By Lakmal Suriyagoda The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has filed a Fundamental Rights petition in Supreme Court challenging the appointment of businessman Dhammika Perera to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, as a Member of Parliament. In accordance with Article 99A of the Constitution, the CPA’s position is …

Continue reading ‘Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) files aFundamental Rights petition in Supreme Court challenging the Nomination of businessman Dhammika Perera to the SLPP National List MP seat Vacated by Basil Rajapaksa’ »

Former Speaker and the National Movement for Social Justice Chairman, Karu Jayasuriya in a statement yesterday, raised concerns over the failure of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in re-enacting the 19A duly as Mr. Rajapaksa promised to the country. The full text of the statement made by Mr. Jayasuriya is as follows: Today I would like to …

Continue reading ‘Former Speaker and the National Movement for Social Justice Chairman, Karu Jayasuriya Urges President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to Implement without Delay his Promise to do Away with the 20 th Amendment and Reviving the 19th Amendment’ »

Sri Lanka legislator Patali Champika Ranawaka, a former Minister of Power has made shocking revelations over a power deal with India’s Adani group as a controversy brews over ending competitive tenders for private power producers. Ranawaka said as far back as November 2021, the Chairman of Ceylon Electricity Board M C Ferdinando had written to …

Continue reading ‘Champika Ranawaka MP asks whether Solar Plants at Mannar and Pooneryn Agreement with India’s Adani Green Energy is a Govt to Govt Deal? Adani had proposed a price of around 7.8 US cents per unit which was close to double the market rate says Former Power Minister’ »

Sri Lanka opposition Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam on Monday (13) rejected insinuations by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that the Batticaloa district MP had condoned the retaliatory violence on parliamentarians on May 09. In a letter addressed to the prime minister, Rasamanickam said that he has never encouraged any violence and that a …

Continue reading ‘TNA B’caloa MP Shankiyan Rasamanickam writes to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe Stating that he has never encouraged any violence and that a speech he gave on May 20 had been either misunderstood or misconstrued by the PM’ »

By Rohini Hensman I am not in Sri Lanka, and I feel torn about what is happening there. Acute anxiety about how millions will survive the shortages of food, fuel and medicine jostles against a glimmer of hope that this crisis could be the beginning of the end of a decades-long nightmare. Since the country …

Continue reading ‘The prevailing economic catastrophe may create the conditions for a democratic breakthrough, if Sri Lanka’s fractured left could harness this emerging sense of solidarity among Affected people’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake There are reports of big celebrations in California. They have heard that Basil – the Crowman or Kaputu-kaak – Rajapaksa has decided to retain his US citizenship, and come there for a holiday. His wife had already left for a big family celebration.Retaining US citizenship, especially when one’s home country, Sri Lanka, …

Continue reading ‘We must end the Parliamentary Privileges that enable corrupt and criminal politicians, found guilty by the courts, to enjoy with such contempt the affront to the process of Democracy.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene When questioned as to why Sri Lanka’s law works to its most ferocious extent against anti-government protestors, Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe’s answer was typically slick. ‘The police have also arrested Members of Parliament…it is the magistrates who decide on remand’, he said. This was during one of multiple regional and global media …

Continue reading ‘Protests by the youth for ‘system change have not had much impact so far except for the changing of one set of ministerial crooks for another set of crooks while the political establishment consolidates itself!’ »

By Austin Fernando The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie, deliberate, contrived, and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic. John F Kennedy In a lighter vein, I amuse that President Kennedy’s above quote would have been partly motivated by a premonition he had of what would happen in …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Does not hear the Resounding “Gota Go Home” Demand and Instead Hangs on, living on the memories of the conflict and the unprovable 6.9 million allegedly behind him.’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka Will the SLPP (‘Pohottuwa’) have a political future, or will it wind up like the LSSP-CPSL of 1977, the SLFP of 1977 or the UNP of 2020? According to the Jataka Tales, when the Buddha was asked a question which contained a problem, he used to tell the tale of a precedent, …

Continue reading ‘The SLPP/Pohottuwa has to decide whether it wants to survive and recover, and if it wants to, it must rupture decisively with the Rajapaksas, now.’ »

By Nisthar Cassim Top business leader and Minister-to-be Dhammika Perera yesterday resigned from all his companies and was named as a National List MP via an extraordinary gazette as part of preparations to be appointed as a Cabinet Minister. The respective Colombo Stock Exchange-listed companies notified Dhammika’s resignation yesterday. The move is ahead of Dhammika’s …

Continue reading ‘Dhammika Perera Named as SLPP National List MP by Extraordinary Gazette will Take Oaths in June 3rd week; Business Magnate Resigns from all Positions in his Companies Prior to being Apppointed Minister of Technology and Investment Promotion’ »

The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) in a statement yesterday said it is concerned by several media reports that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has appointed Dhammika Perera to fill the National List seat which became vacant by the resignation of Basil Rajapaksa. CPA noted that according to media reports, Dhammika Perera was not …

Continue reading ‘Centre for Policy Alternatives expresses concern over Dhammika Perera Being Appointed National List MP; CPA also points issues may occur out that conflict of interests may occur if Business Tycoon becomes Cabinet Minister’ »

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday met with the owners of the media organisations in Sri Lanka and updated them about the efforts to resolve the economic crisis. He informed the media owners that the IMF would be visiting the country on 20 June. He explained that he was hopeful that a staff-level agreement would …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe appeals to media proprietors to assist the Govt in presenting a true picture of the ec0nomic situation. premier states media must hold the Govt accountable when necessary, while requesting that responsible reporting is followed.’ »

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday refuted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe assertion that it reached an agreement with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that if the 19th Amendment is restored the latter can continue. BASL was responding to parts of a statement made by Prime Minister on June 8 in Parliament referring to the BASL. …

Continue reading ‘Bar Association of Sri Lanka says it did not give any assurance to President Rajapaksa that he could continue in office if he agreed to abolish the Executive Presidency and the 20th Constitutional Amendment’ »

A vote of condolence on a murdered Sri Lankan government MP on Friday (10) saw Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe calling for an inquiry on an opposition legislator and ex-PM Mahinda Rajapaksa claiming that the country’s protesting youth have blood on their hands. Noting the parliamentary tradition of a vote of condolence on a deceased MP, …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe Takes Issue with B’caloa MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam’s May 20 Speech in Parliament; If MP does not withdraw his statement by next week, the Speaker must investigate his remarks and put the matter before a committee says Prime Minister’ »

Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has written to Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Stephen Twigg to investigate the murder of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Amarakeerthi Athukorale by a mob on May 09, Wickremesinghe told parliament on Friday (10). Speaking at a vote of condolence on Atukorale held Friday morning, Wickremesinghe …

Continue reading ‘PM Ranil Wickremesinghe Writes to Stephen Twigg asking the Secy-Gen of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to Investigate the murder of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Amarakeerthi Athukorale by a mob on May 09.’ »

Cash-strapped Sri Lanka’s former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa vacated his parliamentary seat on Thursday (09) downplaying his role in the country’s worst ever forex crisis, without ruling out a comeback, and likening the Rajapaksa family to India’s RSS. Exactly one month after his older brother and then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned against a backdrop …

Continue reading ‘Basil Rajapaksa Resigns as Member of Parliament: The Ex-Finance Minister Retires from Governance, but will continue to play an active role in politics as SLPP National Organizer. “I think we can see that our family is better at politics than at governance.” Says BR’ »

(Text of Speech made in Parliament by TNA Jaffna District Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran on 08h June 2022) Thank you Hon. Presiding member for the opportunity to speak at this debate on the statement made by the Hon. Prime Minister yesterday and the Motion for supplementary estimate. The country is looking to the parliament today for …

Continue reading ‘“Those who are greatly affected by the serious economic crisis are the most ordinary citizens and the poorest of this country and we don’t seem to think about them or care about them.”- MA Sumanthiran MP in Parliament’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (A family of four in the North – western town of Vankalai in Mannar district was brutally massacred on June 8th 2006. The persons responsible for the cruel act are yet to be brought to justice. I wrote a detailed article about the incident under the heading ”Vicious Violence Wipes Out family of …

Continue reading ‘Terrible Massacre of a Four Member Family in Vankaalai Sixteen Years Ago’ »

(Full text of Address to Parliament by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on June 7th 2022) “Our primary focus here is on economic stability. We need to revive the economy of our country. This is not something that can be done in two or three days. This challenge cannot be done by miracles, not …

Continue reading ‘“I therefore invite all of you in this House to support our economic, socio-political and public service reforms in rebuilding the country. Let us build the country first. Let us protect our country from this crisis. After returning to normalcy in the country you may return to your traditional political activities. Implement traditional party political agendas.” -Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’ »

By Rehana Thowfeek There have been days when cybersecurity professional Asela Waidyalankara and his colleagues have sat in hotel lobbies to complete projects during power outages. Other days, they have run around Colombo looking for fuel for generators so they could work from home. “We have a buddy system at the company to inform each …

Continue reading ‘Exodus of Sri Lanka’s Talented IT Professionals May Gather Momentum if the Island Nation’s Economic Crisis Shows No Sign Of Being Resolved’ »

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, delivering a speech at the ‘Conference on Sri Lanka’s Twin Crisis’ held at the Sri Lanka Foundation, on Friday, said: “We based ourselves on the British Constitution. The majority has the power, the minority starts talking and shouting, that’s all. But then we changed the first-passed-the-post into a PR system. Now, …

Continue reading ‘“There is light at the end of the tunnel, but we need to ensure that there are no earth slips while we go through the tunnel. That’s the problem”- Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’ »

By Anusha Ondaatjie and Sudhi Ranjan Sen President Gotabaya Rajapaksa vowed to finish the remaining two years in his term despite months long street protests calling for his ouster, but won’t stand for re-election as he focuses on fixing a financial mess that tipped Sri Lanka into its worst-ever economic crisis. “I can’t go as …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa states he will Complete his Full Term of Office Despite the “Gota Go Home” Protests but will not Contest Again; “I can’t go as a failed president, I have been given a mandate for five years” says Gota’ »

By Austin Fernando Proponents of constitutional economic reforms are struggling to prioritise solutions for the current socio-economic-politico imbroglio. Pohottuwa General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam has said the economic crisis should be resolved first and then an environment created for constitutional amendments. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa banks on the Romesh de Silva Committee for the drafting of a …

Continue reading ‘The success of efforts being made to achieve economic revival with international assistance hinges on not only economic reforms but also the implementation of political reforms.’ »

By W.A. Wijewardena The Ministry of Finance, under the direction of Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, known as RW, has hiked main taxes in the country moving halfway back to the tax regime that prevailed prior to 2020. Before this action, the Inland Revenue Services Union, made up of Assistant and Deputy Commissioners, …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe should come up with a road map to improve the real sector in the economy and introduce new technology and align Sri Lanka’s economy to the global economy within the shortest time possible.’ »

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda Minister of Urban Development and Housing Prasanna Ranatunga was today sentenced to two-year imprisonment suspended for five years by Colombo High Court over an indictment filed by the Attorney General. Minister Ranatunga was convicted for the thirteenth count out of fifteen by High Court Judge Manjula Tillekaratne over an indictment filed for …

Continue reading ‘Minister of Urban Development and Housing Prasanna Ranatunga sentenced to two-year imprisonment suspended for five years by by Colombo High Court over an indictment filed by the Attorney General’ »

By the “Sunday Times”Political Editor There was a difference when the two friends – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Sagala Ratnayake, the newly appointed Chief of Staff of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe – met days ago at the Janadipathi Mandiriya (President’s House). The old camaraderie apart, there was a note of grim seriousness. Beleaguered Rajapaksa politely …

Continue reading ‘47 SLPP Parliamentarians Regarded as Basil Rajapaksa Supporters Engage in Covert and Overt Moves to Scuttle or Dilute the Proposed 21st Constitutional Amendment that Seeks to Reduce Powers of the Executive Presidency’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene The Sri Lankan political establishment’s ‘dirty tricks’ department seems to be in full swing as the nation is presented with a dizzying array of constitutional amendments, variously titled ’21st Amendment’, ‘21A’, ’21B’, ‘22A’ and so forth. Constitutional Babel, ‘a confusion of tongues’ It says much for the combined idiocy underlying this …

Continue reading ‘The Sri Lankan political establishment’s ‘dirty tricks’ department seems to be in full swing as the nation is presented with a dizzying array of constitutional amendments under various titles’ »

