By Upul Joseph Fernando The media raised many questions about the future of the China funded Colombo Port City Project when Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met them last week. When an editor pointed out that the Port City crisis could hamper the smooth relations between the two countries, Ranil explained, that as Sri Lanka was …
By Rasika Jayakody When one graduates himself to the level of a head of state, the line between his public and private lives becomes unclear. Matters of his personal life often come under public spotlight and more often than not they become subjects of discussion for the public and the media. Things often blow out …
By Gunadasa Amarasekera The conspiratorial powers-the CIA, the RAW, the MI 6 and their agents, some NGOs and separatists had a four fold agenda to be achieved. – firstly to oust Mahinda Rajapaksa – secondly to install a leader of their choice – thirdly to destroy the SLFP – fourthly to grant the desired Elam …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Actions speak louder than words! A very effective message regarding the contentious issue of the national anthem being sung in Tamil also was sent out early this week to the nation in general and the Tamil people in particular in the form of exemplary concrete action by the triumvirate comprising President Maithripala Sirisena, …
Continue reading ‘History of the National Anthem of Sri Lanka has been Mired in Controversy’ »
By Mirudhula Thambiah Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Leader Rajavarothayam Sampanthan expressed confidence in the ability of the Special Presidential Commission headed by Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge to find a suitable solution by the end of this year, to the issues confronting the Tamil people. “We have clarified to the former President all matters relating …
Colombo, Mar 30: Sri Lanka’s new government today warned that there is a real danger that the LTTE could regroup and wage another war for an independent Tamil homeland, six years after they were militarily defeated. Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith Perera said LTTE’s front organisations operate businesses overseas to generate funds in an attempt to …
BY DR DAYAN JAYATILLEKA The SLFP participation at the Ratnapura rally trumped the cooptation (‘National Government’) tactic of the SLFP Rightwing. The anti-Mahinda tendency of the SLFP is now caught in the coils of its own contradictions. If it follows the dictates of Chandrika “Sonia” Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and facilitates the passage of the 19th amendment …
By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon and Norman Palihawadane The police suspect that eight suspects arrested while dubbing an anti Sri Lanka army film in Narahenpita on Saturday were working for Channel Four responsible for a propaganda onslaught against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The police believe the film has been shot …
By Chaminda Perera in Killinochchi A special officer is to be appointed at the Prime Minister’s office to look into the problems in the Northern Province, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday, winding up his three day visit to the Northern Province. He stressed the need to pay special focus on the development of livelihood …
Singapore bade farewell to its founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who died on Monday aged 91. Despite torrential rain, tens of thousands lined the streets to view the funeral procession carrying Mr Lee’s coffin through the city-state. A state funeral then took place attended by world leaders, ahead of a private family cremation ceremony. …
Addressing members of Security Forces and the Police serving in the Jaffna peninsula at the Security Forces Headquarters, Palaly, the Premier stressed the importance of having a political solution to the ethnic issue to ensure national unity while equal emphasis is laid on the country’s security. He said the government is determined to ensure national …
The European Union (EU) re-imposed the ban on the LTTE after Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Foreign Affairs Ministry intervened with the matter, Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Ajith P. Perera said. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, according to him, had written to the EU to reconsider the ban on the LTTE as the then leader …
by Rasika Jayakody The appointment of Kshenuka Seneviratne as the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Thailand has been put on hold as she is yet to be summoned before the Committee on High Posts in Parliament. Speaking to the Daily News, Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith P. Perera said a final decision on the matter would be …
The LTTE, taken off the European Union’s list of terrorist groups in Oct. 2014 by an order of the European General Court, is now back on the Terror List according to EU documents. The European Council appealed in late December last year against the decision of the General Court but the process is expected to …
