By The “Sunday Times”Political Editor Millions of Sri Lankans learnt only by late Friday morning that the major thrust by Opposition political parties brought an end to the near ten year rule of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. As the counting began in centres countrywide after polls ended on Thursday, families and friends sat around their television …
Mr President, Honourable Government Authorities, Your Eminence, Your Excellencies, Dear Friends, I thank you for your warm welcome. I have looked forward to this visit to Sri Lanka and these days which we will spend together. Sri Lanka is known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean for its natural beauty. Even more importantly, this …
By Dharisha Bastians President Maithripala Sirisena’s new Government will launch an immediate investigation into an alleged attempt by the previous administration to stage a coup d’état on election night. An investigation into the alleged attempt to cling to power illegally would commence soon after the new cabinet is sworn in, a spokesman said. Sirisena Campaign …
By Frank Jack Daniel COLOMBO (Reuters) – Pope Francis said on Tuesday Sri Lanka needed to find out the truth of what happened during its long civil war in order to consolidate peace and heal scars between religious communities. Francis appeared to make the case for a truth commission to investigate the Buddhist-majority nation’s 26-year …
By Krishan Francis And Nicole Winfield COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – Pope Francis arrived in Sri Lanka Tuesday at the start of a weeklong Asian tour saying the island nation can’t fully heal from a quarter-century of ethnic civil war without pursuing truth for the injustices committed. Francis didn’t refer specifically to Sri Lanka’s refusal to …
President Maithripala Sirisena has formed his new Government with Twenty seven Cabinet Ministers,Ten Ministers of State and Eight Deputy Ministers. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesighe will be in charge of Policy planning and Economic Development while Mangala Samaraweera will be Minister of Foreign Affairs. President Sirisena will retain the ministry of defence but will be assisted …
(Text of Media Release Issued by the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress on 12 January 2015) The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress welcomes His Holiness Pope Francis on his inaugural visit to Sri Lanka. His Holiness, the first pope from the Global South, has played an important role in fostering understanding and harmony between communities based on …
By The Editors Is Sri Lanka the next Myanmar? After the stunning ouster of strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa in last week’s elections, another small, strategically vital Asian nation would appear to have rejected China’s embrace. Whether the U.S. and India can exploit this opportunity, however, will depend on whether they recognize what’s unique about Sri Lanka. …
By Ellen Barry Across the great Eurasian plate these days, from Belarus to Beijing, one can find leaders dispensing with truly competitive politics. But traverse the Himalayas to South Asia and the climate is different: Democracy is on a winning streak. Over the last two years, virtually the entire population of South Asia has had …
Continue reading ‘Result of Presidential Poll in Sri Lanka was a “Jaw dropper”.’ »
By Sumanasiri Liyanage It is natural to interpret phenomena in the way the interpreter likes it. Maithripala Sirisena’s victory at the presidential election held on January 8, 2015 has been subjected to multiple interpretations. Most pronounced one is that it was a victory for democracy. My friend Prof Jayadeva Uyangoda, who has a better understanding …
By R. A. Ratwatte The most hackneyed stanza of the Dhammapada … “nahi verena verani etc” is being bandied about once again with gay abandon. If you stop and check the number of times this verse (with so much meaning and relevance) has been used in speeches by people who have not the slightest intention …
by Dr. Tavisha Udupihille – Kandy I was hoping for a new era in good governance after having been through an era where political supporters drove on the road like maniacs, causing danger to road users including themselves. This was even admitted by the ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa, who had discovered the same while driving incognito. …
by Norman Palihawadane and Rex Clementine Sri Lankan Catholics will turn up in their numbers on the Negombo – Colombo main road today(13) to give a grand welcome to their spiritual leader – Pope Francis. The 78-year-old Argentinian Pope will arrive today at 9:00am at the Katunayake International Airport. After a welcome ceremony, Pope Francis …
