By Yohan Perera The United National Party (UNP) working committee today approved the suspension of the party membership of its deputy leader Sajith Premadasa and 98 other former ministers, MPs, provincial councillors and organizers. Former MP Ruwan Wijewardene told journalists that the membership of 99 UNPers will be suspended pending their explanation letters on their …

Continue reading ‘UNP Working Committee Suspends Party Membership of 98 Former Ministers and Ex- Provincial Councillors for Decision to Contest Elections From SJB and Calls For Explanation Letters For Not Contesting Under UNP Elephant Symbol’ »

By Victor Ivan Sri Lanka is now going through the last stage of the disastrous, multi-phased journey into the rock bottom of a great abyss, which had begun 72 years ago and gradually progressed in several phases. The time cohorts from 1948 to 1956, 1956 to 1978, 1978 to 2009 and 2009 to 2020 can …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka is facing a huge crisis which may even result in the decline of the entire political system and plunge the country into complete anarchy.’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka The political prospects of the Tamil people, or if you prefer, the Tamil ethnonational community or Tamil minority are at the dimmest, lowest and most challenging that I can remember, and my memory goes back to 1972, the hoisting of black flags (occasioning a sensitive Daily News editorial by my father) and …

Continue reading ‘In the final analysis, all that stands between the Lankan Tamil community and the end of Tamil political history on the island, is India.’ »

By Namal Rajapaksa 50 years ago, on May 27, 1970, the journey of a political legend began. Entering Parliament as the youngest MP to join, Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, entered the political sphere back then with only one aim, one vision – to serve the country, to sacrifice himself for his people, and bring the country …

Continue reading ‘My Father Mahinda Rajapaksa who Became an MP on May 27th 1970 at the age of 24 , completes his 50th year today of serving the nation, in dedication and true spirit.’ »

Responding to the report ‘Sri Lanka will not tolerate targeting of war heroes: Gotabaya Rajapaksa’ published on May 20 in The Hindu, the office of the President of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has said the article did not reflect “the real situation”. The President’s Media Division, in a written response, pointed to its reference to …

Continue reading ‘“In any armed conflict, maintaining human rights of an individual is akin to preventing muddy puddles during rain.” – Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa’s Media Division Responds to News Report in Indian Newspaper “The Hindu”’ »

By Meera Srinivasan . Ceylon Workers’ Congress [CWC] leader and Sri Lanka Cabinet Minister Arumugan Thondaman passed away on Tuesday night, after a sudden illness. He was 55. Earlier on Tuesday, Minister Thondaman met Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay and held discussions on development partnership in Sri Lanka’s hill country, where Malayaha Tamils, or Tamils …

Continue reading ‘Ceylon Workers’ Congress Leader and Sri Lanka Cabinet Minister of Community Empowerment and Estate Infrastructure Development Arumugan Thondaman Passes Away at the Age of 56’ »

By Chandani Kirinde President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has brought six institutions including the Api Wenuwen Api Fund and the National Police Academy (NPA) under the Ministry of Defence. The relevant Gazette notification was issued by the President on Saturday. The Api Wenuwen Api Fund was set up as a collaboration between the Defence Ministry and the …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Brings Six institutions including Api Wenuwen Api Fund, National Police Academy (NPA),Lanka Institute of National Defence Studies, and Department of Multi-Purpose Development Task Force.under the Ministry of Defence.’ »

By P.K.Balachandran Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s decision to entrust the survey and preservation of archaeological sites in the ethnically-mixed Eastern Province to a Presidential Task Force headed by the Defense Secretary, appears to have a political objective. Ostensibly taken at the instance of the Buddhist Advisory Council (including the Mahanayakes) the decision taken at …

Continue reading ‘Has President Rajapaksa Appointed Defence Secretary Gen.Kamal Gunaratne as Head of Task Force to Implement “nationalistic” project to establish, through archaeological excavations, that the multi-ethnic Eastern province was once a Sinhala-Buddhist habitat ?’ »

By Chandani Kirinde As part of its efforts to revive the economy and reduce the COVID-19 impact, the Government yesterday eased import restrictions on several product categories linked to exports and production of import substitution goods but retained the ban on vehicles. The interim trade and custom based tax policy framework, which is part of …

Continue reading ‘Government releases new interim trade and customs tax policy framework as part of COVID-19 Economic Revival Plan’ »

By Victor Ivan A heaty dialogue appears to have been generated on social media over two letters that I had addressed to the Ravaya staff recently, suggesting to them the desirability of liquidating Ravaya in the present context of the coronavirus pandemic Sri Lanka is facing rather than continuing the publication and avoid disastrous financial …

Continue reading ‘The Founding of “Ravaya” and my Journalistic Struggle To Establish a Visionary, Fearless and Investigative Media Tradition Different from other Newspapers”’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Unsurprisingly but nonetheless worryingly, a seismic shift in positing the military front and centre of Sri Lanka’s governance framework was pronounced in Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s statement this week, issued on the eleventh anniversary of the military defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Powerful imagery and symbolic thrust …

Continue reading ‘Communalism rides high by ‘patriots’ parading their stuff while the majority and the minority lay claim to distinctly clashing victimhoods instead of a common loss.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan S’ At a time when big and mighty countries struggle to cope with soaring numbers of coronavirus cases and consequent deaths, the official figures from 21-million strong Sri Lanka stand out — 1,070 cases, 660 recoveries and nine deaths as of Saturday evening. Behind those promising numbers are early thinking and swift …

Continue reading ‘Targeted and tough control measures helped Sri Lanka arrest virus spread and ensure a “low death rate”says Health Services Director-General Dr. Anil Jasinghe’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake Minister Bandula Gunawardena is out. He thought it was a sixer he hit, with the ball rising up in the sky and racing to pass the boundary. But it suddenly moved down, and was caught by none other than the Vice Captain – the Prime Minister himself. Which means the Homagama, Diyagama …

Continue reading ‘Bandula Gunawardena’s Attempt to Hit a “Sixer”With His Homagama Cricket Stadium Project Fails as PM Mahinda Rajapaksa Gets Him Out By Fielding a catch at the Boundary Line.’ »

By Naveen Dewage Sri Lankan health authorities announced on Friday that the total number COVID-19 infections had risen to 1,068 but that the official death toll remained at nine. The government is using these relatively low numbers to claim that the coronavirus is “under control” and that the existing, but limited, national curfews can be …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Government Understates COVID-19 Figures by Conducting a Small Number of Covid Tests To Claim Virus is “Under Control” and Recklessly Reopen the Economy’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Existential perils to the democratic, constitutional model on which the Sri Lankan Republic was constructed now quickening apace, does not even have the excitement of novelty to spark the imagination. Familiar patterns of militaristic governance There is nothing very special in the creeping militarisation of governance that we are witnessing. From …

