Former Defence Secretary and presidential candidate of Sri Lanka People’s Front Gotabaya Rajapaksa has complained to the President that his intelligence officers have informed him that a terrorist group in the North is planning to harm him during the forthcoming election campaign and that he should investigate and take appropriate action. The former Defence Secretary …

Continue reading ‘Gotabaya Rajapaksa Informs President Sirisena That his Intelligence Unit Has Uncovered Alleged Plot by a Northern Terror Group Targeting Him Along With Douglas Devananda and Karuna Ammaan; Sniper Rifle Imported From Malaysia For this Alleges Gota’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “He can’t do that. He was the commander. That’s a treason. We will hang him if he does that….. How can he betray the country? He is a liar, liar, liar…” – Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, when told that Gen. Sarath Fonseka had implicated him in the white flag incident (BBC Hard Talk – …

Continue reading ‘If Gotabhaya Rajapaksa wins the Presidency and Mahinda Rajapaksa Becomes the Prime Minister There will be a full scale Political Civil war Between the two brothers for Every Scrap of Power and Every Inch of Ground.’ »

By Sheain Fernandopulle Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has sufficient evidence to prove that he had renounced the US citizenship while the omission of his name in the list published as at June 30, 2019, is of no importance as per the law of that country, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader and MP Udaya Gammanpila said …

Continue reading ‘Omission of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Name in the List Of US Citizens Renouncing Citizenship Is Not Important Because Gota Has Certificate Issued by US State Dept Stating he has Relinquished Citizenship Says Udaya Gammanpila.’ »

By Jayadeva Uyangoda With the nomination of Gotabaya Rajapaksa as its presidential candidate, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has officially launched its presidential election campaign. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who has remained a nominal member of the SLFP and the UPFA so far, has also been declared publicly as the leader of the SLPP. …

Continue reading ‘The Gotabaya project actually has already promised to ‘terminate’ from the political vocabulary such words as ‘human rights,’ ‘minority rights, ‘political freedom’ and ‘liberalism’.’ »

By Sanjana Hattotuwa While data isn’t destiny, the study of how individuals capture attention on social media gives both indication and insight into their electoral prospects. Nearly a decade ago, in the sixth Presidential Election of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa and Sarath Fonseka – the two leading candidates – each set up Twitter, Facebook, YouTube …

Continue reading ‘According to Social Media Studied To Date , The Leading Presidential Candidate has Never Appealed to a Fan-base Beyond a Frighteningly and Frothingly Racist, Islamophobic, Conspiratorial Extremist Sinhala-Buddhist Mindset’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene There is a familiarly relentless logic to the political trauma that is currently paralysing Sri Lanka. The too-premature, too-euphoric frenzy that preoccupied ‘yahapalanaya’ (good governance) grandees and their coat-hanging enthusiasts in the aftermath of the 2015 electoral win for the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe coalition as they pronounced the electoral demise of the Rajapaksas …

Continue reading ‘The former Defence Secretary needs to free himself from the long judicial shadow of multiple legal inquiries ranging from gross corruption and abuse of power to implication in serious human rights abuses.’ »

By Dr.Nihal Jayawickrama The last week has seen the public launching of two presidential campaigns. At each of these widely publicized and well-orchestrated meetings, the two potential candidates presented their manifestos. One candidate, with the benefit of a teleprompter, read out a lengthy document which sounded much like a Speech from the Throne at an …

Continue reading ‘Four Constitutional Fallacies About the Next President’s Powers in a Post – 19th Amendment Scenario.’ »

Sri Lanka’s main opposition party, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), on Sunday named Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Defense Secretary and younger brother of former Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, as its candidate for the Lankan Presidential election due to be held December this year. This was announced at a public meeting here by SLPP founder and …

Continue reading ‘Pluses and Minuses of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Presidential Candidature and his Chances of Victory.’ »

By “THE EXPLORER” The case for a Sajith Premadasa candidacy is different from the case for a Sajith Premadasa Presidency. It is arguable that even those who prefer a Gotabhaya Presidency could opt for a Sajith candidacy if it leads to a stronger UNP showing, and results in a stronger balancing factor in Sri Lankan …

Continue reading ‘The Case for a Sajith Premadasa Candidacy is Different From the Case for a Sajith Premadasa Presidency’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake Sajith Premadasa, with his black T-shirt and huge Indian-politico garland at Badulla, is certainly making a massive pitch to be the UNP’s next candidate for the Presidential poll. His spread of villages and towns in the country has passed its 250th, and is racing ahead to keep alive his paternal memories of …

Continue reading ‘Presidential Candidacy Bids of “Premadasa Putha” and “Gotabaya Sahodara” Revive Memories of the Murdered Journalists Richard de Zoysa and Lasantha Wickrematunge and the Made To Disappear Prageeth Eknaligoda.’ »

by Priyadarshana Liyanage Former President and one-time SLFP leader Chandrika Kumaratunga has expressed her readiness to revitalise the party, founded by her father. She has announced that she would revive the party, which according to her, is being manipulated by other parties. She has conveyed her decision to party seniors, according to party sources.

By K. Ratnayake India’s disputed Kashmir region remains today for an eleventh straight day under an unprecedented security lockdown that is being enforced by tens of thousands of Indian soldiers and paramilitaries, as well as local police. Its 13 million people are subject to sweeping restrictions on their movements and all internet and cell and …

Continue reading ‘“The Abrogation of Jammu’s and Kashmir’s Special Status is a longstanding demand of the Hindu right and a key element in its Plan to Transform India into a Hindu Rasthra or State”’ »

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed that he is supportive of devolution while protecting the sovereignty and unity of Sri Lanka. He also said the country needs a new constitution. He was responding to queries on the UNP’s and his stand on a political solution and how the country should move forward with it, speaking at …

Continue reading ‘” I am for the sovereignty and unity of Sri Lanka, but I also believe that the Tamils in the country must be able to live with equality, dignity and respect and be also to make their own decisions within the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.” – Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe States in Jaffna.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan In the last week of June, Sri Lankan police recovered a huge stash of arms and explosives in the eastern town of Kattankudy from where Zahran Hashim, the alleged mastermind of the Easter bombings, hailed. It included some 300 gelignite sticks, 1,000 detonators, and nearly 500 T56 live ammunition. The recovery reportedly …

Continue reading ‘“Though Zahran Hashim Had only a Small Group at the Start , the NJT Leader was Able to Recruit More Youths After the Anti-Muslim Violence at Digana in 2018” Says Senior Sri Lankan Security Official’ »

Ahimsa Wickrematunge, daughter of slain journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, in a public letter to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has called for the selection of an “honest and courageous” presidential candidate to run against Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) contender Gotabaya Rajapaksa, warning that failure to do so will deprive victims of their opportunity for justice. Referring …

