BY Buddhika Samaraweera Two days after the release of the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had telephoned Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith and informed that it is not possible to implement all the recommendations of said …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa told Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith on the Telephone that it was not possible to implement all the recommendations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) Report into the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019 since doing so would make him (Gota)unpopular.’ »

BY Pamodi Waravita Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said yesterday (18) that the work on the proposed new Constitution has been finalised by the experts committee chaired by Romesh De Silva PC, and that a draft of the new Constitution will be presented to Parliament in January 2022.

By Azzam Ameen President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has rejected the request made by 11 allied parties of the government for a discussion on the agreement reached between the Sri Lankan government and US-based New Fortress Energy for latter’s investment in West Coast Power Limited (WCP) – the owner of 310 MW Yugadanavi Power Plant in Kerawalapitiya. …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa rejects request made by 11 allied parties of the govt for a discussion on the agreement regarding US-based New Fortress Energy’s investment in the 310 MW Yugadanavi Power Plant in Kerawalapitiya.’ »

By Azzam Ameen Sri Lanka’s Muslim community has suffered consistent discrimination, harassment and violence since 2013, culminating in the adoption of government policies explicitly targeting the minority group, Amnesty International said in a new report published today. The 80-page report, From Burning Houses to Burning Bodies: Anti-Muslim Harassment, Discrimination and Violence in Sri Lanka, traces …

Continue reading ‘Amnesty International publishes report on discrimination, harassment and violence against Sri Lanka’s Muslim community’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Dozens of northern fishermen on Sunday set out on boats from the coast of the eastern Mullaitivu district to Point Pedro in Jaffna in the north, demanding that Sri Lankan authorities implement laws banning the destructive bottom trawling method of fishing. The protest comes in the wake of an increase in reported …

Continue reading ‘Northern Fishermen in Dozens of Boats Sail From Mullaitheevu to Paruthithurai Demanding Impentation of laws against bottom trawling’ »

By Dinitha Rathnayake and Pamodi Waravita Northern fishermen took approximately 1,000 boats out to sea to participate in a large-scale protest yesterday (17) extending from the seas of Mullaitivu to Point Pedro in the Northern Province, against what they termed the inaction of Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda over Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan …

Continue reading ‘Northern fishermen in 1000 Boat large-scale protest extending from the seas of Mullaitheevu to Point Pedro against what they termed as the inaction of Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda over Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan seas’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene If the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe coalition of 2015-2019 was tone deaf to outraged mutterings of the citizenry at the time, surely the Rajapaksa-Rajapaksa-Rajapaksa government of 2020 onwards must be wholly dumb, deaf and blind to the roars of fury exploding in their favoured constituencies in Sri Lanka. On splendid ironies and political victories …

Continue reading ‘The “Rajapaksa-Rajapaksa-Rajapaksa” government of 2020 onwards must be wholly dumb, deaf and blind to the roars of fury exploding in their favoured constituencies in Sri Lanka.’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake The Pandora Papers have moved away from the focus of politics and the fight against corruption. We can await the report of the Bribery and Corruption Commission, which has its own way of giving innocence to the guilty; much more than the fighters against corruption ever expect. But that is the stuff …

Continue reading ‘Let us keep praying for the political escape from the wider Rajapaksa governance — moving next from Basil Rajapaksa to Namal Rajapaksa.’ »

By Dr Nihal Jayawickrama It was fifty years ago, on October 2, 1971, that the Governor-General, William Gopallawa, assented to the Bill that sought to abolish the Senate, the upper chamber of the Parliament of Ceylon. It was an event that was precipitated by the Senators themselves. The Senate was one of the five constitutional …

Continue reading ‘How and Why the Senate was Abolished by the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Govt 50 Years ago on October 2nd 1971’ »

(Text of Editorial appearing in the “Daily Financial Times” of October 16th 2021 headlined “Opening the door to international jurisdiction) This week the Attorney General informed the Court of Appeal that his Department had decided to drop its indictments against former Navy Commander, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, who was previously named as an …

Continue reading ‘The Gotabaya Rajapaksa Administration has strengthened the case for international jurisdiction for crimes committed in Sri Lanka by Dropping Charges Against Ex-Navy Chief Wasantha Karannagoda in the Notorious “Navy 11” Case.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene First the Panama Papers, then the Paradise Papers, now the Pandora Papers, next will we have the ‘Pappadum’ Papers, a wag may well cynically question? Cold logic of ‘tip of the iceberg’ disclosures That passing query has hidden meaning in Sri Lanka, given that the ‘pappadum’, a flamboyant looking and delicious …

Continue reading ‘Pandora Papers have brought in their wake, a spectacle of absurdities concerning businessman Thirukumar Nadesan and his politician wife Nirupama Rajapaksa whose holdings have been prominently featured in the exposures’ »

(This article appeared in the Asia section of “The Economist” print edition under the headline “No more Mr Rice Guy”) Staring glumly at his paddy field in the depths of rural Sri Lanka, B. R. Weeraratne sighs. The regular incursions of greedy elephants have been bad enough. But the government’s outright ban on agrochemicals will, …

Continue reading ‘The rush by the ruling Rajapaksas to farm organically has plunged Sri Lanka’s economy into crisis; Like the country’s crops, the Rajapaksas are in need of a pick-me-up -The Economist’ »

by Vijitha Yapa (Vijitha Yapa is the Founder Editor of the “Sunday Island” and “The Island”Daily. Both publications launched in October and November 1981 celebrate their 40th anniversary this year) The person at the other end of the phone calling from Nallur was very angry. “Mr Editor, you have killed me in your paper today”. …

Continue reading ‘Birth Pangs and Teething Troubles of a Newspaper:The Launching of the Sunday and Daily Island Newspapers 40 Years Ago in October and November 1981’ »

By A Subramani & Neeraja Ramesh Jayalalithaa’s first hero and veteran actor, Srikanth, passed away in Chennai on Tuesday. He was 81. Srikanth’s demise was first announced by Nadigar Sangam (Actors Association) on Tuesday evening. Srikanth debuted with Jayalalithaa in Vennira Aadai (1965) and went on to do memorable roles in a series of K …

Continue reading ‘Veteran Tamil actor, Srikanth who Debuted in 1965 With Jayalalithaa in “Vennira Aadai” and Acted in Over 200 films in Career Spanning Four Decades Passes Away in Chennai’ »

By M.A. Sumanthiran (The writer is a President’s Counsel and a Member of Parliament representing the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi) Sri Lanka is blessed with rich natural resources and a manageable population. We were ruled by foreign powers for 450 years, yet when we attained independence in 1948, the country’s fiscal position was very sound. …

