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Parliamentarian S. Jegadeeswaran arriving in a tuk-tuk for parliament sessions

Amid government moves to provide official vehicles to parliamentarians under ‘certain conditions,’ the vehicle issue indeed has become a vehicle for MPs to send a subtle message to the government.

Ramanathan Archchuna, the attention-seeking Jaffna district medical professional turned politician, was in the news once again this week when he argued with traffic police officers, lamenting that he had no vehicle or security to serve the people who elected him.

He was stopped by traffic police officers in Anuradhapura for using VIP flashlights on his car. The MP claimed that since he was a VIP, he was entitled to use them. The traffic cops flagged him to stop his vehicle on the basis that the flashing lights were a hindrance to oncoming motorists at night.

Among all these dramas, Vanni district parliamentarian S. Jegadeeswaran turned up for parliament sessions this week in a tuk-tuk.

A parliamentary official was heard saying to his colleague that as the government is set to relax the import ban on vehicles from next month, some MPs, particularly from the opposition, are trying to send a message.

US-Lanka friendship group: SJB MP says tradition flouted

On the subject of the United States, there was disquiet in the manner in which members were appointed to the Sri Lanka—US Parliamentary Friendship Association this week.

SJB Parliamentarian Harsha de Silva was irked by the manner in which Labour Minister Anil Jayantha was appointed to chair the association by breaking with tradition, which is for the MP convening the meeting to be appointed chairman.

“The JVP/ NPP government forced its way to grab the chair (traditionally taken by the person convening the first meeting),” Mr. De Silva said in an X post. He said that the NPP side had argued that they were not bound to follow tradition and appointed the minister. The association was chaired previously by SJB MP Chandima Weerakkody.

SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna, who chaired this week’s meeting, had given way to the government and withdrew “with dignity,” Mr. De Silva said.

The rest area the Pallama Police built

Pallama police rest area promotes road discipline

Most motorists talk ill of traffic police officers and find fault with them for imposing fines and taking action against traffic offences. That perception among the motorists, though, may change a little after the Pallama police set up a parking place for tired drivers to rest.

The police have set up a billboard inviting tired drivers to rest in the vehicle park. The police have assured that they will also protect the vehicle and the driver resting within the vehicle.

The act of kindness has generated goodwill toward the police, who were often seen as heartless officers ever ready to seize driving licences and hand over fine tickets to motorists. The people say that the billboard is already eliciting better road discipline, which could not be created by fining even a thousand errant motorists.

Thiruvalluvar centre: Mishaps mar opening ceremony

The nameboard that stirred controversy: The trilingual opening-day nameboard (above) and the Tamil-only nameboard (top)

The naming of the India-funded Cultural Centre in Jaffna dominated Tamil politics this week, even forcing the North’s dominant political party—the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK)—to write to the Indian Consulate General’s office in Jaffna to express its concerns.

The controversy arose after Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi jointly announced that the cutlural centre would be named as ‘Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre,’ in honour of the great Tamil poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar, who wrote the Thirukkural, a collection of couplets on ethics, political and economic matters, and love, some 2000 years ago.

At the ceremony last Saturday, a diplomatic protocol mishap was avoided when Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj, who was seated next to the High Commissioner on the front row, was asked to switch seats by the Indian Consulate General S. Sai Murali. The High Commissioner, however, politely insisted on the earlier seating arrangement remaining in place.

Political parties, civil groups and several outfits registered their displeasure for omitting the word ‘Jaffna’ from the name board and the Tamil misspelling of the trilingual name board.

Fisheries Minister R. Chandrasekar, who participated in the event, later said he was shocked to see the mistake and assured that he would take it up with the relevant authorities.

ITAK Acting President C.V.K. Sivagnanam wrote to the Indian Consulate General Office in Jaffna expressing his party’s displeasure as to why the name of the Tamil peoples’ cultural capital city is left out from the name board of the building that was built on land owned by the Jaffna Municipal Council.

Strangely enough, a new name board printed with the words “Jaffna Thivuvalluvar Cultural Centre” only in Tamil was put up on Friday, bringing the controversy to an end. Or is it?

New York City Council to celebrate Sri Lanka National Day

The New York City Council will, for the first time, host an event celebrating Sri Lanka’s Independence Day.

The event will be held at the City Hall Council Chambers on February 3, a day ahead of Independence Day, presided over by NY City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. Organisers say the invitation was open to all Sri Lankans.

The celebration is meant to be a tribute to the growing number of Sri Lankans living in the five boroughs of New York City: Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island (home to the largest number of Sri Lankans who have settled there for decades).

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Mission to the UN will hold its traditional reception on February 4. The mission remains without an ambassador, however.

Parliament’s Doctor No-No

Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara reacted strongly to the matter where the title of ‘Dr.’ was erroneously included next to his name on the Parliament’s website.

Following a complaint he made to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), investigators have already recorded statements from several Parliament officials, with more likely to be questioned in the coming days.

When Minister Nanayakkara rose on Wednesday in Parliament to answer a query raised by All Ceylon Tamil Congress Leader Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, the Deputy Chairperson of Committees, Hemali Weerasekara, who was chairing proceedings, mistakenly referred to him as “Aacharya Harshana Nanayakkara.” The astonished minister couldn’t help blurting out, “Kaevena ne maawa” (you let me down, noh) to laughter from both sides of the House.

Minister Nanayakkara responded to the gaffe in good humour, however, telling the embarrassed Ms. Weerasekara, “Don’t worry, I won’t lodge a complaint against you.”

Lankan leaders congratulate Trump on X and outside X

While world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, were quick to take to their X accounts to congratulate United States President Donald Trump following his inauguration on January 20, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake chose a more traditional way of sending his wishes to the new US President.

His message was sent through the Foreign Affairs Ministry. There was also a message to Vice President J.D. Vance from Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath sent a message to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, however, took to X to send his wishes to President Trump, wishing him “strength and wisdom” to lead the United States. “Sri Lanka looks forward to continued friendship and collaboration between our nations,” Mr. Premadasa wrote.

Presidential guidelines issued on ministerial staff and perks

The President’s Office has banned ministers from appointing family members or close relatives to the personal staff of ministers and deputy ministers.

In a circular issued to all ministry secretaries, Presidential Secretary N.S. Kumanayake gave detailed guidelines on appointments of personal staff, including private and coordinating secretaries, media officers, public relations officers, and advisers.

Ministers will be allowed 15 members in their personal staff, while a deputy minister can have 12. These include office assistants and drivers. It also outlines other facilities that will be provided for ministers and deputy ministers, and they include telephone facilities and fuel allowances, all of which have been restricted.