Tag: lbo

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Sri Lanka is tipped to head for a mini budget as signs of the UNF budget making its way to Parliament this year, diminish.rnrnrnGovernment finances run on a calendar year and a Vote on Account (mini budget) is needed to ensure the administration runs for an interim period.rn rnPresident Chandrika Kumaratungas move on Tuesday to […]

The Finance Minister in an emergency meeting with the press on Wednesday said fertiliser subsidies was to be increased significantly from the Rs. 2 billion allocation this year.rn rnChoksy said the farming community deserved an increased subsidy, given the two subsequent bumper harvests. rn rnThe relief measure however, goes against earlier statements from related Ministries, […]

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem says his party will back the UNF government only on conditions put forward by his party. Conditions include Muslims being recognised as a separate and independent participant and that the partys proposals for an interim administration are considered at peace talks with the Liberation Tigers of […]

Investors are bracing for a brutal fall in share prices in Thursday trading, following up on the over 18 percent drop in the ASPI over two days. The stockmarket plummeted through Tuesday and Wednesday trading on news that the President had sacked three key Ministers from their posts sand was mooting plans to take control […]

President George W. Bush on Wednesday praised Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghes “leadership,” a day after President Chandrika Kumaratunga exploited the premiers absence to ignite a constitutional crisis. Fresh from the endorsement delivered at Oval Office talks, Wickremesinghe promised to sort out the turmoil unleashed when Kumaratunga sacked three ministers, suspended parliament and sent […]

The Norwegian-brokered ceasefire pact between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger guerrillas will stand despite President Chandrika Kumaratunga taking over the defence ministry, a presidential adviser said Wednesday. “The president has specifically asked me to state that the ceasefire agreement stands and will stand and there is no question about it,” Lakshman Kadirgamar, international […]