The 16 rebel Members of Parliament belonging to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) headed by President Maithripala Sirisena, are on the way to forming an alliance with the Joint Opposition and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa. Quitting the government and sitting with the opposition are preliminary steps towards the goal, which …

Continue reading ‘16 SLFP Anti-Ranil MP’s Will Sit in Opposition Under The Pretence of Being “SLFP Independents” To Avoid Being Unseated as “Crossover MP’s” and Join the SLPP Officially Before Parliament Elections are Held’ »

By Ajit Kanagasundram The optimism that accompanied the Yahapalana government in 2015 has evaporated. We simply seem to have exchanged the misguided and dictatorial regime of Rajapaksa for the misguided and weak government of Sirisena/Ranil. There is a confluence of factors – political, economic, financial, inter-ethnic relations and international that are converging and will cause …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Ship of State Drifts Towards Perfect Storm While Capt and Chief Officer Fight With each Other and Crew Deserts Vessel Abandoning Hapless Passengers’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Some weeks ago, a ruling party politician in the Gampaha District was captured on national television becoming incandescent with rage on being asked to produce his identity card by a police officer. Working himself up to a veritable frenzy, that worthy representative of the people blustered and protested. His fury boiled …

Continue reading ‘For what Offence Was the Policeman Who Allegedly Asked a Govt MP To Produce His Identity Card Given a Punishment Transfer?’ »

By the Political Correspondent of the “Sunday Times” President Maithripala Sirisena, leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) took the unprecedented step of urging ministers of his own party to boycott last Tuesday’s weekly Cabinet meeting – perhaps a first such move in a practising democracy. In doing so, he was cushioning a feared …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Forced To Continue Coalition With UNP To Checkmate Moves By Pro-Mahinda SLFP Elements To Quit Govt’ »

President Maithripala Sirisena has prorogued parliament for almost a month giving himself more time even as more MPs were due to ditch his faction of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and strengthen the Joint Opposition (JO) led by his nemesis Mahinda Rajapaksa. In a surprise move, Sirisena ordered last night that parliament be put …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Prorogues Parliament Till May 8th to buy time to Manouere and Prevent His SLFP Parliamentarians From Joining the Mahinda Rajapaksa Led UPFA Opposition or Ranil Wickremesinghe led UNP Govt’ »

By Dr Reeza Hameed Some commentators have persistently advanced the proposition that,notwithstanding the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, the President’s power to remove the Prime Minister is intact.It is a view that relies on a literal reading of the Sinhala text of Article 48(1) in which the phrase “removal from office” appears. I have, in …

Continue reading ‘Notwithstanding the Sinhala Text of Article 48(1) the 19th Constitutional Amendment Makes The President Powerless To Remove The Prime Minister From Office.’ »

The looming political crisis in Sri Lanka, especially in parliament, has forced President Maithripala Sirisena to prorogue parliament till May 8. A gazette notification issued by the President on Thursday said: “By virtue of the powers vested in me by Article 70 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, I, Maithripala …

Continue reading ‘Faced With the Prospect of his SLFP Splitting Into Three Factions When Parliament Convened On April 19th Beleaguered President Sirisena in a Sudden Move Prorogues Parliament Till May 8th’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando Having accepted the resignations of six SLFP ministers, President Sirisena yesterday allocated additional ministerial portfolios to four ministers, temporarily, pending a Cabinet reshuffle after the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Special Assignment Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama received skills development and vocational training portfolios in addition to science and research subjects, which were …

Continue reading ‘Portfolios Of Six SLFP Cabinet Ministers Who Resigned After Voting for NCM Temporarily Allocated by President Sirisena To Four Ministers Pending cabinet re-shuffle After April new year’ »

by Nirupama Subramanian Last Wednesday, parliamentarians debated a no-confidence motion moved by Opposition MPs. The debate began at 9.30 am and by the time the vote was counted, it was 9.30 pm. All the government’s shortcomings were discussed threadbare. Ruling party legislators gave as good as they got. After heated speeches both ways, and a …

Continue reading ‘Exemplary Manner In Which The No Confidence Motion Debate and Vote Was Conducted in Sri Lanka Is an Inspiring Example of Democratic Parliamentary Practice in South Asia.’ »

Sixteen members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party who voted in favour of the No-Confidence Motion brought against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have stepped down from all governmental posts effective from midnight. Former State Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene said President Maithripala Sirisena approved the letters of resignation following a meeting held at the President’s official …

Continue reading ‘16 SLFP MP’s Including Cabinet Ministers,State Ministers and Deputy Ministers Who Voted For No Confidence Motion Quit Govt Ranks With Effect From Midnight.’ »

By Maheesha Mudugamuwa The government has given the go-ahead for Pacific White Legged Shrimp (Litopenaeus Vannamei) farming in Mannar, but environmentalists warn of the potential negative impacts of the new project and demand to know what methods will be used to ensure that the new activity is bio-secure. Environmentalist and Senior lawyer Jagath Gunawardana told …

Continue reading ‘Govt Allows Private Company To Start Shrimp Farm in Mannar with Imported Pacific White -Legged Shrimp (Litopenaeus Vannamei) But Environmentalists Oppose the new Project’s Potential Negative Impact’ »

By Saman Indrajith and Rathindra Kuruwita President Maithripala Sirisena, yesterday, accepted the resignation letters tendered by 15 SLFP ministers, including six Cabinet members, and the Deputy Speaker, who voted for the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe last week. Their resignations would take effect from midnight yesterday, former State Minister of Public Enterprise Development …

Continue reading ‘16 SLFP Parliamentarians Including 6 Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Speaker Who Voted Against Their Prime Minister and Coalition Govt Will Finally Cross To the Opposition and Remain “Independents” for the Time Being.’ »

By Disna Mudalige President Maithripala Sirisena had informed Cabinet of his intent to make a reshuffle before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. The President had made an indication that the subjects of ministries would be re-organised in a scientific manner during the Cabinet reshuffle. A Cabinet minister, who took part at the meeting yesterday, …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Chairs Cabinet Meeting Without Anyone From His Own Party As All SLFP Ministers Engage in “Boycott” According to Central Committee Decision.’ »

By Norman Palihawadane Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, yesterday, said that the SLFP MPS, including six ministers, who voted for the no-faith motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe last week, would cross over to the Opposition when Parliament met again. Rajapaksa said they would give up their portfolios and join the Opposition on April 19, when …

