By Meera Srinivasan Meanwhile, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa was evacuated from Temple Trees, his official residence in Colombo, and taken to a naval base in the eastern port city of Trincomalee on May 10 for his “security”, according to Kamal Gunaratne, Secretary to the Defence Ministry. Addressing a media conference on May 11, he said: “The former PM is at the Naval Dockyard in Trincomalee. He will be there for a few more days. We will provide him with whatever security he needs and for as long as he wants.”As violence…
Read MoreDay: 12 May 2022
Travel ban imposed on Mahinda, Namal and several others
A travel ban has been imposed on former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, MP Namal Rajapaksa and several others over the violence at Galle Face. The Fort Magistrates’s Court imposed the ban when the case over the attack on peaceful demonstrators at Galle Face was heard today. The attack took place after the mob had gathered at Temple Trees for a meeting with the Prime Minister. The travel ban was imposed on Mahinda Rajapaksa, Namal Rajapaksa, former Minister Johnston Fernando and 14 others. The Police watched as Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna…
Read MoreMR’s Execution Of State-Sponsored Terrorism & Anarchy As Precursor To Dictatorship!
The pressure was building up. Over the last four to five weeks, ever since the country’s economy crossed the point of no return, amidst the apparent loss of the nation’s faith in her legislature, Parliament, the bursting dynamic that was waiting to happen finally reached its destructive climax. That was Monday, May 9, 2022. All this time, Mahinda Rajapaksa, the country’s Prime Minister has been continuously subjected to enormous stress and anxiety. The man is not young anymore. His health is failing and the physical aid that is extended to him…
Read MoreNew Emergency Regulations & Shooting Orders Threaten Human Rights: Amnesty International
Authorities in Sri Lanka must immediately rescind the emergency regulations and shooting orders that provide excessive powers to the police and military, and take immediate steps to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of peaceful protestors, Amnesty International said today. The authorities must also refrain from using the state of emergency as a pretext to curb the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, including at the protest sites such as “Gotagogama” in the country. Following the President’s proclamation of a State of Emergency on 6 May along with a…
Read MorePro-Rajapaksa Tamil politicians helped rioters – TNPF
Not only Sinhala politicians, but also several Tamil politicians who work for the Rajapaksas, participated in the 9 May riot organised by Rajapaksa supporters, alleged Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) Media Spokesman, Kanagaratnam Sugash. He claimed that Angajan Ramanathan, Douglas Devananda, Karuna, Pillayan, Viyalendiran, and others hiding within Tamil nationalist parties are to blame for the clash and must explain themselves. “However, attacking their offices and properties is not the solution, and as a democratic country, we must find democratic solutions. Further, the best way to punish them is to…
Read MoreProposed 21st Amendment in Parliament website for public reference
Private Members’ Bills recently submitted to the Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on behalf of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya and Independent Members of Parliament in connection with the 21st Amendment to the Constitution can be downloaded in all three languages from the parliamentary website. The link is given here: https://www.parliament.lk/en/const-amendment-proposals. SJB MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara and MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe representing the 40 Independent MPs handed over the Private Members’ Bills to the Speaker recently. It was decided at a recent meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business, including party leaders, to…
Read MoreRECOVERY OF STOLEN ASSETS – Part II
If an audit were to be carried out in respect of the assets of the present elected members of Parliament, it is very likely that many of the MPs, may be found to be in contravention of the provisions of the Assets and Liabilities Law, and it is likely that many may have failed to submit their declarations consistently during their tenures Another important legislation is the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law, No. 1 of 1975, as amended. In terms of this law, it is required that Members of…
Read MoreGovt. Sows the Wind and Reaps the Whirlwind
Sri Lanka’s 76-year-old Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has after much dilly dallying, finally resigned on Monday in the wake of countrywide protests and a worsening political and economic crisis resulting from mismanagement and incompetence. The country’s foreign currency reserves are running dry, the cost of living increasing to unbearable levels amid a severe shortage of essential commodities including food, medicines, domestic gas and fuel. “I am resigning with immediate effect so that you will be able to appoint an all-party government to guide the country out of the current economic…
Read MorePolice and Army Commander in two minds over ‘GotaGoGama’
Police tell protestors staying out during curfew illegal Shavendra permits protest village, provided it is peaceful The Police released a special announcement to the protestors at the “GotaGoGama” in Galle Face yesterday (11) evening, stating that assembly in public places is illegal under the existing curfew regulations. “Under the Public Security Ordinance, since 6 May, there has been emergency law in effect. There has also been a curfew since Monday (9), which will last till tomorrow. Thus, unless there is a letter of permission from a recognised authority, nobody can…
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