By Ranga Jayasuriya It does not take much persuasion to convince someone that holding a countrywide snap parliamentary polls on the eve of a global Coronavirus pandemic is a dangerous idea. More so when the local health officials advocate social distancing. Public gatherings are discouraged. Schools are closed and unnerved public are panic buying. And …

Continue reading ‘Parliamentary Elections Held Under Current Conditions Would not only Pose a Himalayan Scale National Health Hazard. But Would also be a Travesty in Electoral Democracy.’ »

(Text of Address to the Nation Delivered on March 17th 2020 by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa) Salutations to the Most Revered Prelates of the Maha Sangha Salutations to Religious Leaders of Hindu, Catholic and Islam Faiths Dear Mothers, Fathers, children Today, I am addressing you to explain the the steps we have taken and the current …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Outlines Steps Taken by Govt to Combat Spread of Covid-19 Virus in the Country in his Address to the Nation.’ »

(Text of a press release issued by the TNA Media Office) This statement is being issued consequent to all party leaders of the Tamil National Alliance consulting together: The Tamil National Alliance is concerned about the threat posed to the people by the possible spread of the COVID19 virus in the country. The safety of …

Continue reading ‘Tamil National Alliance Requests Govt to Postpone General Elections Scheduled for April 25th Because of Paramount Concern for Public Safety Due to COVID19 Threat and Urges Govt to Take All steps to check Possible Spread of Corona Virus’ »

The head of Sri Lanka’s Roman Catholic Church Sunday alleged that the highly contagious Coronavirus may be man-made and wanted those responsible prosecuted for “genocide.” Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith addressing the faithful during a closed-door Sunday mass said the United Nations should initiate an international investigation into the origin of COVID-19 which he said was causing …

Continue reading ‘Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith Alleges Spread of Corona Virus is the Work of a Rich and Powerful Nation and Wants the UN to Initiate an International Investigation Into the Origin og Covid -19 and Punish Those Responsible for “Genocide”Under International Law’ »

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today (15) proposed to leaders of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to formulate a collective response to combat COVID – 19. He further called for SAARC Ministerial Meeting to discuss measures to overcome this deadly health threat. President Rajapaksa made these proposals participating in a video conference with all SAARC …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Proposes to leaders of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) the need to formulate a collective response to combat COVID – 19-Corona Virus’ »

*Visa for Europeans suspended for 2 weeks *Two-week quarantine period for Sri Lankans arriving from Europe Measures to disinfect public transport *Case studies on China’s success *Directives to minimize public gatherings *Utilize internet for educational and service purposes Several firm decisions have been taken under the guidance of President and Prime Minister to combat COVID …

Continue reading ‘Several firm decisions have been taken under the guidance of President Gotabaya and Prime Minister Mahinda to combat COVID -19 in the country.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Much like the covid-19 virus which attacks the respiratory systems of victims with lethal force and has brought the global North virtually to its knees, Sri Lanka is being invaded by an anti-democracy virus. We are told that, democracy leads to bickering, that a strong man is needed to rule with …

Continue reading ‘Much like the Covid-19 virus, Sri Lanka is being invaded by an anti-democracy virus which tells us a strong man is needed to rule with a rod of iron, that civil liberties do not matter and that constitutional amendments that fetter the powers of rulers are a nuisance.’ »

By Vijith Samarasinghe Sri Lankan President Gotabhaya Rajapakse is rapidly militarising the state administration through the appointment of retired armed forces officers to key posts. Promoted into the higher ranks during the final stage of the communal war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), these senior officers are close associates of the president. …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabhaya Rajapakse is Rapidly Militarising State Administration By Appointing Retired Officers From the Armed Forces to Key Posts in Preparation for a Confrontation With the Working Class’ »

By P.K.Balachandran The relations between Sri Lanka and the United States are in for a hard time in 2020-2021 as Sri Lanka’s concerns over its sovereignty and independence clash with the geo-political interests of the US. Though couched in the language of goodwill for Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans in the short and the long …

Continue reading ‘US-Sri Lanka Relations are in for a hard time in 2020-2021 as Sri Lanka’s concerns over its sovereignty and independence clash with the geo-political interests of the US.’ »

By Chandra Amerasekare The supporters of Sajith Premadasa seem to attribute his defeat at the Presidential Election to Ranil Wickremesinghe and the UNP group supporting him. It is publicly implied that Ranil Wickremesinghe delayed the process of naming Sajith Premadasa deliberately as the presidential candidate of the UNP, with the intension of sabotaging the campaign …

Continue reading ‘Using Offensive Language and Intimidation to Drive Away a Leader like Ranil for Sajith to take over the Party Lock Stock and Barrel Seems Uncivilised and Unethical to people’ »

by C.A.Chandraprema The present state of the UNP after the presidential election of November 16, 2019 is in many ways reminiscent of the state the SLFP was in the wake of the defeat of 1977, when the latter experienced declining public support and disunity within its ranks. As we pen these words, the UNP is …

Continue reading ‘It is Doubtful Whether Sajith Premadasa has the Ability to ‘Hollow out’ the UNP the way Mahinda Rajapaksa Hollowed out the SLFP by Contesting Separately’ »

Sri Lanka Presidents office confirms the first Sri Lankan within Sri Lanka infected with Covid – 19 (Coronavirus), a 52 year old male from the tourism sector, found & now being treated at IDH Hospital. Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera noted that initial tests have confirmed that the patient had contracted Covid-19. Inspections have been …

Continue reading ‘First Sri Lankan to be Infected with Covid-19(Corona Virus) Being Treated at IDH Hospital: 52 Year old Male Tour Operator had Moved Around With Italian Tourist Group Confirm Health Authorities’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya Things cannot get any more ludicrous than this. As the Sri Lankan voters go to vote for a new Parliament on April 25, in little more than six weeks from now, the United National Party is feuding over who will own the party’s symbol. This should not have been a problem at …

Continue reading ‘If Sajith Premadasa Does not want to lose Big Time in Elections, he should turn his guns at the Pohottuwa and their Rajapaksa Handlers Instead of the UNP party leader and his Loyalists.’ »

By S. S. Selvanayagam Court of Appeal will today take up the Writ petitions filed by former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and Arjun Aloysius as well as two others contesting the warrant of arrest issued on them in respect of the Treasury bond auction scam. The Bench comprised Justices A.H.M.D. Nawaz (President/CA) and Arjuna Obeyesekere. …

