Opposition MP S. M. Marikkar has questioned whether it is necessary to report to the Presidential Commission appointed to probe substandard coal imports, citing a recent statement made publicly by JVP Secretary General Tilvin Silva.

Marikkar played a video to the media in which Silva claimed the Commission would clear the government of allegations within three months.

The MP pointed out that while the President has appointed the Commission for a six‑month duration, Silva is already suggesting that charges will be dismissed in three months.

“Tilvin Silva has already given the verdict. Despite the President appointing the commission for six months, Silva is speaking as if the commission has already delivered its verdict, claiming they will be free of charges in three months,” he said.

Marikkar further noted that Silva has hinted that former Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody will be released from all charges related to the coal imports, questioning whether reporting to the Commission is even required.

He added that with time remaining until May 22 to provide information, Silva’s remarks were undermining the credibility of the Commission. (Newswire)

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The Opposition says it intends to file a criminal case against the government over the current disaster situation in Sri Lanka. 

Addressing the media today, SJB MP S.M. Marikkar said the disaster situation was an incident as serious as the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

“Similar to the criminal case filed against the Rajapaksas for bankrupting the nation, we will file a case against the current government, as they are responsible for every citizen that died in the disaster,” he said. 

MP Marikkar added that the case will be filed over the failure of the government to take the necessary measures, despite receiving prior warnings of the disasters. (Newswire)

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Opposition MP S. M. Marikkar accused the government of maintaining a duplicitous policy on security arrangements for lawmakers.

He claimed the government argues that assigning security personnel to MPs poses a threat to national security, while at the same time the Minister of Public Security receives special protection.

“He was escorted out of Parliament by STF personnel who were not in uniform last Thursday at 2:39 p.m.,” Marikkar said, showing an image on his phone to Parliament and reading out the vehicle’s license plate number.

“If national security is assured, there is no need for the Police minister to be given security either,” he added, challenging the government’s stance. “This is like thieves and robbers,” Marikkar added. (Newswire)

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The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development has expressed dissatisfaction with the Department of Railways over its progress related to the Kelani Valley Railway Line Project and the Thambuttegama Railway Station Development Project. 

The view was disclosed during a review of the financial and physical progress of the 2025 budget proposals of four ministries held in Parliament recently (11), under the chairmanship of MP S.M. Marikkar.

The Committee examined the financial and physical progress of the budget proposals for the year 2025 relating to the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, and the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development. Secretaries of these ministries and heads of relevant institutions were summoned to the meeting.

According to a Parliament statement, attention was drawn to the Kelani Valley Railway Line Project, for which Rs. 250 million had been allocated last year, yet its progress remains minimal. The Committee observed that although funds were allocated through the budget in March 2025, satisfactory progress has not been achieved, reflecting inefficiency within the Department of Railways.

For the current year as well, Rs. 840 million has been allocated for the Kelani Valley Railway Line. However, the Committee noted that without a proper and efficient plan, it would be impossible to achieve the targeted progress, resulting ultimately in the public expectations not being met in due time.

The Committee further reviewed the utilization of funds allocated for the Thambuttegama Railway Station Development Project under the 2025 budget and pointed out that the technical explanations provided by officials were completely unsatisfactory.

Expressing regret over the continued delays in project implementation, which ultimately lead to unutilized funds being returned to the Treasury, the Committee expressed its dissatisfaction. Accordingly, the Committee instructed the Department of Railways to present specific plans with timelines instead of vague technical responses.

It was also decided to summon again the Department of Railways, Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), and other relevant institutions to review the progress of fund utilization under the budget, and officials were directed to attend with accurate and complete data.

Further attention was paid to the budget proposals of these four ministries, including highway and rural bridge renovation, procurement of new buses, renovation of Colombo apartment buildings under the Urban Development Authority, and future goals in the energy sector.

The Committee also informed the officials of the Ports Authority to take steps to promptly submit the report on the possibility of making the Galle Port profitable, as previously notified.

Additionally, the Chairman expressed appreciation for the performance of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, as revealed during previous Committee sessions. (Newswire)

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A sub-committee on energy affairs has been appointed under the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development.

According to a Parliament statement, the sub-committee on energy affairs will be chaired by MP Ajith P. Perera. 

This decision was made during a meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee, held under the chairmanship of MP S.M. Marikkar in Parliament yesterday (17). 

The sub-committee was appointed following the review of the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill by the committee.

Addressing the meeting, committee Chair MP S.M. Marikkar stated that the sub-committee is headed by  MP Ajith P. Perera, who has experience in the energy sector.

MP Marikkar further said that the sub-committee is expected to discuss the necessary matters and provide recommendations to take positive steps forward in Sri Lanka’s electricity and energy sectors. (Newswire)

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The NPP government has failed to properly address the allegations he raised and is instead focusing on the accuracy of a photograph, MP S.M. Marikkar said.

Speaking during a televised interview, Marikkar responded to accusations by NPP MP Jagath Manuwarna, who claimed that Marikkar had misled Parliament and the public using an incorrect image.

Addressing Parliament, MP Manuwarna said the opposition MP had presented a photograph taken during the 1983 Black July riots in Sri Lanka.

“If they are correct, I’m ready to accept that,” Marikkar said, but added that the government had failed to respond to the core issues about the JVP insurrections.

“They admit to having a spiritual leader who ranks above the President, Prime Minister, and Cabinet. This is why we say that this spiritual leader controls and operates from the Pelawatte headquarters,” he said.

Marikkar further said that his full speech raised multiple concerns, including a series of murders, from Stanley Wijesinghe to Saddhatissa Thera. He also claimed that NPP leaders have acknowledged bearing arms.

Stating that the government members have a right to dispute the photograph, Marikkar said they have ignored the broader issues, as they have done in the past.

“They only say the photo is wrong, not the process,” Marikkar said, adding that while disputing the image, the government has also admitted to having a spiritual leader and being linked to various murders and assassinations.

Challenging the government to respond directly, Marikkar accused them of focusing on a single aspect of his argument instead of addressing the larger concerns.

He stressed that he had not tabled the photograph in Parliament and reiterated his willingness to accept if he was wrong.

“Did they kill or not? Have they made any effort to reveal commission reports on these killings over the past 25 years? They are not answering these questions,” Marikkar said. (Newswire)

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National Peoples’ Power (NPP) MP Jagath Manuwarna has slammed Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S.M. Marikkar for misleading Parliament and the public with regard to the ‘Black July’ riots using a wrong image.

Addressing the Parliament, MP Jagath Manuwarna said the opposition MP had shown a photograph that was taken as part of a shooting in Sri Lanka of a documentary on the July riots.

“This MP, who is a former journalist, has shown this image claiming it to be that of the Leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna during the riots. It is regrettable to see an individual who worked as a journalist for a prestigious media institution failing to fact-check,” MP Manuwarna said. 

MP Manuwarna said if the opposition MP had made an unintentional error regarding the image it could be excused, but if it was done intentionally, then it proves his political thuggery. 

Stating that the government will not allow such political practice, the NPP MP further said that they condemn attempts by the opposition to blame the JVP for the Black July riots. (Newswire)

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The increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) will result in a 10% increase in fuel prices from January next year, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S.M. Marikkar said. 

Addressing the media, MP Marikkar pointed out that, however, this has not been included in the government’s Budget 2024.

The MP also slammed the government for failing to mention such important facts in the Budget 2024. (NewsWire)

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