By P.K.Balachandran The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K.Stalin told the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in India Milinda Moragoda that more shipments of humanitarian aid from Tami; Nadu will be sent to Sri Lanka and Moragoda requested the Chief Minister to designate a focal point in the Tamil Nadu government to facilitate cooperation between Sri Lanka …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda Meets Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin in Chennai and thanks the CM and the people of Tamil Nadu for the humanitarian assistance worth of LKR two billion that they recently extended to Sri Lanka to help it manage the current economic crisis.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured Sri Lanka of immediate supply of fertilizer, the Sri Lankan President has said, as the island braces for a food crisis amid a crushing economic meltdown. “President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed to provide the fertilizer required for the …

Continue reading ‘Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed to immediately provide Sri Lanka the fertilizer required for the Yala season cultivation says Statement Issued by President Rajapaksa’s Office’ »

By Safrah Fazal The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested Colombo Municipal Councillor Mahinda Kahandagama yesterday (2) and appointed two CID teams to arrest former Minister and incumbent Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Johnston Fernando, with regard to the incidents of peaceful protestors being attacked by a group of SLPP supporters in Colombo on 9 …

Continue reading ‘Manhunt Launched by Police to Apprehend Johnston Fernando Over the May 9 Attack on Galle Face Protesters;Two CID Teams Deployed in Kurunegala and Colombo Districts to Arrest Former Cabinet Minister and MP’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera Former MP Duminda Silva, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) following the special presidential pardon granted to him by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa being suspended through a Supreme Court (SC) interim order, is currently receiving treatment at the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital under the special protection of Prison Officers, said …

Continue reading ‘Arrested Ex – MP Duminda Silva I Continues to receive Medical treatment at the Neurological Ward of the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital under the special Guard of of Prisons Dept Officials.’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “Alas poor country! Almost afraid to know itself. It cannot, Be call’d our mother, but our grave.” – Shakespeare (Macbeth) Sri Lanka: 2019, a lower middle income country; 2020, a bankrupted, beggared land, dependent on international charity for survival. “Poor politics has shattered my life and this is my only hope to …

Continue reading ‘The executive presidency must go. The only question is how. Realistically, the only option is to push for the best possible 21st Amendment as an interim measure and as a bridge to a new constitution.’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera The Police’s Colombo Crime Prevention Division informed Colombo Fort Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage yesterday (31 May) that the Attorney General (AG) has instructed to file charges under Section 291A of the Penal Code against Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, for allegedly using words that are harmful to religious …

Continue reading ‘Attorney General instructs Police to file charges under Section 291A of the Penal Code against Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, for uttering words that were harmful to religious sentiments.’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), acting on the order given by the Supreme Court (SC) to arrest former MP Duminda Silva following the special Presidential pardon granted to him by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa being suspended through an interim order, arrested Silva at the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital yesterday (1). Speaking to The …

Continue reading ‘CID Arrests Duminda Silva While Being Warded for Treatment at the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital; CID Report to be Submitted to Supreme Court’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera The Attorney General’s Department has informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that former Minister and incumbent Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Johnston Fernando, Colombo Municipal Councillor Mahinda Kahandagama, and two others have been named as suspects in the case filed with regard to the incidents of peaceful protestors being attacked by …

Continue reading ‘Ex-Cabinet Minister Johnston Fernando’s Combative words at “Temple Trees” May 9 Meeting “let’s get rid of this (the protest sites) if the President cannot”, on the day of the attacks referred to two psychiatrists and the Govt Analyst for expert opinion by Attorney -General’ »

Meera Srinivasan reporting From Weeraketiya Paddy farmer S.D. Weerawansa has made a livelihood decision and a political pledge in recent weeks — he will not sow in the coming season, and he will never back a Rajapaksa again. They aren’t unrelated. His crop has fallen by 50% this harvest, a consequence of Sri Lankan President …

Continue reading ‘People’s Anger and Resentment Against Rajapaksa Clan on the Rise in Home District of Hambantota.’ »

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda The Supreme Court today issued an Interim Order directing the CID to place Duminda Silva under the custody of prisons with immediate effect. The Attorney General was directed to assist the CID to implement this interim order while reporting to court the progress of the implementation of the Interim Order. The Court …

Continue reading ‘Supreme Court issues Historic Interim Order suspending the operation of the Presidential Pardon granted by President Rajapaksa to Duminda Silva and directs the CID to place Murder Convict under the custody of prisons with immediate effect’ »

Sri Lanka is raising value added tax to 12 percent, corporate tax to 30 percent and the highest personal income tax rate to 34 percent from 18 percent, in a bid to raise 195 billion rupees as money printed to pay state worker salaries trigger forex shortages. Value added taxes will be raised to 12 …

Continue reading ‘Key Taxation Changes Announced by PM and Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe ;govt hopes to raise Rupees 125 billion from taxes for the rest of 2022 and 195 billion rupees in a full year’ »

By Anusha Ondaatjie Sri Lanka is recommending airlines carry enough jet fuel to last return trips or fill up elsewhere, as the island grapples with a shortage of everything from oil to food due to a foreign-exchange crisis. “We’ve asked airlines to carry the required fuel while operating to Sri Lanka, because there is a …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka is recommending airlines to carry enough jet fuel to last return trips or re-fuel elsewhere;SriLankan Airlines ,Emirates, are among carriers forced to fill up overseas’ »

by Bishop Duleep de Chickera The myth Parliamentary democracy is a system of governance through which people share resources, provide for their own needs, enhance their own interests and deal with unexpected contingencies, as far as possible on their own. Since an entire population cannot be set aside to do this, they appoint representatives to …

Continue reading ‘The crux of today’s crisis is not about human frailty or unavoidable circumstances. It is about the calculated exploitation of parliamentary democracy by a devious set of ‘people’s representatives’.’ »

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday instructed officials to immediately launch a comprehensive public-private partnership effort to boost food security. Noting that negotiations with several countries to meet the fertiliser requirement have been successful the President requested all farmers not to give up cultivation during the Yala Season due to a shortage of fertiliser or any other …

Continue reading ‘After Ruining Agriculture with his Disatrous Fertilizer Policy, President Gotabaya is once Again Getting set to Mess up things by Intervening in Food Security Measures’ »

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday proposed several measures to strengthen Parliament which include the setting up of several new committees as well as an all-party National Council. In a special televised address, the Prime Minister said that main issues in the country are not limited to the economic sphere but there are two major issues …

