The Senior Vice Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Prof. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa claimed that the President has pressured Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, to resign from the government.
He alleged that Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe revealed this during a politburo meeting.
However, when inquired by Ada Derana, Minister Rajapakshe said that the statement made by Prof. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa is untrue.
Sri Lanka will go for the island nation’s 8th presidential poll to elect a new leader for the next five years later this year between September 17 and October 16.
The election comes two years after President Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected as the 8th leader of the country through the parliament in an unprecedented manner after his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country fearing for his life in July 2022 amid mass protests across the country following an economic crisis.
Wickremesinghe, since then, had to implement a raft of hard economic reforms committed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) including tax hikes, and new laws to ensure the economic recovery under an IMF programme.
Wickremesinghe’s policies have started to help the economic recovery at the expense of his popularity in a nation where there is already confusion and division about right or wrong economic policies. They elect leaders based on unproven campaign promises for short term benefits, where the longer term effects are not initially evident.
Here are five key political risks the island nation is facing ahead of the upcoming presidential polls:
Economic Stability:
Sri Lanka still faces significant economic challenges despite Wickremesinghe government’s gains through IMF-led policy reforms. It has returned to positive economic growth, lower single digit inflation, primary surplus in current account, and higher tax revenue due to tough policies under IMF.
The central bank going against the usual ‘overvalued currency’ claims of the IMF has allowed the rupee to appreciate, bringing some benefits of stability to the people.
But the island nation has yet to complete external debt restructuring formally with both bilateral and private commercial creditors/sovereign bond holders.
Sri Lanka has a bad reputation of policy inconsistency from one government to another and sometimes within the same government in the past mainly to sustain electoral wins.
Still the island nation’s political leaders are struggling to agree on key policies. Opposition parties have publicly said they want to amend commitments Wickremesinghe’s government has agreed with the IMF while there are contradictions over the current government policies within the coalition partners of the government. Such undecided policies could impact external creditors and new investors. Wickremesinghe is trying ensure policy stability through parliament approvals such as the proposed Economic Transformation Act.
Inconsistent policies could hit economic stability as well as the ability to seek external funding as well as investments for future economic development.
Another economic crisis could lead to more social unrest and political instability.
Geopolitical Influences:
Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean makes it a focal point in regional geopolitics, with competing influences from major powers like India and China. That could impact domestic political stability.
Under Wickremesinghe, China has been maintaining a lower profile though it has won crucial deals like Sinopec fuel distributor stations and a the rights to build a massive refinery in the deep Southern port district of Hambantota with their own funds.
India, on the other hand, has been very active in the island nation’s politics and economic recovery. India helped with large loans without an IMF program while other countries halted loans after default.
However, many political analysts and legislators who see unprecedented Indian influence in a number of Sri Lanka’s strategic policies including defence, energy, and economy fear the re-kindling of dormant anti-Indian sentiment. LL
Some political analysts see India as a key strategic partner on one hand and a spoiler on the other hand for its role in intervening in some crucial domestic policies.
The current government leaders have acknowledged the Indian concerns over the regional security against high Chinese influence in the past.
However, they say, India’s hard push for some projects has left the government in difficulties while others have also has unclear terms. These projects include Adani’s renewable energy projects, unique identity card deal funded by India, and key connectivity projects like electricity grids, along with gas and oil pipelines between the two neighbours. India is also pushing to take control of one of the world’s most strategic natural ports in the Eastern port district of Trincomalee on a long term lease similar to China got the Hambantota port in 2017.
These projects, which could be beneficial for the country, are likely to face delays because of the hard push by India and protests by Sri Lankans, government officials say. India, however, has denied claims of intervention and its hard push for projects.
On the other hand, senior government officials say, Beijing has been irritating India through sending its research ships to Sri Lanka time to time for port calls. On repeated strong Indian protests, Sri Lanka banned Chinese research vessels coming to Colombo for research purposes in 2023 for one year. India argues such ships could compromise its and the India Ocean’s security. Some Sri Lanka cabinet ministers say Sri Lanka can’t stop Chinese research ships if they come for port calls.
Recovering from the unprecedented economic crisis, Sri Lanka cannot antagonise either India or China along with other strategic international partners like the United States, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, European Union countries, and Iran.
