JUSTICE FOR ALL 13th May 2022 We condemn the reimposition of the State of Emergency from midnight on the 6th of May 2022, the very first instance it was available after revoking it on the 5th of April 2022. We vehemently condemn the violence unleashed on peaceful protestors on the 9th of May 2022 both …

Continue reading ‘“We urge all Members of Parliament, in govt and opposition, to listen to the demands of the Sri Lankan people for a genuine change in government and governance. It is imperative that all MPs take a principled stand that reflects the demands of the people to create political change in Sri Lanka”’ »

By Chandani Kirinde UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the country’s new Prime Minister before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday in one of the biggest reversals of political fortune in the country. The shock decision to appoint Wickremesinghe to the post vacated by Mahinda Rajapaksa was made on Wednesday night after the President met …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wicremesinghe Tells Media that he has “taken on the job to put the economy in order,” ; “Do you want people to suffer more by a prolonged political instability or resolve the economic crisis? Asks the new Prime Minister’ »

Several members of the Parliament including President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and foreign envoys extended congratulatory wishes to newly appointed sixth Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe, whilst few others expressed their displeasure. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa congratulated Wickremesinghe for taking up the challenging task to overcome the multiple crises. “My best wishes to the newly …

Continue reading ‘Tweet by US Ambassador Julie Chung says Wickremesinghe’s appointment as Prime Minister and the quick formation of an inclusive Government are the first steps in addressing the crisis and promoting stability.’ »

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said yesterday that his first choice for the post of Prime Minister was SJB leader Sajith Premadasa but as he had rejected the offer to take over the Government, he had decided to appoint UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. The President disclosed this in a letter he sent Premadasa yesterday in response to …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Tells Opposition Leader Premadasa that the best person to take over as the Prime Minister is UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe; Points out that his offer to Sajith to take over the Govt had been rejected.’ »

Completing a stunning comeback, United National Party (UNP) Leader and National List MP Ranil Wickremesinghe, who failed to secure his seat in Parliament in the August 2020 General Election, was sworn in as the new Prime Minister last evening (12). Wickremesinghe took oaths before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House, with Secretary to the …

Continue reading ‘Newly Sworn In PM Ranil Wickremesinghe Describes Himself s a “Crisis Premier” Drawing a Parallel with Winston Churchill Becomig Prime Minister of Britain to Cope with the Challenges of World war Two’ »

By Yohan Perera Newly appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said he had accepted his new post to save the nation from its present crisis. “I accepted the Prime Minister’s post to save the nation and to see that people of this country get three square meals while essential goods such as fuel, gas and electricity …

Continue reading ‘“I accepted the Prime Minister’s post to save the nation and to see that people of this country get three square meals while essential goods such as fuel, gas and electricity are available’states Ranil Wickremesinghe;“I also intend to obtain support of all MPs in Parliament to save the nation,” he says’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday appointed former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe as Premier, in a bid to restore stability in the island nation in the midst of a political impasse and stifling economic crisis. This is the sixth time Mr. Wickremesinghe, 73, has been appointed to the office — he has …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Appoints UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka’ »

By Chandani Kirinde In a day of dramatic political developments President Gotabaya Rajapaksa met with UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe last night amidst speculation that the latter would be appointed as the country’s new Prime Minister. Speculation was Wickremesinghe will be sworn in today by the President after which the UNP Leader will firm up support …

Continue reading ‘Gotabaya – Ranil Talks Leads to Speculation that Wicremesinghe would be Appointed as Prime Minister and that a new Cabinet comprising MPs from multiple parties would be finalized this week by the President and new PM’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s beleaguered President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday said he will appoint a new Prime Minister, who commands a parliamentary majority, and a Cabinet of Ministers, within a week’s time, as the island struggles to cope with its political and economic crises. “I am taking steps to form a new government to …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Meets with former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and explores the possibility of appointing him as Premier, if a majority of lawmakers in Parliament supports the move; .The UNP Leader is considering the option say Reliable Sources’ »

(Text of Address to the Nation Delivered by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on May 11th 2022) Most Venerable Maha Sangha, Other Religious Dignitaries, Mothers and Fathers, Brothers and Sisters, Beloved Children, Friends, At present, our country is facing the worst crisis in its history. The economic crisis that preceded this event created social and political instability …

Continue reading ‘“I am taking steps to form a new government to control the current situation.This week, I will appoint a Prime Minister who commands the majority in Parliament and can secure the confidence of the people and a Cabinet of Ministers”-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Meanwhile, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa was evacuated from Temple Trees, his official residence in Colombo, and taken to a naval base in the eastern port city of Trincomalee on May 10 for his “security”, according to Kamal Gunaratne, Secretary to the Defence Ministry. Addressing a media conference on May 11, he said: “The …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Evacuated From “Temple Trees” to Trincomalee; “The former PM is at the Naval Dockyard in Trincomalee. He will be there for a few more days. We will provide him with whatever security he needs and for as long as he wants.” Says Defence Secretary Gen Kamal Gunaratne’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s Central Bank chief on May 11 warned that the economy would “collapse completely” unless political stability is urgently restored and a new government is appointed to run the crisis-hit country. Addressing reporters in Colombo, Nandalal Weerasinghe, who assumed charge as Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka just over …

Continue reading ‘“If there is no government in the next two days, the economy will completely collapse, and cannot be salvaged by anyone” says Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “The enlightenment driven away, The habit-forming pain, Mismanagement and grief: We must suffer them all again.” Auden (September 1, 1939) “We must love one another or die,” wrote Auden in September 1, 1939 as the world slid into calamity. Gotagogama and the nationwide anti-Rajapaksa struggle it pioneered and symbolized seemed to be …

Continue reading ‘The Rajapaksas created a moral wasteland and called it patriotism, and damned anyone not succumbing to it as traitors to the nation. The anti-Rajapaksa struggle is in the process of creating a similar moral wasteland, calling it Aragalaya where anything goes, so long as it is done to the Rajapaksas and their supporters.’ »

(Text of the editorial appearing in “The Hindu” of May 11th 2022 under the heading “The end of a brand: On the fall of the Rajapaksas”) The resignation of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, amidst extraordinary scenes of violence as part of the widespread public uprising against his family’s rule, marks the abrupt fall …

