(Text of Address by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the ceremony to declare open 1,500 completed roads on the same day at the Mandaduwa Stadium in Weeraketiya on 2021-11-06) A year ago, I laid the foundation stone for the National Programme of Developing 100,000 Km of Roads Project. At the end of the year, we completed …

Continue reading ‘“Once the concept of “One Country One Law” has been drafted by the PTF headed by Ven.Gnanasara Thero, I will give it to the Minister of Justice. If there are any shortcomings, they can be fixed and then presented to Parliament”-President Rajapaksa’ »

Justice Minister Ali Sabry submitted his letter of resignation, from his membership in the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), his parliamentary seat, and the justice portfolio, to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa last Friday (5), The Sunday Morning reliably learnt. The President had, however, refused to accept the resignation letter. Highly placed sources told The Sunday Morning …

Continue reading ‘Ali Sabry Submits Letter Resigning as Justice Minister, Member of Parliament and SLPP party Member but President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Refuses to accept Resignation’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake Many supporters of Rajapaksa governance have begun to turn away from this family leadership in national governance. Amidst the hugely rising cost of living – or will it soon be the cost of dying – there is also the issue of One Country, One Law that is pushing the political swing. President …

Continue reading ‘The Monkey Business of Establishing a “Monkocracy”of Sihala Buddhist Power; Murutthettuwe Ananda Thera as Colombo University Vice Chancellor and Galagadaaththe Gnanasara Thero as “One Country One Law”Presidential Task F orce Chairman’ »

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday (6) called on the youth of the country to have faith in the Government, and to continue with the work they had started. The President made the request at the event held to launch 100,000 km of roads that were developed by the Government in Weeraketiya. The event was also attended …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa says the “one country, one law”” concept once presented by the Task Force Chaired by Ven. Galabodaaththe Gnanasara Thera would be handed over to the Justice Ministry for the relevant laws to be drafted.’ »

By Skandha Gunasekara The Presidential Task Force (PTF) for the “one country, one law” initiative took heavy flak ever since its appointment, with many asserting that it would be counterproductive in the aim of uniting communities. On 27 October, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed a presidential task force chaired by Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera and comprising …

Continue reading ‘Presidential Task Force (PTF) for the “one country, one law” initiativechaired by Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera may Divide Rather Than Unite Communnities’ »

By Bhavani Fonseka (The writer is an Attorney-at-Law and a Senior Researcher at the Centre for Policy Alternatives) The recent appointment of a task force mandated with law reform headed by a controversial Buddhist monk has raised concerns from multiple fronts. Yet, considering recent trends in Sri Lanka, this should not come as a surprise. …

Continue reading ‘The recent task force with an ethno-majoritarian bent in the guise of “one country, one law” is the latest in a string of attempts to shape a particular single story.’ »

By Col. R. Hariharan Happenings in Sri Lanka during the month of October 2021 can be summarised as “politics of majoritarianism, security, and scams”. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is known for goal-oriented action. But two of his recent decisions, the abolition of the use of chemical fertilisers, and introducing “one country, one law”, are having ripple …

Continue reading ‘Politics of majoritarianism, security, and scams Prevailed in Sri Lanka During October’ »

The US Department of Defense in a report presented to the US Congress has placed Sri Lanka among a group of Countries where the Peoples Republic of China may establish a military facility or base to enhance support for Chinese power projection in the naval, air, ground, cyber, and space spheres. The Pentagon report “Military …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Among Countries Under Considertion by China to set up a Peoples Liberation Army military base support for Chinese power projection in the naval, air, ground, cyber, and space spheres says Latest Pentagon report to the US Congress’ »

By Ruwani Fonseka The Head of the State Intelligence Service has become a thug, as he wants a Priest to be arrested over something that was discussed in Parliament, said Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harin Fernando. He made this statement during a press conference held yesterday (04).

By Ruwani Fonseka Claiming that he is not a politician that acts upon the instructions of the intelligence chief, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa said that his loyalty to the Sri Lankan Catholic community is obvious due to his close connections with Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith. He made this statement yesterday (04) after paying …

Continue reading ‘“There is a conspiracy going on that I am not close to the Catholic community, but I want people to know that I stand with the Catholic community.” Declares SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’ »

The inner light Text and Pix by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai “Deepavali” is a celebration and joy and wisdom, and will be celebrated on the 4th of November 2021 around the world, with great pomp and enthusiasm. “Deepavali” is popularly known as the “Festival of Lights”. It is celebrated with sweets, savouries, firecrackers, greetings, gifts and lights. …

Continue reading ‘May the Sparkle of “Deepaaval”i the ‘Festival of Lights’ on November 4th Lift Our Inner Spirit.’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “This country still has a Sinhala police, a Sinhala army. If after today a single Muslim or some other alien lays a hand on a single Sinhalese, let alone a robe, it will be the end of all these creatures” – Monk Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara, pre-riot speech in Aluthgama – 15 June …

Continue reading ‘On 20 September 2000, Monk Gnanasara was fined Rs. 12,000 by Traffic Court of Colombo 12, after pleading guilty to nine charges including drunk driving, speeding, driving without licence, and failing to report an accident.’ »

By Azzam Ameen In a letter addressed to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has pointed out that the preparation of draft legislation and the study of existing legislation which the One Country One Law Task Force has been directed to perform are tasks of a serious nature involving several institutions …

Continue reading ‘Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) says “One Country One Law(OCOL)Presidential Task Force would usurp the functions of many institutions established under the Constitution and the law, including Parliament and the Ministry of Justice’ »

By Ruwani Fonseka If the Hippo Spirit vessel docks in Sri Lanka after it has been denied entry into the Port and tries to unload the consignment of Chinese organic fertiliser, it would be considered as some sort of terrorist act, says Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture Prof. Udith Jayasinghe. He made this statement …

Continue reading ‘If “Hippo Spirit” Vessel docks in Colombo after it has been denied entry into the Port and tries to unload the consignment of Chinese organic fertilizer that has been Rejected it would be considered as some sort of terrorist act says Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture Prof. Udith Jayasinghe.’ »

(This article appeared in the Asia section of the “Economist print edition under the headline “BJP v Bollywood) If bollywood is India’s secular religion, then the Khans—Aamir, Salman and Shah Rukh—are its holy trinity. The three actors, who are unrelated, have for three decades sat at the top of India’s colossal Hindi-language film industry, their …

