By Jayadeva Uyangoda With the presidential election campaign now well underway, it appears that the contest is between the two main candidates, Sajith Premadasa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa. In the absence of scientific polling in Sri Lanka, no credible voter sentiment analysis is available. Therefore we are all compelled to rely on speculation. Outside the two …

Continue reading ‘It is not yet Too Late to Form an Informal Coalition of Democratic Forces Backing Sajith Premadasa, Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Mahesh Senanayake to Defeat the Neo-right wing and Neo-Conservative Coalition.’ »

By C. A. Chandraprema Yahapalana activists Gamini Viyangoda and Prof. Chandraguptha Thenuwara filed an application with the Court of Appeal, seeking a writ of Certiorari to annul Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s dual citizenship certificate and an interim order preventing him from acting on the basis that he is a citizen of Sri Lanka. Their argument was that …

Continue reading ‘Why the Petition Filed by Civil Society Activists Chandragupta Thenuwara and Gamini Viyangoda Seeking Writ of Certiorari Against SLPP Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa Did Not Succeed in the Court of Appeal’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake As the polls campaign gets under way there is a growing similarity between the two lead players in what they offer to the people, and what they don’t. The Green and Purple offers have strong links to one’s family. Sajith keeps reminding us of what his father did or promised – like …

Continue reading ‘Both Chief Presidential Candidates Engage in “Family Politics” With Sajith Talking About What His Father Did or Promised and Gotabaya Not Moving Away From His Elder Brother’s Performance or Record’ »

The Movement to Unite Motherland (MUM) issuing a statement says it “joins with an outstanding academic and political visionary to take forward the system changes it promotes, through his candidature at the Presidential Election 2019. “Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, who has three earned Degrees from the University of Oxford will combine his vision for change with …

Continue reading ‘Presidential Election Candidate Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha and Mr. Navin Gooneratne, Founder of the Movement to Unite Motherland Sign Memorandum of Understanding To Take Forward Envisaged System Changes To Develop the Nation.’ »

(Text of Press Release Carrying Statement Issued by the Minister of Finance,Mangala Samaraweera, MP) At a Press Conference on 15 October 2019, Presidential Candidate of the SLPP, Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, dismissed Sri Lanka’s commitments to our citizens on human rights, rule of law, and processes for truth-seeking, reparations, and guarantees of non-recurrence including Resolution 30/1. …

Continue reading ‘Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera Issues Statement in Response to Comments Made by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa at Media Conference.’ »

President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe came together yesterday to mark the historic opening of the Jaffna International Airport (JIA) for regional commercial operations. The opening of the airport was marked by a special flight from Chennai landing at JIA with a delegation of Indian dignitaries. The first flight into JIA was an …

Continue reading ‘History is Made as Jaffna International Airport is Ceremonially Opened with Special Flight from Chennai ATR72-600 Operated by Alliance Air of India Lands at Palaly With Indian Dignitaries Aboard’ »

By N. Lohathayalan The Palaly Airport was opened on 359 acres of land by the British Armed Forces, with the first flight to India being made on 10 December 1947. As of today, it will function as the Jaffna International Airport. The ceremonial opening of the airport today brings joy not only to the people …

Continue reading ‘Despite Obstruction and Obstacles , Jaffna International Airport at Palaly Becomes Reality Today Through India’s Generosity and Persistence Along With Efforts by PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Tamil National Alliance..’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The Election Commission (EC) has written to the Secretary to the President as well as the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence seeking clarification on how a photograph of Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva was used in election campaign propaganda for one of the candidates contesting the Presidential Election. The EC’s …

Continue reading ‘“War Victories and Heroic Deeds Belong to the Entire Country and not to a Political Party or Person Declares Election Commission Chairman. Mahinda Deshapriya.’ »

By Capt Elmo Jayawardena Today (Oct 17), Sri Lanka is scheduled to re-open the Palaly Airport as its third international aerodrome (It will be renamed the Jaffna International Airport). There will be many who will applaud and give praise for the refurbishment and upgrading of the new airport and there will be others who will …

Continue reading ‘October 17th 2019 is a Joyful Day for Country as Palaly Airport is “Reborn” Today as Jaffna International Airport .’ »

By Himal Kotelawala In his first-ever press conference, amid increasingly awkward allegations of evading the media, presidential hopeful Gotabaya Rajapaksa fielded questions today on his vision for the country as well as his performance and track record as Defence Ministry Secretary. Flanked by his former president brother Mahinda Rajapaksa and leaders of the alliance led …

Continue reading ‘SLPP Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa Flanked by Brother Mahinda and Supportive Political Leaders Fields Wide Range of Questions From Media at Glitzy Press Conference Held at Shangri -La Hotel Ballroom’ »

By Chandani Kirinde SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa said yesterday that he did not recognise the UNHRC resolution co-sponsored by the Sri Lanka Government on ‘Promoting Reconciliation, Accoun-tability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka’ as a legal document and reiterated his public undertaking to release soldiers held in remand custody. Addressing his maiden press conference …

Continue reading ‘“I can certify not once but twice that no journalist will be harmed”: Gotabaya Rajapaksa Guarantees Safety of Journalists in Sri Lanka under his Tenure at First Media Conference After Being Officially Named as SLPP Presidential Candidate’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Sri Lanka’s floating voters, struggling to find their feet in the unpromising pandemonium of November’s Presidential elections, can only flinch from ‘Pohottuwa’ Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s promise at his inaugural campaign rally following nominations in Anuradhapura on Wednesday, that he would free all ‘war heroes’ held in custody on ‘bogus charges’ …

Continue reading ‘Gotabaya’s Promise at Inaugural Rally That He would Free “War Heroes” in Jail Under “Bogus Charges” the Day After He is Elected President Shows the Rajapaksas Have Learnt Nothing at all From Their Defeat in 2015.’ »

By Don Manu No political party worth its salt, especially a major political force such as the SLFP, which dominated Lanka’s political stage for over sixty years, can afford to remain without fielding a candidate of its own or supporting a common one at any presidential election. In the last dying days of his presidency, …

Continue reading ‘Sirisena and SLFP Prostrate Themselves Before SLPP Without Self – Respect After Undignified Begging On Their Knees to Pohottuwa Party On The Symbol Issue’ »

By Gamini Weerakoon Election time is when the Morality Theatre moves on to the political stage and begins its performance. Since nomination day, candidates with their supporters and TV crews have been besieging sacred places of worship, temples with political orientation, kovils, churches and receiving the blessings of chief incumbents. Nationalist-religious sentiments have not been …

Continue reading ‘Did Gota’s Sri Lankan Patriotism Die When he Took the US Naturalization Oath and has it been Resurrected Again Because he Wants to Become First Citizen of Sri Lanka Now?’ »

