Sri Lanka has less than a day’s worth of fuel left, the Energy Minister said Sunday, with public transport grinding to a halt as the country’s economic crisis deepened. Petrol and diesel queues snaked through the capital for kilometres, though most pumping stations have been without fuel for days. Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said petrol …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera Reveals that petrol reserves in the country are about 4,000 tonnes and cannot last more than a day;“The next petrol shipment is expected between the 22nd and 23rd of July” says Minister’ »

By Ram Manikkalingam (The author is a Visiting Professor of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam) The social and political uprising is currently stuck. President Gotabaya’s appointment of Ranil Wickremasinghe as Prime Minister (PM) has enabled the President to continue to stay in office, while shifting responsibility and pressure onto the new PM. Meanwhile, …

Continue reading ‘As long as Sri Lanka has a weak and unstable govt, no foreign govt is going to assist Sri Lanka. And Sri Lanka will continue to have a weak and unstable govt as long as there is no political reform.’ »

By Uditha Devapriya When Ranil Wickremesinghe became Prime Minister a month or so ago, he warned that things would get worse before they get better. Mr Wickremesinghe has addressed the nation at least thrice since then, and on all three occasions he has reiterated this warning. To be fair, he is right: we will hit …

Continue reading ‘Blaming Wickremesinghe for these failures is hardly fair. But he is the Prime Minister of a collapsing economy. To be sure, Wickremesinghe’s biggest impediment has been the ineptitude of those he has had to work with. This does not, however, exonerate him.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan The Sri Lankan Navy on Sunday arrested 12 Indian fishermen near the coast of Point Pedro in Jaffna, on charges of fishing illegally in the island’s territorial waters. Their mechanised boat has been seized, Navy spokesman Captain Indika De Silva said. The arrest comes weeks after the nearly two month-long fishing ban …

Continue reading ‘Tamil Nadu Fishermen Resume Illegal Fishing in Sri Lankan Territorial Waters Again after Two Month Lull;SL Navy Seizes Mechanized Boat off Point Pedro Coast and Arrest 12 Indian Nationals’ »

By Prof.Rohan Samarajiva In his address to the nation on 11 May, the President committed to “enact a Constitutional Amendment that would restore the substance of the 19th Amendment” (my translation from the video record, because this speech is missing from the President’s websites). By this time, he had seen the steadfastness of the Aragalaya …

Continue reading ‘The Amendment approved by Cabinet on 27 June does not restore the content of the 19th Amendment ; it falls short of the President Rajapaksa’s commitment to the nation made on 11 May.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Notwithstanding those ‘nava gilunath baan choon’ (lets make merry while the Titanic sinks) citizens obsessed with Sri Lanka being ‘thrashed’ by Australia in the Test series opener played in Galle, as the New Zealand Herald rather impolitely put it this Friday, there was a different and far more serious development happening …

Continue reading ‘This collapse has been gradual. The silence of professionals and academics during the time when systems were still capable of being saved and the chicanery of politicians have contributed to the ruin of this country today.’ »

(Excerpted from the “Sunday Morning” Political Column “The Black Box” by “Capt.Vasaba) The IMF team that was in Colombo met with Prime Minister Wickremesinghe on Monday (27 June) for another round of meetings. During the meeting, the IMF team had expressed concerns over the delay in reaching an agreement with China on debt restructuring. The …

Continue reading ‘IMF team in Colombo Recommends Taxes on those earning above Rs. 40,000 per month but Prime Minister Wickremesinghe immediately expressed concern saying it could not be done as it would further increase the socio-economic crisis faced by the people’ »

(Excerpted from the “Sunday Morning” Political Column “The Black Box” by “Capt.Vasaba) The Government continues to face pressure from certain sections in the Opposition as well as from within the Government to initiate a dialogue with Russia to gain access to fuel and fertiliser at cheaper rates. The group of 10 (G-10) ruling alliance partners …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Initiates Moves to Seek Procure Fuel and Fertilizer at Cheap Rates from Russia Despite Misgivings by Prime Minister Wickremesinghe that Moving Towards Russia Could Impact the Negotiations with IMF’ »

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday filed a motion in the Supreme Court, asking the latter to take up on Monday for interim relief the Fundamental Rights (FR) petition lodged on behalf of the citizens over the continuous violation of the fundamental rights due to the ongoing shortages. The Petitioners including BASL President …

Continue reading ‘Bar Association of Sri Lanka(BASL) Files Fundamental Rights Petition On Behalf of Citizens Suffering Shortages of Essentials Including Fuel,Gas and Medicine Citing 43 Respondents Comprising Prime Minister,Ministers and Secretaries; pleads for Supreme Court to take up case Speedily for Interim Relief on July 4’ »

A Fundamental Rights petition was filed in the Supreme Court seeking redress for the violation of the rights by Police and Army personnel who broke up a peaceful protest at the Galle Fort during the Test match between Sri Lanka and Australia, and forcibly removed the protest placards. The FR application was filed by two …

Continue reading ‘Protesters Evicted by Army at Galle Cricket Match Between Sri Lanka and Australia ricket match file Fundamental Rights Petition at Supreme Court Alleging their rights were forcibly violated by Military personnel’ »

(Text of Message from David McKinnon the High Commissioner of Canada in Colombo, Sri Lanka , on the occasion of Canada Day – July 1, 2022) Happy Canada Day! Today, Canadians celebrate together our country’s achievements and hopefully have some fun doing it. We also reflect on the challenges that we face as we look …

Continue reading ‘“Canada supports the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka, as well as the empowerment of women and marginalized communities, whose success is integral to that of the country”- Canadian Envoy David McKinnon’ »

By P.K.Balachandran The Gazetted draft of the 22 nd. Amendment (22A) of the Sri Lankan constitution, which will be presented to parliament in the coming week, is a compromise between the interests of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. It is also designed to maintain the stability needed to tide over the current …

Continue reading ‘Gazetted draft of the 22nd Constitutional Amendment (22A) is a compromise between the interests of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.Will it get the Necessary two-thirds majority in Parliament?’ »

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday said there was significant progress during the 10-day long discussions with the Lankan authorities and more engagement will continue virtually towards reaching a Staff-Level Agreement (SLA) on the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement in the near term. In an End-of-Mission statement, the IMF said the objectives of the new …

Continue reading ‘Discussions with IMF will continue virtually with a view to reaching a Staff-Level Agreement on the EFF arrangement in the near term. Because public debt is assessed as unsustainable, Executive Board approval would require adequate financing assurances from Sri Lanka’s creditors that debt sustainability will be restored.’ »