Continue reading ‘“A larger message from the demise of the Rajapaksa brand is that muscular nationalism and majoritarian mobilisation may not be an endless reservoir of support, and will be of no avail when the masses face economic hardship”- The Hindu’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will take over the government if President Gotabaya Rajapaksa agrees to resign after appointing Sajith Premadasa as Prime Minister, a senior SJB source said. The Party will write to the President today with the proposal, the source said. “The SJB is not willing to join a government …

Continue reading ‘Political uncertainty continues with no PM, Cabinet for over 24 hours;The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will take over the government if President Gotabaya Rajapaksa agrees to resign after appointing Sajith Premadasa as Prime Minister.’ »

(Text of Editorial Appearing in “The Morning” of May 11th 2022 Under the Heading “Protesting with cognitive violence over brute force”) In less than 24 hours, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned, anti-Government groups retaliated against pro-Government groups, people were killed, and properties amounting to an unknown value were destroyed. Most importantly, violence, which was hardly …

Continue reading ‘“The destruction of property and other illegal or violent activities that are becoming a part of the protests should stop, and non-violent methods of expressing opposition should again be adopted.”-The Morning’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s tri-forces on Tuesday received shooting orders to “bring violence under control”, authorities said, amid a spate of retaliatory attacks targeting government members. “Defence Ministry has ordered the tri-forces to shoot at persons causing harm to life or involved in theft of property,” the Army said. On Monday, Rajapaksa supporters assaulted …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan troops given shooting orders to ‘control’ violence;“Defence Ministry has ordered the tri-forces to shoot at persons causing harm to life or involved in theft of property,” says Army Spokesman’ »

By Meera Srinivasan The Sri Lanka Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been tasked with probing the concerted attack on anti-government protesters, police said on Tuesday, a day after a pro-Rajapaksa mob went on a rampage at agitation sites in capital Colombo and in central Kandy district. The death toll in the attacks, which the …

Continue reading ‘“Gota Go Gama” Demolished by Pro- Rajapaksa Mobs Being Re-constructed by Protesters at Galle Face Again; Deathtoll in Widespread Violence Rises to 8 while 220 are Hospitalised with Injuries;Chandrika Kumaratunga Warns of Possible Miltary Take over.’ »

Mahinda Raja-paksa, who resigned as prime minister on Monday, will not flee the country, his son Namal Rajapaksa told AFP on Tuesday. The 76-year-old heads a political clan whose hold on power has been shaken by months of blackouts and shortages in the island nation, which is suffering its worst economic crisis since independence in …

Continue reading ‘“My father is safe,he is at a safe location,and he is communicating with the family.There are a lot of rumours that we are going to leave. We will not leave the country.We will always stand by our people” says Namal Rajapaksa’ »

Protests were held yesterday (10) in front of the Trincomalee Naval Base, where former Prime Minister and incumbent Government MP Mahinda Rajapaksa is reportedly staying, along with a number of his family members. Video reports also show a helicopter, reportedly belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force, being boarded by a few people at the …

Continue reading ‘Protests held in front of the Trincomalee Naval Base, where former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is Allegedly staying, along with a number of his family members.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde President Gotabaya Rajapaksa clamped a countrywide two-day curfew last night in a bid to stop escalating violence across the country which saw houses and offices of more than 15 ruling party politicians set on fire and crowds attempting to break into Temple Trees where Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family were …

Continue reading ‘Violence Perpetrated by Mahinda Rajapaksa Supporters Against Peaceful Protesters Boomerang as Furious People Turn Against Govt; Tear Gas Used Repeatedly to Disperse Angry Crowds Outside “Temple Trees”; Ancestral Home at Medamulana Torched. At least 15 SLPP Ministers and MP’s Houses Set Ablaze’ »

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday eventually resigned as mayhem unfolded on the streets after hundreds of his supporters bussed in from different parts of the country to Temple Trees to support the PM unleashed violence on peaceful protestors. With the Prime Minister’s resignation, the cabinet of Ministers stands dissolved. The Prime Minister sent his resignation …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Makes Defiant Speech to Hundreds of Supporters Brought by Buses to “Temple Trees” After whch Violence is Unleashed Against Peaceful Protesters Causing Widespread Anti – Govt Anger Resulting in Counter Violence in Many Parts of the Country’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana D. Wickramaratne, acting on instructions from Public Security Ministry Secretary (Retd.) Maj. Gen. Jagath Alwis, had instructed senior Police officials, including Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) – Colombo Central Nishantha Chandrasekara not to use water cannons and tear gas to disperse supporters of the Sri Lanka …

Continue reading ‘IGP Chandana Wickramaratne acting on instructions from Public Security Ministry Secy Gen. Jagath Alwis, had Allegedly instructed senior Police officials not to disperse supporters of the SLPP who attacked peaceful protesters in front of the Temple Trees and the Galle Face Green on May 9’ »

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran yesterday said that former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa must be arrested and prosecuted. “Mahinda Rajapaksa who just resigned, must be arrested and brought before the law along with all others who organised and brought the attackers to Colombo,” he tweeted on his official handle yesterday.

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned on Monday, his office said, hours after his supporters brutally assaulted peaceful, anti-government protesters amid a worsening economic crisis in the island. The resignation was accepted, according to a gazette notification, and consequently, the Cabinet stands dissolved as per the Sri Lankan Constitution. Three persons …

Continue reading ‘Enraged Crowds Demolish Rajapaksa Family Memorial Monument at Medamulana; Ancestral Home also Torched. Wax Statues of Mahinda and Gotabaya’s Parents Destroyed’ »

A legislator from Sri Lanka’s ruling party shot dead an anti-government protester and then took his own life during a confrontation outside the capital, police said Monday. Amarakeerthi Athukorala opened fire and critically wounded two people blocking his car in the town of Nittambuwa, police said, adding that one of the victims died of his …

Continue reading ‘SLPP Govt MP Amarakeerthi Athukorale Fires and Injures two in Crowd Blocking his Vehicle at Nittambuwa; When Crowds Surround Building Je Takes Refuge in the MP Commits Suicide by Shooting Himself’ »

Several countries via their diplomats condemned yesterday’s violent attacks by supporters of ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) on peaceful protestors. The British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Sarah Hulton in a tweet said: “Strongly condemn the violence against peaceful protestors today. The authorities have a responsibility to safeguard citizens’ rights to protest peacefully and …

Continue reading ‘Attacks on Peaceful Protesters by SLPP Govt Supporters Condemned by USA and Germany Ambssadors and UK and Canada High Commissioners , World Bnk Country Director and UN Special Rapporteur’ »