Continue reading ‘Slain Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge’s Daughter Ahimsa Writes Open Letter to Ranil Wickremesinghe Asking Whether the PM Would Apologize for Allegedly Protecting his “New Friend” Gotabaya Rajapaksa for the Past Four and a Half Years.’ »

By Sunanda Deshapriya (Text of an Open Letter Incorporating a plea to the Archbishop of Canterbury Most Rev Justin Welby who will be visiting Sri Lanka in Late August this year) To The Most Rev Archbishop Justin Welby, I must begin by saying that I am not a Christian. But the feelings contained in this …

Continue reading ‘“Devasaranaya” and Devasarana Development Centre Founded at Ibbagamuwa by “Sevaka” Yohan Devananda Allegedly Facing Huge Problems From Anglican Bishop of Kurunegala and Church Leaders: An Open Letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury Seeking Justice.’ »

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) will come to an agreement with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) to support its presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa only after they discuss his economic and foreign policy, United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary, MP Mahinda Amaraweera said yesterday addressing a meeting at Angunukolapelessa. “We want a leader that …

Continue reading ‘SLFP Will Support SLPP Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa After Holding Discussions says UPFA Genera- Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera.’ »

United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader and Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa was yesterday confident of having the people’s support to be a presidential contender promising to focus on inclusive development to bring prosperity to Sri Lanka. Insisting he was ready to even die for his motherland, Premadasa outlined broad proposals to …

Continue reading ‘Sajith Premadasa Commences His Political Journey To Become the UNP Presidential Election Candidacy From Historic “Uva-Wellassa” With the Support of the People;Insists He is Even Ready to Die for His Motheland.’ »

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday said the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) had selected the weakest option as a presidential candidate when it announced former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa as their presidential hopeful. Speaking to media at JVP head office in Battaramulla, Pelawatte, Parliamentarian Vijitha Herath said Gotabaya Rajapaksa lacked the qualities necessary to …

Continue reading ‘JVP Lashes Out at SLPP Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa Saying He Does not Have Financial Discipline or Administrative Abilities and Lacks Necessary Qualities to be Competent National Leader.’ »

Telecommunication, Foreign Employment and Sports Minister Harin Fernando yesterday pledged to make United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader and Housing Minister Sajith Premadasa the next presidential candidate, describing him as “the bullet” needed to win the presidency and insisting no battle begun from Uva-Wellassa has ever failed. Fernando who organised a rally in Badulla to …

Continue reading ‘” Our Bullet is Sajith Premadasa and No Other” Proclaims Harin Fernando to Cheering Crowds at Badulla and Declares “I will Put my Life on the Line and Make Sajith Premadasa Our Presidential Candidate”.’ »

Sri Lanka’s opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa officially took over Sunday as leader of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, anointing his brother Gothabaya the person that was needed to take over the country on a national security platform. He said the Easter Sunday strike was like 9/11 in American and should be a wake-up call. “We need …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Officially Takes Over Leadership of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and Anoints Brother Gotabaya as the Party’s Presidential Election Candidate Contesting on a National Security Platform.’ »

By Athula Bandara Minister Sajith Premadasa said today in Thirappane, Anuradhapura that he would contest the forthcoming presidential election without fail and that he expects the support of people in the country. After opening the ‘Se-Dasungama’ – 246th model village in Demategama in Thirappane in Anuradhapura District under the Gam Udawa programme, the Minister was …

Continue reading ‘Sajith Premadasa Declares in Anuradhapura That He Will Definitely Contest the Forthcoming Presidential Elections’ »

By Uditha Jayasinghe and Nuwan Senaratne Amidst much spectacle, deafening cheers, and countrywide fireworks, Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday accepted the Presidential candidacy of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), pledging to be a leader who will walk the talk and deliver development to a united and secure Sri Lanka. The maiden SLPP National Convention on Sunday …

Continue reading ‘Gotabaya Rajapaksa Accepts Presidential Candidacy of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Amidst Thunderous Applause at Spectacular Party Convention Held at Sugathadasa Stadium.’ »

By Lahiru Pothmulla The country needs a leader who looks at 2030 instead of 2020 and has the ability to terminate corruption, drugs and poverty, newly appointed SLPP Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said today announcing Gotabaya Rajapaksa as their presidential candidate. Opposition Leader Rajapaksa was appointed as the SLPP leader at the party’s inaugural national convention …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Proclaims Younger Brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the Official SLPP Presidential Candidate Saying “He has already become your brother and has won over your hearts. I give him to you as your Brother”.’ »

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s (SLPP) Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa delivered his maiden campaign speech at the SLPP’s first-ever National Convention held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on August 11th 2019 Following is the full speech: Venerable Maha Sangha and religious dignitaries from the Christian, Hindu, Islamic and other faiths, the fifth Executive President of …

Continue reading ‘“I pledge to create a safe and secure environment in which all Sri Lankans, irrespective of their race or religion, will be able to live in peace. I will never allow extremist terrorism in this country” – Text of SLPP Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Maiden Campaign Speech’ »

Investigations into the sterilization scare at Kurunegala have taken a new turn with the discovery that medical administrators colluded with law enforcement officials and even the magistrate to fabricate evidence and alter judicial records. The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) reported to court that the director of the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital, A.M. S. Weera Bandara, was …

Continue reading ‘Kurunegala Teaching Hospital Director Dr. A.M.S.Weerabandara Falsely Accused Dr. Mohammed Shafi of Illegally Sterilising 8000 Women and Fabricated Evidence While Being Fully Aware that the Allegations Against Muslim Surgeon Were Untrue.’ »

by Sanjana Hattotuwa “Houston, we have a problem” is a famous line from 1995’s Academy Award-winning ‘Apollo 13’ film, told to NASA’s ground control by actor Tom Hanks, playing Mission Commander Jim Lovell. Based on real events, a catastrophic explosion crippling a spacecraft bound for the moon became a test of NASA’s ability to completely …

Continue reading ‘The Name To Be Announced by Mahinda Rajapaksa as the SLPP Presidential Candidate Would be Sri Lanka’s Equivalent to the USA’s “Apollo – 13 ” Mission Without Having a NASA To Guide It.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan The former President’s reaction is among the first from Sri Lankan political leaders after New Delhi ended Jammu & Kashmir’s special status. Commenting on the prospects for power devolution to Sri Lanka’s minority Tamils, Leader of Opposition and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has made a reference to the current “situation in Kashmir.” …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Tries to Allay Fears of the Minorities Over Gota’s Presidential Candidacy by Telling “Virakesari” that he will be the Prime Ministerial Candidate and that the Prime Minister Has More Powers After 19th Amendment.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene In Sri Lanka, injustice takes manifestly queer twists and turns. A State signs an international convention on the solemn understanding that it will conform to those obligations. It passes a Constitution or enacts a law consequent to a pact entered into with citizens promising that narrow interests of one specific power …