Continue reading ‘Court of Appeal Takes up Writ Petitions Filed by Ex-Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and Arjun Aloysius of Perpetual Treasuries and two others contesting the warrant of arrest issued on them in respect of the Treasury bond auction scam.’ »

by Zacki Jabbar The United National Party (UNP) yesterday informed the Elections Commissioner that it would be contesting all 22 electoral districts, at the parliamentary polls fixed for April 25. Confirmation was made in writing by the General Secretary of the party, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam. The official announcement comes amidst the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), …

Continue reading ‘UNP Gen-Secy Akila Viraj Kariyawasam Informs Elections Commissioner that Party Would be Contesting all 22 Electoral Districts for April 25 Elections; :If agreement cant be reached with Sajith faction the UNP will contest separately Under Elephant Symbol says ohn Ameratunga’ »

Criminal Investigations Department (CID) sleuths yesterday carried out searches for former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and eight suspects wanted in connection with the case related to the Central Bank bond scam, but failed to find them, a senior CID officer said. He said several locations where they believed Mr Karunanayake would be taking shelter were …

Continue reading ‘Over 25 CID Teams Deployed to Arrest Nine Persons Including Ravi Karunanayake and Arjuna Mahendran On Whom Arrest Warrants Were Issued by Fort Magistrate Reportedly Searching Still; Only Perpetual Treasuries Ltd Director Muthurajah Surendran Arrested so far’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Ever the consummately expedient political strategist, Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, (and former President), Mahinda Rajapaksa wishes to rejuvenate the controversial anti-Conversions Bill that was discarded more than one and a half decades ago following enormous public concern and an adverse ruling by the Supreme Court. Factors behind this move This wish, …

Continue reading ‘Any Attempt to Reactivate the Conversions Bill must be Resisted Because it will push Sri Lanka into new Quicksands of Religious Intolerance and Precipitate Existing Hatreds to an even Higher Level.’ »

By Uditha Jayasinghe Provincial Council Elections are likely to follow hot on the heels of the General Election, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday, paving the way for the Government to move forward with plans to introduce a new Constitution. Rajapaksa, speaking to senior media personnel at Temple Trees, insisted that the Government remained focused …

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa States Openly That His Govt is Focused on Obtaining a Two-Thirds Majority at the Parliamentary Elections to Abolish the 19th Constitutional Amendment and Formulate a New Constitution’ »

By Sunil Jayasiri Security in North and East has been tightened since last Thursday following the arrest of six prominent former LTTE cadres on charges of planning to assassinate a prominent Tamil politician in the North, informed sources said. They said earlier this week, Military intelligence and Terrorist Investigations Department jointly raided a safe house …

Continue reading ‘Military Intelligence and TID Officials Uncover Plot to Assassinate Prominent Tamil Politician in North After Arrest of Six Ex-LTTE Cadres Including German Passport Holder and Seizure of Communication Equipment and Explosives in Raid on Northern Safe House’ »

By Victor Ivan It is evident that the Podu Peramuna Government led by Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the new President, wants desperately to withdraw the cases filed during the Yahapalana regime against corruption and criminal acts alleged to have committed during the previous regime of Mahinda Rajapaksa. However, in the absence of the support of the Judiciary, …

Continue reading ‘Display of Independence and Dignity by Attorney-General Dappula de Livera, High Court Judge Champa Janaki Rajaratne and Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake Shows Hopeful Signs for Judiciary’s Future in Sri Lanka’ »

By Nisthar Cassim President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday said in the first 100 days of his rule much was achieved, but opined that he was not satisfied with the progress as per his standards. “Yes we did a lot in the first 100 days. But as per my standards, I am not satisfied,” Rajapaksa said during …

Continue reading ‘“One (Presidential) Term is Enough for me but I must be Able to Deliver in that term and the Constitution must Allow it,” Says President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake yesterday imposed a travel ban on former Minister Ravi Karunanayake and 10 others, including all the Directors of Perpetual Treasuries who are facing charges of criminal misappropriation, market manipulation, cheating and insider dealing in relation to two bond auctions held in March 2016. The Magistrate also said …

Continue reading ‘Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake Imposes Travel Ban on Ex-Minister Ravi Karunanayake and Ten Others Including All Directors of Perpetual Treasuries Ltd Following Submissions Made by Attorney -Generals Dept; Will Rule Tomorrow On Issuance of Arrest Warrants for the 11 Suspects as Sought by A-G Dept’ »

The estate sector wage hike remains stuck in a stalemate, with plantation companies awaiting a decision from the Government and trade unions. “We have not heard a decision from the Government yet although we have submitted three alternatives,” Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) told the Daily FT. RPCs proposed three models, including out-grower, productivity-based incentives and …

Continue reading ‘Mar 1st Deadline for Estate Worker Rs 1000 Daily Wage Announced by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Passes Without Implementation with Plantation Companies Stalemating Govt and Trade Unions Through Three Alternatives Counter Proposal’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka The day after the Government’s declaration in Geneva of withdrawal from the co-sponsorship of the 2015 Resolution and its successors, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, tendered her observations on the human rights situation and trends worldwide, with reports on an array of countries including Sri Lanka. Michelle Bachelet is …

Continue reading ‘It Would be Problematic if Sri Lankan Foreign Policy and Diplomacy are to be Guided by an (Ethno) Cultural or (Religio ) Civilisational Redefinition and Recasting of the State and State policy Instead of a Secular Notion of the National Interest’ »

(Text of a News Release Posted on the Human Rights Watch website on March 3rd 2020) Sri Lanka: Security Agencies Shutting Down Civic Space Rights Activists, Journalists Facing Surveillance, Threats (New York) – Sri Lankan security agencies are stepping up surveillance, harassment, and threats against human rights activists and journalists, Human Rights Watch said today. …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Security Agencies are Stepping up Surveillance, Harassment, and Threats against Human Rights Activists and Journalists Reveals Human Rights Watch;“Since the return of the Rajapaksas to power, a state of fear is being re-established in Sri Lanka,” Says Meenakshi Ganguly, HRW, South Asia director.’ »

By Akitha Perera Nine key officers of the Commission to Investigate Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) had been transferred suddenly, former MP Lakshman Senewiratne told media.

