Embattled former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s country home in the southern province has been raided by police who were looking for a luxury sports car but the search drew a blank.

“They raided our house in Tangalle yesterday looking for a Lamborghini car,” said Namal Rajapaksa, the former president’s elder son and a parliamentarian.

Police spokesman Ajith Rohana said the search was done on a court warrant but it drew a blank.

“They have been harassing us by searching not only our own houses but those of our friends. We can’t visit homes of our associates because they get their places searched,” Namal said.

Continue reading ‘Namal Rajapaksa Complains of being Harassed as Police Raid Mahinda Rajapaksa’s “Carlton”Residence in Tangalle Looking for a Lamborghini car’ »

facebook.com/Lamborghini

The Tangalle Police today search the Carlton Residence of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Tangalle for a Lamborghini car.

Namal Rajapaksa MP

President Maithripala Sirisena or Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has not issued a statement explaining the reasons not to arrest UNP Parliamentarain Palitha Thewarapperuma who demonstrated an utterly despicable behavior on Sunday.

MP Thewarapperuma, who strongly resembled former Minister Mervyn Silva, made Pradeshiya Sabha member Murugan Pushpakumar kneel in public as a punishment.

Although UPFA Parliamentarian Mahinda Samarasinghe had lodged a complaint with the Police Department over the incident, no action has so far been taken to arrest the Parliamentarian.

Continue reading ‘President Maithripala and PM Ranil Silent Over UNP Kalutara Dist MP Palitha Thewarapperuma’s Despicable Conduct Against Agalawatte Pradeshiya Councillor Murugan Pushpakumaran.’ »

By

Sanath Desmond

The Police are yet to determine the fate and whereabouts of some 172 vehicles of the 752 fleet of the presidential secretariat, SSP Ajith Rohana said today.

The new Presidential Secretary had informed the Police Chief to launch investigations to ascertain the number of vehicles of the secretariat and to find if the vehicles had been misused.

Continue reading ‘New Presidential Secretary Initiates Police Inquiry into Whereabouts of 172 of 752 Vehicles in the Presidential Secretariat Fleet’ »

Wayamba Distilleries, a brewery of which former Minister Johnston Fernando is a stakeholder, was sealed by the police today (19).

Asian Mirror reliably learns that a warehouse belonging to the Wayamba Distilleries has also been sealed by the police along with the brewery.

The police is yet to issue a statement to media as to why the brewery and warehouse was shutdown.

Continue reading ‘Wayamba Distilleries Brewery and Warehouse linked to Former UPFA Minister Johnston Fernando Sealed by Police.’ »

Former Secretary – Ministry of Urban Development and Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa has, in a media statement, dismissed as baseless an allegation that he had personal dealings with a Defence Ministry account at the Bank of Ceylon.

Gotabhaya Rajapaksa

Full text of the statement:

Defence Ministry Account for the Relocation of Army Headquarters

I refer to the baseless allegations levelled against me, purporting that I maintain an account with the Bank of Ceylon – Taprobane Branch with funds of Rs. 8 billion. This claim is grossly misleading and has been made purely with the ulterior motive of discrediting my character and reputation.

To my knowledge, there exists an Operational Account held with the Bank of Ceylon – Taprobane Branch the funds of which are dedicated to financing the construction of the proposed Army headquarters building at Pelawatta. This account was opened with the Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers, and the funds deposited in the said account were from the proceeds of the sale of land at Galle Face, Colombo on which the Army headquarters was situated.

Continue reading ‘Gotabhaya Rajapaksa Rejects Allegations Against him about Defence Ministry Bank Account as Baseless’ »

By Dasun Edirisinghe

The SLFP yesterday asked the government to curb attacks on the supporters and elected representatives of the UPFA after the conclusion of the presidential election on January 08.

Addressing a media conference at the SLFP headquarters on Darley road, party General Secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said that number of incidents of assault, preventing people from reporting to work, harassment in work places and at least one killing by UNP politicians had been reported from all parts of the country last week.

“We will make a list of those incidents shortly and it will be revealed to the public in Parliament,” he said.

Continue reading ‘UNP Goons Continue to Engage in Post-Election Violence Against Elected Representatives and Supporters of Party Alleges the UPFA’ »

By

Shaahidah Riza

Sri Lanka Freedom Party Parliamentarian, Mahinda Samarasinghe said that the election violence against UPFA supporters have mounted considerably over the past few days and the UNP has to take disciplinary action against its grass root level support base, who were perpetrators of such violence.

He made these comments at a press briefing yesterday (19) at the SLFP Headquarters. Parliamentarian Anura Priyadarshana Yapa was also present.

Continue reading ‘UNP Kalutara Dist MP Palitha Thewarapperuma Vandalises UPFA Office at Agalawatte and Assaults Tamil Councillor Murugan Pushpakumaran with a Helmet After Forcing him to Kneel’ »

By Cyril Wimalasurendre

KANDY – Most Venerable Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Mahannayake Thera of Asgiriya Chapter conferring blessings on State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene yesterday said those who had emerged victorious at the recently concluded presidential election should celebrate their success without taking revenge from anyone.

The prelate said the new rulers should not go by information provided by vested interests to pursue their opponents.

The Mahanayake Thera said the security of the country was of paramount importance. It had to be provided to people in all parts of the country including the North. The people in the North were living in peace due to the presence of the security forces. “Therefore, it is not advisable to withdraw security forces from any part of the country,” he said.

Continue reading ‘Defence State Minister Ruwan Wijewardene Assures Asgiriya and Malwatte Mahanayakes that Security Forces will Remain in North’ »

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake last night said that said Rs 13.2 billion in an account maintained at the Taprobane branch of the Bank of Ceylon had been transferred to Consolidated Account of the Treasury.

The matter was being investigated as the account belonged to the Ministry of Defence, he added.

The Finance Minister stressed that the MoD had no right to maintain such an account in violation of regulations and therefore the opening of the account was being investigated.

Continue reading ‘Finance Minister Karunanayake Transfers 13.2 Billion Rupees Banked by Defence Ministry to Construct Akurugoda Defence Complex to Treasury’ »

By

Ranga Jayasuriya

President Maithripala Sirisena has asked exiled journalists to return, promising an end to attacks on media and the culture of impunity. The new media minister Gayantha Karunathilaka echoed the same assurance when he assumed duties last week.

As of now, the new President has remained true to his promises; he has shown no interest in personal aggrandisement and shown a flexibility – unseen in his predecessor- in the national question.

He appointed a civilian governor for the Northern Province; removed restrictions on travel in the North and East by foreign passport holders, unblocked dissenting websites and promised a fresh investigation into the assassination of Lasantha Wickrematunge.

And he has gone an extra mile, shunning a second term and then, most unexpectedly, telling his supporters and coterie of turncoats to remove cutouts and banners that they have put up in his honour and to desist from doing that in the future.

That is a remarkable gesture of integrity, which not only his predecessor, Mahinda Rajapaksa, but his mentor, Chandrika Kumaratunga were not capable of in their time.

President Sirisena could well be an accidental leader, but, he is surely representing higher political values than most of his counterparts.

The regime of his predecessor thrived in a fear psychosis and conspiracy theories which provided a justification of its military centric rule in the North and authoritarianism in the South.

President Sirisena is gradually debunking those fallacies.

Continue reading ‘Sirisena Govt Must Expose the Gory Details of Corruption and Abuse of Power by Rajapaksa Regime to Prevent Return of Mahinda’ »

By Jude Fernando

Zero immunity: An end to culture of retaliation without compromising Justice

“In the absence of justice, what is sovereignty but organized robbery?”—St. Augustine

“When will our conscience grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it?”—Eleanor Roosevelt

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa did not gracefully turn over power to Mr. Maithripala Sirisena after losing the election and step down peacefully as the President of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). Those claiming he did are dressing an autocrat in gentleman’s clothes and sanitizing the abuses of power by him and his regime—abuses unprecedented by any government since our independence from the colonial rule. Those who exploited the authority and privilege with which they were entrusted for their own personal gain must be held to account, or we will never succeed in changing the culture of impunity that allows corrupt officials to avoid punishment for their crimes. Impunity stands as an obstacle in our progress toward a justice-centered culture of governance.

I propose that the government appoint an Executive Committee for Transitional Justice (ECTJ). It would serve as a mechanism to build a law-abiding culture of governance by helping the country’s justice system and the new regime in power to strike a strategic balance between retributive and restorative justice. Retributive justice is defined here as a systematic infliction of punishment on those abused of power and privilege entrusted on them to serve the public, and restorative justice is defined as a systematic response to make amends to the victims (i.e. individuals, communities, and the state) of abuse and to restore their entitlements. Together both forms of justice seek to bring positive outcomes for the entire society. An important emphasis here is to end the culture of punitive retaliation, without compromising justice for the victims.

Continue reading ‘Govt must Appoint an Executive Committee for Transitional Justice to Strike Balance Between Retributive and Restorative Justice’ »

By

Radhika Coomaraswamy

There are times in one’s life when one becomes very proud of one’s country. For many it is when we win in cricket or in war. This is triumphant pride where we defeat someone else- an external sports team or an internal enemy. For this kind of pride we need “an other” whom we compete against or dislike without restraint. It is a mixed blessing, filled with pride, but especially in the latter case also fear and hate.

pic by: Anura Srinath –
www.anurasrinath.com

However there are times when pride can transcend the obsession with “the other”. In Sri Lanka it could be when we are immersed in its astounding natural beauty or when we live up to our own values and expectations. For me the elections last week were a very important moment- at least for my own personal connection to this island.

Democracy in Sri Lanka had taken a bashing for decades but especially since 2009. We saw things that were absolutely surreal- like something out of a bad Fellini film. And yet we were constantly warned against change, pointing to the possibility of chaos that an Arab spring could bring such as in Libya, Egypt and Syria- no-one of course mentions Tunisia where its has been a great success.

What saved us was the courage of individual politicians who by acting jointly have given us the following moments to savour in our lifetime -no matter what happens in the future: –

Continue reading ‘“Why The Elections Last Week Made me Triumphantly Proud of my Country”’ »

By

Malinda Seneviratne

Wickramabahu Karunaratne of the Nava Sama Samaaja Party (NSSP) has claimed that ‘the working class fulfilled a massive task’ in securing the victory of Maithripala Sirisena. What is implied here is that class consciousness was what compelled this particular populations segment to vote for Sirisena. ‘Bahu’ as usual inscribes a lot of ‘motive’ on the actions of all kinds of people.

There’s no way to figure out who exactly ‘the working class’ voted and why after all. Still, it is a claim, never mind the fact that Sirisena doesn’t exactly stand for anything even remotely associated with the dictatorship of the proletariat.

Bahu, however, is not alone. He sits well, on stage and in sentiment, with other victory-claimants, including rank right wingers (the UNP and most of the SLFP), shady politicians (Ravi Karunanayake included), thugs (Mervin Silva), all those other bad people in the SLFP who supported Mahinda Rajapaksa including Duminda Silva, Eelamists, Jihadists, Sinhala Buddhist extremists, Christian fundamentalists etc., etc. This is, ladies and gentlemen, the moment when people are falling over each other to claim bragging rights.