Continue reading ‘All 16 SLFP Parliamentarians who Voted For No Confidence Motion Against Ranil Wickremesinghe Will Cross Over To the Joint Opposition on April 19th States Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa’ »

The government has set up a hotline (1956) for public to report incidents of religious and ethnic violence, Minister of National Co-existence, Dialogue and Official Languages, Mano Ganesan says. The Ministry will also establish reconciliation committees at the village level. Members of these committees are required to identify potential incidents and take preventive measures, Ganesan …

Continue reading ‘Govt Sets Up Hotline For Public To Report Incidents of Ethnic and Religious Violence Says National Co-existence Minister Mano Ganesan’ »

By Rathindra Kuruwita The SLFP Central Committee, following a stormy session last night, resolved that all SLFP ministers boycott today’s Cabinet meeting. It, however, didn’t take a final decision on whether to remain in the unity government or not. President Maithripala chaired the meeting at the President’s House, Colombo 01. Minister Anura Priyadashana Yapa proposed …

Continue reading ‘Stormy Session of SLFP Central Committee Meeting Shows Party Is Heading For Split With One Faction Wanting To Quit Go vt And Another Opposing it’ »

By Maheesha Mudugamuwa President Maithripala Sirisena now has another serious problem to contend with as the UNP is all out to oust the SLFP ministers who voted for the no-faith motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe last week. UNP Deputy General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, yesterday, said all those who had voted against UNP leader and PM …

Continue reading ‘All 16 SLFP Ministers, State Ministers and Deputy Ministers Who Voted For No Confidence Motion Will Lose Their Portfolios in Cabinet Re-shuffle Before April New Year -Akila Viraj Kariyawasam’ »

by Shamindra Ferdinando Top JO spokesman Bandula Gunawardena, MP, yesterday faulted President Maithripala Sirisena for the last minute collapse of the move to oust PM Ranil Wickremesinghe. Sirisena had caused the defeat by not pledging his support to the move publicly, Gunawardena alleged. Had Sirisena, in his capacity as the leader, taken a clear stand, …

Continue reading ‘Betrayal of President Sirisena Who Did Not Pledge His Support Publicly For The No Confidence Motion Caused Its Collapse at the last moment.’ »

By Gagani Weerakoon When the House was debating the 47th No-Confidence Motion in the Sri Lankan Parliament’s history and the third against a Prime Minister last Wednesday (4) lots of other dramas were taking place on the corridors, in committee rooms and at the lobby. One such took place in a committee room in Parliament …

Continue reading ‘Sirisena Warns UNP That He May Consider Proposal To Find 113 MP’s and Form New Govt Comprising Joint Opposition and SLFP With Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister if No Faith Motion Is Brought Against SLFP Ministers Who Voted For NCM’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene A crude bid to capture national political power by the so-called Joint Opposition, disgracefully aided and abetted by a section of President Maithripala Sirisena’s Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) failed this week. Given the political configurations on the floor of the House, perhaps this failure was inevitable but nothing is certain …

Continue reading ‘Crude Attempt of Joint Opposition Disgracefully Aided And Abetted By Sections of Sirisena’s SLFP To Capture Political Power Ends In Failure’ »

By Javid Yusuf Sports journalists, who write previews about matches, be it cricket, rugby or football, often predict the outcome of such matches by stating that on paper side A or B should win but qualify their prediction by stating that the outcome would finally be determined by the actual performance of the teams on …

Continue reading ‘At Least Nine SLFP Ministers Who Wanted To Vote In Support of Prime Minister Wickremesinghe Were Deceived Into Abstaining While Their Colleagues Voted For No Confidence Motion.’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “A Lion used to prowl about a field in which Four Oxen dwelt. Many a time he tried to attack them; but they turned their tails to one another, so that whichever way he approached them he was met by the horns of one of them. At last, however, they fell a-quarrelling …

Continue reading ‘President and Prime Minister Must Re-discover Their Commonalities and Re-create a New Relationship to Implement Their Joint Mandate of 2015’ »

By Sarath de Alwis There are lessons to be learnt from the debate and the final vote count on Wednesday, April 4. There were three responses during the count. Pakshai , Virudhai; and Absent. The word ‘absent’ is now in the Sinhala vocabulary. Staying away is now a form of political statement. It is more …

Continue reading ‘It will be a Grave Error For Ranil Wickremesinghe To Think the No Confidence Motion was A Victory Whereas he Has Only Earned a Reprieve Through an “Engineered Survival”’ »

By Jayaeva Uyangoda Amidst so many stories about the ever – exciting twists and turns in the crisis faced by our Government, we seem to ignore so many other significant political questions. One such question is: what is happening in Sri Lanka’s political parties? As visible from the unfolding power struggles, Sri Lanka’s two main …

Continue reading ‘Racism and Hollow Populism Seem to be the Only Ideologies Attractive to the New Breed of Professional Politicians .’ »

By Rajan Philips “Our Party is like ‘amoeba’, we have had many opinions on this and we have accommodated them all.” – SLFP Minister Vijith Vijithamuni Soysa, media interview after the NCM vote. The much ballyhooed No Confidence Motion against the Prime Minister has come and gone. In the end, it was not even close. …

Continue reading ‘Rise and Fall Of The No Confidence Motion Against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.’ »

by Anura Gunasekera Once again, Ranil the survivor has emerged from another political maelstrom, certainly not unbowed and unafraid, bloodied and bruised perhaps, but with the old image intact; unappetizing, unlovable and uncaring but still durable and still in the saddle. The days of frenzied political maneuvering which preceded the debate, culminating in the Nimal …

Continue reading ‘Once Again Ranil The Survivor Has Emerged From Another Political Maelstorm Bloodied and Bruised Perhaps But Still Durable And Still in the Saddle.’ »

By Shandra Ferdinando President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said that the current dispensation would continue with UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister. SLFP leader Sirisena asserted that the failed attempt to oust Wickremesinghe through a tripartite No-Confidence Motion (NCM), moved in parliament couldn’t be an impediment to the continuation of the unity government. Sirisena …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Discloses He Met Those Wanting To Oust Prime Minister Thrice and Issued Challenge to do so Constitutionally By Proving it had the Parliamentary Majority.’ »