Continue reading ‘PM Ranil Wickremesinghe outlines proposals to strengthen Parliament in Special Statement;says reintroduction of 19A and abolition of Executive Presidency are two main political issues; methodology to abolish Executive Presidency must be decided by party leaders’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Thousands participated in a rally held in capital Colombo on Saturday to mark the 50 th day of ongoing agitations against the government at the oceanfront in the wake of a severe economic crisis. Professionals, artistes, students, members of trade unions and the religious clergy marched about 3 km to Colombo’s seafront …

Continue reading ‘Thousands Including Professionals, artistes, students, members of trade unions and the religious clergy march about 3 km to Galle Face to mark the 50 th day of ongoing agitations against the government at the oceanfront’ »

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that China will help Sri Lanka weather the financial crisis. “China has offered ‘a few hundred million dollars’ in lending to Sri Lanka to help alleviate a shortage of essential goods in the crisis-hit country,” the UK’s Financial Times said quoting Wickremesinghe. FT said Wickremesinghe hopes to finalise the …

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe Telld FT that “China has offered ‘a few hundred million dollars’ in lending to Sri Lanka to help alleviate a shortage of essential goods in the crisis-hit country,”’ »

(Text of Special Statement Made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on May 29th 2022) Today, the main issues in our country are not limited to the economic sphere. There are also two major issues in the political sphere. The re-introduction of the 19th Amendment is one of these issues. We, as party leaders, are now …

Continue reading ‘“According to the new system we have proposed, the President will be held accountable to the Parliament. The Cabinet of Ministers is also accountable to Parliament. The National Council is also accountable to Parliament. Fifteen Committees and Oversight Committees are accountable to Parliament.”- Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’ »

By Vincent Ni China’s financing of overseas projects has disproportionately benefited the core political supporters of incumbent presidents or prime ministers of those countries that receive the funds, according to a new book. During the 20th century, China was mostly known as a recipient of international development finance. Its overseas development programme was modest – …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda’s Grand Projects in Hambantota With Chinese Funds:New book “Banking on Beijing” Explains how in countries that received Chinese aid, funding for the political leader’s home province increased by 52% during the years they were in power’ »

A faint glimmer of hope for some order is slowly emerging amid the chaos that has engulfed Sri Lanka. The lifting of the state of emergency by Ranil Wick mesinghe shows that he’s in control of the besieged nation’s affairs. This should offer a measure of comfort for India as Sri Lanka was seen as …

Continue reading ‘The demands for President Gotabaya to step down are still vociferous but there seems to be a gradual realisation among the political class that the country desperately needs a contingent action plan on the economy front first.’ »

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had a meeting today (28) with the Governor of the Central Bank, Dr.P.Nandalal Weerasinghe and Monetary Board member Sanjeeva Jayawardena PC and fully assuredthem that the Governor and the Monetary Board has his fullest and unqualified assurance of freedom to discharge their functions independently and without any extraneous constraints. The President’s Media …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Gives assurance that the Central Bank Governor and Monetary Board Members Would Have Full Freedom to discharge their functions independently without any extraneous constraints.’ »

By T. Farook Thajudeen The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday imposed a two-years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 100,000 on Shashi Weerawansa, wife of former Minister and National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader MP Wimal Weerawansa. The verdict was declared by Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala after she was found guilty of submitting …

Continue reading ‘Wimal Weerawansa’s Spouse Shashi Weerawansa sentenced for two years rigorous imprisonment and 100,00 Rupee Fine fter Being Found Guilty of forging documents to obtain diplomatic passport’ »

By Meera Srinivasan For over 80 Tamils, including children and infants, who took boats and landed in Tamil Nadu in the last few months, the risky journey was not only about fleeing Sri Lanka’s dire economic situation. It was also about chasing an elusive dream — a secure, peaceful life. Most of those leaving the …

Continue reading ‘Tamil Families Taking Risky Journey by Sea to Tamil Ndu are not only fleeing Sri Lanka’s dire economic situation but are also chasing an elusive dream — a secure, peaceful life’ »

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the Union government increased its contribution to the Centre-State schemes and more funds were allocated to the State “to do justice to the contribution made by developed States like Tamil Nadu” towards the country’s development and economy. “Only …

Continue reading ‘Underlining that Tamil is both ancient and modern among the classical languages of the world Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin reiterates that Tamil be made an official language of the Indian Union on apar with Hindi and recognised as the language of court in the Madras High Court.’ »

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that India will continue to stand with the people of Sri Lanka and support democracy, stability and economic recovery in the neighbouring country. Noting Sri Lanka was passing through difficult times, Mr. Modi, who was in Chennai to inaugurate and lay the foundation for several schemes involving …

Continue reading ‘Indian PM Narendra Modi Addressing Meeting in Chennai along with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin Fails to mention t in his Speech the material aid sent by the Tamil Nadu government to Sri Lanka through the Ministry of External Affairs recently’ »

By Meera Srinivasan India and Japan have agreed to work together on assisting crisis-hit Sri Lanka, the Japanese government said, following a recent meeting between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Fumio Kishida in Tokyo. Mr. Modi and Mr. Kishida met on May 24 on the sidelines of the Quad summit and held bilateral talks on …

Continue reading ‘India and Japan have agreed to work together on assisting crisis-hit Sri Lanka, following a meeting between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Fumio Kishida in Tokyo on May 24 on the sidelines of the Quad summit’ »

By Chandani Kirinde All parties are scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe this evening to finalise the draft of the proposed 21st Amendment to the Constitution. The meeting comes amidst differing views on a draft Bill which was given to party leaders on Monday with the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) saying …

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe meets all Political Parties on May 27 to finalise the draft of the proposed 21st Amendment to the Constitution; meeting comes amidst differing views on a draft Bill which was given to party leaders on May 23’ »

General Shavendra Silva will be replaced by Major General Vikum Liyanage on 1 June as Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, while a high-powered military committee has been appointed to look into any lapses by the tri-forces during the unrest at Mirihana on 31 March, and the nationwide tensions that erupted on 9 May and …

Continue reading ‘Gen. Vikum Liyanage to Replace Gen. Shavendra Silva as Army Commander from June 1;Committee Comprising Ex-Navy Air Force and Army Chiefs Appointed to Probe Lapses by Armed Services in Countering Protest Related Violence ;SLPP MPs Complain to President that Army did not act satisfactorily ;Shavendra is new Chief of Defence Staff’ »

