Nov 14 (CT) Chairman of UNP Kabir Hashim said that his Party will take a final decision on former Premier Ranil Wickremasinghe remaining Temple Trees after a decision is announced by the Supreme Court (SC) which had been petitioned by several parties and civil society groups against the dissolution of Parliament by the President. He said that Wickremesinghe had continued to occupy Temple Trees following a statement made by former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya that he continues to more..

Nov 14 (DM) UPFA MP Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said they were prepared to form a stable govt after rectifying their previous mistakes if they were given a two-thirds majority at the general elections. He told a media briefing that they were drafting a manifesto to bring about a huge transformation in SL. “We are only asking the people to give us a 2/3rds majority at the election. Today, the people understand that the country cannot be taken forward without a stable govt. more..

Nov 14 (DM) The govt yesterday maintained that the Supreme Court’s interim order does not mean that the dissolution of parliament has been cancelled and said that it would request for a full-judge bench to hear the case. Addressing a hurriedly called news briefing last night, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said respondents have a right to request for a full-judge bench comprising nine to 11 Judges to hear a case. more..

Nov 14 (AFP) England captain Joe Root had words of sympathy for Sri Lanka spinner Akila Dananjaya who will go into the second Test on Wednesday with his bowling action under investigation by cricket's world body. Root was questioned about Dananjaya as it was announced that England would keep the same team that hammered Sri Lanka in the first Test with Ben Stokes playing as number three batsman and Jonny Bairstow kept out despite being fit again. Sri Lanka has insisted that more..

Nov 14 (DN) The Interim Order issued by the Supreme Court on the Dissolution of Parliament indicates the independence of the Judiciary under the rule of President Sirisena, political and legal analysts said. They have appreciated the President’s stance of non-interference in the affairs of the Judiciary regarding a decision that he has made. In fact, they noted that the President has never influenced the work of the Judiciary in any way after he came to power in Jan 2015. more..

Nov 14 (DM) UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said the interim order issued by Supreme Courts suspending the dissolution of Parliament was a resounding victory for the people’s franchise. Mr. Wickremesinghe told a media briefing last evening that the action of the SC have shown that one cannot play around with the Constitution. “This decision by the SC has shown that you cannot play around with the Constitution. more..

Nov 14 (DM) Last week, when horse-trading was at its peak, we, the Daily Mirror, editorially told that it was advisable now for both the groups in the power struggle to amicably agree upon a process to bring in a new composition of Parliament forthwith, through a fresh election. We had come to that conclusion as the cause of the confused political situation in the country had stemmed mainly from the fact that no political party had the absolute majority in the Parliament to form a govt. more..

Nov 14 (DM) As this article is being inked, the Fundamental Rights petitions challenging the dissolution of Parliament by the President are being considered by the Supreme Court. If the apex court was to hold the said dissolution to be unconstitutional, it would yet again be back to the Parliament as to who commands the majority, i.e. the ousted yet adamant Ranil Wickremesinghe or the appointed yet not tested Mahinda Rajapaksa. In the event the Executive order of dissolution more..

Nov 14 (DM) Former Minister Mangala Samaraweera speaks about the current political impasse and responds to the allegations made by President Sirisena against UNP. Q: What do you think about the dissolution of Parliament? A: I would say it is the world’s first. Prez has violated the very constitutional amendment he introduced. It was passed by the Cabinet and approved by Parliament with a majority of two-thirds. more..

Nov 14 (CT) There is no positive response or cooperation from State institutions to establish Tourist Police Units, in selected areas, for the safety of tourists, said OIC of the Tourist Police Prabath Withanage. He said the Tourist Police had a target to set up 20 Tourist Police Units at popular tourist destinations by the end of 2018, but faced many difficulties in land acquisition as many State bodies did not cooperate. more..

Nov 14 (ST) Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has neither a mechanism to measure community noise nor a legal mandate to deal with offenders, the Authority informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. The admission came when a noise pollution case filed against the Waters Edge Hotel was taken up before Additional Magistrate Kanchana Silva. CEA told court that since it did not have the mandate to more..

Nov 14 (EN) Sri Lanka's Central Bank has raised rates by 50 basis points and cut the reserve ratio by 150 basis points to release liquidity shortages that came from defending a soft-pegged exchange rate regime. "The large and persistent shortage in rupee liquidity required the Central Bank to conduct open market operations (OMOs) on a short- and long-term basis in addition to overnight operations," Central Bank said. more..

Nov 14 (Island) Purawesi Balaya co-convenor Gamini Viyangoda said that the caretaker govt owed an explanation as regards the appointment of Kapila Chandrasena as Chairman of debt-ridden Sri Lankan Airlines. He pointed out that the high profile appointment was made in spite of Chandrasena’s role as the Sri Lankan CEO being investigated by PCoI on irregularities at SriLankan Airlines, SriLankan Catering & Mihin Lanka. more..