Continue reading ‘Are there leaders in the country who are willing to join hands with others in a bid to turn the country around?’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “Strong people don’t need strong leaders” – Ella Baker (quoted in ‘Moving the Mountain’) – Berlin, 20 February 1933 – 24 men, the crème de la crème of German industry, gathered to listen to the country’s brand new chancellor, Adolf Hitler. The meeting was a top secret, but posterity has the transcripts. …

Continue reading ‘The seeds of current economic dissolution were sown as soon as the Rajapaksas regained power, months before COVID-19 reached our shores.’ »

Businessman Thirukumar Nadesan, one of two Sri Lankans named in the Pandora papers exposé, has written to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declaring his innocence and requesting an impartial investigation. “It is commonly believed that all persons whose names have been [divulged in the Pandora papers] are in some way guilty of wrongdoing. “I assure Your Excellency …

Continue reading ‘“I assure Your Excellency that my wife (Nirupama Rajapaksa) and I are totally innocent and are guilty of no wrongdoings,” states Thirukkumar Nadesan in Letter Sent to President Rajapaksa; Requests Independent Investigation by Retd Judge Saying “We have been presumed guilty, the presumption of innocence reversed”’ »

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapksa has ordered the Bribery Commission to immediately investigate Sri Lankans named in the Pandora papers, cabinet spokesman Minister Dullas Alahapperum said. The president had issued the directive to the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption this morning. Alahapperuma said the Commission is required to …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa directs Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption to Investigate Allegations Against Sri Lankans Named in the Pandora Papers and Submit Report Within a Month’ »

By Scilla Alecci In early 2018, workers in a London warehouse carefully loaded an oil painting of Lakshmi, the Hindu deity of wealth, onto a van bound for Switzerland. The painting, by 19th-century Indian master Raja Ravi Varma, depicts the four-armed goddess clad in a red sari with gold ornaments and standing atop a lotus …

Continue reading ‘“Pandora Papers” Full Article about Financial Dealings of Nirupama Rajapaksa and Thirukkumar Nadesan by Journalist Scilla Alecci in the International Consortium of Investigative Journalism Website’ »

By Meera Srinivasan There is an “urgent need” to understand the “weaknesses and strengths” of the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution and “act accordingly”, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Tuesday told Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, while expressing a desire to revive the spirit of the relations of the 1960s and 1970s. Mr. Shringla …

Continue reading ‘There is an “urgent need” to understand the “weaknesses and strengths” of the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution and “act accordingly”, – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Tells Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla; expresses desire to revive the spirit of Indo-Lanka relations of the 1960s and 1970s.’ »

(Text of Press Release Issued by the High Commission of India in Colombp regarding the Visit of Foreign Secretary of India Harsh Vardhan Shringla to Sri Lanka) 1. Foreign Secretary of India, Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla visited Sri Lanka for a 3-day Official visit from 02-05 October 2021. This was his first visit to Sri …

Continue reading ‘Text of Press Release Issued by the High Commission of India in Colombp regarding the Visit of Foreign Secretary of India Harsh Vardhan Shringla to Sri Lanka’ »

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa explained the relationship between China and Sri Lanka to Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla in a comprehensive manner and informed Shringla not to have any doubts about it, according to a press release by the President’s Media Division yesterday (5). President Rajapaksa had also emphasised that Sri Lanka would not be …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Tells Visiting Indian Foreign Secy Shringla that Sri Lanka would not let itself be used for any activity that could pose a threat to India’s security,’ »

By Azzam Ameen In letter to sent to former Minister Nirupama Rajapaksa and her husband Thirukumar Nadesan, International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) reporter Scilla Alecci posed a series of questions to the duo, giving them the opportunity to respond to the findings of the Pandora papers. As extracted from the letter, the questions posed …

Continue reading ‘Questionnaires Sent by International Consortium of Investigative Journalists’ (ICIJ) to Nirupma Rajapaksa and Thirukkumar Nadesan Prior to Publication in Pandora Papers’ »

By Meera Srinivasan India on Monday underscored the need for early conclusion of bilateral projects in Sri Lanka, and the enhancement of connectivity by air and sea between the neighbouring countries, which are seeking to reset ties amid a strain in ties. Visiting Sri Lanka on a four-day visit beginning October 2, Foreign Secretary Harsh …

Continue reading ‘“India keen on connectivity initiatives with Sri Lanka like the Jaffna to Chennai flight, ferry services between Karaikal – Kankesanthurai, and Dhanushkodi -Talaimanar and the Buddhist Pilgrim Flights to the new international airport at Kushinagar,” Says Visiting Indian Foreign Secy Harsh Vardhan Shringla at “Temple Trees”Meeting’ »

By Meera Srinivasan India has urged Sri Lanka to hold elections to its provincial councils without further delay, according to the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) whose delegation met visiting Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Monday. Also India does not appreciate any “third party presence” in the Tamil-majority north and east, where New Delhi had …

Continue reading ‘“India does not appreciate any “third party presence” in the Tamil-majority north and east, where New Delhi had “invested heavily”, – Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla tells the TNA; “Sri Lankan leadership told that provincial polls be held immediately, along with the full implementation of the 13th Amendment”’ »

BY Dinitha Rathnayake and Pamodi Waravita Former Water Supply and Drainage Deputy Minister Nirupama Rajapaksa, who is also the niece of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, and Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, and her husband Thirukumar Nadesan, have been named in the recent International Consortium of Investigative Journalists’ (ICIJ) “Pandora Papers” files leak. The …

Continue reading ‘International Consortium of Investigative Journalists’ (ICIJ) “Pandora Papers” files State that Nirupam Rajapaksa and Spouse Thirukumar Nadesan Allegedly Acquired Wealth Through Dubious Financial Transactions Undertaken by “Shell”Companies;Nirupama is the Niece of Chamal.Mahinda,Gota and Basil’ »

BY Pamodi Waravita United National Party (UNP) Leader and Parliamentarian Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday (4) urged Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to inquire from Attorney General (AG) President’s Counsel (PC) Sanjay Rajaratnam about the nature of the evidence against Samagi Jana Balawegeya (SJB) Opposition MP Rishad Bathiudeen to justify his prolonged detention in prison.

