By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 cases continued to surge, taking the total number to nearly 8,000, as more contacts linked to two new clusters identified this month were tested for the coronavirus over the weekend. The total number of deaths rose to 16. On Monday, authorities said Sri Lanka’s Parliament would be shut for …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 cases continued to surge taking the total number to nearly 8,000 as more contacts linked to two new clusters identified this month were tested for the coronavirus over the weekend: total number of deaths rose to 16.’ »

By Marc Jones LONDON, Oct 23 (Reuters) – Sri Lanka’s government bonds fell heavily on Friday after the United States urged the country’s government to make “difficult but necessary choices” regarding its ties with China. Worries that this year’s COVID-19 crisis could see the country struggle to pay its debts have already seen its bonds …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s government bonds fell heavily on Friday after the United States urged the country’s government to make “difficult but necessary choices” regarding its ties with China.’ »

By P.K.Balachandran The US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, who will be here on October 28, is expected to ask Sri Lankan leaders, point blank, to review relations with China; consider the options US is offering; and accept American advice on domestic and foreign policy. A top foreign ministry official told Daily Express on Sunday, …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena will politely tell Visiting US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo that it is not for outsiders to tell Sri Lankans how to run their country.’ »

Sri Lanka’s parliament erupted in a heated debate over bringing last-minute changes to bills in the so-called committee stage by bypassing judicial review, in a country that no longer has post-enactment reviews of legislation by the court. The constitutional amendment raised the number of Supreme Court justices from 11 to 17 and Court of Appeal …

Continue reading ‘Govt Smuggles in Last Minute Changes to Original 20th Amendment Bill at Committee Stage to Increase Supreme Court Judges From 11 to 17 and Appeal Court Judges From 12 to 20; Time Provided to People to Object to Emergency Bills Reduced from 14 to 7 days.’ »

By டி.பி.எஸ்.ஜெயராஜ் எம்.எச்.எம்.அஷ்ரபை நினைவு கூருதல் (This is the Tamil Version of the English Article “ Remembering SLMC Leader M.H.M. Ashraff by D.B.S.Jeyaraj in the “Political Pulse”Column of the “Daily FT”on September 16th 2020 to commemorate Mr. Ashraff’s 20th death anniversary on Sep 16. The Tamil version is being posted on this blog to denote the …

Continue reading ‘முஸ்லிம் காங்கிரஸ் தலைவர் அஷ்ரப் கிழக்கு முஸ்லிம் அரசியலில் மிகவும் மக்கள் செல்வாக்குடைய தனியொரு தலைவராக விளங்கினார்’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawrdene As Sri Lanka’s Parliament passed the 20th Amendment Bill enhancing the powers of the Presidency on Thursday while the country erupted in covid-induced flames, there is delight in watching the Rajapaksa brotherhood being hoist with its nationalist petard. A Government which had marched triumphantly into power blaring its Sinhala-Buddhist credentials was …

Continue reading ‘A Govt which marched triumphantly into power blaring its Sinhala-Buddhist credentials was pushed to secure a two thirds vote primarily through the crucial support of minority opposition politicians.’ »

By S. Rubatheesan Sri Lanka’s diverse minorities are not getting essential, urgent public health information from the state as soon as they are released, despite the massive flare-up in the coronavirus every day across the island and patients in their areas, and ever-changing curfew hours and lockdowns. There is a severe shortage of translators in …

Continue reading ‘Up to date essential, urgent public health information from the state not Adequately Available in the Tamil Language despite the massive flare-up in the coronavirus every day across the island and ever-changing curfew hours and lockdowns.’ »

The controversial 20th Amendment to the Constitution – with amendments to the original draft – was passed at the second reading with a two thirds majority in Parliament on October 22nd 2020.. One hundred and fifty six MP’s voted in favor while sixty -five voted against. The 20th Amendment will restore full-fledged executive powers to …

Continue reading ‘Controversial 20th Amendment to the Constitution Passed with a two -third Majority;156 MP’s Vote in Favour while 65 Vote against;8 Renegade Opposition MP’s from SJB, SLMC,ACMC, MNA and TPA vote with Govt; Former President Maithripala Sirisena is Absent at voting time’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The 20th Amendment (20A) to the Constitution Bill was passed in Parliament last night with 156 MPs voting for the Bill and 65 against. With support from seven MPs from minorities and main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Assistant Secretary MP Diana Gamage, the Government secured the two-third majority in the 225-member …

Continue reading ‘20th Amendment Giving Sweeping Powers to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is Passed with a Two-thirds Majority Obtained Through the Support of Eight Opposition Parliamentarians’ »

By Sakuntala Kadirgamar (The writer is the Executive Director at Law and Society Trust.) The Ministry of Justice issued an invitation to the public to submit proposals for consideration by an expert committee established to draft a new constitution to replace the Second Republican Constitution of Sri Lanka. The public is requested to submit proposals …

Continue reading ‘We the people may well ask, what is the guiding principle of this new constitution making process, and what does it seek to achieve?’ »

By Meera Srinivasan The controversial 20th Amendment to Sri Lanka’s Constitution that envisages expansive powers and greater immunity for the Executive President was passed in Parliament with a two-thirds majority, following a two-day debate. The 20th Amendment was the Rajapaksa administration’s first big test in the legislature, since it triggered concern and resistance from not …

Continue reading ‘20th Amendment to Sri Lanka’s Constitution that envisages expansive powers and greater immunity for the Executive President was passed in Parliament with a two-thirds majority following a two-day debate.’ »

The Sri Lankan parliament on Thursday passed the controversial 20th Amendment (20A) to the Constitution by 156 votes to 65, eight votes more than necessary to pass it with the required two-thirds majority. The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) had 148 MPs out of the total, current, House membership of 223. One ruling party …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan parliament passes controversial 20th Amendment (20A) to the Constitution by 156 votes to 65 with the required two-thirds majority;20A abolishes the independent Constitutional Council and enhances the President’s executive powers in an unprecedented way.’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka Call it the COVID-19 Constitution or the Corona Constitution—because it is advancing under cover of corona. The public has been given a deadline of 30 November to send in suggestions for the new Constitution. Seriously? The public is hardly in a state of mind to reflect on such issues. The draft of …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka has never witnessed a more backward, reactionary, rightwing, autocratic and ethnocentric-supremacist regime, ideology and ethos than it has today.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The debate on the 20th Amendment (20A) to the Constitution Bill got underway in Parliament yesterday with Government MPs speaking in defence of it while Opposition MPs called on fellow lawmakers to defeat the Bill when it is put to a vote today. Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs led the protest against …

