The plaque which acknowledged the contribution of late Prime Minister, D.S. Senanayake, and Ex-Prime minister Dudley Senanayake and the opening of the completed Iranamadu Tank in 1954 by then Agriculture Minister Bulankulame Disawe Dud has been completely destroyed and replaced with a plaque bearing the name of President Maithripala Sirisena. The construction of the Iranamadu …

Continue reading ‘Historic Plaque Acknowledging Contribution of DS Senanayake, Dudley Senanayake and Bulankulame Disawe in Constructing Iranamadu Reservoir Removed and Replaced With New Plaque Bearing President Sirisena’s Name.’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka Quite obviously I haven’t the slightest notion of what the Supreme Court verdict will be, unlike my friend Eran Wickremaratne who announced publicly (and rather curiously) that he doesn’t have the slightest doubt about it. However I do know, as a political scientist, what the implications and consequences will be if it …

Continue reading ‘If Courts Green-lights Dissolution,The Crisis Will be Resolved in a Peaceful Democratic Catharsis of a General Election. If Not, The Issue Won’t Go Away.’ »

By Sanjana Hattotuwa Mahinda Rajapaksa issued two press releases on December 3. One in Sinhala, the other in English. The press release was in response to the interim stay order issued by the Court of Appeal, basically putting Rajapaksa out of the job he was unconstitutionally appointed into and hasn’t to date demonstrated any capacity …

Continue reading ‘There is One Family That Is Most Frequently and Overtly Associated With Racism – THE RAJAPAKSAS’ »

By Gamini Weerakoon Dissolution of Parliament followed by elections is the magic potion that can cure the raging political crisis in one dose, is the belief of the Rajapaksa faithful. If an election can be held within a short time, it may resolve the current political impasse. But to hope for an election to end …

Continue reading ‘How Can Fresh Elections Resolve Current Crisis and Bring Political Stability if the Same Set of MP’s who Cause Mischief are Elected or Appointed to Parliament Again?’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene President Maithripala Sirisena’s implied criticism of the Sri Lankan judiciary when speaking at the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) convention this Tuesday, referencing himself as the Mahanayake (seniormost prelate) of a Nikaya (chapter) being educated by the head monk of a village temple invokes strong and unequivocal condemnation in no uncertain …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena’s Implied Criticism of the Judiciary by Comparing Constitutonal Crisis to a Dispute Between a Senior Buddhist Prelate and Village Temple Monk Deserves Strong,Unequivocal Condemnation.’ »

By Dr Nihal Jayawickrama The President appears to believe that he still possesses the full executive powers he derived from the Constitution when he was elected to his office in January 2015. Three months later, he sat during a tumultuous session in Parliament and witnessed the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, introduced …

Continue reading ‘Why Did Not Anyone Tell President Sirisena That his Powers were Curtailed and he Could Not act according to His whims and fancies?’ »

Mahinda Rajapaksa failed to secure a majority in parliament because MPs demanded over 500 million rupees each to defect, President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday acknowledging that his power grab had backfired. President Sirisena in a video interview with the Daily Mirror admitted that the man he controversially installed as Prime Minister on October 26 did …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Admits Openly That Mahinda Rajapaksa was Unable to Secure a Majority in Parliament Because the “Payment” Demanded by MP’s to Support the Newly Appointed Prime Minister Could Not be Paid as they Were Very Very High’ »

By S.S. Selvanayagam President’s Counsel K. Kanag Iswaran yesterday countering the arguments of the respondents and the intervernient petitioners underlined the fact that the immunity conferred on the Executive President was only on his person and not on his acts or actions. Kanag Iswaran PC appearing for TNA Leader R. Sampanthan said this before the …

Continue reading ‘Immunity Conferred on the Executive President is only on his Person and not on his Acts or Actions States K.Kanag Iswaran PC Before Seven Judge Bench of the Supreme Court.’ »

By Robert.O. Blake (Ambassador Robert Orris Blake jnr served as the US envoy in Colombo from 2006 to 2009.) The current political impasse in Sri Lanka marks an important opportunity for Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa to think about the consequences of their current actions for future support from the United States and others for a …

Continue reading ‘The Democratic Party Winning Control of Congress at Recent US Mid-term Elections Will Bring Added Scrutiny on Sri Lanka With More Intensive Congressional Review of Recent Actions By President Sirisena and Prime Minister Rajapaksa’ »

By Yohan Perera United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday stressed the need to establish a new Parliament to scrap the Executive Presidency through a referendum. Wickremesinghe made these proposals at a seminar organised by the Professionals for Democracy held at the Galle Face Hotel last morning. “The citizens of this country have …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe Says the President Seems to be Ignoring the Legislature and Emphasises the Need to Establish a “New” Parliament to Scrap the Executive Presidency Through a Referendum’ »

With all political efforts to clear the month-long political and constitutional logjam having failed, Sri Lankans are waiting with bated breath to hear the Supreme Court’s rulings on the divisive issues involved. The destiny of the 21 million citizens of Sri Lankan is now in the hands of seven judges of the apex court. Their …

Continue reading ‘Destiny of 21 Million Sri Lankans Placed in the Hands of Seven Supreme Court Judges Who Will Determine Whether Country Will Have Stable Govt or Would Slide Into Anarchy.’ »

President Maithripala Sirisena pulled out of Sri Lanka Tourism Awards ceremony last night following reporters that tourism industry leaders are planning to boycott the event against the President’s participation. Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) said Sirisena was invited for the event on the basis that he is the head of state.

President Maithripala Sirisena issued a statement this evening saying he would take necessary measures to “correct” questionable areas of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. The statement soon after the Supreme Court postponed the hearing of the petitions against the dissolution of Parliament until tomorrow.

By Kelum Bandara The United National Party (UNP) along with the like-minded parties such as the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), was upbeat when the Court of Appeal issued an order restraining the Cabinet and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa from functioning. However, it flew out of the window as President Maithripala Sirisena even discarded its appeal, …

Continue reading ‘If Dissolution of Parliament is Ruled Out by Supreme Court Then Power Struggle Will Intensify With an Impeachment Motion Against President Sirisena Becoming Highly Likely.’ »

President Maithripala Sirisena has said that he would resign from Presidency after making a State of the Nation Address if he was pushed to the wall, MP Mano Ganesan said. According to the MP, the President has said this during the meeting which was held with United National Front (UNF) party leaders Monday night.

