Dec 14 (FT) SL�s two main political parties holding the PM post by turn has only resulted in the continuation of corruption and fraud, charged JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Parliament, insisting it is time for a change that would develop the country and find solutions to public issues. According to MP Dissanayake, the constitutional crisis was a result of the coalition Government�s behaviour, more..

Dec 14 (Island) Businesses in Sri Lanka that offer childcare support to their employees can gain a significant positive impact on recruitment, retention and productivity of workers, especially women, according to a new report released by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, in collaboration with the UNICEF. Tackling Childcare: The Business Case of Employer-supported Childcare in Sri Lanka is IFC�s first country-specific report, more..

Dec 14 (CT) At the 2019 Global Appeal of the UNHCR held in Geneva Wednesday, SL pledged a modest contribution of US$ 15,000 to the UNHCR's 2019 programmes. At the event yesterday, SL expressed its earnest desire that the commitments made by the int'l community to the recently adopted Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) would remain on course, emphasizing that �transforming the Compact into meaningful, practical measures would help address the protection needs of more..

Dec 14 (CT) A motion was filed in the Supreme Court yesterday, by a lawyer representing UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, requesting that a 5-Judge Bench be appointed to hear the appeal filed by UPFA MP Mahinda Rajapaksa against the Court of Appeal Interim Order preventing him (Rajapaksa) from holding office as PM and his appointed Cabinet of Ministers from functioning. The motion has stated that as the appeal is more..

Dec 14 (CT) The present Parliament�s mandate is only for a select few courses of action, such as enacting legislation to punish those involved in the 26 Oct conspiracy against the Constitution, passing the 20th Amendment to abolish the Executive Presidency and subsequently dissolving Parliament, JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. He was addressing the media in front of the Supreme Court after the verdict was given in the case challenging the dissolution of the Parliament more..

Dec 14 (Island) The odds are against the Sri Lankans lead up to the two match Test series against New Zealand that gets underway at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Saturday. Play will get underway at 3:30 am SL time with New Zealand six and half hours ahead of SL. After an embarrassing 3-0 series loss to England at home, SL�s confidence is on a low ebb and authorities have made sweeping changes sacking Batting and Fielding coaches. more..

Dec 14 (DN) Supreme Court yesterday delivered the much awaited judgement on the dissolution of Parliament declaring that the President cannot dissolve Parliament before four and a half years from its first sitting unless with a two thirds majority in Parliament. After delivering the judgment, the politicians and the law professionals who were at the Supreme Court premises expressed their views to the media. more..

Dec 14 (AFP) Supreme Court opened the way for potential impeachment proceedings against the president on Thursday, ruling that he broke the law by dissolving parliament last month. The verdict is a major blow to Maithripala Sirisena, seven weeks into a political crisis in the Indian Ocean island nation that has sparked alarm abroad and concern over its finances. 7-judge bench unanimously agreed that Sirisena violated the constitution when he dissolved parliament and called a snap election more..

Dec 14 (Nikkei) SL's Supreme Court leaves President Sirisena politically weakened with a landmark unanimous ruling Thursday that he violated the constitution by dissolving parliament ahead of its mandated four-and-a-half-year term. The decision by the 7-member bench represents the latest blow delivered by the South Asian nation's increasingly independent judiciary to a leader bent on flexing his executive authority. SL has lacked a functioning govt since Sirisena sparked more..

Dec 14 (FT) In a landmark judgement, a 7-judge Bench of the Supreme Court yesterday unanimously ruled that the Gazette dissolving Parliament, issued by President Sirisena on 9 Nov, was unconstitutional, and Parliament cannot be dissolved until four and a half out of its five year term is completed. In the much-awaited judgment, running to 87 pages, the SC also quashed the Gazette notification. more..

Dec 14 (DN) In a special media announcement the Election Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket has denied the reports appearing in several media reports that have stated that calling for nominations for the election of office bearers of Sri Lanka Cricket has been indefinitely postponed. The committee wishes to reiterate there is no legal provision whatsoever to cancel or postpone the election of office bearers of SLC as the process was given effect by an Extraordinary Gazette Notification more..

Dec 14 (DM) Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who recently served as the PM, is likely to relinquish office in the govt soon along with his Cabinet. UPFA leaders attached to the JO met at the Wijerama residence of Mr Rajapaksa this evening and discussed the way forward after the court ruled out the dissolution of Parliament. Most members stressed the need to quit the govt and sit in the opposition. However, the final decision will be taken after the SC rules on the case challenging more..

Dec 14 (Island) The Sirisena-Rajapaksa govt yesterday alleged that ousted UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had received TNA backing for a Confidence Motion presented on his behalf at the expense of Sri Lanka�s unitary status. Minister Susil Premjayantha flayed Wickremesinghe for reaching consensus with one-time LTTE cat�s paw for his political survival. Premjayantha was flanked by lawmakers S.B. Dissanayake and more..

