By Yohan Perera The fifty two MPs who claimed they have elected Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa as the new leader of the UNP yesterday said they will seek the party’s working committee approval for the new appointment. UNP MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara told journalists yesterday that they will seek party’s working committee approval for …

Continue reading ‘52 MP’s Have Elected Sajith Premadasa as UNP Leader Pending Working Committee Approval say Parliamentarians Madduma Bandara, Harin Fernando, Sarath Fonseka and Dilip Wedaarachchi’ »

By Charumini de Silva President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has created a fresh storm with his directive to hike estate worker wages by 17% to Rs. 1,000 from March whilst a Collective Agreement is in place and with the plantations companies, already in crisis, saying they have no capacity to pay. The plantation companies and the Employers’ …

Continue reading ‘Despite Receiving Generous Financial Relief Package From New Govt, Plantation Companies are Unwilling to Grant Rs 145 Daily Wage Increase to Estate Workers as Directed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’ »

By Yohan Perera UNP Parliamentary Group meeting which was held today at its Headquarters Sirikotha ended up abruptly without a decision as to who would become the next leader of the party. Informed sources said some members wanted a vote to decide on the leadership but several including Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Vajira Abeywardene, General …

Continue reading ‘Ranil and his Loyalists Including Vajira, Sagala and Akila Viraj Walk Out of UNP Parliamentary Group Meeting After Sajith Faction Calls For Vote to Elect Party Leader; Remaining 52 MP’s Favoured Premadasa in Unofficial Vote Tweets Harsha de Silva’ »

By K. Thirukumaran Tamils have celebrated Thai Pongal in one form or the other over millennia. Celebrating Thai Pongal nowadays in its traditional, purposeful piety and outdoor gala continues to evolve as vast numbers of diaspora Tamil communities exist in far corners away from their homelands. They also live far from ancestral agrarian and village …

Continue reading ‘Many Facets of Thai Pongal: Pongal the Traditional Tamil Thanksgiving Festival’ »

By Prof. S.Ratnajeevan H.Hoole As a Tamil I take the position that I am better off without the police because I get more harassment than protection from them. The video of an IGP assaulting an employee in a lift bears testimony to how committed the police are to law and order. I have dealt in …

Continue reading ‘“As a Tamil I Take the Position that I am Better off Without the Police Because I get more Harassment than Protection from them.” Says Ratnajeevan Hoole Citing Three Road Incidents With Police as Examples’ »

UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who was arrested yesterday over his leaked phone recordings faces, losing his civic rights for seven years as well as a year-long imprisonment if found guilty after the Attorney General (AG) directed that he be charged for offences under Article 111 C (2) of the Constitution. Ramanayake, who is embroiled in …

Continue reading ‘Ranjan Ramanayake Arrested by Police CCD;MP Will be Charged Under Article 111 C(2) of the Constitution;Likely to Lose Civic Rights for Seven Years and Serve One Year Imprisonment if Found Guilty’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has pledged not to allow “any outside influences” to interfere with Sri Lanka’s internal matters, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s office said on Tuesday. “As Sri Lanka’s strategic partner China will continue to standby Sri Lanka’s interests. China stands for the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. We …

Continue reading ‘“We will not allow any outside influences to interfere with matters that are essentially internal concerns of Sri Lanka” Declares Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Colombo’ »

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has decided the minimum daily wage of estate workers to be Rs. 1,000 with effect from 1 March this year. It was also decided to take swift measures to develop all areas of the plantation sector, including infrastructure facilities.

UNP yesterday suspended the party membership of Gampaha district Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake. United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe took the decision after a number of complaints alleging derogatory comments by and behaviour of the MP were received by the party, said UNP General Secretary MP Akila Viraj Kariyawasam at a press conference held at …

Continue reading ‘UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe Suspends Gampaha District MP Ranjan Ramanayake’s Party Membershop Pending Endorsement by UNP Working Committee’ »

Ranil Wickremesinghe is ready to renounce his party leadership but will only do so leaving behind a united and strong party, said UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam ata press conference held yesterday. Kariyawasam made the comment in response to a question posed regarding the party leadership issue which will be taken up at the …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe Ready to Give Up United National Party Leadership After Ensuring a United and Strong Party says UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam.’ »

By Anurangi Singh and Maneshka Borham Just hours after the arrest of United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake last week by the Colombo South Crimes Division of the Police, social media platforms were flooded with recordings of private conversations which had allegedly taken place between the MP and a number of prominent and popular …

Continue reading ‘“RanjaGate”:Alleged Recordings of Ranjan Ramanayake’s Conversations Lead to Legal Luminaries and Social Activists Expressing Concerns and Calling for a Right to Privacy Act to be Implemented in the Country’ »

By Miguel R Ramos, postdoctoral research associate at the University of Oxford; Douglas Massey, professor of sociology at Princeton University; Matthew Bennett, senior lecturer in social policy at University of Birmingham; and Miles Hewstone, emeritus professor of social psychology and public policy at the University of Oxford. The ethnic and religious composition of many modern …

Continue reading ‘New Research Study Reveals that Positive Effect of Mixing with Members of Different Groups Enables Countries to Adapt to Diversity as Time Goes on and Experience Growth as a Result.’ »

(Text of “Thaippongal”message issued by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa) I wish the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and the world over, a delightful Thai Pongal Festival. Sri Lanka is a nation of diverse nationalities coexisting peacefully. Each of those nationalities have their own, unique cultural celebrations that add color and vibrancy to the Sri Lankan …

Continue reading ‘“The Thai Pongal festival is an important cultural event celebrated by the Tamil community throughout the world. My heartfelt greetings to the Tamil community celebrating ” in Sri Lanka and the world over” Says Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in Special Message Issued for “Thaippongal”’ »

By Shivanthi Ranasinghe The upcoming week promises to be an unusually interesting one for Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. On January 14, he will be separately meeting two Foreign Ministers, Sergey Lavrov of Russia and Wang Yi China, and the US Assistant Secretary of State, Alice Wells. With the UNHRC March session around the corner, …

