This page is a daily tracker of political developments related to and policy decisions by the NPP government in power, since the election of Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) as the 9th Executive President of Sri Lanka on 21 September 2024, and the subsequent formation of a three-person NPP cabinet, until the general election to be held on 14 November 2024.
12 October 2024
An investigation conducted by the Bribery Commission revealed that a luxury vehicle that was imported using falsified information provided to customs, had resulted in the government being defrauded of more than Rs. 55 million in taxes, leading to the vehicle being seized.
During a virtual call between Samantha Powers and President Dissanayake, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) expressed support for plans of the government to follow through with its promises made in the election manifesto, which crucially also includes introducing a new constitution.
More than hundred Chinese nationals are arrested in Kundasale in connection to online financial scams. This was part of a series of similar crackdowns on foreign nationals involved in online financial scams.
President AKD orders the Ministry of Finance to allocate Rs. 50 million for relief services and stated that state officials are to ensure proper coordination in delivering the relief as needed for those affected by heavy rains and flooding.
11 October 2024
President AKD instructed the Ministry of Finance to ensure the disbursement of a Rs. 3,000 monthly interim allowance to all pensioners is credited within a week and included in future monthly pensions.
As part of a reshuffle within Sri Lanka Police, Police Commission co-signs the reappointment of former DIG Shani Abeysekera, who had been previously arrested and charged on (later proven) false grounds, in connection to investigating the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019. The reappointment follows the reopening of the case in the present, by the NPP government. Abeysekara accused military intelligence of misleading the CID during crucial stages of the investigation, aiming to conceal ties between intelligence agencies and attackers.
Sri Lanka Police open public hotline on misuse of government vehicles, and the public were urged to report information on vehicles issued by the government that may be unlawfully withheld and concealed in certain locations, left for neglect and dilapidation.
10 October 2024
President AKD directed officials to distribute 11,000 acres of land, currently owned by the Kantale Sugar Company, to local farmers for short-term crop cultivation. He emphasised the need to establish a proper mechanism to ensure the efficient and fair distribution of these lands.
Charges were filed before the Colombo High Court against four persons, including former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, for causing a substantial loss of over Rs.1.84 billion by the purchase of Greek Bonds. The Colombo High Court also imposed an overseas travel ban on the accused, ordering them to hand over their passports to the court and to obtain permission for overseas travel. In May 2024, the Colombo High Court released the accused, including Cabraal, from the case related to the purchase of Treasury Bonds issued by the Government of Greece in 2012.
The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has imposed an overseas travel ban on former Member of Parliament Johnston Fernando over allegations of possessing an illegally assembled luxury vehicle.
The Department of Posts has issued a clarification regarding the recent release of stamps featuring Prime Minister Amarasuriya and Minister Vijitha Herath. The Postal Department clarified that the stamps bearing the images of the Prime Minister and Minister Herath are exclusively commemorative gifts and were not part of the official stamp releases for this year’s World Postal Day.
Admiral Steve Koehler, a 4-star U.S. Navy Admiral and Commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet visited Sri Lanka, marking the highest-level U.S. military visit to the country since 2021.
The National Freedom Front (NFF) led by former MP Wimal Weerawansa has announced that they will not contest in the upcoming General Elections either as an alliance or independently and urges a majority for NPP. Weerawansa stated that there is no doubt that some opposition forces serve an “imperial agenda hostile to the country in order to make President Anura Kumara Dissanayake the second Gotabaya”.
The NPP’s national list features a candidate representing the differently abled community. Others on the list include businessmen, doctors, engineers, accountants, artists and civil activists.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya urged Thailand’s assistance in rescuing Sri Lankans trapped in Myanmar’s Myawaddy cybercrime zone. Cybercrimes involving Sri Lankans in Myawaddy have persisted since the economic downturn, as Sri Lankans seek means of migrating for seemingly legitimate occupations.
Justice Murdhu Fernando has taken oath as the Acting Chief Justice before President AKD. Justice Fernando is the second woman to hold the position of Chief Justice in Sri Lanka’s history,
09 October 2024
Cabinet spokesman Vijitha Herath told media that Sri Lanka will pursue BRICS membership at a meeting in Russia later this month.
