By Nirmala Kannangara Controversy surrounds over how an owner of a small telecommunication centre became a millionaire within a short span of six years. Complaints have been lodged recently with the Commission to Investigate Bribery or Corruption against the leader of the National Freedom Front and former Minister of Housing and Construction Wimal Weerawansa. After …
While denying allegation that his mother was involved in a gold racket, MP Namal Rajapaksa said yesterday that if anyone wanted to take revenge politically they should only attack his father or himself and not the other members of his family. Enjoying a warm cup of pure Ceylon #tea with friends at a roadside shop …
Political circles are abuzz about the many ‘behind-the-curtain’ political games were played out over the days from the Presidential Election Day. They speak about conspiracies to retain power while the then administrators dismiss these allegations. However, the truth of many stories about political game-play is yet to be established. The latest political game unfolding states, …
President Maithripala Sirisena’s brother, Kumarasinghe Sirisena, has been appointed as the Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom. It has now been revealed that cabinet members of the United National Party, including Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, advised the President not to proceed with the move since it would reflect badly on the head of the government. However, …
By Saman Indrajith Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was planning to submit a comprehensive Cabinet paper on how the government should counter allegations against Sri Lanka in the report of an investigation conducted by Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights to be presented for the consideration of UN Human Rights Council when it next meets …
by Manjula Fernando Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said he could not deny or confirm of any coup d’etat attempt that is said to have taken place in the wee hours of the day after the Presidential election. “I cannot vouch that nothing of the sort happened or there was an attempt like that. It has …
By C.A.Chandraprema The bizarre situation that we have been experiencing for the past two weeks where the opposition UPFA has a clear majority in parliament but still chooses to remain in the opposition still holds. But last Friday’s SLFP central committee meeting attended by president Maithripala Sirisena indicates that this situation may not last long. …
By Lalith Ruhunuge and K.A.S. Kumara The news on the discovery of a floating armoury at the Galle Port spread like lightening. Police launched investigations following information received by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Southern Range, D. J. S. Gunawardhana. The armoury belonged to a private security company by the name Avant-garde. A total of …
By Manekshaw The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), the political parties that played a significant role in the Northern and Eastern Provinces in defeating former President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the presidential election, have turned against each other over the Chief Minister post at the Eastern Provincial Council. A couple …
By M.L. Wickramasinghe I am persuaded to write this short opinion piece due to a short dialogue a shop assistant had with me last week at a suburban town. I kept a small parcel including two newspapers in a transparent cellophane bag on the shop counter and went in looking for a few items. On …
By Rasika Jayakody “Where is yahapalanaya (good governance) in the new government?” Now this seems to be the million dollar question, at this juncture. Two and a half weeks after its election, the new government, led by President Mathripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, has already shown some ominous signs where the idea of …
BY DR DAYAN JAYATILLEKA There are at least two fundamental challenges facing the new Sri Lankan government and both are of long standing. One is the North-South question, which is my shorthand for what is variously called the Tamil National Question or the ethnic problem. The other is the South-South Question. While this latter naturally …
By C.A.Chandraprema The recently concluded presidential election has unleashed the worst in human nature. Politicians abandoning and even turning against their fallen leader is nothing to be surprised about. But to see advocates of good governance who are not directly involved in politics baying for blood is certainly a new phenomenon. Take the Bar Association …
By Malinda Seneviratne Not too long ago the ‘international community’ was up in arms when Mahinda Rajapaksa moved to oust the then Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake. The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) lent its vociferous and self-righteous voice to these objections and went as far as desecrating the supposedly sacred high chamber of justice …
By Udhav Naig Veteran film and theatre actor, V.S. Raghavan, 90, died on Saturday after battling pancreatic cancer. He is survived by two sons. Mr. Raghavan had the distinction of acting in more than 1,000 Tamil films over the past six decades. The actor, who became the darling of mimicry artistes, began his career with …
