Jul 13 (Island) A section of the SLPP has proposed MP Dullas Alahapperuma as the President and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa, MP, as the Premier. However, Premadasa, who is also the incumbent leader of the Opposition, has rejected the offer. Instead, he has asked for the Presidency. Amidst ongoing negotiations among political parties represented in Parliament and other stakeholders, SJB has announced its leader Premadasa more..

Jul 13 (FT) Internet Media Action (IMA), a media collective that looks specifically at existing and emergent threats to content in online fora, including on the web and Internet, has expressed serious concerns over disruptions to telecom services during the people’s protest on 9 July. Following is the full text of statement issued by IMA Convener Sampath Samarakoon. IMA firmly believes that peaceful protest is a fundamental right and an integral part of a democratic nation. more..

Jul 13 (FT) Immigration & Emigration Officers’ Association (SLIEOA) says its members have no lawful authority to prevent President Gotabaya Rajapaksa from leaving the country as he is still officially in office. In a statement, the association also said there is no truth to the media reports and social media posts in circulation, which claim that the immigration & emigration officers refused to allow Prez Rajapaksa to fly out of the country after he arrived at the BIA in Katunayake today. more..

Jul 13 (FT) Colombo stock market remained positive for the second consecutive day with improved turnover as investors await key political developments. S&P SL20 gained by 1% and ASPI by 0.8%. Turnover was Rs. 1.1 billion involving 57 million shares. The indices continued their upward momentum mainly led by EXPO (+2.7%), BIL (+4.2%), LOFC (+4.2%), LOLC (+1.8%), SCAP (+3.8%), SAMP (+4.1%) and HAYC (+4.5%) while active counters LIOC (-3.2%), HNB (-1.6%), more..

Jul 13 (DM) SL welcomed over 14,500 international visitors for the first 10 days of July, although the country continues to witness a massive economic and social upheaval. Data showed that a total of 14,877 tourists entered the country in the first 10 days of the month of July, bringing the total tourist arrivals to the country this year up to July 10 to 426,254. For the first 10 days of July, the UK ranked as the largest tourist traffic generator for the country, followed by India and France. more..

Jul 13 (BBC) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has fled the country on a military jet, amid mass protests over its economic crisis. The 73-year-old arrived in the capital of the Maldives, Male, at around 03:00 local time (22:00 GMT), the BBC understands. Mr Rajapaksa's departure ends a family dynasty that has ruled Sri Lanka for decades. He had been in hiding after crowds stormed his residence on Saturday. more..

Jul 13 (Island) It will take at least four months to hold a general election under the present circumstances, Prez of Election Commission, Nimal Punchihewa says. EC chief said the basic needs of the people had to be taken care of before an election was held. “I also don’t think most of the candidates would be able to go before the people. This also should be a major consideration,” he said. Punchihewa said that most MPs would hesitate to contest an election, given adverse public opinion. more..

Jul 13 (SLN) SL Navy on 10th July rescued 55 individuals onboard a distressed local multiday fishing trawler, caught in a cyclone, in high seas about 390 nautical miles (722km) southeast of Hambantota. The group of people, suspected to be on an illegal migration attempt to a foreign country, were in a desperate situation when they were rescued at sea. SL Navy brought the rescued group to the port of Hambantota this morning (12). On 08th July, Dept of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources more..

Jul 13 (DM) In his comments, Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera said that if the political parties were not able to reach a consensus on appointing a new President, the clergy are ready to nominate five civil society activists suitable for the position and requested the party leaders to allow them to be appointed through the national list to Parliament. The senior prelate told a news conference that civil society organisations have already spoken about five civil activists who have the exposure to more..

Jul 13 (DM) The SL Air Force (SLAF) confirmed that it has given an Air Force flight early morning for Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the First Lady along with two security officials at the BIA to fly to the Maldives. The flight was given in accordance with the powers vested in an Executive President in the Constitution of SL, at the request of the existing Government, subject to the full approval of the Ministry of Defence and subject to immigration, customs and all other laws at the BIA. more..