BY Dinitha Rathnayake An islandwide curfew was imposed yesterday (9) following supporters of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)-led Government attack on peaceful anti-Government protesters at “MynaGoGama” in Kollupitiya and “GotaGoGama” in Galle Face, which led to over 130 sustaining injuries and being hospitalised. Prior to the declaration of islandwide curfew, Police curfew was imposed …

Continue reading ‘SLPP -led Govt Supporers Including State Minister Sanath Nishantha Unleash Violence Agaiist Unarmed Demonstrators and Demolish Structures at “Gotagogama” in Galleface and “Mynagogama”in Kollupitiya; Protesters Allege Police and armed Forces Attacked them Instead of the Mobs’;130 Persons Injured’ »

Shots were fired from inside the Sri Lankan Prime Minister’s official residence Monday, as thousands of protesters breached the main gate and torched a truck at the entrance, an AFP reporter said. Police also fired tear gas to push back protesters retaliating against an attack on them earlier in the day by those loyal to …

Continue reading ‘Thousands of Angry Demonstrators Surround Prime Minister;s Official Residence “Temple Trees” After Mahinda Rajapaksa Supporters Attack Peaceful Protesters;Police Fire GunShots in the Air and Tear Gas Cannsters to Dispel Crowds After Main Gates are Breached’ »

BY Dinitha Rathnayake Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa sent his letter of resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday (9) after violent scenes were witnessed in Colombo. Speaking to The Morning, Prime Minister’s Secretary Rohan Weliwita confirmed that the letter was sent to the President yesterday evening. In the letter addressed to the President, Premier Rajapaksa noted …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Sends Resignation Letter to Gotabaya Rajapksa saying he is Stepping down to Enable President to Form a new All-party Interim Govt;With the PM resigning the present Cabinet gets Automticlly Dissolved’ »

A large number of supporters of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa are expected to gather outside his official residence Temple Trees this morning amidst reports that he will hand in his resignation today(May 9). Members of local authorities led by the SLLP as well as trade unionists affiliated to the party who met with the Prime …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Likely to Step Down s Prime Minister Despite Pressure not to do so from Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Rank and File; paying Homage at Sri Maha Bodhi and Ruwanweliseya at Anuradhapura seen as Prelude to Resignaton Today(May 9)or Later this week’ »

By Kelum Bandara Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP for the Jaffna district M.A. Sumanthiran, in an interview with Daily Mirror, airs his views on the present status of the economy and the political crisis. Excerpts: Q The TNA has taken a different stand regarding the no confidence motion against the government. Why is it? When …

Continue reading ‘“The president is the head of the govt. The call-out by the people is for the president to resign. That is the main call. Everything else is subsidiary to that. Without that happening, we just rearrange some chairs in the Cabinet and continue.” – M.A. Sumanthiran MP’ »

By Dr. Ram Manikkalingam (The writer is a Visiting Professor at the University of Amsterdam and Director of the Dialogue Advisory Group.) Sri Lanka is at a political deadlock. Protesters want the President and parliamentarians to go home. Parliament wants the President to go home. And the President wants the protesters to go home. But …

Continue reading ‘By declaring his willingness to terminate the executive presidency, and only be in office until the constitution is amended, President Rajapaksa could help end the political deadlock in Sri Lanka.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Bright smiles of determined young Sri Lankans contrast starkly with the tear gas and water cannons used by the police this Friday to smash tents and scatter protestors outside the newly established ‘HoruGoGama’ (‘thieves, get out’) on the road to Parliament. On the one side, there is youth, optimism and hope. …

Continue reading ‘Bright smiles of determined young Sri Lankans contrast starkly with the tear gas and water cannons used by the police to smash tents and scatter protestors. On the one side, there is youth, optimism and hope. On the other side, there is the threatening paraphernalia of the State.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has thanked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for his initiative to provide humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka, which is in the grip of a grave economic crisis. In a letter dated May 4, 2022 and addressed to Mr. Stalin, Mr. Rajapaksa said the passage of …

Continue reading ‘“I wish to thank you and the Tamil Nadu government on behalf of the people of Sri Lanka,”; Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa sends letter thanking Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for his initiative to provide humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s move declaring a state of emergency late on Friday has sparked wide criticism within Sri Lanka, as well as from the international actors who contended it was unhelpful and counterproductive, coming amid peaceful citizens’ protests. Government critics and civil society groups fear that the emergency regulations, which give sweeping …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Emergency Declaration sparks wide criticism in Sri Lanka with Diplomats, rights group and Opposition leaders calling the move counterproductive, coming amid peaceful citizens’ protests’ »

By the Sunday Morninng Political Editor The proposed 21st Amendment Bill presented to Parliament by the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) was gazetted last Friday (6). The gazetting of the proposed 21st Amendment to the Constitution has now put into motion the moves to repeal the controversial 20th Amendment and revert to an advanced …

Continue reading ‘End of Executive Presidency Drawing Near? 21st Constitutional Amendment Bill Abolishing the Executive Presidency Presented to Parliament by the Samagi Jana Balavegaya Gazetted on May 6th;’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake I was 14 plus when the first hartal took place in what was then Ceylon. We had only print and radio for news, yet the LSSP-led mass protest did have echoes of workers and people’s action, police shooting, 10 persons killed, and the overall failure of the government leadership.Sixty-nine years later, the …

Continue reading ‘The mass struggle of today – the hartal – is the call for true democracy, which was not the best from 74 years of freedom in 1948, and much worsened and hugely corrupt after 1977.’ »

By Bishop Duleep de Chickera People’s protests today, occupy the public space as the people clamour to create and occupy democratic space. This receives public attention and worries the oppressor. Today’s protests demand change. The sovereignty of the people has been brazenly ursurped by callous and arrogant legislators. They must go if the people are …

Continue reading ‘Young protesters make sacrifices and pay a price. Camping at the GGG, through sun and rain, deprives them of an income and postpones personal dreams. Whatever the outcome, history will recognise these young visionaries who dared to imagine the protest-space and make it real.’ »

An emergency Cabinet meeting called by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa ended last night amidst conflicting reports of the imminent resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Soon after news broke that the President had asked the Prime Minister to resign, a spokesman for the PMs office denied the claim.