Continue reading ‘While Miltary are Elbowing Public Servants out of Positions of High State Responsibility Sans National Protest the President Commands the Remainder in the Public Service to “Obey or Else”……..’ »

By Pradeep Ramanayake Addressing a victory celebration on Tuesday, Sri Lankan President Gotabhaya Rajapakse eulogised the military for its part in Colombo’s 30-year communal war and declared that he would continue to oppose all war crime indictments against the armed forces. The event was held at Battaramulla, in the Colombo suburbs, near a memorial to …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Demands Legal Immunity for the Armed Forces Facing War Crime Indictments.’ »

By Tamara Kunanayakam Speaking at the National War Heroes Commemoration Ceremony on 19 May 2020, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared that he will not hesitate to withdraw Sri Lanka from any international body or organisation that continuously targets the country and war heroes. The President was probably referring to the UN Office of the High Commissioner …

Continue reading ‘Will Sri Lanka stay and face the attacks in a manner worthy of its war heroes, or flee from International Organizations in the Footsteps of President Trump leaving all flanks exposed?’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka The footage on TV news was straight out of my favourite Netflix series. A long convoy of glossy black four-wheel drives coming down a dusty road with a heat haze shimmering in the background. Elite guards in red berets and body-armour, sunshades and carrying Heckler-and-Koch MP6s dismount, escorting the Bosses, also in …

Continue reading ‘What Was The Need for Defence Secretary and the Army and Navy Chiefs With Their Elite Guards in Red Berets and Body-armour To Visit with Full TV Coverage the Muhudu Vihare and Digavapi in Amparai District?’ »

By Tamara Kunanayakam Below are my Initial comments on the statement made by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday when addressing the war hero’s ceremony at the war memorial, that he will not hesitate to pull Sri Lanka out of any international organisation that unfairly targets the country’s war heroes. My Comments The President is most likely …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa’s statement About Sri Lanka Pulling out of any Internaional Organization Targeting War Heroes Unfairly indicates he is either wrongly advised about the UN or plain politics, which could go against Sri Lanka at a time it desperately needs international support precisely to protect its war heroes.’ »

By A.J.A. Abeynayake The Election Commission (EC) yesterday informed the Supreme Court that the general election could not be held on June 20. President’s Counsel Saliya Peries, appearing for the EC submitted to the court that as of now it felt that the general election could not be held on June 20. The submission was …

Continue reading ‘Presidents Counsel Saliya Peries Appearing for the Election Commission Tells the Supreme Court That Parliamentary Elections Cannot be Held on June 20th 2020 as Scheduled.’ »

By P.K.Balachandran After de-colonization, many countries in South and South East Asia have been subjected to military rule. But military rule has been both direct and indirect. The affected countries have also gone through “de-militarization” and “re-militarization” depending upon a variety of domestic and external development impinging on the ruling elites’ notion of “national security.” …

Continue reading ‘The military is set to become part of the power base of Sri Lankan politics Under Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’ »

Brigadier Priyanka Fernando was Promoted to the rank of Major General of Sri Lanka Army on the 11 th Anniversary of liberation of Sri Lanka from the LTTE. The President promoted over a 14000 officers in the military to mark the 11th anniversary of the national war heroes day.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday declared that he wouldn’t hesitate to withdraw from the international bodies relentlessly attacking Sri Lanka over unsubstantiated war crimes allegations. He said so at the 11th annual commemoration of the defeat of the LTTE. The ceremony was held at War Heroes’ memorial in Battaramulla. The President said: “Even leaders of powerful …

Continue reading ‘“If any international body or organization continuously targets our country and our war heroes, using baseless allegations, I will also not hesitate to withdraw Sri Lanka from such bodies or organizations.” Declares President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’ »

(20th May, 2020 Statement Issued by the Peoples Alliance for Right to Land (PARL) on recent developments in Pottuvil Muhudu Maha Viharaya inclusive of Misuse of land acquisition laws and the military) The People’s Alliance for Right to Land (PARL) is deeply disturbed by the military intervention in civilian land administration in the Pottuvil Muhudu …

Continue reading ‘People’s Alliance for Right to Land (PARL)deeply disturbed by military intervention in civilian land administration in the Pottuvil Muhudu Maha Viharaya area and attempt to acquire lands as an archaeological site without adhering to transparent procedures and consulting with affected communities.’ »

The second day of hearing of Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions that have been filed challenging the Gazette issued by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa dissolving Parliament as well as the Gazette issued by the Election Commission that has set 20 June as the date for the General Election were taken up before a five-member Bench of the …

Continue reading ‘Counsels Suren Fernando, Ikram Mohammed and Viran Corea Appearing for Five Fundamental Righs Petitioners make submissions Before Supreme Court arguing President’s Gazette dissolving P’ment is no longer valid on Second Day of Hearings: AG and Counsel for President’s Sec. to raise preliminary objections on Third Day’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The Supreme Court yesterday began hearings into several Fundamental Rights petitions that have been filed challenging the Gazette issued by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa dissolving Parliament as well as the Gazette issued by the Election Commission that set 20 June as the date for the poll. The case is being heard before a …

Continue reading ‘A functioning Parliament was essential in a democracy and during a time of crisis it was even more important and must be strengthened” Says Sumanthiran PC in Submissions Before Five Judge Bench of Supreme Court Hearing Fundamental Rights Petitions’ »

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday issuing a statement to mark the 11th year anniversary to commemorate the victory against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) reiterated it was not a war against the Tamil people, but against an organisation designated by the FBI as the deadliest terrorists in the world. Following is the full …

Continue reading ‘“Whenever we happen to be in power, there will always be former members of the armed forces and police holding various positions in the Government” Declares Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’ »

By Arjuna Ranawana A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court, will tomorrow, May 18, examine at least six Fundamental Rights petitions challenging the holding of the Parliamentary General Elections on June 20 and the President’s refusal to reconvene the recently dissolved Parliament. At these hearings, the Court will decide whether they are to accept the …

Continue reading ‘Five-judge Supreme Court Bench Headed By Chief Justice Will Examine on May 18 and 19 Six Fundamental Rights Petitions Challenging the Holding of Parliamentary General Elections on June 20 and the President’s Refusal to Reconvene the Recently Dissolved Parliament.’ »

