By Disna MudaligeCamelia Nathaniel and Amali Mallawaarachchi Parliament marked the lowest point in its entire history yesterday with a series of violent assaults, bloodshed, and rancorous behaviour of some MPs which led to mayhem in the House. The MPs were conducting a mock sitting with MP Arundika Fernando in the Speaker’s Chair flanked by fellow …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Loyalist MP’s Run Riot in the House:Arundika Fernando Takes Speakers Seat;Susantha Punchinilame Sits in Secretary – General’s Chair; Pavithra Wanniarachchi,Wimal Weerawansa, Bandula Gunawardena and Mahindananda Aluthgamage Make Speeches in Mock Session.’ »

By Chathuri Dissanayake A deeply moved MP Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday lamented over what he termed as the ‘destruction of Sri Lanka’s democracy’ by parliamentarians loyal to MP Mahinda Rajapaksa and condemned their actions while pledging to restore democracy. “This is a blow to democracy; it is a blow to all of us who are voters …

Continue reading ‘“The wounds of Jayawickrama Perera, Vijitha Herath and Malik Samarawickrama will Heal, but what About the Damage to the Country?” – Asks Ranil Wickremesinghe’ »

Mahinda Rajapaksa loyalists yesterday rejected that President Maithripala Sirisena had made a promise at the party leaders meeting on Thursday night to allow an undisrupted vote for the no confidence motion in Parliament. Addressing media well before the House assembled in the afternoon, MP Dayasiri Jayasekara confirmed that President Sirisena’s intention was different, and gave …

Continue reading ‘Dayasiri Jayasekara MP says President Sirisena Wants Speaker Jayasuriya “to Acknowledge the Appointment of Prime Minister, Leader of the House, and the Chief Government Whip Before Moving the No Confidence Motion”.’ »

President Maithripala Sirisena has refused to accept the second vote on the no confidence motion yesterday, setting the stage for the constitutional deadlock to continue into next week. Despite three weeks lapsing since President Sirisena replaced sitting Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the constitutional crisis remains at a stalemate with the …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Refuses Again to Accept the Majority Vote Decision Taken for the Second Time by Parliament.’ »

By Ashwin Hemmathagama A second vote on the no confidence motion against MP Mahinda Rajapaksa passed yesterday with Speaker Karu Jayasuriya being forced to conduct the session from behind a human shield as Rajapaksa loyalists unleashed havoc in the House. Regardless of President Maithripala Sirisena’s promise to party leaders on Thursday night to allow the …

Continue reading ‘Parliament Passes No Confidence Motion Against Mahinda Rajapaksa For Second Time Despite Ex-President’s Loyalist MP’s Engaging in Violence To Prevent Voting.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Amidst furore and violence caused by his MPs in Parliament, Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday lost a trust vote for the third time this week. The no-confidence motions were taken up in the wake of Mr. Rajapaksa’s controversial appointment as Prime Minister, replacing Ranil Wickremesinghe who was abruptly sacked by President Maithripala Sirisena …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena and his Group Violated Their Promise. Their parliamentarians Behaved Like Beasts, not Like Human Beings,” Says JVP MP Vijitha Herath.’ »

By Zacky Jabbar Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has informed President Maithripala Sirisena that a fresh vote of no-confidence on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the government was passed by Parliament yesterday.

Following an interim injunction issued by a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, suspending, until Dec. 07, the presidential proclamation dissolving Parliament, Gamini Marapana, PC yesterday, through a motion filed on behalf of added respondent Mallika Arachchige Channa Sudath Jayasumana, moved the Chief Justice to appoint a fuller bench of the Supreme Court to hear …

Continue reading ‘Gamini Marapana PC Files Motion Seeking an Enlargement of the Three Judge Supreme Court Bench Hearing the Dissolution of Parliament Fundamental Rights Petitions To a Seven Judge Bench Presided Over by the Chief Justice.’ »

By Dharisha Bastians At 2.20PM when the side doors to the Chamber opened, about 30 police officials entered in a human chain, forming a barricade around the Sergeant at Arms who held tight to the Mace, the symbol of an official session of Parliament. The Speaker walked in behind the Mace. JO MPs pelted the …

Continue reading ‘Joint Opposition MP’s Led by Johnston Fernando Throw Chillie Powdered Water,Chairs and Books at Police Cordon Protecting Mace and Speaker who Conducted Proceedings Seated on a Makeshift Bench in the Aisle.’ »

Sri Lanka’s Parliament, on Friday, passed a No Confidence Motion on the government as Speaker Karu Jayasuriya took a vote under heavy police presence. The Speaker, for the first time in Sri Lanka’s history entered the floor of the House, well protected behind hundreds of police officials. The Parliament session which was expected to start …

Continue reading ‘For the First Time in Sri Lankan Parliamentary History , the Speaker ( Karu Jayasuriya) Is Forced to Enter Floor of the House With Police Escort For Protection from (Mahinda Rajapaksa’s) Violent Members of Parliament.’ »

Keheliya Rambukwella, spokesman of the Sri Lankan government led by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, on Friday clarified what the President meant when he asked opposition leaders to follow the set procedure and Standing Orders in regard to a No Confidence Motion (NCM) against the government. Rambukwella said that the motion cannot …

Continue reading ‘What President Sirisena Supposedly Meant when he Asked Opposition to Follow Procedure vis-à-vis No Confidence Motion’ »

Several Parliamentarians came under chillie powder and water attacks by protesting UPFA Parliamentarians, after the second No Confidence Motion was passed in Parliament amid severe interruptions. JVP Parliamentarian Vijitha Herath, UNP MP Malik Samarawickrma, UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella and UNP MP Gamini Jayawickrema Perera were among MPs who came under attack this afternoon.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya declared that the second No Confidence Vote against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was passed in Parliament. Amidst severe interruptions by UPFA MPS, Speaker Jayasuriya, standing in the aisle of Parliament, conducted a voice vote on the second No-Confidence Motion against Rajapaksa.

