<ul><li>Govt awaits PSC report on PC electoral system&nbsp;</li><li>PM says PC Polls would predate new Constitution&nbsp;</li><li>Previous Govts’ drafting process would continue with public consultations&nbsp;</li></ul> Formal discussions on introducing a new Constitution are expected to begin in early January 2027, according to National People’s Power (NPP) General Secretary and Government MP Dr Nihal Abeysinghe.He further said that the Government was awaiting a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) report on Provincial Council (PC) Elections before deciding on the next steps towards holding the elections.“A new Constitution and the PC Elections are the two key promises made by us that are yet to be fulfilled. The rest of the promises are being fulfilled at present. So, discussions on the new Constitution will commence in early January. When the PSC report is submitted, action will be taken to hold the PC Elections,” he said.The remarks come after Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament in April 2025 that the Government had prioritised economic stabilisation and the holding of delayed elections before beginning the process of formulating a new Constitution.She said that the Government intended to begin the constitutional drafting process after the PC Elections. She also said that the administration planned to continue the drafting process initiated by the previous Government through public consultations and expressed confidence that a new Constitution could be completed within a reasonable timeframe.

NPP’s electoral promises: Formal talks on new Constitution in Jan

<ul><li>Seeks legal, regulatory amendments on religious attire&nbsp;</li></ul>﻿Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday (13) called for the full implementation of Article 9 of the Constitution, which accords Buddhism the foremost place, and immediate legal reforms to protect the dignity of Buddhist monks’ robes, warning against delays in addressing the issue.Premadasa said the constitutional provision was not being properly implemented and that the relevant laws and regulations must be updated without delay to meet current circumstances.He made these remarks during a meeting with the Anunayake of the Sri Rohana Chapter of the Siam Sect and Chief Incumbent of the Sapugoda Ilangamgoda Purana Rajamaha Viharaya and other temples, Ven. Omare Kassapa Thera, in Kamburupitiya.Premadasa said the Government should not delay action by appointing committees every two weeks, arguing that the necessary information could be gathered within 24 hours and regulatory changes introduced promptly.He described the removal of monastic robes from Buddhist monks as an extremely reprehensible act, stressing that laypeople had no right to forcibly remove the robes worn by members of the clergy. He also called for respect for Buddhism and other religions and communities, while insisting that the attire and practices of religious leaders must not be interfered with.Premadasa said the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) had already submitted a proposal on the matter and would exert maximum pressure to secure the necessary amendments to the relevant laws and regulations.

Article 9 must be fully implemented: Sajith   

<ul><li>&nbsp;To decide on repairs, reconstruction, relocation&nbsp;</li></ul> The Housing Ministry has launched a survey covering 95 public housing complexes in Colombo to assess housing conditions, identify residents’ socio-economic challenges and determine the improvements needed to enhance their living conditions.According to the Ministry, housing standards have evolved over time, and families living in houses that no longer meet the required standards may be provided with new housing.Speaking to The Daily Morning, Deputy Housing Minister T.B. Sarath said reliable data was necessary to identify the actual problems faced by residents of public housing complexes, prompting the Ministry to launch the survey.“There are 95 public housing complexes in Colombo, and they face various issues. We are looking into the condition of each complex, what needs to be changed, and whether families can live comfortably in their houses considering the number of family members. For instance, earlier, the standard was 450 square feet per room of a unit, but this is no longer adequate. These houses need to be expanded if needed, depending on the size of the family,” he said.He added that once data had been collected from all the housing complexes, the Ministry would analyse the findings and determine which buildings require repairs, which apartment complexes need to be rebuilt and what other improvements are necessary to address residents’ needs.The survey comes as a report by the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development has indicated that 45 public housing projects, comprising nearly 10,000 housing units, most of them in Colombo, have exceeded their structural lifespan and are slated for redevelopment.Meanwhile, information from the Urban Development Authority and reports presented to Parliament have also highlighted the deterioration of several older public housing schemes and municipal flats in inner-city Colombo, attributing it to decades of neglect, overcrowding and inadequate maintenance.