Nov 14 (AD) Minister Wasantha Senanayake says he will resign from his ministerial portfolio as he believes that the incumbent govt does not have a majority in Parliament. He said that he will tender his resignation to the President today. “I will meet the president and give him the resignation.” “I joined them thinking that they have the majority, but it seems that is no longer the issue. I will work with any govt for my people,” more..

Nov 14 (DM) JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake has said that UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was caught in his own trap of allowing the Rajapaksa faction to flourish. He told the Intellectuals for Democracy forum that the national govt was the result of the power struggle of President Maithripala Sirisena and the then PM Wickremesinghe. “The sole motive of the two leaders was to secure their hold on power more..

Nov 14 (Island) Excavations of the Mannar mass graves have been suspended since Monday. Those in charge of the site said that they had suspended excavations following an order from their superiors in Colombo. The said that they believed the process would resume in two weeks’ time. As at Monday when the excavations were suspended 232 human skeletal remains had been retrieved from the location. There are 8 human skeletal remains more..

Nov 14 (AD) UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe says that 122 parliamentarians have signed the motion of no confidence against the PM and the new Cabinet, which was passed in a voice vote. Speaking during a press conference at the parliamentary premises, he stated if anyone wishes to challenge this they too are ready to challenge them. Wickremesinghe also stated that he has the support of the majority in Parliament. more..

Nov 14 (AD) The Office of the Speaker stated that a no confidence motion and a letter signed by 122 parliamentarians against the PM and the new Cabinet appointed by the President have been presented to the Speaker at the parliamentary session today (14). Speaker’s Office said that, Parliament sat at 10 am today in terms of Gazette Extraordinary No. 2095/50 dated 04 Nov 2018 issued by the President. more..

Nov 14 (CT) The UNP, in its 76-year history has had eight leaders. In chronological order they were D.S. Senanayake, his son Dudley, Sir John Kotelawala, J.R. Jayewardene, R. Premadasa, D.B. Wijetunga, Gamini Dissanayake and its incumbent leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. DS, the UNP’s founder, died in harness in 1952, after winning the one and only national election he faced, the 1947 Parliamentary Poll. His son Dudley died in 1973. At the time of his demise he was the UNP Leader while more..

Nov 14 (NR) Vadivel Suresh says he received a mandate to work for the people in estates adding his duties cannot be completed with the dissolution of Parliament. MP Suresh said through the Gamperaliya programme funds were allocated within the past three years to provide necessary facilities. PM noted when the public issued a mandate for five years, the dissolution of Parliament prior to one and a half years created a concern among the public and the 225 MPs, while the public was deceived. more..

Nov 14 (AD) US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina B. Teplitz says she is glad that the SL Parliament is once again fulfilling its constitutional role. The newly appointed US envoy was among a large number of foreign diplomats present in the Gallery during the parliamentary session this morning. A motion of no confidence was brought against the new govt led PM Mahinda Rajapaksa which was passed in a voice vote, amidst an uproar as members of the govt opposed the move. more..

Nov 14 (FT) Our Constitution, which was certified by Parliament on 31 Aug 1978, has 19 amendments; the First Amendment to the Constitution was certified by the Speaker in the same year on 20 Nov. By the end of 1988, there had been 14 amendments made to the Constitution (within a 10-year period). The most recent amendment was the 19th Amendment which was passed in May 2015. Chapter V11A of 19A deals with the setting up of a Constitutional Council and more..

Nov 14 (CI) If there was any doubt how much assistance the surface in Pallekele would provide for spinners in this match - and there really wasn't very much - it was banished within a few minutes of the start of the second Test. The first and final balls of the second over of the innings, bowled by offspinner Dilruwan Perera, fizzed past the outside edge of Rory Burns' bat. By the close, 10 of the 11 wickets to fall had been taken by spinners more..

Nov 14 (EN) SL's forex reserves have fallen to US$ 7.2 billion by the Nov 14 but more inflows are expected, CB Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy said. The reserves had fallen partly due to a US$ 500 million payment under the Asian Clearing Union, he said. Central Bank said foreign reserves rose to US$ 7.9 billion by end October from US$ 7.164 billion in September helped by US$ 1 billion loan from China. Sri Lanka is now defending the currency and printing money to fill liquidity shortages more..

Nov 14 (NR) MP Manusha Nanayakkara says he will always work towards protecting democracy. Speaking to media Nanayakkara said they gave up posts and possessions and will sit in the Opposition, for the sake of democracy in the country adding they are pleased with the decisions. The Parliamentarian noted what is important is not Ministerial posts or possessions but democracy while claiming justice triumphed and the struggle to protect democracy will continue. more..

Nov 14 (AD) Former SL cricket captain Tilakaratne Dilshan has obtained membership of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). He had received his party membership from former MP Jayantha Ketagoda. According to reports, Dilshan is likely to contest the forthcoming General Election. Tillakaratne Dilshan served as the captain of the Sri Lanka national cricket team, across formats between May 2010 and Jan 2012. more..