THE SCHEMES of Maithripala Sirisena, the president of Sri Lanka, are blowing up in his face. On November 13th the Supreme Court suspended his order dissolving parliament and calling a snap general election. The next day the reinstated parliament raucously approved a motion of no confidence against the government that the president had only just …

Continue reading ‘A “bloodless coup” in Sri Lanka is Going Awry With The Schemes of Maithripala Sirisena Blowing Up In His Face – “The Economist”’ »

By Ashwin Hemmathagama Turmoil continued in Parliament yesterday with both MP Ranil Wickremesinghe and MP Mahinda Rajapaksa camps clashing with each other, with the furore descending into fisticuffs and foul language hurled at Speaker Karu Jayasuriya along with a dustbin, a file folder, a water bottle and even a copy of the Constitution. The mayhem …

Continue reading ‘” Brave Lion”Karu Jayasuriya Faces Cowardly Attacks From Mahinda Loyalist “Hyena MP’s” Who Throw a Dustbin, File Folder,Water Bottle and Copy of Constitution at Speaker.’ »

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga yesterday said the country needs enlightened governance and unity by people to save Sri Lanka from anarchy. Following is the full statement issued by Kumaratunga: I am watching with concern and regret the efforts by some SLFPers to betray the peoples’ demands for a better Sri Lanka which gained victory …

Continue reading ‘Chandrika Kumaratunga Lashes Out at Maithripala Sirisena Without Specifically Naming Him for “Betraying Policies” and ” Joining Hands With a Group that Destroyed Democracy and Built up a Network of Graft and Corruption”.’ »

By Chathuri Dissanayake The standoff between President Maithripala Sirisena and United National Party (UNP) led Parliamentarians showed signs of easing yesterday with the Executive agreeing to accept the decision of the Legislature if the vote for no confidence motion is taken following ‘Parliamentary conventions and proper process’ and Clause No. 1 of the document is …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Prepared to Accept Parliament Decision if No Confidence Motion With Deleted Clauses is Passed Through Voting by Name Instead of Voice Vote.’ »

By Dharisha Bastians and Jeffrey Gettleman When the parliamentary speaker tried to call a vote, several lawmakers heckled him, and a gang of them swarmed the podium and broke his microphone. Someone threw a garbage bin at him. Then a bound copy of the Sri Lankan Constitution soared through the air. Fists swung wildly. Several …

Continue reading ‘78 Year old Sri Lankan Speaker Karu Jayasuriya Hurried Out Through Back Door as Gang of MP’s Attack Him Throwing Things and Swarming Podium.’ »

By Joanna Slater Since late last month, politicians in Sri Lanka have engaged in a war of words over who is the country’s rightful prime minister. On Thursday, their battle turned physical. A scuffle broke out on the floor of Sri Lanka’s Parliament after the speaker attempted to call the body for a vote, the …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Parliament Descends Into Chaos as Lawmakers Engage in Scuffle Pushing, Kicking, Punching and Shouting at Each Other.’ »

By Dr.Harsha de Silva Sequence of events that led to the was most shameful day in Parliament. Starting with MR (Mahinda Rajapaksa) forcing himself on the PM chair even after Speaker stating he has lost the no confidence motion yesterday thus he is no longer PM; MR making statement as PM by force; Speaker calling …

Continue reading ‘Shameful Day in Parliament! Mahinda Rajapaksa Sits on Prime Minister’s Chair Defying Speaker’s Ruling;Ex-Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala Approaches Karu Jayasuriya Yelling Obsecenities; Brawl Ensues Between MP’s Trying to Attack Speaker and MP’s Trying To Protect Speaker.’ »

(Speech of His Lordship The Chief Justice H. N. J. Perera at the Ceremonial Sitting held on October 22, 2018) It is with humble gratitude that I receive the warm welcome, kind sentiments and expressions of confidence that you have expressed in this august assembly today. I wish to approach this great honour with a …

Continue reading ‘“Some may find it hard to believe that ‘I’ stand here without a political bias or favouritism or a secret strategic personal agenda” – Chief Justice Nalin Perera’ »

(Text of the speech made by Kurunegala District MP Mahinda Rajapaksa in Parliament on Thursday the 15th November 2018) Hon Speaker, The President has explained why he dismissed the previous government and appointed an interim government until the conclusion of the next general election. By the 26th of October, the people of this country were …

Continue reading ‘” When the President hands the country over to us in order to prevent a major catastrophe from taking place, it is our duty to accept that responsibility” – Parliament Speech by Mahinda Rajapaksa’ »

. By Meera Srinivasan In a watershed floor test in the Sri Lankan Parliament, a majority of lawmakers on Wednesday voted for a no-confidence motion against disputed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. “I hereby declare that the appointed government has no majority in this House,” Speaker Karu Jayasuriya told Parliament shortly after it reconvened. Parliament had …

Continue reading ‘JVP Leader Anura Dissanayake Tells Media That “Mahinda Rajapaksa is at the Lowest Point of his Political Career” After No Confidence Motion is Passed Against the “Disputed” Prime Minister’ »

Sri Lanka was for long a bastion of Western culture in social and political behavior. But these markers, which distinguished it from its neighbors in South Asia for decades after independence from British rule, are fast disappearing in the political sphere. Politics in Sri Lanka is now a crass and unabashed pursuit of self interest …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Political Culture Deteriorates Drastically with Violation of Constitutional Provisions and Breach of Parliamentary Provisions Becoming the New Norm.’ »

President Maithripala Sirisena last night escalated a war of words with Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, accusing him of disregarding the Constitution, Standing Orders of Parliament and conventions of the House in allowing the passing of a no confidence motion against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Government. Issuing a strongly-worded letter to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Sirisena …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Reprimands Speaker Jayasuriya For Allowing a No Confidence Motion Against Mahinda Rajapaksa and Insists Only he is Empowered by Constitution to Appoint a Prime Minister.’ »

By Dharisha Bastians and Jeffrey Gettleman A majority of Sri Lankan lawmakers voted Wednesday (14) morning to remove Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister, saying that his appointment last month was illegal. Mr. Rajapaksa is considered the strongman of Sri Lankan politics, a wealthy, powerful former president who has been accused of grave human rights abuses. …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Walks Out While MP’s Aligned to Him Try To Block Voting But No Confidence Motion Passed with 122 out of 225 Parliamentarians Voting in Favour.’ »

By Chathuri Dissanayake and Ashwin Hemmathagama Amidst scenes of pandemonium, a no confidence motion against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Government was rushed through Parliament last morning, with several political parties jointly supporting the motion. A motion was passed with a voice vote with Speaker Karu Jayasuriya announcing that the vote carried in favour …