By Saman Indrajith Deputy Speaker and National List MP Thilanga Sumathipala has received death threats from Minister Navin Dissanayake for voting for the no-faith motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday night, parliament was told yesterday. MEP leader and Joint Opposition parliamentary group leader Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday briefed Parliament on the alleged incident involving …

Continue reading ‘Thilanga Sumathipala Writes to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya Alleging That Navin Dissanayake Threatened Him with Death for Voting for No Confidence Motion Against Ranil Wickremesinghe’ »

By Saman Indrajith UNP national list MP Prof Ashu Marasinghe handing over the no-faith motion on SLFP parliametarians who voted for the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya. A group of UNP backbenchers yesterday evening handed over seven no-confidence motions against National List MP and Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala and six …

Continue reading ‘Sirisena Warns UNP That He Will Let SLFP and Joint Opposition MP’s Form a Govt If UNP MP’s Present a No Confidence Motion against SLFP Ministers who Voted Against Ranil.’ »

By Veeragathy Thanabalasingham Though Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has convincingly defeated the No-Confidence Motion brought against him in parliament by the Joint Opposition led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the challenges he faces are far from over. But Wickremesinghe is an old hand at dealing with them, having been beset with trials and test since …

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe May Have Defeated The No Confidence Motion Against Him Convincingly But The Challenges Faced By Him Are Far From Over.’ »

The long-delayed arrest of the head of the military intelligence directorate has led to a breakthrough in solving the Keith Noyahr abduction case which is directly linked to several other attacks, police said Friday. Retired major general Amal Karunasekera was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) as he was undergoing treatment at the army …

Continue reading ‘Ex- Military Intelligence Chief Maj-Gen Amal Karunasekera (retd) Is Being Investigated Over Several Cases Including Assassination of “Sunday Leader”Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge and Abduction of ” Nation”Associate Editor Keith Noyahr.’ »

By Zahrah Imtiaz The Sri Lanka Freedom Party which came out divided after Wednesday night’s No Confidence Motion (NCM) against the Prime Minister is of the view that the sole purpose of the NCM was to divide the SLFP and not remove the Prime Minister. “The official stance we agreed on was to abstain,” said …

Continue reading ‘Sole Purpose of No Confidence Motion was To Split the SLFP and not to remove The Prime Minister says Cabinet Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe.’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) yesterday claimed that it had unanimously decided to abstain at the voting on the No Confidence Motion (NCM) against PM Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday (April 4) following its failure to persuade him to quit. The SLFP alleged that a section of its parliamentary group in the …

Continue reading ‘While SLFP Took Official Decision to Abstain From Voting for the No Confidence Motion Rebel Group Headed by SB Dissanayake and Thilanga Sumathipala Defied Party and Voted Against’ »

By Rathindra Kuruwita Slave Island Police are investigating some incidents where a group of persons threw firecrackers and stones at the MTV/MBC Head Office in Braybrook Street, following the defeat of the no-faith motion against PM Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday night. The Police Media Unit said: “We have received a complaint regarding the alleged incidents. …

Continue reading ‘UNP Colombo Municipal Councillor Allegedly Led Mob Which Threw Lit Crackers and Stones On the MTV/MBC “Sirasa” head Office On Braybrooke Street After No Confidence Motion Against Ranil was Defeated.’ »

By Nushka Nafeel Former, Army Chief of Staff Major General (retired) Amal Karunasekara was taken into custody by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Army hospital last night in connection with the abduction and assault of senior journalist Keith Noyahr. The Mount Lavinia Magistrate earlier directed Major Gen. Karunasekara to appear before the CID …

Continue reading ‘Former Army Intelligence Chief Maj-Gen (retd) Amal Karunasekara Arrested by CID In Connection With Abduction and Assault of Former ” The Nation” Associate Editor Keith Noyahr’ »

By Nushka Nafeel The UNP will submit a No Confidence Motion to the Speaker today against 16 SLFP Ministers who voted in favour of the no confidence motion against the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, MP Mujibur Rahman said. He said that the UNP has requested the Speaker to have the debate on the no confidence …

Continue reading ‘UNP To Present No Confidence Motion Against Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala and 15 SLFP Ministers and Deputy Ministers In Govt Who Voted Against Prime Minister’ »

By Saman Indrajith Five out of the six SLFP ministers who voted for the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have informed the UNP that they would quit their ministerial portfolios. Ministers Chandima Weerakkody, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Susil Premjayantha, and John Seneviratne have conveyed their decision to the UNP. However, SLFP Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera hadn’t …

Continue reading ‘33 UNP Parliamentarians Want All SLFP Ministers,Deputy Ministers and State Ministers Who Voted For No Confidence Motion Against Prime Minister To Be Thrown Out of Govt.’ »

By Maheesha Mudugamuwa SLFP ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers who voted in favour of the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe moved by Joint Opposition (JO) in parliament on Wednesday (04) are ready to resign from all ministerial portfolios if President Maithripala Sirisena takes a decision to that effect. Addressing a special …

Continue reading ‘SLFP Ministers,State Ministers and Deputy Ministers Who Voted for No Confidence Motion Against Prime Minister Not Prepared to Resign and Forfeit Their Positions.’ »

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s legislator son Namal fathered the failure to topple Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on President Maithripala Sirisena, hours after a humiliation in the national parliament. “President Sirisena’s habit of betrayal proven again at the no confidence motion. First he encouraged SLFP members to support it and then backs off. He has betrayed …

Continue reading ‘Hambantota MP Namal Rajapaksa Flays Maithripala Sirisena as a Habitual Betrayer Who Has Now Betrayed Both the UNP and SLFP In the No Confidence Motion Issue.’ »

By Skandha Gunasekara and Ashwin Hemmathagama Prime Minister Ranil Wickremsinghe yesterday emerged victorious after he managed to decisively defeat the much anticipated No-Confidence Motion with a comprehensive majority of 46 votes and will meet President Maithripala Sirisena today to decide the future of the government. At the conclusion of a full day debate of nearly …

Continue reading ‘No Confidence Motion Against Ranil Defeated 122 to 76 With 26 Absent at Voting: TNA, SLMC,AIMC,DPA JHU Support PM; Cabinet Re-shuffle Imminent After Axing of 14 SLFP Ministers and MP’s Who Voted for NCM.’ »