Continue reading ‘Narendra Modi led BJP Govt Targets India’s colossal Hindi-language film industry with Secular and Liberal Values Because it is simply too great a threat to Modi’s narrow vision of a Hindu Nation.’ »

by Jehan Perera President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed a presidential task force to take forward the concept one country, one law that proved to be an effective slogan at the election campaign that won him the presidency in 2019. Of course, those were different times. At that time the country was still trying to recover …

Continue reading ‘The appointment of the presidential task force on “one country one law” needs to be challenged due both to the composition and mandate.’ »

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda An appeal filed by former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States Jaliya Wickramasuriya challenging Court of Appeal’s decision to dismiss a writ petition filed regarding his diplomatic immunity has been dismissed by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court further refused to issue a writ of Mandamus directing the Minister of Foreign …

Continue reading ‘Appeal filed by former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States Jaliya Wickramasuriya challenging Court of Appeal’s decision to dismiss a writ petition filed regarding his diplomatic immunity dismissed by Supreme Court as having no merit’ »

By Ajith Siriwardana The ‘Presidential Task Force for One Country, One Law’ was a golden opportunity to make the social issues discussed by the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organisation a reality, Head of the Task Force Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera said today. He told during a virtual press conference of the Presidential Media Centre that …

Continue reading ‘Gnanasara Thero Says Issues Close to the Bodu Bala Sena such as Steriliztion, Religious Conversion and Cultural Invasion would be accommodated in Draft to be pre[red by the “Pne Country One Laaw’ Presidential Task force headed by him’ »

By Meera Srinivasan The Indian High Commissioner in Colombo on Monday assured Sri Lanka’s northern fishermen that he would convey their concerns over bottom trawling by Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait to both New Delhi and Tamil Nadu and look at some immediate measures to address the problem. A delegation of fisher leaders from …

Continue reading ‘Representatives of Fishing Organiztions from Northern districts of Sri Lanka along with TNA Jaffna District MP Sumanthiran meet Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay in Colombo and convey their concern over ‘delay in India’s response’ to bottom trawling issue’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando President’s Counsel Ali Sabry, the only Muslim among the Cabinet ministers, is likely to quit the justice portfolio over the recent appointment of Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera as the head of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) to make recommendations in respect of ‘One Country, One Law’ concept. Well-informed sources say Sabry, who …

Continue reading ‘Justice Minister Ali Sabry Likely to Resign his Post in Protest Against Appointment of Gnanasara Thero as PTF Chair After President Rajapaksa Returns from Scotland;PM Mahinda Rajapaksa Advises Sabry not to take a Hasty Decision’ »

By Azzam Ameen No citizen should be subjected to any difference or discrimination before the law on the basis of their race, religion, caste or any other factor, according to the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force for ‘One Country, One Law’ Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera. He made these remarks while addressing the first media …

Continue reading ‘“Our responsibility is to create a one nation that can get together under one flag and to formulate one law suitable for the country”says “One Country One Law”Presidential Task Force Chair Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero at his first Media Briefing after assuming Office’ »

By Harini Amarasuriya (The writer is a former senior lecturer at the Open University of Sri Lanka [OUSL] and is currently an MP representing the National People’s Power) One of the most prominent slogans the current Government, and particularly, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, used during election campaigns was “one country, one law”. At first glance, the …

Continue reading ‘When this regime touts “one country, one law” it is not talking about equality before the law for all; rather the entire campaign for “one country, one law” emerged from a very pointed, anti-Muslim position.’ »

By Chris Kamalendran Justice Minister Ali Sabry said he was unaware of the setting up of the “One Country, One Law” Presidential Task Force headed by Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda-aththe Gnanasara Thera. Mr Sabry told the Sunday Times he was not consulted on the setting up of the Task Force. “I …

Continue reading ‘Justice Minister Ali Sabry was unaware of the setting up of “One Country, One Law” Presidential Task Force headed by Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Gen Secy Galagoda-aththe Gnanasara Thera. Saying he was not consulted on the setting up of the Task Force,Sabry says “I am not happy about the move”’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Interestingly enough, this week’s Presidential appointment of a controversial monk who once served a jail term for contempt of court, as head of a Presidential Task Force to suggest law reform to bring about ‘one country, one law’ no less, has provoked freewheeling ridicule rather than fury in Sri Lanka. An …

Continue reading ‘A Presidential Task Force to recommend ‘one country, one law’ in an avatar that invokes contempt and fear in equal if not uncanny parts is not a message that the Sri Lankan people, majority and minorities, will take kindly to.’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake It’s time to cheer. We have a Sand Dune – not in a desert – but on the beach of the Port City. A great Veli Keliya Vella. Isn’t it truly great to see Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa – with Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunge lodged behind him – riding an All Terrain …

Continue reading ‘All the powers that Gotabaya Rajapaksa enjoys and uses today, thanks to 20A is certainly the best way to bring Political Buddhism against Saddharma Buddhism to the people of Sri Lanka.’ »

by Sujeeva Nivunhella A demonstration has been organised by LTTE sympathisers in the UK opposite the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow where President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is scheduled to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26). The Sunday Island reliably learns that the organisers of the protest have invited people from all over the UK …

Continue reading ‘Massive demonstration organised in the UK opposite the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow where President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is scheduled to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference:full-page advt in the Scottish newspaper “The Herald” against President Rajapaksa calls him “The Terminator”’ »

By Azzam Ameen The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) has stated that it is shocked and dismayed by the establishment of the Presidential Task Force for One Country, One Law under the leadership of what it refers to as a controversial individual. While stating that the citizens of Sri Lanka have been living for many …

Continue reading ‘All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) is shocked and dismayed by the establishment of the Presidential Task Force for One Country, One Law being under the leadership of “a controversial individual”.’ »

By Camelia Nathaniel The Presidential Task Force for One Country, One Law held its inaugural meeting yesterday. According to the Chairman of the Task Force Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, an official statement will be made next Monday following the discussions.