By Arjuna Ranawana Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is driving the governing party’s Parliamentary Election campaign and at the outset has taken a hard right turn. He has also revived the discussion over the controversial anti-conversion Bill. In the week preceding the dissolution of Parliament which happened at mid-night Monday, Rajapaksa has been seen with dozens …

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa Prepared to Revive Controversial Anti-Conversion Bill if There Is Unanimous Support: Says in speech he wants to Prevent conversion of “traditional Buddhist families to other religions.”’ »

(Text of a Press Release Issued by the Public Opinion Committee on March 3rd 2020 Under the Heading “Is the Government all set to sign the MCCC?) A high-profile member of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact (MCCC) review committee has revealed that the report submitted by them to the President was not prepared according to …

Continue reading ‘“Is the Gotabaya Government all set to sign the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact with the US?”’ »

By Chandani Kirinde President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday (Mar 2) dissolved the Parliament and fixed 25 April for the next General Election, fuelling concerns Sinhala-Tamil New Year month will be effectively unproductive. The President also fixed the date for the new Parliament to meet for 14 May and the period between 12 and 19 March as …

Continue reading ‘Parliament Dissolved on March 2nd by President President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Under Article 70 of Constitution: General Elections with 16,263,885 Eligible Voters Scheduled for April 25th:Nomination Papers to be Filed From March 12th to March 19th. New Parliament will Meet on May 14th’ »

By Akitha Perera Having failed to reach a consensus with the group headed by UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on the forthcoming general election, UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa, yesterday (02) launched Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre. Ranil Wickremesinghe, UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and several other Wickremesinghe loyalists boycotted the …

Continue reading ‘UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa Launches Samagi Jana Balawegaya Alliance at Nelum Pokuna Theatre with Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and UNP Stalwarts Including Gen – Secy Akila Viraj Kariyawasam Boycotting the Event’ »

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) alliance launched yesterday with its leader Sajith Premadasa insisting that it will be a long-term effort to build a new political culture beyond the Parliamentary Elections but the decision over the alliance symbol remains in doubt. The SJB, a largely United National Party (UNP) creation, will be led by Opposition …

Continue reading ‘Samagi Jana Balawegaya(SJB) Alliance Launched at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre Under the Leadership of Sajith Premadasa with Twelve Political Parties and Civil Society Groups Signing a Memorandum of Understanding.’ »

(Text of a Media Advisory Issued in San Francisco by the Center for Justice and Accountability on March 2nd 2020) San Francisco, March 2, 2020: Last week, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted Ahimsa Wickrematunge’s request to vacate the lower court’s ruling that Gotabaya Rajapaksa is entitled to common law foreign official immunity for …

Continue reading ‘Slain Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge’s Daughter Ahimsa’s Request to vacate the lower court’s ruling that Gotabaya Rajapaksa is entitled to common law foreign official immunity for acts committed while he was Secretary of Defense of Sri Lanka Granted by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals: Decision clears the way for future litigation against Rajapaksa once he no longer enjoys immunity as a head of state.’ »

Former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera has said that the decision to co-sponsor Geneva Resolution 30/1 was taken by the yahapalana government under the leadership of then President Maithripala Sirisena. Samaraweera, in a statement issued on withdrawal from Resolution 30/1 and subsequent resolutions extending its mandate in the UN Human Rights Council, has said: “At a …

Continue reading ‘“Backtracking on the resolution sends a very clear message to the people of our country and the world that Sri Lanka does not care for reconciliation, accountability or even democracy” Says Former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera MP’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has said at least one thing that rings true in the minds of most Sri Lankan people. It is the lack of belief in the appointment of another Commission of Inquiry by the Government. Her concern was about addressing impunity for past violations …

Continue reading ‘Three hearty cheers Sri Lanka – for withdrawing from co-sponsorship of a resolution that will remain with no change in the agenda of the UNHRC!’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardena There is a dreadfully fractured logic in what the Government of Sri Lanka articulated before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) as it withdrew from UNHRC Resolution 30/1 this week. This is playing to the nationalist gallery with an eye to the impending General Elections. It has disastrous consequences for …

Continue reading ‘Articulation of Dreadfully Fractured Logic by Govt at UNHRC While Announcing Withdrawal From Resolution 30/1 Has Disastrous Consequences for the Country’ »

Ahimsa Wickrematunge, daughter of slain journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, has lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) alleging that CID Director Senior Superintendent of Police W. Thilakaratne and other officers in the Department are colluding with the intent to confer a wrongful and unlawful benefit, favour, or advantage on …

Continue reading ‘Slain Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge’s Daughter Ahimsa Complains to CIABOC About CID Director SSP Thilakaratne Allegedly Colluding with CID Officials to Help Ex- Envoy to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga EXtricate Himself From Charges Regarding the MIG Aircraft Deal’ »

Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has assured Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that the existing reconciliation mechanisms established by an Act of Parliament such as the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) and the Office of Reparations (OR) would be continued, with appropriate adaptation in line with the Government policy framework. With regard to …

Continue reading ‘Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena Assures UNHRC in Geneva That Govt Will Continue With Appropriate Adaptation the Existing Reconciliation Mechanisms Like Office of Missing Persons and Office of Reparation’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The Government has decided not sign the $ 480 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) agreement, taking into consideration the recommendations of a four-member Committee that studied it and found some of its features threaten national security and social and economic welfare of Sri Lanka, Cabinet spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardena said yesterday. The …

Continue reading ‘Govt Will Not Sign Agreement With US in its Present Form but is Ready to Negotiate Further Says Bandula Gunawardena; When Asked About SOFA and ACSA, Cabinet Spokesman Says Govt Wont Overturn Signed Agreements’ »

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet yesterday expressed regret over Sri Lankan Government announcing a very different approach to the commitments previously made in UNHRC resolutions, and warned that this “risks setting back efforts to advance reconciliation, accountability and human rights.” In her oral updates to the 43rd session of the UNHRC, …

Continue reading ‘United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet expresses regret over Sri Lankan Government announcing Withdrawal from Co-sponsorship of UNHRC Resolutions and warns that this “risks setting back efforts to advance reconciliation, accountability and human rights.”’ »

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, yesterday told the 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council that she didn’t believe that appointment of yet another Commission of Inquiry by the Sri Lankan government would address impunity for past violations. On Wednesday Minister of Foreign Affairs Dinesh Gunawardena said that the government would …

Continue reading ‘“Domestic processes have consistently failed to deliver accountability in the past and I am not convinced the appointment of yet another Commission of Inquiry will advance this agenda” Says UN Human Rights High Commissioner Michele Bachelet at UNHRC in Geneva’ »

By Namini Wijedasa In his open-necked purple shirt, Nishantha Wickremesinghe is chuffed to be seen with his arm around a long-time friend. Businessman Nimal Perera is feting his sixtieth birthday at the Colombo Hilton and the former SriLankan Airlines Chairman is a guest. The party was just weeks ago. On Wednesday, the Fort Magistrate banned …

