Alliance Air, a wholly owned subsidiary of Air India, commenced commercial flight operations from the Jaffna International Airport to the Chennai International Airport today. The airline announced that there will be direct flight operations connecting the two cities on Mondays , Wednesdays and Saturdays. Governor of the Northern Province Dr. Suren Raghavan flew on Alliance Air AL 9I 102 from the Jaffna International Airport to Chennai, India today. Raghavan said he expects the new airport to create new relationships as well as trade links between the two countries. Apart from…
Read MoreDay: 11 November 2019
White van driver, victim recall abductions, mystery of LTTE gold
Minister Rajitha Senaratne with the ‘White Van’ drivers at the press conference yesterday.Picture by Kelum Liyanage. The Government will begin investigations into the rest of the murders and abductions committed during the Rajapaksa era after its affirmation in power on November 17, Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday. The Minister stated this addressing a dramatic special press conference in Colombo at which the flamboyant Minister presented to the news media two persons he claimed were a ‘White van’ driver and a victim of an attempted…
Read MoreMannar Bishop says NO to Poll Boycott urged by some Stupid Northern parties
By Dinasena Ratugamage Religious leaders in Mannar would thwart attempts being made in some quarters to stage a polls boycott on 16 Nov., Bishops of Mannar, Lionel Emmanuel Fernando told New Democratic Front (NDF) presidential candidate, Sajith Premadasa, last Friday. Bishop Fernando said so when Premadasa visited his office to seek blessings. Premadasa was in Mannar to address a series of rallies in support of his candidacy. Bishop Fernando, after blessing Premadasa, said that all ethnic communities should be united. Divisions among communities would lead Sri Lanka down a dangerous…
Read MoreSajith refutes Rajapaksa’s claims that NDF manifesto pledges federal Govt.
Accuses Rajapaksa of dragging Buddhist clergy into debate on his manifesto Says the first persons he presented manifesto to were clergy members Says extremists aligned with Rajapaksa biggest threat to country’s unity Communities must be brought together, not incited against one another: Sajith NDF presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa yesterday rejected accusations by Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa that he had agreed to a federal form of government to win the support of the Tamil community, saying that what he pledged in his manifesto was maximum devolution under a unitary State. Premadasa also…
Read MoreThe Rajapaksa family’s prior rule was stained by allegations of human-rights violations and corruption
A controversial political dynasty that made Sri Lanka a centerpiece of China’s efforts to expand its influence in Asia and defeated an insurgency is aiming to reclaim power in this island nation. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who as defense secretary spearheaded the effort to crush a 3-decade-long revolt during his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa’s rule from 2005 to 2015, is now running for president in the Nov. 16 elections. more.. https://www.wsj.com/articles/sri-lankan-clan-with-close-china-ties-plots-political-comeback-11573128002
Read MoreGota renunciation still a no show in US Federal Register
Ex defence secretary claims he gave up US citizenship on April 17: Keheliya says issue has been resolved beyond doubt: Sri Lankan voters deserve to know if SLPP candidate still required to bear arms for America: Mangala: The question of SLPP candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s citizenship re-emerged last night, after the US Federal Register third quarter report released by the US Government yesterday did not include his name in the list of those who renounced US citizenship. According to the document titled ‘Quarterly Publication of Individuals, who have Chosen to Expatriate’,…
Read MoreWe will ensure the right to language – Anura
National People’s Power (NPP) Presidential Candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake says that he will ensure the right to language. Speaking at a public rally in Kuliyapitiya, he pointed out that there are 2 mother tongues used in the country; Sinhala and Tamil. He says it is the responsibility of the government to make sure that people can connect with the government through their own mother tongue. “They should have the right to learn in their mother tongue. They should have the right to file a complaint at the police in their…
Read MoreGirl’s rape shows what will happen if Rajapaksas return – youth activist (video)