By Ruwani Fonseka An employee of the Save the Pearl organisation told the Fort Magistrates Court on the 27th that he was tortured to implicate Hejaaz Hizbullah. Speaking to The Morning, an informed source confirmed that the above practice has been ongoing by the Terrorist Investigations Department (TID) for a long time, and this was …

Continue reading ‘Fort Magistrates Court Told that Three TID Officers Allegedly Tortured “Save the Pearl”Organization Employee Mohammed Sulthan to Force him into Giving False Evidence Implicating Detained Lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah’ »

By Ruwani Fonseka The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has issued a statement saying that it is deeply shocked and disturbed by the appointment of the latest Presidential Task Force (PTF) mandated to implement the ‘One Country, One Law’ concept, including the drafting of a law to give effect to it, headed by Galagodaaththe Gnanasara …

Continue reading ‘The Centre for Policy Alternatives wants the Government to immediately rescind the relevant Gazette notification appointing Presidential Task Force mandated to implement the ‘One Country, One Law’ concept headed by Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero’ »

By Dr.Jayadeva Uyangoda (Jayadeva Uyangoda is Former Professor of Political Science, Department of Political Science and Public Policy, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka) What has Gotabaya Rajapaksa achieved when he enters his third year in office as Sri Lanka’s President on November 18? A not-so-attractive record of failures in governance. President Rajapaksa has also …

Continue reading ‘The Present Crisis Faced by President Rajapaksa and his Regime has Four Interconnected Dimensions – Economic, Social, Governance and Legitimacy.’ »

BY Pamodi Waravita A number of civil society groups and Opposition parties have condemned President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s appointment of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera as the Chairman of the new Presidential Task Force (PTF) for “One Country, One Law”. “The appointment of Gnanasara Thera to this PTF ridicules the mandate …

Continue reading ‘Appointment of Gnanasara as “One Country One Law” Presidential Task Force Chair by Gotbaya is Strongly Condemned by Opposition Parties and Civil Society Group.’ »

By Norman Palihawadane and Nishan S. Priyantha Monies taken in the form of commissions by forfeiting people’s welfare will never do any good to those who take them, says His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith. “The biggest malady our society is afflicted with is the commissions earned by politicians through various deals. They take commissions from …

Continue reading ‘“We have a Cabinet minister who is notoriously known as Mr. Ten Percent. Imagine the shame on this nation when there is such a minister taking ten percent of commission from every project he passes’ says Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith’ »

Firebrand Opposition Parliamentarian Harin Fernando yesterday flayed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the selection of the Chair of a key task force, which the Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP described as his “One Country One Crazy Law”. Issuing a statement following President Rajapaksa’s decision to appoint the controversial Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Leader Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero …

Continue reading ‘Harin Fernando MP flays President on the Appointment of a Presidential Task Force Headed by Gnanasara Thero; Calls it “One Country, One CRAZY Law” and says “Seeing the team appointed for such a task gives everyone chills down their spine.”’ »

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has set up a Presidential Task Force to make proposals to implement the ‘One Country, One Law’ concept and named the controversial Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) leader Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero as its Chairman. The task force will study the implementation of the concept ‘One Country, One Law’ within Sri Lanka and …

Continue reading ‘Galalagoda Aththe Gnanasara to head 13 member ‘One Country, One Law’ Presidential Task Force that Will recommend proposals to prepare draft law ensuring all citizens are treated alike before the law’ »

By Hamid Mir In 2017, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told an aide that he would “use a bullet” on Jamal Khashoggi if the journalist, who was then living in exile, didn’t cease his criticism of the Saudi government. Ultimately, a team of assassins killed Khashoggi during his visit to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul …

Continue reading ‘The People’s Tribunal Will Commence Hearings at Hague in Jan 2022 against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for allegedly ordering the murder of Sri Lankan Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge when he was Defence Secretary; The lead prosecutor is prominent human rights lawyer Almudena Bernabeu, supported by former International Criminal Court judge Sir Howard Morrison’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera National Catholic Centre for Social Communications Director Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando and several others who attended a recent online forum, in which allegations related to the Easter Sunday terror attacks on 21 April 2019 were made against State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay, are likely to be summoned …

Continue reading ‘Public Security Ministry Secy Maj. Gen. Jagath Alwis says Catholic Priest Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando and several others who participated in online forum where allegations relating to the Easter Sunday terror attacks were made against SIS Chief Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay, are to be summoned for recording of statements’ »

By Ruwani Fonseka An extraordinary gazette has been issued to appoint a 13-member Presidential Task Force (PTF) to study the implementation of the concept “One Country, One Law” and prepare a draft Act. The task force is chaired by Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara. It consists of Prof. Dayananda Banda, Prof. Shanthinandana Wijesinghe, Prof. sumedha Siriwardana, N.G. …

Continue reading ‘Ven Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera Appointed Chair of 13 member Presidential Task Force to tudy the Concept of “One Country, One Law” and prepare a draft Act to implement it’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera Following requests from China, the Government has agreed to send the organic fertiliser samples from the China-based Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co. Ltd., which have been found to contain harmful bacteria on two previous occasions, to a third party and to retest their quality. Promoting the Production and Regulating the Supply of …

Continue reading ‘Govt to send organic fertiliser samples from China-based Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co. Ltd., which were found to contain harmful bacteria in two tests to a third party for a hird test following China’s refusal to accept the previous two test findings’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera The Catholic Church has said that instead of naming former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Nilantha Jayawardena as a state witness in the cases pertaining to the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019, he should be prosecuted for not having prevented the said …

Continue reading ‘Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith Faults AttorneyGeneral Sanjay Rajaratnam for Making former State Intelligence Service Director Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Nilantha Jayawardena a state witness Instead of Prosecuting him;sends letter to A-G citing 15 reasons for Prosecuting Instead of Citing as State Witness’ »

By Ruwani Fonseka A complaint has been filed at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) against Reverend Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando by the Director-General of the State Intelligence Service Major General Suresh Salley. The complaint was filed today (25) in regard to multiple malicious statements made in reference to Maj. Gen. Salley. The Morning spoke to …

Continue reading ‘Director-General of the State Intelligence Service Major General Suresh Salley files Comlaint at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) against Reverend Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando for allegedly making multiple malicious statements’ »

By Asiri Fernando The communities in the North and East are often disproportionately affected by most crises that impact Sri Lanka. The current crisis caused due to a sudden ban on the use of chemical fertiliser and the continued fisheries dispute regarding poaching by Indian fishing vessels add to the woes of these communities. Many …

Continue reading ‘“Permitting Chinese footholds in the North with such proximity to India will unnecessarily upset the security balance of the region. Therefore the TNA would prefer to avoid Chinese investments in the North.”-TNA Spokesman MA Sumanthiran MP’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Under cover of a seductively glittering propaganda blitz that laws are being ‘modernized,’ is the Government ferociously bent on a pursuit of turning even the remnants of Sri Lanka’s civil liberties safeguards on its unsteady constitutional head? Withdrawals of indictments and privileging the police This is a question that legitimately arises …

Continue reading ‘Hypothetically Will the Supreme Court Feel Compelled to Intervene if the Attorney General proceeded to exercise the powers of office only to benefit politicians of a particular political party (indict/not to indict, withdraw indictments/not to withdraw indictments) while ignoring others?’ »