By P.K.Balachandran Critics of the draft 22 nd Amendment (22A) to the Sri Lankan constitution, which is to be presented to parliament next week, have denounced it as an affront to the masses who have been agitating for the restoration of democracy for months. They say that the 22A is tantamount to breaking a promise …

Continue reading ‘22nd Constitutional Amendment is nothing but a self-serving step taken by the Prime Minister and Justice Minister to suit the narrow interest of President Rajapaksa, who is bent on continuing to be Executive President till the end of his term.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Just after Tamil Nadu’s annual fishing ban ended mid-June, Indian fishing trawlers are back near Sri Lanka’s northern coast, “crushing” fishermen’s livelihoods that are already under enormous strain during the island’s economic crisis, according to northern Sri Lankan fisher leaders. “At least four of our fishermen’s nets, worth 6.5 lakh rupees [LKR], …

Continue reading ‘Livelihood of Northern Sri Lankan Fishermen Being “Crushed” again after Return of Indian Fishing Trawlers after 60 Day Lull due to Fishing Ban’ »

By Krishantha Prasad Cooray For as long as the human race has organized itself into sovereign nations, no country has had a story of limitless success. Nations and empires alike have risen and fallen, over thousands of years. Every language has phrases like “it takes a village” to remind us of the limitations of individual …

Continue reading ‘Today, Sri Lanka finds itself crippled by an unprecedented crisis. One Day , I have no doubt that my country will rise again .But we will do so only with the support of friends, who will speak in solidarity and act in support. Sri Lanka is ripe for rescue.’ »

By Nisthar Cassim Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) owes debt and payments worth nearly $ 1 billion, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe revealed yesterday exposing the bankruptcy of the State-owned entity which has aggravated the on-going fuel crisis and urgent procurement. “With accumulated debt and other pending payments, the total due is almost $ 1 billion,” Wickremesinghe …

Continue reading ‘Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) owes debt and payments worth nearly $ 1 billion Reveals Ranil Wickremesinghe:Prime Minister exposes the bankruptcy of the State-owned entity which has aggravated the on-going fuel crisis and urgent procurement.’ »

BY Safrah Fazal The Committee for Protecting the Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) alleged that the suspicious death of an inmate at the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre, following which the mass escape of over 500 inmates also occurred, was due to an assault by an Army officer. Speaking to The Morning yesterday (29), CPRP General …

Continue reading ‘Was Mass Escape of over 500 inmates from Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre Triggered off by the Suspicious Death of an Inmate Allegedly Assaulted by an Army Officer? Committee for Protecting the Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) Raises Doubts.’ »

By Prof.Rohan Samarajiva Finally, the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution that seeks to reverse the damage done by the 20th Amendment rammed through by the Rajapaksas has been gazetted. It is likely to fall short of the 19th Amendment. Those who want to undo the damage will have to push for further amendments at the …

Continue reading ‘The assigning subjects and functions to the new Minister of Investment Promotion in 3 Steps By President Rajapaksa has once Again proved that Gotabaya is incapable of rationally assigning subjects and functions to ministries.’ »

Investment Promotion Minister Dhammika Perera yesterday announced several measures to upgrade the Immigration and Emigration Department, inculcating a private-sector approach to boost efficiency and streamline operations. He introduced six key steps following a special inspection visit to the Department yesterday. This was the first task Perera took after being sworn in as a National List …

Continue reading ‘Investment Promotion Minister Dhammika Perera ,inculcating a private-sector approach to boost efficiency and streamline operations ,announces several measures to upgrade the Immigration and Emigration Department, following a special inspection visit to the Department’ »

By Kelum Bandara In a step close to integration with India in energy security, Sri Lanka has sought to purchase four shipments of fuel – 40,000 tonnes each- from India on cash payment terms, Daily Mirror learns. India is a bulk purchaser of fuel from the global market with attractive discounts. There is a proposal …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka to purchase four shipments of fuel from India for Cash instead of on credit; Deal Expected to materialise in One week will result in Initial shipment Followed by Petrol Shipments When Required.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution will be published in the Gazette today (June 29), following which it will be presented to Parliament after seven days, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said yesterday (June 28). He said that on Monday (June 27), the Cabinet had given approval to publish the Bill in the …

Continue reading ‘The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution will be published in the Gazette of June 29 and presented to Parliament after seven days, Says Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe; Cabinet Approved Draft Bill on June 27’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Cash-strapped Sri Lanka suspended nationwide fuel sales, except for essential services, for nearly a fortnight as the island faces a rapidly worsening economic crisis. In a press conference held on Monday night, Cabinet spokesperson and Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana said private vehicles will be barred from buying fuel until July 10, after …

Continue reading ‘Life Comes to a Near Standstill in Sri Lanka as Govt Suspends Nationwide Sale of Fuel for 2 weeks Except for Essential Services;Colombo seeks ‘urgent’ supply from India, Russia, Qatar’ »

(Text of a Press Release Issued by the South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) on June 28 2022) South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR), a regional network of human rights defenders, vehemently condemns the arrest of Indian rights activist and Journalist Teesta Setalvad on 25 June 2022. SAHR perceives the detention of Setalvad as a …

Continue reading ‘South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR), a regional network of human rights defenders, vehemently condemns the arrest of Indian rights activist and Journalist Teesta Setalvad on 25 June 2022.’ »

US President Joe Biden at the G7 Summit yesterday announced $ 20 million in additional assistance to strengthen food security in Sri Lanka. Building on other recent funding announcements from the US, this newly posted assistance will target Sri Lankans most in need during the current economic crisis. The funding aims to support a school …

Continue reading ‘US Commitment in Economic and Humanitarian Assistance to Sri Lanka Since June 16 Goes up to $ 32 Million After President Joe Biden’s Announcement of $ 20 Million Additional Aid’ »

United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) President Ambassador Federico Villegas (Argentina) has announced the appointment of Radhika Coomaraswamy of Sri Lanka to serve as a member of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia. Coomaraswamy will join Kaari Betty Murungi of Kenya (chair) and Steven Ratner of the US, who were appointed to …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Radhika Coomaraswamy Appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to serve as a member of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia.’ »

An Extraordinary Gazette published on Monday (June 27)listed the core responsibilities and institutions under Dhammika Perera’s Ministry of Investment Promotion. The institutions are the Board of Investment, Colombo Port City Economic Commission, Department of Immigration and Emigration, Colombo Lotus Tower Management Company Ltd., Techno Park Development Company Ltd., and Information Technology Parks. The previous Gazette …