Sri Lanka’s parliament Wednesday defied a hostile president and decided not to proceed with a de facto no-trust resolution against the disputed government and instead moved closer to an impeachment. Maithripala Sirisena had asked the largest single party, the United National Party, to bring another resolution reconfirming the previous no-trust votes against Mahinda Rajapaksa and …

Continue reading ‘Parliament Ignores Sirisena’s Request for Another No Confidence Vote Against Mahinda Rajapaksa and PreparesInstead to Impeach President Soon and Remove His Civic Rights.’ »

Former MP Geetha Kumarasinghe yesterday accused MP Piyasena Gamage, who has sworn in to fill the vacant position left by her in Parliament, of not allowing her to work at least a month in her constituency. Addressing a meeting in Elpitiya today she said that she was elected to Parliament as a member after polling …

Continue reading ‘“Piyasena, Machang Umbata Dan Saneepada? Piyasena Machang, Waren Chandeta”( Piyasena Machang are you feeling better now? Piyasena Machang , come and face the Vote)-Geetha Kumarasinghe Challenges Piyasena Gamage in Battle of Bentara-Elpitiya’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka “…The General [de Gaulle] devised a strong executive presidency in 1958, and introduced direct elections to it four years later, precisely in order to remove power from the hands of political parties and bring stability to French institutions…the original source of French presidential legitimacy: the direct mandate of the people, introduced by …

Continue reading ‘Notwithstanding Modification by the 19th Amendment, The Directly Elected Presidency is the Apex of our State Form, our State System and Structure— not the Parliament.’ »

For the first time in the history of Sri Lanka, the country has no Prime Minister or a Council of Ministers. Given the deep seated conflict between President Maithripala Sirisena and ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the stalemate over who should be Prime Minister is not likely to end anytime soon. After the Court of …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Has Neither a Prime Minister Nor a Cabinet of Ministers For the First Time in Island Nation’s 70 Year Post -Independence Parliamentary History.’ »

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena launched a thinly veiled criticism of the country’s judiciary after it delivered landmark judgements frustrating his moves to sack parliament and install what the largest party in parliament calls a “rogue government.” In his first public reference to the conduct of the courts, Sirisena told a convention of his Sri …

Continue reading ‘Maithripala Sirisena Launches Thinly -Veiled Attack On Judiciary Which Delivered Landmark Rulings That Stayed Moves by President to Appoint Mahinda as PM and Dissolve Parliament.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Observing that President Maithripala Sirisena must not take “subjective decisions” pertaining to the Constitution, Sri Lanka’s deposed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday said: “Don’t be like Hitler and other dictators.” “The Prime Minister is decided by parliamentary majority. The President cannot say this is what I want. All we are saying …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe Tells Maithripala Sirisena Not to ” Act Like Hitler and Other Dictators” and Take ” Subjective Decisions”Pertaining to the Constitution.’ »

By S.S. Selvanayagam President’s Counsel K. Kanag-Iswaran yesterday contended that the Constitution was not clay in the hands of contesting parties to be moulded as they saw fit and the specific content of constitutional language sets the limit of interpretation which must aspire to give constitutional unity and harmony. Counsel Kanag-Iswaran, appearing for R. Sampanthan, …

Continue reading ‘President’s Counsel K.Kanag-Iswaran States Before Supreme Court That ” the Constitution was not Clay in the Hands of Contesting Parties to be Moulded as they saw Fit”.’ »

By Chathuri Dissanayake United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday insisted that only he commanded the majority in the House needed to form a government, reiterating the need to return to the constitutional framework before the country could opt for elections. “Only the UNF (United National Front) and I can command that majority today,” …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe Emphasises That Only He Commands the Confidence of the House and Has the Majority of MP’s to Form a Legal Stable Govt as Prime Minister.’ »

By S.S. Selvanayagam Mahinda Rajapaksa and 48 others yesterday filed appeals in the Supreme Court petitioning it to set aside the Interim Order issued by the Court of Appeal against them functioning in their respective offices. The Court of Appeal on Monday (3) issued an Interim Order restraining Rajapaksa and 48 other respondents from functioning …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa and 48 Others file Appeal Before Supreme Court Seeking Stay Order by SC on Court of Appeal Interim Order’ »

Vowing that the current political crisis would be resolved in one week, President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday defended his decisions since 26 October, insisting he had no alternative but to remove Ranil Wickremesinghe from the post of Prime Minister, charging he had caused much destruction to the country. Speaking at a special Sri Lanka Freedom Party …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Re-iterates at SLFP Special Convention That He Wont Appoint Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister Even if all 225 MP’s in Parliament Seek Ranil’s Re-instatement.’ »

By Sharmini Serasinghe When Maithripala Sirisena addressed the nation in 2015 after being sworn in as the Executive President of Sri Lanka with 6.25 million of us having voted for the man – a political nonentity – we did so with the sole purpose of getting rid of his megalomaniacal predecessor, Mahinda Rajapaksa and his …

Continue reading ‘Dangerously Self-serving Maithripala Sirisena Should be Compelled to Make a Dignified Exit as President Before He Causes Further Irreparable Damage To Our Country.’ »

(Text of Interim Order Issued by the Court of Appeal Regarding the Fundamental Rights Petition Filed by 122 Members of Parliament Seeking a Writ of Quo warranto Against Kurunegala District MP Mahinda Rajapaksa and 48 Others Functioning as Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers and Deputy Ministers Respectively) In the case at hand before this …

Continue reading ‘Text of Interim Order Issued by the Court of Appeal Regarding the Fundamental Rights Petition Filed by 122 Members of Parliament Seeking a Writ of Quo warranto Against Kurunegala District MP Mahinda Rajapaksa and 48 Others Functioning as Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers and Deputy Ministers Respectively’ »

By Michael Mcgowan The brother of Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has been charged with attempting to pervert justice and forgery after he allegedly used fake documents containing a terror plot to kill senior politicians to “set up” his colleague over a personal grievance. Police confirmed on Tuesday that Arsalan Khawaja had been formally charged after …

Continue reading ‘Arsalan Khawaja Brother of Aussie Cricketer Usman Charged with Fraud and Perversion of Justice for Causing Wrongful Arrest of Sri Lankan PhD Student at New South Wales University Mohamed Kamer Nizamdeen as a Suspect With Terrorist Links’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Mr. Rajapaksa plans to move the Supreme Court against the order. Sri Lanka’s Court of Appeal on Monday temporarily restrained controversially installed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his purported Cabinet of Ministers from functioning in their respective offices. The interim order follows a quo warranto petition filed by 122 MPs on November …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Court of Appeal Temporarily Restrains Controversially Appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa and His Purported Cabinet from Functioning as Prime Minister and Ministers Respectively.’ »

