By Zahrah Imtiaz President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday confirmed the appointments of the seven members to the Office of the Missing Persons (OMP) which was established in September 2017. At a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat, the President appointed President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris as Chairman of the Office with six others also being appointed as …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Appoints Seven Members to Office of Missing Persons(OMP) With Presidents Counsel Saliya Peiris as Chairman;2018 Budget Allocated Rs 1.4 Billion for OMP’ »

Sri Lanka’s former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has attempted to shift the blame to his army commander Sarath Fonseka over the assassination of editor Lasantha Wickrematunge and asked police to investigate on those lines. Responding to an Economynext report published in the latest Sunday Island, the former defence chief said the then army commander Fonseka …

Continue reading ‘Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa Points The Finger At Ex-Army Commander Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka Over Murder Of Sunday Leader editor Lasantha wickrematunge’ »

By Ishara Mudugamuwa and Nushka Nafeel Cabinet approval has been granted to empower the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) to file cases based on facts revealed by the Commissions of Inquiry. Co-Cabinet Spokesman and Health and Indigenous Medicine Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said the decision to transfer the power of filing …

Continue reading ‘Cabinet Approves President Sirisena’s Proposal Empowering Bribery Commission(CIABOC) To File Cases Based On Findings of Presidential Commissions of Inquiry.’ »

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed a three-member panel to speed up investigations into high profile murders and other crimes during the previous regime after slow progress in the past three years. Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne, Rehabilitation Minister D. M. Swaminathan and Prisons State Minister Ajith Perera were named into a committee where four ministers failed …

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Appoints Committee Comprising Rajitha Senaratne,DM Swaminathan and Ajith Perera To Speed Up Investigations Into Alleged High -profile Crimes Committed during rajapaksa regime’ »

By Shehan Chamika Silva The Supreme Court today issued an Interim Order preventing the arrest of former Inspector General Jayantha Wickramaratne by the CID, over the ongoing Magisterial Inquiry into the killing of former Sunday Leader Editor late Lasantha Wickramatunge.

By C. A. Chanadraprema In a recent article titled “Yahapalana government as a hyper-debt regime”, Professor Milton Rajaratne of the University of Peradeniya has pointed out that even though the yahapalana government accuses the Rajapaksa government of having imposed an immense debt burden on the country, the present government too has borrowed ‘surprising amounts’ of …

Continue reading ‘Proposed Active Liability Management Bill Will Vest Individuals Who Gave Evidence Before Bond Scam Commission With Unrestricted Power to Borrow and Dispose of Over One TRILLION Rupees.’ »

By Kelum Bandara At yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have rebuffed the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and stressed the need for centralized decision-making on economic matters. The CCEM takes decisions on economic matters and meets every week.

By K. Ratnayake After more than a week of political wrangling, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe decided to continue the national unity government, in which Sirisena’s Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and Wickremesinghe’s United National Party (UNP) are partners. Speaking in parliament last Wednesday, Wickremesinghe declared “there is no reason …

Continue reading ‘Intervention by US and India Prevents Break-up of Govt and Compels Sirisena and Wickremesinghe To Continue With Fragile Coalition’ »

(Former Defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has issued a statement refuting a news report in the “Sunday Island” of February 25th 2018. The purported report in “The Island” newspaper was originally published in the “ECONOMY NEXT” Website. The same report appearing in ECONOMY NEXT was re-produced in this blog too under a different heading.As such the …

Continue reading ‘“I am in No Way Connected to the Murder of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge” States Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa:Issues Statement Dismissing Malicious Reports as Baseless and Without Foundation.’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka With the election result, the Yahapalana coalition Government is like a predator with a poison arrow embedded in its flesh, which has lurched into a quagmire. The end may be a long-drawn and painful process lasting 500 days, but it will neither exit the mire nor recover from the wound. While the …

Continue reading ‘UNP Is Currently Dominated By Politico-Economic Neoliberals Branded as “Toiyyas” who Trash Those In the Rajapaksa Camp as “Baiyyas”’ »

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has strongly opposed the enactment of ‘Active Liability Management Bill’ meant to bypass existing controls in respect of loans obtained from foreign and local sources. Former President Rajapaksa released the following statement headlined Yahapalana govt.’s irresponsible and destructive borrowing spree: “The government has introduced in Parliament the Active Liability Management Bill …

Continue reading ‘Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa Condemns “Yahapalana Govt’s Irresponsible and Destructive Borrowing Spree” and Strongly Opposes Enactment of “Active Liability Management Bill”’ »

(Ram Gopal Varma is an Indian film Director, Screenwriter and Producer, known for his works in Telugu Cinema, Bollywood, and television.Varma directed films across multiple genres, including parallel cinema and docudrama know n for their gritty realism and technical finesse, and craft/ Regarded as one of the pioneers of new age Indian Cinema,Varma garnered the …

Continue reading ‘“Maverick” Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma Writes With Frank Emotion about His Interaction with Actress Sridevi Whom he Describes as the “Goddess of Beauty”.’ »

By Barkha Dutt The sudden and mysterious death of Sridevi Kapoor, a Bollywood superstar beloved to millions of Indians and a rare actor who bridged the culture gap between the North and the South, is absolutely a valid news story. For my entire generation, Sridevi was a cult figure. She began acting at the age …

Continue reading ‘Indian Television Channels Diminish Journalism Standards To The Lowest Level In Provising Coverage of Popular Indian Actress Sridevi’s Death in Dubai’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene In the aftermath of Sri Lanka’s local government elections, a weary sense of resignation weighs heavier in the scales than lingering (if not hopeless) optimism. As President Maithripala Sirisena dons white and is back again to his accustomed role of preaching morality and the virtues of good living to the restive …

Continue reading ‘Who in this Cabinet Actually Commands Public Confidence? What is the Point of Changing Portfolios Among The Same Discredited Faces ?’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya The latest Cabinet reshuffle was a disappointment. Even some UNP parliamentarians have gone on record calling it a ‘joke’, others mutter the same in private. If anything at all, this is another proof of how indecisive President Maithripala Sirisena has become. He is being dragged here and there by his Maharaja advisers, …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena’s “Maharaja”Advisers and SLFP Heavyweights Prevented Sarath Fonseka’s Appointment as Law and Order Minister?’ »

