Sri Lanka reopened to foreign tourists Thursday after a nearly 10-month pandemic closure that cut deeply into the Indian Ocean island nation's lucrative travel industry. 
Full operations also resumed Thursday at the island's two international airports, accommodating the commercial flights.

Under new protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19, tourists must be tested for the virus in their country 72 hours prior to their flight, when they arrive at their hotel in Sri Lanka and again seven days later. They must stay in a ''travel bubble''&nbsp;designated in 14 tourism zones without mixing with the local population.

About 180 hotels have been earmarked for tourist accommodations.

The resumption of tourism follows a pilot project that began December 26 in which 1,500 tourists from Ukraine visited Sri Lanka in such a travel bubble.

The government closed the country to tourists last March when an outbreak of the virus surfaced. The international airports were closed except for limited flights enabling Sri Lankans to return home.

Tourism is a vital economic sector for Sri Lanka, accounting for about 5 per cent of its gross domestic product and employing 250,000 people directly and up to 3 million indirectly. Hotels, other businesses and their employees faced crippling income losses.

Sri Lanka had fewer than 4,000 cases of coronavirus infection until October when clusters centred on a garment factory and fish market spread in the capital, Colombo, and its suburbs. As of Thursday, it has confirmed more than 55,000 cases with 274 fatalities.

Sri Lanka reopened to foreign tourists Thursday after a nearly 10-month pandemic closure that cut deeply into the Indian Ocean island nation's lucrative travel industry.

Sri Lanka reopened to foreign tourists Thursday after a nearly 10-month pandemic closure that cut deeply into the Indian Ocean island nation's lucrative travel industry. Full operations also resumed Thursday at the island's two international airports, accommodating the commercial flights. Under new protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19, tourists must be tested for the virus in their country 72 hours prior to their flight, when they arrive at their hotel in Sri Lanka and again seven days later. They must stay in a ''travel bubble'' designated in 14 tourism zones without mixing with the local population. About 180 hotels have been earmarked for tourist accommodations. The resumption of tourism follows a pilot project that began December 26 in which 1,500 tourists from Ukraine visited Sri Lanka in such a travel bubble. The government closed the country to tourists last March when an outbreak of the virus surfaced. The international airports were closed except for limited flights enabling Sri Lankans to return home. Tourism is a vital economic sector for Sri Lanka, accounting for about 5 per cent of its gross domestic product and employing 250,000 people directly and up to 3 million indirectly. Hotels, other businesses and their employees faced crippling income losses. Sri Lanka had fewer than 4,000 cases of coronavirus infection until October when clusters centred on a garment factory and fish market spread in the capital, Colombo, and its suburbs. As of Thursday, it has confirmed more than 55,000 cases with 274 fatalities.

Sri Lanka reopens to tourists after 10 months

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived here on Tuesday on a three-day visit to Sri Lanka during which he will hold talks with the country's top leadership and discuss issues of mutual and bilateral interests,

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reaches Sri Lanka to meet President & PM

Sri Lanka has recorded the highest number of elephant deaths in the world due to the human-elephant conflict, according to a media report.

The country’s Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) had ordered a special audit into the human-elephant conflict by renowned elephant expert Dr Prithviraj Fernando, the head of the Centre for Conservation and Research.

In a meeting of the COPA held recently, it was also disclosed that Sri Lanka ranked number two globally after India where highest number of human deaths were reported due to the human-elephant conflict, according to Daily News.

COPE Committee Chairman Tissa Vitarana said that in the past 12 months, the number of elephants killed in conflict with humans in Sri Lanka was 407 as against the previous annual average of 272. The number of people killed also increased from an average of 85 humans to 122 per year in the country.

COPE Committee Chairman Vitarana and other members emphasised the need for the Wildlife Department and other relevant agencies to work together on a more efficient programme to resolve the human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka, which has become a serious problem.

He also said that despite 60 years of efforts to resolve the human-elephant conflict, no significant progress had been made and that a new approach was needed to find a solution.

The COPA directed the Department of Wildlife Conservation to set up a National Coordinating Committee with all relevant institutions as soon as possible to reduce the human-elephant conflict.

The Committee pointed out that although 4,211 km of elephant fences had been constructed by 2016 to control the human-elephant conflict, they had become inactive in a short period of time due to improper maintenance.

Although Rs 86 million rupees is spent annually for the maintenance of the electric fences, the committee pointed out the need for the Wildlife Conservation Department to monitor whether this maintenance is being carried out on a daily basis, the daily said.

The committee also pointed out that this maintenance should be done with the support of the people.

The Committee also discussed that many constructions had to be halted due to protests by the people in some areas who thought that the construction of the fence was a boundary of their land.