Continue reading ‘Name of Dhammika Perera’s Ministry Changed from Technology and Investment Promotion to Investment Promotion; New Gazette Issued Listing Institutions and Functions Allocated to Ministry’ »

BY Dinitha Rathnayake Residents of Thennamaravadi, Kuchchaveli, which is a rural village some 65 kilometres north of Trincomalee, on the Pulmoddai Road, are struggling due to issues pertaining to the lack of land and housing. Speaking to The Morning, the residents claimed that most of their lands had been grabbed by the Sinhala people. “Around …

Continue reading ‘Tamil residents of Thennamaravaadi Village in Trincomalee District Allege that Over 200 Acres of their Lands have been taken over by Sinhalese outsiders and that Govt officials are not taking action to help them get back the lands’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya There is a great deal of ruin in a nation, Adam Smith once said – meaning that the modern states are innately strong enough to withstand a good deal of external and internal pressure. It takes serious and serial bungling by the policymakers to break a nation. Gotabaya Rajapaksa has shown how …

Continue reading ‘The main opposition, SJB Spends its energy on media conferences and press releases to chide the govt. Sajith Premadasa excels at eloquent speeches but shows little interest in assuming responsibility.’ »

By SVD Kesaralal Gunasekera It’s been about six weeks since a ‘new’ government was formed by the President after inviting all the parties to come forward. Fundamentally, all the parliamentarians should support the present Prime Minister to steer this country out of this crisis. Without a new strategy, approach and support, we might not be …

Continue reading ‘We have a crisis with regards to a serious lack of foreign exchange. We cannot enjoy the luxury of having petrol, diesel and domestic gas like we did because we cannot afford to pay for them. This message has not been clearly communicated to the public.’ »

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday rapped the Government over its failure to ensure uninterrupted supply of fuel which it warned threatens the social and economic stability in the country and international confidence. BASL also called on the Government to immediately provide timely and adequate information to the public as to its plans …

Continue reading ‘Bar Association of Sri Lanka(BASL) calls upon the President, Govt as well as all other political parties and actors to understand the sheer gravity of the present situation and the grave consequences which may threaten the social and economic stability in Sri Lanka.’ »

Cash-strapped Sri Lanka announced a two-week halt to all fuel sales except for essential services and appealed to the private sector to work from home as it ran out of supplies. “From midnight today, no fuel will be sold except for essential services like the health sector, because we want to conserve the little reserves …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Govt Suspends selling of fuel for 2 weeks until July 10th except for essential sectors like health, defence, power ,export and ports, airports, , food distribution and agriculture.’ »

(Text of Editorial Appearing in the “Sunday Times” of June 26th 2022 Under the Heading “Adding corruption to the crisis”) The Prime Minister sounded thoroughly exasperated when he addressed Parliament earlier in the week. He said there was one set of persons saying he was downplaying the prevailing economic crisis, while another was accusing him …

Continue reading ‘Opposition parties are aiming at the next elections while the Government and the people are struggling; Even that call for an election is a hollow one, when the whole country knows that electioneering and the logistics for an election are an impossibility in the midst of the current crisis.’ »

The United States has agreed to provide technical assistance for fiscal management in Sri Lanka. This was conveyed by the visiting US State Department Deputy Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Kelly Keiderling, during a discussion with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

By Dinitha Rathnayake A tense situation has risen over the Kurundumale Archaeological Reserve, an ancient Sri Lankan monument deep in the dense forest of Mullaitivu. According to the Department of Archaeology, the ancient Buddhist temple is said to be the only one of its kind in Sri Lanka built fully out of a particular type …

Continue reading ‘Army and Buddhist Monks Accused of Constructing Buddhist Structures on Kurundhu Malai Hill In Violation of Mullaitheevu Court Order; Cultural Appropriation of Ancient Saivaie Shrine by “Political Buddhism” with Connivance of Archaeology Dept?’ »

By Vishvanath Tomb raiders and politicians do not scruple to disturb the dead. The former look for valuables in tombs, and the latter hunt for memories, cherished or dreaded, to gain political mileage. One’s loss is said to be another’s gain. Nothing proves the validity of this axiom more than the sordid manner in which …

Continue reading ‘SLPP Rakes up the Past About Rohana Wijeweera’s “Execution” to Politically Embarrass JVP and Premadasa -led SJB and Create Tensions Between Both Parties’but Blowback may Affect Ranil also’ »

By Sumudu Chamara The concept of the Executive Presidency, especially the powers afforded to an Executive President, has been one of the most controversial topics in Sri Lanka’s political arena, and comes up often during elections and Parliamentary debates. Even amidst the prevailing instability, abolition of the Executive Presidency remains an important topic, which some …

Continue reading ‘Even amidst the prevailing instability, abolition of the Executive Presidency remains an important topic, which some deem essential to the reformation of Sri Lanka’s political culture.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene This week’s ruling handed down by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka on the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya’s (SJB) confoundingly optimistic 21st Amendment Bill seeking to wholesale consign the Executive Presidency to the dustbin was predictable, some would mutter even blindingly so. Monumentally unsurprising judicial thinking The SJB Bill sought …

Continue reading ‘The cry ‘Gota must Go’ is not necessarily personalised, though there is no doubt that this President exemplifies the evils of rash, ignorant and arrogant decision-making.’ »

By P.K. Balachandran (P.K. Balachandran is a freelance journalist specializing in South Asia and based in Colombo, Sri Lanka) In the 1980s, India was calling the shots in Sri Lanka, cashing in on its mediatory and interventionist role in the ethnic conflict that wracked the island. But New Delhi’s relevance receded after the minority Tamils’ …

Continue reading ‘India Strengthens Its Position in Sri Lanka Vis-à-Vis Rival China; Will China remain a bystander, watching India and the West displacing it in Sri Lanka?’ »

Mr. Ajith Nivard Cabraal, twice Central Bank Governor and former State Minister for Finance, issued the following media statement last week on exchange rate flexibility. “The decision to allow the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) to be “flexible” from March 7, 2022 onwards is sometimes described by certain persons as being a “unilateral” decision of then …

Continue reading ‘The decision to allow the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) to be “flexible” from March 7, 2022 onwards was not a “unilateral” decision of then Central Bank :Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal.’ »

(Text of Editorial Appearing in the “Sunday Island”of June 26th 2022 Under the Heading “National List: convenient for political parties, gravy for those appponted”) Business tycoon Dhammika Perera’s swearing last week as a National List MP of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) evoked a great deal of interest for a number of self-evident reasons. …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s biggest taxpayer Business tycoon Dhammika Perera’s swearing in as a National List MP of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has evoked a great deal of interest for a number of self-evident reasons.’ »

