By Shamindra Ferdinando President Mahinda Rajapaksa has declared that those who switched their allegiance to Maithripala Sirisena’s camp will not be taken back to the SLFP-led UPFA. The warning was given at a public meeting held at Matale last Friday in the wake of several members of parliament, provincial councils and local government bodies joining …
By Ellen Barry KILINOCHCHI, Sri Lanka — Two men were riding the train known as the Queen of Jaffna as it rattled through the haunted battlegrounds of Sri Lanka’s civil war. One of them, Nisal Kavinda, a 20-year-old man from the Sinhalese ethnic group, was jubilant. He had wanted to ride this train since 2009, …
by N Sathiya Moorthy Any nation-wide election in the neighbourhood is a treat and/or threat for India not to miss watching even otherwise. Advanced presidential polls in Sri Lanka, the second in a row, slated for 8 January 2015, demands India’s attention even more, given the nature of bilateral relations and cooperation, international engagement — …
By Jayadeva Uyangoda Less than two weeks more to the Presidential election, scheduled for January 08, 2015, the political temperature of the country is rising amidst incessant rain and unusually cold December weather. The signs are that violence may increase, for the simple reason that the stakes are quite high at this election. At present, …
Famous Bollywood actor Salman Khan arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday to support the election campaign of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. As exclusively revealed by Asian Mirror two weeks ago, Salman Khan was invited to participate in the election campaign of the President by Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa. Along with him, Sri Lanka born Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez …
By DR DAYAN JAYATILLEKA As a consistent supporter of the tragic hero and the anti-hero, and as a Lankan, in the battle between Rama and Ravana, I support and defend Ravana. I’m on Ravana’s side; never Vibheenshana’s. That is why I supported Premadasa and that’s why I support Mahinda. As my dear friend Rajiva Wijesinha …
By Malinda Seneviratne Now it can be argued that Ranil Wickremesinghe was robbed, so to speak, both in 1999 and 2005. In 1999 a close election went the incumbent’s way when she lost an eye in a terrorist attack, the resulting sympathy translating into a vote-sway. Moreover, S.B. Dissanayake once claimed that he had ensured …
Claims that India’s spy agency RAW’s Colombo station chief K. Ilango had links with the Common Opposition have cost him his job in Colombo. Security sources say the man’s term was extended but transfer orders to him were sudden after the Sri Lanka Government urged New Delhi that he be recalled.
By Ananth Palakidnar The Tamil National Alliance is expected to announce its support to the Common Opposition Candidate Maithripala Sirisena, at his first meeting, scheduled to be held in Jaffna on Tuesday, 30 December. According to sources, Sirisena will address his first Jaffna meeting at Muththirai Chanthi in Nallur, where the TNA ‘s General Secretary …
by Shalika Wimalasena As various allegations are levelled at brothers of the two main contenders at the upcoming Presidential Election, Ceylon Today interviewed Dudley Sirisena (Maithripala’s brother) to obtain responses over allegations levelled at the two families. Excerpts: Q: What happened to the car you won at the casino? A: I won the car about …
by J.T. de Silva As various allegations are levelled at brothers of the two main contenders at the upcoming Presidential Election, Ceylon Today interviewed Basil Rajapaksa (President’s brother) to obtain responses over allegations levelled at the two families. Excerpts: Q: Minister, you appear to be so relaxed. You are not seen in election rallies. There …
Former JHU stalwart and General Secretary of newly formed Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Attorney-at-Law Udaya Gammanpila yesterday lamented that the JHU’s present day leaders had backed down after challenging him for a TV debate. Gammanpila said that he had been challenged for a TV debate by JHU National Organiser Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe via media and he …
By Upul Joseph Fernando Fortunes fall on laps at unexpected moments to certain personalities. It’s similar to winning a lottery through the electronic systems. Some who never dream of attaining high positions get them through luck. When good fortunes knock on the door, it is said the door opens suddenly. It is such backdrop, we …
By Shamindra Ferdinando The government yesterday alleged that the SLMC had quit the ruling coalition because President Mahinda Rajapaksa had turned down its demand to carve out a separate Muslim administrative unit in the Digamadulla electoral district. UPFA General Secretary and Environment and Renewable Energy Minister Susil Premjayantha emphasised that the SLFP-led government would never …
By Norman Palihawadane Deputy Minister of Minor Exports Promotion Nishantha Muthuhettigama arrested at the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport, upon his return from Singapore yesterday morning was produced before the Negombo Magistrate and remanded till Dec. 30. An arrest warrant on the Deputy Minister had been issued by the Baddegama Magistrate Court on Dec 24 for …
