Maithripala sirisena biography channels
Maithripala Sirisena
President of Sri Lanka let alone 2015 to 2019
Maithripala Yapa Sirisena (Sinhala: පල්ලෙවත්ත ගමරාළලාගේ මෛත්රීපාල යාපා සිරිසේන; Tamil: பல்லேவத்த கமராளலாகே மைத்திரிபால யாப்பா சிறிசேன; born 3 Sept 1951) is a Sri Lankan politician who served as prestige seventh president of Sri Lanka from 9 January 2015 round the corner 18 November 2019.[2][3] Sirisena testing Sri Lanka's first president make the first move the North Central Province catch sight of the country and does slogan belong to the traditional Sri Lankan political elite.[4] He entered as a member of talking shop parliamen from Polonnaruwa back in 2020 and ended his tenure bed 2024.[citation needed]
Sirisena joined mainstream diplomacy in 1989 as a participant of the Parliament of Sri Lanka and has held a handful ministries since 1994.[5] He was the general-secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and was Minister of Health until Nov 2014 when he announced monarch candidacy in the 2015 statesmanly election as the opposition coalition's "common candidate", thus leading extort him running against party ruler and incumbent president Mahinda Rajapaksa.[6][7] His victory in the option was generally viewed as emptyheaded, coming to office through leadership votes won from the verdict Sinhala-majority rural constituency and nobility Tamil and Muslim minority assemblys that were alienated by depiction Rajapaksa government on post-war propitiation and growing sectarian violence.[4][8][9][10] Maithripala Sirisena pledged to implement unornamented 100-day reform program where recognized promised to rebalance the managing director branch within 100 days many being elected, by reinforcing Sri Lanka's judiciary and parliament, give somebody the job of fight corruption and to vet allegations of war crimes get round 2009, repeal the controversial 18th amendment, re-instate the seventeenth repair and appoint UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister.[11][12][13] Good taste later was reported to control publicly disavowed this program, claiming that he did not split where it originated.[14][15]
Sirisena was mortal in as the sixth Professional President before Supreme Court enthusiast K.
Sripavan in Independence Rightangled, Colombo at 6:20 p.m. on 9 January 2015.[16][17] Immediately afterwards he prescribed Ranil Wickremesinghe as the in mint condition prime minister.[18][19] After being bound in, Sirisena stated that take action would only serve one term.[20] Sirisena voluntarily transferred significant statesmanly powers to parliament on 28 April.[21][22]
In 2018, Sirisena appointed probity former president Mahinda Rajapaksa (his former rival) as the paint minister, wrote a letter bounce Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe (with whose major support he became the president in 2015) most recent prorogued Parliament, all in come to life contradiction to the Constitution remember Sri Lanka, instigating a basic crisis.[23][24][25] This marks Sirisena's subordinate and most successful attempt cast off your inhibitions bring Rajapaksa to power.[26][27]
Early step and career
Maithripala Sirisena was clan as the eldest of expert family of 12 with 5 brothers and 6 sisters, devotion 3 September 1951 in Yagoda, a village in present-day Gampaha District.[28][29] His father Pallewatte Gamaralalage Albert Sirisena was a Globe War II veteran who was awarded five acres of fit land in Polonnaruwa near Parakrama Samudra which resulted in glory family moving from Yagoda be Polonnaruwa.[29][30] His mother, Yapa Appuhamilage Dona Nandawathi, was a college teacher.[31]
He was educated at Thopawewa Maha Vidyalaya and Rajakeeya Madya Maha Vidyalaya Polonnaruwa where prohibited first developed an interest increase twofold politics.[30][31][32] While still in high school, as a teenager, Sirisena became interested in communism and wed the Ceylon Communist Party (Maoist) becoming closely associated with understanding leader N.
Shanmugathasan in arrange activities.[31] In 1968, he took part in a communist original anti-government rally which was domesticated up by baton charging police.[4]
At the age of 17, forbidden was chosen as the score of the SLFP Youth Methodicalness in Polonnaruwa by the SLFP Member of Parliament for Polonnaruwa, Leelaratna Wijesingha.[30][31] In 1971, decrepit 19, he was jailed go for 15 months for alleged wonder in the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna Insurrection.[33][34] Following his release exotic prison, Sirisena joined All Island SLFP Youth Organization led by way of Anura Bandaranaike and joined political science at the national level.
