News

The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) of Parliament, chaired by Member of Parliament (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera, conducted a field investigation at the Bandaranaike International Airport

The COPE recently (2025.04.02) reviewed the Bandaranaike International Airport Development Project in connection with the Auditor General’s Reports for the years 2022 and 2023 and the current performance of the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL), and accordingly conducted this field investigation.

It was expected that the number of aircraft stands at Bandaranaike International Airport would be increased through the construction of a Remote Apron and Taxiways as part of the Bandaranaike International Airport Development Project.

However, it was observed that both the AASL and the Japanese joint venture company hired for design and consultancy services had undertaken these activities without proper technical or operational analysis. As a result, achieving the project’s objectives proved challenging.

Despite several weaknesses and practical challenges identified at the planning stage, the Committee noted that steps were taken to complete the project. Accordingly, the solutions already proposed by AASL to achieve the desired objectives of the project were also observed.

The COPE members held extensive discussions with local representatives from the Japanese joint venture and senior officials from relevant institutions. During these discussions, the Committee expressed displeasure over the financial losses incurred by the government due to these oversight issues and poor planning. The Committee recommended that, to prevent further misuse of public funds in future development activities, attention must be given to the issues arising during planning stages.

The Committee decided to reconvene with the officials from AASL in the near future to continue discussions on the matter.

The process for the removal of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) was set in motion with the approval of a proposal in Parliament.

The proposal was presented to Parliament by Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra, a Member of Parliament from the National People's Power (NPP).

The motion received overwhelming support, with 151 votes in favor and no votes against.

The proposal which was passed, was signed by 115 Members of Parliament, was submitted to the Speaker.

According to the Removal of Officers Act No. 5 of 2002, the proposal includes 27 charges against the IGP.

Following today's (8) approval, an investigative committee must be appointed to examine these charges.

The committee will consist of a Supreme Court judge appointed by the Chief Justice, the Chairman of the National Police Commission, and an individual of distinguished standing in the fields of law or public administration.

The latter will be appointed by the Speaker with the agreement of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.

The Supreme Court judge appointed by the Chief Justice will chair the committee.

If the committee finds the IGP guilty of the charges, the Speaker will have the opportunity to include a motion for the IGP's removal in the parliamentary agenda.

The President can remove the IGP from office only if the motion is approved by a majority of the total number of Members of Parliament, including those not present.

In response to the new tariff policy imposed by the United States and its impact on Sri Lanka's economy, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake convened a meeting with party leaders today (10) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The meeting aimed to discuss the necessary steps to mitigate the economic repercussions of the new tariffs.

The President called this meeting following a request from a group of opposition MPs who emphasized the need for a thorough discussion on the matter.

During the meeting, the President briefed the party leaders on the findings of the committee appointed to investigate the impact of the new US tariff policy and the measures taken by the government thus far.

Extensive discussions were held on the recommendations presented by the committee and the proposals put forward by the opposition parties.

The meeting also covered strategies for diversifying export destinations and formulating proposals for discussions with the US government.

The party leaders agreed to consolidate the recommendations from the committee and the proposals from the opposition for further discussion.

The meeting was attended by prominent political figures including Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, MPs Harsha de Silva, S. Rasamanickam, Ravi Karunanayake, D.V. Chanaka, Mano Ganesan, Palani Digambaram, M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, Rishad Bathiudeen, Dilith Jayaweera, Jeevan Thondaman, Dayasiri Jayasekara, and A. Archuna.

MPs Gayantha Karunatileka, Kavinda Jayawardena, S.M. Marikkar, and Kader Masthan also participated in the discussions.

Sri Lanka's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, and the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, held talks on addressing the impact of the United States' tariff policies on Sri Lanka.

During the meeting, both parties extensively reviewed the current trade relations between Sri Lanka and the United States, emphasizing the potential effects of the new US tariff policies on Sri Lanka's export sector.

The necessity to reassess these policies was highlighted, especially considering Sri Lanka's ongoing recovery from the severe economic crisis faced in 2022 and the implementation of International Monetary Fund programs without hindrance.

Ambassador Chung also made a note of the meeting on X (formerly twitter) noting that she had a productive discussion with Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath on rebalancing Sri Lanka’s trading relationship with the U.S.

She had emphasized the importance of reciprocal treatment for U.S. exports.

