By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene How does an All Party Conference (APC) comprising precisely of the same men whose actions have precipitated Sri Lanka into financial, social and regulatory collapse, help the country, one may ask? Arrogant and incompetent decision-making The APC’s first sitting this week prompted howls of rude laughter from the citizenry, no less. …

Continue reading ‘The economic woes we are experiencing have their origins not only in corrupt leadership but also communal and racist politics Politicians who used this vile tool to get votes as well as Sri Lankans who applauded surges of racism and communalism must understand that the ruin of the country now is a direct result.’ »

By Emily Schmall (Aanya Wipulasena contributed reporting) Just lentils, rice and tea without milk. Meals are increasingly meager for Sandamali Purnima, a Sri Lankan salonemployee, her taxi-driver husband and their four young children. With cooking gas hard to find and the electricity cut, she cooks this basic fare outdoors over wood-fed flames. A staircase in …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Economy Has ‘Hit Rock Bottom.A debt crisis is disrupting life across Sri Lanka where food and fuel are either unavailable or exorbitantly priced. Protests are rising against a president with a reputation for brutality.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan The Sri Lankan government will set up a ‘North-East Development Fund’ to increase investments in the war-affected areas, while probing cases of enforced disappearances and land grabs that remain chief concerns of the Tamil people 13 years after the war ended. The announcement came on Friday, after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa met a …

Continue reading ‘Govt Promises to Set up a Special “North -East Development Fund” to Promote Investment in War- affected areas ; issues of Concern to Tamls such as Release of Prisoners,Land acquisition in N-E and enforced disappearances will be looked into positively assures President Rajapaksa at meeting with ITAK and PLOTE:’ »

By Uwin Lugoda Sri Lanka’s path to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and restructuring external debt requires two main steps to be taken quickly within the next three weeks, former Chief Economist of the World Bank for the South Asia region Prof. Shanta Devarajan opined last week. During an interview with Indeewari Amuwatte on Ada …

Continue reading ‘“Without debt restructuring Sri Lanka would keep struggling to pay back its debts resulting in undue hardships currently taking place such as the shortage of essential items” States Prof. Shanta Devarajan; “Country should not focus on paying back its creditors and starving its people.Instead debt restructuring must be used to negotiate with its creditors”Opines Former Chief Economist of the World Bank for the South Asia region’ »

By Faris Hadad-Zervos and Hans Timmer Sri Lanka has managed the health and safety aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic in a commendable way. The nation has been and continues to be swift in safeguarding the health of its population, including vaccinating its citizens. However, the devastating economic impacts of the pandemic are far from over. …

Continue reading ‘A robust and inclusive economy is within reach of Sri Lanka.Solutions are not easy, they are not impossible – with will and widespread support. The balance of payments can be stabilised with international coordination.’ »

By Dr.Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu It is clear that the Gover-nment does not have a clue apart from the presidential injunctions for more discipline, sacrifice and unity on the one hand and the Panglossian view that everything will be alright in the end, on the other. The hope that tourism will improve and that India and China …

Continue reading ‘The Rajapaksas have to win the next national elections for their political survival and security. Consequently, the next elections are likely to be marked by violence, threat and intimidation, The Army and ex-army may well be used in the Rajapaksa campaign. Elections could be conducted in a context of ethnic upheaval and turmoil’ »

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had to intervene to cool tempers at yesterday’s All-Party Conference (APC) after UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe accused Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal of playing politics at a meeting convened to discuss the serious economic problems facing the country. “I regret that the CBSL Governor started out by blaming the previous Government …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe criticises Ajith NIvard Cabraal for playing politics at APC after Central Bank Governor blames Yahapalanaya for current ills; President Rajapaksa sides with Ranil, and apologises to UNP leader’ »

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama Shermila Rajapaksa, Director General (DG) of the National Zoological Gardens, today said that if the Minister or the Ministry Secretary of Wildlife and Forest Conservation cannot implement the recommendations of the committee report, they should resign or bring the National Zoological Gardens under the purview of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. In a statement …

Continue reading ‘Director General (DG) of the National Zoological Gardens, Shermila Rajapaksa Pinpoints Illegal Activities of Trade Union “Mafia” and Advocates the National Zoological Gardens Being Brought Under the Purview of President Gotbaya Rajapaksa’ »

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday urged everyone to work together to find a solution to the current economic crisis in the country. He also pointed out the need to bring the economy to a stable position by embarking on short-term and long-term strategies. The President made these remarks commencing the All-Party Conference at the President’s House …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa seeks all party push to resolve economic paralysis ; says All Party Conference is a Genuine Effort and not an Attempt to Gain Political Advantage; announces setting up of committee to study proposals made by different parties at APC; Invites non-participating parties to attend next meeting.’ »

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa said yesterday he can present a new Budget to Parliament if the Cabinet of Ministers agrees to the move. He said such a Budget would be to provide relief to the public who are burdened with the high cost of living. His comments were made at the All Party Conference (APC) …

Continue reading ‘Ex- President Maithripala Sirisena and Former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe Urge Govt to Submit New Welfare Budget to Provide Relief for the People; Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa says he can present new Budget if Cabinet approves move’ »

(Text of speech made in Parliament by TNA Jaffna District Parliamentarian M. A. Sumanthiran on 22.03.2022 during the debate on the amendment to the Prevention of Terrorism Act(PTA) Bill.) Thank you Hon. Presiding member for this opportunity to speak on a very important issue before the house today. The Prevention of Terrorism Act was brought …

Continue reading ‘“We have started a campaign going country wide, where people from all walks of life, all ethnicities, are calling for the total repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.(PTA).Listen to the people of this country.”-TNA Jaffna MP Sumanthiran in Parliament.’ »

By Prof. Asoka N.I. Ekanayaka This article is not primarily about the woeful record of the present government. Nor is it about the abomination of governance by family oligarchy in whose stranglehold a nation groans in every part as if being slowly crushed by the constricting coils of some giant Anaconda. Rather it is about …

Continue reading ‘Five attributes broadly defining the mainly Sinhala Buddhist 6.9 million who elected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa are being (a) fundamentally racist, (b) indifferent to corruption, (c) inherently selfish, (4) basically foolish though imagining themselves to be wise, and (5) afflicted with a malignant distorted religiosity.’ »

BY Pamodi Waravita . Despite scathing criticism from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Samagi Jana Balawegeya (SJB), Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday (22) that the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill is a cosmetic legislation meant to deceive the international community, the Government managed to pass the Bill with …