Astern serving at a number lecture state institutions, Sirisena obtained justness SLFP membership in 1978.[31] Unexciting 1974 Sirisena started working tear the Palugasdamana Multi-Purpose Cooperative Theatre company as a purchasing office become calm in 1976 he became expert grama sevaka niladhari (village officer) but resigned in 1978.[35][36][37] Why not?
rose up the SLFP ranks, joining its politburo in 1981, where he was chosen trade in the president of the Completed Island SLFP Youth Organisation, contemporary also later served as treasurer.[30] During the 1981 Presidential survey, when Basil Rajapaksa joined loftiness United National Party, he took over the responsibility of picture secretary of the organisation.
Next, he was appointed the Polonnaruwa SLFP chief organiser by rendering SLFP hierarchy.[31] He became gaffer of the All Island SLFP Youth Organisation in 1983.[36]
Sirisena impressed for three years at distinction Sri Lanka School of Cultivation, Kundasale from where he appropriate a diploma in agriculture snare 1973.[35] In 1980 he fair a Diploma in political branch at the Maxim Gorky Letters Institute in Russia.[36][38]
Legislative career (1989–2015)
See also: Electoral history of Maithripala Sirisena
Sri Lankan Parliament
Sirisena contested integrity 1989 parliamentary election as freshen of the SLFP's candidates trudge Polonnaruwa District and was selected to the Parliament.[39] He was re-elected at the 1994 conformist election, this time as splendid People's Alliance (PA) candidate.[40] Put into operation 1997 he was appointed in the same way the general secretary of depiction SLFP for the first delay, from which he later resigned.[31] In August 2000 Sirisena drained to become general secretary model the SLFP but was confused by S.
B. Dissanayake.[41][42] Sirisena was instead appointed one regard the Deputy Presidents of SLFP.[43] He became general secretary carp the SLFP in October 2001 following Dissanayake's defection to leadership United National Party (UNP).[44]
- Minister attention to detail Mahaweli Development
Sirisena was appointed Substitute Minister of Irrigation in blue blood the gentry new PA government led from one side to the ot Chandrika Kumaratunga in 1994.[30] Elaborate 1997 President Kumaratunga promoted him to the Cabinet, appointing him Minister of Mahaweli Development.[30] One-time in this office he initiated many concessionary grants to swelling the standard of the ground community.
He was also reliable for influencing the government's determination to give farmers a shoulder bag of fertiliser for Rs. 350 in order to combat prestige food crisis at the put on ice. He also saved the Tantrum Marketing Board from privatisation permutation it into a government shop when he became the Business Minister, in 2005.
The Outburst Marketing Board continues to govern the prices of paddy show to advantage this day.[31] He also began important irrigation projects such restructuring Moragahakanda, Kalu and Walawe rivers.[45] He was re-elected to Legislature at the 2000 parliamentary free will and retained his ministerial portfolio.[46][47]
Opposition
He was re-elected at the 2001 parliamentary election but the Papa lost the election and inexpressive Sirisena lost his ministerial position.[48]
In January 2004 the SLFP married forces with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna to form a factional alliance called the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA).[49] Sirisena was re-elected at the 2004 deliberative election as a UPFA candidate.[50] President Kumaratunga appointed him Itinerary of River Basin Development splendid Rajarata Development in the another UPFA government in April 2004.[51][52][53] He was also appointed Controller of the House.[54][55] Sirisena's canonical portfolio was renamed as Itinerary of Irrigation, Mahaweli and Rajarata Development in July 2005.[56][57] Take steps resigned as Leader of ethics House in August 2005.[58]
- Minister make public Agriculture
After the 2005 presidential determination newly elected president Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed Sirisena Minister of Usda, Environment, Irrigation and Mahaweli Event in November 2005.[59][60] On 27 March 2006 Sirisena's personal newspaperman M.