Continue reading ‘What Sri Lanka Needs is not a ‘Terminator’ or a ‘Protector’- (no Politician can be a Protector) – but the Equal Application of the Law by Those who Implement and Enforce It’ »

Brushing up his credentials as a leader that supports democratic principles, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said the country needs a leader who will promote democracy and not a “Terminator” who will destroy the gains made by democratic institutions in the past four years. Referring to comments made by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National …

Continue reading ‘Responding to Basil’s Remarks About Gota as a Terminator, Ranil Wickremesinghe Says Country Needs A Democratic Leader and Does not Need a “Terminator” Who Will Destroy the Democratic Gains Made Over the Past Four Years.’ »

By Lahiru Pothmulla People need not fear former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and he would not become a strict leader, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa said today. Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa is widely speculated to be the presidential candidate of the SLPP. Mr.Rajapaksa said this in response to a question at a …

Continue reading ‘“Gota has to be like a Terminator to Eradicate Fraud and Corruption, I can Assure that Gotabaya will not be an Authoritarian Leader.No need to be Afraid of him.” – Assures Basil Rajapaksa’ »

By S.S. Selvanayagam Court of Appeal today in its judgement held that the removal of petitioner B. Deniswaran from the portfolios of the Northern Provincial Council by the Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran is illegal and made without jurisdiction and therefore it is a nullity. Justice Mahinda Samayawardhena with Justice K.Priyantha Fernando concurring in his judgement …

Continue reading ‘Appeal Court Rules Ex – Northern Chief Minister and Former Supreme Court Judge CV wigneswaran to Pay Costs to Petitioner B. Deniswaran for Removing Ex- Provincial Council Minister from Post Without Having the Power to do so.’ »

By Chitra Weerarathne The Court of Appeal, yesterday, said that the retired Supreme Court Judge and former Chief Minister of the Northern Provincial Council C.V. Wigneswaran had violated the Provincial Council Law, when he removed Provincial Council Minister Balasubramaniam Denishwaran from his post. Complainant Denishwaran has said in his writ application that the chief minister …

Continue reading ‘Court of Appeal Rules that Ex- Supreme Court Judge and Former Northern Chief Minister CV Wigneswaran Violated Provincial Council Law By Removing Ex – Provincial Minister Balasubramaniam Deneeswaran From His Post.’ »

By Aanya Wipulasena The Kurunegala Medical doctor at the centre of controversy, Dr. Seigu Shihabdeen Mohamed Shafi and his legal team is set to file civil damages and defamation cases against several individuals this week including MP Athuraliye Ratana Thera, Prof. Channa Jayasumana, DIG Kithsiri Jayalath and two journalists and the editor of a Sinhala …

Continue reading ‘Kurunegala Surgeon Dr. Mohamed Shafi to File Defamation Cases Claiming Damages Against Several Individuals Including Athuraliya Rathana Thera, Prof.Channa Jayasumana,DIG Kithsiri Jayalath, K’Gala Mayor Thushara Vitharana and the Editor and Two Journalists of a Sinhala Newspaper.’ »

Four months ago, on April 1st 2019, an award winning Sinhala writer Shakthika Sathkumara was arrested under ICCPR Act enacted in 2007 to give effect to certain provisions of the United Nations multilateral treaty, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The arrest was made following a complaint lodged by a group of ultra …

Continue reading ‘“Ardha”(Half): The Controversial Sinhala Short Story by Shakthika Sathkumara That Landed Him In jail Due to Complaints by Buddhist Monks – Translated Into English by the JDS’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Is former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his baying ‘podujana party’ team members suffering from selective amnesia when they flay the Government on the floor of Sri Lanka’s Parliament for having presented the Lands Bill to the House without first putting it before the Provincial Councils? Not all the masses are asses …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa and his “Podujana” Team Must Not Think That All the Masses Are Asses to Forget How Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake Was Rudely Impeached For An Adverse Ruling on ” Divineguma” Bill Under Rajapaksa Rule.’ »

By Shreen Abdul Saroor For three long decades, Muslim women have fought to reform the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA). Justice Saleem Marsoof’s Committee issued two sets of recommendations early last year, the culmination of nine years of work. Perhaps in response to recent rhetoric of ‘one country one law,’ Muslim Members of Parliament …

Continue reading ‘Misogynistic Leaders of the All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulama (ACJU) Obstruct Justice Marsoof Committee’s Progressive Recommendations Beneficial to Muslim Women Through Amendments to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce act(MMDA)’ »

Shakthika Sathkumara, an award-winning Sri Lankan writer, was arrested on 1 April 2019, for writing a short story and sharing it on his Facebook profile. The fictional story he shared was about life in a Buddhist temple, that allegedly hinted at child sexual abuse. He faces up to 10 years in prison if found guilty …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Short Story Writer Shakthika Sathkumara Charged Under ICCPR Act and Imprisoned for Past Four Months Declared “Prisoner of Conscience” by Amnesty International which Urges Sri Lankan Attorney -General to Unconditionally Release Writer Immediately and Drop all Charges Against Him.’ »

Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa today said the document which is being circulated on social media sites purporting that he has renounced his US citizenship was fake and that he was in possession of the original certificate.

by Shamindra Ferdinando Wartime Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday told The Island that he had relinquished his US citizenship in April this year. Rajapaksa said that the process had been completed without any issue. Responding to another query, Rajapaksa said that there had never been an issue with regard to renunciation of his US citizenship.

By Vishwamithra 1984 “There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.’’ ~Oscar Wilde Mahinda Rajapaksa is an extraordinary individual. His passion for power seems to have overrun all plausible limits; his determination to cling on to something that is very tangible that comes …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe May Be Ineffective and Uninspiring But Ranil is One Hundred Times Better for the Sustenance of our Democracy Than Mahinda Rajapaksa and Company’ »

By Nirmala Kannangara A certificate distributed yesterday purporting to show that former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has renounced his US citizenship has been debunked as a forgery, the Daily Mirror learns. The purported Certificate of Loss of Nationality of the United States was distributed widely on social media groups yesterday morning by parties close to …

Continue reading ‘Purported Certificate of Loss of US Nationality by Gotabaya Rajapaksa Distributed Widely on Social Media Allegedly by Parties Close to the Ex-Def Secy Exposed as a Forgery’ »

By Aanya Wipulasena The Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has been instructed to gather all information with regard to the complaints received on the Kurunegala Magistrate Sampath Hewawasam in order to begin deliberations on the issue, Sunday Observer reliably learns. The JSC, which is headed by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya is likely to …

Continue reading ‘Judicial Service Commission Gathering Information Regarding Complaints Against Kurunegala Magistrate Sampath Hewavasam Prior to Commencing Inquiry Into His Alleged Professional Misconduct in the Case Against Dr. Mohammed Shafi’ »