By Prof. Savitri Goonesekere In October 2018 President Maithripala Sirisena replaced Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe with Mr Mahinda Rajapakse, purporting to exercise his Presidential powers. He later dissolved Parliament. Political party leaders and citizens challenged these Presidential decisions in the courts of law. A Full Bench of the Supreme Court, presided by Chief Justice HNJ …

Continue reading ‘Do we need self proclaimed patriots who decide that all who hold different opinions are traitors to the country which they describe as only their “motherland”?’ »

BY MANESHKA BORHAM AND ANURANGI SINGH A pledge made by SLPP Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa at his maiden rally in Anuradhapura last week, that he would acquit and release ‘war heroes’ being held on ‘baseless’ charges on the morning of November 17, has left victim families reeling from shock and fear that already painfully slow …

Continue reading ‘Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Pledge at Maiden Campaign Rally in Anuradhapura That He Would Release all”War Heroes” in Custody for Alleged “Baseless” Charges on Nov 17th Morning After Being Elected President Sends Shock waves Throughout Country.’ »

BY PRANAVESH SIVAKUMAR Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s (SLPP) Presidential aspirant, kicking off his first campaign for his maiden bid for the top job, used the stage to outline, an array of development activities, and agriculture was given the spotlight. “Anuradhapura is a centre point of irrigation and agriculture of the country. We had …

Continue reading ‘Gotabaya and Mahinda Rajapaksa Jointly Address SLPP Presidential Campaign Inaugural Rally at Salgado Grounds in Anuradhapura with Gota Focusing on Plight of Paddy Farmers.’ »

BY PRANAVESH SIVAKUMAR The New Democratic Front’s (NDF) Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa kick starting his inaugural rally themed ‘Forward together’, left the sea of supporters by the sea to decide, as to what calibre of candidate they were wishing for. Premadasa in his opening remarks, tendered an unreserved apology for referring to his mouth as …

Continue reading ‘Sajith Premadasa and Ranil Wickremesinghe Go”Forward Together”by Jointly Addressing Huge Crowds at Presidential Election Campaign Inaugural Rally at Galle Face Green.’ »

By Norman Palihawadane SLPP won all 17 divisions of the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha at yesterday’s election. The SLPP obtained 23,372 votes while the UPFA and UNP received 5,273 and 10,113 respectively. The JVP polled only 2,435 votes. Accordinlgy, the SLPP will have 17 seats out of 29. The UPFA and UNP will have three and …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Sweeps Elpitiya Pradeshiya Polls Winning 17 with 23,372 Votes:UNP gets 7 with 10,113 Votes While UPFA and JVP get 3 and 2 with 5,273 and 2,435 Votes Respectively’ »

By Emmanuel Santa Maria Chin Seven suspects, including two state lawmakers from Melaka and Negri Sembilan, were arrested by Bukit Aman(Royal Malaysia Police Headquarters) counterterrorism operatives today for their alleged involvement in promoting, supporting and sourcing funds meant for the now-defunct terror group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter-terrorism Division …

Continue reading ‘Malaysian Counter Terrorism Officials Arrest Seven Suspects For Allegedly Promoting and Raising Funds for LTTE; Melaka State executive Councillor G. Saminathan and Negri Sembilan Assemblyman P. Gunasekaren Arrested for Participation in LTTE “Maaveerar Naal” (Great Heroes Day)Celebrations’ »

By Dharma Sri Abeyratne and Lahiru Fernando The Galle Face green was a sea of heads with people from all corners of the country converging to Colombo yesterday to affirm their support to the Presidential candidate of United National Party (UNP) led New Democratic Front (NDF), Sajith Premadasa. The inaugural rally of Premadasa’s presidential election …

Continue reading ‘“People Must Carefully Decide Whether the Future of a Family or Future of the Country is Important States UNP led NDF Presidential Candidate Sajith Premadasa While Addressing Mammoth Crowds at Inaugural Rally in Galle Face Green.’ »

By Dharma Sri Abeyratne and Lahiru Fernando Rivals of the United National Party-led New Democratic Front are against its presidential candidate, Minister Sajith Premadasa, as he is working to eliminate nepotism and family-based politics from the country, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday. “His father, late Executive President Ranasinghe Premadasa also strived to eradicate family …

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe Asks Whether The Country Should Elect a Killer of People or Leader of People as Sri Lanka’s President at “Ekwa Idiriyata” (Forward Together) Rally at Galle Face’ »

By Dharma Sri Abeyratne and Lahiru Fernando UNP parliamentarian, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka yesterday pledged to fulfil to the letter the duty he would be assigned as the Defence Minister of the country. He was responding to the announcement by NDF presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa that he would appoint the Field Marshal as Defence Minister …

Continue reading ‘Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka Will Be Appointed as Defence Minister Responsible For National Security in Future Govt Announces Sajith Premadasa at Galle Face;Ex- Army Chief Pledges to Fulfill Duties if so Appointed’ »

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday focused on sweeping promises and populist policies that emphasised writing off farmers’ debts, ensuring stable prices, establishing a pension scheme for farmers and continuing the fertiliser subsidy, while speaking at his inaugural rally held in Anuradhapura. Addressing hundreds of supporters, Rajapaksa thanked the Sri Lanka …

Continue reading ‘Gota Reaches Out To Agricultural Sector at Inaugural Rally in Anuradhapura: Promises to Write off all “Govijana” Loans Incurred by Farmers,Revive Fertilizer Subsidy, Increase Guaranteed Price and Storage Facilities for Paddy and Introduce Pension Scheme for Farmers.’ »

By Aruna Bogahawatte The SLFP yesterday announced that it had decided to support SLPP Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the 2019 Presidential election. SLFP General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekera told a press conference at the party headquarters in Colombo that President Maithripala Sirisena had made a decision to step down from the SLFP chairmanship temporarily …

Continue reading ‘SLFP Officially Announces Support to SLPP Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa; Memorandum of Understanding to be Signed With Party and Candidate.’ »

By Saman Indrajith Neeraavi Pillaiyar Temple at Chemmalai in the Mulaitivu District was a site of controversy as the Sinhalese in the area tried to take over a Saivite temple, said TNA leader R Sampanthan in parliament, yesterday. Making a special statement Sampanthan said that the Buddhist temple Gurukande Viharaya had been forcibly constructed between …

Continue reading ‘Group Led by Gnanasara Thero in Violation of Court Order Took Body of Dead Buddhist Monk and Cremated it in Premises Specifically Prohibited by Courts While Police Led by SSP Did Nothing Except Prevent Hindu Devotees from Entering Temple Precincts Charges TNA Leader R.Sampanthan in Parliament’ »

By P.K.Balachandran The November 16, 2019 Sri Lankan Presidential election will go down in history for several firsts. For the first time in the history of post-independence Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), a party of greats like Prime Ministers SWRD Bandaranaike and Sirima Bandaranaike, and Presidents like Chandrika Kumaratunga and Maithripala Sirisena, …