Talks between President Maithripala Sirisena and United National Front leaders last night remained at a stalemate, with the latter losing confidence in discussions. “We are not going to see him again,” Senior United National Party Member Lakshman Kiriella told Daily FT, terming the meeting “unsuccessful”. “There is no point in discussing with him,” a frustrated …

Continue reading ‘Talks Between President and United National Front(UNF) Reach Impasse as Sirisena Adamantly Refuses to Re-Appoint Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister Even After Appeal Court Stay Order.’ »

Kurunegala District MP Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said his camp was not in agreement with the Court of Appeal and would appeal the Interim Order before the Supreme Court today. “We are not in agreement with the Interim Stay Order issued by the Appeal Court suspending the functioning of the Cabinet of Ministers. We will be …

Continue reading ‘Kurunegala District MP Mahinda Rajapaksa to Appeal to Supreme Court Against Interim Order Issued by Court of Appeal Restraining him from Functioning as Prime Minister.’ »

By Chathuri Dissanayake The Court of Appeal yesterday issued an interim order restraining Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was appointed to the post of Prime Minister by President Maithripala Sirisena, and his Cabinet of Ministers from functioning in office. The stay order is in force until the final hearing and determination is given. The order, latest in …

Continue reading ‘Court of Appeal Issues Interim Order Restraining Sirisena Appointed Prime Minister MahindaRajapaksa and His Cabinet Ministers From Functioning in Office Until Final Hearing and Determination by Court.’ »

By Yohan Perera The status quo that existed before October 26 can be restored now following the interim order given by the Appeal Court as it is given against an individual and not against a post, UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said. Mr. Wickremesinghe expressed this sentiment during a public rally in Galle last evening. “The …

Continue reading ‘After Appeal Court Ruling, Ranil Speaking at Public Rally in Galle, Asks Mahinda to Leave in the Name of God Saying “Palayaw Palayaw Sathara Waram Deviyange Namayen Palayaw”.’ »

By Maria Abi-Habib and Dharisha Bastians A Sri Lankan court issued an order on Monday temporarily preventing the disputed prime minister from holding office, the latest twist in a political crisis that has paralyzed the island nation. The Court of Appeal ordered Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his cabinet to appear on Dec. 12 and …

Continue reading ‘Appeal Court Orders Disputed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Purported Cabinet Ministers to Appear in Court on Dec 12th and Explain on What Authority They Claim to Hold Office after Parliament Passed Two Votes of No Confidence.’ »

(This legal opinion was prepared in response to a request made by Dr Jayampathy Wickramaratne, P.C, Member of Parliament By Gehan Gunatilleke,University of Oxford , Dinesha Samararatne, University of Colombo,Kalana Senaratne, University of Peradeniya and Asanga Welikala, University of Edinburgh) Since 26 October, Sri Lanka has been in an unprecedented political, economic, and constitutional crisis. …

Continue reading ‘Legal Opinion Regarding Current Constitutional Questions Like Appointment and Removal of a Prime Minister and Dissolution of Parliament.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Despite the undeniable shock caused to Sri Lanka’s democratic system on October 26th 2018 as a result of President Maithripala Sirisena’s swearing in of a new Prime Minister lacking a majority in the House, several unmistakable positive factors have emerged since then. Those ‘legal experts’ who led the President up the …

Continue reading ‘Political Tomfoolery has Tarnished the Country’s Reputation But Institutional Strength and Civil Rebellion has Risen like the Proverbial Phoenix’ »

By Lasanda Kurukulasuriya While the complicated situation that has arisen in parliament today is unprecedented, the origins of this logjam could perhaps be traced back to the period when the yahapalana government was formed. The present instability could be seen as part of a continuum starting with the creation of a ‘National Government’ in January …

Continue reading ‘Regardless of who the Prime Minister Is any Govt Formed will be Unstable With Parlia Hobble Along Until a Fresh General Election’ »

By Romesh Madhushanka A three member committee has been appointed by Governor of Northern Province Reginald Cooray to investigate a financial fraud allegedly committed by former Minister of the Northern Provincial Council Ananthi Sasitharan.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said, yesterday, that if the Opposition had allowed President Maithripala Sirisena to conduct a general election, political stability would have been restored in the country. Full of the statement issued by Ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa “It is only in Sri Lanka that you will find political parties agitating against the holding of …

Continue reading ‘Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says Political Stability Woud Have Been Restored in the Country if President Sirisena Was Allowed to Conduct a General Election in the Country.’ »

By The “Sunday Times” Political Editor Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa faces removal next week after just six weeks in office, with Parliament set to approve a motion this coming Wednesday for his ouster. The motion has been agreed to by President Maithripala Sirisena during consultations with Opposition parties, provided it does not describe his dissolution …

Continue reading ‘With Defiant Mahinda Refusing to Resign Voluntarily, President Sirisena Prepares to Remove his Appointed Prime Minister Rajapaksa After Parliament Passes Motion on Dec 5th/’ »

President Maithripala Sirisena appeared to have softened his hardline position and was seeking a face-saving exit from the political crisis of his making, according to legislators who had closed-door talks with him. The president was acutely aware of the consequences should the Supreme Court this week hold that his November 9 sacking of parliament was …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Fearing Adverse Supreme Court Ruling Could Bring About Legal Consequences Desperately Seeks Face -Saving Exit From the Political Crisis of his Own Making Before Dec 7th.’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake President Maithripala Opinion Sirisena is obviously enjoying the new game that both he and so-called ‘Prime Minister’ Mahinda Rajapaksa has introduced to Sri Lanka. Boycott is the new political game in our threatened Democracy. It is the Boycott Keliya. Members of the so-called Government are enjoying this game that ensures them of …

Continue reading ‘Maithripala and Mahinda Have Started “Varjanaya Sellama”( Boycott Game) Where MP’s Get Their Monthly Salaries and Perks Like Fuel &Telephone Allowances, Subsidized Food at Parliament Restaurant but Just Keep Away From Chamber.’ »

By Sanjana Hattotuwa It is a month after Sri Lanka learnt of a new Prime Minister over SMS. In the catastrophic, chaotic four ensuing weeks, some of us maintain that Mr. Wickremesinghe is the sole, legitimate Prime Minister. This is widely perceived to be a position that is a consequence of either being partial to …

