A top official handpicked by Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena to represent the country came in for harsh criticism by the UN for “putting a spin” on a high level bilateral meeting in Geneva. In a strongly worded statement the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said on Wednesday, that a newspaper article …

Continue reading ‘UN Human Rights Commissioner Michele Bachelet Upbraids Northern Province Governor Dr.Suren Raghavan over Serious Misrepresentations in the Media About What She Told the Sri Lankan Delegation at a Discussion in Geneva’ »

Plantations in Sri Lanka that supply “slavery-free” tea to top global companies are under investigation by ethical label groups after an expose found illegal wage deductions that have left some workers ill and unable to afford health care. An investigation by the Thomson Reuters Foundation found that some workers at tea estates certified by Rainforest …

Continue reading ‘Two Year Research by Thomson Reuters Foundation Reveals Ruthless Exploitation of Plantation Workers in Nuwara – Eliya District With Daily Earnings Being Slashed Without Consent by 75% in Some Instances.’ »

By A.J.A.Abeynayake Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne refused bail to Chairman of Perpetual Treasuries Jeffrey Joseph Aloysius, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank Pattinige Samarasiri and three directors of Perpetual Treasuries (PTL) when they were produced before her yesterday in connection with the bond scams. The suspects were remanded till April 5. The defence …

Continue reading ‘Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne Refuses Bail to Central Bank Ex-Deputy Governor , Chairman of Perpetual Treasuries Ltd and Three PTL Drectors Charged Under Artile 56 of Stocks and Securities Ordinance and Remands all Five Until April 5’ »

By Hemantha Randunu A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank and the Chairman and three Directors of the Perpetual Treasuries (Pvt.) Ltd. (PTL) were arrested by the CID, yesterday, in connection with the Central Bank bond scams. They are former Deputy of the Central Bank Pattinige Samarasiri, PTL Chairman Jeffrey Joseph Aloysius and PTL …

Continue reading ‘Perpetual Treasuries Ltd Chairman Jeffrey Joseph Aloysius Arrested at his Residence at 10.55 am by CID Despite Family Members Allegedly Telling Police he was not at home’ »

A deputy governor of Sri Lanka’s central bank and directors of a dealer in government securities linked to the biggest securities scam in the island have been arrested, police said. Retired Deputy Governor Pathinige Samarasiri, directors of Perpetual Treasuries Chithra Ranjan Hulugalle, P Gunewardene and Muthuraja Surendran was arrested by the criminal investigation department, police …

Continue reading ‘Ex-Central Bank Deputy Governor Pathinige Samarasiri along with Perpetual Treasuries Ltd Directors Ranjan Hulugalle, Muthuraja Surendran and P.Gunewardene Arrested by CID.’ »

Twelve suspects were arrested in connection with a plot to assassinate an active Tamil politician, the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) told court last week. Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne allowed the CCD to detain the 12 suspects for questioning about the alleged assassination plot. The arrested persons included members of the underworld and persons with …

Continue reading ‘Another Overseas LTTE Plot to Use Underworld Gangs to Allegedly Assassinate MA Sumanthiran MP ? 12 Suspects Arrested and Detained for Investigation by Police Colombo Crimes Division.’ »

By Maneshka Borham The now famous CID investigation into the abduction and murder of 11 youth by a Navy extortion gang, helped sleuths to break open a secondary racket involving a separate group of naval personnel, including high ranking officers, to abduct businessmen for ransom In June 2010 the gang robbery unit of the Criminal …

Continue reading ‘Former Navy Commander Jayantha Perera and Ex-Naval Intelligence Chief Ananda Guruge Allegedly Implicated in CID Investigations Into Disappearances of Vadivelu Loganathan and Ratnasami Parmananda Reportedly Abducted in Wellampitiya on January 11, 2009.’ »

The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) Member of Parliament M.A. Sumanthiran’s constitutional justification for seeking foreign judges to serve in the proposed Judicial Mechanism to try alleged war crime cases, has put the government in a spot, and his Tamil rivals in the shade. In a statement in parliament on Friday, Sumanthiran said that there …

Continue reading ‘Tamil National Alliance Spokesperson MA Sumanthiran MP Places Lankan Government in a Spot and Puts Tamil Political Rivals in the Shade’ »

By Maneshka Borham The Police commenced an investigation this week into the defacing of the newly installed signboard at the bottom of the steps leading to Sri Pada on the Hatton-Nallathanniya trail. The tri lingual signboard displaying the name of the revered mountain, and its Tamil translation in particular appeared to have irked certain Sinhalese …

Continue reading ‘After Weeks of Hate Campaign Spearheaded by Mahasona’s Dan Priyasad and Namal Kumara the Tamil and English Letters in Newly Installed Signboard at Bottom of Adams Peak – Sri Pada – Sivanolipadamalai Defaced with Black Tar by Vandals.’ »

By Anurangi Singh Just a day after the grand tamasha that took place at the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel, to launch the ‘National Action Plan for combating bribery and corruption’, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), promptly went before the Colombo Magistrate, and, based on technical grounds, withdrew cases filed against MP …

Continue reading ‘Several “Sharks”Being Investigated For Bribery and Corruption Were Prominent Psrticipants at Grand Tamasha Held at Shangri-La Hotel by Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption(CIABOC)’ »

By Dr.Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Recently at a workshop that focused on the events of October 26 and thereafter, a participant remarked that the one thing that stood out with respect to the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was his ability to maintain grace under pressure for the duration of the coup against the Constitution. There are many …

Continue reading ‘Happy Birthday Prime Minister ! Ranil Wickremesinghe Deserves Our Deep Appreciation and Admiration for not Capitulating to the Coup and Standing Straight as the Legal and Constitutional Premier of Sri Lanka.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Accountability in Sri Lanka was always about the working of the criminal law. And Justice was always about the clash of the ‘non-equals’ with the ‘more than equals.’ In that clash, seldom have the ‘non-equals’ triumphed in this country, as bitter lessons of our legal history so persistently teach us. Refresher …

Continue reading ‘Justice in Sri Lanka is About the Clash of “Non Equals” Like the Families of Missing Children and the “More Than Equals” Like The Navy Personnel Under Investigation for Allegedly Abducting Those Children For Ransom’ »

By Namini Wijedasa The son of a controversial Indian politician from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is a director in, not just one, but two companies recently incorporated in Sri Lanka. The second was set up ostensibly to implement a US$ 3.85 billion (Rs 685.5 billion) oil refinery project in Hambantota. But the initiative is …

Continue reading ‘Silver Park Petroleum (pvt)Ltd Owned by Family of India’s DMK politician Jagathrakshakan Was Formed on Feb 21st 2019 Just 6 Days After Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama Submitted Cabinet Paper For Rs 685.5 Billion Oil Refinery Project in Hambantota’ »