By Dharisha Bastians A 27-member Cabinet will serve for the first 100 days of the new administration, but President Maithripala Sirisena warned his new ministers not to get too comfortable in power since they would be facing a Parliamentary election in just three months. President Sirisena’s Government includes 27 Cabinet Ministers, nine Ministers of State …
The newly elected President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena with his victory will also assume the position of Chair-in-Office in the Commonwealth, a report published by the Policy Research & Information Unit of the Presidential Secretariat (PRIU) said yesterday. Issuing a congratulatory message to the new President, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma said he looks forward …
The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) calls upon the government leaders to ensure that their members and supporters desist from post-election violence. The CMEV has issued the following list of incidents: 12 January 2015 CMEV continued to monitor the post election situation and note several incidents reported in the period 9-12 January. At present …
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj Contrary to a news report in “The Hindu” where former Fisheries minister Dr.Rajitha Senaratne is quoted as saying that ex-LTTE leader “KP”has left Sri Lanka, the former tiger stalwart is still living in Northern Sri Lanka. “The Hindu”report filed by Meera Srinivasan from Colombo states that “Kumaran Pathmanathan or ‘KP’, who was …
By Sanjayan Rajasingham A New Sri Lanka? Maithripala Sirisena is the President of Sri Lanka. What was unthinkable two months ago is news today. There is hope today that we can emerge from the lawlessness, corruption, nepotism and racism that we are sunk in. That we can become the plural, vibrant, democratic country we ought …
Continue reading ‘“Insignificant” Individuals and a “New” Sri Lanka’ »
By Ranil Dharmasena and Anura Balasuriya The SLFP leadership yesterday assured that President Mahinda Rajapaksa was firmly in control of the party after 11 Central Committee members of the party had switched their allegiance to President Maithripala Sirisena. The defecting group comprised members of parliament, Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Reginald Cooray, Vijith Vijithamuni Soysa, Jagath Pushpakumara, …
By Shamindra Ferdinando An anti-corruption watchdog affiliated to the newly-elected government yesterday declared that those who had been involved in massive fraudulent transactions wouldn’t be accommodated in the new administration. The assurance was given by JHU General Secretary Patali Champika Ranawaka and attorneys-at-law Shiral Lakthilake and Maithree Gunaratne at a media briefing held at Solis …
Mangala Samaraweera MP, yesterday disclosed a plot hatched by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to retain power through military intervention. Addressing a press conference in Colombo, MP Samaraweera described this move as a shocking attempt aimed at staying in power in spite of the verdict delivered by the people at …
Rasika Somarathna in Kandy President Maithripala Sirisena in his inaugural address to the Nation from the hollowed precincts of the Most Sacred Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy yesterday, called on all political parties in Parliament to join him in forming a National Government. President Sirisena also pledged that unlimited powers vested with the Executive Presidency …
In what seems to be the biggest crossover in the political history of the country, over 20 MPs of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party today pledged support to President Maithripala Sirisena and made him the new Chairman of the party. Among the group who pledged support to the President were Sarath Amunugama, Athauda Seneviratne, Reginald …
In a major development, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party has now been divided into two factions. While one faction has decided to support President Maithripala Sirisena, the other faction has chosen former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Chairman of the party. General Secretary of the Rajapaksa faction of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Anura Priyadarshana …
With nearly 25 MPs of the UPFA deciding to support President Maithripala Sirisena, President Maithripala Sirisena has now secured a majority in the Parliament. Therefore, the new President will be able to continue with his 100 day programme without dissolving the Parliament. After President Sirisena securing the majority in the Parliament, the new Cabinet will …
A section of Sri Lanka Freedom Party MPs have now launched a fresh attempt to remove former President Mahinda Rajapaksa from the leadership of the party. According to the party constitution, the SLFP member who holds the highest position in the government should be appointed as the leader of the party. The group of SLFP …