By Anurangi Singh KURUNEGALA: Bent in two, with his head in his hands in the tiny prison cell at the back of the courtroom last Thursday (25), all Seigu Sihabdeen Mohammed Shafi wanted was to go home to his wife and children. The man has been emaciated by his two month ordeal, spending nearly six …

Continue reading ‘Wrongfully Detained Kurunegala Surgeon Dr. Seigu Sihabdeen Mohammed Shafi Released on Bail Exited Courthouse Through a Backdoor Dressed Up In Black Coat and Carrying Files Like a Lawyer .’ »

By Aanya Wipulasena Addressing a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) this week, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) said there was no evidence to link Dr. Shafi with terrorist or extremist groups. During the probe, CID Director SSP Shani Abeysekera said they had no intention of lying to the court, and if they had found evidence of …

Continue reading ‘Kurunegala Teaching Hospital Director Dr. Sarath Weerabandara’s Statements In Courts During the First Hearing Against Dr. Shafi on June 27 Were Expunged from Court Record on the Orders of Magistrate Sampath Hewavasam Reveals CID Director SSP Shani Abeyekera Before PSC’ »

General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero has had to change his name, CEO of the Bodu Bala Sena organization Dilanthe Withanage told Sri Lanka Mirror. This is because the Facebook has put a restriction on his name. He said that this decision has been taken due to the tendency …

Continue reading ‘“Bodu Bala Sena” CEO Dilantha Wijemanne Reveals That Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero Is Using the Pseudonym “Apey Hamuduruwoo(Our Monk ) On Facebook Because the Monk’s Name has been Blocked by Facebook’ »

By Don Manu Last Sunday at the re-consecration of the blood splattered statue of Jesus Christ at the reconstructed Easter Sunday bomb damaged Katuwapitiya’s St Sebastian’s Church in Negombo, the Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, turned his religious pulpit into a political podium; and transformed what could otherwise have been a Godly homily into …

Continue reading ‘Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith Has Turned his Religious Pulpit into a Political Podium and Transformed what could Otherwise have been a Godly Homily into an Unholy Political Sermon.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene There is a powerful thrust to communal politics that is now global in nature, led by unscrupulous demagogues who whip up their supporters with chants of hate. This week, as I watched the President of the United States wave his hands benevolently even as his supporters screamed ‘send them back’ to …

Continue reading ‘Sanctimonious Humbuggery of Members of Parliament sitting on the Select Committee to probe the Easter Sunday attacks by Sri Lanka’s ‘home-grown’ Jihadists’ »

By A B Sosa,Air Vice Marshal(Retd) NDC,PSC INTELLIGENCE– This subject is currently very much in vogue and discussed and opinions expressed by a wide cross section ranging from experts to well-meaning persons. These views are quite interesting but sometimes misses the wood for the trees. Most of the theories are at a micro level and …

Continue reading ‘We are now aware that the Easter Sunday catastrophe here was planned by the American founded ISIS.’ »

by Tisaranee Gunasekara “Suspended over the abyss, the life of Octavia’s inhabitants is less uncertain than in other cities. They know the net will last only so long.” Italo Calvino (Invisible Cities) The Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration’s failure to abolish the executive presidency has brought Sri Lanka to this impasse. Replacing the executive presidency with a more …

Continue reading ‘The Sri Lanka Podujana Party is not just a Family Affair but is also Sinhala-Buddhist Supremacist, Socially Conservative and Politically Illiberal’ »

By C.A.Chandraprema As we go to press, the newsrooms are abuzz with the rumour that President Maithripala Sirisena is preparing to issue a gazette notification with regard to the holding of the long delayed Provincial Council elections (PC). Whatever the veracity of this gazette notification story is, that concerted efforts are being made in the …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena’s Latest Game is to Try and Hold Provincial Council Elections Before The Presidential Elections Take Place.’ »

By Chinthaka Gurusinghe Introduction Nagananda Kodituwakku, a prospective candidate for the forthcoming presidential election in Sri Lanka, has proposed a novel method to repeal and replace the existing constitution, disregarding its current provisions, for such repeal and replacement. He asks the voters to treat their votes for him not as votes for himself, but as …

Continue reading ‘Nagananda Kodituwakku’s Proposal of an “Autochthonous Constitution” Provides a way of Freeing Ourselves of the Entrenched Clauses of the Present Constitution which had no Approval of the People of the Country, Except of Those in Power.’ »

By Saman Indrajith Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday carnage Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri, yesterday, making a special statement expressed his gratitude to the parliament staff and his fellow committee members for their support for conducting a special session to record the testimony of State Intelligence Service Chief Senior DIG …

Continue reading ‘State Intelligence Service Chief Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardene Giving Evidence in Camera Before Parliamentary Select Committee Evades Questions About Whether He Conveyed Information about Impending Terrorist Attacks To President Sirisena and Remains Non -committal.’ »

The Kurunegala Magistrate Thursday granted bail for a Muslim doctor police say has been illegally detained for two months following false and fabricated charges that he sterilized thousands of Sinhala-Buddhist women. Magistrate Sampath Hewawasam, who himself is now under investigation for tampering with court records to extend the incarceration of Dr. Mohamed Shafi, granted bail …

Continue reading ‘Illegally Detained Dr. Mohammed Shafi Released on Bail by Kurunegala Magistrate Sampath Hewavasam Who Faces Probe For allegedly Tampering with Court Records to Extend Incarceration of Victimised Muslim Surgeon.’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando Personally Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila MP announced, yesterday, that wartime Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa had officially relinquished his US citizenship. Attorney-at-law Gammanpila emphasised that there was absolutely no issue over Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s current status. Gammanpila, one of the key people, who spearheaded the campaign for Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s entry into …

Continue reading ‘Udaya Gammanpila Tells Media that Gotabaya Rajapaksa has Relinquished his US Citizenship in May this Year and that he Could Confirm It Because he himself had Personally Seen the US State Dept Documents Regarding the Matter.’ »

By Manopriya Gunasekera The Supreme Court yesterday issued an Interim Order preventing the Special High Court Trial-at-Bar from hearing the D.A. Rajapaksa Museum case filed against former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and seven others until 1 October. The order was delivered by the Supreme Court three-judge bench consisting of Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Gamini Amarasekara, and …

Continue reading ‘Supreme Court Issues Interim Order Preventing Special High Court Trial at Bar Case From Hearing DA Rajapaksa Memorial Museum Case Filed Against Ex -Def Secy Gotabaya rajapaksa and Seven Others Until Oct 1’ »

By Ashwin Hemmathagama Testifying before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) investigating the Easter Sunday terror attacks Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Director SSP Shani Abeysekera yesterday said he believed all those involved in the attacks had either died or been arrested and the issue was “80% over”. According to SSP Abeysekera, the Police arrested several persons …