Continue reading ‘Dirty Money Trail Connected to Airbus Bribe Scandal Reveals Culpability of Sri Lankan Airlines Directors and Links to Key Persons in the Nimal Perera Network’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake yesterday refused bail and re-remanded Sri Lanka’s former Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga until 11 March, after Police filed a certificate in Court confirming the offence committed by the latter is of a value of more than Rs. 25,000. Counsel for Weeratunga sought bail for him on …

Continue reading ‘Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake Refuses Bail and Re-remands Sri Lanka’s Former Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga Until 11 March, After Police Filed Certificate Confirming Offence Committed was Valued More than Rs. 25,000.’ »

Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday formally announced Sri Lanka’s withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Resolution 30/1 and others adopted after 2015, but assured members the Government is committed to “comprehensive reconciliation”, delivered through a domestic mechanism. Delivering his address to the UNHRC in Geneva, the Minister emphasised that the decision …

Continue reading ‘Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena Formally Announces Sri Lanka’s Withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 30/1 and others adopted after 2015 but Assures UNHRC of Govt Commitment to “comprehensive Reconciliation” Delivered Through a Domestic Mechanism.’ »

Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday’, while informing the 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva that Sri Lanka was withdrawing from co-sponsorship of UNHRC Resolutions pertaining to the country, explained that the commitments made by the previous government had contributed to the lapses that resulted in the Easter Sunday attacks in …

Continue reading ‘Dinesh Gunawardena Informs UNHRC That Govt is Withdrawing From Co-sponsorship of Resolution 30/1:Foreign Relations Minister Says Commitments Made to UNHRC Has Weakened National Security in Country and May Have Resulted in the Easter Sunday Attacks in April 2019’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka The Geneva 2015 resolution is a hidden tripwire linked to a maze of claymore mines, some buried, some planted in ditches, others nested in trees. When this article appears, Sri Lanka may have nudged that tripwire. There was another, smarter, safer way. The Geneva 2015 resolution was explicitly based on and legitimised …

Continue reading ‘By Unilaterally Withdrawing from the Treacherous Co-sponsorship of the Ghastly Geneva 2015 Resolution, is Sri Lanka Extricating Itself from a Quagmire or Sinking Deeper into a Larger One?’ »

By Chandani Kirinde All eyes will be on Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena as he addresses the United Nations Human Rights Council today(Feb 26), in a statement expected to announce Sri Lanka’s decision to withdraw from Resolution 30/1 and others presented after 2015, as well as outline the path ahead on engagement with the UN …

Continue reading ‘Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to Announce Sri Lankan Govt withdrawal from Resolutions Passed by UN Human Rights Council in his Address to UNHRC on Wednesday; Will Brief UN Human Rights Commissioner Michele Bachelet on Friday About Govts Future Course of Action’ »

By Jamila Husain Former Army Commander and now Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Daya Ratnayake has criticized the former government for failing to protect the image of the Sri Lanka military in the international arena within the past 5 years which led to Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva and his family from being banned to enter …

Continue reading ‘Former Army Commander Daya Ratnayake Commends Govt for Protecting the Image of the Sri Lankan Army in the International Arena by Taking a Very Strong Stand Face to Face With the US Govt Over the Army Commander Shavendra Silva Matter’ »

Amnesty International yesterday wrote to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, requesting that he and the Government take concrete steps to create a safe and enabling environment for journalists and other media workers. The letter, which is also signed by the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, calls on the Government to create and environment where …

Continue reading ‘Amnesty International, Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters sans Frontiers Send Joint Letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Urging Sri Lankan Govt to Create Safe and Enabling Environment For Journalists and workers in Media’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Successful regional integration — both economic and security — depends on the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) becoming fully functional at the highest levels, Sri Lanka’s former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said. Emphasising the need for countries in the region to link up both strategically and economically, Mr. Wickremesinghe said …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe Proposes an ‘Economic Integration Road Map” Conceptualising a “sub-region” Consisting of the five South Indian states and Sri Lanka to Tap the Total Population of 300 Million People and a Combined GDP of Over $500 Billion.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde UNP MP Eran Wickramaratne has accused the Government of engaging in a witch hunt against professionals – including lawyers, journalists and Police officers – and expressed fears that judicial officials standing up for what is right could be next in line. Speaking during the debate on the Airbus bribery scandal in Parliament …

Continue reading ‘Eran Wickramaratne MP Lambastes Govt Over CID Witchhunt Against Ex-CID Director Shani Abeysekara, “New York Times” Journalist Dharisha Bastians and Former Lake House Chairman Krishantha Cooray By Trying to Implicate Them Falsely in Swiss Employee Fictitious Abduction Case’ »

By Amanda Hodge Three months after Sri Lanka’s feared former security minister Gotabaya Rajapaksa won a shock presidential victory, rights groups say security forces and intelligen­ce agencies have intensified surveillance and intimid­ation of activists and families of victims of his former regime. New York-based Human Rights Watch has called on the new government to end …

Continue reading ‘Heightened Information Gathering and Intimidation by Intelligence Agencies Has Chilling Effect on Sri Lankan Human Rights Activists and Organizations:Fears Grow About What May Happen After Parliamentary Elections’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Sri Lanka has requested a meeting with the UN Human Rights High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet as the country begins to work towards the closure of a contentious UNHRC Resolution on Promoting Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka at the 43rd Session of the Council in Geneva later this week. Official …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena Seeks Appointment With UN HUman Rights Commissioner Michele Bachelet in Geneva But No Date Finalised Yet: Dinesh Will Address UNHRC on Wednesday and Announce Govt Withdrawal from Contentious Resolution Co-sponsoring Process’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene When Sri Lanka’s President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa reportedly articulates that, ‘unnecessary judicial interventions are harmful to democracy’ (The Island, February 21st, 2020), one is intrigued. A praxis of bizarre happenings Pray, what would a Presidential definition of ‘unnecessary’ be, it might be ‘necessary’ to ask? That question becomes pertinent in the context …

Continue reading ‘Remnants of the Rule of Law in Sri Lanka can be saved only by individual citizens standing up to what is right and correct in their own way’ »

By E.Weerapperuma Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has displayed his immaturity by blocking the Government’s efforts to obtain loans to settle the soaring debts and his action will cause immense hardships for the masses in the months to come, Information and Media, Higher Education , Technology and Innovation Minister Bandula Gunawardene told a media conference at …