Sri Lanka has recorded the highest number of elephant deaths in the world due to the human-elephant conflict, according to a media report. The country’s Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) had ordered a special audit into the human-elephant conflict by renowned elephant expert Dr Prithviraj Fernando, the head of the Centre for Conservation and Research.

Sri Lanka has recorded the highest number of elephant deaths in the world due to the human-elephant conflict, according to a media report. The country’s Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) had ordered a special audit into the human-elephant conflict by renowned elephant expert Dr Prithviraj Fernando, the head of the Centre for Conservation and Research. In a meeting of the COPA held recently, it was also disclosed that Sri Lanka ranked number two globally after India where highest number of human deaths were reported due to the human-elephant conflict, according to Daily News. COPE Committee Chairman Tissa Vitarana said that in the past 12 months, the number of elephants killed in conflict with humans in Sri Lanka was 407 as against the previous annual average of 272. The number of people killed also increased from an average of 85 humans to 122 per year in the country. COPE Committee Chairman Vitarana and other members emphasised the need for the Wildlife Department and other relevant agencies to work together on a more efficient programme to resolve the human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka, which has become a serious problem. He also said that despite 60 years of efforts to resolve the human-elephant conflict, no significant progress had been made and that a new approach was needed to find a solution. The COPA directed the Department of Wildlife Conservation to set up a National Coordinating Committee with all relevant institutions as soon as possible to reduce the human-elephant conflict. The Committee pointed out that although 4,211 km of elephant fences had been constructed by 2016 to control the human-elephant conflict, they had become inactive in a short period of time due to improper maintenance. Although Rs 86 million rupees is spent annually for the maintenance of the electric fences, the committee pointed out the need for the Wildlife Conservation Department to monitor whether this maintenance is being carried out on a daily basis, the daily said. The committee also pointed out that this maintenance should be done with the support of the people. The Committee also discussed that many constructions had to be halted due to protests by the people in some areas who thought that the construction of the fence was a boundary of their land.

Sri Lanka records highest elephant deaths in world

Sri Lanka said Wednesday it would cremate the bodies of 19 Muslim coronavirus victims, overriding the families' objections against the contentious policy.

The island nation has been experiencing a surge in cases since October, with the number of infections increased more than eight-fold since then to over 29,300 and 142 dead.

Coronavirus victims' bodies are claimed by families and then cremated -- a practice forbidden under Islamic law -- under the strict supervision of health authorities.

But families of 19 Muslims killed by the virus have refused to claim the bodies from a morgue in the capital Colombo, triggering the edict by Attorney-General Dappula de Livera.

"Bodies of Covid-19 victims not claimed by families can be cremated in terms of quarantine regulations," De Livera's spokeswoman said, adding that the bodies would be cremated this week.

Five were cremated on Wednesday, police said.

The policy has been challenged by Muslims, with 12 petitions filed by the minority community and civil society groups in the Supreme Court.

But the top court rejected the petitions last week, without giving reasons why it made that decision.

The Sri Lanka Muslim Council has said a majority of the country's coronavirus victims were Muslim.

A council spokesman added that members of the community feared seeking medical help if Covid-19 positive, as they did not want to be cremated.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation last month urged Colombo to permit Muslims to bury their family members "in line with their religious beliefs and obligations".

Sri Lanka made Covid-19 cremations compulsory in April amid fears spread by influential Buddhist monks -- who support President Gotabaya Rajapaksa -- that burying bodies could contaminate groundwater and spread the disease.&nbsp;

The World Health Organisation states both burials and cremations are permitted.

There have been ongoing tensions between Muslims -- who make up 10 percent of Sri Lanka's 21 million population -- and the majority Sinhalese who are mostly Buddhists, after local jihadists were accused of being behind the deadly 2019 Easter bombings.

Sri Lanka said Wednesday it would cremate the bodies of 19 Muslim coronavirus victims, overriding the families' objections against the contentious policy. The island nation has been experiencing a surge in cases since October, with the number of infections increased more than eight-fold since then to over 29,300 and 142 dead.

