Category: Local News

Blasts heard in Sri Lanka’s north ahead of key vote: monitor

Source: AFP COLOMBO (AFP) – At least four explosions were heard in Sri Lanka’s ethnic Tamil heartland of Jaffna ahead of Tuesday’s crucial presidential vote, an independent election monitor told AFP. Residents in the northern peninsula counted the pre-dawn blasts, but the source of the explosions was unclear, said Sunil Jayasekara, a monitor for the […]



Rajapakse family is dragging SLFP towards nepotism – Chandrika Bandaranayke Kumaratunga

Source: Lanka Truth Under the present Rajapakse regime the SLFP is being dragged on an undemocratic path that leads to family domination says former President Chandrika Bandaranayke Kumaratunga. Ms. Kumaratunga said this to the media after the special discussion she had with the political Common Candidate Gen. Sarath Fonseka today. […]



Ven Kassapa Thero (OBE) in the UK urges all Sri Lankans to vote for President Rajapaksa

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma The Chief Incumbent of the Birminham Buddhist Vihara, the President of the Midlands Buddhist Association in the UK, the President of the Buddhist Relief Organisation (IBRO) attached to the United Nations (UN) and the Vice President of the Sri Lankan Sangha Sabha of the UK, Venerable Dr. Witharandeniye Kassapa […]



My task of protecting sovereignty of the Motherland cannot be stopped by conspiracies – General Sarath Fonseka

Source: Lanka Truth The noble task of defending sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Motherland he has undertaken cannot be defeated by an army coup or any other conspiracy says apolitical Common Candidate Gen. Sarath Fonseka. He said this at the final press conference he held before the presidential election. Leader of UNF Ranil Wickremasinghe, […]



Sri Lanka election candidates hold final rally

The last day of campaigning is underway, ahead of Sri Lanka’s Presidential election. President Mahinda Rajapakse and his rival, former army chief General Sarath Fonseca will hold their final rallies later today. Both candidates are confident of victory in the bitterly fought contest. The campaign has been marred by more than 700 violent incidents, including […]



Sri Lanka donates 1000 kgs of tea for quake hit Haiti

Colombo, Jan 22 (PTI) Sri Lanka today announced to donate 1000 kilogrammes of tea for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti that hit the Caribbean nation on January 12. This donation is in addition to the financial pledge of USD 25,000 made by the Government soon after the news of the earthquake, an official […]



Bomb attack targets Sri Lanka opposition ahead of vote

AFP – by Amal Jayasinghe COLOMBO (AFP) – A key opposition activist in Sri Lanka was targeted at home by a bomb attack Friday as violence escalated ahead of next week’s presidential election. The pre-dawn blast destroyed a car and severely damaged the home of Tiran Alles, a wealthy businessman and key ally of the […]



Sri Lanka’s opposition warns of post-poll coup plan

Press TV – A campaign poster for presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka. Sri Lanka’s opposition says it fears the president might use the military to remain in power if he is defeated in next week’s elections. The opposition candidate, Sarath Fonseka, said on Thursday that the government was preparing the ground to hold on to power. […]



SRI LANKA: Election fears rise on increased violence

Photo: Amantha Perera/IRIN (IRIN) – Concerns are rising that Sri Lanka’s presidential election will be undermined after the deaths of four people in a spate of campaign-related violence in the past week, say election monitors. The incumbent, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is facing an unexpectedly strong challenge from his former army chief, Sarath Fonseka, raising tensions […]



I will not step into this office after Presidential elections; anybody can conduct the elections – Election Commissioner exclaims in disgust

Lanka E News The Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake at a meeting today (19) with the political party secretaries and representatives said, as the State media are not abiding by his orders, and undue pressures are being brought on the competent authority appointed by him, he had relieved the competent authority of his duties with effect […]



Two people killed in Sri Lanka pre-poll attacks

Two people have been killed in separate attacks in Sri Lanka ahead of a presidential election next week, officials say. A supporter of opposition candidate Gen Sarath Fonseka was killed in a clash involving ruling party activists in the north-western town of Waryiapola. Later, a ruling party supporter was killed in a nearby town when […]



Sri Lanka pre-poll clash kills opposition supporter

A supporter of Sri Lanka’s opposition candidate Sarath Fonseka has been killed in a clash ahead of next week’s presidential election, police say. Opposition activists were attacked in Wariyapola town in the north-west of the country while they were putting up election posters, police said. The man was killed in a clash with ruling party […]



Sri Lanka vote raises hopes in Washington

AFP – by Shaun Tandon Shaun Tandon WASHINGTON (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s upcoming election is raising hopes in the United States for better relations after a chilly spell if the island turns the page on a bloody war that brought international opprobrium. The January 26 election comes months after troops killed the top leadership of […]




Douglas Devananda has shown it is possible to be both Tamil Nationalist and Integrationist

Source: TC – By Dayan Jayatilleka Douglas Devananda once likened Tamil nationalism to cholesterol, saying just as there is good and bad cholesterol, there is good and bad Tamil nationalism, and just as you need good cholesterol, you need the good Tamil nationalism. Certainly the history of Tamil nationalism shows plenty of examples of “bad […]



Fonseka’s accomplices involved in offering bribes

Source: Gov News – News.lk – Lankacnews Two accomplices of opposition candidate, Sarath Fonseka today were reported to have offered Rs.30 million as a ‘bribe’ to National Freedom Front Parliamentarian, M.Muzaimil at room number 205 at Hotel Sapphire, Wellawatte, authoritative sources said. The alleged bribe had been offered to the MP requesting his presence at […]