Continue reading ‘No Confidence Motion Against Mahinda Rajapaksa Passed by a Voice Vote Despite Boisterous Attempts by UPFA MP’s to Scuttle it,But President Sirisena Refuses to Accept NCM.’ »

by Prof S W R de A Samarasinghe On November 13 evening, the third branch of government, the Judiciary in the form of the Supreme Court, dealt a blow for Sri Lanka’s fragile democracy when it issued a stay order on dissolving Parliament, effective until December 07. The Election Commission will suspend all action to …

Continue reading ‘Escalation of Current Political Crisis May Provide President Sirisena an Excuse to Declare Emergency and Call Out the Armed Services to Maintain Law and Order.’ »

A battle between Sri Lanka’s Parliament and President Maithripala Sirisena took a new turn finding fault with a no-confidence motion passed against Mahinda Rajapaksa who was controversially appointed as Prime Minister, triggering a political crisis in the island. President Sirsena replying a letter by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya earlier in the day, President Sirisena said he …

Continue reading ‘Battle Between the Sri Lankan President and Parliament Takes Fresh Twist With Sirisena Faulting Speaker Jayasuriya’s Conduct and Rejecting Provisions of No Confidence Motion Passed with 122 Votes.’ »

Sri Lanka’s political crisis heightened further on Wednesday when ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former president Mahinda Rajapakse both claimed they would continue in government following a heated debate in Parliament earlier in the day. Hours after a no confidence motion was submitted on the floor of Parliament against new Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Political Crisis Escalates Further With Two Different Governments Under Prime Ministers Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mahinda Rajapaksa Claiming Legitimacy.’ »

Sri Lanka’s Parliament has been adjourned till 10.00 am tomorrow (15) by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya after amid a tense situation, after the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna moved a motion of no confidence, legislators said. Sri Lanka’s speakers had accepted that a majority of members supported a motion of no confidence against Mahinda Rajapaksa’s administration, legislators who …

Continue reading ‘Prorogued Sri Lankan Parliament is Re -convened on Nov 14 and Adjourned Until Nov 15 by Speaker Karu After No Confidence Motion is Passed Against Purported Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.’ »

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said voice vote was taken by the Speaker on the No Confidence Motion submitted in Parliament against the Government and that 122 MPs informed the Speaker that they voted in favour of it. He told media that the NCM passed in Parliament with a majority could not be challenged and added …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe Confirms to Media that 122 MP’s Have Informed Speaker They Voted In Favour of No Confidence Motion Against Mahinda Rajapaksa’ »

The United National Party confirmed that 122 MPs have signed the No Confidence Motion against new Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his purposed government. Apart from 102 MPs representing the UNP, the TNA, the JVP and several MPs who initially supported Sirisea-Rajapaksa alliance, namely Manusha Nanayakkara, Wasantha Senanayake, Vadiwel Suresh, Piyasena Gamage and A.H.M. Fowzie …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Camp MP’s AHM Fowzie, Piyasena Gamage , Manusha Nanayakkara,Wasantha Senanayake and Vadivel Suresh Turn Against Mahinda Rajapaksa by Voting for No Confidence Motion Against Him.’ »

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has issued a statement saying the no-confidence motion against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was taken up in the house. The Speaker said 122 MPs had signed the no-confidence motion. The motion will be sent to President Maithripala Sirisena for him to take necessary action. The United National Party (UNP) earlier confirmed that …

Continue reading ‘122 Out of 225 MP’s Sign No Confidence Motion Against Mahinda Rajapaksa Who Walks Out of Chamber Suddenly Causing an Uproar in House’ »

By Chathuri Dissanayake Emotions ran high as the three-judge bench ofthe Supreme Court yesterday delivered a landmark decision, issuing a stay order on the gazette dissolving Parliament issued by President Maithripala Sirisena until 7 December. The decision, delivered at around 5.45p.m. in the evening after a gruelling 45 minutes of uncertainty, was heard in pin-drop …

Continue reading ‘3 Judge Bench Comprising Chief Justice Perera and Justices Prasanna and Priyantha Jayawardana in Landmark Ruling Issues Stay Order Until December 7th on President Sirisena’s Gazette Dissolving Parliament .’ »

President Maithripala Sirisena and newly-appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa have arrived at an understanding to contest the Parliamentary election as a common alliance under the name “Nidahas Podujana Peramuna.” The discussion between the two leaders had taken place last night, a day after Rajapaksa and a host MPs relinquished their SLFP membership and joined the …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena to Form New Alliance Named ” Podujana Nidhahas Peramuna” to Contest Elections Scheduled for Jan 5th 2019.’ »

Sri Lanka’s Speaker, Karu Jayasuriya has asked members to convene to determine the legitimacy of a government and asked the public and officials to abide by the decisions of court and parliament after courts suspended a sacking of the Parliament by President Maithripala Sirisena. “After several days of political uncertainty, the public can take pride …

Continue reading ‘Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to Convene Parliament at 10 am On Wednesday Nov 14th Preceded by Party Leaders Meeting at 8.30 am In the Parliamentary Complex.’ »

Two prominent Bhikkhu organisations yesterday urged President Maithripala Sirisena to hold a referendum immediately to let the people decide whether they approved of the dissolution of Parliament. Addressing a press conference organized by the Pevidi Handa in Colombo, Ven. Murutththettuwe Ananda Thera said that there were sinister forces in overdrive to deprive the people of …

Continue reading ‘Prominent Buddhist Monk Organizations “National Bhikku Forum ” and ” Pevidi Handa” Want President Sirisena To Hold a Referendum to Obtain the Peoples Will Over Parliament Dissolution Issue.’ »

By Lahiru Pothmulla The government yesterday maintained that the Supreme Court’s interim order does not mean that the dissolution of parliament has been cancelled and said that it would request for a full-judge bench to hear the case. Addressing a hurriedly called news briefing last night at the Prime Minister’s Office, Minister Nimal Siripala de …

Continue reading ‘Nimal Siripala de Silva Says Request Will be Made to Appoint a Full Bench of 9 to 11 Supreme Court Judges To Determine Final Ruling on Fundamental Rights Petition Cases.’ »