Sri Lanka said Wednesday it would cremate the bodies of 19 Muslim coronavirus victims, overriding the families' objections against the contentious policy. The island nation has been experiencing a surge in cases since October, with the number of infections increased more than eight-fold since then to over 29,300 and 142 dead. Coronavirus victims' bodies are claimed by families and then cremated -- a practice forbidden under Islamic law -- under the strict supervision of health authorities. But families of 19 Muslims killed by the virus have refused to claim the bodies from a morgue in the capital Colombo, triggering the edict by Attorney-General Dappula de Livera. "Bodies of Covid-19 victims not claimed by families can be cremated in terms of quarantine regulations," De Livera's spokeswoman said, adding that the bodies would be cremated this week. Five were cremated on Wednesday, police said. The policy has been challenged by Muslims, with 12 petitions filed by the minority community and civil society groups in the Supreme Court. But the top court rejected the petitions last week, without giving reasons why it made that decision. The Sri Lanka Muslim Council has said a majority of the country's coronavirus victims were Muslim. A council spokesman added that members of the community feared seeking medical help if Covid-19 positive, as they did not want to be cremated. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation last month urged Colombo to permit Muslims to bury their family members "in line with their religious beliefs and obligations". Sri Lanka made Covid-19 cremations compulsory in April amid fears spread by influential Buddhist monks -- who support President Gotabaya Rajapaksa -- that burying bodies could contaminate groundwater and spread the disease. The World Health Organisation states both burials and cremations are permitted. There have been ongoing tensions between Muslims -- who make up 10 percent of Sri Lanka's 21 million population -- and the majority Sinhalese who are mostly Buddhists, after local jihadists were accused of being behind the deadly 2019 Easter bombings.

Sri Lanka cremates Muslim COVID-19 victims against religious wishes

&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lanka's government is digging a moat around one of its landfills to keep out hungry elephant herds and reduce conflicts between the animals and villagers.

Dozens of elephants lumber out of the forest daily into a garbage dump near the eastern town of Ampara, rummaging through mounds of rubbish for wilted vegetable scraps.

This has become a common sight at the country's three largest landfills, which are located next to wildlife protection zones. The elephants consume plastic along with the food scraps, which slowly kills them, officials say. In 2019, a record 361 elephants died mainly because of humans, local environmental groups reported.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kaavan-pakistans-loneliest-elephant-fan-of-music-left-for-indonesia-345013" hreflang="en">Kaavan: Pakistan's loneliest elephant, fan of music, left for Indonesia</a>

The Ampara landfill was created around a decade ago in the middle of an elephant corridor that is home to 200 to 300 elephants. Electric fences have not worked to keep the determined animals away.

"There is no proper plan or a system for this," said P.H. Kumara, part of the Gal Oya Farmers Committee, a farming collective in the region around Ampara. "Government institutions have established landfills on the border of wildlife protection zones. Once that is done, the wild elephants and other wild animals who eat the rubbish die."

The government is now trying trenches around the facility to deter the animals. Villagers who have had an uneasy co-existence with the wild herds, say the situation is only getting worse.

"The wild elephants that come to the landfill hang around here day and night," said Kumara. "Then they go into neighbouring villages and harm the villagers, their property and agricultural land. The end result is that the human-elephant conflict gets worse and we lose elephants that are a national asset."

There are around 7,500 wild elephants in&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lanka, which has a population of 22 million people.

Domesticated elephants are revered on the island and are used in religious and cultural events throughout the year.

Sri Lanka's government is digging a moat around one of its landfills to keep out hungry elephant herds and reduce conflicts between the animals and villagers. Dozens of elephants lumber out of the forest daily into a garbage dump near the eastern town of Ampara, rummaging through mounds of rubbish for wilted vegetable scraps.

Sri Lanka's government is digging a moat around one of its landfills to keep out hungry elephant herds and reduce conflicts between the animals and villagers. Dozens of elephants lumber out of the forest daily into a garbage dump near the eastern town of Ampara, rummaging through mounds of rubbish for wilted vegetable scraps. This has become a common sight at the country's three largest landfills, which are located next to wildlife protection zones. The elephants consume plastic along with the food scraps, which slowly kills them, officials say. In 2019, a record 361 elephants died mainly because of humans, local environmental groups reported. Also read| Kaavan: Pakistan's loneliest elephant, fan of music, left for Indonesia The Ampara landfill was created around a decade ago in the middle of an elephant corridor that is home to 200 to 300 elephants. Electric fences have not worked to keep the determined animals away. "There is no proper plan or a system for this," said P.H. Kumara, part of the Gal Oya Farmers Committee, a farming collective in the region around Ampara. "Government institutions have established landfills on the border of wildlife protection zones. Once that is done, the wild elephants and other wild animals who eat the rubbish die." The government is now trying trenches around the facility to deter the animals. Villagers who have had an uneasy co-existence with the wild herds, say the situation is only getting worse. "The wild elephants that come to the landfill hang around here day and night," said Kumara. "Then they go into neighbouring villages and harm the villagers, their property and agricultural land. The end result is that the human-elephant conflict gets worse and we lose elephants that are a national asset." There are around 7,500 wild elephants in Sri Lanka, which has a population of 22 million people. Domesticated elephants are revered on the island and are used in religious and cultural events throughout the year.