Continue reading ‘“As far we know all those who involved in the Easter Sunday attacks are either dead or under our custody. The problem is around 80% over” – SSP Shani Abeysekera Testifies Before Parliamentary Select Committee.’ »

By Saman Indrajith Head of the Criminal Investigation Department Senior DIG Ravi Seneviratne, yesterday, said that a fresh CID investigation was in progress to ascertain why there had been no action on the basis of foreign and local intelligence reports warning of the impending terror attacks on Easter Sunday. Testifying before the Parliamentary Select Committee, …

Continue reading ‘Senior DIG Ravi Seneviratne Tells Parliamentary Select Committee That they Have no Evidence to say the Easter Attacks Were Carried out by the ISIS.’ »

By Saman Indrajith Head of the Terrorist Investigation Division DIG Waruna Jayasundara yesterday admitted before the Parliamentary Select Committee probing the Easter Sunday carnage that failure to take preventive measures had led to the disaster. Testifying before the PSC he said that the measures taken to find Mohmad Zahran Hashim and his group members before …

Continue reading ‘TID Got “Eyes Only”Information on April 10th 2019 that Zahran’s Group was Ready to Attack and Orders Were Given to Arrest Them Immediatelybut TID Officers Could Not Locate Zahran, His Brothers or Supporters Reveals Terrorism Investigation Division Head DIG Waruna Jayasundara Before PSC’ »

By Norman Palihawadana The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) would definitely announce its Presidential candidate on August 11, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday. Rajapaksa however again refused to reveal whether former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa would be the SLPP’s candidate.

By Chathuri Dissanayake United National Party (UNP) Parliamentary group meeting heated up yesterday with some members openly calling for nomination of Sajith Premadasa as the presidential candidate. First time to be discussed, Minister Kabir Hashim raised the question of presidential candidate during the meeting nominating Sajith Premadasa, sources privy to the meeting told Daily FT. …

Continue reading ‘Several MP’s Including Kabir Hashim and Malik Samarawickrama Openly Voice Support for Sajith Premadasa as Presidential Candidate at UNP Parliamentary Group Meeting but no Final Decision Taken: Meeting Ends Abruptly After Many Walk Out After Booing Ravi Karunanayake.’ »

President Maithripala Sirisena lambasted Cardinal Malcom Ranjith over his call for the government to step down for allegedly failing to ensure an effective investigation. Sirisena said the cardinal had used the third anniversary of the Easter Sunday bombings to launch a politically motivated attacks against him as well as the authorities investigating the attack. He …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Hits Back Strongly at Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith Without Referring to Catholic Prelate by Name.for Delivering a Politically Motivated Sermon at St.Sebastians Church in Negombo’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Let us not dissemble about the fact that the killing of five students of Tamil ethnicity in January 2006 was a cold blooded murder of innocents. The dead victims had been awaiting university entrance when they were mowed down. Bright, eager students, these were the best that Sri Lanka promised. No …

Continue reading ‘Killing of Five Students of Tamil Ethnicity in January 2006 Was a Cold Blooded Murder of Innocents But Institutions of Justice in Sri Lanka Seem to Preferably Favour the State Over Innocents Caught Up in the Brutal Conflict.’ »

The head of Sri Lanka’s Roman Catholic Church Sunday lambasted the government and its foreign allies and said the power struggle between the President and the Prime Minister allowed the Easter attacks which were part of an “international conspiracy”. Addressing a congregation at the consecration of the Katuwapitiya St. Sebastian’s church, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said …

Continue reading ‘Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith Flays UN for Being Concerned About Human Rights; “UN Officials Visit only the Suspects and Not the Victims of Violence”Says Catholic Prelate who Also Describes President and Prime Minister As Being Without a “Backbone”.’ »

by Sanjana Hattotuwa ‘Upon a Sleepless Isle’, the astonishingly good new book by Andrew Fidel Fernando has a vital lesson for new and generally excitable students of misinformation in Sri Lanka. Countering the spread of rumour, from the risible to the inflammable, is all the rage. The focus and framing are largely on Facebookas well …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka has a high adult literacy without a comparably high media literacy whereby the media consumed is questioned or engaged with critically.’ »

By Anurangi Singh and Aanya Wipulasena On the night of May 17, 2012, the Sri Lankan rugby captain was found dead in his burning car near Shalika Hall on Park Road, Colombo 05. The death seemed sinister and mysterious at the time, but Narahenpita Police ruled that Thajudeen’s death was a result of an accident. …

Continue reading ‘Senior DIG Anura Senanayake Indicted on June 27th for His Alleged Role in the Cover Up of Havelocks Rugby Star Wasim Thajudeen’s Murder Due to Assault Injuries as a Motor Accident During Rajapaksa Regime’ »

By Aanya Wipulasena In the beginning, there was a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police. Then the Director of the Teaching Hospital. Last week, two complaints were filed with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) against a Magistrate. A third is expected to be filed tomorrow. Most recently, in an act of broad overreach, the National …

Continue reading ‘Evidence Available So far Clearly Indicates Racially Charged Political Conspiracy Against Dr. Seigu Shihabdeem Mohammed Shafi Allegedly Involving Hospital Authorities, Police Officers and Judicial Officials in Kurunegala’ »

Sri Lanka’s National Film Corporation, a state agency set up in 1971 has re-nationalized film distribution under an administration of United National Party of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe creating a state monopoly giving final authority to its chief, a government notice shows. Under a gazette notice issued this month, all films imported will have to …

Continue reading ‘Gazette Notice Issued by Govt Empowers National Film Corporation To Have Monopoly Over Import and Distribution of Foreign Films and Control Over Domestic Film Industry By way of Registration,Grading and Scheduling’ »

Investigation into the alleged sterilisation of Buddhist mothers by a Muslim doctor in Kurunegala has taken a new turn with complaints of improper conduct of the magistrate hearing the case. The police Criminal Investigations Department reported to the Kurunegala magistrate Sampath Hewawasam on July 11 that there was no evidence of surgical malpractice, but the …

Continue reading ‘Kurunegala Magistrate Sampath Hewavasam Under Scrutiny for Refusing to Release Dr. Mohammed Shafi on Bail and Tampering With Court Proceedings; Magistrate’ss Wife Dr.Hiroshini Jayasinghe Alleged to be Part of Group at Kurunegala Hospital That Ganged Up and Framed Muslim Surgeoon on False Charges.’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake There must be great joy at the rising trend in American politics among those who have been shouting loud against the ACSA, SOFA and MCC deals with the United States. Donald Trump has brought a rise in racism in US politics, with him asking Democrat congresswomen, who are non-white – and two …

