Two Issues That Will Continue To Trouble  By Jehan Perera – Jehan Perera One of the striking features of the presidential election was the division of the country’s electoral map along ethnic lines. Over the weekend I was in Vavuniya to take part in an inter-religious exchange visit. Three groups consisting of religious clergy, civil society leaders, government officials and police officers… Continue reading "Failure of successive governments to implement their promises"

LTTE recognized as freedom fighters in Switzerland* Collecting funds for terrorist attacks on SL de-criminalised* Terrorist attacks to gain independence justified December 21, 2019, 6:19 pm by C.A.Chandraprema The drama surrounding the Swiss embassy employee is now in its fourth week with the Swiss government still holding that their employee is right and the Sri Lankan government is wrong despite… Continue reading "Swiss quagmire & SL govt.’s options"

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa says that Sri Lanka’s sovereignty as well as its very existence was protected and nurtured by the country’s armed forces in the face of several threats for division of the country. He made these comments while gracing the Passing Out Parade of 321 Cadet Officers of the Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) at Diyatalawa at the invitation… Continue reading "Some countries angry with SL armed forces at political level – PM"

Government ministers and state institutions, including Provincial Councils, have been banned from entering into direct agreements or memoranda of understanding with foreign investors, lending agencies, international non-governmental organisations and embassies. The ban was imposed by the President’s office with immediate effect. All concerned have been directed to follow “due process” in entering into such agreements or MoUs. This include clearance… Continue reading "President bans direct deals between state bodies and foreign agencies"

India’s ruling BJP, Tamil Nadu state secretary K T Raghavan has accused the DMK of trying to spoil the future of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees by insisting on citizenship for them in India, the Times of India reported. At a demonstration organized by his party in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), held near central bus stand on Friday,… Continue reading "DMK accused of trying to spoil future of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees"

Dec 01, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s new President Gotabaya Rajapaksa says he will abolish the 19th Amendment to the Constitution enacted by the Unity Government in 2015, if the necessary majority in Parliament is obtained at the general election. In an exclusive interview with the Suhasini Haidar of The Hindu during his visit to India, when asked if he planned to… Continue reading "Sri Lanka President ready to abolish 19th Amendment if given two-third majority in parliament"

There is compelling evidence to charge Sri Lanka’s newly appointed secretary of defence, retired Major General Kamal Gunaratne, with war crimes and crimes against humanity. The South Africa based International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) has released a 100-page dossieron the secretary of defence, focusing on his role as the 53 Division commander in the war and the Competent Authority for… Continue reading "New Dossier Released On Alleged War Crimes Committed By Sri Lanka’s New Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne"

“Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development can Provide Solution for True Grievances of the Minorities and not Federalism or Greater Devolution as Promised by Politicians ” Says President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at Meeting with Media Editors By Nisthar Cassim President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday drove home the point that it was largely socioeconomics and security and less politics that would ensure true national… Continue reading "”NO Devolution to Tamils” says President Gotha"

There is compelling evidence to charge Sri Lanka’s newly appointed secretary of defence, retired Major General Kamal Gunaratne, with war crimes and crimes against humanity. The South Africa based International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) has released a 100-page dossieron the secretary of defence, focusing on his role as the 53 Division commander in the war and the Competent Authority for… Continue reading "New Dossier Released On Alleged War Crimes Committed By Sri Lanka’s New Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne FacebookTwitterWhatsAppShare"

Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma Appearing for Woman Employee of Swiss Embassy Who Was Allegedly Abducted by Unknown Persons Tells Court That His Client was Checked by Foreign and Local Doctors and that Two Doctors Have Mentioned in their Medical Report that the Victim Had Been Sexually Abused and Assauted BY Shavini Madhara Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayarathne yesterday extended the travel… Continue reading "The employee of Swiss Embassy Had Been Sexually Abused and Assaulted"