Any future government will be compelled to navigate through the concerns of these international partners when dealing with strategic investment policies. The island nation’s current simple non-aligned foreign policy may not be adequate for such navigations, they say.
Wickremesinghe’s administration has handled such concerns with compromises and political instability could arise if a future government deviate from the current stance, analysts say.
Governance and Corruption:
Concerns persist about governance issues, corruption, and lack of transparency, which erode public trust in institutions and could lead to protests or political instability. One of the key demands of millions of 2022 protestors who forced former leader Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country was to deal with corruption.
They have articulated that past corruption led to the economic crisis in 2022. They have demanded strong actions against those corrupt leaders and bureaucrats and to recover stolen assets owned by them both within and outside Sri Lanka.
Wickremesinghe’s government has come up with Anti-Corruption Act and proposed a strong Proceeds of Crime bill. However, the public perception on the deep rooted corruption has not changed. If Sri Lankan policy makers delay the implementation of corruption-busting policies and punish those involved in past corrupt deals further, it could contribute to instability and public disenchantment of ruling governments.
Concerns over Human Rights/Economic Crimes:
The country’s human rights record, particularly concerning allegations of war crimes and accountability issues related to the civil war, remains a contentious issue both domestically and internationally.
Sri Lanka has taken baby steps to address the past allegations of human rights abuses. These steps include setting up offices to deal with missing people and reparation. However, victims and immediate family members say the government is not doing enough.
Many political leaders still believe demand for accountability on the human rights could disappear with time. Instead, the island nation’s political leaders, military officials, and bureaucrats are still facing sanctions like travel bans from third countries.
Already a new report from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has recommended targeted sanctions on officials responsible for disappearances in Sri Lanka since 1970 and has called for justice outside the country for the families of victims.
A limited number of Western nations have already imposed targeted sanctions, including travel bans for some Sri Lankan political and military leaders, after finding credible information about human rights violations. The United States has imposed a travel ban on former Army Chief Shavendra Silva and his immediate family members, former Navy chief Wasantha Karannagoda, and some others citing human rights violations. Canada last year announced financial sanctions to freeze the assets of former Sri Lankan presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa citing rights abuses. This list is expected to expand with Sri Lanka’s denial of addressing the past rights allegations.
The OHCHR has urged the international community to engage with Sri Lanka due to an accountability gap at the domestic level with victims urging prosecution in a third State due to “widespread impunity in Sri Lanka.” With the alleged economic crimes, some new actions including asset freezing are expected in the near future, global analysts say.
The 2022 economic crisis also has also renewed interest Sri Lanka’s international partners on whether assets were bought from money siphoned off through corrupt deals. International analysts say Sri Lankans who are alleged to have misappropriated public funds and properties may also face questioning on the assets owned by them in other countries in future.
The key concern has been most of the alleged human rights violators and economic criminals are yet to face any local investigation or law suit. President Wickremesinghe has been accused of protecting miscreants though he has pledged that he will act according to the law and is strengthening an anti-corruption body including through an IMF program. Those involved in corruption could become a liability for any government in the future unless they are cleared by an independent judiciary. Having such accused could bring some elements of political instability and public unrest.
Political uncertainty:
Sri Lanka is facing uncertainty due to risks involved with possible policy changes after the presidential poll.
President Wickremesinghe has been constrained by a lack of a people’s mandate though his election as the president in the parliament is constitutional. He became the president while his party had only one seat in the 225-member legislature. He is being backed by former President Rajapaksa-led nationalist Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) which people wanted to oust for its wrong economic policies.
Opposition parties are divided and polarised while political analysts predict no clear winner in the upcoming presidential poll as of now.
Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, the leader of Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) has gained popularity according to some surveys followed by the main opposition leader Sajith Premadasa.
Analysts say Dissanayaka’s popularity comes mainly from his eloquent critique of corruption under successive governments and promises to act on wrong doers. But there are some concerns over the Marxist leader running an effective government if he wins the poll as he and his party have zero experience in formulating and delivering policies.
