Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has called for urgent reforms to safeguard Buddhism in Sri Lanka, warning that repeated allegations of misconduct involving members of the clergy are eroding public trust, particularly among young people.

In a special video statement, Kumaratunga said many people who love the country are deeply concerned by recent incidents involving Buddhist monks. She referred to reports of monks being arrested over alleged drug-related offences and allegations that a chief incumbent of eight prominent Buddhist temples had sexually abused a young girl over a period of two years.

She said such incidents have shaken the confidence of many Buddhists and warned that the loss of faith in religious institutions could have serious consequences for society, particularly among the younger generation.

Kumaratunga also expressed disappointment that, according to her, political leaders had largely remained silent on the issues despite its significance.

She said she had written to senior Buddhist prelates urging them to take the lead in introducing reforms within the Buddhist clergy. According to Kumaratunga, the proposal was received positively, and she suggested forming a committee comprising senior monks, civil society representatives and other religious leaders to recommend reforms.

The former President also called on the government to enact the necessary legal framework to implement the proposed recommendations, saying stronger mechanisms are needed to protect the Buddha Sasana and restore public confidence.

She urged the public not to remain silent in the face of wrongdoing, stressing that safeguarding religious institutions is a shared responsibility of both leaders and citizens. (Newswire)

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Former Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has donated some books from her personal library to the University of Colombo Library.

Chandrika Kumaratunga said the donation included a selection of valuable educational and scholarly books. 

“I donated a selection of valuable educational and scholarly books from my personal library to the University of Colombo Library and spent a brief moment with the library staff. At this moment, I also recall with gratitude the support and coordination provided by Professor Jayadeva Uyangoda and Professor Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri,” she said in a statement on social media. (Newswire)

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Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has appealed to the National Election Commission on the unlawful use of her name and pictures by the ‘People’s Alliance’ in propaganda activities for the 2025 Local Government Election. 

In a letter to the Election Commission, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said it has come to her notice that posters and leaflets bearing her name and image have been used by the ‘People’s Alliance’, contesting under the Chair symbol, in areas falling under the Attanagalla Pradeshiya Sabha.

The former President revealed that she had informed the ‘People’s Alliance’ party not to use her name or photos for election propaganda and that she has no affiliation with the party. 

However, as the party continues to use her name and image for election campaigning, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga pointed out that this was a violation of election laws. 

As such, the former President has requested the National Election Commission to take the necessary actions in this regard and to inform the said party to refrain from using her name and images for election propaganda. (Newswire)

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Refuting recent claims that the security detail of former Presidents has been decreased, Government Spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath said no such measure has been taken as yet.

Addressing the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing, Minister Herath said that a committee has been appointed to look into the matter and once a report is provided, the Cabinet will take a decision in this regard.

He further said that the government will make a decision in this regard with reasonable consideration and provide only the necessary security details for former heads of state.

Addressing recent claims made by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge that her security detail has been reduced, Minister Herath said that no such decision has been taken and that her claims were false.

He revealed that as of now, a security detail of 57 personnel has been provided to her. 

The Government Spokesman also pointed out that over 100 security personnel each have been provided to former presidents, as well as various vehicles and ambulances.

Stating that the government faces a cost of Rs. 1,100 million annually to maintain this service, he added that such an allocation has not even been made to any state entity. 

Minister Vijitha Herath said that, as such, the government is of the view that the security detail provided to former Presidents needs to change. (Newswire)

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Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has questioned the recent decision of the Public Security Ministry to decrease the number of personnel provided for her personal security as a former Head of State. 

In a letter addressed to the Secretary to the Ministry, former President Kumaratunga said it has come to her attention that her security detail of 50 has been reduced to 30 as per the new decision. 

She further said that a letter by the Police Officer in charge of her area of residence has cited the highest level of threat to her among the former heads of state and that her security detail requires a minimum of 50 personnel.

Among the former Presidents, Mahinda Rajapaksa has been provided with a security detail of 243 consisting of Police and Army personnel, Maithripala Sirisena has been granted 109 Police officers, and Gotabaya Rajapaksa a security detail of 200 consisting of Police and Army personnel, she pointed out. 

Against such arrangements, she questioned why a decision had been taken to only reduce her security detail, despite severe threats to her, further raising doubts about whether there exists a plan to assassinate her, similar to her husband in 1988.  (Newswire)

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A court order has been issued preventing former President Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

An Interim order was issued by the Colombo District Court today preventing Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the SLFP Leader. 

The court order was issued based on a complaint filed by former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who served as the Leader of the SLFP from 1994 to 2005. (NewsWire)

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Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga (CBK) has praised the recent ruling of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka on the economic crisis. 

Last week (Nov 14), the Supreme Court held former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and several other officials from his government, including former Finance Ministers Mahinda and Basil Rajapaksa, and former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivad Cabraal, responsible for mishandling the economic crisis.

The court issued its verdict after taking up for consideration the petition filed by Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) along with activists Chandra Jayaratne, Jehan Canagaretna and Julian Bolling in the public interest calling for action against persons responsible for the prevailing crisis in Sri Lanka.

Commenting on the court ruling, former President CBK said even though the court has named a few of those responsible for the economic crisis, there were more people linked to them who are also to be blamed but have not been named by the court. 

CBK further said this was also a learning point for future leaders of the country, adding “future generations will now learn how to properly govern a nation and be a leader who works for the nation and not for one’s self.”

She further suggested that the incumbent government must work on the Supreme Court’s ruling to recover the money mishandled by the group or seize their illegal assets and use it to repay Sri Lanka’s loans. (NewsWire)

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