Former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, joined by a group of opposition parliamentarians, declared they will not testify before the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry into substandard coal imports.

Ranawaka said the JVP’s media Unit under Anura Kumara Dissanayake had shared images of opposition MPs, including S.M. Marikkar, Ajith P. Perera, D. V. Chanaka, and himself on social media, urging them to provide evidence. 

Addressing a media briefing held on Tuesday (12), Ranawaka insisted, however, that they had “no reason to appear before that commission.”

“We will not appear before this commission, which is overseen by Tilvin Silva, a person not voted for by the people or a public representative,” Ranawaka said, adding that the Commission already possesses sufficient documentation. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed a Commission of Inquiry to probe alleged irregularities at the Colombo Municipal Council between 2010 and 2025, including corruption, abuse of power and misappropriation. 

A Gazette notification, issued by the President on 30 December 2025, states that several complaints have been received regarding alleged acts of corruption and fraud, due to which the state has suffered significant losses of property and revenue, and the Colombo Municipal Council has failed to achieve its expected development goals. 

The Gazette states that, therefore, it is necessary to investigate and examine these complaints, allegations, and information to determine their truth, identify those responsible, and recommend measures to prevent such acts in the future for the benefit of the nation.

Accordingly, a Commission of Inquiry has been appointed to investigate, examine, and report on these alleged wrongdoings and to recommend necessary actions.

The appointments made to the Commission of Inquiry are as follows;

• Attorney‑at‑Law Piyasena Ranasinghe – Former Supreme Court Judge
• E.R.M.S.H. Ekanayake – Senior Grade I Officer of the Sri Lanka Audit Service
• D.S. Wickramasinghe – Former Senior Police Officer

Furthermore, Attorney‑at‑Law Piyasena Ranasinghe, Former Supreme Court Judge, is appointed as Chairman of the Commission.

The Commission is directed to submit an interim report within three months from the date of this warrant, further interim reports monthly thereafter, and a final report with the findings and recommendations within six months. (Newswire)

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The need to establish a Higher Education Commission to regulate and monitor private universities and other degree-awarding institutions was raised at a meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education held recently. 

The committee examined the operation of private universities in Sri Lanka and the issues relating to their recognition by the University Grants Commission (UGC), during a discussion on November 21, chaired by MP Hesha Withanage.

During the discussion, the Committee Chair highlighted the emergence of institutions awarding degrees of inadequate quality and the resulting harm caused. He noted that many such institutions operate with profit-making as their primary objective rather than providing quality education. The Chair stressed the importance of ensuring that the entire process, from student admission to awarding of degrees, remains under the supervision of the UGC.

The Vice Chair of the UGC, expressing his views, underscored the need to establish a Higher Education Commission to regulate and monitor private universities and other degree-awarding institutions. He explained that such a body would enable the creation of comprehensive data systems and facilitate links with universities worldwide, allowing access to essential information on institutional standards and programme quality. This, he noted, would help ensure accurate decision-making when approving prospective private universities. These comments were further supported by the Additional Secretary (Non-State Higher Education) of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Training, and by officials of the UGC.

The Committee also focused on issues related to state universities, scholarships offered for foreign degree programmes, and other related matters. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has officially appointed members to the Port City Economic Commission.

President’s Counsel Harsha Amarasekera has been appointed as the Chairman of the Commission.

Damien Amal Cabraal, Mohan Ray Abeywardena, Sanjaya Kulatunga, and Dr. Harsha Subasinghe are the remaining members of the Commission. 

The official letters of appointment were handed over to the members by the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo today (Dec 13). (Newswire)

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The government has appointed another member to the 09-member Presidential Commission appointed to propose amendments to Sri Lanka’s electoral system

The appointment has been announced via a Gazette notification issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, dated November 02, 2023. 

As per the Gazette, Alan Carmichael Vere David Esquire has been appointed as the new member of the Presidential Commission chaired by retired Chief Justice Priyasath Dep.

The members of the 10-member Commission are as follows;

1. Hon. Justice Wewage Priyasath Gerard Dep Esquire, PC – Retired Chief Justice 
2. Suntharam Arumainayaham Esquire 
3. Senanayake Alisandaralage Esquire 
4. Nalin Jayantha Abeysekara Esquire, PC 
5. Rajitha Naveen Christopher Senaratna Perera Esquire 
6. Ahamed Lebbe Mohamed Saleem Esquire 
7. Madam Sagarica Delgoda 
8. Madam Esther Sriyani Nimalka Fernando
9. Vitharanage Deepani Samantha Rodrigo Esquire 
10. Alan Carmichael Vere David Esquire

The Commission is tasked with obtaining and submitting information, investigating, inquiring into and examining all existing election laws and regulations, and making necessary recommendations for the amendment of election laws within 6 months to suit current needs.

Gazette : http://documents.gov.lk/files/egz/2023/11/2356-29_E.pdf (NewsWire)

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A Gazette notification has been issued on the appointment of members to the Commission appointed to propose amendments to Sri Lanka’s electoral system.

A 09-member commission has been appointed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to propose electoral reforms. 

The commission will be headed by retired Chief Justice Priyasath Dep, as per the Gazette notification issued on Monday (Oct 16).

The remaining members of the commission are as follows:

• Suntharam Arumainayaham Esquire 
• Senanayake Alisandaralage Esquire 
• Nalin Jayantha Abeysekara Esquire, PC 
• Rajitha Naveen Christopher Senaratna Perera Esquire 
• Ahamed Lebbe Mohamed Saleem Esquire 
• Madam Sagarica Delgoda 
• Madam Esther Sriyani Nimalka Fernando
• Vitharanage Deepani Samantha Rodrigo Esquire

Gazette : http://documents.gov.lk/files/egz/2023/10/2354-06_E.pdf (NewsWire)

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