Category: Politics
PM to head committee on UNHRC recommendations
June 22, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will head a special committee to oversee implementation of United Nations Human Rights Council recommendations agreed on in 2015. “Cabinet approved to appoint a committee of ministers chaired by the Prime Minister Wickremesinghe together with officials to assist the main committee in this regard,” […]
Those relegated to dustbin of history exploiting extremism: UNP
June 19, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s main ruling party, the United National Party, says political forces relegated to the dustbin of history are the ones who are attempting to exploit extremism and extremists in the hope of returning to power. Welcoming the decision of the cabinet to use full force of law against those […]
Sri Lanka Prime Minister off to US for medical treatment: Minister
May 30, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has left the country for medical treatment in the United States, Health Minister Rajitha Senarathne revealed. Minister Senarathne, speaking at a press conference held Tuesday at the Disaster Management Center, said that Prime Minister Wickremesinghe had postponed this medical examination over the past 18 […]
Sri Lanka Air Force Mi-17 helicopter crashes, no casualties
May 29, 2017 (LBO) – Police said an Air Force Mi-17 transport helicopter crashed Monday when descending to distribute goods to a flooded village in Baddegama. The Air force said the helicopter had crashed onto a house with no casualties and all crew members on board the helicopter were also safe. The government information said […]
Ravi Karunanayake wants more under his purview: reports
May 24, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s newly appointed Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake wants to bring the Securities and Exchange Commission under his purview along with several other institutions, media reports said. The Daily Mirror reported that the move to place SEC under him comes in the wake of a controversial liquor company making plans […]
UNP ready for elections: PM at May Day rally
May 02, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister and United National Party Leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe, said that they were ready for any election and would form the next Government. “Looking at these huge crowds, I can say that the UNP is ready for any challenge, any election,” said the Premier addressing the party’s May Day rally at Campbell […]
Sri Lanka govt wants Sarath Fonseka as defense chief
Apr 26, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s national government has offered ex-Army chief Sarath Fonseka the task of upholding discipline in the country by taking a key role in law and order under him. At Tuesday’s cabinet meeting it was proposed to appoint him either as Army Commander or as Chief of Defense Staff, Cabinet […]
Implications for Office on Missing Persons from Presidential powers: Verite
Apr 21, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s nineteenth amendment (19A) to the constitution which placed limitations on the powers of the President have implications on the operation of the Office on Missing Persons (OMP), a research report showed. Research conducted by the head of legal at Verité Research, Sabrina Esufally, argues that the constitution and […]
PM reveals progress of Presidential Commission of Inquiry
Mar 09, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Presidential Commission of Inquiry has carried out in-depth investigations into 400 complaints to date and investigations into 49 complaints have been finalized, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe revealed. The special commission was appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena on March 3rd, 2015 to investigate and inquire into serious acts of […]
Sri Lanka army seeks USD50mn loan from Russia for Mali operations
Jan 26, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet nod has been received to obtain a 50 million US dollar loan from a Russian bank to purchase military equipment required to deploy troops for peacekeeping in Mali. Sri Lanka has made commitments with United Nations to deploy 250 security personnel with major military equipment as well […]
Sri Lanka to amend firearms ordinance
Jan 18, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s President, as the Defence Minister, has proposed to the cabinet that the firearms ordinance should be amended as a timely requirement and for security reasons. A committee comprising of the Attorney General, Legal Draftsman, representatives of Tri-forces and other related agencies have made several observations to be included […]
Sri Lanka taking steps to deal with troubled past: Foreign Minister
Jan 16, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will deal with her troubled past honestly and truthfully, Foreign Minister Managala Samaraweera said, speaking at the Chatham House in London last week. Sri Lanka is committed to the co-sponsored resolution worked out with the Human Rights Council in October 2015 to “deal with the past honestly and […]