Sri Lanka was primarily an agricultural country and it could never be developed without developing the agricultural sector, common opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday. Addressing a propaganda rally held in Wellawaya, Sirisena said that there was no use of any other development projects for the sustainable economic development without diverting funds to improve …
By Dharisha Bastians The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress struck the biggest blow to President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s re-election hopes yesterday, when it finally stopped dithering over a decision and formally endorsed common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena yesterday. SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem, who held the Justice portfolio in President Rajapaksa’s Cabinet, said he had resigned as minister. …
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has decided to support Opposition Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena at the forthcoming Presidential Election, Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem announced on the morning of December 28th 2014 In making the announcement, SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem said that he will be resigning as Justice Minister of the ruling UPFA Government in order …
By Maheen Senanayake A house in which former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and UPFA rebel Provincial Councilor, Hirunika Premachandra, were dining was attacked by UPFA supporters at about 10pm on Friday at Peenawala in Beruwela, Manjula Gajanayake, National Co-ordinator, Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) said yesterday. CBK and Ms. Premachandra had been at the …
Malik Samarawickreme, former UNP Chairman, businessman and confidante of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday telephoned President Mahinda Rajapaksa who was at the President’s House in Kandy at 9.35 a.m. and spilled the beans on how former President Chandrika Kumaratunga manipulated the joint opposition plan to grab UPFA ministers and members to challenge Rajapaksa at the …
By Joshua Surendraraj Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has urged everyone to come together, devoid of Party differences and irrespective of whoever emerges victorious at the January 8 Presidential election, to welcome the Holy Father next month. At a news conference last week, the Cardinal said, “Just moments prior to the Papal address following the Holy Father’s …
By Rasika Jayakody It is no exaggeration to say that the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, the largest Muslim party in the country led by Minister Rauff Hakeem, is experiencing a tough phase. Several years ago the SLMC dubbed itself as “king-makers” of the country’s political sphere. But today the party has found itself in a …
While speculation was rife that the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) would pledge support to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the High Command of the SLMC, the top-most decision making body of the party, ended its Saturday night meeting with serious divisions, without arriving at a concrete decision. The High Command, after discussing the matter for nearly …
by Namal Suvendra President Mahinda Rajapakse was the last to release an election manifesto, but the delay may have been deliberately designed to get his main rival Maithripala Sirisena’s goat. What ever the stories about Maithripala stealing a march on the manifesto by pinching key elements from the president’s policy document, the latest edition of …
By. C.A.Chandraprema The most diabolical and fiendishly clever policy position that the common opposition has taken is that they will not allow our war heroes to be tried by any international war crimes tribunal, but that any allegations of war crimes will be looked into by a domestic tribunal. The common opposition candidate himself has …
By Madura Ranwala The police never expected Deputy Minister of Minor Export Crop Promotion Nishantha Mutuhettigama to leave the country for Singapore early morning on Boxing Day, as he was a member of the supreme law making body in the country, the Police spokesman said yesterday. SSP Ajith Rohana told The Island that MP Mutuhettigama …
President Rajapaksa ran a government bullying his ministers and party leaders in the cabinet. No one dared to cross him fearing the files. Even institutions of good governance and legal bodies were brought under his spell, common opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena declared on Christmas day. Addressing a meeting at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and …
By Tamil Civil Society Forum (Text of Statement Issued by the Tamil Civil Society Forum regarding the forthcoming 2015 Presidential Elections) This statement is being released to clarify our stance with regard to the upcoming Presidential Elections to be held on the 8th of January 2015. There are two main candidates in this election: The …
By Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha M.P. Enemies of the President’s Promise The Prince 2 But Vasantha was also aware of the need to strengthen Parliament. Given the usual domination of the House by members supportive of the Executive leadership, he introduced a Second Chamber which would provide other perspectives more systematically, and enable Parliament to fulfil its …
By Ellen Barry COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — In the days after Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Sri Lankan president, was betrayed by a group of his longtime aides, comparisons were made to Judas Iscariot and the serpent in the Garden of Eden, but nothing expressed the depth of the president’s hurt and bewilderment like the fact that …
By Vishwamithra 1984 “I always believe that ultimately, if people are paying attention, then we get good government and good leadership. And when we get lazy, as a democracy and civically start taking shortcuts, then it results in bad government and politics.” ~Barack Obama, In this week’s column, this columnist decided to share with readers …
Continue reading ‘“Colombo Society” and “Colombo Businessmen” and the 2015 Presidential election’ »
By Vani Doraisamy Earlier this month, as the TV flashed visuals of Peshawar mourning its young and the mass cremations that marked the death of innocence, I was gripped by an eerie sense of recall. Ten years ago, I too had stood on a mass grave which had swallowed up the bodies of more than …
By Col R Hariharan [Answers to questions raised by an international news agency on the subject in an e-mail interview on Dec 23rd are given in this article.] Any narrative on Sri Lanka would be incomplete if India’s overwhelming influence in Sri Lanka is not considered. It comes from India’s huge geographic size, economic strength …
Continue reading ‘Strategic Security and the China Factor in Sri Lanka’s Presidential Elections.’ »
By Hazel and Graham Gallagher We are expats living in Sri Lanka, we have lived here since 2002 and teach English language to a diverse selection of local people from Government workers to village children. We live in a village called Mihiripenne on the south coast. At 9:26 on Sunday the 26th December the village …
Renowned Sri Lanka cricketer and former national captain Kumar Sangakkara rejected certain social media reports saying that he was offered financial incentive by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to support him in his election campaign. Sangakkara, in his personal Facebook page, said on Thursday that he was surprised as well as disappointed to hear such a story …
By Dasun Edirisinghe The UPFA yesterday challenged opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena to reveal from where the huge foreign exchange stash which was recovered by the CID from a relative of his son’s girlfriend had come from. Addressing the media at the Sri Lanka Freedom Party head office, Housing, Construction, Engineering Services and Common Amenities …
BY Ruwan Laknath Jayakody Common candidate Maithripala Sirisena is suing former General Secretary of the United National Party (UNP) and present Minister of Health, Tissa Attanayake for defamation .demanding a sum of Rs 2.5 billion as compensation. Attanayake previously produced a document which he stated was an agreement between Sirisena and Opposition and UNP Leader …
Spirit of Christmas-for all humanity by K. Thirukumaran “Mannulagil Indru Devan Irangi Varukiraar”: Poignant lyrics of “Mannulagil Indru Devan Irangi Varukiraar” was penned by Poet laureate Kannadasan and rendered by Golden voiced Vani Jeyaram, with Immortal music composition by M.S. Viswanathan ~ in Tamil movie ‘Punitha Anthoniyar’ (released in 1977). My attempt at translating “Mannulagil …
Continue reading ‘To Nurture Humanity, The Shepherd arrived as Bundle of Joy ♫’ »
BY Bishop Duleep de Chickera We keep Christmas this year amidst manifestoes, dreams and visions. Politicians want power; they resort to lofty manifestoes. People long for sincere governance and bread at affordable prices; they persist in dreaming dreams. Prophets resent deceit; they dare to see visions. Some scheme, most dream and others see visions; this …
BY Fr J.C. Pieris Trying to find a good love story in the New Testament (NT) many have failed to convincingly show that Jesus was married to or was at least in love with Mary Magdalene. The recent finding of a small, old fragment of papyrus with carbon ink writings on it in Coptic script …
In the Christmas message of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference they remind Catholics of the awakening issued by Pope Francis that it should not be just a celebration, but more importantly to be sensitive to those in need and to transcend barriers. “At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem which is God’s entry …
All Ceylon Makkal Congress Senior Deputy Leader M.M. Zaheer and its Western Provincial Council Member Mohammad Faiz have decided to support UPFA candidate President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the January 8 presidential election. Addressing a press conference at the SLFP headquarters on Tuesday, the two ACMC members said that the ACMC leader and former minister Rishad …