Continue reading ‘Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardene Blames Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa’s “immaturity” for Blocking Govt Move to Pass Vote on Account for 367 Billion Rupees; Says If Ranil was Opposition Leader He Would Have Supported VOA to Provide Relief to People’ »

Foreign Affairs Minister Dinesh Gunawardena is scheduled to meet the UN Human Rights High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet to convey Sri Lanka’s decision to withdraw from the co-sponsorship of Resolution 40/1 of March 2019 since it violated the country’s constitution and served only to appease extremist sections and vested interests, the Minister’s Media office stated. The …

Continue reading ‘Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena Will Lead Lankan Delegation to UN in Geneva and Inform UN Human Rights Council at High Segment Meeting of Govt Decision to Withdraw from Co-sponsorship of Resolutions Pertaining to Sri Lanka That were Passed by UNHRC: Minister Scheduled to Meet UN Human Rights Commissioner Michele Bachelet Prior to Council Session’ »

By P.K.Balachandran The core of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s foreign policy is standing up for Sri Lanka’s sovereign rights. But his cast-iron nationalism is not mindlessly jingoistic or confrontational, disregarding geo-political and economic realities. Gotabaya’s first international move was to reach out to India, which had been unhappy with elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Presidency between 2010 …

Continue reading ‘Gotabaya Govt is Bracing Itself to Lock Horns with the US and Europe Hoping to get Help from China, Russia and India too but its Strength Would Ultimately Come from its Electoral Base, the Majority Community in Sri Lanka.’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake Foreign Affairs Minister Dinesh Gunawardena must have been diplomatically polite when he conveyed the Sri Lanka Government’s displeasure and objections with regard to the travel ban to the United States imposed on the Sri Lanka Army Commander and his family, when he met with the US Ambassador Aliana Teplitz earlier this week. …

Continue reading ‘President Donald Trump intervened in three war crime cases in the US Last Year and Granted full pardons to two Army officers and Restored the rank of a Navy SEAL.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The Government yesterday abandoned a move in Parliament to amend the Vote on Account (VOA) to obtain an additional sum of Rs. 367 billion for Government expenses, as well as increase the limit of borrowing, after the UNP-led opposition refused to support the move. Leader of the House Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told …

Continue reading ‘Govt Abandons Move in Parliament to Amend the Vote on Account (VOA) to Obtain an additional sum of Rs. 367 billion for Govt Expenses as well as Increase the Limit of Borrowing After UNP-led Opposition Refused to Support the Move.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene The escalating clash of words (hopefully, not arms) between the Attorney General (AG) and the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) over the failure to ‘immediately’ file charges against an interdicted High Court judge on the basis of allegedly attempting to fabricate evidence as revealed in leaked phone conversations with a …

Continue reading ‘The Objective and Efforts of the Anti – 19 A Propagandist Lobby to Abolish the 19th Constitutional Amendment Must not Succeed, for the Good of this Long-suffering Land’ »

By Dr. H. M. Gunatilake, Former Director, Asian Development Bank The telephone recordings of Mr. Ramanayake, a Member of Parliament, which revealed deeply entrenched corruption across Sri Lankan society overwhelmingly shattered the confidence about the entire governance system in the country. It also highlighted the utmost importance of reinvigorating dialogue on corruption and empowering people …

Continue reading ‘Democracy and Corruption in Sri Lanka: A Realistic Perspective’ »

By Akitha Perera Pandemonium reigned at the UNP Working Committee Meeting, yesterday, at Sirikotha. Some MPs manhandled others over their disagreements on the symbol to be used by the UNP-led alliance. Following a heated argument UNP senior MP Ravindra Samaraweera, who argued in favour of the Swan symbol, tried to hit his fellow MPs who …

Continue reading ‘UNP Parliamentarian Ravindra Samaraweera Tries to Assault Fellow UNP Working Committee Members who Wanted the UNP -led Alliance to Contest Elections Under the Elephant Symbol But Is Restrained by Others at WC Meeting’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka The ‘diplomatic drone strike’, the dramatic US strictures against the Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva, tells us that Big Brother IS watching. This isn’t the usual suspects, its way out of their league. This is the Big League, the big boys and girls. I have five main takeaways. Firstly, the document …

Continue reading ‘Designation of Army Commander Lt.Gen Shavendra Silva by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Indicates that Contrary to hardline Sinhala ideological identification with President Trump, the US has sent an unambiguous signal that it will move on accountability’ »

(Text of Statement Issued by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on 19 February 2020) The United States of America has prohibited the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva or members of his family from entering that country. Even though we are now in the 21st Century, even members of his family who …

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa Announces Govt Decision to Withdraw from Co – Sponsorship Process of 30/1 Resolution at United Nations Human Rights Council’ »

(Text if Press Release Issued by the Presidents Media Division) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has directed all Provincial Councils and Local Authorities to suspend the imposition of any extra levy or raising any existing rates or taxes. Furthermore, these bodies have been requested to review the entire local authority rate and fees structure to simplify it …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has directed all Provincial Councils and Local Authorities to suspend the imposition of extra levy or Raising the Levels of existing rates or taxes.’ »

The government has decided to immediately withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolutions 30/1 and 40/1 co-sponsored by the Yahapalanaya Government in 2015 and 2019. A special meeting in this regard had been held last morning at the Presidential Secretariat and attended by Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, several senior ministers of the …

Continue reading ‘Gotabaya Govt Decides to Withdraw “Unilaterally” from UN Human Rights Council Resolutions 30/1 and 40/1 Co-sponsored by Maithripala Govt in 2015 and 2019;Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena wil Inform UNHRC in Geneva Next Week.’ »

By Shehan Chamika Silva Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake yesterday reprimanded some of the CID officers while emphasising that the manner in which they acted when Udayanga Weeratunga was arrested and produced in Court in connection with the alleged MIG-27 deal was unusual and questionable because they had failed to follow the procedure laid down …

Continue reading ‘CID Officers Probing Rajapaksa Family Member Udayanga Weeratunga Transferred Out and Fresh Officers Appointed; Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake Reprimands “New” CID for Acting in Questionable Manner in Failing to Follow Correct Procedures and Refuses to Release Ex-Russian Envoy on Bail’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s former President Maithripala Sirisena, who defected from the Mahinda Rajapaksa government to the rival political camp before being elected to office in 2015, has re-joined his former colleague and current Prime Minister Mr. Rajapaksa. Mr. Sirisena’s Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on Monday formed an alliance with the Sri Lanka …