Continue reading ‘Debate on 20th Constitutional Amendment Gets Underway In Parliament With Most Govt MP’s Speaking in Favour Despite Internal Differences Over Certain Provisions Inclusive of Clause Relating to Dual Citizenship’ »

(Text of a statement by former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya who is the chair of the National Movement for Social Justice) The attempt to reform the constitution to make it possible for those holding citizenship in other countries to make law and run the administration in Sri Lanka is deplorable. No person who is concerned about …

Continue reading ‘“Defeat the Attempt to hand over the Country’s administration to Dual Citizens against the people’s will “- National Movement for Social Justice Chair Karu Jayasuriya’ »

By Saman Indrajith Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, yesterday (21), in writing, requested Director General Health Services and the Prisons Commissioner to make arrangements for SJB lawmaker Rishad Bathiudeen, now in remand custody, to attend Parliament today (22). This follows a party leaders’ meeting, chaired by the Speaker.

By Uditha Jayasinghe and Chandani Kirinde The highly contentious 20th Amendment with changes approved by Cabinet on Monday comes up for a two-day debate from today onwards in Parliament amidst mounting criticism by the Opposition, certain sections of clergy, civil society and professionals. Ahead of the parliamentary debate, Cabinet approved three changes including maintaining the …

Continue reading ‘Contentious 20th Amendment with changes approved by Cabinet comes up for a two-day debate in Parliament amidst mounting criticism by the Opposition, certain sections of clergy, civil society and professionals.’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya It takes an extra dose of cavalierness to bulldoze through Parliament a Constitutional Amendment intended for personal aggrandizement while the rest of the country is perilously close to a second wave of the novel coronavirus, better known as COVID-19. More so, when the earlier assessments of the reach of the virus appear …

Continue reading ‘Rajapaksa Regime’s Frantic Urgency to Pass the 20th Amendment passed While the hapless nation is in the midst of a Pandemic resurgence is deleterious to government’s own health.’ »

By P.K.Balachandran The US$ 2.5 billion Indian film industry, which churns out more than a thousand movies a year and is watched by millions, is now facing an intense political heat it faced only once before, in 1975-77, when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed a State of Emergency to tackle an uncontrollable opposition agitation. The …

Continue reading ‘Growing Intolerance Within Indian Film Industry, Mob Censorship and the Furore Over Cricket Legend Muralidaran’s Bio-pic “800”.’ »

TNA Jaffna District MP M.A Sumanthiran yesterday handed over a Private Member’s Bill to the Secretary General of Parliament to provide for the declaration of a State of Public Health Emergency and for the adoption of special measures in the interests of public health. The draft bill contains a provision allowing Parliament to declare a …

Continue reading ‘TNA Jaffna District Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran Submits Draft Private Members Bill to Enable Parliament to Declare a State of Public Emergency and set Up a Public Health Emergency Council’ »

By Asiri Fernando Suspected drug baron Samarasinghe Arachchige Madush Lakshitha, alias ‘Makandure Madush’ was shot dead yesterday morning. Madush is the latest in a long list of organised crime related suspects who have been killed while in custody, raising questions about custodial deaths in the country. His death caused controversy yesterday, as a number of …

Continue reading ‘Drug Trade Kingpin Makandure Madush Shot Dead in Police Custody at Maligawatte Apartment Complex After Being Taken There CCD Offcers to Identify Heroin Haul; Police Say Madush was “Caught in Crossfire” when Gangsters Tried to Free Him.’ »

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera

By Norman Palihawadane and Hiran Seneviratne Police yesterday commenced a special operation to arrest those who had been aiding and abetting former minister and SJB MP Rishad Bathiudeen to evade arrest, Police Media Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said. Bathiudeen was remanded yesterday evening after being arrested in Dehiwala. DIG Rohana said seven persons including a …

Continue reading ‘Attorney-General Dappula de Livera Gives Police Detailed Information To Investigate Arrested MP Rishad Bathiudeen on Ten Matters Including Alleged Money Laundering Offences:A-G also wants Police to Probe all those who helped Rishad Evade Arrest and Conducted Press Conferences in Support’ »

By Lahiru Pothmulla The Government today reiterated that it would make several changes to the 20th Amendment to the Constitution at the committee stage including an amendment to allow citizens to challenge the President’s action by filling Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions, Education Minister Professor G.L. Peiris said the President’s immunity was constricted by the 19th …

Continue reading ‘Govt to make several changes to the 20th Constitutional Amendment at the committee stage including an amendment to allow citizens to challenge the President’s action by filling Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions.’ »

By Asiri Fernando The Colombo Fort Magistrate yesterday remanded former Minister of Industry and Commerce and All Ceylon Makkal Congress Party (ACMC) Leader Rishad Bathiudeen, until 27 October, following his arrest by the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) at a residence at Ebenezer Place in Dehiwala. The CID also arrested seven persons for aiding and abetting …

Continue reading ‘Wanni District MP and ACMC Leader Rishad Bathiudeen Remanded Until October 27th by Colombo Fort Magistrate; CID also Arrests Seven persons for Allegedly aiding and Abetting “Wanted Person” Bathiudeen to Remain in Hiding’ »

Former Cabinet Minister and Wanni district MP Rishad Bathiudeen was arrested in Dehiwela by the Police in the early hours of Monday October 19th announced Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana. According to Police sources the ex-minister who is also the leader of the all Ceylon Makkal Congress(ACMC) was arrested by a special Police team following …

Continue reading ‘All Ceylon Makkal Congress Leader and Wanni District MP Rishad Bathiudeen Arrested Early Morning by Police at Ebenezer Place in Dehiwela’ »