BY Buddhika Samaraweera The Special Trial-At-Bar appointed by Chief Justice President’s Counsel (PC) Jayantha Jayasuriya at the request of Attorney General (AG) Sanjay Rajaratnam PC in connection with the main case of the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019, served indictments yesterday (4) on 24 accused over the attacks, including against Mohamed Naufar …

Continue reading ‘24 Persons Including Alleged “Mastermind” Naufar Maulavi Served With Indictments Over Easter Sunday Bombings of April 21st 2019;Special Trial at Bar hearings into 23,270 charges will Commence on Nov 23rd Before Bench Comprising Three High Court Judges’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake We have moved to the new Dudley Era. Dudley Senanayake saw the rise of his era with the political handling of rice. It was to beat the rice control strategy of Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. We are now in the Dudley Sirisena era – also with rice as the operative, with both …

Continue reading ‘The rise of Dudley Sirisena – leading what is called the Rice or “Haal’ Mafia, is a major turn in the Saubhagya Vision of the Rajapaksas. What Dudley Sirisena has told this country is that the government by Gota Gazette is over’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka The signs are there and they aren’t good. It started weeks ago. Minister Sarath Weerasekara and Secretary/Defence Maj. Gen. Kamal Gunaratna’s responses to the questions and criticisms by the Cardinal and the Catholic Church were hardly respectful and were rather testy. They were also irrelevant. Their truculent defence was that a large …

Continue reading ‘The Church and the Catholic community, whether in Sri Lanka or any other part of the world, cannot be cowed or intimidated. Martyrdom is part of the genetic code of Catholics; who will not kill for their cause but will die for it.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Lohan Evindra Ratwatte is a Sri Lankan politician who is often under the media spotlight for the wrong reasons. The 53 year old Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna(SLPP) Kandy district MP- known generally as Lohan – received a great deal of negative publicity last week over an incident in which he reportedly humiliated and …

Continue reading ‘How Gun – toting State Minister Lohan Ratwatte Terrified and Humiliated Tamil Prisoners at the Anuradhapura Jail.’ »

By Anila Dias Bandaranaike, Ph. D. My father, Sam Wijesinha from Getamanne, a village in Hambantota District, took pride in his Southern heritage. He knew D.M. Rajapaksa (DM), his brother, D.A. (DA) and their families well. Sam was Secretary General of Parliament for almost two decades till 1981, and the first Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration …

Continue reading ‘The Rajapaksas have given Hambantota, – a colossal District Secretariat , an unused International Conference Centre, a cricket stadium mostly idle , six-lane highways without traffic , a white elephant International Airport and an International Seaport now given to the Chinese. Is this progress towards sustainable development for the people of Ruhuna?’ »

By Prof.Tissa Vitarana Prof.Senaka Bibile, a great Sri Lankan professor of Pharmacology, died 44 years ago on September 29, 1977, and this brief article is written in his memory. In my view he is one of Sri Lanka’s greatest products and a top achiever and all Lankans, especially the young, should know what he did …

Continue reading ‘Prof.Senaka Bibile Outsmarted “Big Pharma” by Enabling the People to Obtain Medicinal Drugs at Affordable Prices Through his Brainchild the State Pharmaceutical Corporation’ »

It was a power struggle of a different kind, rarely seen in the country. It was not political. It was not a trade union struggle. It was not an armed struggle. An Executive Presidency, a two-thirds parliamentary majority, a 20th Amendment that gave more powers to the President, even a state of emergency and the …

Continue reading ‘All Powerful Gotabaya Rjapaksa Govt Surrenders to So Called “Rice Mafia”by Rescinding its gazette notification imposing maximum retail prices for rice.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene When a ‘full time member’ (or its head, have it as you will) of Sri Lanka’s Consumer Affairs Authority records receiving death threats following his resignation over disclosures of multiple corruption scandals at Sri Lanka Sathosa, ranging from rigged sales of garlic, flour, undu and sugar to millions spent on the …

Continue reading ‘The extreme privations that we are undergoing now have mostly been brought about by the sheer inability of this Govt to control the (Ministerial) arch robbers in its midst and the public servants who act in shameful league with them’ »

(Text of Statement issued by Rajavarothayam Sampanthan Member of Parliament for Trincomalee District and , Leader Tamil National Alliance) TNA leaders, Members of Parliament, and other functionaries generally reside in their respective districts of the North and East. The Corona Virus has been an impediment to personal meetings and group discussions. This has led to …

Continue reading ‘“There have also been some elements who have endeavored to disunite the Tamil National Alliance” says TNA leader Rajavarothayam Sampanthan’ »

BY Meera Srinivsan As many as eight Tamil prisoners in Sri Lanka’s Anuradhapura prison on Thursday petitioned the country’s Supreme Court, seeking relief after a ‘gun-wielding’ Prisons Minister allegedly threatened them a fortnight ago. The prisoners stated that they fear for their lives, asking to be transferred to a prison in the Tamil-majority Northern Province. …

Continue reading ‘Eight Tamil Prisoners who were Allegedly Threatened at Gun Point by State Minister Lohan Ratwatte at Anuradhapura Jail File Fundamental Rights Petition ;MA Sumanthiran PC to Appear for Petitioners at Supreme Court hearings’ »

By Nirupma Rao (Nirupama Rao served as India’s ambassador to America in 2011-13. Earlier, she was the country’s foreign secretary and its ambassador to China, among other diplomatic roles.) In south asia and the Indo-Pacific, we see ourselves as a region in churn—the geopolitical pathways wind their way to conflict and to peace; they crisscross …

Continue reading ‘Only the USA with its technological prowess, leading research institutions and universities, open society, institutions of governance and constitutional freedoms can provide a sustainable alternative to China’s advance in the Indo-Pacific.’ »

By Daniel Alphonsus “This is not a Sinhala-Buddhist country.” This war cry, triumphantly proclaimed in the deepest south after the Easter bombings, were probably Mangala’s most famous words. And rightly so, for theycaptured the essence of the man. The attacks unleashed a volcano of fear and hate, which no one could stop. Most were silent, …

Continue reading ‘Mangala Samaraweera’s conscience’s mastery over the siren song of power and office made him a statesman whose stature will wax rather than wane as the years and decades pass.’ »

By Otara Gunewardene I am deeply saddened and disappointed by the recent release of 15 elephants that were in the care and custody of the state; back to persons who are alleged to have unlawfully captured them or purchased the said elephants from those who have unlawfully captured them. These young elephants were taken into …

Continue reading ‘Recent release of 15 elephants that were in the care and custody of the state back to persons who allegedly captured them unlawfully or purchased them from those who unlawfully captured them is saddening and disappointing’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene As President Gotabaya Rajapaksa accompanied by his spouse paid tribute a few days ago to Americans slain in 9/11, both with white roses in their hands at the memorial in New York, it is hard not to imagine how powerfully symbolic that gesture would have been if replicated on this country’s …

Continue reading ‘Was all the decades-long agony of disappearances, killings, mocking at the Rule of Law, subverting Constitutions and perverting justice, worth it?’ »