Continue reading ‘Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill passed with 86 Votes for and 35 against;SJB, TNA,JVP and SLMC Strongly Criticise bill as a “puerile effort by the Govt to deceive the international community through Cosmetic legislation”’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya Last week President Gotabaya Rajapaksa addressed a nation in crisis. Instead of calming the masses, a good part of whose life is now spent in everyday queues, he managed to further enrage them. What could probably be the operating para of his speech was ‘this crisis was not created by me’. “Our …

Continue reading ‘Four Monumental Blunders of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa: 1. extensive tax concessions,2. ban on chemical fertilizer,3. Unsustainable Rupee peg and continuation of bond payments,4. Self-isolation from the West.’ »

(The following news article was published in the prestigious “New York Times”in May 1974. It relates in detail the economic crisis that prevailed in Sri Lanka during the rule of Prime Mnister Mrs. Sirimavo Bandranaie who headed the United Front Govt comprising the SLFP,LSSP and CP. It is being reproduced here to show how the …

Continue reading ‘“Sri Lanka which was formerly Ceylon has a critical food shortage. Moreover, it is going broke, jolted by inflation, torn by internal dissension and plainly alarmed about the future.” – “New York Times “Report in May 1974 about the state of Sri Lanka under former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “Terror continuous dark terror against the fragile human land…” Zbigniew Herbert (To Marcus Aurelius) Had Sri Lanka a parliamentary system of governance, the Rajapaksas would have been out by now. Thanks to the executive presidency, a political resolution is impossible despite the churning crises, and the national nightmare is unlikely to end …

Continue reading ‘How Can the present moment be used to make a majority of Sinhala-Buddhists understand that the country became stranded in this socio-economic desert because they chased the mirage of a Sinhala-Buddhist supremacist paradise?’ »

By Chandani Kirinde China is actively considering a new request for $ 2.5 billion ($ 1 billion financing facility and $ 1.5 billion buyers’ credit) from the Government of Sri Lanka, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong said yesterday. “China understands the urgent need of Sri Lanka and its people. Relevant authorities in China …

Continue reading ‘China is actively considering a new request for $ 2.5 billion ($ 1 billion financing facility and $ 1.5 billion buyers’ credit) from Sri Lanka.“China understands the urgent need of Sri Lanka and its people. Relevant authorities in China are promptly studying the request,” , says Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong.’ »

By Shahaen Vishak After the repeated postponement of a meeting scheduled to be held between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) since June 2021, the President finally committed to meet all 10 MPs under the TNA, including TNA Leader R. Sampanthan, TNA Spokesperson M.A. Sumanthiran PC, and Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) …

Continue reading ‘“This is a serious issue where the President is ignoring the entire Tamil population of the North and East. We are elected representatives of the public and we are here to speak on their behalf; so if the President doesn’t want to meet us then it means he doesn’t want to listen to the Tamil people” – ITAK B’caloa MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam’ »

By W.A.Wijewardena Claiming the controlled dollar-rupee rate as a success story Sri Lanka rupee has collapsed in the foreign exchange market in the first week of March. Before that, the Central Bank has published data every day in its website that the buying and selling rates of the dollars by commercial banks as Rs. 197 …

Continue reading ‘The Sri Lanka rupee has collapsed in the foreign exchange market in the first week of March. The collapse has not been totally unexpected. For many months, independent analysts had warned the Govt and the Central Bank about its insane attempt at fixing the rupee-dollar rate at 200 at mid-level without a supportive foreign exchange reserve.’ »

BY SHIHAR ANEEZ China is considering 2.5 billion US dollars in a loan and buyers credit to Sri Lanka Beijing’s Ambassador to Colombo Qi Zhenhong as the country is trying hard to repay foreign debt amid a forex crisis triggered by money printed to enforce low interest rates on top of tax cuts. “We are …

Continue reading ‘Beijing’s Ambassador to Colombo Qi Zhenhong says China May Give 2.5 Biillon US Dollars soon to Sri Lanka: “We are considering 2.5 billion – 1 billion dollar loan, 1.5 billion dollars buyers credit,” Ambassador Qi Tells Reporters’ »

The Advisory Committee appointed to assist the National Economic Council has presented five proposals to be implemented expeditiously, the President’s Media Division (PMD) noted in a media release. The members of the Advisory Committee met with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and members of the National Economic Council for the first time yesterday (21), and presented their …

Continue reading ‘16-member advisory committee was appointed by President Rajapaksa on 15 March to assist the National Economic Council has presented five proposals to be implemented expeditiously says the President’s Media Division’ »

By Ben Joseph With the mastermind still at large, the motive not established, and high-profile government officials going scot-free, Sri Lanka’s Easter bombing has reached a cul de sac after three years of investigations. As the 2019 probe into the terrorist atrocity drags its feet, the less influential Christian community has been let down by …

Continue reading ‘As the probe into the Bombings Targeting Churches and Hotels made tardy progress, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith smelled a rat that President Rajapaksa’s aim was just to capitalise on the Easter attacks to assume power. He distanced the church from the Government. Since then, the Cardinal and the President have been on a collision course over the outcome of the probe.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jaywardena A lazy Western media narrative on how and why Sri Lanka came to be inflicted by a catalogue of financial, social and Rule of Law catastrophes, most recently reflected in Bloomberg’s opinion piece by Ruth Pollard on ‘How Four Powerful Brothers Broke an Island Nation’ (March 18th, 2022), is significant in …

Continue reading ‘Desperate Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims waiting in the same queues for fuel, diesel, cooking gas and milk powder and the bitterness with which they lament on how they have been beguiled by false promises of men and women of straw may yet form a new beginning for a new Sri Lanka’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake The President’s Media Division has issued a statement that the President has not asked the Governor of the Central Bank, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, to resign, and there is no truth in such reports. The President stated very clearly in his address to the nation that he had “decided to work with the …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa’s Decision “to work with the IMF after examining its advantages and disadvantages,” is a clear move away from Central Bank Governor Cabraal’s thinking – Road Map, and constant opposition to having any dealings with the IMF. It is now up to Ajith Nivard Cabraal to resign from the Central Bank.’ »

By Gamini Weerakoon Do today’s Indian geopolitical strategists continue to dream the dream of their predecessors around days of Indian independence: Converting the Indian Ocean into India’s Ocean? The inclination seems to survive to a lesser degree and today, according to some reports, even an ‘Indian Pond’ will do. The British had treated this ocean …

Continue reading ‘Do today’s Indian geopolitical strategists continue to dream the dream of their predecessors around days of Indian independence of Converting the Indian Ocean into India’s Ocean? Or Will an “Indian Pond” Do?’ »