By Chandani Kirinde President Gotabaya Rajapaksa last night declared a state of emergency with immediate effect as public protests calling for his resignation intensified. The emergency regulations which give wide powers to the armed forces to detain and arrest persons as well as quell public protests were declared under the Public Security Ordinance and came …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declares a state of emergency with immediate effect From May 6 Midnight as public protests calling for his resignation intensify; announcement from the President’s office came after he held an emergency Cabinet meeting to discuss the prevailing situation in the country.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Several hundred people gathered outside Sri Lanka’s Parliament late Thursday night, hours after police tear-gased students who marched to the spot as part of ongoing citizens’ protests against the ruling Rajapaksas. Their agitations continued all day on Friday, braving fresh rounds of water cannons and tear gas unleashed by police, as the …

Continue reading ‘Island -Wide Hartal Launched by Over 2000 Trade Unions Paralyses Sri Lanka While Protests by Students Outside Parliament Continue Day and Night Despite Use of Tear Gas and ater Cannons by Police’ »

Ranjith Siyambalapitiya who was elected as Deputy Speaker on Thursday by way of a secret ballot in Parliament resigned from the post last evening. .In a letter addressed to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Kegalle District SLFP MP said that his decision to take up the post has turned public opinion against him and he did …

Continue reading ‘Kegalle District SLFP MP Ranjith Siyambalapitiya who was elected as Deputy Speaker on Thursday Sends Resigntion Letter to President Rajapaksa on Friday Saying his decision to take up the post has turned public opinion against him and that he did not want to be an enemy to the people.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Ranjith Siyam-balapaiaya was re-elected as Deputy Speaker in a secret ballot held in parliament yesterday with 148 MPs voting for him and 65 for the Samagi Jana Balawegaya nominee Imtiaz Bakeer Markar. Siyambalapitiya’s name was proposed by MP Nimal Siripala De Silva and seconded by Susil Premajayanth while Bakeer Markar was nominated …

Continue reading ‘Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa saiys Deputy Speaker Election vote exposed the nexus between the SLFP/SLPP dissidents and the ruling party.’ »

Reacting to the election of Government MP Ranjith Siyambalapitiya as Deputy Speaker of Parliament yesterday (5), the main Parliamentary Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegeya (SJB), as well as the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), claimed that the MPs formerly of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Government camp and who now sit independently in Parliament are …

Continue reading ‘Deputy Speaker Election Voting Has Exposed the Truth that So Called “Independent” MP’s who Claimed to Have Defected From the SLPP Led Govt are Fooling the People and Secretly Supporting President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Charge SJB and TNA’ »

SLFP MP Ranjith Siyambalapitiya was today re-elected Deputy Speaker by a majority of 83 votes in a secret ballot. A total of 148 members voted for Mr. Siyambalapitiya and SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar obtained 65 votes. Three votes were rejected.

BY Pamodi Waravita Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday (5) refused to enter the no-confidence motion (NCM) against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa into the Order Book of the Parliament immediately, stating that he needs to first consult the Attorney General about its legality, while the NCM against the Government will be placed in the Order Book of …

Continue reading ‘Speaker Refuses to Enter No Confidence Motion Submitted by SJB Against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa into Parliament Order Book Saying he has to Consult Attorney – General About Motion’s Legality’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday handed over two No-Confidence Motions, one against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and another against the Government, to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena. The No-Confidence Motion against the Government was handed over after weeks of speculation on whether the Opposition can muster enough votes to get it …

Continue reading ‘Among Allegations Stated in the No Confidence Motion Against President Rajapaksa is that he has continuously made decisions based on the counsel of a soothsayer W.M. Gnanawathi alias ‘Gnanakka’,while also using public funds to construct her temple and provide her with military protection.’ »

By Jamila Husain Hours after the main opposition SJB handed over a No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against the President and another against the Prime Minister to Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena last afternoon, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said he was confident of winning the NCM against him as he held the majority support in Parliament. The …

Continue reading ‘“I am very confident of winning the NCM. I have the numbers with me in Parliament. If I lose the numbers, I will step down, If the President tells me to go, I will leave immediately. But there has been no such request,” says Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Finance Minister Ali Sabry yesterday told Parliament that the country’s economy is at a critical level and warned that painful reforms lie ahead irrespective of who is in power. In a detailed statement to the House on the present fiscal situation in the country as well as the way forward, Sabry admitted …

Continue reading ‘“Nightwatchman” Finance Minister Ali Sabry Admits that “ wrong policies of the current administration had contributed to the present plight of the country” and tells “Parliament that the country’s economy is at a critical level “and warns that “painful reforms lie ahead irrespective of who is in power.”’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera Following an order issued by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court and a heated debate between Police and protestors outside Temple Trees in Kollupitiya, vehicles parked on the pavement in the area and the constructions of the protest zone generally referred to as “MynaGoGama” were removed yesterday evening (4). The heated debate took …

Continue reading ‘“Myna Go Gama” Opposite “Temple Trees” Dismantled Following Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Order not to Cause Obstruction on Pavements to Pedestrians; Kollupitiya Police Remove Their Vehicles While Protesters Take Down Their Temporary Constructions’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera and Dinitha Rathnayake The arrest of 13 protestors in front of the entrance road to the Parliament in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte yesterday (4) has been criticised by Amnesty International, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), and the Parliamentary Opposition. A total of 13 persons were arrested by the Maharagama Police while …

Continue reading ‘13 Protesters Arrested by Maharagma Police for llegedly Obstructing at Entrance Road to Parliament in Kotte and Enlarged on Personal Bail after Being Produced Before Kaduwela Magistrate’ »

by Tisaranee Gunasekara “Ain’t it nice to fly? You’re waving as soft clouds go by But peace won’t be still of its own free will” – Gil Scott-Heron (Free Will) The Rajapaksa’s, an immovable object; the popular resistance, an unstoppable force; their meeting has created an impasse. Can it be unblocked constitutionally and peacefully before …

Continue reading ‘Interim Government or all-parties Govt, any arrangement that permits the Rajapaksa’s hold onto the levers of power will worsen the crisis and drag Sri Lanka to a new low.’ »

by Uditha Devapriya What happens to a mass scale uprising when it loses its radical potential? It loses direction, focus, and the will to continue. The protests unfolding in the country have cut across ethnic and social divisions, unifying disparate classes and groups that once warred with each other. One middle-class protester, a private university …

Continue reading ‘It would be a betrayal of the Galle Face mandate, as it stands, to ignore legitimate concerns, like minority rights, on the pretext that they tend to dilute what the protesters are targeting, namely the removal of the Rajapaksas.’ »