By Norman Palihawadana Expressing confidence of pushing through the 20th Amendment to the Constitution in Parliament, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said the government is determined to ensure its safe passage. “Whatever opposition there may be from any quarter, we will duly present the constitutional amendment to Parliament and see to its adoption as a progressive …

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa States Govt is Determined to Ensure Smooth Passage of 20th Constitutional amendment by Parliament and Adopt it a Progressive Piece of Legislation’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Even as frightened and hapless garment workers slaving in the multitude of factories in the Gampaha District, the epicentre of Sri Lanka’s calamitous covid-19 spread, were herded into trucks and taken like cattle to ill equipped and unsanitary quarantine camps under the impatient watch of the military this week, deeply fundamental …

Continue reading ‘The ‘maha jathiya’ which triumphantly celebrated the victory of ‘their Sinhala Buddhist torchbearers’ now experience fear and isolation and face hard truths .’ »

By Gamini Weerakoon Religion and politics have been a heady mix with the potential of creating vast empires, great civilisations, magnificent monuments and tinpot-dictators. The history of empire building is too vast a subject for this columnist to take on and we will begin with the severance of this country from the British Empire with …

Continue reading ‘It’s politically significant that the Sangha which were expected to rubber stamp the new political strategies of the Rajapaksa Government having supported them solidly at elections are now not unified in their opinion.’ »

By Victor Ivan The people are the real owners of sovereignty both in terms of the classical liberal opinion and the domestic and international law. In other words, State power lies with society and the rulers elected by the people are subject to the will and the control of the people. In this context, the …

Continue reading ‘Regrettably the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has followed a policy that encouraged and supported the rulers in some instances when they have violated the Constitution.’ »

Amnesty International in a statement yesterday urged Sri Lankan authorities to release prominent human rights lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah, who has been held in detention for more than six months under the country’s repressive Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) without charge or any credible evidence being put before a court. It said a notable Government critic, …

Continue reading ‘Amnesty International urges Sri Lankan authorities to release prominent human rights lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah who has been held in detention for more than six months under the country’s repressive Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) without charges’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka Remember ‘A Country Free from Corona’? The crucial tourist sector must be hard hit by the second wave, as also the factories and supply chains. We are in a vortex of geographically spattered, seemingly randomised corona-proliferation. The virus is a faster-spreading, more virulent variety, observed Dr. Sudath Samaraweera and Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara. …

Continue reading ‘Would Sarath Weerasekara Have Been Allowed By Gotabaya and Mahinda to Attack Presidents Trump or Xi in the Way The State Minister Openly Attacked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi?’ »

Lawyers of MP Rishad Bathiudeen has filed a writ application at the Court of Appeal seeking an order to prevent his arrest. The Attorney General had directed the Police to arrest and produce him in court for Criminal Misappropriation of Public Funds and Violation of Election Laws in 2019.

By Asiri Fernando The Fort Magistrate yesterday issued a travel ban on former Minister of Industry and Commerce and All Ceylon Makkal Congress Party Leader Rishad Bathiudeen, following a request made by the Criminal Investigation Division (CID). According to Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana, the Police have deployed six teams to track down Rishad Bathiudeen …

Continue reading ‘Six Teams Deployed by Police To Arrest Former Cabinet Minister Rishad Bathiudeen Unable to Locate Him:CID Obtains Travel Ban Against ACMC Leader: Wanni District MP’s Accountant, Ex-Body Guard and Two Drivers Arrested:Two Vehicles Seized.’ »

Samagi Jana Balawegaya Kalutara District MP Rajitha Senaratne yesterday charged that the attempts to arrest Rishad Bathiudeen and his bother are politically motivated. “We can clearly see what’s going on here. Riyaj Bathiudeen was released, and the 100 Government MPs filed a petition about it. He was released after an investigation. Has even one of …

Continue reading ‘Dr. Rajitha Senaratne MP states that the attempts by the Govt to arrest Rishad Bathiudeen and his bother are politically motivated.’ »

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Colombo district MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has submitted a 09-page letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa with regard to his concerns on the proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution. In this letter MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has written regarding the 20th Amendment, he has stated that he wrote his concerns as no one …

Continue reading ‘SLPP Colombo District MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe Writes 9 Page Letter To Gotabaya Rajapaksa Highlighting ten Key Concerns as No One was Allowed to Speak on the 20th Amendment at the Oct 9 Meeting Convened by the President; MP Alleges China has taken over Sri Lanka’s assets due to the debt crisis.’ »

Attorney General (AG) Dappula de Livera today issued orders to obtain a warrant from court to arrest MP Rishad Bathiudeen. Coordinating Secretary to the AG State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne said Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne was directed to obtain the warrant. MP Rishad Bathuideen is to be arrested on charges of Criminal …

Continue reading ‘Attorney -General Dappula de Livera Orders Police to Arrest Former Cabinet Minister and ACMC Leader Rishad Bathiudeen for Allegedly transporting Internally displaced persons in 222 Ceylon Transport Board buses from Puttalam to Mannar to cast their votes during elections.’ »

By Col R Hariharan Have China’s efforts to regain its loss of credibility in the wake of its clumsy handling of the information on the Covid-19 virus outbreak from Wuhan in December 31, 2019 (actually according to the medical journal Lancet, it was first noticed on December 1, 2019), failed? It would seem so as …

Continue reading ‘China’s Xi Jinping’s Stated Goal is to create “a reinvigorated Communist Party, backed by a strong economy and a powerful, modern military taking an even more central role in the affairs of the nation and a more confident role on the world stage.”’ »

The 20th Amendment should not be proceeded with in its entirety and instead a new Constitution should be the national priority at this moment, the Catholic Bishops Conference (CBC) said today. The statement issued by the Catholic Bishops Conference is as follows: In the wake of the change of government following the presidential and parliamentary …

Continue reading ‘Catholic Bishops Conference of Sri Lanka Issues Statement saying The 20th Amendment should not be proceeded with in its entirety and instead a new Constitution should be the national priority at this moment.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The Amarapura and the Ramanna Maha Nikayas yesterday made a joint appeal to the Government to withdraw the 20th Amendment to the Constitution warning that its enactment would seriously undermine democracy in the country and pave the way for authoritarianism and despotism. The Secretaries of the two Nikayas, in a joint statement, …

