Sri Lanka Lurches Further Away From Liberal Democracy as President Rajapaksa Puts Soldiers in Charge of Everything Thereby Creating “Normalisation” of Military Influence in the Civilian Sphere- The Economist BEFORE THE presidential election he won last November, Gotabaya Rajapaksa laid out for Banyan his vision for Sri Lanka. It was a sunlit upland of peaceful, inclusive “knowledge-based” development. All the political… Continue reading "President Rajapaksa Puts Soldiers in Charge of Everything"

By Rajan Philips – Rajan Philips “Even in those cases in which political and military leadership is united in the same person, it is the political moment which must prevail over the military.” ~ Antonio Gramsci Honestly, when I started this short series of articles comparing the malaria epidemic to the current pandemic, I did not foresee it ending in today’s title. History… Continue reading "Malaria Created The LSSP, Covid-19 Is Showcasing The Military"

A record 14,617 soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army are to be promoted on 19 May to mark the National War Heroes’ Day, the Army said today. The promotions will take place concurrent with the pinnacle of the day’s state commemoration scheduled to be held at the National War Heroes’ Monument at Battaramulla, Sri Jayawardenepura, headed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Commander-in-Chief… Continue reading "Record 14,617 soldiers to be promoted to mark War Heroes’ Day"

A Malaysian Muslim organisation has called on Sri Lanka to allow the bodied of Muslims who died of Covid-19 to be buried according to the Islamic practice. The Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations (MAPIM) said that the current religious slur on the minority group of Muslims does not augur well to the pluralistic make-up and harmonious co-existence of the… Continue reading "Malaysian Muslim organisation calls on Sri Lanka to approve Islamic practice"

Nearly 39,000 Sri Lankans overseas have sought to return home as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Foreign Ministry said that over 38,983 Overseas Sri Lankans (OSLs) in 143 countries at present have sought to return home, based on information gathered mainly through the ‘Contact Sri Lanka’ Web Portal of the Ministry of Foreign Relations. This comprises 3,078 students,… Continue reading "Nearly 39,000 Sri Lankans overseas seek to return home"

Tamil people and their leaders have been urged to take stock of the challenges and opportunities in the present political climate and act strategically by forming partnerships with all relevant stakeholders in Sri Lanka and in the international community. The Global Tamil Forum (GTF), an influential diaspora group based in the UK said that the importance and urgency of securing… Continue reading "Tamils urged to act strategically by forming partnerships with stakeholders by GTF"

TNA leader R. Sampanthan had assured new Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay, on Thursday, his party’s fullest support to the latter on all matters that both countries have worked on for a long period, a statement issued, yesterday, by the TNA said It said: New Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay, presented his credentials to… Continue reading "TNA assures fullest cooperation to new Indian HC"

Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha has called on migrant workers as well as students and parents, to carefully calibrate the effect repatriation at this time could have on their jobs and education, before making decisions to seek to return to Sri Lanka, availing of the limited flights being operated by the Government for those facing compelling circumstances. He made this observation… Continue reading "Foreign Secretary has called on migrant workers as well as students and parents, to carefully calibrate the effect repatriation"

by Zacki Jabbar The SLFP, which is contesting the Parliamentary Polls on the Podujana Peramuna ticket, shared common ground with the UNP, on the feasibility of holding the elections as scheduled on June 20 when the two parties along with 32 others met the Elections Commission in Colombo, last week. General Secretaries of the UNP and SLFP, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam… Continue reading "UNP, SLFP share common ground on feasiblity of holding General Election on schedule"

By Norman Palihawadane Monday’s meeting convened, at Temple Trees, to discuss the future course of action as regards the country’s fight against COVID0-19, had badly exposed those who boycotted it, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said, yesterday. Rajapaksa thanked the TNA for having attended the meeting to express its views on the difficulties faced by the Tamil people and made a… Continue reading "Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa Thanks TNA for having attended the “Temple Trees” meeting to express its views on the difficulties faced by the Tamil people and Meaningfully contributing to the discussion on the anti-Covid-19 campaign."

