Month: October 2019

This is the Five Party Document signed by Five Parties, on the initiatives of Jaffna University and Eastern University.. Having realised that the final solution to the longstanding Tamil Ethnic issue, which has remained in the Island of Sri Lanka as an unresolved National Question for several decades and been the cause for the war which extended for over three… Continue reading "Five Party Document signed by Five Parties, on the initiatives of Jaffna University and Eastern University.."

U.S. Supreme Court in 2010: No legal impediment for a citizen being a member of the LTTE or vigorously promoting and supporting the political goals of the LTTE.U.S. State Department observed in a 19 Sept. 2018 report, “There has been no known attack in Sri Lanka attributed to the LTTE group since 2009.”— Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE)NEW YORK,… Continue reading "TGTE Condemns Fake LTTE Threat Arrest – Urges Malaysia to Respect Human Rights!"

A powerful SLPP figure and two SLFP MPs are preparing to join the UNP this week in support of presidential hopeful Sajith Premadasa, political sources said. It was further reported that this key SLPP figure was acquitted and freed by the courts on a number of charges recently leveled against him. The talks with the two SLFP members have ended… Continue reading "Major switch in order, one key SLPP figure and two SLFP figures to join UNP this week!"

The UAE Embassy in Colombo has issued a fresh alert to travellers, warning them not to visit the South Asian country of Sri Lanka, Gulf News reported. On its official Twitter account, the UAE mission said: “UAE nationals should not travel to Sri Lanka except in extreme cases. In the event of an emergency, citizens should call the embassy on… Continue reading "UAE Embassy issues fresh travel warning for Sri Lanka"

Sri Lanka implemented only three out of 26 recommendations made by EU election observers after the 2015 Presidential election. The European Union Election Observer Mission (EU EOM) to Sri Lanka officially launched its observation work in Colombo today related to the 16 November Presidential election. Observers were deployed to all nine provinces from Colombo today to monitor the pre-polls environment… Continue reading "Sri Lanka implemented only three recommendations by EU observers"

By Prof. S. Ratnajeevan H.Hoole Last Thursday (16 October) was a great day for Sri Lanka; the Jaffna International Airport was opened. It offered a great opportunity for integrating Jaffna with the rest of Sri Lanka; for tourists from Tamil Nadu (the largest number of tourists coming in from India) to hop over to Jaffna and visit – besides Jaffna… Continue reading "Ceremonial Opening of Jaffna International Airport at Palaly Event was Botched by Sinhala Officials from Colombo who Organized the Event."

By S.S. Selvanayagam The Court of Appeal (CA) today issued notices on Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera and SSP Anuruddha Bandara Hakmana and HQI Senadhipathi K.D. de Silva of Mullaitivu returnable for November 8. The bench comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda (President/CA) and Arjuna Obeysekara after having satisfied on the material placed and submission made ordered to issue notices. MP Shanthi Sriskandarasa… Continue reading "Court of Appeal Issues Notices on Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, SSP Anuruddha Bandara Hakmana and HQI Senadhipathi K.D. de Silva Regarding Contempt of Court Application Filed by TNA National List MP Shanthi Srikandarasa"

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Sri Lanka’s appointment of a war veteran accused of serious human rights violations as head of its army will significantly curtail U.S. security cooperation with the country, U.S. officials said on Tuesday. Sri Lanka’s president appointed Shavendra Silva as its army chief in August, drawing sharp criticism from the United States and the United Nations. A U.N.… Continue reading "U.S. says Sri Lankan army chief appointment will curtail cooperation"

By Shamindra Ferdinando Dimitra Ioannou, Deputy Chief Observer, EU Election Observation Mission, yesterday, said that the EU mission couldn’t intervene in case an attempt was made to discourage the voters in the Northern and Eastern provinces from exercising their franchise. Ioannou said so in response to The Island query what action the EU could take to ensure the people received an opportunity… Continue reading "EU won’t intervene, sidesteps query on foreign interference Alleged attempts to discourage voters at 2019 prez poll:"

Kumar Sangakkara  Kumar Sangakkara will be felicitated for role as first non-British MCC President  The Council for Business with Britain (CBB) of the Chamber of Commerce has announced that it will be hosting a fundraising event at the Shangri-La Hotel on Thursday, 24 October.  The event hopes to raise money for its English Language Training (ELT) program, which is run… Continue reading "Council for Business with Britain to honour Kumar Sangakkara at ELT program fundraiser"