Continue reading ‘Clear Propensity in November of Twitter and Facebook Users, in their Millions, to Gravitate Towards Content that holds the President, Rajapaksas and the SLPP in a very Critical Light.’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “The history of madness is the history of power.” Roy Porter (A social history of madness: The world through the eyes of the insane) The current crisis is a contestation about the nature of Sri Lanka and her future. Will the country continue along the path of democracy or will she re-embrace …

Continue reading ‘Leaders Like Maithripala Sirisena and Mahinda Rajapaksa who have Neither Shame nor Justice can Plummet to the Lowest of Depths, Because for them Everything is Permissible’ »

By Kelum Bandara Mahinda Rajapaksa, former President and Prime Minister appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena on October 26, in an interview with the Daily Mirror, spoke about the current status of the country and the plans he wishes to carry out after the Supreme Court ruling on dissolution of Parliament, expected on December 7, 2018. …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Says They Will Get Majority with 113 MP’s and Continue if Supreme Court Rules Out Dissolving Parliament and Holding Elections on Dec 7th.’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando IGP Pujith Jayasundera, yesterday, flew to Batticaloa, where a major police investigation is underway into the killing of two police personnel in Vavunativu, a one-time LTTE stronghold. Jayasundera was accompanied by Senior DIG in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Immediately after the killings were brought to the notice of the …

Continue reading ‘Two Policemen With Hands Tied Behind Their Backs Shot in the Head and Killed in Vavunatheevu in Batticaloa;Major Investigation Launched but Eastern Governor Rohitha Bogollagama Says Ex-LTTE Cadres Involvement Possible.’ »

By The “Daily Financial Times” Special Political Correspondent It is now just over 30 days since Sirisena did the most unbelievable thing of appointing his feared rival Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister. Then he took it one step further by dissolving a legitimate Parliament. Then he went further by appointing a Cabinet that had …

Continue reading ‘It is in Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Best Interest to Step Down Gracefully From the Post he is Hanging On to Forcibly as the Ex-president is no Longer the Legitimate Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.’ »

Disna Mudalige, Camelia Nathaniel and Amali Mallawaarachchi Speaker Karu Jayasuriya told Parliament yesterday that he would draw the attention of President Maithripala Sirisena and Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando to the concerns expressed in Parliament on the killing of two Police officers in Vavunathivu, Batticaloa. UNP MP Nalin Bandara requested to probe whether there is a …

Continue reading ‘UNP’s Nalin Bandara MP Expresses Concern about Killing of Two Policemen in Batticaloa and Requests Probe Into Whether Ex- Minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralidharan alias “Karuna Amman” is Trying to Re-organize his former Terrorist Outfit.’ »

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda The Court of Appeal yesterday commenced hearing into the writ petition filed by United National Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and 121 other Parliamentarians. They sought an order in the nature of Quo Warranto declaring that Mahinda Rajapaksa is not entitled to hold the office of Prime Minister and the matter was fixed …

Continue reading ‘Hearing of Petition Filed by Ranil Wickremesinghe and 121 MP’s Seeking Quo Warranto Writ Against Mahinda Rajapaksa and 48 Other Respondents Holding Ministerial Office Put off by Appeal Court for December 3rd.’ »

Sri Lanka penned two multi-million dollar contracts with Chinese firms for a port upgrade project on Thursday in the middle of a political hiatus that has raised doubts over the legitimacy of the Government and the legality of the deals. The debt-saddled island has long been a target of Beijing’s ambitious Belt and Road infrastructure …

Continue reading ‘Maithripala -Mahinda “Purported Govt” Signs Two Contracts With Chinese Firms to Enhance Deep Berth Capacity of “Jaya” Container Terminal in Colombo Harbour.’ »

The deadlock between the Executive and Legislature showed signs of easing yesterday as President Maithripala Sirisena and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya met after a hiatus of close to two weeks and Sirisena scheduled to meet the United National Front (UNF) and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) today(Nov 30). President Sirisena has agreed to take a decision after …

Continue reading ‘President Maithripala Shows “Signals” of Climbing Down From Earlier Stance After Positive Discussions With Speaker Karu Jayasuriya.’ »

By Ashwin Hemmathagama Parliament yesterday voted in favour of the motion to cut off budgetary allocations made to the Prime Minister’s Office and pledged to take similar steps regarding the rest of the Cabinet Ministries appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena post- 26 October, which will be taken up today(Nov 30). The motion, signed by UNP …

Continue reading ‘Parliament Votes in Support of Motion To Cut off Budgetary Allocations to Purported Prime Ministers Office.’ »

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) yesterday requested President Maithripala Sirisena to appoint a member of the UNP led UNF who in his opinion could muster the required number of MPs in Parliament to prove he commands the confidence of the majority in the House. The following is the text of the letter sent by the …

Continue reading ‘14 MP’s of the TNA Urge President Sirisena to Appoint a Nominee of the UNF who Commands the Confidence of Parliament as Prime Minister.’ »

President Maithripala Sirisena indicated a softening of his stance and agreed to end the constitutional deadlock by recognising the United National Front as being the largest single group to form a new government, official sources said. Talks between him and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya ended on an optimistic note, the Speaker’s office said without giving details …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Gives Indications of Being Willing to Recognize the United National Front as the Single Largest Group Capable of Forming a New Govt With a Majority.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan A magistrate court on Wednesday remanded Sri Lanka’s top-most military officer for allegedly harbouring a key suspect in a case of disappearance of 11 men in the final years of the war. All 11 are believed to have been subsequently murdered. The Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake ordered the detention of Chief of …

Continue reading ‘Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake Refuses Bail to Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne as the Country’s Highest Ranking Defence Officer could Use his Power to Disrupt On Going Investigations or Influence Witnesses/’ »

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has removed the state and deputy minister posts under a ‘caretaker’ government, a spokesperson of the disputed cabinet said. “This is a caretaker government. Therefore, the President has said there will be no state and deputy ministers,” parliamentarian Mahinda Samarasinghe said.

A photojournalist attached to The Sunday Morning newspaper was assaulted by a Naval Intelligence officer who accompanied the Chief of Defence Staff Ravindra Wijegunaratne to the Fort Magistrate›s Court yesterday. Indika Handuwala was assaulted when Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne was leaving the courtroom upon its adjournment for a few hours after surrendering to court yesterday morning.

