The run rate of passing laws in Sri Lanka’s Parliament has shifted over time, with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration overtaking that of former President Maithripala Sirisena in legislative output at the 18‑month mark, according to a report by Colombo‑based think tank Verité Research.

The study compares legislative activity during the first 18 months of the two presidencies, both elected on platforms of anti‑corruption and governance reform. 

At six months, Sirisena’s presidency led decisively, having gazetted three times more bills and passed twice as many laws as Dissanayake’s. 

However, by nine months, the AKD presidency had caught up in terms of laws passed, and by 18 months, had enacted 32 laws compared to 20 under Sirisena.

While Sirisena’s government consistently led in the number of bills gazetted, 54 compared to Dissanayake’s 50, the report notes that the AKD presidency converted a much larger share of its gazetted bills into law. 

Parliament met for 126 days during Sirisena’s first 18 months and 136 days under Dissanayake, with both periods including an interim budget and a full‑year budget.

Verité Research concludes that the AKD presidency demonstrates greater efficiency in translating legislative proposals into enacted laws, marking a significant difference in parliamentary performance between the two reformist administrations.

Table 1: Legislative record of Parliament, 6 months in

Table 2: Legislative record of Parliament, 18 months in

(Newswire)

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Former President Maithripala Sirisena has revealed that a group of Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) officers, once honoured with Presidential Awards for major drug seizures, were later found to be connected to drug lords and underworld figures.

Speaking at an event, Sirisena recalled that during his presidency, he ordered the destruction of narcotics worth millions, seized by the PNB. 

Based on the bureau’s recommendations, he presented Presidential Awards to the officers involved.

“Within a week or two of the awards, it came to light that they were the main persons associated with drug lords and underworld figures, and were involved in the drug business,” Sirisena said.

The former president further highlighted concerns over corruption and infiltration within law enforcement, and the need to safeguard accountability in Sri Lanka’s fight against narcotics. (Newswire)

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Former President Maithripala Sirisena appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption on Tuesday (28) to provide a statement.

It is reported that the former Head of State arrived at the commission premises earlier in the day to record his statement.

The reason for his appearance before the Bribery Commission has not yet been disclosed. (Newswire)

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Former Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena met with the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Alireza Delkhosh, on Wednesday (25).

According to the Embassy of Iran in Sri Lanka, during the meeting, Sirisena paid tribute to the martyred Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran.

The Embassy further states that Sirisena had also reaffirmed his solidarity with the people of Iran. (Newswire)

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Former President Maithripala Sirisena has appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption today (07).

He was reportedly present to provide a statement in connection with an ongoing investigation.

It is reported that the statement is being recorded in connection with the probe into the renting of a building in Rajagiriya for the Ministry of Agriculture. (Newswire) 

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Former President Maithripala Sirisena appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on Monday (13) to provide a statement related to an alleged financial fraud.

Sirisena remained at the Commission for approximately five hours, recording the statement.

He was summoned in connection with a financial irregularity reported to have occurred about 15 years ago at an institution affiliated with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. (Newswire)

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Former President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have vacated his official residence on Hector Kobbekaduwa Mawatha in Colombo. 

The move comes after the President’s Entitlements (Repeal) Bill was passed without amendments in Parliament yesterday.

The bill seeks to abolish special benefits granted to former Presidents, their widows, and retired MPs.

Following its passage in Parliament, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne endorsed the certification on the Bill, signing it into law. 

Accordingly, this Bill will come into force as the Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Act, No. 18 of 2025. (Newswire)

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Former President Maithripala Sirisena has reported to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today to record a statement.

It is reported that the former President has been summoned to record a statement regarding providing funds from the Presidential Fund to several individuals, including politicians. 

Maithripala Sirisena had previously reported to the CID on 07 April to record a statement on the same matter. (Newswire)

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Former President Maithripala Sirisena attended the 2025 World Summit of the Universal Peace Federation in South Korea, from 10-14 April, as a Chief Guest. 

Maithripala Sirisena, the Asia-Pacific Regional Chair of the International Peace Summit Council of the World Peace Conference, delivered a special address at the inaugural session of the Global Summit.

During his address, Maithripala Sirisena emphasised the need to build a bicameral global organisation that integrates religion and politics to maintain global political stability and peace, manage climate change, and manage conflicts.

The 2025 Global Summit was attended by former heads of state, current speakers, current members of parliament, and other diplomats, scholars, and professionals from about 40 countries. (Newswire) 

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Former President Maithripala Sirisena appeared before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today to provide a statement on the allocation of funds from the Presidential Fund.

According to the Police, the former President has been summoned to record a statement on the allocation of funds to several individuals, including politicians. (Newswire)

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Former President Maithripala Sirisena has informed the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka that he has settled the Rs. 01 million compensation to the victims of the Royal Park murder case, as previously ordered by the court.

The court was informed in this regard after Maithripala Sirisena had appeared in court today. 

The Supreme Court judge bench then ordered Maithripala Sirisena’s lawyer to present the details via a motion. 