The draft resolution A/HRC/57/L.1 on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka has been adopted without a vote during the ongoing 57th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva. This followed Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers rejecting the proposed drafted resolution and continuing to oppose the 51/1 resolution of the drafted resolution of the UNHRC, stating it has not agreed to any resolution that extends the powers of the collection of external evidence mechanism. Furthermore, the Cabinet of Ministers stated that Sri Lanka will take action in respect of main human right issues including the reconciliation through local procedure.
President AKD held a key meeting with senior officials from the Sri Lanka Customs Department and the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) at the Presidential Secretariat. The discussions centered on strategies to enhance revenue generation and improve operational efficiency within both departments and overcome challenges faced in managing revenue and tackling tax evasion.
Minister Vijitha Herath reveals that the 130-year-old iconic Nuwara Eliya Post Office building, along with its premises, will be used exclusively for postal department operations. Under the former government, it had been proposed to hand over the colonial-era building to the private sector for a hotel project which had drawn a string of protests from people, trade unions, and other organisations.
The Society of Radiological Technologists Association Sri Lanka (SRTSL) says they have requested Prime Minister Amarasuriya to appoint a committee to investigate corruption and irregularities that have allegedly taken place within the Ministry of Health in the recent past. The CID has also reported facts to court regarding another medicine procurement scandal.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya states that enhancing counseling services for the youth will be a government priority.
08 October 2024
Sri Lanka’s new government said it will review a wind power deal with the Adani Group after the general election. The previous administration’s approval of electricity prices for Adani Green Energy Ltd.’s projects “was a problem,” Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told reporters after a meeting of the Cabinet ministers. During the presidential election campaign, AKD stated that he would cancel the Adani project when he came to power.
The Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations against Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Kanishka Wijeratne tells the Supreme Court that he will resign from office. This followed after the court granted leave to proceed with three Fundamental Rights (FR) applications filed challenging his appointment as the Director General of the Bribery Commission.
Sri Lanka Cabinet Spokesperson says Sri Lanka maintains balanced diplomatic relations with all countries. He addressed the government’s decision to allow a Chinese military training vessel to visit Sri Lanka this month, stating that this falls within the framework of the country’s diplomatic engagements. Minister Herath prefaced the government’s foreign relations policy: “We don’t consider any country to be special. Whether it’s China, India, the United States, Russia, Cuba, or Vietnam, Sri Lanka maintains diplomatic relations with all countries—big or small. We have no bias in our approach.”
Sri Lanka’s newly elected government has rejected the proposed drafted resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council and opposes the 51/1 resolution, stating that Sri Lanka is to continue taking action in respect of human rights issues, including reconciliation, through local procedure.
Government launches probe into missing sections of 2018 Easter Attacks-related investigation committee’s report.
Vasudeva Nanayakkara’s Democratic Left Front (DLF or Prajathanthravadi Vamanshika Peramuna) has officially announced its support for the NPP in the forthcoming general election.
Senior Professor Hareendra Dissabandara is appointed as the new Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC).
M.S.P. Sooriyapperuma, a special grade officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, who is currently working as an Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security, is appointed to the post of Commissioner General of Registration of Persons on an acting basis.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved appointing Senior Special Grade Officer of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), U.D.N. Jayaweera as the Acting Commissioner General of Excise.
07 October 2024
The World Bank and the Government of Sri Lanka signed the Second Resilience, Stability, and Economic Turnaround (RESET) Development Policy Operation (DPO) for $200 million. This is the second operation in a two-part series that began in 2022.
The former Senior DIG and head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Nilantha Jayawardana appears before the Supreme Court in relation to the Fundamental Rights petitions filed against him for failing to take action to prevent the Easter Sunday Attacks. The court had ordered him and others to pay compensation to the victims of the Easter Sunday Attacks. Nilantha Jayawardana informed the Supreme Court that the arrears of the compensation which was ordered to be paid to the victims had been completely settled.