BEFORE THE presidential election he won last November, Gotabaya Rajapaksa laid out for Banyan his vision for Sri Lanka. It was a sunlit upland of peaceful, inclusive “knowledge-based” development. All the political bickering of recent years, “Gota” promised, would be swept aside by his programme of brisk, technocratic proficiency. His years as an army officer …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Lurches Further Away From Liberal Democracy as President Rajapaksa Puts Soldiers in Charge of Everything Thereby Creating “Normalisation” of Military Influence in the Civilian Sphere- The Economist’ »

(Text of Statement Issued by R Sampanthan Leader of the Tamil National Alliance and former Member of Parliament) My attention has been drawn to the interview said to have been given to the media by Mr. M. A. Sumanthiran, President’s Counsel, former Member of Parliament Jaffna District, and Spokesman for the Tamil National Alliance. Mr. …

Continue reading ‘TNA Leader Sampanthan Commends Party Spokesperson Sumanthiran for Providing “frank and forthright i answers” to “questions that were asked with the deliberate purpose of promoting mischief and disunity amongst the people of this country”’ »

By Prof. S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole On 11 and 12 May, several newspaper and websites quoted the Attorney General as stating in Court that day that he could not represent the Election Commission in the ongoing FR petitions on the Parliamentary Elections. The Attorney General represented by ASG Indika Devamuni de Silva said that the …

Continue reading ‘“As an Election Commission Member, I Refused to let the Attorney -General Represent me in the Supreme Court Because I Have No Confidence in the A-G” – EC Member Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has sought the release of “political prisoners” who were arrested — some convicted — for their alleged association with or role in the rebel LTTE during the civil war. On Tuesday night, TNA spokesman and former Jaffna parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran handed over a list of the …

Continue reading ‘TNA Seeks Release of Tamil “Political” Prisoners:Party spokesman M.A. Sumanthiran hands over a list of the detainees under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism (PTA) Act to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa For Potential Action’ »

By Dr. Ram Manikkalingam There is a standoff between the New President and the Old Parliament. The Old Parliament wants the New President to recall it. And the New President wants to bring in a New Parliament that supports him. But both are stuck. The Old Parliament does not have the power to recall itself. …

Continue reading ‘Can Sri Lanka really live with this possible governance vacuum — no parliament, no cabinet and no Prime Minister?’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The Election Commission, which met yesterday, decided to postpone the issuing of the Gazette notification bearing the names and preferential number of candidates contesting the upcoming General Election until the Supreme Court rules on the Fundamental Rights petitions filed challenging the date of the election. EC sources said the Commission decided to …

Continue reading ‘Election Commission Postpones the issuing of the Gazette notification bearing the names and preferential number of candidates contesting General Election until the Supreme Court rules on the Fundamental Rights petitions challenging the date of the election.’ »

By (Dr) Jayampathy Wickramaratne, President’s Counsel My article, ‘Necessity: Doctrine That Destroyed Pakistani Democracy’ published in The Island on 08 May has evoked interest in the subject and I have been asked for my views on its implications for Sri Lanka, including on whether it can be invoked in the present circumstances. For the benefit …

Continue reading ‘Can the Doctrine of Necessity Be Invoked in Sri Lanka To Enable President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Govern Without a Parliament?’ »

By Harindra Dunuwille (The Writer a former Mayor of Kandy is an Attorney-at-Law and an ex-State Minister of Constitutional Affairs) Dissolution of Parliament President Gotabaya Rajapaksa exercising his constitutional powers and prerogatives under the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, dissolved Parliament immediately upon it completing four and a half years by a Proclamation on the …

Continue reading ‘It lies mainly in the hands of President Rajapaksa to avert this Constitutional impasse. It will not only be in his own interests but in the best interests of the country as well.’ »

By Dinesha Samararatne Governance in Sri Lanka, is once again, on familiar ground; a constitutional crisis, or at the very least, a constitutional conundrum. In the main, we are presented with two alternatives. Neither of these alternatives seem attractive at first brush; reviving a Parliament that had a mixed record in which we had a …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa has a reputation for hard work and efficiency. Nevertheless, his effectiveness too depends on being accountable and transparent in his decisions and actions.’ »

(Text of a Press Release Issued by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa Under the Heading “Controlling the Coronavirus pandemic and gradual restoration of normal life”) Covid-19 came to the attention of the world as a new disease around the beginning of this year. From the very outset, the World Health Organisation (WHO) stated very candidly that …

Continue reading ‘“With the Coronavirus outbreak now under control to a certain degree, the government has gradually begun relaxing the curfew. We will have to maintain a balance between steps taken to prevent the spread of the disease on the one hand and the restoration of normalcy on the other” – Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’ »

Rishad Bathiudeen, Leader of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) and a former Minister of Industry and Commerce, has written to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to say that the cremation of Muslims who had died of coronavirus, violates an authentic “Hadeeth” which is attributed to Prophet Mohammad and one of is companions. ”Breaking A Muslim’s Bones …

Continue reading ‘All Ceylon Makkal Congress Leader Rishad Bathiudeen Writes to President Rajapaksa Explaining why Islam forbids cremation of Muslims by Citing a “Hadeeth” and Requests Gotabaya to Amend Gazette Accordingly to Stop Forced Cremation of Covid -19 Affected Bodies of Dead Muslims and Enable Burial’ »

By Meera Srinivasan This is not the first time that their livelihoods are being disrupted or destroyed. From the nearly three decade-long civil war until 2009, to the invasive Indian trawlers that reigned their seas soon after, to conflicts with locals operating powerful mechanised boats, to migrant fisherfolk competing for their catch — Sri Lanka’s …

Continue reading ‘As sales and exports of fish crash, another huge crisis is staring at Sri Lanka’s fisherfolk.’ »

The United States Federal Registry run by the National Archive and Records Administration has published President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s name on its quarterly published expatriate list of individuals renouncing United States citizenship. The list (document number 2020-09814) published yesterday, prepared by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the US Treasury, lists details of those renouncing US …

Continue reading ‘Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Name Included on Page 29 of Expatriate List of Individuals Renouncing Unted States Citizenship Published Quarterly by the United States Federal Registry’ »

By Dr Jayampathy Wickramaratne, PC The doctrine of necessity was first expounded in the 13th century by English jurist Bracton, who stated ‘that which is otherwise not lawful is made lawful by necessity’. Glanville Williams described the defence of necessity as involving ‘a choice of the lesser evil. ‘ The doctrine is recognized in criminal …