By a Special Correspondent Stunning scenes unfolded outside the Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when the country’s highest ranking military official, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Ravindra Wijeguneratne, was remanded for allegedly protecting the leader of a Navy abduction racket, accused of the kidnapping and suspected murder of 11 Tamil youths during the height of the …

Continue reading ‘Ex-Navy Commander and Current Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne Placed in the Dock and Remanded Until Dec 5 by Fort Magistrate Ranga Dassanayake.’ »

By Sharmini Serasinghe On 6th December, 2018 at 3.30 pm, many of us apolitical journalists, writers, artistes including musicians, film stars and other’s in diverse professions are gathering at the Open Air Theatre at the Viharamahadevi Park to “Stand Up for Democracy” in peace. I appeal to all my countrymen and women to join us …

Continue reading ‘An appeal from me to all my fellow Sri Lankans who wish to see Democracy restored in our country……….’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya Not long ago, the stooges of Mahinda Rajapaksa, and MR himself, spewed some fanciful justifications for the contested ( and obviously unethical) sacking of Ranil Wickremesinghe, and MR’s appointment as prime minister in one Friday night quirk by President Maithripala Sirisena. One argument was that MR was appointed to salvage the crumbling …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa was Supposedly Appointed by Sirisena to Salvage the Crumbling Economy but the Purported Prime Minister Has only Presided Over an Accelerated Economic Collapse for a Month.’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake Mr. Johnston Fernando says he did not throw the Bible during last Friday’s violent session of Parliament. He also says he is one who respects the religion, and would not do such things. Makes one think that this talk of Bible throwing by him is only an ‘Opinion’, which is very important …

Continue reading ‘Biggest “Opinionist” in the World Today is Maithripala Sirisena, who has moved beyond all political thinkers in the field of anti-democratic thinking and action.’ »

By Chathuri Dissanayake President Maithripala Sirisena will use constitutional provisions that enable him to access public funds sans parliamentary approval to fund government expenditure until March 2019 in place of a Budget if Parliament is dissolved, his spokesman said yesterday. A Vote on Account to access funds was given the nod at a meeting of …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena May if Necessary Utilise Constitutional Provisions Enabling Him to Access Public Funds Without Parliamentary Approval to Fund Govt Expenditure For 3 Months Until March 19.’ »

By Ashwin Hemmathagama Professing his innocence,UNP MP Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka yesterday called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to be summoned before Parliament within 48 hours to reveal the truth about allegations of his involvement in an assassination plot against President Maithripala Sirisena, insisting Parliament should be given reasons for such public statements. …

Continue reading ‘Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka Wants IGP to Be Summoned to Parliament To Reveal Truth Behind Maithripala Sirisena’s Allegations of Assassination Plot Involving Ex – Army Chief.’ »

(The text of a speech delivered by the Ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Prime Minister’s Office on Sunday the 25th of Novermber 2018 issued as a media release) Most venerable members of the Maha Sangha, Clergymen of all religions, People of Sri Lanka, and friends, In my speech in Parliament on the 15th of November, …

Continue reading ‘“I have heard members of the UNP saying that if I had been patient for another 18 months, I could have won the ensuing election with a two thirds majority”- Ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa’ »

Following is President Maithripala Sirisena’s statement at the meeting with foreign media correspondents on 25 November: I see that there is some kind of political unrest with the development that took place on 26 October. I would not even consider this as a serious political crisis, though there is a minor political unrest. It is …

Continue reading ‘Maithripala Sirisena Meets Foreign Media Correspondents in Colombo and Issues Statement Attempting to “Defend the Indefensible”.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj November 27th 1989 was the day on which the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE)first observed its annual “Maaveerar Naal” or Great Heroes Day (GHD). Twenty –seven years have passed since then and the 27th anniversary of the event is today Nov 27th 2016. The event continues to be observed on a large scale …

Continue reading ‘“Maaveerar Naal” (Great Heroes Day) on November 27th is a “Tiger” Event and Not The Tamil National Day of Mourning’ »

By Hemantha Randunu and Dinasena Ratugamage Acting on a tip-off, the police yesterday chased away Ex- MP&Ex- Northern Provincial Councillor M.K. Shivajilingam and four others who had gathered at the late LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran’s Vevetithurai home to commemorate the latter’s 64th birth anniversary with a cake, candles and decorations.

By S. S. Selvanayagam The Court of Appeal yesterday deferred hearings on the Writ of Quo Warranto filed against Mahinda Rajapaksa and 48 others, challenging their authority to hold office as Prime Minister and Cabinet of Ministers, until 30 November, after counsel for the respondents claimed they had not received notice in the case. President’s …

Continue reading ‘Court of Appeal Defers Hearings Until November 30 on Writ of Quo Warranto Filed Against Mahinda Rajapaksa and 48 Others Challenging Their Authority to Hold Office’ »

The Chief Justice yesterday nominated a fuller Bench, comprising seven judges of the Supreme Court, to hear the 10 Fundamental Rights petitions filed against the Declaration of Dissolution of Parliament by President Maithripala Sirisena on 4, 5 and 6 December. The Bench comprises Chief Justice Nalin Perera and Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Sisira J de Abrew, …

Continue reading ‘Seven Judge Bench Comprising Chief Justice Nalin Perera and Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Sisira J de Abrew, Priyantha Jayawardena, Prasanna S. Jayawardena, Vijith K. Malalgoda, and Murdu Fernando Will Hear 10 FR Petitions Filed Against Dissolution of Parliament.’ »

Lieutenant Commander G. Laksiri, a key witness in a case regarding the abduction and disappearance of 11 youths in an alleged Navy abduction racket, has been threatened by six navy officers, including the Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, Police Spokesperson SSP Ruwan Gunasekara confirmed. The victim is one of the main witnesses in …

Continue reading ‘Ex-Navy Chief and Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne and Five Other Naval Officers Go to The Navy Officers Mess and Assault and Threaten Lt. Cmdr G.Laksiri the Key Witness in Abduction and Murder of 11 Youths Case’ »

By Pani Wijesiriwardena Sri Lanka’s political crisis took another turn yesterday (Nov 23) when all the MPs backing Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse walked out of parliament after the Speaker refused to allocate them a majority on a key committee that could trigger the cutting off of funds to his government. Factions around Rajapakse and ousted …

Continue reading ‘Political Turmoil Intensifies in Sri Lanka as Pro- Ranil Wickremesinghe MP’s EStablish Majority in Parliament While Pro-Mahinda Rajapaksa MP’s Stage Walk out of House’ »

Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court Monday expanded the bench that will hear the petition against the dissolution of parliament, but left out controversial justice Eva Wanasundara. Chief Justice Nalin Perera constituted a seven-judge bench to hear the petition that could end the power struggle between a hostile president and a rebellious parliament. A three-judge bench headed …