By Gordon Fairclough with input from Uditha Jayasinghe COLOMBO, Sri Lanka—Two weeks after an electoral upset that ousted Sri Lanka’s long-reigning strongman, the country’s new leaders are racing to investigate allegations of corruption under the previous regime and are rushing to enact legal and constitutional changes they say are aimed at reestablishing rule of law. …
Actress Trisha Krishnan, who has starred in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi films, on Friday (23) got engaged to industrialist Varun Manian. The 31-year-old actress, who has shared screen with some big film stars including Kamal Haasan and Akshay Kumar, announced the news of her engagement a couple of days ago. The couple got engaged …
Continue reading ‘Actress Trisha Krishnan Engaged to Industrialist Varun Manian on January 23rd’ »
By Lucien Rajakarunanayake The new Leader of the Opposition, Nimal Siripala de Silva, has announced that the SLFP Opposition will also have its own 100-day programme for the coming General Election, while supporting President Maithripala Sirisena to implement the 100-day programme of the current Yaha Palana alliance. My first reaction was a loud “Aiyo Sirisena”. …
By Gen. Ashok K. Mehta Now that a peaceful and democratic regime change has occurred in Sri Lanka, a story that nearly played out can be told. Hours before voting, a senior diplomat in the Indian High Commission in Colombo, when asked whether President Mahinda Rajapaksa would get an unprecedented third term, replied: “How can …
By Dharisha Bastians Sri Lanka’s Chief Justice Mohan Peiris was yesterday grilled by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over a complaint filed about an alleged plot to hold power by force on election night by the defeated Rajapaksa regime. Peiris, appointed Chief Justice by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in January 2013 following the impeachment of …
(Text of Editorial Appearing in “The Island” of January 24th 2015 Under the heading “Trying to shoo the Eagle away”) JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake MP has argued that but for help the LTTE got from the US-led West, Sri Lanka’s war would not have dragged on for nearly three decades. He has stressed the need …
By DR. DAYAN JAYATILLEKA Who and what do we take more seriously? Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s promise made to the Sri Lankan parliament of ‘the implementation of the 13th amendment within the unitary state’, or that which his Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera has disclosed in New Delhi, India, while “talking to a select group of …
Pallewatta Gamaralalage Kumarasinghe Sirisena known generally as P.G. Kumarasinghe Sirisena has been appointed Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom. He assumed duties amidst a simple ceremony this morning (22 January). Kumarasinghe Sirisena is the younger brother of Pallewatte Gamaralalage Maithripala Yapa Sirisena known generally as Maithripala Sirisena who was elected President of Sri Lanka on Jan …
The “Tamilnet”website long regarded as the mouthpiece of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE)organization has in a news report revealed details of an alleged “understanding”involving among others the current Foreign Affairs minister Mangala Samaraweera and Tamil National Alliance(TNA)national list parliamentarian MA Sumanthiran that was arrived at in Singapore in the year 2013. The “Tamilnet” website …
By Harischandra Gunaratna Health and Indigenous Minister Rajitha Senaratne yesterday alleged that former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa as well as former Public Relations Minister Mervyn Silva had had a hand in the killing of The Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickramatunge. Senaratne said all what Mervyn Silva had told the CID in his complaint was true, …
The Daily FT spoke with UNP Working Committee Member, Media Director and Political Strategist for the Opposition, Krishantha Cooray about what led to the fall of a seemingly-invincible President Mahinda Rajapaksa and what the new political regime in the country under President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe could herald for Sri Lanka’s beleaguered …
By Mangala Samaraweera January 9 was the beginning of a new era for Sri Lanka, domestically and internationally. After my first week as Foreign Minister, I feel encouraged by the level of warmth, openness and goodwill shown to the new Sri Lankan government by an overwhelming number of representatives of the international community. For too …
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday questioned former External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris regarding an alleged attempt by the previous government to engineer a military takeover of the country. The CID has sought to establish whether former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa influenced the military takeover. The following is the full text of the …
By Dharisha Bastians The Government has decided to enlist experts from international lending agencies and the Indian Central Bank’s financial intelligence unit to track down wealth hidden abroad by VIPs, as part of a wide-ranging probe into corruption by the previous regime. President Maithripala Sirisena’s first Cabinet meeting focused heavily on anti-corruption and good governance, …
by Chitra Weerarathne Attorney-at-Law Wijeratne Kodipilly yesterday informed media at the Superior Courts Complex that the Chief Justice Mohan Peiris, PC had not resigned. He said he had been authorised by the CJ to speak to the media.
