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.

by Sandun Jayasekera Megapolis and Western Development Minister and JHU General Secretary Patali Champika Ranawaka said today Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen should step down from his post to facilitate investigations into charges made against him in the no confidence motion. The Minister told a news conference that it should ensure that investigations were …

Continue reading ‘Champika Ranawaka Wants Rishad Bathiudeen to “Step Down” As Cabinet Minister to Facilitate Investigations Into Charges Levelled by in No Confidence Motion by Joint Opposition.’ »

President Maithripala Sirisena today denied media reports that he was informed about any pending attack on April 21, the President’s Media Division said in a statement. It said in a statement that there were media reports of a statement made by the Head of the National Intelligence Service, while giving evidence at the Parliamentary Select …

Continue reading ‘Sirisena Tries to Safeguard Himself After Parliamentary Select Committee Proceedings Commenced by Issuing Media Release Stating he was Never Informed of Impending Terrorist Attack by any Police Officer’ »

By Ajith Alahakoon Chief of National Intelligence (CNI) DIG Sisira Mendis yesterday told the Special Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC), probing the Easter Sunday carnage, that though he briefed the then Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando on the impending terrorist attack, the National Security Council (NSC) had not met till the coordinated suicide bombings took place on …

Continue reading ‘If Extremist Organizations Had Been Proscribed on the Basis of Intelligence Reports Received in 2014 the Suicide Bombings of April 21 May Have Been Averted States Defence Secy Gen.Shantha Kottegoda(Retd) to PSC Probing Easter Sunday Carnage.’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara has moved the Supreme Court against President Maithripala Sirisena for sending him on compulsory leave in the wake of the Easter Sunday suicide bombings. Jayasundera, in a fundamental rights petition filed before the Supreme Court, yesterday, sought an interim order preventing the President from dismissing him …

Continue reading ‘“Ousted”IGP Pujitha Jayasundara Fights Back Against President Sirisena Sending Him On Compulsory Leave and Appointing an “Acting “IGP by Filing a Fundamental Rights Petition in the Supreme Court.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The Government has included the three organisations it proscribed in the wake of the Easter Day bombings in the List of Designated Persons/ Entities under the United Nations Regulations made under the UN Act of 1968. The three groups, namely National Thowheed Jama’ath (NTJ), Jama’ath Milla’athe Ibrahim (JMI) and the Willayath As …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Govt Adds National Thowheed Jama’ath (NTJ), Jama’ath Milla’athe Ibrahim (JMI) and the Willayath As Seylani to the List of Designated Terrorist Organizations Under UN Regulations.’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando The Joint Opposition (JO), yesterday, strongly opposed the inclusion of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) in a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday bombings as a key suspect in custody had been on the JVP’s National List at the last parliamentary election in August 2015. Addressing the media at the …

Continue reading ‘Joint Opposition Protests Strongly Against the JVP Being Included in the Parliamentary Select Committee Probing Easter Sunday Bombings as Mohammad Yusuf Ibrahim the Father of Two Suicide Bombers Who Is Presently in Custody was on the JVP National List of Candidates in 2015.’ »

By Gayan Kumara Weerasinghe A Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) member of the Nattandiya PS who is wanted in connection with the recent violent incidents in Nattandiya is alleged to have fled overseas. “The SLPP member had given a leave of absence letter to the Pradeshiya Sabha administration and had gone abroad a few days …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Podujana Party(SLPP) Nattandiya Pradeshiya Sabha Member Wanted by Police for Alleged Involvement in Recent Anti-Muslim Violence Flees to European Country.’ »

By Rathindra Kuruwita The Eastern Province Ministry of Education has cancelled all transfers of Muslim teachers from Tamil schools, ordered by the provincial Governor, M. L. A. M. Hizbullah. The Provincial Ministry of Education has acted on the instructions of President Maithripala Sirisena.