Continue reading ‘Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Meetings This Week with Wells, Lavrov and Wang Yi Will Enable Lankan President to re-affirm close ties with Russia and China and find Common ground with the US.’ »

by Zacki Jabbar UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who is under fire, following a leak of his telephone conversations during the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration, says the investigative methods adopted by him may be questionable, but the ultimate objective was to ensure truth and justice. Ramanayake said last week that his actions were aimed at unravelling serious crimes …

Continue reading ‘Ranjan Ramanayake says the investigative methods adopted by him may be questionable but the ultimate objective was to expose wrongs that had been committed and ensure victims were able to obtain just remedies’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardena Handwringing by Government politicians over leaked tape recordings of phone conversations between prosecutors, judicial officers and a United National Party politician known more for his brawn than his brain, (this worthy’s cerebral power appears to be even less than commonly perceived), is hypocritical in the extreme. Historic undermining of the judicial …

Continue reading ‘The Question that Arises after Revelations Made by the Ranjan Ramanayake Recordings is How Serving Judicial Officers and Prosecutors Could have been so senseless enough to engage in these Conversations in the first place.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan More than three decades after Sri Lanka recognised Tamil as an official language like Sinhala, you would expect a debate on singing the national anthem in Tamil to be redundant. However, a controversy erupted recently after local media reported the Public Administration Ministry’s decision to drop the Tamil version of the country’s …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Public Administration Ministry’s decision to drop the Tamil Version of the Country’s National Anthem from The First Independence Day Celebration After Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Became President Creates Controversy’ »

By Sandun Jayawardana Bombshell revelations contained in phone recordings allegedly involving United National Party (UNP) MP Ranjan Ramanayake largely overshadowed this week’s House debate on the policy statement of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. As one alleged phone conversation after another leaked onto social media and some even making their way to mainstream media, the matter was …

Continue reading ‘Bombshell Revelations Contained in Phone Recordings Allegedly Involving United National Party MP Ranjan Ramanayake Largely Overshadowed Parliamentary Debate on the Policy Statement of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.’ »

By Chris Kamalendran Around 3000 Sri Lankan refugees living in India are willing to return to their motherland on their own accord, International Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told the Sunday Times. In his first official visit to India as minister in charge of foreign affairs early this week, Mr Gunawardena met India’s External Affairs Minister …

Continue reading ‘Around 3000 of the 80,000 Sri Lankans Living as Refugees in India are Willing to Return Home Voluntarily Says Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardene After Having Talks With India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishanker in New Delhi’ »

Opposition Leader and UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa, who held the Cultural Affairs portfolio under the previous government, is likely to face a police investigation into disbursement of large amount of funds. The matter came up for discussion at a top-level meeting where Central Cultural Fund disbursements were discussed. Earlier, it was the subject of …

Continue reading ‘Police Investigation to be Launched Into Large Amounts of Allegedly Irregular Donations Being Paid to Buddhist Temples from the Central Cultural Fund by Sajith Premadasa While Holding the Portfolio of Cultural Affairs Minister’ »

By P.K.Balachandran The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), whose Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa won the November 16 election without the support of the minority Tamils and Muslims, and is still to reach out to them in any overt way, is likely to build bridges with them after the April 2020 parliamentary elections, sources close …

Continue reading ‘Gotabaya Rajapaksa Regime Unlikely to Reach Out To Tamils and Muslims Before Parliamentary Elections as New Govt Wants to Retain Its Sinhala Constituency by Continuing With Hardline Majoritarian Stance.’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake A cartoon in The Island earlier this week showed the citizen seeking shelter from the rain of the Ranjan Ramanayake phone call exposures. We now seem to be moving more to a reign, than just rain, with the One Shot call soon reigning over the coming general election campaign. It is interesting …

Continue reading ‘Ranjan Ramanayake and his Telephone Call Recordings will soon be the Slogan of the “Pohottuwa” team as it moves into Election Campaign Action.’ »

by Shamindra Ferdinando Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, yesterday, said that it would be the responsibility of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya to take action in respect of the recent disclosure of UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake’s audio clips. Government Spokesman State Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, on Wednesday (08), said that there were a staggering 121,000 audio clips collected …

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa Says it is the responsibility of the Chief Justice to take Action Regarding Disclosures Made by Ranjan Ramanayake’s Audio Clips Relating to Conversations with Members of the Judiciary.”Judicial Services Commission also Must Help Clear Up This Mess”Says Ex-President’ »

TNA leader R. Sampanthan on Wednesday, January 08 told parliament that his party was ready to work with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Commenting on President Rajapaksa’s policy statement, MP Sampanthan said that Gotabaya Rajapaksa had polled seven million votes. “Eighty five per cent of the Tamil people, on our call, voted against him; he could not …

Continue reading ‘“President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who is not a politician is prepared to speak the truth and to do the right thing. If he is making any errors, we need to advise and correct him. We are prepared to work with him.”- TNA Leader R.Sampanthan in Parliament’ »

By Nimanthi Ranasinghe MP Ranjan Ramanayake yesterday filed a motion against the disclosure of telephone recordings – seized by the police during his arrest – to media platforms. When the motion was filed before Nugegoda Magistrate U.K. Pelpola, the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) was ordered to produce facts to court on January 17 on how …

Continue reading ‘Nugegoda Magistrate U.K.Pelpola Orders CCD to Inform Court on Jan 17 as to how Voice Recordings Seized From Ranjan Ramanayake’s House Were Leaked to the Media Following Motion Filed by MP Against Disclosure of Telephone Recordings Seized by Police to Media Platforms’ »

By Indika Ramanayaka On the instructions of the Acting IGP, an investigation has been launched against Colombo South Crime Division OIC IP Jayantha Silva for failing to resist from being embraced by MP Ranjan Ramanayake when the latter was being taken into custody last Saturday, sources from the police headquarters said.

