Sri Lankan government rejigged its cabinet earlier today at the Presidential Secretariat. This is the second cabinet reshuffle in a year by the Maithripala Sirisena-led government and the fourth ever since the government was formed in the year 2015.&nbsp;

The last cabinet turnaround took place on February 5 this year.&nbsp;

According to reports, as many as 18 changes have been made in the cabinet. New faces and portfolios have been introduced. Former minister of Justice Wijedasa Rajapakse has been named the Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs.

The reshuffle was necessitated after Prime Minister Wickremesinghe won 'no confidence' motion in Parliament last month.

Parliament will recommence its session from May 8.

All in all, 18 ministers were sworn in today, no further changes in the cabinet were made.

Here is the complete list of new cabinet ministers.

Lakshman Kiriella – Minister of Public Enterprise and Kandy Development

Sarath Amunugama – Minister of Science, Technology and Research, Skills Development and Vocational Training, and Hill Country Heritage

SB Navinna – Minister of Internal Affairs and Wayamba Development

Mahinda Amaraweera – Minister of Agriculture

Duminda Dissanayake – Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management and Disaster Management

P&nbsp;Harrison – Minister of Social Empowerment

Kabir Hashim – Minister of Highways and Road Development

Ranjith Maddumabandara – Minister of Public Administration and Management, Minister of Law and Order

Thalatha Athukorala – Minister of Justice and Prison Reforms

Faiszer Musthapha – Minister of Sports, Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government

Vijith Vijayamuni Zoysa – Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development and Rural Economy

DM&nbsp;Swaminathan – Minister of Rehabilitation, Resettlement, Northern Development and Hindu Religious Affairs

Sagala Ratnayake – Minister of Project Management, Youth Affairs and Southern Development

Mano Ganesan – Minister of National Co-existence, Reconciliation and Official Languages

Daya Gamage – Minister of Social Welfare and Primary Industries

Sarath Fonseka – Minister of Sustainable Development, Wildlife and Regional Development

Ravindra Samaraweera – Minister of Labour and Trade Union Relations

Wijedasa Rajapakshe – Minister of Higher Education and Cultural Affairs

 
&nbsp;

The reshuffle was necessitated after Prime Minister Wickremesinghe won 'no confidence' motion in Parliament last month

Sri Lankan government rejigged its cabinet earlier today at the Presidential Secretariat. This is the second cabinet reshuffle in a year by the Maithripala Sirisena-led government and the fourth ever since the government was formed in the year 2015. The last cabinet turnaround took place on February 5 this year. According to reports, as many as 18 changes have been made in the cabinet. New faces and portfolios have been introduced. Former minister of Justice Wijedasa Rajapakse has been named the Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs. The reshuffle was necessitated after Prime Minister Wickremesinghe won 'no confidence' motion in Parliament last month. Parliament will recommence its session from May 8. All in all, 18 ministers were sworn in today, no further changes in the cabinet were made. Here is the complete list of new cabinet ministers. Lakshman Kiriella – Minister of Public Enterprise and Kandy Development Sarath Amunugama – Minister of Science, Technology and Research, Skills Development and Vocational Training, and Hill Country Heritage SB Navinna – Minister of Internal Affairs and Wayamba Development Mahinda Amaraweera – Minister of Agriculture Duminda Dissanayake – Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management and Disaster Management P Harrison – Minister of Social Empowerment Kabir Hashim – Minister of Highways and Road Development Ranjith Maddumabandara – Minister of Public Administration and Management, Minister of Law and Order Thalatha Athukorala – Minister of Justice and Prison Reforms Faiszer Musthapha – Minister of Sports, Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Vijith Vijayamuni Zoysa – Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development and Rural Economy DM Swaminathan – Minister of Rehabilitation, Resettlement, Northern Development and Hindu Religious Affairs Sagala Ratnayake – Minister of Project Management, Youth Affairs and Southern Development Mano Ganesan – Minister of National Co-existence, Reconciliation and Official Languages Daya Gamage – Minister of Social Welfare and Primary Industries Sarath Fonseka – Minister of Sustainable Development, Wildlife and Regional Development Ravindra Samaraweera – Minister of Labour and Trade Union Relations Wijedasa Rajapakshe – Minister of Higher Education and Cultural Affairs

Sri Lanka: Government reshuffles cabinet second time in year

Sri Lanka's unity government will come up with a new plan to identify its weaknesses and find suitable remedies for them, a senior minister has said, amid the ongoing tussle between the country's president and the prime minister.

A new programme and pact is being prepared by President Maithripala Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP).&nbsp;

The two parties and arch political foes have been in the government sharing cabinet positions since mid-2015. However, early this month, 16 from Sirisena's party voted to remove Wickremesinghe as the prime minister.&nbsp;

"By preparing a new program and a new pact we aim to be more people oriented during the government's rest of the term," senior minister Mahinda Amaraweera who is also the general secretary of SLFP's broader front United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) said.&nbsp;

"We will be identifying the weaknesses in the unity government thus far and also remedies for them," Amaraweera added.

Amaraweera said with the new pact to be signed there will be no need for the 16 to join the government.

Cracks appeared in the unity government since February 10 when former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's new party defeated both parties in the unity government by winning two-third of control of 340 local councils.&nbsp;

Sirisena immediately demanded Wickremesinghe's resignation. He stood ground and that led to a motion of no confidence being moved against him.&nbsp;

The premier convincingly won the motion defeating both Sirisena and Rajapaksa factions.&nbsp;

A new programme and pact is being prepared by President Maithripala Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP)

Sri Lanka's unity government will come up with a new plan to identify its weaknesses and find suitable remedies for them, a senior minister has said, amid the ongoing tussle between the country's president and the prime minister. A new programme and pact is being prepared by President Maithripala Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP). The two parties and arch political foes have been in the government sharing cabinet positions since mid-2015. However, early this month, 16 from Sirisena's party voted to remove Wickremesinghe as the prime minister. "By preparing a new program and a new pact we aim to be more people oriented during the government's rest of the term," senior minister Mahinda Amaraweera who is also the general secretary of SLFP's broader front United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) said. "We will be identifying the weaknesses in the unity government thus far and also remedies for them," Amaraweera added. Amaraweera said with the new pact to be signed there will be no need for the 16 to join the government. Cracks appeared in the unity government since February 10 when former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's new party defeated both parties in the unity government by winning two-third of control of 340 local councils. Sirisena immediately demanded Wickremesinghe's resignation. He stood ground and that led to a motion of no confidence being moved against him. The premier convincingly won the motion defeating both Sirisena and Rajapaksa factions.

Sri Lanka's unity government to form pact to identify weaknesses: Minister

The BBC on Friday apologised for mistakenly referring to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a live news broadcast of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) last night.

The Sri Lankan President was seen disembarking from his car at the entrance of Buckingham Palace to join the other heads of government for the CHOGM launch hosted by Queen Elizabeth II when the BBC host said Modi, "the Prime Minister of India since May 2014 arriving at Buckingham Palace".