By Jude Fernando “In the absence of justice, what is sovereignty but organized robbery?”—St. Augustine “When will our conscience grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it?”—Eleanor Roosevelt Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa did not gracefully turn over power to Mr. Maithripala Sirisena after losing the election and step …
Continue reading ‘Zero immunity: An end to culture of retaliation without compromising Justice’ »
Chief Justice Mohan Peiris handed over his letter of resignation to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday (Jan. 21). Immediately after the conclusion of presidential poll on Jan. 8, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) urged Chief Justice Mohan Peiris to tender his resignation to preserve the honor and integrity of the judiciary.
By Dharisha Bastians Two years ago on 15 January, the Rajapaksa Government had to deploy elite police guards, water cannons and barricades to install Mohan Peiris in the Chief Justice’s chair at Hulftsdorp. As police prevented lawyers and journalists from entering through the main gates of the Supreme Court, Peiris was driven in through a …
by Madura Ranwala UNP MP Palitha Thewarapperuma being taken to Fort Magistrate’s court after surrendering to police. The minister came in with right leg covered by plaster claiming that he had had a fall (pic by U.K. Abeyratne) The Colombo Crime Division (CCD) yesterday took into custody Kalutara district UNP parliamentarian Palitha Thewapperuma when he …
by Zacki Jabbar In keeping with his election pledge President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday granted a full pardon to former Army Commander and current Democratic Party Leader Sarath Fonseka in terms of the powers vested in him under Section 34 of the Constitution. The pardon meant any convictions against General Fonseka by civilian or military courts …
Their term may be limited to three months but there has been more clamour for ministerial posts judging by six new appointments made yesterday. The Government announced the appointment of a new Cabinet Minister, a State Minister and four Deputy Ministers.
By SWRDA Samarasinghe and Tissa Jayatilaka The One-Hundred-Day Programme of President Maithripala Sirisena (MS) was launched last week with three good speeches; one of two promises largely kept and the third postponed, hopefully to be fulfilled sooner rather than later. President Sirisena made three good speeches during the last seven days, the first during his …
By Lakna Paranamanna Former Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa rejected allegations of an attempt being made by the Rajapaksa regime to subvert democracy through an ‘election night coup’ and said they would not have called in the Attorney General if such a plan was being actually hatched at Temple Trees. “Yes, the Attorney General was called …
By C.A.Chandraprema In this interview with The Island staffer C. A. Chandraprema, the former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa responds to some of the allegations that were made against him in the wake of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s defeat on Jan. 08. Excerpts: Q. There is this talk of an attempted coup in the early hours of …
By Ryan Goodman Sri Lanka’s voters shocked themselves and the world this month by tossing out their president, who crushed the Tamil insurgency in 2009 and then led the country, along with his brother as defense secretary, to the brink of authoritarianism. The new president has promised to restore freedom of the press, independence of …
Leader of the Liberal Party, Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha yesterday told Parliament that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa should have listened to calls from various parties not to go for hasty elections and make use of the remaining years of latter’s tenure to bring about reforms promised in the manifesto on which the UPFA had won the …
by Saman Indrajith Mahajana Eksath Peramuna Leader Dinesh Gunawardena, MP said in Parliament yesterday that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had entered into a ‘weird marriage’ with several parties to form a strange government and the Opposition would remain vigilant as to how that relationship would work out during its first 100 days. Making use of …
by Madura Ranwala Acting on a complaint, Police yesterday opened an armoury belonging to the state-owned security firm, Rakna Lanka Limited at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. The complaint had been made by JHU Kotte Urban Council member Liyanage Dayaratne to the Cinnamon Gardens Police recently. The facility was sealed thereafter. Police Spokesman SSP …