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that steps will be taken to legally grant land and house ownership to millions of people who do not have a deed to their own lands and homes. The program to hand over land ownership to landless families under the ‘Land for All’ program began yesterday at the Prime …

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe Launches ‘Land for All’ program to hand over land ownership to landless families at the Prime Minister’s Office.’ »

Business leader turned Member of Parliament Dhammika Perera was sworn in as the Investment Promotion Minister by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday. The appointment ends weeks of speculation and controversy and follows Dhammika being sworn in as a National List MP of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna on Wednesday after the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed all …

Continue reading ‘New SLPP National List MP Dhammika Perera sworn in as Investment Promotion Minister by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’ »

(Text of Press Release Issued by the High Commission of India in Colombo on June 24th 2022) High Commissioner Gopal Baglay, Hon’ble Keheliya Rambukwella, Minister of Health, Hon’ble Nalin Fernando, Minister of Trade, Hon’ble Members of Parliament namely M.A Sumanthiran, V. Radhakrishnan, M. Udaya Kumar, Angajan Ramanthan, and several others including Senthil Thondaman welcomed a …

Continue reading ‘Second Ship Carrying Humanitarian Aid Donated as a Gift by the Govt and People of Tamil Nadu arrived in Sri Lanka on 24 June 2022; Consignment consisting of 14,700 MT of rice, 250 MT of milk powder and 38 MT of medicines is valued at more than 3 billion Sri Lankan Rupees’ »

By M.M. Zuhair Given the dire struggle for fuel and gas worsening by the day across the country and the serious multi-facetted ominous impact on food supplies cum transport caused by the woefully irregular and paltry supply of fuel, the question arises as to why Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had not directly broached Sri Lanka’s …

Continue reading ‘Why Cant Premier Wickremesinghe Appoint Environment Minister Nazeer Hamed as Special Envoy to Seek Much Needed Fuel From Oil Rich Middle Eastern Countries?’ »

(Text of Press Release Issued by the High Commission of India in Colombo on June 23rd 2022 regarding the Visit of a delegation led by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra to Colombo) A delegation of senior Government of India officials, led by Mr. Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary, and consisting of Shri Ajay Seth, Secretary, Department of …

Continue reading ‘Indian Delegation led by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra has in-depth discussion with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on the Sri Lankan economy and efforts undertaken by the Government of Sri Lanka towards achieving economic recovery.’ »

The second ship, carrying over 15,000 tonnes of relief materials donated by the Tamil Nadu government, sailed from the VOC Port here to Colombo Harbour on Wednesday. Minister for the Welfare of Minorities and Non-Resident Tamils Gingee K.S. Masthan; Food Minister R. Sakkarapani; Minister for Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Anita R. Radhakrishnan; and Minister for …

Continue reading ‘Second Ship with 14,712 tonnes rice, 250 tonnes of milk powder and 38 tonnes of medicines Valued at 670 Million Indian Rupees sent as Gift from Tamil Nadu State to Sri Lanka Leaves Thoothukkudy Port’ »

( Text of Open Letter Sent to the Leader of the Opposition and Samagi Jana Balavegaya , Sajith Premadasa by Former Lake House Chairman and Ex- UNP Working Committee Member Krishantha Prasad Cooray on June 20th 2022) Dear Sajith, When Ranil Wickremasinghe became Prime Minister, I wrote to him and urged that he respond to …

Continue reading ‘“The Leader of the Opposition must engage in good faith with the President and Prime Minister to try and prevent them from driving Sri Lanka into calamity”- Open Letter to Sajith Premadasa by Krishantha Prasad Cooray’ »

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday in Parliament provided a status update on the extent of the current economic crisis, measures taken thus far and proposed to resolve it. He also shared parallel efforts on political reforms. He urged everyone to come together as one country and join in nation’s rebuilding process. Here is the full …

Continue reading ‘“Our economy has faced a complete collapse. That is the most serious issue before us today. . It is no easy task to revive a country with a completely collapsed economy, especially one that is dangerously low on foreign reserves. We are now seeing signs of a possible fall into the very bottom.”-Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday made a fresh crisis resolution status update in Parliament, warning that the economy has faced a complete collapse hence all must come together in the nation rebuilding process. “We intend to enter into an official level agreement with the IMF by the end of July. Considering this …

Continue reading ‘“We intend to enter into an official level agreement with the IMF by the end of July. If we receive the IMF seal of approval, the world will once again trust us. It will help us to secure loan assistance as well as low-interest loans from other countries in the world,”- Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in a special statement’ »

By Matt Godwin Sky-rocketing food and fuel prices in Sri Lanka have precipitated the worst political unrest in the South Asian country in years, as tens of thousands of demonstrators march for change on empty stomachs. With the government teetering alongside its economy, the international community must take urgent action to help stabilize Sri Lanka, …

Continue reading ‘The UK should join with the U.S., India and other “quad countries” to provide urgent bridge funding to Sri Lanka stabilize the country and offer a coherent alternative to investment dependency on China.’ »

By Ruwani Fonseka While stating that bringing in dollars is what he does best, newly appointed MP Dhammika Perera has stated that his intention is to bring in foreign exchange over obtaining loans. He made this statement while speaking to the media after taking oaths as an SLPP National List MP today (22). “I know …

Continue reading ‘Dhammika Perera says he is grateful to Basil Rajapaksa : “Basil Rajapaksa had nominated me, this seat was supposed to be handed over to someone else, but it was Basil who asked me to step in”says new SLPP Nationl list MP’ »

I can assure that Sri Lanka will not face a shortage of food in the future and I have already made arrangements to ensure that citizens will not be left hungry despite the severe economic crisis, says Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. He made this statement while speaking in Parliament and in response to the doubts …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Outlines plan in Parliament for the next couple of months to ensure food security in Country:. “I have already made arrangements to ensure that citizens will not be left hungry despite the severe economic crisis” says Prime Minister’ »

Ashok Ferrey clinched the prestigious Gratiaen Prize 2021 for his novel ‘The Unmarriageable Man’, published by Penguin, India. The winner was announced at a hybrid event with a limited in-person audience at the Barefoot Gallery in Colombo. The event was simultaneously live-streamed on the Facebook page of the Gratiaen Trust. The Gratiaen Prize shortlist for …

Continue reading ‘Ashok Ferrey wins Prestigious Gratiaen Prize 2021 for his novel ‘The Unmarriageable Man’, published by Penguin, India.’ »

