In a major diplomatic move, which was both swift and intelligent, Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar dashed to Sri Lankan capital Colombo as soon as it was known that the new President of Sri Lanka is now Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Gotabaya, 70, belonging to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party triumphed securing well over 52 per cent votes… Continue reading "Rajapaksas’ Lanka"

In Sri Lanka, the main political grouping of minority Tamils has called upon Tamil political parties to stand united on the issues faced by the Tamils. Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M.A Sumanthiran called upon Tamil parties to not attempt to divide the Tamil community and join the alliance. He said that TNA is the main Tamil political alliance in… Continue reading "Sri Lanka: Minority Tamil political parties urged to stand united on issues faced by Tamils"

The seventh edition of the India – Sri Lanka joint training exercise, Mitra Shakti 2019, will be conducted at the Foreign Training Node (FTN) in Pune from December 1 to 14. The aim of this joint training exercise is to build and promote positive relations between Indian and Sri Lankan armies. The exercise will focus on sub-unit level training for… Continue reading "India-Sri Lanka joint military exercise to begin in Pune from December 1"

The founder of the Pathfinder Foundation, Milinda Moragoda proposed that the government should hold a non-binding referendum together with the general election. In a statement, he said the provision for such a move was available under Article 86 of the Constitution and proposed four issues to be taken up as questions for the referendum. The questions are: “Prefer a full-fledged… Continue reading "Hold non-binding referendum with general elections: Moragoda"

Leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) R. Sampanthan says that they will not hesitate to support the government if it is needed. Speaking to the media in Trincomalee, they will continue to be in the Opposition and will oppose the government whenever it has to be opposed. However, this would not necessarily mean that we will oppose the government… Continue reading "Sampanthan ready to support good work of new govt."

Gotabaya Rajapaksa Calls Upon the Tamil Diaspora to Work Together and Help Develop Our Country Instead of Criticising in the first Interview Given by The Sri Lankan President After Being Elected to Office President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has requested the Tamil diaspora to work together to develop the country and help the people irrespective of their community.The President has said this… Continue reading "President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has requested the Tamil diaspora………."

Britain’s former prime minister David Cameron described how he refused to shake Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s hand when he met the Rajapaksa brothers in a “showdown” in Colombo in 2013, that was described as one of “the worst tempered foreign meeting(s)” during his tenure. Cameron, who was in Colombo for the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), justified his attendance at… Continue reading "Former British PM refused to shake Gotabaya’s hand in Colombo ‘showdown’"

The British Tamils Forum representative was interviewed by international media network – Al Jazeera English on the NewsHour.  Video Link :- https://youtu.be/D0Ijnris8E0Facebook:- https://www.facebook.com/303646176403023/posts/2246789802088641?d=n&sfns=moInstagram :-

As numerous Presidential candidates entered the fray in October, the leftist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake along with the National People’s Power (NPP) was among the front runners of the ‘alternative’ movement to enter the race. At rallies brimming with supporters, Dissanayake’s promises of tackling corruption, reconciliation and uplifting the lives of the citizenry were attractive and… Continue reading "JVP leader disappointed with votes polled"

http://www.ft.lk/news/PM-intervenes-to-stop-vandalising-of-road-signs/56-690306 In the wake of a spate of acts of vandalism targeting road signs in the Tamil language, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had yesterday directed the Police to act immediately to stop such incidents.  The Prime Minister has also instructed the reinstallation of all the damaged road sings. Police have also been asked to take into custody those involved in… Continue reading "PM intervenes to stop vandalising of road signs"

After swearing-in as the new president of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya has passed orders to increase armed forces in Tamil areas of the island nation. DMK president M K Stalin has opposed deployment of additional armed forces in the Tamil areas of Sri Lanka and requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up the issue with the island nation’s newly elected… Continue reading "Stalin opposes ‘militarisation’ of Lankan Tamil areas, urges PM Modi to raise issue"

The election manifesto of United Kingdom’s Labour Party has featured Sri Lanka and promised the protection of human rights of Tamil and Muslim populations in the island nation. The Labour Party’s manifesto, aimed at securing the victory of UK’s general election in December, was launched two days ago. Many foreign media had tagged the manifesto as ‘radical’ and ‘ambitious’. The… Continue reading "UK Labour Party manifesto pledges to protect human rights of SL minorities"