Colombo housing survey launched 

<ul><li>MP alleges authorities failed to honour court assurances&nbsp;</li></ul> Batticaloa District Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi Parliamentarian Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has filed an application before the Court of Appeal (CA) seeking to reopen proceedings over the longstanding Mayilathamadu–Mathavanai grazing land dispute, alleging that State authorities have failed to honour assurances given to the Court to remove illegal encroachers and protect traditional grazing lands.The original proceedings began during former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s administration and concluded during Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Presidency after the Mahaweli Authority assured the Court that it would take steps to evict encroachers. However, the dispute has continued under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, with cattle farmers reporting further encroachments, unauthorised cultivation and the destruction of pastureland.The application names six senior Government and Provincial officials as respondents, including the Batticaloa Government Agent, the Eravur Pattu Divisional Secretary, the Eastern Province Governor, the Director General of the Mahaweli Authority, the Batticaloa Divisional Forest Conservation Officer and the Eastern Province Provincial Director of Animal Production and Health.President’s Counsel M A Sumanthiran, who represented Rasamanickam in the original proceedings, will continue to represent him.Rasamanickam said three successive Presidents had given repeated assurances on the issue without delivering a lasting solution. Although President Dissanayake reportedly issued directions to resolve the dispute, and Minister Sunil Handunnetti recently announced that Presidential approval had been obtained to gazette the area as designated grazing land, farmers continue to raise concerns over implementation.The affected grazing lands have traditionally supported cattle farmers from Kiran, Chenkalady, Porathivu and Paddipalai. Farmers have alleged that portions of the land have been cleared, burned and ploughed for cultivation, reducing the available pasture. They have also reported cattle killings, intimidation, property damage and difficulties accessing their traditional grazing areas.The prolonged dispute has affected the livelihoods of families dependent on cattle rearing and dairy production, despite years of protests, complaints to authorities, and political and administrative interventions.The renewed application seeks judicial consideration of the continuing encroachments and the responsibilities of State institutions to protect the grazing lands. The matter is expected to be taken up next week, subject to the Court’s directions, with notices to be issued to the respondents.

Mayilathamadu dispute back in Appeal Court    

Dental surgeons have urged the Health Ministry to address longstanding infrastructure problems, staff shortages and equipment breakdowns at the National Dental Teaching Hospital, calling for clear timelines to resolve issues affecting patient care.Government Dental Surgeons’ Association General Secretary Dr Aruna Abhayawardhana said yesterday (13) that medical officer (MO) shortages had affected surgical services, while infrastructure and equipment problems remained unresolved for months or years.He said MOs assigned to the operating theatre and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) had been released or reassigned without adequate replacements over the past five months. The resulting shortages had contributed to the partial closure of operating theatre services and delays in essential surgeries, including time-sensitive procedures for oral cancer patients.The Association had also raised concerns over water leaking from air-conditioning pipelines in the wards and ICU for more than six years, deteriorating ward and ICU roofs for over four years, and fungal growth on ICU walls and ceilings for more than three years, Dr Abhayawardhana said.The Outpatient Department, which treats around 350 to 400 patients daily, is also experiencing equipment problems. Of its 12 dental chairs, one has reportedly been out of order and another partially functional for more than a year. The central compressor system has been out of order for nearly four months.He said the telephone exchange had caused communication difficulties since 1 October, affecting a hospital that operates a 24-hour Emergency Treatment Unit and round-the-clock oral and maxillofacial surgery on-call services. One of the hospital’s two lifts has also been out of order since 3 October, inconveniencing patients and staff at the nine-storey facility, which reportedly serves around 500 patients daily.Other concerns include shortages of Health Assistants and Dental Surgeons, the lack of residential quarters for dental interns and delays in the Phase II development project. Although Phase I opened in 2017, Phase II construction has yet to begin, while reinforcement steel installed for the proposed development is reportedly corroding.Attempts to contact the Director General of Health Services were unsuccessful.Hospital Director Dr Shamali Ratnayake acknowledged that staff shortages were delaying some work but said the Ministry was gradually allocating personnel according to hospitals’ needs.She said the hospital had the necessary equipment and funding to procure medicines, although procurement could be delayed when specialised suppliers failed to respond to requests for quotations.Dr Ratnayake said the hospital had the funds and authority to purchase medicines not supplied directly by the Government, but the procurement process could take time.