By Gamini Weerakoon Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky’s resounding victory in the Ukranian presidential election — polling 73 percent of the vote — against former president oligarch Petro Poroshenko, known as the ‘Chocolate King’ of Ukraine, has not had the expected impact in geopolitics, caused surprise or even amusement. This giant-killing performance of the 41-year-old comedian has …

Continue reading ‘Zelensky of Ukraine is the First Professional Comedians to be Elected President of a Country But We Already Have Many Elected Presidents Like Trump, Diterte and Our Own Sirisena Acting Like Comedians.’ »

by Tassie Seneviratne I could not believe my eyes when I read in the Sunday Island of 19th May 2019, statements attributed to the Army Commander, Mahesh Senanayake. He is reported to have stated, inter alia, that, “If a soldier has done something wrong, it is the people who have given the orders, who should …

Continue reading ‘Army Commander Lt.Gen Mahesh Senanayake Should Acquaint Himself with the Kataragama Beauty Queen Murder Case Before Trying to Cover Up the Controversial Re-instatement of Major Bulathwatte Allegedly Implicated in Several Crimes Against Journalists.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan At first, they were nameless. “Nine suicide bombers,” is all authorities would reveal. In a little over a week, the police identified each of them and their stories began coming out. Now, a month after Sri Lanka’s savage Easter attacks, a messy web of disgruntled radicals has emerged, throwing up troubling hints …

Continue reading ‘Inside Story of the Nine Suicide Bombers Involved in Sri Lanka’s Explosive Easter Sunday Attacks.’ »

By Dr.Nihal Jayawickrama When Maithripala Sirisena vacates office in January next year, the President of the Republic will revert to be a ceremonial Head of State, an office that was held with great dignity and distinction for 15 years by the late William Gopallawa. This is because under our Constitution, as amended in 2015, only …

Continue reading ‘The 20th Constitutional Amendment Bill Deserves To Be Revised and Re-introduced for Conclusive Determination by a Fuller Bench of the Supreme Court.’ »

By Disna Mudalige The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, in a series of letters to public authorities, University Grants Commission, Chamber of Commerce and Judicial Service Commission, raised its concerns over rising human Rights plaints of wrongful refusal of entry to women to public and private premises and buildings due to their attire. HRCSL …

Continue reading ‘Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Concerned over complaints of Muslim women Being Refused Entry to Public and Private Premises Due to Their Attire’ »

Minister Rishad Bathiudeen was a Muslim leader who respected democracy, Minister of Health, Rajitha Senaratna said yesterday, addressing a media briefing at Temple Trees. If Bathiudeen has committed anything wrong, the government was in a position to uncover it. “Rishad Bathiudeen has not left the country. During the tenure of President J.R. Jayewardene, Tamil leader …

Continue reading ‘“No Confidence Motion Against Rishad Bathiudeen is a Political Game and We are Ready to Face It” Says Cabinet Spokesman Dr.Rajitha Senaratne.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene This was a week of many wrongs and virtually no rights. The optics of the image released to the public when the Bodu Bala Sena’s Galagoda atte Gnanasara and his mother met President Maithripala Sirisena following his pardoning while serving a prison sentence for contempt of court said it best, smiles …

Continue reading ‘The Judicial Decision of the Appeal Court Convicting Gnanasara Thero was Subsequently Affirmed by the Supreme Court but the Presidential Pardon Tosses it Aside as Mere Trivia.’ »

By Lasanda Kurukulasuriya While the contents of the proposed Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between the governments of Sri Lanka and the US still remain hidden from the public eye, parliament was told last week that the government had not entered into such an agreement – yet. The negotiations however are going on, and Foreign …

Continue reading ‘Why Does Sri Lanka Need the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) With the USA and How Will It Benefit The Island Nation?’ »

By Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka “The only ‘weapons’ that diplomats carry as representatives of a small state are reason, logic and charm.” –Kishore Mahbubani in ‘50 years of Singapore and the United Nations’ (2015, p13) No phase of Sri Lanka’s protracted wartime and postwar diplomacy, or more broadly, of Sri Lanka in the United Nations, has …

Continue reading ‘How Sri Lanka Turned The Tables On Western Efforts At The UN In Geneva : A Tenth Anniversary Re-evaluation.’ »

