Category: Politics
‘s President and the Rajapaksa dotage
June 27, 2018 (LBO) – Former President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa was born on November 18, 1945. A day after he turned 60 years old, on November 19, 2005, he assumed the Presidency. He had just narrowly defeated current Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was 56 at the time. By the time the 2020 […]
Explosive New York Times report suggests Chinese influence on Sri Lanka elections
June 26, 2018 (LBO) – The New York Times is out with an explosive report on China’s influence in Sri Lanka.The article puts forward specific details of China Harbor’s financial support to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s unsuccessful 2015 presidential election campaign. LBO is unable to verify the following facts in the New York Times article, […]
Buddha said to respect democracy, No dictatorial rule: PM
Jun 25, 2018 (LBO) – Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the Buddha had never preached a dictatorial rule but instead his thought was to consult, confer and disperse peacefully and to respect ideologies expressed by all people. “The Government is running the country according to the teachings in Buddhism and if Buddhism faces any danger, government […]
‘s promised act of parliament
June 22, 2018 (LBO) – Yesterday the magistrates court in Sri Lanka, hearing a case related to the country’s most prominent financial scandal, further remanded Arjun Aloysius and Kasun Palisena till July 5th. When July 5th arrives, the two would have spent over 5 months in remand without bail. The media cover the proceedings every […]
‘s progress closely despite their withdrawal from UNHRC
June 21, 2018 (LBO) – Outgoing US Ambassador Atul Keshap has met with senior Sri Lankan officials to convey the assurance of the United States government on human rights front despite their withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council.Ambassador Keshap has said that the US will remain fully engaged with the Sri Lankan government […]
Battle of the 70 year olds as Gotabaya turns 69, three months after Ranil
June 20, 2018 (LBO) – Today, former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa turned 69 years of age, roughly 3 months after Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe turned 69 on March 24th.The presidential hopefuls are on a collision course with each other at the next Presidential Election due before January 8, 2020.When both candidates formally go head to […]
‘s interview with embattled State Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe lights up social media
June14, 2018 (LBO) – On June 12, 2018, 7:39pm Azzam Ameen went live on BBC Sinhala’s Facebook site with his interview of State Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe. The State Minister has been caught up in the controversial bond issue which continues to dominate the headlines in Sri Lanka. The interview showed the power of BBC Sinhala’s […]
Get ready to leave at the end of the term says Godahewa to President Sirisena
June13, 2018 (LBO) – With the Presidential election in Sri Lanka close to 18 months away, potential candidates are positioning themselves ahead of the poll.Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the candidate recently attracting much attention, is trying to stake his claim though experiencing many complications.Foremost among these issues is his American citizenship which he will […]
Sri Lanka appoints two state ministers and five deputy ministers
Jun 12, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed two state ministers and five deputy ministers. The seven new ministers and deputy ministers were sown in at the Presidential Secretariat a short while ago. They will non cabinet ministers. The full list follows: State Ministers Ranjith Aluvihare – Tourism Development and Christian […]
Tribute: Sir Desmond De Silva QC (1939-2018)
June 10, 2018 (LBO) – The British press is full of tributes following the unexpected demise of Sir Desmond de Silva QC. Most major media publications in the UK explored and saluted his brilliant career and its legacy. The Sri Lankan media seem to have failed to recognise the significance of one of the Nation’s […]
Queen’s Counsel Sir Desmond De Silva Passed Away (78)
June 05, 2018 (LBO) – Perhaps Sri Lanka’s most fierce global legal advocate passed away on June 2, 2018. Sir Desmond de Silva’s achievements were global, the most visible being his term as United Nations Chief Prosecutor. In this role Sir Desmond was elevated to the rank of Under Secretary General reporting directly to Secretary […]
Harin Fernando becomes new Media Spokesman of UNP
June 01, 2018 (LBO) – Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday handed over the appointment letter to Telecommunications Minister Harin Fernando who was appointed as the new head of mass-communication.Minister Harin Fernando will also be the new Media Spokesman of the UNP and will be responsible for working together with mass media institutions.Speaking at the […]