By Sanja De Silva Jayatilleka It’s The People vs The Political Class, in the Aragalaya. The People are winning because they are clearer, more intelligent and are way ahead of the politicians. The parliamentarians who can’t seem to get what the people have made crystal clear, can play silly buggers only until the people stop …

Continue reading ‘The People said ‘Gota Go Home’. They said ‘MR Go Home’ The People expect the Rajapaksas to vacate forthwith so the country could be saved from plunging further into the abyss’ »

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (3) presented over 100 files pertaining to various alleged cases of corruption in Sri Lanka, implicating a string of high profile politicians including the ruling Rajapaksa family, Government MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya Leader Sajith Premadasa, and United …

Continue reading ‘JVP- led NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake Presents Over a 100 Files pertaining to Allegations of Corruption Against Politicians such as Maithripala, Basil, Namal, Mahindananda, Cabraal, Sajith, Ranil and Yoshita at Conference Organized by “Dooshana Virodi Handa”( Voice against Corruption)’ »

BY Ruwani Fonseka and Dinitha Rathnayake Despite intense speculation and statements that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa would be resigning from his post today (4) after making a special statement in Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office maintains that Rajapaksa will not be stepping down today, and that the special statement will be about the current situation …

Continue reading ‘Even if Mahinda Rajapaksa Steps down as Prime Minister in Deference to the Maha Sangha’s Request, the SLPP will Nominate Mahinda again for the Post of Interim Govt Premier says Basil Rajapaksa’ »

BY Dinitha Rathnayake Sajeewa Chamikara of the Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR) has alleged that a hotel named Sinharaja Green Eco Lodge is causing great damage to the Sinharaja environment through the development of a road leading to the hotel, and that the hotel project is linked to Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff …

Continue reading ‘Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR) Alleges that activities Concerning “Sinharaja Green Eco Lodge” Linked to Yoshita Rajapaksa is Damaging Sinharaja Rain Forest Environment but Yoshita and Hotel Owner Deny any Connection .’ »

The main Parliamentary Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), handed over two no-confidence motions (NCMs), one against the incumbent Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)-led Government and the other against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, to Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana yesterday (3). A group of SJB MPs led by SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa presented …

Continue reading ‘Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Submits two separate no-confidence motions against the incumbent Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)-led Government and against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana on May 3’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya Soon after the military victory against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a nihilistic terrorist group of its right, Mahinda Rajapaksa, the then-president embarked on cultivating a full-pledged personal cult. That was not a fantasy that was exclusive to MR himself, many of his peers, and predecessors here and abroad had similar …

Continue reading ‘Gotabaya Rajapaksa proved to be not just ignorant but criminally liable for the self-made disaster of the agricultural sector through his idiotic ban on chemical fertilizer.’ »

By Kelum Bandara Political unrest still prevails in the country, with the chorus urging President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down. An interim government representative of all the parties with MPs in Parliament has been proposed by some parties and groups in the meantime to run the country for a short period –may be one year- …

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Mahinda Raiapaksa is obviously having friction with his brother President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and is not ready at all to relinquish office’ »

By Jamila Husain Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in a conversation with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today said the President, under the 20th amendment, has the authority to make decisions to resolve the ongoing political crisis and he would extend his fullest cooperation to any decisions made by the President. The Daily Mirror learns that Prime Minister …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa in a Private Conversation Urges Prime Minister Rajapaksa to Resign but Mahinda tells Gotabaya that he wont resign because he is engaged in an economic recovery project and that the executive President could use his powers and sack him if he so desired.’ »

By Nirupama Subramanian It was sometime in 1997. In Colombo, in the basement banquet hall of a five-star hotel, the “milk man of India” was addressing a press conference to announce a $20 million joint venture between the National Dairy Development Board and Sri Lanka’s state-owned MILCO. It would be called Kiriya — kiri being …

Continue reading ‘How Sri Lanka’s Milk Powder Importers, Trade Unons and Govt Politicians Sabotaged the “Kiriya” Joint Venture Dairy Project Between India’s NDDB and Lanka’s MILCO Initiated by the “Milkman of India” Dr.Varghese Kurien to make the Island Selfsufficient in Milk.’ »

By Arun Janardhanan The Tamil Nadu Assembly’s move to pass a resolution Friday urging the Centre to allow the state Government to send humanitarian aid to the people of Sri Lanka came in the wake of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central Government not responding to its similar requests made earlier. The resolution was brought …

Continue reading ‘How and Why the DMK Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M.K. Stalin took the Initiative in Sending Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka in General and the Island’s Tamil People in Particular’ »

By Nirupama Rao (Nirupama Rao, a former Foreign Secretary, was India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. She is the author of The Fractured Himalaya: India Tibet China 1949 to 19aaa62, Penguin Viking, 2021) India is Sri Lanka’s only neighbour. It follows that what happens in Sri Lanka, especially if it involves the suffering of Sri …

Continue reading ‘India must guard against being identified in the eyes of ordinary Sri Lankans as propping up an unpopular regime whose legitimacy is increasingly being questioned on the streets.’ »

China will be treated equal to all other external creditors and will not be given any preferential treatment when Sri Lanka carries out its debt restructuring, the island nation’s Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said on Friday (29). Sri Lanka on April 12 announced that it was suspending all foreign debt repayments as it had …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Will not Give Preferential Treatment to China in Debt Restructuring says Central Bank Governor; “We have made it very clear. If we offer a concession to one creditor, then we have to give the same concession to all the creditors.” Says Dr.Nandalal Weerasinghe’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The Sri Lanka Parliament marks the 40th anniversary of its move to Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte today. It comes at a particularly tumultuous and trying time for parliamentary democracy in the country with the public focused on their elected representatives more than ever before. When the country’s first executive president J.R. Jayewardene declared …

Continue reading ‘When the “Temple of Democracy” was Relocated 40 Yeas ago from the side of Beira Lake at Galle Face to an Island in the Diyawanna Oya at Kotte’ »

Hundreds of Buddhist monks called on the President and the Government to immediately implement the Mahanayaka Theras’ proposals to resolve the prevailing economic crisis. The monks who gathered at Independence Square warned that if the proposals were not implemented, the Mahanayaka Theras would issue a Sangha Convention edict calling on monks to shun politicians. The …

Continue reading ‘Buddhist Monks Threaten to Shun all Politicians if Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa does not resign forthwith to make way for the appointment of an interim government comprising parties represented in Parliament.under resident Gotabaya Rajapaksa’ »