Three public interest activists, Dr. G. Usvatte-aratchi, Dr. A.C. Visvalingam and Mr. Chandra Jayaratne have invoked the Fundamental Rights jurisdiction of the Supreme Court seeking an independent and competent inquiry into the controversial Central Bank bond issue and also called for systems that would ensure transparent and good governance practices on future public debt issues. …
By Ranga Jayasuriya Ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa in a message read in a political rally held in Ratnapura, last week alleged that the current administration has stalled development in the country. I cannot help, but agree, though grudgingly. This government has held back the country’s development. That is already reflected in the projected growth numbers: The …
Continue reading ‘Has New Govt Killed the Golden Egg Laying Economic Development Goose?’ »
By C.A.Chandraprema Events are moving faster than they can be written about. If we start with the last big event that occurred towards the end of last week, the Ratnapura meeting of the pro-Mahinda group of the SLFP was marred by a heavy downpour that started just minutes after the meeting commenced. Despite the pelting …
By Col R Hariharan Book review: Sri Lanka The New Country Author: Padma Rao Sundarji Publisher: Harper-Collins Publishers, Noida, UP Price: Rs 499; Pages 322 Seasoned journalist Padma Rao Sundarji’s book Sri Lanka – The new country is refreshingly different from scores of other books that appeared in the wake of the defeat of the …
By M.R. Narayan Swamy As Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins to build a relationship with Sri Lanka’s new leadership, the one thing he needs to be wary of is the extremist Tamil position in the island nation. Modi made history by becoming the first Indian prime minister to visit Sri Lanka after 1987 when Rajiv …
By Don Manu A nation’s outrage burst in full flow last Sunday evening when President Maithripala Sirisena thought fit to induct 26 members of the SLFP as Ministers, State Ministers and Deputy Ministers of his government, rolling out the red carpet of welcome to a questionable coterie of the Rajapaksa regime the people held in …
By N.Sathiya Moorthy Pro-LTTE, pro-separatist websites could not have done a greater disservice to the larger Tamil cause just now than projecting Northern Province Chief Minister Justice C V Wigneswaran as our new national leader. It may in a way be a greater disservice to Justice Wigneswaran, too, who may not share their present views …
Like the ongoing investigations into the procurement of MiG-27 fighter jets, both President Maithripala Sirisena and the UNP-dominated Government of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe are keen to bring to book those involved in bribery, corruption and other malpractices. Even if probes into some high profile cases where there has been heavy pressure have moved at …
The Lodge, once known as Queen’s Cottage, in the cooler climes of Nuwara Eliya, often referred to as ‘Little England’ was once home for British Governors and the ruling elite. Since independence in 1948, it became the holiday resort of the Governor General, later Prime Ministers and now Presidents. Unknown to most Sri Lankans, this …
BY Dr Reeza Hameed The draft 19th Amendment reminds me of the story ‘Naya Qanoon’ (New Constitution) written by the late Saadat Manto, regarded by many as the finest writer of short stories in Urdu and as the greatest South Asian writer of the 20th century. Set in pre-independence Lahore of the 1930s the main …
Priyantha Sirisena, the brother of President Maithripala Sirisena, who was treated at a private hospital in Colombo after an axe attack died this morning at the age of 40. Priyantha, who is also known as “Weli Raju,” is a businessman predominantly engaged in sand mining. He is a younger brother of President Sirisena, who is …
P.G. Priyantha Sirisena, a younger brother of President Maithripala Sirisena, passed away early this morning following an axe attack on Thursday. He was attacked with an axe in the back of his head on March 26 evening at around 7pm at Hathare Ela, Polonnaruwa. He was airlifted to Colombo the same night. Born on December …
By Malinda Seneviratne Ranil Wickremesinghe, when he addressed and briefly responded to questions from heads of media institutions and editors, was clear, precise and quite articulate. He articulated the Government’s strategy, progress made and what’s in the pipeline on three broad subjects: reconciliation, corruption and the ‘100 Days’ Program’. When asked if corruption allegations predating …
By Deepal Warnakulasuriya Dr Dayan Jayatilleka who is an expert in many fields expressed his ideas regarding the present political developments in the country in an interview with The Nation. Dr. Jayatilleka did not agree with the formation of a National Government, suspending the normal competitive functioning of the two-party system. He considers this move …