Tamil street name boards have been found vandalised at multiple locations in the country. The Tamil name boards have been damaged or removed by unidentified persons following the Presidential election. One such name board had been vandalised in Panadura while another had been found removed at another location. Images of the damage caused to these name boards have been circulated… Continue reading "Tamil street name boards vandalised at multiple locations"

By Lakmal Harischandra – Lakmal Harischandra When President Gotabaya Rajapaksa (GR) delivered his inaugural speech in Anuradhapura, he acknowledged that it was the Sinhala Buddhist people who brought him to power while making a reference to the Tamils and Muslims who did not respond before the elections, to his appeal to join in his victory march. However, he stressed that he will be President… Continue reading "Mr President! Veer Away From The Previous ‘Rajapaksa Racist-Corrupt’ Legacy!"

Indian Foreign Minister Jaishanker Conveys New Delhi’s Expectation that “SL govt will take forward the process of national reconciliation to arrive at a solution that meets aspirations of Tamil population for equality, justice, peace & dignity” India has expressed the hope that Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will pursue national reconciliation in a meaningful manner. “Indian external affairs… Continue reading "Solution that meets aspirations of Tamil population for equality, justice, peace & dignity?"

New Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa Takes Charge of Several Portfolios Including Finance, Buddhist Affairs, Urban and Housing Development in Interim Cabinet; Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardene, Chamal Rajapaksa Agriculture and Mahaweli Minister; Nimal Siripala de Silva – Justice and Human Rights Minister;Arumugan Thondaman – Estate Infrastructure Minister; Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda. Posted by Administrator on 21 November 2019, 11:35 pm Fifteen ministers were sworn… Continue reading "Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa sworn in as the Minister of Buddha Sasana……"

Six Days in November After The Swearing in of Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the Seventh Executive President of Sri Lanka Posted by Administrator on 24 November 2019, 12:40 am By Sanjana Hattotuwa The day after the 7th President was sworn into office, racism celebrated a new birth on Facebook. Across many pages that played a key role in President’s electoral bid, the message was… Continue reading "Shani Abeysekara, till that day the Director of the CID, was demoted as a personal assistant to a DIG, one of the lowest ranks in the Police force. Abeysekara was in charge of cases involving the Rajapaksas, including the murders of Lasantha Wickrematunge, Thajudeen and the disappearance of Eknaligoda."

Milinda Moragoda, Founder of the Pathfinder Foundation and former Cabinet Minister, in a statement called on the new Government to refrain from holding Provincial Council elections prior to the parliamentary elections. He suggested that the Government should, as part of the expected Constitutional overhaul, seek to mobilize the necessary two-thirds majority to repeal the 13th Amendment and thereby abolish the… Continue reading "Milinda reiterates call to abolish Provincial Councils"

MDMK General Secretary Vaiko on Saturday said he will lead a demonstration in New Delhi on November 28, against newly elected Sri Lakan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s visit to the country, the Hindu reported. Mr. Vaiko alleged that Mr. Rajapaksa was, in his capacity as Defence Minister in then President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Cabinet, during the Sri Lankan civil war.

The entire UNP leadership is at fault for the defeat in the presidential elections as the party did not have a strategy and plan to attract more Buddhist votes at the election, a former minister said yesterday. Former Minister and Leader of the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Mano Ganesan told Daily Mirror that he will not point his finger at… Continue reading "Entire UNP leadership at fault for recent defeat : Mano"

New Innings With Team Rajapaksa? Speculation over Cricketer Muralitharan’s New Role as Governor Upsets Tamils Murali’s stand on alleged war crimes against Tamils committed during the tenure of Gotabaya as Defence secretary under the presidency of his elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa between 2005 and 2015 has angered the Tamils. Murali has always maintained that there were no war crimes. “There… Continue reading "Murali’s “doosra” has gone off the mark, for the first time."

