Category: News

The government has stirred controversy with its latest move to overhaul the parliamentary election system. Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has submitted a Cabinet paper proposing amendments to the Parliamentary Elections Act, aiming to introduce a mixed electoral system. This system would see 160 MPs elected through the First Past the Post (FPTP) method and another 65 through proportional representation (PR).

The FPTP system awards seats to candidates with the most votes in individual constituencies, while PR allocates seats in proportion to parties’ overall vote shares. While some political parties have expressed support for the proposed changes, others remain skeptical. Minister Rajapakshe, currently in London, highlighted the varied responses from political factions during discussions.

This initiative isn’t new; previous governments have attempted similar electoral reforms without success due to political disagreements. Proportional representation, the current system, has faced criticism for its perceived electoral irregularities. The timing of the proposed changes, just ahead of elections, has prompted speculation within political circles about the government’s motives.

ITAK leader S. Sritharan’s agreement to meet the IMF is an indication that incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe stands to gain Tamil votes at a future presidential election, claims a political analyst.

This is especially so in view of forecasts that none of the candidates will be able to poll 50 per cent of votes, said Vipula Karunatilake.

According to him, both the SJB and the NPP have failed to gain trust from the three million decisive votes, which could most likely favour Wickremesinghe.

Karunatilake and Samabima Party leader Deepthi Kumara Gunaratne take a look at how Tamil votes will decide the outcome.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is reported to have reiterated its concerns with President Ranil Wickremesinghe over his direct dealings with individuals of the party bypassing its hierarchy.

It was communicated to the President when he met with SLPP leaders Mahinda Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa last week.

Such concerns were reiterated in the wake up of some MPs and electoral organizers siding with the President.

Currently, a sediment of SLPP MPs remain loyal to the President. Most of them hold ministerial positions in the government. SLPP MP Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga openly advocates candidacy to the President at the upcoming presidential election. However, the SLPP is yet to take any formal decision although all indications point to its support to the President.

The SLPP raised similar concerns on a previous occasion too in this regard

Thirty MPs of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna are in talks with the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) about joining forces, SJB legislator Ashok Abeysinghe said.

Speaking to reporters at an event in Kurunegala on Sunday March 10, Abeysinghe said five out of 11 SLPP parliamentarians that were elected from the Kurunegala district will team up with the SJB for the upcoming elections.

“We don’t intend to accept any MP from the SLPP. We only plan to take MPs without corruption charges and don’t have any court cases. Even now about 30 MPs are talking to us about forming an alliance with us,” the MP said.

“In the next few weeks, the media and the country will know who that is,” he added.

The SJB has been harshly critical of President Ranil Wickremesinghe for working with the SLPP, on whose support he has had to rely on since assuming office. Wickremesinghe has extended repeated invitations to opposition parties including the SJB to assist him in his economics reform agenda, but the SJB has refused citing his alliance with the SLPP.

Meanwhile, State Minister Arundika Fernando said on Wednesday March 06 that a large majority of the parliamentary group of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) believe that President Ranil Wickremesinghe should run for president.

Fernando claimed the SLPP’s parliamentary group overwhelmingly believes that President Wickremesinghe should be the one to govern the country going forward.

That same day, amid speculation over the possibility of an early dissolution of parliament, President Wickremesinghe joked to SJB legislator Harsha de Silva that the chairmanship of a parliamentary committee the latter heads may not last much longer.

Sri Lanka is supposed to hold its next presidential election between September 17 and October 17. President Wickremesinghe has said the presidential election will be held first, followed by a parliamentary election next year. However, he has remained largely noncommital about his candidacy.

Spokespersons for the government have also made remarks about the possibility of abolishing the executive presidency, which would effectively render the need for a presidential election moot.

There is also some speculation that Wickremesinghe might dissolve parliament sooner than anticipated, but this has yet to be confirmed.

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung has asserted that the United States will continue to monitor legislative developments in Sri Lanka that could challenge its progress on human rights, reconciliation, and civic space.

