by Sanjana Hattotuwa “Why isn’t anything going on in the senate? Why are the senators sitting there without legislating? Because the barbarians are coming today. What’s the point of senators making laws now? Once the barbarians are here, they’ll do the legislating” – Waiting for the Barbarians, C P Cavafy To condone the stoning of …

Continue reading ‘Why has Former SLFP and Current UNP Parliamentarian Mayantha Dissanayake Who was in the Company of the Asgiriya Mahanayake Thero Not said a Single word Against or Distanced Himself from the Prelate’s Incendiary Sermon?’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “Muslim people don’t love us… I say don’t go to those shops. Don’t eat or drink from those shops…. It is clear that they are a group who gave poison to our people, who tried to destroy our people… I think that the younger generation who eats (from them) will not have …

Continue reading ‘“The most venerable chief prelate of Asgiriya is unlikely to be held accountable for uttering words which are in gross violation of both the Buddha’s teachings and the country’s laws”’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene This week, a small child died of malnutrition in Tissamaharama at the same time that Sri Lanka’s Parliament debated the passing of millions of public funds to purchase luxury vehicles for Ministers as well as former President and current Opposition Leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa. Laid out in her white coffin, dark and …

Continue reading ‘What we Hear From Senior Buddhist Priests Indicate that Overtly Racist Sentiments are not Confined to the ‘lunatic fringe’ of the Clergy alone as some Mistakenly Believed.’ »

Muslims in Sri Lanka say they fear new attacks after a top Buddhist monk called for violence against members of the religious minority, claiming a Muslim doctor had sterilised thousands of Buddhist women. Activists, politicians and members of the Muslim minority said Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero’s speech last week was likely to fan communal tensions, …

Continue reading ‘“Lack of action against Warakagoda Sri Gnanrathana Thero’s Hateful and Harmful Speech Reflects the Sinhala Buddhist Hegemonic Majoritarianism that Prevails in the Country” Says TNA Parliamentarian MA Sumanthiran’ »

by Jayantha Somasundaram Mervyn de Silva 20TH Death Anniversary: June 22nd “Wandering between two worlds, one dead/The other powerless to be born” – Matthew Arnold On June 22 1999, as the twentieth century drew to an end, Mervyn de Silva left us. At that time, one could sense that with his passing, an era in …

Continue reading ‘In Tenuous Times: Mervyn de Silva’s Progressive Liberalism From the South’ »

By S.Sandarage I observed the news item in relation to the order issued by the Attorney General Dappula de Livera to Acting Inspector General Chandana Wickramaratne to take disciplinary action against the nine police officers including three DIGs. This order was based on the final report of the three-member presidential committee which investigated lapses that …

Continue reading ‘How Credible, Unprejudiced and Impartial Can the Committee of Inquiry Appointed by President Sirisena be When It Consists of Ex- IGP N.K.Illangakoon and former Secretary to the Ministry of Law and Order, Pathmasiri Jayamanne?’ »

(Excerpted from the “Sunday Times” of Sri Lanka) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, declared India’s cherubic High Commissioner, Taranjit Singh Sandhu at a recent lecture, is “not only the leader of the largest democracy in the world, but also a leader with the largest popular mandate in the world.” True. There are more attributes to Premier …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Eligible Bachelor Namal Rajapaksa MP to Marry the Only daughter of Thilak Weerasinghe and Aruni Wickramarathna on September 17 This Year.’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka Sri Lanka faced and fought a terrorist threat for thirty years and prevailed, ten years ago. Just recently, on Easter Sunday, we were confronted by a new terrorist threat. So, Sri Lanka is not apologetic, when I say that we view all these problems through the prism of the existential threat that …

Continue reading ‘Terrorism can be fought, and sustainable socio-economic development can be guaranteed only by a strong efficient democratic State.’ »

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya Justice Minister Thalatha Athukorala said yesterday that Minister Sajith Premadasa will definitely be the next President of the country and that he would get the blessings of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in this regard. She made this prediction on the occasion of the 204th model village, named “Katurodagama,’ that was constructed …

Continue reading ‘Sajith Premadasa Will Contest the Presidential Elections With the Blessings of Ranil Wickremesinghe and Become the Next President Says Justice Minister Thalatha Athukorala.’ »

The Head of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka on Thursday issued a scathing criticism of the Government over the Easter attacks that killed more than 250 people, decrying a “total lack of interest” in determining why intelligence reports were ignored. Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith spoke of his frustrations just hours before he was due to …

Continue reading ‘Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith Catigates Govt for Lack of Responsibility and Blame Passing Over Easter Bombings Saying Even Even President’s “own culpability in the matter might be in question, so they are trying to hide it”’ »

Sri Lanka has initiated criminal investigations against nine officers over lapses leading to the Easter Sunday attacks, but the head of state intelligence Nilantha Jayawardena and IGP Pujith Jauasundara have been spared. Attorney-General Dappula de Livera in a letter to Acting Inspector General Chandana Wickramaratne ordered that disciplinary action be taken against the nine men, …

Continue reading ‘Attorney -General Orders Acting IGP to Take Disciplinary Action Against Nine Officers Including Three DIG’s For “Lapses” In the April 21 Bombings but No Action Against IGP Jayasundara, SIS Chief Jayawardena or Ex -Def Secy Fernando.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Intelligence officers were tipped about the possible whereabouts of Zahran Hashim about a month before the 21 April attacks and were also given a telephone number of the terror attack mastermind’s brother in a bid to help track him down, a witness before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) inquiring into the incidents …

Continue reading ‘“Zahran did not say in public that he was with the ISIS, but he preached violence and spoke of setting up the Islamic State here. His dress and style promoted the IS brand” States Sri Lanka Thowheed Jamath President A.K. Hisham Before PSC’ »

By Chandani Kirinde A representative of the Sufi community told the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) investigating the Easter Sunday attacks that members of his sect were at the receiving end of regular vicious verbal attacks by Zahran Hashim, the leader of the terror group. Al Haj Abdul Jawadh Alim Waliyyullah Trust Secretary Sufi Moulavi K.R.M. …

Continue reading ‘“In his Speeches Terror Group Leader Zahran Hashim “Called to wet the earth of this country from the blood of people of other faiths,” Discloses Sufi Moulavi K. R. M. Sahlan Before Parliamentary Select Committee’ »

By Manopriya Gunasekera Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne yesterday directed Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake and his wife to give a statement to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on 7 July in connection with making false statements before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry during an investigation into fraudulent bond transactions. He and his wife …

Continue reading ‘Colombo Chief Magistrate Directs Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake and wife to Give Statements to CID in Connection with Making False Statements to Presidential Inquiry Commission Probing Treasury Bond Scam on July 7th’ »