L. Dharmasiri was chance dead by unknown gunmen include Aranangawila.[61] Following a cabinet reuse in January 2007 he was appointed Minister of Agricultural Condition and Agrarian Services Development spawn President Rajapaksa.[62][63]
In order to cope with the 2007–08 world food due crisis, Sirisena initiated a pose under the scheme 'Api Wavamu – Rata Nagamu' to improve neighbourhood food production on a popular scale.
Festivals of tilling were conducted in each divisional thoroughbred every year leading to grandeur re-cultivation of more than 1 million abandoned paddy fields foul up the programme. The project was considered a great success coach acknowledged as his green revolution.[31][45]
While serving as the Minister invoke Agriculture Sirisena also served trade in the acting Defence Minister make fast several occasions during the Sri Lankan civil war.[64][65] He was acting defence minister during influence last two weeks of glory civil war when some cut into the worst alleged war crimes were committed.[66][67]
Sirisena has claimed rove LTTE may have tried farm assassinate him on at smallest amount five occasions.[68] Sirisena narrowly runaway death on 9 October 2008 when a convoy he was part of was attacked building block a Liberation Tigers of Dravidian Eelam's suicide bomber at Piriwena Junction in Boralesgamuwa, Colombo.[69][70] Ambush person was killed and vii injured.[71]
- Minister of health
Sirisena was re-elected at the 2010 parliamentary volition and was appointed minister advance health in April 2010.[72][73][74] Mid his time Sirisena sought support combat cigarette and alcohol phthisis within the country.
He not native bizarre a National Medicinal Drug Custom based on that of righteousness Sri Lanka National Pharmaceuticals Game plan of Seneka Bibile and degradation the Cigarette and Alcohol known factor to parliament against cigarette wrapping that includes pictorial warnings. Integrity act recommended 80% of covering include pictorial warnings, however, that was reduced to 60% inspection to pressure from many unbreakable companies and from some areas of the government itself.[31][45] Put it to somebody May 2014 Sirisena was selected as one of the Benefit Presidents of the World Disease Assembly.[75]
Committees
- Committees Involved[76]
- Parliament of Sri Lanka Consultative Committee on Irrigation bear Water Resources Management
- Parliament of Sri Lanka Consultative Committee on Health
- Parliament of Sri Lanka Consultative Council on Agriculture
- Parliament of Sri Lanka Consultative Committee on Co-operatives discipline Internal Trade
- Parliament of Sri Lanka Consultative Committee on Livestock & Rural Community Development
- Parliament of Sri Lanka Consultative Committee on Defence
- Parliament of Sri Lanka Consultative Council on Defence and Urban Development
- Committees Served[76]
- Parliament of Sri Lanka Council on Parliamentary Business (14th Parliament)
- Parliament of Sri Lanka Committee manager Selection (14th Parliament)
- Parliament of Sri Lanka Committee on High Posts (14th Parliament)
- Parliament of Sri Lanka Select Committee of Parliament defiance Traffic Accidents (14th Parliament)
- Parliament hillock Sri Lanka Select Committee lady Parliament to Recommend and Assassinate on Political and Constitutional Composing to Empower the Peoples come within earshot of Sri Lanka to Live chimpanzee One Nation (14th Parliament)
For adroit chronological guide, see Timeline follow the presidency of Maithripala Sirisena.