by Saman Indrajith Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe pledged in Parliament yesterday to bring about radical reforms to the Constitution to find a solution to the national problem within the first 100 days of the new government. “I specially mention that the solution would not be detrimental to the unitary status of the country. We will …
BY S VENKAT NARAYAN NEW DELHI, January 20: Sri Lankan Minister of External Affairs Mangala Samaraweera has outlined a series of steps President Maithripala Sirisena’s Government will undertake to achieve national reconciliation in the civil war-ravaged island-nation. Talking to a select group of journalists here on Monday, he said the new government will demilitarise the …
By Upul Joseph Fernando “The media does not highlight the threats hurled at my supporters. The media behaves in a manner as if it does not know such things” – Mahinda Rajapaksa tells BBC Sandeshaya Channel from Medamulana after his defeat. When in power Mahinda labelled the BBC and the international media as contractors of …
It looks as if President Maithripala Sirisena is afraid to arrest Palitha Thewarapperuma – the unruly Parliamentarian of the UNP who wreaked havoc in Agalawaththa, Mathugama, a few days ago. Despite clear video evidence showing how Thewarapperuma made a PS member kneel in public, President Sirisena has decided to buy more time, without arresting the …
By J.A.L. Jayasinghe and L.B. Senaratne Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said for the first time since 1931, the residence of the Rajapaksa family was searched by the police and questioned whether it was a part of the present Government’s policy of good governance. He told the media during his visit to the Asgiriya Temple today …
(Text of Press Release Issued by the Canadian Tamil Congress on its 8th Annual Thai Pongal Celebration) The Canadian Tamil Congress’ (CTC’s) 8th annual Pongal Dinner was celebrated on January 17th, 2015 at the Sheraton Parkway Hotel in Richmond Hill. Attended by close to 1,000 people, the event showcased Tamil arts, culture and highlighted CTC’s …
In an interview with the Indian network NDTV, Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe said that the new governing coalition in principle has agreed to the implementation of the 13 amendment to the constitution. In addition he also said that the new government will deal with the United Nations differently and hoped to engage with the UNHRC …
By S. V. Kirubaharan, France Those who are in politics can continue on their path, through political means using diplomacy and those who are involved in the field of human rights should continue even though there is a change of regime. Those who are used to exchanging birthday greetings, meeting and taking photographs, maintaining personal …
By Sanjayan Rajasingham “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead Why Be? A lot of us would like a different Sri Lanka. If what a society is like depends greatly on what its people are like though, …
Sri Lanka has a new President, Maithripala Sirisena. He was elected, in significant part, by a population appalled by the racism, the slide into authoritarianism, the systematic violation of human rights, and the war crimes committed by the previous regime (as well as its increasingly flagrant nepotism and corruption). He, and his Prime Minister Ranil …
By Malinda Seneviratne It is not the only Delft in the world. Utter the name in the Netherlands and you’d probably find a few people who would say it is a city in the province of South Holland, located north of Rotterdam and south of The Hague. There are other places named Delft too in …
Continue reading ‘“Neduntheevu”: A separate state called Delft Island’ »
By Suhasini Haidar The new Sri Lankan government will take a different position from the Rajapaksa regime when it comes to dealing with the international community on allegations of human rights violations, visiting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera has told the Indian government. “Our government will take a new approach to the U.N. Human …
Embattled former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s country home in the southern province has been raided by police who were looking for a luxury sports car but the search drew a blank. “They raided our house in Tangalle yesterday looking for a Lamborghini car,” said Namal Rajapaksa, the former president’s elder son and a parliamentarian. …
The Tangalle Police today search the Carlton Residence of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Tangalle for a Lamborghini car.