Continue reading ‘Braggarts of all Shades Compete to Claim Credit for Maithripala Sirisena Victory.’ »

By Nirmala Kannangara

Astonishing revelations have now come to the fore as to how the previous regime has used Air Force commercial flights on credit facility amounting to several millions of rupees for the air travels of Rajapaksa family members and for few Ministers in the former cabinet during the Presidential election campaign.

Sri Lankan government now owes more than a staggering Rs.30.485 million to Sri Lanka Air Force and questions have been raised as to who is going to foot this bill, whether it will be recovered from those who used the commercial flights or from the country’s rate payer.

These amounts are only for the air travel of MP Namal Rajapaksa, former Housing and Construction Minister Wimal Weerawansa, former Environment and Renewable Energy Minister Susil Premjayantha, Chief Minister North Western Province Dayasiri Jayasekera, former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Presidential candidate S. Manamendra who extended his support for the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Scientific Affairs Minister Tissa Witharana. Meanwhile the former President and his wife too have used aircraft for the election campaign for which the office of the Presidential Secretariat is to bear the cost.

Commercial flights of Sri Lanka Air Force has been hired on credit facility by the Rajapaksa government mainly for Namal Rajapaksa’s travel from December 1, 2014 to January 8, 2015, Sri Lanka Air Force reveals.

Continue reading ‘Namal Rajapaksa Used Air Force Flights 25 Times from Dec 1st 2014 to Jan 8 2015 on “Credit” Amounting to Rs 15.08 Million’ »

By John Chalmers and Sanjeev Miglani

(Reuters) – Sri Lanka expelled the Colombo station chief of India’s spy agency in the run-up to this month’s presidential election, political and intelligence sources said, accusing him of helping the opposition oust President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

An Indian foreign ministry spokesman denied any expulsion and said that transfers were routine decisions. Rajapaksa, voted out of office in the Jan 8 election, told Reuters he did not know all the facts while the new government in Colombo has said it is aware of the reports but cannot confirm them.

But several sources in both Colombo and New Delhi said India was asked to recall the agent in December for helping gather support for joint opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena after persuading him to ditch Rajapaksa’s cabinet.

A sketchy report in Sri Lanka’s Sunday Times newspaper on December 28 said that “links with the common opposition” had cost India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) station chief his job in Colombo.

Continue reading ‘Did Indian Espionage Agency RAW Play a Covert Role in Sirisena Defeating Rajapaksa?’ »

By Rasika Jayakody

Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa

One and a half months ago, Mahinda Rajapaksa, the fifth Executive President of Sri Lanka, seemed invincible. He was surrounded by a family clique who wielded immense power in the country’s political sphere. He was the war-winning President as well as the leader of the Commonwealth nations who met in Colombo one and a half years back. It looked as if the opposition, which was already in shambles due to internecine power struggles, had only meager chances of defeating him.

Today, Rajapaksa is not only out of power; but also out of the ‘power-circle’ of his own party. Now he cannot influence the decision making bodies of the SLFP. He has been confined to the role of a ‘Patron’ which is more like an honorary position. Maithripala Sirisena, who was the main rival of Mahinda Rajapaksa at the recent election, is now at the helm of Rajapaksa’s party. Sirisena’s appointment as SLFP leader came with the unanimous consent of the Central Committee. The incumbent President has the backing of the entire Parliament – a privilege no other Sri Lankan head of state enjoyed in the past.

Rajapaksa’s letter of resignation, which was sent to the SLFP General Secretary on Friday (16), did not lack emotions.

Continue reading ‘End of the Road in Sight for Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa Who Faces Political Isolation.’ »

By

Nirmala Kannangara

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Mahindodaya Technological Lab concept to provide technological labs for 1,000 secondary schools in the country has become yet another money spinning machine for those who are allegedly close to the former first family, The Sunday Leader learns.

Although, the previous regime boosted to have introduced computer labs to secondary schools in the country as a concept of the then President, it has now come to light as to how Hambantota District UPFA Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa was allegedly fully involved in the tender procedure to get the tender awarded to one of his close associates who has provided jobs for his party loyalists in Hambantota.
“In mid 2013, tenders were called to supply, delivery, installation, networking, commissioning and maintenance of computers and accessories for Mahindodaya Technological labs under the 1,000 secondary school development programme.

Continue reading ‘Company Run by Namal Rajapaksa Crony was Given 4965 Million Rupee Contracts for Supplying Computers to Schools Under “Mahindodaya” Flouting Tender Procedures’ »

By

Dharisha Bastians

Sometime around 8 p.m. on 8 January, the Rajapaksa twitter-sphere went deathly still. The next time we heard from them was at 6:30 a.m. the next day, when a spokesman said defeated President Mahinda Rajapaksa had departed from his official residence at Temple Trees.

The last public tweet on election day by the sons of President Mahinda Rajapaksa was a photograph. It showed Namal Rajapaksa, looking relaxed and casual in a red t-shirt, and his sibling Yoshitha having dinner at Carlton House, Tangalle, the Rajapaksa family home. Earlier that day, as citizens around the country cast their votes in one of Sri Lanka’s most crucial elections, Namal and Yoshitha Rajapaksa celebrated their youngest sibling Rohitha’s first vote with a selfie and took a dip in the ocean.

The Rajapaksa sons also posed with the Maithripala Sirisena look-alike, a dummy candidate fielded by the Government to confuse voters. The ‘other’ Sirisena chatted amicably with President Rajapaksa as the pair strolled over to the booth to cast their votes at Beliatta. All this was unveiled to the world – on Twitter.

Over the past few years, the Rajapaksa family had mastered the art of celebrity tweeting. Using verified or authenticated Twitter accounts, President Rajapaksa and his sons made their presence felt online and tirelessly pushed their political agendas.

Namal Rajapaksa, undisputed king of the Twitter-selfie, often used his account to humanise his privileged family, regularly tweeting pictures of his ‘mallis’ and parents, relaxing at home or participating in wholesome family activities. Namal Rajapaksa was prolific on Twitter. He always seemed confident and magnanimous; just a wholesome ‘every-boy’ with a famous father.

So the silence on election night was strange and unnerving. Regime mouthpieces, often loud and obnoxious on Twitter, also seemed to have disappeared into the virtual nether.
Continue reading ‘How Sri Lankans Spoke Truth Defiantly to Arrogant Power on Jan 8th 2015’ »

By P.K.Balachandran

COLOMBO: People in the Tamil-majority Northern Province of Sri Lanka are keeping their fingers crossed about the changes that may follow the removal of “military man” Maj.Gen (Retd).G.A.Chandrasiri from the post of Governor, and his replacement by a civilian, H.M.G.S.Palihakkara.

“On the one hand we are happy that one of our key demands, that the Governor should be a civilian and not one with a military background, has been met. But on the other, we are not very optimistic that the change will be for the better. We hope Palihakkara will cooperate with us,” said C.V.K.Sivagnanam, Chairman of the Northern Provincial Council (NPC).

However, Sivagnanam conceded that the Sirisena government has taken “some positive first steps” such as the appointment of a civilian Governor; declaration of an intent to form a committee to release private Tamil lands from the grip of the army; and ordering the release of Tamil detainees against whom no cases have been filed for long.

Continue reading ‘Tamil National Alliance Treats Appointment of HMGS Palihakkara as Northern Governor with Cautious Optimism’ »

By

Don Manu

A new dawn has broken upon these island shores. With the New Year, Lanka has a new president, a new prime minister, even a new saint; and reflected upon the now sunlit countenance of her people is a new air of freedom, a new smile of hope.

Though once trumpeted from the rooftop by the previous regime that it was the best of times, it was in reality the bleakest of times. It was an evil era when a nation’s brainwashed people were getting closer and closer to embrace the notion that the three blessings that historically protected Lanka did not emanate from the Triple Gem of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha but instead flowed from the triumvirate of the three Rajapaksa brothers whose attitude, action and conduct conveyed the impression, relentlessly fostered upon the mass Sinhala psyche, that they and their descendants were anointed by a divine right to rule the land forever; and that, if their omniscient, omnipotent selves were not omnipresent to wield the throne, the crown and the sceptre, then Lanka and her people would be condemned to a conflagration of terrible destruction.

Ramayana’s Hanuman, symbolising the foreign conspiracies said to be at work, would burn the house down; with Ravana vanquished, it would be curtains for Lanka, the prophecy held.

Unscrupulously exploiting the entire state propaganda machinery, this was the sinister message hammered home day in and day out into the collective conscience of the Sinhala masses. The war victory was wrung dry to its last remaining drops of glory; and even the tiniest rivulet that flowed bearing the splendour and the triumph was directed in the direction of one man who, claiming sole credit, publicly bathed in its waters, without a blush. While synthetic wreaths were laid to fade upon the grave of the Unknown Soldier, evergreen flowers freshly adorned and scented the towering pedestal of the kudos baggers.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Four Guardian Deities Vishnu, Kataragama, Saman and Pattini have Banished the Known Goblin and Installed the Unknown Seraph as President’ »

The Sunday Times can reveal today how telephone records of prominent opposition politicians, media personnel, former UPFA Government’s own ministers, ‘unfriendly’ military, police officers, Colombo-based diplomats and other leading citizens were monitored blatantly violating the law.

In terms of the law, a Court order has to be obtained by the Police before intercepting or tampering with the telephone records of subscribers.

All mobile phone operators were issued written instructions by an official in the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development.

They were directed to make available the monthly telephone bills of these persons to an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) for reasons of “national security.”

Continue reading ‘Telephones were Tapped Illegally by the Rajapaksa Regime on the Orders of Defence Ministry for “National Security”’ »

By

Nirmala Kannangara

Following the change of regime one week ago, environmental organisations have come up with a list of the owners of illegal elephant calves in the country, of which Hambantota District MP, Namal Rajapaksa, former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Chief Minister Uva Province Shashendra Rajapaksa and former External Affairs Monitoring MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena have been accused of having illegal elephant calves.

Chairman Ancestral Elephant Owners Association (AEOA) Raja Senanayake said Hambantota District MP, Namal Rajapaksa owns two illegal baby tuskers which was a gift by Maharagama Roshan alias Ali Roshan and Ven. Kolonnawe Sumangala Thera of Devram Vehera Pannipitiya.

“This Ali Roshan is into elephant smuggling business and has gifted more than 50 elephant calves to powerful people to escape from the legal net. Kolonnawe Sumangala Thera too is involved in this racket and to be in good books with the powerful politicians he too was involved in gifting these baby elephants to the then powerful politicians.

Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, former Chief Minister Uva Province Shashendra Rajapaksa and former External Affairs Monitoring MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena has been gifted with one elephant calf each by ali Roshan and Sumangala Thera. These are the records the AEOA has but a recent survey shows that these politicians own more than one elephant calf,” Senanayake alleged.

Continue reading ‘Rajapaksa Clan and Acolytes Possessed Baby Elephants Illegally in Fraud of Elephantine Proportions.’ »

by

Zacki Jabbar

President Maithripala Sirisena, who was installed as the new Chairman of the SLFP last Friday, is to propose an amendment to the party Constitution shortly paving the way for Ex-President Chandrika Kumaratunga to become the SLFP leader, SLFP sources said.

A senior SLFP’er said yesterday that during a meeting between Srisena and Kumaratunga in Colombo on Friday they had discussed abolishing the clause in the party constitution stipulating that any SLFPer who was elected President of the country automatically became Chairman of the SLFP as well.

