Sri Lanka Political News Forum

Sri Lanka news articles on politics are discussed here on this sub forum of Lanka Newspapers

Rajitha confirms SL Presidential polls first Thursday, 19 November 2009 - 10:33 AM SL Time

Construction and Engineering Services Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne yesterday said that the government would hold the presidential election ahead of parliamentary elections before April next year. Addressing a press conference, at the Mahaweli Centre, chaired by SLFP heavyweight Dallas Alahapperuma, Senaratne said that the presidential poll would follow elections to the Southern Provincial Council scheduled for October 10. He said that once the ruling coalition had bagged parliamentary electorates with an overwhelming majority, there would be no elections until 2015. Full Story     Post Reply To This     Read Replies ( 6 )

UNP walks out in protest - Sri Lanka Wednesday, 18 November 2009 - 10:00 AM SL Time

The UNP walked out of the Chamber of the House yesterday morning in protest against the government s decision to restrict the sittings to one day for this week. Chief Opposition Whip Joesph Miachel Perera said the UNP had wanted the government to have sittings on the 19th and 20th excluding the 18th as the day fell on the 4th anniversary of the President s assumption of office. `We were willing to compromise on one day but the government did not agree to our demand,` MP Perera said. Full Story     Post Reply To This     Read Replies ( 8 )

Peace no longer a dream - SL President Wednesday, 18 November 2009 - 9:59 AM SL Time

Peace became no longer a dream for Sri Lankans, due to the collective commitment of those who loved the motherland, President Mahinda Rajapaksa told the nation yesterday. He said that this collective commitment and effort was needed in the present and in the future to drive the country towards economic prosperity and development. He emphasized the need to set aside petty differences on behalf of the motherland and work as one unit to steer the country towards economic prosperity and garnering international support for the efforts. Full Story     Post Reply To This

SLFP convention turned out to be a farce: UNP - Sri Lanka Tuesday, 17 November 2009 - 8:53 AM SL Time

The main opposition UNP said yesterday that SLFP members were unhappy with most of those in the party leadership and the government and thus called for a presidential election at Sunday s convention. UNP MP Gayantha Karunatilleke told a news conference SLFP members wanted a presidential election as their Ministers and MPs could not go to the voters because of the government s poor performance. The government has been shaken and surprised by the request made by SLFP members at its annual convention. The government exposed its bankruptcy by being unable to declare either a presidential election or a general election at the SLFP convention, though there was much hype that such an announcement will be made, he said. Full Story     Post Reply To This     Read Replies ( 5 )

SL Govt to decide in due course Monday, 16 November 2009 - 9:01 AM SL Time

President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the annual National Convention of the SLFP at the Khettarama Stadium yesterday evening noted that the Government would decide in due course what election should be held first. When the President inquired from around 100,000 SLFP members who had filled the Khettrama, whether they wanted a Presidential or a Parliamentary election first, the overwhelming response was - a Presidential poll. The President in lighter vain said Do you want me to cut short two years? and added that he would put the request of the membership to the party to make a decision. Full Story     Post Reply To This     Read Replies ( 8 )

SL -UNF motorcade to Kandy attacked at Horagolla - Two journalists, Ranil s bodyguard, Prinicpal injured Saturday, 14 November 2009 - 9:23 AM SL Time

A United National Front motorcade, that was on its way from Colombo to Kandy, was attacked with stones near the Horagolla Samadhi, yesterday afternoon, by a UPFA mob allegedly led by the SLFP Organiser for Attanagalla, Sarana Gunawardena, resulting in two journalists, a security officer of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and a Principal being injured. Full Story     Post Reply To This     Read Replies ( 3 )

JVP position on SL presidency inconsistent Dallas Saturday, 14 November 2009 - 9:22 AM SL Time

Over 1,000 UNP grassroot level leaders and members from the Sabaragamuwa Province joined the SLFP at Balangoda yesterday. This is in appreciation of the development activities in the rural sector implemented by the Government, Power and Energy Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne said. The UNP cadres and area leaders led by Opposition Leader Balangoda Pradeshiya Sabha Vijaya Kumara met Minister Seneviratne in Balangoda and joined the SLFP by obtaining party membership. Full Story     Post Reply To This