The rape of a girl while returning from an election rally of SLPP candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa is a clear indication of what will be in store for the country if a Rajapaksa rule returns, warns youth activist Mahil Bandara Dehideniya. The incident is a prediction of the future if Gotabaya is elected by any chance, Dehideniya says. The 23-year-old mentally retarded girl was going back home in a SLPP-hired bus when she was raped at Hemmatagama three days ago. Dehideniya was addressing a media briefing organized by ‘Apassata Noyanna –…
Read MoreGotha will grant police and land powers says Karuna
Ex-LTTE strongman Karuna Amman points out the policies he finds most attractive in Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s election manifesto, two of them being the SLPP presidential candidate’s agreement to grant police and land powers to the northern and eastern provinces, and to release LTTE prisoners. Giving an interview to a weekend newspaper, Vinayagamurthi Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman also says he is supporting Gotabaya’s candidature in order to secure a Tamil governor for the northern province. Karuna Amman was the second in command of the LTTE and its military leader for the eastern…
Read MoreSajin Vaas reveals how he gave money to Prabhakaran on Mahinda’s behalf (video)
The then Rajapaksa confidante Sajin Vaas Gunawardena says that Rs. 480 million had been given to Velupillai Prabhakaran to secure victory for Mahinda Rajapaksa at the 2005 presidential election. Addressing a public meeting in Galle, he gesticulated, showing his hands and said it was him who had handed over the money on Rajapaksa’s behalf. Sajin Vaas reveals how he gave money to Prabhakaran on Mahinda’s behalf (video) Gunawardena ridiculed claims by the SLPP that the government was making deals to win votes in the northern and eastern provinces. But, it…
Read MoreThe Last Week: Who Has The Lead? Who Has Momentum? Who Knows The Voter?
By Rajan Philips – Rajan Philips One more week to go. One last week for speculations. To be fair, I can cite one neutral and two partisan predictions. The neutral one plays it safe: Gotabaya has the lead, Sajith has momentum, and neither will win on the first count. Some Gotabaya supporters, however, are putting it out that Gotabaya will get it on the first count at 55%, no less. I first saw this in the gut-opinion of an emeritus academic. The same number has since been popularized in a journalistic piece…
Read MoreSajith -Our Last Best Hope
By Sarath de Alwis – Sarath de Alwis Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa was addressing a massive rally in Polonnaruwa. Just as he commenced with the usual preliminaries, there occurred a diversion. Wasantha Senanayake the infantile trapeze artist thought it was the opportune time to appear from nowhere to stage his most contemporary somersault. The din he made was undoubtedly substantial. The candidate lost his cool. Visibly angered he turned to the organizers on stage. ‘Why did you make him walk in when I am on my feet? The video clip of the trivial incident went viral…
Read MoreRoyal Park murder victim’s sister demands answers from President
The sister of Royal Park murder victim Yvonne Johnson has demanded answers from President Maithripala Sirisena after the President pardoned the convict in the crime committed in 2005. Royal Park murder convict Jude Shramantha Anthony Jayamaha was given a Presidential pardon yesterday. The Prison’s Department said that he had been released after being granted the pardon. Yvonne Johnson’s sister Caroline Jonsson-Bradley, in a Facebook post today, demanded to know why the President showed interest in the case. “There are countless Sri Lankans in custody for lesser crimes, yet you have…
Read MoreLasantha’s daughter terrified of repercussions if Gota wins
Ahimsa Wickrematunge, daughter of slain journalist Lasantha Wickremetunga, says she fears the repercussions if Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa wins the Presidential election. In a statement today Ahimsa Wickrematunge said that many people say that this election is a simple choice between democracy and dictatorship. “What I see is more personal. I see a young child who grew up in the shadow of an invincible, incredible and beloved father. I see someone whose life was turned upside down the moment their father was murdered in a…
Read MoreRoyal Park murder convict gets Presidential pardon
Royal Park murder convict Jude Shramantha Anthony Jayamaha was given a Presidential pardon today. The Prison’s Department said that he had been released today after being granted the pardon. Speaking at the National Youth Model United Nations conference held in Colombo recently President Maithripala Sirisena said that he had received a request for a Presidential pardon for Jude Shramantha Jayamaha. Sharmantha Jayamaha was sentenced to death in the 2005 murder of Swedish national Yvonne Johnson at the Royal Park condominium.
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