Continue reading ‘The Dangerous Doctrine of Necessity Became The Destroyer Of Democracy In Pakistan’ »

By Victor Ivan Sri Lanka and India can be considered as the only two South Asian countries that have chosen and followed the democratic path since independence. The Indian National Congress which led India’s freedom struggle had a very clear democratic vision from its very beginning. It can be said that the democratic outlook of …

Continue reading ‘Though Elected to Office Through Sinhala Buddhist Votes, Gotabaya Rajapaksa is Only A “Nominal” President Without Executive Power In Terms of the 19th Constitutional Amendment.’ »

By Taylor Dibbert President Gotabaya Rajapaksa pardoned Sunil Rathnayake in March. Rathnayake is a convicted war criminal who was on death row. He was convicted of killing eight Tamil civilians, including a five-year-old. Releasing him from prison is outrageous and should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. AFP notes that the murdered “were killed …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka, a country where majoritarian supremacy and impunity have long prevailed, is reiterating long-standing trends’ »

By S.S. Selvanayagam A Fundamental Rights Violation Petition was filed on Tuesday 5 May on behalf of lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah, who is purportedly under custody on detention order. The Petition was filed by senior Attorney-at-Law Gowry Shangary Thavarajah citing Acting IGP C.D. Wickramaratne, Director of CID SSP W. Thilakaratne, Chief Inspector Karunatilaka of the CID, …

Continue reading ‘Fundamental Rights Violation Petition filed on Behalf of Hejaaz Hizbullah by Senior Lawyer Gowri Shangary Thavarajah Discloses Details About How the Attorney-at -law was Arrested and is Being Held by the Police CID’ »

The JVP yesterday questioned how a Vote on Account for March-May 2020 has been included in the Pre-election Budgetary Position Report 2020, issued by the Finance Ministry under the Fiscal Management (Responsibility) Act, without Parliamentary approval Former JVP Sunil Handunnetti said that the Report states that a Vote on Account for three months commencing from …

Continue reading ‘JVP Ex-MP Sunil Handunnetti Questions how a Vote on Account for March-May 2020 has been included in the Pre-election Budgetary Position Report 2020 without Parliamentary approval’ »

By S.S.Selvanayagam General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Ranjith Madduma Bandara filed a Fundamental Rights Petition challenging the purported 20 June Parliamentary Election. The petition was filed through Dinesh Vidanapathirana citing Attorney General Dappula de Livera, Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya, and Election Commission members N. J. Abeysekera and Ratnajeevan Hoole as Respondents.

By S.S. Selvanayagam Senior journalist Victor Ivan and seven others yesterday filed rights petition challenging the 20 June Parliamentary Election. Petitioners Victor Ivan, T.M. Premawardana, Prof. Anton Meemana, A.M Jiffry, S. Sivagurunathan, Mahinda Hattaka, M.S. Jayakodi and Dr. H.D.S.F.D Herath cited Attorney General Dappula de Livera, Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya, and Election Commission members …

Continue reading ‘Senior journalist Victor Ivan and seven others file rights petition challenging the 20 June 2020 Parliamentary Election and seeking Court to Quash the Impugned Gazette Notification:President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran is to appear for petitioners’ »

By Amal de Chickera On 16 April, I heard that my former classmate Hejaaz Hisbullah had been arrested by the CID. As I learnt more about the questionable circumstances of his arrest, I have been struck by how little these questions seem to matter in various media and social-media circles. It appears that by virtue …

Continue reading ‘“I pray that Arrested Attorney -at-law Hejaaz Hisbullah will be treated fairly, by the justice system he has served so well and our society that he values so dearly”’ »

By S.S.Selvanayagam The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and its Executive Director Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu filed a Fundamental Rights application challenging the decision of the President to dissolve Parliament on 2 March 2020 and the decision of the Elections Commission to reschedule elections on 20 June 2020. Petition states the Articles 70 and 33(2)(c) of …

Continue reading ‘The Centre for Policy Alternatives&its Executive Director Dr.Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu file Fundamental Rights application challenging President’s decision to dissolve Parliament on 2 March 2020 and the decision of the Elections Commission to reschedule elections on 20 June 2020.’ »

(Text of a letter sent by former Finance minister Mangala Samaraweera to the Secretary to the President, Dr.PB Jayasundara) 05.05.2020 Dr. P.B. Jayasundara Secretary to H.E. the President Presidential Secretariat Colombo 01 Dear Dr. Jayasundara, Regarding your reply to my letter to HE the President on 28 April 2020. It is regrettable to note that …

Continue reading ‘Mangala Samaraweera challenges the President and the Govt to explain and prove the constitutional authority they possess to authorize and incur public expenditure from April 30, 2020, until the date on which a new Parliament is summoned to meet consequent to the Parliamentary General Election.’ »

by Krishantha Prasad Cooray Over 250,000 people have succumbed to Covid-19 as I write these words. If every death diminishes each one of us left alive, then we have indeed been reduced to minuscule dimensions. Yet our fears and sorrows are monumental. Before Covid-19, few of us had truly comprehended that death, indeed, is a …

Continue reading ‘“My own hope is that history will record that human beings learned a lot about the earth, about life and about themselves after Covid-19, especially the folly of their ways as a species and as individuals”’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Attorney General (AG) Dappula de Livera yesterday gave the go ahead to the Election Commission (EC) to conduct the Parliamentary Election according to the procedure established by law. The AG’s response was sent in response to a letter sent by the AG yesterday seeking advice on whether a legal issue arises due …

Continue reading ‘Attorney General Dappula de Livera Gives the go ahead to the Election Commission to conduct the Parliamentary Election according to the procedure established by law.’ »

By Norman Palihawadane Monday’s meeting convened, at Temple Trees, to discuss the future course of action as regards the country’s fight against COVID0-19, had badly exposed those who boycotted it, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said, yesterday. Rajapaksa thanked the TNA for having attended the meeting to express its views on the difficulties faced by the …

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa Thanks TNA for having attended the “Temple Trees” meeting to express its views on the difficulties faced by the Tamil people and Meaningfuly contributing to the discussion on the anti-Covid-19 campaign.’ »

By Jehan Perera A study by the Economist magazine has shown that Sri Lanka is one of the countries least able to deal with the economic fallout of the coronavirus induced world economic crisis. Out of 66 countries assessed, Sri Lanka came 61st in terms of its ability to handle the crisis without being economically …

Continue reading ‘It is far better that the president takes the decision to uphold the constitution than the burden of finding the answer is put upon the courts of law’ »