Taking to ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), the diplomat highlighted that the joint statement issued by the Core Group earlier this month at the 55th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), along with other statements made by local and international organizations, underscore shared concerns, notably that Sri Lanka’s much-disputed Online Safety Act could be used to criminalize a wide range of expression, suppress dissent, and undermine Sri Lanka’s digital economy.

Speaking in this vein, Ambassador Chung urged for comprehensive consultations to be made between the Government of Sri Lanka and other stakeholders, including civil society, prior to the enactment of any legislation with potentially serious implications for fundamental freedoms and civic space in the future, and that the due legislative process be followed in this regard.

On 04 March, the Core Group on Sri Lanka, at the 55th Session of the UHRC raised concerns with regards to several legislative developments regarding human rights, reconciliation and civic space.

In a joint statement, the Core Group, comprising of Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, noted that certain legislative developments imposed recently have given cause for concern.

As such, they noted that the Online Safety Act has “the potential to severely restrict online communication, and could potentially criminalise nearly all forms of expression, creating an environment that has a chilling effect on freedom of expression”.

Thus, the Core Group urged the Sri Lankan Government to enact amendments to align the Act with Sri Lanka’s human rights obligations and commitments.

Speaking further, the Group reiterated their concerns surrounding the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), continuing to call for it to be replaced with legislation that is consistent with Sri Lanka’s international obligations.

Attached below is the full statement issued by the Core Group at the 55th Session of the UNHRC:

Thank you, Mr President.

This statement is on behalf of the Sri Lanka Core Group comprising Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

High Commissioner,

There have been several important legislative developments regarding human rights, reconciliation and civic space. Unfortunately, some of these developments give cause for concern.

The Online Safety Act has the potential to severely restrict online communication, and could potentially criminalise nearly all forms of expression, creating an environment that has a chilling effect on freedom of expression. We urge the Government to enact amendments to align the Act with Sri Lanka’s human rights obligations and commitments.

We continue to call for the Prevention of Terrorism Act to be replaced with legislation that is consistent with Sri Lanka’s international obligations. We acknowledge the recent release of nine Tamil leaders detained last November. We encourage the release of unjustly held long-term PTA detainees and for Sri Lanka to maintain a moratorium on its use.

While we note the Government’s efforts to establish a Commission on Truth, Unity and Reconciliation we stress the importance of an inclusive participatory process to build trust in advance of any legislation. Any future Commission must be independent, inclusive, meaningful, and transparent, meet the expectations of affected communities, build upon previous transitional justice processes, and provide pathways for accountability.

As the Government brings forward other legislation with potentially serious implications for fundamental freedoms and civic space, we encourage comprehensive consultations with stakeholders, including civil society, and due legislative process.

We welcome the Government’s stated commitments on land releases but note with concern reports of increased tensions around land seizures in the North and, particularly, the East of the country.

High Commissioner, we urge the Government to engage with you and your office to address these and other challenges, and we remain ready to support Sri Lanka in addressing HRC resolution 51/1.

Thank you.

The controversial Online Safety Law that entered Sri Lanka’s statute books in February which has erupted widespread national and international censorship and criticism brought to the attention and scrutiny of the White House when President Biden’s special assistant for Asian-American Affairs and Senior Liaison for the Asia-Pacific Region had a lengthy discourse with two Sri Lankan expatriates known to American lawmakers and socio-political activists as advocates for strengthening US-Sri Lanka relations, and most importantly, removing misunderstandings between the two nations.

Erika L. Moritsugu, a senior official in President Joe Biden’s White House staff handling Asian-American Affairs and Senior Liaison for Asia-Pacific Region, Sanje Sedera, Democratic Party activist in the State of Nevada who maintains continuous rapport and dialogue with U.S. lawmakers as well as the inaugural-Chair of the US-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce, and Daya Gamage, former US State Department Foreign Service National Political Specialist, met on February 28, in Las Vegas, Nevada, for a thought provoking dialogue connected to US-Sri Lanka relations and issues in the Indo-Pacific Region in which Sri Lanka is strategically located.

