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UPI ID : enb@axis.com
UPI ID : enb@axis.com
Six representatives of Tamil-speaking minority parties held a media briefing at the Renuka Hotel in Colombo.Formation of Tamil Speaking People’s common platform sparks fears of SJB losing minority votesNo major concern for NPP, which sees political gain in the split of the minority voter baseGovt. going ahead with move to extend judges’ retirement age; opposition parties intensify protests By our ST Political Desk 19-07-2026New political alliances are all too common in Sri Lanka, as has been the case since independence. Most such alliances have been driven by political expediencies rather than any genuine desire to achieve clear-out objectives in the interests of the public. The latest such alliance or collective platform launched this week brought together six parties that represent the country’s ‘Tamil-speaking people’, who include Tamils of the North-East, the Malaiyaha Tamils of the hill country and Muslims.The stated objectives of the alliance are a push for a new constitution and the holding of early provincial council elections. The parties have also agreed to raise the issue of ‘land’ since all Tamil, Muslim and Upcountry communities are facing related issues, sometimes within the communities, particularly in the East.Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara and Prison Department officials taking part in the meeting with the PresidentIn the Jaffna district alone, 2570 acres of private land, occupied mainly by both the security forces and police, are to be released, according to the Jaffna District Secretariat. Since the NPP government assumed office, only 61.5 acres of private land have been released in the Jaffna district following approval granted by the Defence Ministry.The parties in the alliance are the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC), the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA), the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), and the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA).Speaking on the alliance of Tamil and Muslim political parties, ITAK President C.V.K. Sivagnanm told the Sunday Times that that “this is just a common platform where issues faced by Tamil-speaking communities can be raised while retaining respective mandate and policies of the parties.”Three of the six parties – the SLMC, the ACMC and the TPA – are part of the ‘Samagi Jana Sandhanaya’ of the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), under which they contested last parliamentary elections. Representatives of these parties who were present where the new platform was launched said that they will remain in the SJB-led alliance even though they are also a part of the new group. Except for the two parties representing the northern Tamils, all others have been in bed with successive governments, holding important portfolios and part of some of the very policies that they now want to collectively raise their voices against. Given that the ruling JVP-led National People’s Power (NPP) has made more inroads into Tamil and Muslim voter bases, more so than other mainstream parties, the “Tamil-speaking” alliance may be aimed at winning back its dwindling voter base.ITAK General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran, who spoke at the launch, called the formation of the group a historic milestone which has brought together the political representatives of the Northern, Eastern, Malaiyaha Tamil, and Muslim communities to address certain issues pertaining to Tamil-speaking communities.“Historically, Tamil-speaking communities have worked together when fundamental issues affecting them arose. This platform revives that spirit of cooperation,” he said.The others who addressed the gathering included CWC General Secretary Jeevan Thondaman; Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader MP Mano Ganesan; SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem; All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) leader Rishad Bathiudeen and Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) member Selvam Adaikalanathan.While this alliance is unlikely to cause much concern for the NPP, for the SJB it maybe more of a concern given that all these parties have either directly or indirectly been aligned with the SJB from time to time. The minority votes which traditionally swung in favour of the SJB, the UNP breakaway party, has now turned in favour of the NPP and if this new alliance decides on a future electoral pact, it will harm the SJB more than the ruling side.While the fragmentation of the opposition is good news for the NPP, the government has enough issues to grapple with, including questions over the Negombo prison incident which, as preliminary reports indicate, could have been handled better and lives saved had the authorities better handled the situation.President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held a meeting with officers of the Department of Prisons, including superintendents of prisons, jailers and other officials, on Friday. The discussion focused on the challenges currently facing the prison system and the urgent measures required to address them.The meeting came as the number of prison officials killed in the Negombo prison unrest rose to ten, with two of the injured prison