Jul 15 (FT) My opinion was that there won’t be a possibility of another bigger uprising of the same scale taking place at very close intervals following a major political uprising, except for sporadic and ad hoc struggles occurring at different places. However, disproving my opinion, a massive uprising several times bigger than the previous one erupted on ​​9 July. There was another observation I have made in relation to this context, namely, that a strong attempt to expel the President more..

Jul 15 (FT) SL is experiencing a political opening. People have participated in a momentous uprising against the regime of Gotabaya Rajapaksa that will likely set the tone of debate for decades to come. But the country is still mired in an economic depression. People remain desperate. It is in this uncertain moment that there are many possible scenarios. The existing Parliament is experiencing a crisis of legitimacy. There is also the possibility of expanding the scope for representation more..

Jul 15 (DM) It is the prime responsibility of all the political forces and the civil society to intervene perceptively and immediately to end the political and economic crisis currently faced by the motherland, NMSJ Chairman Karu Jayasuriya said. He said that the parliament is now entrusted with the responsibility of implementing the main political reforms desired by the people of the country without delay and it is essential to implement those measures in a way that leads to confidence more..

Jul 15 (DM) Education Ministry has decided to extend the school holidays until next Wednesday (20). The decision was made based on the current fuel crisis, transportation difficulties and the views of trade unions. Accordingly, schools will reopen from Thursday (21). A discussion held on this matter at the ministry with the participation of the additional secretaries including Ministry Secretary, National Institute of Education (NIE) Director General, directors & provincial directors of education more..

Jul 15 (AD) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has taken oath as the Acting Prez. He was sworn in before Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya. His swearing-in came shortly after Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena officially announced the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the President of SL effective from July 14, 2022. Meanwhile, the vacancy in the country’s presidency is set to be announced in the parliament more..

Jul 15 (FT) Operations at the Hambantota International Port (HIP) from port services, marine services, energy hub, Port Industrial Park and integrated logistics are running uninterrupted, despite the current fuel crisis in the country. As an essential service, HIP has ensured continuous fuel supply to enable the port to function 24/7 with no disruptions in shipping, logistics operations and services. Recently, the multipurpose vessel MV Bahri HOFUF called to pick up transshipped more..

Jul 15 (HRW) SL security forces and other authorities should respect the rights of protesters following the declaration of a state of emergency on July 13, 2022, Human Rights Watch said today. PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, as acting president, declared the emergency as well as a curfew in the Western Province, which includes the capital, Colombo, after the departing president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, fled the country following months of an unprecedented political and economic crisis. more..

Jul 15 (DM) The Supreme Court today issued an interim order preventing former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Minister Basil Rajapaksa from leaving the country without court's permission until July 28. Accordingly, a majority of a divided five-judge-Supreme Court bench decided to grant an interim order sought by the petitioners in a Fundamental Rights petition filed against several respondents including former PM and more..

Jul 15 (Island) Tourist coach operators claim that they have had to drastically increase their fares due to the prevailing fuel shortage. This has adversely affected tourism because those who visit Sri Lanka informed others of the situation here. Tourist coach operators said that they had to charge between Rs. 30,000 and 35,000 to transport a tourist from the Katunayake Airport to Galle. Because of this most tourists take the bus or the train to Colombo. Tourist coach operators say more..

Jul 15 (EN) SL’s bond and Treasury bill rates fell in mid-morning trade on Friday while a guidance peg on interbank spot trading was strengthened, dealers said after the Speaker of the Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena officially announced the resignation of Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The market was positive on the Rajapaksa resignation as it was seen as an initial step to instil investor confidence. In bond markets a bond maturing on 01.06.25 was quoted at 27/28% down more..

Jul 15 (CT) Trade unions have decided to postpone the hartal and strike campaign, which had been set for today (15), till Monday (18), considering the current situation in the country, Co-convener of Trade Union Coordinating Centre (UCC), Ravi Kumudesh. He said if the Acting Prez and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe feels that he has the public support, he would have the opportunity to prove it in the upcoming election rather than finding shortcuts to remain in power & create chaos in country. more..

Jul 15 (ANI) While SL faces its worst economic crisis since independence with food and fuel shortages, China has turned a blind eye to the crisis and shifted the blame to the borrower, a media report said. Amid the pandemic, the country was trying to rebuild its economy, but the tourism industry was hit badly, an article in the Global Strat View think-tank read. Tourism in SL supports 10 to 15% of the economy. The effect of the COVID-19 crisis, the loss of tourists, high govt expenditure more..

