Day: 22 February 2015

TNA casts doubts on domestic investigations

Karu

Inquiries into human rights violations Tamil people of Sri Lanka have no faith in a domestic investigation or in a domestic mechanism into alleged human rights violations and possible war crimes said Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran. According to him, the people have lost faith as several commissions organized by earlier governments to investigate the matter never released their reports while some were halted abruptly. “Therefore, as a party we are calling for the timely release of the war crimes report and further UN mandated actions, including referral…

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New replacements for recalled diplomats soon

Karu

The government hopes to soon finalize the appointments of a majority of diplomats who would be replacing the recalled ‘political appointees’ as Heads of Mission. Speaking to The Nation, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ajith P. Perera, stated the government hoped to finalize the majority of the appointments of the Heads of Mission within the next two weeks. These appointments need to be ratified by the Parliament’s Committee on High Posts. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has so far recalled 65 non-career diplomats appointed by the previous regime to represent…

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Abbott’s close link with Rajapaksas was ‘a mystery’ says PM Ranil

Karu

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s close relationship with the Sri Lanka’s Rajapaksas was ‘a mystery’ to Sri ­Lankans, and that Australia’s ­new Immigration Minister, Peter Dutton, would be unlikely to get the warm welcome received under the previous ­government. In an exclusive interview with The Australian, the veteran polit­ician also said that the Australian government’s silence on alleged human rights abuses was the price it paid to secure co-operation from the former Rajapaksa government on stopping asylum-seeker boats. In a weekend interview at the…

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Wimal Weerawansa’s wife arrested

Karu

Shashi Weerawansa, wife of former Minister Wimal Weerawansa, who was under investigation for allegedly submitting forged documents to get a diplomatic passport, has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Police Spokesperson SSP Ajith Rohana said. “The CID apprehended Shashi Weerawansa at a private hospital in Malabe, this evening (22),” SSP added. A manhunt had been launched to locate Weerawansa, after the CID officers found that the suspect has fled her residence in Kaduwela, since last Friday. Earlier, the police too sought the Attorney General’s advice in this case.…

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Lanka notes no protests in India

Karu

The Government has noted that there are no more protests in India against Sri Lanka following the defeat of the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government. Deputy Minister V. Radhakrishnan said that usually there are black flag protests when a Sri Lankan Minister or leader visits India but when President Maithripala Sirisena visited India everything was calm and peaceful. “We would like to see ties between both countries strengthen further,” the Deputy Minister said at an event in Kandy. The Deputy Minister noted that India is involved in several housing projects in Sri Lanka, including…

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President says freedom is for all

Karu

President Maithripala Sirisena today assured that under his leadership people of all communities and religions will be able to enjoy freedom. Speaking at an event in Kaduruwela, the President said that Sri Lanka is now at peace following the defeat of the LTTE. The President said that he is committed to ensure an environment prevails were all can live in peace and without fear. “It is our responsibility to meet the expectations of the people,” he said. He noted that at the last Presidential elections, he was able to win with…

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Rajiva Wijesinha To Resign Tomorrow?

Karu

State Minister of Higher Education Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha stated that he will take a decision on resigning from his post tomorrow. Speaking to local media, he said that if he does not get a response to the letter he sent the President by tomorrow, he will have to take a decision. His main grievance is the instructions given by Cabinet Minister for Higher Education Kabr Hashim without his knowledge to several individuals including former Chairperson of University Grants Commission Prof Kshanika Hirimburegama. Wijesinha had said that he was going to…

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SLFP , not Wimal Weerawansa will decide on its Prime Ministerial candidate

Karu

222 buses transported people to Nugegoda pro Mahinda rally by Zacki Jabbar The “Official SLFP” and not small organizations such as the one headed by Wimal Weerawansa would decide on who its prime ministerial candidate would be , a leading member of the party said yesterday.  Cabinet Spokesman and Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne, who along with President Maithripala Sirisena now wield considerable influence in the SLFP, told the “Sunday Island” that last weeks rally in Nugegoda organized by the NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa and two other left parties calling for…

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