By Manoj Colambage Additional Solicitor General and President’s Counsel Yasantha Kodagoda is set to take oaths as President of the Court of Appeal, ending months of sparring and deadlock over the judicial appointment, the Sunday Observer learns. Kodagoda was nominated to head the Court by President Maithripala Sirisena. The Constitutional Council yesterday unanimously approved the …

Continue reading ‘Addl Solicitor -General Yasantha Kodagoda PC To Be Sworn in as Court of Appeal President as Constitutional Councl Unanimously Approves President Sirisena’s Fresh Nomination.’ »

By Disna Mudalige and Camelia Nathaniel Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M.A. Sumanthiran made a stern appeal to the government to adhere to the time bound implementation of the UNHRC resolution which the country co-sponsored for the third time last Thursday. Joining the Committee Stage debate in Parliament yesterday, Sumanthiran warned, “I want to make …

Continue reading ‘“If Govt Does Not Honour Commitment Given in UNHRC Resolution to Set Up a Hybrid Court With Independent Foreign Judges The Tamil People May Demand an Entirely International Judicial Mechanism “States MA Sumanthiran MP in Parliament.’ »

By P.K.Balachandran The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC)’s resolution on the rights situation in Sri Lanka, which was passed in Geneva on Thursday through consensus, meets Colombo’s requirements. Resolution 40/L.1 not only gives two years’ extension for the implementation of resolution 30/1 of 2015, but also says that the recommendations will be implemented “with the …

Continue reading ‘Consensus Resolution on Sri Lanka Passed by UNHRC Gives Colombo the Right to Decide What Would be Implemented and To What Extent a Recommendation Would be Implemented.’ »

The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Thursday through consensus passed a resolution giving the government of Sri Lanka two more years to implement the resolution 30/1 of 2015, ie: until March 2021. After the resolution was adopted the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana, said that the passing of the resolution 40/L.1 is a …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Co-sponsored Resolution Passed Without Opposition Through Consensus by United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake The UNCHR has adopted the resolution on Sri Lanka, without a vote. We have two more years to give further proof of peace building and reconciliation. Don’t we feel great about using the Lord Naseby facts to strengthen our case? Shouldn’t we feel even greater that the number of Tamil civilians allegedly …

Continue reading ‘Should We Not Feel Great and Proud That Lord Naseby a White Lord of the UK Our Former Colonial Master Helped Us By Reducing The Number Of Alleged Civilan Deaths to 8000 From 40000?’ »

Sri Lanka today rejected UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet’s proposals to establish an Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Sri Lanka and calling to implement a detailed and comprehensive strategy for the transitional process with a ‘fixed timeline’. “We all are eager to see results. However, pressing for …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana Makes Statement at UNHRC in Geneva Rejecting Proposals to Appoint International Judges for Judicial Mechanism, Establishing an UN Human Rights Office in Sri Lanka and Setting up a Fixed Timeline for Transitional Justice Process.’ »

Singapore rejected Wednesday Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena’s allegation it was sheltering a former central bank chief wanted for fraud, saying Colombo failed to provide documents to support its extradition request. Sirisena on Monday accused Singapore of sheltering Arjuna Mahendran, one of his country’s former central bank chiefs wanted in connection with a high-profile $74 …

Continue reading ‘Singapore Refutes President Sirisena’s Allegation of Sheltering Ex-Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran While Faulting Sri Lanka For not Providing Documents Seeking Extradition.’ »

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera has criticized former President Mahinda Rajapaksa for challenging the Geneva Resolution on the basis of disclosure made by Lord Naseby in the House of Lords. Samaraweera issued the following statement in response to Opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa’s statement dated17 March 2019 instructing the government on what its position should be when …

Continue reading ‘Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera Flays Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa For Misleading the Public Through Falsehoods about the Co-sponsored Resolution at the UNHRC in Geneva’ »

Sri Lanka’s has failed to fully implement its commitments to ensure accountability for war-time atrocities because of a lack of vision at the highest level of leadership in the county, the UN human rights chief said today. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet told the council in Geneva that Colombo cooperated with the …

Continue reading ‘UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet Tells UN Human Rights Council in Geneva that Colombo cooperated with the UN, but there was very slow progress in delivering the 2015 commitments on accountability.’ »

The UN human rights chief yesterday warned Sri Lanka it could slip back to conflict unless it addressed the “worst crimes” during the final stages of its ethnic war. Michelle Bachelet told the Human Rights Council that Sri Lanka was yet to set up the special judicial mechanism as promised four years ago to try …

Continue reading ‘UN Human Rights Chief Michele Bachelet Tells Human Rights Council that Sri Lanka Could Slip Back to Conflict Unless it Addresses Through a Judicial Mechanism the “Worst Crimes” Committed During War’ »

Presenting the report on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka to the 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva yesterday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called on Sri Lanka to implement a detailed, comprehensive strategy for the transitional process with a fixed timeline. Acknowledging the Sri …

Continue reading ‘UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet Wants Sri Lanka to Implement a Detailed, Comprehensive Strategy for Transitional Process with a Fixed Timeline.’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya For years, foreign policy mandarins and their political bosses in this country lived and re-lived a lie that Sri Lanka’s destiny would be decided in Geneva. They were joined by the acolytes of the Tamil Tiger terrorists, their financers and paid and otherwise propagandists, who made the gullible in the diaspora part …

Continue reading ‘No Need To withdraw Itself From UN Resolution as Previous Co-sponsorship Was a Mere Formality That Served Sri Lanka’s Interests and Diluted International Interest’ »

The Supreme Court, yesterday, issued a restraining order preventing Nagananda Kodituwakku from practising as a lawyer for three years. A three-member bench comprising Chief Justice Nalin Perera, Justices Sisira de Abrew and Prasanna Jayawardena issued the order over a 2015 defamation case. The case was filed by Justice Vijith Malalgoda, while he was the President …

Continue reading ‘Three Judge Supreme Court Bench Headed by Chief Justice Nalin Perera Issues Restraining Order Preventing “Activist Lawyer” Nagananda Kodituwakku From Practising as an Attorney -at -Law For Three Years After Hearing Defamation Case Filed by Justive Vijith Malalgoda.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardena In contrast to Colombo’s largely polarized sound and fury on the Counter-Terror Bill, it is refreshing to look at the manner in which South Africa has dealt with uncannily similar dilemmas of balancing national security imperatives and constitutional rights in bringing its counter-terror law into effect more than a decade ago. …

Continue reading ‘Is This Govt Going to Push Forward the Counter Terrorism Act by Water Cannoning Trade Unions Protesting Provisions of the Bill?’ »

The UNF government must officially communicate to the UN Human Rights Commissioner and members of the UNHRC that Sri Lanka will no longer co-sponsor resolutions against itself in the UNHRC; Sri Lanka does not accept the allegations made in OHCHR Report No: 30/61 of 28 September 2015 and will not set up a hybrid war …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Wants Govt to Inform the UNHRC and UN Human Rights Commissioner That Sri Lanka Would No Longer Co-sponsor a Resolution Against Itself in Geneva.’ »