” An amendment to this effect will be proposed by the President shortly,” he said on condition of anonymity.

Continue reading ‘President Maithripala to Amend SLFP Constitution to Enable Chandrika Kumaratunga Take over as Party Leader’ »

Former Minister Mervyn Silva yesterday lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) against former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, MP, and ex Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa over alleged fraudulent activities and crimes committed by them.

After making a CID complaint, the Gampaha district parliamentarian told the media gathered outside the complex that he did not believe in taking revenge on anybody, but it was they “who took revenge from him”.

He asserted that he was denied the facility of a proper ministry to work in. “I complained to the CID about the killings of people such as Bharatha Laksman Premachandra and Lasantha Wikrametunge and the attacks on several private media institutions’.

Continue reading ‘Mervyn Silva MP Lodges Complaint with CID Against Basil and Gotabhaya Rajapaksa About Alleged Frauds and Crimes Committed by Both’ »

Mahinda Rajapaksa’s 10-year reign as Sri Lankan president ended with allegations of nepotism and corruption. Over 40 top government positions were held by his family and friends – cabinet portfolios to state finance corporations, airlines and sports federations. One of his brothers was his defence secretary, while another was the speaker of the parliament. A nephew is chief minister of Uva Province while a brother-in-law was the chairman of the state carrier, Sri Lankan Airlines. His son, Namal, was being groomed as his political heir.

Celebrating Birthday of Namal Rajapaksa at Torrington Squrae-April 2013: pic via: facebook.com/namalrajapaksa

Since the defeat, the family has retreated into a shell. But Namal Rajapaksa, the son of the defeated president in a rare interview to NDTV offered a highly unusual defence of charges that his family’s dynastic rule led to their rout.

He said the close knit ties between his father and his uncle, the Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, was responsible for Lanka’s military victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam or LTTE.

Continue reading ‘Namal Rajapaksa Defends Dynastic Rule as Being Responsible for Sri Lanka’s Military Victory over the LTTE’ »

By Anura Bandara Rajaguru

Astrologer Sumanadasa Abegunawardhana who predicted earlier in an interview to “Ceylon Today”that President Mahinda Rajapaksa would emerge winner at the Presidential Election of 8 January 2015 has now changed his position in another interview with the same newspaper

Excerpts of the interview:

Q:
Were you the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s astrological adviser?

A: Yes, I was. I charted good times for all his work. I predicted that he would definitely win.

Q:
But was it incorrect?

A: My predictions were right, although the prediction on his victory was wrong. I started astrological prophesy in 1994. You can see that framed report, in which I said that Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, who had great power, will win. I said that she would become the Chief Minister, and then the President. I made those predictions together with my teacher M. K. Raman who is famed throughout Asia.

I have had a close and affectionate association with Mahinda Rajapaksa since 1982. All my previous predictions were correct. While all were stating that the incumbent government would win in 2001, I said that, the UNP would win in a close competition. I was then the chief adviser to major astrological newspapers, too.

Q:
My question is about your prediction this time?

A: This prediction was slightly different.

Continue reading ‘“Though I said Mahinda Rajapaksa would win I knew he will be Defeated”-Astrologer Sumanadasa’ »

By

Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha M.P.

There were many firsts in the election of President Maithripala Sirisena in Sri Lanka: An incumbent president was defeated; parties specifically representing different races and religious groups — the Jathika Hela Urumaya for the Sinhalese, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress along with the All Ceylon Muslim Congress — came together on a common political platform; corruption was a major issue in the pre-poll campaign; and now a specific timeframe has been set for reforms.

However, the most important responsibility of the new government will be settling the national question. While the country owes him a debt of gratitude for eliminating terrorism from the country, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa did nothing about the commitments he made in 2009 to ensure inclusive peace.

As a member of the Liberal Party, I urged Rajapaksa to implement the 13th Amendment, which created Provincial Councils in Sri Lanka, but met with no success. I understand that there could have been problems about some aspects of the amendment but those could have been resolved through discussions.

Continue reading ‘“I Urged Rajapaksa to Implement the 13th Amendment which Created Provincial Councils but met with no Success”.’ »

By

Malinda Seneviratne

Of all that is pernicious in all resolutions tabled in the UNHRC against Sri Lanka the most scandalous and disgusting perhaps is limiting investigations calls for to the last few months of the war. We are talking about a conflict that dragged for almost three decades.

We are talking about a couple of hundred thousand killed. One life cannot be less valuable than another. One murder cannot be more despicable than another. The grief of one mother cannot be less than that of another mother. The same goes for fathers, children, lovers and friends who grieve.

We are reminded of this monstrous ‘logic’ today when there’s a call for the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime and wrongdoers therein being held responsible for wrongdoing; a call for a full investigation on numerous allegations. Now, as someone said ‘compassion’ (maithree) is all good but this does not mean that wrongdoing and wrongdoers should go uninvestigated and unpunished respectively.

Strangely, though, Champika Ranawaka of the Jathika Hela Urumaya who spearheaded Maithripala Sirisena’s campaign and was clearly the most articulate critique of the regime on all counts including corruption has picked a period, 2004-2014. This is arbitrary and worse it smacks of witch-hunting.

Continue reading ‘If Probe into Allegations of Wrong Doing is to be Launched it must Begin from 1994 and not 2004.’ »

By

Chaminda Perera

The Central Committee and the Executive Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, unanimously approved the appointment of President Maithripala Sirisena as Chairman of the party yesterday, said Senior SLFP parliamentarian A.H.M. Fowzie.

He said the SLFP also decided to appoint former Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa as patrons of the Party at its Central Committee and Executive Committee meetings held yesterday evening.

He added that parliamentarians Nimal Siripala de Silva and John Seneviratne were also appointed as Opposition Leader and Opposition Chief Whip at the SLFP Parliamentary Group Meeting.

Continue reading ‘SLFP Central and Executive Committees Unanimously Approve Maithripala as Party Chairman;Chandrika and Mahinda will be Patrons.’ »

By

Lucian Rajakarunanayake

The third visit of a Pope to Sri Lanka is certainly important to Catholics here, and is also an event of historical importance in the relations between Sri Lanka and the Holy See. Apart from its religious and historical importance, this Papal visit also underscored an important political lesson to future national leaders of Sri Lanka.

It is the reality that if one wishes to continue in office as the national leader, it is best not to invite the Pope to this country or support such an invitation. The proof of this is that the visit of Pope Francis is the third time the leader who invited the Pope was not the leader who received him in the country. It is strange and almost funny, but true. Happening for the third time it does not seem coincidental. Is there a Papal hoodoo on power in Sri Lanka?

Continue reading ‘Leaders in Power who Invite Popes to Visit Sri Lanka are out of Power when the Holy Father comes to the Island.’ »

By

Shamindra Ferdinando

Chief Minister of the North Western Province Dayasiri Jayasekera yesterday said that the very survival of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) would largely depend on a total overhaul of the party ahead of the next parliamentary election.

The next general election is widely expected to be called soon after the completion of President Maithripala Sirisena’s 100-day project meant to provide relief to the electorate.

The transformation of the largest single party should take place under President Maithripala Sirisena’s leadership, CM Jayasekera said. The former UNP MP, who had been one of the leading speakers on the defeated candidate’s political platform, was responding to The Island queries on the change of SLFP leadership yesterday.

The SLFP could face an immense crisis unless the new leadership acted swiftly and decisively in the wake of the former President’s defeat at the January 8, 2015 presidential poll, Jayasekera said.

Continue reading ‘SLFP must be Thoroughly Overhauled Before next Parliamentary Elections for Party to Survive says Dayasiri Jayasekera.’ »

By

Dasun Edirisinghe

Former President yesterday officially handed over the party leadership to President Maithripala Sirisena.

Issuing a statement the former President Rajapaksa said that he had decided to hand over the leadership to stop the division of the party.

“With effect from today (16), I will be handing over the leadership of the SLFP to President Maithripala Sirisena. Having held membership and various offices including the Party leadership, and having nurtured and safeguarded the Party with great dedication for over 50 years, I am taking this decision as I have a great dislike to see the Sri Lanka Freedom Party face the danger of division,” Rajapaksa said.

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa hands over SLFP Leadership to Maithripala Sirisena To Avoid danger of Party Getting Divided’ »

(Full Text of Letter sent by External Affairs minister Mangala Samaraweera to the Director of the Police CID Formally registering a complaint about an alleged Coup Conspiracy to subvert the democratic process and urging that an inquiry be launched immediately)

Mangala Pinsiri Samaraweera
Francis Samaraweera Mawatha Hakmana, Matara
Contact No: 0777576495

13th January 2015

Director CID
Police Headquarters
Colombo

Dear Director CID

RE: CONSPIRACY TO SUBVERT THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS

I am making a complaint in a matter of national importance and public security.

It has been brought to our notice that in the wee hours of 9th January there has been a serious attempt by Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa and brother Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, former Defence Secretary, Mohan Peiris, Chief Justice, G.L. Peiris, and one Udaya Gammanpila have been discussing and conspiring to subvert the due process of law when the results of the Presidential election were becoming known, which were not favourable to one of the candidates, namely Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Continue reading ‘Mangala Samaraweera Formally Complains to CID About Alleged Coup Attempt by Mahinda, Gotabhaya, GL Peiris, Udaya Gammanpila and Mohan Peiris.’ »

By

Bishop Duleep de Chickera

Sri Lanka is still overwhelmed with the peoples’ energy that a few days ago brought the immeasurable gift of democratic regime change.

As the campaign heightened, one word; ‘wenasak’- (Sinhala-“a change”) became a spontaneous and variable slogan or code, determined by the context in which it was used. There was no need to mention a name or colour or symbol; people simply wanted a change.Over 80% voted.

“Wenasak” was however possible due to a convergence of several democratic forces. Some of these were;

Continue reading ‘“Wenasak-Maatram-Change”- Overwhelming People’s Energy Brought the Immeasurable Gift of Democratic Regime Change.’ »

by

Shamindra Ferdinando

Former National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara yesterday alleged that the SLFP had caused a fatal mistake by giving up the government immediately after losing the presidential election.

Democratic Left Front (DLF) leader MP Nanayakkara said that constituent members of the SLFP-led coalition partners had not been consulted by the SLFP prior to reaching an understanding with newly-elected President/UNP as regards forming a government.

MP Nanayakkara was responding to a query by The Island at a media briefing held at the N.M. Perera Centre, Borella. He was flanked by CP General Secretary DEW Gunasekera and LSSP leader Prof. Tissa Vitharana.

MP Nanayakkara said that there was no precedent of a newly elected President taking oaths so fast swearing in a new Prime Minister immediately afterward. That brought an end to UPFA administration, he said, accusing the SLFP of seriously undermining the faith of those who had voted for the UPFA.

Continue reading ‘Vasudeva Nanayakkara says the SLFP Made a Fatal Mistake by Giving up Immedately after losing Presidential Elections.’ »

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Wednesday night told his successor Maithripala Sirisena that he was giving up SLFP leadership during a hastily arranged meeting close to midnight on Wednesday at Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa’s official residence near Diyawanna.

The meeting took place consequent to talks between an SLFP delegation led by Senior Vice President of the party Nimal Siripala de Silva and President Maithripala Sirisena on the evening of January 12 at Wijerama Mawatha residence of the former SLFP General Secretary.