Maithripala Sirisena had arrived in court shortly after a notice was issued to him ordering him to show cause for his failure to settle the Rs. 01 million compensation to the victims of the Royal Park murder case.

Last year, the Supreme Court ordered Maithripala Sirisena to pay compensation as his decision to grant a Presidential Pardon to the convict of the Royal Park murder case had violated the fundamental rights of the victims.

Former President Maithripala Sirisena was ordered to settle the compensation within one month of the court ruling. 

However, when the case was taken up for hearing earlier today, the lawyer representing the victims informed the court that the former president had failed to settle the ordered compensation, prompting the court to issue a notice to him.

The case surrounds the Presidential pardon granted to Jude Shramantha Jayamaha who was sentenced to death for the murder of Yvonne Jonsson at the Royal Park condominium complex in Rajagiriya in 2005. 

Former President Maithripala Sirisena had granted a presidential pardon to Jude Shramantha Jayamaha in 2019.

In June 2024, the Supreme Court quashed the order of former President Maithripala Sirisena to grant a presidential pardon, stating it violated the Constitution. (Newswire)

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The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has issued a notice to former President Maithripala Sirisena to appear before the court to explain why he failed to adhere to an order issued regarding the case granting a Presidential Pardon related to the Royal Park murder. 

A notice was issued to Maithripala Sirisena to appear in court on 29 April 2025 to show cause for his failure to pay the compensation awarded to the victims of the Royal Park murder case. 

Last year, the Supreme Court ordered Maithripala Sirisena to pay a compensation of Rs. 1 million as his decision to grant a Presidential Pardon to the convict of the Royal Park murder case had violated the fundamental rights of the victims.

Former President Maithripala Sirisena was ordered to settle the compensation within one month of the court ruling. 

However, when the case was taken up for hearing today, the lawyer representing the victims informed the court that the former president had failed to settle the ordered compensation. 

Accordingly, the court issued a notice to Maithripala Sirisena to appear in court and present the reason for not penalizing him for failing to pay the compensation.

Jude Shramantha Jayamaha was sentenced to death for the murder of Yvonne Jonsson at the Royal Park condominium complex in Rajagiriya in 2005. 

He was, however, later granted a presidential pardon by former President Maithripala Sirisena in 2019.

In June 2024, the Supreme Court quashed the order of former President Maithripala Sirisena to grant a presidential pardon to Jude Shramantha Jayamaha, stating it violated the Constitution. (Newswire)

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Former President Maithripala Sirisena recorded a statement with the Bribery Commission for two hours yesterday regarding the presidential pardon granted to Jude Shramantha Jayamaha, who was convicted of a murder at the Royal Park apartment in Colombo. 

It is reported that the former President was summoned before the Bribery Commission to record a statement regarding a complaint alleging that he had accepted a bribe to grant the presidential pardon. 

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Executive Committee Member Montague Sarachchandra filed the complaint with the Bribery Commission in 2022.

The complainant sought an investigation into whether former President Maithripala Sirisena or former MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera had received money as a bribe to grant the presidential pardon to Jude Shramantha Jayamaha.

Jude Shramantha Jayamaha was sentenced to death for the murder of Yvonne Jonsson at the Royal Park condominium complex in Rajagiriya in 2005. He was, however, later granted a presidential pardon by former President Maithripala Sirisena in 2019.

In June this year, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka quashed the order of former President Maithripala Sirisena to grant a presidential pardon to Jude Shramantha Jayamaha, stating it was in violation of the Constitution. (Newswire)

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Former President Maithripala Sirisena says that he will not support any candidate contesting the 2024 Presidential Election. 

Issuing a statement, the former President said certain claims being made by the media, government and opposition politicians at present were false. 

He further said that the issue surrounding the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is being deliberated in court and an order is yet to be issued on the leadership of the party.

Stating that as per the SLFP’s Constitution, the party leader is vested with powers to make decisions, thereby making decisions and appointments by other party representatives invalid. 

His comments come after recent claims on media and social media that former President Maithripala Sirisena has extended his support for Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa in the upcoming Presidential Election. (Newswire)

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The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has refuted reports claiming that former President Maithripala Sirisena has joined the party’s Samagi Jana Sandhanaya.

Issuing a statement, the SJB said false information is currently being circulated on media and social media platforms related to the party.

The SJB said reports claiming that former President Maithripala Sirisena has joined the SJB’s new alliance was one such instance.

“The Samagi Jana Sandhanaya has no reason to join hands with the former President or form an alliance with him,” the party said.

The SJB alleged that a group associated with the government was spreading such misinformation in an attempt to affect the election campaign of Samagi Jana Sandhanaya Presidential candidate MP Sajith Premadasa. (Newswire)

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The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has ordered former President Maithripala Sirisena to pay the outstanding compensation out of Rs. 100 million to the victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

The Court has instructed the former President to settle the outstanding compensation payment before August 30, 2024.

The order was issued after former President Maithripala Sirisena informed the Supreme Court that he had paid Rs. 58 million out of the Rs.100 million as compensation for Easter attack victims.