by Shamindra Ferdinando SLFP National Organiser and Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday said that he felt the then SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena had been planning his move against incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa about one and a half years back. Minister Rajapaksa said that he had always suspected Minister Sirisena’s intentions unlike others who …
by Dasun Edirisinghe Minister of Higher Education and former SLFP General Secretary S. B. Dissanayake said yesterday that he had once comfortably beaten Maithripala Sirisena to become the SLFP General Secretary at an intra party election. “I won hands down and how can Sirisena defeat a popular President like Mahinda Rajapaksa,” said Minister Dissanayake, who …
By Zacki Jabbar A clash near UNP headquarters, Sirikotha, yesterday left more than 30 persons injured. Trouble began when a group of pro-government activists staged a protest demanding that the UNP reveal what they called the contents of a secret pact between UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena. Both sides accused each other of …
by Rathindra Kuruwita Supporters of the United National Party (UNP) and the Federation of National Organizers (FNO) clashed opposite UNP HQ, Sirikotha yesterday, for over one hour. Over 30 persons from both sides were injured, according to participants from both sides. Commenting on the clash, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said, while the Opposition is gathering …
BY Kavindya Chris Thomas A press briefing of the Joint Opposition Alliance, scheduled to be held yesterday (24), was sabotaged by Dehiwala- Mount Lavinia Council member Savithra de Silva, who chanted he is forever for President Rajapaksa. He stated that he had been requested by Provincial Council member Keerthi Udawatte to join the common Opposition …
BY Ruwan Laknath Jayakody The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) yesterday (24) pledged their direct, unconditional support to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the 8 January election. All organizational networks, affiliated to the BBS, will also back Rajapaksa, the BBS said, adding that no political organizations, including the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, were involved.
By Hafeel Farisz Former Minister Navin Dissanayake, the son of former UNP heavyweight Gamini Dissanayake in an interview with the asserted his confidence on the Common Opposition winning the election, while rubbishing claims by Ministers of the government, who had cast negative aspersions on the election manifesto of common Presidential Candidate Maithripala Sirisena. Excerpts: Q …
By Ajith Siriwardana All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) National List MP Ameer Ali, who pledged his support to Common Opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena said today that removing former National List MP A.H.M. Azwar from Parliament was the biggest support extended to Muslims by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. “Azwar was the one who acted as the government …
(Text of Editorial Appearing in “The Island” of December 23rd 2014 Under the heading “Lajja”!) ‘The Executive Committee of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka at an emergency meeting held on 19.07.2012 unanimously expressed its strong condemnation and abhorrence of the incident which took place in Mannar where the Court premises came under attack and …
By Meera Srinivasan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who faces elections in a fortnight, on Tuesday promised to initiate a transparent, judicial inquiry probing allegations of war crimes against the Sri Lankan army. He made the announcement while releasing his election manifesto ahead of the January 8 presidential election, which promises to be one of the closest …
By Bloomberg News Crispy rice pancakes and spicy salad, both traditional Sri Lankan dishes, were on the menu the night of Nov. 19 when President Mahinda Rajapaksa dined with long-time ally and cabinet member Maithripala Sirisena. Two days later, Sirisena vowed to end Rajapaksa’s decade-long rule in a Jan. 8 presidential election. The betrayal shook …
By B. Kolappan Tamil film director K. Balachander, a Dadasaheb Phalke awardee, was the man who moved the hero-centric Tamil cinema to story-based, realistic creations with new talent. K.B. as he is known, introduced and shaped many top stars, including Kamal Hassan and Rajinikanth, and effortlessly adapted himself to the changing world of theatre, cinema …
By Karthik Subramanian Veteran director K. Balachander, who was known in the South Indian film circles as ‘Iyakkunar Sigaram’ (a peak among directors), breathed his last on Tuesday evening, leaving behind a rich legacy of not just film and television work but a long list of technicians and actors he introduced in a career spanning …
The President said that the third stage of Mahinda Chinthana sought to raise the standing of the nation to that of a developed country, while speaking at the launch of ‘Lova Dinana Maga’ (the World Winning Path) the manifesto of the UPFA for his current presidential election campaign, held at the BMICH yesterday, “I state …