By Dinasena Ratugamage Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Vanni District MP Selvam Addaikalanathan yesterday said that UNP leader and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe had accepted ten of its proposals in return for the group’s backing for him to defeat the No Confidence Motion (NCM) moved by the Joint Opposition. The TELO MP, representing the TNA, said that …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Accepted 10 Proposals Submitted by TNA In Return for Support of 16 MP’s Against No Confidence Motion Vote In Parliament Reveals Mannar MP Selvam Adaikkalanathan.’ »

By Saman Indrajith, Rathindra Kuruwita and Revata S Silva The no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, for his alleged involvement in treasury bond scams and failure to act promptly to contain ethnic violence in Ampara and Kandy, was defeated in Parliament yesterday with a majority of 46 votes. At the end of a full …

Continue reading ‘Sirisena Led SLFP Fractured Due to No Confidence Motion Against Prime Minister:25 SLFP MP’s Absent From Parliament for Vote:15 SLFP Ministers and MP’s who Voted Against Ranil Refuse To Resign From Govt.’ »

A faction within President Maithripala Sirisena’s Sri Lanka Freedom Party announced it will abstain from the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as the opposition failed to muster the numbers required to topple him. After failing in their attempts to pressure Wickremesinghe to step down, the Sirisena-faction was in two pieces – one supporting …

Continue reading ‘Several SLFP Ministers In Govt Like Premajayantha, Nimal Siripala,Dayasiri Jayasekera and Lakshman Yapa Will Be Forced To Resign Or Be Removed From Sirisena- Wickremesinghe Govt as No Confidence Motion Against Premier Fizzles Out’ »

With the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) split on the No Confidence Motion (NCM) against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Joint Opposition’s bid to oust Wickremesinghe seems to be doomed. The Sri Lankan parliament is currently debating the NCM moved by the Joint Opposition (JO) led by former President Mahnida Rajapaksa on Wednesday. The vote …

Continue reading ‘President’s Attempt to Oust Prime Minister Through No Confidence Motion Backfires On Sirisena With His SLFP Splitting In Two While UNP Unites Around Ranil.’ »

By Don Manu On this Easter Sunday morning as the world celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe finds himself tied to the cross, branded a thief. Below him, he can see the Joint Opposition mob frantically searching for 113 nails to crucify him. And guess who’s offering them the …

Continue reading ‘“Judas”Sirisena Supplies Nails For Crucifying Ranil On the No Confidence Motion Cross.’ »

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is almost certain to survive the ouster move which is backed by President Maithripala Sirisena, but their coalition government is headed for deeper turmoil after tomorrow’s parliamentary vote. Sirisena’s faction of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is making a last ditch attempt to pressure Wickremesinghe into stepping down, but the …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Certain to Survive Treacherous Attempt by Maithripala to Oust Him Through No Confidence Motion Sponsored By Joint Opposition and Supported by SLFP in Govt’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya The No-Confidence Motion against the Prime Minister is not just against him. In its practical implication it is about the government as a whole. This is not about how it is interpreted constitutionally, but how it would work out, practically, if it wins. It states, “This Parliament resolves that it has no …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena is Playing an Indirect Role In De-stabilizing His Own Government By His Silence and Tacit Approval of the No Confidence Motion Against His Prime Minister’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will face a crucial no-confidence vote in Parliament on Wednesday, but legislators from his United National Party (UNP) have thrown their weight behind the Premier, vowing to defeat the motion. With 107 seats, the UNP is the single-largest group in the 225-member Parliament but with some …

Continue reading ‘UNP Parliamentarians Throw Their Weight Behind Party Leader and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who is facing a No Confidence Motion on April 4’ »

Veteran film director CV Rajendran passed away in Chennai on Sunday after a prolonged illness. He was 81. The director had worked with several big names in the film industry, such as Sivaji Ganesan, Jaishankar, Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan, among others. His first directorial was in 1967 with the Tamil film Anubavam Pudhumai starring R …

Continue reading ‘Veteran Tamil Cinema Director C.V.Rajendran Passes Away In Chennai After Prolonged Illness at the age of 81’ »

by Rajan Philips “What an anomalous position! The Prime Minister and other Ministers are collectively responsible to Parliament except one member of that Cabinet, the chief whose policy the whole Cabinet is carrying out. The Prime Minister and the other Ministers can be pilloried and thrown out for no fault of theirs, but the fountain-head …

Continue reading ‘Whether Premier Wickremesinghe Wins Or Loses the No Confidence Vote, It will Be President Sirisena Who will Have Nowhere to Go After The Motion is taken Up On April 4.’ »

by C.A.Chandraprema The unanimous decision by the Working Committee of the UNP to defeat the no-confidence motion against the UNP Prime Minister has offered some relief to the beleaguered Ranil Wickremesinghe but he is not out of the woods yet. Indeed he will not be safe until the vote is taken and it is established …

Continue reading ‘After No Confidence Motion Drama Against Ranil is Over Maithripala Will Have To Face The JVP Sponsored Motion To Abolish The Executive Presidency.’ »

By Sarath de Alwis Should Ranil stay and face the motion of no confidence or avoid confrontation and go before it is taken up? The question was never an issue. It is a media manufactured, media packaged, and a media distributed yarn – an irrelevant essential. Ranil should stay and face the floor test. That …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Must Stay As Prime Minister And Face The Parliament Floor Test And Not Give In to the Megalomaniac Media Magnate’s Witch Hunt.’ »

By Jayadeva Uyangoda Is there a low – cost way out from the present crisis boiling within the Maithripala Sirisena – Ranil Wickremesinghe administration? During the past few days, a number of well – wishers of the present government posed this question to me in personal conversations. All of them are people who have contributed …

Continue reading ‘Joint Opposition Has Through the No Confidence Motion Succeeded In Turning The two Camps In The Govt Into Enemies. Enemies’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, now busily wrapping the reformist garb of a changed political persona around him, has had the audacity to complain this week that the underworld is now more active than during his Presidency. Criminals and the Rajapaksa ‘project’ But the truth is that the underworld was ‘managed’ and …

Continue reading ‘President Maithripala and Prime Minister Ranil Must Jointly Shoulder Responsibility For Squandering The Public Trust Placed In Then in 2015.’ »

