The UNP Working Committee meeting which was to be held this morning, was postponed to Monday (10).

The meeting was postponed after Opposition leader, Sajith Premadasa informed that he could not attend the meeting.

Continue reading ‘UNP Working Committee Scheduled For Feb 7th Postponed to Feb 10th as Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa Informed Party He Wont be Attending WC Meeting Convened to Approve or Reject Ranjit Madduma Bandara’s Nomination as Secretary of UNP led Alliance’ »

By

Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s crisply yet firmly delivered (and electorally pitch-perfect) Conservative nationalist democratic discourse, the presence as ‘special distinguished guest’ of Russia’s Gen. Salyukov, Commander-in-Chief of Land Forces, the impressive military parade and colourful multicultural display, and on the flipside, the non-rendition of the National Anthem in Tamil, constituted the point-counterpoint of the 72nd Independence Day, the first on the new President’s watch.

The non-rendition of the Anthem in Tamil was the canary in the mineshaft, because singing the anthem in Tamil was a key recommendation in the Report of the LLRC appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his second term, headed by a distinguished patriotic public servant, CR ‘Bulla’ de Silva, handed over to the (then) President and cited by Sri Lanka in Geneva pre-2015.

What Independence Day proved yet again is the abiding necessity for the citizenry to shape politics in a manner that maximises the public good obtainable from any leader and government while hedging against any negatives, pre-emptively containing any potential mistakes and damage. Granting a parliamentary two-thirds majority would run contrary to this imperative.

Political catastrophe

A parliamentary two-thirds majority is rare in a democracy. It did happen twice in Sri Lanka though. On both occasions, the results across the spectrum, for the country, the state, the government, the rulers and ruling party, were devastating. Nobody gained, everyone lost.

Continue reading ‘Lanka Must Not Fall Into Tragic Two-Thirds Trap Again: The Worst Phases of Governance Experienced by Sri Lanka Were Under The Two-Thirds Majority Governments Headed by Mrs. Sirima Bandaranaike (1970-77) and J.R.Jayewardene(1977-88)’ »

Former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kapila Chandrasena and his wife Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, who were arrested on money laundering charges, were remanded until 19 February by Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake yesterday.

The couple surrendered to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) last morning and statements were recorded from them before they were produced before the Magistrate. Police had been on the lookout for them since an arrest warrant was obtained on the directive of the Attorney General on Monday.

A travel ban is also in place against Chandrasena and Wijenayake who are facing allegations of having accepted a bribe or commission of $ 2 million from French plane-maker Airbus as part of a deal with the company to purchase 10 aircraft for SriLankan Airlines under a re-fleeting program in 2013.

Details of SriLankan Airlines’ connection to the bribery scandal involving Airbus surfaced last Friday after judges in a UK court on Friday approved a record $ 3.9 billion settlement to be paid by Airbus over allegations that external consultants used by the company paid bribes in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan and Ghana between 2011 and 2015.

Continue reading ‘Former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kapila Chandrasena and his wife Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake remanded until 19 February by Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake’ »

SriLankan Airlines ex-Chief Executive Kapila Chandrasena and his wife Priyanka Wijenaike who are wanted in the Airbus bribery case have surrendered to Police, a top official said.

“They are now at the CID and their statements are being recorded,” Media Spokesman Superintendent Jaliya Senaratne told EconomyNext on Thursday.

Sri Lanka’s Attorney General asked Chandrasena and his wife be arrested as suspects on money laundering probe.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Airlines Ex-Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena and wife Priyanka Neomali Wijenayake Surrender to Police:“They are now at the CID and their statements are being recorded,” Says Police Spokesman Jaliya Senaratne SP’ »

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa told Parliament yesterday that those who had received houses in villages built by the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) between 2015 and 2019 were yet to receive deeds confirming ownership. The Premier said so in response to a query posed by UPFA MP Anuradha Jayaratne.

Premier Rajapaksa said that the actual number of housing units constructed was far less than what was announced. The Premier said that only 9,604 houses had been constructed in 367 villages though the previous government repeatedly claimed that 65,097 new houses had been built in 2,562 villages during yahapalana adinistration.

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa States in Parliament that only 9,604 Houses in 367 Villages were Constructed by the Ptevious Govt Though it was claimed that 65,097 new Houses were Built in 2562 Villages’ »

In his oration at the Independence Square here on Tuesday to mark Sri Lanka’s 72nd.year of freedom from the British, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa clearly outlined the policies he will pursue in the next five years.

He said that he will build a composite Sri Lanka where every group (including ethnic and religious groups) will enjoy equal rights. But at the same time, he left no one in doubt that these rights will have to be exercised under the over-arching dominance of the majority Sinhala-Buddhists, whose collective rights will have precedence over other’s rights.

That was amply evident at the function itself, when the Lankan national anthem was sung only in Sinhala and not in Sinhala and Tamil as was the case when the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe alliance was in power.

By discontinuing the singing of the national anthem in Tamil along with the Sinhalese version, Gotabaya has once again upheld the primacy and supremacy of Sinhalese over Tamil, the mother tongue of almost 25% of the Lankan population, including Sri Lankan Tamils, Indian Origin Tamils and Muslims.

By doing so, Gotabaya again underlined the fact that he was elected by the majority Sinhalese and not the Tamils and the Muslims.

Continue reading ‘By Discontinuing the Singing of the National Anthem in Tamil Along with the Sinhalese Version, Gotabaya Rajapaksa has Once Again Upheld the Primacy and Supremacy of Sinhalese over Tamil Within the Sri Lankan Context- Newsin.Asia’ »

By Chandani Kirinde

Police were unable to trace the whereabouts of former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena and his wife Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, after a warrant was issued for their arrest by the Colombo Fort Magistrate on Monday, following the Attorney General directing that they be apprehended and produced in Court to face charges of money laundering.

A CID source said that the Police had visited the residence of the couple in Colombo but they were not there.

“We believe the couple is in Sri Lanka and have alerted the immigration authorities to ensure they do not leave the country,” the source said.

Continue reading ‘Ex-Sri Lankan airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena and wife Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake Absent From Their Colombo Residence;Police Unable to Trace Their Whereabouts;Travel Ban Outside Sri Lanka Imposed Upon Couple’ »

· (Address by His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka at the 72nd Independence Day celebrations)

Most Venerable Maha Sangha,

Other Religious Dignitaries

Hon. Prime Minister

Hon. Speaker

Hon. Chief Justice

Hon. Ministers, Ministers of State and Members of Parliament

Hon. Governors

H. E. the Ambassadors and High Commissioners

Secretary to the President and all State Officials

Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army

Commander of the Navy

Commander of the Air Force

Inspector General of Police

Director General of the Department of the Civil Security

Distinguished Invitees

War Heroes

All Sri Lankan brothers and sisters

Beloved children

Sri Lanka is a Unitary State. It is a free, sovereign, independent and democratic Republic. On this occasion when we celebrate 72 years of Independence after nearly 500 years of imperialist colonial rule, I address you as the Head of the State with a pledge to further strengthen your freedom.

I pay tribute to all Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Malay and Burgher leaders who dedicated themselves to achieving and ensuring this Independence.

Every citizen living in Sri Lanka has the right to live freely and securely.

Continue reading ‘“I must serve as the leader of the country looking after all citizens rather than serve as a political leader concerned only about a particular community. As the President today, I represent the entire Sri Lankan nation irrespective of ethnicity, religion, party affiliation or other differences.” – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’ »

By Chandani Kirinde

The Attorney General’s Department yesterday directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to obtain an arrest warrant from the Magistrate Court to arrest former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena and his wife due to their alleged links to a $ 2 million bribe from French plane-maker Airbus.

This followed investigative material submitted by the CID to the Attorney General’s Department which revealed that a Standard Chartered Bank account maintained in the name of Biz Solutions in Singapore, the only director and shareholder of which was Chandrasena’s wife Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, was paid $ 2 million (around Rs. 363 million) by the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) N.V., the parent company of Airbus SAS in December 2013.

Continue reading ‘1,454,651.24 euros Amounting to US $ 2 Million was Deposited in Singapore bank account of Biz Solutions (account no. 0107130602) on 27 December 2013 by a French company called EADS HQ/SSC FRANCE: Sri Lankan CEO Kapila Chandrasena’s Wife Priyanka Neomali Wikenayake was Sole Shareholder and Director of Biz Solutions’ »

PLEASE JOIN US at an Independence Day event coinciding with the official government event on Feb. 4th, from 9-10.30am, at the Borella Cemetery (Kanatta) roundabout, where we will sing the National Anthem in both Sinhala and Tamil, at the same time it’s being sung at Independence Square, which we can follow on live feed.

📜

Please come dressed in semi-formal/formal, black attire (in protest), and please share with/bring your family, friends and relations too. We hope to invite media (whoever’s not covering the official even at least,) and live stream our event as well.

We hope to see you all there in solidarity with the Tamil speaking people of this country, and as advocates of equality and justice in Sri Lanka.

Thank you.

United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his Independence Day message, called for Sri Lankans to refocus on unity, pointing out that the cohesion that existed between different communities had eroded since Independence.

Continue reading ‘UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in Independence Day Message Says that the 2015 -19 Govt Of Which he was Prime Minister worked to promote reconciliation and inclusiveness as well as to resolve the longstanding issues faced by minority communities.’ »

By
Kelum Bandara

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) categorically rejected the idea mooted by opposition leader Sajith Premadasa for him to tie up with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in forming a government subsequent to the upcoming parliamentary polls.

Addressing a recent press conference, SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris said the country had a bitter experience of coalition governance during the last five years.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Podujana Party Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris Categorically Rejects Sajith Premadasa’s Idea of Forming a Coalition Govt Under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa; Says Mahinda Rajapaksa will Continue as PM after Elections Too’ »

The CID, yesterday evening, launched a search for former SriLankan CEO Kapila Chandrasena and his wife, Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, over a questionable aircraft deal. A senior CID officer said an arrest warrant had been obtained and a special team deployed to look for the suspects.

Attorney General, Dappula de Livera, yesterday, directed the CID to obtain an arrest warrant and take Chandrasena and his wife into custody, on charges of money laundering, etc.

After perusing a report, submitted by the CID, the AG directed the Director of the CID to obtain an arrest warrant and take Chandrasena and his wife into custody on charges of money laundering in the SriLankan Airlines – Airbus deal, the AG’s coordinating officer Nishara Jayaratne said.

Continue reading ‘CID Says Search Has Been Launched by Police to Arrest Former Sri Lankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena and his Wife Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake After Arrest Warrant was Obtained on the Instructions of the Attorney -General’ »

Preparations are underway to celebrate Sri Lanka’s 72nd Independence Day in Colombo tomorrow with full military pageantry, attended by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, members of parliament, diplomats and others.

Tomorrow’s ceremony, to be held at Independence Square under the theme ‘A Secured Nation – A Prosperous Country’, will be Rajapaksa’s first Independence Day commemoration since taking office in November last year.

Marking a departure from the celebrations held under his predecessor Maithripala Sirisena, this year’s event will see the country’s national anthem performed only in Sinhala.

Continue reading ‘Gota’s Govt Ready to Celebrate “Sinhala” Independence Day With an Instrumental Version of the National Anthem Being Played at the End of Ceremony Instead of “Sri Lanka Thaayae” Being Sung in Tamil’ »

A day before the country celebrates her 72nd anniversary of independence, former Minister for National Integration and Official Languages MP Mano Ganeshan made a final hour call to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to allow the National Anthem to be sung in both Sinhala and Tamil at Tuesday’s celebrations, to be held at Independence Square, Colombo.

Continue reading ‘TPA Leader Mano Ganesan MP Makes final hour call to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to allow the National Anthem to be sung in both Sinhala and Tamil at Tuesday’s celebrations to be held at Independence Square.’ »

By Namini Wijedasa

Airbus SE hired the wife of a SriLankan Airlines (SLA) executive as a business partner through a dummy company she registered in Brunei. The corporation then paid into this entity’s account US$ 2mn (Rs 362mn) out of a total US$ 16.84mn (Rs 3bn) promised in return for ensuring that the national carrier bought aircraft from Airbus, court documents revealed this week.