An open warrant for the arrest of Mohamed Zaharan, the self-styled leader of the National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) had been issued by a Colombo Magistrate back in August last year, but the wanted man had gone into hiding by then and the search for him had dissipated with the arrest of the then Terrorism Investigations …

Continue reading ‘Police Terrorism Investigation Division Filed “B”Report On Zahran Hashim’s “Terrorist Activity” in July 2018 and Obtained Open Arrest Warrant for him in August but Did Not Follow up After TID Chief DIG Nalaka Silva was Arrested in September for Allegedly Plotting to Assassinate President Sirisena.’ »

By Sanjana Hattotuwa Some cause happiness wherever they go. Others whenever they go. Oscar Wilde If you didn’t believe the President is a megalomaniac, charlatan and liar. If you didn’t believe the UNP is governed by its own damning, disturbing embrace of racism, evidenced by episodic expression and a deafening silence around systemic roots, including …

Continue reading ‘RELEASE OF GNANASARA THERO and The President’s Mentality, UNP’s Silence, SLPP’s Tacit Endorsement, Society’s Broad Acceptance and the General Polity’s Apathy Around Impunity, Injustice and Intolerance.’ »

In a scathing indictment against police inaction during the communal violence in three districts in the North Western Province and Minuwangoda, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka in a letter to the Inspector General of Police claims that police had been present while mobs congregated after curfew was imposed. In a letter to Police …

Continue reading ‘SL Human Rights Commission Chairperson Dr. Deepika Udagama Writes to IGP About Police Inaction and Ineffectiveness in Checking Anti – Muslim Mob Violence in Three Districts During Curfew Hours.’ »

By Anurangi Singh When the courts ordered the Bodu Bala Sena monk to pay her Rs. 50,000 compensation after being found guilty of criminal intimidation, Sandhya Eknaligoda received the money in coins and 10 and 20 rupee notes, all piled into polythene bags. Supporters of the monk, who were being driven around in a brand …

Continue reading ‘Abusing of Sandya Eknaligoda by Followers and Supporters of Gnanasara Thero On Social Media Escalates After Release of Bodu Bala Sena Gen -Secy From Prison Without Her the “Victim of Crime” Being Informed as Required by Law.’ »

In the wake of allegations over deputy leader of Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, singer Madumadhawa Aravinda, on his involvement in the Minuwangoda clashes on May 13, a former member of the Minuwangoda Urban Council had made a statement to the police over the connection of the former to the incident, the Sunday Observer learns.

By Aanya Wipulasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been ordered to give evidence before the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court on June 21 in a Habeas Corpus inquiry into the disappearance of two human rights activists who went missing during his tenure as the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence. Speaking to the Sunday Observer ex-Defence Secretary’s legal team …

Continue reading ‘Ex-Def Secy Gotabaya Rajapaksa to Give Evidence at Jaffna Magistrate’s Courts on June 21st Regarding Habeas Corpus Inquiry Into Two Human Rights Activists Who “Disappeared” in Jaffna on Dec 9th 2011’ »

By Ranmini Gunasekara If the Police do not arrest the General Secretary of the All Ceylon Thowheeth Jama’ath (ACTJ), Abdul Razeek, within the course of next week, the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) will find him and do the needful, warned General Secretary of the BBS, Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera today (24). He was addressing the …

Continue reading ‘Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Gen-Secy Gnanasara Thero Threatens to “Find and do the Needful” to All Ceylon Thowheeth Jamath(ACTJ) Gen -Secy Abdul Razeek if Police do not Arrest him Within a Week.’ »

By Prof. A.N.I. Ekanayaka There is something intrinsically meaningless in the bare assertion “Sri Lanka is a Sinhala Buddhist country” where the denial that it is a “Buddhist country” is obviously the most contentious part provoking bitter controversy. However, on any detached analysis the debate whether Sri Lanka is or is not a Buddhist country …

Continue reading ‘When People Say Sri Lanka is a Sinhala Buddhist Country What They May Actually Mean is that Sri Lanka Belongs to the Sinhala Buddhists Alone!’ »

The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), a leading public policy research and advocacy think tank in Sri Lanka, yesterday expressed its deep shock and concern over the Presidential pardon of controversial Buddhist monk Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero. The general secretary of Bodu Bala Sena, Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, who was convicted of four counts of …

