Category: Local News

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to dissolve parliament, worsening an already major political crisis, has drawn criticism from Western powers, including the United States and Britain.

Sri Lanka’s largest single party Saturday said it will mount a legal challenge against “tyrant” President Maithripala Sirisena’s shock sacking of the legislature.

Sri Lanka’s main Tamil parties have turned down a call from President Maithripala Sirisena to support his newly appointed prime minister in a likely floor test in parliament this month, the parties said on Friday.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena dissolved parliament on Friday night and called a general election for Jan. 5 in a move that will likely deepen the country’s political crisis.

The Government announces that in pursue of the powers vested in the president by section 33 sub section 2 (C) of the constitution, the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is dissolved from mid night today (09th).

Four new ministers took their oaths before President Maithripala Sirisena this evening at the President’s Official Residence in Colombo.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratna today ordered the MP Ravi Karunanayake’s daughter to appear in Court on Monday.

UPFA MP Udaya Gammanpila has been sworn in as the new Cabinet Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs before President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat.

UPFA MP Wimal Weerawansa was appointed as the Minister of Housing and Social Welfare by President Maithipala Sirisena a short while ago.

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said he is willing to work with President Maithripala Sirisena, who abruptly sacked him on October 26, if given a chance to prove his majority in Parliament.

Gleaming cranes stretch out on the waterfront in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo as Chinese companies construct a $1.5 billion new commercial district, including hotels, marinas and a motor racing track. They have already built a giant container terminal nearby and a huge port in the south.

The captain of a Sri Lankan-flagged vessel appeared in court after being arrested for allegedly fishing illegally in the waters of Seychelles, while a second captain is being investigated after two boats were intercepted by the Seychelles Coast Guard.

Another group of Parliamentarians were sworn in as Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers before President Maithripala Sirisena today (08) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

MP Kumara Welgama states that although he will support Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in proving majority, he will act as an independent MP in the parliament.

The United States has urged President Maithripala Sirisena to reconvene parliament immediately to resolve the prevailing political crisis.

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday said it will take legal action if Parliament is dissolved as anticipated.