Dental hospital faces staffing, infrastructure issues

<ul><li>Alleges intimidation over school visits in Delft&nbsp;</li></ul> The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) has warned that it will initiate legal action if the Northern Province Education Director continues to issue letters allegedly intended to intimidate its members following visits to schools in the Delft (Neduntheevu) Education Division.In a letter to the Director, the Union condemned what it described as threatening actions against its members following a letter dated 9 September, bearing reference No. NP/20/Edu.Adm/Inq/2026, concerning visits by CTU representatives to schools in the Division.A delegation led by CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin had recently visited schools in Delft to assess the difficulties faced by teachers and principals serving in the island region.Identifying itself as a registered trade union under registration No. 984, the CTU said the Director’s actions violated Sections 26 and 27 of the Trade Unions Ordinance and other legislation governing trade union rights and responsibilities.The Union accused provincial education authorities of neglecting the longstanding grievances of teachers and principals serving in remote islands, including the suspension of hardship and additional hardship allowances for those working in difficult conditions.According to the letter, it was only after the Union conducted field visits and highlighted the situation through the media that the authorities decided to provide a risk allowance to some principals and teachers serving on the islands, despite the dangers associated with sea transport.The CTU also questioned the failure to increase allocations for school meal programmes despite rising commodity prices and logistical difficulties caused by irregular maritime transport. It said the authorities had failed to adequately consider the nutritional needs of students in the island region.The Union said its visits were intended to highlight the challenges faced by principals, teachers and students due to what it described as poor administration by provincial education authorities.However, it alleged that subsequent actions by the Director, including communications to Delft school principals and principals of schools where CTU members work, were intimidating, undemocratic, authoritarian and unlawful, with alleged political overtones.The CTU warned that continued interference with legitimate trade union activities would leave it with no alternative but to seek legal remedies.

CTU threatens legal action against Northern Education Director  

The Police will investigate attorney Udaya Gammanpila’s claims that he witnessed the incident in which Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera was made to wear a prison uniform, Cabinet of Ministers Spokesperson Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said.Responding to questions at the weekly Cabinet media briefing, Dr Jayatissa said the allegations were too serious to be taken lightly. The investigation would establish whether the incident had occurred and, if so, how it had happened.Gammanpila had reportedly claimed that he witnessed the incident inside the prison. He had also said that Gnanasara told him his robes had been removed, that the incident had been recorded on a mobile phone and that the footage had been shown to a senior Government official.“Someone listening to this might wonder whether Gammanpila himself witnessed the incident,” Dr Jayatissa said.He said that once the Prisons Department lodged a complaint, the Police would investigate to establish the facts. Gammanpila would then have to disclose to investigators everything he had witnessed, as well as what he had been told and heard, Dr Jayatissa added.

Gnanasara Thera de-robing ‘video’: Police to probe Gammanpila’s claim 

<ul><li>Environmentalists urge to enforce SC order on elephant corridors</li></ul>Environmentalists have welcomed the Cabinet’s decision to declare 682 hectares in Galgamuwa, Kurunegala, as the Nakolagane Wildlife Sanctuary, but have warned that commercial electric fences obstructing elephant movement must be removed immediately to fully enforce a 2026 Supreme Court order.Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) Chairman Hemantha Withanage, a petitioner in the case, told The Daily Morning that the decision gave effect to the court’s verdict.Cabinet Spokesperson Dr Nalinda Jayatissa announced yesterday (13) that the Cabinet had approved the declaration under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance.The move follows a Supreme Court order directing that the entire area, including approximately 55 hectares of cleared land and the remaining forest, be declared a sanctuary or an elephant management reserve under Section 2(2) of the Ordinance. A joint survey by the Survey Department and the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) subsequently identified the 682 hectares.The proposal, submitted by the Minister of Environment, was approved with the concurrence of the Irrigation Department. The sanctuary’s boundaries also take into account the maximum water level of the nearby Palukadawala Tank.“We are very pleased that through this court judgment, the decision to convert this forest expanse in the upper catchment of Palukadawala Wewa into a protected sanctuary is being carried out,” Withanage said.However, he warned that obstacles remained on the ground. While villagers had voluntarily dismantled their electric fences, plans had been underway just two weeks earlier to erect fences around two separate land plots, he said. Wildlife officers confiscated the fencing equipment and materials after the CEJ alerted the DWC.“Our position is that the electric fences surrounding the mango plantation and another location are still in place. We firmly believe these must be dismantled immediately and the execution of the court order must be expedited,” he said.Withanage said the area had faced encroachment for nearly 30 years. He alleged that the incumbent monk of the ancient Nakolagane Purana Rajamaha Viharaya had claimed ownership of the land through a historical deed (Sannasa) and leased forest areas for commercial cultivation, including mango and papaya plantations, chena farming and solar energy projects.He said fences erected by commercial operators had severed vital elephant routes, effectively depriving elephants of habitat in the upper catchments of Palukadawala Wewa and Atharagalla Wewa.Several environmental organisations had petitioned the Supreme Court to halt forest clearing, alleging that commercial cultivation, mineral mining and soil excavation had caused environmental damage and worsened human-elephant conflict in the North-Western Province. Withanage and Dilena Pathragoda were key petitioners representing affected residents.The judgment also directed the DWC, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and the North Western Provincial Environmental Authority (NWPEA) to publish public apologies in national newspapers over past regulatory lapses.Withanage said the DWC Director General and the CEA had complied, but the petitioners had yet to receive confirmation that the NWPEA, the eighth respondent, had done so. The CEJ has also lodged complaints with local police to ensure compliance and prevent unlawful fencing attempts.