Business leader Dhammika Perera yesterday took oath as a Member of Parliament (MP) before Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday. He was appointed to fill the vacancy created following the resignation of SLPP National List MP Basil Rajapaksa. Prior to his swearing-in, Dhammika handed over his declaration of assets and liabilities and the tax clearance report …

Continue reading ‘Dhammika Perera Sworn in as SLPP National List MP by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena; tells media “I hope to present my plan to generate foreign exchange within the next two weeks because I know how to do it.”’ »

More than 30 bondholders said they have formed a group to negotiate with Sri Lanka after it defaulted on its foreign debt. Still, at least one holdout has sued the country in a US court demanding payment. Hamilton Reserve, a St Kitts and Nevis based bank, has filed suit in the Federal Court of New …

Continue reading ‘St Kitts and Nevis based bank, Hamilton Reserve, files suit in the Federal Court of New York against Sri Lanka for Defaulting on Bonds and Demands Full Payment’ »

By Chandani Kirinde The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the JVP-led National People’s Power (NPP) and several independent MPs walked out of the Chamber yesterday after announcing they will boycott Parliament sittings this week in protest at the Government’s failure to address any of the problems faced by the people. Joining the walkout were …

Continue reading ‘Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and JVP-led National People’s Power (NPP) along with “independent” MPs Champika Ranawaka and Athureliya Ratana Thera walk out after announcing they will boycott Parliament sittings this week in protest against Govt .’ »

Business tycoon Dhammika Perera is expected to take oaths as a Member of Parliament today (22), The Morning learnt, after the Supreme Court rejected granting leave to proceed with the five Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions challenging his appointment as an MP. The petitions were taken up by a three-judge bench comprising Justices Priyantha Jayawardena, Yasantha …

Continue reading ‘Business Tycoon Dhammika Perera Likely to be Sworn in as SLPP National List MP on June 22 Following the Supreme Court 3 Judge Bench Majority Decision to not Grant Leave to Proceed for Five Fundamental Rights Petitions Challenging Perera’s appointment.’ »

The Supreme Court has determined that a majority of the clauses in the 21st Amendment to the Constitution Bill which was tabled by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) are inconsistent with the Constitution and would require to be passed by a two-third majority in Parliament and be approved by the people at a referendum. The …

Continue reading ‘Supreme Court Rules that Majority of Clauses in 21st Constitutional Amendment Bill Tabled by Samagi Jana Balawegaya Would Require to be Passed by Two-thirds Majority in Parlianent and Approved by the People at a Referendum’ »

The Supreme Court (SC) has determined that several clauses in the 21st Amendment to the Constitution Bill submitted by the main Parliamentary Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegayas (SJB), are inconsistent with the Constitution, and that it needs a people’s referendum to be passed, while the Government’s 22nd Amendment to the Constitution Bill will be sent …

Continue reading ‘Cabinet Approves Govt’s 22nd Constitutional Amendment Draft Bill; Draft would be sent to Attorney-General and Legal Draftsman for Fine Tuning’ »

by Rex Clementine A nation facing its worst economic crisis and high inflation for months had finally something to smile about as Sri Lanka sealed a come from behind series win over Australia at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday. Having set Australia a target of 259, the hosts bowled out the tourists for 254 …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Eyes Smile During Economic Crisis with Its Cricket Team Winning the One Day International Series Against Australia’ »

By P.K.Balachandran The Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is to visit India shortly to meet his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and other key Indian ministers, reliable sources said on Tuesday. The exact dates of the visit are being worked out, the sources added. Both Wickremesinghe and Modi have been keen on meeting each other …

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will Visit India Soon to meet with Indian Premier Naendra Modi and Key Members of the Cabinet Including External Affairs Minister Dr.S.Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya Those who have followed this column might know that I have regularly expressed strong reservations about Gotabaya Rajapaksa during his previous stint as the secretary of defence and later his reincarnation as the president. Those concerns would be vindicated when the Sri Lankan judiciary is unshackled from routine political meddling and inherent …

Continue reading ‘Gotabaya Rajapaksa is the greatest source of political instability; He should leave for the sake of the country. To begin, Gota should announce a timeline for his departure’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Over a month after his unexpected appointment — following former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s resignation amid unceasing anti-government protests over the crisis — Mr. Wickremesinghe spoke to The Hindu in his Colombo office on Saturday. Attired in a crisp white shirt and black trousers, the six-time premier sounded surprisingly upbeat in possibly …

Continue reading ‘“I took on a challenge, let us see where it ends. But I always thought that being a party of one was a strength, not weakness. You could deal with anyone in the opposition or the government. You are not a threat to anyone, and you carry on.”- Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “All that is solid melts into the air…” Marx and Engels (The Communist Manifesto) The socio-economic edifice that is Sri Lanka’s informal sector is collapsing. According to the 2020 Labour Force Survey, informal sector accounts for 58.1% of the total employed. That is 4.65million people (62.1% of them male). Most have little …

Continue reading ‘The entry of Dhammika Perera is obviously a prelude to the re-entry of the Rajapaksas en masse. Whether Dhammika Perera is Mark Antony or Brutus in the coming drama remains to be seen.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene From Mullaitivu to Kurunegala to Athurigiriya, fury erupts among snaking lines of Sri Lankans hopelessly waiting for days on end for fuel. Finally, unity binds the Sinhalese, the Tamils and the Muslims in their collectively deep anger against a Government that has forsaken public trust. But is this too late as …

Continue reading ‘“If this country is ever to rise from the ashes even a generation or two later, majoritarian sentiment fed by hate-mongering against Tamil and Muslim minorities must be recognised and rejected for what it is. That is where national healing must start.”’ »

By Meera Srinivasan In March this year, women of Thambaddy village were thanking their stars for the good crab season. It ensured they were employed throughout the month at the local crab factory. Those who put in longer hours made some extra money that helped them cope with the spiralling cost of essentials. Barely three …

Continue reading ‘Current Economic Crisis Debilitates War Affected Northern People Further Especially the Women who are juggling jobs, housework and care, while persisting with their struggle for justice’ »

.By Sandun A Jayasekera Former President Maithripala Sirisena said there is growing animosity between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe like a rivalry. He said it was similar to the rivalry between him as the president and Mr. Wickremesinghe as the prime minister at that time. It was quite clear that there was …

Continue reading ‘“There is growing animosity between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe” says EX-President Maithripala Sirisena’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Growing up in her village in Sri Lanka’s northern Kilinochchi district, Sadasivam Kalaiyarasi had one dream — to play cricket for Sri Lanka. It came true this week, when she made it to the country’s under-19 squad, becoming the first Tamil girl to enter the national cricket arena. “It’s my father who …