COLOMBO: Kumaran Pathmanathan, once in-charge of international finance and arms smuggling operations of the LTTE, who had allegedly fled from Sri Lanka following the change of regime in Colombo, is still in the country. “I am in Sri Lanka, contrary to news reports that I had fled from the country.I have no plans to leave …
Sri Lanka’s new government will investigate an attempt by Mahinda Rajapakse to stage a “coup” to stay in power after it became clear he had lost last week’s presidential election, a spokesman said Sunday. “People think it was a peaceful transition. It was anything but,” spokesman Mangala Samaraweera told reporters. “The first thing the new …
Former Minister of Economic Development and National Organiser of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Basil Rajapaksa, has reportedly left the country early this morning. The UPFA Parliamentarian and his wife Pushpa Rajapaksa left through the VIP lounge at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, Ada Derana reporter said. He added that the ex-minister, who …
(Statement of the Liberal Party of Sri Lanka on the new Presidency) The Liberal Party of Sri Lanka emphatically welcomes the victory of Mr Maithripala Sirisena at the presidential poll. We are also grateful to him for continuing after his election to assert the values which the people of Sri Lanka have shown they admire. …
Newly elected President Maithripala Sirisena will enjoy the support of a Parliamentary majority since over 30 United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Members have pledged him support, sources close to the New Democratic Front (NDF) told The Nation. Even after 27 MPs defected to the Maithripala camp before the election, there were 133 MPs in the …
President Mahinda Rajapaksa drank at least four cups of black coffee on Thursday night as he came down from his cozy bedroom to watch election results. Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, a senior state servant, briefed the President on the results that had been received so far and Rajapaksa realized that it did not …
By Faizer Shaheid Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella says that the UPFA has 135 members in Parliament and it is a question whether they can be the Opposition in Parliament. “I don’t know if there are constitutional provisions on that and I don’t think the Speaker will have the right to do that. In the Constitution …
My dear people, Today I accept with great respect the people’s verdict. Accordingly, I hand over the post of President that I held to Mr Maithripala Sirisena today. In 2005, as per the Mahinda Chinthana, I stated that I was not the ruler of this country but only its temporary custodian. And just as I …
By Prof.Rajiva Wijesinghe M.P. The most important issue facing the new President is to restore confidence in the governmental process. For this purpose it is necessary to establish systems that work according to the Rule of Law, and with full accountability to the people. In this respect it is vital that Parliamentary control of legislation …
Former Secretary of the Environment and Sustainable Energy Ministry B.M.U.D. Basnayake has been appointed as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Defence. Bansanayake, a member of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, replaces former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
by Maheen Senanayake Mr. P B Abeykoon, a senior career administrator and former Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration has been appointed Secretary to the President and assumed duties last morning. All Secretaries of Ministries who are appointed by the president vacated office with the change of administration. Mr. Lalith Weeraunga, Secretary to President …
by Shamindra Ferdinando The UPFA yesterday urged newly appointed President Maithripala Sirisena not to do away with post-war security measures in place to thwart possible attempts to propagate separatism. National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa, MP, insisted that national security shouldn’t be a political issue regardless of varying political strategies adopted by different political …
by Shamindra Ferdinando Having congratulated newly elected President Maithripala Sirisena, the defeated UPFA yesterday assured the sixth executive President of Sri Lanka of its unconditional support to implement his 100-day work program. Maithripala’s project has been endorsed by the UNP and several other political parties and groups, including the JHU, SLMC, All Ceylon Makkal Congress …
By C.A.Chandraprema What Sri Lanka experienced last Thursday was easily the biggest political upset in post independence history. This would also be unique in the annals of world history. One would think that after an election where power changed hands, the streets all over the country would be full of rejoicing party supporters. But that …