The government has reversed its fertiliser policy not to grant subsidy for chemical fertiliser and is to import 38,500 metric tonnes of Pottasium Choloride (KCL) to be distributed under a state subsidy scheme to farmers for the upcoming Yala season. The State Ministry responsible for the Promotion of the Production and Regulation of the Supply …

Continue reading ‘Govt. reverses policy on subsidy for chemical fertiliser for paddy farmers; 38,500 metric tonnes of Pottasium Choloride (KCL) to be Imported and distributed under a state subsidy scheme to Paddy farmers for the upcoming Yala season.’ »

By Sandun Jayawardana As a long line of vehicles wait for fuel at a filling station in Galle, two young men, one with guitar in hand, start singing the first few lines of “Veda Karana Ape Viruwa” (The Hero Who Delivers). Some of the motorists waiting in line can barely keep a straight face. The …

Continue reading ‘“Veda Karana Ape Viruwa” (The Hero who Delivers): Gota’s Campaign song has become a symbol of broken promises and a target of public mockery. The ridicule directed at the song is by extension, also directed at the President himself.’ »

Surviving numerous odds and facing new challenges including many hours of power cuts and fuel shortages, the seventh successive Jaffna International Cinema Festival (JICF) completed introducing many new talents, felicitating yesteryear cinema greats and showcasing world renowned cinema works to the filmgoers in the peninsula. Organised by Agenda 14, Festival Director of JICF is Anomaa …

Continue reading ‘Director- producer Joe Dev Anand and cinema writer Arthur U. Amarasena felicitated with Life Time Achievement awards The 7th Jaffna International Cinema Festival’ »

By Dr.Nihal Jayawickrama At a massive public rally on Tuesday, the Leader of the Opposition is reported to have “challenged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to call a snap presidential election”. If the SLPP was not prepared to do so, the Leader of the Opposition was reported to have demanded that “it should hand over the government …

Continue reading ‘Demands made by Sajith Premadasa at the Protest Rally Asking Gota to hold Snap Presidential Elections or Hand Over Power to SJB are Irresponsible and Unattainable and Mislead Voters’ »

Over the years Sri Lanka have had a special affinity in unearthing mystery spinners, the kind who have explored their hand and the cricket ball so much that they know to turn, bend and tweak it so well that it leaves the batsmen clueless as to what the ball would do. Most notable ones are …

Continue reading ‘Jaffna Farmer’s son Theesan Vithusan with an extraordinary style of left-arm orthodox spin Baffles Batsmen Successfully’ »

By Victor Ivan It is not correct to perceive Sri Lanka’s balance of payments crisis as a sole outcome of the inadequacies in the country’s economic and monetary management. The rampant corruption has been a major factor of it. There was no desirable environment in the country conducive to maintaining proper financial management. Since the …

Continue reading ‘Apart from finding a solution for the balance of payments problem, it is necessary that the powers enjoyed by the President to act arbitrarily and plunder the country’s public property with his political allies and cronies while staying above the law, should be abolished’ »

By Nivedha Selvam Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending a summit in Sri Lanka’s Jaffna district on March 30. In the backdrop of the all-important visit, MA Sumanthiran, the MP from Jaffna who is also the spokesman of Tamil National Alliance and a senior lawyer, spoke to The Federal about the 13th amendment of …

Continue reading ‘“The Indian government must ensure that the principles laid down in the Indo-Lanka accord related to the Tamil people of Sri Lanka are fulfilled.” – TNA Jaffna District MP Sumanthiran’ »

. By Meera Srinivasan & Vikas Dhoot India on Thursday extended a $1 billion credit facility to Sri Lanka to assist the island nation through its worst foreign exchange crisis and enable it to procure food, medicines and other essential items. An agreement to this effect was signed between the State Bank of India and …

Continue reading ‘India extends a $1 billion credit facility to Sri Lanka to assist the island nation through its worst foreign exchange crisis and enable it to procure food, medicines and other essential items’ »

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has full confidence in Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal, his office said in a statement responding to a media report that the International Monetary Fund has called for his removal. “The President and the Government has fullest confidence in the CBSL Governor and there is no reason whatsoever to seek …

Continue reading ‘President’s Media Office Issues Denial Saying “President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has full confidence in Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal” nd tht he did not Call for the Governor’s Resignation’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Sri Lanka will initially seek technical assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Cabinet co-spokesperson and Plantations Minister Ramesh Pathirana told journalists yesterday. He said the Cabinet has given approval for the Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa to start talks next month but there has been no decision whether to restrict it to …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka will initially seek technical assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) States Cabinet co-spokesperson Ramesh Pathirana ;”decision on whether to restrict it to technical assistance, advice and other sort of assistance will be decided in the future”says Plantations Minister’ »

By Ishara Gamage Economic and political experts point out that the contradictory views and opinions that have emerged between the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and the Ministry of Finance (MoF) regarding the nation’s macroeconomic management will soon lead to a change in the CBSL Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and the composition of the …

Continue reading ‘A new Central Bank Governor who would pursue policies favourable to both the Interntionl Monetry Fund (IMF and Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa is likely to be appointed soon in Place of Present Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi Wednesday morning to discuss bilateral matters and further Indian assistance to the island nation which is in the grips of an extraordinary economic crisis. Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda was present at the meeting. It …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa Meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi: Since January India has extended $ 1.4 billion support, by way of a $ 400 million RBI currency swap, a $ 500 million loan deferment, and a $ 500 million Line of Credit for fuel imports. India Expected to clear a further $ 1 billion emergency financial support.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka is witnessing a string of protests this week by the political opposition and citizens, who blame the Rajapaksa administration for the country’s current economic crisis, sharply felt in the persisting shortage of fuel, cooking gas, and basic commodities that remain unavailable or unaffordable for many. On Tuesday, tens of thousands …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka witnesses a string of protests by the political opposition and citizens who blame the Rajapaksa administration for the country’s current economic crisis, sharply felt in the persisting shortage of fuel, cooking gas, and basic commodities that remain unavailable or unaffordable for many.’ »

By Ajith Siriwardana Minister of Water Supply Vasudeva Nanayakkara said today he would not remain in the government, if it was seeking the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and abiding by its conditions. The Minister told a news conference convened by the eleven constituent parties of the government that seeking assistance of the …

Continue reading ‘Water Supply Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara says he wont remain in the government, if it was seeking the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and abiding by its conditions.’ »

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he has decided to work with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after examining the advantages and disadvantages. Addressing the nation, he said the government has initiated discussions with international financial institutions as well as with friendly countries regarding repayment of loan installments.

