Minister of National Languages and Social Integration Vasudeva Nanayakkara has said that police powers should be devolved to Provincial Councils.  Speaking to the ‘Ravaya’ newspaper, this would subject the activities of the police to broader supervision than in the present. Passing over police powers to PC would not create issues as a DIG has been appointed […]

Skeletons of two persons, allegedly slain by the Sri Lankan military in recent times, have been recovered from an abandoned well near a bund constructed by the occupying Sri Lanka Army in I’lavaalai, Pa’ndaththeruppu situated in Valikaamam in the Jaffna district on Wednesday. Brain parts found inside one of the two skulls indicate that the […]

The skeleton of a recently slain 28-year-old unmarried Tamil woman has been recovered near an abandoned military bund used by the Sri Lanka Army in A’rukuve’li, located along Kearatheevu Road (Jaffna – Mannaar Road) in Thenmaraadchi on Wednesday. The victim, Atputhamalar Subramaniyam, who had resettled in Thanangki’lappu near Ma’ravanpulavu of Thenmaraadchi last year, has been […]

 Dr. Arujuna Sivananthan Fast eroding foreign exchange (forex) reserves and a ballooning trade deficit has led to internecine warfare between Sri Lanka’s two economic policy setting organs; i.e. its Treasury and Central Bank (CB) such that the latter was kept in the dark when President Rajapakse announced the unanticipated 3 percent devaluation in the rupee-US dollar […]

The Sri Lankan economy is dragged out – the country is over-borrowing, underperforming and leading into a debt crunch, claims United National Party Colombo District Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake. Karunanayake accuses the Rajapaksa administration of damaging the country’s social fabric, which he says is Sri Lanka’s biggest asset. Following are excerpts of an interview: Q: What do you […]

There exists a direct connection between  the attack on the Viluthugal office at 3, Torrington Avenue, Colombo 7 and the Sri Lankan army intelligence, according to the  GTN intelligence reporter.  This is evident from a dialogue the reporter had with an officer who is connected with the defense sector. The particular officer when talking to […]

“President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is a true Sri Lankan from Medamulana will not accept a code of media ethics imported from the UK, as suggested by the Opposition Leader. A local code of media ethics formulated by Sri Lankan journalists, academics etc to match local requirements is to be introduced this year,” Cabinet Spokesman and […]

Police had sought a court order preventing the protest march organized by non-academic staff of universities reaching the University Grants Commission premises today.Police barriers were seen at different entry points to Colombo. About 1000 protestors demanding authorities to address their salary anomalies, gathered at the Viharamahadevi Open Stadium. Thursday, 26 January 2012  ST

Cabinet Spokesperson, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella charged that reasonable doubt is cast over the actions of certain journalists who are working based on secret agendas.  Speaking at a press conference held yesterday to update cabinet decisions; Rambukewella noted unfortunately the legal framework of the country does not allow the government to file charges against these journalists […]

The government will not submit the report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) during the sessions in March, Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris told reporters in Colombo today. Sri Lanka was a sovereign nation and the report was commissioned by the state, said Peiris, […]

Hundreds of journalists representing private and public sector media institutions yesterday launched a massive protest against attempts by the Opposition in connivance with the Free Media Movement (FMM) to tarnish the image of the country at a time when it has won accolades from all parts of the world for restoring peace and democracy in […]

A foreign spy service may be guiding the rebel group of the JVP which had always adopted a two pronged policy of democracy and revolution, National Freedom Front leader and Construction Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa said. He said the small rebel group is waiting for the dawn of the ‘day […]

Journalists who havefled the country are conspiring to defame the country, Minister of Media – Keheliya Rambukwella has said. Making an exclusive statement to the state-owned Dinamina newspaper, Minister Rambukwella has said that all journalists must stand against this in order to defeat this conspiracy.He emphasizes that no journalist should be allowed to defame the […]

The Lawyers for Democracy (LfD) in a statement condemns the tactics used by the Government and its agents to disregard the fundamental right of a citizen to conduct peaceful protests in Sri Lanka, and the use of deplorable strong armed tactics to prevent a lawful protest rally organized by media groups today (25th January 2012) […]

People in the North and East have not demanded for land and police powers and it is only the political parties that are agitating for these powers, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said yesterday.He said the government would give land to the landless and police protection to those who think they are defenseless in the […]