The SLA executive himself used his private Gmail account to communicate with and invoice Airbus for US$ 2mn (in November and December 2013) in exchange for buying aircraft from the corporation.

Airbus has been fined a record £3bn in penalties after admitting it paid huge bribes on an “endemic” basis to land contracts in 20 countries.

One of those countries is Sri Lanka and involves the purchase of six A330 and four A350 airbuses and the lease of four other planes in deals agreed to between 2012 and 2013.

Continue reading ‘Airbus Paid US$ 2 Million Into Bank Account of “Straw Company” Registered in Brunei by Wife of a Former Top Executive Officer at Srilankan Airlines as a Bribe to Ensure Sale of Ten and Lease of One Aircraft’ »

Tourist arrivals from China to Sri Lanka have dropped about 40 percent from January 23 as both countries tightened travel requirements in a bid to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, officials said.

“A considerable number of travelers have stopped coming to the country from China, as a percentage it could be on average 40 percent,” Director of Sri Lanka’s Airport and Aviation Services Shehan Sumanasekara said.

“We are anticipating a considerable drop in the future too.”

The head of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Kimarli Fernando said Chinese arrivals had dropped 15 percent in January 2020 from 26,414 visitors last year to 22,363 this year.

Sri Lanka’s overall tourist arrivals dropped 7.4 percent in January 2020, from a year earlier to 226,094.

Arrivals from other countries have dropped only 5 percent.

Continue reading ‘After Coronavirus Scare ,Tourist Arrivals To Sri Lanka From China Drop 40% Since January 23rd; Steeper Decline Anticipated in February’ »

By Prof. Susirith Mendis

I have written about this on a few occasions before. But this is the first time I am venturing to do so since President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected President of Sri Lanka. I reiterate, he was elected President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka as five others have been before him. But none of the others have taken cognisance of a simple historical fact. That they have been elected as Presidents of a Republic; that Sri Lanka, for the first time in its modern history, as its name states, is a Sovereign Republic, since May 1972. I am hoping that the sixth elected President of the Sri Lankan Republic will recognise that historical fact.

What else can I do except to restate what I wrote two years ago (‘The Island’ of 4th February 2018). I quote it in full below:

Continue reading ‘Let 2020 Be the Last Year in Which we Celebrate Our “Independence” on February 4th.’ »

By

Shehan Chamika Silva

An arrest warrant was issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate today ordering the CID to arrest SriLankan Airlines former CEO Kapila Chandrasena and wife Priyanka Vijenayake over the Airbus deal in 2013.

Earlier today, Attorney General Dappula De Livera directed the CID Director to obtain a warrant, arrest and produce former CEO Chandrasena and wife in the court.

Continue reading ‘Colombo Fort Magistrate Issues Arrest Warrant for Former Sri Lankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena and wife Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayaka in Connection with the Airbus $ 2 Million Dollar Bribe Allegation’ »

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday ordered a full inquiry into allegations that the wife of a SriLankan Airlines executive was paid $ 2 million by Airbus through a Brunei shell company to obtain or retain business or advantage in the conduct of business with the national carrier during 2011-2015.

“The President has become aware of the allegations that have surfaced in the media, regarding an agreement between SriLankan Airlines and Airbus in which fraud may have taken place. He has directed that a full inquiry be conducted, and a report be submitted to him,” a statement from the President’s Office said on Sunday.

There were no details of which authorities were directed to hold the inquiry in the press release sent by the President’s Office.

SriLankan Airlines, in a separate statement, said that it has become aware of a judgment in the United Kingdom related to a charge of corruption in the purchase and/or lease of aircraft between the period 2011- 2015 June, and the Chairman with the concurrence of the Board has directed the management to cooperate fully with any Governmental agency in the event of any investigation and/or prosecution.

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Orders full Inquiry into Allegations that the Wife of a SriLankan Airlines Executive was paid $ 2 million by Airbus Through a Brunei shell company During the Mahinda Rajapaksa Regime of 2010 – 2015’ »

UNP MP and economist Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday declared that the expert forensic audits on irregularities of Bond auctions and EPF stock market investments have exposed the nexus between two Central Bank Governors Ajith Nivard Cabraal and Arjuna Mahendran with the controversial Arjun Aloysius.

Armed with the copies of the five forensic audits which was released by the Speaker to Parliament, Dr. de Silva yesterday told the media that the loss to the Government over irregularities on Bond auctions under former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran between February 2015 and March 2016 ranged from a minimum of Rs. 6.6 billion to maximum of Rs. 9.6 billion. The loss from direct placements of Treasury Bonds prior to 2015 was Rs. 10.47 billion.

The prominent primary dealer who bought these Bonds and then sold them in secondary markets was Arjun Aloysius of Perpetual Treasuries fame.

Continue reading ‘Dr. Harsha de Silva MP Says expert forensic audits on irregularities of Bond auctions and EPF stock market investments have exposed the nexus between two Central Bank Governors Ajith Nivard Cabraal and Arjuna Mahendran with Arjun Aloysius of Perpetual Treasuries’ »

By

Kishali Pinto Jayawardene

Exactly a day after the pomp and the show of India’s celebrations of Republic Day 2020 faded, a young law student standing in the imposing shadow of India Gate in New Delhi, the country’s iconic war memorial,passionately confesses her uncomfortable dissonance with the lavish display.

‘All this passion, where will this lead to?’

‘We are celebrating the Indian Constitution which held millions together with the golden thread of civil rights. Now, Republic Day marks the very opposite of what B.R. Ambedkar’s Constitution stood for; military might, crude nationalism and the disparaging of minorities’ she says.

‘India invited Brazil’s Bolsonaro as the guest of honour not coincidentally’, she adds. ‘This is to pass a not-so-subtle message, that the old order of striving for equality and justice has given way to nationalist strongmanship. We, the young people of India have risen against supremacist Hindutva ideology and will continue to do so.’

Elsewhere in the sedate and scholarly confines of the India International Centre, older (though perhaps not necessarily wiser) pundits shake their heads in half perplexed bewilderment. ‘All this passion, where will this lead to?’ a historian asks. He acknowledges that nation-wide protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and the National Population Register (NPR) were eminently justified. Even so, the worries are real. He points to Hong Kong youth standing up to China’s might over an extradition Bill that would have abandoned criminal suspects to the uncertain mercies of mainland China’s compromised legal system.

Trigger sparking national fury

The bill was withdrawn but protests continued. Hong Kong’s young explained that they were fighting for the ‘soul’ of their birthplace even as the self-administered territory experienced an economic downturn after months of riots and protests. Similar economic negativity would be devastating for India which is already coping with slow growth rates and a predicted recession. Like in Hong Kong, public anger came to a head with the Modi Government’s Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) which overrode the secular basis of India’s Constitution by promising citizenship for persecuted religious minorities excluding Muslims.It was justified on the basis that it only sought to give protection to Hindu minorities fleeing state reprisals in majority Muslim countries in the region.

Earlier, the Government which had come sweeping back into power on a punishing wave of popular demand, revoked the special status given to Kashmir.

Nonetheless, the raft of citizenship amendments sparked national fury. Protests erupted in major cities and unprecedentedly, spilled over to renowned universities including Jamia Milia Islamia University and the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Masked attackers carrying clubs and sticks disrupted a meeting held by JNU students to protest against actions of a Bharathiya Janatha Party (BJP) linked right-wing student base and assaulted academics and students alike as the police watched. Images of traumatised professors and students with bleeding head injuries flashed across television screens around the world, leading to global shock and severe damage to India’s reputation as a liberal democracy.

The Government back-pedalled with swift damage control measures. Senior Ministers voiced their disapproval of inactive law enforcement officers as the campus was invaded. On Republic Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautioned that violence was never a solution to any issue but elsewhere in the city, Shaheen Bagh became the epicenter of protests as students and even parents recited resistance poetry.

Undeterred, students in universities across India continued to hold vigils in sympathy with embattled colleagues in the capital. Interestingly, private campuses, business colleges and engineering schools, joined the agitation. Even though the Citizenship (Amendment) Act was passed in early December by a Government dominated legislature, some states have refused to implement its provisions. The crisis therein demonstrates afresh the dangers of giving juggernaut majorities to any one political force.

Unmistakable warning to rightwing factions in Government

Even so, India’s mass protests transforming the political reality of the day was an unmistakable warning to powerful right-wing factions in Government that India’s young was not going to yield. ‘We will not give up our country to fascists without a fight’ declares my young conversationalist at India Gate. Some of this frustration is also traceable to the slowing down of the economy apart from growing awareness that India’s secular constitutional democracy is under siege. Yet absent a galvanised Opposition, there is only so much that people protests and the anger of students can accomplish.

Much like Sri Lanka’s dysfunctional Opposition with the United National Party led by a man who has liberal credentials to his name but has sadly undermined all those gains by an aloof and out-of touch style of leadership, India’s Congress Party remains demoralised.

Thus, the anxiety of the scholar who asked me where India’s protests were heading is perhaps understandable. But the young listen to the cautions of the old soberly, yet only up to a point. There is a gut instinct driving their anger as they see India turning into a country which is becoming very different to what their parents experienced.

‘This is not right. We must do something’ corroborates others who join the conversation at India Gate. They are also students at the Law University, Delhi. Emotion moves them, irresistibly. ‘Later, we should not be sorry that we kept quiet’ they say.

Their courage and steadfastness is a lesson for Sri Lankan students and activists who recently issued a statement in support of the struggle being carried on by their peers over the Palk Straits. However, it must be stressed that civil rights activism amounts to far more than the issuing of statements and pontificating on social media.

The main takeaway of civic protests in India

Today in Sri Lanka, as nationalistic forces gather strength, the effort to combat that menacing development must not be through social movements linked to compromised political forces masquerading as ‘independent.’ This is what crippled the ‘yahapalanaya’ effort. Lawyers, academics and academics paraded under party political banners for personal and professional profit, forsaking the core values of objective and independent critique. In effect, the very faults of the political parties and the political establishment were replicated in those efforts which were, ultimately self-defeating and counter-productive in the main.

This is the core takeaway for Sri Lankans as, along with India, we face multiple challenges in preservation of the democratic space in the months ahead.

Courtesy:Sunday Times

By

Don Manu

Why does Sajith Premadasa have that uncanny feeling this Sunday morning of finding butterflies fluttering in his abdomen? Or feel his ire rising to find fish shakin’ a fin to the baila beat of his agitated heart? Why does he fear the shadow that falls before him making him constantly look over his shoulder to assure himself that it is truly his?

Like the Muslims await Friday to say their jumma prayers at the mosque and the Christians rush to get to the church on time on Sundays to hear the morning mass, for the last eleven weeks since the loss of the Presidential election, the UNP citadel of Sirikotha has been the temple of call every Thursday evening for the distraught, for the downtrodden and the dejected to pray for succour in hope of receiving answer.

But answer never came and the distraught, the downtrodden and the dejected trudged slowly home week after week without succour hoping as faith commanded them that the presiding deities who had in their hands the power to exile them East of Eden, would nevertheless see the light of reality and accept as inevitable the younger rising and the older gracefully stepping down.

Continue reading ‘What Option Does Sajith Premadasa Have If and When the UNP led UNF Loses to “Pohottuwa”led by Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2020 Parliamentary Elections?’ »

By Sandun Jayawardana

The Attorney General’s Department will proceed with the case against former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda and former Navy Spokesman D.K.P. Dassanayake — accused in the abduction of 11 youths — unless there is a court order otherwise.

This is after the AG wrote to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) inquiring into alleged political victimisation that it had no authority to order him to halt legal proceedings against former Admiral Karannagoda and Rear Admiral Dassanayake.

Earlier, the CoI had ordered the AG not to proceed with the case after the duo lodged complaints with the Commission on January 22 stating that the case was an act of political victimisation.

