sri Lanka, most criminals evade crimes as a result of impunity and therefore justice is a rocky road ahead. “A case is handed over to the trial-at-bar to complete proceedings as soon as possible,” she explained. “There was a senior panel of judges when the case was first heard and I had a lot of hopes. But today, none of these judges are hearing the case as they have either resigned or have been transferred to higher courts. Had they remained, the verdict would have already been delivered a long time ago.”

However, Sandya observes that things haven’t changed even though the Rajapaksas have been ousted.“Witnesses continue to be pressured. But at the time Prageeth went missing, the incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe was the Opposition Leader. The following day he even called me and said that he would help me find Prageeth. So he still has a chance to serve justice to Prageeth.”

At the time Prageeth went missing, the incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe was the Opposition Leader. The following day he even called me and said that he would help me find Prageeth. So he still has a chance to serve justice to Prageeth”

Down memory lane

At the backyard of the Ekneligoda abode, a long white cloth provides the backdrop for numerous postcards and letters that Sandya had received in appreciation of her struggle from far and wide. A young Kohomba tree adds more emotion to the entire narrative. According to Sandya, Prageeth used to have his meals in the backyard and he would throw away the leftovers to a particular corner of the backyard. These leftovers would eventually become meals to several dogs in the neighbourhood. Today, a Kohomba tree which Sandya claims had grown naturally indicates the place where the leftovers of Prageeth’s meals were once thrown.

Govt. finally allows Chinese ship visit

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Chinese research vessel Shi Yan 6 would arrive in Sri Lanka in late November, Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Sabry said on Monday (09). The Foreign Ministry had granted approval for the arrival of the ship, he added.

“The ship is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka on 25 November. Initially, they wanted to come in October. We asked them to come in November. They again asked if they could come in late October. We have maintained our position that they must come in late November. This is the situation, now.”

The Minister said that the Sri Lankan government had a lot on its hands now and that it needed to marshal all its resources to deal with the sensitive issues pertaining to the Chinese ship visit.

“We held an international conference of environmental ministers last week. We will have an IORA meeting this week, and we have to accommodate representatives of 34 countries. President Ranil Wickremesinghe will go to China next week. Then a French delegation will be here. We have requested the Chinese to come thereafter,” the Foreign Minister said, adding that there was a lot of pressure from India and several other parties.

“We can’t deny there is pressure from multiple sides. This is a complex matter, given geopolitics. There will be controversies within and outside Sri Lanka. We need to be ready to deal with these pressures. We need to have all the resources at our disposal.”

Minister Sabry said there is a struggle among major powers. Sri Lanka sits at a strategic location in the Indian Ocean.

“We need to balance everything. This is not easy. We need to maintain good relations with everyone involved.”

China has been a friend of Sri Lanka, and relations with the middle kingdom are extremely important to Sri Lanka, Minister Sabry said.

“We have not changed our stance. We have given them a date.”

India views the arrival of Chinese ships from a different angle, he said.

“Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike before the the UN General Assembly, in 1964, said that the Indian Ocean and the skies above it would be declared a Zone of Peace. This is what we want. We won’t do anything that violates the peace in the Indian Ocean. We have tough choices, and we have to make the best decisions for the country.”

Minister Sabry said that as a sovereign nation, Sri Lanka could decide whether to allow a vessel to enter one of its ports, and discussions with the Chinese were based on that.

The Minister, however, refused to divulge whether Indian officials had directly reached out to him and expressed disapproval for allowing the Chinese research vessel to arrive.

“We can’t reveal everything. China is a close friend. We have repeatedly said we will not discriminate against China for any reason. India is also important to us. They helped us greatly last year. The West is also important to us because 80 percent of our exports go there. I don’t make decisions on my own. We all talk and decide what the best course of action is.”

Minister Sabry also said that the Foreign Ministry has not in any way influenced academics from Ruhuna University to be involved with Shi Yan 6. Initially, it was reported that academics from Ruhuna University would board the ship. However, last week, Prof. Disna Ratnasekera of the China Sri Lanka Joint Centre for Education and Research (CSL-CER) of the University of Ruhuna told the media that they were not involved with the research carried out by the vessel.

“We have not told the university anything. The decision was probably taken by the university,” he said

However, the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) Chairman Prof. Jayantha Wijeyaratne said NARA was involved in the research carried out by the ship and that geophysical and seismic survey vessel Shi Yan 6 would be in the possession of NARA and that those data will be considered property of the Sri Lankan government. Prof. Wijeyaratne said NARA would mainly focus on research related to the quality of water, not the seabed.

Minister Sabry added that Victoria Nuland, Acting United States Deputy Secretary of State, had not informed him that the US was disappointed that Sri Lanka had granted permission for the Chinese research vessel to come.

“China, India, and the US have a big power rivalry going. There are a lot of suspicions. They worry that other countries are collecting information about them. We don’t want to get involved with any of this.”