"This was a mistake made during a live broadcast and we apologise for our error," a BBC spokesperson said.

According to reports, the news presenter on duty was given incorrect information which she went out to read out on air.

This is not the first time the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) finds itself in this embarrassing position.&nbsp

In December last year, the public broadcaster aired clips from the 1976 box-office hit 'Kabhi Kabhie' with actors Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor in song sequences when referencing the death of actor Shashi Kapoor.

"BBC 'News at Ten' is very sorry wrong images were used to mark the death of Shashi Kapoor. Not our usual standards and I apologise for any upset," News At Ten' editor Paul Royall said in a statement on Twitter soon after the broadcast on December 5, 2017.

"This was a mistake made during a live broadcast and we apologise for our error," a BBC spokesperson said.

The BBC on Friday apologised for mistakenly referring to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a live news broadcast of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) last night. The Sri Lankan President was seen disembarking from his car at the entrance of Buckingham Palace to join the other heads of government for the CHOGM launch hosted by Queen Elizabeth II when the BBC host said Modi, "the Prime Minister of India since May 2014 arriving at Buckingham Palace". "This was a mistake made during a live broadcast and we apologise for our error," a BBC spokesperson said. According to reports, the news presenter on duty was given incorrect information which she went out to read out on air. This is not the first time the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) finds itself in this embarrassing position. In December last year, the public broadcaster aired clips from the 1976 box-office hit 'Kabhi Kabhie' with actors Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor in song sequences when referencing the death of actor Shashi Kapoor. "BBC 'News at Ten' is very sorry wrong images were used to mark the death of Shashi Kapoor. Not our usual standards and I apologise for any upset," News At Ten' editor Paul Royall said in a statement on Twitter soon after the broadcast on December 5, 2017.

BBC mixes up Modi with Sri Lankan President, apologises

Former sports minister of Sri Lanka, Mahindadanda Aluthgamage got arrested on Monday by Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FICD)&nbspfor alleged financial fraud of Rupees 39 million, four years ago.

He charged for misappropriating government funds to buy sports goods of Carrom and Checkerboards during his tenure of previous government.

Today he was produced before the court&nbspbut was later released after he was granted bail. He also recorded his statement in FCID office in Colombo.&nbsp

However, the allegations have been denied by the minister as he accused current president Maithripala Sirisena led unity government to engage in n political witch-hunt.

The opposition of the country has also supported Aluthgamage's claims as they alleged FCID of the Sri Lanka police has been set up for a political witch-hunt of the Rajapaksa-led opposition group and is ''illegal''.&nbsp

In 2015 Rajapaksa lost the presidency since then his family members and his close allies are facing corruption charges.

He has also sought court intervention to prevent his arrest. However, the appeal got rejected.

Aluthgamage had also been arrested in 2016 over money laundering allegations.&nbsp

Last week, six Sri Lanka Freedom Party ministers had resigned from Sirisena-led unity government, days after they voted in favour of a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

In a surprise move, following the resignations, Sirisena suspended Parliament for nearly a month.

(With inputs from PTI)

Former sports minister of Sri Lanka, Mahindadanda Aluthgamage got arrested on Monday by Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FICD) for alleged financial fraud of Rupees 39 million, four years ago

Former sports minister of Sri Lanka, Mahindadanda Aluthgamage got arrested on Monday by Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FICD)&nbspfor alleged financial fraud of Rupees 39 million, four years ago. He charged for misappropriating government funds to buy sports goods of Carrom and Checkerboards during his tenure of previous government. Today he was produced before the court&nbspbut was later released after he was granted bail. He also recorded his statement in FCID office in Colombo. However, the allegations have been denied by the minister as he accused current president Maithripala Sirisena led unity government to engage in n political witch-hunt. The opposition of the country has also supported Aluthgamage's claims as they alleged FCID of the Sri Lanka police has been set up for a political witch-hunt of the Rajapaksa-led opposition group and is ''illegal''. In 2015 Rajapaksa lost the presidency since then his family members and his close allies are facing corruption charges. He has also sought court intervention to prevent his arrest. However, the appeal got rejected. Aluthgamage had also been arrested in 2016 over money laundering allegations. Last week, six Sri Lanka Freedom Party ministers had resigned from Sirisena-led unity government, days after they voted in favour of a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. In a surprise move, following the resignations, Sirisena suspended Parliament for nearly a month. (With inputs from PTI)

Ex-Sports Minister Mahindadanda Aluthgamage arrested for alleged fraud of 39 million

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena today asked all political parties to join hands to work for a better future for the country, amid a deepening power struggle between him and his unity government's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Sirisena's remarks came as he wished the countrymen on the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

Wickremesinghe last week won the motion of no confidence moved by the joint opposition and backed by Sirisena's ministers.

"I expect the support of all political parties to take forward the government's work. I asked all political parties represented in parliament to join hands to work for a better future for the country," a statement quoted him as saying.

Sirisena said his decision to suspend the parliamentary sessions until May 8 has been misinterpreted.

In an apparent reference to the no confidence motion, Sirisena says, "I decided to end the current session in view of the recent conflicting situation prevailed in parliament. It is time to open a new session with a new programme outline by the government."&nbsp 
&nbsp

Sirisena's remarks came as he wished the countrymen on the Sinhala and Tamil New Year

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena today asked all political parties to join hands to work for a better future for the country, amid a deepening power struggle between him and his unity government's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Sirisena's remarks came as he wished the countrymen on the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Wickremesinghe last week won the motion of no confidence moved by the joint opposition and backed by Sirisena's ministers. "I expect the support of all political parties to take forward the government's work. I asked all political parties represented in parliament to join hands to work for a better future for the country," a statement quoted him as saying. Sirisena said his decision to suspend the parliamentary sessions until May 8 has been misinterpreted. In an apparent reference to the no confidence motion, Sirisena says, "I decided to end the current session in view of the recent conflicting situation prevailed in parliament. It is time to open a new session with a new programme outline by the government."

Sri Lanka: Sirisena asks all parties to work together

Sri Lanka's Joint Opposition has accused President Maithripala Sirisena of "betraying" not only them but also his own party and allies after Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe comfortably won a no-trust motion.

Wickremesinghe, 68, who leads a national unity government in alliance with Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), received 122 votes against the motion while 76 favoured the motion to oust him.

Banking on votes of legislators of Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), former President Mahinda Rajapaksa-led Joint Opposition moved the motion, accusing Wickremesinghe of financial mismanagement and his failure to tackle anti-Muslim riots last month in the central Kandy district.'

Only 19 out of Sirisena's 40 plus MPs voted while 22 of them remain absent in the House, helping the Sri Lankan Prime Minister to sail through.

"President Sirisena's habit of betrayal proven again at the no-confidence motion. First, he encouraged SLFP members to support it and then backs off. He has betrayed both the SLFP and the UNP," Rajpaksha's legislator son Namal Rajapaksa tweeted last night.

Wickremesinghe also got the help of Tamil and Muslim minority parties. 
"Sirisena must take the responsibility for preventing the end of the Prime Minister's political journey," a senior opposition leader Prasanna Ranatunga said.