S. Vijay Kumar Heightened security arrangements are in place across Tamil Nadu, particularly in the western districts, following intelligence inputs from a central agency on a terror module planning to target vital installations in South India. Police sources said a three-member cell named ‘Abu Alqital’ was formed to target upscale restaurants, places of worship, shopping …

Continue reading ‘Indian Intelligence Alert on Islamic State Operatives Forming Three -Member Cell Named “Abu Alqital” to Target Upscale Restaurants, Places of Worship, Shopping Malls and Vital Installations in South India’ »

UNP Chairman Kabir Hashim yesterday said he had decided to accept his previous Ministry portfolio after giving deep consideration to appeals made by the most Venerable Mahanayake Theras, other religious representatives, his district voters, the Muslim community, the Prime Minister, the President and Minister Sajith Premadasa. Former ministers Kabir Hashim and M.H.A.Haleem, who resigned from …

Continue reading ‘Some Individuals condemn the Muslim politicians when they resign from their portfolios and continue to denounce the same ministers when they re-accept their portfolios -Kabir Hashim’ »

The Criminal Investigations Department has secured judicial orders forcing the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital director to cooperate with their investigation into the alleged illegal sterilization of Sinhala Buddhist women. Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said the CID which took over the case on May 27 asked and secured an order from the Kurunegala magistrate forcing hospital director …

Continue reading ‘Kurunegala Teaching Hospital Director Dr. AMS Weerabandara Who Allegedly Conspired with DIG Kithsiri Jayalath to Implicate Dr. Shafi in Sterilisation Charges Refuses to Cooperate in CID Inquiry but Police Get Court Order Ordering him to Cooperate in Proble’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera on Wednesday slammed a Buddhist monk’s controversial comments targeting Muslims and urged “true Buddhists” to unite against the “Talibanisation” of the religion. In a tweet he posted on Wednesday morning, Mr. Samaraweera said: “True Buddhists must unite NOW against the Talibanization of our great philosophy of …

Continue reading ‘Mangala Samaraweera Calls Upon “True Buddhists To Unite Against the Talibanisation of our Great Philosophy of Peace and Love” in the Aftermath of Anti-Muslim Statements by Asgiriya Chief Monk.’ »

A top Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka has accused minority Muslims of destroying the island’s majority Sinhalese community and called for drastic action, including the boycott of their businesses. The chief prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter of Buddhism launched the tirade against Muslims on Saturday during a ceremony at the Kitsiri Mevan temple near the …

Continue reading ‘Asgiriya Mahanayake Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera Launches an Irrational Racist Verbal Onslaught Against Muslims Saying Sinhala Buddhists Should not Patronize Muslim Restaurants as those who do so would not Have Children in the Future.’ »

(This is a Rough English translation of Irrational, Racist Anti-Muslim comments made publicly in Sinhala by the Asgiriya Mahanayake Ven.Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero published in srilankabrief.org) “We got to know some good news. That in the future, Chamal Rajapaksa will become President. This is in fact cause for happiness. We didn’t know this before. I …

Continue reading ‘A Rough English Translation of the Anti-Muslim Comments Made in Sinhala Publicly by the Asgiriya Mahanayake Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero.’ »

Former Ministers Kabir Hashim and M.H.A. Haleem, who resigned recently, were sworn in again in their previous portfolios before President Maithripala Sirisena a short while ago. Accordingly, Hashim was sworn in as the Minister of Highways, Road Development & Petroleum Resources Development, while Haleem was sworn in as the Posts, Postal Services and Muslim Religious …

Continue reading ‘UNP Parliamentarians Kabir Hashim and MHA Haleem Who Resigned Along with SLMC and ACMC Ministers on June 3rd Take Oaths Again as Cabinet Ministers in Charge of Same Portfolios.’ »

By Lasanda Kurukulasuriya Speculation that Western intelligence agencies had a hand in the well-coordinated, precision-timed Easter suicide bombings in Sri Lanka arises from a number of sources and circumstances. Analysts are still trying to figure out how the little known group ‘National Thawheed Jamaath’ (NTJ) could have orchestrated such a feat. The terror group known …

Continue reading ‘Did the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Take Away the Phones and Electronic Devices of the Sri Lankan Easter Sunday Suicide Bombers?; “Unable To Give That Information” Says Lankan Police Spokesman.’ »

By Saman Indrajith Zharan Hashim’s call for the Muslims to kill people of other faiths had been brought to the notice of President Maithripala Sirisena in March, 2017, but there had been no response, the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday carnage was informed yesterday. Testifying before the committee, Secretary of Al Haj …

Continue reading ‘When Zahran Hashim Publicly Called Upon Muslims to Kill People of Other Faiths a Written Complaint Along With Three CD’s of Zahran’s Speeches was Sent By Sufi Moulavi KRM Sahlan to President Sirisena on March 27th 2017 and Copied to PM and Senior Ministers.’ »

By Saman Indrajith Easter Sunday carnage mastermind Zahran Hashim’s aide Army Mohideen had been an army informant, Parliament Select committee probing the Easter Sunday carnage was told yesterday. Former OIC of Kattankudy police station Chief Inspector Ariyabandu Welagedera told the PSC that Army Mohideen had maintained links with the army and was known as an …

Continue reading ‘Former Kattankudi Police Station OIC Tells Parliamentary Select Committee that Zahran Hashim’s Key Aide Called “Army” Mohideen was an Informant of the Sri Lankan Military.’ »

By Saman Indrajith The Parliament Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday carnage was told yesterday that prior intelligence reports on the terror attacks by Zahran Hazhim’s group had not been provided to the police station in the Kattankudi area, where the National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ) operated from. Testifying before the PSC, Kattankudy OIC IP …

Continue reading ‘Intelligence Reports about Anticipated Terrorist Attacks by Kattankudi Born Zahran Hashim’s Group Were Sent to Other Police Divisions but Not to To the Kattankudi Police Division Reveals OIC to PSC’ »

The senior-most police officer in the North-Western province is under investigation for attempting to cause racial hatred by planting reports of mass sterilization taking place at the Kurunegala teaching hospital, a police official said. Deputy Inspector-General Kithsiri Jayalath is facing an internal inquiry into his conduct over what has become a deeply divisive issue over …

Continue reading ‘CID Investigation Implicates North -Western Province Police DIG Kithsiri Jayalath and Kurunegala Teaching Hospital Director Dr. A.M.S.Weerabandara in the Orchestrated Campaign to Incriminate Muslim Surgeon Dr. Mohammed Shafi Through False Allegations of Mass Sterilisation of Sinhala Women.’ »

by Lisa Fuller & Rukshana Rizwie Hasalaka, Sri Lanka – On May 17, police in central Sri Lanka arrested Abdul Raheem Mazahina, a soft-spoken 47-year-old grandmother, because of the pattern on her dress. The dress’s motifs look like ship wheels, but police told Mazahina, a Muslim, they were arresting her because the pattern resembled the …