By Dr. Nirmala Chandrahasan The outcome of the local government elections this year has made one fact evident. Whatever may be the reasons attributed it clearly shows the Peoples’ disappointment with the performance of the present government and the parties in power both in the North and in the South. In the North the TNA …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Having Earned The Gratitude Of The Sinhala People By Ending the War and Establishing Peace Must Now Earn the Gratitude of the Tamils and Muslims By Supporting a Political Solution.’ »

by Channa Wickramasekera (Renowned Sri Lankan Film Maker Dharmasena Pathiraja passed away n January 28th 2018 exactly two months before his Birthday which falls on March 28th. If Pathi were alive today he would have celebrated his milestone 75th birthday) Dharmasena Pathiraja (Pathi) is best known in Sri Lanka for his movies. In Melbourne where …

Continue reading ‘Australian Sinhala Racist Elements Mounted a Vicious Campaign in Melbourne Against Renowned Sri Lankan Movie Director Dharmasena Pathiraja.’ »

By Latheef Farook Response of Muslim politicians, religious organizations and even civil society to the failure of the government to prevent violence against Muslims in the central hills early this month is deeply disturbing. The senseless destruction of Muslim owned property and their commercial establishments, striking at their very survival, is enough for any Muslim …

Continue reading ‘Did Minister Faiszer Mustapha as a Muslim Speak a Word at the UNHRC Sessions in Geneva About the Misery Caused To the Muslims in Sri Lanka?’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando The UNP yesterday warned President Maithripala Sirisena and the SLFP that the no-confidence motion (NCM) moved against UNP leader and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe would boomerang on them. Addressing a media briefing at Sirikotha, Galle District MP and Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardena said the SLFP shouldn’t take political advantage of the …

Continue reading ‘Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardena Warns Sirisena That He May Lose His Presidential Powers Temporarilyy to Speaker Jayasuriya if No Confidence Motion Against Prime Minister and Govt is Passed.’ »

by Zacki Jabbar The government yesterday identified a member of Parliament, being questioned by the Police in connection with the recent mob attacks on Muslims in Ampara and Digana, as a member of the Mahinda Rajapaksa-led Opposition. Asked at the weekly Cabinet press briefing in Colombo, why the MP said to be involved in the …

Continue reading ‘An MP Belonging to the Joint Opposition Led By Mahinda Rajapaksa is Being Questioned In Connection with Recent Anti-Muslim Violence Reveals Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne.’ »

By Rathindra Kuruwita President Maithripala Sirisena has removed the Central Bank and the Securities and Exchange Commission from Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s purview. A gazette extraordinary announcing the Presidents decision was issued yesterday, a week before the no-confidence motion against Wickremesinghe is to be taken up. The two institutions have been brought under the Ministry …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Undermines His Prime Minister Further By Transferring Central Bank and Securities Exchange Commission From Ranils Purview to The Finance Ministry Through Extraordinary Gazette:’ »

By Camelia Nathaniel The arrest of fugitive former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga has been confirmed by highly placed government sources as reported exclusively in yesterday’s Daily News. Weeratunga has been arrested in the United Arab Emirates, following an Interpol Red Notice secured by the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) in connection with …

Continue reading ‘Ex- Sri Lankan Envoy to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga Traced Through a Combined Intelligence Operation to a Safe House 80 KM Away From the City Was Arrested By Dubai Police.’ »

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s United National Party (UNP) has the majority required, at least in theory, to defeat a no-confidence motion against him, but a vote could backfire on the instigators too. The Joint Opposition (JO), whose de facto leader is former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, has secured a debate on the no-trust resolution on April …

Continue reading ‘No Confidence Motion Against Prime Minister Uncertain of Success But will Certainly Cause Divisions within UNP,SLFP and Joint Opposition -SLPP’ »

(Text of Media Release Issued by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Chairman Prof.G.L.Peiris on Behalf of the Joint Oppostion) Sections of the international media have continued to amplify and broadcast the Sri Lanka government’s propaganda that the Joint Opposition or the Sri Lanka PodujanaPeramuna was responsible for the recent Sinhala-Muslim disturbances in Kandy. In a …

Continue reading ‘Sections of International Media Amplifying Sri Lankan Govt Propaganda That the Joint Opposition or SLPP were Responsible for the Recent Sinhala-Muslim Disturbances in Kandy’ »

By Vishwamithra 1984 “Because we don’t think about future generations, they will never forget us.” ~Henrik Tikkanen, Finnish Author American students took to the streets to defy gun violence. It was more to defy those politicians who were financially backed by the National Rifle Association (NRA), the infamous Non-Government Organization (NGO),whose aim was only more …

Continue reading ‘How Can One Forget All What Happened During The Time Of The Regime Run By The Rajapaksas?’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka ‘WHY PRABHAKARAN WILL LOSE’ was the title of an article by me that was published in newspapers and websites (e.g. The Island, Asian Tribune) on October 17, 2004. That was over a year before Mahinda Rajapaksa was elected President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa was appointed Secretary/Defence and Gen. Sarath Fonseka made Army commander. Note …

Continue reading ‘No Confidence Motion Against Premier Wickremesinghe:The Main Questions We Face On April 4 Aren’t Political, But Moral And Ethical Ones.’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya Prime Minister RanilWickremesinghe is facing a no-confidence motion submitted by the Joint Opposition and signed by some of the ministers in his own government. He may survive the vote, but the wrangling between the UNP and SLFP in the unity government would continue till the remainder of its term, or more likely …

Continue reading ‘No-confidence Motion Against Prime Minister Wickremesinghe Unlikely Without Blessings of President Sirisena Who is Either Condoning or Turning a Blind Eye.’ »

By Michael Safi and Amantha Perera The biggest game changer in 100 years’: Chinese money gushes into Sri Lanka Little disturbs the serenity of Guan Yin, the bodhisattva of compassion, as her statue sits in contemplation at the centre of Mattala Rajapaksa international airport. The last flight from the airport departed at 7.50am. The next …

Continue reading ‘Ven. Beragama Gnanathilaka Thero Tells “Guardian” Newspaper That Five Marriages At Least Have Taken Place in Hambantota Between Chinese workers and Local Women.’ »

By Arun Janardhanan Namal Rajapaksa, 31, is former Sri Lanka president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s eldest son. An MP and a rugby player, Namal was arrested in July 2016 on charges of money-laundering in a crackdown on members of the previous administration. Namal spoke to The Indian Express from Colombo, before catching a flight to Russia as …