According to the final vote tally, even if legislators of Sirisena and Rajapaksa-led parties had voted for the motion, Wickremesinghe would still had sailed through as no member from his UNP broke ranks.

The 19 ministers, who had voted against Wickremesinghe, have asked that they be allowed to continue in the cabinet despite their lack of confidence in the unity government.

The UNP backbenchers, however, signed a petition addressed to Sirisena to sack the SLFP dissenters in the cabinet.

Wickremesinghe has no power to remove ministers. It can only be done either by Sirisena or through a no-confidence motion in Parliament.

"The conspirators who undermined the government during the last 3 years must be sacked," a UNP legislator Hesha Withanage said.

After winning the trust vote last night, Wickremesinghe said the government would venture in a new journey with all those who supported.

"We have lost some but we can move forward with the rest." He was hoping to meet Sirisena soon to discuss the future of the government and to preserve the mandate received by Sirisena in January 2015 for implementing reform.&nbsp;

Wickremesinghe received 122 votes against the motion while 76 favoured the motion to oust him

Sri Lanka's Joint Opposition has accused President Maithripala Sirisena of "betraying" not only them but also his own party and allies after Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe comfortably won a no-trust motion. Wickremesinghe, 68, who leads a national unity government in alliance with Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), received 122 votes against the motion while 76 favoured the motion to oust him. Banking on votes of legislators of Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), former President Mahinda Rajapaksa-led Joint Opposition moved the motion, accusing Wickremesinghe of financial mismanagement and his failure to tackle anti-Muslim riots last month in the central Kandy district.' Only 19 out of Sirisena's 40 plus MPs voted while 22 of them remain absent in the House, helping the Sri Lankan Prime Minister to sail through. "President Sirisena's habit of betrayal proven again at the no-confidence motion. First, he encouraged SLFP members to support it and then backs off. He has betrayed both the SLFP and the UNP," Rajpaksha's legislator son Namal Rajapaksa tweeted last night. Wickremesinghe also got the help of Tamil and Muslim minority parties. "Sirisena must take the responsibility for preventing the end of the Prime Minister's political journey," a senior opposition leader Prasanna Ranatunga said. According to the final vote tally, even if legislators of Sirisena and Rajapaksa-led parties had voted for the motion, Wickremesinghe would still had sailed through as no member from his UNP broke ranks. The 19 ministers, who had voted against Wickremesinghe, have asked that they be allowed to continue in the cabinet despite their lack of confidence in the unity government. The UNP backbenchers, however, signed a petition addressed to Sirisena to sack the SLFP dissenters in the cabinet. Wickremesinghe has no power to remove ministers. It can only be done either by Sirisena or through a no-confidence motion in Parliament. "The conspirators who undermined the government during the last 3 years must be sacked," a UNP legislator Hesha Withanage said. After winning the trust vote last night, Wickremesinghe said the government would venture in a new journey with all those who supported. "We have lost some but we can move forward with the rest." He was hoping to meet Sirisena soon to discuss the future of the government and to preserve the mandate received by Sirisena in January 2015 for implementing reform.

Lanka Prez under attack from Opposition over no-trust motion defeat

Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe defeated a no-confidence motion in parliament late Wednesday but political tensions rose after 13 MPs from an allied party voted against him.

Wickremesinghe said he would hold talks with President Maithripala Sirisena after coming through the battle by 122 votes to 76.

Sirisena has criticised the prime minister's handling of the economy and has in the past called on Wickremesinghe to stand down.

Thirteen members of Sirisena`s Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) joined opposition lawmakers to vote against the prime minister, whose United National Party is the largest single party in the 225-member assembly.

"We have started a lot of work and made many changes -- democracy, economy and rural development," the prime minister told reporters after the vote.

"We also faced problems such as drought, cost of living and some economic issues, we will study both positives and negatives and move forward."

Wickremesinghe said he will meet Sirisena soon to discuss how to proceed with their government, which was formed in 2015.

SLFP ministers were among the rebels who voted against the government.

"We will continue to be in the government," Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, one of the 13, said after the vote.

But MP Hector Appuhamy, a Wickremesinghe supporter, said: "If they have any backbone, they should now leave the government."

Sirisena joined hands with Wickremesinghe's United National Party to end strongman president Mahinda Rajapakse's decade in power in a January 2015 election.

But the pair have become embroiled in a power struggle, especially over the economy and corruption, which has divided the coalition leadership.

Sirisena publicly blamed Wickremesinghe, a free-market champion, for mismanaging the economy as Sri Lanka's growth plunged to a 16-year low of 3.1 per cent in 2017.

A large bond scandal at Sri Lanka's central bank -- which fell under Wickremesinghe`s portfolio until Sirisena took it away last month -- deepened the acrimony between the two leaders.

The prime minister was cleared of any wrongdoing but was accused of trying to protect a former central bank governor, who is a suspect in the insider-trading scam.

The no-confidence motion was moved by an opposition group led by Rajapakse, who humiliated the governing coalition in a surprise blitz at the local elections in February.

The former strongman president wants a national election slated for 2020 brought forward.

Presidential powers to sack the government and call early elections were removed through a constitutional amendment introduced in the early days of the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe coalition.

Coalition tensions have also escalated over Sirisena's attempts to extend his presidential term by a year until 2021, a move that was rejected by the Supreme Court.

Ranil Wickremesinghe said he would hold talks with President Maithripala Sirisena after coming through the battle by 122 votes to 76

Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe defeated a no-confidence motion in parliament late Wednesday but political tensions rose after 13 MPs from an allied party voted against him. Wickremesinghe said he would hold talks with President Maithripala Sirisena after coming through the battle by 122 votes to 76. Sirisena has criticised the prime minister's handling of the economy and has in the past called on Wickremesinghe to stand down. Thirteen members of Sirisena`s Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) joined opposition lawmakers to vote against the prime minister, whose United National Party is the largest single party in the 225-member assembly. "We have started a lot of work and made many changes -- democracy, economy and rural development," the prime minister told reporters after the vote. "We also faced problems such as drought, cost of living and some economic issues, we will study both positives and negatives and move forward." Wickremesinghe said he will meet Sirisena soon to discuss how to proceed with their government, which was formed in 2015. SLFP ministers were among the rebels who voted against the government. "We will continue to be in the government," Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, one of the 13, said after the vote. But MP Hector Appuhamy, a Wickremesinghe supporter, said: "If they have any backbone, they should now leave the government." Sirisena joined hands with Wickremesinghe's United National Party to end strongman president Mahinda Rajapakse's decade in power in a January 2015 election. But the pair have become embroiled in a power struggle, especially over the economy and corruption, which has divided the coalition leadership. Sirisena publicly blamed Wickremesinghe, a free-market champion, for mismanaging the economy as Sri Lanka's growth plunged to a 16-year low of 3.1 per cent in 2017. A large bond scandal at Sri Lanka's central bank -- which fell under Wickremesinghe`s portfolio until Sirisena took it away last month -- deepened the acrimony between the two leaders. The prime minister was cleared of any wrongdoing but was accused of trying to protect a former central bank governor, who is a suspect in the insider-trading scam. The no-confidence motion was moved by an opposition group led by Rajapakse, who humiliated the governing coalition in a surprise blitz at the local elections in February. The former strongman president wants a national election slated for 2020 brought forward. Presidential powers to sack the government and call early elections were removed through a constitutional amendment introduced in the early days of the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe coalition. Coalition tensions have also escalated over Sirisena's attempts to extend his presidential term by a year until 2021, a move that was rejected by the Supreme Court.