Catholic Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said last Saturday (23) that His Holiness Pope Francis had written to him asking what assistance or action the Archbishop requires from the Pope regarding the investigation into the Easter Sunday terror attacks in 2019. He revealed this during a discussion held yesterday (24) with Sri Lankans living …

Continue reading ‘His Holiness Pope Francis Sends Hand Written Letter to his Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith Expressing his Sadness and asking what assistance or action the Colombo Archbishop requires from the Pope regarding the investigation into the Easter Sunday terror attacks in 2019.’ »

By Asiri Fernando Several Indian businesses have expressed interest in investing and carrying out the proposed renewable energy projects earmarked in the Northern Province, The Sunday Morning learnt. It is reliably learnt that one of the Indian investors interested in the renewable power generation projects in the North is Adani Green Energy, with plans afoot …

Continue reading ‘Several Indian businesses Including Adani Green Energy express interest in investing and carrying out renewable energy projects earmarked in the Northern Province While Chinese bid for northern renewable energy projects take a backseat’ »

By Skandha Gunasekara Regional plantation companies (RPCs) were reducing the pay of workers by reducing the number of working days, in an effort to reduce the cost following the gazetting of Rs. 1,000 as the minimum daily wage, trade unions (TUs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) told The Sunday Morning. The move was pushing an already …

Continue reading ‘Plantation Workers are not Benefitting from 1000 Rupee Daily Wage Arrangement Due to Plantation Companies Reducing Workdays to 13-15 days per Month instead of 25 days every month as Stipulated Complain Trade Unions and Non -Governmental Organizations’ »

BY RUWANI FONSEKA Two members of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) party were bullied by Government MP’s during a meeting held by the Ministry of Forest and Wildlife, said ITAK MP M A Sumanthiran. This was brought up in Parliament yesterday (22) just as Sumanthiran stood up to deliver his speech.

(Text of an Editorial appearing in the “Daily Financial Times”of October 21st 2021 under the heading “The Politics of Hate”) A new report published by Amnesty International this week is a damning indictment against the Sri Lankan state that continues to countenance – and promote – consistent discrimination, harassment and violence against the country’s Muslim …

Continue reading ‘There is no doubt that this SLPP Presidency was built on a vicious and relentless campaign of hate against Sri Lanka’s minority communities in general, and the Muslims in particular.’ »

(Text of Editorial Appearing in “The Island”of October 22nd 2021) His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has once again demanded that the recommendations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI), which probed the Easter Sunday terror attacks be fully implemented. The PCoI has not revealed the mastermind behind the carnage; it has only cursorily dealt with …

Continue reading ‘Why is the Gotabaya Govt Not Taking Legal Action Against Former President Maithripala Over the Easter Sunday Bombings?Sirisena should not be spared simply because he is a government MP and his party has 14 members in the SLPP parliamentary group.’ »

By Lucien Raajkarunanayake The schools will fully reopen on Monday. The trade unions, parents and children will certainly consider this a special day for education in Sri Lanka. It’s best not to think too much about the last two days, with very low presence of children and teachers in most of the smallest schools in …

Continue reading ‘Will we see a Maha Vipakaya – A Great Disaster – in the cultivation of the people’s meals, and a Maha Badaginna or Huge Hunger on the rise?’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera If anyone tried to come to power on the blood of innocent people, they would not be able to enjoy that power for too long, said Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, in reference to the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019 and the probe into it. During …

Continue reading ‘“If anyone tried to come to power on the blood of innocent people, they would not be able to enjoy that power for too lon”, says Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith in reference to the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019; Who is the Target of this “Bombshell” by His Eminence ?’ »

By Asiri Fernando The Attorney General (AG) had refused to appear for State Minister Lohan Rattwatte in the case related to the fundamental rights (FR) petition filed by eight prisoners of the Anuradhapura Prison who were allegedly intimidated and threatened by Ratwatte, The Morning learnt. The AG had appeared for the Prisons Commissioner General and …

Continue reading ‘Supreme Court Grants Leave to Proceed in Fundamental Rights Petition Filed by Eight Tamil Prisoners Detained Under PTA in Anuradhapura Jail;Attorney -General Refuses to Appear for State Minister Lohan Ratwatte Citeds First Respondent’ »

By Ruwani Fonseka Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Party has formed branches in Sri Lanka, according to the Save Our Motherland Unity Organisation Secretary Chirantha Amarasinghe. Such statements, along with demands to remove Sri Lanka from the Akhand Bharat Map within 7 days, were raised by the Organisation outside the …

Continue reading ‘Save Our Motherland Unity Organisation Demands Removal of Sri Lanka From the “Akhand Bharat” Map Within 7 Days as Sovereign Sri Lanka is not Part of India’; alleges that Narendra Modi’s BJP has formed brnches in Sri Lanka’ »

When young Satheeshan Rathnayaka first rendered his voice to ‘Manike Mage Hithe’, the song made by Chamath Sangeeth, he would not have ever thought that it would go to the internationals chart bringing glory to Sri Lanka. However with the cover version by Yohani de Silva and his rap part, the song has reached eye …

Continue reading ‘Satheeshan Rathnayaka was the Original Singer of “Manike Mage Hithe” for which the Melody was Composed by Chamat Sangeet and Words Written by Dulanja Alwis’ »

By Sumudu Chamara Animal welfare is a highly contested topic in Sri Lanka owing to several issues, such as disparities between the pacifist Buddhist culture and agricultural practices that often see villagers in conflict with wild animals, as well as traditional practices that involve the use of animals and opposition from animal rights activists. The …

Continue reading ‘Gotabaya Govt Move to implement the Cattle Slaughter ban Evokes concerns regarding the religious and ethnic dimensions of this decision’ »

BY Dinitha Rathnayake The Health Professionals Experts’ Association alleged that the reason why certain Health Ministry officials are publicly clashing with Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella is due to the Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals State Ministry exerting power over the Health Ministry on certain matters. “It is very rare for Health Ministry officials to …

Continue reading ‘Is State Minister Channa Jayasumana Engaged in a Power Struggle With Cabinet Minister Keheliya Rambukwella in an Attempt to Usurp Control Over Health Ministry Matters?’ »

BY Sumudu Chamara The need for the country’s legal system to be closer to the public than it is now has been emphasised on many occasions in the recent past, and when the people do not understand what is happening in courts or do not see what they think is justice, it can gravely affect …

Continue reading ‘Withdrawal of Indictments in Separate Cases Against Basil Rajapaksa and Wasantha Karannagoda by the Attorney-General Erodes Public Trust in the Legal System’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera Two days after the release of the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had telephoned Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith and informed that it is not possible to implement all the recommendations of said …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa told Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith on the Telephone that it was not possible to implement all the recommendations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) Report into the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019 since doing so would make him (Gota)unpopular.’ »

BY Pamodi Waravita Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said yesterday (18) that the work on the proposed new Constitution has been finalised by the experts committee chaired by Romesh De Silva PC, and that a draft of the new Constitution will be presented to Parliament in January 2022.