by Shamindra Ferdinando Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe has assured former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as well as his brother, Gotabhaya, former Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, of their security. The assurance was given when Wickremesinghe met the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees on Friday morning to arrange the smooth transfer of …
By Malinda Seneviratne Dear Mahinda, You will forgive us for dropping all those lovely titles. We are confident of this simply because in conceding defeat gracefully you recovered for yourself dignity that you let slip away a few years ago. We are confident because in that very moment you became recognizable as the leader, the …
By Malinda Seneviratne Dear Mr President, As a seasoned politician and as a one-time staunch supporter of your predecessor, you are eminently qualified to understand the challenges ahead as you think about delivering the promises you made to the people of this country. The road to the Presidency was rocky. There were pitfalls and booby …
Continue reading ‘A note to President Maithripala Sirisena’ »
Several senior UNPers are tipped to be granted several portfolios in the new Cabinet which is likely to be formed over the weekend. Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe, Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa, Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya, Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayake, Chairman and Secretary General Kabir Hashim, Joseph Michael Perera, John Amaratunga, Lakshman Kiriella, Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, …
( Text of Editorial Appearing in “The Hindu”of January 10th 2015 Under the heading “Democracy wins in Sri Lanka”) When Mahinda Rajapaksa called a fresh presidential election two years ahead of the scheduled January 2016 end to his second term in office, he did so because he was confident of being voted back for another …
By Jayadeva Uyangoda Other than among the diehard supporters of the outgoing Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, there was no doubt about the victory of Maithripala Sirisena, the common Opposition candidate in the country’s Presidential election held on January 8. Yet, what surprised Mr. Rajapaksa’s supporters and opponents alike was his decision to concede defeat …
Continue reading ‘“How will the new President Maithripala Sirisena Fulfil his Electoral Promises?’ »
By N Sathiya Moorthy Sri Lanka has got a new President and a new government. The nation has voted in the common Opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena, and voted out incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promptly congratulated Sirisena, indicating the traditional Indian readiness and willingness to work with the new government. Indian …
by K. Venkataramanan Ranil Wickremesinghe, 65, finds himself leading a Sri Lankan ministry under an Executive President again. This is his third stint as Prime Minister, having served earlier in 1993-94 and 2001-04. As he was sworn in on Friday evening, Mr. Wickramasinghe must be ruing the fact that he has been unable to reach …
by Zacki Jabbar The National Democratic Front headed by the new President Maithripala Sirisena has assured former President Mahinda Rajapaksa that he and his family would receive the full protection of the law. Informed sources said that the comforting words had come after UNP and Opposition leader and Prime Minister in waiting Ranil Wickremesinghe had …
by Zacki Jabbar Naitonal Democratic Front (NDF) leader Maithripala Sirisena was sworn in as President and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister at Independence Square yesterday evening. Deviating from established tradition of elected Presidents being sworn in before the Chief Justice, it was the Senior most judge of the Supreme Court K. Sripavan, who …
by Shamindra Ferdinando Having defeated President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the January 8, 2015 presidential poll, victor Maithripala Sirisena yesterday took oaths before Supreme Court Justice K. Sripavan as the country’s sixth executive president. The former SLFP General Secretary won 12 electoral districts polling 6,217,162 votes (51.28 per cent) whereas the incumbent secured 5,768,090 votes (47.58 …
(TEXT OF STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA ON THE ELECTION IN SRI LANKA) On behalf of the American people, I congratulate the people of Sri Lanka on the successful and peaceful conclusion of Sri Lanka’s presidential election and incoming President Maithripala Sirisena on his victory. I also commend the outgoing administration of former President …