officers succumbing to their injuries this week. During the discussion special attention was given to the recent Negombo incident, and steps need to be taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.Overcrowding in prisons is one of the main reasons for unrest among prisoners. According to Cabinet spokesman minister Nalinda Jayatissa, the government’s Ratama Ekata anti-drugs programme had led to the prison population increasing to 41,000 from 28,000 in September 2024. This is in prisons that can only accommodate up to 11,000 inmates. “Due to the nationwide drug eradication operations being implemented and arrests being made while enforcing the law, this number has escalated further to 41,000 as of today,” the minister said at the weekly cabinet press briefing.In a move to reduce overcrowding, a decision has been taken to direct those arrested under the anti-drug programme to rehabilitation centres where possible, while the Government Analyst’s Department has been asked to expedite its work on around 12,000 pending drug-related cases which cannot be taken up for court hearing until the necessary reports are made available.While the government is dealing with such aspects of the prison-related issues, the Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners has raised concerns regarding the plight of prisoners who were at the Negombo prison and subsequently transferred to other prisons amidst claims by family members that they remain unaware of the whereabouts of their loved ones.The Committee accused prison authorities of actively subverting court directives by unlawfully detaining at least 15 inmates who were already granted bail by the Negombo Court. The Committee claimed that they are being held to extract forced statements and suppress eyewitness evidence of the initial clash. It called for the rule of law to be restored immediately.In a related development, the SJB-led opposition plans to hand over a No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara to the Speaker when Parliament meets next week. The NCM against Minister Nanayakkara will specifically reference his alleged failures during the Negombo Prison riot.SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara pointed out the continued failure by the government to appoint a permanent Commissioner General of Prisons. The post has been left vacant for more than a year, with the present Commissioner General serving only in an active capacity. “How can decisions be made within such a vast institution as the Department of Prisons without proper leadership in place?” Mr Maddumabandara queried. He claimed that from what they understand, the NPP’s version of politics has also infiltrated the prison administration system, which is why there has been no permanent commissioner general of prisons for so long.Extension of judges’ retirement ageMeanwhile, opposition to the government’s moves to extend the retirement age of judges of the superior courts continues to intensify. The Sunday Times reported last week that the NPP government is now proposing to extend the retirement ages of all judges by two years rather than limit it only to those from the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. The new proposal has come in the wake of fierce opposition to the earlier plan from opposition political parties, civil society and the legal community itself. There is no doubt that the widespread opposition to the move to extend the retirement age of superior court judges has stung those in the highest positions of the government. The new proposal, as such, is a clear attempt at damage control. It is also a strategic move designed to win the support of judges of the lower courts.Unfortunately for the government, the latest proposal has failed to stem the controversy. The Judicial Service Association (JSA), representing magistrates and district judges, unanimously resolved last week to disagree with the government proposal to extend the retirement age of judges, including the judges of the superior courts.More than 225 members of the JSA were called for a special general meeting at the Kaduwela Magistrate Court premises last Saturday, but only 65 were present. Government sources argued that the meeting lacked the required quorum and pointed to the resignation of JSA President Pasan Amarasena (Fort Magistrate) the day prior to the meeting as evidence that the association is divided over plans to increase the retirement age of judges. Those who oppose the government’s proposal counter this argument, claiming that while the majority of the JSA’s members are against increasing the retirement age of judges, many chose to skip last Saturday’s meeting over concerns of retaliation.The government, meanwhile, has made it clear that it has no plans to drop its proposal even in the face of such intense opposition. Cabinet spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed on Tuesday that the Cabinet had discussed increasing the retirement age of judges in detail during Monday’s Cabinet meeting and that it had directed the Justice Ministry to submit a report on the matter. While acknowledging there were views both for and against the proposal, he added the government’s next steps will depend on the content of the Justice Ministry’s report.Opposition parties, though, are continuing their campaign against the proposal. On Wednesday, a