By Charumini de Silva Supporters of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday insisted that the stay order issued by the Supreme Court had not cancelled the dissolution of Parliament and they would decide whether to attend Parliament after a meeting this morning. Mahajana Eksath Peramuna leader Dinesh Gunawardena told reporters that the Supreme Court order was …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena’s Gazette Notification Has Not Been Abolished,Withdrawn or Invalidated by the Supreme Court that has Only Suspended Its Operation Until Dec 7th Points out Nimal Siripala de Silva.’ »

By Chitra Weerarathne The Supreme Court yesterday issued an interim order suspending, till Dec. 07, President Maithripala Sirisena’s gazette notification dissolving Parliament and calling a general electioni and granted leave to proceed with all the fundamental rights violation petitions filed against the recent dissolution of Parliament. At the outset Attorney General, Jayantha Jayasuriya President’s Counsel …

Continue reading ‘Attorney -General Jayantha Jayasuriya Tells Supreme Court the Executive Presidency is in Force now and That the President Could Exercise his Executive Powers to Prorogue,Dissolve or Summon Parliament’ »

By Faizer Shaheid Elections are only a few days away and the politicians are at it again trying to tear each other apart. The political rivalries have stood the challenge of time, continuing to appeal to summon the inner hopes of the people despite their anticlimactic approach. Two weeks ago, a fresh saga unveiled when …

Continue reading ‘Can President Maithripala Sirisena Be Impeached By The Present Parliament?’ »

By Dharisha Bastians and Jeffrey Gettleman Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked the president from dissolving Parliament, raising the possibility that the former prime minister could reclaim the post after weeks of unnerving political drama. Sri Lanka has been in crisis since late last month, when President Maithripala Sirisena abruptly fired Prime Minister Ranil …

Continue reading ‘Supreme Court Issues “Historically Important” Interim Order Restraining President Sirisena From Dissolving Parliament and Hoding Elections:Ranil May be Able Re-Claim Prime Minister Post?’ »

By Hafeel Farisz Negating every argument to the contrary put forward for the dissolution of Parliament, the Supreme Court heard yesterday that the President could not act like he was “Alice in Wonderland” and had to abide by the provisions of the Constitution when exercising the powers vested in the Executive. Ten Petitioners submitted to …

Continue reading ‘“President Cannot Act as if he was Like Alice in Wonderland” – Counsel States in Landmark Fundamental Rights Petition Case Regarding Parliament Dissolution and Elections Being Heard by 3 Judge Bench of Supreme Court’ »

Civil society members, activists, and politicians alike sought the intervention of the Supreme Court as their last refuge yesterday, filing 11 fundamental rights petitions claiming President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to dissolve Parliament was unconstitutional. In an unprecedented move, one of the three members of the Election Commission, Dr. Ratnajeevan Hoole, was also among those who …

Continue reading ‘Attorney -General Request for More Time Until At Least Wednesday in 11 FR Petitions Against Parliament Dissolution Case is Denied by Supreme Court Due to Urgency of Situation; A-G Directed To Make Presentations on Tuesday 10 am’ »

By Nuwan Senarathna Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday said legal action would be taken against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe under Public Property Act for occupying Temple Trees after the dissolution of Parliament. Wickremesinghe continuing to remain at his Official Residence even after the dissolution was gazetted is unlawful, charged SLPP member Rohitha Abeygunawardena, and …

Continue reading ‘“Ratharang” Rohitha Abeygunawardena Wants to Evict Ranil Wickremesinghe From “Temple Trees” by Resorting to Legal Action Under the Public Property Act.’ »

REUTERS: Eight Western countries stayed away from a meeting with Sri Lanka’s Government on Monday to register their protest against President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to dissolve Parliament, diplomatic and government sources said. Sri Lanka has been in political turmoil since Sirisena fired Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe last month and appointed a pro-China former president, Mahinda …

Continue reading ‘Envoys of Britain, Netherlands, Norway, France, Australia, South Africa, Italy, and Canada Keep Away From Meeting Convened by Dr.Sarath Amunugama to Explain Current Political Situation.’ »

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday pledged to build a broad coalition against what he described as a return to authoritarianism and to continue the battle to restore democracy, transparency and institutional independence in Sri Lanka. Releasing a statement in response to the national address made by President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday, Wickremesinghe insisted the United …

Continue reading ‘“We will not allow the precious freedoms that we fought so hard to secure to be stolen from us”- Ranil Wickremesinghe Issues Statement Pledging to Protect Democracy.’ »

By Uditha Jayasinghe The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) remained unperturbed by the spate of members leaving its ranks to join the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday, insisting that its main goal was winning a Parliamentary majority in the likely event of elections. Over the weekend, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, together with his son …

Continue reading ‘Depleted Sri Lanka Freedom Party to Form Broad Coalition with Sri Lanka Podujana Party After Losing Cream of Parliamentary Members to the “Pohottuwa” Party.’ »

By Norman Palihawadana and Rathindra Kuruwita For the first time in world history a Commissioner in charge of facilitating elections had gone to the Supreme Court to prevent elections, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa told The Island yesterday commenting on Ratnajeevan Hoole, a member of the Elections Commission, challenging in courts the President’s decision to dissolve …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Hits Out at Elections Commission Member Ratnajeevan Hoole For Submitting a Fundamental Rights Petition in the Supreme Court Against the Holding of Elections Calling It “Unethical”,’ »

President Maithripala Sirisena should know well the amounts MPs got for crossing over because he had bought several UNP and TNA MPs, UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday issuing a statement. “Because of this horse trading the public faith in MPs has hit an all-time low. It is very unfortunate.”

Sri Lanka’s main political parties, on Monday November 12th 2018 filed legal challenges in the island’s Supreme Court, against the early dissolution of Parliament by President Maithripala Sirisena. The petitioners said President Sirisena had no powers to dissolve the Parliament under the 19th amendment of the constitution and requested the Supreme Court to issue an …

Continue reading ‘Chief Justice Nalin Perera, Justice Prasanna Jayawardena and Justice Priyantha Jayawardena Commence Hearing 12 F.R. Petitions Challenging Early Dissolution of Parliament and Holding of Elections; Proceedings To Continue Tomorrow as Attorney – General Required More Time’ »

A member of the three-man independent Election Commission joined a dozen petitioners asking the Supreme Court to declare as illegal the actions of President Maithripala Sirisena against parliament. Ratnajeevan Hoole filed a five-page petition seeking the quashing of the president’s decree sacking parliament and calling a snap election on January 5.