Dec 14 (DM) In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling today, President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have told the parliamentary group of the UPFA that he is not ready to work with UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at any cost. After the court ruling was announced, the group met with the President. At this meeting, it decided not to be party to any national unity government with the UNP hereafter. A party source said that if any of their members join hands with the UNP, more..

Dec 14 (CT) Following yesterday�s (13), Supreme Court verdict, TNA MP and Media Spokesman M.A. Sumanthiran said his Party expects the President to act according to the Constitution and reinstate the legal PM after this judgment. He was addressing the media outside the Supreme Court after the judgment in the case challenging the dissolution of the Parliament by the President was delivered. �The Supreme Court heard everybody�s petitions and has come to a decision. more..

Dec 14 (FT) Jubilant UNP members, led by MP Ranil Wickremesinghe, called on Prez Sirisena to respect the Supreme Court judgement and immediately establish a Govt that has the support of Parliament. UNP leader and MP Ranil Wickremesinghe, in a Twitter post minutes after the landmark judgement, said he hoped Sirisena will promptly respect the judgement of the courts. �The Legislature, Judiciary and more..

Dec 14 (DM) Stating that there is a possibility of a quick end to the present political crisis in the country, UNP MP Ajith P. Perera said his party has had discussions with SLFP and with some in SLPP. �We have been talking to various political parties,� he said while adding that it would be a welcome move if Prez Sirisena had expressed positive sentiments. He was actually referring to a statement that have been made by MP John Amaratunga that there has been positive response from Prez more..

Dec 14 (AD) UPFA Parliamentary Group was yesterday evening scheduled to met President Sirisena. President has, reportedly, said that a new govt and a new Cabinet of Ministers will be formed by next Monday. MP Nishantha Muthuhettigama stated that the Prez Sirisena has said this at a UPFA meeting. Meanwhile, MP Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena stated that the President said at the UPFA meeting that, he will not govern with UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe again. more..

Dec 14 (FT) Indicating no change in his stance, Prez Sirisena said he would only make a decision after observing the proceedings of the SC on the Interim Order issued by the Court of Appeal today, according to the UPFA MPs. Appeal filed against the Interim Order issued by the Court of Appeal, restraining MP Mahinda Rajapaksa from holding the office of PM and his Cabinet from functioning, has been fixed for support today more..

Dec 14 (DM) The news of three impersonators being arrested for helping candidates to cheat at the ongoing General Certificate of Education O/L Exam must be taken seriously not only by the education authorities, but also by the candidates� parents. Now that the impersonators and two candidates who were represented by two of them have been arrested the law will take its course. But these cheating incidents at a national exam must be focused upon from perspective of student. more..

Dec 14 (DM) It is a lingering crisis on two demands for political power. Ranil Wickremesinghe and his UNP are asking for their Govt back with their PM. With ITAK leadership providing in writing the TNA would support the UNF with no political conditions attached, Wickremesinghe is assured of a majority beyond the required 113 votes in Parliament. Rajapaksa has his demand too. It is an early Parliamentary Election. He promised an early election as the major promise of his more..

Dec 14 (ST) Sirisena who then installed a Rajapaksa-led regime. The sudden change in govt led to a string of transfers and dismissals of workers in many govt institutions. Some of the ministries and govt institutions facing a crisis as a result of these politically motivated changes are: The Ministry of Plantation Industries, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) and more..

Dec 14 (Island) Minister Susil Premjayantha said that they could address issues caused by their obtaining membership of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). Attorney-at-law Premjayantha said that they were confident of overcoming any issue in this regard. Premjayantha said that they were in the process of discussing electoral arrangements. Premjayantha was flanked by MPs C B Ratnayake & Mahinda Yapa more..

Dec 14 (CT) President of National Trade Union Centre (NTUC) and former JVP MP K. D. Lalkantha opined that there might be riots and blood bath in the country in the near future if, Prez Sirisena would not take actions to appoint a legitimate Govt. Addressing the 18th anniversary of Management Assistants Union (MAU), Lalkantha claimed that, Prez�s coup has gone wrong and he should expect an unwholesome return more..

Dec 14 (FT) A senior Central Bank official claimed that the non-bank finance institutions (NBFIs) has been operated according to shareholders or shadow directors mandate, while weakening the role of the compliance function, the board of directors and senior management. �We all know that most of the finance companies were initiated through family owned businesses and therefore, the larger public element included in soliciting more..

Dec 14 (CT) The UNP should not be too happy about the verdict given by the Supreme Court, against the dissolution of Parliament by the President, as it will have to come before the citizenry one day and face an election within a short space of time, Attorney-at-Law Premnath C. Dolawatte, one of the intervenient petitioners who claimed President Sirisena�s Gazette Notification to dissolve Parliament was constitutional, said. more..