Sri Lanka digs moat around landfill to keep out hungry elephants

Sri Lankan Police will use drones to monitor the movement of people in areas declared as isolated due to a vast spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in recent weeks, local media reported on Friday. 
 
The drones will be flown over areas under lockdown in the Western Province, including several areas within the capital Colombo.

Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said the assistance of the air force had been sought for this operation and they would use high tech drones to monitor any illegal movements within the isolated areas. 
 
At least 20 people were arrested for stepping out of their homes in the lockdown areas until Friday morning. 
 
Air force Spokesman Group Captain Dushantha Wijesinghe said it had deployed three teams for this purpose and six to 10 drones will be used, on the request of the police. 
 
He said the drones will monitor the main routes and areas in an isolated area to see if any gatherings are ongoing, or playgrounds are being used, or if there are any movements on roads or any shops being kept open. 
 
"We will strictly ensure that no breach of privacy is caused on private residences of people," the air force spokesman said. 
 
Sri Lanka's&nbsp;Western Province has detected over 4,000 new confirmed cases in recent weeks since the detection of two new Covid-19 clusters, in Minuwangoda, the outskirts of the capital, and from a fish market in Peliyagoda, Colombo, last month. 
 
Several areas have remained under isolation since early October and people have been prohibited from entering or leaving the area. 
 
Sri Lanka has reported a total of 15,723 cases since the first local patient was detected in March, while the death toll stood at 48.

Sri Lankan Police will use drones to monitor the movement of people in areas declared as isolated due to a vast spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in recent weeks, local media reported on Friday.

Sri Lankan Police will use drones to monitor the movement of people in areas declared as isolated due to a vast spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in recent weeks, local media reported on Friday. The drones will be flown over areas under lockdown in the Western Province, including several areas within the capital Colombo. Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said the assistance of the air force had been sought for this operation and they would use high tech drones to monitor any illegal movements within the isolated areas. At least 20 people were arrested for stepping out of their homes in the lockdown areas until Friday morning. Air force Spokesman Group Captain Dushantha Wijesinghe said it had deployed three teams for this purpose and six to 10 drones will be used, on the request of the police. He said the drones will monitor the main routes and areas in an isolated area to see if any gatherings are ongoing, or playgrounds are being used, or if there are any movements on roads or any shops being kept open. "We will strictly ensure that no breach of privacy is caused on private residences of people," the air force spokesman said. Sri Lanka's Western Province has detected over 4,000 new confirmed cases in recent weeks since the detection of two new Covid-19 clusters, in Minuwangoda, the outskirts of the capital, and from a fish market in Peliyagoda, Colombo, last month. Several areas have remained under isolation since early October and people have been prohibited from entering or leaving the area. Sri Lanka has reported a total of 15,723 cases since the first local patient was detected in March, while the death toll stood at 48.

Sri Lanka to use drones to monitor areas isolated due to COVID-19

Sri&nbsp;Lanka's navy and volunteers rescued 120 pilot whales stranded in the country's biggest mass beaching, but at least two injured animals were found dead, officials said.

Sailors from the navy and the coastguard along with local volunteers pushed back at least 120 whales by dawn Tuesday after a gruelling overnight rescue, navy spokesman Indika de Silva said.

The school of short-finned pilot whales washed ashore at Panadura, 25 kilometres (15 miles) south of Colombo, since Monday afternoon in the biggest-ever mass stranding of whales on the island.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/final-whale-saved-from-grim-australia-mass-stranding-330674">Final whale saved from grim Australia mass stranding</a>

"We used our small inshore patrol craft to pull the whales one by one back into deeper waters," de Silva told AFP. "Sadly, two whales have died of the injuries sustained when they beached."

Sri&nbsp;Lanka's Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) confirmed that Panadura saw the largest single pod of whales stranded in the South Asian country.

"It is very unusual for such a large number to reach our shores," MEPA chief Dharshani Lahandapura told AFP, adding that the cause of the stranding was not known.

"We think this is similar to the mass stranding in Tasmania in September."

Pilot whales, which can grow up to six metres (20 feet) long and weigh a tonne, are highly social.

The phenomenon of whales getting stranded in shallow water remains largely a mystery to scientists.

In September, several hundred whales died in shallows off the coast of Australia in its biggest stranding on record and one of the largest in the world.

Sri Lanka's navy and volunteers rescued 120 pilot whales stranded in the country's biggest mass beaching, but at least two injured animals were found dead, officials said.