Continue reading ‘If The Tamil Diaspora Is So Worried About Sri Lankan Tamils, They Should Come And Help Tamils Here – Hambantota MP Namal Rajapaksa in Interview with the “Indian Express”’ »

By Damith Wickremasekara Using mobile phones of their parents, some school children have been involved in spreading hate speech against ethnic groups and religions, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has found. A senior CID officer said detectives had found that a number of school children had formed social media groups and were spreading hatred or …

Continue reading ‘CID Probe Uncovers Disturbing Evidence of Sri Lankan Schoolchildren Forming Social Media Groups to Spread Hatred and Promote Violence Against Other Communities and Religious Groups.’ »

Project Management, Youth Affairs and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayka said the government, over the past three years, has launched over 55,000 development projects in various part of the country and it has spent over Rs. 1 million on each project. “It’s tragic that we have failed to communicate this effectively to the public. Development …

Continue reading ‘Govt Has Launched Over 55,000 Development Projects in Various Parts Of the Country in the Last Three Years But Has Failed To Convey This effectively to the People Laments Project Management Minister Sagala Ratnayake.’ »

By Skandha Gunasekara The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) yesterday (26 March) rejected allegation that they were involved in the recent ethnic riots that occurred in some parts of the country, and called on authorities to reveal the names of politicos involved. Addressing a media briefing held at the Party headquarters yesterday, JHU General Secretary Minister …

Continue reading ‘Champika Ranawaka Denies Jathika Hela Urumaya Involvement in Anti-Muslim Violence and says that “Pohottuwa” Members who Make Such Allegations Were Really Behind the Violence.’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) yesterday lodged a complaint with the permanent Office of Missing Persons (OMP) seeking its immediate intervention to find out the whereabouts of former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran. PHU leader Madumadawa Aravinda yesterday told the media at its Pita Kotte office a thorough inquiry was needed to …

Continue reading ‘Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader Madumadawa Aravinda Wants Newly Established Office of Missing Persons(OMP) To Trace The Whereabouts of Former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran’ »

by Jayadeva Uyangoda Sri Lanka’s ‘unity government’ of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe has been in a serious crisis of unity for the past several weeks. Although Sri Lanka’s constitution, after its 19th Amendment passed in 2015, does not have provisions for the government’s replacement till the end of 2019, deep divisions …

Continue reading ‘Ethnocratization of the State, National Securit Mindset and Irreversibility Of Corruption Are Triple Features Of Present Day Sri Lanka.’ »

Police and politicians backed by the country’s former strongman president Mahinda Rajapaksa joined anti-Muslim riots that rocked Sri Lanka’s Kandy district this month, according to witnesses, officials and CCTV footage reviewed by Reuters. Scores of Muslim mosques, homes and businesses were destroyed as mobs ran amok for three days in Kandy, the central highlands district …

Continue reading ‘Politicians Backed By Mahinda Rajapaksa Participated In Recent Kandy District Anti-Muslim Violence Alleges Reuters Report But Ex-President Denies he or His Party Leaders were Involved.’ »

General Secretary of Bodu Bala Sena Ven. Galagodatte Gnanasara has visited Anuradhapura prison over the weekend to inquire after the health of Mahason Balakaya leader Amith Weerasinghe and other activists held there over their alleged involvement in recent attacks on Muslims in the Kandy District. Ven. Gnanasara, who had been overseas recently, visited those in …

Continue reading ‘Gnanasara Thera Returns After Attending President Sirisena Event in Japan and Visits Anuradhapura Prison to Inquire After Health of Amith Weerasinghe and Other “Mahasohon Balakaya” Members Detained for Alleged anti-Muslim Violence.’ »

Celebrated writer, multi-faceted artiste and activist Dr Sumathy Sivamohan’s latest film ‘Puththu Saha Piyavaru’ (Sons and Fathers- Thanaiyarum Thanthaiyarum), won the BEST FILM, JURY award at the World Indian Film Festival in Hyderabhad, last week. The film competed with internationally acclaimed and accomplished films like ‘My son is gay’ (India), by Lokesh Kumar, ‘Teen Aur …

Continue reading ‘Sumathy Sivamohan’s Film “Sons and Fathers” (Puththu saha Piyavaru- Thanaiyarum Thanthaiyarum) Wins Jury Award for Best Film at the World Indian Film Festival in Hyderabhad.’ »

By Namini Wijedasa A multimillion dollar Chinese-funded water supply project has run into controversy with former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga openly demanding its suspension and an inquiry on the grounds that it is overpriced. In August 2016, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) awarded a contract to China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) for …

Continue reading ‘Chandrika Kumaratunga Demands Suspension and Inquiry Into 35 Billion Rupee Water Supply Project Given to China Machine Engineering Corporation.’ »

Some form of patrolling of social media is necessary to prevent the spread of hate speech in the country, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe insisted yesterday. Speaking at the ceremony to induct U.R. de Silva, P.C. as the 24th president of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), Premier Wickremesinghe said this was necessary following the …

Continue reading ‘Govt may Enact New Legislation Enabling Legal Action Against the Spreadig of Hate Speech Through the Social Media discloses Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’ »

by Arun Janardhanan At the peak of the war against the LTTE, then defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was the most feared and powerful man in Sri Lanka. The UN Human Rights Council had asked Sri Lanka to probe war crimes in which Gotabaya was accused. Nearly a decade later, the 68-year-old is being talked about …

Continue reading ‘” I didn’t create the war, I ended the war. Our country is a better place without the LTTE “- Ex – Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa in Interview With “Indian Express”’ »

by C.A. Chandraprema The no confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has taken the political centrestage. In normal circumstances, this no confidence motion need not have been taken seriously at all. The UNP has 106 MPs and their allies the TNA has 17 and that alone would have sufficed to render the no confidence …

Continue reading ‘If Ranil is Ousted as Prime Minister Through this No Confidence Motion, He Will not be Able to Retain Control of the UNP Any Longer.’ »

(Excerpts from “Sunday Times” Political Column) Obathumaatath mekeng sweep ekak vedenna puluwang or you also can win a sweep ticket through this, remarked ‘Joint Opposition’ parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa as Dinesh Gunawardena handed a copy of the No-Confidence Motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya. Jayasuriya was not too pleased with the remark …

Continue reading ‘Wimal Weeawansa Tells Karu Jayasuriya “You can win a Sweep Ticket Through This” When Copy of No Confidence Motion Against PM was handed Over by Joint Opposition To The Speaker.’ »

Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s “Special Assistant” has quit after launching a savage attack ahead of next month’s no-confidence motion. The once powerful Sudath Chandrasekara announced the resignation after 33 years of service in a seven-page letter tearing into Wickremesinghe and making a series of allegations ranging from arrogance, indifference, cronyism and incompetence.