BY Ruwani Fonseka It is speculated that Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) alGovernor Ajith Nivard Cabraal will resign soon, after orders by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and subsequent advice received from Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, in light of President Rajapaksa’s discussion with officials from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday (15), The Morning reliably …

Continue reading ‘IMF Demands Ouster of Central Bank Governor as a Condition for Assistnce; So Gota Asks Cabraal to Resign but he Appeals to Mahinda who Tells Ajith Nivard “ to quietly step down from his position, without further delay, as it would be better for him to do so”’ »

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa addressed the nation on March 16, amid the worst forex crisis triggered by the country’s Latin America style central bank which was set up in 1950. President Rajapaksa said the country will go for an International Monetary Fund bailout as the country reels from fuel, medicines shortages. Sri Lanka cut …

Continue reading ‘“I am very sensitive to the many sufferings the people have to experience over the past two months. I accept responsibility for the actions I take. Today, I am determined to make tough decisions to find solutions to the inconveniences that the people are experiencing.”- President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Addresses he Sri Lankan Nation’ »

The main Opposition, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday confronted a beleaguered Rajapaksas-led Government mobilising disenchanted masses for a massive protest rally in Colombo. Mounting protests from Town Hall and Maligawatte, two strongholds of the SJB, thousands of people thronged the rallies which disrupted traffic as well as access to key places within the city.

(Text of Editorial Appearing in “The Morning”of March 15th 2022 under the heading “President must ‘address’ the future tonight”) At a time when the entire country is awaiting impatiently to hear some good news or an announcement of relief measures from the Government, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is slated to address the nation tonight (16). It …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa’s Address to the Nation must Disclose What he and his Govt Propose to do o Resolve the Economic Crisis Faced by the Country and People; M the people’s verdict will be based on what actions are taken in the days and weeks following the President’s address and not what the President promises during the address.’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya In recent memory, corrupt and dynastic regimes have fallen not because their citizenry became conscious of democracy overnight, or developed a special alluring for civic rights. But because, the people became poorer, hungrier and angrier. Economic shocks were the primary catalyst. Rising food prices, soaring fuel cost, currency depreciation and unemployment created …

Continue reading ‘The collective sense of despondency has now erupted in mass outrage. The loudest calls for the president and his siblings to ‘resign and go to America’ are coming from a constituency that was once beholden to him.’ »

By M.K. Bhadrakumar Hedging between superpowers — United States, Russia and China — was never the smart thing to do. India should have known that the contradictions are simply irreconcilable. This is a moment of truth, therefore, as the US unsheathes the sword to bleed and dismember Russia, and gives an ultimatum to China to …

Continue reading ‘Indian foreign policy needs a strategic course correction. India should distance itself completely from the self-centred US polices whose aim is the preservation of its global hegemony. The first step in that direction should be to quit Quad.’ »

BY Ruwani Fonseka No orders have been received from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa or the Government to arrest people who are dancing to the presidential campaign song ‘Wada Karana Ape Wiruwa’ song, says Police Spokesperson SSP (Attorney at Law) Nihal Thalduwa. He made this statement while speaking exclusively with The Morning today (13). “A certain news …

Continue reading ‘No orders from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa or the Govt to arrest people who are dancing to the presidential campaign song ‘Wada Karana Ape Wiruwa’ song states Police Spokesperson Nihal Thalduwa. ”The police cannot arrest people for dancing and singing that song” says SSP’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake There is one more Gotabaya Gazette, (of course signed by Basil) announcing the ban or restrictions on imports of non-essential goods. GG is the stuff of Pohottuva governance or misgovernance. You must not worry too much about the absence of apples, grapes, raisins, beauty creams and lotions, and even freezers and air-conditioners …

Continue reading ‘There is also a greater possibility of the Rajapaksa Pavul Kattiya or Pohottuva fellows getting the licenses to import newly banned non-essentials. That is how Gota Business works today, which has nothing to do with the realities of life or hardships in society.’ »

by Sarala Fernando Before the present crisis engulfed Ukraine most Sri Lankans would have been hard pressed to find Ukraine on the map despite its huge territory and ancient civilization (603,628 km2 , making it the second largest country in Europe after Russia; the territory of modern Ukraine has been inhabited since 32,000 BC according …

Continue reading ‘For some of us who remember 1987, the “parippu drop” and subsequent signing of the Sri Lanka- India Accord . Ukraine recalls the vulnerability of small states situated near Big Powers and the difficulty of pursuing their dreams of independence.’ »

(Text of Press Release Issued by the High Commission of India in Colombo On March 13th 2022) 1.High Commissioner Gopal Baglay inaugurated a humanitarian assistance programme for fishermen and their families in Northern Province along with Hon’ble Douglas Devananda, Fisheries Minister of Sri Lanka on 13 March 2022 in Jaffna. The programme is being carried …

Continue reading ‘“India is a brotherly country which cares for the people of Sri Lanka”Says Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay while launching Humanitarian Assistnce Program for 1200 Fishermen and Families in North and Inaugurating artificial limb fitment camp in Jaffna’ »

by Ajith Siriwardana Sacked Minister Udaya Gammanpila called Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa an ‘Ugly American’ today and said he should take full responsibility for the economic debacle the country is facing. He told a news conference that an American citizen was deciding the fate of the country and said he would reveal as to who …

Continue reading ‘Sacked Cabinet Minister Udaya Gammanpila Descrbes Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa as the “UGLY AMERICAN ” and says Basil “should take full responsibility for the economic debacle the country is facing.’ »

BY Kishali Pinto Jayawardene The Supreme Court’s Determination on amendments to Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA, 1979) announced by the Speaker in the House on Tuesday 8th March 2022 is largely predictable, some would mutter sotto voce, pedestrian even. Not timorous amendments but solid revisions needed Undoubtedly the Court itself was limited by …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa’s directive to the police not to misuse the PTA is like telling crabs not to walk sideways. It is the nature of policing in Sri Lanka that harsh laws will be misused, indeed, Sri Lanka’s law enforcement is famous for not even needing laws to abuse’ »

By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema The Government last Friday (11) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s Adani Group allocating two large-scale renewable energy generation projects in Mannar and Pooneryn in the Northern Province to the company, The Sunday Morning learns. The two renewable energy projects are to generate a combined capacity of an average …

Continue reading ‘Two Large-scale Renewable Energy Generatng Projects in Mannar and Pooneryn Allocated to India’s Adani Group; Both Projects in Northern Sri Lanka Costing US$ 500 Million Expected to Generate Combined Capacity of 500 MW Power in a Year’s Time’ »