Continue reading ‘Muslims ‘targeted with arbitrary arrests’ After Easter Sunday Massacre in Sri Lanka.’ »

Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne says that his colleague Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s argument for importing Chinese cigarettes does not hold water and he is dead against the move. Finance Minister Samaraweera was planning to allow the importation of Chinese cigarettes on the grounds that the Chinese workers in Sri Lanka …

Continue reading ‘Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera Wants to Import Cigarettes from China for Chinese Workers in Sri Lanka But Meets With Strong Opposition from Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne Who Threatens to quit Cabinet in Protest.’ »

By Ifham Nizam Visitor arrival at the National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwela has increased since the Easter Sunday bomb attacks caused the arrivals to drop to single digits. Deputy Director of the Zoo Anoma Priyadharshini told The Island that arrivals had increased to between 1,000 and 1,500 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as against the …

Continue reading ‘Number of Daily Visitors to Dehiwela Zoo Which Dropped to Single Digits After Easter Sunday Attacks Picks up Slowly to Reach1000 to 1500 Per Day; Used to be 5000 to 6000 daily Prior to April 21st.’ »

By The “Sunday Times” Political Editor President Maithripala Sirisena wants to conduct a parliamentary general election first after seeking approval at a non-binding national referendum. Towards this end, sources close to the Presidency said, he has sought the opinion of the Attorney General Dappula de Livera. He has concurred that the move was possible but …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Plans to Hold a Non -binding Referendum to Seek Approval to Conduct Parliamentary Elections Before Presidential Polls in a Bid to Sabotage UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.’ »

By P.K.Balachandran In most countries, terrorist attacks would have some economic impact, especially on the tourism sector, with little or no impact on society or polity. But in Sri Lanka, the impact of the April 21 multiple bombings has been unusually and extraordinarily wide in social, political , economic and constitutional terms. Constitutional Impasse or …

Continue reading ‘Impact of the April 21 Multiple Bombings in Sri Lanka Has Been Unusually and Extraordinarily Wide in Social, Political, Economic and Constitutional Terms.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene The recent statement by former Eastern Province Governor M.L.M. Hizbullah that Muslims are a majority in the world and that Sri Lankan Muslims should not fear even if they are a minority is dangerously inflammatory. It also amounts to an encouragement of the primitive cacophonous yelling on the part of Sinhala …

Continue reading ‘The time is not far off where politicians on both sides of the divide may find themselves unable to appear in public without being hooted and jeered at.’ »

By Rukshana Rizwie and Gayan Kumara Weerasinghe The probe into the Easter Sunday bomb attacks and the extremist terrorist cell behind it receives a fillip with the arrival in Colombo yesterday of five arrested terror suspects including Mohamed Milhan alias Abu Seelan who is believed to be the chosen successor of National Thowheed Jama’ath (NTJ) …

Continue reading ‘Mohammed Milhan Alias “Abu Seelan” Believed to be Successor of National Thowheed Jamath Leader Zahran Hashim Arrested in Saudi Arabia and Brought to Sri Lanka With Four Others.’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando . The police have begun questioning five persons, including Hayathu Mohamed Milhan, who had alleged links with the Easter Sunday suicide bombers. The suspects arrested in the Middle East, following the April 21 attacks, were extradited yesterday. They were the first Easter Sunday suspects to be extradited since the high profile investigation …

Continue reading ‘Mohammed Zahran’s Key Deputy Hayathu Mohamed Milhan (30) Along with Four Associates Mohamed Marsook (34)Mohideen Sabri(47)Mohammed Ismail(29) and Aboosally Abubakar(37) Arrested and Deported From Jeddah to Colombo’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake Amidst much snigger raised from the massive political farce taking place in the country today, there is an even more cause for worry and rising fear on the very future of our society. The politicians, those in government and opposition, are certainly having a great time, calculating the votes they will gain …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka is rapidly moving away from a united nation to a country divided on race and religion, caste and creed, faith and belief – and away from the search for truth and justice.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Former Governor of the Eastern Province M.L.A.M. Hizbullah told a Parliamentary Select Committee yesterday that he lost the 2015 General Election because Mohamed Zahran, who masterminded the Easter Sunday terror attacks, had worked against him. “In the General Elections, Zahran worked against me. I couldn’t get around 2,000 votes because of him. …

Continue reading ‘“I am the happiest person that Zahran died, because now I can win the next election without any trouble from his group,” – Ex-Eastern Province Governor MLAM Hizbullah Tells Parliamentary Select Committee’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Easter attacks mastermind Zahran Hashim campaigned for Maithripala Sirisena ahead of the January 2015 presidential elections, according to former Governor of the Eastern Province, M.L.A.M. Hizbullah. Testifying before a parliamentary committee probing Easter bombings, the politician, who is based in Hashim’s hometown Kattankudy in the Eastern Province, said on Thursday: “I campaigned …

Continue reading ‘Easter Bombings Mastermind Zahran Hashim Supported and Actively Campaigned for Maithripala Sirisena in the 2015 Presidential Elections States Ex-Eastern Governor MLAM Hizbullah Before Parliamentary Select Committee’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith yesterday said that the country needs strong political leaders who work courageously for the good of the country and its people and those who love the country more than they love themselves. “The country needs honest political leaders who have a backbone, who do no wrong deeds and who …

Continue reading ‘“The country needs honest political leaders who have a backbone…… Many are questioning if we can trust our leaders to do what is right” says Cardinal Ranjith at Re-consecration of Re-constructed St. Anthony’s Shrine at Kochchikade’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Mohamed Zahran, the man who masterminded the Easter Day terror attacks, had prohibited students from standing up for the National Anthem, threatened teachers who organised school concerts, and created a fear psychosis among the people in general, a representative of the Kattankudy Federation of Mosques and Muslims Institutions told a Parliament Committee …

Continue reading ‘“Zahran Disappeared From Kattankudi After an Arrest Warrant was Issued in 2017 and Was Not Seen in Public by the People Since Then” – Representative of Kattankudy Federation of Mosques and Muslims Institutions Before PSC’ »

By Meera Srinivasan A former Governor and prominent Muslim politician has accused the Rajapaksa government of being complacent while its military intelligence unit “worked closely” with the National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ), the radical Islamist organisation behind the Easter bombings. Azath Salley was one of the two Muslim Governors who stepped down from office earlier this …

