Although former President Mahinda Rajapakshe has been appointed as the new Prime Minister, the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) has no majority power in the Parliament for situating a new Government. However, it is reported that by next Monday, the Mahinda party will be ready of showing the majority’s power for situating a new Government. For the attempt the lead has been taken by Minister Basil Rajapakshe. He said that by next Monday (29), he will be ready of showing the majority’s power. According to the 2015 Parliamentary Election, the…
Read MoreDay: 27 October 2018
President Sirisena Prorogues Parliament Until Nov 16th for Newly Appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to Garner a Majority in Parliament
President Sirisena Prorogues Parliament Until Nov 16th for Newly Appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to Garner a Majority in Parliament Through Horse Trading; Talks on with several Tamil and Muslim MP’s and a UNP Faction Led by Ravi Karunanayake. By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has ordered that Parliament should be prorogued with effect from October 27th 2018 to November 16th 2018. Deputy General Secretary of Parliament Neil Iddawala confirmed to the media that Parliament has been prorogued based on the instructions of the President. The office of the Speaker…
Read MoreLake House taken over; ITN, Rupavahini under attack
By Marianne David State-owned Lake House newspapers Daily News, Dinamina and Silumina Editorials were taken over by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) unions last night, Daily FT learns. A highly-placed source linked to Lake House told Daily FT that page one of today’s Daily News had been changed by Mahinda Rajapaksa loyalists.No violence had been reported during what was termed as the “unofficial takeover” of Lake House. Meanwhile, select members of ITN staff came under attack yesterday and Sri Lanka Rupavahini channel transmission was stopped after a group barged in…
Read MoreUS, EU and UK ask SL to follow due political process; updates travel advisory
All parties and competent authorities in Sri Lanka should respect the Constitution and follow due political process, British State Minister for Asia and Pacific Mark Field said. He said the UK was following the latest developments in Sri Lanka closely and with concern. Meanwhile, the Government of UK updated its travel advisory on Sri Lanka yesterday. It said there are reports of rapid political developments in Sri Lanka. “You should exercise vigilance and avoid all demonstrations or large political gatherings. We will continue to monitor and update Travel Advice as…
Read MoreUNP MP defects
State Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ajith P Perera last night claimed at Temple Trees that the UNP had received assurances from the TNA, SLMC, ACMC and Mano Ganeshan’s party. UNP MP Ananda Aluthgamage last declared from Wijerama residence that there were many UNP MPs ready to back President Sirisena and PM Rajapaksa. Elected from the Kandy District, he was the first UNPer to switch allegiance to the Sirisena-Rajapaksa duo. The UNP had 107 MPs, including one elected on the SLMC ticket. One of its MPs yesterday pledged his support…
Read MoreSri Lanka unity govt. falls, Rajapaksa sworn in as PM
I am still PM, says Ranil after President Sirisena joins hands with former rival In a sudden move, President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday pulled his faction out of Sri Lanka’s ruling coalition and within hours appointed former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister. The startling developments led to the collapse of the country’s first national unity government, with Mr. Sirisena joining hands once again with the leader he ousted in 2015. ‘Unconstitutional’ Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s United National Party (UNP), however, maintained that Mr. Rajapaksa’s appointment was “illegal and unconstitutional.”…
Read MoreRanil insists he is still PM
by Zacki Jabar Ranil Wickremesinghe insisted last night that he was still the Prime Minister even as Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as Prime Minister by President Maithripala Sirisena. Addresssing the media at Temple Trees, Wickremesinghe said that in terms of 40 ( 2 ) of the Constitution, he was still the Prime Minister and would function in that position, until he was removed by Parliament. ” The No – Confidence Motion brought against me on April 4 ,this year was defeated convincingly . So if anyone wants to oust…
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