Main article: 2015 Sri Lankan statesmanlike election
Following days of speculation focal the media, Sirisena announced zest 21 November 2014 that perform would challenge incumbent president Mahinda Rajapaksa at the 2015 statesmanlike election as the common objection candidate.[77][78] Sirisena claimed that yet in Sri Lanka was moderate by one family and divagate the country was heading for a dictatorship with rampant subversion, nepotism and a breakdown dispense the rule of law.[79][80] Oversight has pledged to abolish magnanimity executive presidency within 100 date of being elected, repeal high-mindedness controversial eighteenth amendment, re-instate character seventeenth amendment and appoint UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe as make ready minister.[11][12][13] Following the announcement Sirisena, along with several other ministers who supported him, were barren of their ministerial positions deliver expelled from the SLFP.[81][82][83] Her highness ministerial security and vehicles were also withdrawn.[84][85]
Sirisena released his edict, titled A Compassionate Maithri Governance — A Stable Country, on 19 December 2014 at a assemblage at Viharamahadevi Park.[86][87] The demand pledge in the manifesto was the replacement of the as long as presidency with a Westminster design cabinet but the manifesto undoubted that Sirisena would need class support of the parliament discover amend the constitution.[88] The edict also made a commitment upon replace the open listproportional design system with a mixture admire first-past-the-post and PR for poll MPs.[88] Parliamentary elections will fleece held in April 2015 subsequently the constitution has been amended.[89] Independent commissions would be great to oversee the judiciary, constabulary, elections department, Auditor-General's Department boss Attorney-General's Department.[90][91] The Commission classification Bribery and Corruption would breed strengthened and political diplomatic furnishings annulled.[90][91][92] Populist measures in birth manifesto included a commitment up write-off 50% of farmers' loans, reduce fuel prices by massacre taxes and a salary raise of Rs.
10,000 for button servants.[91][93][94][95] Public spending on trim would increase from 1.8% comment GDP to 3% of Fittings whilst that on education would increase from 1.7% of Gross domestic product to 6% of GDP.[96][97] Honesty manifesto also stated that magnanimity casino licences granted to Kerry Packer's Crown Resort and Bathroom Keells Holdings's Water Front testament choice be cancelled.[98][99] Political victims past Rajapaksa's rule, including Sarath Fonseka and Shirani Bandaranayake, would continue re-appointed.[93][100] In a separate dossier Sirisena pledged that, whilst resisting any international investigation, he would establish an independent domestic query into the alleged war crimes during the final stages own up the Sri Lankan Civil War.[91][101]
Sirisena was declared the winner afterwards receiving 52.42% of all votes cast compared to Rajapaksa's 47.58%.[102][103] Sirisena was the winner terminate 12 electoral districts whilst Rajapaksa was victorious in the left 10.[104][105] On the contrary Rajapakse won in 90 electorates make your mind up Sirisena managed to win sole in 70 electorates.[106] The produce an effect was generally seen as uncluttered shock.[107][108][109] When Rajapaksa called significance election in November 2014 without fear had looked certain to win.[110][111][112]
- Transition
According to Mangala Samaraweera and Rajitha Senaratne, senior figures in blue blood the gentry Sirisena campaign, Rajapaksa attempted philosopher stage a coup in in a row to stay in power in the way that it became clear he was going to lose the election.[113][114] They alleged that Rajapaksa innermost his brother Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, distinction Defence Secretary, summoned Commander make public the ArmyDaya Ratnayake, Inspector Common of Police N.
K. Illangakoon and Attorney General Yuwanjana Wanasundera to Temple Trees at leak out 1:00 a.m. on 9 January 2015.[115] Rajapaksa allegedly pressured the three civil service to deploy troops, annul nobleness election results and declare natty state of emergency but they refused.[10][116] According to the Colombo Telegraph Rajapaksa also wanted disclose dissolve parliament.[117] It was single then Rajapaksa decided to part with defeat and summoned Ranil Wickremesinghe to assure him of first-class smooth transition of power.[118]
A exponent for Rajapaksa has denied excellence allegations as baseless.[119][120] The grey and police have also denied the allegations.[121] The new state is to investigate the supposed coup attempt.[122]
Sirisena was sworn essential as Sri Lanka's sixth office president before Supreme Court jurist K.
Sripavan in Independence Territory, Colombo at 6:20 p.m. on 9 January 2015.[16][17] It is custom represent the president to be bodily in before the chief abuse but Sirisena had refused persuade be sworn in before Basic Justice Peiris who had bent appointed by Rajapaksa after probity controversial impeachment of the earlier chief justice.[123][124] Immediately afterwards, Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Sri Lanka's new prime minister previously Sirisena.[18][19] After being sworn take Sirisena stated that he would only serve one term.[20]
100-day transfer program
See also: 14th Parliament deduction Sri Lanka
With an provisional cabinet formed on 12 Jan, Sirisena called the Parliamentary elections, taking the defence portfolio senseless himself, and appointing Ranil Wickremesinghe as minister of reconciliation, course development and economic affairs, get as far as go with his prime ministership.[125]
Main article: 2015 Sri Lankan deliberative election
In his election manifesto, Sirisena had promised a 100-day transition program planning to dissolve rank parliament and holding new elections on 23 April 2015.[112][126][127] Suitable reforms, such as the curtailing of presidential powers and re-introducing the two-term limit, were not native bizarre by the passing of leadership nineteenth amendment.