By Sanja De Silva Jayatilleka The UNHRC’s High Level Segment is in session now, and is due to discuss Sri Lanka’s progress on the implementation of the Resolutions that this government eagerly co-sponsored in 2015 and 2017. The report of its progress is due to be presented later in the session, but one of the …

Continue reading ‘Is The 2015 Geneva Resolution The “Framework” For “Peacebuilding”?’ »

By Rathindra Kuruwita Chief Minister of Uva Province Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, who is facing a Human Rights Commission probe for allegedly making Badulla Tamil Girls’ School Principal, R. Bawani kneel before him, has sent her a letter of demand for tarnishing his reputation. In this letter the Chief Minister has demanded Bawani to pay him …

Continue reading ‘UVA Chief Minister Dassanayake Accused Of Allegedly Continuing Attempt to Intimidate Victimised Badulla Tamil Girls School Principal By Sending Letter of Demand For 500 Million Rupees.’ »

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe took the ministry of Law and Order in a bid to avoid an embarrassing hold up of the new cabinet as Sunday’s swearing-in was marred by President Maithripala Sirisena throwing a spanner in the works. Political sources close to both sides said that Sirisena at the last minute refused to give …

Continue reading ‘Maithripala Refuses At The Last Minute To Appoint Sarath Fonseka as Law and Order Minister So Ranil Whom President Did Not want As Prime Minister Becomes Law&Order Minister “Temporarily”.’ »

By Rathindra Kuruwita The much-awaited Cabinet reshuffle, which was to address the disagreements between the two coalition partners of the unity government and adverse public opinion on its progress, has come under fire in some quarters. The mini reshuffle also took place behind closed doors. It was the first time journalists were not invited to …

Continue reading ‘Foreign Affairs State Minister Wasantha Senanayake Lashes Out at Cabinet Mini-reshuffle as a “Joke” and “Comedy” and says that it has made the Govt a “Laughing Stock” of the People.’ »

Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena has sworn in new ministers from the United National Party with changes from his United People’s Freedom Alliance promised later. Minister Ranil Wickremesighe is the law and order minister, and Kabir Hashim as minister of highways. “I congratulate the newly appointed Cabinet, State and Deputy Ministers,” President Sirisena said in …

Continue reading ‘Mini – Reshuffle of UNP Ministers Undertaken in First Phase; Re-shuffle of UPFA/SLFP and Non-UNP Ministers Will Take Place In Other Phases.’ »

Six Cabinet ministers, three state ministers and one deputy minister were sworn in before the President yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat in the long awaited Cabinet reshuffle. Although there were expectations that there would be drastic changes in the Cabinet, during the reshuffle after a disastrous local council election for the government, the only major …

Continue reading ‘Six Cabinet Ministers,Three State Ministers and One Deputy Minister Sworn In Before President Sirisena in First Phase Of Cabinet Re-shuffle.’ »

Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena has sworn in new ministers with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesighe as law and order minister, and Kabir Hashim as minister of highways.

An actor who has enthralled audiences across India, a talent powerhouse and one of India’s first female superstars, actor Sridevi passed away on Saturday night. The 54-year old actor died in Dubai following a massive cardiac arrest. Her death was confirmed by her brother-in-law Sanjay Kapoor to the Indian Express. Sridevi, her husband Boney Kapoor …

Continue reading ‘Indian Cinema’s “Superstar” Heroine Sridevi (54) Passes Away In Dubai Following a Massive Heart Attack’ »

The suspense for Sri Lankans, kept in the dark for two weeks over the political crisis triggered by results of the local polls, will end today (Feb 25th). The Presidential Secretariat on Friday informed new ministers to be present at a swearing-in ceremony at 11 this morning (Sunday Feb 25th). The move signals the continuation …

Continue reading ‘Agreement Reached Finally on Cabinet Re-shuffle After President Rejects Three Different Lists of Cabinet Changes Submitted by Prime Minister; Maithripala Rejects Ranil’sProposal to Appoint Sarath Fonseka as Law and Order Minister.’ »

(Excerpted From “Sunday Times”Political Column) On the subject of a ‘major’ cabinet reshuffle, which President Sirisena sought, there were delays with some candidates for portfolios not getting his approval. The process has not been without dramas. One was when Minister Malik Samarawickrema met Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiuddin at ‘Temple Trees’ to tell him that Sirisena …

Continue reading ‘“Ai Ek Ekkanawa Maath Ekka Kotawanney” (why are you pitting others against me?): President Sirisena Reprimands Malik Samarawickrema For Lying and Trying To Instigate Rishad Bathiuddin .’ »

The arrest of a retired senior Deputy Inspector-General has revealed how the police scuttled its own investigations to protect military intelligence men who carried out the assassination of editor Lasantha Wickrematunge. Senior DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara who is currently in remand custody has allegedly instructed his juniors to not only botch the investigation, but also destroy …

Continue reading ‘“Sunday Leader”Editor Lasantha Wickrematunga was Assassinated By Military Intelligence Operatives: Police Top Brass Suppressed and Destroyed Evidence Incriminating Army; Details Emerge Via Disclosures made By Ex DIG and EX SSP.’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake A fortnight of jiggery-pokery in politics has now led to big talk about a Cabinet reshuffle. Can any shuffling of this set of politically crooked persons engaged in bad government bring anything good for the people? The two weeks of a power struggle within a hugely skewed team in government, and the …

Continue reading ‘Can a Re-shuffle of Politically Crooked Persons Engaged In Bad Govt Bring Benefits To The People?’ »

by Shamindra Ferdinando The government has, under heavy pressure from the UK, carried out its decision to recall Sri Lanka’s military attache in London, Brig. Prinyanka Fernando, despite a presidential intervention. When the government announced its decision to recall the brigadier, following an incident where he allegedly made a throat slitting gesture in front of …

Continue reading ‘LTTE Supporters In UK Succeed In Getting Britain To Pressures Sri Lanka Into Recalling Defence Attache Brigadier Priyanka Fernando From London.’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka I was born at a particular moment, 1956, into a center-left familial universe and culture. In 1956, Mervyn, aged 26, was introduced to SWRD Bandaranaike by his senior at university, Nimal Karunatilleke, a former Communist who had joined the MEP, the winning coalition of 1956, and whose victory in Matale, beating the …