By Radhika Coomaraswamy For the most part of the last few weeks we have been in a suspended state of disbelief. Yes, the 2015 government had not lived up to its expectations, some people were plotting for the next election to teach them a lesson, and then lightning struck. The Prime Minister was removed in …

Continue reading ‘If the President Feels his Relationship With The Prime Minister is a “Bad Marriage” The Answer is Not to Burn The House Down With The Children In It.’ »

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa Sunday renounced his membership in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and joined the newly formed SLPP ahead of a court challenge to his controversial appointment as prime minister. Rajapaksa, 72, followed his legislator son Namal in joining the Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Podujana (SLPP) which emerged the largest single party …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Renounces Membership of Sri Lanka Freedom Party(SLFP) Co-founded by His Father DA Rajapaksa and Becomes ‘De Jure’ Member of SLPP the Party of which he is Already ‘De -Facto’ Leader.’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando About 40 former UPFA MPs, including former Kurunegala District MP and Prime Minister of the caretaker cabinet Mahinda Rajapaksa received membership of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday as the party consolidated its position ahead of Nov 19-26 nominations for the January 5 parliamentary polls. Former Kalutara District MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena …

Continue reading ‘Maithripala Led SLFP Left in the Lurch as Mahinda Leads Over 40 UPFA Ex-MP’s of “Purportedly Dissolved Parliament” to Become Official Members of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna(SLPP) Ahead of Prospective Elections.’ »

By Professor S W R de A Samarasinghe President Maithripala Sirisena dissolved Sri Lanka’s parliament on November 9, 2018. Media reports suggest that he disregarded the opinion of the Attorney General who had pointed that it was a violation of the Constitution. This event is organically connected to the sacking of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe …

Continue reading ‘Sirisena May go down in history as the man who virtually singlehandedly jeopardized nearly one century of democratic governance.’ »

(Text of The Special statement delivered by President Maithripala Sirisena on November 11, 2018) This is the third occasion in 14 days I am addressing you to explain recent developments. First, on October 26 I explained my views to you after appointing Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister. Then, at the meeting held at Ape …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena in Special Statement Says He Dissolved Parliament ” not to allow those 225 members in the Parliament to fight each other and allow that to develop into a street fights in every part of the country”.’ »

By Sharmini Serasinghe “United we stand, divided we fall”– Aesop I am sick, tired and bloody fed up of reading and listening to pessimistic tales of woe on the unprecedented crisis we and our country are facing at this dark moment in time. I am also fed up to the back teeth with reading and …

Continue reading ‘What our country so desperately needs right now is for all its people to rise collectively but peacefully for a Common Cause – TO SAVE OUR SRI LANKA!’ »

By Rajpal Abeynayake When Parliament was dissolved with effect from midnight on Friday November 9, the people were given the opportunity to revert to the status quo ante, predating 8 January 2015. On the face of it, this statement may sound curious to some, and perhaps a trifle unclear to others. But yet, most Sri …

Continue reading ‘Dissolution of Parliament was by far the best Solution to be had under Present Circumstances to Preserve Sri Lankan Democracy’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene As the core of Sri Lanka’s Democratic Socialist Republic implodes in multiple critical ways today, it cannot be said that we were not forewarned. For not only President Maithripala Sirisena but also each and every one of us must abide by a fundamental truth underlying the legal order. The Constitution cannot …

Continue reading ‘It is the Nation’s Hope (Against Hope)That the Judiciary Will Solemnly Fulfill Its Role of Being the Protector of the Constitution.’ »

By Gamini Weerakoon The often cited quote of a former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli: ‘Lies, damn lies and statistics’ kept coming to our minds during the past two weeks when ‘truth’ became a casualty in this pious isle, where a great many take vows to abide by the Fourth Precept of the Panchaseela — …

Continue reading ‘By Attempting to Bring Mahinda Back to Power, Sirisena is Trying to Obliterate a Decade of Crimes Under the Rajapaksa Regime?’ »

The Speaker of Sri Lanka’s controversially dissolved parliament has asked citizens and public officials to defend the constitution and warned that the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens are at risk “As the custodian of Parliament, I have watched over the last two weeks as the executive Branch has seized the rights and usurped the …

Continue reading ‘Speaker of “Illegally Dissolved” Parliament Karu Jayasuriya Calls Upon Public Servants ” to Refuse to Execute Illegal Orders They May Receive No Matter From Whom”.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan From the time President Maithripala Sirisena sacked Ranil Wickremesinghe on October 26, till he dissolved parliament exactly two weeks later, doubts about the constitutional validity of his moves have been a recurring theme. The dissolution of the House in particular, shortly after Mr. Sirisena’s party declared it lacked numbers for a majority, …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Parliament Dissolution: Is President Sirisena’s Action Legally tenable?’ »

By Gehan Gunatilleke Let me apologise to building managers in advance. Imagine entrusting a building to a manager who is dishonest. To one’s horror, one discovers dishonesty is not a problem confined to one particular building manager, but an affliction common to all building managers. There is a serious dilemma. The building needs managing, and …

Continue reading ‘No one lying politician should have the power to appoint or remove another lying politician unilaterally.’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara A certain cat had made the acquaintance of a mouse and has said so much to her about the great love and friendship she felt for her, that at length the mouse agreed that they should live and keep house together.” – Brothers Grimm (Cat and Mouse in Partnership) Some words are …

Continue reading ‘In the Mahinda-Maithripala “Cat and Mouse” Alliance The Question is Not Whether Rajapaksa Will Topple Sirisena But When!’ »

By Anura Gunasekera Over the last couple of decades, particularly after Mahinda Rajapaksa first became president in, I have written intermittently in various daily and weekly papers, on matters of political interest or significance. At the outset I must declare firmly that I am not a political writer per se or a professional journalist in …

Continue reading ‘Why we Need to keep on Protesting Because we Need to Care About the Things That are Dear to us’ »

By Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne There is speculation that Parliament will be dissolved. Arguments have been made for and against the right of the President to dissolve Parliament at will, at any time. It is a golden rule that in interpreting a Constitution, the Constitution as a whole must be looked at, not at just one …

Continue reading ‘If the President can Dissolve Parliament at any Time at Will is Correct, then Parliament can be Dissolved by the President Just one day After the new Parliament Meets’ »

by C.A. Chandraprema The President unexpectedly dissolved Parliament on Friday night. The proclamation dissolving Parliament states that it was done by virtue of the powers vested in the President by Article 33(2)(c) of the Constitution and Article 70(5) which should be read with Article 62(2). What Article 33(2)(c) – which was a new provision introduced …