By Aanya Wipulasena Exorbitant debts from loans provided by Microfinance institutions to failing businesses have pushed at least 170 people into suicide, islandwide,in the past year alone, with the highest suicide rates being reported among women, and area-wise in the Vavuniya, Jaffna and Batticaloa districts, Progressive Peasants’ Congress (PPC) shows. The suicide rates are just …

Continue reading ‘At Least 170 Island -wide Suicides in 2018 By People Unable To Repay Loans Obtained From Microfinance Institutions; Highest Rates Among Women From Vavuniya, Jaffna and Batticaloa Districts.’ »

By Jayadeva Uyangoda The controversy over whether the former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda would be arrested captured public attention last week. The saga has left the citizen concerned about the independence of the judiciary, and its responsibility to protect powerless and helpless citizens when their rights are repeatedly violated. It also highlighted the need …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s System of Justice is now Facing an Entirely New Source of Threat, Because the Very Issue of Justice has been Excessively Politicised Blurring the Distinction Between Power and Justice.’ »

By Aanya Wipulasena Over the past decade, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has been exclusively probing graft cases involving ‘small people’, while cases of corruption of over Rs.10 million are left largely uninvestigated, a Right to Information application has revealed. Good governance activist Chandra Jayaratne, wrote to President Maithripala Sirisena …

Continue reading ‘CIABOC(Bribery Commission)Goes After Sprats and Not Sharks! Most Cases Probed are Offences Involving Ten Million or Less by “Small People”: Only One Case Above 10 Million;Not a Single Case Filed for 25 Million and Above Offence.’ »

By Yasmine Gooneratne Sri Lanka recently received high praise from the writers of The Lonely Planet as a country they rate as Number One in a list of places which well reward visitors’ interest. Their views have been echoed by Hidden Travellers, a group of travel writers who aim to disclose the good as well …

Continue reading ‘Many Sri Lankans are fully aware that we are fortunate in our birthplace, but we do not realize that some sensitive and intelligent visitors share our sense of wonder’ »

By Sanjana Hattotuwa Our wait for a telephone was just a few years. At the time, in the early 90s, we knew of families who were on a waiting list for close upon a decade. I was at school when Sri Lanka Telecom had installed the rotary device. Like the first mobile phones from Motorola …

Continue reading ‘The Original Web Sir Tim Berners-Lee Created 30 Years Ago is Now Indistinguishable From What Frames and Fuels Politics, Elections, society, institutions,Communications,Relations and Community’ »

TNA MP M.A Sumanthiran queried how Parliament can approve the President’s expenditure head when the President is trying to send a separate Opposition delegation to Geneva to represent himself when a government delegation is also attending the UNHRC sessions. He noted that this is an important head of expenditure that has been proposed in this …

Continue reading ‘“Proceedings in Karannagoda Case Show The Partisan Manner In Which The Judiciary and Attorney -Generals Dept Function in Matters Like These” States MA Sumanthiran MP in Parliament.’ »

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa whose passport was impounded in connection with the D.A. Rajapaksa Museum case was yesterday temporally permitted to travel abroad by the Permanent High Court-at-Bar. The Trial-at-Bar bench comprising High Court Judges Sampath Abeykoon (President), Sampath Wijeratne and Champa Janaki Rajaratne allowed Gotabaya Rajapaksa to travel abroad between …

Continue reading ‘Ex -Def Secy Gotabaya Rajapaksa Whose Passport Was Impounded in Connection With DA Rajapaksa Museum Case Given Permission by Permanent High Court Trial at bar Bench hearing Case to Travel Abroad Between Mar 26 to Apr 12.’ »

By Manekshaw A memorandum was handed over by the representatives of the aggrieved families of the disappeared persons two days ago to Northern Governor Dr. Suren Raghavan who is one of the five members of the delegation sent by President TMaithripala Sirisena to attend the UNHRC session in Geneva. It was on the request made …

Continue reading ‘Northern Governor Dr.Suren Raghavan Obtains Memorandum From 8 Member Delegation Representing Families of Disappeared Persons Before Going to UNHRC In Geneva as Part of Govt Delegation.’ »

Multiple fatalities were inflicted at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Friday when at least one gunman opened fire on worshippers, police said. Witnesses told media that a man dressed in a military-style, camouflage outfit, and carrying an automatic rifle had started randomly shooting people in the Al Noor mosque. The …

Continue reading ‘Bangladesh Cricket Team in Christchurch to Play Third Test Against New Zealand was Arriving at Al Noor Mosque at Time of Shooting Were Not Affected and are all Safe.’ »

The New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Arden has given a short speech responding to the shooting at mosques in Christchurch that has left several people dead. Jacinda Ardern said the incident was “one of New Zealand’s darkest days” and that the victims had chosen to make New Zealand their home. “They are us,” she said. …

Continue reading ‘“Many of those directly affected by this shooting have chosen to make New Zealand their home, and it is their home.They are us. The person who has perpetuated this violence against us is not”- New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden’ »

By Michael Mcgowan Before the shooting starting, the Al Noor mosque in the New Zealand city of Christchurch was “peaceful, calm and quiet”. “As it is when the sermon starts, you could hear a pin drop,” a man identified as Ramzan told reporters on Friday. Then about 1.40pm during afternoon prayers, gunfire broke out. “It …

Continue reading ‘Survivors of Horrendous Shooting at Christchurch’s Al Noor Mosque in New Zealand Provide Eyewitness Accounts of Their Terrifying Ordeal to Media.’ »

by Lisa Martin Forty -nine people have been shot dead and 20 injured in attacks at two mosques during Friday afternoon prayers in Christchurch in what is the worst mass shooting in New Zealand’s history. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it was “one of New Zealand’s darkest days” as police uncovered multiple explosive devices attached …

Continue reading ‘49 Killed and 20 Injured in Mass Shooting of People Gathered For Afternoon Prayers at Two Mosques in Christchurch in New Zealand: 4 Suspects Arrested for “Right wing Extremist Attack”.’ »

By Saman Indrajith Women and children in the Northern Province were being exposed to a sinister racket of producing rape films sponsored by members of the same community who were resident abroad, JVP MP Bimal Rathnayake, yesterday, told parliament. Participating in the Committee Stage Debate of the Appropriation Bill 2019 on the Ministry of National …

Continue reading ‘Women and Children in North Being Sexually Violated by Maniacs and Filmed for Screening Abroad by Some Members of the Tamil Diaspora Alleges JVP Parliamentarian Bimal Ratnayake.’ »

By Shivani de Zylva The commitments made by the Government of Sri Lanka four years ago at the UNHRC session in Geneva have had lasting impressions on its citizens. While some perceive the commitments of Resolution 30/1 (Res 30/1) as an international obligation that threatens our sovereignty or a political tool and a box ticking …

