Clarifying its position on a political solution for the national question, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said today (31) that power sharing must be done within a federal structure consistent with the aspirations of the Tamil people.
“Our position is that power sharing must be in a federal structure, consistent with the aspirations of the Tamil people expressed at every election since 1956,” TNA MP M.A.Sumanthiran said.
He said this in a statement issued clarifying the party’s position with regard to the political solution for the Tamil national question, the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, the conduct of the long delayed provincial council elections and the All-Party Conference convened by President Ranil Wickremesinghe
The TNA said that the 13A is a part of the Constitution of Sri Lanka and not a separate appendage.
“The President and all of us have taken an oath to uphold and defend it.Thus the non-implementation of any part of the Constitution is a violation of the whole. To that extent, we insist on the full implementation of the 13A,” it said.
The TNA said that it reiterated the party’s position at all the All-Party Conferences that have been held so far.
“There was absolutely no change of positions by the TNA; nor is there any contradiction between calling for immediate provincial council elections and enhanced and meaningful devolution. In fact, one without the other is meaningless,” it said.
Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, who served as the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, has resigned from Parliament.
He is reportedly tipped to be appointed as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Finance after the retirement of Mahinda Siriwardana at the end of the month.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General of Parliament – Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera has informed the Chairman of the Election Commission in writing that a vacancy has arisen in Parliament due to the resignation of Dr. Suriyapperuma.
Dr. Suriyapperuma, a National List Member of Parliament representing the National People’s Power (NPP) and the Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Stabilization, submitted his letter of resignation to the Secretary General of Parliament.According to the letter submitted by Dr. Suriyapperuma, the resignation is effective from June 20, 2025.
Accordingly, the Secretary General has informed the Chairman of the Election Commission that, in terms of Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act No. 1 of 1981, the seat held by Dr. Harsha Suriyapperuma in the Tenth Parliament is now vacant.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from June 23 – 26, 2025.
This marks the first visit by a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to Sri Lanka since February 2016. During the visit, the High Commissioner is scheduled to call on the President and the Prime Minister. He will also hold meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, several other Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior Government officials, religious leaders, representatives of civil society, members of the diplomatic community, and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka.
As part of the programme, the High Commissioner will travel to Kandy where he will pay respects to The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and call on the Chief Prelates of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters. He will also travel to Jaffna and Trincomalee where he will meet with the Governors of the Northern and Eastern Provinces.
Substantive discussions during the visit will focus on further advancing the promotion and protection of human rights and reconciliation, in line with the Government of Sri Lanka’s ongoing constructive engagement with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Three officials from the Narahenpita branch of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT), including the Deputy Commissioner, have been remanded until July 07 following allegations of accepting bribes totaling nearly Rs. 04 million.
The suspects were presented before Colombo Chief Magistrate Tanuja Lakmali Jayatunga earlier today (June 20) and court ordered their continued detention as investigations are continuing.Authorities allege that the officials solicited bribes from members of the public seeking vehicle licenses and registration services with these bribes reportedly discovered in their possession during the arrest.