By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka on May 15 said it will “duly investigate” information flagged by Indian intelligence agencies — that ex-LTTE were “regrouping to launch attacks” in the island — and “strengthen security”, a day after authorities denied the claim reported in The Hindu. On May 13 The Hindu, citing Indian intelligence sources, reported that “some erstwhile cadre” had entered Tamil Nadu to “plan and execute” attacks in Sri Lanka that is in the grips of a crippling economic crisis and political uncertainty. The attacks were being timed with…
Read MoreDay: 16 May 2022
Gotabaya’s Astrologer Gnana Akka’s Home and Shrine in Anuradhapura were burnt down by Mobs Despite 150 Soldiers Being Deployed for her Protection
There was complete pandemonium on Saturday (14)when embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa met with SLPP legislators for the first time since the latest wave of mob violence, which led to arson attacks against many of them.Tight security granted to the president’s personal shaman, Gnana Akka, in Anuradhapura was figured at the meeting with angry MPs asking why the army protected her while legislators faced the wrath of mobs without any protection. The Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP) legislators had been invited for a closed-door meeting at the President’s tightly-guarded “Janadhipathy…
Read MoreSLFP to join Ranil Government after U-turn
Maithri announces change of stance Meeting to discuss portfolios today PM to meet other independent parties soon The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) yesterday (15) stated that it would support all correct decisions taken by the Government to resolve the current economic crisis in the country, and that it was willing to discuss the allocation of ministerial portfolios to SLFP MPs, two days after stating that it would neither be part of a government under the new Prime Minister, nor accept any portfolios. This was stated in a letter directed…
Read MoreTamil Nadu to send meds worth Rs 8.87cr to Sri Lanka in first phase
Health Minister Ma Subramanian, on Sunday, inspected the drug warehouse in Chennai which stores essential medicines that the State plans to send to Sri Lanka, in the first phase. By Express News Service CHENNAI: Health Minister Ma Subramanian, on Sunday, inspected the drug warehouse in Chennai which stores essential medicines that the State plans to send to Sri Lanka, in the first phase. The Tamil Nadu government had passed a resolution in the Assembly last month to send medicines worth Rs 28 crore to the crisis-hit island nation which is in…
Read MoreSri Lanka police arrest over 200 suspects over May 09 mob violence
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka police have arrested over 200 suspects over the mob violence and arson attacks that occurred on May 09 after supporters of ex-Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa attacked a peaceful protest in Colombo. Police media spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said in a statement that around 230 suspects were arrested for incidents of property damage around the country. “Around 707 cases of vehicle and property damages were reported. More complaints are still coming in and so far around 230 suspects regarding those incidents have been arrested,” Thalduwa said. The…
Read MoreShocking details on Sri Lanka’s black Monday revealed
ECONOMYNEXT – Preliminary investigations into the assault on peaceful demonstrators at Galle Face has shown top-level political interference that led to mob violence and the retaliatory attacks that followed, official sources said. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa gave clear instruction to IGP Chandana Wickramaratne and Senior Deputy Inspector General Deshabandu Thennakoon not to allow those pouring out of Temple Trees to reach Galle Face, but someone else gave contradictory orders. “The question is who gave an order to overrule the president and allow men armed with sticks to invade Galle Face and…
Read MoreWhose saviour is Ranil? Sri Lanka’s or the President’s
The TNA and the JVP have both criticized the new Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa arrangement. In spite of their yahapalanaya association with Ranil Wickremesinghe, neither party is likely to support the new arrangement in parliament, let alone accept cabinet positions. All in all, it is safe to say that Ranil Wickremesinghe has walked into an unsustainable situation with Gotabaya Rajapaksa remaining as President. If he were to manipulate a show of majority support in parliament, that will only intensify the protests at Galle Face and around the country, curfew or no curfew. And…
Read MoreRanil harnessed to bear Rajapaksas’ feudal yoke