Continue reading ‘Sirisena-led SLFP Must Establish New Relationship With Mahinda Rajapaksa By Recognizing Him as The Pre-eminent Leader of the Anti-UNP Forces.’ »

By Sanja De Silva Jayatilleka The UN Human Rights Council’s first sessions for the year, also known as the ‘High Level Segment’ on account of the participation of high level delegates such as Ministers and even heads of states, is due to commence in a few days, on the 26th of February and will continue …

Continue reading ‘Govt Must Counter Adverse Allegations Made Against Sri Lanka at UNHRC Sessions Through UN Affiliated NGO Reports That Are Heavily Influenced By Pro-LTTE Diaspora Organizations.’ »

Former IGP Jayantha Wickremaratne is facing imminent arrest for concealing evidence in relation to the murder of Lasantha Wicrkremagtunga. The investigation teams have now established that the evidence of the murder had been destroyed under instructions of some top Police officers. It is learnt that former DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara and former SSP Hemantha Adhikari have …

Continue reading ‘Former Inspector -General of Police Jayantha Wickremaratne Faces Imminent Arrest For Alleged Concealment of Evidence in the Lasantha Wickrematunga Murder Case’ »

Sri Lanka’s Finance ministry is set to be restructured as part of the major shakeup in the government following its humiliating local council election defeat two weeks ago, official sources said Thursday. State-owned banks, insurance and the central bank will be brought back under the Finance ministry, the sources said adding that the media portfolio …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe Reach Agreement on Strengthening Finance Ministry Under Mangala Samaraweera and Appointing Sarath Fonseka as Law and Order Minister; Fate of SLFP Ministers Susil Premajayantha, Dayasiri Jayasekara and Chandimal Weerakkody Uncertain in Cabinet Re-shuffle’ »

Former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake is lobbying hard for a Cabinet portfolio at the reshuffle, sources within the UNP said. Karunanayake had to step down from his position in the wake of the Treasury Bonds fiasco. The Presidential Commission into the Treasury Bonds Commission recommended criminal action against Karunanayake and the UNP internal committee appointed …

Continue reading ‘Ravi Karunanayake Lobbying Hard To Get Minister Post in Cabinet Re-shuffle but President Sirisena Firm About Taking Action Against Ex-Finance Minister.’ »

Sri Lanka’s Prime minister and his junior coalition partner made separate statements in parliament Wednesday pledging to uphold their uneasy National government amid opposition questioning the arrangement. Ranil Wickremesinghe said the status quo was being maintained while the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) general secretary Mahinda Amaraweera seconded the Premier’s statement. The two formal statements …

Continue reading ‘UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and UPFA Gen -Secy Mahinda Amaraweera Re-iterate in Parliament that the National Coalition Govt Will Continue To Function Unitedly.’ »

by Zacki Jabbar Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday that for the first time in the history of election campaigns in this country, members of the same government had publicly criticised each other, having forgotten the principle of collective responsibility. Addressing the post-cabinet press briefing at the Information Department, Senaratne said one of the main …

Continue reading ‘Members of the Same Govt Criticised Each Other During an Election Campaign For the First Time In Sri Lankan History Says Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne’ »

In a rare acknowledgement of failure in its screening process, the United Nations has stopped a Sri Lankan military commander from going for a peacekeeping mission in the middle east. Up until several rights watchdogs and Tamil organisations wrote to the head of UN peacekeeping urging to stop Lieutenant Colonel Rathnappuli Wasantha Kumara Hewage, he …

Continue reading ‘UN Stops Lt.Col R. Wasantha Kumara Hewage From Leading 12th Force Protection Company In UN Peacekeeping Mission To Lebanon(UNIFIL) Pending Review of Alleged Human Rights Violations Committed In Kiinochchi and Puthukkudiyiruppu During War Against LTTE’ »

The power struggle between President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe ended with both being badly bruised, but the acrimony also exposed the failure of their long-term political strategies. The run-up to the February 10 local government elections deepened the differences within the uneasy coalition and saw Sirisena declaring that his government was more …

Continue reading ‘“Gotabhaya Protection Strategy”(GPS) of Ranil and Maithripala Fails at Local Govt Poll With Both UNP and SLFP Getting Politically Defeated.’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya Sri Lankan politics is cheap. The depth of that cheapness is proof in the two stark choices that the people have now been given. One is the return of the old regime with all its nastiness. Forty four per cent of the voters had chosen that. And the other is to continue …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Cannot Politically Survive Without Feeding into Xenophobia and Sinhala Buddhist Ultra-nationalism.’ »

By Colonel R Hariharan After Mahinda Rajapaksa’s fledgling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) handed out a shocking defeat to both the UNP and the SLFP in the Local Government (LG) elections, the three-way political power game has become more complex than before. A gloating Rajapaksa, past master in political manoeuvring, is demanding fresh elections after …

Continue reading ‘Time has come for Maithripala and Ranil To Do a “Doodh ka doodh aur pani ka pani” (making things crystal clear) About Alleged Crimes Of the Rajapaksas’ »

(Full Text of Speech made in Parliament on February 19th 2018 by Leader of the Opposition and Tamil National Alliance(TNA) Parliamentary Group Leader Rajavarothayam Sampanthan) 19.02.2018/4.36 p.m. – 4.48 p.m. / ගරු රාජවරෝදියම් සම්පන්දන් මහතා (විරුද්ධ පාර්ශ්වයේ නායකතුමා) (மாண்புமிகு ராஜவரோதயம் சம்பந்தன் – எதிர்க்கட்சி முதல்வர்) (The Hon. Rajavarothiam Sampanthan – Leader of the Opposition) Thank you, …

Continue reading ‘Opposition Leader Sampanthan Castigates and Exposes in Parliament the Malicious, Vicious and Fallacious False ropaganda of Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna During Polls’ »

By Saman Indrajith Parliament sittings were limited to about 40 minutes yesterday as the House decided to postpone indefinitely the debate on the Bond Commission and PRECIFAC reports due to non-availability of English or Tamil translations of the PRECIFAC report. The decision was taken after TNA Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran brought to the notice of the …