Sri Lanka prime minister wins no-confidence vote

An investigation into anti-Muslim riots that spread in central Sri Lanka prompting the authorities to declare a nationwide state of emergency was announced Saturday by President Maithripala Sirisena.

A panel of three retired judges will probe the breakdown in law and order in the picturesque hill resort of Kandy, Sirisena&#39;s office said in a statement.

Three people died, 20 others were wounded and more than 200 Muslim-owned businesses and homes were destroyed in four days of rioting that died down on Thursday.

Eleven mosques were also damaged or completely destroyed by Sinhalese mobs, according to police who say the situation has been brought under control after a heavy military deployment.

A curfew in the district, which is 115 kilometres (72 miles) east of the capital Colombo, was lifted at dawn Saturday but army soldiers continued to patrol alongside police, officials said.

Sri Lanka&#39;s Muslim minority held their Friday prayers under military protection across the island amid fears of fresh attacks. However, the weekly religious activity went off without incident, authorities said.

Hundreds of Buddhist monks and activists staged demonstrations in Colombo on Friday denouncing the anti-Muslim attacks and urging authorities to take strong action against the perpetrators.

Police said nearly 150 people, including the main instigator, have been arrested over the unrest.&nbsp;

They named the main suspect as Amith Weerasinghe, a man from the mainly Buddhist Sinhalese majority known for anti-Muslim activism and outspoken social media posts, and said he was taken into custody on Thursday.

The government declared a state of emergency on Tuesday as the unrest escalated when a Muslim man was found dead in a burnt-out building, a day after a Sinhalese man died of injuries sustained in an attack carried out by Muslim men.

&nbsp;

An investigation into anti-Muslim riots that spread in central Sri Lanka prompting the authorities to declare a nationwide state of emergency was announced Saturday by President Maithripala Sirisena

An investigation into anti-Muslim riots that spread in central Sri Lanka prompting the authorities to declare a nationwide state of emergency was announced Saturday by President Maithripala Sirisena. A panel of three retired judges will probe the breakdown in law and order in the picturesque hill resort of Kandy, Sirisena's office said in a statement. Three people died, 20 others were wounded and more than 200 Muslim-owned businesses and homes were destroyed in four days of rioting that died down on Thursday. Eleven mosques were also damaged or completely destroyed by Sinhalese mobs, according to police who say the situation has been brought under control after a heavy military deployment. A curfew in the district, which is 115 kilometres (72 miles) east of the capital Colombo, was lifted at dawn Saturday but army soldiers continued to patrol alongside police, officials said. Sri Lanka's Muslim minority held their Friday prayers under military protection across the island amid fears of fresh attacks. However, the weekly religious activity went off without incident, authorities said. Hundreds of Buddhist monks and activists staged demonstrations in Colombo on Friday denouncing the anti-Muslim attacks and urging authorities to take strong action against the perpetrators. Police said nearly 150 people, including the main instigator, have been arrested over the unrest. They named the main suspect as Amith Weerasinghe, a man from the mainly Buddhist Sinhalese majority known for anti-Muslim activism and outspoken social media posts, and said he was taken into custody on Thursday. The government declared a state of emergency on Tuesday as the unrest escalated when a Muslim man was found dead in a burnt-out building, a day after a Sinhalese man died of injuries sustained in an attack carried out by Muslim men.

Sri Lanka to probe anti-Muslim riots, lift curfew

Former President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa is on a comeback trail. His newly formed Sri Lanka People&rsquo;s Party (SLPP) swept local polls over the weekend, decimating both the main parties of Colombo&rsquo;s ruling coalition: the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) of President Maithripala Sirisena and the United National Party (UNP) of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe. &nbsp;WION spoke to Namal Rajapaksa, Member of Parliament and &ndash; Mr Rajapaksa&rsquo;s son and political heir apparent.

Q: Namal Rajapaksa, your father the former President is as popular in Sri Lanka as he is controversial overseas. Your Sri Lanka People&rsquo;s Party (SLPP) is relatively new. Did either of you foresee such a sweeping win of the local polls over this previous weekend?

A: Thank you. Yes, I think we were expecting a big victory. If you look at the way the government has been reacting to people&rsquo;s demands over the past three years, it has always been from the government&rsquo;s point of view, rather than actually delivering what people need. Of the total of 96 MPs of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) of the current President, 51 of us who split are seated in the opposition. Even though we are in the majority there, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) which has only 16 members, leads the opposition, &nbsp;the Janatha Vimukthi Perumuna (JVP) has only four seats but yet provides the chief organizer whip of the opposition. So the current government is simply not responsive to people&rsquo;s demands and &ndash; this election result is a clear indication.

Q: These local polls were essentially elections to your &quot;pradeshiya sabhas&quot;, comparable to &lsquo;panchayat&rsquo; elections in India. And yet, you are already calling for snap parliamentary polls&hellip;

A: The people&rsquo;s verdict is very clear. The majority is not with the government. The government itself is in a crisis. Even though it calls itself a &quot;unity government&quot;, you can&rsquo;t see any unity within the government. You can&rsquo;t run a country like this. The President represents a different party than that of the PM. They are not on the same page and can&rsquo;t agree on anything the country needs. So, what&rsquo;s the point? This government cannot last.

Q: Your SLPP won especially handsomely in Hambantota, the home constituency of all the Rajapaksas. Did it have anything to do with the equity-for-debt deal with China over the Hambantota port and the 99-year-lease on 15000 acres of farmland in the area for the Chinese to build a free trade zone?

A: Yes, of course, that port is a national asset. &nbsp;But there is more. One of the main reasons for our victory there are the government&rsquo;s policies on agriculture and fisheries. &nbsp;Hambantota has a very strong agriculture base and it is badly affected by the government cutting down the fertilizer subsidy. And also by the fixed prices the government has introduced for paddy. The government is on the verge of privatising the fisheries industry of this country. But I must reiterate, it is not only in Hambantota that we won. We won all local councils even in Pollunaruwa, the district that the current President, Maithripala Sirisena, represents. &nbsp;That clearly shows how frustrated people are with his government.

Q: But what about the Tamils of Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka? That&rsquo;s an extremely sensitive question. A bloody civil war was fought for almost thirty years. It ended during your father&rsquo;s presidency. The outstanding question of maximum autonomy for the Tamils still remains unsolved. The Tamil National Alliance (TNA)&#39;s local party ITAK, won the recent local polls. &nbsp;If snap polls are held and your SLPP does come to power, what will you do for the North?