Continue reading ‘Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) Wants Sirisena and the Entire Govt To Justify With Stated Reasons the Granting of a Presidential Pardon to Controversial Buddhist Monk Gnanasara Thero Who was Convicted of Four Counts of Contempt of Court and Was Serving a Six-year Sentence of Rigorous Imprisonment.’ »

Sandya Eknaligoda, the wife of missing journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, had written to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe requesting for security for herself and her children after the release of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara. The monk was jailed after he was found guilty of Contempt of Court following verbal abuse hurled …

Continue reading ‘Sandya Eknaligoda Writes to Prime Minister Wickremesinghe Requesting Security For Herself and Children After Bodu Bala Sena Gen Secy Gnanasara Thero was Released From Jail by Sirisena.’ »

THERESA MAY strode out of the door of 10 Downing Street in a crimson business suit and bowed to the inevitable. Having failed three times to get her Brexit deal through a hopelessly divided parliament, and confronted with a Tory insurrection over her proposed fourth attempt, she announced on May 24th that she would step …

Continue reading ‘Theresa May Bows Out as Prime Minister on June 7th Leaving Her Successor to Grapple With the same Forces That Destroyed Her- The Economist.’ »

(Text of a Press Release Issued By the Media Office of the Tamil National Alliance ) The Tamil National Alliance unequivocally condemns the President’s act of pardoning Ven. Gnanasara Thero by abusing the Constitutional powers vested in the Head of State. He was jailed by the Court of Appeal for committing the offence of contempt …

Continue reading ‘Tamil National Alliance unequivocally condemns the President’s act of pardoning Ven. Gnanasara Thero by abusing the Constitutional powers vested in the Head of State.’ »

Camelia Nathaniel, Sandasen Marasinghe and Amali Mallawarachchi Speaker Karu Jayasuriya announced that the No Confidence Motion (NCM) against Industry and Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons, Co-operative Development and Vocational Training and Skills Development Minister Rishad Bathiudeen would be taken up for debate on June 18 and 19. Speaker Jayasuriya made this announcement in Parliament …

Continue reading ‘Parliament to Debate No Confidence Motion Against Cabinet Minister Rishad Bathiudeen On June 18 and 19 Despite Opposition Wanting it on June 6 and 7; MIffed UPFA and SLFP Refuse to Participate in Select Committee in Protest.’ »

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana Speaker Karu Jayasuriya today announced the appointment of an eight member Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) headed by Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri, to look into the Easter Sunday bomb attacks. The other members of the PSC include Ministers Rauff Hakeem, Ravi Karunanayake, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, MPs Kavinda Jayawardene, Ashu …

Continue reading ‘Eight Member Parliament Select Committee Headed by Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri Appointed to Probe Easter Sunday Attacks.’ »

By B. Kolappan But with party not cutting through in bypolls, change in govt. is unlikely The DMK’s well-oiled campaign machinery, led by party president M.K. Stalin, on Thursday succeeded in stopping the Modi juggernaut from rolling into Tamil Nadu by mobilising votes with a focus on core issues such as demonetisation, NEET and the …

Continue reading ‘MK Stalin -led DMK Coalition Prevents Modi-led BJP Juggernaut From Rolling Into Tamil Nadu State by Winning 37 of 39 Lok Sabha Seats.’ »

BJP has led NDA into a landslide victory in the 2019 General Elections, with the party alone winning 303 seats – 31 seats more than the halfway mark of 272. The NDA came close to the 350-mark, while the UPA, led by Congress, has sunk once again in the Lok Sabha. The grand old party …

Continue reading ‘BJP Led NDA Coalition in Landslide Victory While Congress Fares Poorly in Lok Sabha Elections: Narendra Modi Makes History as the First Non – Congress Prime Minister of India to Lead His Party to Success for a Second Consecutive Term.’ »

By Priyanka Thirumurthy For the ruling AIADMK which hauled 37 seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections, results have been nothing short of disappointing this time around. As of 1.45 pm, the party is leading in just one seat in Tamil Nadu. Anbumani Ramadoss of the PMK – part of the AIADMK-BJP alliance – has …