Continue reading ‘Ex-president Maithripala Sirisena Who Defected, Contested and Defeated Mahinda Rajapaksa at the 2015 Presidential Elections Returns to the Rajapaksa Camp Ahead of 2020 Parliamentary Elections’ »

By Nuwan Senarathne The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) ironed out their differences yesterday and forwarded an application to the Election Commission to register a new alliance under the Flower Bud symbol to contest the upcoming parliamentary election. The nine-party alliance to be called the ‘Sri Lanka Nidahas …

Continue reading ‘Nine Party Alliance Named Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Sandanaya(SLNPS) Formed With Mahinda Rajapaksa as Leader and Maithripala Sirisena as Chairman.Basil Rajapaksa – General-Secretary and Dinesh Gunawardena Deputy Leader.Wimal Weerawansa and Dayasiri Jayasekara – National Organizers’ »

By Akitha Perera UNP MP S.M.Marikkar yesterday said, no Sri Lankan should apply for US visa until the US government revoked its decision to prevent the Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva and his family members from visiting that country.

An application was filed at the Elections Commission to register a party named Patriotic United National Party (PUNP) yesterday under the ‘heart’ symbol. PUNP comprises a breakaway faction of the UNP that pledged support to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa during the 2019 presidential election. The application was filed by Sugath Hewapathirana.

(Text of Media Release Issued by Human Rights Watch) Sri Lankan security forces and intelligence agencies have intensified surveillance and threats against families of victims of enforced disappearance and activists supporting them since Gotabaya Rajapaksa became president in November 2019, Human Rights Watch said today. The Sri Lankan government should fulfill its commitments to the …

Continue reading ‘“Sri Lankan security forces and intelligence agencies have intensified surveillance and threats against families of victims of enforced disappearance and activists supporting them since Gotabaya Rajapaksa became president” States Human Rights Watch’ »

By K. Ratnayake Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse ended a four-day trip to India on Tuesday. It was the third visit to New Delhi by leading figures of the Colombo government in the three months since the election of President Gotabhaya Rajapakse. Three days after Gotabhaya Rajapakse won the election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi …

Continue reading ‘The US and India have made it clear to President Gotabhaya Rajapakse’s government that it must toe the US and India’s anti-China line.’ »

By The Sunday Morning News Desk Following the recent arrest of former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kapila Chandrasena and his wife Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, after investigations revealed their alleged involvement in the corrupt deal with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus, fresh details of the financial trail as well as the complex banking and corporate …

Continue reading ‘Investigation Led by Former CID Director SSP Shani Abeysekera had Unearhed Vital Evidence About Shady Transaction with Airbus by Sri Lankan Airlines Ex-CEO Chandrasena Last Year but File was Lying Idle at A-G Dept For Months Without Attorney -General Taking Any Action’ »

The Government yesterday conveyed Sri Lanka’s strong objections on the imposition of travel restrictions on Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva and members of his immediate family and requested the US Government to review its decision. Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena summoned and conveyed to US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina Teplitz Sri Lanka’s strong …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Govt Urges the US to Review the Travel Sanction Imposed on Lt.Gen Shavendra Silva and Family Members to Visit the US and Re-iterates that there are no Subtantiated or Proven Charges of Human Rights Violations Against Army Commander’ »

By Charumini de Silva Plantation Industries and Export Agriculture Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana says no final decision has been made yet on the three proposals submitted by the Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs). Accordingly the three models proposed by the RPCs include outgrower, productivity-based incentives and revenue sharing model. “We are still in the process of …

Continue reading ‘Implementation of President Gotabaya’s Directive to Make Payment of Rs 1000 as Daily Minimum Wage for Estate Workers From March 1st Gets “Delayed”as Regional Plantation Companies Submit Three Alternative Models For Govt Consideration.’ »

By M. Thevarajah On January 14, President Gotabhaya Rajapakse’s office issued a media release declaring that the president wanted the minimum daily wage of tea plantation workers increased to 1,000 rupees ($US5.50), starting on March 1. The announcement was immediately hailed by Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) leader Arumugam Thondaman, a cabinet minister in the new …

Continue reading ‘Claims by Sri Lankan plantation companies that they are running at a loss are false. Many companies gain windfall profits because they also operate as tea auctioneers and exporting businesses.While plantation workers are paid a pittance, senior tea industry directors receive massive salaries.’ »

By The “Sunday Times” Diplomatic Editor United States Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz has been summoned to the Foreign Relations Ministry today to be told of the government’s displeasure over the travel ban on Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Shavendra de Silva, considered a ‘war hero’ in Sri Lanka, and his family. Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, who …

Continue reading ‘US Ambassador Alaina Teplitz Summoned by Sri Lankan Foreign Relations Ministry For Sunday Meeting To Be Told by Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena of Govt Displeasure Over Travel Ban Imposed on Army Commandder Lt.Gen Shavendra Silva and Family’ »

By Maria Abi-Habib and Dharisha Bastians The United States has imposed an entry bar on Sri Lanka’s army chief, Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva, citing his alleged involvement in war crimes during the final stages of the country’s civil war. The travel restriction on the general is the first significant international penalty to be imposed on …

Continue reading ‘US Travel Restriction on Gen.Shavendra Silva is the First Significant International Penalty to be Imposed on a Sri Lankan Official over Atrocities Committed During the Country’s 26-year Civil War with the Tamil Tigers.’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake With the Ranil vs Sajith debate dragging on we are now moving to a battle on symbols. Ranil is not ready to give the elephant symbol to the new Sajith-led alliance. So we are moving to the heart of the matter. Sajith has picked on the heart symbol, and the polls commission …

Continue reading ‘“Is Sajith Premadasa taking us all to another phase of dirty and crooked politics and governance, which has nothing to do with the heartbeat of expectation of the people?’ »

By Julian Borger in Washington The US has imposed sanctions on Sri Lanka’s chief of army staff, Lt Gen Shavendra Silva, for war crimes committed at final stages of the conflict against the Tamil Tigers in 2009, when up to 70,000 Tamil civilians were killed. The US travel ban against Silva and his family marks …

Continue reading ‘US State Dept Imposes Sanctions on Sri Lanka’s Army Commander; Lt -Gen Shavendra Silva and Immediate Family Members Prohibited From Entering the USA’ »

(Text of Press Statement Issued by US Secretary of State Michael R.Pompeo on February 14th 2020) The Department of State has designated Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, current Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and Acting Chief of Defense Staff, as required under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations …

Continue reading ‘Public Designation, Due to Gross Violations of Human Rights, of Shavendra Silva of Sri Lanka Under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act’ »