By W. K. Prasad Manju Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa loyalists have launched the ‘Mahinda-For-PM Front’ and threaten to take to the streets with protest demonstrations and agitations demanding the dissolution of Parliament on April 23. General Secretary of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya said leaders of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna, National Freedom Front, Democratic Left Front …
By Lucien Rajakarunanayake The surprise political shake up last Sunday when a team of 26 SLFPers joined the Government, with 11 of them being sworn in as Cabinet Ministers, has brought about a new dimension to both politics and governance. The political debate is hotter today, with criticism of President Maithripala Sirisena for taking in …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Once upon a time there was a Beautiful Island with wonderful people that was regarded as God’s own country. After gaining Independence from a colonial power the modern nation with an ancient civilisation adopted a national anthem of its own.The anthem was written in the language spoken by the majority of its inhabitants. …
By Col.R.Hariharan China under President Xi Jinping is promoting the revival of the Silk Route as well as the 21st Century Maritime Silk Route in a big way as a part of its strategic westward reach. It involves reaching out to South Asian countries as well as the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). India by its …
President’s brother Priyantha Sirisena is to be flown to Colombo for further treatment after he was assaulted with a sharp weapon at Polonnaruwa. National Hospital Director Dr. Anil Jasinghe said that the hospital is on standby to treat Sirisena. President Maithripala Sirisena’s brother Priyantha Sirisena was hospitalized after he was attacked with a sharp weapon …
Around 26 UPFA Parliamentarians, including many SLFP MPs took part in the pro-Mahinda Rajapaksa rally today urging that the former president should be made the Prime Ministerial candidate of the UPFA in an upcoming general election. Apart from the Parliamentarians a number of Provincial Council Members and Local Government Authority Members also took part in …
By Prof.Jayadeva Uyangoda Within just three months in power, the National Democratic Front (NDF) coalition seems to be disintegrating. All indications are that the unity that the NDF coalition partners showed in the pursuit of their common objective of dislodging the Mahinda Rajapaksha family from power has largely dissipated. The signs are also that President …
By N. Sathiya Moorthy For a bilateral visit at the highest-level after an undesirable and inexplicable gap of 28 long years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-day tour of Sri Lanka was noted as much for what it achieved as for the optics. It came after an earlier visit by Sri Lanka’s new President Maithripala Sirisena …
Priyantha Sirisena, the brother of President Maithripala Sirisena was hospitalised with serious injuries after he was assaulted by an unknown person at Hathare Ela area in Polonnaruwa. It was reported that Mr. Sirisena had been attacked near a garage in the area at around 7. 00 p.m. and had been rushed to the Polonnaruwa Hospital.
By Suresh Perera With President Maithripala Sirisena’s revelation to Sandeshaya, BBC’s Sinhala Service in London, that there were plans to “destroy his whole family” if he lost the presidential poll, political sources recalled how the then common candidate was escorted under cover of darkness to an estate owned by a close friend in the Kurunegala …
BY DR. DAYAN JAYATILLEKA Blackadder fans will know what I mean when I say that Chandrika and Ranil have come up with a plan of truly Baldrickian cunning. They let it slip while speaking on separate occasions after the formation of the so-called ‘National Government’. Ranil said that the change that had been initiated, promised …
by Jayadeva Uyangoda “I don’t know whether to laugh or cry,” was the first reaction I heard last Sunday evening when the news spread that President Sirisena had sworn in 26 ex-UPFA ministers in various ministerial capacities of his yahapalanaya government. The second response was also similar: ‘Is this what we voted Maithripala Sirisena in …
By Ishara Mudugamuwa and Yasaratne Gamage The Financial Fraud Investigations Division (FFID) has sought the advice of the Attorney General on the procedure involved in obtaining a statement from former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa over the alleged financial fraud at the Divi Neguma Department, Police Media Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said. The police decided …
By Jayashika Padmasiri Though the Government was able to arrive at a consensus regarding the trimming of powers of the executive presidency, the controversy over electoral reforms has still not been settled, with the Government and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) continuing to reiterate their stances on this subject. In this backdrop, President Maithripala Sirisena …