Continue reading ‘Donald Trump’s Racist Politics in the USA Would be a Real Beacon of Support for the Rising Racist Forces in Sri Lanka.’ »

In late April, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a former defence secretary and the brother of a past president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, announced that he would contest the presidential election that is due to be held in late 2019. The Economist Intelligence Unit believes that he is likely to win that contest, and in this article we look at …

Continue reading ‘What Would a Gotabaya Rajapaksa Presidency in Sri Lanka Look Like? – An Analysis by “The Economist” Intelligence Unit’ »

In April this year, Ahimsa Wickrematunge filed a lawsuit against former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the District Court of Central California, alleging his involvement in her father Lasantha Wickrematunge’s 2009 assassination. In response, on 27 June, a petition was filed on behalf of Rajapaksa before the District Court, requesting a dismissal of Ahimsa Wickrematunge’s …

Continue reading ‘“I filed a Case Against Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the USA Because he Seems to be Enjoying Unique Impunity in Sri Lankan Courts” – Lasantha Wickrematunge’s Daughter Ahimsa in Interview’ »

(Former Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary H.M. G. S. Palihakkara Delivered the keynote speech at the inauguration of the BCIS Diploma Course on March 9th 2019 on the theme “Sri Lanka’s Foreign Policy Challenges”. Given the ongoing debate about SOFA,ACSA BRI, India and SL’s foreign policy posture , Relevant excerpts from the keynote speech are published …

Continue reading ‘“Foreign Policy by Itself Cannot Make Miracles When There is Partisan Bickering on Key Domestic Public Policy Issues in Sri Lanka” – Ex-Foreign Secretary HMGS Palihakkara’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene There is a tragic disconnect between what Sri Lanka’s leaders say to the public and the patent disbelief with which these words are received. This will eventually have dangerous repercussions beyond the electoral defeat of those men, impacting on the nation as a whole as it is pushed in a perilous …

Continue reading ‘There is a Tragic Disconnect Between what Sri Lanka’s Leaders say to the Public and the Patent Disbelief with Which These words are Received.’ »

by Sanjana Hattotuwa Do not buy ‘Upon a Sleepless Isle’.The author, Andrew Fidel Fernando,is better known for his sporting columns. This is his first book – described as a labour of love–a term usually reserved for how parents think of juvenile delinquents when they were born & still beautiful.The Lonely Planet inspired cover suggests a …

Continue reading ‘Andrew Fidel Fernando’s “Upon a Sleepless Isle” is a Compelling Capture of Sri Lanka’s Irrepressible Character and Atextured Patina of Life, Love and Loss’ »

By Sugeeswara Senadhira Red Indian Chief, Seattle, in his speech known as ‘letter’ made a ‘powerful, bittersweet plea for the respect of Native American rights and environmental values.’ President Maithripala Sirisena quoted Seattle at the inauguration of the Moragahakanda-Kaluganga Multi-purpose project and said that the wars since ancient times were for either land or water …

Continue reading ‘Provisions allowing the sale of lands to foreigners and foreign companies Under Proposed New Land Laws could be detrimental to the land rights of Sri Lankan citizens especially landholders of farmer settlements’ »

By Shamara Wettimuny The recent Easter attacks targeting a number of churches and hotels devastated Sri Lanka. Over 250 people were killed, and many more injured. Within days of the attack, it emerged that the perpetrators of the attack were affiliated to radical Islamist groups in Sri Lanka. However, the identification of the perpetrators as …

Continue reading ‘A brief history of anti-Muslim violence in Sri Lanka’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake President Sirisena must be enjoying his stay in Britain, watching the campaign for the election of the next Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister, there. Will he be getting new ideas for an anti-democratic leadership campaign for the SLFP, even the SLPP, and to again be the common candidate at the coming …

Continue reading ‘Our democracy of seventy years and more has clearly left this country without political leadership of quality.’ »

By P.K.Balachandran The simultaneous bombing of four posh hotels and three churches in Sri Lanka by a bunch of Islamic radicals on April 21 Easter Sunday, was clearly not aimed at the island’s majority Sinhalese Buddhist community as the targets indicate. And yet, a noticeable consequence of the terrorist act is the revival of a …

Continue reading ‘It is Believed that President Sirisena Pardoned and Released Anti- Muslim Monk Gnanasara Thero From Prison Because he Needed a Sinhala Buddhist Rabble Rouser to Counter the Appeal of Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the Presidential Election.’ »

By Hannah Beech GINTOTA, Sri Lanka — The Buddhist abbot was sitting cross-legged in his monastery, fulminating against the evils of Islam, when the petrol bomb exploded within earshot. But the abbot, the Venerable Ambalangoda Sumedhananda Thero, barely registered the blast. Waving away the mosquitoes swarming the night air in the southern Sri Lankan town …

Continue reading ‘The Rise of Militant Buddhism in Sri Lanka and Myanmar.’ »

Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary revoked a three-month detention order against a Muslim doctor incarcerated on a false charge of sterilising Buddhist women, but a court in Kurunegala remanded him after protests by Buddhist monks. The bizarre turn of events at the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court came despite state attorney Thusith Mudalige acknowledging that there was no …

Continue reading ‘Travesty of Justice in Kurunegala! Court Denies Bail and Remands Muslim Doctor For Two More Weeks Due to Pressure by Buddhist Monks and Their Lawyers Despite Falsely Accused Surgeon Being Cleared of all Charges by CID and Attorney -General.’ »

Professionals affiliated to former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa were described as ‘misogynists’ after they denied the existence of sexually harassment of women in public transport and on the streets. An organisation called the Viyathmaga which promotes Rajapaksa as a presidential candidate rejected remarks of senior editor of the Daily FT, Marianne David, who focused on …

Continue reading ‘Senior Editor’s Comment On Twitter About Colombo Mayor’s “Car Free Day” Proposal Evokes Misogynist Response From Retired Navy Chief and “Viyathmaga” Organization Promoting Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Presidential Candidacy.’ »

By Ashwin Hemmathagama The Vote on the No-Confidence Motion presented by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) was defeated yesterday in Parliament with a majority of 27 votes, with 119 lawmakers voting against the Motion and 92 votes received in favour. Thirteen lawmakers including United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MPs Udaya Gammanpila, Duminda Dissanayake, Dr. V. …

Continue reading ‘No Confidence Motion by JVP Against Govt Defeated by 27 Votes with 119 MP”s Including TNA Voting Against and 92 Voting for With 13 MP’s Absent at Voting Time.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The Attorney General (AG) yesterday directed police to recommence investigations into the killing of five students in Trincomalee in 2006, after all 13 accused in the case were acquitted last week. In a letter to the Acting IGP, the AG directed that the police trace and record the evidence of three vital …