Continue reading ‘2019 Sri Lankan Presidential Election Makes History as the First Presidential Poll Without an Incumbent President, Prime Minister or Leader of the Opposition Contesting.’ »

By P.K.Balachandran After severe hiccups on both sides of the political divide, the principal candidates in the Sri Lankan Presidential election (to be held on November 16 ) have now begun their campaigns in right earnest. The hiccups were political in the case of the candidate of the ruling United National Party (UNP), Sajith Premadasa, …

Continue reading ‘After Weeks of “Suspense-ridden Delay” the Chief Presidential Candidates Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Sajith Premadasa Swing Into Full Gear With Their Election Campaigns.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Thirty-five of the 41 presidential aspirants, who had paid their deposits, handed in their nomination papers at the Election Commission yesterday, officially kicking off the six-week-long election campaign. Nominations were accepted between 9.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. last morning at the Election Commission office in Rajagiriya amidst tight security. All the nomination …

Continue reading ‘35 Presidential Aspirants Out of The 41 Who Paid Deposits File Nomination Papers; 18 Candidates From Recognized Political Parties , 15 Independents and 2 from Non-Recognized Parties’ »

By Yohan Perera Issues, if there are any, pertaining to UNP leadership could be amicably resolved in the same way which the question with regard to the presidential candidate was solved after the presidential election, Non-Cabinet Minister Ajith P. Perera said today. Minister Perera made this remark in response to a question raised by the …

Continue reading ‘Even if Gotabaya Rajapaksa Wins Presidential Elections , Ranil Wickremesinghe will Remain as Prime Minister Until the Next Parliamentary Election says Ajit P. Perera.’ »

by Maneshka Borham Acting IGP C.D Wickramatne has reportedly directed officials to provide security to civil society activists, Gamini Viyangoda and Chandragupta Thenuwara as well as their lawyers if requested. The duo has come under attack, especially, on social media following their decision to file a writ petition challenging the citizenship of Presidential hopeful Gotabaya …

Continue reading ‘Acting IGP Wickramaratne Directs Colombo DIG Siriwardene to Provide Security if Requested to Petitioners and Their Lawyers in the Appeal Court Writ Case Against Gotabaya Rajapaksa Following Increasing Threats to Gamini Viyangoda and Chandragupta Thenuwara’ »

By C. A.Chandraprema Sri Lanka has had presidential elections in 1982, 1988, 1994, 1999, 2005, 2010, and 2015 but never one like the present election. With just two working days to go to the close of nominations, a former local government head from Galle petitioned the Supreme Court seeking an order calling off the election. …

Continue reading ‘Chandragupta Thenuwara and Gamini Viyangoda have Unwittingly done Gotabhaya Rajapaksa a Favour by Enabling him to Prove Conclusively Through Courts that There is no Problem About his Sri Lankan citizenship.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene As leading lights of the United National Party (UNP) hastily scrambled to disassociate themselves from the petition challenging the legality of the dual citizenship certificate issued to Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP) presidential hopeful Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, summarily rejected by the Court of Appeal this Friday, a curious contradiction arose from the …

Continue reading ‘Rajapaksa Camp Followers Who Lambasted Judiciary Last Year After Supreme Court Ruled Against Mahinda’s Unconstitutional Prime Minister Appointment are Now Singing Praises to an Independent Judiciary After Appeal Court Dismissed Writ Petition Against Gotabaya’ »

By Arjuna Ranawana Professor Chandragupta Thenuwara is facing death threats from various persons backing the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the renowned artist told RepublicNext. Thenuwara, a long-time social and political activist was one of two petitioners who mounted a legal challenge to Gotabaya’s right to contest the election as doubts have …

Continue reading ‘Prof. Chandragupta Thenuwara Who Along With Gamini Viyangoda Challenged Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Citizenship Through Writ Petition in Court Contacts Police After Receiving Numerous Threats From Various Persons Allegedly Backing the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’ »

By Maneshka Borham The Office on Missing Persons (OMP) has decided to raise their concerns with President Maithripala Sirisena on the recent confirmation of rank granted by the Sri Lanka Navy to Commodore D.K.P Dassanayake. The former Navy Spokesman, Dassanayake is one of the main suspects connected to the infamous Navy abductions case where 11 …

Continue reading ‘Office of Missing Persons to Raise Concerns to President Sirisena Over Confirmation of Commodore Rank to D.K.P. Dassanayake one of the key Suspects in Abduction and Murder of Youths Case where the Navy is Implicated’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake As the presidential election campaign moves to combat readiness among candidates and political parties, one must be pardoned for drawing the recent deaths of seven elephants in the Palugaswewa Forest Reserve into the political plot. With Sajith Premadasa choosing the Swan symbol for his candidacy, does it mean the end of the …

Continue reading ‘How Different are the Policies of Sajith Premadasa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa to Those of Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mahinda Rajapaksa?’ »

In an unanimous decision a three-judge bench of the Court of Appeal yesterday dismissed the writ application filed challenging the validity of presidential aspirant Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Sri Lankan citizenship. “Formal notices of this application should not be issued to the respondents, and the application should therefore be dismissed,” President of the Court of Appeal Justice …

Continue reading ‘Court of Appeal Three Judge Bench Unanimously Dismisses Writ Application Challenging Validity of SLPP Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Citizenship;Reasons for Ruling to be Delivered in Writing at Later Date’ »

By Shehan Chamika Silva The three-judge bench of the Court of Appeal comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda (President/CA), Arjuna Obeysekara and Mahinda Samayawardena today unanimously decided to dismiss the writ petition filed against former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s citizenship status after hearing all parties over almost four days of continued court proceedings at the Court of …

Continue reading ‘Three-judge Bench Comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda (President/CA), Arjuna Obeysekara and Mahinda Samayawardena Dismiss Writ Petition Against Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Citizenship Status After Four days of Continued Hearings at the Court of Appeal.’ »

The argument that the President of the Republic holds plenary executive power was “emphatically rejected” by a seven-judge Bench of the Supreme Court in its judgment on the illegal dissolution of Parliament in November 2018, said Counsel for the Third Respondent Home Affairs Minister Wajira Abeywardena President’s Counsel Chanaka De Silva, as hearings on the …

Continue reading ‘“The President himself is a creature of the Constitutio and does not rule the realm by divine right exercising plenary powers” states Chanaka de Silva PC Counsel for Home Affairs Minister Wajira Abeywardena Before Court of Appeal’ »

By P.K.Balachandran Since the entire complexion of the November 16 Sri Lankan Presidential election will change if the Court of Appeal upholds the plea that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s candidate, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, is not a Sri Lankan citizen, Sri Lankans across the political divide are waiting with bated breath for the verdict which is …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankans Across the Political Divide are Waiting with Bated Breath for the Court of Appeal Ruling on Gotabaya Rajapaksa Citizenship Issue’ »