Continue reading ‘Defence Ministry was Funding Thowheed Jamath for Many Years Under Mahinda Rajapaksa Regime and the Military Intelligence Unit was Working Closely with the same Thowheed Jamath Testifies Ex-Western Governor Azath Salley Before Parliament Select Committee,’ »

By Vijaita Singh The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday detained a Facebook friend of Zahran Hashim, the mastermind of the Easter attacks in Sri Lanka, along with five others in Coimbatore. NIA alleged that the prime suspect Mohammed Azharudheen, 32, and his associates were “propagating the ideology of proscribed terrorist organization Islamic State on …

Continue reading ‘Easter Bombings Mastermind Zahran Hashim’s “Facebook Friend” Mohammed Azharudeen and Five Others Arrested in by Indian National Investigation Agency in Coimbatore.Tamil Nadu.’ »

( This is the text of a media release issued by the office of the Leader of the Opposition. It is a Translation of a speech made by the Leader of the Opposition Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday, 11 June 2019 at his official residence on Wijerama Mawatha Colombo.) Venerable members of the Maha Sangha, …

Continue reading ‘“If Terrorism that has Emerged from Within the Muslim Community is to be Crushed, Muslim Individuals will Have to be Arrested, Muslim Homes and Mosques will Have to be Searched” – Mahinda Rajapaksa’ »

By E. Weerapperuma The historic Catholic shrine dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua in Colombo, Kochchikade, will celebrate the 185th feast of the Saint on Thursday at 10 a.m., with a trilingual festive High Mass offered at the Shrine. Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith will be the officiating prelate. This Shrine coming down from the times of …

Continue reading ‘Historic Catholic Shrine at Kochikade Dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua, Re-constructed After Unholy Easter Attack Will Be Re-consecrated on June 12 in a Tri-lingual Festive High Mass With Cardinal Ranjith Officiating:Annual Feast Begins on June 13’ »

by Saman Indrajith Former Governor of the Western province Azath Salley yesterday told the Parliamentary Select Committee probing the Easter Sunday carnage that former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa had worked closely with Sri Lanka Thowheed Jamaath, which was one of the organisations responsible for the April 21 attacks. Testifying before the PSC, which met yesterday …

Continue reading ‘Ex-Western Province Governor Azath Salley Tells Parliamentary Select Committee that Gotabaya Rajapaksa While Being Defence Secretary Had Worked Closely With the Sri Lanka Thowheed Jamath.’ »

By Dr. S. Shrikharan In Sri Lanka, we are criticizing the politicians for their involvement in corruption with IMPUNITY. Honestly, what will you do if given a chance to enter parliament in Sri Lanka? I will speak for myself. I will certainly join the rest and make money! I will do better than what others …

Continue reading ‘A Solution for Corruption with IMPUNITY by Politicians in Sri Lanka’ »

By Saman Indrajith President of the Federation of Kanthankudi Mosques and Muslim Institutions, Abdul Uvaiz, yesterday, told the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday carnage that people of Kaththankudy had stood up to the Zahran’s terror group but the law enforcement and defence authorities had failed to take timely action. Giving evidence before …

Continue reading ‘President of the Federation of Kanthankudi Mosques and Muslim Institutions, Abdul Uvaiz Tells PSC that if the Authorities Had Acted in Time on the Information Given by Kattankudi People About the Zahran Group the Easter Carnage May Have Been Averted’ »

By Saman Indrajith President of the All Ceylon Jamiathul Ullama Moulavi Mohammed Rizwi, yesterday, told the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday carnage that his organisation had been warning relevant authorities since 2014 of the dangers posed by Muslim extremists. Giving evidence before the PSC, the Moulavi said that he and Azath Salley …

Continue reading ‘All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulama President Moulavi Mohammed Rizwi Tells PSC that he had been Labelled a “Kaffir” by the Zahran Group for Exposing Their Links with the “IS” in a Speech Relayed Over SLBC Radio.’ »

Sri Lanka’s parliament Tuesday defied President Maithripala Sirisena and resumed investigations into security lapses surrounding the Easter suicide bombings that killed 258 people, officials said, as a political crisis in the country deepened. The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) began hearing testimony from Muslim leaders who claimed they repeatedly alerted the authorities to dangerous radicalisation, a …

Continue reading ‘Parliament Select Committee Continues Public Hearings of Testimonies Relating to Easter Sunday Terrorism In Defiance of President Sirisena Who Displays his Pique by Cancelling weekly Cabinet Meeting.’ »

By Bishop Duleep de Chickera “Give peace within her borders, ‘twixt man and man goodwill, The love all unsuspicious, the love that works no ill1. ” – W.S. Senior Real stories-real racism A Colombo taxi driver informed a customer that he was a Muslim. It sounded like an apology. His two previous hires had been …

Continue reading ‘Standing for the protection, rights and dignity of a smaller community of citizens in times of communal unrest has seldom been a characteristic of persons at the helm of governance in this country.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene The gay abandon with which Sri Lanka’s politicians and public servants at the highest level act as if they are beyond even the slightest hint of accountability boggles our perpetually astonished imagination. This is exemplified by their behaviour in relation to first, ignoring all impending warnings of the Easter Sunday attacks …

Continue reading ‘A Buddhist Monk cum Politician Fasts To Compel Action To Be Taken Against a Muslim Minister Accused Of Links To Islamist Jihadists While The Catholic Church Head In An Extremely Inappropriate Act Visits Him To Show Sympathy.’ »

by Sanjana Hattotuwa For a few interested in and used to confirmation hearings or congressional sessions into individual or institutional activities in the US, the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) hearings in Sri Lanka, at first broadcast live, is something of a novelty. Videos featuring Kamala Harris or Mazie Hirono questioning Brett Kavanaugh, Dianne Feinstein questioning …

Continue reading ‘Office of the Executive in Sri Lanka is Too Powerful To Be Left in Comfort and the Incumbent and any who Follow Must be Made as Uncomfortable as Possible and the Exercise of Executive Power as Difficult as Possible’ »

by Dr Nihal Jayawickrama The national poll for the election of the next President is required to be held between November 8th and December 8th this year. Since the incumbent President has now indicated that he might not be seeking re-election, Sri Lanka’s next President will assume that office as soon as the result of …

Continue reading ‘With the Office of the Next President Being of a Purely Ceremonial Nature After the 19th Constitutional Amendment Why Squander Billions of Rupees by Having an Island -wide Election?’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena during a meeting in Colombo on June 9, 2019. Twitter/@MaithripalaS Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena during a meeting in Colombo on June 9, 2019. Twitter/@MaithripalaS India, Sri Lanka call for collective and focussed action to counter it …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Holds Umbrella for Visiting Indian Premier Narendra Modi During Sudden Showers in Colombo and Presents him a Hand-carved White Teak Replica of “Samadhi Buddha” Statue.’ »