Continue reading ‘How Will the Voting Public That Has Been Complaining about Long Delays in Holding Elections React to Political Parties Going to Courts Seeking a Declaration that Parliamentaty Elections are Illegal?’ »

Sri Lanka’s opposition parties are to challenge in the Supreme Court on Monday, the dissolution of the country’s parliament, which was announced late on Friday by President Maithripala Sirisena. “We are going to the Supreme Court first thing in the morning on Monday, November 12,” said M.A.Sumanthiran, opposition Member of Parliament, who is also a …

Continue reading ‘“We are Going to the Supreme Court First Thing in the Morning on Monday November 12” Says TNA Lawyer -Politico MA Sumanthiran as Sri Lanka’s Opposition Parties Resolve to Challenge Dissolution of Parliament.’ »

By Chathuri Dissanayake and Uditha Jayasinghe In an act that smacked of political desperation after it became evident his party may not be able to show majority in the House, President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday dissolved Parliament with elections likely to be held on 5 January. The Gazette, which was sent by the Attorney General’s Department …

Continue reading ‘Maithripala Sirisena Dissolves Parliament in an act of Political Desperation After It Became Evident He had No Majority in the House.’ »

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday dissolved the country’s parliament on account of the Mahinda Rajapaksa government’s inability to face a No Confidence Motion which was due to be taken up after the reconvening of parliament on November 14. The Rajapaksa government had been installed by President Sirisena on October 26 after sacking Prime …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Dissolved Parliament Because the Govt he Installed Under Mahinda Rajapaksa as PM was Unable to Obtain the Support of 113 MP’s in a Pariament of 225.’ »

By K. Ratnayake Yesterday Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena blatantly violated the country’s constitution and dissolved parliament almost two years before its term officially ends. According to the gazette notification issued last night, new elections will be held on January 5 and the new parliament convened on January 17. Sirisena’s anti-democratic actions came just two …

Continue reading ‘Sirisena Violates Constitution Again By Gazetting Dissolution of Parliament in Breach of 19th Amendment Forbidding it Before Four and a Half Years is Completed.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Avoiding a resolution to Sri Lanka’s political crisis through Parliament, President Maithripala Sirisena late on Friday dissolved the House. The move came just hours after his political front admitted to lacking the majority needed for its controversially installed Prime Minister to be declared legitimate. Issuing an extraordinary gazette, Mr. Sirisena dismissed the …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena’s Gazette Proclamation Dissolving Parliament Will be Challenged in Courts by UNP Says Mangala Samaraweera.’ »

By Dharisha Bastians and Vindu Goel The president of Sri Lanka dissolved the country’s Parliament on Friday night and called for elections in January to choose new lawmakers, a move that critics said was illegal, and that deepened a two-week-old constitutional crisis over who is the legitimate prime minister of the island nation. The move …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan President Sirisena Dissolves Parliament and Calls For Elections in January in a Move Described as “Illegal”by Critics.’ »

By Saman Gunadasa Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, installed in a political coup on October 26, has also appropriated the post of finance and economic affairs minister. Last week, in a bid to deflect the opposition of working people, he announced cosmetic measures to ease the economic and social crisis facing workers, peasants and the poor. …

Continue reading ‘The Sri Lankan Economy is now in Acute Crisis, Leaving the Sirisena-Rajapakse Government with no Room to Manoeuvre.’ »

Sounding a dire warning, veteran political scientist Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda yesterday severely criticised what he termed as an open and ongoing violation of the Constitution, which could plunge the country into anarchy, unless there was moral intervention by the public and community leaders. Delivering the commemorative oration at the ceremony held to mark the third …

Continue reading ‘“Those Who Caused a Crisis by Violating the Constitution Are Now Discussing About Solutions to the Crisis by More Violations of the Constitution “-Prof Jayadeva Uyangoda.’ »

A rally of hundreds of cars carrying supporters of Sri Lanka’s deposed Prime Minister brought chaos to Colombo streets on Thursday as they demanded that Parliament be reopened. A noisy cavalcade of motorcycles, auto-rickshaws, cars and vans took loyalists of ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to a rally to hear speeches slamming the President for …

Continue reading ‘Traffic Chaos in Colombo Ranil Wickremesinghe Supporters Proceed in Cavalcade of Motor Cycles,Three-wheelers,Cars &Vans to Independence Square Protest Rally Demanding Re-convening of Parliament.’ »

The following is the text of an open letter sent in by Dr. Devanesan Nesiah, a retired civil servant who has who has served the country since 1959. In 2017, he was awarded with the National Honours by President Sirisena. 7 November 2018 His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena, President, Sri Lanka. Your Excellency, I write as …

Continue reading ‘Former Civil Servant and Academic Dr.Devanesan Nesiah Announces Return of “Deshamanya” medal and Certificate Awarded by President in 2017 In Protest Against Maithripala Sirisena Flouting Democracy.’ »

By Sandun A Jyasekera Minister S.B.Dissanayake today admitted that the UPFA had only the support of 105 MPs at the moment but said they were ready to show 116 on the 14th, the day Parliament reconvenes after prorogation. Addressing a news briefing, Minister Dissanayake said he was in contact with a number of Parliamentarians of …

Continue reading ‘SB Dissanayake Admits he Offered UNP MP Palitha Range Bandara 200 Million Rupees and Cabinet Minister Portfolio and Says Making Such Offers are not Bribes.’ »

By Harischandra Gunaratna Former Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Minister Arjuna Ranatunga yesterday called upon the police to conduct an impartial probe and apprehend those responsible for mayhem at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Head Office at Dematagoda on 28 Oct. Two persons were shot by one of Ranatunga’s security guards and one of them succumbed to …

Continue reading ‘Arjuna Ranatunga Shows 15 Minute News Clip at Press Conference and Alleges Powerful UPFA Politico was Behind the Mob Attack on His Life at the Petroleum Corporation Head Office in Dematagoda.’ »

(A Short Brief on the Present Constitutional Crisis in Sri Lanka Whether the Speaker can convene Parliament by Lawyers for Democracy) Since the commencement of the constitutional crisis on 26th October 2018, the Speaker has made several public statements on the need to reconvene Parliament. His most recent statement issued on 5th November reiterates this …