By: Colonel R Hariharan (The writer served as the head of intelligence with the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka 1987-90) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his first-ever address at the 76th UN general assembly session on September 22 spoke about transitional justice and reconciliation. But his widely reported readiness to have a dialogue with …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Needs to Realise that Bringing the Tamil Ethnic Issues to a Closure is Important for India.’ »

Leading press freedom organisations have taken the case over the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge to The Hague. In an unprecedented effort to achieve justice for the killing of journalists, three leading press freedom groups have established a People’s Tribunal to investigate their murders and hold governments accountable. The Tribunal, a form of grassroots justice, …

Continue reading ‘The People’s Tribunal on the Murder of Journalists to indict the govts of Sri Lanka, Mexico and Syria for failing to deliver justice for the murders of Journalists Lasantha Wickrematunge, Miguel Ángel López Velasco, and Nabil Al-Sharbaji.’ »

BY Pamodi Waravita A number of Muslim Opposition Parliamentarians have filed complaints with Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana D. Wickramaratne, the Police Headquarters (HQ), and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) regarding the alleged hate speech propagated by Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera in a number of electronic media interviews …

Continue reading ‘Seven Opposition Muslim MP’s from SLMC and ACMC who Vote with Govt in Parliament Complain to IGP, CID and Police HQ About Hate Speech Propagated Through Electronic Media Interviews by Bodu Bala Sena Gen Secy Gnanasara Thero’ »

By Shreen Abdul Saroor The reform of the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA)that Muslim women have been demanding for over four decades,is back on centre stage. Interestingly, the Muslim elite and religious and political representatives who were instrumental in continuously stalling any reforms now say they want reform; one needs to take this with …

Continue reading ‘The arrogance and egoism of certain ‘learned’Muslims, the militancy of various groups, the thuggery and obstinacy of ACJU and politicians seeking personal gains are the reasons why MMDA is not reformed to date.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardena Are we a nation of savage beasts that a drunk State Minister, ironically tasked to oversee prisons reforms, can ‘allegedly’ (a caveat that we are duty bound to enter) lurch into the Welikada and Anuradhapura prisons on sight-seeing expeditions to ‘show the gallows’ to his acolytes in one instance and threaten …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka has been cursed by alternating political regimes of either neo-liberal nonsense with no moorings to the concerns of ordinary men and women or racist Deep State leadership with a dash of plain and ordinary thuggery thrown in.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Defending a man charged with the murder of a Prime Minister is not the most popular or easiest thing to do. More so when the slain Prime Minister happens to be S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike who, in April 1956, less than three-and-a-half years before his killing, had led a coalition of parties headed by …

Continue reading ‘Assassination of a Prime Minister – Revisiting the Bandaranaike murder case 62 years later’ »

BY Dinitha Rathnayake and Azzam Ameen The report of the Prisons Department investigation into alleged incidents of drunkenness and threatening of Tamil political prisoners by former State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Lohan Ratwatte, whilst at the Welikada and Anuradhapura Prisons, is to be handed over to Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya …

Continue reading ‘Justice Minister Ali Sabry appoints Retired High Court Judge Kusala Sarojani Weerawardena to conduct an independent inquiry into the recent incidents at the Welikada and Anuradhapura Prisons involving State Minister Lohan Ratwatte.’ »

By Azzam Ameen and Ruwani Fonseka Ahila Ilankai Thamil Congress (AITC) MP Selvarajah Kajendren was arrested by the Jaffna Police today (23) while he was attending a memorial held for Rasaiah Parthipan, commonly known as ‘Thileepan’. Thileepan was a Tamil Eelam revolutionary and member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Video footage circulating …

Continue reading ‘Tamil Congress MP Selvrajah Kajenthiran and Two Others Arrested in Jaffna Under Quarantine Laws for Memorialising Former LTTE Stalwart Thileepan; Video footage of tarrest shows Police manhandling and shoving the MP into a Police vehicle.’ »

BY Pamodi Waravita Justice Minister, President’s Counsel (PC) M.U.M. Ali Sabry, whilst “unequivocally and unconditionally” condemning the incidents which had occurred at the Welikada and Anuradhapura Prisons complexes involving former Prison Management and Prisoners Rehabilitation State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, said yesterday (22) that a retired High Court (HC) Judge will be appointed to independently inquire …

Continue reading ‘Justice Minister Ali Sabry Tells Parliament that a retired High Court Judge would be appointed to independently inquire into the incidents at the Welikada and Anuradhapura Prisons complexes involving former Prison Management and Prisoners Rehabilitation State Minister Lohan Ratwatte’ »

(Text of Speech made by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the 76th UN General Assembly in New York on September 22, 2021) Mr. President, Secretary General, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Ayubowan. I am honoured to represent Sri Lanka at this august gathering today. Let me first congratulate His Excellency Abdulla Shahid on being elected President of …

Continue reading ‘“Fostering greater accountability, restorative justice, and meaningful reconciliation through domestic institutions is essential to achieve lasting peace.” President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the UN’ »

(Text of Speech made in Parliament on Sep 22d 2021 by TNA Jaffna District MP Mathiaparanan Abraham Sumanthiran during the adjournment debate on the UN process ) Thank you presiding member for the time allocated for me to speak a few words on this adjournment motion. The problem with the government seems to be its …

Continue reading ‘“The Problem with this Govt Seems to be its Doublespeak where President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Says Something which is Refuted by his Foreign Ministry”- M. A. Sumnthiran MP’ »

BY CANADIAN STANDARDS the election campaign was the ugliest in many years. Protests dogged the candidates of the main parties. Loutishness went “beyond the typical uptick” for federal elections, said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It came especially from anti-vaccine activists. This month someone threw gravel at Justin Trudeau, the Liberal prime minister, who says …

Continue reading ‘Justin Trudeau, who called a snap election in hopes of gaining a majority in the House of Commons, will instead continue to lead a minority government; Ordinary Canadians, though, have given Trudeau a grudging endorsement.’ »

By Buddhika Samaraweera Claiming the ongoing investigations into recent incidents involving the former Prison Management and Prisoners Rehabilitation State Minister Lohan Ratwatte are not at a satisfactory level, the March 12 Movement (M12M), which advocates for a clean political culture, has requested that an independent committee with a membership respected by society be appointed to …

Continue reading ‘“March 12 Movement”(M12M) Advocating a Clean Political Culture in Sri Lanka Calls for an independent committee Comprising members respected by society be appointed to investigate the two Incidents at the Welikada and Anuradhapura Prisons Concerning State Minister Lohan Ratwatte’ »