Continue reading ‘MK Stalin Led DMK and Allied Parties Including Congress Leading in 38 0f 39 Lok Sabha Constituencies in Tamil Nadu Heading for Sweeping Victory in State.’ »

By Ramanathan S. Sparking euphoria among his supporters across the country, and in a brutal defeat to the opposition, PM Narendra Modi has led his coalition to a victory, yet again. The BJP-led NDA is all set to form the Union government for a second consecutive term. With counting for the 17th Lok Sabha still …

Continue reading ‘Narendra Modi Set to Become Prime Minister of India Again with BJP -led NDA Coalition Leading in More Than 300 Seats In Elections to the 542 Member Lok Sabha.’ »

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera was released from the Welikada Prison, Commissioner General of Prisons, J. W. Tennakoon said. Earlier today, President Maithripala Sirisena ordered the Commissioner General of Prisons to release Gnanasara Thera who was sentenced to 19 years imprisonment to be served in six years …

Continue reading ‘Convicted Gnanasara Thero Pardoned by Sirisena Exits Welikade Jail Premises Through Separate Gate While BBS Gen Secy’s Mother, Monks, Media and Supporters Waited at Main Gate .’ »

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) had decided not to participate in the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC), appointed to probe the Easter Sunday terror attacks. However, parliament yesterday approved a motion to set up a select committee to look into Easter Sunday attacks and to determine if any …

Continue reading ‘Rauff Hakeem, Ravi Karunanayake, Sarath Fonseka,Kavinda Jayawardena, Ashu Marasinghe, Jayampathy Wickramaratne and MA Sumanthiran Appointed to Parliament Select Committee Probing Easter Sunday Attacks; UPFA and SLFP Opt out of PSC.’ »

The Speaker Karu Jayasuriya announced that the No Confidence Motion against Industry and Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons, Co-operative Development and Vocational Training and Skills Development Minister Rishad Bathiudeen would be taken up for debate on June 18 and 19. The Speakers decision upheld the ruling party’s position that the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) …

Continue reading ‘No Confidence Motion Against Cabinet Minister and ACMC Leader Rishad Bathiudeen Would be Taken Up for Debate on June 18 and 19 Announces Speaker Karu Jayasuriya.’ »

By Chathuri Dissanayake Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Secretary General Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero has been granted a presidential pardon, highly placed sources confirmed. The hardline Buddhist group has called on its supporters to gather near Welikada Prison, where Gnanasara Thero was serving his jail term, at 3 p.m. today to welcome the monk, expected to …

Continue reading ‘Convicted Bodu Bala Sena Gen-Secy Gnanasara Thero Serving Prison Sentence for Contempt of Court Offence Has Been Issued Presidential Pardon by Sirisena in a “Big Blow to Rule of Law” in Sri Lanka.’ »

By Ashwin Hemmathagama Lawmakers engaged in heated arguments yesterday in Parliament, unable to reach a decision on the date to take up the No-Confidence Motion against Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and the Parliamentary Select Committee appointed to look into allegations against him. Having listened to lawmakers of both sides for two hours, Speaker …

Continue reading ‘Speaker Karu Jayasuriya Compelled to adjourn Parliament Early Due to Ruckus Created by Joint Opposition MP’s Protesting Over No Confidence Motion Against Rishad Badiutheen Issue.’ »

By Kelum Bandara In the wake of reports about Arabic signboards in some areas of the eastern province, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed that they should be written only in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages. According to sources close to the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister instructed Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardane to initiate …

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Wickremesinghe Instructs Home Minister Abeywardane to Ensure That all Public Signboards and Nameboards Should be in Sinhala,Tamil and English only and Not in any Other Language.’ »

By Ajith Alahakoon The resolution for appointing a Parliament Select Committee (PSC) to probe the causes of the Easter Sunday terror attacks which killed over 250 persons and caused injuries to around 500 others was passed in Parliament yesterday (22) with an amendment. UNP National List MP Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne PC brought the amendment to …

