By Dr. Tharindra Ranasinghe The impeachment of the Chief Justice, Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake is the hottest political topic in Sri Lanka at present. As usual, many observers and critics have already taken sides based on their preconceived political views. Many critics of the Government are quick to castigate the Rajapaksa regime for its apparently gross …
By Dr.Vickramabahu Karunaratne In the domain of liberal democracy a motion to impeach a judge of the Supreme Court is a serious matter. That is permissible only if either there is suspicion of insanity or some problem akin to it. Analysis of any impeachments of any judge in the post modern world show that whole …
Professor S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, our Chief Justice, is being threatened with impeachment. I got to know her personally when I was organizing an Ethics Seminar for SLAAS in 2003. I was looking for someone who could speak with authority on Human Rights in Education. Several people encouraged her name and told …
by R.K.Radhakrishnan In the strongest indication yet that Sri Lanka is having a serious rethink on the India-mediated concept of autonomy for provinces in the country, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, announced in parliament on Thursday that “a change in the prevailing Provincial Council system is necessary to make devolution more meaningful” to people.
By James Crabtree in Jaffna, Sri Lanka Hundreds of former Tamil Tigers, the defeated Sri Lankan rebel army, are moving into a peaceful trade, swapping a history of bombs and guns for bras and football shirts.
By Kalana Senaratne The clash between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, popularly (and wrongly) perceived as a battle between the executive/legislature and the judiciary, does not provide much hope for the latter. Both parties are presently engaged in a drive to convince the people of their narrative, their case. President Rajapaksa’s publicity …
by Tisaranee Gunasekara “You’d wear out a marionette of steel if you pulled the string and jerked it all day long”. Diderot (Rameau’s Nephew) The impeachment of the Chief Justice is neither the beginning nor the end of the Rajapaksa-rush towards absolutism. But it does constitute a watershed moment in that journey, perhaps its final …
Continue reading ‘Make the Impeachment Boomerang on the Rajapaksas’ »
By Chamitha Kuruppu “Chief Justice or no Chief Justice, one cannot have improprieties,” emphasised former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva, adding that if there are charges against the higher Judiciary, there is nothing wrong in the Government bringing an impeachment motion.Silva stresses the importance of introducing a different mechanism during an impeachment rather than having …
by Shaveen Bandaranayake Kariyawasam My mother is the 43rd Chief justice of this country. She is also the 1st female Chief Justice in this country’s 200+ year history. She is an academic, one who possessed a PhD in Law before it went on sale. She is also a loving sister, mother and a wife. She …
Continue reading ‘Son of Chief Justice Calls Upon Sri Lankans to Take a Stand Against Tyranny’ »
By Dharisha Bastians The fact that the crisis between the Executive and the Judiciary culminated in the Government bringing a motion of impeachment against the Chief Justice is, as far as most members of the public are concerned, a step too far. For many it is proof long sought that the political trajectory of the …
Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Knowledge and Tissa Attanayake’s Letter’ »
By Dharisha Bastians “The Chief Justice of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is making a stand: which side you take will define who we are as Sri Lankans,” announced Shaveen Bandaranayake, son of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, on his Facebook page, the same day that an impeachment motion against her was handed over …
by Suzanne Nossel (Washington, D.C.) – Suzanne Nossel, Amnesty International USA executive director issued the following statement in response to the re-election of President Barack Obama: “When President Obama was first elected in 2008, many human rights activists rejoiced. It had been eight long years where the United States tortured, detained hundreds without charge and …
By Harim Peiris Earlier this week, two important events occurred in two very different worlds, in the United States, the American electorate after a long and grueling political campaign reelected President Barack Obama, their first African American President, to a second term in office. At the same time, in Sri Lanka, the Speaker of Parliament, …
Continue reading ‘US reelects President Obama as Sri Lanka impeaches Chief Justice Bandaranaike’ »
By Thisal Dewundara (Thisal Dewundara, participated at the French-Sri Lankan Diaspora Youth Workshop “Post-War Reconciliation Dialogue for a Sustainable Peace”, which took place in Paris, on October 27th, 2012. He participated as a panelist on the theme “Towards an effective and sustainable economic development”. The event was organized by What’s Next!, an independent forum comprising …
Continue reading ‘Challenges for a Sustainable Economic Development in Sri Lanka’ »
by President Barack Obama (National Public Radio Transcript of President Obama’s victory speech in Chicago. Source: Federal News Service ) (Cheers, applause.) AUDIENCE MEMBERS: (Chanting.) Four more years! Four more years! Four more years! Four more years! Four more years! Four more years! Four more years! Four more years! PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Thank you. Thank …
by Nirupama Rao Watching President Barack Obama’s re-election last night was inspiring, and in some ways reminiscent of his historic win four years ago to become the 44th President of the United States. The closely fought contest brought to the fore strengths of a political system based on popular will that binds India and the …
Continue reading ‘What will President Obama’s re-election mean for India-U.S. relations?’ »
By Karu Jayasuriya M.P. (Brief Notes of the Media Conference held on 7th November 2012 By Hon. Karu Jayasuriya UNP Member of Parliament – Gampaha District) 1. We are compelled to raise our voice once again to protect the independence of the Judiciary. When we look at the behaviour of those who are in power …
President Barack Obama has been re-elected to a second term, defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney. With results in from most states, America’s first black president has secured the 270 votes in the electoral college needed to win the race.