President Maithripala Sirisena or Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has not issued a statement explaining the reasons not to arrest UNP Parliamentarain Palitha Thewarapperuma who demonstrated an utterly despicable behavior on Sunday. MP Thewarapperuma, who strongly resembled former Minister Mervyn Silva, made Pradeshiya Sabha member Murugan Pushpakumar kneel in public as a punishment. Although UPFA Parliamentarian …
By Sanath Desmond The Police are yet to determine the fate and whereabouts of some 172 vehicles of the 752 fleet of the presidential secretariat, SSP Ajith Rohana said today. The new Presidential Secretary had informed the Police Chief to launch investigations to ascertain the number of vehicles of the secretariat and to find if …
Wayamba Distilleries, a brewery of which former Minister Johnston Fernando is a stakeholder, was sealed by the police today (19). Asian Mirror reliably learns that a warehouse belonging to the Wayamba Distilleries has also been sealed by the police along with the brewery. The police is yet to issue a statement to media as to …
Former Secretary – Ministry of Urban Development and Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa has, in a media statement, dismissed as baseless an allegation that he had personal dealings with a Defence Ministry account at the Bank of Ceylon. Full text of the statement: Defence Ministry Account for the Relocation of Army Headquarters I refer to the baseless …
By Dasun Edirisinghe The SLFP yesterday asked the government to curb attacks on the supporters and elected representatives of the UPFA after the conclusion of the presidential election on January 08. Addressing a media conference at the SLFP headquarters on Darley road, party General Secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said that number of incidents of assault, …
By Shaahidah Riza Sri Lanka Freedom Party Parliamentarian, Mahinda Samarasinghe said that the election violence against UPFA supporters have mounted considerably over the past few days and the UNP has to take disciplinary action against its grass root level support base, who were perpetrators of such violence. He made these comments at a press briefing …
By Cyril Wimalasurendre KANDY – Most Venerable Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Mahannayake Thera of Asgiriya Chapter conferring blessings on State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene yesterday said those who had emerged victorious at the recently concluded presidential election should celebrate their success without taking revenge from anyone. The prelate said the new rulers should not go …
Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake last night said that said Rs 13.2 billion in an account maintained at the Taprobane branch of the Bank of Ceylon had been transferred to Consolidated Account of the Treasury. The matter was being investigated as the account belonged to the Ministry of Defence, he added. The Finance Minister stressed that …
By Ranga Jayasuriya President Maithripala Sirisena has asked exiled journalists to return, promising an end to attacks on media and the culture of impunity. The new media minister Gayantha Karunathilaka echoed the same assurance when he assumed duties last week. As of now, the new President has remained true to his promises; he has shown …
By Jude Fernando Zero immunity: An end to culture of retaliation without compromising Justice “In the absence of justice, what is sovereignty but organized robbery?”—St. Augustine “When will our conscience grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it?”—Eleanor Roosevelt Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa did not gracefully turn over …
By Radhika Coomaraswamy There are times in one’s life when one becomes very proud of one’s country. For many it is when we win in cricket or in war. This is triumphant pride where we defeat someone else- an external sports team or an internal enemy. For this kind of pride we need “an other” …
Continue reading ‘“Why The Elections Last Week Made me Triumphantly Proud of my Country”’ »
By Malinda Seneviratne Wickramabahu Karunaratne of the Nava Sama Samaaja Party (NSSP) has claimed that ‘the working class fulfilled a massive task’ in securing the victory of Maithripala Sirisena. What is implied here is that class consciousness was what compelled this particular populations segment to vote for Sirisena. ‘Bahu’ as usual inscribes a lot of …
By Nirmala Kannangara Astonishing revelations have now come to the fore as to how the previous regime has used Air Force commercial flights on credit facility amounting to several millions of rupees for the air travels of Rajapaksa family members and for few Ministers in the former cabinet during the Presidential election campaign. Sri Lankan …