Well informed sources told The Island that President Maithripala Sirisena and his predecessor had agreed that the SLFP parliamentary delegation would sit in the Opposition.

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Meets Maithripala in Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa’s Residence at Midnight and Agrees to let Sirisena Become SLFP Leader’ »

by Norman Palihawadane and Rex Clementine

Sri Lankans bade farewell to the Holy Father yesterday as he ended a three day visit here and headed off to the Philippines on a five-day visit. On board a SriLankan Airlines flight to Manila a smiling Pope tweeted in Sinhala, Tamil and English ‘May God bless and protect Sri Lanka!.

Continue reading ‘Pope Francis Concludes Inspiring Three -day Visit by Tweeting “May God Bless and Protect Sri Lanka”in Sinhala,Tamil and English.’ »

By

Dharisha Bastians

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — A week after taking office, Sri Lanka’s new president reached out to ethnic Tamils in the country’s north on Thursday by appointing a new governor for the Northern Province, replacing a retired army commander with a retired diplomat.

Tamil leaders have long complained that, five years after declaring victory over Tamil separatists, Sri Lanka’s government remained reluctant to demilitarize the former conflict zone, instead maintaining large detachments of army troops and vast military compounds there.

Particularly irritating to them was the man chosen as the province’s governor: Maj. Gen. G. A. Chandrasiri, who had commanded army forces during the last, brutal years of the 25-year civil war that ended in 2009.

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Replaces Ex-Army General Chandrasiri with Retired Diplomat Palihakkara as Northern Province Governor.’ »

By

Erik Solheim

June 2007: President Mahinda Rajapaksa meets Norwegian International Development Minister and former special peace envoy Eric Solheim in Geneva

Anyone who two months back bet on Maithripala Sirisena winning the presidential election in Sri Lanka would be a millionaire.

Most international experts expected former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to win and strengthen his family rule. He controlled the resources of the state to fund his election campaign and administered thousands of buses to transport people to election rallies. The state-controlled media broadcast Pravda-style propaganda and outright lies about high-profile defections from the opposition, even on election day.

Continue reading ‘“Once in a Generation” Opportunity to Create Lasting Peace and Democracy in Sri Lanka’ »

By

Bob Rae

The surprising result of the presidential election in Sri Lanka would have received more attention if the terrible events in Paris had not captured our thoughts and fears.

The war between the Tamil Tigers and the government of Sri Lanka came to a bloody conclusion on the northern beaches of that beautiful island country in the spring of 2009. Tens of thousands dead, disappeared, incarcerated.

The government dominated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brothers was more about triumphalism than reconciliation, and it was quite prepared to weather the storms of international public opinion in the cause of consolidating power at home.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Elections Have Created Remarkable Opportunities for Pluralism and Prosperity’ »

(Complete Text of Prayer Message by his Holiness Pope Francis at the “Our Lady of Madhu”Church at Maruthamadhu in Mannar District of Sri Lanka on January 14th 2015)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We are in our Mother’s house. Here she welcomes us into her home. At this shrine of Our Lady of Madhu, every pilgrim can feel at home, for here Mary brings us into the presence of her Son Jesus. Here Sri Lankans, Tamil and Sinhalese alike, come as members of one family. To Mary they commend their joys and sorrows, their hopes and needs. Here, in her home, they feel safe. They know that God is very near; they feel his love; they know his tender mercy.

There are families here today which suffered greatly in the long conflict, which tore open the heart of Sri Lanka. Many people, from north and south alike, were killed in the terrible violence and bloodshed of those years. No Sri Lankan can forget the tragic events associated with this very place, or the sad day when the venerable statue of Mary, dating to the arrival of the earliest Christians in Sri Lanka, was taken away from her shrine.

But, Our Lady remained always with you. She is the mother of every home, of every wounded family, of all who are seeking to return to a peaceful existence. Today we thank her for protecting the people of Sri Lanka from so many dangers, past and present. Mary never forgot her children on this resplendent island. Just as she never left the side of her Son on the Cross, so she never left the side of her suffering Sri Lankan children.

Continue reading ‘Pope Francis Prays at “Our Lady of Madhu” Church for a Future of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace for all the Children of Sri Lanka.’ »

Sri Lanka born singer Maya “MIA” Arulpragasam hs told the British TV Channel 4 News that she still wants to see former president Mahinda Rajapaksa face a war crimes trial,though her priority is peace and basic needs for Sri Lanaka’s Tamil community.

While claiming that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa should be taken to Hague for alleged war crimes, Maya Arulpragasam, the Sri Lankan Tamil recording artist said that Sri Lanka’s new government has the ‘same face’ as it includes politicians who have been involved in government for the last 30 years.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Born singer Maya “MIA” Arulpragasam wants Mahinda Rajapaksa to face Trial at Hague for Alleged war crimes’ »

By

Shamindra Ferdinando

A pow wow between President Maithripala Sirisena and his predecessor, Mahinda Rajapaksa, is on the cards consequent to a meeting between the President and a senior SLFP delegation on Monday evening (Jan 12) at the former’s Wijerama Mawatha residence.

The meeting is likely to take place within the next few days at a venue mutually acceptable to both parties.

SLFP Treasurer Dullas Alahapperuma yesterday told The Island that the President and the SLFP delegation had agreed to the meeting, though President Sirisena said that an immediate meeting couldn’t be arranged due to the papal visit.

The former Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister described the meeting as cordial.

Continue reading ‘Meeting Between President Maithripala Sirisena and Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa Likely to Occur within the Next few days.’ »

by K. Thirukumaran

“Dawn of the Month of Thai, Paves for the Birth of Way” the renowned Tamil proverb has been in the centerpiece of Tamil heritage eternally. Tamil month of ‘Thai’, falling on January 15th, 2015 is Pongal day, the Tamil Thanksgiving Day celebrating sun, rain, farm cattle and ushering in pureness and prosperity.

cartoon by “Sirithiran Sunthar”

Even a livelihood as traditional farmer declined over a generation or two ago, the time of the year Thai Pongal falls and the traditions associated with its celebration still makes it an ideal time to take stock of sentiments.
Continue reading ‘Pongal Paraphernalia’ »

(Text Of Thai Pongal Message Issued by President Maithripala Sirisena)

Sri Lanka’s Hindus join their fellow Tamil religionists in most countries of the world today to celebrate Thai Pongal the traditional Thanksgiving and Harvest festival of the Hindu religious calendar.

It is the tradition at this festival to offer thanks to Surya – the Sun God, for the blessings received for a successful harvest. The Pongal or the boiling of milk and rice is another important aspect of
this festival, which is also referred to as the Surya Mangalyam or the Festival of the Sun God, for all blessings received for success in agriculture and all aspects of livelihood.

Continue reading ‘President Maithripala Sirisena Wishes all the Hindus of Sri Lanka a Happy and Blessed Thai Pongal.’ »

by

Zacki Jabbar

Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka is to be restored with his titles, medals, pension and civic rights which he was deprived of in 2010, after being convicted of alleged irregularities in military procurements and sentenced to three years in prison.

President Maithripala Sirisena during the recently concluded Presidential election campaign pledged that if elected, he would rectify the injustice caused to Fonseka by the Rajapaksa government which erased his name as Army Commander from the records, deprived him of his Four Star General rank, pension and civic rights.

Among the other titles the Ex-army chief was stripped of were Rana Wickrama Padakkama, Rana Sura Padakkama, Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya, Uttama Seva Padakkama and Desha Putra Sammanaya.

Continue reading ‘Gazette Notification Restoring Ex-Army Chief Sarath Fonseka’s Rank, Titles, Medals, Pension and Civil Rights Out soon.’ »

by Shamindra Ferdinando

EPDP leader Douglas Devananda

Pledging its support for President Maithripala Sirisena’s 100-day project meant to bring in immediate relief to people, the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) has indicated its readiness to explore the possibility of a closer political partnership with the new ruling coalition.

EPDP leader Douglas Devananda remained with former President throughout his first two terms.

However, the EPDP has no intention of joining the new government during the 100-day programme.

The EPDP is seeking a meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena soon to discuss possible alliance with him.

Continue reading ‘EPDP Leader Douglas Devananda may meet President Sirisena to Discuss his Party supporting the 100 day Action Program’ »

By

Dasun Edirisinghe

UPFA constituent National Freedom Front (NFF) led by former Minister Wimal Weerawansa yesterday accused new President Maithripala Sirisena of already having taken a step to remove the governor of the Northern Province Maj. Gen. (Retd) G. A. Chandrasiri to fulfil the promises he had given to the pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance (TNA).

Addressing a media conference at the party head office, NFF Spokesman and former Parliamentarian Mohammed Muzammil said that according to their sources the new President had already asked the governor to resign and was scheduled to be appoint a former secretary of a ministry as the Northern governor.

He said since the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed retired former senior military officer G. A. Chandrasiri as the Governor of the Northern Province, the Tiger proxy TNA had been demanding his ouster.

Continue reading ‘Maithripala Sirisena to Oust Governor Chandrasiri as Northern Province Governor to Please Tamil National Alliance – NFF’ »

By Rex Clementine and Norman Palihawadane

Sri Lankan Catholics have a special devotion towards St. Anthony and St. Jude and yesterday Pope Francis gave them a saint of their own with the canonization of St. Joseph Vaz.

A priest from Goa, India, St. Joseph Vaz, served in Sri Lanka during the Dutch occupation in disguise as a beggar and a bangle seller.

Church authorities said over one million devotees had been present at the Galle Face green and its vicinity to witness the historic moment as Sri Lanka received a saint of their own after a lengthy process.

Yesterday morning’s event was the highlight of Pope Francis’ visit to the island and the Ceremony of Canonization preceded the Holy Mass.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka gets its First Saint as Pope Francis Canonises Joseph de Vaz in Historic event at Galle Face Green.’ »

(Text of Statement Issued by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) on the Presidential Election 2015)

14 January 2015, Colombo, Sri Lanka:

CPA welcomes the victory of the Common Opposition Candidate Mr. Maithripala Sirisena in the Presidential Election of January 08th 2015. We wish President Sirisena the very best in office and in particular, with the implementation of his 100 day programme of reform.

The election was significant for a number of reasons.

It was the first time an incumbent president sought a third term and had arrayed against him the broadest coalition of political forces in our history with the JHU at one end and the TNA at the other.

It was too, the first time in the history of the executive presidency that an incumbent was defeated and in an election with an unprecedented turnout of voters across the country.

We hope, that this historic victory will lead to the abolition of the executive presidency or at the very least, a substantial diminution in the powers vested in it.

Continue reading ‘“They Called us Terrorists, Traitors and Thieves; We Called Ourselves Citizens”-Centre for Policy Alternatives’ »

By

Upul Joseph Fernando

When the Chinese naval submarine ‘Great Wall 329’ arrived at the Colombo Port, Mahinda Rajapaksa may have not dreamt that even his royal astrologer, Sumanadasa Abeygunawardene’s prediction may prove wrong about his victory. Also, having declared a presidential election and when he travelled to Lord Venkateswara Temple, India, Mahinda may not have felt that the correct Temple to worship was the Temple at South Block, New Delhi. Be that as it may, Mahinda’s destiny was not changed by Maithripala who had hoppers and left him, but by the Chinese submarine ‘Great Wall 329’.