Continue reading ‘Amarapura and Ramanna Maha Nikayas Jointly appeal to Gov to withdraw the 20th Amendment to the Constitution: President Gotabaya and Prime Minister Mahinda Asked not to go ahead with enactment; all MPs asked to reject the bill.’ »

In a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother Riyaj Bathiudeen, said his release by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was due to the CID being satisfied there was no evidence to warrant continued detention, and in accordance with a ruling issued by a Colombo Fort Magistrate. The letter, which was …

Continue reading ‘Ex-Cabinet Minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s Brother Riyaj Writes Letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Stating he is Innocent With Regard to Terrorism Charges and That CID Released Him Because Police Had No Evidence of his Alleged Terrorism Involvement’ »

A section of Sri Lanka’s powerful Buddhist clergy is opposing a Constitutional Amendment proposed by the government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa which would have given him sweeping powers over Parliament and the Judiciary. Two leading prelates representing two orders (Chapters) of monks told reporters that the 20th Amendment to the Constitution would “deal a death …

Continue reading ‘Amarapura and Ramanna Buddhist Nikayas Express Opposition to Proposed 20th Constitutional Amendment to Safeguard Democracy and Protect Sovereignty of People and Rule of Law; efforts Underway to get Asgiriya and Malwatte Chapters also to support Common Stance’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj “Once to every man and nation, comes the moment to decide, In the strife of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side; Some great cause, some great decision, offering each the bloom or blight, And the choice goes by forever, ’twixt that darkness and that light.” “Then to side with truth …

Continue reading ‘Referendum is the Key : Five Eminent Judges Will Determine The Democratic Destiny Of Sri Lanka.’ »

In handing down its determination on the 20th Amendment Bill, the Supreme Court has ruled that four clauses need a referendum of the People along with a two-thirds majority in Parliament while the rest can be passed by a two-thirds majority of Parliament alone, according to a copy of the Court’s opinion that was available …

Continue reading ‘Four out of Five Supreme Court Judges Rule In Determination That Four Clauses In 20th Constitutional Amendment Bill Require Approval of the People in a Referendum Along with a Two-Thirds Majority In Parliament to Become Law’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardena With the Supreme Court’s Determination on the 20th Amendment Bill being made available in the public domain, some aspects of the ruling warrant immediate attention. The 20th Amendment Bill had been challenged by thirty eight petitioners alleging inconsistency of its clauses with the People’s sovereign legislative and judicial powers. The Bill …

Continue reading ‘“Rule of Law does not tolerate non-justiciability. There is no rational or logical nexus between the non-justiciability of the President’s acts and the efficient performance of his duties” Says the Supreme Court’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Every now and then, my playlist reminds me of ‘Humne Toh Dil Ko Aapke Qadmon Pe Rakh Diya’, among my favourite Mohammed Rafi-Asha Bhosle duets. I don’t know enough Hindi to fully understand the lyrics, and I need Google to tell me it’s from a 1965 film called Mere Sanam, and that …

Continue reading ‘SP Balasubrahmanyam brought together the musical traits he relished in Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, T.M. Soundararajan (TMS) and P.B. Sreenivas (PBS) — but made them his own.’ »

President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said today that the government has not entered into any political deal with Parliamentarian Rishad Badurdeen. He said in a message posted in his Facebook that ensuring national security was the first and foremost responsibility of his government.

BY MANJULA FERNANDO AND MANESHKA BORHAM Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith yesterday sought a clarification from the officials on what grounds the brother of Minister Rishad Bathiudeen who was arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act was released suddenly. Riyaj Bathiudeen was arrested five months ago by a special …

Continue reading ‘“Riyaj Bathiudeen provided a satisfactory explanation to the Police.As a result, Bathiudeen was released Because the CID could not find any evidence to file a case against him.” Explains Police Spokesman SSP Jaliya Senaratne’ »

The Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith yesterday questioned as to how the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had released suspects it had earlier claimed were directly linked to the masterminds of the Easter Sunday terror attacks without subjecting them to judicial process. Addressing a news conference at the Archbishop’s House, Cardinal Ranjith expressed his “sorrow, …

Continue reading ‘Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith Expresses “Complete Refusal to Accept” the release of Ex- Cabinet Minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s Brother Riyad by the CID After Detaining Him for 5 Months Over the Easter Bomb Attacks; Move “Smacks of a Political Deal” Alleges Catholic Prelate’ »

By Tharushi Weerasinghe The Government has allowed the ill-fated oil tanker that caught fire off the eastern coast last month to leave the country against the Marine Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) directives and the Attorney General’s advice. “The ill-fated crude oil tanker, the MT New Diamond, is being towed away from Sri Lanka against MEPA …

Continue reading ‘Govt allows “MT New Diamond”the oil tanker that caught fire off the eastern coast last month to leave the country against the Marine Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) directives and the Attorney General’s advice.’ »

By Gamini Weerakoon (Gamini Weerakoon is a former editor of The Sunday Island, The Island and consultant editor of the Sunday Leader) ‘So, so, what’s happening’, is the inevitable question Sri Lankan journalists have been confronted with over the years. And it continues still. This is amazing considering the fact that politics is the sole …

Continue reading ‘Constitutional comedy while People are going nuts over rising coconut prices and monkeys are playing pucks in politics’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene In a chance conversation off a bylane in Polhena, Matara last Friday, a fresh faced resident with rosily chubby cheeks belying her probably 70-odd years had an astringent question for me; ‘if the President says there is no need for circulars and his word is enough for a public official (‘aanduwe …

Continue reading ‘20th Amendment Draft was a clumsy copy-paste job of the discredited 18th Amendment that has mow been chopped further by the Attorney General called upon to defend a bad brief’ »

By Col R Hariharan The month of September 2020 was a crucial one for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who has been impatiently waiting to gain two-thirds majority support in the parliament in the parliamentary poll, to go ahead with his agenda. Gaining it with the reaffirmation of Sinhala majority has given him confidence to handle the …