Continue reading ‘Could Sri Lanka Have “Ignored” the Resolution 30/1 Passed By the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva Four Years Ago?’ »

By Prof N. Shanmugaratnam ´Economic Development Framework for a Northern Province Master Plan´, is a study commissioned by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and carried out by a team of seven members with competence in relevant fields and knowledge of post-war conditions in the province. The study provides an opportunity for an open discussion …

Continue reading ‘Central Bank Commissioned Study “Economic Development Framework for a Northern Province Master Plan” Provides an Opportunity for Discussion On Post -War Development of Province’ »

The Core Group on Sri Lanka, led by the United Kingdom on Monday tabled the Resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva. The Core Group on Sri Lanka, comprising Canada, Germany, Montenegro, North Macedonia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland presented the resolution A/HRC/40/L.1 titled …

Continue reading ‘Core Group on Sri Lanka Comprising UK, Canada, Germany, Montenegro and North Macedonia Present Resolution A/HRC/40/L.1 Titled “Promoting Reconciliation,Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka” at UNHRC In Geneva.’ »

By S.S. Selvanayagam The Court of Appeal yesterday directed Petitioner Gotabaya Rajapaksa to re-issue notices pertaining to his Writ Petition contesting the Order of the Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar, which is hearing the D.A. Rajapaksa Museum Case, on the Respondents. The Bench comprising Justices Achala Wengappuli and Arjuna Obeysekere fixed the matter for 26 March.

By Dinasena Ratugamage A special note would be sent to the UNHRC via the Governor of the Northern Province, Suren Raghavan, former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP, M. K. Sivajilingam said. Sivajilingam said that after learning that Raghavan would attend the UNHRC sessions, as a representative of the President, he had handed over the letter …

Continue reading ‘Ex-MP Sivajilingam says he Handed Over Letter Seeking Independent International Investigation Into Alleged War Crimes and Violationsto Northern Province Governor’s Secretary to Be Submitted to UNHRC In Geneva By Suren Raghavan’ »

By Manoj Colambage For 10 long years, Sarojini Naganathan has gone from court house to court house, in a seemingly endless search for her only child, Rajiv. On Thursday, when former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda’s fundamental rights petition seeking to block his arrest by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was taken up by a three …

Continue reading ‘Hearing Of Fundamental Rights Petition Filed By Ex-Navy Chief Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda By Three -Judge Bench Of Supreme Court Provides Illuminating Insight Into How The Justice System Works In Sri Lanka’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Sri Lanka’s draft Counter Terrorism Act (CTA) is not a curate’s egg of mostly good with a little bit of bad thrown in. Rather, it is the reverse. The draft Act is a whole lot of bad with some good thrown into the unappealing mixture. Ingenious traps by ‘deep state’ security …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Draft Counter Terrorism Act is a Whole Lot of Bad With Some Good Thrown In.’ »

By P.K.Balachandran Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Sri Lankan Defense and Urban Development Secretary and younger brother of the country’ fifth President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is confident of getting elected as President of Sri Lanka at the end this year. He said in an interview here on Wednesday, that his confidence rests on his belief that Sri Lankans …

Continue reading ‘“If There is All Round Development of the Country And There is Economic Equality a Tamil Person Could be Prime Minister of Sri Lanka” Says Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’ »

Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court Thursday prevented the imminent arrest of retired admiral Wasantha Karannagoda in connection with murder, but he was ordered to make a statement to the CID which he has been avoiding. A three-judge bench allowed the former navy chief’s application to block the police Criminal Investigations Department from arresting him in connection …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court Throws a Lifeline to Ex-Navy Chief Wasantha Karannagoda By Preventing Imminent Arrest by Police Over Case Concerning Abduction for Ransom and Murder of Youths by Navy Personnel.’ »

Sri Lanka’s president went back Wednesday on pledges to the UN Human Rights Council to investigate war-time atrocities, saying he did not want to “re-open old wounds”. Sri Lankan government troops were accused of killing at least 40,000 ethnic Tamil civilians in the final months of the island’s 37-year guerrilla war that ended in May …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan President Sirisena Renegades on Pledges Given to UN Human Rights Council That His Govt Would Investigate Allegations of Human Rights Violations During The War.’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake What exactly will the special Presidential Trio sent to the United Nations Human Rights Council – UNHCR – in Geneva do? Will Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Mr. Mahinda Samarasinghe and Northern Governor Dr. Suren Raghavan, be a rival team to the official Sri Lankan diplomatic team led by our Ambassador in Geneva? There …

Continue reading ‘What Will the “South Asian Trump” Sirisena’s “Janadhipathi Thunkattiya”(Presidential Trio) Comprising Amunugama, Samarasinghe and Raghavan Do At the UNHRC In Geneva?’ »

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana The law should apply to former navy commander Wasantha Karannangoda if he had done anything wrong, Field Marshal and MP Sarath Fonseka said today during the debate on the second reading of the Budget. He said the former navy commander should be penalized if he was found guilty on …

Continue reading ‘“We Will Protect war Heroes But Not Criminals” says Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka Who Wants the Law to Apply to Wasantha Karannagoda if Ex-Navy Chief Had Done anything Wrong.’ »

Romesh De Silva PC launched a blistering attack on CID Gang Robberies Branch OIC Nishantha Silva, the lead investigator in the controversial Navy abductions case that has garnered wide public interest. De Silva PC said that in February 2015, IP Silva had been handed over the investigation into the alleged abduction racket by the Navy, …

Continue reading ‘CID Chief Investigator Nishantha Silva Probing Cases of Attacks Against Journalists and Abduction For Ransom By Navy Called “Hangman” and “Villain” in Scathing Attack in Courts by Romesh de Silva PC.’ »

By S. S. Selvanayagam Justice Kumudini Wickramasinghe yesterday recused herself from being a member of the Court of Appeal Bench, which is taking up the Writ petition filed by former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. Petitioner Gotabhaya filed his Writ petition contesting the order of the Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar which is hearing the D. A. …

Continue reading ‘Justice Kumudini Wickramasinghe Recuses Herself From Court of Appeal Bench Hearing Writ Petition Filed by Ex-Def Secy Gotabhaya Rajapaksa Contesting Order Issued by High Court Trial at Bar.’ »

By Sithum Chathuranga and Romesh Madusanka The Carbon dating report from the Beta Analytic Institute of Florida, USA has revealed that the skeletal remains found in the Mannar mass grave dates back to a period between 1499 and 1719 AD (Anno Domini). However, the analysts are of the opinion that it was impossible to determine …

Continue reading ‘Six Samples of 319 Skeletal Remains Unearthed in Mannar Mass Grave Found to be Centuries Old from 1499 to 1719 Period According to Carbon Dating Report by Beta Analytic Institute of Florida in USA’ »