The Government last night took strong objection against the imposition of travel restrictions by the US against Army Commander Lt. General Shavendra Silva and his family to the United States. Foreign Affairs Ministry said that the US Department of State has designated Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, current Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and Acting …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Govt Objects Strongly to Sanctions Imposed by the US State Dept on Army Chief Shavendra Silva and Family Members Prohibiting Entry to the USA; Urges US to Verify Authenticity of Its Information Sources and Review Decision’ »

Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Kshenuka Senewiratne yesterday said external timelines would only hinder the reconciliation process as they function independent of ground realities. “Timelines evolved externally in achieving stated objectives would only seek to hinder the process of reconciliation since they would be bereft of ground realities,” emphasised Sri Lanka’s …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN Kshenuka Senewiratne Says Externally Imposed Timelines Would Hinder Reconciliatin at a One Day Debate in the UN Security Council’ »

By Dr. Prasanna Cooray MSH Mohamed is an iconic figure in cancer philanthropy in Sri Lanka. He, together with his Fight Cancer Team, toiled with great determination and dedication to fulfill the sole ambition of his late son, Humaid, who succumbed to cancer three years ago. His last wish was to equip the Apeksha Cancer …

Continue reading ‘Anti -Muslim Racism Spearheaded by Maharagama Cancer Hospital Director Undermines the Fight Against the Cancer Menace in Sri Lanka’ »

By Kshama Ranawana Could Restorative Justice be the key to healing a deeply wounded society such as ours? That was the discussion that took place on Monday, February 3rd, at the BMICH, where Barry Hart, Professor of Psycho-Social Trauma, Identity, Dignity and Peacebuilding, of the Eastern Mennonite University, USA and Initiatives of Change (IoC) Global, …

Continue reading ‘Restorative Justice Working Along Lines of Forgiveness and Empathy and Concentrating on the Victims just as much as on the Perpetrators’ will Stand a Better Chance of Healing the Sri Lankan nation.’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka Unarguably, Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) is the most universally respected Asian statesman of our time. He is esteemed from Washington to Havana, from Moscow to Beijing; from East to West and North to South, both for the quality of his mind and his conspicuous practical success as a transformational leader. LKY is …

Continue reading ‘For Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew the Problem of Sri Lanka was the Perspective and Project of “Sinhalese Supremacy Over the Tamils” and the unwillingness or inability of Sinhala leaders to Transcend it’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene One of the stranger if not outlandish manifestations of the upending of Sri Lanka’s legal order is the ongoing tussle between the Attorney General and the Presidential Commission inquiring into alleged incidents of political victimisation of public servants during the previous Sirisena-Wickremesinghe Government. A truly extraordinary directive The source of this …

Continue reading ‘If the Attorney General was Weak and Had Obeyed the Presidential Commission of Inquiry ‘directive’ not to Prosecute Karannagoda and Dassanayake in the Abduction and Murder by Navy Case, a Parody of Justice Would have Occurred’ »

The Election Commission (EC) has recognised Sajith Premadasa as the new leader of Our National Front (ONF) or Ape Jathika Peramuna and MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara as its General Secretary, as well as a change in the party’s name to Samagi Jana Balawegaya or United National Power (UNP), with the new acronym widening divisions within …

Continue reading ‘Sajith Premadasa’s New Party “Sammagi Jana Balawegaya” Translated in English as “United National Power”(UNP) will Have the Same Acronym as “United National Party”(UNP);Objection Sent to Election Commission by UNP Legal Secretary Nissanka Nanayakkara.’ »

By Akitha Perera and Chaminda Silva The Election Commission (EC) has approved a request from those supporting Sajith Premadasa to rename ‘Ape Jathika Peramuna’ as ‘Samagi Jana Balavegaya,’ and make MP Ranjith Maddumabandara its General Secretary. The Premadasa faction wants to contest the upcoming general election from ‘Samagi Jana Balavegaya.’ Commissioner General of Elections Commission, …

Continue reading ‘“Ape Jathika Peramuna” Renamed as “Samagi Jana Balavegaya” and Recognized by Elections Commission as a Political Party with Sajith Premadasa as Chairman and Ranjith Madduma Bandara as General Secretary;Moves on to Have the “Heart” as Party Symbol.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The UNP Working Committee yesterday unanimously approved the name of MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara as the General Secretary of the new UNP-led alliance to be formed to contest the upcoming General Elections, but differences over the symbol under which the polls will be contested led to several members walking out of the …

Continue reading ‘Majority of UNP Working Committee Members Want Proposed UNP -led Alliance to Contest Under Elephant Symbol But Sajith Premadasa Refuses and Walks out of WC Meeting with Some of his Loyalists’ »

By Arjuna Ranawana Premadasa is likely to contest the forthcoming election leading a new alliance called the Jathika Samagi Balavegaya (National Unity Force), officials at the Opposition Leader’s office said.

By Ben Travers Bong Joon Ho saved the Oscars. His smile. His crazy hair. The way he walks, and, yes, the way he talks, but especially the way he directs — all of these (literally) winning attributes not only contributed to a history-making 92nd Academy Awards ceremony, but kept it from ranking among the worst …

Continue reading ‘South Korean Film Maker Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite” Makes History by Becoming the First Non – English Language Film to Win Prestigious Best Picture Award at Oscars: Also Gets Oscars in Best director, Best Original Screenplay and Best International Feature Film Categories.’ »

(Excerpted From the “Sunday Times” Political Column) The news came many months after a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe into the procurement of Airbus A-350 aircraft by SriLankan Airlines and its findings remained in limbo. All of a sudden, the Attorney General’s Department directed the Police this week to obtain a warrant from the Magistrate’s …

Continue reading ‘How much was Actually paid to Terminate Deal to Purchase and Lease Airbus Aircraft by Sri Lankan Airlines? Huge Discrepany in Amounts Shown in Sri Lankan Airlines Board Documents and Memorandum to Cabinet.’ »

Police Special Task Force (STF) yesterday arrested 21 people, including a Colonel and two soldiers, who were excavating a land in Dharmapuram, Kilinochchi in search of gold buried by the LTTE. The Colonel and the two soldiers were providing security to those carrying out the excavation. All three were in army uniform and are members …

Continue reading ‘Group of 21 Persons Including a Colonel and Two Soldiers From Vijayaba Regiment and Two Retired Soldiers Arrested by Police Special Task Force in Kilinochchi While Excavating for Gold Buried by the LTTE’ »

By Imesh Ranasinghe The main opposition United National Party (UNP) challenged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today to present the audit reports of the ‘Api Wenuwen Api’ fund to parliament.

