( 28 Salient Provisions in the Budget for 2018 Presented by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera.) 1) Legislative Reforms: The budget has identified the key legislative impediments to the ease of doing business and the efficient utilization of Sri Lanka’s assets. Access to land has been a major hindrance to growth of investment, as is the …
By Veeragathy Thanabalasingham As the political discussion and debate on constitution making gathers momentum, earlier this week, a local English Daily carried two lengthy interviews with two legal luminaries, Dr.Jayatissa de Costa, the former Principal of Sri Lanka Law College and Dr.JayampathyWickramaratne,parliamentarian and constitutional expert playing a vital role in the current constitution drafting process. …
By Col R.Hariharan It looks like Sri Lanka’s balancing act in the China-India power play in the Indian Ocean is going to get more and more difficult the coming months and years. China’s assertion of economic and military power is poised to grow stronger in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) if we go by President …
( Attorney at Law Upul Kumarapperuma has written a letter to the Acting Director-General of State Information Department Sudharshana Gunawardena on the instructions of Mr. Sandaruwan Senadheera Editor -in chief of Lanka E-news website. In that letter Lawyer Kumarapperuma seeks answers from the Acting D- G about the grounds on which the website was banned …
By the “Daily Financial Times” News Desk * Mangala lives up to expectations, presents concise Budget, covers all segments of society *Core proposals on liberalisation, promoting entrepreneurship, attracting FDI, boosting exports, helping SMEs Excise, Customs, Rent, Paddy Lands, Shop and Office acts and bankruptcy laws to be revamped *Aims for 5% growth, 6% inflation, 4.5% …
By Saman Indrajith Finance and Mass Media Minister Magala Samaraweera yesterday presented what he described as a ‘clean, lean and green’ budget. Samaraweera proposed a reduction of taxes on the importation of electric vehicles including electric three wheelers, cars and buses while rationalising the import taxes on vehicles powered by fossil fuel. The new formula …
Media Statement 09 November 2017 E-News shut down should be stopped – Free Media Movement Free Media Movement observes that an informal censorship is prevalent within the country, by obstructing the technical access to Lanka E News Website. The efforts by the FMM to obtain information from the Tele Communications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka …
By Sandun A. Jayasekera President Maitripala Sirisena said yesterday that some Government members are using the media to attack him because he appointed a Commission to inquire into the Central Bank Bond issue. He said this at an event held to mark the second death anniversary of the Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera held at the …
Associated Press writer Katy Daigle contributed to this report from Colombo, Sri Lanka LONDON (AP) — One of the men tortured in Sri Lanka said he was held for 21 days in a small dark room where he was raped 12 times, burned with cigarettes, beaten with iron rods and hung upside-down. Another man described …
In a reply to the article titled ‘Dozens of Men Describe Rape, Torture by Sri Lanka Government’ by the Associated Press that was published in the New York Times Sri Lanka government says that it does not condone or tolerate any form of torture, and seeks to work with all, including bilateral partners, as well …
President Maithripala Sirisena indirectly accused cabinet ministers of being corrupt and strongly defended his decision to investigate the alleged bond scam under Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s watch. Speaking at the second death anniversary commemoration of Maduluwawe Sobitha thera who spearheaded a citizens’ movement that propelled him to power in 2015, Sirisena said the late monk …
By Manekshaw The speech made by Leader of the Opposition and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) R. Sampanthan at the Constitutional Assembly debate on the Steering Committee Interim Report in Parliament was more accommodative and inclusive in his approach with a broader outlook than the stance taken by the first Tamil Leader of the Opposition and …
By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka “Balaya bedanna kalin mey aanduwa petrol tika bedanna oney!” (“Before this Government shares power, it must share the petrol!”) –Anonymous, irate citizen in petrol queue, on TV news With shockingly dangerous irresponsibility or sheer nihilism, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe wants the Constitutional Assembly to loosen the centre’s ties with and hugely augment the …
By Saman Indrajith UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake yesterday said in Parliament that his privileges had been breached by Additional Solicitor General Yasantha Kodagoda, who, he said, had made a false statement before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing the Treasury bond scams. Karunanayake, raising a privilege issue, said Kodagoda had misled the Commission with concocted …
By Saman Indrajith Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament yesterday that two ships carrying fuel would come from India and reach here tomorrow. “The President and I discussed this with Indian High Commissioner and he promised us that the two ships would be here on Nov. 09. The problem can be sorted out then.” The …
The unexplained ‘disappearance’ of a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Report relating to the death of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress founder leader M.H.M. Ashraff, has surfaced in a recent appeal hearing before the Right to Information (RTI) Commission of Sri Lanka The disappearance came after it had been kept in a file at the Presidential Secretariat …