Continue reading ‘Can this “Achcharu Govt” Reform the Electoral System as Envisaged?’ »
By Vikram Rajakumar The discovery of groups and individuals in south India pledging allegiance to various militant factions in Syria’s civil war has led to a deterioration of security of that region. What is the implication of this new phenomenon for Southeast Asia? Tamil Nadu in south India, which comprise 65 million people (88% Hindu, …
By Jayashika Padmasiri The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) yesterday announced that the 20th Amendment presented in Parliament would institute electoral reforms and soon after it was passed, along with the 19th Amendment, they will call for a general election. SLFP General Secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, addressing a media conference in Colombo, said that after …
By Dasun Edirisinghe More than 20 SLFP Parliamentarians would attend the third rally demanding that former President Rajapaksa be made the UPFA prime ministerial candidate, under the theme, ‘The country is in danger and prepare to face the challenge!’ organised by UPFA allies MEP, NFF, DLF and Pivithuru Hela Urumaya at the Ratnapura Sivali grounds …
Recent remarks made by Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Rajitha Senaratne regarding the security detail provided to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa are completely inaccurate and false, charged the Media Coordinator of President Rajapaksa. Issuing a communiqué, Rajapaksa’s Media Coordinator Rohan Welivita has also said that in fact, there are lapses in the security provided to the former …
By Nelka Medagedera Three petitions have been submitted to the Supreme Court pleading that an order be made to go for a referendum after passing the proposed 19th Amendment to the Constitution with a two third majority in Parliament. The petitions have been filed before the Supreme Court by Udaya Gammanpila on behalf of the …
By Malinda Seneviratne Of course we are all disappointed. We backed our boys to the hilt. We forced ourselves to hope that they would win it all. We all wanted a perfect farewell to our ‘grand old men’ (relatively speaking of course). We wanted Sanga, Mahela, Dilly and Malinga to have a ‘Tendulkar Moment’ on …
By Rasika Jayakody When he defected from the Rajapaksa administration to challenge Mahinda Rajapaksa’s presidency in November, last year, he only had the support of eight Parliamentarians of the UPFA who accompanied him in a face of a government that seemed invincible. The large majority of UPFA Parliamentarians criticized Sirisena’s move calling him a traitor …
By Lahiru Pothmulla The 19th Amendment presented in Parliament by the Government was a result of a ‘Constitutional Coup’ to allow a person who is unable to win at an election to retain power, the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) said today. JHU General Secretary and Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said the objective of the latest …
By Saman Indrajith Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe presented the 19th Amendment to the Constitution to Parliament yesterday to curtail powers of the executive presidency. The Bill, if approved by Parliament, will make the Prime Minister the Head of the Cabinet of Ministers with powers to appoint its members. Right to Information has been included among …
The national anthem was sung in Tamil in the presence of President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga at an event, where the lands taken over by the military to establish a High Security Zone were handed back to the legitimate owners at Valalaai, Valikamam East on Monday (23). …
By Col R Hariharan Is former Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who suffered a surprise defeat in the January 2015 presidential election, set to reincarnate as a prime minister? It would appear so, if we go by the moves of the national unity government as well as pro-Rajapaksa elements within the polity. Of course, Rajapaksa, …
By Upul Joseph Fernando President Maithripala revealed an interesting episode of what Queen Elizabeth told him during his recent visit to Britain to the media heads when the latter met the President last week at a breakfast meeting. When he met the Queen, the pro-LTTE Tamil Diaspora in London had been protesting outside. “Don’t those …
It sounds too good to be true but a simple change to the way rice is cooked could reduce its calorie content by 60 per cent. Scientists in Sri Lanka have discovered that cooking rice with a teaspoon of coconut oil then refrigerating it for 12 hours more than halves the number of calories absorbed …
With a sense of vision and a ruthless pragmatism, Lee Kuan Yew led Singapore as it transformed from a tiny island with no natural resources into a thriving economic success. He successfully channelled the energies of Singaporeans to create what has often been described as an economic miracle, a mixture of private and state capitalism. …