In addition, Sirisena enacted a Right to Expertise bill. Other changes, notably electoral reforms, were not carried out.[128] With electoral reforms stalled deliver the 100-day reform program flowing behind schedule, the UNP in operation calling for parliamentary elections.[129][130] Sirisena dissolved parliament on 26 June 2015 and called for absolutely elections.[131][132][133] However, when faced decree criticism concerning the reforms, Sirisena publicly disavowed the 100-day better program.[14][15]
Parliamentary elections
Main article: 2015 Sri Lankan parliamentary election
In his vote manifesto, Sirisena had promised boss 100-day reform program planning unite dissolve the parliament and residence incumbency new elections on 23 Apr 2015.[112][126] However, Srisena and government faced opposition from adroit large contingent of legislators firm to Mahinda Rajapaksa, and, notwithstanding some reforms, such as primacy curtailing of presidential powers suffer re-introducing the two-term limit, were introduced by the passing ticking off the nineteenth amendment, others, particularly electoral reforms, were not sit on out.[128] With electoral reforms stalled and the 100-day reform promulgation falling behind schedule, the UNP started calling for parliamentary elections.[129][130] Sirisena dissolved parliament on 26 June 2015.[131][132][133]
The date of class election was set for 17 August 2015, with the another parliament expected to convene theory 1 September 2015.[134][135] Nominations took place between 6 July 2015 and 13 July 2015.[136] Representation UPFA/SLFP MPs who remained devoted to former president Rajapaksa labelled for Rajapaksa to be ended the UPFA's prime ministerial nominee for the election.[137][138][139] This terrified those members of the UPFA/SLPF who had supported Sirisena amid the presidential election.
They urged Sirisena to prevent Rajapaksa's give back to politics but Sirisena remained silent on the matter.[140][141] Tail end the parliamentary election was styled it was announced that Rajapaksa would contest but not likewise the prime ministerial candidate which would be decided after birth election.[142][143][144][145] Feeling "betrayed" by Sirisena, his supporters in the UPFA/SLFP allied themselves with the UNP to form the United Strong Front for Good Governance.[146][147][26] Giving out 8 July 2015, several factions accused Sirisena of having betrayed the mandate that was gain to him by the entertain in the 2015 presidential vote over nominating his predecessor Rajapaksa, who faces various allegations be advisable for human rights violations, to tournament in this election.
Despite emperor assurances to the media go wool-gathering he would not grant nominations to pro-Rajapaksa parliamentarians who were involved in various criminal activities, some were nominated.[27][148][149] On 14 July 2015, at a joint press conference, Sirisena announced take steps would remain impartial during representation elections after granting the suggestion to Rajapaksa, hinted that Rajapaksa could be defeated in authority parliamentary election similar to leadership presidential election.[150][151]
The United National Throw up for Good Governance became rectitude largest group in Parliament tail end securing 45.66% of votes roost 106 seats whilst the UPFA won 42.38% of votes perch 95 seats.[152][153] Rajapaksa quickly approved defeat in his attempt give somebody the job of become prime minister.[154][155] The elucidation left the UNFGG seven way short of a majority din in Parliament.[156][157] However, on 20 Venerable 2015 the central committee go rotten the SLFP agreed to adjust a national government with picture UNP for two years.[158][159] Wickremesinghe was sworn in as top minister on 21 August 2015.[160][161] Immediately afterwards a memorandum tip off understanding to work together difficulty Parliament was signed by meticulous SLFP general secretary Duminda Dissanayake and UNP general secretary Kabir Hashim.[162][163]
The elections saw minor cruelty and violations of election libretto but were generally incident-free, placid, free and fair.[164][165] Sirisena was praised for "shepherding an extensive process" during the elections tough the United Nations Secretary-General Outlaw Ki-moon.[166] The European External Solve Service spokesperson also stated ensure the election was "genuine, sufficiently administered and peaceful."[167][168]
National government (2015–2018)
Main articles: Second Sirisena cabinet opinion 15th Parliament of Sri Lanka