Nakolagane sanctuary declared, but fences remain

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya has instructed officials to expedite the cleaning of canals and drainage systems in the Colombo District within the next two weeks, in anticipation of increased rainfall in the coming period.She also directed that regular maintenance be carried out thereafter to ensure the efficient drainage of rainwater.The Premier issued these instructions yesterday (13) at the Colombo District Coordinating Committee meeting held at the Narahenpita District Secretariat.Officials from Divisional Secretariats, the Agrarian Development Department and the Provincial Irrigation Department also highlighted challenges arising from shortages of technical officers and difficulties in preparing plans and estimates.Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has called for a review of the country’s existing drainage systems as changing climate patterns bring more intense rainfall.Speaking to The Daily Morning, DMC Media Spokesperson Pradeep Kodippili said increasing rainfall intensity had raised concerns about whether existing drainage infrastructure could cope with heavy downpours.“There are situations reported where areas receive up to 500 millimetres of rain within three to four hours. This is a time when we see the climate continuously changing,” he said.Kodippili said Local Government Authorities needed to account for these changes when planning and developing drainage infrastructure. Existing gutter systems should be reviewed and improved where necessary to ensure rainwater could drain effectively during heavy rainfall, he added.He stressed the importance of taking preventive measures before such incidents occur to minimise flooding risks and their impact on communities.

NPP’s electoral promises: Formal talks on new Constitution i ...

Article 9 must be fully implemented: Sajith

Article 9 must be fully implem ...

Colombo housing survey launched

Colombo housing survey launche ...

Mayilathamadu dispute back in Appeal Court

Mayilathamadu dispute back in ...

Dental hospital faces staffing, infrastructure issues

Dental hospital faces staffing ...

CTU threatens legal action against Northern Education Director

CTU threatens legal action aga ...

Gnanasara Thera de-robing ‘video’: Police to probe Gammanpila’s claim

Gnanasara Thera de-robing ‘vid ...

Nakolagane sanctuary declared, but fences remain

Nakolagane sanctuary declared, ...

PM orders Colombo drains cleared within two weeks

PM orders Colombo drains clear ...

Article 9 must be fully implemented: Sajith

Article 9 must be fully implem ...

Colombo housing survey launched

Colombo housing survey launche ...

Mayilathamadu dispute back in Appeal Court

Mayilathamadu dispute back in ...

Dental hospital faces staffing, infrastructure issues

Dental hospital faces staffing ...

CTU threatens legal action against Northern Education Director

CTU threatens legal action aga ...

Gnanasara Thera de-robing ‘video’: Police to probe Gammanpila’s claim

Gnanasara Thera de-robing ‘vid ...

Nakolagane sanctuary declared, but fences remain

Nakolagane sanctuary declared, ...

PM orders Colombo drains cleared within two weeks

PM orders Colombo drains clear ...

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Article 9 must be fully implemented: Sajith

Article 9 must be fully implem ...

Colombo housing survey launched

Colombo housing survey launche ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Mayilathamadu dispute back in Appeal Court

Mayilathamadu dispute back in ...

Dental hospital faces staffing, infrastructure issues

Dental hospital faces staffing ...

CTU threatens legal action against Northern Education Director

CTU threatens legal action aga ...

Gnanasara Thera de-robing ‘video’: Police to probe Gammanpila’s claim

Gnanasara Thera de-robing ‘vid ...