Government officially suspends board meetings of statutory bodies and government institutions suspended. It is the responsibility of the new ministers to appoint new presidents and heads of these institutions.
The Director of the Planning Division of the National Institute of Education (NIE) in Maharagama and the schoolteacher, who were arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) over the Grade 5 scholarship examination question paper issue, have been ordered to be remanded until October 22.
As part on ongoing reforms in the CID by public security secretary Ravi Seneviratne, a female officer, SSP Imesha Muthumal, has been named to head the institution for the first time.
06 October 2024
President AKD announces that the investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks are to be carried out. The President also highlighted growing suspicions that the government apparatus at the time may have been involved in the attacks.
The Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya has instructed all police stations to inquire into all pending minor complaints lodged by the public and take necessary actions within the next two weeks. This comes in light of the newly elected government’s pledge to restore justice and minimise corruption.
President AKD visited the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura. Afterwards, the President visited the Ruwanwelisaya,
The government has implemented measures to increase the import tax on potatoes from Rs. 50 to Rs. 60, an increase of Rs. 10, and the tax on imported big onions from Rs. 10 to Rs. 30, an increase of Rs. 20.
05 October 2024
During a discussion with India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, President AKD stated that he will never allow Sri Lankan territory to be used inimical for India’s security interests, He reiterated India’s support for the aspirations of all communities, including Tamils, for equality, justice, dignity, peace while maintaining the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka. Jaishankar also spoke about ongoing initiatives in the field of energy production and transmission, fuel and LNG supply, and solar electrification. Jaishankar’s one-day official visit to Sri Lanka was the first high-level foreign dignitary to visit Sri Lanka after the new government assumed office. President AKD is set to make his first official overseas visit to New Delhi for discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following an invitation from Jaishankar. This visit is anticipated after the November 14 general election.
Sri Lanka’s new government has approved a controversial restructure of US$14.7 billion in foreign commercial credit tentatively agreed by its predecessor, the finance ministry said. Sri Lanka’s new government is expected to launch a formal offer of its US$12.5 billion debt rework to bondholders by mid-November 2024.
New Director appointed to State Intelligence Service (SIS). The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Dhammika Priyantha is appointed as the new Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS). The appointment comes following the dismissal of former Director of the SIS Major General Suresh Sallay and the SIS being brought back under the control of the police after nearly five years. The Catholic Church had repeatedly urged successive governments to take action against Sallay, who was accused of involvement in the Easter Sunday bombings of April 2019.
President AKD visited the headquarters of the Ramanna Maha Nikaya and Amarapura Maha Nikayas.
04 October 2024
Defence Ministry orders to surrender all firearms issued to civilians. The Ministry of Defence has announced that all firearms and ammunition provided to civilians for self-defence will be acquired by the government and that they must be handed over to the relevant authorities before 07 November.
Sri Lanka announces successful completion of OCC and IMF consultation process. Following the Agreement in Principle (AIP) reached with representatives of its international and local holders of International Sovereign Bonds (ISBs) on 19th September 2024, the Sri Lankan authorities completed their consultations with Sri Lanka’s Official Creditor Committee (OCC) and the IMF regarding the compliance of the AIP terms with the Comparability of Treatment (CoT) principle and the parameters of Sri Lanka’s IMF-supported program.
03 October 2024
High-level International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation led by Krishna Srinivasan, Director for the Asia Pacific Department, meets President AKD and the new government’s economics team for a two-day discussion. The President reaffirmed commitment to IMF objectives and advocated for alternative solutions to ease the burden on people today. While reaffirming the government’s broad agreement in principle with the objectives of the IMF programme, he emphasised the importance of achieving these objectives through alternative means that relieves the burden off the people. The President stated that the government plans to expand social spending and offer relief to those burdened by high Value Added Tax (VAT) and income taxes. While there have been delays due to upcoming General Elections, President AKD assured the IMF of the government’s dedication to continuing the programme without disruption and facilitating the third review process. The IMF acknowledges Sri Lanka’s progress, highlights vulnerabilities and says Sri Lanka’s Third Review under the USD 2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme, will be announced in due course.
