Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa today said he has not been made aware of any letter reportedly sent by the Chief Prelates of the three Nikayas to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, opposing the constitutional amendment to extend the retirement age of judges.

Responding to a question at the post- Cabinet media briefing, the Minister explained that he, together with Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, met the Chief Prelates of the Malwattu, Asgiri, and Ramanna Nikayas yesterday (03) to brief them on the 22nd Constitutional Amendment. 

He said the Government’s position and its aim of expediting long‑pending court cases to provide relief to the public were clearly conveyed.

Minister Jayatissa noted that the Chief Prelates did not express opposition during these discussions. 

He stressed that the amendment was not aimed at a single judge but would raise the retirement age of all judges, including those of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and other courts under the Judicial Service Act.

Quoting the Malwatu Chief Prelate, the Minister said even senior monks had acknowledged the delays in cases, some lasting 12 to 20 years, and agreed that reforms to improve judicial efficiency were necessary.

“There is no opposition to judicial reforms to speed up cases, not even from the Chief Prelates,” he said.

The Minister added that he and Justice Minister Nanayakkara are scheduled to meet the Amarapura Nikaya Chief Prelate later today to continue discussions. (Newswire)

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Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara told Parliament today that he has not received any letter from the Chief Prelates opposing the proposed constitutional amendment to extend the retirement age of judges, despite claims made by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL).

“I have not received any letter as claimed by the BASL, while the President has also not informed me yet if he has received such a letter. As such, I have no letter to table in Parliament,” the Minister said.

Nanayakkara explained that he, along with Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, had met the Chief Prelates regarding the matter. 

“At that time they had not received the correct information. After we provided the correct information, they informed us to conduct the necessary discussions and take the necessary actions in this regard,” he added.

The remarks came after Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa questioned in Parliament about BASL’s statement that the Chief Incumbent of the Malwatu Chapter had informed them that the Chief Prelates of the four Chapters were of the view that the amendment was not suitable, and that this position had been conveyed in writing to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s senior Buddhist prelates have urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to appoint the most suitable senior official from the Auditor General’s Department to the post of Auditor General, warning against selecting an external candidate.

In a letter sent to the President, the chief prelates of the three main Buddhist chapters said Dharmapala Gammanpila, a senior officer with long experience in the department, would be an appropriate choice for the post and called for an urgent appointment.

The position has remained vacant since former Auditor General W.P.C. Wickramaratne retired in April 2025. Gammanpila was appointed to cover duties on an acting basis, but his tenure ended in December 2025. Several nominees proposed by the President to the Constitutional Council have reportedly been rejected.

The delay in appointing an Auditor General has been raised repeatedly by opposition parties, who have blamed the government for failing to fill the key post overseeing public finance and accountability.

The prelates said delays in the appointment have led to public debate over state financial oversight and could fuel negative perceptions about the government’s economic programme.

They stressed that the Auditor General’s post is crucial for ensuring transparency in public finance and said appointing someone outside the department would be inappropriate. (Newswire)

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The Chief Prelates of Sri Lanka’s three Buddhist Chapters have sent a letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake requesting that the date of Vesak Poya in 2026 be revised.

The letter states that in May 2026, two full moon Poya days fall on May 1 and May 30. 

According to the calendar already issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, May 1 has been designated as Vesak Poya Day, while May 30 has been marked as Adhi Poson Poya Day.

However, since the auspicious “Visa Nakath” does not fall on May 1, there has been considerable public debate about recognizing that day as Vesak Poya.

The Chief Prelates, after consulting senior Sangha councils and astrologers, have decided in line with traditional Buddhist practice that Vesak Poya should be observed on May 30, when the Visa Nakath occurs.

Accordingly, the letter further notes that May 30, 2026, should be officially declared as Vesak Poya Day, and that all traditional religious observances and state ceremonies connected with Vesak should be scheduled for that date, with instructions issued to the relevant government authorities. (Newswire)

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The Interim Secretariat for Truth and Reconciliation Mechanism recently presented a copy of the draft Truth and Reconciliation Bill to the Chief Prelates of the Asgiri and Malwathu chapters. 

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), Dr. Asanga Gunawansa, the Director General of the Interim Secretariat, led the delegation.

Most Venerable Thibbatuwe Sri Sumangala Mahanayaka Thera of the Malwatu chapter and Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanaratana Thera of the Asgiri Chapter agreed to review the draft bill jointly and provide their comments and observations concerning the same.

The Maha Nayakas were briefed on the progress of the reconciliation process by the officials.

Venerable Mahawela Ratanapala Thera from the Malwatu Vihara and Venerable Dr. Muruddeniye Dharmaratne Thera from the Asgiri Vihara also attended the event. 

Additionally, Dr. C Y Thangarajah, Head of policy, along with Public Relations Executive Danushi De Silva, Senior Legal Executives Yasmada Lokunarangoda and Dulan Dasanayake, and Coordinator S. D. Kotalawala were present at this event. (NewsWire)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been requested to redeploy security personnel for the security and development of the Mihintale sacred area.

The request was made by the Chief Prelates of the Asgiriya and the Malwatte chapters in a letter to the President. 

In their letter, the Chief Prelates called for Army personnel to be deployed for labour work related to the development activities in the sacred area.

They further called for Civil Security officials and Police personnel to be deployed to ensure the security of people, including local and foreign tourists, visiting the Mihintale Temple. 

The appeal to the President comes after the government, earlier in December, decided to withdraw over 200 Sri Lanka Army soldiers assigned to work at the Mihintale sacred area. 

The decision was taken in response to a complaint from the Chief incumbent of the temple, who expressed concern about two army officers in civilian clothing, deeming it a threat to his life. (NewsWire)

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