Continue reading ‘Parliament Debate on Inquiry Commission Reports Postponed Indefinitely Following Sumanthiran MP Raising Issue About PRECIFAC Report Being Available only in Sinhala and Not in Tamil or English.’ »

The mystery surrounding the missing report of the Presidential Commission that inquired into the death of former minister and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress founder M.H.M. Ashraff has taken a new turn, with the the commission secretary saying he handed over a copy to the National Archives. In a statement to the Right to Information Commission, …

Continue reading ‘Mystery Surrounding “Missing” Presidential Inquiry Commission Report Into Death of SLMC Leaer MHM Ashraff Takes New Turn.’ »

By Dr.Reeza Hameed The President cannot remove the PM Following the large gains made at the local government elections at the expense of the UNP and SLFP by the Mahinda Rajapaksa led SLPP, the pro-Mahinda Rajapaksa opposition has been calling for the resignation of the Prime Minister on the basis of the spurious claim that …

Continue reading ‘Changes Brought About by the 19th Constitutional Amendment are Designed to Free Parliament and the Prime Minister from Subservience to the President.’ »

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena’s party on Monday aborted its move to topple Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, but vowed to press for a major reform of the unity government’s cabinet. Sirisena’s spokesman and minister S. B. Dissanayake said the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and its United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) decided to remain in …

Continue reading ‘Maithripala Fails in Treacherous Bid to Topple Ranil By Conspiring With Dayasiri Jayasekera After Entering Karu Jayasuriya Brokered Peace Deal Earlier With Prime Minister.’ »

By Dharisha Bastians President Maithripala Sirisena’s Sri Lanka Freedom Party announced it would remain in the ruling national unity coalition yesterday, ending a week of political uncertainty and abruptly ending its campaign to oust Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, although some members warned the ‘ceasefire’ was temporary. After lengthy discussions with President Sirisena at the Presidential …

Continue reading ‘Maithripala and SLFP/UPFA in Tactical Retreat After Failing To Get Enough MP Support to Oust Ranil as PM; Will Remain in Govt and Continue Efforts to Undermine PM.’ »

By Pani Wijesiriwardena The US ambassador to Sri Lanka and his Indian counterpart this week publicly stepped in to halt a planned breakup of the National Unity Government headed by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe after its heavy losses at local council elections held on February 10. The Sri Lanka Podu Jana …

Continue reading ‘Washington and New Delhi “Intervene” To Prevent Imminent Collapse of Sirisena-Wickremesinghe Govt and Possible Return of Rajapaksas to Power’ »

Former President and MP Mahinda Rajapaksa today said it was none other than President Maithripala Sirisena who keeps Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in his post without ousting him. The former president said this in response to a question asked by a journalist when he was leaving Parliament. When asked his opinion about President Sirisena seeking …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Now Chides Maithripala Sirisena For Keeping Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister Without Ousting PM from his Post.’ »

by Zacki Jabbar Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says a proper analysis of the recent local government election results would reveal that the UNP remains the “single strongest party” in the country. Admitting that the UNP had suffered a setback at the February 10 polls, mainly due to the cost of living, Wickremesinghe said yesterday that …

Continue reading ‘Proper Analysis of Local Govt Poll Results Will Reveal tat the UNP Remains the “Single Strongest Party” in Sri Lanka States Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’ »

The relevant authorities should intervene to stop acts of post election violence in the country since Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP) supporters have come on to the streets after their victory to destroy cut outs of government party candidates and threaten and even assault people who supported United National Front candidates, Megapolis and Western …

Continue reading ‘Violence Unleashed Against UNF Supporter by SLPP Supporters After Polls Victory is an Indication of the Mayhem That Would Set in if Podu Jana Peramuna Formed A Govt Points out Cabinet Minister Champika Ranawaka.’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka “Who will make the Revolution? The people, with or without the Communist party!’ –Fidel Castro Who will defeat the UNP? The people, with or without the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. That was proved at the Local Government election and will be proved at every forthcoming election up to and including next year’s …

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Wickremesinghe Scored a Tactical Victory in the Power Struggle With President Sirisena in Terrain That was Favourable to President Sirisena’ »

By Skandha Gunasekara Emphasising the need to find a lasting solution to the national problem, the Leader of the Opposition yesterday condemned former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, for inciting racial disharmony during the run-up to the recently concluded Local Government elections. “During the early stage of their campaign, Mahinda Rajapaksa said that Tamil Eelam was blooming …

Continue reading ‘“Eelam Will Bloom Out Of Your Lotus Bud, if You Continue This Way” – Opposition Leader Sampanthan Chastises Mahinda Rajapaksa for Playing The Racial Card During SLPP Polls Campaign’ »

By Rathindra Kuruwita Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP) candidates and their supporters were systematically attacking and intimidating United National Party (UNP) supporters and state officials, JHU Media Spokesperson Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe alleged adding that UNP MPs should go to their electorates immediately to protect them. “We have received a significant amount of complaints of attacks …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Podu Jana Party Candidates and Supporters Systematically Intimidating and Attacking UNP Supporters,State Officials and Trade Unonists After Local Polls Victory Alleges JHU Spokesperson Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe’ »

By Dharisha Bastians Speaker Karu Jayasuriya launched last-ditch effort to save the beleaguered ruling national unity coalition yesterday, the SLFP continued to play hardball by threatening to quit the alliance as a crippling political crisis precipitated by stinging defeat for both main parties in the government entered its eighth day. After a relatively quiet weekend, …

Continue reading ‘Speaker Karu Jayasuriya Tries To Resolve Coalition Govt Crisis By Taking Prime Minister Wickremesinghe for One -hour Meeting with President sirisena at Paget Rd Residence’ »

By Kelum Bandara The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) has informed President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday night that it would quit the national unity government, a party official said. UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera sent a letter in this regard to the President. The unity government was formed between the UPFA and the United National …

Continue reading ‘United Peoples Freedom Alliance Gen Secy Mahinda Amaraweera Sends Letter to President Sirisena Informing him that UPFA is Quitting the Coalition Govt’ »

By Nalaka Sanjeewa Dahanayaka SLFP National Organizer Minister Susil Premajayantha has informed former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday (16) that unless the President takes steps to form a government sans members of the UNP by the end of the week, 15 SLFP ministers and parliamentarians including himself would be willing to join the joint opposition.