(Text of a Press Release Issued by the President’s Media Division) The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has told President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that the UN will provide its full support to Sri Lanka in moving forward to promote unity among different communities. The UN Secretary-General made these remarks during the meeting he held with the …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Tells U.N. Secry-Gen Antonio Guterres in New York that the internal issues of Sri Lanka would be resolved through an internal mechanism and that the Tamil Diaspora would be invited for discussions in this regard.’ »

By Azzam Ameen Following the alleged incident where former State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Lohan Ratwatte entered the Anuradhapura Prison and attempted to degrade and punish Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suspects by ordering them at gunpoint to kneel down in front of him, The Morning learns that the detainees affected …

Continue reading ‘Tamil Prisoners in Anuradhapura Jail who Were Ordered at Gun Point to Kneel Down Before him by Lohan Ratwatte Request Transfer to Jaffna Because They Fear For Their Safety’ »

By Pamodi Waravita Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Leader and National People’s Power (NPP) Parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (19) claimed that the Government of Sri Lanka had signed an agreement with US-based energy company New Fortress Energy Inc. past midnight on Friday (17), transferring the Treasury’s 40% stake in the Yugadanavi Power Station in Kerawalapitiya …

Continue reading ‘Gotabaya Govt signed agreement with New Fortress Energy Inc. past midnight at 12.06 am on Sep 17 transferring the Treasury’s 40% stake in the Yugadanavi Power Station in Kerawalapitiya to the US-based energy company Alleges JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake’ »

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya Installation of CCTV cameras in the Welikada prison is currently underway and only three prisons in the country are equipped with CCTV camera system, the Prisons Department said . In the wake of recent incidents at Welikada and Anuradhapura Prisons involving State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, concerns were raised whether the controversial …

Continue reading ‘No CCTV Footage Available of Controversial Incidents Concerning State Minister Lohan Ratwatte at the Welikada and Anuradhapura Prisons Because CCTV Cameras are Not Installed in Both Jails Says Prisons Dept Official’ »

By Azzam Ameen As the five-year term of the first Right to Information (RTI) Commission will be coming to an end this month, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has exercised the right given to it under and in terms of Section 12(1) (a) of the Right to Information Act No. 12 of 2016 …

Continue reading ‘Lawyer -Columnist Kishali Pinto-Jayawardena Nominated by Bar Association of Sri Lanka to Right To Information Commission’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake What a gem of a minister he is! Who? Who else, State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, the gem and jewel of today. Why? He resigned from his Prison Portfolio, not having done anything wrong, as he says it. He has gone beyond the stuff of any politician. He truly deserves to be given …

Continue reading ‘When Lohan Ratwatte Gets Promoted as Cabinet Minister will he be known as the “Muthu-menik Lohan Amathi, Sir”? The true Gem of Pohottuva Politics and Governance!’ »

By Jamil Husain State Minister of Gem and Jewelry Related Industries Lohan Ratwatte who has pushed the government into a hot soup over allegations that he threatened a group of Tamil prisoners over the weekend, yesterday denied all accusations leveled against him saying he was ‘not stupid’ to resort to such action. Breaking his silence …

Continue reading ‘“As a minister, I can walk into any prison at any time. I do not need anyone’s permission.Over the weekend I went to the Anuradhapura Prison only to check as I did with the other prisons. I never broke in and I never threatened any prisoner” Says State Minister Lohan Ratwatte in Interview With “Daily Mirror”’ »

By Sheain Fernandopulle Referring to the recent incident transpired in the Anuradhapura Prison involving State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa said Lohan set an example for political culture by resigning from the post following the incident. He told reporters that it was obvious for people to make mistakes, but what is important is …

Continue reading ‘Wimal Weerawana Praises Lohan Ratwatte for Resigning his Portfolio when he found he had done something wrong and for Acknowledging his Wrongdoing and Taking Responsibility for wht he had done’ »

BY Dinitha Rathnayake The Prisons Department and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) have commenced investigations into incidents at the Welikada and Anuradhapura Prisons which involve former Prison Management and Prisoners Rehabilitation State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, while the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is likely to begin its own investigation on the matter today …

Continue reading ‘Three Separate Investigations Commence Into the Antics of State Minister Lohan Ratwatte at Welikade and Anuradhapura by the Prisons Dept, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka and the CID’PM’s Media Secy Welivita Denies Mahinda Rajapaksa From Italy was Involved in any Telephone Conversation with Lohan’ »

By Ruwani Fonseka Attempts have been made to delete CCTV footage at the Anuradhapura Prison, Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners Chairman Attorney at Law Senaka Perera alleged at a press conference held on SEp 15. He made such statements with regard to Former State Minister of Prisons and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Lohan Ratwatte’s alleged offences …

Continue reading ‘Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners Chairman Senaka Perera alleges at press conference that attempts have been made to delete CCTV footage regarding Lohan Ratwatte’s Unruly Conduct at the Anuradhapura Prison.’ »

By Ruwani Fonseka The Human Rights Commission in Sri Lanka (HRCSL) visited the Anuradhapura prison on Sep 15 following the incident that took place last Sunday in which Former State Minister of Prisons and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Lohan Ratwatte was allegedly involved, The Morning learnt. During this visit, the HRCSL was able to the speak to …

Continue reading ‘Detenues at Anurdhapura Prison Tesify to Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission Representatives the Details of the Incident Concerning Lohan Ratwatte but Jailguards Say they only Provided Security to the State Minister and did not see any such incident’ »

By Meer Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s prisons minister resigned on Wednesday, following allegations that he asked Tamil prisoners to kneel, threatening them at gunpoint. A statement from the Presidential Media Division said: “Lohan Ratwatte, State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation has tendered his resignation, acknowledging his responsibility for the incidents”. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa accepted …

Continue reading ‘TNA Spokesman MA Sumanthiran Calls for the Arrest of State Minister Lohan Ratwatte Regarding the Anurdhapura Jail Incident and the Launching of a Full-scale Inquiry;”he (Lohan) and all responsible must be prosecuted”says Jaffna MP’ »

By JAMILA HUSAIN State Minister of Prison Management, Lohan Ratwatta has resigned from his portfolio a short while ago. He has sent his resignation letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The President’s Media Division in a statement said Ratwatta had tendered his resignation acknowledging his responsibility for the incidents that took place at the Welikada and …

Continue reading ‘PM Mahinda Rajapaksa Telephones Lohan Ratwatte From Italy and Tells him to Step Down Pending Inquiry; Mahinda Talks to Gotabaya Also;Lohan Takes Responsibility and Submits Resignation Letter which is Accepted by President.’ »

Responding to reports that Sri Lanka’s State Minister for Prison Management and Prisoners Rehabilitation, Lohan Ratwatte, forcibly entered a state prison in Anuradhapura on 12 September and held Tamil prison inmates incarcerated under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) at gunpoint and threatened to kill them, Yamini Mishra, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Director said: “These dumbfounding …