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka has appointed an alarming collection of alleged perpetrators of war crimes and bureaucrats previously accused of corruption to his new government, said the International Truth and Justice Project.  The legal research organisation published a trilingual infographic depicting President Rajapaksa’s inner circle, which now includes six Generals and Brigadiers from the President’s Gajaba Regiment, whom he has put in… Continue reading "Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Inner Circle"

Sri Lanka has sought US assistance to recover from the current economic crisis. The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina Teplitz called on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa this morning in Colombo and discussed a host of issues, including the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, post-COVID-19 economic challenges and ongoing collaborations. Speaking about the COVID-19 situation in the country, Ambassador Teplitz… Continue reading "Sri Lanka seeks US assistance to recover from economic crisis"

By Vyshnavy Velrajh The Government says more flights will be operated to repatriate Sri Lankans stranded overseas due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Additional Secretary to the President for Foreign Relations Admiral Professor Jayanath Colombage told the Colombo Gazette that two flights will be operated by National Carrier Sri Lankan Airlines tomorrow (06) to repatriate Sri Lankans from the UK… Continue reading "Sri Lankans to be repatriated from UK"

In connection with the investigations carried out on the 2019 Easter attacks, a mosque and a center in Puttalam belonging to a Non-Governmental Organization have been sealed off. The relevant mosque belongs to the suspect recently arrested from Kalpitiya area, said Police Media Spokesman SP Jaliya Senaratne. Meanwhile, the suspects arrested on May 03 at Kalpitiya were produced before the… Continue reading "Easter attacks: Mosque and NGO center sealed off"

It is well acknowledged that Governments must be transparent and accurate in their public communications, to the maximum extent possible, as part of their response to a global health pandemic. During a pandemic citizens and civil societies cannot be passive consumers of information that is put out by Governments. Questions must be asked and asking questions must not be considered… Continue reading "Eight Questions To Government From Tamil Civil Society Forum In Relation To Their Handing Of Covid-19"

Sri Lanka has earned the dubious honour of becoming the only country in the world to see its Coronavirus infection numbers increase sharply after nearly five weeks of islandwide curfew and questions are being raised about if testing during the shutdown was largely confined to high risk persons and security personnel attached to the Presidential Security Division and the Prime Minister Security… Continue reading "Repeat Tests On PSD Officers, Criticism Of Militarized Response As Lanka’s Covid-19 Numbers Climb"

By South Asia Monitor By Sugeeswara Senadhira* Sri Lanka’s Constitutional Council and it’s independent commissions face serious issues due to the postponement of the general elections. When the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was passed in April 2015, it was hailed as the biggest achievement of the then government. Under 19A the Constitutional Council (CC) was reinvigorated, empowering independent democratic institutions.  Today,… Continue reading "Sri Lanka’s Constitutional Council, Once Hailed, Leading To Power Tussles – Analysis"

Covid-19 shows how vulnerable we remain to pandemics, which will be quite common in the future. Even though a vaccine is found, similar self-replicating pathogens will become a major threat to humanity. Therefore practicing working from home even under normal circumstances at least few days a week will bring in the self-discipline and the mindset shift required to work from… Continue reading "Working from home – The new normal?"

By Namini Wijedasa The Highways Ministry and the Road Development Authority (RDA) are rushing moves to award a multibillion rupee contract for the fourth section of the Central Expressway Project (CEP IV) from Kurunegala to Dambulla. Talks between the Government and an identified contractor–the British consultancy firm Roughton–have been going on amidst the protracted curfew and growing COVID-19 pandemic, authoritative… Continue reading "Govt Rushes Moves to Award Multi-billion Rupee Contract for Construction of Kurunegala-Dambulla Highway Without Open Tender or Advertising for Bids"

(Text of a Joint Statement signed by Opposition Party Leaders of the UNP, SJB,TNA,SLMC, ACMC, TPA and JHU pledging “Responsible Cooperation ” to the President and Government if Parliament Dissolution is Revoked and Parliament Re-convened in the best interests of the Country and all her people) We, the undersigned political parties and formations, representing the majority Members of Parliament, who… Continue reading "Seven Opposition Party Leaders represnting the UNP,SJB,TNA, SLMC,ACMC,TPA and JHU Issue Historic Joint Statement Pledging “Responsible Cooperation”to the President and Government if Parliament Dissolution is Revoked and Parliament Re-convened in the best interests of the Country and all her people"

SJB Gen-Secy Ranjith Madduma Bandara Says President is interpreting the Constitution to “suit himself” and leading the country towards a dictatorship under the ” guise of battling the spread of COVID 19″ by “disregarding the role of the courts and the country’s Constitution.” Posted by Administrator on 13 April 2020, 12:04 am The Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) is calling on all political… Continue reading "President is interpreting the Constitution to “suit himself” and leading the country towards a dictatorship"

By Mangala Samaraweera – Mangala Samaraweera – Former Finance Minister Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa is the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. He also holds the vital portfolio of Finance, Economic and Policy Development. He was President of Sri Lanka for two terms and held many ministries during that time. And he has been a Member of Parliament since 1970.  Therefore, he has no excuse whatsoever… Continue reading "Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Speech Grossly Irresponsible & Misleading"