Former strongman minister Basil Rajapaksa’s political hopes have been shattered following the Supreme Court confirming the expulsion of his star candidate Geetha Kumarasinghe from Parliament, party sources said yesterday. Basil Rajapaksa who launched the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) after breaking away from the old-established Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) was planning a comeback if …
By Amali Mallawaarachchi A new Anti-Corruption High Court, among other crucial measures, will soon be introduced as a part of the government’s mission for an expeditious and efficient administration of criminal justice. Power and Renewable Energy Deputy Minister Ajith P. Perera yesterday said this new Anti-Corruption High Court will hold day-to-day trials by three Benches, …
By Amali Mallawaarachchi The Government must probe if there are members in Parliament who have not disclosed their dual citizenship status to the country, Power and Renewable Energy Deputy Minister Ajith P. Perera said. He said if the public demand for a probe, the police could do it with the support of the Foreign Affairs …
BY C.A Chandraprema The political futures of President Sirisena and the 40+ SLFP parliamentarians hangs in the balance as the LG elections process kicks off. The question that the Sirisena faction of the SLFP has to ask itself is which is worse, being labelled pro-UNP if they decide to cast in their lot with the …
By Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu The constitutional reform debate in Sri Lanka, currently exemplified by the debate on the much delayed Interim Report of the Steering Committee of the Constitutional Assembly is in substantive terms and popularly perceived as such, about the interrelated issues of a) the structure of the State in terms of its unitary …
The Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) is on the lookout for Gamini Sedara Senarath, Chief of Staff of the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and three others over a string of alleged fraudulent acts. The three others are Piyadasa Kudabalage, Neil Bandara Hapuwinne and Mohan de Alwis. FCID detectives said yesterday that the four were evading …
(Excerpts From the “Sunday Times” Political Column of November 5th 2017) President Sirisena discussed with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe a gamut of issues during a one-on-one meeting last Monday (October 30). The lengthy meeting was joined in later by Minister Malik Samarawickrema, who is also the UNP Chairman. Fuller details of what transpired are not …
By Spectator They say, politics makes strange bedfellows. We have seen that many times in this country of ours. Joining that group are the latest pair of unlikely partners: Wimal Weerawansa and Susil Premajayantha. And, judging by what they have said, they must surely be the Tweedledum and Tweedledee of Sri Lankan politics. Weerawansa says, …
By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene There appears to be a brisk uptick in the tone of visiting European lawmakers to Sri Lanka this week as compared to their sojourns last year. Has realism dawned, too little, too late? In November 2016, the delegation of the European Parliament departed the shores of the country saying that they …
Continue reading ‘Tensions Increase as Reforms Road-map of Govt Unravels in all but a few Areas’ »
by P.G.Punchihewa Ph.D. (The writer who belonged to the former Ceylon Civil Service has served as Government Agent of Moneragala and Kalutara among other senior public service assignments. He retired as Secretary to the Ministry of Coconut Development and served in Jakarta as Executive Secretary of the Asia Pacific Coconut Community) Nearly two million people …
By Veeragathy Thanabalasingham Even as Parliament met as the Constitutional Assembly last Monday (Oct 30) and began debating the interim report of the Steering Committee on constitutional reforms, President Maithripala Sirisena was announcing at the National Convention on Reconciliation at the Colombo Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium that he would convene an all-party conference to discuss the …
(Excerpts in English from the speech made by th Minister of Finance & Mass Media Mangala Samaraweera on the 31st of October 2017 in Parliament during the Constitutional Assembly debate on the interim report of the steering committee) All of us here in this House are representatives elected by the people of this great country …
The UNP, the TNA, the SLFP and the JVP were engaged in a ‘constitutional conspiracy’, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa told Constitutional Assembly yesterday. Participating in the debate on the interim report of the steering committee of the Constitutional Assembly, the former President said: “Look at the manner in which the debate on this interim report …
By S.S. Selvanayagam Resolving a question relating to a provision of the historic 19th Amendment to the Constitution, the country’s apex court yesterday upheld a judgment by the Court of Appeal that Galle District UPFA MP Geetha Kumarasinghe was not entitled to hold office as a Member of Parliament since she had contested the August …
By Shehan Chamika Silva The Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating the controversial Issuance of Bonds today said it requires the testimony of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in order to “obtain a few clarifications and any other evidence which may be necessary”. Issuing a statement at the commencement of the today’s session, the Commission noted …
The Supreme Court upheld the Appeal Court decision that Galle district parliamentarian Geetha Kumarasinghe is not qualified to be elected as a parliamentarian since she holds dual citizenship. The judgment was delivered by Supreme Court Judge Sisira de Abrew who was a member of five-judge-bench which heard the appeal.
By Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe LFollowing are excerpts of a statement issued by former Justice and Buddha Sasana Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe PC regarding the much talked about Interim Report of the Steering Committee presented to parliament for debate) Since the Soulbury Constitution hadn’t provided the authority and a procedure to adopt a new constitution by repealing the …
By Mahinda Rajapaksa (Following is the speech by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, as the Chief Guest, at the International Buddhist Festival which was held in the city of Aurangabad, India by the Dhammayana Educational and Charitable Trust) Venerable members of the Maha Sangha, Buddhist representatives from other nations and distinguished guests, it is my honour …
By Kelum Bandara The country witnessed a major uproar after the Steering Committee released its interim report outlining proposals for constitutional changes. The political forces and Maha Sangha, sensitive to the character of the Constitution in the making and the status to be accorded to Buddhism, took up cudgels against the process arguing that the …
By Dharisha Bastians The path to enacting a new Constitution will be a long-drawn and consultative process, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the Constitutional Assembly yesterday, hinting that the timeline for completion of the drafting and voting process could extend till April 2018. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, who chairs the Steering Committee whose Interim Report the …
(Tamil National Alliance Spikesperson and Jaffna District MP Mathiaparanam Abraham Sumanthiran addressed the Constitutional Assembly at the inception of the three day debate on the Constitutional assembly Steering Committee Interim report on October 30th 2017. Sumanthiran MP reiterated in his speech that the TNA despite having a different mandate would abide by the final decisions …
A deputy minister who was sacked overnight by President Maithripala Sirisena attempted a symbolic crossing of the floor of parliament to defect to the opposition only to discover the assembly was not in session. Postal Services and Muslim Religious Affairs Deputy Minister Duleep Wijesekera made a speech asking forgiveness from his voters for having joined …
By Dharisha Bastians The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) led by President Maithripala Sirisena issued a rallying call for compromise from all political parties yesterday as the assembly of all 225 members of Parliament continued to work towards drafting a new Constitution to address decades of ethnic strife and make sweeping changes to electoral and …
By Zahrah Imtiaz The Cabinet yesterday granted approval for four additional Pradeshiya Sabhas in the Nuwara Eliya District, thus delivering a 30-year promise to the parties of the hill country. Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Faiszer Mustapha will sign the relevant Gazette needed to bring in electoral reforms to allow Provincial Council Elections, today. …
By Romesh Danushka Silva The Jaffna University announced the indefinite closure of three faculties with effect from today (31) because students boycotted lectures demanding the release of Tamil ‘political’ prisoners, the Vice Chancellor Prof. R. Vigneswaran said. While issuing a statement today, the VC said the university administration had decided to close the Arts, Science …
Speaking at the commencement of the three-day debate on the Constitutional assembly Steering Committee Interim Report, Tamil National Alliance(TNA) Jaffna District Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran pointed out that 97 % of the people had voted for a new Constitution at the 2015 January Presidential elections as the manifestos of both President Maithripala Sirisena as well as …
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says Tamils overseas are not investing enough in the north and east of the country. Speaking at an international Buddhist conference in India, Rajapaksa said that many highrise residential buildings have come up in Colombo in the past two decades. He says the condominium boom in Colombo was in fact started …
By Saman Indrajith A group of MPs who boycotted yesterday’s debate on interim report of the Steering Committee of the Constitutional Assembly were, however, present at the MP’s Restaurant to have their lunch. MPs are entitled to meals on parliament sitting days and yeterday, too, they were provided with subsidised meals.