Continue reading ‘16 Year old Sadasivam Kalaiyarasi of Kilinochchi Becomes First Tamil Girl to be Selected for Sri Lanka’s Women Under 19 Cricket Squad; fast bowler cum hard hitting batter braves poverty, poor infrastructure and gender stereotyping with full support of working class parents’ »

By P.K.Balachandran On the face of it, China appears to be shedding its aloofness and trying to create the impression that it is also helping Sri Lanka overcome the current grave economic crisis. It says that it has pumped in US$ 76 million so far. But that sum pales into insignificance in comparison with India’s …

Continue reading ‘If China persists with its line of radically changing the way the Sri Lankan economy is run, Sri Lanka will have no option but to hitch its fortunes to India and the West rather than China.’ »

By Lakmal Suriyagoda The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has filed a Fundamental Rights petition in Supreme Court challenging the appointment of businessman Dhammika Perera to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, as a Member of Parliament. In accordance with Article 99A of the Constitution, the CPA’s position is …

Continue reading ‘Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) files aFundamental Rights petition in Supreme Court challenging the Nomination of businessman Dhammika Perera to the SLPP National List MP seat Vacated by Basil Rajapaksa’ »

Former Speaker and the National Movement for Social Justice Chairman, Karu Jayasuriya in a statement yesterday, raised concerns over the failure of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in re-enacting the 19A duly as Mr. Rajapaksa promised to the country. The full text of the statement made by Mr. Jayasuriya is as follows: Today I would like to …

Continue reading ‘Former Speaker and the National Movement for Social Justice Chairman, Karu Jayasuriya Urges President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to Implement without Delay his Promise to do Away with the 20 th Amendment and Reviving the 19th Amendment’ »

Sri Lanka legislator Patali Champika Ranawaka, a former Minister of Power has made shocking revelations over a power deal with India’s Adani group as a controversy brews over ending competitive tenders for private power producers. Ranawaka said as far back as November 2021, the Chairman of Ceylon Electricity Board M C Ferdinando had written to …

Continue reading ‘Champika Ranawaka MP asks whether Solar Plants at Mannar and Pooneryn Agreement with India’s Adani Green Energy is a Govt to Govt Deal? Adani had proposed a price of around 7.8 US cents per unit which was close to double the market rate says Former Power Minister’ »

Sri Lanka opposition Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam on Monday (13) rejected insinuations by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that the Batticaloa district MP had condoned the retaliatory violence on parliamentarians on May 09. In a letter addressed to the prime minister, Rasamanickam said that he has never encouraged any violence and that a …

Continue reading ‘TNA B’caloa MP Shankiyan Rasamanickam writes to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe Stating that he has never encouraged any violence and that a speech he gave on May 20 had been either misunderstood or misconstrued by the PM’ »

By Rohini Hensman I am not in Sri Lanka, and I feel torn about what is happening there. Acute anxiety about how millions will survive the shortages of food, fuel and medicine jostles against a glimmer of hope that this crisis could be the beginning of the end of a decades-long nightmare. Since the country …

Continue reading ‘The prevailing economic catastrophe may create the conditions for a democratic breakthrough, if Sri Lanka’s fractured left could harness this emerging sense of solidarity among Affected people’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake There are reports of big celebrations in California. They have heard that Basil – the Crowman or Kaputu-kaak – Rajapaksa has decided to retain his US citizenship, and come there for a holiday. His wife had already left for a big family celebration.Retaining US citizenship, especially when one’s home country, Sri Lanka, …

Continue reading ‘We must end the Parliamentary Privileges that enable corrupt and criminal politicians, found guilty by the courts, to enjoy with such contempt the affront to the process of Democracy.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene When questioned as to why Sri Lanka’s law works to its most ferocious extent against anti-government protestors, Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe’s answer was typically slick. ‘The police have also arrested Members of Parliament…it is the magistrates who decide on remand’, he said. This was during one of multiple regional and global media …

Continue reading ‘Protests by the youth for ‘system change have not had much impact so far except for the changing of one set of ministerial crooks for another set of crooks while the political establishment consolidates itself!’ »

By Austin Fernando The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie, deliberate, contrived, and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic. John F Kennedy In a lighter vein, I amuse that President Kennedy’s above quote would have been partly motivated by a premonition he had of what would happen in …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Does not hear the Resounding “Gota Go Home” Demand and Instead Hangs on, living on the memories of the conflict and the unprovable 6.9 million allegedly behind him.’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka Will the SLPP (‘Pohottuwa’) have a political future, or will it wind up like the LSSP-CPSL of 1977, the SLFP of 1977 or the UNP of 2020? According to the Jataka Tales, when the Buddha was asked a question which contained a problem, he used to tell the tale of a precedent, …

Continue reading ‘The SLPP/Pohottuwa has to decide whether it wants to survive and recover, and if it wants to, it must rupture decisively with the Rajapaksas, now.’ »

By Nisthar Cassim Top business leader and Minister-to-be Dhammika Perera yesterday resigned from all his companies and was named as a National List MP via an extraordinary gazette as part of preparations to be appointed as a Cabinet Minister. The respective Colombo Stock Exchange-listed companies notified Dhammika’s resignation yesterday. The move is ahead of Dhammika’s …

Continue reading ‘Dhammika Perera Named as SLPP National List MP by Extraordinary Gazette will Take Oaths in June 3rd week; Business Magnate Resigns from all Positions in his Companies Prior to being Apppointed Minister of Technology and Investment Promotion’ »

The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) in a statement yesterday said it is concerned by several media reports that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has appointed Dhammika Perera to fill the National List seat which became vacant by the resignation of Basil Rajapaksa. CPA noted that according to media reports, Dhammika Perera was not …

Continue reading ‘Centre for Policy Alternatives expresses concern over Dhammika Perera Being Appointed National List MP; CPA also points issues may occur out that conflict of interests may occur if Business Tycoon becomes Cabinet Minister’ »

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday met with the owners of the media organisations in Sri Lanka and updated them about the efforts to resolve the economic crisis. He informed the media owners that the IMF would be visiting the country on 20 June. He explained that he was hopeful that a staff-level agreement would …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe appeals to media proprietors to assist the Govt in presenting a true picture of the ec0nomic situation. premier states media must hold the Govt accountable when necessary, while requesting that responsible reporting is followed.’ »

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday refuted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe assertion that it reached an agreement with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that if the 19th Amendment is restored the latter can continue. BASL was responding to parts of a statement made by Prime Minister on June 8 in Parliament referring to the BASL. …