By Marwaan Macan -Markar Random flashes of public anger have erupted all across Sri Lanka, the South Asian nation in a deepening economic crisis exacerbated by the policy flip-flops of its ultranationalist government. In some rural areas, effigies of ministers have been burnt by enraged farmers who have suffered from the government’s failed organic fertilizer …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka is rapidly becoming a tinderbox of rage. The anger that had been limited to social media commentary is now bursting into the public square.’ »

By Victor Ivan The prime issue contained in the petition filed by Nagananda Kodituwakku making the Bribery and Corruption Commission, its chairperson and its members, and the Election Commission, its former chairmen and members as respondents, can be described as an important topic that reflects the extent of decline and deterioration suffered by the Sri …

Continue reading ‘Dual Citizen Gotabaya Rajapaksa was Ineligible to Contest Presidential Elections in 2019 Because Gota’s Relinquishing of US Citizenship came into effect only from March 31st 2020! Why did Elections Commission not Reject his Nomination then? Why did the Main Presidential Candidates not Raise an Objection then?’ »

C By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka For the first time in the history of the United Nations Human Rights Council and in all probability the history of the United Nations system, and for the first time in the long history of the Roman Catholic Church, a Cardinal addressed the UNHRC. It was also the first time in …

Continue reading ‘Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith Drops “Thermobaric bomb on the Rajapaksa regime bunker” while addressing the UN Human Rights Council in Genev;Makes history as first Catholic Cardinal and First Religious Leader from Sri Lanka to Speak at the UNHRC’ »

By Ruwani Fonseka Further to the protest staged last week by the Samagi Jana Balawegeya (SJB) women’s wing Samagi Vanitha Balawegeya (SVB) National Organiser Hirunika Premachandra, Premachandra appeared on a facebook live video today (10) claiming that she and her family are being followed by ‘masked men in motorcycles’ and family phones have been tapped. …

Continue reading ‘Hirunika Premachndra Alleges that she and her family are being followed by ‘masked men in motorcycles’ and the family phones are being tapped. Consequent to the “Samagi Vanitha Balavegaya” Protest Organized by her Opposite Preident Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Mirihana Residence Last Week’ »

By Sudha Ramachandran Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen have written to M. K. Stalin, the Chief Minister of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, asking him to find a “progressive” solution to their conflict with Tamil Nadu fishermen. In the letter, they drew attention to their grave socio-economic situation, which is the outcome of bottom …

Continue reading ‘Prioritizing the lives and livelihoods of Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen by India is necessary not only for humanitarian reasons but also to prevent China advance to its southern doorstep.’ »

Is there any way to stop the BJP juggernaut? The BJP put on a splendid performance in the four states ruled by it, sweeping away the Opposition with its governance model mounted on pillars of welfarism, Hindutva and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unflagging popularity It’s four out of five for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) …

Continue reading ‘India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Victorious in State Assembly Polls of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakand,Goa and Manipur while the Aam Aadmi Party(AP) Registers Stunning Win in Punjab’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya Can the government share with the public the list of bondholders who were paid in the January repayment of the US$ 500 million International Sovereign Bond, so that the people might peruse it and know how we got there? That bond repayment is the straw that broke the camel’s back of the …

Continue reading ‘Can the government share with the public the list of bondholders who were paid in the January repayment of the US$ 500 million International Sovereign Bond? Was Bond repayment to reward a few henchmen who bought the coupons in the secondary market at 50% discount after the original owners dumped fearing a default.?’ »

BY MARWAAN MACAN-MARKAR Just as Sri Lanka’s civil war exploded in the early 1980s, a new nighttime sound began to spread from odd corners of the country’s capital: the rapid beat of steel blades. The rhythms flowed out of the oil-stained, all-night restaurants that catered to Colombo’s night crawlers. The drummer was the koththu roti …

Continue reading ‘Rise of “Kothu Rotti” From Its Tamil-Muslim Origins in Batticaloa to a Sri Lankan National Food with a “Sound Bite”’ »

BY Pamodi Waravita The US yesterday (7) spoke about Sri Lanka during the interactive dialogue about the country at the 49th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), where they called upon the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) to engage with Tamil and Muslim parties for a “lasting political solution”. “We call …

Continue reading ‘The US asks Sri Lankan Government “to engage with Tamil and Muslim political parties and civil society organisations to advance an inclusive, lasting political solution” t the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva’ »

Catholic Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith told the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) yesterday that the Easter Sunday bomb attacks were not purely the work of Islamic extremists but part of a grand political plot. “The first impression of this massacre was that it was purely the work of a few Islamic extremists. …

Continue reading ‘Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith addressing the UNHRC 49th session in Geneva says Easter Sunday Terror Attack was “part of a grand political plot” and calls upon member countries to support the continuation of evidence gathering initiated by the Council last year and to devise a means to ensure an investigation to unravel the truth behind the Easter Sunday massacre.”’ »

Neo-Nazis, whose roots in Ukraine extend to their collaboration with Hitler during World War II, have a free run in the country. That may not last. One of the objectives for the military operation in Ukraine, as spelt out by Russian president Vladimir Putin in his speech on the eve of the action, is “demilitarization …

Continue reading ‘Russia’s Military Invasion Beams the spotlight on Ukraine’s Powerful Neo-Nazi Militias whose Roots Lie in Collaboration with Hitler’s Nazis During World War 2’ »

(Text of Speech made in Parliament by Jaffna District TNA Parliamentarian MA Sumanthiran on 05th December 2022 ) Thank you Hon. Chairman of Committees. Out of those 26 minutes that I have, I will speak for 20 minutes, the balance 6 minutes will be taken by Hon. Govinthan Karunakaram. I am glad that both Ministers …

Continue reading ‘“If a deal is being made, a contract is given, and percentages are already allocated. 5 % for the minister, so much for the ministry secretary, so much for somebody else, all of that is established, systemised That is why the youth of the country are saying, “System Change”. -MA Sumanthiran MP’ »

By Nimal Sanderatne The Russian-Ukrainian conflict will have severe repercussions on the fragile external finances of the country. Our Import expenditure will increase, tea export earnings could decline, export manufacturers could face shortages of raw materials and the expected revival in tourism this year is unlikely. Trade deficit Consequently, the trade deficit would widen and …

Continue reading ‘How and Why the Invasion of Ukraine by Russia Will Worsen the Economic Plight of Sri Lanka and Make the Country’s Future Bleak’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene The powerfully symbolic image of the head of Sri Lanka’s Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican and soon thereafter, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet in Geneva this week conveys an unmistakable warning to the Rajapaksa Presidency. A Government besieged on all …

Continue reading ‘To make the links between a systemic culture of impunity cultivated by politicians and law enforcement as part of a coercive security apparatus and the existential crisis that Sri Lankans face today is the challenge’ »