By John Chalmers and Sanjeev Miglani (Reuters) – Sri Lanka expelled the Colombo station chief of India’s spy agency in the run-up to this month’s presidential election, political and intelligence sources said, accusing him of helping the opposition oust President Mahinda Rajapaksa. An Indian foreign ministry spokesman denied any expulsion and said that transfers were …
By Rasika Jayakody One and a half months ago, Mahinda Rajapaksa, the fifth Executive President of Sri Lanka, seemed invincible. He was surrounded by a family clique who wielded immense power in the country’s political sphere. He was the war-winning President as well as the leader of the Commonwealth nations who met in Colombo one …
By Nirmala Kannangara Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Mahindodaya Technological Lab concept to provide technological labs for 1,000 secondary schools in the country has become yet another money spinning machine for those who are allegedly close to the former first family, The Sunday Leader learns. Although, the previous regime boosted to have introduced computer labs to …
By Dharisha Bastians Sometime around 8 p.m. on 8 January, the Rajapaksa twitter-sphere went deathly still. The next time we heard from them was at 6:30 a.m. the next day, when a spokesman said defeated President Mahinda Rajapaksa had departed from his official residence at Temple Trees. The last public tweet on election day by …
Continue reading ‘How Sri Lankans Spoke Truth Defiantly to Arrogant Power on Jan 8th 2015’ »
By P.K.Balachandran COLOMBO: People in the Tamil-majority Northern Province of Sri Lanka are keeping their fingers crossed about the changes that may follow the removal of “military man” Maj.Gen (Retd).G.A.Chandrasiri from the post of Governor, and his replacement by a civilian, H.M.G.S.Palihakkara. “On the one hand we are happy that one of our key demands, …
By Don Manu A new dawn has broken upon these island shores. With the New Year, Lanka has a new president, a new prime minister, even a new saint; and reflected upon the now sunlit countenance of her people is a new air of freedom, a new smile of hope. Though once trumpeted from the …
The Sunday Times can reveal today how telephone records of prominent opposition politicians, media personnel, former UPFA Government’s own ministers, ‘unfriendly’ military, police officers, Colombo-based diplomats and other leading citizens were monitored blatantly violating the law. In terms of the law, a Court order has to be obtained by the Police before intercepting or tampering …
By Nirmala Kannangara Following the change of regime one week ago, environmental organisations have come up with a list of the owners of illegal elephant calves in the country, of which Hambantota District MP, Namal Rajapaksa, former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Chief Minister Uva Province Shashendra Rajapaksa and former External Affairs Monitoring MP Sajin …
by Zacki Jabbar President Maithripala Sirisena, who was installed as the new Chairman of the SLFP last Friday, is to propose an amendment to the party Constitution shortly paving the way for Ex-President Chandrika Kumaratunga to become the SLFP leader, SLFP sources said. A senior SLFP’er said yesterday that during a meeting between Srisena and Kumaratunga …
Former Minister Mervyn Silva yesterday lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) against former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, MP, and ex Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa over alleged fraudulent activities and crimes committed by them. After making a CID complaint, the Gampaha district parliamentarian told the media gathered outside the complex that he did not …
Mahinda Rajapaksa’s 10-year reign as Sri Lankan president ended with allegations of nepotism and corruption. Over 40 top government positions were held by his family and friends – cabinet portfolios to state finance corporations, airlines and sports federations. One of his brothers was his defence secretary, while another was the speaker of the parliament. A …
By Anura Bandara Rajaguru Astrologer Sumanadasa Abegunawardhana who predicted earlier in an interview to “Ceylon Today”that President Mahinda Rajapaksa would emerge winner at the Presidential Election of 8 January 2015 has now changed his position in another interview with the same newspaper Excerpts of the interview: Q: Were you the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s astrological …
By Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha M.P. There were many firsts in the election of President Maithripala Sirisena in Sri Lanka: An incumbent president was defeated; parties specifically representing different races and religious groups — the Jathika Hela Urumaya for the Sinhalese, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress along with the All Ceylon …
By Malinda Seneviratne Of all that is pernicious in all resolutions tabled in the UNHRC against Sri Lanka the most scandalous and disgusting perhaps is limiting investigations calls for to the last few months of the war. We are talking about a conflict that dragged for almost three decades. We are talking about a couple …