By Chitra Weerarathne The Supreme Court yesterday ordered the former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda to be present at the CID next Monday to record a statement. Karannagoda would submit an affidavit to the Supreme Court to the effect that he would neither interfere with witnesses at the High Court trial nor leave the country. In …

Continue reading ‘Supreme Court Orders Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda Should Not Be Taken Into Custody By Police On The Basis Of Sworn Affidavits by Ex-Navy Chief That He Would Not Interfere With Witnesses or Leave the Country’ »

A love triangle may have helped trigger investigations into what has become Sri Lanka’s worst abduction and murder case by a rouge unit under former navy chief Wasantha Karannagoda, the Supreme Court was told. Documents filed in the highest court suggest that the horrendous kidnappings and killings took place right under the nose of Admiral …

Continue reading ‘9 Page Petition Filed Before Supreme Court by JC Weliyamuna PC On Behalf of Victim Rajiv’s Mother Saroja Alleges that Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda First Complained Against Sampath Munasinghe Out of Spite Because Ex-Navy Chief’s ADC Had an Illicit Love Affair With His Wife Asoka.’ »

By Vidya Ram Britain’s Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled in favour of a Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seeker’s claim that the Home Office was wrong to reject his contention that he was tortured back in Sri Lanka, and asked the Upper Tribunal to look at the case afresh, in what is considered a landmark judgment. …

Continue reading ‘Britain’s Supreme Court Rules in Favour of Sri Lankan Tamil Asylum Seeker in Landmark Judgement Pointing to “Well -established Evidence of Extensive Torture by Sri Lankan State Forces in 2009”.’ »

N. Ram, Chairman of The Hindu publishing group, responded strongly to Attorney General K.K. Venugopal’s argument in the Supreme Court that the Rafale deal documents were “stolen” and those publishing them were guilty under the Official Secrets Act. “We did not steal the documents from the Ministry of Defence, we got them from confidential sources …

Continue reading ‘“No Force On Earth Can Make Me Or Us Reveal the Confidential Sources From Whom We Obtained Defence Ministry Documents About the Rafale Deal” States “The Hindu” Newspaper Publishing Group Chairman N. Ram.’ »

By Shavini Madhara The Attorney General will file indictments before the Colombo High Court against former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda and 13 other suspects. They are accused of being involved in the abduction and forced disappearance of 11 youth in 2009. Senior State Counsel Janaka Bandara made this remark when the magisterial inquiry into the …

Continue reading ‘Senior State Counsel Janaka Bandara Tells Court that Attorney -General Will File Indictments in Colombo High Court Against Former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda and 13 Others.’ »

COUNTER-TERRORISM police arrested a Tamil musician at Heathrow airport hours before he was due to perform at a UN summit in Switzerland. Vakeesan Thangavel, 36, was surrounded by armed police on Monday morning after he boarded a flight bound for Geneva. Officers allegedly shouted: “You are attempting terrorism! You have got a flag!”

MAKING slit-throat gestures at Tamil protesters was part of the job description for Sri Lanka’s military attache in London, Westminster Magistrates Court heard today (Mar 1). Barrister Nicholas Wayne made the extraordinary argument in defence of his client, Brigadier Priyanka Fernando. The soldier was caught on camera running his fingers across his throat while standing …

Continue reading ‘Brig. Priyanka Fernando’s Lawyer Told British Court That the Throat -Slitting Gestures Made by His Client at Demonstrators was Part of the 10 Part Job Description of the Defence Attache at the Sri Lankan High Commission in London.’ »

(Text of a Press Release Issued on March 6th 2019 on behalf of the Peoples Commission on Land initiated by the Peoples Alliance for Right to Land(PARL) The People’s Commission on Land is initiated by the People’s Alliance for Right to Land (PARL), a network of displaced communities, civil society organizations and activists working on …

Continue reading ‘Peoples Commission on Land will Commence Conducting Public Hearings and Focus Group Discussions To Gather Information and Views From People on Land Related Issues on a District by District Basis from March 8th 2019’ »

By Col R Hariharan President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to be seriously examining the implications of withdrawing from the US-backed UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution Sri Lanka had co-sponsored in September 2015. By co-sponsoring the resolution, Sri Lanka was committed to set up a tribunal with international participation to investigate allegations of war crimes …

Continue reading ‘If President Sirisena Gets Sri Lanka To Withdraw Its Co-sponsorship of UNHRC Resolution it will Only Re-inforce Belief That Sri Lankan Govts Do Not Honour Promises To Deliver Justice to Minorities.’ »

By Disna MudaligeCamelia Nathaniel and Menaka Indrakumar The Government yesterday rolled out sweeping incentives for all social segments of the country presenting an all-inclusive Budget for the year 2019. The Budget also included a series of new proposals to meet revenue targets and successfully confront the fiscal challenges. Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera, delivering the 2019 …

Continue reading ‘“Enterprise Sri Lanka” Scheme for Providing Loans to Young entrepreneurs will be Strengthened and Expanded Under 2019 Budgest Announces Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera.’ »

True to expectations, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday presented a people-friendly Budget for 2019, balanced with maintaining policy consistency and reforms for the private sector, though the Opposition and some analysts were wary. A segment of Samaraweera’s proposals were targeted at increasing economic competitiveness, while others were focused on providing voter incentives for an election …

Continue reading ‘Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera Presents People -Friendly Budget With Emphasis on Enterprise That Would ” Empower the People and Nurture the Poor”.’ »

(Text of a Lecture delivered by Dr.Radhika Coomaraswamy on 2nd March 2019 at an event held at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute in Colombo, commemorating the life of former Attorney – General Shibly Aziz PC, who served as a member of the Constitutional Council) I want to thank the organizers for having invited us here today …

Continue reading ‘“If We Have a Truly Independent Judiciary and Independent Commissions Today- and I Believe We Have Begun The Process- Much Of The Credit Must Go To Shibly Aziz” – Radhika Coomaraswamy’ »

By Dr.Upul Wijayawardhana The remarkable win of 12-year-old Nishi Uggalla, from Manchester, on Saturday night’s (2nd March) final of the Channel Four’s Child Genius competition was, no doubt, a proud moment for all Sri Lankans domiciled in UK. But it was much more because she made it ultra-special and won the hearts of everyone who …

Continue reading ‘12 Year old Nishi Uggalla of Sri Lankan Origin With an IQ Higher Than That of Albert Einstein Wins Britain’s Channel 4 TV’s Child Genius 2019 Competition’ »

By Sharmini Serasinghe The 40th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva is currently underway. The report on Sri Lanka will be formally submitted on the 20th of March. Less than a week before the Geneva Sessions commenced on the 25th of February, former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda’s impending arrest …