by Zacki Jabbar Prime Minister Ranil Wickrememesinghe said yesterday that even though the current UNP led National Unity government had achieved a great deal in terms of freedom and economic development, it was he who was unreasonably criticised the most by a section of the media. Speaking at an event held at SriKotha, to release …
Prepping for polls, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said the Government’s policies since 2015 had focused on all-round multidimensional development and economic growth that targeted public, household, company and macroeconomic advancement to deliver holistic growth. Launching the ‘UNP Achievements Report’, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe gave a detailed recap of the policy measures taken by the Government …
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has pressed for holding the much delayed local council elections in January in a move that has taken the Joint Opposition off guard. The election due in mid 2015 was delayed because the previous administration had failed to complete legislation to conduct local government polls under a hybrid system replacing proportional …
By S.S. Selvanayagam A suspect charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), whose case was transferred from the Trincomalee High Court to Colombo by the Attorney General, was acquitted by the Colombo High Court on Thursday. The accused Kangaratnam Jeevaratnam was arrested on 29 June 2007 on suspicion of being in possession of a …
(Excerpts from the “Sunday Politics Column in the “Sunday Observer” of October 29th 2017) If there was one thing that characterized the 10-year rule of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, that would be the unprecedented level of violence unleashed upon the regime’s political opponents. Infamous ‘white van abductions’ were prevalent in the capital city of Colombo, …
By Vilani Peiris—convenor of the Committee of the Independent Workers Inquiry October 14 marked six months since the collapse of a huge garbage dump in Meethotamulla, a suburb in Sri Lanka’s capital city, Colombo. At least 32 people died after being buried alive. Eight remain missing and more than 100 were injured. Some 198 families, …
Continue reading ‘Meethotamulla Garbage Dump Disaster in Sri Lanka Was a Capitalist Crime’ »
By S.S. Selvanayagam Justice Priyantha Jayawardane recused himself on personal grounds from hearing the Fundamental Rights petition filed by a Central Bank official against the officers of the Attorney General’s Department in the backdrop of two respondents from the AG’s Department being his close friends. Justice Sisira J. De Abrew also expressed his apparent reluctance …
By Sanja De Silva Jayatilleka “Engaging in arguments and debates in the international domain over the number of civilians who may have died at a particular time in the country will not help resolve any issues, in a meaningful manner, locally, except a feel good factor for a few individuals who may think that they …
By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene When the Law Commission of Sri Lanka jibbed at recommending reforms to the archaic punishment of the termination of pregnancies except to save the life of a mother a decade or so ago, it showcased precisely how the uneasy meandering of conservative men of a particular age group can have a …
By Veeragathy Thanabalasingham The main sects of Sri Lanka’s Maha Sangha have once again demonstrated their strident opposition to constitutional reforms, this time going one step further and claiming that neither a new constitution nor amendments to the existing constitution are necessary. They have also deemed the existing constitution more than satisfactory. The Mahanayake Theras …
By Don Manu Wimal Weerawansa stands today condemned by every syllable he uttered when, in the presence of the former President Rajapaksa no less on stage and brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the audience with a whole host of Buddhist monks in attendance, he devilishly declared that Parliament must be bombed from above and swiped out …