President expresses commitment to building an efficient, people-centered public service.
The Election Commission of Sri Lanka stated that steps will be taken to hold the Local Government Elections, in compliance with the Supreme Court order, as soon as the upcoming General Election is concluded.
Gates Foundation commits to supporting government’s digitisation projects.
02 October 2024
Lanka National Transport Commission reduces bus fare by 4.24%, in a run up to the revision in the price of diesel. The minimum bus fare has been reduced from 28 rupees to 27.
China pledges full support for Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring and economic stability
01 October 2024
Minister Vijitha Herath announces a new constitution is to be drawn up. The MP reiterated the sentiment expressed by President AKD running up to the election win: that an NPP government will hold a referendum on a new constitution, hold the delayed provincial council and local government polls within a year, and appoint a commission to investigate discrimination, in an effort to address long standing ethnic issues.
Minister Vijitha Herath states that the NPP government will pursue the alleged 2015 bond scam court case. He stated that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe had avoided prosecution using presidential immunity.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the appointment of a committee chaired by retired Supreme Court Judge K.T. Chithrasiri, to assess and review the limitation of claims, allowances and privileges granted to Members of Parliament (MPs), Ministers, and former Presidents.
The state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation announces a price revision of petrol and diesel. The state-run entity reduced the price of Petrol 92 octane litre down by Rs. 21, Auto Diesel by Rs. 24, Super Diesel by Rs. 33 and Kerosene by Rs. 19.
The Cabinet of Ministers has given its consensus to appoint the Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Duminda Hulangamuwa and Professor Anil Fernando of Sri Jayewardenepura University as Senior Economic Advisors to the President. They will serve in an honorary capacity, according to the Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Vijitha Herath.
S. Shritharan, Member of Parliament (MP), Tamil National Alliance (TNA), from the Jaffna district, met with President AKD at the Presidential Secretariat.
Acting Controller General of Immigration and Emigration appointed. This decision follows the recent remand of the former Controller General of Immigration and Emigration I.S.H.J. Illukpitiya, who has been ordered remanded from September 25 by the Supreme Court over contempt charges.
Channa Gunawardana appointed to Litro Gas Lanka Limited and Litro Gas Terminal Lanka (Pvt) Ltd as the new Chairman.
President instructs to suspend Scholarship Exam paper marking for two weeks.
30 September 2024
The President’s Office releases full list of 107 vehicles returned and who used them. The President’s Office added that steps were taken to allocate the vehicles to be used for essential services, as per a directive recently issued by the President.
A special discussion was called at the Ministry of Public Security, chaired by Minister Vijitha Herath, to discuss security measures for former presidents and other VIPs.
29 September 2024
The Commissioner General of Elections, Saman Sri Ratnayake, stated that President AKD signed the relevant document for the release of Rs. 11 billion which is expected to be expense to hold the 2024 general election.
Vijitha Herath appointed as President’s representative to the Constitutional Council. Accordingly, former Minister of Ports, Aviation and Shipping Nimal Siripala de Silva has been removed from the Constitutional Council. Prime Minister Amarasuriya has also been appointed as a new member of the Council.
Acting Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasooriya stated that the official anti-drugs programme, Operation Yukthiya, will continue to be stronger and more efficient than before.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya visited The Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. The Prime Minister visited the Katukelle mosque and Harmony Center in Kandy and assured that incidents such as ‘forced cremation,’ which affected the Muslim community, will never recur in the future.
28 September 2024
President AKD signs his first gazette summoning all members of the Armed Forces for the maintenance of Public Order in specific areas.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya orders rapid audit of sports ministry allocations.
President AKD appoints Senior Advocate J.M. Wijebandara as the Director General Legal of the Presidential Secretariat.
27 September 2024
Prime Minister Amarasuriya stated that the government has decided to allocate more funding for education. The Prime Minister’s Secretariat announced that instructions have been given to immediately halt inviting politicians to school events. 
Senior DIG Priyantha Weerasuriya appointed as the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP).
President AKD instructs Police to reopen Sir Baron Jayathilake Mawatha and Janadhipathi Mawatha near the President’s House for public.