By Marisa Wikramanayake and Waruni Paranagamage Opposition common candidate Maithripala Sirisena and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe held a Q&A session with the business community at the Cinnamon Lakeside yesterday. The session was moderated by former banker Ranjith Fernando. Following are excerpts from the session: Q: How do you address corruption charges without disrupting business activities …
By Shamindra Ferdinando Assuring that all communities would be treated alike regardless of ethnicity, religion or language, President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday reiterated his commitment to Sri Lanka’s unitary status. President Rajapaksa pledged that no one would be allowed to propagate separatism or destabilise the country. He gave this assurance at the launch of his manifesto …
By Marisa Wikramanayake and Waruni Paranagamage The applauses which both the Opposition’s Common Presidential Candidate and UNP Leader received at a packed business forum yesterday sounded like early celebrations of a thumping victory. That was the scene during the nearly two-hour engagement between Maithripala Sirisena, Ranil Wickre-mesinghe and the business community yesterday at the Cinnamon …
by Kelum Bandara The All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) has split over the decision by party leader Rishad Bathiudeen to support common opposition candidate Maitripala Sirisena, party officials said today. Mr. Bathiudeen and recently sworn in MP Ameer Ali had joined the common opposition while the party’s national organiser M.L.A. Hizbullah said he would support …
By Lakna Paranamanna Senior Minister of Good Governance and Infrastructure and former Prime Minister, Rathnasiri Wickramanayake says as per his interpretation of ‘good governance’, there is no crisis in Sri Lanka in that department. In a candid interview with Dailymirror this senior SLFPer rejected rumours that have been circulating on his possible defection and on …
By Mirudhula Thambiah Northern Provincial Councillor and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) member Ananthi Sasitharan told Ceylon Today that, women in the North were faced with immense problems. “The war is over but the violence and issues against women seem to continue, as teenage rape cases are increasing in the Jaffna Peninsula. All women should be …
by Zacki Jabbar Leader of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) and Industry and Commerce Minister Rishard Bathiudeen yesterday quit the government and pledged the support of his party to the National Democratic Front (NDF) Presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena. Addressing a news conference at the Opposition leaders office shortly after the ACMC had met in …
By Maheesha Mudugamuwa Former UNP General Secretary and Health Minister Tissa Attanayake yesterday told the media in Colombo that the UNP and opposition common candidate Maithripala Sirisena had, in an undisclosed pact signed on Nov. 1, 2014, agreed to implement all UNHRC recommendations as regards Sri Lanka’s alleged war crimes and fully cooperate with the …
By Prof. Priyan Dias One of the features about the run up to the January 2015 Presidential election is the uncertainty about how the Northern voter will vote. This short article cannot cover all the nuances of the ‘national’ problem as it is called. However at this time of elections, it may be pertinent to …
By Sumanasiri Liyanage It is not unusual to have some degree of rhetoric in an election manifesto in a context which is characterized by commodification of almost everything. Politicians, their campaign managers and media are trying incessantly to make the election a business affair that needs loads of money to be spent in the campaign. …
by Taylor Dibbert First elected president in 2005, Mahinda Rajapaksa was widely credited with winning the civil war, which helped him get reelected to a second term in 2010. Nonetheless, while it’s good that the fighting is over, the South Asian nation has faced a myriad of challenges since that time. Ongoing human rights violations, …
(Text of Statement Issued by Hon. Karu Jayasuriya MP, Chairman of the Leadership Council, UNP) The recent violent incidents targeting rallies and activists of the common opposition amply demonstrate the lack of democratic space under the dictatorial Rajapaksa regime. It is the best evidence of the urgent need to change course before this state terror …
Whilst the signs of grass root activities for the Common Alliance was hardly making a blip on the journalistic radar screens, the candidates’ principal backers Chandrika Kumaratunga and Ranil Wickremesinghe were busy playing politics. An inspired leak revealed that a Sirisena-led administration will have a mean and lean cabinet of ministers, numbering just 18. Twelve …
There are increasing signs that the SLMC will eventually end up supporting the UPFA Government. Hakeem told a meeting of his parliamentarians recently that if he were to take a decision, all of them should follow suit. Some of the MPs spoke openly about their intention to remain with the Government when they attended a …