By Ranjith Padmasiri A Superintendent of Anuradhapura Prison has submitted a report to the Anuradhapura High Court (HC) claiming, the fast unto death by three LTTE suspects accused of killing 26 Army and Navy personnel in their custody, was done to avoid courts. In his report, the Superintendent claims, “The three accused are in the …
BY Lucien Rajakarunanayake The debate on a new constitution is certainly gathering force, but regrettably it is largely a distorted debate due to deliberate efforts by those clearly opposed to a new constitution being adopted in the country, presenting the Interim Report of the Steering Committee of the Constitutional Assembly, which is the Parliament, as …
By Lakmal Sooriyagoda Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake appeared before the Supreme Court, without notice to do so, in two Contempt of Court actions filed against him. President’s Counsel M. A. Sumanthiran appearing for Ramanayake informed court that his client is yet to receive notice. “We have not got any notice. But we are appearing in …
By Manekshaw The UN Special Rapporteur, on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, Pablo de Greiff after his fourteen-day assignment in Sri Lanka released an extensive statement titled ‘Sri Lanka continues to deprive itself of the benefits of Transitional Justice.’ Pablo de Greiff has also mentioned that he would even present …
Continue reading ‘UN Special Rapporteur Pablo de Greiff Fires Warning Shots at Sri Lankan Govt’ »
By S.Venkat Narayan The Madras High Court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking to revoke the censor certificate of the controversial Tamil movie Mersal by declaring that it was only an imaginative story and that the freedom of expression is there for all. Mersal was in the midst of a controversy after the Tamil Nadu …
By Lakmal Sooriyagoda Two Supreme Court Judges among a three-judge-Bench yesterday declined to sit on the Bench regarding the fundamental rights petition filed by a senior manager of the Central Bank’s Public Debt Department who challenged the activities of several members of the Attorney General’s Department during interrogations pertaining to the Presidential Commission Inquiry into …
By Chitra Weerarathne The Attorney General yesterday told the Supreme Court that Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, the former Chief Minister of the Eastern Province, had been indicted in the High Court of Batticaloa, for the murder of Joseph Pararajasinghem, TNA member of Parliament for Batticaloa District. The murder was committed on or about Dec. 5, …
Sri Lanka’s outgoing navy chief Travis Sinniah, the first minority Tamil to reach the highest position in the force in nearly half a century, has set a new record for being the shortest serving commander. The previous Tamil commander, Rear Admiral R. Kadiragamar, and Admiral Sinniah now firmly hold records for heading the navy for …
By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka We live in a time of dwarfs, against whom we have to defend the achievements of giants.We have SWRD Bandaranaike’s historic rupture with the UNP to found a moderate nationalist anti-UNP formation and inaugurate a two-party system, reversed by Chandrika Bandaranaike’s realignment/reintegration of the SLFP with a markedly rightist UNP. We have …
Continue reading ‘A Time Of Dwarfs With Return Of “Sudu Nelum” Movement Syndrome’ »
The outgoing Navy Commander Vice Admiral Travis Sinniah has been promoted to the rank of Admiral. Navy spokesman Commander Lankanatha Dissanayake said President Maithripala Sirisena had promoted Travis Sinniah to the Admiral post with effect from Wednesday.
By S.S.Selvanayagam Tamil prisoners who have embarked on a hunger strike to force the transfer of their case back to the Vavuniya High Court from the Anuradhapura High Court yesterday filed an appeal in the Court of Appeal against the Attorney General and the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID). Petitioners Rajathurai Thiruvarul, Mathiarasan Sulakshan and Ganeshan …
Vice Admiral Travis Sinniah, who was appointed Navy Commander on August 18, has become the shortest serving Navy Commander in Sri Lanka, serving a meager 64 days. President Sirisena this morning decided against extending the service of Vice Admiral Travis Sinniah and appointed Rear Admiral S. S. Ranasinghe in his stead.