Premadasa has been trying to win people by impressing them with his Japanese language and sports skills among many others. Analysts say Premadasa is benefiting form father former leader Ranasinghe Premadasa and anti-incumbency stance by the public. Premadasa, analysts say, also has little experience in handling a crisis-hit economy. Premadasa was the deputy party leader Wickremesinghe’s UNP until he broke away from it and started Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) as an alternative. Moves to iron out differences between Wickremasinghe and Premadasa have yet to see success.
Wickremesinghe, whose party has only one member in the parliament, is planning to contest under a broader independent coalition, according to some insiders in the expectation that it could allow most current and the past legislators to back him despite ideological differences their parties have.
There is no clear survey or polls to suggest who will be the likely winner at the moment. Wickremesinghe’s popularity has been on the rise among the public in the last two months, but Dissanayaka and Premadasa are ahead of him, analysts say.
These factors collectively contribute to a complex political landscape in Sri Lanka, influencing both domestic governance and international relations.
The Election Commission has announced that any defects in ballot boxes will be rectified once polling station details are obtained.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Election Commission chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake said many damaged ballot boxes used in previous elections have been identified and will be sent to the Government Gactory for repairs.
Ratnayake also stated that a census of officers will be conducted soon in preparation for the upcoming election.
He also plans to meet with local election monitoring organizations next week to discuss further arrangements.
The Commission earlier announced that the election will be held during the period from between September 17 and October 16.
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP), will uphold the existing Provincial Council system, but does not view them as a definite solution for the ethnic issue in Sri Lanka, NPP Executive Committee Member Sunil Handunnetti said yesterday (17).
This, days after NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake asserted that the Provincial Council (PC) system will remain unchanged under a government led by them in the future.
Last week, speaking at an event in London, Dissanayake reiterated the NPP’s stance that the Provincial Council system, while currently upheld, is not viewed as a definitive solution to the country’s national issues. He highlighted concerns from Tamil and Muslim communities, emphasising their belief that the Provincial Councils represent hard-won rights and any move to dismantle them could lead to unnecessary complications.
Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (16), Handunnetti noted further that the NPP will continue the PC system but believe that it is not a lasting solution. He also said that their policy is to continue the PC system in the current form until a lasting solution is identified.
Outlining the party’s approach to maintaining stability while seeking more permanent resolutions, Handunnetti said the entire party holds the same opinion when it comes to the devolution of power. “It is the opinion of our party that the Provincial Council system should be upheld as a means to devolve power and foster inclusivity within the existing framework,” Handunnetti asserted.
Handunnetti emphasised the NPP’s commitment to strengthening the Provincial Council system to ensure effective decentralisation of authority.
The Provincial Council system in Sri Lanka, established in 1987 under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution following Indian influence, has been a subject of debate and contention among various political factions. While some advocate for its enhancement as a tool for regional autonomy and ethnic harmony, others critique its efficacy and call for alternative models of governance to replace it. The 13th amendment, while being part of Legislation for over 30 years, remains a deeply divisive topic in Sri Lankan politics.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday met with Most Rev. Dr. Fidelis Lionel Emmanuel Fernando, the Bishop of Mannar, Diocese of Mannar at the Mannar Bishops House.
The Bishop of Mannar commended President Ranil Wickremesinghe for his economic reform efforts aimed at rescuing the country from its financial crisis. During their meeting, they also discussed future development plans for the Mannar district.
Key topics included the development of Point Pedro and Mullaitivu as renewable energy hubs. Emphasis was placed on ensuring that these development activities are carried out in an environmentally friendly manner.
During their discussion it was noted that negotiations are underway regarding the sale of surplus renewable energy to India. A feasibility study is currently being conducted on establishing a power line connection between Sri Lanka and India, with further discussions expected during the upcoming visit of the Indian Foreign Minister to Sri Lanka.
President Wickremesinghe also mentioned that a pre-feasibility study for a land connection between Sri Lanka and India has been completed, and a full feasibility study will be conducted in the near future.
Additionally, plans to develop Mannar as a tourist hub were discussed, including the potential development of Mannar Fort to attract cruise tourists.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe further remarked that these initiatives would lead to extensive development across all sectors in the Mannar district in the future. The Bishop of Mannar also urged the President to address the issues faced by the fishermen of Mannar.