By Don Manu Finally on Thursday evening, the President reached the end of his long tether and sacked the two main sprites of the unholy trinity existing in his cabinet, sparing only the ghost. The presidential act would have only been surprising if it had not been taken. It was long overdue. For far too …

Continue reading ‘Double Game Played by Weerawansa and Gammanpila of Simultaneously Being Conniving Participant and Outraged Critic of Govt Ends as President Rajapaksa Sacks Both Turncoats From Cabinet Instead of Letting Them Walk out Freely as Martyrs’ »

By Meera Srinivasan India on Friday called upon Sri Lanka to take “necessary steps” to address the “legitimate aspirations” of the Tamil community, while reiterating its earlier stance that it is in Sri Lanka’s “own interest that the expectations of Tamils in Sri Lanka for equality, justice, peace and dignity, within a united Sri Lanka, …

Continue reading ‘India Calls Upon Sri Lanka at the UNHRC in Geneva “to take the necessary steps to address legitimate aspirations of the Tamil community, including the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka” and “continues to urge the Sri Lankan Government for the early conduct of elections to the Provincial Councilsin keeping with its commitment to devolution of power”’ »

(Statement by Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights During the Update and Interactive dialogue on Sri Lanka at the 49th session of the Human Rights Council) 4 March 2022 Distinguished President, Excellencies, Council Members have received our written update on Sri Lanka (A/HRC/49/9). It mainly focusses on developments since our previous report in …

Continue reading ‘“In Sri Lanka ,the expression of ethno-religious nationalism in State institutions has become more visible, increasing the marginalisation and fear of minority communities, and undermining reconciliation” – UN Human Rights Chief Michele Bachelet at the UNHRC 49th Session in Geneva’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa came in for strong criticism from dissidents within the ruling party who accused him of deliberately running the country’s economy to the ground so as to allow American intervention. Sacked ministers Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila and Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara joined ranks to berate Rajapaksa for running the Sri …

Continue reading ‘“Americans Can Arrest US Citizen Basil Rajapaksa on money laundering charges at any time” States Wimal Weerawansa;” to stop that from happening he has to work for the Americans. Basil is deliberately allowing the economic crisis to deepen so as to create a situation which leaves the door open for American intervention,” Alleges Sacked Industries Minister’ »

The Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar yesterday ordered to release several accused including former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, former Central Bank Governor Arjun Mahendran and Perpetual Treasury Director Arjun Aloysius from 13 charges in connection with the Central Bank Bond Scam issue in 2016. Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar bench, by majority decision, said that public property …

Continue reading ‘10 Persons Including Arjuna Mahendran, Ravi Karunanayake, and Arjun Aloysius Released from 13 Charges Rela ting to Alleged Central Bank Bond Scam Amounting to 36.98 Billion Rs; Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar bench by majority decision Rules that Charges Cannot be Maintained Against Perpetual Treasuries Ltd’ »

By Matthew Engel Shane Warne, who has died aged 52 of a suspected heart attack, was almost certainly the greatest spin bowler cricket has ever produced. More than that, he was one of the most outsize personalities of any sport. Everything he did in his game and his life was on a grand scale: he …

Continue reading ‘Outstanding Australian Cricketer Shane Warne Dies at the age of 52; Devastatingly inventive Master leg-spin bowler took 708 wickets in 145 Test matches’ »

By Victor Ivan The country is moving towards pitch darkness instead of from darkness to light. It can be said that the present program of scheduled power cuts imposed island-wide and how it is being implemented, amply symbolises the destructive journey of the country towards darkness. The balance of payments crisis in Sri Lanka is …

Continue reading ‘Shani Abeysekera’s FR Petition Indicates that there had been an illegal. strange link between the gang of Zaharan that carried out the Easter bomb attack and the state intelligence agenciy and military intelligence before and until the attack of Easter Sunday.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde President Gotabaya Rajapaksa last evening removed Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila from their ministerial portfolios and made several changes to his Cabinet amidst growing criticism of the Government’s handling of the economy. Weerawansa and Gammanpila lost their portfolios after having on Wednesday openly criticised the way the Government is being run with …

Continue reading ‘Vocal Ministers Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila sacked after they openly criticise handling of economy; Weerawansa thanks President for removing him, Gammanpila says will lead national struggle’ »

In a major move 11 constituent parties of the Government yesterday joined hands against the fumbling of the Rajapaksa leadership and urged for early resolution of five crises to thereby usher real economic development for people. The five crises listed included depleting foreign reserves, foreign debt servicing, loss of Government revenue, economic mismanagement and worsening …

Continue reading ‘11 constituent parties of Govt Join Hands Against Rajapaksa Leadership and unveil remedial measures via joint statement titled “Entire country on the right path”; Wimal Weerawansa blasts Basil for ignoring sound economic advice- Gammanpila alleges Govt being blind in identifying and implementing priorities’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera President Gotabaya Rajapaksa reshuffled the Cabinet of Ministers yesterday (3), with two Cabinet Ministers being removed, one being newly appointed, and three cabinet ministerial posts being swapped with senior members of the Government. Accordingly, Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa and Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila, who were recently seen criticising the current Government’s policies, …

Continue reading ‘SB Dissanayake Given Wimal Weerawansa s Industries Minister; Power Minister Gamini Lokuge Replaces Udaya Gammanpila as Energy Minister;Transport Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi Transferred to Power Ministry while State Minister Dilum Amunugama is Elevated as Cabinet Minister of Transport’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera A total of 11 political parties representing the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)-led Government launched a new national manifesto statement yesterday (2), with over 30 government MPs, including a number of cabinet ministers and state ministers, attending the launch event held in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. The manifesto, titled “Mulu Ratama Hari Magata” …

Continue reading ‘11 Political Parties Represented in the SLPP led Govt Release National manifesto titled “Mulu Ratama Hari Magata” (the entire country towards the right path);over 30 govt MPs, including cabinet and state minisers attend launch event in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.’ »

By Ruwani Fonseka As per the power vested in President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila and Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa have been stripped of their Ministerial portfolios with immediate effect. This was made known via a media release by the President’s Media Division (PMD) today (03).