Accusing the government of a campaign of political revenge, newly-appointed Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday sought clarification on thousands of alleged dismissals in the state sector on political grounds. Over 6,000 government workers are facing unemployment as a result of politically motivated dismissals or cancellations of appointments made by the previous government, Premadasa said. “Instead …

Continue reading ‘New Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa Accuses New Govt of Taking Political Revenge by Dismissing Over 6000 Employees who Were Given Jobs by the Previous Govt’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena will hold bilateral discussions in New Delhi on Thursday, including with his Indian counterpart Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar. He was scheduled to arrive in Delhi late on Wednesday. Mr. Gunawardena’s visit comes over a month after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was in New …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena Will Hold Bi-lateral Discussions With Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishanker in New Delhi as Follow Up to Earlier Meeting Between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’ »

By S. S. Selvanayagam The Colombo District Court on Tuesday ordered Bank of Ceylon to pay a Canadian expatriate citizen $ 875,000, together with interest and legal costs, after the bank was found to have made unauthorised transfers of funds held in special investment deposit accounts. The litigation, initiated by the plaintiff Manohar Randolph Alexander …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Expatriate Canadian Citizen Whose Special Foreign Investment Deposits in Bank of Ceylon Were Allegedly Swindled Awarded $ 875,000 Along With Interest and Legal Costs by Colombo District Court’ »

By Saman Indrajith The Chair force-stopped Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, during his speech due to a digression, in Parliament yesterday. Opposition Leader Premadasa availing himself of the provisions under the Standing Orders 27/2 was making a special statement when Minister Wimal Weerawansa raised a point of order to bring the attention of the House that …

Continue reading ‘Deputy Chairman of Committees Selvam Adaikkalanathan Presiding as Chair Orders Discontinuation of Speech by Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa for Contravening Procedures Under Standing Orders 27/ 2 By Digressing and Speaking on Extraneous Issues’ »

Former Army Commander and UNF MP Sarath Fonseka today criticized President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s decision to appoint Brigadier Suresh Sallay as head of the country’s State Intelligence Service (SIS). Speaking at the parliamentary session today(7), Fonseka said that Sallay’s ethnicity would affect his work as head of SIS. “Brigadier Suresh Sallay is a Muslim. How can …

Continue reading ‘Sarath Fonseka Criticises President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for Appointing Brig. Suresh Sallay as State Intelligence Service Head:“Brigadier Suresh Sallay is a Muslim. How can a Muslim be appointed as the SIS Head? We are fighting Islamic terrorism and there is conflict of interest here.” Says Ex-Army Chief’ »

By Nisali De Silva The stage is being set for incarcerated businessman-turned politician Duminda Silva to be set free, United National Party (UNP) MP Hirunika Premachandra said. Speaking to reporters at the Opposition Leader’s Office this afternoon, Premachandra said Silva along with others accused in the Baratha Lakshman Premchandra murder case were given the death …

Continue reading ‘Hirunika Premachandra MP Says Stage is Being Set for Release of Convicted Ex-MP Duminda Silva and Asks Police to Explain How Some “Laundry” Media Got Hold of Audio Recordings Taken By Police From Ranjan Ramanayake MP’s House’ »

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) called into question yesterday the appointment of a Senior State Counsel attached to the Attorney General’s Department as an Additional Legal Secretary to the President’s Office on a part-time basis. This appointment, which has been made in addition to the State Counsel’s current position as Coordinating …

Continue reading ‘JVP Led NPP Raises Questions Over Independence of the Attorney – General Due To State Counsel Functioning as AG’s Coordinating Officer Also Working as Addl Legal Secretary in President’s Office; Concern Expressed Over Police Treating Complainants as Suspects Without Investigations and the High -profile Arrests of Opposition MP’s’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Opposition MPs yesterday urged Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to overrule the Attorney General (AG) and release the forensic audit reports prepared as part of the investigation into the Central Bank bond scam. The UNP and JVP MPs made the request after Jayasuriya informed the House when Parliament met last afternoon that he had …

Continue reading ‘UNP and JVP MP’s Urge Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to Release Central Bank Bond Scam Forensic Audit Reports Despite Attorney – General “Advising” Speaker not to Release Reports to MP’s at this point’ »

Former Parliamentarian Sarana Gunawardena yesterday received bail from the Colombo High Court, hours after being found guilty of misusing public funds and being sentenced to three years in prison. He was given bail by the Colombo High Court after considering the appeal filed by President’s Counsel Anil Silva, who represented the former MP. The Colombo …

Continue reading ‘Ex -UPFA MP Sarana Gunawardena Given Three Year Prison Sentence for Misappropriation of State Funds by Colombo Chief Magistrate is Released on Bail Hours Later Following Appeal Made to Colombo High Court’ »

Newly-appointed Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa made his maiden speech in Parliament yesterday by extending support to the Government to take forward any people-friendly policies, including shelving the $ 480 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact. “Over 6.9 million people voted for the President. As the Opposition Leader I would like to say that we, as …

Continue reading ‘Sajith Premadasa in Maiden Parliament Speech as Leader of the Opposition Promises Support for Passing of Early 2020 Budget and Pledges to Give Full Support For Implementation of Govt’s Progressive Proposals’ »

Former Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) SSP Shani Abeysekara has been interdicted with immediate effect, the National Police Commission said. Abeysekara has reportedly been interdicted for causing disrepute to the police over a statement made in a leaked tele-conversation. Several audio clips purportedly between former State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake and state officials including …

Continue reading ‘Former CID Director Shani Abeysekara SSP Interdicted With Immediate Effect and Travel Ban Imposed After Audio Clips Seized by Police From UNP Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake’s House Surface on Social Media’ »