The meeting was attended by Vicar General of the Mannar Diocese, Father P. Christunayagam; Reverend Father Gnanpragasam of Madu Church; Father Peppi Sosei; former Vicar General of the Mannar Diocese; and other clergy members.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hospital ship “Peace Ark” set sail from a military port in Zhoushan to visit several countries, including Sri Lanka.
The ship set sail from a military port in Zhoushan in east China’s Zhejiang Province on Sunday morning for Mission Harmony-2024.
During the mission, the ship will visit 13 countries, namely, Seychelles, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Angola, the Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, Benin, Mauritania, Djibouti and Sri Lanka, and provide medical service to local people. It will also make port calls to France and Greece.
This is the 10th Mission Harmony for “Peace Ark” since its commissioning in 2008. The “Peace Ark” will offer free diagnosis and treatment for common and prevalent diseases to local residents, people in Chinese institutions, and overseas Chinese through onboard clinics and dispatched medical teams.
There are over 100 personnel on board the maritime hospital, featuring 17 clinical departments and 5 auxiliary diagnostic departments.
The “Peace Ark” is the first domestically designed and constructed standard ocean-going hospital ship in China. It has visited 45 countries and regions, providing medical services to over 290,000 people. (Xinhua)
Amidst political tensions, Election Commission (EC) Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake bluntly dismissed claims by Tourism and Sports Minister Harin Fernando regarding a 5 October election date, asserting that the EC, not the Cabinet or Government, held the authority to set the election schedule.
“From 17 July onwards, EC members will convene independently to determine the election date,” Rathnayake declared.
“We will publicly announce the date without obligation to seek approval from any external body, including the Cabinet or President.”
Highlighting procedural specifics, Rathnayake clarified that elections could only commence after 17 September, followed by a mandatory four- to six-week preparation period.
Nomination dates, he added, would be set between 17-21 days post-announcement.
“This reaffirms the EC’s autonomy,” Rathnayake asserted, highlighting the commission’s resolve to uphold constitutional integrity amidst mounting political pressures.
Section 2 of the Presidential Elections Act No.15 of 1981 defines the Elections Commissioner’s duties in overseeing Presidential Elections as mandated by the Constitution.
According to this provision, the commissioner is required to issue an order published in the gazette, specifying two crucial dates.
First, the nomination date for candidates, set between 16 days and one month from the order’s publication date, along with the designated nomination location. Second, the polling date, scheduled between one month and two months from the nomination date.
Importantly, these dates cannot coincide with full moon Poya days or public holidays listed in the First Schedule to the Holidays Act No.29 of 1971. Furthermore, any subsequent declaration of a day as a public holiday after the order’s publication does not invalidate actions taken on that day for the purposes outlined in the act.
Furthermore, Chapter VII, Section 31(3) of the Constitution further specifies that the Presidential Election must occur not less than one month and not more than two months before the term of the incumbent president expires.
The Provincial Council system will continue in its current form under the National People’s Power government until a new system is identified to create harmony among the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.
Addressing a gathering in London, he said the NPP never accepts Provincial Council system as a solution to the national issue.
Dissanayake said the Tamil and Muslim communities believe that the Provincial Council is a right that they had won and that scrapping the system will create unnecessary issues.
“We will continue the PC system as an interim solution. We believe that it is not a lasting solution. Our policy is to continue the PC system in the current form until a lasting solution is identified,” he said.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that pilgrims to Madhu will be provided with all necessary facilities to engage in their pilgrimage activities without any hindrance.
Addressing the Mannar District Development Committee meeting held today (16) at the Mannar District Secretariat, he emphasized that it is unfair to arrest and fine pilgrims on their way to sacred sites like Madhu Church and Sri Pada.
He instructed that if pilgrims are arrested in the future, the President’s Office should be informed immediately.
During the meeting, the President directed the Sri Lanka Army to clean and develop both sides of the existing Madhu Road for the convenience of the pilgrims visiting Madhu Church.
He also coordinated with a representative of the Bishop of Mannar, the Department of Forest Conservation, the Road Development Authority, and the Sri Lanka Police to ensure these tasks are completed before the upcoming annual festival of the church of Our Lady of Madhu.
Political representatives and government officials attended the meeting, which focused on the future development plans for the Mannar district. Various issues, including those related to health, education, and irrigation, were presented directly to the President, who worked to provide immediate solutions to many of these problems.