When the first Chinese submarine came to Colombo, India summoned then Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to New Delhi. Gotabhaya was told that the presence of Chinese submarines was a threat to India’s security. But Gotabhaya decided to ignore the Indian advice. ‘Great Wall 329’ was the second Chinese submarine. India lost cool. When Indian Premier, Narendra Modi, met Mahinda in Nepal at the SAARC Summit, he issued the ‘Red Notice’.

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Electoral Defeat is Seen by New Delhi as a Defeat for China and Victory for India’ »

(The Following news Item is exclusively reported in the “Lankanewsweb”website. It is reproduced here with due acknowledgement and accreditation to the website concerned)

Daham Sirisena, the son of the new president, following the footsteps of Malaka Silva, Narada Dissanayake, Kanchana Wijesekara, Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Lohan Ratwatte – all who had sold there fathers – and has begun running riot in the very beginning of the Maithri Paalanaya.

Last night (10), Daham had arrived at Clique, a night club at Race Course, Reid Avenue, Colombo 07 accompanied by PSD men in seven vehicles. Entering the place, he had ordred its security to deactivate all the CCTV cameras there.

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena’s son Daham Sirisena Allegedly Misbehaved at “Clique”Night Club in Colombo 7 After getting Cameras de-activated by his Security Personnel Who Accompanied him in 7 Vehicles.’ »

By

Vishwamithra 1984

“Nationalism is power hunger tempered by self-deception.”
~George Orwell

Did Mahinda Rajapaksa Believe he would win?

President Rajapaksa & Presidential Candidate RA Sirsena at Hambanthota polling booth-pic via: twitter.com/AzzamAmeen

Yes, he did!

It was not only a hope or wish. It was a strong conviction and belief that he will win and win convincingly.

He was a hardened “street-smart“ politician with over 45 years of experience in politics. He had held office (power) since 1970 first as one of the youngest ever parliamentarians, then from 1994 onwards as a Minister and then as Prime Minister and from 2005 as President. He knew and could not think of any other life. Also he was battle-scarred after two successful Presidential elections in 2005 and 2010.

In the 2015 campaign, after the initial thunderbolt of realizing that it was his lieutenant, Maithripala Sirisena and not Ranil Wickremesinghe that he had to fight, he recovered from obvious mental depression and got into the fray cheered on by gigantic crowds at each rally. His “campaign staff” soon took over.

They did something grievously wrong. They created an euphoria of victory. They also had more than enough money to spend and the facilities of the print and electronic media of the state sector to use and abuse with impunity. Not even the Elections Commissioner or Court orders could stop him.

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Truly Believed he would win Poll Until Midnight on Election Night’ »

Prof. G.L. Peiris

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has denied in all possible terms the charge that he attempted to use the military to influence election results.He said that he had accepted the outcome long before the final official results were released and had congratulated the new President. He further emphasised that during his decades of being in politics he had always bowed down to the people’s verdict and regarded wins and losses as a natural part of political life.

Ex-President rajapaksa issued this strong denial in the form of three tweets through his twitter account.

The three tweets are reproduced below –
Continue reading ‘Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa Denies Charges of Plotting a Coup on Election night and is Endorsed by Prof. GL Peiris’ »

By

Rajesh Venugopal

A few weeks ago, it was a foregone conclusion that Sri Lanka’s former president Mahinda Rajapakse would win the elections and extend his decade in power by another five years. His son Namal tweeted ‘this will be an easy win’. But the country’s long demoralised, perennially defeated, and deeply compromised opposition pulled a surprise candidate out of the hat and went on to win a clear majority.

Sri Lanka’s new president Maithripala Sirisena, was not only a long-time friend and party loyalist of Rajapakse, but was at the time of his defection, Health Minister, and also general secretary of the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). On the day of judgment, Sirisena won 51% to Rajapakse’s 47% and was within hours, sworn in as the new president. What do these election results reveal, and what does the future hold for Sri Lanka?

Continue reading ‘Eight Salient Factors in the Political Scenario of Sri Lanka After the 2015 Presidential Poll’ »

By The “Sunday Times”Political Editor

Millions of Sri Lankans learnt only by late Friday morning that the major thrust by Opposition political parties brought an end to the near ten year rule of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. As the counting began in centres countrywide after polls ended on Thursday, families and friends sat around their television sets for the results. There was fear in the minds of most.

Only a day earlier, in the main cities, shops and supermarkets were crowded by people panic buying stocks of food to cope with a possible post-poll curfew on Friday, marred by violent incidents. There was no cause for such a move. The reason – there were brave men in the security forces, the judiciary, the Department of Elections and other establishments — who literally placed their lives on the line of fire to make a free poll possible.

Yet, the week was fraught with fear among those who wanted a change for Sri Lanka — the leaders who formed the National Democratic Front (NDF). Barely a day passed without reports, some credible, that smaller but powerful sections in the military were plotting to resort to unlawful methods with their likeminded political bosses for whom force superseded any respect for the rule of law.

In one instance, legal advice was sought on whether the announcement of results could be suspended to pave the way for Rajapaksa to continue to remain in office. At least two ministers were strongly opposed to the move. “We were on the fringe of a pre-poll coup of sorts,” said a leading attorney who was concerned over what was going on.

Continue reading ‘How Ranil Pre-empted a Coup Attempt by Mahinda and Facilitated a Peaceful Transfer of Power to Maithripala’ »

Mr President,
Honourable Government Authorities,
Your Eminence, Your Excellencies,

Dear Friends,

I thank you for your warm welcome. I have looked forward to this visit to Sri Lanka and these days which we will spend together. Sri Lanka is known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean for its natural beauty. Even more importantly, this island is known for the warmth of its people and the rich diversity of their cultural and religious traditions.

Mr President, I extend to you my best wishes for your new responsibilities. I greet the distinguished members of the government and civil authorities who honour us by their presence. I am especially grateful for the presence of the eminent religious leaders who play so important a role in the life of this country. And of course, I would like to express my appreciation to the faithful, the members of the choir, and the many people who helped make this visit possible. I thank you all, from the heart, for your kindness and hospitality.

Continue reading ‘Full Text of First Address in Sri Lanka by Pope Francis in the Morning of January 13th 2015’ »

By

Dharisha Bastians

President Maithripala Sirisena’s new Government will launch an immediate investigation into an alleged attempt by the previous administration to stage a coup d’état on election night.

An investigation into the alleged attempt to cling to power illegally would commence soon after the new cabinet is sworn in, a spokesman said.

Sirisena Campaign Spokesman Mangala Samaraweera said ousted President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa had attempted to “perverse the process of democracy” while results were still being counted around the country.

Continue reading ‘Mangala Samaraweera Says Sirisena Govt will Launch Investigation Into Alleged Attempt by Mahinda and Gota to Stage a Coup’ »

By

Frank Jack Daniel

COLOMBO (Reuters) –

Pope Francis said on Tuesday Sri Lanka needed to find out the truth of what happened during its long civil war in order to consolidate peace and heal scars between religious communities.

Francis appeared to make the case for a truth commission to investigate the Buddhist-majority nation’s 26-year civil war, an election pledge of the government voted into office on Thursday.

“The process of healing also needs to include the pursuit of truth, not for the sake of opening old wounds, but rather as a necessary means of promoting justice, healing and unity,” he said on arrival at Bandaranaike international airport.

Continue reading ‘Pope Francis States Upon Arrival in Sri Lanka the Truth about what Happened During War to Consolidate Peace and Heal Scars’ »

By Krishan Francis And Nicole Winfield

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka –

Pope Francis arrived in Sri Lanka Tuesday at the start of a weeklong Asian tour saying the island nation can’t fully heal from a quarter-century of ethnic civil war without pursuing truth for the injustices committed.

Francis didn’t refer specifically to Sri Lanka’s refusal to co-operate with a U.N. investigation into alleged war crimes committed in the final months of the war. A 2011 U.N. report said as many as 40,000 Tamil civilians may have been killed, and that both sides committed serious human rights violations.

Francis, 78, delivered the speech on the tarmac of Colombo’s international airport, where he was welcomed under sunny skies by Sri Lanka’s new president, Maithripala Sirisena, who was sworn in Friday after a major electoral upset.

The pope arrived to a colorful welcome ceremony, complete with traditional drummers and dancers from both the Sinhalese and Tamil groups, and a children’s choir singing a song of welcome in both languages of Sri Lanka — as well as English and Italian.

Continue reading ‘Pope Francis Arrives in Sri Lanka and is Greeted by Sinhala and Tamil Traditional Dances and Welcome Song in Both Languages and English,’ »

President Maithripala Sirisena has formed his new Government with Twenty seven Cabinet Ministers,Ten Ministers of State and Eight Deputy Ministers.

facebook.com/maithripalas

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesighe will be in charge of Policy planning and Economic Development while Mangala Samaraweera will be Minister of Foreign Affairs.

President Sirisena will retain the ministry of defence but will be assisted by Ruwan Wijewardene who has been made state minister of defence.

The full list of cabinet ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers are –

Continue reading ‘President Maithripala Sirisena Forms new Government with 27 Cabinet ministers, 10 State Ministers and 8 Deputy Ministers’ »

(Text of Media Release Issued by the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress on 12 January 2015)

His Holiness Pope Francis Arrives in Sri Lanka-facebook.com/popevisitsrilanka2015

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress welcomes His Holiness Pope Francis on his inaugural visit to Sri Lanka.
His Holiness, the first pope from the Global South, has played an important role in fostering understanding and harmony between communities based on the principles of mutual respect and dialogue.

His concern for the oppressed and his commitment to social justice has been appreciated by the disadvantaged around the world, including in Sri Lanka.
Continue reading ‘The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress welcomes His Holiness Pope Francis on his inaugural visit to Sri Lanka.’ »

By The Editors

Is Sri Lanka the next Myanmar?

After the stunning ouster of strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa in last week’s elections, another small, strategically vital Asian nation would appear to have rejected China’s embrace.

Whether the U.S. and India can exploit this opportunity, however, will depend on whether they recognize what’s unique about Sri Lanka.

The first thing to appreciate is that voters weren’t necessarily driven by resentment of China.
Continue reading ‘Can the USA and India Utilise the Change of Govt to Entice Sri Lanka Away from the Embrace of China?’ »

By

Ellen Barry

Across the great Eurasian plate these days, from Belarus to Beijing, one can find leaders dispensing with truly competitive politics. But traverse the Himalayas to South Asia and the climate is different: Democracy is on a winning streak.

facebook.com/PresidentRajapaksa

Over the last two years, virtually the entire population of South Asia has had the opportunity to take part in elections, and the voters have shown a marked desire to send their leaders packing. There was plenty of evidence for this already, including Pakistan’s first democratic transfer of power and, last May, India’s epic rejection of the party that has dominated the country since independence.

Even so, last week’s vote in Sri Lanka was a jaw-dropper.