Continue reading ‘Is Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda to be the Sacrificial Lamb at the Altar of the 40th UNHCR Sessions?’ »

by Shamindra Ferdinando Vidyajothi Prof. M.S. Rizvi Sheriff on Saturday (March 02) declared that wartime Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was not just another Rajapaksa but a man with immense talent, skill and vision. The academic said that Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his opinion a man well worthy of securing the political leadership in Sri Lanka. Prof. …

Continue reading ‘Ex-Def Secy Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa States Future Govt Would Ensure the People’s Right to Live Respectfully, Enhanced Religious Freedom, Eradication of the Underworld and a Disciplined Society.’ »

By Manoj Colambage Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda inched closer to arrest last Thursday, with the Supreme Court delaying the consideration of a petition filed by the former Navy Commander seeking to prevent his arrest by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with the murder of 11 young men alleged to have been abducted for ransom …

Continue reading ‘Several Senior Naval Officers Hand-picked by Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda Questioned by CID Have Indicated that the Former Navy Commander was Consciously Complicit in Allowing 11 Abducted Youths to be Killed.’ »

By Col R Hariharan With IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman back home from Pakistan and receiving a hero’s welcome, tempers have cooled down somewhat between India and its neighbour which were on the brink of a confrontation. These relations entered a potential conflict zone after 12 IAF Mirage 2000s carried out a carefully crafted …

Continue reading ‘Pakistan Releasing Indian Air Force Pilot Has Clearly Put The Ball In India’s Court But Imran Khan Too Must De-escalate Situation By Dismantling Terrorist Camps’ »

Former navy chief, Wasantha Karannagoda, who is wanted in connection with the abduction and killing of 11 young men has for the first time involved former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa in the case, court records showed. Filing a petition in the Supreme Court seeking the prevention of his imminent arrest by the Criminal Investigations Department, …

Continue reading ‘Is Former Navy Chief Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda Trying To Implicate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa in Abduction and Murder of 11 Youths by Naval Personnel Case By Naming ex-Def Secy in His Fundamental Rights Petition?’ »

By Sujeeva Nivunhella in London The Westminster Magistrate’s Court ruled that Brigadier Priyanka Fernando was not covered by diplomatic immunity when he made a throat-cutting gesture. When the case came up for hearing again in London on Friday, the judge said that his diplomatic immunity covered only what was in his job description, which was …

Continue reading ‘Ex-Defence Attache Brig. Priyanka Fernando Who Made Throat-Cutting Gesture at Tamil Demonstrators in London Was Not Covered by Diplomatic Immunity rules Westminster Magistrate’s Court in UK.’ »

By Namini Wijedasa Sri Lanka, along with the Britain-led ‘core group’, will co-sponsor a fresh resolution at the UN Human Rights Council on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in the country, authoritative sources said. The ‘Zero Draft Resolution on Promoting Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka’ is already in circulation. Among other …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Along With UK led “Core Group” Will Co -sponsor Fresh Resolution at UNHRC In Geneva Envisaging the Continued Involvement of the UN Human Rights Commissioner’s Office To Assess Progress and Implementation of Recommendations.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Verbal gymnastics indulged in by Sri Lankan politicians in respect of the draft Counter Terrorism Act (CTA), now before Parliament awaiting amendments from the sectoral oversight committee, are vastly entertaining in truth. The ‘political hot potato’ Unlikely champions of constitutional rights are emerging from the Rajapaksa-led opposition. This week, the de …

Continue reading ‘Draft Counter Terrorism Act Awaiting Amendments Needs to be Comprehensively Overhauled, not Just Tugged a Little Here or Pushed a Little There.’ »

The defence of residual diplomatic immunity did not apply to the throat-slitting gesture made by Brig Priyanka Fernando, former Defence Attache at the Sri Lanka High Commission in London, as it was not a part of his official duties, a judge at the Westminster Magistrate’s Court decided this week. However, the withdrawal of the arrest …

Continue reading ‘Westminster Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot Rules That Defence of Residual Immunity Will Not Apply to the Throat Cutting Gesture Made by Brig. Priyanka Fernando as it was not Part of the Duties of a Defence Attache.’ »

By Ranjith Padmasiri Former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda and other navy officers are to face a High Court trial-at-bar over the alleged abduction and disappearance of 11 youths, the Attorney General’s Department has decided. The case is to be taken up without a jury in view of the public controversy it has created. In terms …

Continue reading ‘Attorney -Generals Dept Wants Abduction and Murder of 11 Youths Case Against 14 Persons Including Ex-Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda To Face a High Court Trial at Bar without Jury.’ »

By Ajith Siriwardana A group of five members of parliament from across party lines came together today to publish their declarations of assets and liabilities in the public domain, Transparency International Sri Lanka said. It said in a statement that the five MP’s who came forward to do this included State Minister Eran Wickramaratne, Vasudeva …

Continue reading ‘Five Parliamentarians Comprising State Minister Eran Wickramaratne and MP’s Vasudeva Nanayakkara, MA Sumanthiran, Vidura Wickramanayake and Tharaka Balasuriya Voluntarily Provide Details of Their Assets and Liabilities in the Public Domain.’ »

By Uditha Jayasinghe With democracy under threat around the world, former US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power yesterday called on Sri Lanka to protect its democratic ideals and institutions, so that fostering unity, promoting equality, and improving development remain key priorities. Delivering a well-researched and eloquent speech at the ceremony to mark three …

Continue reading ‘Former US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power Praises Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera for his Consistent Backing of Reconciliation, Inclusivity, Universal Human rights and for Standing by his Principles Always’ »

By Saman Gunadasa When over 100,000 estate workers went on strike last December to demand a 1,000-rupee ($US5.50) daily basic wage, the Planters Association of Ceylon, the representative body of the Sri Lankan plantation companies dismissed the demand, declaring it unaffordable. The plantation companies made this claim amidst soaring profits for the majority of them, …

Continue reading ‘Annual Reports Reveal Plantation Companies Are Making Soaring Huge Profits and Managements Earn Enormous Incomes While Estate Workers Demanding 1000 Rupee Daily Wage Were Refused Under the Pretext of Being “Unaffordable”’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando Close on the heels of retired Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda filing a fundamental rights application in the Supreme Court to prevent him being arrested in connection with the alleged wartime disappearance of 11 youth, the police have arrested ex-Lt. Commander Sampath Munasinghe alias ‘Navy Sampath,’ in connection with the inquiry. Karannagoda’s case is …

Continue reading ‘The “Real Navy Sampath” Ex -Navy Lt.Commander Sampath Munasinghe Who Functioned as Former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda’s Security Contingent Head Re-arrested and Remanded.’ »

A man accused by Sri Lanka’s president of orchestrating a plot to assassinate him was cleared of any wrongdoing by a court in Colombo on Wednesday. Investigators said there was no credible evidence the man was plotting to kill Maithripala Sirisena, who justified sacking his prime minister in October in part because cabinet was not …