Continue reading ‘“Lohan Ratwatte’s alleged conduct further undermines the government’s piecemeal efforts made to address the conditions of PTA prisoners, which is labelled as reconciliation.” -Amnesty International’ »

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) today called for the immediate resignation of State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Lohan Ratwatte for the authorities to initiate a credible investigation into the alleged incidents, and action taken without fear or favour. In a statement, the CPA stated that it was deeply …

Continue reading ‘Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) calls for the immediate resignation of State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Lohan Ratwatte; CPA wants authorities to initiate a credible investigation into the alleged incidents, and take action without fear or favour.’ »

(Text of Statement Delivered by UK’s Ambassador to the UN and WTO in Geneva, Simon Manley on behalf of the Core Group of Sri Lanka at the 48th Session of the UN Human Rights Council on September 14th 2021) Thank you Madam President This statement is by the Core Group on Sri Lanka comprising Canada, …

Continue reading ‘Canada, Germany, North Macedonia, Malawi, Montenegro and the UK are deeply concerned about current human rights developments in Sri Lanka and call upon Govt to cooperate fully with the UN High Commissioner while remaining ready to support the Government on the implementation of resolution 46/1.’ »

(Text of Statement by Prof G.L.Peiris Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka at the 48th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 14 September 2021) < strong>Madam President, Let me begin by reiterating our strong and continued cooperation with this Council and the United Nations mandated human rights system, in keeping with …

Continue reading ‘Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris reiterates Sri Lanka’s strong and continued cooperation with the UN Human Rights Council while rejecting the proposal for any external initiatives purportedly established by Resolution 46/1 because domestic processes are vigorously addressing the relevant matters’ »

(Oral Update on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka at the 48th session of the Human Rights Council by Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, 13 September 2021) Distinguished President, Excellencies, I am pleased to update the Human Rights Council on Sri Lanka and the trends and issues identified in …

Continue reading ‘UN Human Rights Commissioner Michele Bachelet takes note of President Gotbaya Rajapaksa’s statement in June that the Sri Lankan Govt is “committed to work with the UN to ensure accountability” and will implement “necessary institutional reforms.” And Says “I look forward to seeing concrete actions to this effect”’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne says certain interested parties are propagating lies that the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks had been carried out to influence the electorate at the 2019 presidential election. Gen. Gunaratne says attempts are being made to drag President Gotabaya Rajapaksa into the controversy. The former General Officer Commanding (GoC) …

Continue reading ‘Defence Secretary Gen.Kamal Gunaratne says there is irrefutable evidence regarding detained Lawyer Hejaz Hizbullah’s involvement in the Easter carnage’ »

Sri Lanka Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa never sought an audience with Pope Francis during his visit to the Vatican, the foreign ministry said after the head of the country’s Catholic church Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith claimed the visit was an attempt to mislead the Vatican about the 2019 Easter attack probe. “At no stage has …

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa never sought an audience with Pope Francis during his visit to Italy States foreign ministry after Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said the visit was an attempt to mislead the Vatican about the 2019 Easter attack probe.’ »

By Yohan Perera Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, today alleged there were moves by the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to mislead the Pope and international community over the Easter Sunday investigations during the Prime Minister’s visit to Italy which will begin tomorrow. Opposing the move by the government to brief the Vatican about …

Continue reading ‘Prime Miniser Mahinda Rajapaksa and Foreign Minister GL Peiris are Trying to Mislead the Pope Over the Easter Sunday Bombings Investigation During their Italy Visit Alleges Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith’ »

By Meera Srinivasan On August 30, 2021, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, using powers vested in the country’s Public Security Ordinance, declared Emergency regulations pertaining to the distribution of essential food items. The regulations sought to empower authorities to provide essential food items at a “concessionary rate” to the public by purchasing stocks of essential …

Continue reading ‘What is the Emerging ‘food emergency’ in Sri Lanka?’ »

Basil Rajapaksa yesterday, in his first speech in Parliament as Finance Minister, painted a bleak picture of the economy and said that, amid the foreign exchange crisis, the country had lost around Rs. 1.6 trillion in Government revenue due to the COVID pandemic. “The country is facing a serious foreign exchange crisis. Similarly, revenue has …

Continue reading ‘” We don’t expect to overcome a crisis of this magnitude on our own but hope well-wishers and the Opposition will cooperate to solve this crisis,” Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa’ »

By Ranga Sirilal and Ayeshea Perera Sunil Perera, one of the stalwarts of Sri Lanka’s baila genre – a memento of Portuguese colonisation – died on Monday aged 68, his family said. He is believed to have died of Covid-related complications. Along with his band The Gypsies, Sunil wrote and performed songs with catchy tunes …

Continue reading ‘Along with his band The Gypsies, Sunil Perera wrote and performed songs with catchy tunes and clever words, often about Sri Lankan life and politics.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene In decades of the dreaded Public Security Ordinance (PSO) in Sri Lanka, this is perhaps the first time that the use of this law has been justified by the Office of the President as necessary to ensure the availability of staples such as rice, dhal and sugar to the populace at …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour”:President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Declares State of Emergency Through Public Security Ordinance to Make Rice, Dhal and Sugar Available to the Public at Reasonable Prices’ »

The Sri Lankan national shot dead inside a shopping mall in Auckland on Friday after he attacked several locals has been identified as Ahamed Aathill Mohamed Samsudeen, a 32-year-old from the Eastern town of Kattankudy. He went to New Zealand on a student visa in 2011 and then asked for political asylum claiming he and …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan National Who was Shot Dead by New Zealand Police After Injuring 7 Persons in Knife Attack at an Auckland Supermarket Officially Identified as 32 Year Old Ahamed Aathill Mohamed Samsudeen from Kattankudy in Batticaloa District’ »

Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris this week handed over to UN Head in Sri Lanka Haana Singer-Hamdy the first copy of a 13-page response to obviate criticism over non-implementation of key elements in the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Resolution passed early this year. The 13-page note prepared on the eve of the forthcoming UNHRC sessions …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry Submits 13 Page Document to UN and Diplomatic Missions Outlining “substantial progress on human rights issues through domestic processes and mechanisms” Prior to Commencement of UNHRC 48th Session in Geneva’ »

A man has been fatally shot by police officers and six shoppers have been injured – including three critically – in horrific scenes at a West Auckland supermarket this afternoon. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it was a terrorist attack carried out by a known threat, who was under constant police surveillance. “What happened today …

Continue reading ‘The man who stabbed six innocent supermarket shoppers in a terrorist attack – before being shot dead by police – was an “ISIS-inspired known threat” who was under constant police surveillance, says New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.’ »