Sri Lanka's navy and volunteers rescued 120 pilot whales stranded in the country's biggest mass beaching, but at least two injured animals were found dead, officials said. Sailors from the navy and the coastguard along with local volunteers pushed back at least 120 whales by dawn Tuesday after a gruelling overnight rescue, navy spokesman Indika de Silva said. The school of short-finned pilot whales washed ashore at Panadura, 25 kilometres (15 miles) south of Colombo, since Monday afternoon in the biggest-ever mass stranding of whales on the island. Also read: Final whale saved from grim Australia mass stranding "We used our small inshore patrol craft to pull the whales one by one back into deeper waters," de Silva told AFP. "Sadly, two whales have died of the injuries sustained when they beached." Sri Lanka's Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) confirmed that Panadura saw the largest single pod of whales stranded in the South Asian country. "It is very unusual for such a large number to reach our shores," MEPA chief Dharshani Lahandapura told AFP, adding that the cause of the stranding was not known. "We think this is similar to the mass stranding in Tasmania in September." Pilot whales, which can grow up to six metres (20 feet) long and weigh a tonne, are highly social. The phenomenon of whales getting stranded in shallow water remains largely a mystery to scientists. In September, several hundred whales died in shallows off the coast of Australia in its biggest stranding on record and one of the largest in the world.

Sri Lanka rescues 120 whales after mass stranding

The first 20 containers of medical waste, which included body parts from mortuaries, were loaded on the MV Texas Triumph on Friday

Why Sri Lanka is sending back illegal waste to the UK? Explainer

Sri Lanka has started shipping 242 containers of hazardous waste back to Britain after a two year court battle by an environment watchdog.

Sri Lanka returns illegal waste to UK, first 20 containers loaded

Prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was not keen to meet US State Secretary Mike Pompeo, minister Wimal Weerawansa has said

WION Dispatch: Mahinda Rajapaksa was not keen to meet US State Secretary Pompeo

Even before Pompeo arrived in Sri Lanka, China had fired back at the US message, accusing Washington of bullying smaller nations.

Mike Pompeo: Sri Lanka must make difficult but necessary choices

The Rajapaksa Government has opposed the delisting of LTTE as a terror group in the UK. Sri Lanka has appealed against a judgment, calling for the LTTE to be proscribed as a terrorist organisation again. Are the Rajapaksas trying to keep an old enemy alive? WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Sri Lanka wants UK to list LTTE as a terrorist organisation

Britain's Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission on Thursday removed&nbsp;Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) from the list of proscribed&nbsp;terrorist organisations. The LTTE ran a military campaign for a separate Tamil homeland in the northern and eastern provinces of the island nation for nearly 30 years before its collapse in 2009 after the Sri Lankan Army killed its supreme leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.

Sri Lanka has protested the commission's decision and appealed against the judgement. Sri Lankan foreign ministry issued a statement in this regard on Thursday.

It said the decision of the Commission arises from an appeal filed in May 2019 by an LTTE front organisation challenging the decision of British Secretary of State for Home Affairs dated March 8, 2019, which refused the application by the group to de-proscribe the LTTE from the list of Proscribed Organizations under the UK Terrorism Act of 2000.

While Sri Lanka was not a party to these proceedings at the Commission and could not make direct representations, the Lankan Government assisted the British government by providing relevant information with regard to continued terrorist activities.

"The Open Judgement of the POAC while allowing the Appeal, provides for further hearings, and the Government of Sri Lanka will continue to closely monitor the progress of the case in the UK," the statement said.

Sri Lanka maintains that it has sufficient evidence to prove that the remnants of the LTTE and groups aligned with its terrorist ideology are active in foreign countries, working to incite violence and destabilize the country.

Sri Lanka remains vigilant of threats to its national security as well as that of the region, and will always support members of the international community in the global fight against terrorism, the statement said. 
The UK listed the LTTE as a terrorist outfit in early 2000.

(With PTI inputs)

Britain's Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission on Thursday removed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) from the list of proscribed terrorist organisations.

Britain's Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission on Thursday removed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) from the list of proscribed terrorist organisations. The LTTE ran a military campaign for a separate Tamil homeland in the northern and eastern provinces of the island nation for nearly 30 years before its collapse in 2009 after the Sri Lankan Army killed its supreme leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. Sri Lanka has protested the commission's decision and appealed against the judgement. Sri Lankan foreign ministry issued a statement in this regard on Thursday. It said the decision of the Commission arises from an appeal filed in May 2019 by an LTTE front organisation challenging the decision of British Secretary of State for Home Affairs dated March 8, 2019, which refused the application by the group to de-proscribe the LTTE from the list of Proscribed Organizations under the UK Terrorism Act of 2000. While Sri Lanka was not a party to these proceedings at the Commission and could not make direct representations, the Lankan Government assisted the British government by providing relevant information with regard to continued terrorist activities. "The Open Judgement of the POAC while allowing the Appeal, provides for further hearings, and the Government of Sri Lanka will continue to closely monitor the progress of the case in the UK," the statement said. Sri Lanka maintains that it has sufficient evidence to prove that the remnants of the LTTE and groups aligned with its terrorist ideology are active in foreign countries, working to incite violence and destabilize the country. Sri Lanka remains vigilant of threats to its national security as well as that of the region, and will always support members of the international community in the global fight against terrorism, the statement said. The UK listed the LTTE as a terrorist outfit in early 2000. (With PTI inputs)

UK tribunal removes LTTE from terror list, Sri Lanka protests

Eight members of the Opposition, who defied their party's whip and voted in favour of the 20th Amendment to Sri Lanka's Constitution to bolster the powers of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, will face disciplinary action, party officials said on Friday.