By Azzam Ameen President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has rejected the request made by 11 allied parties of the government for a discussion on the agreement reached between the Sri Lankan government and US-based New Fortress Energy for latter’s investment in West Coast Power Limited (WCP) – the owner of 310 MW Yugadanavi Power Plant in Kerawalapitiya. …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa rejects request made by 11 allied parties of the govt for a discussion on the agreement regarding US-based New Fortress Energy’s investment in the 310 MW Yugadanavi Power Plant in Kerawalapitiya.’ »

By Azzam Ameen Sri Lanka’s Muslim community has suffered consistent discrimination, harassment and violence since 2013, culminating in the adoption of government policies explicitly targeting the minority group, Amnesty International said in a new report published today. The 80-page report, From Burning Houses to Burning Bodies: Anti-Muslim Harassment, Discrimination and Violence in Sri Lanka, traces …

Continue reading ‘Amnesty International publishes report on discrimination, harassment and violence against Sri Lanka’s Muslim community’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Dozens of northern fishermen on Sunday set out on boats from the coast of the eastern Mullaitivu district to Point Pedro in Jaffna in the north, demanding that Sri Lankan authorities implement laws banning the destructive bottom trawling method of fishing. The protest comes in the wake of an increase in reported …

Continue reading ‘Northern Fishermen in Dozens of Boats Sail From Mullaitheevu to Paruthithurai Demanding Impentation of laws against bottom trawling’ »

By Dinitha Rathnayake and Pamodi Waravita Northern fishermen took approximately 1,000 boats out to sea to participate in a large-scale protest yesterday (17) extending from the seas of Mullaitivu to Point Pedro in the Northern Province, against what they termed the inaction of Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda over Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan …

Continue reading ‘Northern fishermen in 1000 Boat large-scale protest extending from the seas of Mullaitheevu to Point Pedro against what they termed as the inaction of Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda over Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan seas’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene If the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe coalition of 2015-2019 was tone deaf to outraged mutterings of the citizenry at the time, surely the Rajapaksa-Rajapaksa-Rajapaksa government of 2020 onwards must be wholly dumb, deaf and blind to the roars of fury exploding in their favoured constituencies in Sri Lanka. On splendid ironies and political victories …

Continue reading ‘The “Rajapaksa-Rajapaksa-Rajapaksa” government of 2020 onwards must be wholly dumb, deaf and blind to the roars of fury exploding in their favoured constituencies in Sri Lanka.’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake The Pandora Papers have moved away from the focus of politics and the fight against corruption. We can await the report of the Bribery and Corruption Commission, which has its own way of giving innocence to the guilty; much more than the fighters against corruption ever expect. But that is the stuff …

Continue reading ‘Let us keep praying for the political escape from the wider Rajapaksa governance — moving next from Basil Rajapaksa to Namal Rajapaksa.’ »

By Dr Nihal Jayawickrama It was fifty years ago, on October 2, 1971, that the Governor-General, William Gopallawa, assented to the Bill that sought to abolish the Senate, the upper chamber of the Parliament of Ceylon. It was an event that was precipitated by the Senators themselves. The Senate was one of the five constitutional …

Continue reading ‘How and Why the Senate was Abolished by the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Govt 50 Years ago on October 2nd 1971’ »

(Text of Editorial appearing in the “Daily Financial Times” of October 16th 2021 headlined “Opening the door to international jurisdiction) This week the Attorney General informed the Court of Appeal that his Department had decided to drop its indictments against former Navy Commander, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, who was previously named as an …

Continue reading ‘The Gotabaya Rajapaksa Administration has strengthened the case for international jurisdiction for crimes committed in Sri Lanka by Dropping Charges Against Ex-Navy Chief Wasantha Karannagoda in the Notorious “Navy 11” Case.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene First the Panama Papers, then the Paradise Papers, now the Pandora Papers, next will we have the ‘Pappadum’ Papers, a wag may well cynically question? Cold logic of ‘tip of the iceberg’ disclosures That passing query has hidden meaning in Sri Lanka, given that the ‘pappadum’, a flamboyant looking and delicious …

Continue reading ‘Pandora Papers have brought in their wake, a spectacle of absurdities concerning businessman Thirukumar Nadesan and his politician wife Nirupama Rajapaksa whose holdings have been prominently featured in the exposures’ »

(This article appeared in the Asia section of “The Economist” print edition under the headline “No more Mr Rice Guy”) Staring glumly at his paddy field in the depths of rural Sri Lanka, B. R. Weeraratne sighs. The regular incursions of greedy elephants have been bad enough. But the government’s outright ban on agrochemicals will, …

Continue reading ‘The rush by the ruling Rajapaksas to farm organically has plunged Sri Lanka’s economy into crisis; Like the country’s crops, the Rajapaksas are in need of a pick-me-up -The Economist’ »

by Vijitha Yapa (Vijitha Yapa is the Founder Editor of the “Sunday Island” and “The Island”Daily. Both publications launched in October and November 1981 celebrate their 40th anniversary this year) The person at the other end of the phone calling from Nallur was very angry. “Mr Editor, you have killed me in your paper today”. …

Continue reading ‘Birth Pangs and Teething Troubles of a Newspaper:The Launching of the Sunday and Daily Island Newspapers 40 Years Ago in October and November 1981’ »

By A Subramani & Neeraja Ramesh Jayalalithaa’s first hero and veteran actor, Srikanth, passed away in Chennai on Tuesday. He was 81. Srikanth’s demise was first announced by Nadigar Sangam (Actors Association) on Tuesday evening. Srikanth debuted with Jayalalithaa in Vennira Aadai (1965) and went on to do memorable roles in a series of K …

Continue reading ‘Veteran Tamil actor, Srikanth who Debuted in 1965 With Jayalalithaa in “Vennira Aadai” and Acted in Over 200 films in Career Spanning Four Decades Passes Away in Chennai’ »

By M.A. Sumanthiran (The writer is a President’s Counsel and a Member of Parliament representing the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi) Sri Lanka is blessed with rich natural resources and a manageable population. We were ruled by foreign powers for 450 years, yet when we attained independence in 1948, the country’s fiscal position was very sound. …