Sri Lanka has amended a law to make cremation compulsory for those dying from the novel coronavirus to prevent any potential threat. The Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance (Chapter 222) has been amended by a gazette issued by Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, the government said. Wanniarachchi said that the body shall be burned at a temperature between 800 to… Continue reading "Gazette issued on cremation of COVID-19 victims"

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock has been tested positive for COVID-19. In a tweet the UK health secretary said he is not in a condition to get treated in a hospital.  Hancock is currently referred himself to home quarantine.  Prince of Wales Charles, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Health Minister Nadeen Dorias have also been diagnosed to have contracted the… Continue reading "UK Health Secretary tests positive for Coronavirus"

“Pardoning one of the sole convicted perpetrators of atrocities committed during the Sri Lankan conflict further undermines the limited progress the country has made towards ending impunity for mass human rights abuse,” the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said today. Mass Murder Convict Staff Sergeant Sunil Ratnayake Issuing a statement on release of former staff sergeant… Continue reading "Killing Tamil Civilians: OHCHR Slams Special Presidential Pardon Of Former Army Officer"

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s pardon of a soldier convicted of massacring eight civilians, including children, shows the administration’s disregard for justice for the worst abuses, Human Rights Watch said today. The conviction of former Sgt. Sunil Ratnayake had been one of the very few cases of security force personnel being criminally punished for civil war-era atrocities, despite the huge number of credible and extremely… Continue reading "Justice Undone For Massacre Victims – Presidential Pardon Shows Rajapaksa’s Indifference To Army Atrocities: HRW"

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus. Mr Johnson said he had developed mild symptoms over the past 24 hours, including a temperature and cough. He is self-isolating in Downing Street but said he will “continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus”. Mr Johnson was last seen on Thursday night, clapping outside… Continue reading "UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tests positive"

British visitors have been urged to leave Sri Lanka as long as outbound flights are still operating. The British High Commission in Colombo advised all British visitors to leave while commercial flight options are still available. British High Commissioner Sarah Hulton tweeted saying there are more than 100 seats available on tomorrow’s (29 March) SriLankan Airlines flight from Colombo to London.… Continue reading "British visitors urged to leave Sri Lanka"

Spokesperson – Global Tamil Forum  Tel: +44 7958 590196Skype: surendiransTwitter: @surendirans PRESS STATEMENT 28 March 2020, London Arbitrary release of a convicted military officer calls for a rethink on international strategies on Sri Lanka The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) strongly condemns Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa’s decision to pardon and release Sunil Ratnayake, an army officer on death row for killing… Continue reading "Arbitrary release of a convicted military officer calls for a rethink on international strategies on Sri Lanka"

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Spokesperson and former MP, M.A.Sumanthiran, has reacted sharply to the Presidential pardon given on Thursday to Sri Lankan Army Sergeant R M Sunil Rathnayake, who was sentenced to death for killing in cold blood, eight Tamil captives including a child at Mirusuvil in Tamil-speaking North Lanka in 2000. Sumanthiran pointed out that it was only in… Continue reading "TNA Spokesperson M. A. Sumanthiran Strongly Condemns the Presidential Pardon Given to Ex-Army Sergeant Sunil Ratnayake Who was Sentenced to Death for Killing in Cold Blood Eight Tamil Civilians Including a Child at Mirusuvil in the Northern Province"

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday pardoned and released an Army man who was on death row for killing eight Tamil civilians, including a five-year-old and two teenagers, in 2000 during the civil war. “The President has instructed the Ministry of Justice to release Sgt Ratnayake from prison,” a spokeswoman at the Presidential Media Division said.… Continue reading "Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Pardons and Releases Soldier On Death Row for Killing Eight Tamil Civilians Including a Child and Two Teen-agers while Justice,Human Rights and Legal Reforms Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva says “Constitutionally Mandated Procedure for Pardon was Followed”."

Where accountability is so rare for serious human rights violations in Sri Lanka, the government’s arbitrary decision to release Sergeant Rathnayaka sends an extremely worrying message said Amnesty International’s Regional Director for South Asia, Biraj Patnaik,Responding to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s decision to release Sergeant Sunil Rathnayaka. The pardon comes at a time when there are public calls to ease prison… Continue reading "Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Arbitrary Act Conveys “Extremely worrying Message that military Perpetrators of Horrific Crimes, Even if Convicted Through a Court of Law, Will be Pardoned and Released” Says Amnesty International"