By P.K.Balachandran The new President of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, is aiming at getting two-thirds majority in the April 2020 parliamentary elections to be able to bring about sweeping changes in the constitution to strengthen the Executive which was badly crippled by the 19 th.Amendment (19A) brought about by the previous regime. Gotabaya is keen …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Aims for Two-Thirds Majority in April Parliamentary Elections to Either Jettison or Drastically Prune Down the 19th Constitutional Amendment and Strenghen the Executive Presidency.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s main Tamil party on Tuesday urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa not to “regress into naked majoritarianism”, that in the past gave rise to a conflict, resulting in armed hostilities spanning over three decades. Addressing Parliament, Jaffna district legislator and the Tamil National Alliance’s (TNA) spokesman M.A. Sumanthiran said the equal status …

Continue reading ‘“Equal status of peoples belonging to different races, religions, languages and cultures is not dependent on their respective numerical strength”Says TNA Spokesperon MA Sumanthiran MP in Parliament’ »

(Text of Press Release Issued by the Tamil National Alliance Media Office Incorporating the Transcript of Speech made by Mr. M. A. Sumanthiran MP in Parliament on 07.01.2020) Mr. Speaker, The Statement on Government Policy as laid out by His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the 3rd of January 2020 is one that needs to be …

Continue reading ‘“Regretfully, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Has Articulated his Regressive Position of “Naked Majoritarianism” in his Address to Parliament on Jan 3rd” – M. A. Sumanthiran MP’ »

By W.A. Wijewardena The sick economy President Gotabaya Rajapaksa – now fondly called Gota by everyone – inherited an underperforming economy. It was just like the economy which the previous administration had inherited from his brother some five years ago. As I had presented in this column repeatedly, the economy was turning from bad to …

Continue reading ‘Gota Should Wake up and fight his Economic war to a Conclusion as he did in the Case of his Other Wars’ »

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa says the United National Party will move forward with a new vision and a new outlook. Participating in an event in Galle over the weekend, the Opposition Leader said the Office of the Leader of the Opposition will be transformed into a helpful and people-friendly institution, which will listen …

Continue reading ‘Sajith Premadasa says all UNP Parliamentarians are Committed to give the top most Priority to the Security of the Sinhala Buddhist Motherland, while Protecting all Minority Communities’ »

Police last night arrested United National Party Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake for possession of an unlicensed pistol, after they conducted an extensive search of his official residence at the Madiwela Housing Complex. Issuing a statement last night, Police Headquarters said that officers had also found 127 rounds of 9mm ammunition used for the pistol as well …

Continue reading ‘UNP Gampaha Dist MP Ranjan Ramanayake Arrested for Possessing Pistol Without Renewing License After Police Search His Madiwela Residence For Material Allegedly Embarassing Govt;Cops Seize Laptop, CD’s, DVD’s, Master Copy of “Navariyan”Film and a File on Murder of Ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Duplicitous politicians who engage in constitutional games to hoodwink the public must be clearly exposed for the truly shameful creatures that they are. Chopping and changing the primary text Constitution-making in Sri Lanka has generally been instrumental. Amendments to the nation’s primary text are driven by obvious political agendas. There are …

Continue reading ‘Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’s Private Members Bill Seeking to Restore Presidential Powers to Monarchical Status Obscures an Insidiously Dangerous Hidden Purpose of Making Appointments to the Higher Judiciary a Nakedly Political Process’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Jeyaraj’s Jottings (Jeyaraj’s Jottings was a series of short articles written some time ago by me to be posted on my Blog. However due to pressure of work I discontinued the jottings for quite a while. With the advent of the year 2020 I have resumed posting “Jeyaraj’s Jottings”again on my Blog. This …

Continue reading ‘A Beautiful Island Where The National Anthem Is Sung In Two Languages -1’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake We are bang into the New Year. The new session of Parliament has been opened by the President. Parliamentary politics could move to a new swing, with a government not having a formal majority in the House. There is also another political tune at play – that of the National Anthem. President …

Continue reading ‘Will Minister Janaka Bandara Tennekoon Accept that Singing the National Anthem in a Minority Language and not the Main Official Language Would Build Reconciliation and Help Achieve National Unity?’ »

(The policy statement made by His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka at the inauguration of the Fourth Session of the 8th Parliament of Sri Lanka.) Honourable Speaker, Honourable Prime Minister, Honourable Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Ministers, Honourable State Ministers, Honourable Members of Parliament, I have this opportunity …

Continue reading ‘“I Pledge that During my Term of Office, I will Always Defend the Unitary Status of our Country, and Protect and Nurture the Buddha Sasana Whilst Safeguarding the Right of all Citizens to Practice a Religion of Their Choice” – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’ »

Delivering his first-ever address to Parliament since taking oaths, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sent out a strong message today to all parties representing the legislature on, among other things, his vision for the country, his values as a Rajapaksa family member, the role of minority parties and the importance of constitutional reform. Dressed in a Western …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his First Address to Parliament Emphasises Need for Urgent Constitutional and Electoral Reforms that will Establish a Strong Executive, Legislature and an Independent Judiciary’ »

By Chandani Kirinde and Ashwin Hemmathagama The Tri-Forces Guard of Honour including the 21-gun salute which was to be part of the ceremonial sitting of the new Parliamentary session which begins today was halted on the request of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, official sources said. As part of the usual procedure followed when a new session …

Continue reading ‘Envisaged Tri -Forces Guard of Honour Including 21 Gun Salute at Ceremonial Opening of New Parliamentary Session Cancelled at the Last Minute Due to a Request by President Gotabaya rajapaksa for a Simplified Ceremony’ »

By Chandani Kirinde A Private Member’s Bill to enable the President to hold the Ministry of Defence and any other ministries will be introduced to Parliament by MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe shortly. The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution has been published in the Gazette ahead of its presentation to the House, Rajapakshe told Daily FT. The …

Continue reading ‘Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe to Introduce Private Members Bill Incorprating 22nd Constitutional Amendment to Enable the President to Hold the Defence Ministry and any Other Ministry by Amending article 43’ »

Wisden magazine, which is considered as the Bible of cricket, has published its T20I Team of the Decade. Wisden magazine has named Sri Lanka’s fast bowler Lasith Malinga as the king of T20 fast bowling.