By Zacky Jabbar A Special Convention of the UNP held at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday, unanimously endorsed Housing Minister Sajith Premadasa as the United National Front’s (UNF) Presidential candidate and confirmed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as the UNP leader. After the Convention accepted Wickremesinghe’s proposal to endorse the UNP Working Committee ( WC ) decision …

Continue reading ‘Special Convention Unanimously Endorses Sajith Premadasa as UNF Presidential Candidate and Ranil Wickremesinghe as UNP Leader.’ »

Lawyers for SLPP presidential hopeful Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday insisted that President Mahinda Rajapaksa was the repository of all executive power before a Cabinet of Ministers was appointed, and was therefore legally empowered to sign his brother’s dual citizenship certificate on 21 November 2005, the legality of which is being challenged in the Court of Appeal. …

Continue reading ‘Lawyers for SLPP Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa Argue that President Mahinda Rajapaksa was Repository of all Executive Power Before a Cabinet of Ministers was Appointed and Therefore Legally Empowered to Sign his brother’s Dual Citizenshi Certificate on 21 November 2005.’ »

By Nuwan Senarathna The United National Party (UNP) yesterday passed a slew of resolutions at their annual convention, including a commitment to take forward the constitutional reform process which began in 2015, including the abolition of the Executive Presidency, but in concurrence with the Prime Minister and other stakeholders. During the convention, held at the …

Continue reading ‘UNP Convention Passes Six Unanimous Resolutions Regarding Sajith’s Presidential Candidacy, Ranil’s Party Leadership,Establishing UNP Govt in 2020,Continuing Constitutional Reform, Abolishing Executive Presidency and Commending Karu’s Role During Oct 26th Crisis’ »

Security was beefed up around the Superior Courts Complex as the high stakes litigation challenging the validity of SLPP presidential hopeful Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Sri Lankan citizenship was taken up before a special three-judge bench of the Court of Appeal yesterday. Appearing as Counsel for civil society activists Gamini Viyangoda and Prof. Chandraguptha Thenuwara, who filed …

Continue reading ‘Romesh de Silva PC Appearing for Gotabaya Rajapaksa Submits to Special Three-Judge Bench of Appeal Court Hearing Writ Petition That Litigation Against his Client had been Brought by Political Opponents and was not in the Public Interest’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga has vested the Jaffna International Airport (JIA) with the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAA) ahead of the commencement of regional commercial operations in mid-October. The runway and the runway strip of JIA and the whole portion of the airport land located northwards abutting …

Continue reading ‘Palaly Airport Vested Under Civil Aviation Authority to be Developed Into Sri Lanka’s Third International Airport: Regional Flights to Indian Cities from Jaffna International Airport (JIA) Likely To Commence From Mid -October’ »

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday said they were confident of facing legal challenges directed at their presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and said they have faith in the Judiciary to deliver a just decision. A three-judge bench of the Court of Appeal (CA) yesterday commenced hearings on the Writ challenging Rajapaksa’s Sri Lankan citizenship. …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Podujana Party Says Writs Filed Against Gotabaya Rajapaksa is an Attempt to Block the SLPP Presidential Candidate From Contesting the Presidential Elections’ »

By P.K.Balachandran Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a front-runner in the Sri Lankan Presidential election to be held on November 16, is facing a serious issue over his Sri Lankan citizenship, days before the date for filing of nominations. Nominations are to be filed on October 6 and the case against him, filed in the Court of Appeal …

Continue reading ‘If Frontrunner Gotabaya Rajapaksa is Unable to Contest Presidential Elections Due to Appeal Court Ruling, It willbe a Cakewalk then For His Closest Rival Sajith Premadasa.’ »

By Shehan Chamika Silva Appearing for the Attorney General, Senior Deputy Solicitor General Nerin Pulle today told that the former president, who had signed the dual citizenship certificate of Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2005, actually had the power to do so as the relevant minister, because he had continued to exercise being the head of the …

Continue reading ‘Counsel Suren Fernando Appearing for Petitioners and Senior Deputy Solicitor-General Nerin Pulle Appearing for Attorney -General Make Submissions Before Court of Appeal In Writ Cases Filed Against Gotabaya Rajapaksa’ »

By Shehan Chamika Silva Romesh de Silva PC appearing for Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the writ petition today brought up a preliminary objection over the maintainability of the writ application on several grounds. He said the petition cannot seek the relief sought in the petition as they do not have the locus standi (right to bring …

Continue reading ‘Romesh de Silva PC Appearing for Gotabaya Rajapaksa at Appeal Court Raises Preliminary Objection Over the Maintainability of Writ Application Against Ex-Defence Secretary.’ »

By Susitha Fernando Former Solicitor General (SG) and Chairman of the Sri Lanka National Authority for the Protection of Witnesses and Victims, Suhada Gamlath reiterated that he spoke the truth and said telling the truth had been construed as politics. He was responding to Justice Minister Thalatha Athukorala, who said he has talked politics while …

Continue reading ‘Suhada Gamlath Reiterates he wont resign Because he Spoke the Truth and Will wait for Action to be Taken Against him’ »

By Yohan Perera Chairman of the National Authority for Protection of Witnesses and Victims, Suhada Gamlath has said he would submit his resignation shortly but action is being taken by the Presidential Secretariat to remove him if he fails to do so by today, Justice and Law Reforms Minister Thalatha Athukorala said today. She told …

Continue reading ‘Justice Minister Thalatha Atukorale Urges President Sirisena to Take Action Against Suhada Gamlath for Stating Publicly that two Ministers Had tried to Influence him into Arresting Gotabaya Rajapaksa.’ »

Senior journalist Bandula Jayasekera, diagnosed with Myelodyplastic Syndrome, a type of blood cancer in July this year appeals for assistance to undergo a lifesaving medical procedure in Singapore. Here Bandula himself explains his plight: “Doctors say the cure is a bone marrow transplant in Singapore because the transplant for this blood cancer (MDS) is considered …

Continue reading ‘Senior Journalist Bandula Jayasekera Diagnosed With Blood Cancer Appeals for assistance to Undergo Lifesaving Medical Treatment.’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya Last week, the United National Party Working Committee nominated Sajith Premadasa as the presidential candidate of the Grand Old Party, and effectively, of the UNP led alliance. Mr Premadasa’s candidature may not impress those who wanted a more forthright choice with a degree of policy substance. But, alas, there was no such …

Continue reading ‘Sajith Premadasa has been Suspiciously Vague and Over-cautious Making Observers feel that he is Lacking Substance and is Scheming to Thrive in Rhetoric.’ »