Continue reading ‘Chief Justice Perera Expands Supreme Court Bench Hearing FR Petitions Against Parliament Dissolution Case from Three to Seven Judges Excluding Eva Wanasundara and Including Three Judges Who Recused Themselves From Hearing Cases Against Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.’ »

Renowned epigraphist Iravatham Mahadevan, who passed away early Monday, was instrumental in reviving interest in Sangam literature, said R. Nagaswamy, veteran archaeologist. Recalling Mahadevan’s contributions, Dr. Nagaswamy said the epigraphist’s reading of Tamil Brahmi inscriptions in Pugalur near Karur had shown that there were three successive generations of Chera kings of the Sangam era, and …

Continue reading ‘Iravatham Mahadevan Whose Epigraphical Studies of Indus Valley Scripts and Tamil Brahmi Inscriptions Helped Prove the Classical Antiquity of Tamil Civilization and Language Passes Away in Chennai.’ »

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has granted an exclusive interview to the Political Editor of the “Sunday Times” which appears in the latest issue of the paper dated November 25th 2018. The following excerpts are from the “Sunday Times” interview. Q; You have caused a serious political crisis in the country by your actions. Why …

Continue reading ‘“Whoever has the majority of 225 member House will be the Prime minister…………….. I have no possibility of appointing Mr Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister again. I will stick to that principle” -President Sirisena in Interview With “Sunday Times”’ »

By Chandani Kirinde A month after the shock appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister by President Maithripala Sirisena after sacking Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his government, the new appointee has failed to show he commands the confidence of the majority in the House. Instead the UPFA group has shied away from facing a …

Continue reading ‘Pro-Mahinda Group of MP’s Walk – out of Parliament to Avoid Participation in Voting so as to Prevent Their Lack of Majority in the House Being Exposed.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Beyond the distasteful power squabbles that presently make up the sum total of Sri Lankan politics or ‘politricks’ as cynics are wont to say, the three men at the core of the crisis undermining the nation’s constitutional text, (viz; Maithripala Sirisena, Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe) need to realise a basic …

Continue reading ‘SLPP and SLFP Boycotting House Due to Lack of Majority May be the First Instance Where a So -Called Govt Does not Participate in its own Parliament!’ »

The Attorney General has requested that a full bench of the Supreme Court be constituted to hear the Fundamental Rights petitions filed by political parties and other organisations, challenging the dissolution of Parliament by President Maithripala Sirisena on November 9. The Motion making the request that the proceedings be heard by all judges of the …

Continue reading ‘Attorney – General Files Motion Under Article 132(3) Of Constitution Requesting Chief Justice to Appoint Nine Judge Bench of the Supreme Court Instead of Earlier Three-Judge Bench to Hear the FR Petition Cases against Dissolution of Parliament by President’ »

By S.S. Selvanayagam The Attorney General yesterday withdrew his appeal against the High Court Judgment wherein Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero and two Buddhist monks as well as 10 other laymen were acquitted on the indictment against them for the alleged attack on the Calvary Church at Araliya Uyana in Talahena. The Bench comprised Justices …

Continue reading ‘Attorney-General Withdraws Appeal Against High Court Verdict Acquitting Bodu Bala Senas’s Gnanasara Thero in Case Concerning Alleged Attack on Calvary Church at Araliya Uyana in Talhena/’ »

Delivering another Friday night twist to the ongoing political turmoil, 122 members of Parliament filed legal action yesterday, challenging the authority of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to hold office as Prime Minister, after a no confidence motion was passed against him in the House. All 122 MPs – comprising members of the UNF, JVP and …

Continue reading ‘122 MP’s From UNF,TNA and JVP File Application in Courts for Quo Warranto Writ Against Mahinda Rajapaksa Challenging Him To Prove on What Authority He Holds Office as Prime Minister Without a Majority in Parliament.’ »

By Ashwin Hemmathagama The United National Party (UNP), Tamil National Alliance (TNA), and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) joined forces once again to show that parliamentarians supporting MP Mahinda Rajapaksa do not command a majority in the House when the Selection Committee membership was taken up for vote yesterday. As a result of the group backing …

Continue reading ‘Pro -Mahinda MP’s Walk -Out of Parliament But 121 Votes Cast In House Proved Clearly That Purported Prime Minister Rajapaksa Has No Majority.’ »

President Maithripala Sirisena has stopped members of his disputed cabinet from making key appointments to state-run institutions signalling early cracks in the uneasy coalition. In a circular to all ministry secretaries, the President’s Secretary Udaya Seneviratne told them that there cannot be any appointment to boards and statutory bodies under them without first clearing with …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Orders His “Cabinet Ministers” Not To Make any Appointments to Govt Institutions Without Clearing Names With Him First:Fall-out of Kapila Chandrasena and Nalaka Godahewa Appointments?’ »

‘Sri Lanka- The Elusive Miracle of Sri Lanka’ is Writer and Mass Communications veteran, Sharmini Serasinghe’s first book which no publisher or printer in Sri Lanka was willing to risk being associated with, fearing for their lives. Their fears are justified. Under the despotic political regime headed by the megalomaniacal Mahinda Rajapaksa, journalists and writers …

Continue reading ‘Well-Known Media Personality Sharmini Serasinghe Ventures Into Forbidden Territory By Launching Her Fearlessly Explosive First Book -‘Sri Lanka – The Elusive Miracle of Asia’.’ »

(Text Of Press Release Issued by the Hon. Speaker’s Media Unit) 2018.11.21 Press Release The Hon Speaker extends his heartfelt gratitude to all the religious leaders and Sri Lankans living within and outside Sri Lanka for the blessings invoked and the unfathomable love extended on him over the commitment towards protecting democracy by bravely facing …

Continue reading ‘Speaker Karu Jayasuriya Emphasizes His Total Commitment to Protection of Democracy in the Motherland Regardless of the Enormity of the Abuses, Insults, Protests and Threats to His Life’ »

Sri Lanka’s parliament Wednesday released the official record of proceedings when two no-confidence motions were passed, on the disputed government of Mahinda Rajapaksa clearing the way to mount legal challenges. The Hansards on November 14 and 16 contain the two resolutions that were passed by a voice vote of the majority of the 225-member assembly. …

Continue reading ‘It’s Official Now! Parliament Releases Hansards With Records of Two No Confidence Resolutions Passed With a Majority and Speaker’s Declaration That There is No Legitimate Govt in the Country.’ »