Continue reading ‘Attorney – General Dappula de Livera Will Proceed with Case Against Accused Including Former Navy Chief Wasantha Karannagoda andEx-Navy Spokesman DKP Dassanayake Despite Presidential Commission of Inquiry Order not to do so’ »

From 1,300 Chinese nationals arriving in the country to a mere 100, a sharp drop in daily arrivals is presently recorded, according to Immigration Controller General Pasan Ratnayake.

He said daily about 800-1300 Chinese nationals arrived in the country as tourists, businessmen, students and workers. But since January 28, the rate has fallen to about 90 to 100.

Continue reading ‘Number of Daily Arrivals of Chinese Nationals to Sri Lanka Drops Drastically From 800-1300 to 90 -100 Due to Impact of Coronavirus Crisis’ »

By

Rajpal Abeynayake

It’s such a pity, what social media and media in general is doing to our friends the Chinese, these days. It shouldn’t be that way, particularly in this country. The Chinese have been our friends for thousands of years, literally.

But look what the fringe elements in social media are doing these past few weeks. They are demonizing the Chinese, and worse, making them the scapegoat for a fear psychosis over a disease that is largely a media myth.

Is this so called coronavirus that’s supposed to be spreading these days, a myth? Certain people are bound to take issue with me for saying so.

The disease, as it’s represented in the media, is largely hyperbole, and that’s my point.To that extent the ‘contagion’ is a myth, though coronavirus per se is very real, and there is a pathogen by that name that’s spreading.

But the bottom line is that the media, and social media in particular has created a scare that’s demonizing our friends, the Chinese.

Continue reading ‘The Lunatic Fringe in Social Media Has Created an Epidemic of Misinformation, and vilification Demonizing Sri Lanka’s Friends the Chinese Over the Coronavirus Scare’ »

By

Aanya Wipulasena

Twenty-year-old Anjeleena Stronach wasn’t worried about the hoo-ha people were making over a virus till the teacher in charge of the student group she belonged to sent a message on WeChat.

“There will be no bus between Tianjin and Beijing. If you want (to) go back to Sri Lanka you should take (an) airplane from Tianjin. And you should know where (you can) take your second plane to your country,” the message from Miss Lilly read.

By then several key cities in China were on lock down as the deadly coronavirus spread across mainland China.

Anjeleena was in Tianjin located about 1,150km from Wuhan where the virus broke out. According to reports, by Friday (31), there were 9,692 confirmed coronavirus cases with at least 213 deaths.

Continue reading ‘Families of Sri Lankan Students in China Grateful to President Gotabaya and Other Officials Responsible for Bringing Home Their Loved Ones by Air’ »

By

Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka

The book is titled ‘On Public Imagination’ and subtitled ‘A Political and Ethical Imperative’. It is edited by Victor Faessel, Richard Falk and Michael Curtin. It is a Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group publication out of New York and London. The introductory thematic essay is by Richard Falk and Victor Faessel and its title lets us straight into the problem that is sought to be tackled. “Public Imagination: The Challenge of 21st Century Populist and Authoritarian Politics”.

The date of publication of the slim volume is 2020. It is classified as Politics/Current Affairs, while in the descriptive text on the back cover the publishers place it more specifically in the category ‘Political Thought’. In the sphere of Politics/Political Thought, it deals with the most important theme or problem of the current period in world history.

I was lucky to get the volume in the mail in Moscow and have it collected from Customs the day before I left. I read it all the way through on the flight back to Colombo. It is co-edited by the man I most respect intellectually and am proud to call a friend, who was also the primary author of the volume’s Introduction, namely Prof Richard Falk.

Richard Falk is Professor Emeritus of International Law at Princeton University. Victor Faessel is managing editor of The Oxford Handbook of Global Studies as well as the four-volume Encyclopedia of Global Studies. Michael Curtin is Distinguished Professor of Film and media studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Continue reading ‘“Public Imagination: The Challenge of 21st Century Populist and Authoritarian Politics”.’ »

by Shamindra Ferdinando

UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa’s Camp, yesterday, January 31, assured that it wouldn’t press for the leadership of the party.

Addressing the media at the Opposition Leader’s Office, No 30, Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Premadasa faction’s spokesman Nalin Bandara, MP, admitted that they couldn’t pressure incumbent leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to give up the party leadership.

When the media pointed out that the Premadasa camp never publicly admitted such a situation before and in fact vowed to secure the leadership by whatever means, lawmaker Bandara said that nothing could be done about Wickremesinghe’s refusal to give up party leadership.

Continue reading ‘Sajith Premadasa Faction Acknowledges Failure In Attempt to Grab Leadership of the United National Party From Ranil Wickremesinghe’ »

By

Lucien Rajakarunanayake

The goals of progress that were the key expectations of the call and movement for freedom have been pushed aside as we approach the 72nd anniversary of Independence from colonial rule.

The celebrations on February 4 will be hugely affected by the coronavirus that has begun straddling the world, and the call for face masks gets louder than for the reduction in food prices in Sri Lanka.

Is this new coronavirus a real threat in a country trapped in the fever and deaths from Dengue in the past several years? Not very likely. From what we have read recently, what threatens Sri Lanka more is the Corona (or Crown) Maga Maru Virus – the Road Death Virus that takes eight lives, and maims double that number for life, every day. It is the crowning disaster in Sri Lanka that is wholly ignored by so-called national leaders, who must be delighted by the rise of the coronavirus from Wuhan, China; topping the news world, pushing away those recorded phone calls, and moving minds away from the Bond Scam, whether Ranil/Mahendran or Mahinda/Cabraal or both.

What do we have to celebrate on Feb 4 this year, as the country moves towards a general election, with a call for a 2/3rd majority in parliament by the lotus bud power handlers, and an opposition that is making a grand display of divisive politics?

Continue reading ‘Is the rise of Sinhala-Buddhist politics to be the material of the next decade of freedom in a country that has forgotten that for nearly half of its 72 years of freedom, it has been a hugely bloody nation?’ »

By
Disna Mudalige

Thirteen MPs had either not spoken or had spoken only once during debates in Parliament last year, a statistical analysis by ‘Manthri.lk’ website run by Verité Research revealed.

The analysis was based on Parliament Hansard reports from January to December last year.

Continue reading ‘Four MP’s Have Remained Silent Without Speaking in Parliamentary Debates From Jan to Dec 2019 While Nine Other MP’s Have Spoken Only Once During Debates Last Year’ »

By Chandani Kirinde

Amnesty International (AI) said yesterday that Sri Lanka’s human rights record in 2019 was characterised by unrealised Government commitments to pursue truth, justice and reparations, continued impunity for violations and abuses, and compromised freedoms of religion and expression.

Speaking at the launch of the human rights organisation’s Human Rights in Asia-Pacific: Review of 2019, Deputy Regional Director Amnesty International South Asia Omar Waraich said that 2019 was a year of repression, but also of resistance in the region.

“Across Southeast Asia, repressive governments entrenched themselves further, silenced their opponents, muzzled the media, and shrank civic space to the point where, in many countries, even participation in a peaceful protest can trigger arrest. In South Asia, governments appeared anxious to keep up, innovating new ways to perpetuate old patterns of repression – especially through the introduction of draconian laws that punish dissent online,” Waraich said.

The report provides a comprehensive overview of the human rights situation in the region. Violations of human rights, death penalty, climate crisis, as well as dissent and fights against hate in the regional are documented under each country profile in the report.

Continue reading ‘Amnesty International Concerned Over some of the Statements by the new Sri Lankan Government Indicating that even the Limited but key Gains of Recent Years on the Human Rights Front may be Rolled Back.’ »

Britain’s departure from the eu, says Sir Bernard Jenkin, a Conservative mp, reminds him of an experiment his grandfather once carried out on a pet pike. He put a glass wall in the middle of the fish’s tank, thus halving its swimming space. After ramming the glass, “thunk, thunk” for a while, the fish adapted to its diminished quarters. But when the wall was removed, it continued making tight circles in half of the tank: it never grasped that its freedom had been restored.

On January 31st Britain leaves the eu. It goes into a sort of limbo—a transition period—until the end of 2020, when in dozens of areas, from trade, migration, environmental rules and farming to financial services, data policy, regional subsidies and state aid, the country’s freedom to run its own affairs will be constrained only by its ambitions to do deals with other countries. The big question, says Sir Bernard, an enthusiastic Brexiter, is whether it can remember how to roam.

Boris Johnson, the prime minister, is bent on taking full advantage. There will be crowd-pleasing changes—taking back control of the vat regime will allow the Treasury to remove the levy on tampons, for instance—and weightier divergences. Earlier this month Sajid Javid, the chancellor of the exchequer, made clear that there will be no alignment with eu regulations once Britain is out of the single market and customs union, adding that there would be winners and losers.

The riposte from Brussels to Mr Javid’s remarks was swift. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, repeated that greater regulatory divergence would necessarily mean a more distant trading partnership with the eu. The government’s own economic analysis of Brexit last year put the long-term loss in gdp per person of a close relationship (like Norway’s) at some 1.4%, against a loss of 4.9% for a more distant one. The difference is a proxy for the cost of regulatory divergence.

Continue reading ‘Brexit: Britain’s Regulatory-Divergence Dilemma – The Economist’ »

By

Victor Ivan

From an architectural point of view, Sri Lanka had a parliamentary building near Galle Face which looked majestic and fitting for a Parliament. The affairs of the old Parliament were carried out in this building in an optimum and dignified manner from 28 January 1930, when it was declared open, up until the time it was shifted to the new parliamentary complex at Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte on 24 March 1982.

The new Parliament complex, despite being equipped with modern amenities and having an artistic look, lacked the majestic appearance that a Parliament should have. Presumably, this difference can be said to have symbolically signified the decline of Parliament. A similar transition of symbolic significance occurred to the Judiciary as well.

From an architectural standpoint, Sri Lanka had an equally imposing judicial complex with an aura appropriate for an institution which metes out justice. But in the eighties, the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal were shifted to a new court complex built in Hulftsdorp. Although it is equipped with modern facilities, its exterior can be said to resemble a beautiful Chinese lantern.

Japan cannot be regarded as a country which bears a strong record of democracy over its distant past; it was quite recently that it became a democratic country. Similarly, China does not possess a good history as far as the subject of the Judiciary is concerned. The shifting of buildings can be said to have served as symbolically depicting the subsequent decline of the two institutions.

What is more important in Parliament is the authority it exercises as the supreme institute of State rule, legislation and policy formulation, and above all to what extent it has discharged its responsibilities, rather than the buildings of the Parliament and the facilities and amenities available.

Continue reading ‘The Present Parliament is like an Illegitimate Institution With a Majority of MPs who are not Entitled Legally and Ethically to Serve as Parliamentarians.’ »

By

Jamila Husain

Chinese officials have unofficially raised concerns with the Sri Lankan government over some incidents of discrimination faced by Chinese nationals in Sri Lanka, stating that they were being turned away from public areas such as restaurants, hotels, hospitals, spas and supermarkets by locals who were worried that they may be carrying the novel coronavirus, the Daily Mirror learns.

Informed sources in the government said that China had unofficially updated Sri Lankan authorities over some such incidents and it is learnt that the matter will be discussed when the government’s special task force meet today afternoon.

Sources said that the matter had been unofficially brought to the notice of the Presidential Secretariat as well and it was being looked into.

Continue reading ‘China Expresses Concern “Unofficially” Over Chinese Nationals Being Discriminated Against in Sri Lanka Due to Coronavirus Scare: Lankan Authorities Told that Chinese Being Turned Away from restaurants, hotels, hospitals, spas and supermarkets by locals’ »

By S. Jayanth

Ten years after the end of the communal war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE), Sri Lankan President Gotabhaya Rajapakse has admitted that more than 20,000 missing persons during and after the war are “actually dead.” He was speaking to the UN Resident Coordinator Hanna Singer for Sri Lanka at the Presidential Secretariat on January 17.

It is an extraordinary admission. For years calls by family members for information about their missing relatives have been all but ignored. No Sri Lanka official has previously acknowledged that the government and the military have known all along that the “missing” were dead. To do so would raise too many awkward questions about their deaths. Up until now, Rajapakse has denied that anyone was missing at all.