By Shyamon Jayasinghe It is sad to announce! I hope I am wrong. But I see the end of the Grand Old Party. The Sajith faction wouldn’t stop at getting nomination to a position that is only a shade of what it had been after 19A. The presidential executive is, today, a monster that has …

Continue reading ‘However Much as Sajith Premadasa has been the most Overrated Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has all Along, been Underrated.’ »

By S.S. Selvanayagam A three-judge bench of the Court of Appeal (CA) will commence hearings on a writ challenging the Sri Lankan citizenship of former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa running for president, just three days ahead of the nominations deadline for the 16 November poll. A Divisional Bench of the Court of Appeal headed by …

Continue reading ‘Question Mark Over Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Eligibility to Contest Presidential Elections as Prof. Chandraguptha Thenuwara and Gamini Viyangoda File Writ in Appeal Court Challenging Ex -Def Secy’s Sri Lankan Citizenship.’ »

By Chitra Weerarathne and A.J.A. Abeynayake The Court of Appeal yesterday directed Public Administration Minister Vajira Abeywardena, ministry Secretary Gamini Seneviratne, Controller Immigration and Emigration and Commissioner General of Registration of Persons to furnish information/documents pertaining to the issuance of a passport and National Identity Card (NIC) to Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2019. The Court of …

Continue reading ‘Court of Appeal Issues Directive Calling for Documents Pertaining to Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s National Identity Card and Issuance of Passport.’ »

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday reiterated that he had obtain dual citizenship in 2005, soon after Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa was elected President, but he had renounced his US citizenship in April this year. Speaking at an event held in Colombo, Rajapaksa said he had followed the relevant procedure and …

Continue reading ‘“Judiciary Will Determine my Innocence” Declares Gotabaya Rajapaksa : Says He Has Followed Relevant Procedure in all Matters and That Documents Concerning His Identity and Citizenship Being Challenged in Courts are Authentic.’ »

Sri Lanka’s main opposition presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa faced a fresh legal challenge Monday as the Court of Appeal entertained a petition questioning his citizenship and the legality of his identity documents. A formal hearing was scheduled for Wednesday, just five days before nominations for the November 16 polls close. Two civil society activists, Gamini …

Continue reading ‘SLPP Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa May Become “Stateless” and Ineligible to Contest if Appeal Court Upholds Legal Challenge Questioning his Citizenship and Legality of Identity Documents’ »

By Meera Srinivasan . The recent passing away of a Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka and his subsequent cremation in the northern district of Mullaitivu has brought to the fore an old concern — the power wielded by the Buddhist clergy and the impunity shielding them. It wasn’t the monk’s cremation that was the problem, …

Continue reading ‘No Action Yet Against Bhikkus Led by Bodu Bala Sena’s Gnanasara Thero For Defying Court Order and Cremating Buddhist Monks Body Within Hindu Temple Precincts While Police Did Nothing’ »

by C.A.Chandraprema By fielding Sajith Premadasa as its presidential candidate, the UNP has put its best foot forward. As a political party, it would not have been feasible to ignore the demonstrations that the Sajith camp put up to prove the fact that he was by far the preferred candidate of the UNP rank and …

Continue reading ‘The Pluses and Minuses of a Sajith Premadasa Presidential Candidacy’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Two manifestly glorious ironies occurred this week. A former President cautioned against a return to what he termed ‘the Premadasa era’ and a former Chief Justice lamented that, during the ‘yahapalanaya’ years, the independence of the Sri Lankan judiciary had been lost. Strange logic and stranger contradictions These claims may have …

Continue reading ‘Is the Killing of Civilian Tamils During the Rajapaksa Decade to Be Reckoned as a Necessary Evil?’ »

By P.K.Balachandran On Thursday, after a month-long bitter inner-party struggle, Sajith Premadasa was nominated as the ruling United National Party’s candidate for the November 16 Sri Lankan Presidential election. The entrenched faction led by party Leader and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had to bite the dust eventually, and grant Deputy Leader and Housing Minister Sajith …

Continue reading ‘What Can Sri Lanka Expect Under “President” Gotabaya Rajapaksa or “President” Sajith Premadasa?’ »

By Lahiru Pothmulla Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today said Minister Sajith Premadasa was not a challenge to them at the presidential election and asked how a person who could not even win the Tissamaharama electorate and Hambantota district, could win the entire country. He expressed these views in response to the questions asked by journalists …

Continue reading ‘“How Can Sajith Premadasa Win The Entire Country When he Cant Even Win Tissamaharama Electorate or Hambantota District ? Asks Mahinda Rajapaksa.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Unanimously endorsed as the party’s presidential candidate, an upbeat UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday said he was supremely and absolutely confident of winning the upcoming election. “I am supremely and absolutely confident of winning against (SLPP candidate) Gotabaya Rajapaksa, because I know the majority of the people of this country are …

Continue reading ‘“I am supremely and absolutely confident of winning against Gotabaya Rajapaksa, because I know the majority of the people of this country are with me” -An Upbeat UNP Presidential Candidate Sajith Premadasa Tells Media’ »

By Meera Srinivasan United National Party (UNP) deputy leader and Cabinet Minister Sajith Premadasa will run for President, Sri Lanka’s ruling party announced on Thursday, ending weeks of uncertainty and apparent infighting over candidacy. Mr. Premadasa, 52, is the son of late President Ranasinghe Premadasa. In the November 16 election, he will face Gotabaya Rajapaksa, …

Continue reading ‘Sajith Premadasa Chosen as UNP Presidential Candidate Because Party Circles Felt He was “The Only Candidate Who Can Beat Gota”.’ »

UNP Deputy Leader and Housing and Construction Minister Sajith Premadasa yesterday insisted that he would not yield to any condition on his political journey and that no force would be able to block his path this time. He made this observation with reference to news paper reports appearing on Tuesday which said that his name …

Continue reading ‘Sajith Premadasa Speaking at Meeting in Matugama Declares he would not Yield to any “Conditions” on His Political Journey and that No Force Could Obstruct His Path this time.’ »

The UN peacekeeping department has decided to ban the deployment of non-essential Sri Lankan army troops in UN peacekeeping missions citing the appointment of new Army Commander who is alleged to have committed war crimes, a UN spokesperson has told the Foreign Policy News. It said Lt. General Shavendra Silva’s appointment as the chief of …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Military Wont be Deployed in UN Peacekeeping Missions in the Future Due to Appointment of Shavendra Silva as Army Commander Despite Facing war Crime Allegations: Lankan Personnel Currently Serving as Peacekeepers Will be Repatriated and Wont be Replaced’ »

By P.K.Balachandran The General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Ven.Galagoda Aththe Gnansara Thero held a Sri Lankan court in contempt for the second time when on Tuesday, he defied a magistrate’s order not to cremate the body of a Buddhist monk within the disputed precincts of a Hindu kovil in the northern district …