By Easwaran Rutnam Former Finance Minister and founder of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Basil Rajapaksa is said to be leading attempts to block the 21st Amendment from being passed by Parliament, Daily Mirror learns. Government sources told Daily Mirror that Rajapaksa has secured the support of a number of SLPP members to oppose …

Continue reading ‘Basil Rajapaksa Procures the Support of Several SLPP Parliamentarians to Block Passage of Proposed 21st Amendment to the Constitution in its Present Form; Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapakshe says he is Open for further Amendments to the Draft bill’ »

By Mark Malloch -Brown Many Western leaders are behaving as though there is one crisis in the world: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While some are waking up to the widespread knock-on effects for food and energy security, there is little bandwidth, it seems, to address the underlying looming crisis: a global economic unwinding driven by …

Continue reading ‘While Sri Lanka’s woes are as much of its own making as fueled by global trends, they are an ominous marker of what’s to come in a world that seems able to handle just one crisis at a time—and often not even that.’ »

Sri Lanka’s new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Tuesday that he will present an interim budget within six weeks, slashing infrastructure projects to re-route funds into a two-year relief programme for the crisis-hit island nation. Wickremesinghe, who took office two weeks ago, warned that inflation would rise as the government gets down to tackling …

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe tells Reuters that he will present an interim budget within six weeks which would slash infrastructure projects to re-route funds into a two-year relief programme for Sri Lankans Suffering From Economic Crisis’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday assumed additional charge as Finance Minister, possibly the toughest job when the island nation’s economy experiences a rapid decline amid an unprecedented crisis. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s office said Mr. Wickremesinghe was sworn in “Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation, and National Policies”, about a fortnight …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe Takes Over Additional Responsibilitties after being Sworn in by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation, and National Policies’ »

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2022—The World Bank today issued the following statement on Sri Lanka: “Recent media reports have inaccurately stated that the World Bank is planning support for Sri Lanka in the form of a bridge loan or new loan commitments, among other incorrect assertions. We are concerned for the people of Sri Lanka and …

Continue reading ‘The World Bank does not plan to offer new financing to Sri Lanka Until an adequate macroeconomic policy framework is in place.’ »

BY Pamodi Waravita The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday (24) said that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe must solve the economic crisis before bringing in a Constitutional amendment, adding that such amendments should not be drafted to target any specific individuals, which prevent them from entering Parliament or becoming President. “The SLPP cannot immediately say …

Continue reading ‘Basil Rajapaksa’s Mouthpiece .Sagara Kariyawasam Lashes out at Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe for Trying to Introduce 21st Constitutional Amendment Before Resolving Economic Crisis; Provision Preventing Dual Citizens like Basil Entering Parliament Seems to Irk SLPP Gen Secy’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka has decided to seek fresh assistance of $500 million from India to augment its fuel imports, as the island reels under a crippling economic crisis manifesting in persisting shortages of essentials. For weeks now, citizens are spending long hours lining up outside fuel stations — at times all day or …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka has decided to seek fresh assistance of $500 million from India to augment its fuel imports, as the island reels under a crippling Fuel Unavailbility crisis; Govt. tells non-essential staff to work from home to save fuel’ »

With Samagi Jana Balawegeya (SJB) Opposition MP Dr. Harsha de Silva reiterating that he will not accept the Finance Minister portfolio under the present political conditions, The Morning learnt that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is likely to take oaths as the new Finance Minister today (25), with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa acting as the Finance Minister …

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe Likely to be Sworn in as Finance Minister by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa After SJB MP Dr.Harsha de Silva Refuses Offer to Take Over Finance Ministry Under Present Political Conditions’ »

Dear Prime Minister, As I watched you take oaths at the Presidential Secretariat, my mind was drawn to the last time you did so, on 16 December 2018, on day 52 of the 52-day coup plot that was mounted against Lankan democracy. On that Sunday morning, you were flanked by your wife, Dr. Maithri Wickremasinghe …

Continue reading ‘“It is essential for the country that your govt wins the legitimacy of opposition support and is not seen as a Rajapaksa clone” – An Open Letter to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe From Krishantha Prasad Cooray’ »

By Gerry Shih and Hafeel Farisz The mob was bashing on the gates of the Sri Lankan prime minister’s official residence, its size and fury swelling dangerously. For weeks, Mahinda Rajapaksa, the 76-year-old prime minister, had been under pressure to resign as the economy imploded and protests erupted. The brother of the president, Gotabaya, and …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya and his Former Prime Minister Mahinda rarely confronted each other directly, yet they disagreed on everything, including high-stakes political gamesmanship and petty corruption’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “Without gas, without kerosene oil, we can’t do anything. Last option what? Without food we are going to die. That will happen hundred percent.” ~ Mohammad Shazly a part-time chauffer, Colombo (Reuters – 20.5.2022 An old man walks down a road, snowy haired, thin to the point of gauntness, bespectacled. He clutches …

Continue reading ‘The political initiative belongs to PM Wickremesinghe and his cabinet.If they can semi-normalise the distribution of fuel and gas in the coming week, they and the country will gain a much needed breathing space. If they fail, mass violence might break out.’ »

. By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Two extraordinary developments this week may be of interest to Sri Lanka watchers familiar with the decades-long subversive capture of the Constitutional State by agents of the Deep State. Casting aspersions on judicial officers entrusted with ‘protest cases’ First, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka’s expression of strongly worded concern …

Continue reading ‘The decades-long subversive capture of the Constitutional State by agents of the Deep State in Sri Lanka’ »

By “The Sunday Morning” Political Editor The draft bill of the proposed new 21st Amendment to the Constitution is to be presented to the Cabinet of Ministers tomorrow (23), it is learnt. The finalising of the draft bill was one of the first acts of new Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe last Friday (20) soon after …

Continue reading ‘The draft bill of the proposed new 21st Amendment to the Constitution will be presented to the Cabinet of Ministers on May 23; The draft was finalised by a committee headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’ »

By Suhasini Haidar In late 2016, a senior Indian government official, in a meeting with the envoy of a neighbouring country, spelt out the consequences that the country would face if it crossed the Narendra Modi government’s newly “muscular foreign policy”. At the time, the Government had put Pakistan on notice on terror attacks, and …

Continue reading ‘The Shift from the Modi Govt’s Earlier “Muscular Foreign Policy” to the Current Conciliatory Neighbourhood Policy is Noticeable in India’s Response Towards Non-electoral Changes at the top in Myanmar, Nepal, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.’ »

BY R.K. RADHAKRISHNAN When Tan Binh 99, the Panama-registered general cargo vessel left Chennai at 8.28 a.m. on May 19 with 9,000 tons of rice, 200 tons of milk powder, and 24 tons of essential medicines, it marked a first of sorts: A province in a developing country extending its assistance to another country. Tamil …

Continue reading ‘Tamil Nadu sends on May 19, the first consignment of rice, milk powder and essential medicines Via Ship to Sri Lanka signalling a shift in relations between people of the South Indian State nd the Island’ »

Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa who had to go into hiding after angry crowds besieged his official residence Temple Trees on 9 May came to Parliament yesterday. Rajapaksa who was taken to the Navy Camp in Trincomalee came to the House with his son MP Namal Rajapaksa.

