Category: Politics
MR outlines issues of proposed Hambantota port deal
Since the future of the Hambantota port is now under discussion, I wish to explain to the public, my position on this matter. The loans taken for the construction of this harbour were 450 million USD for the first phase, 70 million USD for the bunkering facility and 802 million USD for the second phase […]
Trinco port to India followed by Hambantota to China: JVP
Jan 06, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s marxist JVP says the island nation will have to let India control the Trincomalee harbour as a result of giving Hambantota Port to China. Party leader Anura Dissanayake told a public gathering that the Hambantota port deal is a part of the Chinese maritime silk road which ultimately […]
Sri Lanka divided as panel backs foreign judges to probe war crimes
Jan 06, 2017 (Reuters) – Sri Lanka should bring in international prosecutors and judges to help investigate alleged atrocities in the civil war that ended in 2009, a task force said on Thursday in recommendations that were welcomed by the United Nations. The Consultation Task Force (CTF), appointed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, said foreign […]
‘ custody
Jan 02, 2017 (Reuters) – India and Sri Lanka agreed to release fishermen in each others’ custody, a joint statement said on Monday, a move that is likely to ease tensions between the countries which have held fishermen captive for crossing territorial waters. After ministerial level talks in Colombo, Sri Lanka reiterated its demand to […]
2017 will be decisive for Sri Lanka: Mahinda Rajapaksa
2017 will be the year in which the future of Sri Lanka will be decided. The government’s devolution package to divide the country into what they call ‘distinct spheres of authority’, the ETCA with India to open up Sri Lanka to Indian service providers and workers, the privatisation of the Hambantota harbour and other government […]
‘s Mahinda Rajapaksa opposes land for Chinese investment
Dec 29, 2016 (Reuters) – Sri Lanka’s former leader Mahinda Rajapaksa on Thursday criticised a government plan to grant 15,000 acres for Chinese investment in his constituency, saying it will deprive people of agricultural land. Rajapaksa, chided by the West and India for his close relations with China during his rule, is now agitating against […]
Southern & Sabaragamuwa PCs defeat controversial bill of development
Dec 27, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Southern Provincial Council and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council today morning defeated the Development Special Provisions Draft Bill. 33 Provincial Council members voted against the bill while only 14 voted in favor in the Southern Provincial Council, while 20 voted against and 13 voted in favor in the Sabaragamuwa Provincial […]
JVP leader Anura Kumara tops most active MP rankings: Manthri.lk
Dec 21, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Marxist JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake has topped the most active Parliamentarians ranking of the year, a list compiled by manthri.lk website showed. The website launched in 2013 by Verité Research tracks and ranks parliament representatives in order of their performance. As per the data analyzed using the […]
Prime Minister thanks Navy Commander for rescuing ships
Dec 15, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister today expressed his gratitude to the Navy Commander and the entire staff for rescuing the two ships that were forcibly detained at the Hambantota Port. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe revealed that a Bill has been sent by K-Line shipping company mentioning that a loss of 400,000 […]
UN urges Sri Lanka to probe ongoing torture, war crimes
Dec 07, 2016 (Reuters) – A U.N. rights watchdog called on Sri Lanka on Wednesday to investigate “routine torture” of detainees by security forces and rebuked its government for failing to prosecute war crimes committed during the country’s 26-year civil war. The Sri Lankan military finally vanquished the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelan guerrillas […]
President moves to liquidate Rakna Araksha Lanka
Dec 07, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved President’s proposal to liquidate Rakna Araksha Lanka according to the guidance of Attorney General. The Rakna Lanka Ltd was established as an government affiliated security service to provide security to special institutions such as economic targets, public institutions, and private institutions. The company was formed […]
‘s allegation that govt is selling off assets is malicious: Ravi
Dec 07, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government rejects allegations made by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa that the government is selling off national assets, the Finance minister said. “This government is making meaningful endeavours to convert the infrastructure facilities constructed by the previous government at colossal cost with foreign loans,” Ravi Karunanayake, minister of finance said […]