A Sangha Convention held at the Independence Square yesterday (30 April) called on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to step down to facilitate a smooth transition of power to an all-party interim government, aimed at creating political stability, rebuilding public faith in governance, and facilitating economic recovery. The decree of the Sangha Convention calling for the …

Continue reading ‘Buddhist Clergy Intervenes in Politics Again; Sangha Convention Passes Decree Demanding the Resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Setting up of an all party Interm Govt; threatens rejection of all politcians if Mahnda Does not step down’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene There is a trace of helplessness and more than a touch of cruel ridicule to dramatic protest scenes being played out this week in front of Temple Trees, the official residence of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. The State has become a satire The loud chanting of ‘pirith’ by Buddhist …

Continue reading ‘The Government and the Presidency have to bear responsibility for the decimation of the nation and for its shameful regression, socially, financially and legally, with worse to come.’ »

By The “Sunday Morning” Political Editor No Confidence Motions (NCMs) against the President and the Government are to be submitted to Parliament this week, it is learnt. The NCM against the President was drafted by a team of legal experts led by Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M.A. Sumanthiran PC while the NCM against the …

Continue reading ‘Two No Confidence Motions Against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as well as Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to be Submitted to Parliament on the same day this week’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake This is just after the first ever single day, countrywide, strike action in Sri Lanka.As the protests against the Rajapaksa Brotherhood continue, we may be moving to the next big Hartal in this country. After the historic Hartal in 1953 – which saw country-wide civil-disobedience and strike, where 10 people were killed, …

Continue reading ‘The 113 votes in parliament have become the real “Gota Go Home” battle, the emerging drive against Mahinda Rajapaksa as well as the political number against the Rajapaksa Rajapavula.’ »

By Dr.Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu The situation in the country is one of dynamism as well as stalemate. Dynamism on account of the determination, creativity and resilience of the Gotagogama demonstrators, the extension of their efforts to the Mainagogama demonstration outside Temple Trees to the sheer celebration of Sri Lanka’s diversity and the unity of its peoples, …

Continue reading ‘As the chief executive of the country, elected to provide strong and decisive leadership Gotabaya Rajapaksa has failed miserably. Forcing Gotabaya to go is the immediate issue. Once he is gone Parliament can act to install a head of state and an interim government which will bring in the necessary reforms’ »

By Arundathie Abeysinghe The worst fears of Sri Lanka’s tea and apparel sectors have become a reality as they are losing their orders to competitors, and India, Sri Lanka’s neighbour, is a major beneficiary. As Sri Lanka is facing a severe dollar crisis, its capacity to import food, gas, fuel, medicine, and essential items has …

Continue reading ‘Economic Crisis Causes Sri Lanka’s Tea and Apparel Export Sectors to Lose Orders to Competitors with Big Neighbour India Being the Major Beneficiary’ »

By Jamila Husain Former President Maithripala Sirisena today said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had agreed to form an interim government under a new Prime Minister for a short period, but this was denied by senior officials in the President’s office who attended the meeting.

Confusion reigned yesterday disappointing many as political leaders failed to deliver and be sincere to a protesting nation. A meeting between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and a group of dissident SLPP MPs ended yesterday with plans to nominate five representatives from the group to devise the modalities of setting up an all-party Government but all main …

Continue reading ‘Maithripala Sirisena says Gotabya agreed to interim setup with new Prime Minister and Cabinet but President’s office says no such undertaking was given and that Mahinda still has majority support in Parliament’ »

By Jamila Husain In a meeting held with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the government parliamentarians last evening, 117 MPs said Mahinda Rajapaksa should continue as the Prime Minister and further informed the President and Prime Minister both should continue. 109 MPs were physically present while 8 MPs could not attend due …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa to Continue as Prime Minister with the Support of 117 MPs of the SLPP – led Government.’ »

Following queries made by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarians, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has stated yesterday (28) that he has not asked Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to resign, and neither does he have any intention of doing so, The Morning learnt. This had been communicated by the President to the SLPP MPs during a meeting …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Podujana Party Backbencher MP’s ask President Rajapaksa whether he plans to request Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to resign to pave the way for an all-party interim govt; Gotabaya Replies that he has not made such a request so far, and does not intend to do so in the future either.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan It is not just Sri Lanka’s angry citizens and political Opposition who are challenging the Rajapaksa administration’s “failed” response to the country’s dire economic condition. Increasingly, prominent capitalists and big businesses are shedding their habitual caution and openly criticising the political impasse that is further threatening the country’s crashing economy. MAS Holdings, …

Continue reading ‘Prominent Capitalists and Big Businesses in Sri Lanka are Shedding their Customary Caution and are Openly Criticising Rajapaksa Govt and Extending Support for the AntiGovt Protests’ »

The government group meeting presided over by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa held this evening ended inconclusively over remarks made by certain politicians. The President has spoken about the current issues plaguing the country and allowed the floor to the others. Parliamentarian Tissa Kuttiarachchi, at this stage, fired a few salvos at Dulla Allahapperuma for allegedly conspiring …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Tells Govt MP’s that he never wanted Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to Resign as Prime Minister and States that he Values his Elder Brother More than anything’ »

By Neshella Perera A Sri Lankan opposition legislator has been prohibited from taking part in anti-government protests for a period of two weeks, a court ordered on Thursday (28) as protests in the crisis-hit island nation continued across the country demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Local police in the Eastern district of Batticaloa …

Continue reading ‘Kaluwaanchikkudi Police Obtain Court Order Restraiing TNA Parliamentarian Shanakiyan Rasamanickam and his Associates from Participating in Anti-Govt Protests in the Btticaloa District for 14 Days’ »

Over a thousand trade unions in Sri Lanka effectively shut down the country on Thursday (28) in a one-day token strike, demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government over the country’s worsening economic crisis. Unions representing ports, railway, petroleum, health, banking and education sectors are taking part in the strike across the …

Continue reading ‘One-day token strike Launched by Over a thousand trade unions in Sri Lanka demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his govt over the country’s worsening economic crisis effecively shuts down the country on Thursday (28)’ »

As the sun goes down the numbers swell on Galle Face Green, a promenade facing the Indian Ocean in downtown Colombo where families and lovers typically come to stroll and fly kites. These days it hosts a more purposeful crowd. Families are there, but so are farmers, students and their professors, Buddhist monks, Catholic nuns, …