Dec 14 (FT) MP Sajith Premadasa yesterday appealed to President Maithripala Sirisena to end the Constitutional standoff by accepting MP Ranil Wickremesinghe as PM, and allowing the country to return to normal without further delay. Moving the Vote of Confidence yesterday in Parliament, to prove MP Wickremesinghe commands the confidence of Parliament to function as the PM, MP Premadasa said: more..

Dec 14 (FT) UNP MP Vajira Abeywardena yesterday said the Supreme Court�s decision has proven that the Judiciary is independent, and insisted only UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe can resolve the political crisis and restore economic stability. �The verdict of the Supreme Court has shown all decisions taken by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and 122 MPs were correct. Recent political crisis had affected the entire country, more..

Dec 14 (AD) Saman Ratnapriya of the Purawesi Balaya organization, who has been charged for allegedly making statements that would pose a threat to the national security, has been summoned to the Police Special Investigation Unit (SIU). He has arrived at the SIU at around 9.30 am this morning along to record a statement. Reportedly, two other members of Puawesi Balaya organization, Prof Sarath Wijesuriya & Gamini Viyangoda more..

Dec 14 (FT) SL Air Force, under the leadership and initiative of Air Force Commander Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy, conducted SL�s first ever seed bombing operation in Nochchiagama this morning. SLAF has been actively involved in a number of efforts to restore the forest cover of SL. The involvement of the SLAF in the pioneering Seed Bombing Project is a continuation and reaffirmation of its commitment to this endeavour. more..

Dec 14 (AD) The Supreme Court has rejected the motion for a five-judge panel requested by the lawyers of Ranil Wickremesinghe to hear the appeal of Mahinda Rajapaksa on holding the PM�s Office. Accordingly, the hearing of the appeal commenced with a three-judge panel at the Supreme Court. The motion requesting a five-member judge panel to hear the appeal of Mahinda Rajapaksa on holding premiership is currently more..

Dec 14 (NR) The CID has arrested two more Navy personnel over their involvement in the abduction of 11 youth in 2008 and 2009. Police Media Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said that the two Navy officers were arrested last night after being questioned by the CID yesterday. SP Gunasekara said one Navy personnel is a Junior Officer and the other is a Leading Seaman. CID is conducting investigations into the abduction and disappearance of 11 youth between 2008 and 2009. more..

Dec 14 (FT) The crisis that has been developing in Sri Lanka, manifesting itself in varied forms at different times since independence, has now taken the form of a constitutional crisis, threatening the survival of the Sri Lankan State. Regardless of the Court�s decision, the collapse of the State cannot be avoided. The arbitrary act of the President has only accelerated the momentum of this collapse, plunging the State into a complete anarchic situation. One thing I can say for sure is more..

Dec 14 (Island) The 1st suspect in the case Shanthy Kanagasingam is habitually misleading the CID and misdirecting the investigations by making false statements. For instance she told the CID on 1st October that nearly Rs 98 Million from the allegedly cheated money had been invested in her own Company T D Water House (Pvt) Ltd. But a Director of this Company Jeewaka Viswajith had told the CID that the 1st suspect had made no such investment in the Company. more..

Dec 14 (DM) The SLPP MPs will attend the parliamentary sessions on Dec 18, MP Kanchana Wijesekera said today. He told a news briefing that the decision had been taken following the Supreme Court verdict delivered yesterday ruling that President Sirisena�s decision to dissolve parliament was unconstitutional and illegal. �The MPs will get the opportunity to see as to who has got the majority in parliament according to the Constitution and the Sanding Orders,� the MP said more..

Dec 14 (AD) Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has decided to resign from the Premiership in order to ensure stability of the country, according to MP Namal Rajapaksa. In a twitter message, he said that Rajapaksa will step down tomorrow following an address to the nation. The MP further said that the SLPP along with the former President, the SLFP and other will work to form a broader coalition with President Sirisena. more..

Dec 14 (Island) The Batticaloa police, on Wednesday, arrested the driver of a lorry which ran over a schoolboy at Kaduruwela. He had fled the scene, police said, adding that he had been driving in a reckless manner. The deceased was Gamini Amarasinghe (18) a student of Royal College, Polonnaruwa and resident of Perakum Place, Kaduruwela. The incident occurred around 4.00 a.m. and footage from a CCTV camera installed nearby helped the police identify the lorry. more..

Dec 14 (CT) Ranil Wickremesinghe�s blue eyed boy in politics, Leader of the JVP, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in a show of discord and in an attempt to reify the affected opposition towards the United National Party, ranted in Parliament on 12 Dec that Wickremesinghe cannot be made the Premier in place of Mahinda Rajapaksa. Although it was not outrightly pronounced that the JVP conditionally or unconditionally extend their support to Ranil Wickremesinghe, the public are well aware of more..

Dec 14 (CI) A change in selection committee has brought yet another change in the limited-overs leadership, with Lasith Malinga named captain of the ODI and T20 squads to NZ. Wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella has been named vice-captain. Dinesh Chandimal had most recently led Sri Lanka's ODI team, against England, while Thisara Perera was the T20 captain in the same tour. more..