By Yohan Perera Documents pertaining to payments made by Mendis Distilleries owned by Arjun Aloysious to a set of MPs from government and opposition has been recovered and are being held by President Maithripala Sirisena,Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake said yesterday. Mr Ramanayake told journalists that Aloysious had made payments to the MPs in cheques.

By Kelum Bandara A Cabinet reshuffle is set to take place on Wednesday (21) as a fore-runner to a new government headed by the United National Party (UNP), it is learnt. The decision was taken after a meeting that took place on Sunday (18) between President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Speaker Karu …

Continue reading ‘New Govt Under Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe With Re-shuffled Cabinet Ministers From UNP and one Faction of SLFP Likely To Be Formed on Feb 21st’ »

President Maithripala Sirisena’s attempt to speak with Mahinda Rajapaksa on the telephone and discuss current political issues ended in failure as the Former President had not come to the phone to talk because he was engaged in an important matter. This had happened on Thursday February 15th 2018. However Mahinda Rajapaksa who was too busy …

Continue reading ‘Maithripala Sirisena Tries To Talk To Mahinda Rajapaksa But Namal Rajapaksa Tells President That His Father Cant Come to the Telephone Because the Ex- President was Busy on an Important Matter.’ »

United National Party (UNP) stalwarts were shocked when two of its prominent MP’s demanded that party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe step down as Prime Minister following the poor performance of the party at the recent local govt elections The Two MP’s who urged Ranil Wickremesinghe to step dow as prime minister were Colombo District MP Dr. …

Continue reading ‘Harsha de Silva and Vasantha Senanayake “Shock” UNP By Demanding That Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe Step Down as Prime Minister’ »

Six Senior Ministers of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party(SLFP) have asked President Sirisena to ask Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to Step Down as they were not willing to serve under him. The SLFP Ministers have also criticised Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake for allegedly suppressing high level investigations against the Rajapaksa family and associates …

Continue reading ‘Six Senior SLFP Ministers Want President Sirisena to Ask Ranil Wickremesinghe to Step Down as Prime Minister Because they are no Longer Willing to Serve Under Him’ »

A last ditch attempt by President Maithripala Sirisena to oust Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has failed due to a constitutional hurdle and more significantly the lack of parliamentary support, sources close to both sides said. President Sirisena had agreed to continue working with Wickremesinghe, but had a sudden change of heart on Thursday after meeting …

Continue reading ‘Last Ditch Attempt By President Sirisena To Oust Prime Minister Wickremesinghe Fails Due To Lack Of Parliamentary Support and Constitutional Hurdles.’ »

by C.A.Chandraprema To say that the resounding electoral defeat of the governing coalition at the recent local government elections has set the cat among the canaries is an understatement. Up to the point when this article goes to press, the political aftershocks of the pohottuwa tsunami of February 10 continues with no end in sight. …

Continue reading ‘Maithripala Sirisena Demonstrates he Is Devoid of Principles or Scruples By Betraying Mahinda Rajapaksa Earlier and Ranil Wickremesinghe Now.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Those who are bewildered by the results of Sri Lanka’s local government elections a week ago need a harsh reality check if not a resounding knock to the head. Massive public discomfiture For it must be said that the rude punishment dealt by the electorate to the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe coalition government was …

Continue reading ‘Rude Punishment Dealt By The Electorate To The Sirisena -Wickremesinghe Coalition Govt Was Entirely Predictable’ »

By Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu It is a February to remember and for the Government, one it would like to forget. The victorious populist backlash led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a Local Government election has put into serious question the political fortunes of the government, its constituent parties and their leadership to the extent …

Continue reading ‘There is no Parliamentary Tradition of a Prime Minister and/or Government Resigning on Account of a Defeat, However Stinging, at a Local Government Election.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan With a banner sporting a picture of Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) founder S.J.V. Chelvanayakam in the background, senior Tamil leader R. Sampanthan made a fervent appeal in an election rally in Jaffna. “Unity”, he said, “is the only weapon we have now.” Days ahead of Sri Lanka’s February 10 local government …

Continue reading ‘“We Tamils Have Lost Many Opportunities In The Past, We Can’t Afford To Lose One More.” -Rajavarothayam Sampanthan’ »

By Sanajana Hattotuwa Since results of last weekend’s local government election were released, Hindu kovils were vandalised in Mannar, Muslims were subject to violence in Veyangalla and Uguraspitiya and an ebullient Mahinda Rajapaksa has commanded the media gaze. Much to unpack here. The election result itself is an indication of many things that were foretold …

Continue reading ‘Fear of a Rajapaksa Resurgence will most likely Result in Pandering to the Fears of Southern Polity and Society Instead of Crafting Public Opinion and Mature Political Leadership is Not Racist, Rreductionist or Retrogressive.’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka Most of the discussion of today’s crisis is from the perspective of a lawyer. Mine is not a legalist point of view. It is a political science view, or even more simply a political view of the problem. I belong to the Realist school of Politics, and it is a Realist perspective, …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena As Minister of Defence and Head of Armed Forces -and not Prime Minister Wickremesinghe – Wields Constitutional Legal Monopoly of Violence’ »

By J. Natasha Gooneratne Does the international community’s silence during the rule of Yahapalanya mean Sri Lanka is finally on the ‘right’ path, or that we’re finally doing what we’re told to do. From 2009 to 2014, Sri Lanka was so heavily featured in international news and foreign government feeds that it was impossible to …

Continue reading ‘“Yahapalanaya”and the Conspicuous Silence of the Once Vociferous International Community’ »

By Dharisha Bastians Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe radiated a ‘business as usual’ attitude yesterday as he announced that he would continue in office, and brushed off a week of political uncertainty and chaos as the difficulties of ‘coalition politics’ in his first public comments since his party was defeated in Local Government elections last Saturday. …

Continue reading ‘Constitution Says Prime Minister Can Be Removed Only Through No-Confidence Motion; “We have The Majority To Face That In Parliament” Says Confident Ranil Wickremesinghe’ »

Sri Lanka’s beleaguered Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe went before a hostile press Friday, his first public appearance after the local government elections, and accepted responsibility for the drubbing. Wickremesinghe fielded questions from journalists while demonstrating unusual calm and composure. He answered the incisive and embarrassing questions without rancour and he even managed to raise a …