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Easter attacks trial prosecution testimony commences

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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.

Abolition of executive presidency should be tied to early general election – Opposition

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The Opposition is agreeable for the abolition of the executive presidency if parliamentary election could be held instead, top Opposition spokesperson Prof. G.L. Pieris said.

The former External Affairs Minister mentioned this when The Island asked whether the rebel SLPP group, styled as Nidahas Janatha Sabhawa, would seek a consensus with Opposition parties in that regard.

The presidential election is scheduled to be conducted by October next year and the parliamentary poll the following year.

Prof. Peiris said the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the JVP agreed that the abolition of the executive presidency and the next Parliamentary elections should be held simultaneously. “This is a very clear and emphatic stand.”

Prof. Peiris ruled out any agreement on the postponement of the presidential election, under any circumstances. Responding to another query, the top academic said that in terms of the Constitution President Ranil Wickremesinghe could call a general election any time after completion of half of the five-year term of a Parliament.

If the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government was genuinely interested in pursuing that option, the issues could be discussed and agreement reached on a formula acceptable to all to advance the general election and the simultaneous abolition of the executive presidency, the National List MP said.

The ex-Minister said that Wajira Abeywardena, in his capacity as lawmaker and Chairman of the UNP, recently called for the postponement of the presidential election on the basis the government lacked sufficient funds to meet basic public needs if funds were diverted for the conducting of the presidential poll.

Prof. Peiris asked the SLPP to disclose its stand on the UNP’s move. Having elected the UNP leader as the President, the SLPP couldn’t remain silent as the executive sought to deprive the people of their franchise, Prof. Peiris said.

“The bottom line is that MP Abeywardena wouldn’t have said so unless the top management decided on a particular strategy,” MP Pieris said, urging the government to accept their challenge.

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the government seemed to be thinking of postponing presidential polls on some pretext till the parliamentary polls next year. Lawmaker Dissanayake, too, said that the abolition of executive presidency should be tied to having parliamentary polls.

Meanwhile, addressing the media at the rebel SLPP group’s Nawala Office on Monday (09), Prof. Peiris alleged that the so-called Online Safety Bill and the new Anti-Terrorism Law were meant to create an environment conducive for the government to contest whatever national election. Describing them as political tools, Prof. Peiris warned against moves to suppress political dissent. The ex-Minister vowed to press ahead with their campaign to have the long overdue Provincial Councils and Local Government polls.

Prof. Peiris said that the government should be ashamed over its failure to name a new IGP before the second extension granted to C.D. Wickremaratne expired on Monday (09) at a time the underworld was on a killing spree. The internationally renowned academic questioned the failure on the part of the President to pick a suitable person to head the Department amidst deepening turmoil.

The academic alleged that the government was obviously much more determined to suppress the parliamentary Opposition than eliminating the underworld. Almost daily shootings in Colombo, its suburbs and provinces indicated that law enforcement was on the verge of collapse while various government spokesmen boasted, both here and abroad, of what they were capable of.

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Ali Zahir Moulana appointed to Nazeer Ahmed’s vacant MP seat

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Ali Zahir Moulana Seiyad of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has been appointed as a Member of Parliament for the Batticaloa electoral district, by way of an Extraordinary Gazette notification.

The Election Commission of Sri Lanka on Wednesday (11 Oct.) issued an Extraordinary Gazette notification, announcing Moulana’s appointment to the post, following the disqualification of former minister Ahamed Zainulabdeen Nazeer’s parliamentary seat.

The Secretary General of Parliament has informed the Election Commission, under Section 64 (1) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, that a vacancy has occurred in the membership of the Ninth Parliament by reason of Mr. Ahamed Zainulabdeen Nazeer ceasing to be a Member of Parliament.

The Gazette states that the Returning Officer, for the said Electoral District was directed by the Election Commission under Section 64(1) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981 to fill this vacancy as provided for under paragraph 13 (b) of Article 99 of the Constitution.

Accordingly, the Returning Officer has made a return to the effect that Mr. Ali Zahir Moulana Seiyad was declared elected as a Member of Parliament for the said Electoral District and has submitted the report to the Election Commission, the gazette stated.

Taking to ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter) in this regard, Ali Zahir Moulana said “This judgement sets a critical precedent to the political establishment – strengthening the ideologies & principles of political parties, fortifying the doctrines of maintaining a civilized, orderly democracy & most importantly consolidating the absoluteness of our Constitution”.

The former State Minister, who is a senior member of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), had previously served as a Batticaloa District MP under the United National Party (UNP).

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Sri Lanka’s projections not in IMF World Economic Outlook; Full Recovery still NOT assured

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The much awaited World Economic Outlook of the International Monetary Fund will be released on Tuesday (10).

However, Sri Lanka’s projections for 2023–28 are excluded from publication owing to ongoing discussions on sovereign debt restructuring.