By Gomin Dayasri Mahinda Rajapakse [MR] is the front-runner in an opposition soft on the government. Appears overcome, by the enormity of his personal problems. Best way to negative is to be at the helm of politics. Not cut and run …… from it all: as he warms himself for the Local Government polls in …
By K. Ratnayake Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe presented a “constitutional assembly” steering committee report last month. Although he declared the aim of a new constitution was “reconciliation and development,” the accompanying debate shows that every faction of the ruling elite is thoroughly steeped in divisive Sinhala communalism. The report presented on September 21 …
(Text of Editorial Appearing in “The Island” of October 26th 2017 Under the heading “Bombing Parliament?) National Freedom Front leader and Joint Opposition firebrand, Wimal Weerawansa, MP, has, true to form, rattled the cage of many a government politician. He said, with his trademark grin, that a bomb should be dropped on Parliament unless at …
In a dramatic turn of events, the United National Party Ministers representing the government threatened to pull out of the ruling coalition, if the government failed to hold the Local Government election in January. They demanded the President to hold the LG polls without delay, at the weekly Cabinet meeting held this morning. Prime Minister …
By S. S. Selvanayagam Justice Eva Wanasundera has declined to be a member of the Bench hearing the Fundamental Rights petition filed by former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa seeking an order preventing his arrest over ongoing investigations. The Bench comprising Justices Eva Wanasundera, K.T. Chitrasiri and Vijith K. Malalgoda re-fixed hearing of the petition for …
By Shamindra Ferdinandohttps://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/56077 Ven. Medagoda Abeytissa Thera, representing Eliya organisation, yesterday said it would be better to have Tamil speaking leaders as President and Prime Minister than to divide the country on ethnic lines. The Thera urged President Sirisena, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and those pushing for regional autonomy to consider having Tamil speaking leaders as …
By Sanja De Silva Jayatilleka “If you look at initiatives like OBOR or Maritime Silk Road, the challenge for us is to understand what that is about. Where is that going to go, who benefits from that? …Your people deserve hope and the country needs investments. But the people don’t deserve to be shackled in …
Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka-china Relations and the Rules-based International Order’ »
By Maheesha Mudugamuwa A group of leading Buddhist monks yesterday vowed to take to the streets to defeat the government’s move to bring in a new constitution or to amend the existing one – a move which they alleged would pave the way for the division of the country. Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Nayaka Thera, …
By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka I stole this title. I stole it from the friend I most respect and admire, Richard Falk, Emeritus Professor of International Law at Princeton, who teaches these days at the University of California, Santa Barbara. In a recent speech in Europe he argued that the two-state solution to the Israeli/Palestine problem is …
By Ranga Jayasuriya Recently Buddhist High Priests have been showing a rather unholy penchant to torment the government, perhaps making use of the opportunity that no one is now calling from the President’s House to threaten with ‘Sanga Bedaya’ (division among Sanga) unless Maha Nayakas toe the line. However, it is still a lopsided approach …
By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka Hundreds of thousands of people, mostly young, died violently or were maimed, and tens of thousands disappeared, and unknown numbers were tortured, in the less than four decades between April 1971 and May 2009 on this small island. Something must have been wrong, something must have gone wrong, somewhere, for all this …
By Prof Rajiva Wijesinha A little learning is a dangerous thing. It is also sad when limited intellect leads to high appointments on the grounds that there will be unthinking support of the appointing authority. This seems to be the case with the current Attorney General (AG), who seems in a couple of weeks, to …
Continue reading ‘Jayantha Jayasuriya is a Simplistic and Confused Attorney – General’ »
By Rathindra Kuruwita Once they realize that I am a bit of a Sinophile, a lot of centrist types, you know the kind of people who take The Economist and The Guardian seriously and call anyone who questions the liberal consensus as Far Right ask me whether I am not concerned with the corruption that …
Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka was a Corrupt Country Long Before China Started Projects Here’ »
A United Nations expert Monday warned Sri Lanka to speedily investigate its troops over alleged war crimes or risk international prosecutions. Pablo de Greiff, the special rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence, said Colombo was slow to deliver justice to victims and demanded swift action eight years after the …
By Amal Jayasinghe A United Nations expert warned Monday that Sri Lanka must speed up its own long-stalled investigation into war crimes by troops or risk action by the international community. Pablo de Greiff, the UN special rapporteur on the promotion of justice and reparation, said Sri Lanka had been slow to deliver on its …