Mahinda Rajapaksa, 74, is the patriarch of the family. First as prime minister in 2004 and then president from 2005 until January 2015. Known as a charismatic leader, he is adored by the Sinhala-Buddhist majority for crushing separatist Tamil rebels in May 2009 following a highly controversial military offensive. During his rule Sri Lanka also moved closer to China, borrowing… Continue reading "A family affair: Sri Lanka’s Rajapaksa dynasty"

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided to step down from his position as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka a short while ago. Reportedly, Premier Wickremesinghe will inform the President in writing regarding the decision. The decision has, reportedly, been taken in order to facilitate newly elected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to form his own government. Earlier today (20), Leader of House… Continue reading "Prime Minister steps down"

Leader of the Tamil Progressive Alliance Mano Ganesan says that he will not support the dissolution of Parliament before the deadline. Speaking to Ada Derana, the Minister of National Integration, Official Languages, Social Progress and Hindu Religious Affairs said that the governing power should be handed over to the elected President’s party, respecting people’s mandate. Several decisions have arrived at… Continue reading "Ministers set bad example by resigning – Mano"

Most Tamils in Sri Lanka and also here in Tamil Nadu are apprehensive about Gotabaya’s future actions. TN parties termed as ‘unfortunate’ the election of Gotabaya as President-some of them even said it would be dangerous for the Tamils in the northern province as he would resume his state-sponsored violence against the minorities, particularly because they had voted against him… Continue reading "Gotabaya Rajapaksa tells pro-LTTE parties to talk sense or shut up"

Major General (Retired) Kamal Gunaratne today (20) assumed duties as the new Secretary to the Defence Ministry. He ceremoniously took office at the Ministry at 09.15 am this morning in the presence of Chief of Defence Staff, Tri-Service Commanders, acting Inspector General of Police, Director General Civil Defence Force and a representative gathering of all Defence Ministry establishments. President Gotabaya… Continue reading "Major General (Retired) Kamal Gunaratne is the new Defence Secretary"

If there was one consistent factor in the Sirisena Presidency, it was its inconsistency. Unfortunately for Sirisena himself — and Sri Lanka — he will go down in history as the President who promised so much and delivered so little and, like Mahinda Rajapaksa before him, squandered a golden opportunity to steer the country in a different direction because he… Continue reading "President who promised so much and delivered so little"

The presidential election’s most notable feature was the huge difference between the support base for the two main candidates. In the Northern and Eastern Provinces, more than 80 per cent of the people voted for the New Democratic Front candidate Sajith Premadasa and support for him was even more than what former President Maithripala Sirisena got when he contested as… Continue reading "Tolerance is not indulgence but a commitment to unity in diversity"

The presence of gun-toting-soldiers, stationed at selected points, brings back wartime memories to the otherwise bustling township of Kattankudy in the south of Batticaloa. But, life moves on as usual in this densely populated town located on a strip of land between the lagoon on one side and the sea on the other. Kattankudy is the birthplace of Easter Sunday… Continue reading "Kattankudy Muslim leaders: hold varied views on Muslim marriage law reforms Challenges are Daunting"

By Ameer Ali – Dr. Ameer Ali Is there a more precious gift a family patriarch, who himself a former ruler, could expect to receive on his 74th birthday, than to see his own brother becoming the supreme head of the country he ruled? The victory of Gotabaya Rajapaksa (GR) as the seventh president of Sri Lanka was an unforgettable birthday gift to his elder… Continue reading "Sibling Wins, Patriarch Celebrates & Minorities Stunned"

By Mohamed Faizal – Mohamed Faizal Presidential election 2019 is over. Gotabaya Rajapaksa has won, and this has made some people happy, and others unhappy. Happy people believe that everything will be hunky dory from now on, and the Unhappy people believe that hell will break loose. Both parties are wrong: violence or peace, progress or decline, and development or poverty do not depend… Continue reading "Racism Wins Elections"

Mr Rajapaksa has promised unity. It’s a response to the fears of many in the minority communities here that decisive leadership and tough action on security might be at the expense of their civil liberties. Even if the political intention is genuine, the election results have shown how polarised this country is. Unity will be hard to achieve. But the… Continue reading "Sri Lanka election: Unity hard to achieve in divided country"