Continue reading ‘“The Rajapaksas have always been as thick as any Sicilian family. Whatever their differences, they knew they needed to stand together. From now on, it seems, the Rajapaksas stand separately.”- The Economist’ »

By Prof. Asoka N.I. Ekanayaka Nothing is more ludicrous and laughable than desperate government politicians who voted for the monstrous 20th amendment like Charitha Herath and Alahaperuma, now proposing that the Prime Minister and cabinet (but strangely not the President!) should resign with the formation of an all party coalition government of some kind in …

Continue reading ‘MPs who were Shameless Lackeys of the Rajapaksa Regime and Voted for 20 A are now in desperation posturing as independent groups, making a show of crossing over to the opposition and pretending to distance themselves from the Rajapaksa family The bottom line is that those who have been part of the problem can never be part of the solution.’ »

In two seemingly contradictory statements yesterday (27), President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that he is, in principle, willing to form an all-party government with the political parties represented in the Parliament, following the resignation of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers, while Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had never asked him …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Says he is Willing to Form an All -Party Govt after Prime Minister and Present Cabinet Resign but Mahinda says Gota has not and will not ask him to resign’ »

.By Kai Schultz — With assistance by Asantha Sirimanne, and Anusha Ondaatjie Ahead of the November 2019 election, Sri Lankan presidential challenger Gotabaya Rajapaksa proposed sweeping tax cuts so reckless the incumbent government thought it must be a campaign gimmick. The finance minister at the time, Mangala Samaraweera, called a briefing to assail the “dangerous” …

Continue reading ‘A Powerful Dynasty Bankrupted Sri Lanka in Just 30 Months; policy mistakes led to shortages of food, electricity and medicine for the poor prompting angry protesters to hit the streets yelling “Go home Gota!” and “Gota is a madman!”’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera and Dinitha Rathnayake Nearly 1,000 state, semi-government, and private sector trade unions are to engage in a joint token strike and hartal today (28) in support of the ongoing protests across the country demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, and the current Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna-led Government. …

Continue reading ‘Nearly 1,000 state, semi-government, and private sector trade unions Launch joint token strike and hartal on April 28 in support of the ongoing protests across the country demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna-led Govt.’ »

By Jamila Husain Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is presently facing one of his toughest challenges in his political career with certain sections of the population calling on him to step down with the present crises. In an exclusive interview with Daily Mirror, Mahinda Rajapaksa has urged the people to be patient, stating it was not …

Continue reading ‘“At this moment I still hold the majority seats in Parliament. But I do not know if this would change. That is politics. If a majority of the MPs feel I must go, then I must go. There is no question about this.”- Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’ »

By Meera Srinivasan The Rajapaksa administration has lost public confidence, going by citizens’ persistent calls for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and their government. However, neither of the ruling brothers appears inclined to step down, and Mr. Gotabaya’s move appointing a new Cabinet, without three other Rajapaksas [two of his …

Continue reading ‘Governance Comes to a Standstill in Sri Lanka With President Gotabaya and Premier Mahinda Stubbornly Remaining in Office Despite Public Pressure While Ruling Coalition Gets Fragmented and MP’s are divided in their loyalties between the two brothers.’ »

Cabinet Co-Spokesman Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said yesterday (26) that the Cabinet of Ministers has approved two key proposals to prepare the 21st Amendment to the Constitution Bill. “The Cabinet approved the appointment of a subcommittee to immediately assist the Legal Draftsman’s Department to draft an initial Bill for the 21st Amendment to the Constitution. This …

Continue reading ‘Govt Decides to Bring 21st Amendment to the Constitution;Cabinet SubCommittee to be Appointed to Liaise with Legal Draftsman’s Dept; Parliamentary Select Committee will be set up to Approve Final Draft’ »

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said yesterday that a copy of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution Bill submitted by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has been forwarded to the Cabinet along with other proposals for amending the Constitution to the Cabinet of Ministers to expedite the process. The Party leader’s meeting to has been scheduled …

Continue reading ‘Speaker “Delays” Passage of SJB Proposed 21st Amendment for Constitutional Change by Sending Private Members Bill to Govt for Cabinet Approval instead of Forwarding it to Attorney -General as Required’ »

By Alan Keenan Sri Lanka is embroiled in nationwide protests amid deepening economic woes and increasing political volatility. In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Alan Keenan analyses the implications of the crisis, which could have lasting political and economic effects. What has been happening in Sri Lanka? Protests, which had been building from late February …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Economic Meltdown Triggers Popular Uprising and Political Turmoil’ »

By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema Sri Lanka approaching the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has had an impact on the ongoing discussion for a $ 2.5 billion assistance sought by the Government of Sri Lanka, as well as future loans, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong said yesterday (25). “The Sri Lankan Government going to the …

Continue reading ‘IMF talks have affected $2.5 bn Chinese assistance says Qi Zhenhong; Chinese envoy says debt restructuring would impact future loans and that Sri Lanka is yet to settle $ 390 mn in fuel payments to China’ »

By Anura Gunasekera Chaminda Lakshan, an unarmed 41-year-old father of two, a member of a group of anguished citizens, waiting for days for a meagre fuel ration, at a price they could ill afford, was shot dead by the police, at Rambukkana, on the 19 April. He joins a long list of citizens, who have …

Continue reading ‘President’s Gazette Notification deploying the Tri-Forces to maintain public order in 25 specified districts in the context of the ongoing turmoil is another example of Gotabaya Rajapakse’s inflexible mind-set in which there is no space for basic common sense,’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene From the young girl who handed out a red flower to a policeman at a barricade at Galle Face Green to the actor who walked with a cross on his back from Katuwapitiya, one of the sites of the infamous attacks by homegrown jihadists on Easter Sunday in 2019, to the …

Continue reading ‘Neither the JVP nor the SJB must sully Sri Lanka’s peoples protests. To do so will only enable the Government to claim that this is not an apolitical struggle but ‘engineered’ by opposition saboteurs.’ »

BY Tisaranee Gunasekara “Beyond the barricade Is there a world you long to see?” Do you hear the people sing (Les Misérables) “I’m 89 years old,” the grandmotherly protestor holding a hand-drawn placard says. “For the last…89 years I have not gone through so much misery. Every time in the night when the light goes …

Continue reading ‘If the opposition continues to quibble and meander, this historic opportunity to save and remake Sri Lanka will be dissipated and the current stalemate will end in a Rajapaksa or a Rajapaksa-Shavendra or – the worst possibility – a Shavendra solution.’ »