Continue reading ‘Result of Presidential Poll in Sri Lanka was a “Jaw dropper”.’ »

By

Sumanasiri Liyanage

It is natural to interpret phenomena in the way the interpreter likes it. Maithripala Sirisena’s victory at the presidential election held on January 8, 2015 has been subjected to multiple interpretations. Most pronounced one is that it was a victory for democracy. My friend Prof Jayadeva Uyangoda, who has a better understanding of democracy, thinks the election result was a victory for good governance. Some have even interpreted it as a victory for women. Of course, in social science one may not definitely propose that these multiple interpretations are incorrect even though they are sometime contradictory. I would like to ask somewhat a provoking question.

Do the election results reflect democratic reawakening in the country as a whole? Do the results indicate a wholesale rejection of the policies and practices of the Rajapaksa regime? To answer these and related questions, a comprehensive analysis of election results is imperative. Since limited time and resources do not allow me to engage in the exercise of that sort, the objective of the present article will be limited to a few observations
Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa was Defeated Primarily Because of his Policy on the National Question’ »

By

R. A. Ratwatte

The most hackneyed stanza of the Dhammapada … “nahi verena verani etc” is being bandied about once again with gay abandon. If you stop and check the number of times this verse (with so much meaning and relevance) has been used in speeches by people who have not the slightest intention of ever putting it into practice … the mind boggles.

The new President also used it and in this case we hope that proper interpretation of the verse will prevail. We the people don’t want revenge or anger but we do want JUSTICE!

If all the petty catchers’, drug smugglers, rapist and vermin who robbed our country blind and drove self-respecting honourable people who were trying to make an honest living, to despair are allowed walk away, If all those relatives of the Rajapaksas who held down highly paid state jobs and denied qualified people If those who blatantly abused their positions are not named and shamed and punished, it will constitute blasphemy and a total misinterpretation of the doctrine that governs the life of the majority of this country.

Continue reading ‘“Nahi Verena Verani” Dhammapada Stanza Must not be Misconstrued to let Abusers of Power in Rajapaksa Regime Evade Justice.’ »

by Dr. Tavisha Udupihille – Kandy

I was hoping for a new era in good governance after having been through an era where political supporters drove on the road like maniacs, causing danger to road users including themselves. This was even admitted by the ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa, who had discovered the same while driving incognito.

However, I was appalled by the behaviour of the supporters of newly elected President Maithripala Sirisena as well as the UNP politicians in Kandy today (Jan. 11).

Continue reading ‘“Mr.Sirisena and Mr.Wickremesinghe must Rein in Unsavoury Elements Within their Folds from Breaking the Law in Kandy.’ »

by Norman Palihawadane and Rex Clementine

Sri Lankan Catholics will turn up in their numbers on the Negombo – Colombo main road today(13) to give a grand welcome to their spiritual leader – Pope Francis. The 78-year-old Argentinian Pope will arrive today at 9:00am at the Katunayake International Airport. After a welcome ceremony, Pope Francis will travel along the Negombo – Colombo Road. The Church has urged Catholics to line up along the road to greet the Pope and has demarcated sections on the main road for various Parishes.

The Pope’s schedule for today includes a meeting with the Bishops of Sri Lanka around 1:15 pm before a visit to President Maithripala Sirisena at 5:00pm. The Pope is scheduled to participate in an inter-religious dialogue at 6:15pm at the BMICH.

Continue reading ‘Grand and Joyful Welcome Planned for Pope Francis Arriving in Sri Lanka on January 13th 2015’ »

By Dharisha Bastians

A 27-member Cabinet will serve for the first 100 days of the new administration, but President Maithripala Sirisena warned his new ministers not to get too comfortable in power since they would be facing a Parliamentary election in just three months.

President Sirisena’s Government includes 27 Cabinet Ministers, nine Ministers of State and eight Deputy Ministers.

Among key appointments made yesterday were Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was granted the portfolios of Reconciliation, Policy Development and Economic Affairs, with Dr. Harsha De Silva as his Deputy Minister. UNP Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya has been appointed Minister of Public Administration, Democratic Governance and Buddha Sasana.

Ravi Karunanayake has been appointed Minister of Finance. Mangala Samaraweera will serve as Minister of External Affairs. Rauff Hakeem was appointed Minister of Urban Development and Water Supply, while the Industry and Commerce Ministry was restored to Rishad Bathiudeen who gave up the position when he crossed over to support Sirisena’s candidacy before the poll.

“We promised that our interim Government would only consist of 30 Cabinet ministries. Our list today is even shorter. We have delivered on that commitment,” Sirisena told his Ministers at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Says new Cabinet is Temporary and that Permanent Cabinet will be formed after Fresh Elections Following 100 Days of Work Completion’ »

The newly elected President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena with his victory will also assume the position of Chair-in-Office in the Commonwealth, a report published by the Policy Research & Information Unit of the Presidential Secretariat (PRIU) said yesterday.

Issuing a congratulatory message to the new President, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma said he looks forward to working with Sirisena and his Government, both in his capacity as President of Sri Lanka and as Commonwealth Chair-in-Office.

Continue reading ‘President Maithripala Sirisena as the new Sri Lankan Head of State will Replace Mahinda Rajapaksa as Chair in Office of the Commonwealth’ »

The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) calls upon the government leaders to ensure that their members and supporters desist from post-election violence.

The CMEV has issued the following list of incidents:

12 January 2015

CMEV continued to monitor the post election situation and note several incidents reported in the period 9-12 January. At present CMEV has recorded 11 major incidents and 6 incidents in the post poll period. There is one casualty from post poll violence and several instances of assault, threat and intimidation. CMEV notes that most of the victims in the incidents reported are from the UPFA.

CMEV notes that President Maithripala Sirisena urged non-violence in the post poll period but unfortunately the incidents report targeting of political opponents. Political parties and their leaders must ensure that their members and supporters desist from violence and urge the authorities to conduct independent investigations and hold to account perpetrators of violence.

Continue reading ‘CMEV Urges President Sirisena to Curb Post -Election Violence:Of 17 Incidents Reported from 9th – 12th, UPFA Victims in most cases’ »

By

D.B.S. Jeyaraj


Contrary to a news report in “The Hindu” where former Fisheries minister Dr.Rajitha Senaratne is quoted as saying that ex-LTTE leader “KP”has left Sri Lanka, the former tiger stalwart is still living in Northern Sri Lanka.


“The Hindu”report filed by Meera Srinivasan from Colombo states that “Kumaran Pathmanathan or ‘KP’, who was wanted in Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, is missing from Sri Lanka”.

www.sencholai.org

It goes on to quote Dr. Rajitha Senaratne as saying “We heard he escaped through the airport’s VIP lounge. We are investigating,” . The former minister is described as a “senior politician and spokesman of President Maithripala Sirisena”.

Upon reading the news report I telephoned “KP” whose real name is Selvarasah Pathmanathan and not Kumaran Pathmanathan as reported by the Indian media. He was at his usual residence in Thiruvaiyaaru,Kilinocchi.
Continue reading ‘Selvarasah Pathmanathan alias “KP” has not left the Country but is in Kilinochchi Under Protective Custody Administering Three Orphanages’ »

By

Sanjayan Rajasingham

A New Sri Lanka?

Maithripala Sirisena is the President of Sri Lanka. What was unthinkable two months ago is news today. There is hope today that we can emerge from the lawlessness, corruption, nepotism and racism that we are sunk in. That we can become the plural, vibrant, democratic country we ought to be.

Of course Sri Lanka’s problems are still around. Today, Sri Lanka is not ruled by law – it is ruled by connections and political influence. Today, nepotism and corruption are rampant. Today, there is a deep and fundamental ethnic divide. Mahinda Rajapaksa’s defeat may mean that we have a better chance of dealing with these problems, but it is by no means a guarantee.

After all, we know that Rajapaksa was not the root of these problems. He contributed to them in the last ten years, but they existed before him and will continue after him. The idea that we should ‘help’ our family or friends at the expense of our public duty is still part of our way of thinking. The belief that breaking the law is OK as long as we don’t get caught has seeped into us. Racism, and the mistrust and hatred it breeds, are a part of all communities, and, I would add, a part of all of us. Sirisena’s election may create more space to deal with these problems, but it will not make them go away. For that to happen, we need to change.
Continue reading ‘“Insignificant” Individuals and a “New” Sri Lanka’ »

By Ranil Dharmasena and Anura Balasuriya

The SLFP leadership yesterday assured that President Mahinda Rajapaksa was firmly in control of the party after 11 Central Committee members of the party had switched their allegiance to President Maithripala Sirisena.

The defecting group comprised members of parliament, Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Reginald Cooray, Vijith Vijithamuni Soysa, Jagath Pushpakumara, S.B. Navinna, Nilwala Wijesinghe, Piyasena Gamage, Athavuda Seneviratne and Janaka Bandara Tennakoon and Chief Minister of the North Western province Dayasiri Jayasekera.
Continue reading ‘As 11 More MP’s from UPFA Defect to Maithripala Group, Ex-President Mahinda Plans to Enter Parliament and Become Leader of the Opposition.’ »

By

Shamindra Ferdinando

An anti-corruption watchdog affiliated to the newly-elected government yesterday declared that those who had been involved in massive fraudulent transactions wouldn’t be accommodated in the new administration.

The assurance was given by JHU General Secretary Patali Champika Ranawaka and attorneys-at-law Shiral Lakthilake and Maithree Gunaratne at a media briefing held at Solis Hotel, Pita kotte.

Alleging that there had been unprecedented corruption in projects undertaken by the former government in key sectors, they vowed to press the new government to punish those who had amassed wealth over the years.

Former UPFA Minister Ranawaka alleged that the government intended to investigate abuse of state resources. The MP said that the former President had abused the SLAF helicopter fleet, therefore the government would launch a comprehensive investigation.

Continue reading ‘Champika Ranawaka says Comprehensive Probe will be Conducted into Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Abuse of Air Force Helicopters as President’ »

Mangala Samaraweera MP, yesterday disclosed a plot hatched by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to retain power through military intervention.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo, MP Samaraweera described this move as a shocking attempt aimed at staying in power in spite of the verdict delivered by the people at the January 8 Presidential poll.

He said their aim was to block the counting of votes and release of the final results by the Elections Commissioner through the intervention of the Army Commander, the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General early Friday morning.

However, none of these officials had consented to this anti-democratic move and the Attorney General had pointed out that there was no possibility whatsoever to distort the will of the people.

Continue reading ‘Mangala Samaraweera Thanks Attorney-General,Army Chief&Police IGP for Resisting Attempt by Mahinda and Gota to Stage Coup to remain in Power’ »

Rasika Somarathna in Kandy

President Maithripala Sirisena in his inaugural address to the Nation from the hollowed precincts of the Most Sacred Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy yesterday, called on all political parties in Parliament to join him in forming a National Government.

President Sirisena also pledged that unlimited powers vested with the Executive Presidency will be transferred to Parliament, Cabinet, Judiciary and the public administrative mechanism. Noting at the outset that he was honoured to address the Nation from the hallowed premises of the Dalada Maligawa, President Sirisena said he has no intention in contesting for the Presidency again.

“This will be my first and last term as President,” he stressed. He also opined that the country does not need a King as its ruler but a true and compassionate human being who is committed at all times in fulfilling public aspirations and needs.

Continue reading ‘“Ethnic and Religious Reconciliation will be our Priority”Declares President Sirisena in his Address to the Nation from Kandy.’ »

In what seems to be the biggest crossover in the political history of the country, over 20 MPs of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party today pledged support to President Maithripala Sirisena and made him the new Chairman of the party.