(Text of Press Release Issued by the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress) The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) congratulates the people of Sri Lanka and President Maithiripala Sirisena on this historic occasion. The SLMC thanks the Sri Lankan people, especially the Muslim community, for exercising their democratic rights and ensuring Mr. Maithripala Sirisena’s victory. This is …
Maithripala Sirisena took oaths as the sixth President of Sri Lanka at Independence square this evening while United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe took oaths as the Prime Minister. pic via: twitter/NalakaG Addressing the Nation after taking oaths, Sirisena said that he will not seek a second term in office. He also appointed UNP …
(Text of Statement issued by Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe Leader of the Opposition and United National Party) Sri Lanka has proved its credentials as a mature, peaceful democracy as the victory of Opposition Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena is resounding across the country. The quality of democracy in any country is revealed not only in the magnanimity …
Common Candidate of the opposition Maithripala Sirisena Mr. Maithripala Sirisena is to be sworn in the evening of January 9th as the new President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe said. The newly elected Presdident is to take oaths before Supreme court Judge K. Sri Bawan at …
Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya officially declared Maithripala Sirisena as the new President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka a short while ago. Making the official declaration in terms of the powers vested in him by the Constitution, Deshapriya said that Mr. Sirisena obtained a clear majority by getting 51.28% votes, and is therefore …
By Padma Rao Sundarji Sri Lanka’s opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is the brains and chief architect behind the ‘Rainbow Coalition’, whose candidate Maithripala Sirisena challenges incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa in presidential elections. The exhausted but upbeat politician, who will then be prime minister, spoke exclusively to Padma Rao Sundarji for the Hindustan Times on India, the …
(Text of Press Release Issued by the Tamil National Alliance) The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) extends its warmest congratulations to President-Elect Mr Maithripala Sirisena. The TNA extends to the people of Sri Lanka – in particular to the people of the North-East – its sincere thanks for extending their overwhelming support to President-Elect Mr Maithripala …
Pallewatte Gamaralage Maithripala Yapa Sirisena (63) was Health Minister in the Rajapaksa government and senior member of the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party until he broke ranks on November 21 to become the presidential candidate for a common opposition. He has pledged to abolish the executive presidency within 100 days and return the country to …
Continue reading ‘Pallewatte Gamaralage Maithripala Yapa Sirisena –President Elect of Sri Lanka.’ »
Lal Wickrematunga the elder brother of Lasantha Wickrematunge the slain Editor of “The Sunday Leader”is to make a fresh call for an impartial investigation into his brothers assassination at Attidiya road in Ratmalana on January 8th 2009. Lalraj Wickrematune along with brother Lasantha was a co-founder of “The Sunday Leader”and served as its Managing Director. …
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has conceded defeat at the 2015 Presidential elections and left Temples Trees, the President’s office said. Director of the President’s media unit Vijayananda Herath said that the President had left Temple Trees following a brief discussion with opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa conceded defeat to his opposition challenger on Friday after a bitterly fought presidential election, ending a decade of rule that critics say had become increasingly authoritarian and marred by nepotism and corruption. Rajapaksa vacated Temple Trees, his official residence early on Friday, following a meeting with Opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe, …
By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka witnessed a largely peaceful presidential election on Thursday. There were a few sporadic explosions in the island’s north, but no injury or damage was reported. The voter turnout — yet to be officially declared — could possibly equal or even surpass the 2010 election’s 74.49 per cent. Sri Lanka follows …
by Zacki Jabbar The Presidents office said that yesterday’s “peaceful” Presidential Election indicated that it had not interfered in the conduct of the poll. Presidential Spokesman Mohan Samaranayake told “The Island” shortly after the counting process had begun that polling had been “very peaceful and incident free”, which indicated the governments commitment to safeguard democracy.
