Day: 12 November 2014

India assisted Sri Lanka in dealing effectively with the efforts of some Western countries to stop the Sri Lankan offensive, and then to condemn it after the military success of May 2009.

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By Rajiva Wijesinha – In the period leading up to the victory over the terrorist Tigers of Tamil Eeelam in 2009, India and Sri Lanka enjoyed an excellent relationship. It was clear that, despite the opposition of politicians in Tamilnadu, India was supportive of the military initiatives of the Sri Lankan government. More importantly, it assisted Sri Lanka in dealing effectively with the efforts of some Western countries to stop the Sri Lankan offensive, and then to condemn it after the military success of May 2009. This was most obvious…

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Security concerns over Chinese submarines visit to Colombo

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By Col. R. Hariharan India expressed “serious concern to India’s national security” to Sri Lanka Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa when he met the Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval at New Delhi on October 20, 2014 over the docking of a Chinese submarine “Great Wall No.329” in Colombo harbour along with the support ship “Changxing Island” from September 7 to 14, 2014.[i] The wrong identification of the diesel-electric Song class submarine as a nuclear-propelled submarine (SSN) sensationalised the first reports on the incident adding to…

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Sri Lanka to release 5 Indian fishermen on death row without any conditions

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In good news for the five Indian fishermen serving a death sentence in the Sri Lankan jail, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has agreed to pardon and release them without any conditions within two or three days. The decision comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Sri Lankan President where they agreed to transfer the fishermen to an Indian jail. Sri Lankan MP and Deputy Minister of Telecommunication and Information Technology Prabha Ganesan has said that he was asked to convey to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka…

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Rajapaksa Wins Third Term Battle

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The Supreme Court yesterday communicated its opinion to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the constitutionality of contesting for a third term under the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, saying Rajapaksa can contest for a third term in office, the Leader of the House and Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva informed the parliament today. The Supreme Court Bench comprised De facto Chief Justice Mohan Pieris PC, Justice K. Sripavan, Justice Chandra Ekanayake, Justice Priyasath Dep PC, Justice Eva Wanasundara, Justice Rohini Marasinghe, Justice B.P. Aluvihara, Justice Sisira de Abrew, Justice Sarath de Abrew and…

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Rajapaksa Is A Harbinger Of Evil And A Thief!

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Rajapaksa Is A Henahura (Harbinger Of Evil) And A Hora (Thief) Former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva during an emotional speech today described President Mahinda Rajapaksa as ‘a harbinger of evil’ (Henahura) who has made a thundering blow against the law of Sri Lanka and added that this attack will surely boomerang. Ex-CJ Silva addressing the gathering at a public rally held at the Muttiah Park today made these remarks as he stringently crticised the Supreme Court opinion given on the constitutionality to contest for a third term as per…

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Video: JVP rally against ‘third term’ on Nov. 18

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Video: JVP rally against ‘third term’ on Nov. 18 The JVP today said it would hold a mass protest rally on November 18, if President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced his participation at the speculated Presidential Election. The party said participation of Rajapaksa at the election for a third term would make the Election illegal. JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa got what he wanted from the Supreme Court in order to contest for the third term. He said the JVP did not agree with the Supreme Court…

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Huge crowd at campaign against Ex. Presidency

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3.30 P.M A campaign to pressurise the President to abolish the Executive Presidency and implement the 19th Amendment is underway at the Muttaiah Park in Colombo 02. UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa, UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya, Mangala Samaraweera, UNP Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake,  Jathika Hela Urumaya Parliamentarian Athuraliye Rathana Thera, Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, Former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva,  JVP MP K. D. Lal Kantha and Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Parliamentarian Arjuna Ranatunga and all UNP Parliamentarians were on one stage, reporters said. Former Chief Justice…

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Introduce a Bill in Parliament to repeal 18 A

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Misuse of the powers of the President The President seems to have thought he can win the votes of the Tamil people by such investments as happens in the South. Buying over of MPs through the offer of ministerial posts with their perks and privileges and deprive the independence of the Parliament Hasn’t the President also indicated that he is willing to amend the Constitution as demanded by the JHU? By R.M.B. Senanayake It is becoming clear that the next presidential election will be held in January 2015 or so.…

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President Mahinda Rajapaksa who once walked from Colombo to Kataragama calling for the abolition of the executive presidency wants to stay for the third time!

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by Zacki Jabbar President Mahinda Rajapaksa who once walked from Colombo to Kataragama calling for the abolition of the executive presidency could become another Mahasen if he only listened to reason, a constituent member of the UPFA government said yesterday. Leader of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) Omalpe Sobitha Thera addressing a rally at Muttiah Park in Colombo, organised by the Peoples Movement for a Just Society, headed by Sobitha Thera and his very own party member and Chairman of the National Council for a Clean Tomorrow, Rathana Thera calling…

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Govt. holding MPs hostage

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Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka is accused of being guilty of corruption in reference to a coal deal. JHU MP Athuraliye Ratana Thera is being charged with the misuse of public funds. Action taken by the government against rebel UPFA politicos, namely Technology and Research Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and JHU MP Athuraliye Ratana Thera is a warning for those hoping to crossover, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) said. BASL Rule of Law Standing Committee Chairman Lal Wijenayake said that while Ranawaka is accused of being guilty of corruption…

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Ban backs Zeid’s views on Sri Lanka

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UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon has backed the views on Sri Lanka of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein and has urged Sri Lanka to cooperate with  Zeid’s office. The views on the UN Chief were expressed following a war of words between the Sri Lankan Government and Zeid on the UN-led investigations on Sri Lanka. “The Secretary‑General supports the views of High Commissioner Zeid, and he agrees with High Commissioner Zeid that the Government of Sri Lanka should cooperate.  And we will continue to urge…

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Ranil writes to EU on ruling over LTTE

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Opposition United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has written to the EU High Representative Federica Mogherini urging the to file an appeal against the EU court order on the LTTE. Wickremesinghe said that he had sent the letter after he found that the Government was not taking any firm action on the EU court order. EU judges had last month struck down anti-terrorism sanctions imposed on the LTTE by the European Union, citing a technicality, but said that the assets of the Sri Lankan group should remain frozen for the time…

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(T)Reason For Army To Step In Or Time For An Ochlocracy?

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By Muhammed Fazl – “One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson, Seventh President of the United States. Betrayal of a country, its people divided and debauched, destituteness and despotism, desperation dawning from denial of justice…. we have seen it all, and all along! Rules and laws have been changed, broken, absent or made defunct. Promises have been made and broken by the very same rulers, and to whom we have sworn our oath of allegiance. In a country where GDP is confused with the standard of living…

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Opposition agree to battle Presidency

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Opposition agree to battle Presidency Several opposition political parties have agreed to work together in a campaign against the Executive Presidency with the Democratic Party led by former army commander Sarath Fonseka, MP Arjuna Ranathunga, Democratic People’s Front (DPF) leader Mano Ganeshan and leader of the Muslim Tamil National Alliance. The (MTNA) Azath Salley today formally extending support to the campaign. Headed by the leader of the People’s Movement for a Just Society the Venerable Maduluwawe Sobhitha thero, the campaign has already got the support of the United National Party and…

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