Continue reading ‘Modi – Rajapaksa summit was an exercise in building better understanding between the two leaders when their countries are going through troubled times by focusing on “do-ables” and deferring the gritty issues to be taken up as and when they come.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Attorney General (AG) Dappula de Livera yesterday made a case in support of the 20th Amendment (20A) to the Constitution Bill stating its provisions did not contain anything new and most of the clauses can be found in 1978 Constitution and its 17th and 18th Amendments. These he said were removed with …

Continue reading ‘Attorney General Dappula de Livera States to Court that the 20th Amendment to the Constitution Bill provisions do not contain anything new and That most of the clauses could be found in 1978 Constitution and its 17th and 18th Amendments.’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake A referendum is becoming the catchword of politics and calls before the Supreme Court on the 20A. With the new Rajapaksa and Pohottuva craving a return to the JR Jayewardene rule of non-democratic authority, it is good to recall the reality of the first, and so far only, referendum in Sri Lanka, …

Continue reading ‘This country needs more than a Committee Stage democracy, that can lead to the Democratic Chaos of the Pohottuva. A lotus bud of Executive Dominance.’ »

By M K Bhadrakumar The virtual summit between the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa turned out to be somewhat surreal. The summit was the first of its kind Modi has had with any South Asian leader. The expectations were high. But fault lines have appeared. On the core …

Continue reading ‘An American military presence in Sri Lanka would enable the US to advance a so-called ‘island chain strategy’ to control the sea lanes of the Indian Ocean, which are of vital importance to China’s foreign trade.’ »

By Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne President’s Counsel Ask Indian lawyers what the worst judgment of the Indian Supreme Court has been and a large majority would surely say ADM Jabalpur (Additional District Magistrate, Jabalpur v S. S. Shukla, also known as the Habeas Corpus Case, reported in AIR 1976 SC 1207). Many of them would also …

Continue reading ‘ADM Jabalpur vs S. S. Shukla Case : When 4 out of 5 Supreme Court Judges Delivered the Worst Judgement of the Indian Supreme Court.’ »

By Ajith Siriwardana Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother Riyaj Bathiudeen was released as there was insufficient evidence against him for a case to be filed over the Easter Sunday attack, Police Spokesman Jaliya Senaratne said today. He told a news conference that investigations were carried out by the CID after detaining him in custody for …

Continue reading ‘ACMC Leader Rishad Bathiudeen’s Brother Riyaj Released After Being in Custody for 5 Months:Police Say There was Evidence to Investigate him Over Easter Sunday Attacks but Insufficient Evidence to File Charges’ »

By’ Victor Ivan The country has got caught in a whirlwind of anarchy. Although there are dictatorial aspirations and tendencies looming in the air, they are not likely to materialise and secure a firm foothold against the whirlwind of anarchy. The anarchy that sweeps the country will shatter both the limited democracy that prevails as …

Continue reading ‘Every time Sri Lanka has ventured on making a constitution, it has always been viewed from the angle of the ruling party rather than that of the people and the country. This demonstrates the extent of ignorance of Sri Lanka on the subject of constitution making.’ »

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has enlisted the Viyathmaga (Professionals for a Better Future) to facilitate and fast track various development initiatives assigned to State ministers. In carrying out this task, the Viyathmaga Secretariat will harness its base of professionals as well experts from outside. Anura Fernando, who is spearheading this initiative as General Secretary of Viyathmaga, …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa enlists “Viyathmaga” Personnel to facilitate and fast track various development initiatives assigned to State ministers.’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka “If the public do not have access to remedy a grievance against the unlawful exercise of powers by an all-powerful President the only remedy will be to take arms against the State” – Bar Association of Sri Lanka Committee Report on the 20th Amendment (5.1, p3) A rousing accolade from a great …

Continue reading ‘“If the public do not have access to remedy a grievance against the unlawful exercise of powers by all powerful Presidents the only remedy will be to take arms against the State.”’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Attorney General Dappula De Livera yesterday informed the five-member bench of the Supreme Court considering the petitions in relation to the Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution Bill that the Government intends to bring amendments to the Bill at the Committee Stage. The SC bench, headed by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya PC, and …

Continue reading ‘Lawyers for petitioners State to Courts that the 20th Amendment seeks to alter the basic structure and framework of the Constitution, take away the power of one organ of Government and transfer it to another, and trample on the sovereignty of the people.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka has banned cattle slaughter after the Cabinet cleared Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s recent proposal, the government announced on Tuesday, adding that it would take steps to import beef. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Rajapaksa made a proposal to the parliamentary group of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP, or …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Bans cattle slaughter following Cabinet apprival of proposal by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa but will take steps to import beef for Domestic Consumption’ »

The amendments the Government intends to move to the Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution (20A) Bill at its Committee Stage will include increasing the period that must elapse before the President may use his powers to dissolve Parliament to two-and-a-half years, while in the draft 20A Bill, the President could dissolve Parliament after a year. …

Continue reading ‘Govt. to move minor amendments to 20 A at Committee Stage:President granted power to dissolve Parliament after 2.5 years, EC members to increase from 3 to 5,Qualified auditor to be made AG’ »

By Chandani Kirinde President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has amended the Gazette of the Subjects and Functions assigned to Ministers and State Ministers and brought the National Priority Program under the Presidential Secretariat. In the earlier Gazette issued on 9 August, the National Priority Program was not listed under any particular institute but in a new Gazette …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya brings National Priority Program under Presidential Secretariat:Five Presidential Task Forces will function under this program: SLT, TRC and ICTA, Board of Investment and Port City Project also listed under this program’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Hours after India and Sri Lanka issued a joint statement referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to the Sri Lankan government to address the Tamil minority’s aspirations, with the implementation of the 13th Amendment, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s office released a statement on Saturday, making no mention of Mr. Modi’s call, …

