May 10 (DM) Senior DIG in charge of Western Province, Deshabandu Tennakoon, has reportedly been injured in an attack carried out by a group of persons. The high-ranking police officer had been assaulted by a group at Perahera Mawatha near the Beira Lake in Colombo. The angry mob had also attacked and damaged the Senior DIG’s vehicle. Meanwhile footage of the incident, circulating on social media, shows several persons surrounding and attacking the police officer with clubs, more..

May 10 (AD) Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has requested Prez Rajapaksa to convene the parliament immediately. The next parliamentary session was originally scheduled to be held on the 17th of May, however, the resignation of Mahinda Rajapaksa as the PM resulted in the dissolution of the Cabinet. Accordingly, the Speaker urged the President to take necessary measures to convene the parliament, as the appointment of a new PM and a Cabinet is of importance. more..

May 10 (EN) SL is without ministers for almost a day after the resignation of the PM and under the country’s peculiarly dysfunctional constitution with impermanent secretaries, the most senior public servants are also losing their jobs. The destruction of SL’s public service began with permanent secretaries appointed by a civil service commission being abolished in 1971. In 1979 the Prez directly appointed and sacked the now impermanent more..

May 10 (EN) Sri Lanka’s commercial banks quoted the rupee at 375 to the dollar for telegraphic transactions on Tuesday while the equity and secondary markets were closed following violent protests in the country, participants said. The central bank’s indicative spot was quoted at 364.76 against the US dollar on Tuesday, down from 358.5 against the US dollar on Friday. However, at the time of filing central bank’s dollar TT rates for Tuesday were not available. more..

May 10 (AD) Police have requested the court to issue an emergency order to remove the barriers and obstructions existing at the entrance to the Presidential Secretariat at Galle Face. The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has postponed until May 12 the consideration of the request made by police. The request was to be considered before Colombo Chief Magistrate Nandana Amarasinghe today. Accordingly, the Chief Magistrate ordered that the consideration of the request be postponed more..

May 10 (FT) It is not unknown in history that a single ruler was the cause of a nation’s downfall, the obvious case in modern times being Adolf Hitler—an elected leader—, one of the best known among a collection of reviled names scattered throughout history as examples of the evil that power can degenerate into. In each case they mercifully failed to prevail in the end. On this island, Prez Rajapaksa has become that nightmare for its people, just two years after he was elected as head of state, more..

May 10 (DM) The staff members of the department of Immigration and Emigration are to abstain from duty if no action by govt. to restore law and order. The Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration Officers' Association (SLIEOA) warned the government that they would disengage from their duties with immediate effect, if the President, Speaker and all parliamentarians do not take immediate action to restore a conducive situation the country. While issuing a media release, more..

May 10 (AAP) Cricket Australia is monitoring fast-growing unrest in Sri Lanka but remains confident next month’s tour of the country will go ahead as planned. SL’s PM Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned on Monday night, following months of protests after the nation was plunged into its worst economic crisis in decades. His resignation followed an attack by govt supporters on protesters, leading to a countrywide curfew and armed troops more..

May 10 (AD) Tweeting about the deteriorating economic situation in SL, UK embassy in SL asked its citizens to avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings. Advisory said the UK’s citizens in SL should avoid all protests and follow the advice of local authorities. Sarah Hulton, UK High Commissioner, strongly condemned the violence against peaceful protestors. Urging the authorities to safeguard citizens’ rights to protest peacefully, Hulton asked govt to hold the perpetrators more..

May 10 (CI) A belligerent century from Darren Stevens propelled Kent from 95 for 4 to 418 for 6 at stumps on the opening day of their four-day match against Sri Lanka's Development XI in Canterbury. Stevens, the veteran allrounder who turned 46 on April 30, thumped 168 off just 142 balls - including 24 fours and five sixes - to lead his side's recovery. He was superbly supported by George Linde, who reached 107 and shared a 264-run stand with Stevens. more..

May 10 (TM) Bar Association of SL (BASL), while expresses its grave concern at the violence which occurred in the course of yesterday commencing from the violence unleashed from Temple Trees on the protest sites opposite Temple Trees and at Galle Face, has made four demands to restore public confidence and peace. They are as follows: The immediate arrest according to law of all persons who instigated, conspired to unleash more..

May 10 (EN) The death toll from the wave of seemingly spontaneous violence that shook Sri Lanka Monday increased to eight by Tuesday afternoon, with over 220 people admitted to hospital with injuries, police said. SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that by Tuesday, two deaths in Weeraketiya, three deaths in Nittambuwa and one death each in Katana and Imaduwa areas had been reported. “In Imaduwa, it is the Pradeshiya Sabha chairman that has been killed,” said Thalduwa. more..