By Zacki Jabbar The National Democratic Front (NDF) yesterday said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s attempt to hijack the electoral process by abusing military and government power at yesterday’s Presidential Election had failed badly due to the indefatigable efforts of the Polls Chief and the Inspector General of Police. Speaking on behalf of the NDF Presidential …
By Madura Ranwala Election Commissioner (EC) Mahinda Deshapriya yesterday declared that the Presidential Election 2015 had been peaceful save some minor incidents of assaults and two explosions near polling stations in Jaffna and Vavuniya. Polls Chief thanked all the people in the country, police officers, tri-forces, journalists, presidential candidates, their supporters, election officers and others, …
by Shamindra Ferdinando Brig. Ruwan Wanigasooriya and SSP Ajith Rohana addressing the media at the conclusion of Jan 8, 2015 presidential poll (pic by Gamini Munasinghe) Additional security contingents took up position in Colombo yesterday as the seventh presidential election concluded without any major incident. The Election Secretariat at Rajagiriya reported a voter turn out …
By Vishwamithra 1984 “The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of those depths.” ~Elisabeth Kubler-Ross In a very real sense, the voter of Sri Lanka is fortunate. He is fortunate because he did not have to endure …
By C.A.Chandraprema As the presidential election campaign draws to a close, both sides have been claiming imminent victory. The common opposition candidate has been saying that there is a massive surge of public opinion against the government which in his view is greater than the political upheavals of 1970 and 1977. However, in actual fact, …
By Taylor Dibbert Sri Lankans will go to the polls on January 8 to vote for their next president. This is an important election for the war-torn nation and incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family have a great deal on the line. Rajapaksa has centralized power to a point where even many members of …
Continue reading ‘Four Things to Watch for in Sri Lanka’s Presidential Election.’ »
By DR DAYAN JAYATILLEKA “In Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, an anti-Rajapaksa wave” – Meera Srinivasan, the Hindu “When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn…?” – Where Have All the Flowers Gone It may seem patronizing on my part, to suggest to the minorities how they should vote. It isn’t. I am a …
Continue reading ‘“I Hope Mahinda Rajapaksa Will win.I Expect him to”-Dayan Jayatilleka’ »
by Bradman Weerakoon For the last eight months I have been living in a village in the Kalutara district. The village is situated about 10 kilometres south of Kalutara the district capital and a kilometer or so east from the sea.. The village economy is based on paddy farming and services with many young men …
(Text of Statement Issued by Hon Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of United National Party) The people of our country will have yet another opportunity to exercise their democratic right to choose a leader of their choice. No one can stop, coerce or in any other way wrest this right away from …
The sixth anniversary of the assassination of The Sunday Leader founder and Editor-in-Chief Lasantha Wickrematunge, which falls on 8 January, will be marked with a service at his graveside. Family, friends, former colleagues and others, including those from political and diplomatic circles, will gather at Borella Kanatte at 8 a.m. to mark the anniversary and …
Tamil National Alliance leader and Trincomalee district MP Rajavarothayam Sampanthan was interviewed by the “Daily Mirror”. The Colombo English daily carried the interview conducted by Chathushika Wijeyesinghe on January 3rd under the heading “There is no LTTE now, so how can TNA be a Proxy-Sampanthan”. Upon reading the interview in full ,it is seen that …
The year 2015 has dawned with wedded bliss for well known Tamil film music composer Yuvan Shankar Rajah who has changed his name to Abdul Haliq after he converted from Hinduism to Islam last year. Yuvan who is the youngest son of Music maestro Illayarajah has followed in the footsteps of his illustrious father and …
Popular music composer Illayaraj’s younger son and a famous composer himself Yuvan Shankar Raja Monday confirmed that he has converted to Islam, adding that he is proud of the decision which got his family’s support. Though the rumour was going around for quite some time, Yuvan, confirmed this in a tweet. “Yes, I follow Islam …
Astrologer Sumanadasa Abegunawardhana predicts that President Mahinda Rajapaksa will emerge as a winner at the next Presidential Election on 8 January. Excerpts of this interview are given below: Q: What is your astrological view on the date, 8 January, the Presidential Election is held? A: I see it as lucky for the President Mahinda Rajapaksa. …
By Dharisha Bastians A few months ago, President Mahinda Rajapaksa quipped that faced with a lack of opposition, his Government had to step into play the role. Supremely confident of victory, he sought re-election two years ahead of schedule. How does he come to be fighting tooth and nail for survival against an Opposition that …