Jul 15 (AD) MP Dullas Alahapperuma says he intends to contest for the presidency when the parliament calls for nominations next week. Issuing a statement, the former minister pledged to commit to work towards the restoration of economic stability in the country and to protect law and order. As announced by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena this morning, the parliament will elect a new President on July 20. more..

Jul 15 (Reuters) Sri Lanka is continuing negotiations with China for as much as $4 billion in aid and is confident Beijing will agree at some point, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing Sri Lanka's ambassador to China. Colombo is asking China for a loan of $1 billion to repay an equivalent amount of Chinese debt coming due this year, Palitha Kohona said. Sri Lanka is also seeking a $1.5 billion credit line to pay for Chinese imports and activation of a $1.5 b swap, Kohona added. more..

Jul 15 (EN) Stocks gained over 2% on Friday to end at three-week closing high as political stability hope after PM Wickremesinghe took charge as the Acting Prez boosted the sentiment, brokers said. Former Prez Raajapaksa, who fled the county fearing for his life following over three months of protests, tendered his resignation letter on Thursday in a bid to ease the political crisis after an unprecedented economic crisis. ASPI closed 2.04% or 149.58 points up at 7,467.82, its highest close since June 24. more..

Jul 15 (CI) Through the middle of the last decade, Sri Lanka and Pakistan seemed to play Test series annually. Often, these were closely contested, and frequently produced compelling cricket. Pakistan's two incredible fourth-innings chases stand out - the manic one in Sharjah in early 2014, the masterful Younis Khan-led triumph in Pallekele the following year. There were the Rangana Herath routs as well, such as in Abu Dhabi in 2017, and Galle in 2014. Kumar Sangakkara's mastery over more..

Jul 15 (DM) Firm and permanent solutions should be in place to overcome the present political instability in the country and to restore every sector, including health, while ensuring the basic needs of the people, the GMOA said. Dr. Prasad Kolabage stated that the people of the country wanted to change the country's corrupted and failed politics and seek solutions to the country's ongoing economic, political and social issues to find a way to overcome the current fuel, domestic gas & electricity crisis. more..

Jul 15 (AD) SLPP has decided to support Acting Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe in the parliamentary vote to elect the country’s next President, the party’s general-secretary Sagara Kariyawasam says. Wickremesinghe, who was appointed the PM after Mahinda Rajapaksa was forced to step down in early May amidst growing public agitations, was sworn in as the caretaker president today more..

Jul 15 (CI) Pakistan's team masseur Malang Ali has tested positive for Covid-19 on arrival in Colombo. He will have to undergo a 5-day isolation period and will be able to join the team, subject to a negative Rapid Antigen Test on day five. In the past, Pakistan haven't had a masseur replaced on their away tours. In case Malang isn't able to recover in the time for the opening Test starting July 16, the team management will have to hire a masseur from Sri Lanka in a makeshift arrangement. more..

Jul 15 (CT) Vehemently condemning Prez Rajapaksa’s delay to resign, the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) urged all political parties to reach a consensus, setting all their differences aside, for the sake of the country. AMS President and Secretary Drs. Lakkumar Fernando and R. Gnanasekeram, in an open letter to all political parties and leaders of the apolitical Aragalaya (People’s Struggle), said the delay caused by Prez Rajapaksa to resign had provoked further more..

Jul 15 (Reuters) The International Monetary Fund is still in contact with officials at technical levels within the SL govt and hopes to be able to resume discussions with higher-level officials, an IMF spokesman said on Thursday, after SL's president announced his resignation. "We hope for a resolution of the current situation that would allow for our resumption of a dialogue on an IMF-supported program," IMF spokesman Gerry Rice said more..

Jul 15 (ANI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that India is trying to help its neighbour Sri Lanka in its time of crisis as much as possible. Addressing the launch of the second P17A stealth frigate 'Dunagiri' in Kolkata, the Defence Minister said that India has maintained warm and strong relations with all neighbouring countries. "India wants friendly relations with all its neighbouring countries. For this, India keeps making constant efforts. more..

Jul 15 (ANI) Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday visited two injured soldiers being treated at the Army Hospital. The soldiers got injured in clashes amid protestors' uprising in the island nation. Meanwhile, SL's ruling party on Friday said it would nominate interim Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe for the presidency when Parliament elects a new president on July 20. General Secretary of SLPP Sagara Kariyawasam said that the SLPP would nominate Wickremesinghe and support him more..