Continue reading ‘Attorney -General Directs Police to Re-commence Investigations Into Killing of Five Students in Trincomalee in 2006 After Acquittal of 13 Accused Due to Lack of Evidence by Trinco Chief Magistrate; Wants Police to Trace Whereabouts of Three Key Witnesses and Send Progress Report to A-G.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The Attorney General will file a revision application in the Colombo High Court against the bail order in favour of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, given by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne yesterday. AG Department spokesperson State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne said that revision application …

Continue reading ‘Attorney – General to File Revision Application in Colombo High Court Against Bail Order Given by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne in favour of IGP Pujitha Jayasundara and Ex -Def Secy Hemasiri Fernando’ »

By Manopriya Gunasekera Colombo Chief Magistrate yesterday granted bail to former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundera saying there was not enough grounds to charge them with murder. Former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and IGP Pujith Jayasundara were remanded on charges of criminal negligence and murder for failing to …

Continue reading ‘Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne Releases Remanded IGP and Ex -Def Secy on Bail Saying There was Insufficient Evidence to Substantiate Murder Charges: Asks why No Proper Investigation was Conducted or Statements Obtained From Suspects Before Being Charged with Murder’ »

A fresh petition has been filed before the Supreme Court against the proposed State Lands (Special Provisions) Bill that was moved in Parliament by the Government recently. The petition said the proposed bill is against Sri Lanka’s Constitution and seeks a court order calling for a two-thirds majority in Parliament as well as a referendum …

Continue reading ‘Ven Ulapane Sumangala Thero Files Petition in Supreme Court Against Proposed State Lands (Special Provisions) Bill; Accuses Govt of Having Intention to Allow Transfer of State Land to Foreigners’ »

By Chitra Weerarathne An ordinary farmer who owned about a quarter acre of land, after selling it to a multinational company would be destitute, said President’s Counsel Manohara de Silva in the Supreme Court yesterday when he supported a petition against the Lands (Special Provision) Bill. The petitioner was MP Udaya Gammanpila. Manohara de Silva …

Continue reading ‘Manohara de Silva Argues in Supreme Court in Support of Petition Filed by Udaya Gammanpila MP Against Lands Special Provisions Bill.’ »

By “A Retired Government Agent” The government seems to be in a mighty hurry to grant outright ownership to those who have their land holdings under the Land Development Ordinance of 1935. The introduction and the implementation of the Land Development Ordinance 1935 was one of the most important welfare measures taken before independence. It …

Continue reading ‘Govt Decision to Give Outright Ownership of Land Allotments to Farmers Will Result in their Selling Off the Small Holdings for a Pittance and will Give Rise to a Generation of Poverty Stricken Landless Population in Rural Areas.’ »

By Rathindra Kuruwita The Ranil Wickremesinghe administration was attempting to create a cheap labour force needed to facilitate the implementation of neoliberal economic policies, by amending` land laws, Chinthaka Rajapakshe, Convener of the Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR) said commenting on the scheme to grant outright ownership of land to one million people.

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka DEW Gunasekara belonged to a great progressive camp and powerful current in world history: that of socialism, tracing its origins back to the October Revolution of 1917 (and intellectually to 1848 and the Communist Manifesto of Karl Marx), and led globally and historically by the land of Lenin. In choosing that path, …

Continue reading ‘Comrade DEW Gunasekara is the only Political Leader in Sri Lanka who Openly Advocates Provincial Autonomy and Retention of the 13th Amendment Within the Indo-Lanka Accord, while Rejecting Neoliberalism and Neocolonialist Interference.’ »

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero yesterday pledged to build a Sinhala Parliament that would enable the Sinhala people to decide policy and laws as they wished, which in his view, is essential to rejuvenate the country. Speaking in Kandy, the Thero was insistent that hung Parliaments where minority political …

Continue reading ‘Bodu Bala Sena Gen Secy Gnanasara Thero Declares at “Sivu Hele Maha Samuluwa” Rally in Bogambara Stadium that he Wants to Create a Sinhala Parliament By Mobilising Sinhala Population Into a Single Vote Bloc With the Support of 7000 Out of 10000 Buddhist Temples in Sri Lanka’ »

By M.K. Bhadrakumar The Easter Sunday terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka on 21st April in which 259 people were killed and over 500 injured were initially attributed to the Islamic State (IS). But no hard evidence is available to substantiate such a reading and it remains an open question as to the perpetrators. The Sri …

Continue reading ‘Blatant US Interference is De-stabilising Sri Lanka Due to India’s Passivity Bordering on Acquiscence; Is it in India’s Long Term Interests to let Sri Lanka be De-stabilised?’ »

By Chandeepa Wettasinghe Students in Sri Lanka’s education system are being ridiculed and are facing ‘punishment’ for using stationery produced by a firm caught in an anti-Muslim boycott, an official said. Atlas Axillia, a top stationary and publishing company has been targeted by anti-Muslim activists following suicide attacks by an extremist Islamist group, some of …

Continue reading ‘Students and Teachers Using Stationery Products of “Atlas Axillia” Being Targeted in Systematic Boycott Campaign Conducted Through Social Media by Racist Anti-Muslim Elements.’ »

By Maneksha Borham Two key suspects in the Avant Garde floating armoury case had already left the island shortly before Attorney General Dappula De Livera ordered the CID to arrest eight individuals implicated in the high profile money laundering and illegal weapons smuggling investigation. The CID had informed the Attorney General that Chairman of Avant …

Continue reading ‘Attorney – General Orders Immediate Arrest of Eight Persons Implicated in Avant Garde Floating armoury Case but CID Informs Dappula de Livera that Key Suspects Maj(Retd) Nissanka Senadhipathy and Cmdr(Retd) Nandana Diyabalanage Have Left the Country’ »

By Sanjana Hattotuwa Every year, for close upon two decades, on Christmas Day, I watch ‘Love Actually’. There is a scene in it where Hugh Grant, playing the British PM, takes on the American President, played by Billy Bob Thornton. The trans-Atlantic relationship between the UK and US, in the film, is strained by the …

Continue reading ‘The Country’s Worst Racists Never Lose an Opportunity to Publicly Proclaim Their Friends Include Tamils and Muslims Just Before or Immediately After Rabid Commentary Against Them’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene There is palpable confusion in the air. Is Sri Lanka’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujitha Jayasundara, arrested this week along with former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando on a range of offences under the Penal Code, including murder and causing death by negligence, still holding the position of head of the …

Continue reading ‘Has the Attorney -General “Erred in Law and Fact” by Describing the Alleged Offences of IGP Jayasundara and Ex-Def Secy Fernando Under Our Criminal Laws as Being ” Grave Crimes Against Humanity Under International Law?’ »

By Anurangi Singh A five-judge bench constituted for the first time in the history of the Court of Appeal heard lengthy submissions on the writ application filed to prevent the execution of four prisoners condemned to death, having been convicted on drug trafficking offences. All last week, the CA bench led by President of the …