(This article appeared in the Asia section of “The Economist” print edition under the headline “Fighting hatred with hatred”) The charges sound silly but the consequences are not. One Muslim lady’s crime was to wear a shirt printed with a ship’s helm. Her accusers said it looked like the wheel of dharma, so she must …

Continue reading ‘Fighting Hatred With Hatred! Sri Lanka Responds to Islamist Terrorism By Terrorising Muslims With the Police Doing Little to Prevent Mob Attacks On Muslims -“The Economist”.’ »

By Namini Wijedasa The K section of the historic Bogambara prison in Kandy is now informally called something else by jailers: The ISIS ward. It is here that Muslims detained in those regions after the Easter Sunday bombings await their fate as the justice system trundles along. Their visitors often tarry hours at a time …

Continue reading ‘“Arrest First and Ask Later”Policy Adopted by Police To Combat Terrorism Has Chilling Effect on Muslim Community which Feels Vulnerable and Helpless.’ »

An official gazette notification was issued by the Presidential Secretariat on Friday on the resignations of nine Muslim Ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers, who voluntarily quit their portfolios. Nine Muslim politicians — four Cabinet ministers, four state ministers and one deputy minister — tendered their resignation letters effective from Monday, June 3. The names …

Continue reading ‘Official Gazette Notification Issued By Presidential Secretariat on Voluntary Resignations of Four Cabinet Ministers, Four State Ministers and a Deputy Minister’ »

By Namini Wijedasa Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake has ordered the Ministry Secretary and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to appoint 27 of his personal nominees as “project coordinators” for a spate of power plants, including some which are not yet in operation. In a letter to Ministry Secretary B.M.S. Batagoda and CEB General …

Continue reading ‘Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake Orders Ministry Secretary and Electricity Board to Expeditiously Appoint 27 of his Personal Nominees as “Project Coordinators” in View of “Prevailing Security Situation of the Country”.’ »

Muslim Parliamentarians who have resigned their ministerial positions have begun lobbying nation-level stakeholders as well as a range of international bodies to press their cause of freeing the Muslim community from the current spate of racial hatred and harassment, ex-Minister and powerful Muslim politician Rishad Bathiudeen announced yesterday. He was briefing news media after visiting …

Continue reading ‘Rishad Bathiudeen Lodges Complaints at Police Headquarters Against Wimal Weerawansa and SB Dissanayake For Making False Accusations Against Him; Ex-Muslim Ministers to Meet With UN,OIC and Other Diplomatic Representatives in Colombo’ »

By Meera Srinivasan President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday said that he conveyed to the Speaker earlier this week that the ongoing probe into the Easter attacks by a parliamentary panel could hinder court proceedings in the criminal investigations of the bombings. On Thursday, however, the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) — which was informed of the …

Continue reading ‘Parliamentary Select Committee MP’s Write to Speaker Objecting to Attempts by President Sirisena To Interfere With Parliament and Say it “Is Unlawful” and a potential “breach of privileges” of the Legislature and PSC’ »

By Chathuri Dissanayake In a rushed special Cabinet meeting lasting over an hour yesterday, President Maithripala Sirisena strongly opposed the Parliament Select Committee on the Easter Sunday attacks continuing its hearings, calling it a political witch hunt against him. An angry Sirisena accused some of the members of the PSC, Parliamentarians Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne, Field …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Summons Special Cabinet Meeting and Accuses Parliamentary Select Committee of Pursuing a With Hunt Against Him:Berates Jayampathy Wickramaratne, Sarath Fonseka, Ashu Marasinghe and MA Sumanthiran For Destroying his Image.’ »

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said he disapproved of bringing in top officials, including intelligence officers, before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) appointed to investigate into the Easter Sunday attacks, and said he will not allow serving officers to be called for testimony. The President expressed these views during the monthly meeting with top Police officials …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena to Ban Serving Top Govt Intelligence Officials From Testifying Before Parliament Select Committee Probing Easter Sunday Violence: Is Sirisena Unhappy Over Revelations by Officials About his Ineptness and Inefficiency?’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake The country that revoked the Criminal Defamation Law in 2002 is moving under the shadow of the Easter Sunday tragedy and the politics of ethnic and religious hatred, to bring in special amendments to the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code to restore the anti-democratic features of Criminal Defamation legislation. The Criminal …

Continue reading ‘Easter Sunday Tragedy Has Led to Concealed Moves Threatening Media Freedom and the Rights of Journalisrs Through Amendments to the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The Easter Sunday bombing could not be averted due to systemic failures within the security establishment, caused by lack of communication and coordination between different agencies tasked with national security, as well as a lackadaisical attitude towards security by the political leadership, two top officials told a Parliamentary Committee yesterday. The officials, …

Continue reading ‘State Intelligence Service Director DIG Nilantha Jayawardena Who Reported Directly to President Sirisena on Intelligence Matters Told IGP Pujitha Jayasundara and Ex-Def Secy Hemasiri Fernando on April 20 that “something Dangerous Could Happen on Easter Sunday” (April 21)’ »

by Saman Indrajith IGP Pujith Jayasundara, yesterday, told the Parliamentary Select Committee probing the Easter Sunday carnage that he had been excluded from the National Security Council since Oct 23, 2018 by President Maithripala Sirisena over a misunderstanding as regards a police inspector’s transfer. Giving evidence before the PSC, Jayasundera said that he had been …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Told IGP Jayasundara to Resign Accepting Responsibilty for Easter Carnage Disaster and be Rewarded With Ambassador Post Or Be Found Guilty By Presidential Commission and Go Home Without a Pension;When IGP refused Sirisena Sent him on Compulsory Leave.’ »

By Kshama Ranawana Even as families of victims of the Easter Sunday terror gradually pick up the pieces of their lives, and attempt to make sense of that dastardly act, a more insidious campaign is taking hold of the country. Anti-Muslim rhetoric is not new in Sri Lanka, but the Easter Sunday bomb blasts carried …

Continue reading ‘Will the Govt Take Concrete Steps to Effectively Counter the On Going Anti-Muslim Campaign in Sri Lanka?’ »

By Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk The Matara District Chief Incumbents’ Union and Matara District Shasanarakshaka Bala Mandalaya issued a ‘Sangha Order’ against Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday (5). This order entails boycotting any event the minister participates in and banning him from entering Buddhist places of worship in the Matara District. This follows a statement made …