A person calling himself the Prime Minister is occupying that office by force after Parliament passed two no faith votes against him, the Tamil National Alliance told a group of 15 Colombo-based diplomats last evening. The Speaker ruled on 15 November that after the no confidence motion against the purported Prime Minister and his Government …

Continue reading ‘TNA Tells Group of 15 Colombo Based Diplomats that a Person Calling Himself the Prime Minister is Occupying That Office by Force After Parliament Passed Two No Faith Motions Against Him.’ »

By Bishop Duleep de Chickera In the midst of the recent legislative vandalism, an anonymous policeman stood tall above the chosen 225. Struck on the face by a cowardly law maker, he unflinchingly stood his ground to perform his duty. In a moment he become an image of courageous conscientiousness. The moment added a lesson. …

Continue reading ‘The Teaching of Christ Was Reflected in the Courageous Conscientiousness of the “Anonymous” Policeman in Parliament who Stood His Ground Unflinchingly Doing his Duty after Being Struck on the Face by a Cowardly MP.’ »

Parliament on Monday (Nov 19) was a calmer affair than what was observed last week, partially because the session was completed within minutes with Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri presiding in the House. But the scenes of surface peace are unlikely to last as parliamentarians on both sides of the divide have failed to come to …

Continue reading ‘Stand -Off In Parliament Continues With Both Sides Unprepared to Back Down Until Supreme Court Makes a Determination on Dec 7th’ »

By Chathuri Dissanayake Facing severe criticism over a move to transfer a key detective of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probing a number of attacks on journalists and high-profile cases, the Inspector General of Police yesterday reversed the decision. Transfer orders issued to CID Officer in Charge of Organised Crime, Nishantha Silva, were cancelled at …

Continue reading ‘IGP Pujitha Jayasundara Issues Back -dated Letter Reversing Transfer of CID Officer Nishantha Silva to Negombo as Ordered by Law and Order Minister Maithripala Sirisena.’ »

Following is a letter by slain The Sunday Leader Founding Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge’s daughter Ahimsa Wickrematunge to President Maithripala Sirisena on his decision to remove Criminal Investigations Department OIC – Gang Robberies Nishantha Silva from the department, raising serious concerns about the high profile abduction cases being handled by the official: President Maithripala Sirisena, Presidential …

Continue reading ‘Slain Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge’s Daughter Ahimsa Writes to President Over His Transferring CID Chief Inspector Nishantha Silva Probing Her Father’s Murder and Cautions Sirisena” If you try to stand in the way of justice for my father and other victims of brutality, you will fail”.’ »

Disruptions: Political, Legal, Economic and Social Facets of the Crisis The October 26 parliamentary debacle pushes us to seek a broader understanding of the causes and implications of this crisis for parliamentary democracy. The seminar is a gathering of academics, activists, and interested persons looking for answers and a way out of this debacle. The …

Continue reading ‘DISRUPTIONS: Seminar on the Political, Legal, Economic and Social Facets of the Crisis for Parliamentary Democracy After Oct 26.’ »

Sri Lanka’s former finance minister Mangala Samaraweera warned of an economic collapse as a political crisis triggered by President Maithripala Sirisena’s controversial appointment of a Prime Minister left foreign investors shaken and the country was hit by the first credit downgrade. “We managed the economy very carefully trying to put as little burden on the …

Continue reading ‘Ex-Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera Warns of an Economic Collapse Due to Political Crisis Triggered by President Sirisena’s Controversial Appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister.’ »

By Uditha Jayasinghe Sri Lanka is on the precipice of an “economic abyss”, warned prominent members of the United National Party (UNP) yesterday, calling on President Maithripala Sirisena to accept the decision of Parliament so Budget 2019 could be presented at the earliest and approved by the House. UNP MPs Mangala Samaraweera, Dr. Harsha de …

Continue reading ‘UNP’s “Economic Expert” Trio of Mangala, Eran and Harsha Warn That Sri Lanka is on the Precipice of an Economic Abyss and Urge President Sirisena to Accept Majority Decision of Parliament’ »

On video, the audacity of the attack is difficult to miss. A man who hands Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal a letter outside his office, swoops down to touch his feet, gets up and forcefully smears chilli powder on his face. The incident took place inside one of the capital city’s most protected buildings today, …

Continue reading ‘After Chilli Powder Mixed Water Attacks on Speaker by MP’s in Sri Lankan Parliament, India’s Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is Victim of Chilli Powder Attack’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka The main contradiction, and the main fight, in Sri Lanka today is between neoliberalism and the nation. Or more correctly between, on the one hand, the elite which is the agency of the project of neoliberal globalization and its corollary, the ideology of neoliberal globalism, and the ‘people-nation’ (Gramsci) on the other. …

Continue reading ‘The main contradiction, and the main fight, in Sri Lanka today is between neo liberalism and the nation.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s persistent political crisis “without a government or a Prime Minister” could embolden anti-social elements to take law into their own hands, Leader of Opposition R. Sampanthan has warned. “In such a situation, the country’s minorities, especially Tamils, may become the victims,” he said. Mr. Sampanthan, who also leads the Tamil …

Continue reading ‘TNA Leader Sampanthan Concerned About Country Being “Without a Govt or Prime Minister” Situation Which May” Embolden Anti-Social Elements ” and Could Result in the “Minorities Especially Tamils Becoming Victims”.’ »

The transfer of the Officer-in-Charge of the CID’s Organised Crime Investigation unit, Inspector of Police (IP) Nishantha Silva, has been cancelled by the National Police Commission, the Office of the Inspector General of Police reports. Silva was transferred to the Negombo division with immediate effect, with the orders coming directly from the President, police sources …

Continue reading ‘National Police Commission Cancels Transfer of CID Inspector Nishantha Silva Who Had Been Sent to Negombo With Immediate Effect Under the Orders of President Sirisena.’ »

UNP Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra said President Maithripala Sirisena’s habit of passing the bucks had not changed even after the appointment of his chosen Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa “When Ranil Wickremesinghe was the Prime Minister was the Prime Minister, President Sirisena often said he got to know things from the newspapers. The remark he made today, …

Continue reading ‘Hirunika Premachandra MP Mocks Maithripala Sirisena for Telling Bodu Bala Sena That He Did not Know About Police Action While Being the Law and Order Minister in Charge of the Police.’ »

President Maithripala Sirisena expressed regret over the Police using tear gas and water cannons on Bidu Bala Sena monks protesting in front of the Presidential Secretariat, this afternoon. Issuing a media statement a short while ago, the President’s Media Division said the President has ordered an investigation into the incident.