The Ministerial Portfolios of Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila are to be removed, well placed sources told The Morning today (03). Meanwhile, the following reshuffles to Ministerial Portfolios are to be made:

(Text of Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights on Promoting Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka at the 49th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 4th 2022) The Council has before it (A/HRC/49/9), the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on promoting …

Continue reading ‘India,European Union, Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Egypt, Montenegro, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , Canada, Philippines, Nepal, Kenya and France Speak During Dialogue on Sri Lankan Situation at the UNHRC in Geneva on March 4th 2022’ »

By Yohan Perera Catholic Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith met UNHRC High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet in Geneva today. The meeting comes two days after Cardinal Ranjith met Pope Francis and briefed him on the investigations that are being carried out on the Easter Sunday bomb attacks in 2019, and stressed the need …

Continue reading ‘Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith Meets UN High Commissioner for Human Rghts Ms.Michele Bachelet in Genev and has discussions “about revealing the truth behind the Easter Sunday terror attacks on April 21st 2019“’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “The cause of foreign exchange crisis is not my fault or th fault of the government.” – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa (Speech on 26 Feb. 2022) Noam Chomsky coined a term to explain the US’s obsession with Cuba, Mafia doctrine: “The Godfather does not tolerate disobedience” (Hopes and Prospects). Give respect, or you …

Continue reading ‘Economic sanity seems to be the rarest of commodities in Rajapaksa Sri Lanka. The Rajapaksas’ words and deeds indicate that they are clueless both about the crisis and a way out.’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka Sri Lankan politicians indict their successors by referring to the achievements on their watch and pointing out how the successors squandered what had been bequeathed them. Let’s apply that to diplomacy. The resolution at the UNHRC Geneva on Ukraine, a highly emotive issue on which there is a wave of global opinion …

Continue reading ‘Ukraine holds lessons for Sri Lankan majoritarian (“Sinhala Buddhist”) chauvinists- If majoritarian nationalism attempts to impose its agenda on national linguistic-regional minorities who have ethnic kin in a neighbouring state, then the minority looks to that neighbouring state.’ »

“Some days ago I gave a speech in parliament and I believe it was appreciated in Tamil Nadu. As I was walking out of parliament, one journalist asked me, ‘why did you mention Tamil Nadu so many times’?” Rahul Gandhi recalled. “My blood is mixed with your soil, and so I have the right to …

Continue reading ‘“My blood is mixed with your soil, and so I have the right to call myself a Tamil,” Claims Rahul Gandhi in Tamil Nadu (referring to his Father’s death in the State;);“ PM Modi does not understand that Tamil Nadu is not merely two words, and that it is a 3,000 year old civilisation, he insults the state and the country also,” Says Congress Leader.’ »

We all need to come together to defeat the divisive forces and protect the founding principles of India, said the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, on Monday, February 28. After Congress leader Rahul Gandhi released the DMK chief’s part one of the autobiography in Tamil, ‘Ungalil Oruvan,’ (One among you), Stalin, in his address, …

Continue reading ‘Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s Auto-biography ‘Ungalil Oruvan’(One among you) Released by Congress Leader Rahul Gandhiin Tamil Nadu; “We all need to come together to defeat the divisive forces and protect the founding principles of India” Says Stalin at Book Launch’ »

The Catholic church said yesterday (28 February) that Colombo Archbishop His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has met Catholic Church Head His Holiness Pope Francis yesterday, where the discussions were due to have been focused on the Sri Lankan Catholic people’s struggle for justice, following the Easter Sunday terror attacks. “We have exhausted all options within …

Continue reading ‘Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith Meets Pope Francis and Entreats his Holiness that the Catholics of Sri Lanka “need help from the international community to seek justice for the victims of the Easter Sunday terror attacks,” of April 21st 2019.’ »

The tenure of the Presidential Task Force for “One Country, One Law” has been extended for a period of three months. This was announced in a special gazette notification issued by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in terms of the powers vested in him by Article 33 of the Constitution.

WHEN SOVIET-LED forces invaded Czechoslovakia in 1968, it was a straightforward affair. The invaders met little resistance, the country’s leader was whisked off to Moscow on day two and the West “just swallowed it”, notes Sergey Radchenko, a historian. “What we have today in Ukraine is playing out very differently.” The bulk of Russian forces …

Continue reading ‘The bulk of Russian forces are now 25km from the centre of Kyiv, the capital, and will probably encircle it in the coming days. The Russian war machine is nevertheless struggling with the biggest problem appearing to be logistics.- The Economist’ »

By Patricia Cohen and Jeanna Smialek By targeting Russia’s central bank with sanctions, experts said, American and European leaders have taken aim at what could be one of President Vladimir V. Putin’s greatest weaknesses: the country’s currency. In Russian cities, anxious customers started lining up on Sunday in front of A.T.M.s, hoping to withdraw the …

Continue reading ‘The West’s Plan to Isolate Putin by targeting Russia’s central bank with sanctions and Undermining the Ruble’ »

By Justin Ling As Russian forces readied to steamroll into Ukraine, Canada’s finance minister began drumming up support for a move that could be devastating for Russia’s economy. Chrystia Freeland, who also serves as the deputy prime minister, spent much of last week “pushing the idea of sanctioning the central bank,” said a senior Canadian …

Continue reading ‘Canada’s finance minister Chrystia Freeland Plays Important Role in “building some momentum” behind targeting the central bank in Moscow and cutting off the Putin regime from billions in foreign currency reserves’ »

By Ivan Krastev Journalists writing on international affairs in the 1920s and 1930s referred to the era as “postwar.” They saw events through the prism of the Great War that had devastated Europe just a few years earlier. Historians writing today refer to these same years as the “interwar” period, for the simple reason that …

Continue reading ‘The West can only win over skeptics of its efforts to combat Mr. Putin if it succeeds in showing those outside of Europe that what is at stake in Ukraineis not the fate of a pro-Western regime but the sovereignty of a newly born post-imperial state’ »

By Michael Schuman As Russian tanks roll over Ukraine, Vladimir Putin’s crisis will reverberate around the world, possibly most dangerously in the Taiwan Strait. An attempt by Beijing to claim Taiwan by force has just become more likely. That’s not necessarily because there is a direct link between Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and Beijing’s menacing …

Continue reading ‘Russia’s invasion of Ukraine makes the frightening possibility of China seizing control of Taiwan more real.’ »

By Emily Tamkin Last week, before Russian threats toward Ukrainian borders turned into an all-out invasion, one part of the American media landscape questioned why we weren’t supporting the invaders. “Hating [Russian President Vladimir] Putin has become the central purpose of America’s foreign policy. It’s the main thing that we talk about,” Fox News anchor …

Continue reading ‘Supporting Mr. Putin as well as other authoritarian leaders is yet another way in which the political right in the USA is weaponizing culture wars to further divide Americans. Mr. Putin is not waging a culture war. He is waging real, actual war, in which real, actual lives are already being lost’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Of what use are Ministers and the panoply of Government for that matter, if it takes the Executive President clothed in the awful constitutional powers of the Head of State, to advise on minimising of ‘price discrepancies’ regarding the production of raw milk and direct relevant state institutions to ensure supply …