Continue reading ‘Matara District Buddhist Chief Incumbents Issue “Fatwa” type “Sanga Order” Against Mangala Samaraweera Forbidding the Veteran Matara District MP from Entering Temples,Hermitages and All Places of Buddhist Worship in the District.’ »

(Text of Editorial Appearing in “The Hindu” of June 6th 2018 Under the heading “The healing touch: on Muslim Ministers resigning in Sri Lanka”) The mass resignation of two Muslim governors and nine Ministers in Sri Lanka deepens a new fault line that has emerged in the island nation after the Easter Sunday blasts perpetrated …

Continue reading ‘“The mass resignation of two Muslim governors and nine Ministers in Sri Lanka deepens a new fault line that has emerged in the island nation after the Easter Sunday blasts perpetrated by a fanatical Islamist group” – The Hindu’ »

By Mangala Samaraweera The Cardinal Truth For as long as Sri Lanka has been an independent and sovereign nation, our people have been torn between two opposing political forces. This is the battle between the politics of unity and politics of division. To unite peoples across religious, ethnic and geographical lines requires moral courage and …

Continue reading ‘“Do not try to appease extremists or seek middle ground with them. They will make use of you and then move the goalposts further to the extreme” -Mangala Samaraweera’ »

By Ashwin Hemmathagama Leader of the House and Public Enterprise Minister Lakshman Kiriella yesterday told Parliament the Easter Sunday bomber Zahran Hashim was on the Government’s payroll during the Government of Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa. Raising the issue of making payments from State accounts, Minister Kiriella said: “The previous Government paid salaries from State accounts …

Continue reading ‘30 Thowheed Jamath Members Including Easter Sunday Bomber Zahran Hashim were Paid Salaries from State Accounts During Mahinda Rajapksa Govt Discloses Lakshman Kiriella in Parliament.’ »

By Chathuri Dissanayake President Maithripala Sirisena has told the Cabinet of Ministers he has no plans of contesting in the upcoming Presidential Elections and will also not support Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa President Sirisena, who discussed the current political climate with the Ministers of the United National Front (UNF) after the Cabinet meeting concluded, had …

Continue reading ‘Maithripala Sirisena’s Latest “Gundu”! Tells Cabinet That He Wont Contest Presidential Elections or Support Anyone From Mahinda Rajapaksa Group;Wll Support UNF if a “New Face “Contests but if not he will Remain Neutral.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) obtained an open warrant from the Colombo Magistrate’s Court as well a blue notice from Interpol in July 2018 in order to apprehend Mohamed Zahran, the Leader of the National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ) who masterminded the Easter day bombings, the former Head of the TID told a …

Continue reading ‘Police Terrorism Investigation Division Had an Open Warrant From Colombo Magistrate and Interpol Blue Notice in July 2018 to Apprehend NTJ Leader Mohammed Zahran Reveals ex-TID Chief DIG Nalaka Silva to PSC’ »

By Piyumi Fonseka The alleged sterilization charges against Dr. Seigu Shihabdeen Mohamed Shafi from the Teaching Hospital, Kurunegala have become the main topic in the country at present. It has created a huge controversy which is taking new turns and spreading its flames in the country. His wife Dr. M.N.F. Imara, holding an MBBS degree …

Continue reading ‘Is Kurunegala Teaching Hospital Director Dr. Sarath Weerabandara Along With Police DIG Kithsiri Jayalath Aiming to Condemn Ex-UNP Candidate Dr. Mohammed Shafi as Guilty Through the “Statistical Approach”of Amassing a Huge Number of Complaints From Public?’ »

By Piyumi Fonseka Professor Hemantha Senanayake, Head of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo and Former Chairperson of Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists speaking to the Daily Mirror said despite allegations still being levelled, the “sterilisation story is highly unlikely” because usually, in the presence …

Continue reading ‘Colombo University Medical Faculty Professor Hemantha Senanayake Says “Sterilisation Story is Highly Unlikely” Because it is not easy to Carry out Thousands of “Wrong C -section Deliveries” in the Presence of Other Medical Officers.’ »

By Sandun A Jayasekera Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided not to fill the Cabinet vacancies arising from the resignation of four Muslim ministers, a reliable government source said yesterday. City Planning, Water Supply and Higher Education Minister Rauff Hakeem, Highways, Road Development and Petroleum Resources Development Minister Kabir Hashim and Industry, Commerce, Resettlement, Protracted …

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe Will Oversee Portfolios Held by Four Cabinet Ministers who Resigned Instead of Filling the Vacancies Through New Appointments.’ »

By Camelia Nathaniel and Amali Mallawarachchi Parliamentary party leaders yesterday decided to withdraw the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against United National Front (UNF) MP and Minister Rishad Bathiudeen from the Order Paper following the latter’s resignation from his Cabinet ministerial post. The NCM debate against Bathiudeen was scheduled to be taken up on June 18 and …

Continue reading ‘No Confidence Motion in Pariament Against Rishad Bathiudeen Withdrawn After he Resigns Cabinet Minister Post;JVP No Confidence Motion Against Govt to be Taken Up for Debate on July 9&10.’ »

Acts like the fast-unto-death campaign launched by Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera could push the moderate Muslims in the country towards extremism, Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera said yesterday. Addressing the media in Colombo, the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Gnanasara Thera pointed out that more than the Sinhala people it was the moderate Muslims …

Continue reading ‘Gnanasara Thero Condemns Rathana Thero Saying “Acts like the Ven. Rathana Thera’s fast-unto-death campaign will only push such moderate Muslims towards extremism”’ »

By Menaka Indrakumar Nava Sama Samaja Party Leader Dr. Vickramabahu Karunaratne yesterday (4) said Athuraliye Rathana Thera should be arrested for creating political unrest in the country by fasting unto death demanding the removal two governors and a Minister. “According to the law, nobody has the right to take one’s life, when one does and …

Continue reading ‘NSSP Leader Dr.Vickramabahu Karunaratne Wants Police to Arrest Athuraliye Rathana Thero for Trying to Commit Suicide and Create Political Unrest in the Country by Attempting to Fast Unto Death After Making Demands.’ »

Ambassadors and High Commissioners of countries which are members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have in a statement issued on Tuesday said that the Communal violence targeting Muslims in Sri Lanka has regional and global security implications. The developing situation over the past few days has been extremely worrying with regards to the …

Continue reading ‘Envoys Representing Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation(OIC) Issue Statement Saying Communal Violence Against Muslims in Sri Lanka has Regional and Global Implications.’ »

Police yesterday appointed a three-member committee to collect complaints against former Western Province Governor Azath Salley, former Eastern Province Governor M.L.A. Hizbullah and former Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen. Issuing a recorded statement, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said two Superintendents of Police had been appointed to the committee and it would be headed …