By Dr.Nihal Jayawickrama The Election Commission has announced that it shall conduct the General Election on 20 June. Over the media, politicians, journalists, and lawyer-politicians have defended that decision by providing inaccurate interpretations of certain constitutional provisions. I do not claim infallibility, but the relevant provisions of the Constitution have been stated in such clear …

Continue reading ‘If a General Election has not been conducted, and if a new Parliament has not met by 2 June, the immediate consequence will be that the dissolution of the 2015 Parliament, ordered by the Mar 2 Proclamation, will be rendered of no force or effect in law.’ »

By Harsha Gunasena Ratnajeevan Hoole, a member of the Election Commission of Sri Lanka (EC), stirred many a discussion of the behaviour of a public servant in recent times due to the unprecedented nature of his published writings and interviews given to the newspapers. The President said that EC is not independent citing the behaviour …

Continue reading ‘Some Actions of Ratnajeevan Hoole Though Controversial Improve Transparency of the Election Commission and Compels its Chairman and Members to be Independent and Impartial Thereby Strengthening the Confidence of the Public in the EC’ »

(Text of a Media Statement Issued by the Tamil National Alliance(TNA) 3rd May 2020 R. SAMPANTHAN LEADER TAMIL NATIONAL ALLIANCE (TNA) STATEMENT – TAMIL NATIONAL ALLIANCE 1. An appeal was made by the Tamil National Alliance and other political parties to His Excellency the President for the dissolved Parliament to be reconvened. The response to …

Continue reading ‘TNA Issues Statement Explaining Why the Party is Attending Conference Convened by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa While Emphasising That It Cannot be a Substitute for Re-convening Parliament’ »

By K. Ratnayake 30 April 2020 Media reports have confirmed that the Sri Lankan defence ministry has stationed thousands of soldiers in up to 16 schools in Colombo and in other areas, including the North and Central provinces. The soldiers were dispatched to Colombo on Monday, during the all-island curfew. This week M. M. Ratnayake, …

Continue reading ‘Is President Gotabaya Rajapakse using the pandemic disaster to tear up constitutional norms and the rule of law in preparation for a presidential dictatorship?’ »

By Subash Somachandran Despite Sri Lankan President Gotabhaya Rajapakse’s claims that the pandemic is under control and conditions are emerging to “reopen the economy,” Sri Lanka is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 infections. The government is deliberately carrying out a small number of tests so as to produce lower infection rates and downplay the risk …

Continue reading ‘Jaffna health workers complain of poor facilities as pandemic spreads in Sri Lanka’ »

(Text of a MEDIA RELEASE Issued by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa Under the Heading “Politicking in the midst of the Coronavirus crisis”) The President, the government and the state apparatus have focused their entire attention on combating Covid-19. The way in which the people have benefited from this, is clearly apparent. Even in the midst …

Continue reading ‘“Under Article 150(3) of the Constitution, the President has complete authority to allocate funds for any purpose for which funds had not been allocated by Parliament” Says Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’ »

(Text of a Letter Written By Ex-Parliamentarian M.A.Sumanthiran PC to the Chairperson and Other Membes of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka) 3rd May 2020 The Chairperson and other members of The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, Colombo 4. To: Madam Chairperson and other members, Imposition of “curfew” I write this in the …

Continue reading ‘TNA Ex-Parliamentarian MA Sumanthiran PC Writes to Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission in the Public Interest and Requests SLHRC to Advise the Govt on the Urgent Need to Regularise the Imposition and Enforcement of Curfews Through Appropriate Legal Provisions’ »

by C. A. Chandraprema Some members of the SLPP have expressed the fear that if the Parliament is reconvened as demanded by the opposition, the latter which has the majority in Parliament could present an impeachment motion against the President. Going by the behavior of the opposition, such fears may not be unfounded and it …

Continue reading ‘Can a Re-convened Parliament With a Majority of Opposition MP”s Present an Impeachment Motion Against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa?’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Identification of more than two hundred navymen attached to the Welisara navy camp as superspreaders of the coronavirus after being allowed to go to their villages on leave without first being tested, shows the fragility of that vicious ‘us vs them’ dichotomy in no uncertain terms. From heroes to pariahs Abruptly, …

Continue reading ‘Identification of more than two hundred navymen attached to the Welisara navy camp as superspreaders of the coronavirus after being allowed to go to their villages on leave without first being tested turn Navy from heroes to pariahs in a twinkling of an eye’ »

By Namini Wijedasa The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has raised alarm about a spate of recent arrests of persons for statements they had made on social media, particularly about the spread of COVID-19. There are at least eight recorded cases, all before the Magistrate’s Court of Colombo, the HRCSL told the Sunday …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission Raises Alarm Over Police Arresting Persons For Making Comments Over Social Media About Covid-19 Pandemic Spread and Questions legal basis for Use of Quarantine Ordinance and Disaster Management Act.’ »

The Election Commission has sought an opinion from the Attorney General on the implications of the Government declaring special public holidays during the Parliamentary elections nomination period which ended on March 19. Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya told a meeting of political party representatives yesterday that the EC was awaiting a response from the AG’s Department.

By Meera Srinivasan In the world’s four-month battle against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, one reality remains unchanged. It has been an unequal fight with a tiny, but significantly stronger and resilient opponent. On the frontline are health workers, with the military aiding them in Sri Lanka’s case, toiling day and night in stifling full body …

Continue reading ‘From luxury hotels to distilleries, Sri Lanka’s private sector has joined the fight against the Coronavirus Pandemic’ »

(Text of a Media Statement Issued by Speaker of Dissolved Parliamemt Karu Jayasuriya) Recently, a majority of Opposition MPs of the dissolved Parliament requested from H.E. President to reconvene the Parliament to avert a constitutional crisis, in doing so, they pledged to fully support the government to overcome the pandemic, , in the event of …

Continue reading ‘“I will not reconvene Parliament unilaterally and contribute to aggravate the emerging constitutional dispute. I state that I am bound to uphold the constitution and to act as per the verdict of the judiciary” -Karu Jayasuriya’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake This is May Day, when many years ago there were thousands on the streets in Mai Dina Pelapaali, loudly singing “Saadukin Pelanavun – Dan ithin negitiyav” – the LSSP’s revolutionary theme song, with focus on the hunger of the people. There are no May Day processions or rallies, today (01 May), with …

Continue reading ‘Coronavirus is fast becoming the strategic thinking of the political charlatans who are in power, or seeking power, or trying to dominate the political exercise with a major threat to democratic traditions.’ »

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday replied to a letter sent to him by former Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera in which the latter had made a request for the resummoning of Parliament to conditionally resolve crises and to approve public expenditure. In the reply to Samaraweera sent through his Secretary P.B. Jayasundera, the President said the …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Says Letter Sent to Him By Former Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera Has Many Factual Inaccuracies in Reply Sent Through Presidential SEcretary Dr.PB Jayasundara’ »

Responding to open statement from Opposition parties, Dr. Jayasundara writes to former Opposition leader reiterating Parliament will not be reconvened Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundara yesterday said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa would not reconvene Parliament, despite the request of Opposition political parties.