. By W.A. Wijewardena The Sri Lankan team headed by Finance Minister Ali Sabry has been in negotiation with the officials of the International Monetary Fund, popularly known as IMF, for a credit facility to overcome Sri Lanka’s acute Balance of Payments or BOP problem. The team had been jubilant over its success as revealed …

Continue reading ‘IMF Staff Report on Sri Lanka Sheds Light on Five Policy Actions Recommended for Sri Lanka to Address Economic Challenges and Work Together with IMF to Map Pathway for Country’s Economic Recovery’ »

Despite several barricades, including those with hidden spikes, along most roads leading to “Gota Go Gama” at Galle Face Green, the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) protest march managed to reach the Green by using alternative routes yesterday (24), attracting national attention in the process. Even though the IUSF had originally planned to march to Galle …

Continue reading ‘Police place Barricades on Roads to Block Inter – University Students Federation March from Fort to “Gotagogama” at Galle Face but undergrads circumvent Obstruction by taking longer route through Maradana,Borella, Cinnamon Gardens,Colpetty to reach Destination Instead of Clashng with Cops’ »

By “The Sunday Morning”Political Editor Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran is initiating a move to present a No-Confidence Motion (NCM) in Parliament against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, it is learnt. Sumanthiran told The Sunday Morning that he, together with several lawyers, were engaged in drafting an NCM against the President. “The idea to present …

Continue reading ‘TNA Parliamentarian Sumanthiran Initiates Move to Pass a No Confidence Motion Against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Parliament While Group of 39 “Independent”MP’s get ready to Present No Confidence Motion Against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Government’ »

By Marianne David President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has to resign for someone else to take over in order to ensure political stability, which is an important factor in Sri Lanka’s negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other lenders, asserted Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M.A. Sumanthiran in an interview with The Sunday Morning. “So …

Continue reading ‘“Abolition of 20th Amendment is of no use because it just takes away some of President Gotabaya’s powers and share it with Prime Minister Mahinda . Again it will be just a family affair. That is not going to solve the current issues. The Executive Presidency must be abolished in toto” – TNA Parliamentarian MA Sumanthiran in Interview’ »

By Sanja De Silva Jayatilleka With the law enforcement authorities under the new Cabinet having resorted to lethal violence against unarmed civilian protestors for the first time in this protest, the very day after its appointment, every word uttered in Parliament which delays or distracts from the process of relieving the President and his regime …

Continue reading ‘The Multitude of Humanity Engaged in the “Aragalaya” (Protest)at Galle Face wants Gota to Go Home with his Entire Cabinet.They are not Demanding a Change of Cabinet or Abolition of the Executive Presidency’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake The President’s new appointments as Cabinet and State Ministers has caused some political confusion and issues of power sharing. But, he must be glad that one woman, State Minister, Geetha Kumarasinghe, with whatever her performance abilities, has asked the people to quickly stop the call for “Gota Go Home”. These words keep …

Continue reading ‘The Rambukkana Tragedy points to the deadly process of bad governance that has been the hallmark of bad Rajapaksa Governance under Gotabaya Direction. This is the stuff of deadly misgovernance which has brought the call for “Gota Go Home”.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde UNP MP Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that he had requested the postponement of the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against the Government till Finance Minister Ali Sabry finishes his discussions to get emergency funding for the country and briefs Parliament on its outcome. “There is no point bringing a no confidence motion before that,” …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe MP states in Parliament that he had requested the postponement of the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against the Govt till Finance Minister Ali Sabry finished his discussions to get emergency funding for the country and briefed Parliament on its outcome. “There is no point bringing a no confidence motion before that”says UNP Leader’ »

Catholic Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith yesterday charged that the 2019 Easter Sunday attack was used by a Presidential Election candidate to garner support by putting forth promises of upholding national security. “The 2019 Presidential Election was focused on national security, whilst creating an unrest and instilled fear among citizens, where people pitted against …

Continue reading ‘Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith States that the 2019 Easter Sunday attack was used by a Presidential Election candidate to garner support by putting forth promises of upholding national security. raps President Gotabaya for not bringing perpetrators of Easter attacks to book, failure to fulfil his promises and concealing facts revealed in the PCoI report’ »

By Ruwani Fonseka Former Minister of Mass Media Dullas Alahapperuma has written a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the cabinet of ministers to make way for an all-party interim government in order to manage the country’s economic crisis. In the letter dated today, Alahaperruma suggested …

Continue reading ‘Ex-Mass Media Minister Dullas Alahapperuma writes letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the cabinet of ministers and the appointment of a new all-party interim government for a one year period to help manage the country’s economic crisis.’ »

By Andrew Fidel Fernando ( Colombo-based journalis,t Andrew Fidel Fernando, is the author of ‘Upon a Sleepless Isle’) Having swept to power in a landslide victory in late 2019, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa wasted no time declaring unequivocally that his would be a Sinhalese ethno-nationalist state. He chose to be inaugurated at the island’s …

Continue reading ‘There are strong signals now that in the course of their vehement turning against the Rajapaksas even the Sinhalese voters who so gleefully ushered them in have awoken to the treachery embedded within majoritarian politics.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the independent group of over 40 MPs in Parliament yesterday stepped-up calls for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Government to step-down first for an-all party interim arrangement to be set up to resolve economic and political crises. Lawmakers of the two groups intensified their …

Continue reading ‘Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and independent groups of over 40 MPs in Parliament Intensify calls for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Government to step-down immediately for an-all party interim arrangement to be set up to resolve economic and political crises.’ »

By Vishvanath All the signs are that the countrywide anti-government protests are getting out of control. One person has already been killed in an incident, where the police opened fire on a group of protesters who blocked a level crossing at Rambukkana, for nearly 15 hours, on Tuesday (19). What sparked the latest wave of …

Continue reading ‘The Galle Face protest has marked a defining moment in Sri Lankan politics. What the Galle Face protest signifies is the failure of not only the government but also the Opposition to live up to people’s expectations all these decades.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde A breakaway group from the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday joined other parties in Parliament, calling on the Government to step down immediately while warning that a delay in doing so could lead to violence as public anger over increasing shortages and rising costs worsen each day. Former President Maithripala …

Continue reading ‘Pressure Increases Within Parliament on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa,Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and SLPP Govt to Step Down.’ »