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDAD) of Switzerland yesterday welcomed with relief the release on bail of the employee of its embassy in Colombo. The Swiss authorities welcomed the release of the employee with a message via its official Twitter account @SwissMFA.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne yesterday released on bail Garnier Bannister Francis, the local employee of the Swiss Embassy in Colombo allegedly involved in a fake abduction case. Francis was granted bail on two personal sureties of Rs 500,000 each. The Court temporarily banned foreign travel of the defendant and asked her passport to be …

Continue reading ‘Colombo Swiss Embassy Employee Garnier Bannister Francis Released on Bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne; Court Bans Foreign Travel and Orders Surrender of Passport;Next Date of Hearing on Jan 9th 2020’ »

Former Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne was granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday. This was when an anticipatory bail application filed by Dr. Senaratne was taken up for consideration. The court ordered that Dr. Senaratne be granted bail on two personal bail bonds of Rs 500,000 each. Banning foreign travel for Senaratne, the …

Continue reading ‘Former Health Minister Dr.Rajitha Senaratne MP Who was Arrested by Police Over the White Van Drivers Media Conference Incident While Being in Coronary Intensive Care Unit of Lanka Hospital Granted Bail by Colombo Magistrates Court’ »

Senior Sri Lanka Administrative Service officer with vast experience P.S.M. Charles was appointed as the Northern Province Governor by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday. Charles previously served as the District Secretariat of Vavuniya and Batticaloa. She also served as Director General of Customs and Secretary to the Health Ministry.

By Uditha Devapriya In a country dominated by Cartesian thinking, it’s probably not surprising that a man vilified for the better part of a decade as a Sinhala Buddhist chauvinist, traditionalist, warmonger and opportunist should be celebrated as a martyr today. I remember coming across a particularly unsavoury (and no doubt defamatory) article on the …

Continue reading ‘The man most Responsible for Jathika Hela Urumaya Leader Champika Ranawaka’s Arrest is Patali Champika Ranawaka Himself’ »

By P.K.Balachandran Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who won the Sri Lankan Presidential election on November 16 emphatically, and formed a government with his brother and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister, appears to have two objectives at this point of time. One is to put together a top-level team which will carry out his political and …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Seems to Have Two Objectives at this Point of Time.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan How do you translate the word ‘juxtaposition’ to Tamil and Sinhala? When a team of art curators set up Sri Lanka’s recently-launched Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), they had many decisions to make, including on questions like this, pertaining to language. The museum does not limit itself to a particular …

Continue reading ‘The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art offers a glimpse into Sri Lanka’s troubled past’ »

By M Manikandan Tamil Nadu’s major opposition party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and BJP’s ally Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) on Friday attacked the newly-elected Sri Lankan government under President Gottabaya Rajapaksa for suspending the playing of National Anthem of the island nation in Tamil on its Independence day in February. DMK president MK Stalin hit …

Continue reading ‘Tamil Nadu Political Party Leaders MK Stalin (DMK) and Dr.S.Ramadoss (PMK) Strongly Criticise Sri Lankan Govt of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for Stopping the Singing of National Anthem in Tamil at Independence Day Event’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake We are moving on to another election year, and what does that mean? It means a helluva lot. Two Hundred and Twenty-Five to be removed, brought back, or a new pack brought in. It is the problem people face with choosing the unwanted. Let’s just look back at the last two national …

Continue reading ‘What stands out today is the monarchic power of family politics, which obtained more than 50 per cent vote in the recent presidential poll.’ »

The National Peace Council has urged the government not to stop the yahapalana practice of singing the national anthem in Tamil at the Feb 04 Independence Day celebrations. The following is the text of NPC statement issued by its head Dr. Jehan Perera: The celebration of Christmas took place without incident and in the manner …

Continue reading ‘National Peace Council Urges Govt Not to Stop the Singing of National Anthem in Tamil at the February 4th Independence Day Celebrations’ »

UNP MP and former Health Minister, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, was arrested by the CID at Lanka Hospital in Narahenpita yesterday. Colombo Additional Magistrate Shalani Perera remanded Dr. Senaratne until Dec 30. The officers of the CID, who took Senaratne into custody around 2.10 pm, informed the Colombo Additional Magistrate of the arrest. When the case …

Continue reading ‘CID Acting on Orders of Attorney-General Arrest Dr.Rajitha Senaratne at Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit of Lanka Hospital; Colombo Additional Magistrate Shalani Perera Goes to Hospital and Remands Warded Ex-Health Minister Until December 30’ »

By Sandun A. Jayasekera The 72nd Independence Day celebrations will be held on February 4 at Independence Square in Colombo on a grand scale, the Public Administration Ministry said, adding that the national anthem would be sung only in Sinhala. These decisions were taken at a meeting held yesterday at the Disaster Management, Local Government …

Continue reading ‘National Anthem Will be Sung Only in the Sinhala Language and Not in the Tamil Language Also at the 72nd Independence Day Celebrations Scheduled for Feb 4 2020 at Independence Square in Colombo’ »

by Bishop Duleep de Chickera The run up to the birth of Jesus was punctuated with pauses. Mary’s pause After the Angel visited her, Mary could not say what she would have liked to have said. Stories that went against established norms and trends were unacceptable. Those around would misunderstand and grow suspicious, even hostile. …

Continue reading ‘Far From Escape or Withdrawal Christmas is a Time of Regeneration. When the Time is Right New Songs Burst Forth Like Springs of Living Water.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday said he would summon the IGP and other senior Police officials who were involved in the arrest of MP Patali Champika Ranawaka, and inform them on the need to adhere to parliamentary conventions when arresting a lawmaker. The Speaker also said he would request the National Police Commission …

Continue reading ‘Speaker Karu Jayasuriya Perturbed Over Police Disregarding Parliamentary Conventions in Arresting Champika Ranawaka MP; Wants National Police Commission to Hold Inquiry :Will Summon IGP and Senior Officials Involved in Arrest’ »