Continue reading ‘Bodu Bala Sena’s Gnanasara Thero Convicted for Contempt of Court and Released by President Sirisena Commits Same Offence Again by Defying Magistrate ‘s Court Forbidding Cremation of Buddhist Monk’s Body Within Disputed Precincts of Hindu Temple.’ »

By Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera There was general agreement among the seniors of the United National Party (UNP) to nominate Minister Sajith Premadasa as the presidential candidate but on certain conditions to be stipulated in writing, Daily Mirror learns. The UNP seniors backing both Party Leader Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mr.Premadasa met on …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Willing to Nominate Sajith as UNP Presidential Candidate if He would Agree in Writing to Abolish Executive Presidency, Usher in a Devolution Package and Consent to Wickremesinghe Being PM and Party Leader’ »

By T.Virushan S. Thavaseelan and Sivam Packyanathan Over 2,000 protestors yesterday demonstrated in Mullaitivu against an alleged attack on two lawyers in relation to the controversy surrounding the cremation of the remains of Mullaitivu Gurukanda Purana Raja Maha Vihara Chief Incumbent, Ven.Colomba Medhalankarakitti Thera. The demonstrators demanded legal action against the performance of last rites …

Continue reading ‘Demonstration in North Urging Attorney -General to Commence Legal Action Against Bodu Bala Sena’s Gnanasara Thero and Others for Allegedly Violating Court Order and Cremating Buddhist Monk’s Body Within Hindu Temple Premises;’ »

A Government Minister has accused the Bodu Bala Sena led by the Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero of attempting to build a sub-national Sinhala Buddhist state. Minister of National Integration, Official Languages, Social Progress and Hindu Religious Affairs Mano Ganesan said that while the Government is building a Sri Lankan state encompassing Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, …

Continue reading ‘National Integration and Hindu Religious Affairs Minister Mano Ganesan Accuses Bodu Bala Sena Of Trying to Construct a Sub -national Sinhala Buddhist State in the Island While the Govt is Building an Inclusive Sri Lankan State Encompassing All Ethnicities and Religions’ »

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, yesterday, accused President Maithripala Sirisena of misleading the public with regard to former Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe. Issuing a statement, the Prime Minister said that he could not fathom why the President was raising false allegations against him after a …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe Refers to Maithripala Sirisena as a Liar Indirectly: “Therefore, I like to point out kindly that the statements made by the President are not true”says the Prime Minister’ »

By T. Farook Thajudeen Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to probe the American and Sri Lankan citizenship of former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and report its progress to court upon conclusion of the investigation. The magistrate also laid by the brief without fixing a date for inquiry. The magistrate …

Continue reading ‘Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne Orders CID to Probe the US and Sri Lankan Citizenship of SLPP Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Report to Court Upon Conclusion of Investigation.’ »

By Kelum Bandara Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, after a discussion with a team of his party seniors, decided last night to call for a meeting of the working committee on Thursday and conduct a secret ballot to select the presidential candidate, Daily Mirror learns.

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa and 7 others have been discharged and released from the Avant-Garde floating armoury case. This is as per the order of the Colombo Magistrate’s Court after receiving the Court of Appeal judgment on the case. A copy of the acquittal order from the Appeals court …

Continue reading ‘Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Seven Others Discharged and Released From the Avant Garde Floating Armoury Case by the Colombo Magistrates Court Following an Acquittal Order by the Court of Appeal.’ »

The fallout from last week’s hurried move to abolish the executive presidency continued to reverberate through Government ranks as Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday rejected the claim by President Maithripala Sirisena that it was the UNP leader who wanted an urgent Cabinet meeting convened for the purpose. “The President telephoned me at 8.16 a.m. on …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe Firmly Refutes “False”Allegations Made Against Him by Maithripala Sirisena About Special Cabinet Meeting to Discuss Abolition of Executive Presidency.’ »

By W.A. Wijewardena Recently, a former CEO of a leading private company expressed his personal view to me of the type of the ruler whom Sri Lanka should have today. Driven by conviction, he said that Sri Lanka at the present juncture needed a dictator to rule the country. He presented his reasons for this …

Continue reading ‘It is Not a Tough Man who Would Save Sri Lanka at the Present Juncture But a Democratic Man who Would Observe the Rule of Law and Protect Property Rights of the People’ »

By P.K.Balachandran Whatever the issue may be, a politician’s or a political party’s stand on it is determined by immediate political interests and not ideology, principles or long-standing commitments. Cold calculation marks choices ahead of the November 16 Sri Lankan Presidential election. This has come out clearly in the stand taken by Lankan political leaders …

Continue reading ‘Cold Calculation Marks Choices Ahead of the November 16 Sri Lankan Presidential Election.’ »

By Dr.Rajan Hoole ( Text of Speech delivered by DR. Rajan Hoole at Trimmer Hall, Jaffna, on 21st September 2019 to mark the 30th anniversary of Dr.Rajini Thiranagama’s assassination) Ever since Rajani was killed, on 21st September 1989, many around the world have seen her as a heroic figure that stood for human values, not …

Continue reading ‘Thirty Years After: Rajini Rajasingham Thiranagama’s Lasting Impact.’ »

by Sanjana Hattotuwa What binds a community together? Initially one might assume it is to do with having the same language, external enemies or economic interests. However, something generally precedes all that: common ideas that are passed down from generation to generation and that shape the development of the community. These ideas lend a distinctiveness …

Continue reading ‘The More we are Connected Through Social Media the Greater the Risk of Being Rent Asunder by Stories that Weaponise Incomprehension, Anxiety, Suspicion and Myth.’ »

By Aanya Wipulasena Most of it happened behind closed doors. The public knew only what was shown on television and what they read in the newspapers, and one caught a glimpse (perhaps) of the true story, depending on which television channel one watched, or which newspaper one read. Now, six years later, Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, …

Continue reading ‘Former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake Reveals The True Story Behind Her Impeachment by the Rajapaksa Regime Through Two Books in Sinhala and English – “Uththareethara Doshabiyogaye Athulanthaya and “Hold Me In Contempt – A Memoir”’ »

With reference to the Daily Mirror news story on the appearance of the invalidated national identity card number of Gotabhaya Rajapksa in the electoral registers of 2017, 2018 and 2019, Mr. Rajapaksa said that although he filled the form with the new ID number and the Department of Registration of Persons had informed the Elections …

Continue reading ‘“Old Identity Card Number Appears in the Electoral Lists Though I Filled out Forms With the New No and Elections Dept was Informed of Change by Registration of Persons Dep” Clarifies Gotabaya Rajapaksa’ »

By Anurangi Singh Attorney General Dappula De Livera will refer the matter of a leaked telephone conversation allegedly between the chairman of the controversial private security firm Avant Garde and the former Director General of the Bribery Commission, to the Public Service Commission (PSC) tomorrow, his office told Sunday Observer. The move comes as the …