The analysis and projections contained in the World Economic Outlook are integral elements of the IMF’s surveillance of economic developments and policies in its member countries, of developments in international financial markets, and of the global economic systems.

“In a more global perspective, Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, Economic Counselor and Director of the Research Department, IMF stressed that structural reforms at the right time are key, and the first generation of reforms will help unlock more growth based reforms.

On Sri Lanka, Daniel Leigh, Division Chief, Research Department, IMF pointed out that Sri Lanka must continue with its sustained reforms, and current reforms have started to bear fruit.

He went on to note that despite securing some degree of stability, full recovery for Sri Lanka is still not assured.

At the same time, the World Economic Outlook of the International Monetary Fund reports that the baseline forecast is for global growth to slow from 3.5 percent in 2022 to 3.0 percent in 2023 and 2.9 percent in 2024, well below the historical (2000–19) average of 3.8 percent.

Advanced economies are expected to slow from 2.6 percent in 2022 to 1.5 percent in 2023 and 1.4 percent in 2024 as policy tightening starts to bite.

Emerging market and developing economies are projected to have a modest decline in growth from 4.1 percent in 2022 to 4.0 percent in both 2023 and 2024. Global inflation is forecast to decline steadily, from 8.7 percent in 2022 to 6.9 percent in 2023 and 5.8 percent in 2024, due to tighter monetary policy aided by lower international commodity prices.

Core inflation is generally projected to decline more gradually, and inflation is not expected to return to target until 2025 in most cases.

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Another IMF team to visit Sri Lanka next week

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Another team from the International Monetary Fund is expected to visit Sri Lanka next week.

Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said the team will hold extensive discussions on the second tranche of the Extended Fund Facility for Sri Lanka.

The discussions will focus on the country’s tax policy and other economic factors.

He said that officials are hoping to reach a final decision on the matter later next week.

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London Stock Exchange listed company hails Sri Lanka court ruling

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A London Stock Exchange listed company has welcomed the court ruling against Sri Lanka’s Environment Minister Naseer Ahamad.

Capital Metals (AIM: CMET), a mineral sands company approaching mine development stage at the high-grade Eastern Minerals Project in Sri Lanka said it was to note that the Supreme Court in Sri Lanka has determined a decision by the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress to expel Minister Naseer Ahamad from its party membership to be legally valid.

As a result of his expulsion, Ahamad has lost his parliamentary seat and therefore his position as Minister of Environment with responsibility for the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (“GSMB”).

Ahamad and the Chairman of the GSMB, whom the Minister appointed to the position, were named by the Company as respondents in the Company’s legal proceedings instituted in the Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka, seeking the intervention of the Court in respect of the notice of cancellation of the Company’s Industrial Mining Licences (“IMLs”) issued by the GSMB.

As previously announced, the conduct of Ahamad and the Chairman of the GSMB is also under scrutiny from the Committee on Public Enterprises in Sri Lanka which has appointed an independent sub-committee to investigate misappropriation, as has been widely reported in Sri Lankan media.

“This is a positive development resulting in the removal from office of the minister we believe to be primarily responsible for the illegal interference with our licences. This, together with the recently approved change in mineral licensing procedures, which transfers certain responsibilities to the Board of Investment, should bode well for our situation but also more generally for the country as it takes steps to improve governance,” Greg Martyr, Executive Chairman of Capital Metals plc said.

He says his company continues to await the outcome of their statutory appeal against the attempted cancellation of their licences which was heard by the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment two weeks ago and are confident of a positive outcome.

Capital Metals plc is a British company listed on the AIM segment of the London Stock Exchange and one of only a few foreign investors in Sri Lanka’s mining industry.

After investing US$11 million in exploration and development activities including detailed environmental assessments between 2017 and 2022, the Company’s Sri Lankan subsidiary, Damsila Exports (Pvt) Limited, was issued an initial two licences in August 2022 to mine heavy mineral sands in the Eastern Province, containing industrial minerals including ilmenite, rutile, zircon, and garnet.

SJB will not support electoral reforms: Marikkar

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The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today said it will not support the proposed parliamentary electoral system.

SJB’s official spokesman and Member of Parliament S.M. Marikkar came up with this remark in response to a report stating that Minister of Justice Wijedasa Rajapaksha is to submit a Cabinet Paper to amend the parliamentary electoral system.

“The Government obviously needs the Opposition’s support to get the legislation approved in Parliament. We, the SJB will never support the electoral amendment as it is a trick by the government to postpone the general elections,” Marikkar said.

“The Government can only postpone the general elections as there is no legal provisions to postpone the Presidential election. President Ranil Wickremesinghe is going to play J.R. Jayewardene by trying to postpone the general elections. Late Jayewardene contested the Presidential election and then held the referendum to postpone the general election. Wickremesinghe is also trying to play a somewhat similar game,” he added.

“The SLPP should be aware of these tactics of President Wickremesinghe,” he also said.