By Maheesha Mudugamuwa Instructions have been issued by the President’s Office to all permanent ministry secretaries including the Prime Minister’s Secretary, not to accept or entertain any form of communications from the private staff or any other officer of the Prime Minister’s Office, ministry, or state ministry. Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera had …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Secretary Dr.PB Jayasundara Issues Directive Forbidding the Private Staffers of Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers ordering, requesting, or issuing instructions related to any development project or any other government work through letters or telephone calls’ »

By Padma Rao Sundarji Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is on his first visit to India since taking office. He spoke to Padma Rao Sundarji about Sri Lanka’s ship with Pakistan, which India accuses of being involved in cross-border terrorism; proposed changes to Tamil provincial councils instead of giving them greater autonomy under the …

Continue reading ‘“China helped us for the sake of development, that is all. Our war had shattered our country, we needed help to develop; they were ready, so why not? We took their money and developed that area.”- Sri Lankan Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa in Interview with “Hindustan Times”.’ »

In his media statement after talks with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa here on Saturday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he is “confident that the Sri Lankan government will realize the expectations of equality, justice, peace and respect of the Tamil people within a united Sri Lanka.” But the Lankan Prime Minister …

Continue reading ‘Indian Premier Narendra Modi Emphasises Need for Reconciliation with the Tamil People in a United Sri Lanka in his Media Statement After Meeting Mahinda Rajapaksa But Sri Lankan Prime Minister Omits Any Reference to the Issue in Media Release’ »

By Suhasini Haidar Sri Lanka wants India to allow debt repayments by Colombo to be deferred for three years, visiting Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said in order to help the country deal with its massive debt burden. The issue was at the top of the agenda when Mr. Rajapaksa met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in …

Continue reading ‘“I am confident that the Government of Sri Lanka will realise the expectations of the Tamil people for equality, justice, peace, and respect within a united Sri Lanka. For this, it will be necessary to carry forward the process of reconciliation with the implementation of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka,” – Indian PM Narendra Modi’ »

By Suhasini Haidar On his first visit after being sworn in as Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi. Mr. Mahinda told The Hindu about his hopes for debt-restructuring, and also about projects now on the anvil, although his government will not carry forward the projects agreed to …

Continue reading ‘“The Tamil National Alliance is not interested in talks. They are asking for things, which the majority community in Sri Lanka will not accept.”- Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in Interview with “The Hindu”’ »

A Sri Lanka court has remanded the ex-Chief Executive Kapila Chandrasena and his wife over a suspected money laundering offence related linked a purchase of a fleet of Airbus aircraft from 2013, who surrendered to police. Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanyake had remanded Chandrasena and his wife Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake till February 19, after they …

Continue reading ‘Funds From Singapore Standard Chartered Bank Account in the name of Kapila Chandrasena’s Wife Priyanka Wijenayake Remitted to Several Bank Accounts in Sri Lanka;CID Seeks Time From Court to Record Statements From Holders of Bank Accounts Which Allegedly Received Cash’ »

By Dr Upul Wijayawardhana Though I no longer support the UNP, because of its recent unpatriotic stance, I still do not, even in the wildest of dreams, wish for its demise. Unfortunately, this exactly seems to be what the leader and his deputy seem attempting to do. Are they so dumb that they do not …

Continue reading ‘The Elephantine Error of Saith Premadasa was not Allowing Ranil to Contest Presidential Elections as Defeat Would have been a Certainty and it Would not have been Difficult to Dislodge Wickremesinghe After yet Another Defeat.’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake While the publicity blitz on coronavirus seems to be settling down, there is now a political and corruption blitz catching on. It is the ‘Voharika Viganana Prahaaraya’ of Forensic Audit Blitz (FAB). As the debate on the FAB gets louder the spread of corruption across the political divide in the country gets …

Continue reading ‘Forensic Audits of Central Bank Treasury Bond Scams Indicate that the Employees Provident Fund and Employees Trust Fund Savings of Hard Working People Have Been Robbed by Both the Cabral-Perpetual and Mahendran-Perpetual “Exercises”’ »

by Dr Nirmala Chandrahasan In a recent article in The Island captioned “Alleged war crimes lame excuse to introduce new Constitution”, the writer puts forward the view that the process initiated by the previous UNF government to draft a new Constitution, with the Parliament constituting itself into a Constitutional Assembly in 2016, was as a …

Continue reading ‘Efforts to Usher in a New Constitution or Engage in Constitution Reform Have Been Going On in Sri Lanka for Several Decades Whereas the UNHRC Resolution was Passed only in October 2015’ »

By Ifham Nizam Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR) Spokesman Sajeewa Chamikara says the government has caused grave environmental degradation by allowing racketeers to extract granite, soil and sand with hardly any control Some government ministers had also advised officials to turn a blind eye to environmental destruction caused by ‘development projects’, he alleged.

By Himal Kotelawala Martin Luther King Jr is often cited as a shining example of civility, of benign agitation. His was the kind of allegedly meek, half-hearted protestation the liberal intelligentsia of the West nostalgically point to when confronted with today’s youthful, unabashedly disruptive activism. The world’s collective memory of King Jr has been shaped …

Continue reading ‘“Designating a Particular Areas for Agitation is a Way of Sanitising Protest That Makes it less Effective and to Let Protests take place Outside of the Power Structures that Exist in Society” -Dr.Harini Amarasuriya’ »

By Aditi Khanna London, Feb 6 (PTI) British mercenary pilots helped Indian troops in their battle against the Liberation Tigers for Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels in Sri Lanka in the 1980s, a new book reveals for the first time. The Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) received air support from these for-hire British pilots despite Indian …

Continue reading ‘While Criticising British Mercenary Presence in Sri Lanka Overtly India Used British Mercenary Pilots Covertly to Help The Indian Army Fight the LTTE in Sri Lanka in 1987 Reveals New Book “”Keenie Meenie: The British Mercenaries Who Got Away With War Crimes”’ »

By A.J.A. Abeynayake and Kasuni Rebeca Deputy Solicitor General Thusitha Mudalige yesterday (06) told Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake that part of USD 2 mn received by Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, wife of former SirLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena, from Airbus SE of France, had been credited to the accounts of one or two persons living in …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Airlines Ex-CEO and Wife Tell CID they were not aware of the bank account bearing Wijenayake’s name or the account opened under Kapila Chandrasena’s name or subsequent transfers to other accounts.’ »