Continue reading ‘Are there leaders in the country who are willing to join hands with others in a bid to turn the country around?’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “Strong people don’t need strong leaders” – Ella Baker (quoted in ‘Moving the Mountain’) – Berlin, 20 February 1933 – 24 men, the crème de la crème of German industry, gathered to listen to the country’s brand new chancellor, Adolf Hitler. The meeting was a top secret, but posterity has the transcripts. …

Continue reading ‘The seeds of current economic dissolution were sown as soon as the Rajapaksas regained power, months before COVID-19 reached our shores.’ »

Businessman Thirukumar Nadesan, one of two Sri Lankans named in the Pandora papers exposé, has written to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declaring his innocence and requesting an impartial investigation. “It is commonly believed that all persons whose names have been [divulged in the Pandora papers] are in some way guilty of wrongdoing. “I assure Your Excellency …

Continue reading ‘“I assure Your Excellency that my wife (Nirupama Rajapaksa) and I are totally innocent and are guilty of no wrongdoings,” states Thirukkumar Nadesan in Letter Sent to President Rajapaksa; Requests Independent Investigation by Retd Judge Saying “We have been presumed guilty, the presumption of innocence reversed”’ »

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapksa has ordered the Bribery Commission to immediately investigate Sri Lankans named in the Pandora papers, cabinet spokesman Minister Dullas Alahapperum said. The president had issued the directive to the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption this morning. Alahapperuma said the Commission is required to …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa directs Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption to Investigate Allegations Against Sri Lankans Named in the Pandora Papers and Submit Report Within a Month’ »

By Scilla Alecci In early 2018, workers in a London warehouse carefully loaded an oil painting of Lakshmi, the Hindu deity of wealth, onto a van bound for Switzerland. The painting, by 19th-century Indian master Raja Ravi Varma, depicts the four-armed goddess clad in a red sari with gold ornaments and standing atop a lotus …

Continue reading ‘“Pandora Papers” Full Article about Financial Dealings of Nirupama Rajapaksa and Thirukkumar Nadesan by Journalist Scilla Alecci in the International Consortium of Investigative Journalism Website’ »

By Meera Srinivasan There is an “urgent need” to understand the “weaknesses and strengths” of the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution and “act accordingly”, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Tuesday told Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, while expressing a desire to revive the spirit of the relations of the 1960s and 1970s. Mr. Shringla …

Continue reading ‘There is an “urgent need” to understand the “weaknesses and strengths” of the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution and “act accordingly”, – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Tells Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla; expresses desire to revive the spirit of Indo-Lanka relations of the 1960s and 1970s.’ »

(Text of Press Release Issued by the High Commission of India in Colombp regarding the Visit of Foreign Secretary of India Harsh Vardhan Shringla to Sri Lanka) 1. Foreign Secretary of India, Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla visited Sri Lanka for a 3-day Official visit from 02-05 October 2021. This was his first visit to Sri …

Continue reading ‘Text of Press Release Issued by the High Commission of India in Colombp regarding the Visit of Foreign Secretary of India Harsh Vardhan Shringla to Sri Lanka’ »

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa explained the relationship between China and Sri Lanka to Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla in a comprehensive manner and informed Shringla not to have any doubts about it, according to a press release by the President’s Media Division yesterday (5). President Rajapaksa had also emphasised that Sri Lanka would not be …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Tells Visiting Indian Foreign Secy Shringla that Sri Lanka would not let itself be used for any activity that could pose a threat to India’s security,’ »

By Azzam Ameen In letter to sent to former Minister Nirupama Rajapaksa and her husband Thirukumar Nadesan, International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) reporter Scilla Alecci posed a series of questions to the duo, giving them the opportunity to respond to the findings of the Pandora papers. As extracted from the letter, the questions posed …

Continue reading ‘Questionnaires Sent by International Consortium of Investigative Journalists’ (ICIJ) to Nirupma Rajapaksa and Thirukkumar Nadesan Prior to Publication in Pandora Papers’ »

By Meera Srinivasan India on Monday underscored the need for early conclusion of bilateral projects in Sri Lanka, and the enhancement of connectivity by air and sea between the neighbouring countries, which are seeking to reset ties amid a strain in ties. Visiting Sri Lanka on a four-day visit beginning October 2, Foreign Secretary Harsh …

Continue reading ‘“India keen on connectivity initiatives with Sri Lanka like the Jaffna to Chennai flight, ferry services between Karaikal – Kankesanthurai, and Dhanushkodi -Talaimanar and the Buddhist Pilgrim Flights to the new international airport at Kushinagar,” Says Visiting Indian Foreign Secy Harsh Vardhan Shringla at “Temple Trees”Meeting’ »

By Meera Srinivasan India has urged Sri Lanka to hold elections to its provincial councils without further delay, according to the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) whose delegation met visiting Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Monday. Also India does not appreciate any “third party presence” in the Tamil-majority north and east, where New Delhi had …

Continue reading ‘“India does not appreciate any “third party presence” in the Tamil-majority north and east, where New Delhi had “invested heavily”, – Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla tells the TNA; “Sri Lankan leadership told that provincial polls be held immediately, along with the full implementation of the 13th Amendment”’ »

BY Dinitha Rathnayake and Pamodi Waravita Former Water Supply and Drainage Deputy Minister Nirupama Rajapaksa, who is also the niece of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, and Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, and her husband Thirukumar Nadesan, have been named in the recent International Consortium of Investigative Journalists’ (ICIJ) “Pandora Papers” files leak. The …

Continue reading ‘International Consortium of Investigative Journalists’ (ICIJ) “Pandora Papers” files State that Nirupam Rajapaksa and Spouse Thirukumar Nadesan Allegedly Acquired Wealth Through Dubious Financial Transactions Undertaken by “Shell”Companies;Nirupama is the Niece of Chamal.Mahinda,Gota and Basil’ »

BY Pamodi Waravita United National Party (UNP) Leader and Parliamentarian Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday (4) urged Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to inquire from Attorney General (AG) President’s Counsel (PC) Sanjay Rajaratnam about the nature of the evidence against Samagi Jana Balawegeya (SJB) Opposition MP Rishad Bathiudeen to justify his prolonged detention in prison.

