Lanka News – Lanka Gazette – Sri Lanka News Portal

Once again the cry for the early signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India has been raised. At a recent two-day conference jointly organised by the Institute of Policy Studies and some Chambers of Commerce of both countries, several economists and businessmen from both sides have strongly advocated CEPA as a way forward for Sri Lanka. Their main argument for its advocacy is that the ISLFTA ( India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement), since its implementation in 2000, has been beneficial to both countries. Continue Reading

Minister of External Affairs Professor G. L. Peiris has called for deeper ties between Sri Lanka and the United States. “We are in ‘unreserved agreement’ with last year’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee report calling for a ‘multi-faceted relationship’ that embraces trade, security and economic ties, not just human rights,” he says.

Speaking on human rights, he emphasises the importance of Sri Lanka’s efforts at reconciliation.

“We understand that military victory was not the end but the beginning,” Prof. Peiris said on the second day of his 4-day visit to the United States. Continue Reading

With several more rounds of consultations between the UNP rank and file and Joseph Michael Perera Reforms Committee yet to be held, a division of opinion has emerged on the election of the party’s main office bearers including its leader.

Informed sources said that those favouring polls had pointed out that it was the most democratic method, while the opposing section had referred to the detrimental divisions that such a procedure could create. Continue Reading

UNP MP Kabir Hashim says a political speech should be as short as a woman’s mod attire. He was referring to micro-minis adored by the young generation.

Addressing a recent meeting at Trinity College to felicitate 10 MPs, including himself elected to the 7th Parliament, the Kegalle District MP emphasised that it should ‘cover’ ‘vital parts’ while being short enough to be interesting. Among the Trinitians elected at the April 8 election are Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Kanaka Herath and Sujeewa Senasinghe. Continue Reading

The UNP yesterday denied MP Ranga Bandara’s allegation that the party had failed to take disciplinary action against a Provincial Councillor accused of making an abortive attempt on his life.

An irate Bandara said that he would not get involved in UNP activity unless action was taken against his assailant.

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake yesterday said that the party would conduct an inquiry into the allegations against Sisira Kumara Abeysekera. Continue Reading

The government is under pressure to review its policy with regard to squatters evicted from one part of Colombo being relocated within the city.

A senior official said the government had no option but to end that practice immediately and work out a plan to gradually move them out.

Responding to a query by The Island, he asserted that the practice adopted by successive governments, including the incumbent administration, was nothing but a farce. Continue Reading

New York - External Affairs Minister G L Peiris said Sri Lanka could still avoid the withdrawal of European Union trade concessions following two rounds of talks with Brussels.

The Minister said a team of Sri Lankan officials had made two trips to Brussels, the second of them at the end of last week, to discuss the trade preference and Sri Lanka’s rights record.

“It’s an ongoing discussion,” he was quoted as saying in a Reuters report.

“There’s no final decision and it is still possible that the parties will be able to agree on a set of measures to be implemented to prevent the withdrawal of these trade concessions later this year.” Continue Reading

Puttalam District UNP MP Palitha Range Bandara said yesterday that he had decided not to engage in any party activity.

The MP is apparently angered by the leadership’s failure to initiate disciplinary action against a Wayamba Provincial Council UNP member for allegedly trying to assassinate him.

MP Bandara was targeted immediately after the April 8 parliamentary election. Continue Reading

The Court of Appeal yesterday declared that the expulsion of H. R. Jayatillake Podi Nilame from the UNP was invalid.

Podi Nilame, a member of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council was expelled on January 5, 2010, by letter signed by General Secretary of the Party, Tissa Attanayake. The petitioner had told the Court that he was marginalised for supporting the incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa instead of General Sarath Fonseka at the January presidential election. Continue Reading

COPE, PAC elections

Ten ministers appointed ignoring Opposition’s request

Even before the various parliamentary committees could conduct their inaugural sittings, the government and Opposition find themselves on a collision course increasing the likelihood of an election to decide the Chairmanship of the Committees on Public Enterprise and Public Accounts. Continue Reading