group of political parties and civil society organisations representing the so-called “Joint Opposition” handed over a joint statement containing eight points to the United Nations. The statement related to the increase of the judges’ retirement age and the tragedy at the Negombo Prison.The joint statement, bearing the signatures of 14 leaders of political parties and civil society activists, was handed over to the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Marc-André Franche, at the UN office in Colombo.Convener of the People’s Joint Opposition, Professor G. L. Peiris; Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Nimal Siripala de Silva; Secretary of the United Republic Front, Bandula Chandrasekera; National Organiser of the United National Party, Sagala Ratnayaka; New Democratic Front MP, Rohitha Abeygunawardena; Leader of the Sri Lanka Mahajana Party, Asanka Navaratne; and Executive Committee Member of the Free Lawyers Association, Keerthi Tennakoon, were among those who had signed the statement.Addressing the media outside the UN’s Colombo office, Prof. Peiris stated that they informed the UN that no one in Sri Lanka is requesting an increase in the retirement age of judges. “The legal community is completely opposed to this. Civil society, magistrates, and MPs have expressed their opposition as well. If so, for whose requirement is this being done?”He also charged that there is no transparency in the entire process, pointing out that extending the retirement ages of superior court judges would require a constitutional amendment. “No one knows what they are trying to do. So far, the government has not made a definitive statement regarding this amendment,” he observed.Opposition parties have also warned that any move to extend the retirement age of judges could also result in those from other branches of the state service demanding that the retirement ages of their own sectors be increased as well.A senior government source dismissed allegations that plans to extend the retirement age of judges are an attempt to interfere with the judiciary. He scoffed at the resolution passed by the JSA last Saturday and brushed aside the letter it had subsequently sent to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake informing him that the association had unanimously resolved to disagree with the government’s moves to increase the retirement age of judges, including those of the superior courts. “They (JSA) have a membership of over 200, but only 65 turned up to pass this resolution,” he pointed out, reiterating a view held by many in the government that the resolution does not reflect the majority opinion of judges of the lower courts.The source noted that the government is now intent on increasing the retirement age of all judges but stressed that any service extension will not be mandatory. Judges will have the option of retiring without serving the additional two-year term if they so wish. “We are not keeping anyone in service against their will. Even if the retirement age is increased by two years, any judge can opt not to take that if they wish and retire early. We will only keep those who wish to remain.”He opined that developments such as the recent JSA resolution came about because there are some within the judicial community who oppose plans to raise judges’ retirement age solely because it will give a service extension to the current Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena.Elaborating on some of the reasons he believes are behind the antipathy toward the current CJ, the source claimed that it stems from attempts by the CJ to bring much-needed discipline and efficiency to the judicial sector. Earlier, the Supreme Court sat only about two days a week. That changed when the current CJ took over, and the court now sits about four days a week. Lower courts from the High Court downwards are hearing cases on all five weekdays. The CJ has also directed that cases that have been dragging on for years be finished quickly by ensuring that they are heard on a continuous basis, the source observed.The CJ has also been quite stern in ensuring discipline within the judicial system by cracking down on judges who engage in wrongdoing. Inquiries and disciplinary action have already been initiated against about 30 judges regarding various allegations of misconduct made against them.“The days when errant judges exercised dictatorial control within their courtrooms and considered themselves to be above the law are over,” asserted the government source. He added that judges must remember that they too are public servants, drawing salaries from the state. They are also given vehicles and security at state expense. These and other perks are provided to them on the grounds that they also do their duty. “They can’t come to and leave court at a time of their own choosing. If they are drawing salaries from the state, they are expected to spend a fair amount of time hearing cases in their courts,” he emphasised. The source pointed out that CJ Surasena has issued strict instructions that judges must hear cases until 5.00pm every weekday.He also claimed that it is “a well-known fact” that some lawyers do not like cases being heard on a daily basis. The more cases get delayed, the more money they can make. But the moves to reduce the law’s delays have hurt their chances of getting