By Rasika Jayakody Will Salman Khan come? While the UNP is gearing up to launch the ground-level campaign, the government is trying out new ways of pandering to the sentiments of the urban voters, especially in Colombo. Inviting famous Bollywood actor Salman Khan to support the campaign of President Rajapaksa was part of that plan. …
by Sagarica Rajakarunanayake Pope Francis’s visit to Sri Lanka will commence on 13th January 2015. Assurances have been given by the two main presidential candidates that there will not be any post-election threat to the security of the Pope. Catholics here are fervently awaiting the arrival of the Pope. Buddhists too should be happy to …
by Dharisha Bastians ‘Toy pistol’ Mayor was on the rampage in Hambantota again, this time allegedly involved in the assault of pro-Opposition civil society activists in the southern district yesterday, election monitors said. A group of activists attempting to stage a street drama at the Hambantota main bus halt last morning said they were allegedly …
By Meera Srinivasan Amidst concern in India over the growing Chinese presence in Sri Lanka, the joint opposition platform here has begun questioning China’s role in the island nation ahead of the January 8 presidential election. Earlier this week, leader of the United National Party (UNP) and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe pledged to scrap …
By Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha M.P. Enemies of the President’s Promise The Prince – 1 It is not likely that the President will be awakened swiftly from the enchantment cast upon him by his closest advisers. However, if and when he does realize that a change is essential if he is to preserve not just his legacy, …
(Text of Press release Issued by the United National Party Media Secretariat) Common Opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena will share his vision for a united and prosperous future for Sri Lanka with the business community at a key forum on Tuesday 23rd December from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. at King’s Court, Cinnamon Lakeside. Accompanying Mr. …
At the end of a hectic schedule addressing election rallies in the South, President Mahinda Rajapaksa returned to ‘Temple Trees’ last Monday evening. There he sat down to a discussion with Deputy Minister Muthu Sivalingam and Central Provincial Councillor Senthil Thondaman. The Ceylon Workers Congress duo was meeting Rajapaksa to urge that an interview be …
By Don Manu JHU turncoat, twice crosser Udaya Gammanpila’s conscience is an extraordinary item in the man’s set up and has so far never fallen short of being able to rebound at an instant’s notice. Given the bashing, its proud owner says it has been subjected to this month – two whole sleepless days of …
By C.A.Chandraprema Allegations of widespread government corruption can be heard from the public stage at every election. Many allegations of government corruption have been made in the ongoing presidential election campaign and it may be pertinent to delve into some of the issues raised. At the ceremony held to launch his book ‘Alapalu Arthikaya’ Champika …
By DR DAYAN JAYATILLEKA In October 1988, accepting the UNP nomination at the Sugathadasa Stadium, Ranasinghe Premadasa complained in a bitter, biting aside, that as Prime Minister he had enjoyed “the powers of a peon”. That status is about to change if the Opposition wins, because the Maithri manifesto makes clear that the centre of …
By Shamindra Ferdinando General Secretary of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) V. Anandasangaree yesterday urged the Tamil electorate to vote for incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa or Opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena at the January 8, 2015 presidential election, regardless of the instructions given by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). Political veteran Anandasangaree emphasised that every …
by Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka will maintain equal relations with India and China, Maithripala Sirisena, joint opposition candidate in the coming presidential polls, said on Friday. Releasing his election manifesto ahead of the January 8 polls — in which he will challenge the incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa — the former Minister said: “I would act to …
by Shamindra Ferdinando UPFA constituent, All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) has skipped public meetings held in support of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the Vanni electoral District and Batticaloa on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Political sources told The Island that the absence of ACMC leader Industries and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen at UPFA rallies raised many …
By Norman Palihawadana and Madura Ranwala UPFA Parliamentarian Nishantha Mutuhettigama yesterday took away three of his supporters arrested by the Wanduramba police on Thursday for setting ablaze the stage erected for Common Opposition Presidential Candidate Maithripala Sirisena there on Wednesday, along with a vehicle and the public address system. The suspects were taken by MP …