The President also addressed the urgent request from the hospital director for a CT scan machine for the Mannar Hospital, promising that this need will be promptly met.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that the lost development will be restored to the Mannar district, with the program starting this year.
He emphasized the necessity of finding solutions that can be implemented in Sri Lanka to adapt to the changing weather patterns over the next five decades. It is predicted that wet regions will receive more rain while dry regions will experience less rainfall in the next fifty years.
The President also stressed the importance of creating a new transformation in the economic, social, educational, and agricultural sectors to align with the evolving global landscape.
Further expressing his views, President Wickremesinghe said:
“After enduring three decades of war, the Mannar district is now rebuilding. This district holds significant potential to boost Sri Lanka’s economy through extensive development. The tourism, fishing, and renewable energy industries have high potential in Mannar.
The district has excellent prospects for wind and solar power generation. Discussions have been held with the Indian Government about producing this energy and selling it to India. The Northern Province, in particular, has a unique capability to generate green energy.
Constructing solar panel power plants on lakes and wind power plants can produce substantial energy. Selling this energy to India and other countries can greatly contribute to Sri Lanka’s economy. Green energy and green hydrogen have the potential to foster a green economy.
Funding for the construction of a new court complex in Mannar will be provided. The possibility of opening the road to Mannar through Puttalam will be discussed in the future. Additionally, arrangements are being made to provide a CT scan machine to the Mannar Hospital. A formal program to create modern agriculture has been presented, and I encourage the development committee to meet, discuss, and suggest the necessary facilities for this initiative. A structured plan is needed to protect the lakes in this area and secure water from the Malwatu Oya project.
In the next five decades, it is predicted that wet regions will receive more rain while dry regions will experience drought. We must start finding solutions now to address this situation.
The road to Madhu Church serves pilgrims, as does the road to Sri Pada for those visiting Sri Pada. It is unfair to arrest and impose a fine of Rs 300,000 on the church. Therefore, representatives from the Diocese of Mannar, Forest Conservation Department, Road Development Authority, Sri Lanka Police, and Army should collaborate to clean and develop this road. These activities will be completed before the annual festival of the church of Our Lady of Madhu.
The guard post at the entrance to Mannar city cannot be removed immediately, but discussions with the security forces will be held to take appropriate measures. Necessary development for the Mannar district will be provided, with the foundational work starting this year.
I wanted to inform you about the extensive development process happening in Mannar. Let’s work together to make Mannar a major contributor to the country’s economy through comprehensive development.”
Source: PMD
Annual bilateral political consultation meeting between top officials of Sri Lanka and China will be held in Beijing next week with the review of some bilateral policies , Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry said.
“Secretary, Foreign Affairs, Aruni Wijewardana will lead Sri Lanka’s delegation to the 13th round of Diplomatic Consultations with the People’s Republic of China to be held on 17 June 2024 in Beijing,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
She will co-chair the Consultations with Sun Weidong, the vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, .
“The discussions are expected to review progress in the areas of bilateral engagement including on political, economic, trade, investment and defence.”
“Sri Lanka’s delegation to the Consultations will include the Ambassador- Designate in Beijing Majintha Jayesinghe, and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs including Acting Director General for East Asia Division Poshitha Perera and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in China.
“It is an annual event. Basically some review on the bilateral policies will take place,” Foreign Minister Ali Sabry told EconomyNext.
This year’s consultation meeting comes after a milk hiccup in diplomatic relations between the both countries after Sri Lanka banned Chinese research vessels calling the island nation for research purposes for one year.
The ban came after strong protest by India, which had cited security threats from such research ships, Sri Lanka government officials have said.
Sri Lanka is a key partner in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), known in China as the One Belt One Road (OBOR) and sometimes referred to as the New Silk Road, a global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 to invest in more than 150 countries and international organizations.
The BRI is composed of six urban development land corridors linked by road, rail, energy, and digital infrastructure and the Maritime Silk Road linked by the development of ports.
Diplomatic analysts say China has been on a lower profile in Sri Lanka for the last two years unlike in the past.
However, the world’s second largest economy has been able to win Sinopec refinery in the island nation’s Southern port district of Hambantota and Sinopec fuel service stations island wide within the last two months.