The Gover-nment yesterday resumed the granting of dual citizenship following approval of the Cabinet. The move was revealed by Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Additional Secretary (Civil Security and Development) Damayanthi Jayaratna during the weekly press briefing held at the Media Centre yesterday. Speaking to the media, she said that upon a Cabinet decision, …
The Secretary General of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) V. Anandasangaree has hit out at the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) for publicly calling on the Tamils to vote for common Opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena. Anandasangaree said that the public announcement by the TNA could have consequences and in his opinion the TNA should …
The main opposition United National Party (UNP) has warned of attempts to mislead the public by using Rathnayaka Aarachchige Sirisena, a candidate at the upcoming presidential election. UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera said that one attempt by the Government is to announce that Sirisena has decided not to contest the presidential election. Samaraweera said the Government …
by Hafeel Farisz Namal Rajapaksa, the son of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Hambanthota District parliamentarian, in a candid interview with the Dailymirror responded to allegations against him, the state of the country, broken promises and the way forward. Excerpts: Q;We are in the last phase of the election campaign. How do you see it progressing …
by Vishwamithra 1984 “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” ~ Alan Watts One more week for the Presidential Elections. The people of Sri Lanka are being asked to make a decision and it’s going to be the most crucial political …
by Sivamohan Sumathy Department of English,University of Peradeniya What is striking about the 2015 elections? It is the upsurge in the call for democracy and the call to put an end to aggression, arbitrary actions. Significantly, it has opened up spaces for the minority community, the minority voter, to once again find a voice within …
By Dharisha Bastians Making an eleventh hour decision, the Tamil National Alliance yesterday extended its fullest support to common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena at next week’s crucial election. Officially announcing its support for Sirisena at a press briefing in Colombo, TNA Leader Rajavarothiam Sampanthan said President Mahinda Rajapaksa had failed to deliver on a political …
By Dr.Kalana Senaratne President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who just lost the support of the Muslim political parties this week, is facing political isolation of an unprecedented character. Unfortunately for the President, he has neither a political manifesto to help him, nor clever political strategy to back him in this crisis. Political violence appears to be on …
by Dushy Ranetunge Gothabaya Rajapakse, GL Pieris and several other VIPs were at the Independence Square Arcade last week to watch the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka perform to a large audience on a rainy evening. I took the opportunity to speak to some of their security escorts sitting inside their escort vehicles. I asked …
(Text of Statement Issued on Behalf of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress by its Seretary-General M.T.Hasen Ali M.P.) Udaya Gammanpila, a member of the UPFA coalition, has used state television to make the ridiculous and baseless accusation that the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has a secret agreement with the Common Candidate to divide Sri …
Investment Promotions Deputy Minister Faizer Mustapha officially joined the Common Opposition at Viharamahadevi open air theatre. The Deputy Minister attended the women’s meeting of the UNP and joined the stage when UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was addressing the meeting.
On Monday evening, pictures of Salman Khan and his Kick leading lady, Jacqueline Fernandez with incumbent Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa went viral online. Across the border this was seen as a last-ditch effort by the President to boost his prospects in the upcoming elections scheduled for January 8. The superstar’s public endorsement of Rajapaksa …
TNA Northern Provincial Council Member Ananthi Sasitharan has said that she will be boycotting the presidential election, despite the decision by her party to support the common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena. Speaking to the BBC Tamil Service she has pointed out that the TNA election manifesto for the last Northern Provincial Election was clear on …
Productivity Promotion Minister Basheer Segudawood who resigned from his portfolio and quit the UPFA government along with other SLMC members to support the common candidate has extended his good wishes to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for a convincing victory at the forthcoming Presidential election. Segudawood in a letter addressed to the President has said he is …
BY Kavindya Chris Thomas Claiming that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has initiated a ‘Maithrivaranya’ in the North, in support of joint Opposition presidential candidate, Maithripala Sirisena, the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) yesterday demanded that the agreement entered into between the TNA and Sirisena’s New Democratic Front (NDF) be revealed.