By Dharisha Bastians Candidate for the common opposition Maithripala Sirisena unveiled his roadmap for constitutional reform and pledged to deliver a ‘new country’ in 100 days, if elected as Sri Lanka’s eighth executive president on 8 January 2015. Unveiling his election manifesto for the poll that is just three weeks away, Sirisena has pledged to …
Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka’s son-in-law Dhanuna Tilakaratne was released on bail this morning after he surrendered to the Colombo High Court in connection with the HICROP (Pvt.) Limited fraud case. He has been released on Rs. 400,000 bail and two sureties of Rs. 5 million each and surety should be relatives of the accused. …
By Dr Nirmala Chandrahasan There is currently a lot of speculation as to whether the Tamil voter would exercise his/her franchise in the upcoming presidential elections in the context that neither Presidential candidate has addressed the political issues pertaining to them. However it must be pointed out that the Tamil Voter is no different from …
By Chamara Sumanapala Common candidate of the opposition Maithripala Sirisena stated that he takes personal responsibility in carrying out all his promises mentioned in his policy statement. The document “Maithri Palanayak, sthaavara ratak” (A Compassionate governance, a stable country), was launched earlier today at the Viharamaha Devi Park. Sirisena said that there were many questions …
By Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha M.P. Enemies of the President’s Promise 24 Sneezy 5 Tamara’s success in averting a resolution against us at the Human Rights Council in Geneva in September 2011 was not however to be repeated the following year. She had no say in the massive delegation that was sent, and the strategy to be …
by K. Thirukumaran Exercising the privilege of voting – in any election is an utmost importance among civic duties. As US President Grover Cleveland said, “Your every voter, as surely as your chief magistrate, exercises a public trust”.
Dr.Kalana Senaratne (Dr.Kalana Senaratne is a researcher and political analyst holding a doctorate in international law from the University of Hong Kong and contributes regularly to the Sri Lankan media.This article appears in the “Daily Mirror”) The anti-regime camp led by Maithripala Sirisena is posing the most significant challenge to the present regime. President Rajapaksa …
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) National list MP M. A. Sumanthiran has denied President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s allegation at a meeting in Chilaw that the TNA had signed a secret deal with Common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena and that he (Sumanthiran)had facilitated it. The TNA Parliamentarian who is also a lawyer has challenged President Rajapaksa to provide …
By Gotabhaya Rajapaksa (Excerpts from Speech made by Defence and Urban development Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at the Synchronised Forum organised by the Professionals for a Stable Sri Lanka on the theme “MOMENTUM – A Nation Stabilised) “The question we must all ask ourselves at this point in time is whether we are willing to risk …
By Marisa Wikramanayake Lalith Weeratunga, longstanding civil servant and Secretary to the country’s Chief Executive, yesterday turned passionate at a public forum when explaining what set President Mahinda Rajapaksa apart from other leaders. “President Mahinda Rajapaksa is decisive, transparent and always prioritises people’s interest and consults the public,” Weeratunga said in his comments at the …
by Kamal Bogoda Impeached Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake yesterday said that she would not support any candidate vying for the presidency. Addressing the media outside the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court after appearing in a case filed against her by the Bribery Commission, Dr. Bandaranayake said she would not enter politics because she still considered …
By Uditha Jayasinghe, Marisa Wikramanayake, Malik Gunatilleke and David Stephens An upbeat President Mahinda Rajapaksa made his strongest overture yet to the private sector and professionals yesterday by pledging to tackle corruption and push ahead with ambitious development projects. Attending what was billed as the largest synchronised forum in South Asia bringing together around 2,000 …
By Savitri Goonesekere Many people have described the Presidential elections 2015 as a “defining” event in the history of our country. The unfolding scene also highlights the depths to which our national politics has sunk, and the complete blurring of the difference between what is acceptable and not acceptable behaviour on the part of those …
President Mahinda Rajapaksa today alleged that the opposition Presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena has signed a secret deal with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). Speaking at an election rally in Chilaw, the President claimed that the secret deal was formulated by a team which includes TNA Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran.
