Day: 7 May 2016

By Harischandra Gunaratna Former Parliamentarian and ex-Mahinda Rajapaksa loyalist Sajin Vass Gunawardena yesterday said that a Rajapaksa family member had orchestrated the recent mud slinging campaign against him carried out by politicians Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila and Sri Ranga. Gunawardena addressing the media at his Borella residence said, “The allegations against me are baseless and there is an organised campaign against me for political gain by a handful of politicians who are in the UPFA and they have not made any specific reference to these allegations.” The former MP said:…

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The UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment Juan E. Méndez says torture still continues in Sri Lanka. Speaking to reporters after concluding his visit to Sri Lanka today, Méndez however said that the number of torture related incidents have reduced when compared to the peak of the war. Méndez and the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of the justice system Mónica Pinto conducted a joint visit to Sri Lanka from 29 April to 7 May 2016 to assess recent developments and identify challenges…

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Group of 12 taken from Colombo airport directly into the custody of the criminal investigation department  A file picture of an asylum seeker boat near Christmas Island. The group of Sri Lankan asylum seekers deported from Australia’s Cocos Islands have been arrested and taken into police custody in Colombo. Photograph: Scott Fisher/EPA Ben Doherty The 12 Sri Lankan asylum seekers deported from Australia’s Cocos Islands have been arrested and taken into police custody in Colombo. The group, which included a woman, one child, and one infant, were flown back on…

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Conundrum: Sinhala Nationalists Against Federalism But Unintentionally Promoting Separatism By S. Narapalasingam – Dr. S. Narapalasingam Recent comments on federalism in the light of the forthcoming new constitution for the discordant Sri Lanka, highlight the preconceived mindset that denied peace and development to the nation after independence. The living conditions of the people, particularly those in the low and middle income groups were constrained by this neglect. Mothers had to seek employment in the Middle East as domestic helpers to supplement their family incomes. Some had young children who were…

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The white collar high-ups of the statutory body responsible for lighting up the country who were set to purchase power from the private sector in defiance of the ruling by the highest decision-making body have finally relented, they say.   The top ones of yahapalanaya at a powwow the other day had tried to unravel the secret behind the unusual power commanded by the statutory body’s big guns and it had transpired that it was a Gang of Three that was calling the shots in the power sector in the…

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