By P.K.Balachandran After nearly two months of uncertainty and turmoil, Sri Lankan parliamentarians have now reached a consensus on the political management of the country, with Ranil Wickremesinghe taking over as Prime Minister and attempting to form a multi-party government. On Friday, nine new cabinet ministers from different parties were sworn in before President Gotabaya …

Continue reading ‘Political Stability Being Slowly Restored in Sri Lanka with Ranil Wickremesinghe taking over as Prime Minister and attempting to form a multi-party government.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday expanded Sri Lanka’s Cabinet to include nine more Ministers, but he is yet to appoint a Finance Minister to handle the crisis-hit island nation’s economic affairs. A group of Ministers to helm portfolios including education, ports and shipping, health, justice, trade was sworn in, the President’s office …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Govt Expands with Nine More Cabinet Ministers Being Sworn in; New Finance Minister will be Appointed next week says Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The Inspector General of Police (IGP) had prevented police personnel on duty near the Prime Minister’s official residence Temple Trees on 9 May from firing tear gas and water cannons to disperse the mob that attacked protestors at Galle Face Green, a senior Government member told Parliament yesterday. Galle District MP Dr. …

Continue reading ‘SLPP Galle MP Dr.Ramesh Pathirana Makes Shocking Revelation in Parliament that IGP and Law and Order Ministry Secretary gave Orders to Police not to Disperse the Mobs that went from Temple Trees to Galle Face and Attacked Peaceful Protesters’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed Maldivian Parliamentary Speaker and former President Mohamed Nasheed as the “coordinator” for securing foreign aid to Sri Lanka that is facing an unprecedented economic crisis. Mr. Wickremesinghe on May 19 held a closed-door meeting with his long-time friend Mr. Nasheed who is visiting Colombo, …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe ropes in ex-Maldives President to ‘coordinate’ foreign aid for crisis-hit Sri Lanka: Mohamed Nasheed agrees to ‘do everything to assist the people’ of the island nation’ »

(This article from “The Economist” appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “Gota go”) On paper, at least, Sri Lanka is one of the wealthiest countries in South Asia, ranked by the un on a par with much of eastern Europe in terms of development. Yet the country of 22m …

Continue reading ‘“Gota must go. But the opposition should put the people before politics, too, and take some responsibility for extricating Sri Lanka from its predicament” — The Economist’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Scores of people on Wednesday gathered in Mullivaikkal village, in Sri Lanka’s northern Mullaitivu district, to remember the tens of thousands of Tamil civilians who were brutally killed in the final stages of the civil war in May 2009, when the armed forces crushed the LTTE. Simultaneously, dozens came together expressing solidarity …

Continue reading ‘Thousands of Tamil Civilians Killed During War in May 2009 Commemorated at Mullivaaikkaal; Victims Remembered at Galle Face Green in Multi- ethnic event with Moving Speeches made in Sinhala, Tamil and English; ”Kanji” (porridge) Distributed in Coconut shells.’ »

by Krishnadas Rajagopal The Supreme Court on Wednesday invoked its extraordinary powers to do complete justice under Article 142 of the Constitution and ordered the release of A.G. Perarivalan in former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. A Bench led by Justice L. Nageswara Rao, in its judgment, took into consideration Perarivalan’s long incarceration for …

Continue reading ‘Rajiv Gandhi case convict, A.G. Perarivalan, released by Indian Supreme Court citing extraordinary powers’ »

(Text of Special Statement made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on May 16th 2022 Regardig the Current Economic Siitution in Sri Lanka) Last Thursday, I accepted office as the Prime Minister. I did not request this position. In face of the challenging situation facing the country, the President invited me to take up this position. …

Continue reading ‘“I am accepting this challenge for our nation. My goal and dedication is not to save an individual, a family, or a party. My objective is to save all the people of this country and the future of our younger generation. I ask you to extend your support to me in this endeavour.”- Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’ »

(Text of Editorial Appearing in “The Hindu” of May 17th 2022 Under the Heading “ Crisis and opportunity: On Sri Lanka political crisis”) The adage ‘every crisis contains the seeds of an opportunity’ could not have been truer for anyone than for Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The severe economic crisis, which set off …

Continue reading ‘“Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe Needs to prove to his detractors that he is working for political stability and economic recovery and not for reviving the political fortunes of the Rajapaksas.” – “The Hindu”’ »

By Chandani Kirinde TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran yesterday slammed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, calling his conduct absolutely shameless after the latter voted against the motion moved by the TNA MP to suspend Standing Orders in order to debate a motion against the President. He accused the Prime Minister of trading on his policies and principles …

Continue reading ‘M.A. Sumanthiran Lashes out at Prime Minister Wickremesinghe calling his conduct absolutely shameless after Ranil voted against the motion moved by the TNA Parliamentarian to suspend Standing Orders in order to debate a motion against the President.’ »

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday reaffirmed the UNP’s commitment to vote in favour of the motion expressing displeasure against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa when it is taken up in Parliament. The Prime Minister reiterated his position after he came in for criticism for voting against a motion in Parliament yesterday to suspend Standing Orders to take …

Continue reading ‘“Opposition chose the wrong strategy and proceeded to move a vote to suspend Standing Orders” Says Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and “reaffirms commitment to vote in favour of the motion “ expressing displeasure against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’ »

SLPP Hambatntota District MP Ajith Rajapakse was elected as the new Deputy Speaker of Parliament yesterday after a secret ballot in which he defeated the SJB’s nominee Matale District MP Rohini Kaviratne.Rajapakse won 107 votes while Kaviratne got 98 votes while 23 votes were rejected. Although discussions had been held to field a consensus candidate, …

Continue reading ‘SLPP Hambatntota District MP Ajith Rajapakse Elected Deputy Speaker with 107 Votes While SJB’s Matale District MP Rohini Kaviratne gets 98; 23 MP’s Votes “Rejected”in Secret Ballot’ »

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday won crucial support from the main opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the 10-party alliance for his efforts to revive the economy. The Parliamentary Group of the SJB unanimously decided to extend support to the Government led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on decisions …

Continue reading ‘Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the 10-party alliance Decide to Support Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in his Efforts to Revive the Economy’ »

Ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MPs Sanath Nishantha and Milan Jayatilleke were arrested yesterday by the Criminal Investigations Department over violent incidents which took place at Galle Face and outside Temple Trees on 9 May.