The Parliament on Thursday passed the 20th Amendment to the Constitution with a two-thirds majority. The second reading of the 20th Amendment was passed in Parliament with 156 members voting in favour of the bill and 65 against it in the 223-member Parliament. Only 213 members were present at the time of voting.

The government on September 2 gazetted 20A to replace the 19th Amendment introduced in 2015 that curtailed the powers of the president and strengthened the role of Parliament.

Among the defectors was the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya's (SJB) woman parliamentarian Diana Gamage.

"We will be taking disciplinary action against her," SJB general secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said.

Gamage and seven other parliamentarians voted in favour of 20A.

Among them are six Muslim members from two Muslim constituent parties of SJB.

The sole Tamil defector was Aravind Kumar from Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPF). TPF leader and parliamentarian Mano Ganesan said the party Politburo will take action against Kumar.

Interestingly, all members of parliament from the ruling Sri Lankan People's Party, who had expressed opposition to some of the clauses in the amendment, voted en bloc in support.

Inspired by the opposition within the government quarters, the Opposition had called for a separate vote on the clause which permits dual citizens to hold public office.

The vote was defeated with one plus from the Opposition. None of those from the government supported the Opposition's call for a vote.

The 20A rolled back the pro-democracy, good governance 19A which curtailed presidential powers and made parliament more powerful.

It restores full legal immunity to the President, removing the provisions made in the 19A to take legal action against the President. 
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa wanted full presidential powers to return as his SLPP had campaigned at two major elections to repeal 19A.

With their dominant majority in the assembly, the Rajapaksas have made it clear that they would amend the Constitution to bolster the powers of the president, reversing the work of the previous government to introduce more checks and balances and enhance the role of Parliament.

Rajapaksa wants a total constitutional overhaul and his position was reiterated in Parliament by Justice Minister Ali Sabry who said the work on a new Constitution was underway and it will be formulated and presented within a year.

Activists, already alarmed by the diminishing space for dissent in the island nation, fear that the latest amendment to the Constitution may lead to authoritarianism. During the last November's presidential elections and last month's parliamentary elections, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that the 19A had made governance difficult as it created a rift between the executive president and the prime minister.

President Rajapaksa was elected in November last year with a mandate to abolish the 19A. 
Interestingly, the current prime minister is the president's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was earlier president of the country for two terms.&nbsp;

Eight members of the Opposition, who defied their party's whip and voted in favour of the 20th Amendment to Sri Lanka's Constitution to bolster the powers of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, will face disciplinary action, party officials said on Friday.

Eight members of the Opposition, who defied their party's whip and voted in favour of the 20th Amendment to Sri Lanka's Constitution to bolster the powers of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, will face disciplinary action, party officials said on Friday. The Parliament on Thursday passed the 20th Amendment to the Constitution with a two-thirds majority. The second reading of the 20th Amendment was passed in Parliament with 156 members voting in favour of the bill and 65 against it in the 223-member Parliament. Only 213 members were present at the time of voting. The government on September 2 gazetted 20A to replace the 19th Amendment introduced in 2015 that curtailed the powers of the president and strengthened the role of Parliament. Among the defectors was the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya's (SJB) woman parliamentarian Diana Gamage. "We will be taking disciplinary action against her," SJB general secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said. Gamage and seven other parliamentarians voted in favour of 20A. Among them are six Muslim members from two Muslim constituent parties of SJB. The sole Tamil defector was Aravind Kumar from Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPF). TPF leader and parliamentarian Mano Ganesan said the party Politburo will take action against Kumar. Interestingly, all members of parliament from the ruling Sri Lankan People's Party, who had expressed opposition to some of the clauses in the amendment, voted en bloc in support. Inspired by the opposition within the government quarters, the Opposition had called for a separate vote on the clause which permits dual citizens to hold public office. The vote was defeated with one plus from the Opposition. None of those from the government supported the Opposition's call for a vote. The 20A rolled back the pro-democracy, good governance 19A which curtailed presidential powers and made parliament more powerful. It restores full legal immunity to the President, removing the provisions made in the 19A to take legal action against the President. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa wanted full presidential powers to return as his SLPP had campaigned at two major elections to repeal 19A. With their dominant majority in the assembly, the Rajapaksas have made it clear that they would amend the Constitution to bolster the powers of the president, reversing the work of the previous government to introduce more checks and balances and enhance the role of Parliament. Rajapaksa wants a total constitutional overhaul and his position was reiterated in Parliament by Justice Minister Ali Sabry who said the work on a new Constitution was underway and it will be formulated and presented within a year. Activists, already alarmed by the diminishing space for dissent in the island nation, fear that the latest amendment to the Constitution may lead to authoritarianism. During the last November's presidential elections and last month's parliamentary elections, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that the 19A had made governance difficult as it created a rift between the executive president and the prime minister. President Rajapaksa was elected in November last year with a mandate to abolish the 19A. Interestingly, the current prime minister is the president's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was earlier president of the country for two terms.