Continue reading ‘“We Believe the Present Crisis is an Attempt by the Executive to Actively and Deliberately Undermine the Constitution of Sri Lanka” – Lawyers for Democracy’ »

By Kelum Bandara The political equation is constantly changing these days making it difficult for anyone to conclude which side would emerge with the required parliamentary majority to form a stable administration by the time Parliament meets on November 14. The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) led by President Maithripala Sirisena was scoring high in …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena May Opt to Conduct a Referendum to Enable Dissolution of Parliament if Mahinda Rajapaksa Is Unable To Gain Majority Support Among Present Crop of MP’s.’ »

By P.K.Balachandran The on-going power struggle in Sri Lanka between two powerful groups, one led by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa; and the other led by ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe; has been keeping the 21 million citizens of the island nation on the edge since October 26. It was on October …

Continue reading ‘Will President Sirisena Carry Out His Threat Of Resigning within an Hour if Ranil Wickremesinghe Wins the Vote of Confidence in Parliament and is Affirmed as Prime Minister?’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said he is willing to work with President Maithripala Sirisena, who abruptly sacked him on October 26, if given a chance to prove his majority in Parliament. Caught in an unprecedented power struggle, Mr. Wickremesinghe is trying to claim legitimacy as the country’s premier, after Mr. …

Continue reading ‘Wickremesinghe Willing To Work With Sirisena Again: “I’ll have no problem working with him, that’s a question you must ask him” Ranil Tells “The Hindu”.’ »

Former president Mahinda Rajapakse’s Party fired the first salvo against President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday saying his move had crippled the country and demanded that parliament be summoned immediately. Kumar Welgama, a former minister in Rajapaksa’s cabinet, said Sirisena had made Sri Lanka the butt-end of jokes around the world and the issue of the …

Continue reading ‘Kumar Welgama Hits Out at President saying Sirisena Has Made Sri Lanka the Butt End Of Jokes Around The world and warns the Country is Going Down the Precipice.’ »

Parliamentary Speaker Karu Jayasuriya announced Wednesday that he will allow a vote on the floor of the House to end a bitter power struggle and a constitutional that have crippled the country for nearly two weeks. Jayasuriya’ said he will go along with the wishes of 116 legislators who wanted him to take up the …

Continue reading ‘Speaker Karu Jayasuriya Will Allow Suspension of Standing Orders to Enable Vote To Determine Whether Purported Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa Has A Majority When Parliament Re-convenes.’ »

By Yohan Perera UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra today alleged that a person had called her aunt, who was residing abroad and had threatened to put an end to her political career if she failed to accept a Ministerial portfolio. Ms Premachnadra told a media briefing that her aunt had told the caller that she would …

Continue reading ‘UNP Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra’s Threatened Through Telephone call to Aunt That Her Political Career Would be Destroyed If She Did not Accept a Ministerial Portfolio .’ »

By Lahiru Pothmulla United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe failed to serve the Tamil people though the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) stood by him for more than three years, Deputy Minister of Regional Development (Eastern) S. Viyalendiran said today. Addressing a media briefing held at the Prime Minister’s Office, he said the North and …

Continue reading ‘TNA Defector Viyalendran MP who Joined Govt on Request Made By President Maithripala Sirisena says “This does not mean I support Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa”’ »

(Text of a press release issued by the Tamil National Alliance(TNA) spokesperson M. A. Sumanthiran MP on November 7th 2018) A delegation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) comprising of Mr. R. Sampanthan Leader of the TNA, Mr. Selvam Adaikkalanathan MP, Mr. D. Siddaarthan MP, Mr. M.A.Sumanthiran MP, on the invitation of His Excellencey the …

Continue reading ‘Tamil National Alliance Explains to President Sirisena the Reasons For Decisions Taken by the TNA and That They would Stand by Those Decisions Which are Irreversible.’ »

By Chathuri Dissanayake In a fresh turn in the maze that is the country’s current political crisis, the United National Party (UNP) yesterday made fresh claims over Manusha Nanayakkara’s support, as the ministers of the Cabinet which existed before 26 October 2018 hurried to reclaim office. Nanayakkara is said to have resigned from his new …

Continue reading ‘Newly Appointed Deputy Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Resigns Post, Supports Ranil Wickremesinghe As Prime Minister and Flies Off To Singapore Without Attending Press Conference Called By UNP.’ »

By Dr. Kalinga Seneviratne On the night of October 26, most Sri Lankans were taken by surprise when President Maithripala Sirisena named his former leader and later political foe Mahinda Rajapakse as Prime Minister. Within minutes, celebratory firecrackers were lit across the country, as Rajapakse is still widely popular, especially among the Sinhalese majority, for …

Continue reading ‘Western Diplomats Behaviour in Sri Lanka is a Clear Violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations Adopted in 1961’ »

Sri Lanka faces an unprecedented constitutional and political crisis following President Maithripala Sirisena’s move to dismiss Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and appoint former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his stead on 26 October 2018, which has been challenged by Wickremesinghe as being illegal. What explains these sudden political developments, which unseated the political party that had …

Continue reading ‘An Explanation – in -Brief of the Political Crisis in Sri Lanka By the South Asian Magazine “Himal”,’ »

By Meera Srinivasan In his first public confrontation yet with President Maithripala Sirisena since the dramatic events of October 26, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya on Monday indicated that he would not accept former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister until his majority is proven in parliament. Citing the opinion of a majority of lawmakers that the …

Continue reading ‘Dinesh Gunawardena “Assumes Charge” of Leader of the House Office By Force With Connivance of Seargeant -at – arms alleges Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella.’ »

Labour and Foreign Employment Deputy Minister Manusha Nanayakkara has resigned from his portfolio. Nanayakkara is expected to support UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. Nanayakkara was first elected to Parliament on the UNP ticket but later chose to support former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. In a strongly worded letter of resignation, Deputy Minister Manusha Nanayakkara informed President Maithripala …

Continue reading ‘UNP Crossover Manusha Nanayakkara Who was Appointed Deputy -Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Resigns “New” Portfolio Saying he will Accept Ranil Wickremesinghe as Legitimate Prime Minister in Accordance With Speaker’s Statement.’ »