The obvious question is: How does Rajapakse know about the deaths of these persons? The answer is simple. He was defence secretary—the top post in the defence department—during the final brutal stages of the war against the LTTE. His brother was the executive president as well as defense minister and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, UN Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer and the “Actually Dead” 20,000 Missing Persons of Sri Lanka’ »

By

Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera

United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe reaffirmed his position in the party as its leader today and refrained from reappointing some key figures such as MPs Sarath Fonseka, Ajith P. Perera and Rosy Senanayake to the working committee.

In the annual reconstitution of the working committee for 2020, the UNP reappointed only 59 members this time. In the outgoing working committee, there were 68 members. The working committee membership can be increased up to 91. The party leader has the discretion to nominate 20 members.

After the reconstitution of the working committee for this year, it met today with Mr. Wickremesinghe in the chair.

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe Consolidates Position as UNP Leader After Re-constituted Working Committee Unanimously Elects him Party Leader; Sarath Fonseka,Rosy Senanayake and Ajith Perera not Appointed to WC’ »

by AJA Abeynayake and Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon

MP Ranajana Ramanayake yesterday said that he had not telephoned judges and it was the latter who had called him.

MP Ramanayake speaking from the dock and said that he had around 124,000 records of phone conversations he had had with many powerful persons including judges. A media organisation had published a distorted versions of his conversation records, he said.

MP Ramanayake said that he had parliamentary privileges so that he could speak to anyone and that he was ready to go to the Attorney General’s office and stay there supporting their investigations if he was given bail.

Continue reading ‘Ranjan Ramanayake States in Court that he had Only Responded to Telephone Calls From Judges and that he had never Initiated Telephone Calls to Them;Ready to go to A-G Dept and Help With Investigations if Granted Bail says MP’ »

The United National Party Working Committee unanimously decided this afternoon to offer Sajith Premadasa the post of Prime Ministerial Candidate for the upcoming Parliamentary General elections, former Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella told EconomyNext.

This would make him automatically the leader of the UNP-led New Democratic Front Alliance that will take on the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna led group at the hustings.

The offer was proposed by MP Ravi Karunanayake but was not seconded as Premadasa did not attend the meeting.

Premadasa has to accept the nomination next Thursday when the committee is due to meet again.

Continue reading ‘UNP Working Committee Unanimously Decides to Offer Premadasa the Prime Ministerial Candidacy and Leadership of UNP -led Election Alliance While Sajith and his Backers Keep Away From Meeting’ »

The United National Party (UNP) Working Committee has decided that party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe will remain UNP leader.

The decision was taken when the UNP Working Committee met today at the party headquarters in Sirikotha.

Continue reading ‘Thirty-Seven of Fifty-nine UNP Working Committee Members Meet at Sirikotha and Decide Unanimously that Ranil Wickremesinghe will Remain as Party Leader; Six WC Members Absent After Informing While Sixteen Persons Simply Stay Away’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando

State Minister for International Cooperation Susil Premjayantha, yesterday, turned down UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa’s offer to serve as Prime Minister, in a government headed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Premjayantha said that there was nothing common in President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s vision and that of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.

Addressing the media at the Prime Minister’s Office, the Colombo District MP said that Premadasa heading for a heavy defeat at the forthcoming parliamentary poll was talking nonsense.

Continue reading ‘Sajith Premadasa’s Offer to Work as Prime Minister Under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Dismissed Derisively by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna as “Talking Nonsense”.’ »

The National Peace Council (NPC) yesterday urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to decide whether the national anthem will be sung in Tamil on Independence Day as soon as possible.

“An issue that has surfaced and which is causing heartburn among Tamil-speaking citizens is the likelihood that the national anthem will not be sung in Tamil at the forthcoming National Independence Day celebrations. Government members have been making contradictory statements on this issue. Some of them have openly declared that the national anthem will not be sung in Tamil on this occasion whereas Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that no final decision has been taken on this matter,” the NPC said in a statement.

Continue reading ‘“President Gotabaya Should make the Decision Regarding the Singing of the National Anthem in Tamil Prior to Independence Day when he will take the centre stage as the president of all Sri Lankans.” Says National Peace Council in Statement’ »

By

H.I.Perera

I have had the privilege of reading many letters published in The Island newspaper on the prevalent controversy in regard to the National Anthem, during the last few months. As far as I can remember, most of the writers had favored the conservative view that the National Anthem should be sung only in Sinhala while a few had held the liberal and conciliatory view that it should be sung in both the official languages, i.e. Sinhala and Tamil.

In the meantme I had the opportunity of reading in the ‘island’ newspaper dated 11th January, 2020, a letter written by Dr.Upul Wijayawardhana, which is a very interesting piece of masterly writing, who had taken the view that the Tamil version of the National Anthem should be sung only in the Tamil speaking areas.

Continue reading ‘Hopes of Reconciliation Would be Totally Shattered Once the National Anthem is Sung only in Sinhala on the Next Independence Day’ »

By

Kshama Ranawana

It’s back to the drawing board for the Hathe Ape Potha, the supplementary reader on sexual and reproductive health.

On Tuesday, January 21st, interested stakeholders, Buddhist clergy, officials of the Education and Health Ministries, Psychiatrists, representatives of the Child Protection Authority and Academics met for the second time to discuss whether or not the Hathe Ape Potha is appropriate reading material for Grade 7 students.

The meeting was jointly called by the Sectoral Oversight Committees on Women and Gender and Education and Human Resources Development at the Parliament complex. The book, a supplementary reader for students of Grade Seven is meant to explain sexual and reproductive health in an age-appropriate and simple manner. It is the outcome of nearly 4 years of discussions initiated by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Women and Gender on the subject “Teaching Reproductive Health to School Children.”

Continue reading ‘“Hathe Ape Potha” Controversy: Should the Supplementary Reader on Sexual and Reproductive Health for Grade Seven Students That Was Prepared With Great Care be Rejected to Appease Six Men and Their Supporters?’ »

By Chandani Kirinde

The Government yesterday imposed restrictions on Chinese nationals visiting Sri Lanka and sent Lankan students returning from Wuhan Province in China to the Diyatalawa Army Camp to be kept under observation for two weeks after the first positive case of the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was identified by health authorities in the country.

The restrictions on the issue of visas to Chinese nationals was put in place upon the instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi revealed.

She said Chinese nationals who apply for a visa online would no longer be eligible to automatically gain a visa on arrival. Instead, their visa applications, submitted online, will be scrutinised to see which part of China they were travelling from and those coming from high risk areas will not be allowed entry, Wanniarachchi said at a press briefing yesterday.

The Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka has been kept informed of the visa restrictions, she said.

Along with the visa restrictions, the Government will also monitor all Chinese nationals who are provided entry into the country.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Takes Urgent Measures to Combat Coronavirus Threat Emanating From China: Separate Arrival Section at Katunayake for Passengers from China;Visas to Lanka Wont Be Given to Applicants from High Risk Areas in China;All Chinese Nationals in Lanka Including Those With Work Permits to be Monitored by Health Personnel’ »

By

Harsha Gunasena

On 24 December, the Daily Mirror reported that, according to the Public Administration Ministry, the 72nd Independence Day celebrations will be held on 4 February at Independence Square in Colombo on a grand scale and the national anthem would be sung only in Sinhala.

This is a deviation from the practice followed by the previous government from 2016 that the National Anthem should be sung in Sinhala and Tamil at the Independence Day celebrations.

Continue reading ‘It is the Duty of the Govt to Have the National Anthem Sung in Sinhala and Tamil at the Independence Day Celebrations if Interests of the Country are Placed Ahead of their own Political Objectives.’ »

By

Eranda Ginige

I was studying in grade seven when I joined the Scout Association at my school. Scouts have a list of tasks to complete. When you complete them successively, you get various badges and promotions. One of the very first tasks was to sing the national anthem by yourself. The seniors told us we could do it on the first day itself.

Before I cover them with brown paper every year, I had read the national anthem printed on the back cover of right-off-the-press smelling textbooks. I had also sung it many times loudly with fellow schoolmates to the music played by our school band. “How hard can it be?”, I thought. So I signed up to perform it along with a few other novices.

Standing at attention inside an empty after-school classroom, I had to sing the anthem in front of two senior scouts. I had not sung any song alone in front of outsiders, let alone the national anthem. It was my turn. “Sri Lanka Matha… Apa Sri… Lanka…” I quickly realised that it was difficult to keep to the tune. You don’t have the same confidence when singing with a group and with music.

“Sundara Siri Barini…” I managed to complete the first verse. More than singing, my mind is now desperately trying to recall the next words. So you forget the words you actually remember. “This song is way too long”, I thought.

“Oba Ve Apa Vidya…” Halfway through the second verse, like an unplanned power cut on a midsummer night, my mind just stopped. Everything went silent. I felt all the blood from my lower body gushing to my face. “Oba… Oba.. Apa… Apa…” words weren’t coming. I could see the sarcastic faces of the seniors through my hazy eyes. “Try again next week.” My head turned down in shame.

Continue reading ‘There is Absolutely no Rational Reason to not sing the Tamil Translation of the National Anthem at Official Events of the State.’ »

(Text if a Statement Issued by the Women’s Action Network – a collective of nine women’s groups working in the North and East)

Last week, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had told UN Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer that those reported missing from the war are “actually dead” and that the government would soon issue death certificates. Although the President has since clarified that death certificates will follow proper investigations, his remarks are an affront to mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters of the disappeared who have for years been demanding answers in monthly street protests, before the Office on Missing Persons, and in cases pending in our courts.

Maybe the President realized his comments amounted to an admission of guilt. Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe made a similar remark in 2016 that those missing were in fact dead. WAN condemned those remarks then, as it does now. But Mr. Wickremesinghe was not in power during the last part of the war or in the years that followed. As Defence Secretary, the Current President Gotabaya was. On May 18, 2009, thousands surrendered with Rev. Fr. Francis Joseph to present Army Commander Shavendra Silva’s 58th Division. Families watched as their loved ones surrendered and boarded buses, never to be seen again. If those missing are dead, how did they die or who killed them? When, where, why, and how were they killed? Where are their remains? How long has the truth been silenced?

Continue reading ‘The Silence of the UN After the Remarks made by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa about thye “Missing” persons in SriLanka to the UN Resident Coordinator in Colombo Hanaa Singer is Deeply Troubling -Women’s Action Network.’ »

(Excerpted from Compilation of Viewpoints Presented by Kamanthi Wickramasinghe in the “Daily Mirror” under the Heading “Singing National Anthem in Sinhala only Tug of war continues over ‘Matha’ and ‘Thaaye’)

“I am strongly in favour of the national anthem being sung in both languages whenever and wherever appropriate, certainly at national Independence Day celebrations,” said Dr. Devanesan Nesiah, a retired civil servant who has served the country since 1959.

“There are 3 million Tamils, all Tamil speaking, and 3 million Muslims, mostly Tamil speaking, whose patriotism is intimately tied up with the use of their mother tongue, as much as the patriotism of the Sinhalese is tied up with the use of their mother tongue.

Continue reading ‘“I am strongly in favour of the national anthem being sung in both languages whenever and wherever appropriate Like the national Independence Day celebrations,” – Dr. Devanesan Nesiah’ »

(Excerpted from Compilation of Viewpoints Presented by Kamanthi Wickramasinghe in the “Daily Mirror” under the Heading “Singing National Anthem in Sinhala only Tug of war continues over ‘Matha’ and ‘Thaaye’)

“When Sri Lanka became an independent state in 1948 there was a competition to select a national anthem,” recalled veteran lyricist Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne . “Hence the first national anthem was titled ‘Sri Lanka Matha Pala Yasa Mahima’ which was selected by the Lanka Gandharva Sabha. However by then Ananda Samarakoon’s ‘Namo Namo Matha’ was sung in school choirs and gained much popularity. But it wasn’t even shortlisted for the competition. Therefore, the Cabinet approved it to be the official national anthem on November 22, 1951.

Continue reading ‘“Our National Anthem is a song that could be sung by people of all ethnicities and religions.” – Prof Sunil Ariyaratne’ »

by Ifham Nizam

Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, yesterday promised a party where everybody would have a say and its leader could be expelled if he or she was at fault.