October 22, 2019:   Maker Fair 2019 drew more than 7,000 people to Colombo’s Trace Expert City and showcased aspiring inventors, innovators, and entrepreneurs from across Sri Lanka,.  The event, hosted by the U.S. Embassy and the American Center, featured more than 60 exhibitors and presenters, 50 corporate and 11 university partners, and more than 150 youth volunteers.  It also featured… Continue reading "U.S. Embassy Celebrates Sri Lanka’s Makers and Innovators with Maker Fair"

Victory for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) at next month’s presidential election would result to the dissolution of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party founded by late Prime Minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, SLFP Kalutara District MP Kumara Welgama said. He said it was the utmost duty of the SLFP members to protect the party without it being destroyed,… Continue reading "If SLPP comes to power, SLFP will be destroyed: Welgama"

By C.V. Wigneswaran – C.V. Wigneswaran Someone asked “There are sudden arrests taking place in Malaysia and Sri Lanka of those sympathetic to the Tiger cause. How do you see them?”  My response was: A dangerous question to answer. Anything said sympathetic towards those arrested or suspected could be used against me too since I am a politician now. So let me… Continue reading "Terrorism & Arrests With Elections At Hand"

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s request to meet with the Tamil Makkal Kootani (TMK) separately was rejected, stated TMK Leader C. V. Wigneswaran. The former Northern Province Governor stated that he informed the United National Party (UNP) Leader that they will only join a discussion that is held with the participation of the other Tamil parties who signed the proposal submitted… Continue reading "Wigneswaran rejects Ranil’s request"

The Jathika Jana Balavegaya (JJB), led by the JVP says it is not in agreement with the merge of the North and East of the country, one of the 13 demands put forth by the Tamil political parties. “We cannot allow the North and the East to be merged, this is a separatist request,” JVP Parliamentarian Vijitha Herath said at a… Continue reading "JVP against merger of North and East"

The Court of Appeal (CA) today issued notices on Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera and SSP Anuruddha Bandara Hakmana and HQI Senadhipathi K.D. de Silva of Mullaitivu returnable for November 8. The bench comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda (President/CA) and Arjuna Obeysekara after having satisfied on the material placed and submission made ordered to issue notices. MP Shanthi Sriskandarasa filed the contempt… Continue reading "CA issues notices for contempt on Gnanasara Thera et al"

Wimal and Gammanpila incite racism Convener of the National People’s Council Chameera Perera says that several carrying out presidential election propaganda from the Gotabaya Rajapaksa camp spreads racism. A press conference of the National People’s Council was held in Hatton today (21), where Perera expressed these views. He says that speakers at the Gotabaya Rajapaksa camp such as parliamentarians Wimal… Continue reading "Mahinda’s man Wimal Weerawansa says that posting Name board of the ”Jaffna International Airport (JIA)” in Tamil is racist"

Jaffna Press Club members remembering slain BBC journalist Nimalarajan Pic by Dinasena Rathugamage by Dinasena Rathugamage Journalist, Mylvaganam Nimalarajan, was remembered on Oct 19 in Jaffna by the members of the Jaffna Press Club with the participation of Jaffna based journalists and civil society members. Nimalarajan, a senior journalist who contributed to the BBC Tamil and Sinhala services, the Tamil daily… Continue reading "Slain journalist remembered"

Britain should use its close relationship with Sri Lanka to strengthen economic and trade relations between the two countries, Conservative Peer Lord Naseby, who founded the All Party Parliamentary Group on Sri Lanka told the House of Lords, on Saturday (19), when they debated the Brexit deal that the UK’s PM Boris Johnson has struck with the EU. Naseby, who… Continue reading "Naseby tells Britain there is a massive opportunity in Sri Lanka"

By Dinasena Rathugamage Two Northern Tamil Political parties have decided that they should explore alternatives in the coming Presidential election if none of the two main candidates, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Sajith Premadasa respond positively to the set of 13 demands made by five different parties representing the North. Former Chief Minister of the Northern Province, C.V. Vigneswaran’s Tamil People’s Front… Continue reading "Northern Tamil political parties in dilemma as no candidate has replied to their demands"

Presidential elections have always posed a problem for Tamil nationalist politics. An exclusivist Tamil outlook undermines the articulation of politics and engagement with a leader representing the country.   Tamil nationalist politics singularly focused on regional autonomy and ethno-political demands have continued even after the decades of political changes in the country where state power has been excessively concentrated in the… Continue reading "Tamil Politics and Presidential Elections"

Gota’s reputation of being an efficient administrator is akin to a double-edged sword that could cut both ways there was every chance that Gota may have opted to ‘retire’ peacefully to California and fade away gradually from Lankan politics In a telling indicator of the domination of the Rajapaksa family in ‘Pohottuwa’ party politics, the key decision was taken by… Continue reading "‘Gotaphobia’ – Who’s afraid of Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa?"