Continue reading ‘If Sri Lanka’s Law Enforcement Agencies do not Conduct Credible investigations concerning the Easter Sunday jihadist attacks in 2019 then courts and investigative mechanisms in other Countries whose Nationals were killed on April 21 may proceed to Pursue Justice under their own laws’ »

By S. Rubethesen Once a fisherman, Manualpillai Thoms Dehol (56) now makes a living solely by repairing fishing nets to support his family of four. Hailing from a fisherfolk family at Pasaiyoor in Jaffna, he gave up fishing last year: The reason: His access to the familiar shore and the sea has been restricted by …

Continue reading ‘Over 3200 families of small-scale Traditional Fishermen face Bleak future.Due to Access to Sea Shore and Sea Being restricted by Proliferation of sea cucumber farms which occupy hundreds of acres of Coastal areas.’ »

(Full Text of Statement on the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, delivered by His Excellency Ambassador Bob Rae,Permanent Representative of Canada, United Nations General Assembly February 23, 2022) Thank you very much Mr. Vice-President, We meet at a time of a directthreat to the peace and security of the world community. Over the lastseveral months, we …

Continue reading ‘“No nation, no matter however powerful it may be, can take the law into its own hands. No nation has the right to use its might to destroy everyone else’s rights.”- Bob Rae, Canada’s Permanent Representtive to the UN’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake Amidst all the problems, and worries, faced by the public, from shortages of all necessities, and very little promise of any improvements in the coming months, the people must certainly have some joy in recent decisions of the Judiciary. The Hills of Hulftsdorp are having a glow of justice in play, as …

Continue reading ‘It now seems proper to empower the Judiciary to review the laws passed by Parliament and make its own observations on how the Constitution has been properly followed or dangerously violated.’ »

By Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka (Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka was Sri Lanka’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Russian Federation) Context counts, and context means geography and history. The dramatic Russia-Ukraine situation cannot be understood without a sense of history, by which I mean contemporary history, not the pre-revolutionary (pre-1917) history that was invoked by President Putin. …

Continue reading ‘Vladimir Putin’s latest move is tactically offensive but strategically defensive. It is not the initiation of a process but a response to it. Putin didn’t start it. He means to contain it’ »

By Dr.Jayampathy Wickramaratne Article 3 of our Constitution states: ‘In the Republic of Sri Lanka sovereignty is in the People and is inalienable. Sovereignty includes the powers of Government, fundamental rights and the franchise.’ Article 4, which goes into more detail, describes powers of Government as legislative, executive, and judicial. Article 4(d) requires all organs …

Continue reading ‘Recent Supreme Court determination that a Bill inconsistent with any fundamental right would need approval by the People at a referendum in addition to a two-thirds majority in Parliament is a landmark in Sri Lanka’s fundamental rights jurisprudence.’ »

By P.K.Balachandran Michele Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, in her report to the 49 th. Session of the UNHRC beginning on February 28, has slammed Sri Lanka for not implementing its pledge to establish war crimes accountability mechanisms, to trace the forcibly disappeared persons and provide succor to the victims’ families. According …

Continue reading ‘UN Human Rights Commissioner Michele Bachelet’s Report to the UNHRC 49th Session Severely Reprimands Sri Lanka for not implementing its pledge to establish war crimes accountability mechanisms, to trace the forcibly disappeared persons and provide succor to the victims’ families.’ »

(Text of Speech made by TNA Jaffna District MP M.A.Sumanthiran on the repeal of the PTA and the current economic crisis in the country in Parliament on 23-02-2022) Thank you, I am glad to speak just after the Honorable Minister of State who cried wolf before he concluded his speech. On the last occasion, in …

Continue reading ‘“I urge the government, don’t play politics with the economic situation as you have been doing with the Easter bomb attack. This must be faced by the whole country together.we are willing to support the government in addressing this situation” – MA Sumanthiran MP’ »

Nearly 13 Members of Parliament (MPs) representing the Tamil-speaking people held a protest in front of the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (24), demanding an audience with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to raise issues about land grabbing occurring in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. “Today, 13 MPs are holding a protest in front of the Presidential Secretariat. We …

Continue reading ‘13 Tamil MP’s Demonstrate Outside the Presidential Secretriat Protesting the Land Grabbing Activities of the Gotabya Government in the Northern and Eastern Provinces’ »

VLADIMIR PUTIN’S invasion of Ukraine, long predicted by the West and long denied by him, began before dawn on February 24th with volleys of cruise missiles, artillery and other weapons. There were explosions near Kyiv’s main airport, as well as around other cities. The scope of the attack was not immediately clear, but all the …

Continue reading ‘War Begins in Europe as Russia Invades Ukraine’ »

The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear on March 9 a plea by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy to declare Ram Setu a national heritage monument. In a mentioning made before Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana, Mr. Swamy said the case was pending for a long time and concerned an important issue. The CJI …

Continue reading ‘Indian Supreme Court agrees to hear on March 9 a plea by BJP leader Dr. Subramanian Swamy to declare Shoal of Islets Between Rameshwaram in India and Mannar in Sri Lanka known as Ram Setu (Adam’s Bridge) a national heritage monument of India.’ »

(Text of Editorial appearing in “The Morning” of February 23rd 2022 Under the Heading “Being receptive, not defensive”) Legend has it that the Queen of France during the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette said “let them eat cake” in response to news about people not having even bread to survive on. Such insensitivity, or ignorance, is …

Continue reading ‘If President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is truly the leader he is continuing to claim to be, both he and his Government should stop being defensive, and be receptive.’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka Across a dining table in Moscow, I asked US Ambassador to Russia, Jon Huntsman, epitome of civility and discernment, former ambassador to China, personal friend of Lee Kuan Yew, and someone who had discussions with Xi and Putin (and Trump, of course), why Washington had upended Kissinger’s grand-strategic logic of playing off …

Continue reading ‘Are these the last days of the 13th amendment?TNA remarks on Prime Minister Modi’s impending visit mention “going beyond the 13th amendment”, when in the real-world , the danger is that the 13th amendment could be “going, going, gone”.’ »

By A Special Correspondent In the wake of an attack on four Tamil Nadu fishermen on February 17 and the arrest of six others the following day, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has written to Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, seeking his intervention for the early release of Tamil Nadu fishermen, their fishing …

Continue reading ‘Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin Writes to Indian External Affairs Minister S.Jishanka Seeking New Delhi Intervention in Securing Release of 47 Fishermen and 4 Boats Apprehended by Sri Lankan Navy in Last 30 Days’ »