Premadasa, speaking at a meeting consisting of parliamentarians, local council members, provincial council members and supporters, at the Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre, Colombo, said he was a seasoned politician and would contest the parliamentary election under a new alliance and ensure its victory, in April.

Continue reading ‘Sajith Premadasa Tells Meeting of UNP MP’s, EX-PC Members and Local Govt Members that he Will Lead a New Alliance and win the Parliamentary Elections: Hakeem, Bathiudeen, Samarawickrama,Hashim and Karunanayake Notable Absentees at Event’ »

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The Cabinet decision to approve the construction of a coal power plant and two LNG plants ran counter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s promise to meet 80% of Sri Lanka’s energy needs through renewable sources by 2030, Secretary of Solar Industries Association (SIA), Lakmal Fernando told The Island yesterday.

Last week, the Cabinet approved the construction of a 600 megawatt extension of Norochcholai Coal Power complex, an LNG plant with a capacity of 300 Megawatt as a joint venture with Ceylon Electricity Board and India / Japan at Kerawalapitiya and a 300 megawatt LNG plant at Kerawalapitiya to be constructed with funds from the Asian Development Bank.

Continue reading ‘Cabinet Decision to Approve Construction of a Coal Power Plant and two LNG Plants ran Counter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Promise to meet 80% of Sri Lanka’s Energy Needs Through Renewable Sources by 2030 Points out Secretary of Solar Industries Association, Lakmal Fernando’ »

Politically affiliated criminals would not be punished by governments formed by the main political parties because leaders of both parties have close links to each other, MP Hirunika Premachandra said yesterday addressing a press conference at the Opposition Leader’s Office, Colombo 07.

“Leaders of both parties are good friends, they cut deals and don’t punish anyone,” she said.

Continue reading ‘Hirunika Premachandra MP Challenges President Gotabaya and Prime Minister Mahinda to Bring Former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran to Sri Lanka or Take Action Against Him’ »

Ruki Fernando

January 24, 2020, was 10 years since the disappearance of journalist and cartoonist Prageeth Ekneligoda. It also marked 10 years of struggle for truth and justice by his wife, Sandhya Ekneligoda and two young sons.

Investigative reports by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to the Homagama Magistrate Courts indicated that Ekneligoda was abducted from Rajagiriya in the Colombo district by Army Intelligence personnel, and taken to Giritale Army Intelligence camp in Polonnaruwa district.

There he had been questioned about a book related to the Rajapaksa family – which includes present President Gotabhaya and former President Mahinda.
Army Intelligence personnel have been arrested as suspects and released on bail. Both the CID and State Counsel leading the case on behalf of the Attorney General’s (AG) department, had repeatedly told courts of the Army providing false information, denying possession of evidence, delaying production of evidence and misleading investigations and courts. They had also reported a lack of cooperation and obstructions towards investigations from the Army, and intimidation of witnesses.

A key witness, who had seen and questioned Ekneligoda in the Giritale camp on 25th January 2010, has complained to the Police about a conspiracy to harm his life from the Giritale camp.

Continue reading ‘Ten Years After The Disappearance of Prageeth Ekneligoda His Courageous Wife Sandhya Ekneligoda Has Become an an Icon of Defiance, Resistance and Hope for Justice.’ »

By

Jamila Husain

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has informed the UN that necessary investigations would be conducted to find out the fate of those who had disappeared during the island’s civil conflict as most of the families had attested that those disappeared had been recruited or forcibly conscripted by the LTTE.

The Presidential Secretariat said the recent media reports quoting President Gotabaya as claiming that the 20,000 who were listed as missing were dead was taken out of context as he had clearly stated that necessary investigations would be conducted before issuing a death certificate.

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Did Not Make Any Reference to or Acknowledge that 2000 Reported as Disappeared are Dead in Conversation with UN Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer and Has Been Misquoted in the Media Clarifies Presidential Secretariat’ »

The Government of India has decided to confer Padma Shri Awards on Deshabandu Dr. Vajira Chitrasena and Late Prof. Indra Dassanayake for their pioneering contributions in their individual fields of work and for strengthening India-Sri Lanka ties, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said.

Padma Shri Awards are one of the highest civilian awards in India, and are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister of India every year. The awards seek to recognize achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved.

Continue reading ‘India Confers Prestigious Padma Shri Awards Upon Legendary Dancer and Dance School Principal Dr. Vajira Chitrasena and the Late Professor of Hindi at Kelaniya University Dr.Indra Dassanayake’ »

by Zacki Jabbar

The UNP, while pledging support to the Rajapaksa government’s fresh investigations into the Easter Sunday bomb explosions at three churches and three luxury hotels on April 21 last year, says that former President Maithripala Sirisena, who was also the then Defence Minister, is answerable for ignoring intelligence warnings and leaving for Singapore on a holiday.

Accusing Sirisena of shirking his duty, with the objective of destabilising the then Ranil Wickremesinghe government and the country in the run- up to the last presidential election, UNP MP Range Bandara told a news conference in Colombo late last week, that the Rajapaksa government, if seriously interested in ensuring justice for victims of the Easter Sunday blasts triggered by the Zaharan Faction of the National Thowheed Jamath, should immediately arrest Sirisena, who has no presidential immunity post 19th Amendment to the Constitution, and produce him in Courts.

Continue reading ‘If Rajapaksa Govt is Serious About Ensuring Justice for Victims of Easter Bomb Attacks, It Should Immediately Arrest Ex-President Maithripala Sirisena Who has No Presidential Immunity And Produce him in Courts says UNP Parliamentarian Palitha Range Bandara’ »

By

Rajpal Abeynayake

Picking the most valuable player in a cricket tournament may be a tad easier than picking the most effective talent in a political entity, particularly a relatively new one. Or a new governing coalition.

But if we put the idea to a test, would there be general agreement on the most valuable player on the side of the new SLPP led political forces?

This writer remembers penning an opinion piece around the beginning of the second Mahinda Rajapaksa tenure as President, which claimed that Dr. P. B. Jayasundera was the most valuable player (MVP)of the then coalition. Some agreed, others didn’t, but there was no vehement criticism overall. Today, Dr. PBJ heads up operations at the Presidential Secretariat, as President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Secretary, a job that would make an immense contribution to defining the tone and tenor of the GR Presidency.

Expectations are high as the newly elected President lays down policy and governs with a new agglomeration of forces, but there must be an MVP in the current SLPP + coalition as well.

I’d say that the Most Valuable Player today, is Basil Rajapaksa. Why is Basil Rajapaksa (BR for short, and the former Minister of Economic Affairs) the current MVP? Those who don’t quite agree with my pick, may say that BR is hardly heard of — or heard from — in these times.

That will be like saying a gale force storm is non-existent, because nobody sees the breeze.

Continue reading ‘With a Parliamentary Election Being on the Cards The Most Valuable Player for the Sri Lanka Podujana Party-Led Government is Basil Rajapaksa’ »

BY

Kishali Pinto Jayawardene

Notwithstanding understandable wrath that Sri Lankans may feel over political betrayals of the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe coalition during 2015-2019, the way forward does not lie in giving sweeping majorities to any political force in the upcoming General Elections.

A despicable political culture

True, the scorching fury of ‘good governance’ being replaced by ‘no-governance’ to the extent that Islamist jihadists were emboldened to strike at hotels and churches on Easter Sunday leaving death and destruction in their wake, is still fresh in the electorate’s mind. But If Sri Lanka’s history is any indication, even the slim victories won in the name of the people was when political power was not centralised in one individual or in one party. The 17th Amendment to the Constitution is a clear example. The fact that politicians could not properly implement its contents speaks to the despicable political culture in this country rather than anything else.

And if atrocious minds playing to the tune of political grandmasters had not muddled the 19th Amendment, its impact on constitutional governance would have been far sharper and more clean cut. As it is and even with its most evident flaws, its reversal of the obnoxious 18th Amendment brought in by a steamroller Rajapaksa (the First) dispensation was only to the good. So Government politicians salivating at the prospect of a decisive victory in the forthcoming General Elections over a Opposition in utter disarray, must not be given their heart’s delight.

Continue reading ‘Is a Presidential Directive By Gotabaya Rajapaksa Needed for the police to “effect arrests only on strict compliance with the law and without undue influence?”’ »

by Shamindra Ferdinando

Government Spokesman State Power Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said on Wednesday, January 22, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s decision to increase the daily wage of an estate worker to Rs. 1,000 from March 01, 2020, had not been seriously opposed by the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon.

Addressing the media at the Prime Minister’s Office, lawmaker Aluthgamage said those who had been fighting for Rs 1,000 daily wage now question the government over the feasibility of the President’s decision.

Continue reading ‘Government Spokesman Mahindananda Aluthgamage States Govt Is Going Ahead with President Gotabaya’s Decision to Increase Daily Wage of Estate Workers to 1000 Rupees From March 1st:”Contrary to Claims Plantation Companies Can Afford to Pay Rs 1000 Daily Wage”Says State Minister’ »

One-time Army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Nanda Mallawarachchi has been appointed Director General, Multi Development Task Force responsible for high profile project to recruit and train 100,000 members of low income families.

The project implemented in line with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s 2019 presidential poll pledge aimed to uplift the living standards of the poorest of poor, Government Spokesman State Power Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said.

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Appoints Ex- Army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Nanda Mallawarachchi as Director General of the Multi Development Task Force Responsible for Recruiting and Training 100,000 Members of Low Income Families Without Interference From Govt MP’s’ »

By Ashwin Hemmathagama

Government has declared areas in Chundi-kulam, Delft Island, Adam’s Bridge, Kotuaththawala, Kayankerni, and Madu Road as national parks.

Moving the motion on Thursday in Parliament, Environment and Wildlife Resources, and Lands and Land Development Minister S.M. Chandrasena held some of these new national parks have already been longstanding sanctuaries with high levels of biodiversity and historical importance.

“Chundikulam which was considered as a national sanctuary since 1938 was alleviated as a national park that contains over 27,500 acres of land. The biodiversity in Chundikulam attracts migrant birds. Permanent structures were removed in the process of conversion to a national park from a sanctuary,” he explained.

Continue reading ‘Six Areas in North including Southern Delft, Chundikulam, Adam’s Bridge Islets and Madu Road Sanctuary Declared as National Parks by Govt’ »

By

Meera Srinivasan

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s recent remarks that those reported missing from the time of the civil war were “actually dead” have sparked concern among families of disappeared persons.

Relatives, mostly women, of thousands reported missing have been protesting in Sri Lanka’s Tamil-majority north and east for nearly three years now, demanding that authorities share the whereabouts of their children/husband, forcibly disappeared during the years of the brutal war between the State armed forces and the rebel LTTE.

“We cannot accept the new President’s remarks,” said Leelathevi Ananthanatarajah, secretary of the Association for the Relatives of the Enforced Disappearances in the North and East.

Continue reading ‘“How Could The LTTE Have Killed Those Who Surrendered to the Army After the War Ended?” Family Members of Persons Reported Missing Question President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Recent Statement to UN Resident Coordinator in Colombo’ »

By

Lucien Rajakarunanayake

A good amount of my life as a journalist had to do with covering Parliament. I’ve seen and heard great debates, listened to members skilled in debate, who were rich with humour, satire, ridicule and sarcasm. There were members who spoke for hours on rich content, and some who brought fun to the House within minutes of speech.

That was the tradition we had in the early years of independence, coming down from the State Council. It certainly declined in quality and content over the years, especially after JRJ’s Executive Presidency and Proportional Representation; which saw elections from districts and not electorates, and the choice of the party above the capability and quality of the person.

What happened in Parliament this week was the greatest and vilest exposure of itself in all its history.

Ranjan Ramanayake – RR – has many issues to face as a Member of Parliament. His arrival at the House from the Remand Prison was only one aspect of these issues. But what mattered much more than the allegations relating to his violations of telecommunication laws, was the devastating exposure of the parliamentary reality of today.