By Chitra Weerarathne Attorney-at-Law Naganande Kodituwakku of Nawala filed a Writ Application in the Court of Appeal, claiming that the incumbent president could not contest for Presidency for a third time and that his candidacy had no validity in law.
BY RUWAN LAKNATH JAYAKODY The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) plunged yesterday into a deeper crisis when 17 of its 29 local government members defected to the UPFA to support President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the upcoming Presidential Election, former Senior Vice President of the party told a news conference in Colombo. Western Provincial Councillor Udaya Gammanpila …
By Ananth Palakidnar and Mirudhula Thambiah The Jaffna District Development Coordinating Committee meeting yesterday turned into a battle field in the presence of Chief Minister C.V.Wignesawaran when Tamil National Alliance (TNA) members crossed the floor to attack EPDP leader and Minister Douglas Devananda. Trouble sparked off when slain LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabakaran’s relative MK.Sivajilingam was …
By Upul Joseph Fernando “If Sirisena wins poll, President and his brothers may try to retain power by resorting to compliant Court or military…” – International Crisis GroupMahinda’s fears must be doubled and trebled in his march towards the Presidential Election. The reason is that Chandrika is behind Maithri. Mahinda having won the 2005 Presidential …
By Dharisha Bastians in Divulapitiya Common Opposition Candidate Maithripala Sirisena has challenged President Mahinda Rajapaksa to a debate on good governance and democracy. Speaking at an election rally in Divulapitiya last night, Sirisena urged his former boss to debate him in a neutral setting, before a panel of independent judges. “I will come to the …
By Vishwamithra 1984 “Our great democracies still tend to think that a stupid man is more likely to be honest than a clever man, and our politicians take advantage of this prejudice by pretending to be even more stupid than nature made them.” ~ Bertrand Russell The present Government and its coalition partners are held …
We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of His Holiness Pope Francis on our soil on the 13th January 2015 as the Vicar of Christ and the Successor of Peter. It is with great joy that we welcome our Holy Father into our midst. Already by the simplicity of his life, his sense of evangelical poverty …
by Zacki Jabbar Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga yesterday lashed out at President Mahinda Rajapaksa saying that he was talking as if she had contributed nothing to the war against the LTTE. Kumaratunga told a news conference at her residence in Colombo that when she left office in 2005 around sixty five percent of the territory …
As the promoters of the pioneering venture National News Agency Ltd, declared that their effort would remain independent and apolitical, Sri Lanka’s first mass media outlet aimed at the country’s 1.9 Mn Muslim community was unveiled yesterday (16) in Colombo-and Muslim Media Forum, an influential Muslim community voice in Sri Lanka called the effort a …
By Suhada Walisinghe from Bonn, Germany The Criminal Court in Berlin convicted two women and eight men of Sri Lankan origin, living in Berlin last Friday (12) of illegally collecting funds for the LTTE. The duration of imprisonment ranged between six to eighteen months. The names of the accused and their prison terms are as …
By Sudha Ramachandran Mahinda Rajapaksa’s plans to return to power as Sri Lanka’s president for a third successive term has run into trouble. With less than a month to go before the vote, Rajapaksa is ahead of his rivals but joint opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena is closing in and could unseat him in a free …
Sri Lankan Tamil politician and Member of Parliament Seenithambi Yogeswaran has said the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), an amalgamation of Tamil parties, will announce by this month-end its stand on the January 8 presidential elections. Talking to reporters on Saturday, Mr. Yogeswaran, who was here to attend a conference organised by the Hindu Makkal Katchi, …
By Chathushika Wijeyesinghe The Democratic People’s Front had already announced its support for the common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena at the January Presidential Election. In a wide ranging interview with the Dailymirror DPF leader Mano Ganesan claimed that the Tamils may not support President Mahinda Rajapaksa as he had failed to change the mindset of …