A: The government has to go for a snap poll. That&rsquo;s the only option now: a proper general election and the opportunity for the people to elect a strong government. As far as the North is concerned, please note : neither the SLFP, nor the UNP, nor the JVP nor even we, the UNPP, have so far been able to establish ourselves in the north as national political parties. So the only option in the north is to vote for TNA. Even though this government talks about reconciliation and unity, this govt hasn&rsquo;t taken the north seriously. Instead, it&rsquo;s still depending on the regional party. And is still depending on the regional ITAK. Look at the recent statements by the TNA leader, the Honourable Mr Sambandan and I say this with all due respect for his seniority and position. &nbsp;He categorically says that Tamil youth should not demand jobs and employment but should wait for a devolution package. Tamil people have been waiting for these opportunities for the last thirty years and now he wants them to wait for another thirty years!

Q: But will they have to wait much longer if your party, the SLPP wins a snap poll if one is held? What are your own plans for greater autonomy for the North and the East? &nbsp;

A: We need to come up with a solid development programme, over which both southern and northern Sri Lanka will agree. You can&rsquo;t come up with a devolution package only for the north. &nbsp;There are more Tamils living in Colombo, there are more Tamils living in upcountry Sri Lanka (up-country equal to tea estates). You know, the issue has never been between Tamils and Sinhalese. Look at the businesses in Colombo and elsewhere in Sri Lanka. Most are controlled by Tamils. I am sure that they don&rsquo;t all want to sell their businesses and live in Jaffna. That&rsquo;s not going to happen. So it has to be something that is accepted by Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese living in both the North and South. It is not about what Hon Sambandan wants, not about what Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Prabhakaran wanted: that&rsquo;s history. And yet, that&rsquo;s what all these regional parties want. We have to have a holistic approach towards a solution and - the entire country has to accept it.

Q: Now give us a scoop before you go. Will your father Mahinda Rajapaksa be the next Prime Minister and your uncle, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa (former defence secretary) be the President after the next presidential election?

A: That&rsquo;s &nbsp;a very difficult question. Of course, the candidate for PM will be my father, the former President, Mahinda Rajapaksa. And it is clearly evident from the majority votes that we have got at this election - &nbsp;it&rsquo;s clear that people voted for him. The campaign was based on him, people voted for Mahinda Rajapaksa. &nbsp;But the presidential election is in 2020 and we haven&rsquo;t decided yet. My uncle Gotabhaya has just arrived in Sri Lanka. When the media asked him about getting into parliament or doing politics, &nbsp;he said he hasn&rsquo;t decided yet. &nbsp;So we&rsquo;ll think about the next presidency when the time comes. For now, our main objective is to go for a snap parliamentary election and form a very strong government. One which wants to and will take this country forward.

 
&nbsp;

Former President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa is on a comeback trail. His newly formed Sri Lanka People’s Party (SLPP) swept local polls over the weekend. WION spoke to Namal Rajapaksa, Member of Parliament and – Mr Rajapaksa’s son and political heir apparent

Former President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa is on a comeback trail. His newly formed Sri Lanka People’s Party (SLPP) swept local polls over the weekend, decimating both the main parties of Colombo’s ruling coalition: the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) of President Maithripala Sirisena and the United National Party (UNP) of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe. WION spoke to Namal Rajapaksa, Member of Parliament and – Mr Rajapaksa’s son and political heir apparent. Q: Namal Rajapaksa, your father the former President is as popular in Sri Lanka as he is controversial overseas. Your Sri Lanka People’s Party (SLPP) is relatively new. Did either of you foresee such a sweeping win of the local polls over this previous weekend? A: Thank you. Yes, I think we were expecting a big victory. If you look at the way the government has been reacting to people’s demands over the past three years, it has always been from the government’s point of view, rather than actually delivering what people need. Of the total of 96 MPs of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) of the current President, 51 of us who split are seated in the opposition. Even though we are in the majority there, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) which has only 16 members, leads the opposition, the Janatha Vimukthi Perumuna (JVP) has only four seats but yet provides the chief organizer whip of the opposition. So the current government is simply not responsive to people’s demands and – this election result is a clear indication. Q: These local polls were essentially elections to your "pradeshiya sabhas", comparable to ‘panchayat’ elections in India. And yet, you are already calling for snap parliamentary polls… A: The people’s verdict is very clear. The majority is not with the government. The government itself is in a crisis. Even though it calls itself a "unity government", you can’t see any unity within the government. You can’t run a country like this. The President represents a different party than that of the PM. They are not on the same page and can’t agree on anything the country needs. So, what’s the point? This government cannot last. Q: Your SLPP won especially handsomely in Hambantota, the home constituency of all the Rajapaksas. Did it have anything to do with the equity-for-debt deal with China over the Hambantota port and the 99-year-lease on 15000 acres of farmland in the area for the Chinese to build a free trade zone? A: Yes, of course, that port is a national asset. But there is more. One of the main reasons for our victory there are the government’s policies on agriculture and fisheries. Hambantota has a very strong agriculture base and it is badly affected by the government cutting down the fertilizer subsidy. And also by the fixed prices the government has introduced for paddy. The government is on the verge of privatising the fisheries industry of this country. But I must reiterate, it is not only in Hambantota that we won. We won all local councils even in Pollunaruwa, the district that the current President, Maithripala Sirisena, represents. That clearly shows how frustrated people are with his government. Q: But what about the Tamils of Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka? That’s an extremely sensitive question. A bloody civil war was fought for almost thirty years. It ended during your father’s presidency. The outstanding question of maximum autonomy for the Tamils still remains unsolved. The Tamil National Alliance (TNA)'s local party ITAK, won the recent local polls. If snap polls are held and your SLPP does come to power, what will you do for the North? A: The government has to go for a snap poll. That’s the only option now: a proper general election and the opportunity for the people to elect a strong government. As far as the North is concerned, please note : neither the SLFP, nor the UNP, nor the JVP nor even we, the UNPP, have so far been able to establish ourselves in the north as national political parties. So the only option in the north is to vote for TNA. Even though this government talks about reconciliation and unity, this govt hasn’t taken the north seriously. Instead, it’s still depending on the regional party. And is still depending on the regional ITAK. Look at the recent statements by the TNA leader, the Honourable Mr Sambandan and I say this with all due respect for his seniority and position. He categorically says that Tamil youth should not demand jobs and employment but should wait for a devolution package. Tamil people have been waiting for these opportunities for the last thirty years and now he wants them to wait for another thirty years! Q: But will they have to wait much longer if your party, the SLPP wins a snap poll if one is held? What are your own plans for greater autonomy for the North and the East? A: We need to come up with a solid development programme, over which both southern and northern Sri Lanka will agree. You can’t come up with a devolution package only for the north. There are more Tamils living in Colombo, there are more Tamils living in upcountry Sri Lanka (up-country equal to tea estates). You know, the issue has never been between Tamils and Sinhalese. Look at the businesses in Colombo and elsewhere in Sri Lanka. Most are controlled by Tamils. I am sure that they don’t all want to sell their businesses and live in Jaffna. That’s not going to happen. So it has to be something that is accepted by Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese living in both the North and South. It is not about what Hon Sambandan wants, not about what Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Prabhakaran wanted: that’s history. And yet, that’s what all these regional parties want. We have to have a holistic approach towards a solution and - the entire country has to accept it. Q: Now give us a scoop before you go. Will your father Mahinda Rajapaksa be the next Prime Minister and your uncle, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa (former defence secretary) be the President after the next presidential election? A: That’s a very difficult question. Of course, the candidate for PM will be my father, the former President, Mahinda Rajapaksa. And it is clearly evident from the majority votes that we have got at this election - it’s clear that people voted for him. The campaign was based on him, people voted for Mahinda Rajapaksa. But the presidential election is in 2020 and we haven’t decided yet. My uncle Gotabhaya has just arrived in Sri Lanka. When the media asked him about getting into parliament or doing politics, he said he hasn’t decided yet. So we’ll think about the next presidency when the time comes. For now, our main objective is to go for a snap parliamentary election and form a very strong government. One which wants to and will take this country forward.