Continue reading ‘Attorney -General Dappula de Livera to Refer Matter Concerning Alleged Telephone Conversation Between Solicitor -General Dilrukshi Dias Wickremasinghe and Avant Garde Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi to Public Services Commission For Further Action’ »

By Anurangi Singh A day after the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna made a deposit on behalf of its presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Elections Commission, fresh controversy has erupted over the former defence secretary being registered to vote since 2017 under a NIC number that has been defunct since October 2016. The revelations followed …

Continue reading ‘Media reports State the National Identity Card Used by Gotabaya Rajapaksa to Register as a Voter in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Electoral Lists had been invalidated by the Department for Registration of Persons in October 2016.’ »

TNA parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran said yesterday that the emergency Cabinet meeting summoned on Thursday to discuss the abolition of the executive presidency was done with the agreement of both President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. “The primary promise of the 2015 Presidential Election campaign was the abolition of the executive presidency, and this …

Continue reading ‘“Those in the Cabinet who Say They are for Executive Presidency Abolition But this is not the right time Can Help Pass the Bill Now in Parliament and hold the referendum Afterwards Suggests TNA Parliamentarian MA Sumanthiran’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake SLFP’s Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera will have to give up on his calls for the SLPP and the Gotabaya Rajapaksa team to have a common symbol if contesting the polls in an alliance between the two parties. President Maithripala Sirisena has now sent the symbol of Gotabaya and the SLPP into celestial heights …

Continue reading ‘The Nelum Kuluna will stand out and rise as the tallest symbol of the corruption that has been the operational principle of governance in this country in the past three decades or more’ »

By Himal Kotelawala United National Party (UNP) seniors backing Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa in the race to the executive presidency defended their decision yesterday to oppose the 11th hour move to abolish it. Speaking to the media in Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s official residence in Colombo this afternoon, Ministers Thalatha Atukorale, Ranjith Madduma Bandara and Ravindra …

Continue reading ‘Sajith Premadasa is also for Abolition of Executive Presidency and will Announce it after he is Nominated as the Presidential Candidate Says Thalatha Atukorale.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde A Cabinet meeting was hurriedly summoned last afternoon to obtain approval to rush the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, which seeks to abolish the Executive Presidency, through Parliament, but was stopped on its tracks after a group within the United National Party (UNP), as well as three minor parties, opposed the move. …

Continue reading ‘In Heated Cabinet Meeting Group of UNP Ministers Led by Mangala Samaraweera Along With Minority Party Ministers Rauff Hakeem, Mano Ganesan and Palani Digambaram Oppose Move to Abolish Executive Presidency Before Presidential Election is Held.’ »

by Kelum Bandara A last ditch attempt to abolish the executive presidency by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was thwarted in the Cabinet today. Minister Mano Ganeshan said the government has decided at the special cabinet meeting on the abolishment of the Executive Presidency not to discuss the matter at the moment. …

Continue reading ‘Joint Attempt by President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe to Abolish the Executive Presidency Thwarted as Ministers Decide After Heated Arguments not to Discuss Issue Due to Presidential Elections Being Announced’ »

By Sandun A Jayasekera The UNP group of the SLFP would either back UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa if he gets the ticket to contest the Presidential poll or slant towards the JVP as the once great political party has become politically destitute today, SLFP rebel Parliamentarian Dilan Perera said today. He added that the …

Continue reading ‘“Pro-UNP Group of the SLFP Will Back Sajith Premadasa if he is Nominated as the UNP Candidate or Slant Towards the JVP in a Presidential Election “Says Dilan Perera MP.’ »

United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader and Housing Minister Sajith Premadasa yesterday doubled down on being his party’s presidential candidate, calling for the Working Committee and the Parliamentary Group to meet promptly to take a decision. Speaking at an early morning press conference at Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s official residence, Premadasa addressed the media, flanked …

Continue reading ‘Sajith Premadasa Says he will Obey any Decision Taken by the UNP Working Committee and Parliamentary Group on the Presidential Candidacy Issue.’ »

The National Elections Commission has decided to hold the Presidential election on November 16. The Gazette notification declaring the date of the Presidential Election was issued today. Deposits for the Presidential election will be accepted from tomorrow (19) till 12 noon on the 6th of October. Nominations for the election will be called from 9am …

Continue reading ‘Presidential Election to be held on November 16th 2019. Nominations Accepted from 9 am to 11 am on October 7th 2019. Deposits Payable From September 19th 2019 to October 6th 2019’ »

(Text of MEDIA RELEASE issued on September 18th 2019 by former president and Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa under the heading Allegation regarding the disappearance of Rs. two billion in the construction of the Colombo Lotus Tower) Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Colombo Lotus Tower, the President made a statement to the …

Continue reading ‘Ex- President Mahinda Rajapaksa Sets the Record Straight Regarding the Accusation by President Sirisena About a Chinese Company Disappearing with Two Billion Rupees in the Lotus Tower Project;Describes Maithripala’s Utterances as “Unfounded Allegation” and “Complete Falsehood”.’ »

By N. Lohathayalan Eluha Thamil demonstrations were called by the Tamil People’s Council of which former Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran is the Co-Chairman and essential catalyst. The parades and demonstrations were held over several issues: Sinhalese colonisation of Tamil homelands, the prosecution of war criminals, the release of Tamil political prisoners, an international …

Continue reading ‘Poor Attendance in Jaffna for “Ezhuha Thamizh”(Rise Tamil) Event Organized by Ex-Chief Minister C.V.Wigneswaran’s Tamil People Council; Over 8000 Food Parcels Ordered by Organizers Thrown Away Due to Lack of Takers’ »

By Manopriya Gunasekara A Fundamental Rights Petition requesting the cancellation of the Extraordinary Gazette notification which brought the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) under the Defence Ministry has been filed in the Supreme Court. Ven. Dambara Amila Thero and Prof. Chandraguptha Thenuwara filed the FR Petition yesterday. According to the Petitioners, the President, under the …

Continue reading ‘Ven.Dambara Amila Thero and Prof.Chandraguptha Thenuwara File Fundamental Rights Petition in Supreme Court Seeking Cancellation of Gazette Notification Bringing “Rupavahini” Under Purview of Defence Ministry.’ »

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday indicated his willingness to be the United National Front (UNF) candidate for the upcoming Presidential Election, saying he would run only on the assurance that the Executive Presidency would be abolished within a fixed time frame. “I can consider running for the office of President based on our Party’s pledge since …

Continue reading ‘Speaker Karu Jayasuriya Expresses Willingness to Contest Presidential Election as UNF Candidate;Pledges to Make Abolition of Executive Presidency his Main Campaign Issue.’ »

By Lasanda Kurukulasuriya As party infighting continues to dominate the political landscape, voters are still left guessing as to the nature of programmes the main contenders in the forthcoming presidential election hope to introduce if they win. This is with only a couple of months to go before the poll. The uncertainty comes against a …