Jul 15 (CT) Dept of Prisons has taken steps to provide telephone facilities for prisoners. Owing to the current situation in the country and the lack of transportation facilities, it has become difficult for the relatives of the prisoners to visit the prisons. It was mentioned that it is important to maintain the mental integrity of the prisoners and their family relationships in order to turn them into good citizens. As a remedy, arrangements have been made to provide telephone facilities to more..

Jul 15 (DM) India will continue to stand with the people of SL as they seek to realize their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means and values as well as established institutions and a constitutional framework, Indian High Commission said. Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India said that India looked forward to an early solution of the situation related to the govt and its leadership in SL through democratic means and values, established institutions more..

Jul 15 (DM) Astonishing revelations have come to the fore about how the Foreign Ministry under Prez Rajapaksa has attempted to throw the full diplomatic weight of SL behind an effort to safeguard Prez’s first cousin, former SL Ambassador to Washington D.C., Jaliya Wickramasuriya from being prosecuted in the US District Court for District of Columbia on charges of embezzling SL govt funds. Former Diplomat was indicted for more..

Jul 15 (TM) NextGenSL has expressed that as a collective of cross-party youth political representatives, they believe that there should be a peaceful transition of power in Parliament and that an all-party interim govt should be established with the support of all political parties represented to find solutions to the current crisis. “The responsibility of Prez, PM, Speaker, and everyone else is to take all necessary steps for this as soon as possible. Greed for excessive political power, petty internal more..

Jul 15 (TM) Emphasising that Prez and PM of a future interim Govt should be elected with the consent of all political parties, the polls monitor, PAFFREL has requested all political party leaders and MPs, to therefore, not hold a Parliament vote for the same, for any reason. PAFFREL has sent a letter to all political party leaders and MPs regarding the measures to be taken in the face of the prevailing political crisis in the country. the letter dated yesterday, PAFFREL Exec Director more..

Jul 15 (BBC) The governor of SL's central bank, Nandalal Weerasinghe, has warned that the country may shut down if no stable government is formed soon. There is a lot of uncertainty over whether enough foreign exchange can be found to pay for essential petroleum, he told the BBC. Progress on getting an international bailout package depended on having a stable administration, he said. The country is in the grip of mass unrest more..

Jul 15 (DM) National Christian Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) called on the Parliamentarians to respect and heed to the voice of the general public and to form a United or All-Party Govt urgently to address and lift the nation from its fallen state of bankruptcy. The NCCSL said in a statement that they were highly disturbed by the unfolding events in the country, which apart from the economic bankruptcy, is moving the nation towards a deep political catastrophe. more..

Jul 15 (DM) The hotel sector in the country has lost the bulk of its business in a matter of days due to the irrational decision-making of the authorities. Hotels’ Association of SL (THASL) said the situation for the tourism sector has taken a worse turn, making it increasingly difficult to attract international tourists. “The need of the hour is political stability. We cannot move forward without that. We are slapped with curfew after curfew, and we have travel advisories against the country. These are detrimental. more..

Jul 16 (DM) If conflicts could be settled by friendly dialogue instead of war or violence, then what a wonderful world we would be in. Through friendship and forgiveness we could even turn our enemy into our best friend. Friendship, its virtues and values are well expressed in the American singer and song writer Don Williams’ inspiring song You’re my best friend. It goes like this: “You placed gold on my finger, you brought love like I’ve never known, you gave life to our children, & to me a reason more..

Jul 16 (DM) The govt which earlier retreated in the face of the people’s uprising against it now seems to have determined to take the bull by the horns and defeat it. It is not clear if this is the result of the govt exhausting its patience or the change of leadership after Prez Rajapaksa left the country on account of the uprising intensifying. When angry crowds flocked in their thousands near the private residence of Prez Rajapaksa on March 31 and when thousands of people launched a permanent protest site more..

Jul 16 (DM) Go Home was the clarion call around which the people launched their Aragalaya or Struggle. It has achieved its primary goal. Gota has been made to go, but to which home remains an unanswered question still. It is also unclear as to whether he has indeed resigned as President. This column will celebrate when there is more light on these matters. A remarkably significant outcome of the Aragalaya has been more..

Jul 16 (CT) It was Engels who coined the phrase the ironies of history, taken up and made popular in the 20th century by Isaac Deutscher. On another occasion, Engels also said something to the effect that revolutionaries wake up to find that the revolution they had made is not the one they had sought to make or thought they were making, and then they have to start all over again to fight for their original cause but under a different banner. Is that to be the fate or destiny of the Aragalaya? more..