Continue reading ‘After India and Sri Lanka issued a joint statement referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to the Sri Lankan government to address the Tamil minority’s aspirations, with the implementation of the 13th Amendment, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s office released a statement , making no mention of Mr. Modi’s call.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan When former President Mahinda Rajapaksa lost the 2015 election, after his Cabinet colleague Maithripala Sirisena joined hands with rival Ranil Wickremesinghe in an unexpected alliance, his next moves were far from certain. In five years, not only is Mr. Rajapaksa back in power as he vowed, as the country’s Premier, but his …

Continue reading ‘SLPP appeals most to the Sinhala-Buddhist constituency especially its hard-line elements while minorities remain at best sceptical or at worst repulsed by its narrow, ethno-nationalist politics.’ »

By Suhasini Haidar & Meera Srinivasan Calling on the newly elected Sri Lankan government to fully implement the 13th Constitutional amendment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi “highlighted” India’s concerns about the rights of the Tamil minorities, during talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa. During the bilateral talks held on Saturday, New Delhi promised a …

Continue reading ‘Indian Prime Minister Modi Asks Govt of Sri Lanka to address the aspirations of the Tamil people for equality, justice, peace and respect within a united Sri Lanka by carrying forward the process of reconciliation with the implementation of the 13 Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution.’ »

By Dr. Sakuntala Kadirgamar (The writer is Executive Director of the Law and Society Trust.) Last week (15 September) International Democracy Day was celebrated and we in Sri Lanka also celebrated it with statements made by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition confirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to democracy. But how deep and …

Continue reading ‘Parliament is being engaged through the 20th Amendment to strip itself of all its powers and vest them in the hands of one man – the President. This charade is referred to as an expression of the sovereignty of the people.’ »

By Gamini Weerakoon (Gamini Weerakoon is a former editor of The Sunday Island, The Island and Consulting Editor of the Sunday Leader) The intense gobbledygook that has been parroted on constitutional law, particularly on ‘20A’ in English and Sinhala in the media has left this columnist somewhat groggy. It made us wonder whether the man …

Continue reading ‘Do we go back to the days of monarchy or their modern version of tinpot dictators or progress as a modern democratic republic with citizens enjoying their fundamental rights?’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Given highly misleading justifications of the draft 20th Amendment advanced by Government Ministers, including those who profess to have someh knowledge of the law and the Constitution, the record must be set straight even if that is the very least that is done. Allegedly ‘undemocratic’ nature of the CC The claim …

Continue reading ‘The draft 20th Amendment is a surgically lethal strike to the democratic heart of Sri Lanka Because What was called for was governance with democratic checks and balances and not the concentration of power in one individual.’ »

Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya PC will head the five-member Bench named to consider the petitions filed challenging the constitutionality of the 20th Amendment (20A) to the Constitution Bill. The Chief Justice named Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare PC, Sisira J. de Abrew, Justice Priyantha Jayawardena PC and Vijith Kumara Malalgoda PC as the other members of the …

Continue reading ‘Five Member Bench of Supreme Court Comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya and Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare,Sisira J de Abrew,Priyantha Jayawardena and Vijithkumara Malalgoda will Consider Petitions Challenging 20 A Draft on Sep 29’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake The call by the government’s backbench MP Mr. Dilan Perera to be made the Rilav/Vanduru Amathi, or the Minister for Monkeys, in the Pohottuva Realm, certainly leads to plenty of interest. This must do with the various divisions and breakup tasks that have been given to both Cabinet and State Ministers, in …

Continue reading ‘Welcome to the Age of Animal Ministries or “Sathva Amathya Yugaya” With “Amathis(Ministers) for Rilav/Vanduru(Monkey), Nari/Hival(Fox/Jackal), Meeharak(Buffalo) and Sarpa(Serpent)’ »

By Dr.Upul Wijayawardhana The Leader of the opposition is a vital link in democracy and, as the name implies, is expected to give leadership. Unfortunately, the behaviour of Sajith Premadasa is casting doubts as to whether he is giving that leadership. Even when he challenged Ranil for the leadership of the UNP, he was happy …

Continue reading ‘The Leader of the opposition as the name implies is expected to give leadership. Unfortunately the behaviour of Sajith Premadasa is casting doubts as to whether he is giving that leadership’ »

By S. Murali Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam (4 June 1946 – 25 September 2020), also referred to as S. P. Balu or SPB, was an Indian musician, playback singer, music director, actor, dubbing artist and film producer who worked predominantly in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi and Malayalam. Affectionately called as ‘Balu’ in his friends’ circle, SPB …

Continue reading ‘S.P. Balasubrahmanyam won the Guinness World Record for recording the highest number of songs by a singer:Sang over 40,000 songs in 16 languages’ »

By Meera Srinivasan As the pallavi (first paragraph) of MSV’s Sippi irukkudu muthum irukkudu ends, giving way to a delightful instrumental interlude, I find myself getting alert every single time. I know precisely what I am waiting for and don’t want to miss, while getting predictably carried away in that simple yet attractive tune. It …

Continue reading ‘“You need the voice to create a vibe, build an ambience and tell a story. In SP Balasubrahmanyam ’s case, he was at once the singer, the lover, the actor.”’ »

by B. Kolappan Legendary playback singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam passed away at a private hospital in Chennai on Friday. He was 74. Balasubrahmanyam was hospitalised in August at MGM Healthcare after testing positive for COVID-19, and while he reportedly did well initially, he took a turn for the worse, and was put on a ventilator and …

Continue reading ‘‘Paadum Nila’ (Singing Moon) S.P. Balasubrahmanyam Passes Away at the Age of 74 in Chennai’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka I am proud that the Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka, of which my father was the Founder-President, was one of nine media industry bodies/organisations to express “deep concern” over aspects of the 20th Amendment and their potential to “negatively impact Sri Lanka’s democratic institutions”. Mervyn de Silva would have endorsed the statement, …

Continue reading ‘Sinhala society is going through its parabolic Prabhakaran/Tamil Eelam moment. We are building a Sinhala-Buddhist Eelam. It’s Prabhakaran’s posthumous revenge.’ »

By Gehan Gunatilleke Déjà vu? Once upon a time, a mighty government with a two-thirds majority in Parliament engaged in political opportunism, and radically changed the Constitution of Sri Lanka. It ignored more than a decade of public demands for reducing the powers of the executive president and proceeded to strengthen that office. It presumed …