Continue reading ‘Indian National Merceli Thomas Who Was Alleged to be an Indoan Spy Involved in a Plot to Assassinate President Sirisena Cleared of Any wrong Doing by a Colombo Court and Discharged.’ »

By W.D. A few moons ago, we learnt of former Lion King Mufasa’s seven-year plan. The gambit was simple: safeguard his son Simba’s path to the throne by forging an unlikely alliance with King Rafiki, the baboon that had dethroned the lions. No one in the animal kingdom predicted that Mufasa would act so hastily …

Continue reading ‘“Lion King”May Prefer “Ineffective Elephant” Becoming President To Ensure “Elder Cub’s” Political Future Rather Than Allow “Tough Image Sibling “ or “Tree Jumping Monkey” Win Presidential Stakes’ »

Sri Lanka’s government Tuesday terminated the services of Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) chief Ravi Waidyalankara amid serious allegations of graft, official sources said. The cabinet of ministers at their meeting Tuesday discussed the future of Senior Deputy Inspector-General who is also suspected of passing sensitive information to two Singapore nationals implicated in the highly …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Govt Terminates the Services of Senior Police DIG Ravi Waidyalankara With Effect From Feb 22nd as Head of Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID)’ »

By Nuwan Senarathna The Counter Terrorism Bill presented to Parliament will hinder the rights of workers, trade unions and journalist, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Chairman Prof. G.L Peiris said yesterday pointing out that it would reduce their capacity of demonstrating and going on strikes “This Act will be used to suppress people who speak …

Continue reading ‘Proposed Counter Terrorism Act Will Hinder the Rights of Workers, Trade Unionists, Journalists and Strike A death Blow to Social Movements warns SLPP Chairman Prof .G.L. Peiris’ »

Sanath Jayasuriya has been banned from all cricket for two years after admitting breaching two counts of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code, the ICC said in a press release yesterday. The former Sri Lanka Cricket Chair of Selectors admitted to being in breach of Article 2.4.6 and 2.4.7 of the the ICC Anti-Corruption Code, the release …

Continue reading ‘Former Sri Lankan Cricket Captain and Chief Selector Sanath Jayasuriya Suspended From Cricket for Two Years by International Cricket Council for Breaching ICC Anti-Corruption Code.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Families of forcefully disappeared persons in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province observed a hartal on Monday, demanding justice for war-time human rights abuses. According to sources in the northern districts, most schools, shops and business establishments were shut, in an act of solidarity with the relatives of missing persons, some of whom have …

Continue reading ‘Observation of Hartal Coinciding With Commencement of 40th UNHRC Session in Geneva Shuts Down Tamil Majority Northern Province of Sri Lanka.’ »

Former navy chief, Wasantha Karannagoda, has been accused of conspiracy to murder and made a suspect in the internationally-condemned killing of 11 young men a decade ago. Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake impounded the retired admiral’s passport on Friday after police named him the 14th suspect in the botched abductions for ransom carried out between …

Continue reading ‘Ex-Navy Chief Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda Faces Imminent Arrest After Being Charged Under Penal Code For Several Alleged Offences Related to Abduction and Murder of 11 Youths by Naval Personnel.’ »

By S.S.Selvanayagam Former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda today filed a fundamental rights (FR) petition in the Supreme Court (SC) seeking an interim order preventing him from being arrested in connection with the investigations into the abduction and killing of 11 youths in 2008-2009. He cited OIC Nishantha Silva and Director Shani Abeysekera of the …

Continue reading ‘Former Navy Chief Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda Files FR Petition in Supreme Court Seeking an Interim Order To Prevent His Arrest In Connection With Investigations Into Alleged Abduction and Murder Of 11 Youths by Navy Personnel.’ »

By Taylor Dibbert Sri Lanka’s civil war ended tragically in May 2009. Ten years on, the wounds of war remain unhealed. That has significant implications for the country’s future trajectory and ensures that, absent some big changes, a return to violence at some later date cannot be ruled out. Besides, victims and their family members …

Continue reading ‘Opinion Piece About Sri Lanka by British Politician Lord Naseby is Inundated With False and Misleading Claims and Provides an Incorrect Portrayal of the War.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene It is a matter for raucous entertainment when Sri Lanka’s opposition Members of Parliament, some with the proud boast of associating with known racketeers and jumping from one party to another while others are taped offering bribes to legislators to cross the floor, accuse the country’s Constitutional Council (CC) of being …

Continue reading ‘Despicable Onslaughts on Judges on the Floor of the House by Rajapaksa Supporters are Part of a Well Orchestrated Plot to Undermine Even the Constitutional Minimum That we Have Now’ »

By Maneshka Borham Investigators of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) are closing in on a former top aide of former Navy Commander, Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda in connection with the Navy abduction for ransom racket. According to sources, the aide, now a wanted suspect currently serving as a Chief Petty Officer in the Naval intelligence is …

Continue reading ‘CID has not yet Sought to Arrest Former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda Despite Having Reported Significant Evidence of his Possible Involvement in the Murders to the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.’ »

By J.C.Weliyamuna PC Sri Lanka today faces another constitutional crisis. At the centre of the crisis is the dynamic between the Constitutional Council, a creation of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, and the executive presidency, itself a creation of the 1978 Constitution. Both the executive powers of the President and the powers of the …

Continue reading ‘Confrontation Between Executive Presidency and Constitutional Council Has Resulted in Another Constitutional Crisis Where There is no Constitutionally Established Court of Appeal.’ »

By Manoj Colambage If the D.A Rajapaksa Museum trial starts as scheduled on Friday (22), it will mark the first time the public will be exposed to evidence in a court of law, alleging illegal conduct by the former Defence Secretary after his lawyers spent years trying to stall criminal proceedings against him through a …

Continue reading ‘If DA Rajapaksa Museum Trial Starts as On Feb 22 the Public Will Be Exposed For the First Time to Evidence In a Court of Law Alleging Illegal Conduct by ex-Def Secy Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’ »

Kusal Perera carried Sri Lanka to a sensational one-wicket win on the fourth day of the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead on Saturday as he hit a career-best 153 not out. Perera and Vishwa Fernando put on an unbeaten 78 in a last-wicket partnership to secure Sri Lanka’s second win in 14 Test …

Continue reading ‘Kusal Perera Scoring 153 N.O Puts on Unbeaten Last Wicket Partnership of 78 Runs With Vishwa Fernando Enabling Sri Lanka To Register Sensational One-Wicket Victory Over South Africa in Durban.’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “We were on the Titanic and everyone knew it was hitting the iceberg” – Eric Hobsbawm (Interesting Times) In a few months, we, the Lankan voters, will be asked to make a choice that history may well term tragic. The UNP, the SLFP, the SLPP and the JVP have all expressed an …

Continue reading ‘The Main Choice at the Next Presidential Election will be Straightforward – Does Sri Lanka Return to Authoritarian Rajapaksa Rule or not.’ »