By K. Ratnayake Amid a profound economic and political crisis, Sri Lanka’s minority government has taken a series of sinister, authoritarian steps in conjunction with the military that indicate a coup d’état could be in preparation. At the very least, the government is using the COVID-19 pandemic as the pretext to mount a power grab, …

Continue reading ‘Is Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapakse Preparing for a Coup d’etat by Taking a Series of Sinister Authoritarian Steps in Conjunction With the Armed Forces under Cover of anti-pandemic measures?’ »

By P.K.Balachandran The “lockdown”, as the principal way to contain the coronavirus pandemic, appears to be fraying at the edges now. Even as governments are extending the lockdown, driven by the advice of doctors and public health professionals, they cannot but take into account the growing opposition to it, at least in its present form. …

Continue reading ‘Even as Governments are Extending Lockdown Curfews to Combat the Covid -19 Pandemic, There is also growing Opposition Due to Continuous Inconvenience and Loss of Livelihood’ »

By Vilani Peiris Under pressure from President Gotabhaya Rajapakse and his caretaker cabinet, the Election Commissioner (EC) announced last week that Sri Lanka’s postponed general election would be held on June 20. Rajapakse’s agitation for a quick election takes place amid surging coronavirus infections in Sri Lanka and internationally. Anyone aware of Rajapakse’s authoritarian actions—past …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabhaya Rajapakse Wanting to Hold Sri Lankan election as Early as Possible is Bound With His Authoritarian Agenda’ »

By Nandini Ramnath For Irrfan, who died in Mumbai on Wednesday at the age of 53, life had only just begun. After years of slaving away in television shows and a string of critically acclaimed but little seen films in the 1990s, the actor had entered the Bollywood big league in the early 2000s. He …

Continue reading ‘Talented Indian Actor Irrfan (Irfan Khan) Who Enacted Remarkable Roles in Hindi and English Films Dies of Cancer at the Age of 53 in Mumbai’ »

By Chandani Kirinde There should be a normalcy in the country with the novel coronavirus COVID-19 eliminated to a substantial level by at least 15 May, if the General Election is to be held on 20 June, Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday. “A minimum period of five weeks is required for candidates to …

Continue reading ‘Since minimum period of five weeks is required for candidates to campaign, country should be free of COVID-19 by at least 15 May, so that a free, fair, transparent and credible election can be held on June 20 Says EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya’ »

(Text of a Joint Statement signed by Opposition Party Leaders of the UNP, SJB,TNA,SLMC, ACMC, TPA and JHU pledging “Responsible Cooperation ” to the President and Government if Parliament Dissolution is Revoked and Parliament Re-convened in the best interests of the Country and all her people) We, the undersigned political parties and formations, representing the …

Continue reading ‘Seven Opposition Party Leaders represnting the UNP,SJB,TNA, SLMC,ACMC,TPA and JHU Issue Historic Joint Statement Pledging “Responsible Cooperation”to the President and Government if Parliament Dissolution is Revoked and Parliament Re-convened in the best interests of the Country and all her people’ »

by Ravi Rannan-Eliya Given what we know about the new cases detected in the past two weeks, it was no longer justifiable to relax COVID control measures on Monday (April 27), including lifting the curfew in Colombo. This is a monumental and totally avoidable policy failure and an unmitigated fiasco. If accountability meant anything in …

Continue reading ‘We must speak the truth – the lockdown has failed and we need fresh thinking’ »

By Bishop Duleep de Chickera Last year, suffering and death struck with the arrival of Easter, to plunge us back into Good Friday. Thousands who lost loved ones and limbs were shattered by this senseless violence. Many of them still continue in search of Easter life, submerged in the agony and questions of Good Friday. …

Continue reading ‘When people include the other and give of themselves for the betterment and growth of the other, a new humanity evolves. It is in this transformation and transition that the promise of Easter flourishes and is to be discerned.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene It is no coincidence that the increasingly not-so-insidious growth of Sri Lanka’s anti-democracy virus, first reflected on in these column spaces last month, has kept apace with the exponential rise of coronavirus infected individuals in the last ten days. As transparency diminishes, so does accountability. This is so in relation to …

Continue reading ‘Why is the Election Commission Not Invoking the Jurisdiction of the Courts Directly and Seeking Judicial Advice on the Question of Holding Elections Instead of Requesting the President and Being Rudely Rebutted?’ »

By Namini Wijedasa The Highways Ministry and the Road Development Authority (RDA) are rushing moves to award a multibillion rupee contract for the fourth section of the Central Expressway Project (CEP IV) from Kurunegala to Dambulla. Talks between the Government and an identified contractor–the British consultancy firm Roughton–have been going on amidst the protracted curfew …

Continue reading ‘Despite On Going Curfew Due to Covid-19 Pandemic Govt Rushes Moves to Award Multi-billion Rupee Contract for Construction of Kurunegala-Dambulla Highway Without Open Tender or Advertising for Bids’ »

By Anuradha Kodagoda The coronavirus pandemic has had significant consequences on almost every socio-political and economical aspects of mankind, and naturally, people’s health and security came to the forefront and the impact on the entertainment industry, of course, has been an area of least concern and has not been figured at the forefront of national …

Continue reading ‘No industry perhaps has been damaged as quickly as well as widely as the cinema industry Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic’ »

By Ramya Kumar (The writer is attached to the Department of Community and Family Medicine, University of Jaffna, and is a member of the Public Health Writers’ Collective) In responding to epidemics, states are compelled to resort to restrictive measures to contain the spread of infection, including quarantine and isolation procedures, travel bans, lockdowns, and …

Continue reading ‘Hardly surprising then that many have arrived at the conclusion that Parliamentary Elections are being prioritised over public health.’ »