We want snap polls in Sri Lanka: Mahinda Rajapaksa's son to WION

Chinese President Xi Jinping today said he pays &quot;high attention&quot; to strengthening strategic ties with Sri Lanka, as Beijing beefed up plans to build a Maritime Silk Road project in India&#39;s backyard -- the Indian Ocean.

In a message to congratulate Sri Lanka on its 70th anniversary of Independence from British rule, Xi told his counterpart Maithripala Sirisena that China is willing to work with it for better development of strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.

&quot;I pay high attention to the development of China-Sri Lanka relations, and I am willing to make concerted efforts with President Sirisena to push the China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership of sincere mutual assistance and long-standing friendship to keep achieving greater development in the better interest of the two countries and its people,&quot; he said. 
 
Xi also said that China and Sri Lanka have achieved &quot;fruitful results&quot; by their display of &quot;pragmatic cooperation&quot; within the framework of the joint construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (MSR).

India has expressed reservations over MSR as it has security implications for it in Indian Ocean. MSR is part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Proposed by China in 2013, the BRI aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa based on ancient land and maritime trade routes enhancing China&#39;s global influence.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang too congratulated his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickramasinghe on the occasion.

Within the framework of the initiative on construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the MSR, China wishes to consolidate the traditional friendship with Sri Lanka, strengthen mutual political trust, deepen practical cooperation and push bilateral relations to a new level, he said in the message.

China has invested over USD eight billion in Sri Lanka over the years for various projects, including Hambantota port which it acquired on 99 years lease as a debt swap. It is also building?the Colombo port city project, where Sri Lanka plans to establish an international financial city.

China is in the process of firming up its presence in the Indian Ocean with a string of ports which included Hambantota and Djibouti in the Horn of Africa.

Beijing is also watching warily the developments in Maldives since it recently plunged into a crisis following a Supreme Court ruling which ordered the release of opposition leaders including former President Mohamed Nasheed.

The Supreme Court&#39;s decision has put a question mark on incumbent President Abdulla Yameen who is widely regarded as pro-China and signed several key deals including a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Beijing.

Xi Jinping told his counterpart Maithripala Sirisena that China is willing to work with it for better development of the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries

Chinese President Xi Jinping today said he pays "high attention" to strengthening strategic ties with Sri Lanka, as Beijing beefed up plans to build a Maritime Silk Road project in India's backyard -- the Indian Ocean. In a message to congratulate Sri Lanka on its 70th anniversary of Independence from British rule, Xi told his counterpart Maithripala Sirisena that China is willing to work with it for better development of strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. "I pay high attention to the development of China-Sri Lanka relations, and I am willing to make concerted efforts with President Sirisena to push the China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership of sincere mutual assistance and long-standing friendship to keep achieving greater development in the better interest of the two countries and its people," he said. Xi also said that China and Sri Lanka have achieved "fruitful results" by their display of "pragmatic cooperation" within the framework of the joint construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (MSR). India has expressed reservations over MSR as it has security implications for it in Indian Ocean. MSR is part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Proposed by China in 2013, the BRI aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa based on ancient land and maritime trade routes enhancing China's global influence. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang too congratulated his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickramasinghe on the occasion. Within the framework of the initiative on construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the MSR, China wishes to consolidate the traditional friendship with Sri Lanka, strengthen mutual political trust, deepen practical cooperation and push bilateral relations to a new level, he said in the message. China has invested over USD eight billion in Sri Lanka over the years for various projects, including Hambantota port which it acquired on 99 years lease as a debt swap. It is also building?the Colombo port city project, where Sri Lanka plans to establish an international financial city. China is in the process of firming up its presence in the Indian Ocean with a string of ports which included Hambantota and Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. Beijing is also watching warily the developments in Maldives since it recently plunged into a crisis following a Supreme Court ruling which ordered the release of opposition leaders including former President Mohamed Nasheed. The Supreme Court's decision has put a question mark on incumbent President Abdulla Yameen who is widely regarded as pro-China and signed several key deals including a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Beijing.

Xi says improving China-Lanka ties have his 'high attention'

Sri Lanka&#39;s president on Sunday reimposed a four-decade-long ban on women buying liquor, just days after his finance minister had lifted the restriction.

Maithripala Sirisena said he had ordered Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera to revoke his decision last week to overturn the 1979 law prohibiting the sale of any type of alcohol to women.

&quot;From tomorrow (Monday), the minister&#39;s order will be rescinded,&quot; Sirisena&#39;s office said in a statement, which added that the status quo will be restored but offered no explanation.

The reversal comes after a finance ministry official told AFP Samaraweera had revoked the 39-year-old law in an effort to strike sexist bills from the statute books.

&quot;The idea was to restore gender neutrality,&quot; ministry spokesman Ali Hassen said of the decision Wednesday to roll back the ban. 
 
But last week&#39;s decision to relax laws on alcohol provoked a backlash in some quarters of the majority-Buddhist nation of 21 million people.

The National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection had accused the finance minister of encouraging drinking, and had urged Sirisena to intervene and restore the restrictions.

Under further new measures passed by Samaraweera, bars and pubs can remain open longer, and a ban on women working in bars, distilleries and breweries was lifted.

But Sirisena&#39;s office said he was reducing the time period that bars could be open. It was not clear from Sirisena&#39;s statement Sunday if the decision to allow women to work in the alcohol industry had also been reversed.

The ban on women buying liquor was likely originally imposed in 1979 to appease the conservative Buddhist hierarchy at the time, a finance ministry official told AFP.

Liquor vendors in Sri Lanka are also forbidden to sell spirits to police or members of the armed forces in uniform.

Samaraweera has said that strict curbs on Sri Lanka&#39;s licensed liquor manufacturers only encourage a black market for spirits, and deprive the state of much-needed revenue.