By Sandun Jayawardana and Manopriya Gunasekara It was nightfall on Wednesday (18) when some 50 armed policemen swooped down on a house at Jayanthipura, Battaramulla in what seemed a major operation. Whilst the constables surrounded the house, others blocked the road. An officer urged the watcher to open the gate. He did and the group …

Continue reading ‘Controversial Arrest and Detention of Jathika Hela Urumaya Leader Patali Champika Ranawaka MP: How it Happened.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene The ridiculous claim being parroted by bespectacled and grinning supporters (apparently also lawyers) of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP or the “Pohuttuwa’), that the action of the Attorney General is somehow ‘superior’ to the writ of a Magistrate in the making of arrests of persons in this land, is …

Continue reading ‘Patently Absurd Statements Made in the Arrest of Champika Ranawaka like “there is no issue about not informing the Magistrate because the Attorney General is superior to the Magistrate” Need to be Challenged’ »

By Meera Srinivasan In the widespread resistance to the recently-passed Citizenship (Amendment) Act, many have repeatedly highlighted the omission of Sri Lankans among persecuted communities in the neighbourhood who now qualify for Indian citizenship, for the first time based on their religion. Nearly 1,00,000 Sri Lankan Tamils live in India, mostly in refugee camps across …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa While Addressing Foreign Correspondents in Colombo Replies “Yes” When Asked Whether he Thought Sri Lankan Refugees in India Should Come Back’ »

Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy on Friday departed the Central Bank as previously announced but with much respect and love, according to insiders and industry representatives. Dr. Coomaraswamy assumed duties in July 2016 and many weeks before the 16 November Presidential Election had informed authorities of his intention to step down on 20 December. Previously, Dr. Coomaraswamy …

Continue reading ‘Much Respected and Loved Central Bank Governor Dr.Indrajit Coomaraswamy Departs From Post After Addressing all Members of Staff From Monetary Board Members to Friends Serving Tea.’ »

By M.K.Bhadrakumar Since the setback in Nepal three years ago when the Indian diktat on the contents of a new constitution for that country was brusquely dismissed by that country’s communist leadership, Modi government faces a similar rebuff from Sri Lanka. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa chose a press conference Thursday with the Colombo-based foreign correspondents to …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka does not want to be part of the US-Indian Indo-Pacific Strategy to Contain China While Beijing Intends to step up its Presence in Sri Lanka to Hit Back at India where it Hurts.’ »

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday said that he did not wish for the alleged abduction incident of a Swiss Embassy employee to sour relations between the two countries. Commenting on the incident, Rajapaksa told a group of foreign correspondents that the matter was a fabrication to discredit his Government and Presidency.

The United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on behalf of the United National Front (UNF) yesterday strongly condemned the arrest of Parliamentarian Patali Champika Ranawaka. Issuing a statement Wickremesinghe said the law enforcement authorities did not follow accepted democratic and legal procedures to arrest Ranawaka.

Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri yesterday wrote to the National Police Commission (NPC) informing them that due process was not followed during the arrest of MP Champika Ranawaka. In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the NPC, Kumarasiri stressed that he did not believe due process was carried out during the arrest and requested action …

Continue reading ‘Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri Writes to National Police Commission Chairman About Due Process in Accordance to Privileges of an MP being not Followed in the case of Champika Ranawaka MP’s Arrest and Detention’ »

Former CID Director SSP Shani Abeysekera yesterday filed a fundamental rights petition in the Supreme Court saying it was a violation of his human rights to demote him as the personal assistant to the Southern Province DIG.

Former Health Minister and UNP MP Rajitha Senaratne yesterday filed a second anticipatory bail application before the Colombo Magistrate a day after his first. His first application, made on Thursday, was rejected yesterday by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayarathna.

Switzerland has sent Jörg Frieden, an experienced diplomat who once served as ambassador to Sri Lanka, to explore possibilities for clarifying the security incident at the Swiss embassy in Colombo, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDAD) in Bern said yesterday. Frieden’s visit followed a telephone conversation between Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena and …

Continue reading ‘Switzerland sends Former Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jorg Frieden as Special Envoy to Colombo to Lend Further Support to its Embassy and Communicate with Sri Lankan Authorities in a bid to Jointly Explore Possible Solutions to the Current Problem’ »

By Gayan Kumara Weerasinghe The CID has begun probing former Minister Rajitha Senaratne and the State Pharmaceutical Corporation’s former Chairman Dr. Rumi Mohamed over allegations of having deployed two known criminal suspects to concoct a ‘white van’ abduction allegation with the aim of tarnishing the image of Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa during the election period, …

Continue reading ‘Former Health Minister Dr.Rajitha Senaratne and Ex-Chairman of Pharmaceutical Corporation Dr.Rumy Mohamed Being Probed by CID For Allegedly Paying Two Persons to Pose as White Van Drivers Transporting Bodies and Gold at Press Conference to Tarnish Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Image’ »

Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena reaffirmed to his Swiss counterpart yesterday that the rights of the Swiss Embassy employee who is in custody will be protected, and she will be granted all possible facilities. The Minister conveyed these views when he received a telephone call from the Foreign Minister of Switzerland, Ignazio Cassis, regarding …

Continue reading ‘Switzerland Foreign Minister Ignazuo Cassis Telephones Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardene To Inquire About Arrested Swiss Embassy Employee and Urges Colombo to Expedite Judicial Process in View of the Good Bilateral relations Between Both Countries’ »

By Chameera Elladeniya Former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka was taken into police custody on instructions by Attorney General Dappula De Livera yesterday (18). Produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday night, former Minister Ranawaka was ordered to be remanded till today(19). The Attorney General has given the arrest order in connection with a case where …

Continue reading ‘JHU Leader Champika Ranawaka Remanded by Colombo Chief Magistrate After Police Record Statement Regarding an Incident in 2016 Where the Then Cabinet Minister Had Allegedly Driven a Vehicle Causing Injury to a Youth in a Road accident and Fled the Spot Letting his Driver Take the Rap’ »

Former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka was arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) today. He was arrested on the advice of the Attorney General.