By Chaminda Perera The Central Committee and the Executive Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, unanimously approved the appointment of President Maithripala Sirisena as Chairman of the party yesterday, said Senior SLFP parliamentarian A.H.M. Fowzie. He said the SLFP also decided to appoint former Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa as patrons of …
By Lucian Rajakarunanayake The third visit of a Pope to Sri Lanka is certainly important to Catholics here, and is also an event of historical importance in the relations between Sri Lanka and the Holy See. Apart from its religious and historical importance, this Papal visit also underscored an important political lesson to future national …
By Shamindra Ferdinando Chief Minister of the North Western Province Dayasiri Jayasekera yesterday said that the very survival of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) would largely depend on a total overhaul of the party ahead of the next parliamentary election. The next general election is widely expected to be called soon after the completion …
By Dasun Edirisinghe Former President yesterday officially handed over the party leadership to President Maithripala Sirisena. Issuing a statement the former President Rajapaksa said that he had decided to hand over the leadership to stop the division of the party. “With effect from today (16), I will be handing over the leadership of the SLFP …
(Full Text of Letter sent by External Affairs minister Mangala Samaraweera to the Director of the Police CID Formally registering a complaint about an alleged Coup Conspiracy to subvert the democratic process and urging that an inquiry be launched immediately) Mangala Pinsiri Samaraweera Francis Samaraweera Mawatha Hakmana, Matara Contact No: 0777576495 13th January 2015 Director …
By Bishop Duleep de Chickera Sri Lanka is still overwhelmed with the peoples’ energy that a few days ago brought the immeasurable gift of democratic regime change. As the campaign heightened, one word; ‘wenasak’- (Sinhala-“a change”) became a spontaneous and variable slogan or code, determined by the context in which it was used. There was …
by Shamindra Ferdinando Former National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara yesterday alleged that the SLFP had caused a fatal mistake by giving up the government immediately after losing the presidential election. Democratic Left Front (DLF) leader MP Nanayakkara said that constituent members of the SLFP-led coalition partners had not been consulted by the …
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Wednesday night told his successor Maithripala Sirisena that he was giving up SLFP leadership during a hastily arranged meeting close to midnight on Wednesday at Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa’s official residence near Diyawanna. The meeting took place consequent to talks between an SLFP delegation led by Senior Vice President of the …
by Norman Palihawadane and Rex Clementine Sri Lankans bade farewell to the Holy Father yesterday as he ended a three day visit here and headed off to the Philippines on a five-day visit. On board a SriLankan Airlines flight to Manila a smiling Pope tweeted in Sinhala, Tamil and English ‘May God bless and protect …
By Dharisha Bastians COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — A week after taking office, Sri Lanka’s new president reached out to ethnic Tamils in the country’s north on Thursday by appointing a new governor for the Northern Province, replacing a retired army commander with a retired diplomat. Tamil leaders have long complained that, five years after declaring …
By Erik Solheim Anyone who two months back bet on Maithripala Sirisena winning the presidential election in Sri Lanka would be a millionaire. Most international experts expected former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to win and strengthen his family rule. He controlled the resources of the state to fund his election campaign and administered thousands of buses …
By Bob Rae The surprising result of the presidential election in Sri Lanka would have received more attention if the terrible events in Paris had not captured our thoughts and fears. The war between the Tamil Tigers and the government of Sri Lanka came to a bloody conclusion on the northern beaches of that beautiful …
(Complete Text of Prayer Message by his Holiness Pope Francis at the “Our Lady of Madhu”Church at Maruthamadhu in Mannar District of Sri Lanka on January 14th 2015) Dear Brothers and Sisters, We are in our Mother’s house. Here she welcomes us into her home. At this shrine of Our Lady of Madhu, every pilgrim …