By Meera Srinivasan The Sri Lankan Parliament — which met on Monday following violence and disruption last week — was adjourned minutes after it convened, without a resolution to the ongoing political crisis. Lawmakers aligned to ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and from other opposition parties in the House, have sought the suspension of state …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Transfers CID Chief Inspector Nishantha Silva Who was Heading Probe into Allegations Against Rajapaksa Family Members and Was Allegedly on the Verge of Making a Crucial Arrest.’ »

By Ashwin Hemmathagama and Chathuri Dissanayake Upping the ante after two votes on the No Confidence Motion, a group of United National Party (UNP) Parliamentarians yesterday presented a motion to limit access of public funds by the Prime Minister’s Office, to a quieter than usual Parliament. Adhering to the view that the no confidence vote …

Continue reading ‘UNP Presents Motion Supported by 122 MP’s In Parliament To Restrict Quantum of Public Finances to the Prime Ministers Office Headed by Mahinda Rajapaksa.’ »

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said that he had received reports that there were attempts to disrupt Parliament proceedings yesterday as well. He said, in a media release: “I got intelligence reports that there would be attempts to disrupt Parliament proceedings today as well. That’s why I took necessary steps to ensure security in Parliament. I also …

Continue reading ‘Speaker Karu Jayasuriya says that He Received Intelligence Reports of Attempts to Disrupt Parliament on Nov 19th also and Took Steps to Nip such Moves in the Bud by Strenthening Security Measures.’ »

by Rathindra Kuruvita Yesterday’s party leaders’ meeting, convened by President Maithripala Sirisena to break the political deadlock, in parliament ended inconclusively. “We told the President that we could show a majority again but the President didn’t show much interest,” UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella said last night. MP Ajith P Perera added that the UNP had …

Continue reading ‘Sirisena Cold Shoulders Wickremesinghe at All Party Meeting and Refrains From Responding to Submissions made by Ranil; Maithripala Shows no Interest in Accepting Affidavits from MP’s Expressing Support to Ousted PM.’ »

By Dr.Asoka Weerakkody The MR regime is back (even if in a caretaker capacity). The following episodes give us an idea of what to come, if they were to continue substantively. 1. The starkest example of their misuse of power, waste, nepotism and corruption must be what they did to Sri Lankan Airlines (SLA). A …

Continue reading ‘Appointing Kapila Chandrasena as SLA Chairman and Appointment of Weerawansa and Premajayantha as Ministers Shows What Is Going to Happen if the Rajapaksa Regime is to Continue Substantively even in a caretaker Capacity.’ »

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday told President Maithripala Sirisena that he was the architect of the country’s anarchy and the situation could only be resolved by him. This strong assertion of responsibility on the part of Sirisena was conveyed by the JVP yesterday via a letter which listed the reasons why the opposition party …

Continue reading ‘JVP Refuses to Attend Meeting Convened by President and Accuses Sirisena Bluntly ” You are the Architect of the Anarchy and Instability the Country is Subjected to at Present”.’ »

In an extract that is circulating in social media, Chathurika Sirisena, daughter of President Maithripala Sirisena describes her father in her book Janaadhipathi Thaaththa (‘Presidential Father’) as a very innocent man who however doesn’t know what he is doing when he is angry. The younger Sirisena recalls an incident in Maithripala Sirisena’s childhood where he …

Continue reading ‘Maithripala Sirisena’s Daughter Chathurika Says Her Father “Does not Know What He Does When Angry” and Reveals That The President as a Child Had Burnt Down a Paddy Field in Anger After Getting a “Tokka” (Knock on the Head)From His Father.’ »

President Maithripala Sirisena has notified the founder of the ‘Pohottuwa’ party Basil Rajapaksa to take measures to provide him with affidavits to show majority in parliament within the next 48 hours, according to government internal sources. The President had summoned the SLFP –MPs yesterday and notified them to prove that they have parliamentary majority within …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Wants MP’s Supporting Mahinda Rajapaka as Prime Minister To Provide Affidavits Within Three Days Demonstrating a Majority in Parliament’ »

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya resisted ordering police into parliament on Friday, but changed his mind 42 minutes after being denied entry into the chamber by an aggressive mob of MPs who occupied his desk and chair. Official sources said the 78-year-old Jayasuriya was offered a specialized Special Task Force unit trained in anti-hijacking and hostage rescue …

Continue reading ‘IGP Telephoned Speaker and Offered to Deploy STF Personnel Trained In Hostage Rescue Operations to Remove Obstructing Mahinda Loyalist MP’s and Clear the Way But Karu Jayasuriya Refused Such Drastic Action.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene As pro-Rajapaksa parliamentarians threw water lethally spiced with red chillie into the eyes of police officers valiantly guarding Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, the seventy-eight year old Speaker may take heart from the fact that his grace under fire will stand out as the most remarkable example of steadfastness in parliamentary history. Images …

Continue reading ‘Redoubtable Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has Stood his Ground Against Very Heavy Physical and Verbal Fire During the Palpable Horror that is Taking Place in the House by the Diyawanna Oya.’ »

The United National Front (UNF) is to ask Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to prove his majority in Parliament when the House meets Monday Noc 19 afternoon. UNF leaders are expected to ask President Maithripala Sirisena who appointed Mr. Rajapaksa as Prime Minister, to ask him to move a Resolution in the House, setting aside the …

Continue reading ‘UNF Wants Purported Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to Prove He Has a Majority By Moving a Resolution Setting Aside the No Confidence Motions Passed Against Him.’ »

By Dharisha Bastians and Jeffrey Gettleman Lawmakers hurled chairs, thick books and stinging chile powder at one another as violence and chaos erupted again on the floor of Sri Lanka’s Parliament on Friday. At least four lawmakers and several police officers were injured. The proceedings were carried live on TV and beamed across the island …

Continue reading ‘The Newest Weapon in Sri Lankan Politics: Chilli Powder in the Eyes:At Least 4 MP’s and Many Policemen Injured.’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake Friday, was an efficient and devoted employee, of Robinson Crusoe, later known as Man Friday, an especially faithful or one’s best servant or right-hand man. In recent weeks Maithripala Sirisena emerged more as Friday’s Man than the Man Friday, he was meant to be serving the people of this country, the job …

Continue reading ‘The Friday Game or ‘Sikuraada Keliya” is what People Watch out for with Fear and Dismay as Friday is Maithripala Sirisena’s Game day with Governance and the Constitution.’ »