By Gagani Weerakoon In what appears like rubbing salt on the wound the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress indicated it is running out of patience with the coalition partner United National Party (UNP) of which, leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is facing a threat of losing party reins due to increasing demand within the party for him to …

Continue reading ‘Rauff Hakeem Warns UNP Not To Betray The Muslim Congress By Forming Alliances with Other Parties To Gain Power In Local Authorities’ »

By Kishali Pinto jayawardene There is a cheery though dangerously complacent view articulated by senior Muslim politicians, (and echoed by others),that the recent communal violence in Ampara and Kandy was perpetrated through organised attacks by ‘outsiders’ on Muslim residents of those areas. Only part of the truth As is often the case, this explanation is …

Continue reading ‘Despite Buddhist Monks Spewing Race Hatred as Captured on TV Cameras and recordings There is Little Action Taken by the Senior Clergy Other than the Belated Issuing of Statements.’ »

By Jayadeva Uyangoda One fascinating dimension of the current political developments in Sri Lanka is the maturing power struggle between three groups of the Sinhalese political class. They are led by three prominent political personalities, President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The last local government election, held a few weeks …

Continue reading ‘Unfolding Power Struggle Between Three Groups of the Sinhala Political Class Led By President Maithripala sirisena, Premier Ranil wickremesinghe and Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa Respectively.’ »

by Arun Janardhanan Three years after he was swept out of office, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka’s former President, thinks he is in with a chance to return to power. Last month, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), the party loyal to him, made a stunning comeback with a massive win in local body polls. And …

Continue reading ‘“Ours has always been a very united family. We have never had any falling out among ourselves” – Mahinda Rajapaksa About His Brothers Gotabhaya and Basil in Interview with “Indian Express”’ »

The No Confidence Motion (NCM) submitted by the Joint Opposition (JO) against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe appears to be doomed to failure because Wickremesinghe’s party and alliance, namely, the United National Party (UNP) and the United National Front (UNF), are almost fully with him. And the UNP-led UNF is the single largest grouping in parliament …

Continue reading ‘Joint Opposition Sponsored No Confidence Motion Against Prime Minister Unlikely to Succeed as UNP Led UNF Goct Extends Near Total Support to Ranil Wickremesinghe.’ »

By Saman Indrajith The JVP yesterday demanded to know how a person accused of corruption by a Presidential Commission of Inquiry had been to Japan as a member of President Maithripala Sirisena’s entourage. JVP MP Bimal Rathnayake said his erstwhile colleague Piyasiri Wijenayake, accused of corruption as per the PRECIFAC report,had accompanied President Sirisena during …

Continue reading ‘Why Did Piyasiri Wijenayake Accused of Alleged Corruption in PRECIFAC report Accompany President Sirisena as Part of Official Delegation to Japan? Asks the JVP.’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday directed IGP Pujith Jayasundera to immediately deploy the Special Task Force (STF) to prevent the destruction of Muthurajawela marsh and sanctuary. President Sirisena also directed that police road blocks be established at entry and exit points as part of measures to stop what he called environmental destruction. A …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Orders Deployment of Police and Special Task Force To Prevent Massive Scale Environmental Destruction of Muthurajawela Wetlands Sanctuary By Private Construction Company.’ »

By Saman Indrajith More than 80 UNP MPs have signed a letter expressing their confidence in Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe by yesterday evening, Law and Order and Public Administration Minister Ranjith Maddumabandara said.

By Saman Indrajith Party leaders yesterday set April 04 as the date for the debate on the No-Confidence Motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. They fixed the date during a party leaders’ meeting chaired by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya in the parliament complex. JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the vote on the motion against the …

Continue reading ‘Debate and Vote on No Confidence Motion Against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe Scheduled for April 4th 2018 In Parliament.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lankan legislator Namal Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, has said U.S. authorities denied him permission to fly to Texas from Moscow. He went to the Russian capital as an observer for the recent presidential election.

By Chathuri Dissanayake An irate Minister Rajitha Senaratne denied allegations levelled against one of his Cabinet colleagues alleged to have links with the extremist groups involved in the recent attacks in Kandy. Losing his cool at the Cabinet press briefing, Cabinet Spokesperson Senaratne yesterday engaged in a verbal battle with a reporter who raised a …

Continue reading ‘Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne Vehemently Denies Allegations That His Ministerial Colleague Champika Ranawaka Was Involved With Groups Responsible for Recent Anti-Muslim Violence.’ »

By Kavindya Chris Thomas Investigations are underway into a Parliamentarian and Ministry Secretary’s involvement in the communal unrest in Kandy, following the arrest of three Joint Opposition (JO) and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Pradeshiya Sabha Members, who had allegedly led the violence. Revealing the identities of the politicians, Co-Cabinet Spokesperson Minister of Health Dr. …

Continue reading ‘Joint Opposition MP and a Ministerial Secretary Being Probed For Alleged Inteference with olice and Special Task Force Personnel Deployed To Quell Anti-Muslim Violence in Kandy.’ »

By Zahrah Imtiaz As investigations into the riots in Kandy continue, co-cabinet spokesperson Minister Rajitha Senaratne strongly insisted yesterday that no minister in government was involved in the incidents which unfolded earlier this month. Instead, he said five members of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) have been arrested or investigated with regard to their …

Continue reading ‘314 Persons Comprising 146 Under Normal and 168 Under Emergency Arrested For Kandy District Violence; 5 From Podu Jana Peramuna also Among Arrested.SLPP Councillor Burnt Menikhinna Mosque and Pradeshiya Council Member Torched Businesses in Digana.’ »

By Kalana Senaratne In Sri Lanka, the relationship between the Sinhala Buddhist majority and the Muslim minority has steadily deteriorated since the end of the civil war. When Mahinda Rajapaksa was in power, much damage was caused when violence was unleashed on Muslims by Buddhist mobs, in Aluthgama in 2014. The new government, which was …