Continue reading ‘3 Member Police Special Committee Headed by a SSP with Two SP’s Appointed to Collect Complaints in Writing Against Former Cabinet Minister Bathiudeen and Ex-Governors Hizbullah and Salley: Police Headquarters will Receive Complaints From June 4 to June 12 Between 8 am -4pm.’ »

By Chathuri Dissanayake Eight Muslim members of the Government, including three Cabinet Ministers, resigned from their posts yesterday, along with Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, whose removal was demanded to enable impartial investigations on the Easter Sunday terror attacks. Along with Industry and Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons, Co-operative Development and Vocational Training …

Continue reading ‘Muslim MP’s Quit Govt En Masse! Four Cabinet Ministers, Four State Ministers and One Deputy Minister From the Muslim Congress, Makkal Congress and the UNP Resign Together.’ »

There is a very strong possibility of all Muslim Parliamentarians from the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) resigning their ministerial positions in the Government informed Muslim sources said. A key decision to this effect is likely to be arrived at on Monday June 3rd 2019 when most if not …

Continue reading ‘Rishad Bathiudeen,Rauff Hakeem and Other Muslim Congress (SLMC) and Makkal Congress (ACMC) MP’s Quit Posts in Govt to Help Avert Organized Violence Targeting Muslims; UNP Ministers Follow Suit;Athureliya Ratana Thero Ends Fast After Hizbullah and Azath Salley Resign as Governors.’ »

Two Muslim Provincial Governors and all nine Muslim members of the Sri Lankan Council of Ministers resigned on Monday following a sharp deterioration of the politico-communal situation in the island nation. Those who resigned were the Western Province Governor Azath Salley, Eastern Province Governor MLAM Hisbullah, Cabinet Ministers Kabir Hashim, Rauff Hakeem, Rishad Bathiudeen and …

Continue reading ‘Muslim Governors Hizbullah and Salley Along With Cabinet Ministers Hakeem, Bathiudeen, Hashim, Haleem – State Ministers Ameer Ali, Harees,Cassim,Moulana – Deputy Minister Maharoof Resign Their Posts in United Move Cutting Across Party Lines.’ »

by Zacki Jabbar Minister of Public Enterprise, Kandyan Heritage and Kandy Development Minister Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday that the live telecast of last weeks Parliamentary Select Committee inquiry into the April 21st Easter Sunday suicide bomb blasts at three churches and three luxury hotels, had been sabotaged by a person who had pulled out one …

Continue reading ‘Telecast of Parliamentary Select Committee Probing Easter Sunday Bombings Sabotaged by Vandal Who Pulled Out a Plug in the Broadcasting System Alleges Lakshman Kiriells.’ »

by Zacki Jabbar Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera has called on the Vatican and Pope Francis to take note of Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith visiting MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera in Kandy yesterday, while he was engaged in a fast demanding the resignation of Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and Provincial Governors M.L.A.M. Hisbullah and Azath Salley.

By Nadeeka Daya Bandara Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith who visited MP Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thera during his fast unto death said the problem would not have blown out of proportion today if President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had acted against those who discreetly aided and abetted the terrorist attacks. “People have given a …

Continue reading ‘Catholic Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith Visits Fasting Buddhist Monk In Kandy and Says “I believe that Ven. Rathana Thera too is conducting this fast because the government had failed to do what the people want”.’ »

By Norman Palihawadane and Cyril Wimalasurendre Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera called off his hunger strike around 2.45 pm, yesterday, after learning that Governors Azath Salley and M. L. A.M. Hizbullah had resigned from their posts. Rathana Thera launched his fast in front of the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy on May 31, demanding the removal …

Continue reading ‘Athureliya Rathana Thero Ends Hunger Strike After Central Province Governor Maithri Gunaratne Informs Him That Eastern Governor Hizbullah and Western Governor Salley Have Resigned’ »

By Camelia Nathaniel Eastern Province Governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah and Western Province Governor Azath Salley had tendered their letters of resignation to President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday, the President’s Media Division stated. Accordingly, the President had accepted the resignation letters of the governors.

By Rajitha Jagoda Arachchi and Aanya Wipulasena He is known to most as a supportive colleague. They remember him to be generous, and always available when anyone needs his help. He was polite and greeted everyone as he went about his work at the hospital. As he associated everyone closely, he had no enemies while …

Continue reading ‘Is the “Witch-hunt” Targeting Kurunegala Teaching Hospital Surgeon Dr. Seigu Siyabdeen Mohammed Safi , Part of a Coordinated Conspiracy Against Him?’ »

By Don Manu Even though the Rajapaksa top guns baptised Gotabaya in March as the family’s chosen seed to contest the presidency, former president and elder sibling Mahinda Rajapaksa is still to officially christen him as the Pohottuwa Party’s official candidate. And emerging from the Bellanwila Temple after being head-massaged with oil at the traditional …

Continue reading ‘Gotabaya Rajapaksa Continues to “Wait” for the Approving Nod of his All-powerful Charismatic Brother Mahinda to be Endorsed Officially as the SLPP Presidential Candidate.’ »

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda The Colombo High Court was yesterday informed that an appeal petition filed by the Attorney General (AG) challenging the Colombo High Court’s decision to acquit Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thera and 12 others from 11 charges including for attacking a church in Thalahena had been withdrawn …

Continue reading ‘Attorney -General Withdraws Appeal Challenging Colombo High Court Decision to Acquit Bodu BalaSena Gen -Secy Gnanasara Thero and 12 Others Over 11 Charges Relating to the Attack of a Church in Thalahena’ »

Sri Lanka’s police chief Pujith Jayasundera, now on compulsory leave, following Easter Sunday bomb attacks, has petitioned the Supreme Court alleging he was kept out of national security council meetings after October 2018, and he was offered a diplomatic post if he resigned. A Deputy Inspector General who was head of State Intelligence was not …

Continue reading ‘IGP Pujitha Jayasundara States In His FR Petition That the State Intelligence Service Director DIG Nilantha Jayawardena Reporting Directly to President Sirisena Asked Him to Suspend All Investigations by the Police Terrorism Investigation Division Into Extremist Muslim Factions With Links to Terrorist Organizations.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan The enormity of Sri Lanka’s Easter bombings was pretty clear by the end of day, April 21. At least 250 lives had been lost and the island was jolted into realising that its relative post-war peace was far from secure. Over a month since, as Sri Lankans grapple with lingering fear and …

Continue reading ‘Deeper Impact of Easter Sunday Bombings ” Sweeps Aside or Marginalises” the On Going”Struggles for Justice ” in Sri Lanka and Inflict “Serious Blows” to Accountability and Rule of Law’ »

by Anurangi Singh Human Rights Commission writes to BASL President, AG, about discriminatory practices, racially charged social media posts: The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) in a series of communications to the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), various public officials, and to the Attorney General has sought to flag serious concerns about …