postponements.The prolonged issue of the law’s delays, where cases have been dragging through courts for decades, has seriously hurt the public’s faith in the judicial system over the years. This was one of the reasons why people took to the streets and toppled a government not too long ago as they were fed up of the existing system, claimed the source. “Our government is keen on resolving these issues. Judges need not fear this move (to raise the retirement age) or any other steps taken with regard to the judiciary.”SJB General Secretary Maddumabandara disagrees entirely with the government’s stance that the proposal to increase judges’ retirement age is not judicial interference. “It seems to us that this proposal is being made solely for the benefit of one person,” he said, refusing to elaborate. The government’s popularity has plummeted over the past 18 months owing to its many failures, and as such, it is now trying to launch a crackdown targeting the opposition. The proposal to extend the retirement age of superior court judges is one part of this plan, the SJB general secretary alleged.A meeting of leaders of all opposition parties will be convened on July 23 at the opposition leader’s office specifically to discuss the government’s attempts to interfere with the judiciary through extending judges’ retirement age. The meeting on the 23rd will be the start of a concerted effort to form a united front against the arbitrary decisions and measures taken by the government, Mr Maddumabandara told the Sunday Times.In addition to leaders such as Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe may also attend the meeting.Budget preparationsAmid the various challenges to his government, President Dissanayake, who has been forced to delay an official visit to France scheduled for later this month, busied himself this week meeting senior officials of various key ministries for pre-budget discussions.The discussions focused on reviewing the progress of various projects implemented by the ministries under the Budget 2026 allocations and discussing proposals for the 2027 budget. Among the ministries called for pre-budget discussions this week were the Ministries of Transport, Highways and Urban Development; Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Ports and Civil Aviation; Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism; and Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education.President Dissanayake is due to present Budget 2027 to Parliament on November 12.
Palestinians mourn as the bodies of those killed are taken from the morgue of Al-Awda Hospital for burial after an Israeli strike targeted civilians gathered outside the Al-Awda Hospital for other Palestinians’ funeral, in Jabalia, Gaza, Palestine on July 17, 2026. [Adam Bilal – Anadolu Agency]Israeli drone strike on funeral gathering in central Gaza kills 8, injures 20At least eight Palestinians were killed and 20 others injured Friday when an Israeli drone struck a civilian gathering during the funeral of a Palestinian who had been killed earlier by Israeli forces in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, despite a ceasefire, Anadolu reports.The strike raised the number of Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza since dawn Friday to 13 and to 25 over the past 72 hours, according to Gaza authorities.Al-Awda Hospital in the Nuseirat refugee camp said in a statement that it received the bodies of eight people and treated 20 injured after an Israeli strike targeted a gathering of civilians in the Al-Balata market area.Eyewitnesses told Anadolu that the drone targeted Palestinians gathered outside the Ahmad Yassin Mosque as they waited to begin the funeral procession.The funeral was for a Palestinian who had been killed by Israeli forces earlier Friday, the witnesses said.Videos circulating on social media showed several bodies and wounded people lying on the ground, with blood covering their clothes and bodies.Commenting on the attack, the Gaza Media Office said the Israeli army had killed more than 25 Palestinians over the past 72 hours in attacks targeting markets, funerals, civilian gatherings and residential homes.In a statement, the office said it was “following with grave concern the systematic criminal escalation carried out by the Israeli occupation army against unarmed civilians in Gaza, in blatant defiance of all agreements, conventions, customs and international humanitarian law.”It added that “the killings and the war of genocide continue at an escalating pace, carried out through a policy of bombing popular markets, funerals, peaceful civilian gatherings and safe residential apartments over the heads of their inhabitants.”The office said the attacks “constitute a clear entrenchment of a policy of terrorism directed against every living being in the Gaza Strip.”The attack came as Israel continued to violate the ceasefire agreement that has been in effect since Oct. 10, 2025.According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israeli ceasefire violations had killed 1,127 Palestinians and injured 3,643 others as of Thursday.The ministry says Israel’s military campaign in Gaza since October 2023 has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians and wounded over 173,000, while causing widespread destruction to about 90% of the enclave’s civilian infrastructure.