Lankan Opposition members who voted in favour of 20A to face party wrath

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa succeeded in a bid to restore sweeping executive powers to his office after his government won a super majority vote to amend the constitution. watch report.

Rajapaksa gets sweeping powers: Rajapaksa can now appoint the judges

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has largely cleared the 20th Amendment of the constitution that aimed at enhancing the Sri Lankan President’s powers.&nbsp; 
 
But it has raised a red flag over four clauses that would require approval by the people at a referendum.

Watch |&nbsp;

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The Supreme Court’s orders came after opposition parties and civil society appealed. They filed 39 petitions in all to challenge the new amendment. 
 
The controversial 20th Amendment to the Constitution is being considered as contentious by these petitioners because:&nbsp;

1: It would give President Rajapaksa unbridled powers. 
 
2: The president will be able to dissolve the parliament after one year.&nbsp;

3: He will have a say in the appointment of judges and other top officials. 
 
4: The auditor general will not be able to inspect the offices of president and prime minister and others and people with dual citizenship will be allowed to become members of parliament. 
 
So, the prime minister's office and the cabinet will be weakened. The president will be able to change ministers at will. In the case of the Rajapaksas, this may not matter because one brother is the president, the other is the prime minister. 
 
The opposition is up in arms against these proposals. They believe that with these changes the legislature will be reduced to a rubber-stamp parliament. They also have strong objections to allowing those who have dual citizenship to enter the parliament. 
 
The opposition claims that this provision will be used by president Rajapaksa to get his brother basil into the legislature. Basil Rajapaksa is the younger border of Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa. He has both American and Sri Lankan citizenship.&nbsp; 
 
Now, the proposals of the Rajapaksas has received opposition from the most unlikely of quarters. 
A section of powerful Buddhist clergy is against the constitutional changes. 
 
Two chapters of monks say the 20th amendment would "deal a death blow" to democracy in Sri Lanka. 
 
They believe the new system will not have a balance of power between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. 
&nbsp; 
Since 1978, Sri Lanka has been ruled by powerful executive presidents. That changed in 2015 when an amendment strengthened the parliament and the prime minister. 
&nbsp; 
Independent commissions were put in charge of judiciary appointments, the police, public services and the conduct of elections. 
&nbsp; 
But the Rajapaksas want to change that and take Sri Lanka back to the past.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has largely cleared the 20th Amendment of the constitution that aimed at enhancing the Sri Lankan President’s powers. But it has raised a red flag over four clauses that would require approval by the people at a referendum.

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has largely cleared the 20th Amendment of the constitution that aimed at enhancing the Sri Lankan President’s powers. But it has raised a red flag over four clauses that would require approval by the people at a referendum. Watch | The Supreme Court’s orders came after opposition parties and civil society appealed. They filed 39 petitions in all to challenge the new amendment. The controversial 20th Amendment to the Constitution is being considered as contentious by these petitioners because: 1: It would give President Rajapaksa unbridled powers. 2: The president will be able to dissolve the parliament after one year. 3: He will have a say in the appointment of judges and other top officials. 4: The auditor general will not be able to inspect the offices of president and prime minister and others and people with dual citizenship will be allowed to become members of parliament. So, the prime minister's office and the cabinet will be weakened. The president will be able to change ministers at will. In the case of the Rajapaksas, this may not matter because one brother is the president, the other is the prime minister. The opposition is up in arms against these proposals. They believe that with these changes the legislature will be reduced to a rubber-stamp parliament. They also have strong objections to allowing those who have dual citizenship to enter the parliament. The opposition claims that this provision will be used by president Rajapaksa to get his brother basil into the legislature. Basil Rajapaksa is the younger border of Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa. He has both American and Sri Lankan citizenship. Now, the proposals of the Rajapaksas has received opposition from the most unlikely of quarters. A section of powerful Buddhist clergy is against the constitutional changes. Two chapters of monks say the 20th amendment would "deal a death blow" to democracy in Sri Lanka. They believe the new system will not have a balance of power between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. Since 1978, Sri Lanka has been ruled by powerful executive presidents. That changed in 2015 when an amendment strengthened the parliament and the prime minister. Independent commissions were put in charge of judiciary appointments, the police, public services and the conduct of elections. But the Rajapaksas want to change that and take Sri Lanka back to the past. (With inputs from agencies)