It is reported that the former President has also requested the Supreme Court for another six (06) years to pay the remaining amount.

In January 2023, the Supreme Court ordered a group of former government officials, including Maithripala Sirisena to pay compensation for the victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

The Supreme Court issued the order as it announced the verdict concerning the case filed against Sirisena and several others over failing to prevent the Easter attacks despite having prior intelligence information.

At the time, the Supreme Court ordered former President Sirisena to pay Rs. 100 million, and former Secretary of Defence Hemasiri Fernando to pay Rs. 50 million in compensation to the victims of the Easter attacks.

The court also ordered former State Intelligence Service Director Nilantha Jayawardena and former Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara to pay Rs. 75 million each, and National Intelligence Chief Sisira Mendis is to pay Rs. 10 million to compensate the victims.

The verdict was issued after 12 petitions that were filed by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, the families of the victims of the attacks, Catholic priests and several others were heard before a seven-member bench headed by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya. (Newswire)

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Former President Maithripala Sirisena has informed the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka that he has paid Rs.58 million out of the Rs.100 million as compensation for victims of the 2019 Easter attacks.

It is reported that the former President has also requested the Supreme Court for another six (06) years to pay the remaining amount.

In January 2023, the Supreme Court ordered a group of former government officials, including Maithripala Sirisena to pay compensation for the victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

The Supreme Court issued the order as it announced the verdict concerning the case filed against Sirisena and several others over failing to prevent the Easter attacks despite having prior intelligence information.

At the time, the Supreme Court ordered former President Sirisena to pay Rs. 100 million, and former Secretary of Defence Hemasiri Fernando to pay Rs. 50 million in compensation to the victims of the Easter attacks.

The court also ordered former State Intelligence Service Director Nilantha Jayawardena and former Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara to pay Rs. 75 million each, and National Intelligence Chief Sisira Mendis is to pay Rs. 10 million to compensate the victims.

The verdict was issued after 12 petitions that were filed by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, the families of the victims of the attacks, Catholic priests and several others were heard before a seven-member bench headed by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya. 

Former President Maithripala Sirisena had after that filed an appeal application at the Western Province Civil Appeals High Court requesting an order releasing him from all cases related to compensation filed at the Colombo District Court by the victims of the Easter attacks.

However, the Western Province Civil Appeals High Court dismissed the petition filed by former President Maithripala Sirisena. (Newswire)

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The Court of Appeal has issued a notice against the former President and former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Maithripala Sirisena over contempt of court allegations. 

The notice was issued following a contempt of court petition filed against him by Montague Sarathchandra, an executive committee member of the SLFP.

In his petition, Montague Sarathchandra claims that the former President committed contempt of court through his actions in violation of a court order issued by the Colombo District Court preventing him from acting as the Chairman of the SLFP.

Taking up for consideration the petition today (May 30), the Court of Appeal ordered the petitioning party to send notice to Maithripala Sirisena. 

The order was issued by the two-member judge bench comprising of the President of the Court of Appeal Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice Shashi Mahendran in order to confirm the facts related to the petition. (Newswire)

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The Interim Order that was issued preventing former President Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has been extended until May 29.

The extension was announced by Colombo District Court Judge Sandun Vithana when the petition filed in this regard was taken up for consideration today.

The case was fixed for hearing on May 29 after the judge ordered the respondents to file any objections related to the case.

SLFP chairman Maithripala Sirisena, Senior Vice President Nimal Siripala de Silva, and Vice President Faizer Mustapha are among the respondents named in the case.

In April, the court issued an interim order preventing Sirisena from functioning as the SLFP Leader based on a complaint filed by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, who served as the SLFP Leader from 1994 to 2005. 

In her petition, Kumaratunga claimed that Sirisena’s appointment as the chairman of the SLFP was against the party’s constitution and that an order be issued to prevent him from serving in that position. (Newswire)

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Former President Maithripala Sirisena was back in the spotlight today as he provided yet another statement to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) regarding his remarks on the 2019 Easter Sunday Terror Attacks. 

The session, lasting approximately two hours, delved into his previous statement concerning the mastermind behind the bomb blasts.  

In March, Maithripala Sirisena claimed he knew who really carried out the Easter attacks and that he was prepared to disclose the information to the judiciary.

Speaking to the media in Kandy, Sirisena said if the court makes a request or issues an order in this regard, the information will be revealed.

Stating that no one has revealed the true mastermind of the Easter attacks yet, Sirisena said he was willing to disclose the details, but it was the responsibility of the judges to keep the information strictly confidential. 

Following his revelation, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles ordered IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon to launch an investigation into the comments made by  Sirisena. 

Thereafter, in his initial statement to the CID, the former President had reportedly revealed the Indian espionage agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) had masterminded the Easter attacks. 

Naming a particular Indian diplomat stationed in Colombo then, Sirisena further said that the reason was said to be because Sri Lanka had not considered handing over India any projects. (Newswire)

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