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Presidential Talks
President Chandrika Kumaratunga has revived her call for a national government and re-assured that Parliament will be re-opened and the 2004 budget presented thereafter.In a televised address to the nation, she said the country was at the “cross roads in its history” and that it had been the demand of the people for a long […]
Right to Rule
Presidential spokesperson and new Rupavahini Corp., Chairman Harim Peiris said the President also has a mandate from the people. rnrnPeiris comments came on Friday evening following the Presidents move on Tuesday where she removed three portfolios off UNF Ministers and prorogued parliament until November 19. rn rnHer Excellency is only working on that mandate said […]
Playing Poker
President Chandrika Kumaratunga withdrew tough emergency laws on Friday and replaced them with a lesser clause under the Public Security Ordinance (Chapter One), giving her control over the armed forces, but removing powers to make emergency regulations.Though the controversial state of emergency decree announced on Wednesday was scrapped, the law authorised to replace it, allows […]
Hot Air
Tourism officials played down government claims of 2000 tourists cancelling bookings, after political chaos and reports of beefed up security.ldblquote So far we have had some 2000 tourists cancel their bookings and more cancellations pouring in dblquote , Cabinet spokesperson Professor G L Peiris told reporters on Thursday.rn rnPeiriss comments come, just two days after […]
State of What?
Confusion looms over the state of emergency, with the Government Printer saying the President had asked him not to issue the gazette notification imposing the emergency. Meanwhile, the Presidents office says Her Excellency is due to address the nation on the state of emergency at 8.30 pm on Friday.rn rnThe fresh developments come with Prime […]
Ranil Talks Back
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on his return from the United States says his immediate priority is to ensure the peace process is not jeopardised. ldblquote I have to create an environment that is conducive for the peace process, dblquote says Wickremesinghe adding that his mandate from the people was to enable the peace process. rn […]
Holding Hands
In 2001, many a Sri Lankan and some foreign residents here at the time, dropped what they were doing, to hold hands on the streets instead. There could be a repeat of event, but this time its organisers, Sri Lanka First, is also considering alternative proposals just in case the state of emergency now in […]
No-Fly Zone
Britain has issued a travel advisory to Sri Lanka and the up-coming tour of the English cricket team put off as the country slipped further into political chaos.rnrn rnThe warning to avoid travelling to the country follows the Presidents sacking of three key Ministers on Tuesday, and the taking over of the portfolios of Defence, […]
Tour Advisory
A top-rung tourism taskforce is already monitoring the ongoing political chaos and to map out salvage plans in the event of a worsening crisis. ldblquote We had a meeting in the trade today and what we have decided for the moment is to allow normal operations to continue. So far there is no serious cause […]
Higher Warnings
The Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that the President enjoys supreme, inalienable powers relating to defence of the country. rnThe ruling comes one day after President Kumaratunga sacked three key ministers and took over the portfolios of Defence, Interior and Media.rn rnldblquote The plenary Executive power including the Defence of Sri Lanka is vested and […]