Continue reading ‘Beleaguered Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe Remains Calm and Composed Before Hostile Press and Accepts Responsibility For Election Defeat.’ »

By Camelia Nathaniel Former Mt. Lavinia Police Crimes OIC, SI Tissa Sugathapala and retired Senior DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara arrested by the CID over the killing of veteran journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge have agreed to testify as state witnesses, the CID said. Kalubowila JMO Dr. Sunil Kumara who issued Lasantha’s autopsy report stated that the cause of …

Continue reading ‘Ex- Mt.Lavinia Police Crimes OIC Tissa Sugathapala and Retd Senior DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara Will Testify as State Witnesses in Lasantha Wickrematunga Murder Case Disclose CID’ »

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, on Friday, broke days of silence and said he would continue as the Prime Minister of the country according to the Sri Lankan constitution. Speaking to reporters in Colombo, Wickremesinghe said he had no issues in continuing the unity government and said they would continue their work as before. …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Telephones Ranil to Ask Whether he is Resigning as PM; When Ranil Replies in the Negative, Mahinda Replies “That Is Good”’ »

By Dharisha Bastians As frantic efforts continued to keep the crisis-gripped National Unity Government together, Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayaka, a close ally of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, took the fall and announced his resignation yesterday. On his official Facebook page, Minister Ratnayaka announced that he had informed the UNP parliamentary group last morning …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Causes Stir By Announcing “We are Ready to Govern With The SLFP” While Maithripala and Ranil Engage in Another Round Of Midnight Talks To Resolve Crisis’ »

By Chathuri Dissanayake The National Unity Government will continue despite the deep crisis it has been plunged into but with major changes to the Cabinet composition, Cabinet Spokesperson Rajitha Senaratne assured yesterday. With his Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Cabinet colleague and Co-spokesperson Dayasiri Jayasekara staying away from the cameras yesterday, Senaratne put on a …

Continue reading ‘UNP-SLFP Coalition Govt Will Continue With a Cabinet Re-shuffle and Ranil Wickremesinghe Remaining as Prime Minister’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando Civil Society grouping Purawesi Balaya yesterday called for far reaching Cabinet reshuffle, including the immediate appointment of war winning Army Chief Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka as Law and Order Minister, to bring long delayed high profile investigations against the previous regime to a successful conclusion. Yahapalana proponent Ven. Dambara Amila Thera declared …

Continue reading ‘Ven Dambara Amila Thera of “Purawesi Balaya” Urges President ad Prime Minister To Appoint Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka as Law and Order Minister and Bring CID ,FCID and all Law Enforcement Agencies Under the Ex – Army Chief.’ »

By Ameen Izzadeen The just ended local council elections remind students of politics of an age-old adage: Politics is a continuous and ruthless struggle for power. Those who understand this often grab political power and stay on in power. Even if they lose, they continue their struggle to undermine the government with the intention of …

Continue reading ‘Power Politics and the Pursuit of Political Power: Difference Between Political Realist Mahinda Rajapaksa and Political Idealist Ranil Wickremesinghe’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka The Southern electoral tsunami and the consequent governmental crisis has understandably obscured from view, important new trends in Northern politics. These trends not only speak well of the Tamil people but open up the possibility of serious negotiations at a future date with a political front that represents the South far more …

Continue reading ‘Northern Poll Results Bring Back Douglas Devananda as a Player In Tamil Politics: TMVP of Pillaiyan Impresses In East’ »

Sri Lanka’s embattled coalition survived the most serious threat to its survival so far after a last ditch compromise Thursday that saw Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s authority reduced substantially. Coalition leaders blamed their downfall on Wickremesinghe’s Royal College cabal, including premier’s blue-eyed boy Sagala Ratnayaka, the minister of Law and Order, who is accused of …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Blue -eyed Boy Sagala Ratnayake Ready To Voluntarily Step Down as Law and Order Minister ; Some Ministers Want Sarath Fonseka Appointed In His Place To “Target” Rajapaksas.’ »

In an effort to assert his power over coalition partner United National Party (UNP) led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka’s President and chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Maithripala Sirisena, on Thursday appointed Muttu Sivaligam of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) as Deputy Minister of Primary Industries. The Cabinet Minister of …

Continue reading ‘Appointment of Muttu Sivalingam MP as Deputy -Minister of Primary Industries Brings Ceylon Workers Congress Into Sirisena-Wickremesinghe Govt for First Time.’ »

By Jayadeva Uyangoda (Jayadeva Uyangoda is Professor Emeritus at the University of Colombo) Sri Lanka’s local government election held on February 10 has become more than a mid-term poll that usually helps the opposition. Rather, it has led to an immediate political crisis of sorts, threatening the stability of the present government. While the disunited …

Continue reading ‘The Political Crisis in Sri Lanka Is Likely To End in a Re- Configuration of Coalition Forces’ »

By Dharisha Bastians Even as both the UNP and SLFP engaged in major political grandstanding that cast serious doubt on the fate of the Unity Government, President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met again for late night talks yesterday.

By Dharisha Bastians In a tit-for-tat move, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP)-led UPFA threatened to oust Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and form its own Government, under the premiership of senior party man and current Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva yesterday, as the ruling coalition plunged deeper into crisis and disarray. …

Continue reading ‘Angered By UNP Threat to Govern Independently,President Sirisena Orders SLFP Ministers To Obtain a “Majority” in Parliament Under Nimal Siripala de Silva’s Leadership within Two days’ »

UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera and National Organizer Susil Premajayantha have requested President Maithripala Sirisena to form aUPFA-led government, claiming they can show a majority support in the 225 member legislature. The letter has been sent to the President amidst their negotiations with the Joint Opposition group to form a new coalition in Parliament. It …

Continue reading ‘Desperate To Get Rid of Wickremesinghe President Sirisena Embarks on Path of Self -Destruction Paving The Way For Mahinda Rajapaksa To Return to Power.’ »

The SLFP is looking into the possibility of forming a new government with the party’s Senior Vice Chairman Nimal Siripala de Silva as the Prime Minister, a Cabinet minister representing the SLFP told reporters, a short while ago. He said the party would hold discussions with the Joint Opposition, the UNP and minority parties in …