By Lasanda Kurukulasuriya US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s speech in Washington on Wednesday (18) where he named China as the cause for the US’s intensified interest in the Indian Ocean, and as the reason for its deepening defence ties with India, has brought the big-power contestation in the region to a new level. While …
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said the final decision on the proposed new Constitution will not be taken without consulting religious leaders. The PM gave the assurance at the launch of presidential service at Saiva Prakash Balika Vidyalaya in Vavuniya on Saturday, with the participation of President Maithripala Sirisena. Having explained the ongoing parliamentary process …
By Shamindra Ferdinando Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has said further devolution of power won’t solve the problems faced by the Tamil community. Addressing a gathering organised by Viyathmaga (Gampaha organization) at Wet Water Resort on Ja-ela-Gampaha road, on Saturday, Rajapaksa said he wasn’t aware of any country where problems had been solved with the …
By Cyril Wimalasurendre Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, attending a Buddhist religious programme at Wattegama, said a new constitution for Sri Lanka would be drafted only after seeking the views of all stakeholders including the Mahanayake Theras. Wickremesinghe said there was no draft constitution ready to be introduced to Parliament. The Prime Minister made these statements …
Philippines Vice President Leni Robredo said she feared Philippines might get stuck in a debt trap like the one experienced by Sri Lanka if they borrowed loans from China, Philippines media reported. The Duterte administration’s new source of financing for its ambitious infrastructure projects, China, could lead the Philippines into a “debt trap” as it …
(Text of a Press Statement issued by the Tamil National Alliance media Office on October 21st 2017) A meeting was held today between the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence Mr. Pablo DE GREIFF and the Leader of the Opposition and the Tamil National Alliance Hon. …
by Rajan Philips By all accounts the much delayed local government elections will likely be held in January 2018. It will be a couple of weeks after January 8, the day SWRD Bandaranaike was born and the day Mahinda Rajapaksa was defeated – with the long century of Lanka’s modern history in between. In all …
By Tisaranee Gunasekara “In any case the purpose is not really to indict the past, but to summon it to the attention of a suicidal, anachronistic present.” Wole Soyinka (Nobel Lecture – 1986) Soon after the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, Nationalist leader Francisco Franco declared October 12th as the ‘Day of Race’. At …
by C.A.Chandraprema The offshoot of the UNP the United National Freedom Front which held its first press conference some days ago, after gaining recognition as a political party by the Elections Commission could have serious implications for the UNP at any elections held in the future. This new political party is a natural outgrowth of …
Lawyers for former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake have communicated with the Presidential Commission on the Central Bank Bond Issues with regard to allegations made to it that a close relative of the former minister had made a phone call to the brother of Ms. Anika Wijesuriya on Oct. 14 threatening to cause her harm and/or …
By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene The eruption of a fresh controversy this week regarding correction of technical mistakes in the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe Government’s Local Government Elections Bill has again raised the bogey of postponement of the upcoming ‘punchi chande’ polls. The Government has reassured the public that the Bill will be rectified once party leaders meet in …
Local Government elections, seen to be close on hand only just days earlier, have become yet so far now. The expected January 20, 2018 poll may now not happen. This time it is over another mundane issue – the creation of more Pradeshiya Sabhas in the Nuwara Eliya district. This is a long standing demand …
Continue reading ‘No Local Govt Polls in Jan 2018 ; May Take Place Only In March Or Later.’ »
By Namini Wijedasa Eight years after the war ended there is persistent poverty in the north and east while incomes remain far lower than in other parts of the country, the latest Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) shows. The median income in Sri Lanka is now Rs 43,511. In the estate sector, it is …
Continue reading ‘Incomes Lower Than Rest of the Country in Poverty Stricken North and East.’ »
by Shamindra Ferdinando Wartime Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday said that the very basis of the controversial Geneva Resolution 30/1 had been strongly disputed by Michael Morris, Baron Naseby, PC, during a debate on Sri Lanka in the British parliament Thursday last week. Sri Lanka co-sponsored Resolution 30/1 in Oct 2015, in spite of the …