COMING into election night Barack Obama had many more paths to victory than Mitt Romney. In the end he seems to have taken most of them. The news was never good for the Republican nominee, as the poll-crunchers were proven correct in state after state. In the end, Mr Obama will return to the White …
Continue reading ‘Convincing Electoral Victory for Barack Obama -Economist’ »
by Hemantha Warnakulasuriya (The writer a Presidents Counsel served as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Italy) After the 1983 black July riots, the cream of the Tamil intelligentsia spread their wings and settled right round the globe, especially concentrating in Europe. Like all minor ethnic groups, they flocked together in towns and cities where there was …
Continue reading ‘“I Silently Ponder in my Prayers Whether We Have Cheated Them (Tamils) Again?’ »
by Elmore Perera (The writer, an Attorney-at-Law is Founder, Citizen’s Movement for Good Governance and Past President, Organisation of Professional Associations) “Sovereignty of the Sri Lankan People under the 1978 Constitution is one and indivisible. It remains with the People. It is only the exercise of certain Legislative, Executive and Judicial powers of the Sovereign …
By Kath Noble The good news is that there is nothing illegal about impeaching the Chief Justice. If one third of MPs sign a petition requesting it and one half approve the petition once it is presented in Parliament, the Constitution says that she has to go. That’s reassuring isn’t it? It is what the …
Continue reading ‘Whether in Govt or Opposition All Tamil Parties in Sri anka Support Devolution’ »
Resolution as per Article 107(2) of the Constitution for a motion of Parliament to be presented to His Excellency the President for the removal of the Hon. (Dr.) (Mrs.) Upatissa Atapattu Bandaranayake Wasala Mudiyanse Ralahamilage Shirani Anshumala Bandaranayake from the office of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Democratic Socialist Republic of …
by Taylor Dibbert The Republican Party is in a state of disarray and needs to change. Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, and the extreme positions from which he is now trying to distance himself, provides insights into this situation. It is not surprising that Governor Romney tacked hard to the right during the Republican primary and …
Continue reading ‘The Republican Party Today and the Romney Campaign’ »
by N Sathiya Moorthy With the ruling UPFA coalition submitting a memorandum signed by 117 members in the 225-seat Parliament to Speaker Chamal Rajakasa, the stage may now have neen set for impeaching Sri Lanka’s first woman Chief Justice Sirani Bandaranaike. The constitution provides for a third of the membership seeking impeachment of any member …
Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka: Ruling combine seeks to impeach Chief Justice’ »
By Kelum Bandara Q: What are you planning to do under Divineguma Bill? A: Divineguma is actually a movement. In the past, there were family based self-sufficient economies. They did paddy cultivation. Likewise, they cultivated other food crops such as chilli.
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Supreme Court determination on the Constitutionality of the proposed bill on establishing a Divineguma Department for Development has proved to be adverse in certain aspects to the Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa ,it is learnt. The Supreme Court ruling by Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake,Justice Nihal Gamini Amaratunga and Justice K.Sripavan that was …
By Amanda Holpuch The London-born rapper and artist has a new book out, with a documentary and album forthcoming. She talks about cleaning out her past in order to forge a new chapter in her career Before releasing a new album and presenting new artwork at India’s first biennial, the London-born artist Mathangi Maya Arulpragasm …
Roveena’s Debut Album Harmonizes A Perfect World of Cultural Sound Roveena studied psychology and music as an undergraduate at The University of Waterloo, but chose to pursue a career in Human Resources. Her love of music never diminished, and she began posting YouTube videos of her live performances. That led to a genuinely life-changing moment …
Continue reading ‘Roveena: Sri Lankan-Born Songstress Brings Truth To A Dream’ »
Tanya Ekanayaka the Internationally celebrated musical talent from Sri Lanka is to perform again at the prestigious St.Martin–in–the–Fields in London on Tuesday November 13th 2012. At The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 31st May 2012 She is one of Sri Lanka’s foremost classically trained Pianists and also a composer and musicologist in …
Continue reading ‘Tanya Ekanayaka to Perform Again at St.Martin in the Fields on November 13th’ »
by Tissa Attanayake M.P. (TEXT OF STATEMENT ISSUED BY TISSA ATTANAYAKE M.P., GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE UNITED NATIONAL PARTY ) Until 1700 the King of England had the power to appoint and remove Judges. The King exercised his powers to remove Judges who incurred his displeasure. Therefore the Parliament of England made provision to secure …
Continue reading ‘The UNP Position Towards the Impeach Motion in Parliament Against Chief Justice’ »
