Day: 29 November 2014

I’m the ONLY one who can abolish the Executive Presidency, but will NOT do it as I promised!

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President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said ONLY he could abolish the Executive Presidency because his government already possessed the two-thirds majority in Parliament. “If the only reason to campaign against me is the abolishment of the executive presidency, what they should know is that I’m the ONLY one who can do that, (and will not do it although I have promised to do so)” he said. He expressed these views today while addressing a ceremony held at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre to offer the credentials assigning sacred lands for Buddhist Monks…

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Video: I will protect MR and family: Maithri

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Video: I will protect MR and family: Maithri Common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena said today that he would not allow international forces or the Tamil diaspora to drag incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa, his family or anyone in the security forces to an International War Crimes Court. He made this pledge on behalf of the opposition at a media briefing this morning. Mr. Sirisena also pledged to have a proper reconciliation plan to heal all divisions among various communities and to bring together all ethnic and religious groups in the country.…

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Comments on JHU leaving government

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“Ask this question from the President” – Nimal Siripala de Silva Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management and Leader of the House, Nimal Siripala De Silva refused to speak on behalf of the government regarding the JHU’s decision.“You should ask this question from the president,” he said before hanging up. “Doors open to put country above positions” – Gayantha Karunathilake Galle District United National Party (UNP) Parliamentarian Gayantha Karunathilake pointed out the JHU’s decision to leave the government on principle had been made as the UPFA government had failed…

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JHU will give the government another chance

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Deputy Secretary of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), Udaya Gammanpila, in an interview with Ceylon Today, says the JHU will give the government another chance. Excerpts:By Shalika Wimalasena Q: Can you outline the JHU’s present stand? A: We always take the side of the people. We gave up positions in the government to ensure the people’s success. We don’t have any hatred towards the government. Q: Did the government ill-treat the JHU? A: No. We were treated well. This is not a move taken due to disappointment over treatment. Q:…

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SLMC to stage coup!

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By Lakshmi Jayakody The Eastern Provincial Council (EPC) may be dissolved, as its Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Councillors have decided to launch a political coup against the local body’s ruling party. The EPC members representing the SLMC have pressurized the SLMC leadership to leave the government. Reliable sources, speaking to Ceylon Today, said the upcoming EPC budget was likely to be defeated and it was likely that the EPC would be dissolved. The EPC budget is to be taken up for reading from 1-5 December. The All Ceylon Muslim…

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Government fears dissolution of PCs

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Government fears dissolution of PCs By Zahrah Imtiaz The Joint Opposition yesterday said the government would not convene any meetings in the Provincial Councils (PC) until after the Presidential Election, as they fear that Councils would face dissolution if they were to meet. “The government has postponed the Uva Provincial Council meeting and they say it is because it is ‘too cold’ to hold a meeting. Looks like Uva is suffering from a fever and several more PCs are going to catch it,” Opposition’s common candidate, Maithripala Sirisena, said. He…

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Maithripala to implement LLRC report

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Common opposition Presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena says he will implement the recommendations of the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) if he comes to power. Asked at a media briefing today how he will address the accountability issue if he wins the January election, Sirisena said that the LLRC recommendations will be used for this purpose. UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya, JHU MP the venerable Athureliya Rathana and MP Rajitha Senaratne were among those present at the media briefing. Athureliya Rathana said that the JHU will reach a decision over the…

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Rajapaksa Family Controls 56% Of Budget, 16% More Than In 2010

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By Niranjan Rambukwella – Out of every rupee spent by our government, 56 cents are directly controlled by members of the Rajapaksa family. Analysis of budgets over the last five years reveals that the share of the budget controlled by the Rajapaksa family, viz Mahinda Rajapaksa, Basil Rajapaksa MP and Nirupama Rajapaksa MP, increased 16 percent – from an already gargantuan 40 percent in 2010 to an eye-watering 56 percent this year. The chart below tells the story. Also, over half the budget is personally controlled by Mahinda Rajapaksa alone – see…

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