Tag: politics

Feb 09, 2013 (LBO) – A probe by a parliamentary committee on investments made by a state controlled retirement fund of private sector workers had been halted mid-way, an opposition legislator has said.Harsha de Silva, an opposition member told parliament that proceedings at a parliamentary committee examining investments by the Employees Provident Fund managed by […]

Feb 06, 2013 (LBO) – Former ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Christopher Van Hollen had passed away on January 30, in Washington, the US embassy in Colombo said.He was a career member of the US Foreign Service, and his son Chris Van Hollen Jr, represents Maryland in Congress. He was 90 years old. […]

Feb 04, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa called for religious harmony on the island’s Independence Day amid recent violence and rhetoric directed against the island’s Muslim minority by nationalist groups.Bhuddism, which is followed by a majority of the inhabitants of Sri Lanka came to the island from the Indian subcontinent and advocates […]

Feb 03, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka should uphold rule of law and be committed to respect human rights to ensure that a planned Commonwealth summit in the island is well-attended, visiting UK foreign minister Alistair Burt has said.Sri Lanka is expected to host a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), but countries including Canada […]

Jan 28, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa has re-shuffled the cabinet appointing 10 new ministers, two project ministers and six deputy ministers, the state information office said. The ministry of petroleum has gone to Anura Yapa, power to Pavithra Wanniarachchi and technology and research to former power minister Champak Ranawaka. Laxman Yapa […]

Jan 19, 2013 (LBO) – The controversial removal of Sri Lanka’s Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake through a process courts have ruled to be unconstitutional is a “calamitous setback” for rule of law, a United National official has said. “The removal of the Chief Justice through a flawed process which has been deemed unconstitutional by the […]

Jan 19, 2013 (LBO) – Three US officials led by deputy assistant secretary James Moore will visit Sri Lanka from January 26 for talks which include progress on implementing recommendations of a post-war reconciliation report, the US embassy in Colombo said. He will be accompanied by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Vikram Singh and Deputy […]

Jan 07, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s parliament will vote on the impeachment of chief justice Shirani Bandaranayake on January 11 after a two day debate, the state information office said, despite a court order nullifying the findings of a parliamentary committee.The parliamentary committee from which the opposition out had not accorded due process to […]

Jan 06, 2012 (LBO) – Friday Forum, a Sri Lankan citizens group has called for changes to an upcoming bill on a new agency called Divineguma Development Department and has called upon parliament not to impose it on the Northern Province with a two thirds majority. The full statement is reproduced below Friday Forum on […]

Dec 21, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s court of appeal has summoned parliamentary Speaker and legislators who were in a committee that found the Chief Justice guilty of misconduct in controversial circumstances. Sri Lanka’s Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake went court asking to quash the decision of the committee saying she was denied natural justice, the […]

Nov 23, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is expecting closer economic ties with Kazakhstan following a visit to the country by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the state information office said. The information office quoted President Rajapaksa as saying that the two countries will commence negotiations on economic and technical co-operation, avoiding double taxation, investment protection and […]

COLOMBO, Oct 17, 2012 (AFP) – The last leader of Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tigers, who is wanted by India over the assassination of former premier Rajiv Gandhi, has been freed from military custody, the defence ministry said Wednesday. Selvarasa Pathmanathan, who was arrested in August 2009, was no longer in detention and was free to […]