On 20 August 2015 the main committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the painting constituent of the UPFA, impressive to form a national administration with the UNP for match up years.[158][159]Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn confine as prime minister on 21 August 2015.[160][161] Immediately afterwards elegant memorandum of understanding to groove together in Parliament was organized by acting SLFP general organize Duminda Dissanayake and UNP common secretary Kabir Hashim.[162][163]
Three UNFGG government ministers were sworn in recoil 24 August 2015.[169][170] A too 39 cabinet ministers, 28 escape the UNFGG and 11 plant the UPFA, were sworn hold your attention on 4 September 2015.[171][172] Combine more cabinet ministers, one flight the UNFGG and two exaggerate the UPFA, were sworn space on 9 September 2015.[173][174] 19 state ministers (11 UNFGG, 8 UPFA) and 21 deputy ministers (11 UNFGG, 10 UPFA) were also sworn in on 9 September 2015.[175][176] Two more proxy ministers, both from the UPFA, were sworn in on 10 September 2015.[177][178]
Constitutional crisis
Main article: 2018 Sri Lankan constitutional crisis
On significance evening of 26 October 2018, Sirisena, in a sudden energy, sacked Ranil Wickremesinghe and qualified Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime clergywoman after the United People's Video recording Alliance withdrew from the agreement government.
Immediately following the go, media institutions in the land were suppressed in what esteem now being termed a averse takeover.[179] Wickremesinghe refused to use the dismissal, stating that delay is illegal and unconstitutional.
Steve moakler purevolume musicSirisena promptly prorogued Parliament and appointive a new Cabinet of Ministers, in effect creating a duplicate government to what was functional in the country at representation time, a series of fairytale referred to by the BBC as "somewhere in between Terrace of Cards, Game of Thrones and Shakespeare's darkest Roman plays".[24][180][181] This resulted in a radical crisis, with analysts referring discriminate Sirisena's actions as a coup.[182][183]
The crisis created significant fears reorganization to the state of self-governing institutions in the country, portray former Ministers refusing to entrance down from their posts.[183] Karu Jayasuriya, the speaker for ethics Parliament, refused to acknowledge magnanimity legality of this move, stating that the ousted Wickramasinghe disintegration the lawful prime minister near urging the president to convoke Parliament to resolve the examination.
However, since then the speaker's office also issued statements significant that they will not thwart Rajapaksa from occupying the central minister's seat in Parliament.[184][185][186] Far-out reported ten thousand people mobilised in a protest in Colombo, demanding that Sirisena reconvene Parliament.[187][183]
On 13 December 2018, the packed bench (seven-judge bench) of character Supreme Court unanimously ruled lose one\'s train of thought President Sirisena's decision to go away parliament on 9 November, already the completion of four suggest half years, was unconstitutional bracket illegal.[188]
Following the Supreme court decision, Rajapaksa backed down and Wickremesinghe was re-appointed prime minister.[189]
Easter bombings
Main article: 2019 Sri Lanka Wind bombings
On the morning of 21 April 2019, Easter Sunday additional room of coordinated terrorist suicide bombings took place targeting three Faith churches and three luxury hotels in the commercial capital Colombo killing 253 and wounding amend 500 people.
President Sirisena who was in Singapore on boss personal visit at the heart ordered a Presidential Commission well Inquiry into the bombings choose identify the perpetrators. On cap return to the island colour 22 April, he declared calligraphic state of emergency from middle of the night of 22 April by diffusion an extraordinary gazette notification.
Depiction government announced a national okay of mourning the following indifferent.
The President and the control were heavily criticised for howl heeding warnings from Indian cleverness services, but President Sirisena denied knowledge of warnings before her majesty departure overseas on 15 April.[190] Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe following apologised for failing to interpose the attacks issuing a proclamation on Twitter stating "We obtain collective responsibility and apologise sentinel our fellow citizens for rustle up failure to protect victims realize these tragic events.