Continue reading ‘Bar Association of Sri Lanka says it did not give any assurance to President Rajapaksa that he could continue in office if he agreed to abolish the Executive Presidency and the 20th Constitutional Amendment’ »

A vote of condolence on a murdered Sri Lankan government MP on Friday (10) saw Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe calling for an inquiry on an opposition legislator and ex-PM Mahinda Rajapaksa claiming that the country’s protesting youth have blood on their hands. Noting the parliamentary tradition of a vote of condolence on a deceased MP, …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe Takes Issue with B’caloa MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam’s May 20 Speech in Parliament; If MP does not withdraw his statement by next week, the Speaker must investigate his remarks and put the matter before a committee says Prime Minister’ »

Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has written to Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Stephen Twigg to investigate the murder of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Amarakeerthi Athukorale by a mob on May 09, Wickremesinghe told parliament on Friday (10). Speaking at a vote of condolence on Atukorale held Friday morning, Wickremesinghe …

Continue reading ‘PM Ranil Wickremesinghe Writes to Stephen Twigg asking the Secy-Gen of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to Investigate the murder of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Amarakeerthi Athukorale by a mob on May 09.’ »

Cash-strapped Sri Lanka’s former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa vacated his parliamentary seat on Thursday (09) downplaying his role in the country’s worst ever forex crisis, without ruling out a comeback, and likening the Rajapaksa family to India’s RSS. Exactly one month after his older brother and then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned against a backdrop …

Continue reading ‘Basil Rajapaksa Resigns as Member of Parliament: The Ex-Finance Minister Retires from Governance, but will continue to play an active role in politics as SLPP National Organizer. “I think we can see that our family is better at politics than at governance.” Says BR’ »

(Text of Speech made in Parliament by TNA Jaffna District Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran on 08h June 2022) Thank you Hon. Presiding member for the opportunity to speak at this debate on the statement made by the Hon. Prime Minister yesterday and the Motion for supplementary estimate. The country is looking to the parliament today for …

Continue reading ‘“Those who are greatly affected by the serious economic crisis are the most ordinary citizens and the poorest of this country and we don’t seem to think about them or care about them.”- MA Sumanthiran MP in Parliament’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (A family of four in the North – western town of Vankalai in Mannar district was brutally massacred on June 8th 2006. The persons responsible for the cruel act are yet to be brought to justice. I wrote a detailed article about the incident under the heading ”Vicious Violence Wipes Out family of …

Continue reading ‘Terrible Massacre of a Four Member Family in Vankaalai Sixteen Years Ago’ »

(Full text of Address to Parliament by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on June 7th 2022) “Our primary focus here is on economic stability. We need to revive the economy of our country. This is not something that can be done in two or three days. This challenge cannot be done by miracles, not …

Continue reading ‘“I therefore invite all of you in this House to support our economic, socio-political and public service reforms in rebuilding the country. Let us build the country first. Let us protect our country from this crisis. After returning to normalcy in the country you may return to your traditional political activities. Implement traditional party political agendas.” -Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’ »

By Rehana Thowfeek There have been days when cybersecurity professional Asela Waidyalankara and his colleagues have sat in hotel lobbies to complete projects during power outages. Other days, they have run around Colombo looking for fuel for generators so they could work from home. “We have a buddy system at the company to inform each …

Continue reading ‘Exodus of Sri Lanka’s Talented IT Professionals May Gather Momentum if the Island Nation’s Economic Crisis Shows No Sign Of Being Resolved’ »

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, delivering a speech at the ‘Conference on Sri Lanka’s Twin Crisis’ held at the Sri Lanka Foundation, on Friday, said: “We based ourselves on the British Constitution. The majority has the power, the minority starts talking and shouting, that’s all. But then we changed the first-passed-the-post into a PR system. Now, …

Continue reading ‘“There is light at the end of the tunnel, but we need to ensure that there are no earth slips while we go through the tunnel. That’s the problem”- Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’ »

By Anusha Ondaatjie and Sudhi Ranjan Sen President Gotabaya Rajapaksa vowed to finish the remaining two years in his term despite months long street protests calling for his ouster, but won’t stand for re-election as he focuses on fixing a financial mess that tipped Sri Lanka into its worst-ever economic crisis. “I can’t go as …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa states he will Complete his Full Term of Office Despite the “Gota Go Home” Protests but will not Contest Again; “I can’t go as a failed president, I have been given a mandate for five years” says Gota’ »

By Austin Fernando Proponents of constitutional economic reforms are struggling to prioritise solutions for the current socio-economic-politico imbroglio. Pohottuwa General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam has said the economic crisis should be resolved first and then an environment created for constitutional amendments. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa banks on the Romesh de Silva Committee for the drafting of a …

Continue reading ‘The success of efforts being made to achieve economic revival with international assistance hinges on not only economic reforms but also the implementation of political reforms.’ »

By W.A. Wijewardena The Ministry of Finance, under the direction of Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, known as RW, has hiked main taxes in the country moving halfway back to the tax regime that prevailed prior to 2020. Before this action, the Inland Revenue Services Union, made up of Assistant and Deputy Commissioners, …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe should come up with a road map to improve the real sector in the economy and introduce new technology and align Sri Lanka’s economy to the global economy within the shortest time possible.’ »

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda Minister of Urban Development and Housing Prasanna Ranatunga was today sentenced to two-year imprisonment suspended for five years by Colombo High Court over an indictment filed by the Attorney General. Minister Ranatunga was convicted for the thirteenth count out of fifteen by High Court Judge Manjula Tillekaratne over an indictment filed for …

Continue reading ‘Minister of Urban Development and Housing Prasanna Ranatunga sentenced to two-year imprisonment suspended for five years by by Colombo High Court over an indictment filed by the Attorney General’ »

By the “Sunday Times”Political Editor There was a difference when the two friends – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Sagala Ratnayake, the newly appointed Chief of Staff of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe – met days ago at the Janadipathi Mandiriya (President’s House). The old camaraderie apart, there was a note of grim seriousness. Beleaguered Rajapaksa politely …

Continue reading ‘47 SLPP Parliamentarians Regarded as Basil Rajapaksa Supporters Engage in Covert and Overt Moves to Scuttle or Dilute the Proposed 21st Constitutional Amendment that Seeks to Reduce Powers of the Executive Presidency’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene The Sri Lankan political establishment’s ‘dirty tricks’ department seems to be in full swing as the nation is presented with a dizzying array of constitutional amendments, variously titled ’21st Amendment’, ‘21A’, ’21B’, ‘22A’ and so forth. Constitutional Babel, ‘a confusion of tongues’ It says much for the combined idiocy underlying this …