The police yesterday arrested a Buddhist monk who was wanted in connection with last month’s attack on a group of Rohingya refugees that were under the care of a UNHCR safe house in Mount Lavinia. Police Media Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said that a special police team took into custody National Coordinator of the Sinha …
By Lucien Rajakarunanayake Bond, Bond – the Treasury Bond tragedy will not easily go away. We’ve heard so much about the dirty dealings involved in this highly manipulated Bond transaction, giving rise to major doubts about the entire financial management and related systems of government in the country. We will await the report of the …
By Manopriya Gunesekara and Ranjan Katugampola Special police security is reported to have been provided to Anika Wijesuriya and her relatives in the wake of death threats levelled against her allegedly by a close relative of former finance minister Ravi Rarunanayake. It was carried out on the directions of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) …
By Veeragathy Thanabalasingham It was interesting to read the peculiar reason given by former President Mahinda Rajapkasa for his decision to hold the Presidential election in January 2015, two years ahead of schedule Talking to the media last Sunday outside the Tangalla Remand Prison where his eldest son and parliamentarian, Namal Rajapaksa, was being held …
Continue reading ‘Moves to abolish Executive Presidency failed due to greed for power’ »
Sri Lanka’s Inspector-General Pujith Jayasundara has scuttled a charity drive organised by women at the police headquarters in the latest in his growing list of controversial moves. Jayasundara stopped trucks transporting food and dry rations that were due to be distributed among low-income families at Ambanpola on Thursday. The Seva Vanitha (women) unit of the …
The Chief Prelate of the Malwatte Chapter rejected media reports which mischievously suggested that he opposed any Constitutional reforms, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today at a media briefing. The Most Venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thera told the Prime Minister that privately-owned newspapers and TV networks misled the public into believing that he …
By Akitha Perera Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday took exception to media coverage given to a joint statement issued by Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters of the dominant Siyam Sect demanding an immediate halt to the ongoing constitution making process. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that some newspapers had misled the public by publishing reports …
The Sri Lankan constitution making process is likely to come to a grinding halt as the representatives of the Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters of the Buddhist Maha Sangha, have opposed any change in the constitution, whether piecemeal or wholesale. The Karaka Maha Sangha Sabha, of the Malwatu & Asgiriya Chapters which met in Kandy on …
The chief prelates of two main of the Buddhist chapters yesterday issued a special announcement saying Sri Lanka did not need a new Constitution or amendments to the present Constitution of the country. The members of the Maha Sangha Sabhas of the Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters convened yesterday at the historic Temple of the Tooth …
By S.Venkatnarayan Bollywood’s romcom ‘Judwaa 2’ starring Varun Dhawan with Sri Lankan beauty queen Jacqueline Fernandez and Tapsee Pannuas the female leads, has got a thumbs up from the audience not just in India but across the globe as well. In just a little over three weeks since its release on September 29, it has …
Sri Lanka’s controversial police chief Pujith Jayasundara, who is in trouble mandatory meditation for men and women in the service, is in deeper water this time after taking on a senior minister of the government. Jayasundara addressed staff of the Criminal Investigations Department and accused them of leaking a video of him roughing up staff …
By P.K.Balachandran Elections to the Sri Lankan local bodies and Provincial Councils are due in 2018. But President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe heading the Yahapalanaya or Good Governance regime in Colombo, not prepared for it. The lack of preparedness is seen in the way they had been trying every trick in the …
By Sanja De Silva Jayatilleka UN Special Rapporteur Pablo de Greiff, currently on a two week visit to Sri Lanka, announced before his visit that he intends to “review the progress made thus far, to identify obstacles and bottlenecks in the implementation of the transitional justice and reform process”. The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry for …
Continue reading ‘The UN Special Rapporteur and the Sri Lankan Government’s Duty’ »
The journalist who led the Panama Papers investigation into corruption in Malta was killed on Monday in a car bomb near her home. Daphne Caruana Galizia died on Monday afternoon when her car, a Peugeot 108, was destroyed by a powerful explosive device which blew the vehicle into several pieces and threw the debris into …
By Shyam Nuwan Ganewatte and Sarath Dharmasena Additional Solicitor General Yasantha Kodagoda PC yesterday informed the presidential commission of Inquiry probing alleged bond scams that Anika Wijesuriya, a key witness who testified before the Commission, had left the country due to death threats from someone close to former Minister Ravi Karunanayake’s family. Anika divulged before …