While Sri Lanka slipped to 163rd position on the World Press Freedom Index, a pro-government mob yesterday prevented seven media organisations from staging a protest, titled Black January against media suppression, at the Fort Railway Station premises despite a Court order granting them permission.When the media personnel arrived at the Fort Railway Station yesterday afternoon, […]

Experts agree that Sri Lanka’s free pre and postnatal clinics across the island nation have helped bring infant mortality down to 15 per 1,000 live births and the under-five mortality rate to 21 per 1,000 live births.But, beneath that general picture of success lie pockets of vulnerability where poverty and lack of awareness are causing […]

    Jan 25, Colombo: Sri Lanka dropped down five places last year from 2010 to rank among the 20 worst countries in a leading survey of press freedom. The annual World Press Freedom Index for 2011 compiled by Paris based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has ranked Sri Lanka 163 out of 178 countries ranked. Sri […]

 Surendra Ajit Rupasinghe: I shall consider  two of Dayan’s arguments to present my views:1.0.    That the LTTE was – is-  a fascist organization, which he describes as ‘the most ruthless     terrorist organization in the world’, and which, therefore, had to be militarily liquidated     by the State. 2.0.    That sovereignty of the State stands […]

‘Black January’ shifted to Lipton Circus The Black January protest is to be held at the Lipton Circus at 3.00 pm today (Jan. 25), reports say.The demonstration was earlier scheduled to be held at 2.00 pm at the Fort Railway Station compound.  Speaking to ‘Srilankamirror’ on behalf of the Sri Lanka’s Alliance of Media Organizations, […]

Interview   Udaya Gammanpila, legal advisor JHUQ: There have been numerous attempts to solve the so-called ethnic issue through initiatives such as the Indo-Sri Lanka peace accord, the ISGA, and the CFA. What is your solution to this issue?The first pact between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil leaders took place in 1958, which was […]

M Krishna’s praise for the Sri Lankan government-appointed Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission will diminish our credibility as an honest broker in the eyes of the Sri Lankan Tamils who are becoming increasingly bitter towards India , feels Satish Chandra. As is customary, official circles in India have hailed External Affairs S M Krishna’s four-day visit […]

People from all walks of life yesterday expressed their dissatisfaction over a scheduled protest today by a handful of persons posing as journalists, whose agenda it is to tarnish the country’s image. They said that these elements with vested interests are trying to disrupt the day- to- day life of the people by launching these […]

13 A provided for land and police powersThe UNP said yesterday that it was willing to co-operate with the government to find a political solution to the ethnic issue, but the the latter should stop its dilatory tactics such as the proposed Parliamentary Select Committee on the national question.General Secretary of the UNP, Tissa Attanayake […]

Mothers and wives against abduction and disappearances held a vigil in front of the Fort railway station.The vigil marked the second anniversary of the disappearance of Journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda. “We are invoking the blessings of sacred women such as Virgin Mary, Godess Pathini, Kali and Maha prajapathi Gothami to find our children and husbunds,” said […]

RecommendationsThe Institute of Constitutional Studies (ICS) carried out a comprehensive study on the working of Provincial Councils in the 22 years of their existence. The senior consultants who conducted the evaluation are Prof. Ranjith Amarasinghe, Emeritus Professor of Political Science, University of Peradeniya Mr. Asoka Gunawardena, Former Chairman of the Finance Commission and former Secretary, Ministry […]

”It is a Parliamentary form of Government that operates in the Provinces. In relation to matters set out in the Provincial and Concurrent Lists, the Governor must act on the advice of the Board of Ministers and the Chief Minister. A Governor cannot disregard the advice of a Chief Minister and dissolve a Council on […]

Court ruling on Black January protest on 25th  Fort Magistrate Kanishka Wijeratne today decided that the ruling of the petition against the Black January protest will be handed 0 January  25th.  The Black January protest is scheduled to be held in front of Colombo Fort Railway Station on the same day.Organised by Sri Lanka’s Alliance […]

Our affiliate Vikalpa did a short media monitoring exercise anchored to the front page reportage of the Indian Foreign Minister’s official visit to Sri Lanka and the press conference in which the President’s commitment to going beyond the 13th Amendment was reiterated by him. The following is a translation of the report that first appeared […]

Press release/ 24 January 2012Main office of Vilithu,( Centre for Human Resource Development) a Tamil civil society organisation engaged in advocacy work was attacked and ransacked on the early hours of Tuesday 24th January 2012. The office was located at No 3, Torrington Avenue, Colombo 07 in the close proximity to Canadian High Commission, Embassies […]