Continue reading ‘There are Significant Social and Cultural Differences in how Buddhists and Muslims are Taught and Trained to Approach Matters of Religion and Identity.’ »

By Asanga Abeyagoonasekera “One’s life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion” – Simone de Beauvoir Only when fear and hatred is spread by extremists does serious reflection haunt a community. The teardrop-shaped island of Sri Lanka, a seeming paradise hanging …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena’s Govt Must Not Allow Violent Nationalists To Spread Their Message of Hate Easiliy and Routinely.’ »

By Skandha Gunasekara The much-anticipated NoConfidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the third such NoConfidence motion against a premier in Parliament history, was handed over to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday by former President and Kurunegala District MP Mahinda Rajapaksa. The former President, along with a group of Joint Opposition MPs, submitted the motion – …

Continue reading ‘22 UNP MP’s Will Vote for No Confidence Motion in Parliament Though They did Not want To Sign it Says Joint Opposition MP Udaya Gammanpila’ »

Submission of a No Confidence Motion (NCM) against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe by the Joint Opposition Group (JO) in the Sri Lankan parliament on Wednesday has ironically put President Maithripala Sirisena in a fix. Sirisena’s Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has 41 members in parliament, the majority of whom would like to back the NCM …

Continue reading ‘No Confidence Motion Against His Prime Minister By Opposition Places President Sirisena Between a Rock and a Hard Place.’ »

A faction of Sri Lanka’s ruling coalition Wednesday submitted a no-confidence resolution against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, but without sufficient support to topple him. The long-delayed resolution was handed to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya with 55 members of parliament backing it. However, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa did not sign the resolution.

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana The Joint Opposition handed over the much-anticipated No-Confidence Motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Government to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya this afternoon. Joint Opposition MPs, including former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, were seen at the Speaker’s office during the handing over of the motion. Joint Opposition Parliamentary group leader …

Continue reading ‘No Confidence Motion Against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Coalition Govt Signed by 51 Joint Opposition and 4 SLFP Govt MP’s Handed Over To Speaker Without Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Signature’ »

By Saman Indrajith The Joint Opposition (JO) parliamentary group members are divided on the no-faith motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. There were heated arguments at the JO’s parliamentary group meeting yesterday. Parliament sources said dissenting views had been expressed by the JO members over submitting the NCM.

By Sandun A Jayasekera UNF ministers, state ministers, deputy ministers and parliamentarians, at a meeting with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in the chair, unanimously decided to confront and counter the JO-sponsored no-confidence motion against him, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister, Gayantha Karunatilaka said. He said State Ministers Wasantha Senanayake and Palitha Range Bandara had also agreed …

Continue reading ‘United National Front(UNF) Ministers and MP’s Unanimously Pledge to Vote Against and Defeat No Confidence Motion Against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe;”Rebels” Palitha Range Bandara and Wasantha Senanayake To Support Ranil.’ »

By Pradeep Ramanayake While Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena last Thursday officially removed its bans placed on Facebook on March 7, his government is working closely with the giant corporation to restrict access to the social media platform. In a tweet message Sirisena noted that his secretary, Austin Fernando, discussed “with officials of Facebook, who …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Govt Preparing to Impose Censorship On Social Media and Suppress Free Expression With the Collaboration of Facebook Under the Pretext of Curbing Hate speech’ »

A team of Indian and Sri Lankan scientists led by Dr Sonali Garg of the University of Delhi has discovered that a frog commonly found in Sri Lanka’s dry zone in fact represents a new, previously-unrecognised species, which they have named Uperodon rohani. The scientists explain that “This species is named after Rohan Pethiyagoda, in …

Continue reading ‘Hitherto Unrecognized Endemic Frog Found In Sri Lanka Is Scientifically Named “Uperdon Rohani” and Given Common Name ” Rohan’s Monsoon Croaker” In Honour of Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda.’ »

By Rathindra Kuruwita The National Police Commission (NPC) has removed its Secretary, N. Ariyadasa Cooray abruptly following a closed door meeting yesterday. Cooray was employed under public administration circular 9/2007 which allowed him to work until the age of 67 but a new circular (Circular No 03/2018) introduced last month states that a retired Public …

Continue reading ‘Was National Police Commission Secretary Ariyadasa Cooray Removed From Post Abruptly Because he Asked IGP Jayasundara For an Independent Report Into Recent Anti-Muslim Violence?’ »

By Kelum Bandara SLFP ministers are reportedly hoping to inform President Maithripala Sirisena in writing that they would support the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara told Daily Mirror today that a few SLFP ministers would sign the no confidence motion but the rest would act during the voting.

By Shamindra Ferdinando The Joint Opposition (JO) has appealed for President Maithripala Sirisena’s support for the no-confidence motion (NCM) to be moved against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Top JO spokesman and Chairman of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Prof. G. L. Peiris and UPFA Colombo District MP Gamini Lokuge yesterday made the appeal to the …

Continue reading ‘Unable To Get Enough MP’s to Endorse Proposed No Confidence Motion Against Ranil Wickremesinghe Joint Opposition Tries To enlist President Sirisenas Support To Topple The Prime Minister Of His Own Govt.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Reminding President Maithripala Sirisena of the “unstinted support” that Tamils extended to him in 2015, senior Tamil politician and Leader of Opposition R. Sampanthan on Monday urged him to “rise as a statesman” and resolve Sri Lanka’s ethnic problem. “We want a statesman to rise in this country who can say, ‘I …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Says He Remembers and Values the Support Extended By Tamils and Feels Indebted to the Community While Speaking at an Event in Jaffna.’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka I have to say that I am very happy indeed about the resounding victory scored by President Putin. If not for him, there would be no multi-polarity in the world; no chance of a global equilibrium; no ally for the rising economic power of China which would have been encircled by the …

Continue reading ‘I Support Putin, just as I Support Mahinda and am Willing to Support Gotabhaya with More Caution and Caveats If the Need Arises.’ »

By Yohan Perera The committee appointed to look into the reorganization of the United National Party (UNP) in its report had recommended that Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe should name a person who would take over the party leadership as and when he steps down from the leadership. A member of the committee said it had …

Continue reading ‘UNP Re-organization Committee Wants Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe To Recommend a Person as His Successor After he Relinquishes Office.’ »