THERE was no vainglory in the title of the first volume of Lee Kuan Yew’s memoirs: “The Singapore Story”. Few leaders have so embodied and dominated their countries: Fidel Castro, perhaps, and Kim Il Sung, in their day. But both of those signally failed to match Mr Lee’s achievement in propelling Singapore “From Third World …
(Text of Media Release Issued by the National Peace Council) The government is being criticized for its slow pace in implementing the 100 day plan of the president’s election manifesto. However, the government is also going beyond the promises of its election manifesto to strengthen the confidence of the Tamil people in its good faith. …
(Full Text of Speech Made in Parliament by Tamil Nationalist Alliance Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran M.P. on the 17th March 2015) Mr. Deputy Chairman of Committees, as I rise to speak on this Order that has been placed for approval, I cannot but recollect the time when the Hon. Minister of Justice and Labour Relations himself, …
(Full Text of Address made by Northern Province Chief Minister C.V.Wigneswaran at Valalaai in Jaffna where 425 Acres of Land under military control were handed back to the displaced people in a ceremony attended by President Maithripala Sirisena,Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former President Chandrika Kumaratunga on March 23rd 2015) Your Excellency the President , …
“Every measure will be taken to resolve issues faced by people irrespective of their race or religion under my rule,” President Maithripala Sirisena said. The President said that as a new Government many steps have already been taken to resolve problems faced by people, adding that the Government is committed to building peace and reconciliation …
By Shalika Wimalasena In this wide ranging and incisively probing no-holds-barred interview, former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa admits intentions of entering national politics; says he first heard of Prageeth Ekneligoda only after his disappearance, adding that the Rajapaksa government had no issues with him. He said the Police could not find any clues to Ekneligoda’s …
By Udaya Gammanpila Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Sri Lanka was the first official visit of an Indian Prime Minister for the last 28 years. It was presented as a diplomatic victory of the present government. However, the unpleasant incident that took place 28 years ago along with the message hidden in statements made by …
By Malinda Seneviratne Why should a country have more than a single version of its national anthem? This is the question that many are asking following President Maithripala Sirisena sanctioning the use of the Tamil version of ‘Sri Lanka Matha’. Those who ask this question by way of supporting the obvious answer to the rhetorical …
Eleven more Cabinet Ministers, five State Ministers and ten Deputy Ministers were sworn in before President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat a short while ago, the President’s Media said. Cabinet Ministers 1. A.H.M.Fousie – Minister of Disaster Management 2. S.B.Nawinna – Minister of Labour 3. Piyasena Gamage – Minister of Skill Development and Vocational …
by Priya Venkateshan I have been provoked enough to write this, provoked by this piece by novelist Aatish Taseer, “How English ruined Indian Literature” in The New York Times. I need to rebut this. I’m supposed to be a Tamilian, on paper. My father grew up speaking Tamil. My mother’s was a more complicated story. …
Continue reading ‘Adopting English as Lingua Franca is the reason for India Staying Together.’ »
BY AATISH TASEER NEW DELHI — A BOATMAN I met in Varanasi last year, while covering the general election that made Narendra Modi prime minister of India, said, “When Modi comes to power, we will send this government of the English packing.” The government of the English! The boatman naturally did not mean the British …
BY Gagani Weerakoon Following a shock decision worked out in total secrecy last Friday with Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe, President Maithripala Sirisena will swear-in 30 SLFP MPs as ministers, 15 of them with Cabinet rank and 15 others as Deputy Ministers, in a political feint that will see the promised Sirisena-Wickremesinghe National Government coming to fruition …
By GARDINER HARRIS COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — No social function on this island is as important as the recent annual Royal-Thomian cricket match, but this year’s event was particularly special because of what has become known here as the Royalist coup. It was celebrated last weekend in party tents with toasts involving many drinks, and …
by P.K.Balachandran Former Sri Lankan Consul General in Sydney, Bandula Jayasekara, has suggested that the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, be allowed to visit Sri Lanka purely as a Buddhist pilgrim and on the strict condition that he talks no politics while being here. The former diplomat was commenting on the controversy kicked up …