Among the group who pledged support to the President were Sarath Amunugama, Athauda Seneviratne, Reginald Cooray, T.B. Ekanayake, Wijith Wijayamuni Soysa, S.B. Navinna, Jagath Pushpakumara, Dayasiri Jayasekera and Piyasena Gamage. Sanath Jayasuriya and Karuna Amman have also said that they would support President Maithripala Sirisena.

President Maithripala Sirisena has been appointed chairman of the SLFP by a quorum of party members who gathered at his premises this evening. They also appointed Duminda Dissanayake as the General Secretary of the party and Janaka Bandara Tennakoon as the National Organizer. Former Senior Minister S.B. Navinna was appointed as the new Treasurer of the SLFP.

Continue reading ‘SLFP Faction Appoints Maithri as Party Chairman, Duminda as Secy, Janaka Bandara as National Organizer and Navinna as Treasurer’ »

In a major development, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party has now been divided into two factions.

While one faction has decided to support President Maithripala Sirisena, the other faction has chosen former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Chairman of the party.

General Secretary of the Rajapaksa faction of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said 42 members of the Central Committee, who gathered at Darley Road headquarters of the SLFP, re-appointed President Rajapaksa as the Chairman of the party.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Freedom Party Splits Into Two Factions Supporting Maithripala Sirisena and Mahinda Rajapaksa Respectively.’ »

With nearly 25 MPs of the UPFA deciding to support President Maithripala Sirisena, President Maithripala Sirisena has now secured a majority in the Parliament.

Therefore, the new President will be able to continue with his 100 day programme without dissolving the Parliament.

After President Sirisena securing the majority in the Parliament, the new Cabinet will be appointed tomorrow.

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Gains Majority in Parliament after 25 UPFA Parliamentarians Switch Allegiance fromMahinda to him.’ »

A section of Sri Lanka Freedom Party MPs have now launched a fresh attempt to remove former President Mahinda Rajapaksa from the leadership of the party.

According to the party constitution, the SLFP member who holds the highest position in the government should be appointed as the leader of the party. The group of SLFP Parliamentarians contend that President Maithripala Sirisena should be appointed as the leader of the SLFP on the same grounds.

“Although he was removed from positions he held in the party, his party membership still remains intact. On the other hand, there are questions over the manner in which he was removed from the General Secretary position of the party.

Therefore, President Maithripala Sirisena stands a chance to become the Leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party,” a Parliamentarian who spoke to Asian Mirror said under the condition of anonymity.

Continue reading ‘Section of SLFP MP’s Planning to Replace Mahinda Rajapaksa with Maithripala Sirisena as Party Leader’ »

COLOMBO: Kumaran Pathmanathan, once in-charge of international finance and arms smuggling operations of the LTTE, who had allegedly fled from Sri Lanka following the change of regime in Colombo, is still in the country.

“I am in Sri Lanka, contrary to news reports that I had fled from the country.I have no plans to leave the country.I will be thankful to God if the new government lets me continue my humanitarian work among the war-affected people,” Pathmanathan told Express over phone from his orphanage at Kilinochchi in North Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Continue reading ‘“KP”Wants President Sirisena to Let him Continue Running Orphanages but Mangala says KP’s Alleged Links with Rajapaksas will be Probed’ »

Sri Lanka’s new government will investigate an attempt by Mahinda Rajapakse to stage a “coup” to stay in power after it became clear he had lost last week’s presidential election, a spokesman said Sunday.

“People think it was a peaceful transition. It was anything but,” spokesman Mangala Samaraweera told reporters. “The first thing the new cabinet will investigate is the coup and conspiracy by president Rajapakse.

“He stepped down only when the army chief and the police Inspector General refused to go along with him.”

Rajapakse had been widely praised for conceding defeat early on Friday, even before the last votes in Thursday’s election had been counted, when he realised that his rival Maithripala Sirisena had an unassailable lead.

Continue reading ‘“First thing new Cabinet will Investigate is the Coup Conspiracy by Mahinda Rajapaksa to Hold on to Power by Annulling Elections”-Mangala Samaraweera’ »

Former Minister of Economic Development and National Organiser of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Basil Rajapaksa, has reportedly left the country early this morning.

The UPFA Parliamentarian and his wife Pushpa Rajapaksa left through the VIP lounge at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, Ada Derana reporter said.

He added that the ex-minister, who is the younger brother of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, left for Los Angeles via Dubai on Emirates flight EK 349 at 2.55am today (Jan 11).

Continue reading ‘Basil Rajapaksa with wife Pushpa Left for Los Angeles via Dubai on Emirates Flight EK 349 at 2.55 am on Jan 11th’ »

(Statement of the Liberal Party of Sri Lanka on the new Presidency)

The Liberal Party of Sri Lanka emphatically welcomes the victory of Mr Maithripala Sirisena at the presidential poll. We are also grateful to him for continuing after his election to assert the values which the people of Sri Lanka have shown they admire.

We now have a compassionate government, and we look forward to the constitutional and structural changes essential to promote equity, pluralism and the Rule of Law.

The Liberal Party also thanks President Mahinda Rajapaksa for swiftly accepting his defeat and clearing the way for the new government to take over. The country owes him a debt of gratitude for ridding us of terrorism, and we believe he fully intended, in 2009, to fulfil the commitments he made.

Continue reading ‘Liberal Party Stance of not Supporting Mahinda in Hasty election is Thoroughly Vindicated now’ »

Newly elected President Maithripala Sirisena will enjoy the support of a Parliamentary majority since over 30 United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Members have pledged him support, sources close to the New Democratic Front (NDF) told The Nation.

Even after 27 MPs defected to the Maithripala camp before the election, there were 133 MPs in the UPFA fold, raising concerns whether the appointment of UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister could win approval in Parliament. This situation also fed rumors that the UPFA would propose one of its members as Prime Minister once Parliament is convened.

It was also rumored that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa would seek a comeback by way of being nominated to the seat held by President Sirisena which, since he became President would fall vacant.

Continue reading ‘President Maithripala Assured of Parliament Majority with More than 30 MP’s from UPFA Crossing Over By Jan 19th’ »

President Mahinda Rajapaksa drank at least four cups of black coffee on Thursday night as he came down from his cozy bedroom to watch election results. Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, a senior state servant, briefed the President on the results that had been received so far and Rajapaksa realized that it did not augur well.

pic via: twitter.com/AzzamAmeen

That night he had arrived from Carlton Residence in Tangalle after casting his vote and the President looked a little too tired. The Commanders of three forces and close supporters of the President who were gathered at Temple Trees on Thursday night sensed that something ‘strange’ was going to happen. However, the 69-year-old President looked calm and serene.

By about 5am, it was clear that the situation was turning in favour of Maithripala Sirisena, the Common Candidate of the opposition who was the main opponent of President Rajapaksa. He instructed his authorities to contact all the polling agents across the country and get a comprehensive report on the total number of votes received by the UPFA. After going through this report, the President realized that he was about to face an imminent defeat at the presidential election, which was announced two years before the end of his second term.

Continue reading ‘How Mahinda Rajapaksa Conceded Defeat Before Election Ended and Departed Gracefully From “Temple Trees”-The Sunday Leader’ »

By Faizer Shaheid

Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella says that the UPFA has 135 members in Parliament and it is a question whether they can be the Opposition in Parliament. “I don’t know if there are constitutional provisions on that and I don’t think the Speaker will have the right to do that. In the Constitution that I have read, it appears to be very complex.”

Excerpts of the interview:

Q
: There is a new President in power. What is the stand adopted by the SLFP in this regard?

A: His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena has now been elected, and he has proposed a plan of a 100 days. In his plan, the most salient part is the constitutional changes he is bringing in. The SLFP Central Committee discussed this matter on Friday and took a decision. As far as we are concerned, as the Party that commands the majority in Parliament, we would fully support all reforms that we see are important for the development of the country. Even President Mahinda Rajapaksa had proposed several reforms during his tenure, but unfortunately nobody participated. Now we have another opportunity under Maithripala Sirisena to implement the reforms. In that light, we will evaluate and choose whether to support each piece of legislation and changes that they envisage bringing in, based on the benefit that would be accrued to the public of this country. That is the plan at the moment.

Continue reading ‘“Complex Situation with Maithri as President, Ranil Appointed Prime Minister and UPFA with Parliamentary Majority”-Keheliya Rambukwella’ »

My dear people,

Today I accept with great respect the people’s verdict.

Accordingly, I hand over the post of President that I held to Mr Maithripala Sirisena today.

In 2005, as per the Mahinda Chinthana, I stated that I was not the ruler of this country but only its temporary custodian. And just as I fulfilled all that I promised in Mahinda Chinthana, this is the moment to give credence to that statement.

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Message and Request to the People of Sri Lanka Prior to Quitting as President’ »

By

Prof.Rajiva Wijesinghe M.P.

The most important issue facing the new President is to restore confidence in the governmental process.

For this purpose it is necessary to establish systems that work according to the Rule of Law, and with full accountability to the people. In this respect it is vital that Parliamentary control of legislation and finances be restored.

pic: facebook.com/FCASLANKA

This does not mean strengthening an Executive based in Parliament, but rather strengthening Parliament to be an effective check on the Executive. This means strengthening the power of ordinary members of Parliament, both government and opposition.

Measures to ensure this were the principle component of the Standing Order changes I had proposed last year, changes which the Speaker ignored in contravention of the existing Standing Orders. My main purpose was to strengthen Committees of Parliament by streamlining them and ensuring that they were not chaired by members of the Executive. In the case of the Finance Oversight Committees, the PAC and COPE, the chair was to be a member of the opposition.

But ensuring open discussion in committees is not enough. It is also necessary to give them teeth, and for this purpose we should ensure that the Executive either follows their recommendations, or else gives reasons in writing as to why this is not desirable or possible. The same would apply to the petitions committee, the directions of which are now simply flouted by the Executive.

Continue reading ‘Most Important Issue Facing the new President is to Restore Confidence in the Governmental Process’ »

Former Secretary of the Environment and Sustainable Energy Ministry B.M.U.D. Basnayake has been appointed as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Defence.

Bansanayake, a member of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, replaces former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

by

Maheen Senanayake

Mr. P B Abeykoon, a senior career administrator and former Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration has been appointed Secretary to the President and assumed duties last morning.

All Secretaries of Ministries who are appointed by the president vacated office with the change of administration. Mr. Lalith Weeraunga, Secretary to President Rajapaksa, remained in office until President Sirisena took his oaths and then vacated this position.

Abeykoon served as Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration & Home Affairs since May 2010. His previous postings include Secretary, Ministry of Public Management Reforms and Controller General, Department of Immigration & Emigration.

Continue reading ‘Former Public Administration Ministry Secretary PB Abeykoon Appointed as Secretary to President Sirisena.’ »

by

Shamindra Ferdinando

The UPFA yesterday urged newly appointed President Maithripala Sirisena not to do away with post-war security measures in place to thwart possible attempts to propagate separatism.

National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa, MP, insisted that national security shouldn’t be a political issue regardless of varying political strategies adopted by different political parties.

Addressing the media at SLFP headquarters at T.B. Jayah Mawatha, the former housing minister reminded that the armed forces had been in a pathetic state when the then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa emerged victorious at Nov 2005 presidential poll. The military paid a huge price in terms of lives lost to bring three-decade long war to a successful conclusion.