Sri Lanka in its November budget unveiled steep tax rises on hard liquor, but greatly reduced tariffs on wine and beer. 
&nbsp;

Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday reimposed a four-decade-long ban on women buying liquor, just days after his finance minister had lifted the restriction

Sri Lanka's president on Sunday reimposed a four-decade-long ban on women buying liquor, just days after his finance minister had lifted the restriction. Maithripala Sirisena said he had ordered Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera to revoke his decision last week to overturn the 1979 law prohibiting the sale of any type of alcohol to women. "From tomorrow (Monday), the minister's order will be rescinded," Sirisena's office said in a statement, which added that the status quo will be restored but offered no explanation. The reversal comes after a finance ministry official told AFP Samaraweera had revoked the 39-year-old law in an effort to strike sexist bills from the statute books. "The idea was to restore gender neutrality," ministry spokesman Ali Hassen said of the decision Wednesday to roll back the ban. But last week's decision to relax laws on alcohol provoked a backlash in some quarters of the majority-Buddhist nation of 21 million people. The National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection had accused the finance minister of encouraging drinking, and had urged Sirisena to intervene and restore the restrictions. Under further new measures passed by Samaraweera, bars and pubs can remain open longer, and a ban on women working in bars, distilleries and breweries was lifted. But Sirisena's office said he was reducing the time period that bars could be open. It was not clear from Sirisena's statement Sunday if the decision to allow women to work in the alcohol industry had also been reversed. The ban on women buying liquor was likely originally imposed in 1979 to appease the conservative Buddhist hierarchy at the time, a finance ministry official told AFP. Liquor vendors in Sri Lanka are also forbidden to sell spirits to police or members of the armed forces in uniform. Samaraweera has said that strict curbs on Sri Lanka's licensed liquor manufacturers only encourage a black market for spirits, and deprive the state of much-needed revenue. Sri Lanka in its November budget unveiled steep tax rises on hard liquor, but greatly reduced tariffs on wine and beer.

Sri Lanka president restores ban on women buying alcohol

&nbsp;Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj called on Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena in Colombo on Friday (September 01) and discussed bilateral issues of mutual collaboration.

Swaraj is on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka to attend the second edition of the Indian Ocean Conference (IOC).

Earlier in the day, Swaraj also met her Sri Lankan counterpart Tilak Marapana and held discussions on various aspects of bilateral cooperation.

The details of the matters discussed in the two meetings were not known immediately.

Swaraj arrived in Colombo on Thursday (August 31) and inaugurated the IOC along with leaders from other member countries. She called for cooperation among the Indian Ocean nations to ensure its waters remain safe and secure.

The theme of this year&#39;s conference is &#39;Peace, Progress and Prosperity&#39; and over 35 countries are participating.

The first edition of the IOC was held in Singapore in September 2016.

Reportedly, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-releases-76-indian-fishermen-as-goodwill-gesture-19702">Sri Lanka decided to release 76 Indian fishermen arrested</a> for allegedly poaching in its waters as a goodwill gesture to mark Swaraj&#39;s visit.

Sushma Swaraj is on a two day visit to Sri Lanka for Indian Ocean Conference

Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj called on Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena in Colombo on Friday (September 01) and discussed bilateral issues of mutual collaboration. Swaraj is on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka to attend the second edition of the Indian Ocean Conference (IOC). Earlier in the day, Swaraj also met her Sri Lankan counterpart Tilak Marapana and held discussions on various aspects of bilateral cooperation. The details of the matters discussed in the two meetings were not known immediately. Swaraj arrived in Colombo on Thursday (August 31) and inaugurated the IOC along with leaders from other member countries. She called for cooperation among the Indian Ocean nations to ensure its waters remain safe and secure. The theme of this year's conference is 'Peace, Progress and Prosperity' and over 35 countries are participating. The first edition of the IOC was held in Singapore in September 2016. Reportedly, Sri Lanka decided to release 76 Indian fishermen arrested for allegedly poaching in its waters as a goodwill gesture to mark Swaraj's visit.

Indian foreign minister meets Sri Lankan president

Sri Lankan financial crime police arrested today a brother of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa for a third time over suspicion of state fund misappropriation when he was economic development minister, a lawyer said. 
 
Rajapaksa&#39;s younger brother, Basil, is on bail after being arrested twice for alleged misappropriation of state funds and a land deal allegedly involving money laundering. Court hearings into the two cases are going on. 
 
He has denied any wrongdoing. 
 
Sirisena faces pressure to act on corruption allegations&nbsp; 
 
Sri Lanka&#39;s new President Maithripala Sirisena faces pressure to act on allegations of corruption dating back to the Rajapaksa era, especially from civil society organisations who backed his successful bid to oust Rajapaksa last year. 
 
Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was president for a decade until January 2015 and is now an opposition legislator, is popular among many ethnic majority Sinhala Buddhists who credit him with ending a 26-year-war against ethnic Tamil rebels in 2009. He is trying to rally opposition to the current government with the help of Basil. 
 
Basil Rajapaksa&#39;s lawyer, Jayantha Weerasinghe, told Reuters his client was remanded in custody until August 1 after police took him to court over the supply of building materials to district councils when he was a minister. 
 
&quot;We pointed out that nothing is irregular about this transaction. But irrespective of what we said, he was remanded,&quot; Weerasinghe said. 
 
Neither Basil Rajapaksa nor his family members were immediately available for comment. 
 
Rajapaksa&#39;s eldest son released on bail&nbsp; 
 
Several members of the Rajapaksa family are facing police investigations for alleged financial crimes. They include Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brothers Basil and Gotabaya. 
 
Mahinda Rajapaksa&#39;s eldest son, Namal Rajapaksa, who is also a member of parliament, was released by a court on bail today, media reported. 
 
He was arrested on July 11 for suspected misappropriation of funds in a high-end apartment project. 
 
Namal Rajapaksa denies wrongdoing as do his father and other relatives facing investigations. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp; 
 
 
&nbsp;

Several members of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa's family are facing police investigations for alleged financial crimes

Sri Lankan financial crime police arrested today a brother of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa for a third time over suspicion of state fund misappropriation when he was economic development minister, a lawyer said. Rajapaksa's younger brother, Basil, is on bail after being arrested twice for alleged misappropriation of state funds and a land deal allegedly involving money laundering. Court hearings into the two cases are going on. He has denied any wrongdoing. Sirisena faces pressure to act on corruption allegations Sri Lanka's new President Maithripala Sirisena faces pressure to act on allegations of corruption dating back to the Rajapaksa era, especially from civil society organisations who backed his successful bid to oust Rajapaksa last year. Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was president for a decade until January 2015 and is now an opposition legislator, is popular among many ethnic majority Sinhala Buddhists who credit him with ending a 26-year-war against ethnic Tamil rebels in 2009. He is trying to rally opposition to the current government with the help of Basil. Basil Rajapaksa's lawyer, Jayantha Weerasinghe, told Reuters his client was remanded in custody until August 1 after police took him to court over the supply of building materials to district councils when he was a minister. "We pointed out that nothing is irregular about this transaction. But irrespective of what we said, he was remanded," Weerasinghe said. Neither Basil Rajapaksa nor his family members were immediately available for comment. Rajapaksa's eldest son released on bail Several members of the Rajapaksa family are facing police investigations for alleged financial crimes. They include Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brothers Basil and Gotabaya. Mahinda Rajapaksa's eldest son, Namal Rajapaksa, who is also a member of parliament, was released by a court on bail today, media reported. He was arrested on July 11 for suspected misappropriation of funds in a high-end apartment project. Namal Rajapaksa denies wrongdoing as do his father and other relatives facing investigations. (Reuters)