India’s Mayiladuthurai Congress MP writes to President AKD to release Indian fishermen detained in Sri Lanka.
26 September 2024
President AKD announces plan to establish a committee to expedite foreign aid projects such as those of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
President AKD directed Treasury to provide a fertilizer subsidy of Rs. 25,000 per hectare to paddy farmers for the Maha season, increasing the subsidy by Rs.10,000, from the original Rs.15,000. In addition, the President has directed the Treasury to implement a fuel subsidy for the fishing community, effective from October 01. This measure is intended to boost the fishing industry and lower production costs for fishermen.
Government reinstates previous visa issuing system and announces that an analysis is underway to investigate the alleged irregularities in contracting the VFS organisation to issue visas.
The Monetary Policy Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka decides to maintain the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank at their current levels of 8.25 per cent and 9.25 per cent, respectively.
25 September 2024
New Governors for the nine provinces in Sri Lanka are appointed.
Following due procedure, former ministers and government officials return state vehicles to the premises of the Presidential Secretariat. The President instructed the Criminal Investigation Department to do a systematic investigation into the 107 vehicles that were parked at Galle Face and other locations, which were provided to associates of past governments under various positions.Dr. Senesh Dissanayake Bandara is appointed as the new Chairman of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) while Dr. Uditha Gayashan was appointed as the new chairman of Sri Lanka Broadcasting Cooperation (SLBC). Bandara and Gayashan both come from senior lecturer posts, with Bandara also having had a career in film direction.
Gamini Warushamana assumes duty as Lake House Chairman
24th September 2024
The Extraordinary Gazette notification issued by President AKD dissolving the Parliament of Sri Lanka effective from midnight 24 is published by the Department of Government Printing, facilitating a snap general election to be held on 14 November 2024.
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is appointed as the 16th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and the 3rd woman Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.
New Cabinet of Ministers appointed, with 15 ministries under the President, Prime Minister, and Minister Vijitha Herath. President AKD is allocated key ministries including Defence, Finance, Energy, Agriculture, and Land, Livestock. Among the ministries PM Amarasuriya is allocated are Justice, public administration, provincial councils, local government, education, labour, trade, commerce, food security, co-operative development, industries and entrepreneur development, and health. Among the ministries minister Herath is assigned are Buddhist affairs, religious and cultural affairs, national integration, social security, mass media, transport, highways, ports and civil aviation, public security, and foreign affairs, environment, infrastructure, rural and urban development, housing and construction.
President AKD continues appointments of Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe and Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana. The President later defended his decision to retain key state officials, despite his party’s criticism of these public servants.
President AKD visits the Archbishop of Colombo and meets His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith. The Cardinal told media that the President had assured him of his commitment to furthering the investigation over the 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks.
Former IUSF Convener Dr. Najith Indika is appointed as the Director General of the Presidential Media Division.
Sri Lanka’s consumer price inflation slows to 1.1 per cent year-on-year in August from 2.5 per cent in July,
23rd September 2024
NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) is sworn in as 9th Executive President of Sri Lanka.
President AKD visits The Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy to seek blessings. Seeking blessings from the prelates of the Temple is typical of newly appointed heads of State in Sri Lanka, and enshrines the foremost position of Buddhism within the state.
Former NPP MP Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi’s name was gazetted to fill the parliamentary seat vacated by President AKD.
Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayaka is appointed as the Secretary to the President. Kumanayake comes from a background in the Sri Lanka Customs, where he worked as an integrity development advisor.
National Organiser of the NPP’s National Intellectual Organisation, Ananda Wijepala is appointed as the Private Secretary.
Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuyacontha is appointed as the new secretary to the Ministry of Defence. Thuyacontha was deployed in the North during the last stage of the civil war in 2009.
Former Senior DIG Ravi Seneviratne is appointed as the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security. Seneviratne has in the past alleged that the government under Gotabaya Rajapaksa obstructed the investigation into the Easter Sunday Attacks, claiming that a travel ban was placed on over 700 CID officers as a means of pressuring investigators.
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