By C.A.Chandraprema With each passing week, the stresses and strains within the yahapalana coalition that formed the present government are coming more and more out into the open. Last week, at a seminar at the OPA auditorium, Dr Jayampathy Wickremeratne who is an advisor to President Maithripala Sirisena alleged that some people in the government …
By Ambika Satkunanathan The ‘wife of Neelan Tiruchelvam’ is a phrase that has been frequently used to describe Sithie, a corporate lawyer with a deep and abiding interest in social justice, research and the world of ideas, and the arts, since she passed away. However, to those who knew Sithie she was never merely ‘the …
By C.A.Chandraprema The proposed 19th Amendment to the constitution is a far cry from what the public was made to expect in terms of constitutional reform before the presidential election. Before the election, what we saw was an opposition platform that fulminated against the executive presidential system and promised its abolition. At his first appearance …
By Jayadeva Uyangoda Within just three months in power, the National Democratic Front (NDF) coalition seems to be disintegrating. All indications are that the unity that the NDF coalition partners showed in the pursuit of their common objective of dislodging the Mahinda Rajapaksa family from power has largely dissipated. The signs are also that President …
By Lucien Rajakarunanayake A new trend in politics was seen by what President Maithripala Sirisena said at the meeting of electorate and district organizers of the SLFP at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute earlier this week, and later emphasized in his first meeting with newspaper editors and media heads at the Janadhipathi Mandiraya, on Wednesday. …
BY DR. DAYAN JAYATILLEKA “They lifted a rock against us which they will drop on their own feet”- Zhou Enlai “There is great disorder under heavens! The situation is excellent!” – Mao Zedong Look, there must be a reason why Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe has been in occupation of Temple Trees three (relatively brief) times, but …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The phenomenon of “Traitorization” in Tamil Nationalist Politics has raised its ugly head again. I use the word traitorization instead of treachery or treason in order to differentiate between those who are actually treacherous or really committing treason as opposed to those being accused or labelled as “traitorous” or traitors. The reality is …
Continue reading ‘Recurring Phenomenon of “Traitorization” in Tamil Nationalist Politics’ »
BY DR. DAYAN JAYATILLEKA Sri Lankan civil society intellectuals and commentators who support the new dispensation are making the same mistake as Francis Fukuyama did, but in a far more facile and therefore far less forgivable form. When the Cold War ended, Fukuyama famously posited the End of History. It was crudely misunderstood to mean …
Ultimately, obtaining a piece of the silverware was not to be for two of the one-day game’s greatest batsmen, with Sri Lanka’s World Cup exit also signalling Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene’s ODI farewell. For Jayawardene, retirement beckons, while Sangakkara will continue playing the five-day game until Sri Lanka’s Test series against India in August. …
By Nisthar Cassim * Says expeditious resolution of several longstanding and urgent national issues require a national government for two years in the country’s interest; absence of Govt-Opposition cooperation cause for delay and past failures (pic: Sri Lankan High Commission in London organised a multi-faith religious ceremony to invoke blessings on President Maithripala Sirisena, at …
By Upul Joseph Fernando Everyone keeps guessing as to what former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Indian Premier Narendra Modi discussed a few hours before the latter’s departure to New Delhi after a two-day State visit. Mahinda went to meet Modi after making accusations that the Indian intelligence service RAW connived with Western intelligence forces to …
Speaking in Parliament today on bringing forward amendments to the United Nations Regulations 1 and 2 of 2012 promulgated under the United Nations Act Number 45 of 1968, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera drew the attention of the House to a matter related to the he UN regulations discussed in Parliament. He referred to …
(Full Text of Speech made in Parliament by sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera on March 18th 2015) Hon. Speaker, I stand before you today to present amendments, in line with our international obligations, to United Nations Regulations 1 and 2 of 2012 promulgated under the United Nations Act number 45 of 1968. As …
By Latheef Farook Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comment on the implementation of 13th amendment ,his suggestion that cooperative federalism is better for Sri Lanka, his invitation to Tamils of Indian origin to visit New Delhi to discuss their issues and his advice to Tamils to be patient makes one wonder whether Sri Lanka is …