Sri Lanka: Former president's brother held for state fund misappropriation

The future of Sri Lanka Central Bank&#39;s governor, Arjuna Mahendran, is at risk. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
His mandate expires by the end of June and his reappointment has become increasingly unlikely. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Mahendran was appointed in January 2015, shortly after the elections that put an end to the 10-year rule of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
His appointment was strongly backed by the Prime Minister of the island nation, Ranil Wickremasinge.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Shortly after taking office, Mahendran was allegedly involved in a state-bond scam. A company owned by his son-in-law bought 30-year bonds at an interest rate higher than the market offered. The governor is accused of providing inside information. Investigations are still ongoing.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
At the time of the scam, newly-elected President Maithripala Sirisena had suggested Mahendran resign for the trial&#39;s duration. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinge, who strongly backed the governor&#39;s appointment, publicly disagreed with the President&#39;s statement.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
As the end of Mahendran&#39;s&nbsp;mandate nears, cabinet-level opposition is increasingly loud.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The Minister of Social Empowerment and Welfare, SB Dissanayake, during a recent parliament session, said that the country&#39;s top political leaders should not reappoint the governor. &ldquo;The best thing the President and the Prime Minister can do is to let him go home without giving him an extension. We are not satisfied with his work.&rdquo;&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
He is not the only political heavyweight to oppose the reappointment. The Minister of Fisheries Aquatic Resources, Mahinda Amaraweera, stated that action should be taken against the governor.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
All eyes are now on the Sri Lanka Prime Minister, as&nbsp;Mahendran can&#39;t possibly retain power without his support. Whether he has it or not remains to be seen. 
(WION)&nbsp;

The President and two ministers publicly oppose Mahendran's reappointment after his alleged participation in state-bond scam

The future of Sri Lanka Central Bank's governor, Arjuna Mahendran, is at risk. His mandate expires by the end of June and his reappointment has become increasingly unlikely. Mahendran was appointed in January 2015, shortly after the elections that put an end to the 10-year rule of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. His appointment was strongly backed by the Prime Minister of the island nation, Ranil Wickremasinge. Shortly after taking office, Mahendran was allegedly involved in a state-bond scam. A company owned by his son-in-law bought 30-year bonds at an interest rate higher than the market offered. The governor is accused of providing inside information. Investigations are still ongoing. At the time of the scam, newly-elected President Maithripala Sirisena had suggested Mahendran resign for the trial's duration. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinge, who strongly backed the governor's appointment, publicly disagreed with the President's statement. As the end of Mahendran's mandate nears, cabinet-level opposition is increasingly loud. The Minister of Social Empowerment and Welfare, SB Dissanayake, during a recent parliament session, said that the country's top political leaders should not reappoint the governor. “The best thing the President and the Prime Minister can do is to let him go home without giving him an extension. We are not satisfied with his work.” He is not the only political heavyweight to oppose the reappointment. The Minister of Fisheries Aquatic Resources, Mahinda Amaraweera, stated that action should be taken against the governor. All eyes are now on the Sri Lanka Prime Minister, as Mahendran can't possibly retain power without his support. Whether he has it or not remains to be seen. (WION)

Sri Lanka Central Bank governor faces high-profile opposition

The new Sri Lankan government acknowledged on Wednesday for the first time that about 65,000 went missing during its 26-year war with the separatist Tamil Tigers. This is being seen as a further step towards reconciliation.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
President Maithripala Sirisena has agreed to address past human rights violations through independent probes and to implement a resolution by the United Nation Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The UN and rights groups have long urged justice for the families of the missing, including the ones allegedly abducted by state-backed groups and paramilitary outfits.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Before losing the 2015 elections, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa had firmly opposed any international interference in what he believed was an internal issue.&nbsp; 
A specific office will be in charge to independently investigate each case of the thousands of missing cases, mostly belonging to the Tamil ethnic minority.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The government will issue a certificate of absence which will help relatives, allowing them to temporarily manage properties and assets of missing people, to obtain provisional guardianship of their children and apply for government welfare schemes.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Many relatives have been critic, accusing the government of doing almost nothing to find the missing people as promised in the UN resolution.&nbsp; 
The government will make an oral representation in Geneva later this month to show its progresses in implementing the resolution.&nbsp; 
(Reuters)

Agrees to implement a UN resolution which will help families to manage assets of those missing and obtain guardianship for their children

The new Sri Lankan government acknowledged on Wednesday for the first time that about 65,000 went missing during its 26-year war with the separatist Tamil Tigers. This is being seen as a further step towards reconciliation. President Maithripala Sirisena has agreed to address past human rights violations through independent probes and to implement a resolution by the United Nation Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The UN and rights groups have long urged justice for the families of the missing, including the ones allegedly abducted by state-backed groups and paramilitary outfits. Before losing the 2015 elections, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa had firmly opposed any international interference in what he believed was an internal issue. A specific office will be in charge to independently investigate each case of the thousands of missing cases, mostly belonging to the Tamil ethnic minority. The government will issue a certificate of absence which will help relatives, allowing them to temporarily manage properties and assets of missing people, to obtain provisional guardianship of their children and apply for government welfare schemes. Many relatives have been critic, accusing the government of doing almost nothing to find the missing people as promised in the UN resolution. The government will make an oral representation in Geneva later this month to show its progresses in implementing the resolution. (Reuters)

Sri Lanka declares 65,000 missing during civil war

The new Sri Lankan government acknowledged on Wednesday for the first time that about 65,000 went missing during its 26-year war with the separatist Tamil Tigers. This is being seen as a further step towards reconciliation.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
President Maithripala Sirisena has agreed to address past human rights violations through independent probes and to implement a resolution by the United Nation Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The UN and rights groups have long urged justice for the families of the missing, including the ones allegedly abducted by state-backed groups and paramilitary outfits.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Before losing the 2015 elections, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa had firmly opposed any international interference in what he believed was an internal issue.&nbsp; 
A specific office will be in charge to independently investigate each case of the thousands of missing cases, mostly belonging to the Tamil ethnic minority.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The government will issue a certificate of absence which will help relatives, allowing them to temporarily manage properties and assets of missing people, to obtain provisional guardianship of their children and apply for government welfare schemes.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Many relatives have been critic, accusing the government of doing almost nothing to find the missing people as promised in the UN resolution.&nbsp; 
The government will make an oral representation in Geneva later this month to show its progresses in implementing the resolution.&nbsp; 
(Reuters)