Police in New Zealand shot and killed a “violent extremist” after he stabbed and wounded at least six people in an Auckland supermarket. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the incident was a “terrorist attack” carried out by a Sri Lankan national who was under police surveillance. The man, who has not been officially named, was …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan National Supporter of Islamic State(IS) Shouting “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great)Injures 6 Persons of whom 3 are Critical and one Serious in Knife Attack at Auckland Supermarket and is Shot Dead by New Zealand Police.’ »

What do we know about the New Zealand attacker? The man, whose identity cannot be revealed due to court suppression orders, arrived in New Zealand in October 2011. He became a person of national security interest in 2016. He had been under round-the-clock monitoring and heavy surveillance due to concerns about his ideology. He was …

Continue reading ‘32 Year old “Lone Wolf” Attacker arrived in New Zealand in October 2011, became a person of national security interest in 2016 and was recently sentenced to one year of supervision for possessing IS propaganda.-BBC’ »

by Phil Mercer, BBC News This callous act in Auckland will stir painful memories of the deadly mosque attacks in Christchurch in 2019. In that attack, a lone gunman – a self-confessed white supremacist – murdered 51 worshippers. Once again, New Zealand’s geographic isolation and peaceful reputation have proved to be no defence against extremism. …

Continue reading ‘Extremism rears its head again in New Zealand -An Analysis’ »

By Arun Janardhanan An ongoing National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the seizure of 300 kg heroin, five AK-47 rifles and 1,000 live rounds of 9mm ammunition off the coast of Vizhinjam near Thiruvananthapuram has led to speculation that an international drug running and weapon trading racket is aimed at reviving the Sri Lankan Tamil …

Continue reading ‘India’s National Investigation Agency Probe into Seizure of Heroin and Arms Off Kerala Coast Leads to Suspicion of international drug running and weapon trading racket aimed at reviving the LTTE; Arrested Sri Lankan Tamil “Mastermind” Suresh Rajan and Associate Soundararajan Were Allegedly Working Closely with Known LTTE Sympathisers’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “Our Hero who works, loving motherland forever If anyone is protecting the country, that noble man is you” – Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidential campaign theme song – The warnings were clear. Churches will be attacked on Easter Sunday. Authorities turned a deaf ear. The massacre happened. 269 innocent lives were lost. Three days …

Continue reading ‘If the lockdown is extended to 2 October, $ 2.2 billion would be lost, but 6,300 lives can be saved. 6,300 lives hang in balance. Whether they live or die depends on what the Rajapaksas prioritise – money or lives.’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake This lockdown is not as tough as it was expected to be. There is plenty of traffic on the roads, and very little stopping by the Police. People are also moving about, and most of those who called for a lockdown see it as a play of presidential politics: giving what you …

Continue reading ‘How much higher will the price of sugar rise to keep the “Rajavasala” Family happy?’ »

By Chanchala Gunewardena Mammi had many achievements in the telecom sector. My favorite of these was the installment of dial-up in my parents’ home, a personal windfall. When I was old enough to access a search engine I browsed my way through the good, bad, and mean spirited about my family. From both back in …

Continue reading ‘Lessons From My Mangala Mamma:How a Fashion Designer Can Become a Finance Minister.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawrdene As much this millennium’s devastating global pandemic has brought deaths, destruction of livelihoods and mindless misery to millions across borders, there is a harsh mirror that it holds up to us. Political braggadocio and military might does not stop this virus; sensible public health leadership does. It is as simple as …

Continue reading ‘“Do we really need an Army Commander with his unform emblazoned with medals to solemnly inform us that a country wide ‘lockdown’ will continue for another week?Is this not a cheapening of the military role of and by itself?’ »

By Alim Kheraj When Priya Ragu signed her record deal, her parents told her not to give up her day job. “I thought: ‘I can work and do the music at the same time,’” says Ragu. The problem was that she was employed as a technical purchaser buying aircraft parts – hardly the sort of …

Continue reading ‘“Tamil is the Language I Speak, so why not put Tamil Words into the Songs I Create?asks Swiss Tamil Pop Singer of Sri Lankan Origin – Priya Ragu’ »

By Chandri Peris When one hears a single bell toll, the message become clear. Someone within your community has passed. In the last few weeks, we have been hearing the bell toll over and over again with increasing rapidity until it reached a deafening crescendo this morning, Mangala is no more! “Stop all the clocks …

Continue reading ‘Remembering the Days When My Friend Mangala Samaraweera was Famously “Labelled” as Mangala Innocence.’ »

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday, August 27, announced a welfare package of Rs 317 crore, which includes rebuilding houses, for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in the state. A committee would be set up soon for their welfare, which shall, among other things, work towards long term solutions on matters like citizenship …

Continue reading ‘Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin Announces Indian Rupees 3170 Million Package to Benefit Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees in State’Proposed Measures Include Housing Reconstruction, Enhancing Education and Employment Opportunities,Raising Living Standards and Increasing Food Subsidies’ »

A powerful bomb blast struck the perimeter of Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport on Thursday, as civilians continued to seek to escape on flights from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. At least 95 people were killed and 150 others wounded. The Pentagon confirmed 13 US service personnel were among those killed. The bombing came hours after Western governments …

Continue reading ‘Only a Single Suicide Bomber Was Responsible for Explosive Attack on People Waiting at the Abbey Gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on August 26; At Least 95 Persons Comprising Afghan Civilians and 13 US Defence Personnel Killed;Over 150 Injured- Latest BBC Report’ »

AS THE AUGUST 31st deadline to conclude the evacuation of Afghanistan loomed, the drumbeat of warnings grew louder. On August 24th President Joe Biden warned of an “acute and growing risk” of a terrorist attack, by the local branch of Islamic State (IS), against Kabul’s airport, thronged by thousands of Afghans desperate to escape the …

Continue reading ‘Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP)Launches Twin Suicide Bomber Attacks on Abbey Gate of Kabul Airport and Afghan Refugee Claim Processing Centre at Baron Hotel; Gunmen Open Fire After Explosions; At Least 12 US Defence Personnel and Over 60 Afghan Civilians Killed According to Preliminary Estimates.’ »

By JAMILA HUSAIN Yoshita Rajapaksa ,Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has denied rumors that he slapped musician and song writer Iraj Weeraratne, which is why Iraj submitted his resignation as director of the National Youth Services Council (NYSC). Yoshitha told Daily Mirror that such rumors being circulated on social media were baseless …

Continue reading ‘Yoshita Rajapaksa Denies Social Media Reports that he slapped Iraj Weeraratne Thereby Causing the Well-known Musician to Resign Post of National Youth Services Council Director’ »