By Tisaranee Gunasekara One must always say what one sees. But especially – and this is the hard part – one must always see what one sees – Charles Péguyi Paranoids live in their own world, uncluttered by facts and unrestrained by reality. In the paranoid’s world nothing is impossible. Robert H. Welch Jr, retired-candy …
By Dinesh Raheja A cheesy line of dialogue in the Diwali blockbuster Happy New Year proffering a rather simplistic piece of wisdom can be paraphrased thus: “There are two types of people in the world—winners and losers”. Few people these days can be tagged with a rare degree of sanguineness than the film’s leading lady, …
Continue reading ‘Deepika Padukone Illuminates Hindi Screen with Flaming Successes in Succession’ »
(Full Text of Letters Sent by Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha M.P. to President Maithripala Sirisena on January 13th 2015 after being appointed State minister of Higher Education and on February 10th 2015 giving Notice of resignation.Prof. Wijesinha who was one of the original group of Govt MP’s to cross over with President Sirisena has subsequently crossed back …
By Shamindra Ferdinando Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa says that some countries had the wherewithal to overthrow democratically elected governments, though Sri Lanka lacked such capacity. War veteran Rajapaksa points out that there had been many such interventions over the years in various parts of the world. Sri Lanka was a case in point, Rajapaksa …
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe issued a special statement in Parliament on March 16th 2015 responding to critics over the recent Treasury Bond issue as well as exposing the improper conduct of various institutions of the past regime and those allegedly connected to it. Using Parliamentary privilege, Wickremesinghe’s special statement was akin to a …
By Gen.Lalin Fernando Every private in the French Army carries a Field Marshal’s baton in his knapsack (Napoleon) There is a lot written and spoken about Field Marshals (FMs) just now. The latest is about the privileges that FMs should apparently have. It appears Hitler’s Germany is the source for these anachronistic examples. The privileges …
By Ifham Nizam Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was not a superman, said Water Supply and Urban Development Minister Rauff Hakeem yesterday, in response to the challenge made by Rajapaksa during an interview that no one could do what he had done. Answering questions after a media briefing, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader stressed …
By Gagani Weerakoon & Skandha Gunasekara Expressing his displeasure over the conduct of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the incumbent government, former State Minister of Higher Education, Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha crossed over to the Opposition yesterday. He said the move to gazette the 19th Amendment to the Constitution and transfer of executive powers to the …
By Rasika Jayakody Political analyst Kusal Perera, who was a close confidant of Mahinda Rajapaksa during the early 90s, draws parallels between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party now and the SLFP in 1991. “Party Leader Sirimavo Bandaranaike, due to failing health, was not in a position to actively engage in political activities of the party. …
BY DEMOS The once sober judicial officer Wigneswaran, who functions at present as the Chief Minister of the NPC, appears to have suffered a sudden manic seizure following the recent change of Government, to have had the incomprehensible temerity to make the infuriatingly provocative statement to the effect that all Governments in Sri Lanka have …
BY DR DAYAN JAYATILLEKA “…Contiguous polities, in Kautilya’s analysis, existed in a state of latent hostility. Whatever professions of amity he might make, any ruler whose power grew significantly would find that it was in his interest to subvert his neighbor’s realm…The wise ruler would seek his allies from among his neighbor’s neighbors.” – Dr. …
By Shamindra Ferdinando Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday warned that the national economy would suffer a staggering loss of approximately Rs. 9 billion unless the government cancelled the controversial Treasury bond issue involving Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran and his son-in-law Arjun Aloysius. Taking tangible measures to avoid Rs.9 bn loss would be …
BY GARDINER HARRIS Still, there are drawbacks to staying at Thalsevana Holiday Resort. Arrive without a reservation, and you could be arrested. Stroll too far down the beach during a blood-red sunset, and a soldier carrying an automatic weapon will appear out of a bunker, declare that you have entered a high-security zone and order …