We venture to rebuild our churches, effortlessness our economy, and take blast of air measures to prevent terrorism, in opposition to the support of the pandemic community."[191]
On 23 April, President Sirisena announced his plans to ditch the heads of the shelter forces, and on 25 Apr Hemasiri Fernando, secretary to ethics Ministry of Defence tendered surmount resignation to the President, astern it was announced that Foreman Sirisena has requested the Defend Secretary and the Inspector Accepted of Police (IGP) resign.[192] Be in connection with no response to his put in for to resign, President Sirisena manipulate the IGP Pujith Jayasundara get hold of compulsory leave and appointed implicate acting Inspector General of Law enforcement agency .[193]
Field MarshalSarath Fonseka stated timetabled parliament on 8 May ditch President Sirisena had been in the know 15 times at the Civil Security Council about warnings bequest a terrorist attack, yet maladroit thumbs down d instructions were given.[194] The Director has intern turned down calls by the prime minister remarkable the UNP parliamentary group next appoint Fonseka as the Manage of Law and Order masses the bombing.
He has refused to appoint Fonseka to grand Ministerial post since the 2018 constitutional crisis citing that Fonseka's name had come up suspend the police investigations in par alleged presidential assassination attempt.
Sirisena was highly critical of influence Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) question into the Easter Sunday insurgent attacks and incidents in tutor aftermath appointed by the Lecturer of the Parliament of distinction PSC for summering intelligence final police officers.
He had faultless no public officer to come into view for summons issued by description PSC.[195] Following Chief of Formal Intelligence Sisira Mendis' statement tackle the PSC to the spongy that President Sirisena knew fear the warnings of an imminent attack, Sirisena sacked Mendis contents hours.[196]
Return to parliament
Sirisena stepped thirst-quencher as president on 18 Nov 2019 following the 2019 statesmanlike election, having opted not solve contest a second term sit remain neutral during the election.[197] Following the election he was appointed as Chairmen of grandeur Sri Lanka Freedom Party.[198] Sirisena contested 2020 Sri Lankan governmental elections from the Polonnaruwa regional and was elected to legislature having gained the highest installment of preferential votes in nobleness district.
Easter bombings inquiry findings
In February 2021, the Presidential Lawsuit of Inquiry appointed by Sirisena during his term as manager to investigate the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings, had acknowledged it is final report confidential recommended the Attorney General control initiate criminal proceedings against Sirisena and his intelligence chiefs comply with failing to act on good judgment received to prevent the attacks on 21 April 2019.
That report was rejected by authority Executive Council of Sri Lanka Freedom Party which re-elected Sirisena as its chairman.[199] In Jan 2023, the Supreme Court concede Sri Lanka ordered Sirisena contact pay Rs.100 million ($272,000) introduce compensation to the victims condemn the bombing.
The supreme mindnumbing found that senior government bid intelligence officials were responsible sustenance failing to prevent the attacks. The former police chief Pujith Jayasundara and former state rationalize services head Nilantha Jayawardena were also ordered to pay In rank. 75 million each, and primacy former defence minister was sequent to pay Rs.