By Henry Kissinger THE TALIBAN takeover of Afghanistan focuses the immediate concern on the extrication of tens of thousands of Americans, allies and Afghans stranded all over the country. Their rescue needs to be our urgent priority. The more fundamental concern, however, is how America found itself moved to withdraw in a decision taken without …

Continue reading ‘“The US has torn itself apart in its counterinsurgent efforts because of its inability to define attainable goals and to link them in a way that is sustainable by the American political process.”- Dr.Henry Kissinger’ »

By Krishantha Prasad Cooray The loss of Mangala Samaraweera is a devastating blow to statesmanship in Sri Lanka. In the words of theologian James Freeman Clarke, “the difference between a politician and a statesman is that a politician thinks about the next election while the statesman thinks about the next generation.” In that way, Mangala …

Continue reading ‘Mangala, my dear, loyal and trusted friend, Rest peacefully. Your vision will be fulfilled. We will finish the job. We will never let you down’ »

By Prof. Rohan Samarajiva A big tree has fallen. What are the consequences? Mangala went out on a high. A month ago, on 25 July, he had that news conference at Freedom Hub, surrounded by young people. On that day and in the subsequent media interviews, he said what he believed and felt, without compromise. …

Continue reading ‘Mangala gave us hope of a more enlightened, kinder Sri Lanka. What will we do with that hope? Will we let it turn to despair?’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera passed away on Tuesday at a private hospital here due to COVID-19 related complications. File | Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy The former Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka was under treatment for COVID-19. Mangala Samaraweera, a former Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka and a notable advocate …

Continue reading ‘Mangala Samaraweera Regarded the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and Samagi Jana Balawegaya as “two sides of the same coin” and stated Sri Lanka is “desperately gasping for a total U-turn” in policy direction.’ »

(TEXT Of MESSAGE FROM FORMER PRESIDEN CHANDRIKA BANDARAAIKE KUMARATUNGAON THE PASSING AWAY OF FORMER MINISTER MR. MANGALA SAMARAWEERA) Mangala, my dearest friend, brother, comrade-in-arms. On this dark day, you have lost your battle for life. Your family and friends fought with you, cried and prayed to keep you alive. We too lost this battle. But …

Continue reading ‘“You have not died, Mangala. Your exceptional Vision for Lanka and the world lives on.Dearest Mangala, you will live with every battle waged to build a better Sri Lanka.”-Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’ »

(Text of a Media Release Issued by the Tamil National Alliance) Tamil National Alliance express our deep sorrow at the untimely passing away of Mr. Magala Samaraweera, former minister and truthful friend of the Tamil People. Mr. Samaraweera entered politics in 1989, and became a minister in 1994 in the government of President Chandrika Bandaranayeka …

Continue reading ‘Tamil National Alliance expresses deep sorrow at the untimely passing away of former Minister Mr. Mangala Samaraweera who remained a truthful friend of the Tamil People.’ »

Sri Lanka’s former finance minister Mangala Samaraweera passed away Tuesday ( Aug 24) in hospital where he was being treated for Coronavirus, a coordinator for the former minister said. The 65-year-old Samaraweera contracted the virus earlier this month and was receiving intensive care unit (ICU) treatment at the Lanka Hospital, despite being fully vaccinated. When …

Continue reading ‘Visionary Leader Mangala Samaraweera Afflicted with COVID Passes Away at Private Hospital in Colombo; Outspoken Politician From Matara was a True Patriot and Radical Centrist’ »

By Victor Ivan The decision reached by Mangala Samaraweera who is considered a colourful, controversial, daring and creative political figure in the old or the traditional political landscape of Sri Lanka, which is currently on the verge of decay and death, to abandon the course of traditional politics and choose to tread on an alternative …

Continue reading ‘Mangala Samaraweera is firm in his conviction that he should move away from the extremely rotten old political culture and commit himself to the cause of building a new mass political movement aimed at rescuing the country.’ »

By Sharmini Nagahawatte Serasinghe It took Mangala Samaraweera to stare death in the face, for many to realise what the nation was about to lose. Mangala has quit parliamentary politics for good, and nothing and no one can make him change his mind. Hence there is no necessity for any politician, be they in Government, …

Continue reading ‘Mangala Samaraweera – What Our Nation Almost Lost!’ »

By Dr.Gehan Gunatilleke Vaccines play a vital role in the battle against COVID-19. Countries that have vaccinated a majority of their population are doing better compared to their situation prior to vaccination. The rationale for swiftly and efficiently vaccinating a population seems self-evident. Sri Lanka’s recent rise in COVID-related deaths would hopefully fall as the …

Continue reading ‘Was the Failure to Procure Indian Vaccine Early at Cheaper Cost due to Hidden Pressures to Obtain Larger Quantities of More Expensive Chinese Vaccine ?’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene The black flags that the head of Sri Lanka’s Roman Catholic Church has requested his flock to hoist this Saturday in silent protest against the Government’s inaction to secure justice for hundreds of innocents killed in jihadist attacks on Sri Lankans (2019), should be fluttering aloft the houses of all people, …

Continue reading ‘The Cardinal may be advised to wear sackcloth and ashes to atone for the reprehensible part he played in ushering in a two-thirds majority for this Govt which appears to have lost all sense and reason.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (At least 60 were killed and 155 seriously injured on August 14th 2006 when the Sri Lankan airforce launched an aeial attack on Tamil civilians in the Vallipunam area of Mullaitheevu district. This article was written by me about the incident then for “The Sunday Leader” newspaper edited by the late Lasantha Wickrematunge. …

Continue reading ‘Over 60 Killed and More than 200 Injured in Aerial Attack by Sri Lankan Airforce on Tamil Civilians in Vallipunam 15 Years ago’ »

Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the head of Sri Lanka’s Catholic church, has demanded an explanation on an alleged attempt to pin the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings on the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Speaking to reporters in Colombo on Friday (13), the cardinal claimed that a military intelligence officer referred to as …

Continue reading ‘Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith States at Press Conference that the Directorate of Military Intelligence had had dealings with Zaharan Hashim’s outfit and Wonders What Those Dealings Were’ »

By Yohan Perera Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today urged the government not to recognise the Taliban administration and to shut down the Sri Lankan mission in Kabul, Afghanistan.

It was only a question of time before Kabul fell, says A.S. Dulat, a former head of India’s top spy agency, the Research and Analysis Wing, speaking from Delhi. The only surprise was the speed of the Taliban’s advance, concurs the ex-boss of Pakistan’s Inter-Service Intelligence, or isi, Asad Durrani, speaking from Islamabad. The two …

Continue reading ‘The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan is a humiliation for India and a Costly victory for Pakistan- The Economist’ »