Continue reading ‘So Called Moves to Form a SLFP Led Govt With Nimal Siripala de Silva as PM Could Be “Troll Campaign” To Divert Focus Away from Party’s Humiliating Defeat at Polls.’ »

Sri Lanka President’s United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) which was decimated at recent local election has said it wants to topple Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and form a new administration. UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera told reporters Wednesday that he wrote Sirisena claiming that they had a majority in the 225-member assembly to form a …

Continue reading ‘Although Decimated in Local Polls the UPFA Wants to Topple Ranil Wickremesinghe As Prime Minister Claiming it has MP’s to form Majority.’ »

By Camelia Nathaniel Retired Senior DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on Tuesday, for allegedly concealing evidence in the murder of former Sunday Leader Chief Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge. Nanayakkara was the Senior DIG in charge of the Western Province at the time of Wickrematunge’s murder with Mount Lavinia coming under …

Continue reading ‘Retd Senior DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara Arrested by CID For Allegedly Concealing Evidence In Lasantha Wickrematunga Murder Investigation While in Charge of Western Province;Remanded Till Feb 16th.’ »

By Disna Mudalige UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera and SLFP National Organizer Susil Premajayantha yesterday, made a written request from President Maithripala Sirisena to form a UPFA led Government. Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala told the media that the UPFA/SLFP members requested in the letter to appoint a new Prime Minister, who can win the majority …

Continue reading ‘UPFA and SLFP Want President Sirisena to Form New UPFA Led Govt With Nimal Siripala de Silva As Prime Minister’ »

By Chitra Weerarathne The Court of Appeal, yesterday extended till Feb. 28, the restraining order which prevented the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) and the police from taking steps to arrest, under Offences to the Public Property Act, Former Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, in respect of the construction of the D. A. Rajapaksa Memorial at …

Continue reading ‘Court of Appeal Extends Till Feb 28th the Restraiing Order Preventing Arrest of Ex -Def Secy Gotabhaya Rajapaksa By the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division.’ »

By S.S.Selvanayagam Court of Appeal yesterday further extended the Interim Order till 28 February, preventing the FCID from acting on the Certificate (B Report) under the offences against the Public Property Act in the Magistrate’s Court against former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya. The Bench comprised Justices P. Padman Surasena (President/CA) and Shiran Gooneratne and the matter …

Continue reading ‘Counsel Romesh de Silva Pleads In Court That FCID Could Investigate and File Charges Against Gotabhaya Rajapaksa Under PPA If Necessary But Should Refrain From Arresting and Remanding Ex -Def -Secy Under B Report Certificate’ »

By Sanja De Silva Jayatilleka I am sorry, but I just don’t get it. I thought what we had was a local government election, specifically for the purpose of deciding which parties assumed control of those local, grassroots, area-based institutions depending on the number members elected. The electoral results shown on the map of Sri …

Continue reading ‘If the “Pohottuwa”Can Be Defeated By Re-forming the “Rainbow ” Coalition, then the Govt Should Be Able to Prove it By Holding Parliament Elections Immediately.’ »

(Text of a MEDIA RELEASE Issued by Sri Lanka Podu Jana Party Chairman Prof.G.L.Peiris under the heading ” Another attempt to mislead the Muslim people of Sri Lanka”) Following the Sri Lanka PodujanaPeramuna’s resounding victory at the local government elections, a rumor began circulating in the social media that the BoduBalaSena had made facebook posts …

Continue reading ‘Prof G.L.Peiris Wants “Yahapalana” Govt to Appoint Commissions of Inquiry Into Anti-Muslim Incidents and Their Backgrounds in Aluthgama and Gintota.’ »

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe turned tables on dissidents within his own party and managed to head off a challenge to his leadership after the party’s humiliating defeat at local council elections. More than a dozen dissidents went into his Temple Trees official residence to read the riot act to Wickremesinghe, but meekly walked out saying …

Continue reading ‘Crisis-managing Ranil Wickremesinghe Gets all UNP Parliamentarians Including Over a Dozen “Dissidents” To Sign Letters of Support for UNP Leader to Continue as Prime Minister and Presents “Fait Accompli” to President Sirisena’ »

By Dharisha Bastians The enactment of the historic 19th Amendment continues to have profound relevance on the options open to President Maithripala Sirisena as crisis deepens in the ruling coalition, with legal experts warning that a 2003 style take-over of ministries by the President or the unilateral sacking of the Prime Minister feared by many …

Continue reading ‘19th Constitutional Amendment Prevents President Sirisena From Unilaterally Sacking Ranil Wickremesinghe As Prime Minister or Arbitrarily Take Over a Cabinet Minister’s Portfolio.’ »

US Ambassador Athul Keshap and Indian High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandu have met President Maithripala Sirisena in an attempt to diffuse the current political crisis in Sri Lanka. The top diplomats, in two separate meetings, have informed President Sirisena to find a speedy solution to the current issue, without jeopardizing the political stability in Sri …

Continue reading ‘US Ambassador Athul Keshap and Indian High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu Meet “Confused” Maithripala Sirisena To “Persuade” the President to Reach an Agreement With Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and End the Current Coalition Govt Crisis’ »

The two main members of the ruling coalition in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) led by President Maihripala Sirisena, and the United National Party (UNP) led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, have decided to form a committee to go into the question of running the government in the light of their crushing …

Continue reading ‘Joint UNP-SLFP Committee Will Be Set Up To Submit Report In Three Days on the Current Coalition Govt Crisis and Propose Alternative Measures’ »

By Dharisha Bastians and Chathuri Dissanayake Efforts to break a deadlock on the political future of Sri Lanka’s ruling coalition continued yesterday, with a second round of late night talks for all UNP Cabinet ministers at President Maithripala Sirisena’s official residence at Paget Road last night. The meeting ended inconclusively, but ministers present said the …

Continue reading ‘Karu Jayasuriya and Sajith Premadasa Reject President Sirisena’s Offers to Make One of Them Replace Ranil Wickremesinghe As Prime Minister Saying They Cannot Act Without Party Approval.’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka We are living in a new country. We just need the Government to catch up with that fact. Mahinda Rajapaksa led a political formation that has emerged as the largest single party in the country, comfortably displacing the UNP. He did so while neither having a share of governmental power nor the …