May 10 (PTI) India on Tuesday said it is fully supportive of SL's democracy, stability and economic recovery, a day after the island nation's PM Mahinda Rajapaksa quit amid massive protests in the country over the govt's handling of the economic crisis. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "India will always be guided by the best interests of the people of SL expressed through democratic processes." He was responding to media queries more..

May 10 (ANI) Following the violent protests that erupted in Sri Lanka on Monday, former SL Cricketer Arjuna Ranatunga termed the incident "unfortunate" and accused the police of handling the situation badly. The developments come even as nationwide protests against the govt have intensified over the past few days resulting in an increase in incidents of clashes with the security forces deployed at protest sites. The former cricketer said, "It was a very unfortunate planned incident. more..

May 10 (CT) Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Leader MP Mano Ganesan said the incumbent Govt and Rajapaksa family are to blame for Sri Lanka’s state of unrest, which they purposely planned and executed to destabilise the peaceful protest at Galle Face. He said the 30-day protest at Galle Face, Colombo has been designated as the most peaceful protest by the international community. “People who supported Mahinda Rajapaksa, destroyed it yesterday (9), beginning at Temple Trees. more..

May 10 (NR) MP Namal Rajapaksa says his father former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa will not flee the country. Former PM Rajapaksa, who resigned from the post yesterday, left the Temple Trees this morning. He resigned amid mass protests at the govt’s handling of a deepening economic crisis. The letter of resignation was sent by Mahinda Rajapaksa to Prez Rajapaksa last evening in an attempt to resolve the current crisis. more..

May 10 (DM) The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) yesterday cautioned that the country would face grave repercussions, if immediate action is not taken to protect the fundamental rights of the people. The chamber expressed it is alarmed by the violent attacks on the protestors outside the Temple Trees and at Galle Face that took place yesterday. The violent attacks were carried out by pro-govt supporters, as anti-govt supporters carried on with their month-long peaceful protest. more..

May 10 (CT) Large tracts of abandoned shrimp ponds remain, unsuitable for most uses because of unfavourably altered soil chemistry and limited dispersal ability of propagules, the World Bank in a recent publication warned. The publication titled Priorities for Sustainably Managing SL’s Marine Fisheries, Coastal Aquaculture, and the Ecosystems that Support Them, dated Sept 2021, but released on the WB website recently said the other biggest environmental impact resulted from locating more..

May 10 (AD) The armed forces have been ordered to open fire on any person involved in looting public property or causing physical harm to others. Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne urged the general public to refrain from such conduct. He urged the country’s youth to continue their struggle in a peaceful manner without causing any harm to any individuals and without damaging to setting fire to any properties, be it public or private. more..

May 10 (ANI) After clashes broke out in Sri Lanka where the protestors came under attack by the pro-govt supporters, the World Bank (WB) has expressed deep concerns over the deteriorating situation in the Island Nation. The developments come even as nationwide protests against the govt have intensified over the past few days resulting in an increase in incidents of clashes with the security forces deployed at protest sites. WB Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and SL more..

May 10 (TW) In this episode, Dr Happymon Jacob speaks with Dr George Cooke, diplomatic historian and senior lecturer at the Dept of International Relations, Uni of Colombo, to discuss the ongoing economic and political crisis in SL. Cooke discusses what exactly landed SL into one of the worst crises it has faced in decades, along with the strategic significance of SL in the Indo-Pacific region. He paints a clear picture of the sufferings of ordinary Lankans who are facing severe shortages more..

May 10 (AD) SL Police says that two suspects have been arrested in connection with the assault on Senior DIG in charge of Western Province, Deshabandu Tennakoon. The suspects have been arrested by Kollupitiya Police, a short while ago. Earlier today, it was reported that Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon has been injured in an attack carried out by a group of persons. According to reports, the high-ranking police officer had been assaulted by a group at Perahera Mawatha more..

May 10 (MM) Malaysia’s High Commission in SL has advised Malaysians residing in the island nation to be cautious and always adhere to the rules and regulations there following the ongoing economic crisis and security situation in that country. The HC said that during the emergency situation when curfew was imposed like now, Malaysians were advised to stay indoors. “As for Malaysians planning to travel to SL, they should consider postponing their trip until curfew has been lifted. more..