Jul 13 (AD) Former CB Governor Arjuna Mahendran, wanted by SL authorities over the bond scam, speaking to CNN Philippines about the island nation’s crisis situation said the govt of SL is finding it difficult to persuade lenders. In response to a question on the events that led to the collapse of Sri Lanka’s economy, Mahendran said the abrupt tax cuts introduced by the incumbent govt created inflationary pressure as more..

Jul 13 (DM) Claiming that PM Ranil Wickremesinghe was tactfully attempting to become the Prez going against the people's demand, the JVP today urged PM Wickremesibnghe to resign before Prez Rajapaksa submits his resignation, without putting the country into further unrest. JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissnayake making a special statement said all sections of the people including religious leaders demanded the resignation of both the Prez & PM and said any attempts by PM more..

Jul 13 (DM) A three-pronged battle is set to take place for the selection of the next Prez by approval of Parliament on July 20. PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, SLPP MP Dalles Alahapperuma and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa mull the submission of nomination papers to vie for presidency in the secret ballot. The presidential post fell vacant prematurely in SL history one occasion – the assassination of Prez R. Premadasa on May 1, 1993. It is now slated to be vacant after the resignation of Prez more..

Jul 13 (FT) Sri Lankans hope to wake up to a historic day today with incumbent Prez Rajapaksa set to resign paving the way for PM Ranil Wickremesinghe taking over as the acting Prez. Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena is expected to announce the Prez’s resignation today after he receives the letter of resignation from the Prez following which the PM will be sworn in. The Prez can resign from office after addressing more..

Jul 13 (ANI) As protests intensified in Colombo, protestors who had gathered outside PM's office have taken over his residence at Flower Road here. Security personnel today resorted to tear-gas shelling to drive away protestors on the streets of Colombo. These reports come as the embattled Prez Rajapaksa, who escaped to the Maldives. appointed PM Ranil Wickremesinghe as the interim President of SL. Wickremesinghe today declared an emergency and imposed a curfew in the WP more..

Jul 13 (FT) Forming and sustaining an all-party government is crucial for Sri Lanka at this stage. IMF support which the country awaits eagerly depends on certain conditionalities. These conditionalities sound simple enough – increase govt revenue, reduce expenditure, and provide social safety nets for the most vulnerable, but devil would be in the detail. Thrashing out the details cannot be business as usual where a governing party formulates and then brings to parliament. more..

Jul 13 (EN) Protestors in SL stormed the PM’s Office in Colombo, hours after Prez Rajapaksa fled the country and confusion over his resignation and the appointment of an acting president triggered a wave of protest. Thousands gathered onto Flower Road, Colombo, this morning met stiff resistance from police who fired teargas and water canon jets into the crowd, but the relentless protestors broke down a police barricade and made their way into PM’s office premises by afternoon. more..

Jul 13 (AD) India categorically denied baseless and speculative media reports that it facilitated the travel of SL Prez Rajapaksa who fled to the Maldives on a military jet in the face of a public revolt against his govt for mishandling the country’s economy. The 73-year-old SL Prez left the country along with his wife and two security officers on a military jet on Wednesday. “The High Commission categorically denies baseless and speculative media reports that India facilitated more..

Jul 13 (EN) State-run Rupavahini went off air for a time after two protestors were interviewed live on air and suspended programs, while ITN another state broadcaster is also displaying colour bars. The headquarters of the SL Rupahavini Corporation (SLRC), state-owned television network, was given heavy security from morning with authorities expecting protestors expected lay siege to the station. Two spokesmen who said they represented Aragala Protestors came on air at 1302 hours more..

Jul 13 (DM) As curfew has been imposed in the Western Province at the moment and following instructions from the PM's Office, trains reaching Colombo Fort from distant places, have been halted until further notice, Railway General Manager said. SL Railway Station Masters' Union said they are prepared to bring the trains which have already started their journey to Colombo by taking their occupational risk. So far, number of station masters & several stations have been attacked. more..