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday said he would have to continue with the previous status in Parliament until a different clear majority was shown in Parliament. A majority of the MPs had requested him to accept the previous composition, he said. The Speaker said in a statement that MPs had pointed out that the recent changes …

Continue reading ‘“If I am to follow the verbal assurance given by the President, it is my duty as Speaker to summon Parliament by 7th November and restore stability in the country” -Karu Jayasuriya’ »

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, following his controversial accession to premiership, hailed the opportunity to share the same political platform with President Maithripala Sirisena, who appointed him to the position after four years of rivalries which began in 2014. “Our separation was temporary,” Rajapaksa claimed amidst cheers of his supporters at the “Ratama Rakina Jana Mahimaya” …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Says Maithripala Removing Sitting Prime Minister Ranil and Appointing Him was a “Serious and Grave” Decision Which He Would not have Taken if he were the President.’ »

By Chathuri Dissanayake and Nuwan Senaratne President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday stood by his Prime Minister, insisting that he had the 113 MPs needed to hold Parliament and defended the move as a last ditch effort coming after he had offered the position to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and UNP MP Sajith Premadasa. Thousands of supporters flocked …

Continue reading ‘Maithripala and Mahinda Address ‘Ratama Rakina Jana Mahimaya’ Together at Battaramulla Expressing “Happines” After a “Brief Animosity” of Four Years.’ »

By Lahiru Pothmulla President Maithripala Sirisena said today that he offered the premiership to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya first and then to UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa before considering former President Mahinda Rajapaksa for the post of Prime Minister. Addressing a public rally named ‘Rata Surakina Jana Mahimaya’, he said the UNP MPs who met him …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Says He Offered to Make Karu Jayasuriya or Sajith Premadasa the Prime Minister Instead of Ranil but Because Both Refused he Had to Appoint Mahinda as PM.’ »

By Darshana Sanjeewa UNP MPs Palitha Thewarapperuma and Hesha Vithana had been arrested after they surrendered to the Kollupitiya Police Station this morning over an alleged attack on Major (Rtd) Ajith Prasanna, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Sri Lanka’s Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has said that he is recognizing the status quo before the political crisis that was triggered on October 26, until a majority is prove by a new group. He said a majority of members had pointed out to him that recent events were unconstitutional and against the traditions of the …

Continue reading ‘Speaker Karu Jayasuriya Issues Statement Recognizing the “Status Quo” That Existed Before Oct 26th Until a Majority is Proved by a “New” Group.’ »

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday announced, through a gazette notification, that Parliament would be reconvened on Nov. 14. The gazette says that parliament will meet at 10.00 am on that day.

By Lasanda Kurukulasuriya Maithripala Sirisena is not exactly a type of politician described as ‘charismatic’ or ‘revolutionary.’ But in the space of three and a half years he has pulled off two dramatic political reversals in the country’s electoral history. The first was in 2014 ,when he broke ranks with the ruling UPFA coalition to …

Continue reading ‘Maithripala Sirisena Within the Space Three and a half years Has Pulled Off Two Dramatic Political Reversals in the Country’s Electoral History’ »

By Jayadeva Uyangoda “My country has been betrayed again” –Pablo Neruda, Memoirs In his explanation of why he removed Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe from the office of Prime Minister, President Maithripala Sirisena cited policy and personal differences between the two. An analysis of his speech shows that personal reasons are stronger than policy reasons and the …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena seems to think that political corruption is a legitimate weapon as long as he uses it.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Continuing his swift disastrous strike last Friday, President Maithripala Sirisena has taken a familiar problem of public fury with an inept and malfunctioning Government to a perilously extra-constitutional trajectory, prompting deep revulsion on the part of even those strongly critical of many follies of the United National Party (UNP). Repercussions of …

Continue reading ‘Issue Before Sri Lanka is the Constitutional Impropriety of President Sirisena’s Actions and Not Sympathy for the United National Party.’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka 1. Can you think of two personalities more contrasting than Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Maithripala Sirisena? 2. But as President, they both did the same thing to the same Prime Minister—in 2003/4 and 2018! 3. Basic logic teaches us that when two different factors behave in the same way towards the same …

Continue reading ‘Both Presidents Chandrika in 2004 and Maithripala in 2018 Removing the Same Prime Minister Shows the Fault is With Ranil Wickremesinghe?’ »

By Namini Wijedasa On the afternoon of October 26, parliamentarians from President Maithripala Sirisena’s Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) gathered at his official residence. They did not know the meeting would be a precursor to one of the most tangled constitutional debates in the country’s history. Sirisena told them he was forming a new administration. …

Continue reading ‘It is Hard to See How President Sirisena Can Emerge With Any Personal or Political Credibility From This Crisis Even if He Trumps The Technicalities’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka [Lakshmi Sylvia de Silva—Birth anniversary November 5th] For historical, cultural and civilizational reasons, the Kremlin means much more to the Russian people, but to those of us from the global South, it has been a center of a special kind of power, a power that balances the world, a center of power …

Continue reading ‘What I Owed My Mother Above All Else Was The Introduction To Jesus.’ »

Less than a week after what was seen as an abrupt move by the President to replace the Prime Minister, Namal Rajapaksa, the son of the newly sworn-in Prime Minister, said that his father and the President had been in talks for around “four to five months”. On 26 October, President Maithripala Sirisena fired the …

Continue reading ‘Namal Rajapaksa Reveals in NDTV Interview That President Sirisena had Been Talking to his Father for about 4 or 5 Months Before Swearing in Mahinda as Prime Minister.’ »

A sudden hush-hush meeting between ousted Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at Temple Trees on Thursday was the cause of wild speculation, but officials said the discussion was aimed at a peaceful resolution to the constitutional deadlock. Spokesman for the former Defence Secretary Milinda Rajapaksha said that the meeting had lasted …

Continue reading ‘Gotabhaya Rajapaksa Goes to “Temple Trees” for Private Meeting With Ranil Wickremesinghe Following Invitation By UNP Leader.’ »

FIRST TO GO was the navy honour guard, in crisp uniforms with brass buttons. Then the maintenance staff departed, followed by the cooks and gardeners and cleaners. The next day no drivers showed up, marooning a fleet of fancy cars in the compound’s garage. By the third day all but a token ten out of …

Continue reading ‘“We thought we were getting a Mandela as president. Instead we got a Mugabe.” – Ex-Minister’s Comment About President Sirisena.’ »