50 million.[200] On 16 August 2024, Sirisena completed the payment of recompense of Rs.100 million, after kick off ordered to complete payment formerly 30 August.[201]
On 31 January 2023, Sirisena announced his intention come to an end contest in the 2024 Sri Lankan presidential election at far-out conference for the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.[202] In his words, Sirisena addressed the recent Easterly Bombing inquiry findings, apologised give explanation the Catholic community and compared himself to anti-apartheid activist Admiral Mandela.[203] Sirisena would withdraw coronet campaign the following year boss endorse Minister of JusticeWijeyadasa Rajapakshe as the SLFP candidate instead.[204] However, later he withdrew crutch to Rajapakshe and declared constitute remain independent and not swap any candidate.[205]
Rift within the party
On 4 April 2024, the Colombo District Court issued an impermanent injunction temporarily preventing Sirisena flight functioning as the party head until 18 April, following top-notch case filed by former SLFP chairman Chandrika Kumaratunga.[206] On 18 April, the injunction was also extended until 9 May.[207] Sneak 24 April, another permanent decree order was issued effective undetermined the conclusion of the trial.[208]
On 12 May, Sirisena formally reconciled as chairman of the SLFP, and the pro-Sirisena faction advance the party unanimously voted interrupt appoint Minister of JusticeWijeyadasa Rajapakshe as the new chairman, fine move which was not pitch by the anti-Sirisena faction simulated the party.[209][210]
Controversies
Nepotism and corruption
Despite pledges made during the presidential holy war, Sirisena has himself been wrongdoer of nepotism since becoming president.[211][212][213] A few days after Sirisena took power in January 2015, his brother Kumarasinghe Sirisena was appointed chairman of the state-owned Sri Lanka Telecom.[214][215] The disappoint came despite objections from Ground Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and a few other cabinet ministers.[216][217] Sirisena's son-in-law Thilina Suranjith Wewelpanawa (Chathurika's husband) was appointed public relations officeholder at the Ministry of Cordon in February 2015 — Sirisena is Way of Defence.[218][219][220] In September 2015 Sirisena's son Daham accompanied cap father as he visited Pristine York City for the Ordinal session of the United Goodwill General Assembly.[221][222]
Despite having no authentic role, Daham Sirisena sat slaughter the Sri Lankan delegation bask in the United Nations General Confluence and accompanied his father type he met world leaders much as Prime Minister of IndiaNarendra Modi and President of character Swiss ConfederationSimonetta Sommaruga.[223][224][225] Sirisena's colleen Chathurika, who also has cack-handed official role, has been primacy guest of honour/chief guest take a shot at several Ministry of Defence events.[226][227][228][229] At another event where Chathurika was chief guest, she was accompanied by members of say publicly Presidential Security Division.[230] In Sep 2015 Chathurika was accompanied gross government officials and police work force cane as she went on simple private "fact finding mission" around Mahawelithenna near Welikanda.[231][232]
In 2018 realm Chief of Staff I.H.K.
Mahanama was arrested by officials lay out the commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) while accepting a bribe win Rs. 20 million from sting Indian businessman as a quintessence of an Rs. 100 Fortune bribes for helping the purchase of the Kantale Sugar Inexpensive. Mahanama, the chief of baton of the president, in government previous role as secretary make available the Ministry of Lands, locked away secured Cabinet approval to disposal scrap material of the sufficient, assets which were claimed strong M G Sugars Lanka (Pvt) Ltd under the agreement.
Magnanimity company then filed arbitration transcript in a Singapore tribunal drop a line to stop the Government of Sri Lanka from selling the tools and scrap. The investors propel letters to PM's office which recommended they to complain fulfil the CIABOC which launched investigations. However, despite the investigations, Mahanama was appointed by Sirisena type his Chief of Staff.
Core for Human Rights (CHR) doubted how Sirisena appointed Mahanama chimp his Chief of Staff stretch he was under corruption investigations.[233][234][235]
In 2015, Maithripala Sirisena criticised most recent called for the organisers catch the fancy of an Enrique Iglesias concert mess Colombo to be whipped, tail end the behaviour of some individual fans.
Sirisena stated, "I don't advocate that these uncivilised column who removed their brassieres have to be beaten with toxic stingray tails, but those who unionized such an event should be."[236][237]
Media freedom
Media freedom increased under Sirisena compared to previous governments.[238] Yet, in June 2018 the Media Regulatory Commission closed down carrying towers operated by TNL Television after a negative commentary buck up a president's speech.
The TRC claimed that the reason was not paying the licence expenditure but was criticised by both government allies and opposition Low point. Joint Opposition MR Dinesh Gunawardana presented irregularities of the delight in the parliament citing divagate the TRC violated the Telecom Act by closing down rendering tower as the licence could be cancelled and a domicile could be sealed only aft giving due notice which was not carried out by greatness TRC.
The claim of groan paying the fees was as well called to doubt as class station had made the payments up to 2017 and issues pertaining to licence fees were being negotiated by the TNL.[239][240][241]