Continue reading ‘Why should this Government fear dialogue and cooperation between President and Prime Minister when they not only come from the same party, but also from the same family?’ »

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) yesterday informed the Fort Magistrate Court that Save the Pearls organisation had received funding from the “Qatar Charity” amounting to 13 million rupees. Save the Pearls is an organisation in which Hizbullah functioned as President. Deepani Menike, appearing on behalf of the CID, informed the Fort Magistrate that “Qatar Charity” …

Continue reading ‘CID Obtains Court Order to Freeze Sri Lankan Bank Account of World Renowned Charitable Organization “Quatar Charity” Headed by Members of the Emir of Quatar Royal Family Due to “Save The Pearls” Organization in Sri Lanka Allegedly Receiving a 13 Million Rupee Donation’ »

By Austin Fernando (Former Secretary to the President) Twentieth Amendment (20A) is reviewed by commentators from political, legal, journalistic, and religious angles. Not belonging to any such group, I do not venture to cover the multitude of discussions on 20A. My focus is to view 20A to understand how it affects governance and causes political …

Continue reading ‘As a democratically elected person President Rajapaksa need not camouflage himself with an anti-democratic cloak because he has a massive vantage value unlike anyone else in his government to take correct steps.’ »

By Dr.Nihal Jayawickrama Strident calls were repeatedly made from many quarters for the 19th Amendment to the Constitution to be repealed. Some argued that it should be repealed in its entirety, while others pleaded for the retention of some of its provisions. What has been overlooked is that there is no 19th Amendment capable of …

Continue reading ‘In the 37 years that an “Executive President” reigned over Sri Lanka, an almost unbridgeable gap was created between political parties and between ethnic groups. The country was torn asunder, and its people were brutalised.’ »

By Dr.Radhika Coomaraswamy A diminutive, shy person with head bowed down walked into the room. She walked slowly but with a purposive step. When she began the class her voice was just above a whisper and her words were accompanied by long pauses as we strained to listen. This was 1976 and I was enrolled …

Continue reading ‘When there was no one else on the bench to stand for what she felt were eternal values Ruth Bader Ginsburg spoke out with words and language that were so strong that they were in fact vulnerable.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan A day after the Sri Lankan government tabled the contentious 20th Amendment Bill, Opposition parties, including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB, or United People’s Front) and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), moved the Supreme Court challenging it. At least six petitions, including those of the SJB and the TNA, were filed on …

Continue reading ‘Six petitions Including Those of Samagi Jana Balawegaya and Tamil National Alliance filed on Wednesday in Supreme court against the 20th Amendment legislation’ »

By P. K. Balachandran At least 10 cases are expected to the filed in the Supreme Court seeking a referendum on the proposed 20thConstitutional Amendment (20A), according to reliable sources in the Sri Lankan opposition. As soon as the government placed the 20thAmendment bill on the table of the House on Tuesday (22), a lawyer …

Continue reading ‘At least 10 Petitions are expected to the filed in the Supreme Court seeking a referendum on the proposed 20th Constitutional Amendment (20A) Within the Next Seven Days’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Justice Minister Ali Sabry presented the 20th Amendment to Parliament yesterday amidst strong protests by Opposition MPs. The Bill was presented to the House by Minister Sabry, whose voice was drowned by the din of shouts from MPs of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) whose voice rose in a chorus to the …

Continue reading ‘Din in Parliament as 20th Amendment Draft Bill is Tabled by Justice Minister Ali Sabry: Stand-off in the Well of the House for Over 30 minutes with Opposition Mp’s Shouting “Apita Vissa Epa”(We Dont want 20) and Govt MP’s Chanting “Apita Vissa Oney”(we want 20)’ »

National Congress Digamadulla District MP A.L.M. Athaullah had to leave the Parliamentary Chamber yesterday owing to protests by Opposition MPs over his choice of attire to the House. Athaullah deviated from the dress code for male MPs which is either national dress, full suit or tunic, long-sleeved shirts and trousers by wearing a sherwani with …

Continue reading ‘Opposition MP’s Object to National Congress Leader AHM Athaullah’s attire in Parliament with Dilip Wedaarachchi Tucking his Sarong up to knee and Nalin Bandara Unbuttoning his Shirt in protest’ »

By Dr.Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu In November 1936, during the Battle for Madrid in the Spanish Civil War, Dolores Ibarruri or La Pasionaria as she came to be known, the impassionate Left orator and freedom fighter, issued the famous slogan ‘No Pasaran – They Will Not Pass’. Can similar sentiments be aroused about amendments to or repeal …

Continue reading ‘The one clear and simple advantage of the Rajapaksa’s is that they know what they want as far as politics is concerned and everything is geared towards getting it – from men to money to media. It is largely narrow, personalised,platitudinous and lethal and toxic to democratic governance.’ »

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday filed six indictments against former Minister Ravi Karunanayake and Perpetual Treasuries Ltd. owner Arjun Aloysius at the Colombo High Court. Both individuals have been charged under Section 19C of the Bribery Act, which concerns bribery in respect of Government business.

Former Chief Justice Mohan Peiris has been picked to head the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations (UN) in New York, while senior journalist C.A. Chandraprema will go as Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, the Daily FT learns. Peiris will replace Kshenuka Senewiratne, a career diplomat who headed …

Continue reading ‘Former Chief Justice Mohan Peiris will soon head the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations (UN) in New York, while senior journalist C.A. Chandraprema will be Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva.’ »

by Jehan Perera The government has announced that the draft 20th Amendment bill will be presented to parliament on Tuesday. It will be the same version that caught the country by surprise when it first made its appearance to the public on September 3. The extreme nature of the proposed amendment, which has been the …

Continue reading ‘Parliament was also elected by the people and has a five-year mandate and the powers being withdrawn by the proposed 20th Amendment are so significant that they may require a referendum.’ »