Continue reading ‘Wimal Weerawansa Urges President Sirisena to Uphold National Security and not Dismantle Post-war Security Measures’ »

by

Shamindra Ferdinando

Having congratulated newly elected President Maithripala Sirisena, the defeated UPFA yesterday assured the sixth executive President of Sri Lanka of its unconditional support to implement his 100-day work program.

Maithripala’s project has been endorsed by the UNP and several other political parties and groups, including the JHU, SLMC, All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), four-party Tamil National Alliance (TNA), National United Front (NUF) as well as the JVP, though it didn’t formally join the Opposition alliance.

The assurance was given by Senior Vice President of the SLFP Nimal Siripala de Silva, MP, at the first post-presidential poll media briefing held at SLFP headquarters at T.B. Jayah Mawatha.

The implementation of the 100-day project will begin today (Jan. 11) with the appointment of 25 member cabinet comprising not more than 25 members representing political parties in President Sirisena’s coalition..

Continue reading ‘UPFA Offers President Sirisena Unconditional Support to Implement his 100 Day Work Program.’ »

By

C.A.Chandraprema

What Sri Lanka experienced last Thursday was easily the biggest political upset in post independence history. This would also be unique in the annals of world history. One would think that after an election where power changed hands, the streets all over the country would be full of rejoicing party supporters. But that was not the case.

Sri Lanka now enters upon a period of profound political and economic uncertainty and the only hand that can ensure stability in this country at this stage is UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. The extent of stability in this country will be decided by the extent to which the UNP is in charge of things. It was a providential that Ranil Wickremesinghe took charge on Jan. 9 and addressed the public at a press conference and said all the correct things to calm the situation.

The country today and especially the government formed by the common opposition needs a steady hand and a sensible mind if they are not to be destroyed by their own victory. If the other groups in the common opposition have any sense in them, they will allow Ranil and the UNP to do the talking and to make all the important decisions. Even in December 2001, it was Ranil who brought calm and political peace to a country that had been set on fire by Chandrika Kumaratunga.

Continue reading ‘Main Challenge Before New Govt is to Manage “Majority” Sinhala Resentment Over Sirisena Victory’ »

by

Shamindra Ferdinando

Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe has assured former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as well as his brother, Gotabhaya, former Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, of their security.

The assurance was given when Wickremesinghe met the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees on Friday morning to arrange the smooth transfer of power.

Senior UPFA sources told The Sunday Island that Wickremesinghe has made the offer with the consent of the then president-elect Maithripala Sirisena.

Continue reading ‘Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who has not Fled Abroad Continues to Remains in Colombo’ »

By

Malinda Seneviratne

Dear Mahinda,

You will forgive us for dropping all those lovely titles. We are confident of this simply because in conceding defeat gracefully you recovered for yourself dignity that you let slip away a few years ago. We are confident because in that very moment you became recognizable as the leader, the fellow-citizen and the one-of-us who was loved like few leaders are loved.

You were not a perfect President. You were certainly not the most imperfect President we’ve had either. You stood tall when it mattered. During your tenure you gifted back to the people of this country a land they had lost or rather their leader had squandered due to ignorance, arrogance and the mad pursuit of narrow political objectives. You recovered for us the right to breathe. You banished a culture of fear.

Continue reading ‘A Note to Mahinda’ »

By

Malinda Seneviratne

Dear Mr President,

As a seasoned politician and as a one-time staunch supporter of your predecessor, you are eminently qualified to understand the challenges ahead as you think about delivering the promises you made to the people of this country.

The road to the Presidency was rocky. There were pitfalls and booby traps. You walked not alone, but you would know as well as anyone that we live in times where friend turns foe and vice versa without warning. You took on a strong leader, a proven competitor and a man who is clearly one of the most loved national leaders this country has known. You went against a candidate in a political culture and an institutional arrangement which gave him a massive edge. You prevailed.

Continue reading ‘A note to President Maithripala Sirisena’ »

Several senior UNPers are tipped to be granted several portfolios in the new Cabinet which is likely to be formed over the weekend.

Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe, Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa, Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya, Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayake, Chairman and Secretary General Kabir Hashim, Joseph Michael Perera, John Amaratunga, Lakshman Kiriella, Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, Mangala Samaraweera, Thalatha Atukorala and Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe are tipped to be granted appointments.

Continue reading ‘UNP to get 13 Cabinet Portfolios;Apart from Premier Ranil Others Like Sajith,Karu,Mangala, Thalatha,Ravi,Kabir etc to be Ministers?’ »

( Text of Editorial Appearing in “The Hindu”of January 10th 2015 Under the heading “Democracy wins in Sri Lanka”)

When Mahinda Rajapaksa called a fresh presidential election two years ahead of the scheduled January 2016 end to his second term in office, he did so because he was confident of being voted back for another six years.

There was no real challenger on the horizon at that time, and Mr. Rajapaksa, who had made the 2009 military victory over the LTTE the main theme of his government, believed that Sinhalese voters would once again repose their faith in him.

Indeed, so entrenched had he become that few imagined he would lose, and that too to a relative unknown like Maithripala Sirisena, who was the Health Minister in the Rajapaksa Cabinet. Mr. Sirisena’s sudden emergence as a candidate of an opposition alliance took Mr. Rajapaksa by surprise.

Continue reading ‘“New Dispensation Under Sirisena Must Waste no Time in Addressing the Tamil Demand for a Just Peace”-The Hindu’ »

By

Jayadeva Uyangoda

Other than among the diehard supporters of the outgoing Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, there was no doubt about the victory of Maithripala Sirisena, the common Opposition candidate in the country’s Presidential election held on January 8.

pic via: facebook.com/maithripalas

Yet, what surprised Mr. Rajapaksa’s supporters and opponents alike was his decision to concede defeat and leave the official residence early morning of the day after, hours before even a third of the official election results were out.

A peaceful transfer of power without post-election violence, after a relatively peaceful election campaign, is testimony to the resilience of Sri Lanka’s democracy after three decades of civil war and half-a-decade of semi-authoritarianism.
Continue reading ‘“How will the new President Maithripala Sirisena Fulfil his Electoral Promises?’ »

By

N Sathiya Moorthy

Sri Lanka has got a new President and a new government. The nation has voted in the common Opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena, and voted out incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promptly congratulated Sirisena, indicating the traditional Indian readiness and willingness to work with the new government.

Indian concerns in and with Sri Lanka can be broadly identified with the ‘ethnic issue’ and the ‘China factor’. As the facilitator of 13-A power-devolution deriving from the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord of 1987, India owes to itself, the Tamils of Sri Lanka and that nation as a whole, to help restore ethnic peace and balance in that country.
Continue reading ‘Relations with India, China and USA for Sri Lanka’s new President and Government’ »

by

Ranil Wickremesinghe, 65, finds himself leading a Sri Lankan ministry under an Executive President again. This is his third stint as Prime Minister, having served earlier in 1993-94 and 2001-04. As he was sworn in on Friday evening, Mr. Wickramasinghe must be ruing the fact that he has been unable to reach the country’s highest office despite being the leader of the principal opposition party for many years.

At the oath ceremony, Jan 9, 2015-facebook.com/ranil.wickremesinghe.leader

For the second successive presidential election, his right-wing United National Party was forced to support a candidate from outside its own ranks. In 2010, it was retired army general Sarath Fonseka and this time it was Maithripala Sirisena of the rival Sri Lanka Freedom Party.
Continue reading ‘Return of Ranil Wickremesinghe as Sri Lanka Prime Minister is most Welcome in India.’ »

by

Zacki Jabbar

The National Democratic Front headed by the new President Maithripala Sirisena has assured former President Mahinda Rajapaksa that he and his family would receive the full protection of the law.

Informed sources said that the comforting words had come after UNP and Opposition leader and Prime Minister in waiting Ranil Wickremesinghe had called on Rajapaksa early yesterday morning, when the former President had indicated that he would be leaving Temple Trees after having facilitated the swearing in of Sirisena as the new President last evening. Rajapaksa dressed in a casual red shirt left his residence of nearly ten years, a short while after his meeting with Wickremesinghe.

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Assures Former President Rajapaksa that he and his Family will Receive Full Protection of the Law.’ »

by

Zacki Jabbar

Naitonal Democratic Front (NDF) leader Maithripala Sirisena was sworn in as President and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister at Independence Square yesterday evening.

Deviating from established tradition of elected Presidents being sworn in before the Chief Justice, it was the Senior most judge of the Supreme Court K. Sripavan, who performed the task in place of the incumbent Mohan Peiris, whose position has been contested by the impeached former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake.

Continue reading ‘Maithripala Sirisena Takes Oaths as President and Appoints Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister of National Unity Govt’ »

by Shamindra Ferdinando

Having defeated President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the January 8, 2015 presidential poll, victor Maithripala Sirisena yesterday took oaths before Supreme Court Justice K. Sripavan as the country’s sixth executive president.

The former SLFP General Secretary won 12 electoral districts polling 6,217,162 votes (51.28 per cent) whereas the incumbent secured 5,768,090 votes (47.58 per cent). Maithripala Sirisena won by a majority of 449,072 votes.

President Rajapaksa conceded defeat even before the release of results of one third of electorates with Opposition and UNP

Continue reading ‘Maithripala Sirisena Takes Oaths as President After Stunning Victory Over Mahinda Rajapaksa’ »

(TEXT OF STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA ON THE ELECTION IN SRI LANKA)

On behalf of the American people, I congratulate the people of Sri Lanka on the successful and peaceful conclusion of Sri Lanka’s presidential election and incoming President Maithripala Sirisena on his victory.

I also commend the outgoing administration of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa for facilitating a swift and orderly transition of power.
Continue reading ‘US President Barack Obama Hails Sri Lanka Election as a “Symbol of Hope for those who Support Democracy all Around the World”.’ »

(Text of Press Release Issued by the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress)

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) congratulates the people of Sri Lanka and President Maithiripala Sirisena on this historic occasion. The SLMC thanks the Sri Lankan people, especially the Muslim community, for exercising their democratic rights and ensuring Mr. Maithripala Sirisena’s victory.

This is a victory for democracy, the rule of law and the restoration of harmony among communities. We look forward to assisting in this national effort to build a pluralistic Sri Lanka where the universal principles of freedom, equality and justice prevail for all Sri Lankans. As a first step we look forward to repeal of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution and the implementation of the President’s 100 Day Plan. In particular, we stress the importance of shifting power away from the executive towards the legislature, independent judiciary and other independent bodies as was partially envisioned by the 17th Amendment.

Continue reading ‘“Victory for Democracy, Rule of Law and the Restoration of Harmony Among Communities”-Rauff Hakeem.’ »

Maithripala Sirisena took oaths as the sixth President of Sri Lanka at Independence square this evening while United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe took oaths as the Prime Minister.

pic via: twitter/NalakaG

Addressing the Nation after taking oaths, Sirisena said that he will not seek a second term in office.

He also appointed UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, as his first move as the President of Sri Lanka.

Continue reading ‘Maithripala Sirisena Sworn in as President by Justice K. Sri Bavan at Independence Square. Ranil Wickremesinghe Takes Oaths as Prime Minister’ »