Continue reading ‘Has Sajith Premadasa Agreed to Sri Lanka Signing the US Millennium Challenge Corporation Agreement and if so Why is he Keeping Mum About It?’ »

Formally declaring his presidential ambitions to his leader, United National Party (UNP) deputy leader Sajith Premadasa last night wrote to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe requesting a “consensus-building” meeting of the party’s Working Committee and Parliamentary Group. Members of the two groups are expected to reach agreement on the contentious issue of its presidential nomination at …

Continue reading ‘Sajith Premadasa “Wishy-Washy” on Abolition of Executive Presidency Issue Suggesting that the 2015 Mandate May be Outdated and Saying that no Scientific Survey has been done About Maintaining or Abolishing it.’ »

Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena had bared a scam running into billions of rupees in building a massive tower by Chinese firms, draining funds from Sri Lanka’s cash rich telecom regulator. One apparently non-existent Chinese company had vanished with two billion rupees in the process. The contract to build the tower had been awarded in …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Alleges that a Two Billion Rupee Advance for the Lotus Tower Project was Paid in 2012 by Sri Lanka Telecom Regulatory Commission to a Non -existent Fake Chinese Company Aerospace Long March International Trade Co. Ltd, (ALIT)’ »

Addressing the opening of the Lotus Tower in Colombo, President Maithripala Sirisena revealed that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government siphoned off Rs. 2 billion in the guise of an ‘advance payment’ for the project. “We came to know that Rs. 2 billion had been paid in 2012 to a Chinese company as an advanced payment. …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Insinuates That the Mahinda Rajapaksa Govt in Which he was a Minister Allegedly Siphoned off Two Billion Rupees from the Lotus Tower Construction Project by Making an Advanced Payment in 2012 to an Untraceable Non -Existent Chinese Company’ »

By Nirmala Kannangara Speaker Karu Jayasuriya in a candid interview with the Daily Mirror said the country could have saved billions of rupees had the respective Presidents elected since 1994 to date got the presidential system abolished as promised on election platforms.He also criticizes the current presidential system, ‘designed to serve the interests of one …

Continue reading ‘Karu Jayasuriya Willing to be Presidential Candidate on an Abolition of Executive Presidency Platform if such Nomination was Supported by All Progressive Forces Including Various Factions of the UNP’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya The UNP’s all lose–no winners cold war over the Presidential candidacy seems to be heading to a saner end. Party heavyweights, including the leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, and constituent parties of the UNF are gradually leaning towards Karu Jayasuriya, the Speaker of the House as the national candidate, who will pledge to abolish …

Continue reading ‘Sajith Premadasa, who has led a Self-harm Campaign for the Presidential Candidacy May not be the Best Choice for the UNP if it is to take on Gotabaya Rajapaksa’ »

United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader, Housing and Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa says he has formally requested UNP leader and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in writing to announce the party’s Presidential candidate, without further delay. Speaking at a ceremony to vest with the public two Uda Gammana villages in Tissamaharama, yesterday, the Minister said …

Continue reading ‘Sajith Premadasa Writes to Ranil Wickremesinghe Formally Requesting UNP Leader to Announce the Party ;s Presidential Candidate Without Further Delay.’ »

By Saman Indrajith The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday carnage is to ask President Maithripala Sirisena why he mismanaged the affairs of National Security Council and ignored the intelligence warnings of the possible attacks, according to sources. The PSC members met, on Saturday, at the former Agriculture Ministry building near Parliament. PSC …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena to be Questioned by Parliamentary Select Committee About his Alleged Mismanagement of National Security Council Affairs and why he Allegedly Ignored Intelligence Watnings of Possible Attacks.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The final decision on the United National Party’s (UNP) candidate for the upcoming Presidential Election is likely by the end of the week, sources in the Prime Minister’s office said last night as the likelihood of Speaker Karu Jayasuriya being the likely compromise candidate for the Party gathered momentum. A delegation of …

Continue reading ‘Likelihood of Karu Jayasuriya Becoming the UNP’s “Compromise Candidate” for Presidential Poll Grows Bright as Public Demand for Speaker’s Candidacy Gathers Momentum.’ »

By Saman Indrajith The selection of the UNP’s presidential candidate would take some more time as the TNA, yesterday, has said it is not ready to accept Sajith Premadasa as the candidate of the coalition to be formed. The TNA has pointed out that Premadasa will not get the votes in the North and the …

Continue reading ‘TNA Not Ready To Support Premadasa as Presidential Candidate Yet as Sajith Has Not Clearly Stated What Voters in North and East Could Expect From Him.’ »

by Gnana Moonesinghe Sometimes the fear is that large numbers of the people are blind and deaf; blind and deaf by intent that they neither see nor hear or do so selectively. That will have to be another study, another investigation. But for now this short paper is confined to describe what has been seen …

Continue reading ‘The Words “SinhalaLE” with LE written in the Sinhala Alphabet in Red on the back of Vehicles and Three Wheelers is RACIST and Potential Bomb Ready to Explode’ »

The Speaker of Parliament and the United National Party’s one-time chairman, Karu Jayasuriya is expected to be proposed as a possible “National candidate” by an influential section of the party following party leader Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Deputy Leader and Housing Minister Sajith Premadasa digging in to their position on the presidential ticket. The …

Continue reading ‘Speaker Karu Jayasuriya Likely to Enter Presidential Election Hustings as a “National Candidate” On an Abolition of Executive Presidency Platform.’ »

United National Party Chairman Kabir Hashim and two Non-Cabinet Ministers face expulsion next week whilst a partnership between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) may not materialise, according to new political developments this week. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Sunday Times learns, has decided to move against three …

Continue reading ‘Sajith Premadasa Supporters Kabir Hashim , Ajith P Perera and Sujeeva Senasinghe Face Expulsion from the UNP for Violating Party Discipline.’ »

By Gamini Weerakoon Even though the presidential election has not yet been officially announced, the cacophony of voices for the proposed candidates is stepping up. Unrestrained, superlative praises of cheer squads are being shouted from roof tops followed by vile, damning condemnation of their rivals. This, of course, is in keeping with the country’s political …

Continue reading ‘Did Murali Bowl a Political “Doosra” in his Speech At Gotabaya’s “Viyathmaga” Event and is Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith Overstepping the Line Drawn and Observed by Christian Clerics in this Country?’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene It has always been an interesting curiosity that politicians trained in law in Sri Lanka appear to be far more blissfully unconscious of basic legal principles than their colleagues who at least do not engage in hair splitting explanations when abusing power. Disregarding legal and constitutional proprieties Indeed, it is better …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Bringing “Rupavahini” Under the Purview of the Defence Ministry is Constitutionally Unacceptable.’ »