The College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka (CCPSL) on Friday submitted a scientific exit strategy to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for the COVID-19 affected Colombo Municipality area, which the most densely populated and economically important area in the island nation. Colombo City Profile: Colombo city is the economic hub of the country. It is the …

Continue reading ‘College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka (CCPSL) Submit a Scientific Exit Strategy to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for the Phased – out Lifting of Lockdown Restrictions for the Hihly Populated Economically Important COVID-19 affected Colombo Municipality area’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake June 20 is the new date for the general election. But, the election actually begins four or five weeks before that. Are we ready for an election from, say May 23? That is the corona puzzle our Health and Medical authorities will have to solve. Elections in Sri Lanka are not confined …

Continue reading ‘We are caught in a political virus of the type that threatens Democracy. Manipulation of Covid-19 by the political forces in and out of power could really wipe out the Democracy we have.’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “Tackling a social calamity is not like fighting a war… Rather than muzzling the media and threatening dissenters with punitive measures (and remaining politically unchallenged), governance can be greatly helped by informed public discussion” – Amartya Sen (Listening as Governance) A year has gone by since the Easter Sunday massacre in Sri …

Continue reading ‘Conscious effort by the ruling party to use the pandemic to advance its authoritarian political agenda via a parliamentary election that is fatally infected with the anti-democratic virus.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan The SAARC Secretariat should play an active role in the region’s response to COVID-19, along with “someone in-charge”, according to Sri Lanka’s former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. “I don’t know if it can be handled from Kathmandu alone. If you can, well and good. But you may need another city. It can …

Continue reading ‘“If life comes back to normal you can hold elections. Firstly, the economy must start.And with that people will then come for elections. People are not going to come running out and vote when they can’t eat. The economy must start.” -Ex-PM Ranil Wickremesinghe in Interview with “The Hindu”’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka The 20 June election may be the last chance to keep President Gotabaya Rajapaksa safely anchored to the Parliament and the SLPP; lodged within the electoral democratic mainstream, its institutional milieu, mechanisms, processes and political culture—and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa seems to know it. Block that opening, kick the electoral can much …

Continue reading ‘It is a pity that the Gotabaya Government is on the verge of jeopardising at least some of its own positive achievement in retarding the rate of spread of the coronavirus.’ »

By Gehan Gunatilleka Once in a lifetime, a country faces a crisis so unique that the ordinary rules of politics should not apply. We expect politicians – political animals by nature – to act in ways that are antithetical to their interests. The COVID-19 pandemic is such a crisis, and Sri Lanka’s politicians have a …

Continue reading ‘Multi-party Memorandum of Understanding:Sri Lanka Facing a Unique Constitutional Dilemma Caused by a Unique Pandemic Emergency Requires A Unique Solution Outside the Path of Conventional Politics.’ »

By Theodore Warnakulasuriya (This article is summarized by Theodore Warnakulasuriya from Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks who served as Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth from 1991 to 2013. His latest book is Morality: Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times; Hodder & Stoughton. The main article was found in Tablet magazine …

Continue reading ‘Morality Matters………..Let’s Get Ethical At This Time Of Coronavirus.’ »

BY S.S. Selvanayagam A former Member of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission (SLHRC) as a public interest litigation filed a Fundamental Right violation petition contesting the Presidential clemency granted to the army officer who has been convicted for the massacre at Mirusuvil in the Jaffna Peninsula. Relatives of the deceased also filed a Petition …

Continue reading ‘Presidential Clemency Granted by President Rajapaksa to Army Officer Convicted Over Mirusuvil Murders Challenged Through Three Fundamental Rights Petition Filed on Behalf of Relatives of Victims, Ex-Human Rights Commissioner and CPA Executive Director’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s Election Commission has set the country’s parliamentary election for June 20, after it postponed the April 25 polls in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sri Lanka has reported 309 coronavirus cases and seven deaths so far. A total of 33 infections were detected on Monday, the highest number to …

Continue reading ‘Opposition Parties Protest Against Election Commission Fixing June 20 for Elections Without Consulting them but EC Chairman Deshapriya says new Election Date is “Subject to Revision”’ »

By S. Venkat Narayan Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga has been named the greatest bowler in Indian Premier League (IPL) history by Star Sports experts Dean Jones, Mathew Hayden, Aakash Chopra, Graeme Smith, Simon Doull, Ian Bishop and Tom Moody. They were part of a 50-member list including former cricketers, statisticians, analysts, senior sports …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga Named the greatest bowler in Indian Premier League (IPL) history by Star Sports experts’ »

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) yesterday called upon the Sri Lankan authorities to respect human rights in the conduct of their investigation of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, including ensuring that investigations into the alleged involvement of Sri Lankan lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah are conducted in accordance with due process and fair trial guarantees under …

Continue reading ‘International Commission of Jurists Express Concern Over Arbitrary Arrest and Detention of Lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah and Urges Govt to Ensure that Investigations are Conducted According to Due Process and Fair Trial Guarantees Provided by International Law’ »

By Saman Indrajith and Ranil Dharmasena The Election Commission (EC) had decided to hold the next general election, on June 20, Chairman of commission Mahinda Deshapriya said, yesterday. The three-member EC met, last evening, to decide a date for the general election, which has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. A proposal for holding …

Continue reading ‘Elections Commission Announces Parliamentary Polls on June 20 After Consultations with district secretaries and top officials of the health sector, police, army, postal services& government printer; EC Decision to be Challenged in Courts by Political Parties and Civil Organizations’ »

The Sri Lankan Election Commission on Monday fixed June 20 as the date for the parliamentary elections. The new date was announced because the commission could not hold the polls as scheduled earlier on April 25 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Wanting a parliament in which his party, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Election Commission Comprising Mahinda Deshapriya, Nalin Abeyesekera and Ratnajeevan Hoole Fix June 20 as the new Date for Conducting the Postponed Parliamentary Elections’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has called on all citizens to remember the victims of the Easter terror blasts that shook Sri Lanka on April 21 last year, claiming over 270 lives and injuring more than 500 persons. The serial blasts, which was carried out by an apparently IS-inspired squad of …

Continue reading ‘First Anniversary of Easter Sunday Terror in Sri Lanka; Though a Year has Passed Since Bombings, Batticaloa’s Affected Zion Church and Pastors Residence Yet to be Re-built.’ »

By Krishantha Prasad Cooray As it swept the globe starting in 1918 through the end of 1919, the deadly virus afflicted 500 million people, and left 50 million dead. Among the dead were royalty and world leaders, like Louis Botha, the first Prime Minister of South Africa, Saudi Prince Tuki I bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, …