Continue reading ‘Resolution to Appoint Parliament Select Committee to Probe Causes for Easter Sunday Violence Passed with Amendment to Empower PSC to Investigate MP’s and Governors with Alleged Terrorist Links also.’ »

by Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera Minister Rishad Bathiudeen today said he had never influenced the army commander and that he only inquired about a person who was taken by an unidentified group. He told parliament that he never forced the Army Commander to release anyone and asked if it was wrong to inquire about …

Continue reading ‘Cabinet Minister Bathiudeen Tells Parliament That He Only Asked the Army Chief Whether a Particular Person Was in Military Custody and Never Asked for the Release of Anybody.’ »

By P.K.Balachandran There have been four very disturbing developments in Sri Lanka in the past few days, which, if not recognized and attended to immediately, could pave the way for more attacks by the local affiliates of the Islamic State (IS). In fact, the vitiated political and communal atmosphere could be used by any group, …

Continue reading ‘Four Disturbing Developments That Could Make Sri Lanka More Vulnerable to Attacks in the Future.’ »

By Manoj Colombage Army Intelligence Major Prabath Bulathwatte has been back in the spotlight after Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake stunned civil society in a television interview last week, announcing that the officer, who was interdicted for allegedly running the white van squad responsible for a slew of attacks against journalists, had been reinstated into a …

Continue reading ‘Has the Good-Intentioned Army Commander Lt.Gen Mahesh Senanayake Been Misled by Vested Interests Into Re-enlisting Alleged ” Black Sheep” Maj Prabath Bulathwatte as a Staff Officer ?’ »

By Gamini Weerakoon Politicians, like astrologers, are keen to predict a quick end to the ‘malefic period’ that befell the country on Easter Sunday for their usual fun and games to resume. The realisation that it was a fanatical, ruthless attack, the likes of which have devastated some countries has still not dawned on many. …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Nationalists See the Present Situation as a Grand Opportunity for Their ‘Strongman’ in the Presidential Race.’ »

DECLARATION & PLEDGE BETWEEN FOCUS AND AUMSA The series of bombings on Easter Sunday (21st April 2019) and subsequent events compel us to reflect deeply about how we as Sri Lankans must change the way we think, speak and act towards one another. In light of this, the Fellowship of Christian University Students (FOCUS) and …

Continue reading ‘Fellowship of Christian University Students (FOCUS) and All University Muslim Student Association (AUMSA) Representing Christian and Muslim Undergraduates of Sri Lanka Make Landmark Declaration and Sign Joint Pledge.’ »

(Text of Editorial Appearing in “The Sunday Observer” of May 19th 2019 Under the Heading “A long war against racism”) Ten years ago, Sri Lanka finally ended a bloody conflict that spanned three decades. It is particularly tragic that the week preceding this milestone was marked by calls to guard against a repeat of July …

Continue reading ‘Parallels Between the Anti-Tamil Violence of July 1983 and the Anti -Muslim Violence of May 2019 Are Stark and Terrifying -” Sunday Observer”.’ »

By Lasanda Kurukulasuriya In the aftermath of the IS-linked Easter bomb attacks that left the country riven, Sri Lanka’s government representatives at the highest level were seen going in different directions – both literally and figuratively speaking. President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday (May 13) suddenly left for Beijing to attend a conference on Asian civilisations. …

Continue reading ‘President – Prime Minister Divide Fractures Foreign Relations Drastically as Sirisena Holds Hands with Beijing While Marapana Plays Footsie With Washington.’ »

The recent anti-Muslim attacks in the Gampaha and Kurunegala districts that left one dead and thousands affected were orchestrated by political forces connected to a key party, the Sunday Observer reliably learns. UPFA MP and SLFP General Secretary, Dayasiri Jayasekara made a statement yesterday at the Colombo Division DIG’s office regarding video footages that emerged …

Continue reading ‘Recent Anti-Muslim Attacks in Gampaha and Kurunegala Districts were Orchestrated by Political Forces Connected to a Key Party: Prof GL Peiris and Basil Rajapaksa of SLPP Not Available for Comment.’ »