Yapa unable to explain Gen Fonseka s decision to run for SLPresidency Friday, 13 November 2009 - 9:25 AM SL Time

Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said yesterday that he was not in a position to explain why General Sarath Fonseka, having worked with President Mahinda Rajapaksa to defeat the LTTE, was now said to be his opponent at a future Presidential Poll. `I don t know the reasons for his purported decision. That is something only General Fonseka can answer`, Yapa said when asked, at the Cabinet Press Briefing, why he thought the General, was challenging Rajapaksa, after having cooperated with him, through thick and thin. Full Story     Post Reply To This     Read Replies ( 6 )

UPFA gave highest number of State sector jobs - SL Minister Friday, 13 November 2009 - 9:03 AM SL Time

The UPFA Government has provided the largest number of employment opportunities for graduates and non-graduates, Mass Media, Information and Investment Promotion Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said. It has also increased the salaries and benefits of public sector employees than any other government in the past, he said. Speaking at the weekly Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry, he said the Government under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa recruited 58,156 graduates in 2004 and gave employment to 261,897 non-graduates. Full Story     Post Reply To This

Jseyaraj s wife on cop turned LTTE agent - Sri Lanka Thursday, 12 November 2009 - 9:13 AM SL Time

Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, wife slain Minister Jayaraj Fernandopulle and SLFP Organiser for Katana yesterday told The Island that she had never suspected SP Lakshman Cooray s involvement with the LTTE even after her husband s assassination. She said once Cooray had brought to her notice a move to serve him a charge sheet over the assassination in relation to shortcomings in security arrangements. Full Story     Post Reply To This     Read Replies ( 3 )

No one to challenge SL President Thursday, 12 November 2009 - 9:11 AM SL Time

Candidature to be announced at party convention: M. P. Muthiah Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa would be the only candidate of the Government at the Presidential Election. Speaking at a press conference at the Media Centre for National Development, the Minister added that there would be no one to challenge President Rajapaksa. His candidature will be announced at the Sri Lanka Freedom Party convention. Full Story     Post Reply To This

`JVP-UNP TU action irony of fate` - Sri Lanka Wednesday, 11 November 2009 - 10:10 AM SL Time

It is most disgusting to see the JVP launching trade union action in league with unions of the UNP which was responsible to burning its founder leader Rohana Wijeweera alive at the Borella cemetery 20 years ago said. T. Kulatunga, Eksath Welanda ha Samupakara Sevaka Maha Sangamaya (United Commercial and Co-operative employees General Union) organiser commenting on the work to rule campaign launched by JVP and UNP trade unions today. Full Story     Post Reply To This     Read Replies ( 5 )

Ranil puts forth conditions for endorsing Fonseka s candidature Tuesday, 10 November 2009 - 9:22 AM SL Time

Appoint govt. with Ranil as PM, revoke Emergency Give TNA, JVP Cabinet posts, end Exec. presidency TNA should accept Fonseka s stand on Tamil issuesClose on the heels of the newly formed UNP-led United National Alliance s approval for Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Sarath Fonseka s nomination as its candidate at the next presidential election, UNP and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday put forth conditions for endorsing his (Gen. Fonseka s) candidature. Full Story     Post Reply To This     Read Replies ( 34 )

Anarchy will be dealt with- SL President Tuesday, 10 November 2009 - 9:10 AM SL Time

*Economy should be strengthened more to protect, promote country s sovereignty *Govt focused equal attention on terrorism eradication and country s development President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said that he will take firm steps to counter attempts made by anyone to create anarchy in the country. Addressing a meeting to mark the 18th anniversary of the Private Tea Factory Owners Association at the Inter Continental Hotel yesterday, the President said he is prepared to defeat any conspiracies such as creation of artificial food shortages in the country, on behalf of the people. Full Story     Post Reply To This     Read Replies ( 8 )