By Dr.Habib Siddiqui Myanmar’s western state of Arakan (Rakhine) is again burning. In Mrauk-U, the former capital of the independent kingdom of Arakan, hundreds of young Rakhine Buddhist men were on the march: packed on the backs of pickups, on motorcycles, on trishaws, tuk-tuks and bicycles, but mostly on foot. They carried spears, swords, cleavers, …
The Mahanayake Theras of the three main Nikayas have requested President Mahinda Rajapaksa to reconsider the need for the impeachment motion against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake that had been handed over to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa by ruling party MPs on Thursday. Mawatte Chapter Mahanayake the Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sumangala Thera, Asgiriya Chapter Mahanayake the Ven. Udugama …
Continue reading ‘Mahanayake Theros Want Mahinda to Reconsider Impeachment Motion Against CJ’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Suppiah Paramu Thamilchelvan, the 40 year old political division head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was killed in an air raid along with five other tiger cadres on Friday November 2nd 2007. Two jet bombers ,an Israeli K-fir and a Russian built MiG – 27 , engaged in aerial bombardment …
By Tisaranee Gunasekara “Tyrant, why swell’st thou thus, of mischief vaunting? …..Lewd lies thy tongue contrives…. Falsehood thy wit approves…” Psalm 52 (Translated by Mary Sidney) Hell hath no fury like the Rajapaksas thwarted. All those who opposed the interests, whims and fancies of the Ruling Siblings in the past know the hellfire of their …
Continue reading ‘Hell Hath No Fury….Like The Rajapaksas Thwarted’ »
By Vishnuguptha “If you want to be a slave in life, then continue going around asking others to do for you. They will oblige, but you will find the price is your choices, your freedom, your life itself. They will do for you, and as a result you will be in bondage to them forever, …
Continue reading ‘The current mess and ‘Dependency Syndrome’’ »
By Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha M.P. I have now served two and a half years in Parliament. This would have been half the term in the old days before the United Front government of 1970 extended its own term by two years, and added one year to all future terms. This began the rot of Parliament expanding …
Continue reading ‘Tentative Suggestions for Further Constitutional Reform’ »
By Dr.Vickramabahu Karunaratne The campaign started by those who are very close to the President to do away with the 13th Amendment shows that the Constitution making process in the coming period could become arbitrary and carried out at the whims and fancies of the chauvinist elements within the regime. If it really takes place, …
Continue reading ‘Emergence of Sinhala Chauvinism at Top Layer of Ruling Elite’ »
by Bishop Duleep de Chickera Since the end of the civil war in May 2009, there has been an unprecedented emphasis on what is popularly known as development. The most visible signs of this type of development are the improvement to roads and bridges, the construction of harbours and airports, the building of big hotels …
Continue reading ‘Development, Democracy and Devolution – Sri Lanka’s 3 Dimensional Dilemma’ »
By Tisaranee Gunasekara “Laws were promulgated to rationalize the actions of the regime. There is nothing like an administration operating outside the law, to use the law like a boomerang”. Jean-Claude Bajeux (The New Face of Macoutism: Headless Cadavers) What if Mark Fernando and not Sarath Silva became the Chief Justice? What if the Supreme …
By Chamitha Kuruppu The structure of the Budget has a fundamental imbalance, says UNP Parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne, sharing his views on the forthcoming Budget.The former banker and corporate executive points out that nearly 40% of the country’s Budget is in three ministries controlled by members of the Rajapaksa family. He further notes that the country …
Continue reading ‘Rajapaksa Family Members Control 40% of Country’s Budget – Eran Wickramaratne’ »
By JC Weliamuna Rajapaksha Regime, through its parliamentarians, handed over an impeachment motion to the Speaker, the elder brother of the President Rajapaksha against the first woman Chief Justice of the country. It appears that the Government of Sri Lanka is in a mighty hurry to “get rid of the Chief Justice” so that a …
Continue reading ‘Impeachment of Chief Justice is an Unconstitutional Witch-Hunt’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The past week recorded the 22nd anniversary of a cruel, inhuman episode in the history of Tamil –Muslim relations in Sri Lanka. It was in October 1990 that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE)organization forcibly expelled the Tamil speaking Muslim people from the Northern Province in an atrocious act amounting to ethnic cleansing. …
Continue reading ‘22nd Anniversary of Northern Muslim Expulsion by LTTE’ »
By Dharisha Bastians Amidst Opposition fire, the ruling UPFA coalition set the Constitutional process in motion to remove the Head of the country’s judiciary, by handing over a motion of impeachment against the Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake to Speaker of Parliament Chamal Rajapaksa yesterday. The motion, signed by 117 Members of Parliament, was handed over …