By Rathindra Kuruwita Former President Maithripala Sirisena had placed ex-Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando’s life at risk by issuing a media statement that the evidence given by the latter before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating the Easter Sunday attacks was “malicious and fictitious”, Attorney-at-Law Dilshan Jayasuriya appearing for Fernando said yesterday. Jayasuriya told the …

Continue reading ‘Former President Maithripala Sirisena had placed ex-Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando’s life at risk by issuing a media statement that the evidence given by the latter before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry was “malicious and fictitious” Says Counsel Dilshan Jayasuriya’ »

By Rathindra Kuruwita Only the President had the power to give directions at the National Security Council (NSC) and former President Maithripala Sirisena never instructed those who attended its meetings to arrest NTJ leader Zahran Hashim during his tenure as Defence Secretary between November 2018 and April 2019, Hemasiri Fernando, yesterday, told the Presidential Commission …

Continue reading ‘Former President Maithripala Sirisena never instructed the National Security Council to arrest NTJ leader Zahran Hashim during his tenure as Defence Secretary between November 2018 and April 2019, Ex-Def Secy Hemasiri Fernando tells the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI)’ »

The Retired Judges’ Association (RJA) says it is “gravely perturbed” by the potential impact of the draft 20th Amendment on the constitutional separation of powers, particularly in relation to the selection and appointment of judges to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. In a letter to Justice Minister Ali Sabry, the association notes …

Continue reading ‘Retired Judges’ Association (RJA) says it is “gravely perturbed” by the potential impact of the draft 20th Amendment on the constitution in relation to the selection and appointment of judges to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.’ »

Professional media industry bodies have raised concerns over certain clauses of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, saying it would have a detrimental impact on freedom of speech, expression and information in Sri Lanka. The statement has been issued by the Sri Lanka Press Institute, the Newspaper Society of Sri Lanka, The Editors’ Guild of …

Continue reading ‘Professional media Organizations have raised concerns over certain clauses of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution saying it would have a detrimental impact on freedom of speech, expression and information in Sri Lanka.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardena Constitutions of democratic Republics should not be tailor made for individuals. Yet, Sri Lanka’s constitutional practice has been stubbornly reflective of this pattern, inclusive of the 19th Amendment and the proposed 20th Amendment alike. Hypocritical homage to constitutional ideals Veneration of the 19th Amendment by its proponents must give way to …

Continue reading ‘Draft 20th Constitutional Amendment is the greatest threat that Sri Lanka faces to constitutional governance today.’ »

By Rathindra Kuruwita Former President Maithripala Sirisena, on April 24, 2019, had told former IGP Pujith Jayasundara that if the latter took the blame for the Easter Sunday bombings he would be given his pension and posted to any country of his choice as an ambassador, former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando yesterday told the Presidential …

Continue reading ‘Ex-Defence Secretary Hemasiri Tells Presidential Commission of Inquiry that he was Unable to Implement 25 to 30 Key Decisions Due to the Interference of Former President Maithripala Sirisena’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s Tamil National Alliance (TNA), that chiefly represented the Tamils living in the north and east in the post-war decade, suffered a huge setback in the August general elections, losing six seats in Parliament. With the Alliance’s presence in the legislature having weakened and the Rajapaksas back in power at the …

Continue reading ‘“For a dignified solution to the Tamil national questione we must win over at least a sizeable section of the majority community. Without that, it is not achievable. Certainly not achievable if we keep antagonising them and heightening their own fears”-TNA Spokesperson M. A. Sumanthiran MP’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake All this unwanted fuss about the author or drafter of the 20A has led to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa making it clear he is the leader of the Government and the Pohottuva. Let’s have no doubts about it anymore. Let’s stop asking about any role that the Justice Minister Ali Sabry or Law …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa makes it clear that he is the leader of the Government and the Pohottuva. Mahinda will remain where he is and Gotabaya will be the ruler of the Rajavasala and the Lankadveepa.’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka The President’s gear-shift on 20A, which showed flexibility, followed by his shift-back to the original hawkish position and a posture of rigidity, made nonsense of some basic assumptions of the Opposition, and pointed to the imperative of correcting these dangerously flawed notions. What are the lessons of the recent dramatic turnaround? It …

Continue reading ‘Who or what is the real driver of the Gotabaya Rajapaksa regime? Is it the Deep State or the “Junta” and their civilian ideologues and professionals in the Viyathmaga-Eliya?’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “When it is laid down as a maxim, that a king can do no wrong, it places him in a state of similar security with that of idiots and persons insane, and responsibility is out of the question with respect to himself” – Thomas Paine, ‘Rights of Man’ It is what it …

Continue reading ‘Trying to fight the 20th Amendment by siding with PM Mahinda against President Gotabaya will be an exercise in delusion as trying to use Melania against Donald Trump.’ »

By P. K. Balachandran The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s (SLPP) decision to revisit the draft 20th Amendment (20A) to the Constitution follows multiple dissensions over it both within the party and its alliance. Although the draft 20A was cleared by the Cabinet without objections and was even published in the gazette, the moment it …

Continue reading ‘Dissent Within SLPP Led Ruling Alliance and Opposition From Sinhala BuddhistUltra-Nationalist Lobby Compels Govt To Withdraw Gazetted Draft 20th Amendment Bill and Pledge Submission of Altered Alternative Draft’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Today marks the 20th death anniversary of M.H.M. Ashraff, the Founder Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC). He died on 16 September 2000, when the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) helicopter he was travelling in crashed in the Aranayaka area in Kegalle District, leaving a void in the political sphere …

Continue reading ‘” You do not win an argument by saying ‘this is a Sinhala Buddhist country, so it has to be this way’.That is intimidation.” Says Aman Ashraff the Only Son of MHM and Ferial Ashraff in an Interview’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka Any collective, especially a minority community, is in the most serious kind of political trouble when its smartest representatives say things that are the exact opposite of smart—and that’s a polite euphemism—at exactly the wrong time. Take MP M.A. Sumanthiran, quoted by Meera Srinivasan of The Hindu as follows: ‘… “While it …

Continue reading ‘The 13th Amendment, the Indo-Lanka Accord and the very principle of provincial devolution stand in jeopardy While the Tamils are cornered in a political dead-end.’ »