Continue reading ‘The 2018 Local Govt Poll Result was a Full-spectrum Rejection of the Policies, Practices and Profile of the Government; A Massive Populist Backlash Against Neo-liberal Globalism.’ »

The UNP Parliamentary group which met at Temple Trees unanimously agreed to form a UNP government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesimghe. “If the SLFP doesn’t like the idea, they can pull out of the government. If the President doesn’t like the PM, he can step down too. But, the UNP is proceeding …

Continue reading ‘UNP Parliamentary Group Closes Ranks and Resolves Unanimously To Form a New Government Under Leadership Of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.’ »

President Maithripala Sirisena, who is currently under severe political pressure after the SLFP’s dismal performance at the Local Government polls, is now pushing for the resignation of Primr Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, authoritative political sources confirmed. The President, Asian Mirror learns, has agreed to form a UNP government without Prime Minister Wickremesinghe. He had informed a …

Continue reading ‘Sirisena Wants Wickremesinghe To Resign But Prime Minister Refuses Saying He has Parliamentary Majority;Enraged UNP Minister Wants President to Step Down Instead of Asking Ranil To Quit’ »

The majority of Central Committee members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) have endorsed the decision to pull out of the unity government. The matter has been widely discussed among the party officials today. They have unanimously decided that the SLFP cannot function in its present form as a coalition partner of the unity …

Continue reading ‘Majority of SLFP Central Committee Members Decide to Pull Out of Coalition Govt and Sit as Opposition MP’s In Parliament From Next Week.’ »

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is under renewed pressure to step down from the leadership of his United National Party (UNP) after its dismal performance at local council elections. UNP seniors said they wanted Wickremesinghe to step aside to clear the way for a major restructuring of the party after Saturday’s drubbing at the local government …

Continue reading ‘Pressure Mounts On Ranil Wickremesinghe To Step Down as Party Leader Along With His “FRCS (Former Royal College Student) Cabal” Said To Be Ruining The UNP’ »

A crucial meeting between Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and his alliance partner, the United National Party (UNP)-led United National Front (UNF), which is taking place here on Tuesday, appears to be deadlocked over the issue, who should be Prime Minister in the planned reshuffle. Following the crushing defeat of the coalition partners Sri Lanka …

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Asks UNP to Replace Ranil Wickremesinghe With Karu Jayasuriya as Prime Minister but UNP Wants to Form Own Govt Under Ranil’ »

By Gehan Gunatilleke Few would have predicted the results of Sri Lanka’s local government elections in 2018. With the benefit of hindsight, we must now try to understand what happened and why. There are three lessons to be learnt from the results – one lesson for voters, one for the coalition Government, and one for …

Continue reading ‘Three Lessons From Local Govt Poll Verdict:One For The Voters,One For The Coalition Govt and One For Mahinda Rajapaksa’ »

By Outsider This was after all only a local government election, primarily to pick who will look after and nurture each ward, under the watchful eye of the local PS, UC, or MC, although pre/post-elections generated much political heat. Newspapers have concentrated mostly on victories of Pradeshiya Sabhas, mostly ignoring MCs. Municipality Areas (MCs) are …

Continue reading ‘Govt Must Not Panic Due To LG Poll Result and Over React in Gloom and Doom Because UNP & SLFP/UPFA Votes Together Are More Than Votes Garnered By Mahinda’s SLPP.’ »

By Dharisha Bastians Jubilant after his party swept local government polls on 10 February, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa stepped up pressure on the Government to call parliamentary elections, even as the shocking election upset plunged the ruling coalition deep into crisis over the weekend. Questions abound about the future of the National Unity Government led …

Continue reading ‘Supremely Confident Mahinda Rajapaksa Dismisses “Deal Making” and Says He Does Not Need SLFP Ministers In Govt to Cross Over to Opposition Because The People Have Already Crossed Over.’ »

By Lahiru Pothmulla Former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who returned yesterday to Sri Lanka from the US, said he could not accept the Prime Ministerial portfolio because he was an American citizen. He said this when asked by the journalists at the Airport whether he would accept the Post of Prime Minister if it was …

Continue reading ‘Ex-Def Secy Gotabhaya Rajapaksa Says He Cannot Become PM as he is a US Citizen and asks “Who Wants To Be Prime Minister In The Present Scenario?”’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka The crisis of the UNP is not reducible to the enormous drop in its vote on Feb 10th, a vertical drop that is unprecedented for a long established party in government and at a local government election at which governmental patronage matters. The Feb 10th shrinkage of the UNP is the consequence, …

Continue reading ‘The UNP Crisis is a Crisis of Leadership Which Has Turned Cancerous and Unless Resolved Will Kill the Party and Possibly the Govt’ »

By Dharsisha Bastians Confusion reigned yesterday after reports surfaced that the United National Party, the main stakeholder in the ruling coalition was exploring options to govern independently and show a majority in Parliament, drawing a swift denial from President Maithripala Sirisena that agreements to this effect had been reached with his Prime Minister. Reports about …

Continue reading ‘No Agreement Reached So far But Maithripala and Ranil Will Continue Talks to Reach Agreement as the UNP and SLFP Votes Together are More Than Votes Got by SLPP.’ »

By Saman Indrajith The UNP has decided to form a United National Front (UNF) government ending the coalition with the SLFP Maithri faction, party sources say. The decision to form a UNF government was taken following discussions between President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the President’s official residence at Pajet Road in …

Continue reading ‘Moves On Within Sections Of UNP to Form a Separate United National Front Govt With TNA Supporting From Opposition If SLFP Ministers Resign From Govt.’ »

By Lasanda Kurukulasuriya As campaign rhetoric reached fever-pitch last week in the run-up to the LG elections on Saturday (10), the government stumbled on an unexpected news-nugget to feed its propaganda mill. It camein the form of reports that Udayanga Weeratunga, Sri Lanka’s former ambassador to Russia and Ukraine, on whom court issued an arrest …

Continue reading ‘Vendetta Against Udayanga Weeratunga:A Text-book Case of Political Victimization’ »

There had been no agreement between President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe regarding future political action, President’s Media Division (PMD) said issuing a press release. “A number of media institutions have published stories saying that an agreement was reached between the President and the Prime Minister regarding future political activities,” the PMD said.