Gotha don’t tell lies..! – Mangala Samaraweera (Lanka-e-News -17.Oct.2019, 5.35PM) At a Press Conference on 15 October 2019, Presidential Candidate of the SLPP, Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, dismissed Sri Lanka’s commitments to our citizens on human rights, rule of law, and processes for truth-seeking, reparations, and guarantees of non-recurrence including Resolution 30/1. He also dismissed the need to address the grievances of… Continue reading "Gotha don’t tell lies..! – Mangala Samaraweera"

By S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole – Prof. S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole Last Thursday (16.10.2019) was a great day for Sri Lanka. Jaffna international Airport was opened. It offered great opportunity for integrating Jaffna with the rest of Sri Lanka; for tourists from Tamil Nadu (having the largest number of tourists in India) to hop over to Jaffna and visit – besides Jaffna – Anuradhapura,… Continue reading "A Botched Airport Opening Ceremony: Sri Lanka Cries"

By Suranimala Umagiliya – Nominations have been filed and Sri Lanka will go to the polls on 16th November to elect a President. The Constitution demands so and this will be a crucial election to all Sri Lankans and especially so to the young first time voter. Though over 30 nominations have been presented only two serious contenders have emerged. This has been the… Continue reading ""

By C.A.ChandrapremaThe 13 demands put forward by five Tamil political parties in the north want marks a watershed in northern Tamil politics. The five political parties involved in the process were the Ilangei Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO), Peoples Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) ), the Eelam Peoples’ Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) faction led by… Continue reading "New turn in northern Tamil politics"

Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva today released 150.15 acres of land in Kilinochchi belonging to the State and private owners. The Army said the release was done in line with the Presidential Secretariat’s policy of releasing military acquired land in the North and East. According to the Army the release of the mentioned land has not compromised national security interests. Accordingly,… Continue reading "Army releases 150.15 acres of land in Kilinochchi"

Stresses it is key to sustainable development Says SL has improved its human rights record and rule of law since 2015 though progress slower than expected Hopes this trend continues after next month’s elections The Kingdom of the Netherlands Minister of Foreign Affairs Stef Blok arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday on a brief visit. In an email interview with Daily… Continue reading "SL must step up progress on reconciliation: Dutch FM"

By Shamindra Ferdinando UPFA MP Thilanga Sumathipala yesterday said that abolition of the executive presidency shouldn’t be an issue at the Nov 16 presidential poll. One-time Deputy Speaker Sumathipala emphasized that abolition of the executive presidency posed a grave danger to Sri Lanka’s unitary status. The Colombo District lawmaker said so at the regular Friday morning briefing at his Ananda… Continue reading "TNA’s demands recipe for disaster-UPFA MP Abolition of presidency shouldn’t be an issue at prez poll"

(Text of Press Release Carrying Statement Issued by the Minister of Finance,Mangala Samaraweera, MP) At a Press Conference on 15 October 2019, Presidential Candidate of the SLPP, Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, dismissed Sri Lanka’s commitments to our citizens on human rights, rule of law, and processes for truth-seeking, reparations, and guarantees of non-recurrence including Resolution 30/1. He also dismissed the need… Continue reading "Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera Issues Statement in Response to Comments Made by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa at Media Conference."

By Anurangi Singh Fresh contempt of court papers have been filed against controversial Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Galagodaththe Gnanasara Thera, over his actions in violation of an order by the Mullaitivu Magistrate’s Court, involving a contentious burial on Hindu temple grounds. The controversial monk is facing contempt of court charges again, only four months after being freed from prison… Continue reading "TNA Parliamentarian Shanti Sriskandarajah Files Petition at Appeal Court Seeking Ruling Against Bodu Bala Sena’s Gnanasara Thero on Contempt of Court Charges for Directly Violating Mullaitheevu Magistrate Court Order"

Former Parliamentarian J. Sri Ranga and five others have been granted bail over a fatal accident in 2011. The Attorney General (AG) had this week instructed the Police to arrest Sri Ranga and five others over the fatal accident in 2011 in which a policemen was killed. The Police Special Investigations Unit had been instructed to records statements from the… Continue reading "Former Parliamentarian J. Sri Ranga granted bail"