Nov 14 (NR) UNP MP Sarath Fonseka says Speaker of House Karu Jayasuriya’s unwavering stance and desire to uphold the Constitution was one reason behind the victory in Parliament today. Speaking to media MP said, democracy has once again been upheld. Fonseka noted a record was set today that was commended by the world adding regardless of corrupt politicians and a corrupt President, it was proven that there is still an opportunity to protect democracy. more..

Nov 14 (NR) UNP MP Champika Ranawaka says the political structure that existed in the country prior to the 26th of October will be reinstated as the No-Confidence Motion against Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Cabinet was passed in Parliament today. Speaking to media at the Parliamentary premised MP Ranawaka said the voice vote on the Motion is legal. Ranawaka noted Mahinda Rajapaksa was stripped of his post as the PM adding the illegally appointed Cabinet will also be dissolved. more..

Nov 14 (EN) A spokesman for Sri Lanka’s controversial new government led by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa Wednesday admitted they lacked a majority in the parliament but claimed their opponents also did not have the numbers. Dayasiri Jayasekera, who was appointed as Miniser of Vocational Training said they would continue despite a vote of no confidence in parliament Wednesday morning which he said more..

Nov 14 (EN) G. S. Vithanage, Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, has been appointed chairman of SriLankan Airlines, the finance ministry said in a statement. Ranjith Fernando, the chairman of the national carrier, had resigned along with Mano Tittawella, another director. Their resignations came after President Sirisena appointed former president Mahinda Rajaaksa as PM in a controversial move that has been challenged by the incumbent premier more..

Nov 14 (DM) The King Rooster from the estate domain who had to go through a bad patch without the high office was a beneficiary of the sudden regime change. The powers that be, wise to the politics of the estate domain offered him the portfolio he long coveted, which had greatly appreciated in value being the one earlier held by his arch-rival in the estate sector. Later, the King Rooster who happily assumed duties in his new office, addressed his Ministry Secretary: more..

Nov 14 (AD) The Leader of the Opposition and TNA Leader, R. Sampanthan, states that the legislature of the country has shown its independence. He stated this speaking at a press conference after the parliamentary session held this morning. “Since the 26th Oct this country has been moving into a situation of turmoil. The incumbent PM was removed from office; a new PM was appointed; a cabinet was appointed; parliament was more..

Nov 14 (CT) Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne yesterday fixed 12 Feb for hearing the case, by the CIABOC, against former Attorney General Mohan Peiris, and Additional Solicitor General A.H D. Nawaz and former Secretary of the LECO M.M.C. Ferdinandez. Peiris was also a former Chief Justice while Nawaz is presently a sitting Court of Appeal Judge. When the case was taken up for hearing at the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, Attorney-at-Law Ganga Heiyyanthuduwa more..

Nov 14 (NR) MP Thilanga Sumathipala says the Opposition illegally passed a No-Confidence Motion against Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Cabinet of Ministers. Speaking to media MP Sumathipala said it is unclear how Parliament was illegally convened and how the UNP staged various reasons claiming to have a majority. MP noted standing orders did not contain clauses that required establishing trust. He stressed the Speaker does not have the authority to appoint the country’s PM. more..

Nov 14 (DM) With the submissions made before the court, all would have to accept the decision of the Supreme Court, the Chairman of the National Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya said in Matara today during an awareness programme. “In the event of an issue in the Constitution regarding the dissolution of Parliament, the Elections Commission is bound to carry out the decision of the Supreme Court,” he said. more..

Nov 14 (CG) The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) has called for international pressure to be maintained on Sri Lanka. GTF said that it is with utmost respect and admiration that it read the interim order of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka which has prevented further deepening of Sri Lanka’s constitutional crisis. “Only a few days ago, President Sirisena ominously warned that he had more tools at his disposal, implying more to come in the constitutional coup he had set in motion. more..

Nov 14 (CBSL) The attention of the Central Bank (CB) has been drawn to recent grievances received from the general public regarding financial scams spreading through phishing emails/ social media messages. CBSL has noticed that the image of the Head Office building, the Logo of CB, names of senior officials of CB, are being used by scammers and fraudsters to solicit money from the public by disguising such scams as being sent from a trustworthy entity. more..

Nov 14 (EN) The Central Bank said that it is expecting enough foreign inflows to rollover the US$ 1.5 billion of sovereign bond repayments in early 2019. "We can deal with the two large international sovereign bonds of the first four months," Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy said. He said a US$ 1 billion bond will reach maturity on Jan 15, while another 500 million dollar loan is up for repayment in April. more..

Nov 14 (AM) President Maithripala Sirisena is currently chairing a meeting with the UPFA Parliamentary group at the Presidential Secretariat, informed sources told Asian Mirror. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the current political situation with the outcome of the heated parliamentary session this morning. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has announced that Parliament has adopted a No Confidence Motion against Mahinda Rajapaksa and his purported govt. more..