Continue reading ‘Whatever Flaws and Faults that may be Found of his Alleged Violations of the Laws of the Land Ranjan Ramanayake has done a Great Service to the People by this Staggering Exposure of a Dirty, Shady and Crooked Legislature.’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando

A group of lawyers, yesterday (24), protested at Hultsdorp against what a spokesman for them, Sunil Watagala, called the Attorney General resorting to arbitrary actions in the wake of leaked audio clips containing conversations between judges and UNP lawmaker Ranjan Ramanayake.

Attorney-at-law Watagala alleged that the Attorney General hadn’t followed the proper procedure in issuing instructions to the police to take interdicted High Court judge Gihan Pilapitiya into custody.

Asked whether they intended to take up this issue with the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), Watagala, a former JVP Western Provincial Council member said that he would do so at the Bar Council meeting on Saturday, January 25.

Responding to another query, the lawyer said that they intended to march on the Attorney General’s Office if their demand was not heeded.

Continue reading ‘Group of Lawyers Protest Against Attorney – General Dappula de Livera’s Procedure Violating Arbirary Action in Ordering Police to Take Into Custody the Interdicted High Court Judge Gihan Pilapitiya’ »

By

Dhammike Amarasinghe

I presume that many people consider the mere idea of singing a National Anthem in more than one language strange and an anomaly. In this context it would be best to examine what the international practice is. I invite readers to refer to the articles titled ‘ List of National Anthems’ and ‘National Anthem’ in Wikipedia, available on the Internet.

The following is an extract from the first mentioned article: ‘….States with multiple national languages may offer several versions of their anthem. For instance Switzerland’s National Anthem has different lyrics for each of the country’s four official languages, French, German, Italian and Romansh. One of New Zealand’s two national anthems is commonly sung with the first verse in Maori and the second in English. South Africa’s national anthem is unique in that it is two different songs put together with five of the country’s eleven official languages being used. in which each language comprises a stanza.

Continue reading ‘Examining the International Practice of Countries Singing the National Anthem in More Than One Language’ »

Refuting allegations that former Lake House chief Krishantha Cooray is linked to the Swiss embassy saga, the main opposition United National Party (UNP) said there is a conspiracy afoot to discredit Cooray and other media personnel not toeing the government line.

Speaking to reporters at the Opposition Leader’s Office this morning, UNP MPs Ajith P Perera and Eran Wickramaratne accused the government of resorting to new tactics to intimidate the press.

Cooray, who the UNP-led Yahapalana Government had appointed as Chairman of the state-run Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (Lake House), has been in the news this week over telephone calls he is said to have made to former Sunday Observer editor Dharisha Bastians.

Continue reading ‘Attempts to Link Ex- Lake House Chairman Krishantha Cooray and Former “Sunday Observer” Editor Dharisha Bastians with Swiss Embassy Staffer Incident is Part of Govt Strategy to Drive Fear Into Media Personnel Say UNP Parliamentarians Eran Wickramaratne and Ajith P Perera’ »

By

Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

(The following is a transcription of the lively speech Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake made on January 21 (Tuesday) in Parliament regarding the leaked telephone conversations, he had with prominent personalities, which have put the lawmakers in hot water.)

“I relate my story to all the people in this country. Firstly I tender my sincere apologies to those who were personally affected as a result of my struggle to reveal corruption. I tender apologies to all including MP Hirunika Premachandra. These CDs were kept at my home because of those who deny the statements they make. I did not have any intention of harming anyone or to break anyone’s family. Only a TV channel whose owner is engaged in drug trafficking carries out such activities.

“I would like to tell everyone whom I conferred with including judges, CID officers that I recorded these conversations to put the robbers behind bars and not to help them escape. Let’s continue with this struggle. I am not prepared to betray it.

“There are many recorded conversations with me including the ones which the Government is trying to hide. I will table everything in Parliament. I have had conversations with judges, heads of state and some who held the post of Chief Justice. People have the right to know what they have discussed with me. There are Cabinet Ministers who have had conversations with me, their wives and even sons have had phone conversations with me. They have told me their plight. I table all these today.

Continue reading ‘“100 MP’s Have Bar Permits, Two MP’s are Trafficking Drugs While One MP Engages in Racing and betting” – Transcript of Ranjan Ramanayake’s Revelatory Speech in Parliament on Jan 21’ »

By

Ajith Siriwardana

UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra today claimed that the leaked second phone recording clip said to be of her and MP Ranjan Ramanayake was maliciously edited and vowed to take legal action against those who published the clips.

Posting a video on her facebook account, she said the content and voice in the second leaked phone recording was maliciously edited.

“I appeal to people to listen to the two recording clips which were said to be mine and Ranjan’s attentively. There is a big difference in the two,” she said.

Continue reading ‘Hirunika Premachandra says Leaked Second Phone Clip With Conversation Between Ranjan Ramanayake has Been Maliciously Edited:MP Alleges leaking recordings is part of an agenda to create opinion to show that Duminda Silva was a political prisoner.’ »

by Bishop Duleep de Chickera

With Freedom (Independence) Day in sight we should be reflecting on how best our freedom gained, is to be consolidated and what new freedoms are to be secured. As change occurs, our perception of life grows and our understanding of ethics evolve, the human quest to stay free never ceases.

Some educational institutions guide their students to review our Independence; the freedom it has brought us and the freedom we still lack. Civic and religious gatherings go a step further to engage in silent introspection.

Legislators, it seems, do little of this. When you hear them you hear little that is refreshing or generous. Their behaviour and performance indicate a fear of silence.

Continue reading ‘Far From Banning the Singing of the National Anthem in One Language we must Ensuring that it is Sung with Dignity in Both Languages on Freedom Day and all National Occasions.’ »

Last month India changed the law to make it easier for adherents of all the subcontinent’s religions, except Islam, to acquire citizenship. At the same time, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (bjp) wants to compile a register of all India’s 1.3bn citizens, as a means to hunt down illegal immigrants .

Those sound like technicalities, but many of the country’s 200m Muslims do not have the papers to prove they are Indian, so they risk being made stateless. Ominously, the government has ordered the building of camps to detain those caught in the net.

You might think that the bjp’s scheme was a miscalculation. It has sparked widespread and lasting protests. Students, secularists, even the largely fawning media have begun to speak out against Narendra Modi, the prime minister, for his apparent determination to transform India from a tolerant, multi-religious place into a chauvinist Hindu state.

Continue reading ‘“Narendra Modi’s Apparent Determination to Transform India From a Tolerant, Multi-Religious Place into a Chauvinist Hindu State”-The Economist’ »

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered measures to prevent the genocide of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar (formerly Burma).

The decision comes despite de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi defending her country against the accusations in person last month.

Thousands of Rohingya died and more than 700,000 fled to Bangladesh during an army crackdown in 2017.

UN investigators have warned that genocidal actions could recur.

The ICJ case, lodged by the African Muslim-majority nation of The Gambia, called for emergency measures to be taken against the Myanmar military until a fuller investigation could be launched.

Continue reading ‘International Court of Justice Issues Unanimous Ruling Ordering Myanmar to take “all measures within its power” to Prevent Serious Risk of Genocide of the Rohingyas Despite Aung San Suu Kyi Defending Her Country at Hague’ »

By Nick Beake

This judgment has surely obliterated any remnants of Aung San Suu Kyi’s international reputation.

Remember, she didn’t have to go to The Hague and become the embodiment of Myanmar’s defence. She chose to argue, in person, there was no mass murder, rape or arson.

Even her biggest critics used to acknowledge she doesn’t control the still powerful Burmese army, but now she has destroyed the firewall between her and the generals by trying – and failing – to justify their actions.

So far, Myanmar has played by the rules of the International Court of Justice. But will it abide by these emergency measures?

Continue reading ‘Aung San Suu Kyi Falls From Grace Completely By Going in Person to ICJ and Trying to Justify the Actions of the Burmese Army Generals’ »

By
Anna Holligan

It was an unexpected detour that led Abubacarr Tambadou from his home in the tiny West African country of The Gambia to experience an epiphany on the edge of a refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar.

Listening to survivors’ stories he said the “stench of genocide” began drifting across the border into Bangladesh from Myanmar.

“I realised how much more serious it was than the flashes we’d seen on television screens,” he told the BBC.

“Military and civilians would organise systematic attacks against Rohingya, burn down houses, snatch babies from their mothers’ arms and throw them alive into burning fires, round up and execute men; girls were gang-raped and put through all types of sexual violence.”

The Rohingya are a Muslim minority in mainly Buddhist Myanmar.

Continue reading ‘Gambian Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou:Man with Courage, Skills and Humanity Holding Myanmar/Burma Accountable for Atrocities Against Rohingyas’ »

UNP Parliamentarian Lakshman Kiriella yesterday said that any decision on party leadership will have to be approved by the Working Committee and be announced at a party convention, but was unclear when a new Working Committee would be appointed.

Commenting on the ongoing leadership standoff, Kiriella warned that it should not affect party unity, which is vital to face the upcoming General Election.

Ranil Wickremesinghe as Party Leader will convene the new Working Committee soon, he said, but did not specify a date.

Continue reading ‘Any Decision on UNP Leadership will Have to be Taken by theParty Working Committee and Endorsed at the Party Convention Says Lakshman Kiriella’ »

By Ashwin Hemmathagama

Lawmakers yesterday called on the Speaker to ensure all details of the Central Bank’s forensic audit reports are released, after some sections and annexures were found missing in the CD distributed to parliamentarians.

Lawmakers from both sides, bringing the issue to the attention of the Speaker, held the full report should be made available in soft and hard copies without delay.

Continue reading ‘Both Govt and Opposition MP’s Complain Over Some Sections and Annexures Being Missing From Central Bank Forensic Audit Reports Released to Parliament’ »

(Text of a press release issued by theMedia Office of the Tamil National Alliance)

R. Sampanthan 21/01/2020
Member of Parliament
Trincomalee

Statement of urgent public importance pertaining to the Bungalow of the Leader of the Opposition and other matters related thereto.

Dear Hon. Speaker,

You recognized me as the Leader of the Opposition of the Sri Lankan Parliament in September 2015.

At that time, for over twenty years, as a Member of Parliament, I had been occupying the Summit Flats 2D, where I climbed and descended 60-70 steps every time I entered the flat or left the flat. Given my age, I’m well past eighty (80), this was very inconvenient and difficult but I put up with it.

I was given the bungalow for the Leader of the Opposition only in September 2017, two years after I became the Leader of the Opposition, and I was able to move into the Opposition Leader’s Bungalow only in September 2017, two years later.

Continue reading ‘“I did not request either the Hon. Speaker, Mr. Karu Jayasuriya, or the Hon. Prime Minister, Mr. Ranil Wickermasinghe, to permit me to continue to occupy the Opposition Leader’s Bungalow.”- R.Sampanthan MP’ »

By Chandani Kirinde

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday expanded the scope of a Commission of Inquiry (COI) he appointed two weeks ago to look into political victimisation during the previous Government to ascertain if investigations and legal proceedings against members of the Tri-Forces, Police and public services had an impact on the national security of the country.

In addition to examining complaints of political victimisation during the period 8 January 2015 and ending 16 November 2019, the COI will now inquire into complaints it receives in relation to officers of the Tri-Forces and Sri Lanka Police, and ascertain if inquires, investigations and legal proceedings affected national security.

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Expands Scope of Commission of Inquiry to Probe and Ascertain if Actions against Tri-Forces, Police and Public officials Impacted National Security’ »

By

Joe Wallen

The new Sri Lankan president has finally admitted the 20,000 missing Tamils who vanished during the nation’s civil war are dead.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa – who was then defence secretary – led government troops to victory over Tamil soldiers, but his forces were accused of carrying out mass disappearances and executions.

It is the first time the government has admitted its complicity despite the conflict ending in 2009. The move crucially comes as he is about to introduce legislation granting immunity to those who carried out abuses, according to local media reports.