Though dumped by the people 20 months ago, Ranil Wickremesinghe popped out like a long shut Jack in the box to be harnessed to the Rajapaksa yoke as the chief tiller to furrow anew the land they had turned to waste. After secret talks held behind closed doors with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House late Wednesday evening, it emerged that the beleaguered President, driven to the wall by mass protests and deserting ranks, had offered Ranil Wickremesinghe the prime ministerial post in the new ragbag interim government he,…
Read MoreDefence Ministry to investigate claims of ex-LTTE cadres
By Dinitha Rathnayake Releasing a statement yesterday (15), the Ministry of Defence (MOD) stated that The Hindu newspaper, citing Indian Intelligence sources, had published a report on 13 May 2022 pertaining to an attack being launched on Sri Lanka on 18 May by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), and assured that all relevant information received by the intelligence and security forces would be duly investigated, and all further steps taken to strengthen security. Upon inquiring about the above report, the Indian Intelligence services had informed Sri Lanka that the alert had…
Read MorePlans to burn evidence linking Deshabandu to Galle Face attack: Frontline Socialist Party
FSP alleges SDIG ordered senior cops to ignore 9 May attack SDIG Deshabandu says he only heard of allegations yesterday The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) yesterday (15) alleged that there are attempts to destroy evidence that proves Western Province Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Deshabandu Tennakoon had given instructions to two senior police officers in the Western Province to not prevent the attacks on “GotaGoGama” on 9 May.
Read MoreSri Lanka is bankrupt in every respect: Dr. W.A. Wijewardena
If Ranil Wickremesinghe fails, Sri Lanka will also fail Current economic status is catastrophic Drastic reduction in food production due to insane organic policy Inflation is galloping; external sector worst affected Lankans will have to learn to live through enormous hardships Only strength Sri Lanka has is its human capital Country has to revert to pre-2019 tax regime By Marianne David Protests and shortages are the order of the day in Sri Lanka today and outrage against the Government is growing as people find it increasingly difficult to eke out…
Read MoreMan attempts to transfer €50,000 using ’Undial’ arrested
A 53-year-old man in possession of €50,000 and attempted to smuggle the sum under the proscribed ‘Undial’ system, was arrested during a raid by the STF at Pepiliyana in Boralesgamuwa. The STF said the suspect, from Punchi Borella was arrested yesterday following an intelligence alert. The arrested man was handed over to the Kirulapone Illegal Assets Investigation Division for further inquiries. Also on Saturday, the STF personnel arrested two suspects who were attempting to ‘undiyal’ US$ 47,000. (DSB) https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/Man-attempts-to-transfer-50-000-using-Undial-arrested/108-237072
Read MoreConstitutional Reform for ‘System Change’
A peaceful democratic ‘revolution’ is sweeping across Sri Lanka. It is a revolution from below, from the people. It has activated large segments of Sri Lankan people to shed the habits of passive citizenship and transform themselves into active citizens. Sri Lankan citizens have now claimed an assertive role in the democratic process, resisting an authoritarian government, demanding the resignation of governments and its heads, arguing for revamping of parliamentary democracy, and asserting popular sovereignty. The protesting young citizens at Gogotagama have also appropriated a cliché that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa introduced…
Read MoreLet slip the dogs of war
The travel ban imposed on Mahinda Rajapaksa and a motley group of his supporters by the Fort Magistrate following an application by the Attorney-General suffices to buttress the widely circulating opinion that “Temple Trees” was where the rabblerousing originated last Monday, leaving a bloody and indelible mark on a peaceful protest movement. It was from there that the instigators allowed the frenzy to build before the mob was let loose on several hundreds of non-violent protesters who did nothing more aggressive than urge the prime minister to resign and demand…
Read MoreThe dark hours of black Monday
How politico-led goon squads unleashed violence and terror on protestors Groups retaliate killing an MP, eight others and cause extensive damage to property Ranil becomes Premier for sixth time; rattles SJB leader Sajith who initially refused but sought premiership later At the seafront luxury two-storied house of a young politician in the deep south, with powerful friends of his own age, the discussion with a group of supporters was hush hush. It began with how best to persuade President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to retain in office Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister.…
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