Brigadier Priyanka Fernando has been appointed as the new Director of Real Estate and Quartering of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA). He officially took over duties at Army Headquarters in Sri Jayewardenepura on Monday (9), during a brief ceremony at his office, the SLA media unit said. After entering the new office, Brigadier Fernando performed religious observances and left his… Continue reading "Brig. Priyanka Fernando gets new appointment"

The appeal petition filed by the seven accused who were sentenced to death for the murder and gang rape of Sivaloganathan Vidya was yesterday fixed support by the Supreme Court. Seven accused including Mahalingam Shashikumar alias Swiss Kumar, were convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of Sivaloganathan Vidya of Punguduthivu in 2015 by the Jaffna High Court Trial-at-Bar… Continue reading "Vidya murder case – Appeal by seven accused – Will Rajapakshas save them?"

Former Sri Lankan Defence Attaché Brigadier Priyanka Fernando has been convicted for threatening Tamils under the section 4 A of Public Order Act by Westminster Magistrate Courts a short wihle ago. Case No: 1801273043 IN THE WESTMINSTER MAGISTRATES’ COURT Date: 6th December 2019

State minister’s assertion disputed By Shamindra Ferdinando Global Sri Lankan Forum (GSLF) has requested Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and State Minister for Foreign Affairs attorney-at-law Susil Premajayantha to take tangible measures to neutralise the growing threat posed by accountability resolution adopted at the Geneva Human Rights Council in 2015. A senior spokesperson for the grouping said that the ministers were… Continue reading "Ministers urged to address ‘Geneva issue’ meaningfully"

http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=news-section&page=news-section&code_title=60 The Tri Nikayika Tharuna Bikkhu Sangamaya – an organisation of young Buddhist monks representing the three chapters yesterday handed over a petition to the UNP leadership requesting the party not to give nominations to those MPs who had insulted Buddhist monks. Convener of the organisation Ven. Kotahene Narada Thera told journalists that they decided to come to the UNP… Continue reading "’Don’t nominate MPs who insulted Buddhist monks’"

Sri Lanka has told China and India to respect its identity as a sovereign nation. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa tweeted inviting global powers, including China and India to invest in Sri Lanka. However, he also urged both countries to respect Sri Lanka’s unique identity as a sovereign nation.

The Government today defended a military officer despite a ruling by a UK court. The Foreign Ministry said that the sequence of events surrounding the case makes it abundantly clear that it is a politically motivated action. The judgement in the case of Majuran Sathananthan vs. Brigadier Andige Priyanka Indunil Fernando, the trial of which was completed at the Westminster… Continue reading "Sri Lanka defends Brigadier sentenced by UK court"

Mrs. Sri Lanka, Caroline Jurie, has been crowned Mrs.World 2020 at the final held in the US. Jurie becomes the second Sri Lankan to win the title after former Mrs. World Rosy Senanayake. Senanayake won the title in 1984. The Mrs. World 2020 Pageant was held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jurie was selected as the winner ahead of 1st Runner… Continue reading "Mrs. Sri Lanka crowned Mrs. World 2020"

The UK’s ruling Conservative Party has also mentioned Sri Lanka in its election manifesto ahead of the 13 December General election. Last week the election manifesto of the opposition Labour Party featured Sri Lanka and the steps a future Labour Government will take to address the human rights issue. UK Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Boris Johnson yesterday (Sunday)… Continue reading "UK’s Conservative Party also mentions Sri Lanka in polls manifesto"

The Swiss Ambassador in Sri Lanka has no right to keep a Sri Lankan employee inside the Embassy on the basis that local employees do not enjoy diplomatic privileges, the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) said today. Its leader, MP Udaya Gammanpila said under Clause 38 (2) of the Vienna Convention, locals employed at embassies do not enjoy diplomatic privileges. “The… Continue reading "Swiss envoy has no right to detain SL worker: Udaya Gammanpila"

Sri Lanka’s civil war ended 10 years ago but there has been little progress in tracing those who disappeared during and after the violent end to the war. About 20,000 people, mostly Tamils, are thought to still be missing. Many believe their relatives are alive and in the hands of the security forces – a view rejected by the government.… Continue reading "Sri Lanka: Families waiting for news from their children"

Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne Imposes Temporary Travel Ban on Swiss Embassy Staffer Garnier Banister Francis Until Dec 9th and Orders That she Should Provide Statement to CID Within that Period Posted by Administrator on 3 December 2019, 12:55 pm By Yoshitha Perera The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today issued a temporary travel ban on the Swiss Embassy employee, who was allegedly threatened… Continue reading "Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne Imposes Temporary Travel Ban on Swiss Embassy Staffer Garnier Banister Francis Until Dec 9th and Orders That she Should Provide Statement to CID Within that Period"

The Swiss Federal Court has ruled that the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) are not a criminal organisation and has acquitted 12 people of charges filed by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), Swiss Info reported. In its indictment, the OAG had accused the people of violating the Swiss Penal Code by raising funds for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam… Continue reading "Swiss Federal Court rules LTTE not a criminal organisation"

Giving political powers to Tamils is not my priority says Gotha Majority Sinhalese are against the devolution of political powers for Tamils.  Gotha says he could not give political powers to the northern and eastern province.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi had raised the issue of the 13th amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution with Rajapaksa during his just-concluded visit and… Continue reading "Stalin ‘shocked’ with Rajapaksa’s views on political powers for Lankan Tamils"

UNP insists 19A important, does not want it scrapped Says willing to discuss with SLPP on changes and will back amendments with party approval  Rajitha calls on Government to follow democratic path  The United National Party (UNP) yesterday stated they were ready to compromise on the 19th Amendment (19A), claiming that they are ready to discuss changes to it with… Continue reading "UNP says ready to compromise on 19A"

“In recent past crossovers motivated by bribes of cabinet portfolios, cash bonanzas and other perks have been recorded” A parliamentarian elected by the people under a given party at an election, for a specific period, it is essential, that the member remains with the party he or she represent for the full term. Whether a chosen member is debarred from… Continue reading "Amend Election Laws to Address Crossovers, Expulsions, and Preferential Vote"

Sri Lanka and Switzerland have got embroiled in a diplomatic row of sorts over the alleged abduction and subsequent release of a Sri Lankan woman working at the Swiss Embassy in Colombo. Curiously, the alleged incident was not reported to the police immediately. The Swiss mission has declined to name ‘the victim’ for reasons of her safety. Let’s, therefore call… Continue reading "Sri Lanka in Geneva when the UNHRC has its next session"

The elderly man had not seen his family in 40 years. He is sometimes unable to correctly remember numbers. When asked how old he was, Sena Jenejasoriah said, “five-three”. Hospitalised for leprosy, an illness that was incurable a long time ago, Jenejasoriah is disabled, but no longer afflicted by the disease. But he has not been home since the day… Continue reading "The Patients Of The Mantheevu Leprosy Colony"

The British Tamils Forum would like to state that we are a politically neutral organisation working with cross parties to promote our values and aspirations, and also would like to impress on the entire community that we the BTF support a two-state solution. However, it has come to light that there have been some serious misrepresentations of the conservative party… Continue reading "Conservative Party 2019 Manifesto – Two State Solution"

A Swiss Embassy employee is abducted and asked about asylum applications and investigators are banned from leaving just days after Gotabaya Rajapaksa is elected. (Lanka-e-News- 28.Nov.2019, 9.00 PM) Fears of a potential crackdown on critics of the newly returned Rajapaksa political dynasty in Sri Lanka are rising just days after the election, as officials and journalists who investigated the Rajapaksas… Continue reading "Sri Lankan Critics Fear a Crackdown Is Underway, and Some Flee – The New York Times"

The fear psychosis and suspicion prevailing among Tamil and the Muslim communities can be understood. But the fear among the Sinhala Buddhists cannot be regarded as justified. by Victor IvanEvidently, the Tamils ​​in the north and particularly the Muslims in the east have voted en-block for Sajith Premadasa while a vast majority of Sinhala Buddhist voters in the south voted… Continue reading "The extremist policies of the Sinhalese rulers led Tamil leaders to accept the Eelam"