Continue reading ‘New Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Admits That the 20,000 Tamils Reported Missing During the Nation’s Civil War are Dead.’ »

The Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar yesterday issued summons for 14 individuals, including the former Commander of the Navy Admiral (Retd) Wasantha Karannagoda, to appear before the Court on 24 January over the alleged abduction and enforced disappearance for eleven youths in 2008.

The 11 youths had been abducted in Colombo and the suburbs between 2008 and 2009. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) alleged that the youths were abducted for ransom and later disappeared by the alleged perpetrators.

Continue reading ‘Permanent High Court Trial at Bar Hearing Alleged Abduction of 11 Youths for Ransom by Navy Issues Summons to 14 Persons Including Ex-Navy Chief Adm(Retd)Wasantha Karannagoda to Appear Before Court on Jan 24’ »

By Saman Indrajith

UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake yesterday said in parliament that he would request for two days bail for him to table all the evidence in his possession with regard to phone records scandal.

He said that he was in a difficult position to table those material as he had promised on Tuesday as he was still in remand custody and do not have access to the said evidence which were safely stored at a private bank.

The beleaguered MP said so when State Minister Kanchana Wijesekara pointed out that Ramanayaka did not table the evidence he claimed he would during his special statement in Parliament on Tuesday.

Continue reading ‘Remanded MP Ranjan Ramanayake Says He Requires Two days Bail to Retrieve Audio CD’s of his Telephone Conversation Recordings from a Private Bank Locker and Table Them in Parliament’ »

by Sudharshan Seneviratne
(Emeritus Professor. University of Peradeniya. Sri Lanka’s former High Commissioner to India)

Introduction

Foreign Policy (FP) represents the long arm of the State protecting and imaging its national interest and projecting overseas all aspects of an independent sovereign State. As such, Foreign Policy is essentially based on a fundamental principle – that is to protect the country, State and people thereby reserving its “Right to defend”. Recognizing and contextualizing Sri Lanka’s historical, physical and strategic location in the central Indian Ocean Rim, its Foreign Policy needs to be situated within a trajectory – the State, its citizens and the global world. While the country has now reached the tipping edge of its very survival as an independent and sovereign State under the Yahapalanaya regime, the history of its foreign policy in the past five years is punctuated with a volatile potpourri of compromises, betrayal and above all, “missed opportunities”.

This needs to be placed against the foreign Policy envisioned by President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his tenure of office as President. It is a narrative little told. Yet it unfolds his vision, hopes, ideas and ideals, both, within the country and beyond borders. It is about HE’s vision plan regaining Sri Lanka’ social, political and economic integrity, its lost dignity and self-esteem and how he redefined and crafted Foreign Policy against many odds that were stacked against Sri Lanka at critical moments.

Continue reading ‘Facets of Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Foreign Policy Vision: Internalizing Inclusivity and Internationalizing Exclusivity’ »

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, told the UN Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer here on Friday, that whether he gets the support of the Tamil political parties or not, he will develop the war-shattered economy of the Tamil-majority Northern Province, the Presidential Media Division said.

On the issue of the missing, he said that, whether they were Tamil civilians, LTTE cadres or Lankan soldiers, most of the missing had actually died in battle and their bodies had not been found.

“I can’t bring back the dead!” he told Singer.

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Tells UN Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer that whether he gets the Support of the Tamil Political Parties or not, he will Develop the War-shattered Economy of the Tamil-majority Northern Province.’ »

By Maria Abi-Habib and Dharisha Bastians

Dashing the hopes of thousands of families desperate for word about loved ones who went missing during Sri Lanka’s long, grisly civil war, the country’s new president has offered an unsparing rebuff to their quest for closure.

The missing are in fact dead, said the president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and “I can’t bring back the dead.”

The government, eager to close a painful chapter in the country’s history, plans to issue death certificates for the missing Sri Lankans, a number put at 24,000.

Continue reading ‘‘I Can’t Bring Back the Dead’: Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Tries to Bring an End to the Search for Persons Reported Missing During the War’ »

By

Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa

Traders in the Dambulla Dedicated Economic Center said a sharp drop in the prices of vegetables was being experienced at present and that it was mainly due to large stocks of vegetables arriving from the North.

Continue reading ‘Sky High Prices of Several Vegetables and Onions Begin to Come Down After Influx of Low Country Vegetables and Onions From North to Dambulla Economic Center’ »

By Saman Indrajith

Former Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake, yesterday (21) apologised to all those who had got into trouble due to the leak of recordings of his telephone conversations with him.

Speaking during the Parliamentary debate, MP Ramanayake said it had not been his intention to make the recordings of his conversations public. “The recordings were seized by police from my home violating my privileges as an MP. I only kept them secure in hard disks for my own protection as this is a country where people constantly change their opinions,” he said.

MP Ramanayake claimed he had recorded his phone calls as part of his crusade against corruption.

Continue reading ‘Remanded MP Ranjan Ramanayake Addresses Parliament and Challenges Govt to Appoint a Presidential Commission to Investigate his Leaked Telephone Conversation Recordings: Says “I am willing to appear before the commission with all the information I have.”’ »

By Ashwin Hemmathagama

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday approved the tabling of forensic audit reports on bond transactions of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), arguing that the release of the documents would not impact investigations or legal proceedings.

Justifying his decision to release the forensic audit report yesterday in Parliament, the Speaker held that the release of the report would not have any impact on ongoing legal proceedings.

Continue reading ‘Speaker Karu Jayasuriya Approves Tabling in Parliament of Forensic Audit Reports on Bond Transactions of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Says Release of Documents Wont Impact investigations or Legal Proceedings.’ »

By Saman Indrajith

UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra said that some of the recordings of telephone conversations between her and MP Ranjan Ramanayake had been tampered with.

Premachandra said that there was a sinister campaign to tarnish her image.

She had filed complaints against four television channels for defamation, the MP said.

Continue reading ‘Hirunika Premachandra Tells Parliament that there is a Sinister Campaign to Tarnish her Image and That She was Taking Action Against Four TV Channels for Defamation’ »

By

Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwadana

MP Ranjan Ramanayake today tabled in Parliament several CDs containing audio clips of phone conversations he has had with many people including a few heads of State.

He did so while stating in Parliament that he was tabling the CDs containing telephone conversations he has had with politicians of various political parties, prostitutes, artistes and even heads of State.

However, the MP said he had no recordings of conversations he had with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Continue reading ‘Ranjan Ramanayake MP Tables in Parliament Audio CD’s of Recorded Telephone Conversations With Several Persons Including Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Perpetual Treasuries Head Arjun Aloysius and Parliamentarian Kanchana Wijesekera’ »

By K. Ratnayake

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Alice G. Wells delivered a letter from President Donald Trump to President Gotabhaya Rajapakse during a one-day trip to Sri Lanka last Wednesday. The letter, according to the media, emphasised the White House’s “commitment and interest in furthering and deepening [its] partnership” with the island nation.

Wells held discussions with President Rajapakse and his brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, as well as Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Tamil National Alliance chiefs R. Sambandan and M. A. Sumanthiran, and “civil society” leaders. Wells was accompanied by Liza Curtis, the Senior Director for South and Central Asia on the US National Security Council and Aliana Teplitz, the US ambassador to Colombo.

Significantly, Wells’ trip—part of a nine-day South Asia tour—followed Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s two-day visit to Sri Lanka, which began last Monday. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was also in Colombo on Wednesday.

Continue reading ‘US Deputy Asst Secretary of State Alice Wells Delivers Letter From US President Trump to President Gotabaya and Conveys “message” That Washington will not Tolerate any Weakening of the Military and Political Relations it Built-up over Four Years With Sri Lanka under Sirisena Govt’ »

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The government must immediately expose the high profits made by the plantation companies and inform the public that they could easily give their workers a daily basic salary of Rs. 1,000, the 1000 Movement, a collective of unions and civil society activists, said yesterday.

Chinthaka Rajapakshe, Moderator of the Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR) told The Island that the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) had been misleading the public about the profits the plantation companies had been making.

The plantation companies had refused to increase wages for a long time, claiming that they had cash flow problems and that the productivity of Sri Lankan workers was lower than that of other tea producing countries, he said.

Continue reading ‘Plantation Companies Making Huge Profits are Refusing to Pay 1000 Rupee Daily Wage to Estate Workers By Misleading Govt and Public About the Actual Profits They Make Charges MONLAR Moderator Chinthaka Rajapakshe’ »

By

Victor Ivan

The collection of recorded telephone conversations of Ranjan Ramanayaka can be said to have become a kind of collection of short films that reveal the degeneration of the entire institutional system of the country while conveying the message of it to the people in a simple and straightforward way.

The reading habits of both politicians and the public of Sri Lanka are limited. They read very little. Therefore, the service that can be rendered by serious books or articles is limited. But, it is easy to understand the short footage of Ranjan’s voice recordings. They even contain the element of obscenity or vulgarity which generally people are fond of. These voice recordings while revealing the nakedness of the entire institutional system and the extent of its degeneration, make the public feel the stench emanating from it.

In this backdrop, perceived from a historical sense, the country appears to be fast moving towards anarchy. The content of these short video clips can be said to have accelerated the speed of the move towards anarchy.

I have long been a critic of the degeneration of the institutional system of the country and the need for structural reforms to rectify it. I have written a considerable number of books and articles on this subject. It does not require a great knowledge like rocket science to understand this decay and degeneration.

A serious mistake might become a difficult issue to put right when it is not addressed immediately, as and when it happened. A thing that can be nipped in the bud, after some time, might become difficult even to cut with an axe. It is this lackadaisical approach that overshadows the political arena of Sri Lanka, which has caused the entire institutional system to fall into the current state of pathetic degeneration.

In this article, I hope to explain the background of the degeneration of the institutional system based on the unique experience I have gained of the judiciary of Sri Lanka. Though the short videos of Ranjan’s telephone conversations might help to get a glimpse of the degeneration, it, however, will not lead to an in-depth understanding of the magnitude of the issue. If the system is to be redeemed from the present predicament, it is essential that Sri Lanka must have a deep knowledge and understanding of the issue.

Continue reading ‘The Damage Done to the Judiciary by Sarath Silva as Attorney – General and Chief Justice Long Before The Ranjan Ramanayake’s Telephone Recordings Controversy’ »

The Government yesterday remained firm on the proposed daily wage hike for estate workers from March and asked the plantation firms to come up with a new formula to offer relief whilst minimising damage to financial viability.

The outcome follows the Ceylon Planters Association and the Employers Federation of Ceylon meeting Plantation Industries Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana first followed by a separate discussion with Secretary to President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera.

Last week President Gotabaya Rajapaksa honouring an election pledge said estate workers’ minimum wage will be increased by Rs. 145 or 17% to Rs. 1,000 in March from Rs. 855 at present.

Continue reading ‘Planters Association and Employers Federation of Ceylon Unwilling to Comply with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Directive to Pay Estate Workers a 1000 Rupee Daily Wage but Govt Stands Firm’ »

By

Meera Srinivasan

Thousands of persons reported missing since the time of Sri Lanka’s civil war are “actually dead”, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said.

The President made the remark in a recent meeting with the UN Resident Coordinator, according to a statement from his office. Outlining his plans to address the issue of missing persons, “he explained that these missing persons are actually dead. Most of them had been taken by the LTTE or forcibly conscripted. The families of the missing attest to it. However, they do not know what has become of them and so claim them to be missing,” the statement said.

After the “necessary investigations”, steps would be taken to issue death certificates of the missing persons, while their families would be supported, the official media release said.

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Tells UN Resident Coordinator that Persons Reported Missing During Civil War are Actually Dead and Steps Would be Taken to Issue Death Certificat After Necessary Investigations’ »

The Sri Lankan Wildlife Department has been able to retrace the Sri Lankan Black Panther that was once considered to be long extinct.

Out of the eight species of panthers living in the world, the sub-species, Sri Lankan Panther is extraordinary due to its very limited population.

The Sri Lankan black panther is believed to have gained it’s unique characteristics due to a colour mutation.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Black Panther Thought to Be Extinct Re-discovered Again in the Island; Wild Life Dept Camera Footage Proves Existence of One Male,Female and Two Cubs’ »

By

Mani Velupillai

Almost all our public figures have disapproved of the leak of Ranjan Ramanayake’s phone recordings. They include Ramanayake’s celluloid colleagues, fellow politicians, some members of the clergy, officials and even journalists.