Ms. Moritsugu made a special trip to Las Vegas to have this dialogue with Mr. Sedera and Mr. Gamage while scheduling meetings with officials of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI).

Besides involved in political and foreign affairs Mr. Sedera during the COVID-19 pandemic that hit Sri Lanka hard, liaised with US Congresswoman Dina Titus, co-chair of US-Sri Lanka Caucus and member of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee’s South Asia Sub-Committee, to drastically increase the US-contributed medication to Sri Lanka.

Besides engaged in enhancing relations between the two nations, and clearing misunderstandings, the highlight of the discourse with Ms. Erika Moritsugu was the recently enacted Sri Lanka’s Online Safety Law.

Sri Lanka Parliament in mid-January this year enacted regulations to regulate online content sparking criticism from human rights groups and the diplomatic community that the government was trying to crack down on dissent and strife freedom of speech.

Both Mr. Sedera and Mr. Gamage were well aware that the obnoxious features of the Online Safety Act were communicated and made known to the diplomatic officials of the U.S. Department of State through the department’s diplomatic representative Ambassador Julie Chung, nevertheless the real message about the obnoxious features of the legislation has not been well communicated to Washington policymakers.

Having had the discourse with Ms. Moritsugu, the features of the Online Safety Law have now reached White House ‘policy wonks’ who work closely with President Biden.

It was explained that the Act provides sweeping powers to the Online Safety Commission, appointed by Sri Lanka President, and that this panel could decide what constitutes a prohibited statement and issue, take down orders to internet service providers and social networks.

Accompanying Erika Moritsigu was Krystal Ka’ai, Executive Director of White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

The discussions turned to US-Sri Lanka relations, and some of the misunderstandings and misconceptions Washington has on Sri Lanka’s social and demographic issues. Mr. Sedara and Mr. Gamage also reminded the White House official Sri Lanka’s failure to provide cogent information to clear some of the misunderstandings to help Washington to take productive foreign policy initiatives toward Sri Lanka.

It was brought to the notice of Ms. Erika Moritsigu that Daya Gamage and another retired Senior Foreign Service-Intelligence Officer of the US Department of State, Robert Boggs, are currently preparing a manuscript – Defending Democracy: Lessons in Strategic Diplomacy from US-Sri Lanka Relations – for international release examining roots of Sri Lanka’s revolts, reexamining the sources of both Sinhala and Tamil uprisings, and how U.S. strategic interests in Sri Lanka were thwarted due to Washington policymakers and lawmakers having less knowledge and misunderstanding of the intricate fabric of Sri Lankan society and her demography. Their book further discloses Sri Lankan authorities’ total failure to comprehend the same and provide cogent evidence and data to policymakers and lawmakers in Washington to provide them with cogent understanding to prevent formulating unfavorable foreign policy decisions on Sri Lanka.

The Biden White House senior official, Ms. Erika Moritsigu, paid attention to the disclosures, interpretations and analyses based on those that relate to US-Sri Lanka relations.

The Office of the Leader of the Opposition released a statement today in response to an invitation for a meeting with the President to discuss national debt restructuring.

The statement signed by the Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition Thisath D.B. Wijayagunawardane PC to the Secretary of the President, outlines several reasons for the decision to decline the invitation including the concerns regarding transparency and consultation and the party’s disagreement with debt restructuring approach.

The statement highlights the SJB’s repeated requests for access to the Staff Level Agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) throughout the negotiation process. They criticized the government’s refusal to share details and its unilateral handling of the negotiations.

The opposition strongly objects to the government’s plan to place a disproportionate burden on the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF). They view this approach as a violation of social equity and unfair to those least able to bear the financial strain.

The statement also expresses disappointment at the lack of progress on restructuring debt held by primary bond holders and international sovereign bond holders.

While declining the meeting with the President, the opposition reiterated their willingness to engage with the IMF directly.

The statement emphasized their commitment to protecting the national interest, as demonstrated in past collaborations.