There was complete pandemonium on Saturday (14)when embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa met with SLPP legislators for the first time since the latest wave of mob violence, which led to arson attacks against many of them. Tight security granted to the president’s personal shaman, Gnana Akka, in Anuradhapura was figured at the meeting with angry MPs …

Continue reading ‘Gotabaya’s Astrologer Gnana Akka’s Home and Shrine in Anuradhapura were burnt down by Mobs Despite 150 Soldiers Being Deployed for her Protection’ »

Several homes, properties, and vehicles belonging to MPs were destroyed during Monday’s (9) unrest, according to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). This full list, compiled by the SLPP, was released recently, and is as follows: Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Carlton house was damaged. The Rajapaksa Museum, including the monuments of the former Prime …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Podujana Party Releases List of Residences,Properties and Vehicles Belonging to Party MP’s that were Destroyed by Mob Violence; Namal Rajapaksa’s Wife’s House was also set on fire’ »

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) yesterday (15) stated that it would support all correct decisions taken by the Government to resolve the current economic crisis in the country, and that it was willing to discuss the allocation of ministerial portfolios to SLFP MPs, two days after stating that it would neither be part of …

Continue reading ‘Maithripala led SLFP does U turn by Deciding to Join Ranil’s Govt;Party Seeks ppointment to Discuss Portfolios;Wimal – Udaya Led 11 Party Group Also wants appointment with the new Prime Minister’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka on May 15 said it will “duly investigate” information flagged by Indian intelligence agencies — that ex-LTTE were “regrouping to launch attacks” in the island — and “strengthen security”, a day after authorities denied the claim reported in The Hindu. On May 13 The Hindu, citing Indian intelligence sources, reported …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka to probe reports of LTTE regrouping to launch attack; Indian intelligence services Sri Lanka alert warning was given ‘as general information’’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene In the shambles left of the Rajapaksa Government this week in Sri Lanka, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s last-ditch conjuring of many-times Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to fill the vacuum left by the resignation of his brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa, was hardly unexpected. The bitter aftermath of Monday’s attacks That was the most predictable …

Continue reading ‘The majority Sinhalese must acknowledge their helpless and hopeless beggaring by the very rulers who proclaimed their supremacy, the basis on which they rode triumphantly to power in 2019 and 2020’ »

By Sandun Jayawardana Elements backed by political parties and enemies are being blamed for the destruction caused to vehicles and properties of government politicians, their relatives and supporters during the three days of violence that broke out after pro-government thugs attacked peaceful protesters outside Temple Trees and at Galle Face on Monday. Properties and vehicles …

Continue reading ‘Pro-Govt. MPs accuse Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and Frontline Socialist Party mobs of destroying their properties and vehicles but both JVP and FSP Deny the Charges and Raise Suspicion about Govt Role in Counter Violence’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Just as it became apparent on Wednesday that Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was about to appoint Ranil Wickremesinghe as PM, in place of Mahinda Rajapaksa who resigned days earlier, an old video clip got widely shared on social media. Clad in a back suit, a prim looking Mr. Wickremesinghe tells a …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe: From United National Party(UNP) Lone Member of Parliament to Prime Minister of Sri Lanka’ »

By Mujib Mashal and Skandha Gunasekara As the guests sat down for a banquet dinner last summer at the grand colonial-era home of Sri Lanka’s president, the small talk soon turned gravely serious. Addressing members of the ruling coalition, the country’s energy minister, Udaya Gammanpila, defended a small increase in fuel prices that was intended …

Continue reading ‘Gotabaya Rajapaksa the president is trying to find his own ground after realizing his brothers had taken advantage of his political inexperience to introduce disastrous policies in his name’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence on Saturday denied reports of ex-LTTE cadre “regrouping to launch attacks” in Sri Lanka, as reported by The Hindu, citing sources in Indian intelligence. “The article is completely baseless. We have received no intelligence warning of such a security threat,” a Ministry spokesman said. The report, citing …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence denies reports of ex-LTTE cadre “regrouping to launch attacks” in Sri Lanka, as reported by “The Hindu”, citing sources in Indian intelligence; Further Ex[lanations Requested From Media and Authorities’ »

By S.Vijay Kumar Intelligence agencies have warned of erstwhile cadre of the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) regrouping to launch attacks in Sri Lanka, as the country is embroiled in a deep economic and political crisis. As the island nation has declared emergency twice amid escalating violent protests, some sections of the Sri …

Continue reading ‘‘Indian Intelligence agencies alert over regrouping Attempts by ex-LTTE cadres;Warnings of Sri Lankan Tamil outfits abroad are Allegedly planning attacks to mark Mullivaikal anniversary’’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The 10-party alliance led by former Ministers Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) said yesterday they will not accept any ministerial portfolios in the Government of newly appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, but will extend support to the programs to revive the economy. Former President Maithripala …

Continue reading ‘The 10-party alliance and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) will not accept any ministerial portfolios in the Gont of newly appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, but will extend support to the programs to revive the economy’ »

Newly appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday appealed to the people to be patient, and promised to work diligently to find a way out of the unprecedented economic crisis and bring relief to the people. The Prime Minister instructed his staff to be prepared to continue working without thinking about the holidays. Accordingly, the upcoming …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe tells BBC that the country’s economic crisis will get worse before it gets better. His message to the Sri Lankan people: “Be patient, I will bring back the lost things.”’ »