BY Buddhika Samaraweera The Special Trial-At-Bar appointed by Chief Justice President’s Counsel (PC) Jayantha Jayasuriya at the request of Attorney General (AG) Sanjay Rajaratnam PC in connection with the main case of the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019, served indictments yesterday (4) on 24 accused over the attacks, including against Mohamed Naufar …

Continue reading ‘24 Persons Including Alleged “Mastermind” Naufar Maulavi Served With Indictments Over Easter Sunday Bombings of April 21st 2019;Special Trial at Bar hearings into 23,270 charges will Commence on Nov 23rd Before Bench Comprising Three High Court Judges’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake We have moved to the new Dudley Era. Dudley Senanayake saw the rise of his era with the political handling of rice. It was to beat the rice control strategy of Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. We are now in the Dudley Sirisena era – also with rice as the operative, with both …

Continue reading ‘The rise of Dudley Sirisena – leading what is called the Rice or “Haal’ Mafia, is a major turn in the Saubhagya Vision of the Rajapaksas. What Dudley Sirisena has told this country is that the government by Gota Gazette is over’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka The signs are there and they aren’t good. It started weeks ago. Minister Sarath Weerasekara and Secretary/Defence Maj. Gen. Kamal Gunaratna’s responses to the questions and criticisms by the Cardinal and the Catholic Church were hardly respectful and were rather testy. They were also irrelevant. Their truculent defence was that a large …

Continue reading ‘The Church and the Catholic community, whether in Sri Lanka or any other part of the world, cannot be cowed or intimidated. Martyrdom is part of the genetic code of Catholics; who will not kill for their cause but will die for it.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Lohan Evindra Ratwatte is a Sri Lankan politician who is often under the media spotlight for the wrong reasons. The 53 year old Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna(SLPP) Kandy district MP- known generally as Lohan – received a great deal of negative publicity last week over an incident in which he reportedly humiliated and …

Continue reading ‘How Gun – toting State Minister Lohan Ratwatte Terrified and Humiliated Tamil Prisoners at the Anuradhapura Jail.’ »

By Anila Dias Bandaranaike, Ph. D. My father, Sam Wijesinha from Getamanne, a village in Hambantota District, took pride in his Southern heritage. He knew D.M. Rajapaksa (DM), his brother, D.A. (DA) and their families well. Sam was Secretary General of Parliament for almost two decades till 1981, and the first Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration …

Continue reading ‘The Rajapaksas have given Hambantota, – a colossal District Secretariat , an unused International Conference Centre, a cricket stadium mostly idle , six-lane highways without traffic , a white elephant International Airport and an International Seaport now given to the Chinese. Is this progress towards sustainable development for the people of Ruhuna?’ »

By Prof.Tissa Vitarana Prof.Senaka Bibile, a great Sri Lankan professor of Pharmacology, died 44 years ago on September 29, 1977, and this brief article is written in his memory. In my view he is one of Sri Lanka’s greatest products and a top achiever and all Lankans, especially the young, should know what he did …

Continue reading ‘Prof.Senaka Bibile Outsmarted “Big Pharma” by Enabling the People to Obtain Medicinal Drugs at Affordable Prices Through his Brainchild the State Pharmaceutical Corporation’ »

It was a power struggle of a different kind, rarely seen in the country. It was not political. It was not a trade union struggle. It was not an armed struggle. An Executive Presidency, a two-thirds parliamentary majority, a 20th Amendment that gave more powers to the President, even a state of emergency and the …

Continue reading ‘All Powerful Gotabaya Rjapaksa Govt Surrenders to So Called “Rice Mafia”by Rescinding its gazette notification imposing maximum retail prices for rice.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene When a ‘full time member’ (or its head, have it as you will) of Sri Lanka’s Consumer Affairs Authority records receiving death threats following his resignation over disclosures of multiple corruption scandals at Sri Lanka Sathosa, ranging from rigged sales of garlic, flour, undu and sugar to millions spent on the …

Continue reading ‘The extreme privations that we are undergoing now have mostly been brought about by the sheer inability of this Govt to control the (Ministerial) arch robbers in its midst and the public servants who act in shameful league with them’ »

(Text of Statement issued by Rajavarothayam Sampanthan Member of Parliament for Trincomalee District and , Leader Tamil National Alliance) TNA leaders, Members of Parliament, and other functionaries generally reside in their respective districts of the North and East. The Corona Virus has been an impediment to personal meetings and group discussions. This has led to …

Continue reading ‘“There have also been some elements who have endeavored to disunite the Tamil National Alliance” says TNA leader Rajavarothayam Sampanthan’ »

BY Meera Srinivsan As many as eight Tamil prisoners in Sri Lanka’s Anuradhapura prison on Thursday petitioned the country’s Supreme Court, seeking relief after a ‘gun-wielding’ Prisons Minister allegedly threatened them a fortnight ago. The prisoners stated that they fear for their lives, asking to be transferred to a prison in the Tamil-majority Northern Province. …

Continue reading ‘Eight Tamil Prisoners who were Allegedly Threatened at Gun Point by State Minister Lohan Ratwatte at Anuradhapura Jail File Fundamental Rights Petition ;MA Sumanthiran PC to Appear for Petitioners at Supreme Court hearings’ »

By Nirupma Rao (Nirupama Rao served as India’s ambassador to America in 2011-13. Earlier, she was the country’s foreign secretary and its ambassador to China, among other diplomatic roles.) In south asia and the Indo-Pacific, we see ourselves as a region in churn—the geopolitical pathways wind their way to conflict and to peace; they crisscross …

Continue reading ‘Only the USA with its technological prowess, leading research institutions and universities, open society, institutions of governance and constitutional freedoms can provide a sustainable alternative to China’s advance in the Indo-Pacific.’ »

By Daniel Alphonsus “This is not a Sinhala-Buddhist country.” This war cry, triumphantly proclaimed in the deepest south after the Easter bombings, were probably Mangala’s most famous words. And rightly so, for theycaptured the essence of the man. The attacks unleashed a volcano of fear and hate, which no one could stop. Most were silent, …

Continue reading ‘Mangala Samaraweera’s conscience’s mastery over the siren song of power and office made him a statesman whose stature will wax rather than wane as the years and decades pass.’ »

By Otara Gunewardene I am deeply saddened and disappointed by the recent release of 15 elephants that were in the care and custody of the state; back to persons who are alleged to have unlawfully captured them or purchased the said elephants from those who have unlawfully captured them. These young elephants were taken into …

Continue reading ‘Recent release of 15 elephants that were in the care and custody of the state back to persons who allegedly captured them unlawfully or purchased them from those who unlawfully captured them is saddening and disappointing’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene As President Gotabaya Rajapaksa accompanied by his spouse paid tribute a few days ago to Americans slain in 9/11, both with white roses in their hands at the memorial in New York, it is hard not to imagine how powerfully symbolic that gesture would have been if replicated on this country’s …

Continue reading ‘Was all the decades-long agony of disappearances, killings, mocking at the Rule of Law, subverting Constitutions and perverting justice, worth it?’ »