Continue reading ‘Lawyers in Mawanella and Badulla Refuse to Represent Muslims Arrested After Easter Attacks;Nikaweratiya Bar Protests Police Opposing Bail for Anti-Musim Violence Suspects; Embilipitiya District Judge Interdicted for Posting Racist Content on FB; A-G Asked to Prevent Dept Counsel from posting Racially biased comments on Social Media.’ »

by Anurangi Singh Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara has revealed in his petition to the Supreme Court that the State Intelligence Service (SIS), (although informed of a possible security threat), never highlighted the urgency of it nor any immediate action that should be taken. The SIS, according to Jayasundara, directly reports to …

Continue reading ‘IGP Pujitha Jayasundara Alleges in Supreme Court Petition That President Sirisena had Excluded him From Security Council Meetings Since October 2018 and that he was Promised a Diplomatic Posting if he Tendered his Resignation as IGP.’ »

by Sanjana Hattotuwa Back home in Ratmalana, I have around 10 years worth of National Geographic magazines stacked on a bookshelf. My father subscribed to the magazine when I was in school. I haven’t yet asked him what drove him to do this, but I am grateful. Every year, the magazine sent subscribers a world …

Continue reading ‘How the National Geographic Magazine Opened Up Exciting Vistas of a Brave New World to a Kid who Had Never Travelled Out of Sri Lanka.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene In the wake of Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday attacks, we have one (Muslim) Minister confessing to calling the Army Commander to ‘inquire into’ the fate of a Muslim suspect arrested following the Easter Sunday attacks and another (Sinhala) Minister being so bold as to transport Sinhalese rioters attacking Muslim shops in …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Faces Unprecedented Communal Hysteria With Xenophobes and Zealots Invading Public Space and Spokesmen of Lunatic Fringe Outfits Being Given Media Time to Expound Their Racist Fantasies Unashamedly and Unapologetically.’ »

The Public Administration Ministry has suspended its decision to impose a dress code for state-sector employees. This came after Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe opposed the move to re-implement a 30-year old circular which stipulates a dress code for public sector employees – shirt and trouser or national costume for men and saree or osari for …

Continue reading ‘Public Administration Ministry Suspends Decision to Impose a Dress Code for State -Sector Employees Following Strong Opposition to the Move by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.’ »

by Maneshka Borham As members of the Joint Opposition continue to voice dissent over making Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) hearings on the Easter Sunday bombings open to the public, Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has stressed that all similar committee hearings should by default be open to both the public and the media. “True accountability …

Continue reading ‘Despite Opposition by the Joint Opposition the Parliamentary Select Committee Hearings on Easter Sunday Bombings Should be Kept Open to the Public Says Transparency International Sri Lanka(TISL).’ »

By P.K.Balachandran The motive of the nine Sri Lankan Muslim suicide bombers, who attacked four hotels and three churches on April 21, might have been to punish the Western powers and their religion Christianity for the atrocities being perpetrated against Muslims in the Middle East. But what the bombers have achieved concretely and visibly is …

Continue reading ‘Easter Sunday Suicide Bombings “Succeed” in Significantly Widening the Gulf Between the Sinhala Buddhist Majority and the Minority Muslims in Sri Lanka.’ »

by Cyril Wimalasurendre Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera, MP, says he will not give up his fast, launched yesterday in Kandy, until his goal is achieved. His protest commenced opposite the Sri Dalada Maligawa, to crank up pressure on the government to remove Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, Eastern Province Governor MLAM Hizbullah and Western Province Governor Azath …

Continue reading ‘Parliamentarian Athuraliya Rathana Thera Launches Fast Opposite “Dalada Maligawa” Demanding Ouster of Cabinet Minister Rishad Bathiudeen , Eastern Governor MLAM Hizbullah and WEstern Governor Azath Sally.’ »

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the first major foreign dignitary to visit Sri Lanka following the Easter bombings, announced President Maithripala Sirisena here on Friday. Addressing a press conference, the Sri Lankan leader sought a joint front to defeat terrorism and announced the date of the national election. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit …

Continue reading ‘Maithripala Sirisena Discloses at Press Conference in India That Sri Lankan Presidential Elections will be Held on December 9th 2019.’ »

By Secunder Kermani Lying on a hospital bed, Mohammad Razak Taslim’s face contorts with pain. The left side of his body is completely paralysed, but he reaches out with his right hand, trying to clutch at his wife and brother-in-law who stand anxiously over him. His wife, Fatima, presses a handkerchief to his head. One …

Continue reading ‘37 Year Old Mohamed Razak Taslim of Mawanella Was Shot by an Unknown Gunman On the Orders of Zahran Hashim for Helping Police in Their Investigations.’ »

by Amarnath Amarasingam Courtesy: Combating Terrorism Center at West Point Abstract: Over the course of Easter Sunday 2019, eight bombs went off in popular hotels and historical churches across Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka; other coastal cities in the west; and towns in the east of the country, killing hundreds. The Islamic State-claimed attack …

Continue reading ‘Terrorism on the Teardrop Island: Understanding the Easter 2019 Attacks in Sri Lanka’ »

By Wasantha Rupasinghe One month has passed since the April 21 terrorist bombings on three Christian churches and three luxury hotels in Sri Lanka killed over 250 innocent men, women and children, and injured many more. The government and defence establishment received prior warning from foreign intelligence sources but took no action to prevent the …

Continue reading ‘Why Did the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria Target Sri Lanka Instead of the US or any Ally In Retaliation for the Loss of ISIS Territory in the Middle -east?’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Months ahead of the general election in India, friends in Sri Lanka would eagerly ask me: “So, do you think Narendra Modi will come back?” As someone following the polls only through media coverage in India — some shrill and some sane — there was little I could say that they may …

Continue reading ‘The Enchanting Experience Of Being Stationed in Sri Lanka as a Foreign Correspondent From India.’ »

By Nistula Hebbar Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with 57 Ministers, took oath of office at a grand swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Thursday. The size of the event, however, was not the only thing that made news, with BJP chief Amit Shah finally deciding to join the Union government, and former Foreign Secretary …

Continue reading ‘Narendra Modi Sworn in as India’s Prime Minister Along With Cabinet of 57 Ministers in Grand Ceremony at Rashtrapathy Bhavan; 22 Former Ministers Dropped; Former Indian Foreign Secretary S.Jaishanker “Surprise” Inclusion.’ »

by Ifham Nizam Members of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) yesterday urged former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to intervene to stop the mud slinging campaign against their leader Rishad Bathiudeen.