BY CHANKA JAYASINGHE A former ruling party legislator who died in violent clash in Sri Lanka was beaten to death by a mob and it was not a suicide as claimed earlier, Police Spokesman Nihal Thalduwa said on Thursday. Amarakeerthi Athukorala, an MP in former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa-led Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) administration …

Continue reading ‘SLPP Parliamentarian Amarakeerthi Athukorala was Beaten to Death by a Mob at Nittambuwa and did not Commit Suicide by Shooting Himself as Reported Earlier says Police Spokesman Nihal Talduwa’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s newly appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has vowed to “deliver solutions” to the island’s deepening economic crisis, kicked off duties on Friday, discussing formation of a “foreign aid consortium” with Colomb-based envoys, his office said. His outreach came a day after he was sworn in Premier by President Gotabaya …

Continue reading ‘Newly appointed PM Ranil Wickremesinghe meets Ambassadors of China, United States, Japan, and the High Commissioners of India and UK; discusses the setting up of a “foreign aid consortium”to help Sri Lanka Economically’ »

A decision has been made to pass a resolution in support of Ranil Wickremesinghe as the new Prime Minister in the Parliament when it convenes next on 17 May. The motion states that the support of the majority of the Members of Parliament will be expressed to Ranil Wickremesinghe. It is reported that lawmakers of …

Continue reading ‘Resolution Expressing Support to New Prime Minister Ranil Wicremesinghe to be Presented in Parliament on May 17’ »

JUSTICE FOR ALL 13th May 2022 We condemn the reimposition of the State of Emergency from midnight on the 6th of May 2022, the very first instance it was available after revoking it on the 5th of April 2022. We vehemently condemn the violence unleashed on peaceful protestors on the 9th of May 2022 both …

Continue reading ‘“We urge all Members of Parliament, in govt and opposition, to listen to the demands of the Sri Lankan people for a genuine change in government and governance. It is imperative that all MPs take a principled stand that reflects the demands of the people to create political change in Sri Lanka”’ »

By Chandani Kirinde UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the country’s new Prime Minister before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday in one of the biggest reversals of political fortune in the country. The shock decision to appoint Wickremesinghe to the post vacated by Mahinda Rajapaksa was made on Wednesday night after the President met …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wicremesinghe Tells Media that he has “taken on the job to put the economy in order,” ; “Do you want people to suffer more by a prolonged political instability or resolve the economic crisis? Asks the new Prime Minister’ »

Several members of the Parliament including President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and foreign envoys extended congratulatory wishes to newly appointed sixth Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe, whilst few others expressed their displeasure. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa congratulated Wickremesinghe for taking up the challenging task to overcome the multiple crises. “My best wishes to the newly …

Continue reading ‘Tweet by US Ambassador Julie Chung says Wickremesinghe’s appointment as Prime Minister and the quick formation of an inclusive Government are the first steps in addressing the crisis and promoting stability.’ »

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said yesterday that his first choice for the post of Prime Minister was SJB leader Sajith Premadasa but as he had rejected the offer to take over the Government, he had decided to appoint UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. The President disclosed this in a letter he sent Premadasa yesterday in response to …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Tells Opposition Leader Premadasa that the best person to take over as the Prime Minister is UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe; Points out that his offer to Sajith to take over the Govt had been rejected.’ »

Completing a stunning comeback, United National Party (UNP) Leader and National List MP Ranil Wickremesinghe, who failed to secure his seat in Parliament in the August 2020 General Election, was sworn in as the new Prime Minister last evening (12). Wickremesinghe took oaths before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House, with Secretary to the …

Continue reading ‘Newly Sworn In PM Ranil Wickremesinghe Describes Himself s a “Crisis Premier” Drawing a Parallel with Winston Churchill Becomig Prime Minister of Britain to Cope with the Challenges of World war Two’ »

By Yohan Perera Newly appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said he had accepted his new post to save the nation from its present crisis. “I accepted the Prime Minister’s post to save the nation and to see that people of this country get three square meals while essential goods such as fuel, gas and electricity …

Continue reading ‘“I accepted the Prime Minister’s post to save the nation and to see that people of this country get three square meals while essential goods such as fuel, gas and electricity are available’states Ranil Wickremesinghe;“I also intend to obtain support of all MPs in Parliament to save the nation,” he says’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday appointed former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe as Premier, in a bid to restore stability in the island nation in the midst of a political impasse and stifling economic crisis. This is the sixth time Mr. Wickremesinghe, 73, has been appointed to the office — he has …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Appoints UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka’ »

By Chandani Kirinde In a day of dramatic political developments President Gotabaya Rajapaksa met with UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe last night amidst speculation that the latter would be appointed as the country’s new Prime Minister. Speculation was Wickremesinghe will be sworn in today by the President after which the UNP Leader will firm up support …

Continue reading ‘Gotabaya – Ranil Talks Leads to Speculation that Wicremesinghe would be Appointed as Prime Minister and that a new Cabinet comprising MPs from multiple parties would be finalized this week by the President and new PM’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s beleaguered President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday said he will appoint a new Prime Minister, who commands a parliamentary majority, and a Cabinet of Ministers, within a week’s time, as the island struggles to cope with its political and economic crises. “I am taking steps to form a new government to …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Meets with former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and explores the possibility of appointing him as Premier, if a majority of lawmakers in Parliament supports the move; .The UNP Leader is considering the option say Reliable Sources’ »

(Text of Address to the Nation Delivered by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on May 11th 2022) Most Venerable Maha Sangha, Other Religious Dignitaries, Mothers and Fathers, Brothers and Sisters, Beloved Children, Friends, At present, our country is facing the worst crisis in its history. The economic crisis that preceded this event created social and political instability …

Continue reading ‘“I am taking steps to form a new government to control the current situation.This week, I will appoint a Prime Minister who commands the majority in Parliament and can secure the confidence of the people and a Cabinet of Ministers”-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Meanwhile, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa was evacuated from Temple Trees, his official residence in Colombo, and taken to a naval base in the eastern port city of Trincomalee on May 10 for his “security”, according to Kamal Gunaratne, Secretary to the Defence Ministry. Addressing a media conference on May 11, he said: “The …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Evacuated From “Temple Trees” to Trincomalee; “The former PM is at the Naval Dockyard in Trincomalee. He will be there for a few more days. We will provide him with whatever security he needs and for as long as he wants.” Says Defence Secretary Gen Kamal Gunaratne’ »