By: Colonel R Hariharan (The writer served as the head of intelligence with the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka 1987-90) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his first-ever address at the 76th UN general assembly session on September 22 spoke about transitional justice and reconciliation. But his widely reported readiness to have a dialogue with …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Needs to Realise that Bringing the Tamil Ethnic Issues to a Closure is Important for India.’ »

Leading press freedom organisations have taken the case over the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge to The Hague. In an unprecedented effort to achieve justice for the killing of journalists, three leading press freedom groups have established a People’s Tribunal to investigate their murders and hold governments accountable. The Tribunal, a form of grassroots justice, …

Continue reading ‘The People’s Tribunal on the Murder of Journalists to indict the govts of Sri Lanka, Mexico and Syria for failing to deliver justice for the murders of Journalists Lasantha Wickrematunge, Miguel Ángel López Velasco, and Nabil Al-Sharbaji.’ »

BY Pamodi Waravita A number of Muslim Opposition Parliamentarians have filed complaints with Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana D. Wickramaratne, the Police Headquarters (HQ), and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) regarding the alleged hate speech propagated by Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera in a number of electronic media interviews …

Continue reading ‘Seven Opposition Muslim MP’s from SLMC and ACMC who Vote with Govt in Parliament Complain to IGP, CID and Police HQ About Hate Speech Propagated Through Electronic Media Interviews by Bodu Bala Sena Gen Secy Gnanasara Thero’ »

By Shreen Abdul Saroor The reform of the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA)that Muslim women have been demanding for over four decades,is back on centre stage. Interestingly, the Muslim elite and religious and political representatives who were instrumental in continuously stalling any reforms now say they want reform; one needs to take this with …

Continue reading ‘The arrogance and egoism of certain ‘learned’Muslims, the militancy of various groups, the thuggery and obstinacy of ACJU and politicians seeking personal gains are the reasons why MMDA is not reformed to date.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardena Are we a nation of savage beasts that a drunk State Minister, ironically tasked to oversee prisons reforms, can ‘allegedly’ (a caveat that we are duty bound to enter) lurch into the Welikada and Anuradhapura prisons on sight-seeing expeditions to ‘show the gallows’ to his acolytes in one instance and threaten …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka has been cursed by alternating political regimes of either neo-liberal nonsense with no moorings to the concerns of ordinary men and women or racist Deep State leadership with a dash of plain and ordinary thuggery thrown in.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Defending a man charged with the murder of a Prime Minister is not the most popular or easiest thing to do. More so when the slain Prime Minister happens to be S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike who, in April 1956, less than three-and-a-half years before his killing, had led a coalition of parties headed by …

Continue reading ‘Assassination of a Prime Minister – Revisiting the Bandaranaike murder case 62 years later’ »

BY Dinitha Rathnayake and Azzam Ameen The report of the Prisons Department investigation into alleged incidents of drunkenness and threatening of Tamil political prisoners by former State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Lohan Ratwatte, whilst at the Welikada and Anuradhapura Prisons, is to be handed over to Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya …

Continue reading ‘Justice Minister Ali Sabry appoints Retired High Court Judge Kusala Sarojani Weerawardena to conduct an independent inquiry into the recent incidents at the Welikada and Anuradhapura Prisons involving State Minister Lohan Ratwatte.’ »

By Azzam Ameen and Ruwani Fonseka Ahila Ilankai Thamil Congress (AITC) MP Selvarajah Kajendren was arrested by the Jaffna Police today (23) while he was attending a memorial held for Rasaiah Parthipan, commonly known as ‘Thileepan’. Thileepan was a Tamil Eelam revolutionary and member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Video footage circulating …

Continue reading ‘Tamil Congress MP Selvrajah Kajenthiran and Two Others Arrested in Jaffna Under Quarantine Laws for Memorialising Former LTTE Stalwart Thileepan; Video footage of tarrest shows Police manhandling and shoving the MP into a Police vehicle.’ »

BY Pamodi Waravita Justice Minister, President’s Counsel (PC) M.U.M. Ali Sabry, whilst “unequivocally and unconditionally” condemning the incidents which had occurred at the Welikada and Anuradhapura Prisons complexes involving former Prison Management and Prisoners Rehabilitation State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, said yesterday (22) that a retired High Court (HC) Judge will be appointed to independently inquire …

Continue reading ‘Justice Minister Ali Sabry Tells Parliament that a retired High Court Judge would be appointed to independently inquire into the incidents at the Welikada and Anuradhapura Prisons complexes involving former Prison Management and Prisoners Rehabilitation State Minister Lohan Ratwatte’ »

(Text of Speech made by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the 76th UN General Assembly in New York on September 22, 2021) Mr. President, Secretary General, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Ayubowan. I am honoured to represent Sri Lanka at this august gathering today. Let me first congratulate His Excellency Abdulla Shahid on being elected President of …

Continue reading ‘“Fostering greater accountability, restorative justice, and meaningful reconciliation through domestic institutions is essential to achieve lasting peace.” President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the UN’ »

(Text of Speech made in Parliament on Sep 22d 2021 by TNA Jaffna District MP Mathiaparanan Abraham Sumanthiran during the adjournment debate on the UN process ) Thank you presiding member for the time allocated for me to speak a few words on this adjournment motion. The problem with the government seems to be its …

Continue reading ‘“The Problem with this Govt Seems to be its Doublespeak where President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Says Something which is Refuted by his Foreign Ministry”- M. A. Sumnthiran MP’ »

BY CANADIAN STANDARDS the election campaign was the ugliest in many years. Protests dogged the candidates of the main parties. Loutishness went “beyond the typical uptick” for federal elections, said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It came especially from anti-vaccine activists. This month someone threw gravel at Justin Trudeau, the Liberal prime minister, who says …

Continue reading ‘Justin Trudeau, who called a snap election in hopes of gaining a majority in the House of Commons, will instead continue to lead a minority government; Ordinary Canadians, though, have given Trudeau a grudging endorsement.’ »

By Buddhika Samaraweera Claiming the ongoing investigations into recent incidents involving the former Prison Management and Prisoners Rehabilitation State Minister Lohan Ratwatte are not at a satisfactory level, the March 12 Movement (M12M), which advocates for a clean political culture, has requested that an independent committee with a membership respected by society be appointed to …

Continue reading ‘“March 12 Movement”(M12M) Advocating a Clean Political Culture in Sri Lanka Calls for an independent committee Comprising members respected by society be appointed to investigate the two Incidents at the Welikada and Anuradhapura Prisons Concerning State Minister Lohan Ratwatte’ »