By Nuwan Senarathna A month after his presidential loss MP Sajith Premadasa yesterday said he would not spearhead the UNP’s parliamentary campaign as a prime ministerial candidate unless he is given the party leadership as well. Premadasa made the comments when addressing party faithfuls for the first time since his defeat, at a private venue …

Continue reading ‘Designated Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa Refuses to Spearhead UNP Parliamentary Election Campaign as Prime Ministerial Candidate Unless he is Given the Party Leadership Post Also’ »

By Yohan Perera UNP MP Harsha De Silva yesterday proposed an amendment to his party’s constitution in order to make provisions to elect a new leader through a vote. Dr. de Silva who was speaking to the UNP activists in Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte said party constitution should be changed to make provisions to elect a …

Continue reading ‘Dr.Harsha de Silva MP wants to Make UNP Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to be Senior Adviser or Mentor of Party if a New Leader is Appointed for the UNP’ »

By Yohan Perera The Bhikkhu wing of the UNP, Eksath Jathika Bhikkhu Peramuna (EJBP), said yesterday 24 MPs who agitated for a leadership change attempted to create unnecessary problems within the party in the context of MP Sajith Premadasa refusing to accept any post. EJBP President Ven. Bopitiye Dhammasara Thera and Secretary Ven. Thiniyawala Palitha …

Continue reading ‘Eksath Jathika Bhikku Peramuna says 24 MP’s are Agitating for Change in UNP Leadership Though Sajith Premadasa Has Informed EJBP that he does not want any post in Party’ »

By Yohan Perera The Swiss Embassy statement that it was not satisfied with the investigations carried out by Sri Lanka on the alleged abduction of its employee would bring disrepute to Sri Lanka, UNP MP Palitha Range Bandara told a news conference today. He claimed that Sri Lankans will face a difficult situation both locally …

Continue reading ‘Swiss Embassy Statement of Being Dissatisfied with Investigations Carried Out by Sri Lanka Over Alleged Abduction of Employee Can Bring Disrepute to Country warns UNP MP Palitha Ranga Bandara’ »

Professing to stand up for party ally MP Patali Champika Ranawaka in the event of any injustice, the United National Party (UNP) today charged that the family of the MP’s former driver were unlawfully detained in the early hours of today (16). Presenting a united face, a host of parliamentarians representing both sides of the …

Continue reading ‘UNP Parliamentarians Allege at Press Conference that JHU Leader Champoka Ranawaka’s Ex -Driver;s Wife, Mother in Law and 18 month old Child were Detained in Galle at 12.45 am and Brought to Colombo in Vehicle Numbered 64 – 8736’ »

The Swiss Foreign Ministry has rejected the Sri Lankan government’s contentions regarding the alleged abduction of one of its local employees Garnier Banister Francis alias Sriyalatha Perera. In a press release on Monday, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) said: “ An employee of the Swiss embassy in Colombo has been taken into custody …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka and Switzerland Versions of Meeting Between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Swiss Ambassador Hanspeter Moch in Colombo Appear to be at Variance With each Other’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka police on Monday arrested a local employee of the Swiss Embassy in Colombo, who has been at the centre of a diplomatic controversy, for allegedly making a false accusation that she was detained and threatened. The Sri Lankan national, working at the visa section of the Embassy, was reportedly abducted …

Continue reading ‘Swiss FDFA “Criticises” 30-hour Interrogation of its Employee over Three days Despite poor Health and the Public Statements by Senior Sri Lankan Officials Questioning her Account Before the Investigation is Completed.’ »

(Text of Press releaseIssued by Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs on 16.12.2019) An employee of the Swiss Embassy in Colombo has today been detained on the grounds that she allegedly made false statements. T he FDFA is concerned about this development and calls on the Sri Lankan judicial authorities to ensure better protection of …

Continue reading ‘Swiss Ambassador Tells Sri Lankan President at Face to Face Meeting That Switzerland Seeks a Common and Constructive Way Forward to Resolve the Security Incident Concerning woman Employee of Embassy in Colombo’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya After Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s assuming of the office of presidency, a wave of street art sprung up and spread across the country like a bushfire. The official version is that it was spontaneous civic-minded volunteerism by disparate groups of local youth who felt inspired by the unfolding political ‘change’. Mr Rajapaksa’s graduation to …

Continue reading ‘The Street Art Murals Being Painted are Overwhelmingly monotonous, Unimaginatively Uninspiring With the Aura of Sinhala Nationalist Fervour Borrowing Heavily from Nationalistic and Militaristic Narratives of the Past and Present.’ »

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday claimed that given the serious charges levelled against him, he was a bigger victim than the female employee of the Swiss embassy currently embroiled in controversy over her alleged detention and abuse. The President yesterday updated the editors of media organisations on ongoing investigations into the alleged incident reported by the …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Tells Media Editors in Lighter Vein That Given the Charges Levelled Against Him, he was a Bigger Victim than the Swiss Embassy Woman Employee Embroiled in Controversy’ »

(The following is a post by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on his Facebook under the heading Switzerland assures continuous support to Sri Lanka) Hanspeter Mock, Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka, met me yesterday and assured continued support to Sri Lanka. Whilst conveying warm congratulations on recent electoral victory, the Ambassador especially appreciated my remark – …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Posts Entry on Facebook About his Meeting With Switzerland Ambassador to Colombo Hanspeter Mock’ »

By Chandani Kirinde In a dramatic turn of events, the Attorney General’s Department yesterday directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to arrest and charge the female employee of the Swiss Embassy – who is at the centre of an alleged detention – under the penal code for inciting or attempting to incite disaffection against the …

Continue reading ‘Swiss Embassy Woman Employee Garnier Banister Francis Arrested by CID on Directive by Attorney -General and Remanded Until Dec 30th by Colombo Magistrate:Likely to be Charged for Fabricating False evidence and Inciting Disaffection Against State’ »