By Kelum Bandara Since the defeat of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa four years ago, there has been speculation in the political circles that his brother and Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, known as an efficient administrator, would come forward as the next Presidential candidate. His Viyathmaga movement was seen as a launching pad in this …

Continue reading ‘“When there is a war situation, there are certain things you must do. When the war ends, you do not repeat the same. You cannot judge a person by what he did during a war situation” – “ Ex Def Secy Gotabhaya Rajapaksa in “Daily Mirror” Interview’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake The debate about the Indian rope trick described as the world’s greatest illusion continues. But we have now moved to our own Rope Trick age. President Sirisena is showing signs of possibly beating all those Indian magicians by making a big performance of his own Rope Trick. He cannot trust a Sri …

Continue reading ‘Hangman Rope Trick Masterminded by Maithripala Sirisena for his “Ellungass Senakeliya” (Hangman’s Carnival) May Beat all Rope Tricks of Indian Magicians’ »

By Rukshana Rizwie Singers Amal and his son Nadeemal Perera who were arrested at Makandure Madush’s son’s birthday party in Dubai are likely to be released on conditional bail. This is upon a settlement of a fine along with 15 others who would be deported to Sri Lanka once the case is taken up on …

Continue reading ‘Depending Upon Toxicology Reports , the Singers Amal and Son Nadeemal Perera Along With 15 Others Are Likely to Be Released With a Fine and Ordered To Be Deported to Sri Lanka When Case Is Taken Up Before Courts in Dubai on Feb 27 Say Lawyers’ »

By Rathindra Kuruwita Former Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Admiral Dr. Jayanath Colombage, yesterday, told American officials including Assistant Secretary to the US Department of State Thomas L. Vajda that the United States should not place too much emphasis on human rights and democracy when working in Sri Lanka. He said so at a …

Continue reading ‘USA Should not Emphasise Human Rights and Democracy too Much When Working in Sri Lanka Says Ex-Navy Commander Dr.Jayanath Colombage to Visiting US Officials at Round Table Discussion.’ »

by Hemantha Randunu Police have not sent a single representative to Dubai to monitor legal action against notorious underworld criminal Makandure Madush, Police sources claim. However, several lawyers have gone to Dubai to represent the suspects and are feeding the media with wrong information, a senior police officer said, adding that the police should have …

Continue reading ‘While Many Lawyers Went To Dubai to Watch Interests of Arrested Persons , No Representative of the Police Has Gone to Monitor Investigations and Legal Action Against Makandura Madush in Dubai.’ »

Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said two individuals were behind the assassination of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, the assault on journalist Keith Noyahr and the disappearance of Prageeth Ekneligoda. In an interview with the Daily Mirror, Mr. Rajapaksa said he was not involved in any of these things including the disappearance of Ekneligoda. “We …

Continue reading ‘Two Individuals Were Behind Assassination of Lasantha Wickrematunge, Disappearance of Prageeth Ekneligoda and Abduction -Assault of Keith Noyahr Says Ex Def Secy Gotabhaya Rajapaksa::: Is Gota Referring to Sarath Fonseka and Champika Ranawaka?’ »

Criticising independent Commissions as well as attacking the independent Judiciary will weaken the control and eradication of narcotics, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday. Speaking at an event in Maligawatte today, the Premier said bankrupt politicians cannot be allowed to use the Judiciary as a “football”, and if they come to Parliament and make baseless …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Takes Potshots at Maithripala by Saying that Bankrupt Politicians Cant Come To Parliament and Make Baseless Statements Criticising Independent Commissions and Attacking The Judiciary Like a “Football”.’ »

Attorney-at-law Udul Premaratne, now in Dubai to represent singer Amal Perera and his son Nadeemal Perera, who are under Bur Dubai Police custody with the notorious organised criminal and drug smuggler Makandure Madush, claimed that the raid was not a joint collaboration between Dubai and Sri Lankan law enforcement authorities, but only carried out by …

Continue reading ‘STF or Sri Lankan Police Officials Had Nothing to do with Arrest of Makandure Madush and Others Done by Dubai Police Alone Says Lawyer Udul Premaratne Representing Singer Amal Perera and son Nadeemal.’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader and UPFA member Udaya Gammanpila, yesterday, claimed that so far there was no basis for allegations that UPFA Matara District MP Niroshan Premaratne had laundered underworld kingpin Makadure Madush’s drug money. Those who accused MP Premaratne of money laundering owed an explanation as to how they had …

Continue reading ‘PHU Leader Udaya Gammanpila MP Defends UPFA Parliamentarian Niroshan Premaratne Saying There is no Basis for Allegation that the Matara District MP Had Laundered Money or Invested Funds on Behalf of Drug Kingpin Mkadure Madush.’ »

By Hemantha Randunu No cases have been filed against the underworld leader Makandure Madush regarding the sale of narcotics, Police sources say. Although Madush had been involved in drug dealing the police had no evidence to prove his drug links, sources said. “He has been doing narcotic business from Dubai so the police have failed …

Continue reading ‘No Narcotics Offence Related Case Has Been Filed Against Drug Kingpin Makandure Madush in Sri Lankan Courts So Far: Only Implicated in Two Pending Cases of Killing a Politician and Mass Muredr of Rival Gangsters’ »

By Rukshana Rizwie Wanted criminal Makandure Madush and 30 others who were arrested as part of a sting operation have not been produced before Dubai courts. This is only because the preliminary toxicology reports have been furnished and the group is to be produced courts later this week officials said. “The arrested individuals have not …

Continue reading ‘Makandure Madush and 30 Others Arrested In Dubai Have Not Been Produced in Courts So Far but Toxicology Reports Have Been Filed as part of Preliminary Investigations:INTERPOL Not Involved In Case.’ »

By Nuwan Senarathna Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) national organiser Basil Rajapaksa yesterday said the Party members will not support anyone outside the party as a Presidential candidate under any circumstance, and the candidate would have to contest under the Party’s flower bud symbol. Rajapaksa expressed these views during a meeting held at Party headquarters …

Continue reading ‘Basil Rajapaksa Vetoes Maithripala Sirisena Indirectly by Re-iterating that Next Presidential Election Candidate Will Be Member of SLPP Contesting Under Pohottuwa symbol.’ »

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda The Colombo Permanent High Court-at-Bar yesterday overruled preliminary objections raised by former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and six others in the D.A. Rajapaksa Museum case. While, overruling the preliminary objections raised by the defence, the Trial-at-Bar Bench comprising High Court Judges Sampath Abeykoon (President), Sampath Wijeratne and Champa Janaki Rajaratne held that …

Continue reading ‘Colombo Permanent High Court -at-bar Issues Ruling That It has Jurisdiction to Hear the DA Rajapaksa Museum Case and Rejects Two Preliminary Objections Raised By Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s Defence Counsel’ »