By Shamindra Ferdinando The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) yesterday warned the government against making what it called clandestine efforts to settle the national question. Having declared its intention to thwart incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa securing a third term at January 8, 2015 poll, TNA chief R. Sampanthan, MP, didn’t mince his words when he declared: …
By Shamindra Ferdinando Alleging that incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa was moving towards a dictatorship and totalitarianism, the four-party Tamil National Alliance (TNA) yesterday (Dec 30) pledged the support of the Tamil electorate to opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena. The TNA emphasised that the repealing of the two term limit on the Office of the President …
By Yositha Perera The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organisation yesterday charged that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) was supporting the common opposition because they want to accomplish their aim of spreading Tamil extremism again in the country. They said that Western Embassies had made some promises to the TNA and with that help the TNA …
Mumbai: Bollywood star Salman Khan visited Sri Lanka on Monday to prop up the incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa’s re-election bid, the first Indian actor to be roped in for a poll campaign in the country. Khan, along with Sri Lankan-born Jacqueline Fernandez and five other Bollywood performers are set to appear on stage in support of …
THE plan seemed such a simple one. Mahinda Rajapaksa called an election in November expecting to breeze past a shambolic, divided opposition and take an unprecedented third term as Sri Lanka’s president. The poll, on January 8th, would be two years earlier than necessary. It would also be the first after a constitutional amendment in …
By Upul Joseph Fernando In the backdrop of yesterday’s decision by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to support common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena at the upcoming January presidential election, it is appropriate to recall events and incidents within the TNA which happened behind the curtain. The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) was the party which brought …
(Text of Media Release Issued by the Tamil National Alliance on December 30th 2014) The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has given careful consideration to the positions and pronouncements of the two main candidates at the upcoming Presidential election and has also undertaken an extensive process of consultation to hear the views of the Tamil speaking …
The secret pact that Deputy Minister of Investment Promotion, Faizer Musthapha, had entered into with common Opposition candidate, Maithripala Sirisena was proved yesterday beyond doubt as photographic evidence surfaced in the electronic media and websites showing Musthapha with Sirisena. The photographic evidence showed that he was accompanied by the owner of a private television to …
By Kamanthi Wickramasinghe Visiting Bollywood star Salman Khan yesterday said President Mahinda Rajapaksa was an amazing man but his visit was not political. Speaking to the Daily Mirror the Indian actor however said he was not aware about the attack on Sri Lankan movie stars and artistes and added that he was ‘coming from Mumbai’.
Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara, the General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organization has emerged from forced seclusion accusing former Justice Minister and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader Rauff Hakeem of being a “political prostitute” who stood up against the government at all the Presidential elections. Gnanasara said that Rauff Hakeem had defected to …
Addressing a special press conference in Colombo, TNA Leader R. Sampanthan said the party has decided to support the campaign of the common opposition at the forthcoming presidential election. The press conference was attended by several senior leaders of the TNA including Parliamentarian R. Sampanthan. The announcement was made ahead of the Common Candidate’s visit …
By Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha M.P. Enemies of the President’s Promise The Prince 3 For good measure the provision about restricting the unlimited power of appointment by the President was repeated with regard to the Judiciary, with capitalization – Appointments and Removals: The Chief Justice, the President of the Court of Appeal and every other Judge, of …
(Text of Statement Issued by the United National Party on December 29th 2014) President Mahinda Rajapaksa has resorted to the meanest methods of electioneering. Borrowing words from our sacred National Anthem and producing cheap commercials to drive home a point that Mahinda Rajapaksa is the creator of all good things about Sri Lanka deserves contempt …
President Mahinda Rajapaksa added some Bollywood glamour to his polls campaign yesterday, attending a free medical clinic in Borella with stars Salman Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez. The widely publicised star-studded event was organised by Hambantota District MP Namal Rajapaksa’s Nil Balakaya movement.
By Dharisha Bastians Former President Chandrika Kumara-tunga’s lawyers have threatened legal action against the Inspector General of Police and the department if they fail to act against perpetrators who attacked her vehicle in Beruwala last week. Election monitors said both the former President and Western Provincial Councillor HirunikaPremachandra had been attacked in Beruwala and their …
Pharmaceuticals prices had gone through the roof during the past few years because Maithripala Sirisena had links with the drug companies, Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa alleged. Addressing a propaganda rally in Matale last week in support of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Minister Weerawansa said common opposition presidential candidate Sirisena’s son, …