Continue reading ‘A five-judge bench constituted for the first time in the history of the Court of Appeal heard submissions on the writ application filed to prevent the execution of four prisoners convicted on drug trafficking offences.’ »

By Dharisha Bastians and Anurangi Singh A 43-year moratorium on executing the death sentence has become entrenched in the law and in the mind of every High Court judge that hands down the death sentence, Counsel for a prisoner condemned to death and challenging the decision to resume judicial hangings told the Supreme Court on …

Continue reading ‘The 43 Year Moratorium on Executions in Sri Lanka Has Instilled Into the Minds of Judges That the Death Sentences They Issue Will Not Be Carried Out’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake There is a political dancer of much experience giving a display of performing skills. “Ellungas Sira” who has little if any of maithriya associated with his performances today, sees the gallows and scaffold as his theatre of deadly political delight. It was not a very difficult move from being the Common Candidate …

Continue reading ‘“Ellungas Sira” Who Has Little “Maithriya” Sees the Gallows and Scaffold as his Theatre of Deadly Political Hangman’s Delight’ »

Dr Nihal Jayawickrama When President Sirisena announced his intention to hang the convicted drug offenders lingering in the death cells of the Welikada prison, he was congratulated by President Duterte of the Philippines.When he returned from a recent visit to the Philippines, President Sirisena publicly expressed his admiration of the manner in which President Duterte …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Who Admires Duterte’s way of Dealing with Drug Offenders seems Unaware of the Pariah Status that the Philippines President has Earned for Himself Within the International Community.’ »

By S.S. Selvanayagam The Supreme Court yesterday issued an Interim Order preventing implementation of the death penalty till 30 October. The Supreme Court granted Interim Relief directing the Commissioner General of Prisons and the Welikada Prison Superintendent to immediately desist from executing any prisoner consequent to a death warrant signed by the President. The Bench …

Continue reading ‘Supreme Court Issues Interim Orders Until October 30 Preventing Implementation of Death Penalty and Suspending Operation of Any and All Death Warrants Signed by President .’ »

By Anbarasan EthirajanBBC At a funeral for one of the victims of Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday bombings, a grief-stricken relative wailed and shouted: “We need Gota, We need Gota.” She was referring to Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the wartime defence chief who played a leading role in crushing Tamil rebels in a bloody civil war which ended …

Continue reading ‘Gotabhaya Rajapaksa: The Wartime Strongman who Wants to run Sri Lanka’ »

By A. T. M. Gunananda The STF and Police personnel accused of killing five students in Trincomalee were acquitted yesterday after a lengthy trial. Thirteen suspects including 12 STF personnel and a policeman held in connection with the killing of five persons including two undergraduates and injuring two others by shooting near the Gandhi roundabout …

Continue reading ‘13 STF and Police Personnel Chrged with Killing of Five Youths Including Two Undergrads and Attempting to Kill Two Others in Trincomalee Town Acquitted of all Charges and Released’ »

By Amadoru Amarajeewa Twelve STF personnel and one police officer who were charged for killing five people including two university students at the Gandhi Roundabout in Trincomalee on January 2, 2006 were acquitted from all charges today after lengthy hearing by Trincomalee Chief Magistrate M.M. Mohammed Hamza. The CID had filed charges against them under …

Continue reading ‘12 Special Task Force Personnel and One Policeman Charged with Murder of Five Tamil Students In Trincomalee Town on Jan 2nd 2006 Acquitted of all Charges by Trinco Chief Magistrate M.M. Mohammed Hamza.’ »

By P.K.Balachandran Sri Lanka is on the verge of signing the highly controversial Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the United States, which, according to strategic experts, could theoretically make the island nation a happy hunting ground of “millions” of US servicemen, Defense Department personnel and Defense Department contractors. On the anvil is another controversial …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Signing the SOFA with the USA Could Make the Island the “Happy Hunting Grounds” of Millions of US Servicemen, Defence Dept Personnel and Defence Dept Contractors.’ »

By Bandula Jayasekara Sirisa Pathikada programme stepped into its fifth year on 1 July 2019, celebrating summers, winters, autumns and springs. We had Admiral Ravi Wijegunaratne, Chief of Defence Staff as our special guest on the programme and shared our happiness and joy with traditional kiribath. Pathikada is aired on Sirasa Television on weekdays from …

Continue reading ‘Popular “Pathikada” Talk Show Over Sirasa Television on Week-day Mornings from 6 to 6.30 am Entered Its Fifth Year on July 1st 2019’ »

By Chathuri Dissanayake  The Colombo Magistrate yesterday remanded both IGP Pujitha Jayasundara and former Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Hemasiri Fernando until today, for neglecting their duty to prevent the terror attacks on Easter Sunday, which killed over 250 people. Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne placed the two top officials in remand custody, after …

Continue reading ‘Simultaneously “Hospitalised” IGP Pujitha Jayasundara and Ex-Def Sect Hemantha Fernando Arrested by CID on Orders of Attorney -General on Charges  Relating to Negligence of Duties;Colombo Chief Magistrates “Visits”  Hospitals and  Places  Both  Under Remand’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Attorney General Dappula De Livera yesterday directed the Acting IGP to produce IGP Pujith Jayasundera and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando in court saying the two stand accused of “grave crimes against humanity” for gross negligence of their duties which led to the 21 April terror attacks. In a hard-hitting letter sent …

Continue reading ‘Attorney -General Dappula de Livera Wants Acting IGP Chandra Wickramaratne to Submit Written Explanation For Not Complying With His Order to Arrest IGP Putjitha Jayasundara and Ex-Def Secy Hemasiri Fernando and Produce Them in Court on Charges of “Grave Crimes Against Humanity” and Gross Negligence of Duties’ »

Sri Lanka’s police chief and a top defence official should be tried for “grave crimes against humanity” over failure to prevent Easter bombings that killed 258, the state prosecutor said Monday. Dappula de Livera said Inspector-General of Police Pujith Jayasundara and Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando failed to act on advance warnings of the deadly April …

Continue reading ‘Attorney -General Dappula de Livera Opines IGP Pujitha Jayasundara and Ex-Def Secy Hemasiri Fernando’s Alleged Negligence of Duties Amounts to Grave Crimes Against Humanity Under International Law.’ »

By Lahiru Pothmulla The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) today said Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake has lied with regard to a call made by former minister Rishad Bathiudeen asking him about an arrested suspect in the Army custody. Addressing a news conference, PHU Leader Udaya Gammanpila said Army Commander Senanayake has said in an interview with …

Continue reading ‘Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader Udaya Gammanpila Accuses Army Commander Lt. Gen Mahesh Senanayake of LYing on the Ex- Cabinet Minister Rishad Bathiudeen Telephone Call Issue.’ »