It is a moot point, however, whether Ramanayake’s critics represent themselves or the public or both. Apparently they impute their own demeanour over the leaks to the nation as a whole. No doubt the JVP does not represent the entire nation. It is, however, obvious that what it says makes sense.

According to the JVP, Ramanayake “has revealed the deteriorated and corrupt nature of society, including the corrupt nature of the top hierarchy of the key sectors … These key sectors such as politicians, officials, judiciary, religious organisations and the business sector were corrupt and spoilt… and the leaked phone recordings revealed the falsehood of these sectors.”

Continue reading ‘Can Ranjan Ramanayake’s Critics Deny That he Has “revealed the deteriorated and corrupt nature of society including the corrupt nature of the top hierarchy of the key sectors?”’ »

By P.K.Balachandran

India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, who was on short visit here on Saturday, has told the Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that it is important that India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives review the Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) regime, enhance it, and include other regional countries as observers.

The MDA regimen keeps track of vessels in the area. It was lack of cooperation in this area which led to a deep rift between India and Sri Lanka in 2014 when the Indians charged that a Chinese “nuclear” submarine had docked in Colombo without its being made aware of it. The submarine incident was the last straw on the back of India which had been watching with alarm the Mahinda Rajapaksa government’s dalliance with rival China since 2010.

The Presidential Media Division said in a press release on Doval’s talks with the President that both countries expressed an interest in stepping up military to military corporation; cooperation in maritime security and establishing inter-operability between the Indian and Sri Lankan Coast Guards.

Doval brought up the need for inter-operability of the two Coast Guards in order to check smuggling, drug-trafficking, gun-running by Non-State Actors and illegal fishing.

India also pledged assistance to Sri Lanka in acquiring intelligence gathering technology. An USD 50 million credit line to purchase intelligence gathering equipment was reiterated. Establishment of a “Maritime Research Coordinating Centre” was also discussed.

In all probability, Sri Lanka will implement India’s demands because one of the basic tenets of the Gotabaya Rajapaksa regime is that it must respect and address India’s strategic concerns while throwing open the economy for investments from all parts of the world, including China.

Continue reading ‘Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval Rushed to Colombo After Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s Visit to Place Certain Demands Before President Gotabaya Relating to New Delhi’s Concerns Over Increased Chinese Activity in the Maritime Regions of South Asia.’ »

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, yesterday, expressed surprise at the UNP’s sudden aversion to the MCC pact. Issuing a press release, Rajapaksa said that Opposition Leader, Sajith Premadasa, who was the Deputy Leader of the UNP and key member of the UNP Cabinet, before the Presidential election, had been silent on the MCC pact promoted by the former government.

“We hear the newly appointed Opposition Leader and other Parliamentarians of the UNP making frequent references to the controversial MCC pact. The Opposition Leader states on the public platform that the MCC pact should be torn up and that he will not allow the present government to implement it. Last week, the UNP Opposition Leader was even seen telling the most venerable Mahanayaka Theras that the MCC pact should be torn up. Other MPs of the UNP have been making similar statements. I have been listening to all this with amazement. Just weeks ago, the present Opposition Leader was a leading member of the UNP Cabinet in his capacity as the Deputy Leader of the UNP. With only a matter of days to the Presidential election, the UNP Cabinet officially decided to sign the MCC pact. The UNP Prime Minister told the media that this pact would be signed before the Presidential election,” he said.

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Questions the Political Morality of Sajith Premadasa for Saying now that he wants to Tear Up the MCC Pact While Having Remained Totally Silent When the Cabinet he was Part of Announced it was Going to Sign the MCC Pact’ »

Veteran Sunday Island columnist, C.A.Chandraprema, has been appointed as Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations in Geneva, within which is located the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

At the UNHRC, Chandraprema will be expected to take up the cudgels on behalf of the government of Sri Lanka against Sri Lanka baiters from Western Europe and the Tamil Diaspora.

Chandraprema can be counted on to deliver the goods as he has been writing on the war, human rights and other related subjects with authority for years from a Lankan nationalist perspective.

Continue reading ‘Senior Journalist C.A.Chandraprema Appointed as Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva:Author of Gotabaya Rajapaksa Biography “Gota’s War” Will Go To War Defending Sri Lanka in the UN Human Rights Council’ »

By

Meera Srinivasan

Back in his school days, Firi Rahman, 29, used to feel embarrassed to bring his friends home. Having heard people refer to his neighbourhood as a “slum” or “a den of drug dealers”, he wasn’t sure how his friends would react. “Those of us who belonged to this area felt stigmatised,” recalls the artist, a fifth-generation resident of Slave Island in Colombo. Growing up, it bothered him that the locality, a busy commercial and trading hub in the capital, had to live with an image that hardly reflected the place and its people.

Located near some of Colombo’s most famous tourist spots — the Beira lake, Gangaramaya [Buddhist] Temple, or more recently, the Colombo City Centre — Slave Island is often considered an avoidable “suburb”, one that is associated with its narrow alleyways, congested streets and parking hassles.

Continue reading ‘Residents of Malay-Muslim Locality in Colombo Known as Slave Island are Telling Stories About People In Their Neighbourhood Through Painting Wall Portraits’ »

By

Meera Srinivasan

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Saturday met Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo and discussed key bilateral issues including economic development and strategic cooperation.

“A very cordial discussion was held with National Security Advisor of #India, Ajit Doval today. Strengthening of bilateral cooperation on national security, intelligence sharing, maritime security & fostering of regional collaboration, were some of the key points of discussion,” President Rajapaksa said in tweet soon after the meeting. A statement from his office said the two countries discussed strengthening military ties.

The visit, which was not announced in advance, comes as part of the high-level engagement since the November presidential elections that Mr. Gotabaya had won with a huge mandate.

Continue reading ‘India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval Arrives in Colombo Without Advance Announcement to Meet President Gotabaya Within a week of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s Declaration of Not Letting “Outside Influences” to Interfere in Sri Lanka; Among Issues Dicussed was “Countering and Preventing Debt Traps”.’ »

By

Lucien Rajakarunayake

We are suddenly given an exposure to the crafty and deceitful politics. R-R with his ‘One Shot’ reputation is giving much more than just one shot. It is a chain of telephone call recordings, that we are told is illegal because no recording caution had been given.

Recording caution is the stuff of political trickery and speedy legal action today. Did we have a different Attorney General’s Department in November 2018 – the time of the Constitutional Coup by the Sirisena-Rajapaksa duo; when the public was given many hearings of crooked and purchase politics that prevails in the country.

The UNP’s MP Palitha Range Bandara gave the public a recording on his phone of a call by the cross-over MP – S. B. Dissanayake, offering him a Cabinet office plus a huge sum of money for a quick cross-over to the Sirisena-Rajapaksa team. President Sirisena himself later said the cross-over amount on offer was in many millions.

Continue reading ‘Let’s Hope the Attorney -General’s Dept Will Take Action Over the Recorded Telephone Call by SB Dissanayake To Palitha Range Bandara Offering Huge Sums of Cash to Cross Over From UNP to the Maithri-Mahinda Govt of October 2018?’ »

By

Kishali Pinto Jayawardene

Leaked phone conversations between a politician and judicial officers with more details due to emerge has led to the interdiction of a Magistrate and inquiries into other judges even as the Sri Lankan public remain tantalised by these unfolding scandals. Weighty matters of governance are left discarded, the soaring cost of living is beside the point and planned constitutional convulsions that aim at returning Sri Lanka to dynastic power are not important. Instead this is the new Roman circus in town, with lions and their prey circling the arena to the shocked gasps of the plebians.

Alleging corruption in the judiciary

Even so and as the integrity of Sri Lanka’s judicial institution has come under horrified public scrutiny, the last thing that we need is increased use of contempt of court powers ostensibly wielded to ‘protect’ the adminstration of justice. There are some who have convincingly made the case that, if actor turned politician Ranjan Ramanayake, now more famous for his salacious phone conversations rather than anything else that he has done in his fairly commonplace life, wanted to establish the truth of a claim of corruption in the judiciary in regard to which he is being inquired into on contempt of court charges, he has gone a long way to establish his case as a result of this unholy fracas, regardless of the ethics of what he did. That may be one point of view. That is a matter that is already before court.

Continue reading ‘Viral Spreading of Ranjan Ramanayake’s Phone Recordings Cannot be Stopped by Law in the Context of Unrestrained and Vicious Attacks on the Judiciary in Unregulated Social Media’ »

BY

JAMILA HUSAIN

Following the surprising revelation by UNP MP Harin Fernando that there were numerous recordings of conversations with current government members in MP Ranjan Ramanayake’s possession as well, the Daily Mirror learns that some ruling MPs had held informal discussions over the matter yesterday.

Continue reading ‘Many Ruling Party MP’s Concerned Over Revelation by Harin Fernando that Numerous Recordings of Telephone Conversations with Govt Parliamentarians are in the Possession of Ranjan Ramanayake’ »

By P.K.Balachandran

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is to visit New Delhi in early February at the invitation of the Indian Premier Narendra Modi, will be discussing economic cooperation more than anything else, according to informed sources.

The reason cited for this is that Prime Minister Mahinda is also Minister for Finance, Economy and Policy Development, and India is focused on economic cooperation with Sri Lanka, besides, of course, strategic and defense cooperation.

Mahinda’s visit, precise dates for which are yet to be finalized, is part of an on-going bilateral dialogue which began with the visit of the newly elected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to New Delhi on November 29, 2019, days after he got elected.

Given the critical nature of India-Sri Lanka relations in the context of the growing presence of China in the South Asian region and the Indian Ocean, New Delhi had sought meetings with other top Sri Lankan government leaders too in order to firm up ties with the new Lankan Establishment.

Continue reading ‘Although the Indian Establishment was Not Convinced About the Rajapaksa Brothers Being Trustworthy, New Delhi’s Attitude Underwent a Swift Change After Gotabaya won the Presidential Election Convincingly’ »

The government has deployed intelligence officers to find out if the Grama Niladaris are doing a proper job in recommending people for a programme to provide 100,000 jobs to eligible persons from low income groups. They will also monitor the performance of Grama Niladaris in a programme to provide food for the poor.

Continue reading ‘Govt to Deploy State Intelligence Officials to Monitor Grama Niladharis and Report Whether They are Carrying Out Their Duties Correctly in the Spheres of Providing Jobs and Food for Low Income Groups’ »

Respect for fundamental human rights in Sri Lanka is in serious jeopardy following Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s election as president in November 2019, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2020.

Rajapaksa, along with his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was named prime minister, were implicated in numerous human rights violations during their previous years in power from 2005 to 2015, which included a crackdown on journalists and activists.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who then served as defense secretary, was also implicated in war crimes.

Continue reading ‘Any Progress in Restoring Human Rights and Re-building Democracy in Sri Lanka in Grave Peril Following Election of Gotabaya as President says “Human Rights Watch” in its Annual World Report’ »

By

Deepal Samarasiri

However authentic or not the reports are about Ranjan Ramanayake one thing is certain. When the new government came into power there were high hopes that at least now the people in the country would be able to survive without having to pay exorbitantly for their daily bread. The farmers are very disappointed because they thought that the new government would look in to the problem of fertilizers at affordable prices.

The excuse of the government is that these things cannot be done overnight. They want time. Food prices are going up and even the basic necessities like vegetables have become out of the reach of many breadwinners. Unemployment is at the same level as before. A recent visit to the health sector by the president of the country proved that it is no better than when Rajitha Senarathna was Health Minister.

During the election campaign the people were made to believe that things would be better after the presidential election. As we all know the legendary statement made by the jaggery maker to the king “Kiyanakota ehemai, Karanakota mehemai”

Continue reading ‘Are the So Called Telephone Conversations of Ranjan Ramanayake, “Red Herrings” to Divert the Public Away From The Burning Issues of the Day Including the Rise in Prices of Basic Necessities After The New Govt Came Into Power?’ »