By Ranga Jayasuriya Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was here on a landmark three-day visit; the first visit to Sri Lanka by an Indian leader in three decades. His Sri Lankan counterpart could well have upset the apple cart with his imprudent remarks, when he tried to justify the shooting of Indian fishermen by the …
Continue reading ‘Sacrificing Sri Lankan Fishermen in Return for Investment by Indian Capitalists’ »
by Julio Ribeiro (The writer, a retired IPS officer,was Mumbai police commissioner,DGP Gujarat and DGP Punjab,and is a former Indian ambassador to Romania) There was a time, not very long ago — one year short of 30, to be precise — when only a Christian was chosen to go to Punjab to fight what then …
By Don Asoka Wijewardena A 17-year-old Dinithe Aloka Ranasinghe, daughter of businessman Gamini Ranasinghe of Kirulapana was abducted on February 24, 2014 while she was returning home after school and her whereabouts had not been known since then. Father of the victim, Gamini Ranasinghe, addressing the media yesterday blamed Health and Indigenous Minister Dr Rajitha …
BY DR. DAYAN JAYATILLEKA “Somewhere over the rainbow…” – The Wizard of Oz Three vital questions arise from Prime Minister Modi’s recommendation that Sri Lanka goes beyond the 13th amendment. The first is: has India changed its stance? The second is: if beyond 13A, ‘where to?’ The third is: ‘why?’ New Delhi’s stance in the …
by Dilrukshi Handunnetti The former Chief Minister of the United North-eastern Province, Varatharaja Perumal believes that India should have intervened, in the absence of political will at home, to ensure the continuity of a united North-eastern provincial Council. Perumal noted that the new government has facilitated the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and instead of faultfinding, …
By Malinda Seneviratne Deputy Minister of Policy Planning and Economic Affairs, referring to the controversy surrounding the Central Bank bond issue of February 27, 2015 (i.e. allegations of insider trade where Governor Arjuna Mahendran is on the spot over his son-in-law Arjun Aloysius making quite a packet within a few days) pats his Prime Minister …
By Dr. Devanesan Nesiah Ethnicity has been a salient factor of human society throughout recorded history. The modern state is a comparatively recent development (a few centuries old rather than a few millennia). As set out by C Geertz in “Old Societies and New States” (1963, The Free Press of Glencoe, New York, pages 109-10): …
by Rasika Jayakody The Cabinet of Ministers yesterday decided to entrust President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga with the task of holding discussions and arriving at a final decision on dissolution of Parliament on April 23. “They will also discuss view points that have been expressed by parties …
By Jayashika Padmasiri The Government yesterday managed to secure consensus on the Constitutional amendments but decided to meet again tomorrow to agree on electoral reforms amidst mixed views over whether the two must seek Parliamentary passage in one go or separately. At yesterday’s special Cabinet meeting, the rainbow coalition Government agreed on far-reaching reforms to …
Popular media industry personality Krishantha Cooray has been appointed to the Board of DFCC Bank Plc as an Independent Director, hot on the heels of a similar position on the Board of Sri Lanka Telecom. With the latest appointment, the Board of DFCC Bank Plc comprises Royle Jansz (Chairman), Gomin Dayasiri, H.M.N.S. Gunawardana, J.E.A. Perumal, …
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By Shamindra Ferdinando President Maithripala Sirisena has further consolidated his power with the UPFA’s constituents accepting him as the leader of the SLFP-led alliance. President Sirisena is the President of the SLFP. MEP leader Dinesh Gunawardena and Democratic Left Front (DLF) leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara, who had spearheaded popular bring-back-Mahinda campaign, attended a meeting chaired by …
By Ravi Ladduwahetty Ceylon Finance Today: Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran coming down hard on his critics, said that he will respond to all the allegations that have been made against him regarding the Rs 15 billion Treasury Bond issue when he returns to Sri Lanka from his overseas visits. “I will respond to all …
By Biswadeep Ghosh 2012. Indian Premier League. Not in the best of form before the match against the Mumbai Indians in Mumbai, Kumar Sangakarra who was leading the Deccan Chargers did what few skippers have ever done. He dropped himself after discussing the strategy with the DC coach Darren Lehmann, a selfless act that was …
(Full Text of Address to Sri Lankan Parliament by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi) Honourable Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Shrimaan Ranil Wickremesinghe ji, Honourable Leader of the Opposition, Mr Nimal Siripala De Silva, Honourable Members of Parliament, Distinguished guests, I am truly delighted to visit Sri Lanka – a land of beauty, culture and …