United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday stated that he is ready to execute a plan prepared by the party as a whole team without working individually or in groups for the future victory of the party. Wickremesinghe said that all should work together for strengthening the party and to appoint a new look …

Continue reading ‘UNP Ranil Wickremesinghe Makes It Clear that he has no Intention to Lead the Party Forever and Calls For United Plan to Strengthen Party and Move Forward to Face Elections’ »

By Lahiru Pothmulla Ambassador of Switzerland in Sri Lanka, Hanspeter Mock, who called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today commented on the Embassy staffer incident and said Switzerland harboured no intention to do any harm to Sri Lanka. The Ambassador called on President Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this morning. “We wish to work together for …

Continue reading ‘Swiss Ambassador to Sri Lanka Hanspeter Mock Meets President Gotabaya to Clarify Position on Swiss Embassy Local Staffer Incident. “We need to overcome this situation of tension and remove any misunderstanding,” Says Envoy’ »

By Nisthar Cassim President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday drove home the point that it was largely socioeconomics and security and less politics that would ensure true national unity in the country, which he said would rebound next year leading to inclusive prosperity. Speaking for the first time to media editors since assuming office, President Rajapaksa made …

Continue reading ‘“Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development can Provide Solution for True Grievances of the Minorities and not Federalism or Greater Devolution as Promised by Politicians ” Says President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at Meeting with Media Editors’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando Attorney-at-law Ajith Prasanna faces a high profile trial in the Supreme Court over his controversial comments on a recent live political programme on a private television channel. The Bar Council on Saturday, Dec 14, unanimously decided to move the SC against Prasanna, formerly of the Sri Lanka Army for being critical of …

Continue reading ‘Bar Council to Move Supreme Court Against Ex-Southern Provincial Councillor Ajith Prasanna for Criticising Five Magistrates and Officials of the Police and Attorney – Generals Dept Publicly on a TV Show’ »

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has tasked senior party member Tilak Marapana PC with presenting a note on potential changes to the UNP constitution with regard to the post of the party leader by the end of the week. UNP sources said this was after party seniors met Wickremesinghe and suggested that changes be brought in …

Continue reading ‘UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe Assigns Senior Lawyer Tilak Marapana The Task of Recommending Changes to Party Constitution Regarding the Post of Party Leader’ »

By Meera Srinivasan In the weeks that followed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s big election win, Sri Lanka witnessed some rapid international outreach — both from and to Colombo — reflecting the strategic and geographic prominence of the Indian Ocean island that is home to 21 million people. India was among the earliest to reach out to …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankas Foreign Relations in the First Month Under New Govt Has Seen Proactive Outreach With India, Pakistan and China As Well As Reactive Confrontation with UK and Switzerland’ »

The two persons who participated in a press conference with former Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne on November 10 during the run up to the Presidential Election and revealed a story relating to an alleged abduction by ‘white vans’ and the transportation of 7,000 tons of gold, have been arrested by the CID. The two suspects …

Continue reading ‘Two Persons Who Claimed to be “White Van Drivers” who Abducted Persons and Transported Dead Bodies and LTTE Gold in Their Vehicles at Press Conference Conducted by Dr.Rajitha Senaratne Arrested by CID for Questioning’ »

By Sandran Rubatheesan and Shaadya Ismail J Illegal sandmining has rapidly increased in the north on state and private land following the new government’s decision to suspend the licence system for sand transport, prompting a violent reaction from frustrated locals and a warning of public protests. In all the five districts of the north, illegal …

Continue reading ‘Suspension of Licenses for Sand Transport by New Govt Leads to Illegal Large-scale “Day and Night” Sandmining in all Five Northern Province Districts;Jaffna District MP Siddharthan Writes to President Rajapaksa Urging Him to Intervene Immediately’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawrdene In Manila this week, there are chilling reminders of how a ‘strongman’ President with a penchant for bad-mouthing those whom he dislikes and spearheading summary justice against alleged drug traffickers remains popular with his people despite all the hard evidence showing that the country has really not progressed under his rule. …

Continue reading ‘‘Shoot First Ask Questions Later’ Policy of Philippines Strong Man Cum Populist President Rodrigo Duterte Dubbed as “Punisher” Has Not Yielded Good Results’ »

By Gamini Akmeemana The saga of Garnier Banister Francis, the Swiss embassy employee who was allegedly abducted by unidentified men in Colombo and ‘forced to disclose embassy-related information’ under duress, could be likened to a soap opera but for its disturbing implications for all of us who like to live in a free state without …

Continue reading ‘Why is the Swiss Embassy Woman Employee’s Claim of being Abducted and Molested Being Refuted and Why is she Being Made the Target of a Witch Hunt?’ »

By Tamara Kunanayakam -former Ambassador/ Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the U.N. at Geneva “If you know the enemy and know yourself,you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” Sun Tzu, The Art War, 5th Century BC The recent dramatic events involving the Swiss Embassy came as a surprise to most Sri …

Continue reading ‘“Exfiltration” of a Top Intelligence Chief From Sri Lanka to Switzerland and an “Abduction” Tale of a Swiss Embassy Employee in Colombo’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Thirty-one State institutions including the Police Department, State Intelligence Service (SIS), Department of Immigration and Emigration, Department of Registration of Persons, National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, as well as the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRC), will come under the under the purview of the Defence Ministry, according to the subjects and functions Gazette …

Continue reading ‘Thirty -One State Institutions Including Police Dept, State Intelligence Service (SIS), Dept of Immigration and Emigration and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRC) Brought Under Purview of Defence Ministry But No Cabinet Minister for Defence Appointed Due to 19th Amendment Barring President From Holding Portfolio’ »

The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) in a statement said it is deeply concerned with recent events in the aftermath of the incident in which an employee of the Embassy of Switzerland in Sri Lanka was allegedly abducted, sexually harassed, and questioned by unidentified persons regarding embassy related matters, on or about 27 November.