A fair, balanced trade relationship supports economic growth, creates jobs, and strengthens industries in both our countries, she noted.

The Matara Magistrate's Court has ordered the release of Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon on bail, requiring two sureties of 1 million rupees each.

Tennakoon who was remanded until the 10th of April was escorted to the Magistrate's Court earlier in the day.

A warrant was issued on February 28, 2025, in connection with a shooting incident near a hotel in Weligama on December 31, 2023, which resulted in the death of an officer from the Colombo Crime Division.

The Matara Magistrate's Court had ordered the arrest of Tennakoon and eight others involved in the incident.

Following the issuance of the warrant, Tennakoon was also subjected to an international travel ban.

Despite this, he evaded arrest, prompting the police to launch a special operation to apprehend him.

In a bid to avoid arrest, Tennakoon filed a writ petition with the Court of Appeal, seeking an interim order to prevent his detention.

However, the Court of Appeal rejected his petition and instructed the police to arrest Tennakoon immediately and present him before the Matara Magistrate's Court.

The Court of Appeal also ordered legal action against individuals who assisted Tennakoon in evading arrest.

Thereafter, Tennakoon appeared before the Matara Magistrate's Court, and was remanded, and was released on bail on 10th April.

New Democratic Front (NDF) Parliamentarian Chamara Sampath Dassanayake has been further remanded until 21 April by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.

MP Dassanayake is accused of misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.

MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in two of the cases but ordered him placed in remand custody over the third charge.

The allegations stem from his tenure as Chief Minister of Uva Province in 2016.

According to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.

Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his personal foundation account.

However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.

The Bribery Commission filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.

After reviewing the evidence, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court ruled that while Dassanayake could be released on bail for two of the charges, he would remain in remand custody for the third.

Accordingly, this morning MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake was once again produced before the Badulla Magistrate’s Court when the case was taken up for hearing.

Samantha Ranasinghe of the National People's Power (NPP) has been appointed as a Member of Parliament, filling the seat left vacant by the passing of Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera.

The appointment was officially announced by the Election Commission.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (07) presented its flagship publication, the Annual Economic Review for 2024 (AER 2024), to President and Minister of Finance, Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The report highlights the steady progress of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery following the country’s most severe downturn in recent history.

The report was officially handed over by Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank, during a special ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat.

AER 2024 comprises four main chapters: Macroeconomic Developments, Conditions of the Financial System, Review of Central Bank’s Policies, and Macroeconomic Outlook.

According to the Review, the Sri Lankan economy showed significant signs of recovery in 2024, following the deep economic crisis experienced two years ago.

The recovery trajectory, though challenging, has been notably faster than that of many other debt-distressed countries. Improvements in economic activity, a partial resurgence in purchasing power, and reduced uncertainty are among the key positive indicators noted in the report.

Former Minister Mervyn Silva has been remanded until April 21 by Mahara Magistrate Kanchana N. Silva.

The decision was made during a court session today, where Silva's bail application was rejected.

Silva is facing charges under the Public Property Act for allegedly selling a government-assigned land to a private buyer.

The court also issued warrants for the arrest of former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera and another suspect, who are currently in hiding.

Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya has recommended the transfer of the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Welikada Police Station following the death of a suspect who was hospitalized while in police custody.

The incident occurred on April 1, 2025, when a 26-year-old man, arrested for allegedly entering a house in the Nawala area under the Welikada Police Division, reportedly displayed riotous behavior while in custody. He was later admitted to the National Institute of Mental Health in Mulleriyawa, where he died the following morning.

In order to ensure a fair and impartial investigation, the recommendation for the OIC’s transfer was submitted to the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs on April 6, 2025, for onward referral to the National Police Commission.

A police sergeant and a constable have also been suspended for negligence of duty related to the incident.

Former State Minister and TMVP leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, widely known as ‘Pilleyan’, has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The reason for the arrest has not been officially disclosed yet.

Further details are expected.

National People’s Power (NPP) Parliamentarian Kosala Nuwan has passed away at the age of 38, hospital sources confirmed.

He was reportedly admitted to the Karawanella Hospital following a sudden heart attack and was pronounced dead shortly after.

Kosala Nuwan was a newly elected MP and a prominent youth figure within the NPP.

Further details are awaited.