May 10 (AD) The curfew which is currently in effect island-wide has been extended until 7 a.m. on Thursday (12), the President’s Media Division announced. The curfew had been imposed in accordance with the provisions of Section 16 of the Public Security Ordinance from 7 pm yesterday (09) while it was initially expected to remain in effect until 7 am today (10). However, it was extended until tomorrow and more..

May 10 (CT) SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem said their future stance on the formation of an interim govt would be determined by Prez Rajapaksa’s decision during ongoing discussions with the Bar Association of SL (BASL) in this regard. Hakeem also claimed that the announcement made to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa regarding the Interim Govt was too late and that the time for it had passed. The shortage of essential commodities, other commodities, construction materials, and more..

May 10 (DM) Police said violence throughout the island on Monday has resulted in 8 deaths and number of arson attacks on houses and properties. They said eight men including a MP, a PS Chairman, a Sub Inspector of Police and a Police Seargent had died during the riots and violent activities that took place island wide on Monday. More than 230 have been injured in those incidents. 47 vehicles and 38 houses came under arson attack, while 41 vehicles and 65 houses had been severely damaged. more..

May 11 (DM) On Wednesday following unprovoked attacks by hooligans supporting ex-premier Mahinda Rajapaksa on peaceful protesters opposite Temple Trees and at Galle Face Green the country soon descended into chaos bordering on anarchy. Within hours of the attacks on peaceful protestors, furious groups took to the streets armed with clubs, sticks and stones began checking vehicles for the Galle Face Green attackers and assaulting them unmercifully. more..

May 11 (TM) In less than 24 hours, PM Rajapaksa resigned, anti-Govt groups retaliated against pro-Govt groups, people were killed, and properties amounting to an unknown value were destroyed. Most importantly, violence, which was hardly a part of the ongoing protests, somehow took centre stage. However, the tense situation is not over. Organised attacks by anti-Govt groups and the monitoring of politicians leaving the country are still taking place, and some people are of the view that more..

May 11 (DM) The #gotagohome campaign that started a few weeks back demanding the President to step down from office, was escalated to #gotagohome and give back our money. The people are not merely wanting a regime change but demanding in one voice that the national wealth stolen by the rulers be paid back. The questions that are looming in many a mind is how does one retrieve stolen assets? more..

May 11 (DM) The Rajapaksas know just one way. Deception, intimidation, murder, violence, bribery, thuggery, racism etc. etc. are the cornerstones of their governing policy. They do not hesitate to employ any of those tactics if those bring, maintain and secure their grip on power. Every time their attempts of perpetual rule is thwarted either by ballot, as was on Jan 8, 2015 when Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa was defeated by the common candidate Maithripala Sirisena or by judicial action, more..

May 11 (CT) The events that unfolded on Monday, lasting through yesterday, were quite unprecedented in the history of this country – even during the 30 years of war, 1958 pogrom, 1983 Black July or even the 87-89 insurgency. A group of SLPP-sponsored goons, following a meeting at Temple Trees with the now-disgraced former PM Rajapaksa, walked towards Galle Face openly threatening to attack the peaceful civilian protesters camped at GotaGoGama, while the law enforcement more..

May 11 (TM) In many contexts, certain professions are usually viewed as more of a service than a profession, and practitioners are viewed as people who perform a service to their community; such as the medical profession. In Sri Lanka, doctors are often assigned the value of life-saving gods, while at the same time, many people feel that doctors are obliged to provide their services with no restrictions. more..

May 11 (Island) After govt-backed goons attacked peaceful protesters at the Galle Face Green on Monday plunging the country into further turmoil, fingers have been pointed at former Minister Johnston Fernando for instigating the attacks. Successive leaders have failed to rein in Minister Fernando, who has a reputation for being a loose cannon. UNP won the General Elections in 2001 and Johnston Fernando was one of the confidants of Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe more..

May 11 (ST) That was meant to be a candid statement. At least that is what Finance Minister Mohamed Ali Sabry perhaps thought it was and hoped that most of those who are now at the collective jugular of the president, prime minister and the pohottuwa -not to mention corporate acolytes of the lotus leaders-would see it at such. The finance minister’s sworn testimony, as it were, to parliament came at a time when the once seemingly untouchable Rajapaksa clan-especially more..

May 11 (CT) Rajapaksa family’s political project built on a latent desire to control the country’s economy, polity, media, and the public discourse by using religion, nation and their protection plus the twisting of law to suit family interests (along with those who are loyal) has come under severe pressure by the educated, new generation youths and those who follow them during the last and this month. The epicentre of this protest and pressure is what is called #GoHomeGota near Prez secretariat, more..