Jul 13 (ANI) Rajapaksa who left for the Maldives early this morning is to leave for Singapore later Wednesday, sources in the Maldives told the Daily Mirror. Rajapaksa landed at the Velana International Airport in the Maldives early Wednesday. The PM's Office also confirmed that Rajapaksa has left the country. A statement issued by the SL Air Force said that Rajapaksa prepared a SLAF aircraft to fly to the Maldives per his presidential powers and with the approval of the Ministry of Defence. more..

Jul 13 (FT) The Tamil Times (TT) was a monthly newsmagazine published in the UK for more than 25 years from Oct 1981 to December 2006. It was a political journal that focused on news, views and reviews pertaining to SL in general and the Tamil People of SL in particular. At its heyday the TT circulation was close upon five digits of which 95% was through subscriptions. However the qualitative impact and influence of Tamil Times went far beyond the boundaries of its quantitative circulation. more..

Jul 13 (ANI) SL's national broadcaster SLRC, known as Jathika Rupavahini on Wednesday suspended live telecast as protestors surrounded its premises. The state-owned Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) suspended its live telecasts This comes as reports have emerged that embattled Prez Rajapaksa has appointed PM Wickremesinghe as the interim President of SL. A state of emergency was declared as protesters came prepared to face tear gas shelling by security forces more..

Jul 13 (ANI) Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa left the country without signing his resignation, said former cabinet minister Champika Ranawaka on Wednesday as he expressed hope that an interim prime minister and the president will soon be appointed. Ranawaka said, "He (Gotabaya Rajapaksa) left the country without signing his resignation letter. The speaker and the whole country would hope that he would send his resignation properly so that according to more..

Jul 13 (PTI) India's trade with Sri Lanka has nearly stopped following the unrest in the island nation, leaving exporters worried about their payments. "Our exports and imports have come to a complete standstill. Exporters are very cautious because of the political crisis and payment issues," Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) Vice-Chairman Khalid Khan said. However, he expressed hope that once the new government takes office in SL, situation may improve. more..

Jul 13 (DW) Prez Rajapaksa fled SL on Wednesday, hours before he was expected to resign following the crippling economic and political crisis that engulfed the island nation over the past few months. His take off to the Maldives and dramatic fall from grace marks a remarkable reversal of fortunes for a political family that has dominated SL politics for almost two decades. The family's grip on power began when Mahinda Rajapaksa, the elder brother of Gotabaya, was appointed PM in 2004. more..

Jul 13 (AFP) Escaping SL Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa faced protests in the Maldives Wednesday with dozens of compatriots urging Male not to provide him safe heaven. SL expatriates carrying flags and placards denounced Rajapaksa, who fled his country early Wednesday after protesters overran his Colombo residence at the weekend over the worsening economic crisis in the South Asian nation. "Dear Maldivian friends, please urge your govt not to safeguard criminals," said a banner more..

Jul 13 (AD) Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has called for an urgent party leaders’ meeting at 5 pm today. Meanwhile the Speaker says Prez Rajapaksa has informed him that he will submit his resignation within today. “His Excellency, Prez who is away from the country contacted me by phone, and stated that he will resign from the presidency as he stated before. He also added that the relevant resignation letter will be handed over to me officially, within today itself.” more..

Jul 13 (EN) Despite no member of the Rajapaksa family being in real power at present, former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa-led SLPP will be the key in electing a new president due to the parliament majority it has, analysts say. Despite breakaways and defections, SLPP still holds the majority in the 225-member legislature. Party was established in 2016 to bring back Mahinda Rajapaksa to power after his defeat in 2015. Former Prez Maithripala Sirisena unseated his own party leader more..

Jul 13 (TM) Civil Aviation Authority of SL (CAASL) claims that flydubai has temporarily suspended flights to Sri Lanka until 18 July due to refuelling issues amidst the fuel crisis in the country, while flydubai said on Monday (11) that it has suspended its flights to and from Sri Lanka until further notice with the escalation of protests. CAASL Chairman Upul Dharmadasa said that flydubai has informed the authorities that it will temporarily suspend flights to Sri Lanka till 18 July. more..