Continue reading ‘The Sri Lankan political establishment’s ‘dirty tricks’ department seems to be in full swing as the nation is presented with a dizzying array of constitutional amendments under various titles’ »

By P.K.Balachandran The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K.Stalin told the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in India Milinda Moragoda that more shipments of humanitarian aid from Tami; Nadu will be sent to Sri Lanka and Moragoda requested the Chief Minister to designate a focal point in the Tamil Nadu government to facilitate cooperation between Sri Lanka …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda Meets Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin in Chennai and thanks the CM and the people of Tamil Nadu for the humanitarian assistance worth of LKR two billion that they recently extended to Sri Lanka to help it manage the current economic crisis.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured Sri Lanka of immediate supply of fertilizer, the Sri Lankan President has said, as the island braces for a food crisis amid a crushing economic meltdown. “President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed to provide the fertilizer required for the …

Continue reading ‘Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed to immediately provide Sri Lanka the fertilizer required for the Yala season cultivation says Statement Issued by President Rajapaksa’s Office’ »

By Safrah Fazal The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested Colombo Municipal Councillor Mahinda Kahandagama yesterday (2) and appointed two CID teams to arrest former Minister and incumbent Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Johnston Fernando, with regard to the incidents of peaceful protestors being attacked by a group of SLPP supporters in Colombo on 9 …

Continue reading ‘Manhunt Launched by Police to Apprehend Johnston Fernando Over the May 9 Attack on Galle Face Protesters;Two CID Teams Deployed in Kurunegala and Colombo Districts to Arrest Former Cabinet Minister and MP’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera Former MP Duminda Silva, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) following the special presidential pardon granted to him by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa being suspended through a Supreme Court (SC) interim order, is currently receiving treatment at the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital under the special protection of Prison Officers, said …

Continue reading ‘Arrested Ex – MP Duminda Silva I Continues to receive Medical treatment at the Neurological Ward of the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital under the special Guard of of Prisons Dept Officials.’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “Alas poor country! Almost afraid to know itself. It cannot, Be call’d our mother, but our grave.” – Shakespeare (Macbeth) Sri Lanka: 2019, a lower middle income country; 2020, a bankrupted, beggared land, dependent on international charity for survival. “Poor politics has shattered my life and this is my only hope to …

Continue reading ‘The executive presidency must go. The only question is how. Realistically, the only option is to push for the best possible 21st Amendment as an interim measure and as a bridge to a new constitution.’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera The Police’s Colombo Crime Prevention Division informed Colombo Fort Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage yesterday (31 May) that the Attorney General (AG) has instructed to file charges under Section 291A of the Penal Code against Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, for allegedly using words that are harmful to religious …

Continue reading ‘Attorney General instructs Police to file charges under Section 291A of the Penal Code against Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, for uttering words that were harmful to religious sentiments.’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), acting on the order given by the Supreme Court (SC) to arrest former MP Duminda Silva following the special Presidential pardon granted to him by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa being suspended through an interim order, arrested Silva at the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital yesterday (1). Speaking to The …

Continue reading ‘CID Arrests Duminda Silva While Being Warded for Treatment at the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital; CID Report to be Submitted to Supreme Court’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera The Attorney General’s Department has informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that former Minister and incumbent Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Johnston Fernando, Colombo Municipal Councillor Mahinda Kahandagama, and two others have been named as suspects in the case filed with regard to the incidents of peaceful protestors being attacked by …

Continue reading ‘Ex-Cabinet Minister Johnston Fernando’s Combative words at “Temple Trees” May 9 Meeting “let’s get rid of this (the protest sites) if the President cannot”, on the day of the attacks referred to two psychiatrists and the Govt Analyst for expert opinion by Attorney -General’ »

Meera Srinivasan reporting From Weeraketiya Paddy farmer S.D. Weerawansa has made a livelihood decision and a political pledge in recent weeks — he will not sow in the coming season, and he will never back a Rajapaksa again. They aren’t unrelated. His crop has fallen by 50% this harvest, a consequence of Sri Lankan President …

Continue reading ‘People’s Anger and Resentment Against Rajapaksa Clan on the Rise in Home District of Hambantota.’ »

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda The Supreme Court today issued an Interim Order directing the CID to place Duminda Silva under the custody of prisons with immediate effect. The Attorney General was directed to assist the CID to implement this interim order while reporting to court the progress of the implementation of the Interim Order. The Court …

Continue reading ‘Supreme Court issues Historic Interim Order suspending the operation of the Presidential Pardon granted by President Rajapaksa to Duminda Silva and directs the CID to place Murder Convict under the custody of prisons with immediate effect’ »

Sri Lanka is raising value added tax to 12 percent, corporate tax to 30 percent and the highest personal income tax rate to 34 percent from 18 percent, in a bid to raise 195 billion rupees as money printed to pay state worker salaries trigger forex shortages. Value added taxes will be raised to 12 …

Continue reading ‘Key Taxation Changes Announced by PM and Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe ;govt hopes to raise Rupees 125 billion from taxes for the rest of 2022 and 195 billion rupees in a full year’ »

By Anusha Ondaatjie Sri Lanka is recommending airlines carry enough jet fuel to last return trips or fill up elsewhere, as the island grapples with a shortage of everything from oil to food due to a foreign-exchange crisis. “We’ve asked airlines to carry the required fuel while operating to Sri Lanka, because there is a …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka is recommending airlines to carry enough jet fuel to last return trips or re-fuel elsewhere;SriLankan Airlines ,Emirates, are among carriers forced to fill up overseas’ »

by Bishop Duleep de Chickera The myth Parliamentary democracy is a system of governance through which people share resources, provide for their own needs, enhance their own interests and deal with unexpected contingencies, as far as possible on their own. Since an entire population cannot be set aside to do this, they appoint representatives to …

Continue reading ‘The crux of today’s crisis is not about human frailty or unavoidable circumstances. It is about the calculated exploitation of parliamentary democracy by a devious set of ‘people’s representatives’.’ »

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday instructed officials to immediately launch a comprehensive public-private partnership effort to boost food security. Noting that negotiations with several countries to meet the fertiliser requirement have been successful the President requested all farmers not to give up cultivation during the Yala Season due to a shortage of fertiliser or any other …

Continue reading ‘After Ruining Agriculture with his Disatrous Fertilizer Policy, President Gotabaya is once Again Getting set to Mess up things by Intervening in Food Security Measures’ »