Continue reading ‘The H1N1 Avian virus that caused the Pandemic of 1918 commonly known as the ‘Spanish Flu’ Infected One-third of the World then and Killed 1to 3 % of Humanity’ »

By Dr.S.Ratnajeevan H. Hoole (Text of a letter sent on April 16th 2020 by Elections Commission Member Prof. S. Ratnajeeva H.Hoole to fellow members of the Election Commission on the subject of gazetting a date for polls) Two days ago, the Chairman telephoned me to confirm my attendance at the Commission meeting on 20.04.2020, and …

Continue reading ‘EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya Proposes Gazetting of Elections for May 28 and Postponing Again if Necessary but Election Commission Member Ratnajeevan Hoole Disagrees and Writes Letter to EC Outlining Seven Reasons in Support of his Opinion’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando Former National List MP and ‘constitutional expert’ Dr. Jayampathy Wickremaratne, PC, said yesterday that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had no option but to withdraw proclamation, dissolving parliament, to prevent an unprecedented constitutional crisis. Wickremaratne said that as President Rajapaksa, had, in terms of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, called an early general …

Continue reading ‘Ex- MP Dr. Jayampathy Wickremaratne, PC Says President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has no option but to withdraw proclamation dissolving parliament to prevent an unprecedented constitutional crisis.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Even as Sri Lanka’s health authorities continue fighting COVID-19, which has so far affected 269 persons, the government and Opposition parties have expressed conflicting views on holding poll during the raging global pandemic. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has urged the Election Commission to fix the date for the general election, …

Continue reading ‘Almost all Opposition parties have sought the reconvening of Parliament using President Gotabaya’s executive powers, while urging the Election Commission to refrain from holding poll until the health risk is eliminated.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Twitter is rarely short of drama. Except that last week, Sri Lanka’s Twitter bubble saw some of it originate from an unlikely source — the official handle of the Chinese Embassy here. It all began with a letter dated April 8, from the Embassy, addressed to the chairman of the privately-run Wijeya …

Continue reading ‘Twitter Suspends and Restores Colombo Chinese Embassy’s Handle During the Undiplomatic Social Media War Between the Mission and Sri Lankan Tweeters’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene The anti-democracy virus infecting law enforcement officials in Sri Lanka today appears to have proceeded belligerently to the point that an attorney-at-law was arrested this week in circumstances so outrageous that it has drawn the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) out of hibernation to express its ‘concern.’ A manifestly curious …

Continue reading ‘Will all the good done by the nation’s health sector specialists in containing the spread of the covid virus be undone by politicians and their racist acolytes in law enforcement and media?’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Some 10,000 frontline health workers in Sri Lanka are working tirelessly to arrest the spread of COVID-19 that has affected 235 people and claimed seven lives until Wednesday. Partnering them in their response to the public health crisis is the Sri Lankan military, playing many roles from contact-tracing to running quarantine centres …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Army plays many roles from contact-tracing to running quarantine centres to distributing relief in the fight Against the Spread of Covid -19’ »

(Text of Press Release Issued by the Tamil National Alliance Media Office) 18th April 2020 The Chairman and Members of The Election Commission of Sri Lanka, Elections Secretariat, Rajagiriya, 10107. Dear Sirs, Holding of General Election 2020 We write to express certain serious concerns regarding the above election, considering the prevailing situation in the country. …

Continue reading ‘Tamil National Alliance Urges Election Commission to Refrain From Announcing a Date for Parliamentary Elections Until Local and Global Health Experts Provide Assurances of Safety to Conduct Polls’ »

The nation-wide curfew will be eased from Monday as the month-long lock down measures reduced the spread of the Coronavirus which claimed at least seven lives, the government said yesterday. The curfew will be lifted on Monday (20) at 5.00 am and re-imposed at 8.00 pm in all the districts, except Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Puttalam, …

Continue reading ‘Curfew will be lifted on Monday (20) at 5.00 am and re-imposed at 8.00 pm in all districts except Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Puttalam, Kandy, Kegalle and Amparai.’ »

By S.S. Selvanayagam A Habeas Corpus application was filed yesterday before the Court of Appeal on behalf of senior lawyer Hejaz Hisbullah, who has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over his alleged links to the Easter Sunday bombers. The petition was filed by his father, Naina Hizbullah, through Attorney-at-Law Gowry Shangary Thavarasha, …

Continue reading ‘Writ of Habeas corpus application filed before Appeal Court on behalf of prominent lawyer Hejaz Hisbullah arrested by CID for Suspected Links to Persons Allegedly Involved in Easter Sunday Attacks Last Year’ »

Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said yesterday that if the Parliamentary Election could not be held on time, steps must be taken to avoid a constitutional crisis at all costs, warning such a crisis entails the risk of delegitimising and destabilising our country and could gravely impact Sri Lanka’s prospects of obtaining economic relief. “Sri Lanka …

Continue reading ‘Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya Urges Govt. and Opposition to engage with Election Commission and each other urgently in good faith to Avoid Constitutional Crisis’ »

By Theodore Warnakulasuriya (Most of this article Summarized by Theodore Warnakulasuriya is adopted from the Daniel P. Sulmasy who is the André Hellegers Professor of Biomedical Ethics in the Departments of Medicine and Philosophy and Acting Director of the Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University, Washington) As we know different countries have shown different responses …

Continue reading ‘Corona virus Pandemic and the Four Different Ways of Thinking About the Common Good.’ »

By Arjuna Ranawana Sri Lanka’s leading Roman Catholic Prelate says pogroms against Muslims three weeks after the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide attacks on Churches by Islamic extremists were carried out “by political elements who had nothing to do with the Christian community.” Addressing a press conference today, Thursday, April 16, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said the …

Continue reading ‘Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith Wants Govt to Investigate the Attacks on Muslims Three Weeks After the Easter Bombings “by organized groups inspired by political elements wanting to create a rift between the Muslim and Christian minorities in Sri Lanka.”’ »

The Election Commission would consult political parties, doctors, epidemiologists, the armed forces and the Police and all others fighting the war against COVID-19, after April 20 in order to take a decision on conducting Parliamentary elections, member of the Elections Commission (EC) N. J. Abeysekara PC said yesterday. However, Mr. Abeysekara reiterated that the conduct …

Continue reading ‘Election Commission Will Consult Political Parties, Doctors, Epideniologists, Armed Forces and Police Before Taking Decision on Conducting Postponed Elections says member of the Elections Commission (EC) N. J. Abeysekara PC’ »