Sri Lanka born singer Maya “MIA” Arulpragasam hs told the British TV Channel 4 News that she still wants to see former president Mahinda Rajapaksa face a war crimes trial,though her priority is peace and basic needs for Sri Lanaka’s Tamil community. While claiming that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa should be taken to Hague for …
By Shamindra Ferdinando A pow wow between President Maithripala Sirisena and his predecessor, Mahinda Rajapaksa, is on the cards consequent to a meeting between the President and a senior SLFP delegation on Monday evening (Jan 12) at the former’s Wijerama Mawatha residence. The meeting is likely to take place within the next few days at …
by K. Thirukumaran “Dawn of the Month of Thai, Paves for the Birth of Way” the renowned Tamil proverb has been in the centerpiece of Tamil heritage eternally. Tamil month of ‘Thai’, falling on January 15th, 2015 is Pongal day, the Tamil Thanksgiving Day celebrating sun, rain, farm cattle and ushering in pureness and prosperity. …
(Text Of Thai Pongal Message Issued by President Maithripala Sirisena) Sri Lanka’s Hindus join their fellow Tamil religionists in most countries of the world today to celebrate Thai Pongal the traditional Thanksgiving and Harvest festival of the Hindu religious calendar. It is the tradition at this festival to offer thanks to Surya – the Sun …
by Zacki Jabbar Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka is to be restored with his titles, medals, pension and civic rights which he was deprived of in 2010, after being convicted of alleged irregularities in military procurements and sentenced to three years in prison. President Maithripala Sirisena during the recently concluded Presidential election campaign pledged that …
by Shamindra Ferdinando Pledging its support for President Maithripala Sirisena’s 100-day project meant to bring in immediate relief to people, the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) has indicated its readiness to explore the possibility of a closer political partnership with the new ruling coalition. EPDP leader Douglas Devananda remained with former President throughout his first …
By Dasun Edirisinghe UPFA constituent National Freedom Front (NFF) led by former Minister Wimal Weerawansa yesterday accused new President Maithripala Sirisena of already having taken a step to remove the governor of the Northern Province Maj. Gen. (Retd) G. A. Chandrasiri to fulfil the promises he had given to the pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance (TNA). …
By Rex Clementine and Norman Palihawadane Sri Lankan Catholics have a special devotion towards St. Anthony and St. Jude and yesterday Pope Francis gave them a saint of their own with the canonization of St. Joseph Vaz. A priest from Goa, India, St. Joseph Vaz, served in Sri Lanka during the Dutch occupation in disguise …
(Text of Statement Issued by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) on the Presidential Election 2015) 14 January 2015, Colombo, Sri Lanka: CPA welcomes the victory of the Common Opposition Candidate Mr. Maithripala Sirisena in the Presidential Election of January 08th 2015. We wish President Sirisena the very best in office and in particular, with …
By Upul Joseph Fernando When the Chinese naval submarine ‘Great Wall 329’ arrived at the Colombo Port, Mahinda Rajapaksa may have not dreamt that even his royal astrologer, Sumanadasa Abeygunawardene’s prediction may prove wrong about his victory. Also, having declared a presidential election and when he travelled to Lord Venkateswara Temple, India, Mahinda may not …
(The Following news Item is exclusively reported in the “Lankanewsweb”website. It is reproduced here with due acknowledgement and accreditation to the website concerned) Daham Sirisena, the son of the new president, following the footsteps of Malaka Silva, Narada Dissanayake, Kanchana Wijesekara, Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Lohan Ratwatte – all who had sold there fathers – and …
By Vishwamithra 1984 “Nationalism is power hunger tempered by self-deception.” ~George Orwell Did Mahinda Rajapaksa Believe he would win? Yes, he did! It was not only a hope or wish. It was a strong conviction and belief that he will win and win convincingly. He was a hardened “street-smart“ politician with over 45 years of …
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has denied in all possible terms the charge that he attempted to use the military to influence election results.He said that he had accepted the outcome long before the final official results were released and had congratulated the new President. He further emphasised that during his decades of being in politics …
By Rajesh Venugopal A few weeks ago, it was a foregone conclusion that Sri Lanka’s former president Mahinda Rajapakse would win the elections and extend his decade in power by another five years. His son Namal tweeted ‘this will be an easy win’. But the country’s long demoralised, perennially defeated, and deeply compromised opposition pulled …