Certain clauses in the proposed 20th Amendment need a public referendum: Sri Lanka Supreme Court

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court on Tuesday said four sections of a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to consolidate all power in the hands of the president will require a public referendum for them top become a law. The court said that these four sections undermined the sovereignty of the people.

These section of the proposed amendment seek to relieve the president from being responsible to the parliament, give him immunity against lawsuits. These sections also seek to give power to the president to dissolve the parliament after one year in the office.

Sri Lankan Supreme Court said that if appropriate changes were not made, a referendum would be necessary.

20th amendment in Sri Lankan constitution has been a much-debated issue in Sri Lanks and beyond. There are fears in some quarters the too much centralisation of power in the hands of the president would make prime ministerial office and the parliament ceremonial institutions.

A per current laws, Sri Lankan president can be challenged in court. He cannot dissolve the parliament until last 6 months before his five-year term ends.

The amendments are due to be debated in the parliament on Wednesday (October 21).

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court on Tuesday said four sections of a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to consolidate all power in the hands of the president will require a public referendum for them top become a law.

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court on Tuesday said four sections of a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to consolidate all power in the hands of the president will require a public referendum for them top become a law. The court said that these four sections undermined the sovereignty of the people. These section of the proposed amendment seek to relieve the president from being responsible to the parliament, give him immunity against lawsuits. These sections also seek to give power to the president to dissolve the parliament after one year in the office. Sri Lankan Supreme Court said that if appropriate changes were not made, a referendum would be necessary. 20th amendment in Sri Lankan constitution has been a much-debated issue in Sri Lanks and beyond. There are fears in some quarters the too much centralisation of power in the hands of the president would make prime ministerial office and the parliament ceremonial institutions. A per current laws, Sri Lankan president can be challenged in court. He cannot dissolve the parliament until last 6 months before his five-year term ends. The amendments are due to be debated in the parliament on Wednesday (October 21).

Sri Lanka: Supreme Court says constitutional amendment need referendum

China and Sri Lanka plan to restart discussions on a free trade agreement, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said on Friday, following a high-level meeting between the two countries.

Seen as close to Beijing, Rajapaksa has appointed several members of his family to top cabinet positions since his party won a commanding majority in August's parliamentary elections,&nbsp;including his brother Mahinda, who previously also served as president.

Negotiations on a free trade agreement were last held in 2017.

China has been making increasing inroads into South Asia with its Belt and Road Initiative, aimed at financing critical infrastructure in dozens of countries across the world.

In 2017, Sri Lanka signed over control of a Chinese-financed port and land around it to Beijing after incurring heavy losses, to the alarm of the United States and regional power India.

On Friday, Rajapaksa rejected accusations that China wanted to trap Sri Lanka into mounting debt with the port deal.

"Many geo-political analysis interprets this project as a 'debt trap' set up by China to gain control over Sri Lankan affairs," Rajapaksa told the Chinese delegation, led by Yang Jiechi, China's top diplomat.

"I want to prove that it is not the case and that this large-scale project will help improve the living standards of the people," he added.

The countries also agreed to deepen ties in the agriculture, education, tourism, water supply and healthcare sectors, according to a summary of the meeting released by Rajapaksa's office.

The Chinese visit comes as Sri Lanka faces mounting worries over the state of its finances, with rating agencies warning that a coronavirus-induced shock will significantly weaken its "already fragile funding and external positions".

Rajapaksa said on Friday that the country's trade deficit with China is too high and called on Beijing to increase the volume of goods purchased from Sri Lanka to bring it down.

China and Sri Lanka plan to restart discussions on a free trade agreement, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said on Friday, following a high-level meeting between the two countries.

China and Sri Lanka plan to restart discussions on a free trade agreement, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said on Friday, following a high-level meeting between the two countries. Seen as close to Beijing, Rajapaksa has appointed several members of his family to top cabinet positions since his party won a commanding majority in August's parliamentary elections, including his brother Mahinda, who previously also served as president. Negotiations on a free trade agreement were last held in 2017. China has been making increasing inroads into South Asia with its Belt and Road Initiative, aimed at financing critical infrastructure in dozens of countries across the world. In 2017, Sri Lanka signed over control of a Chinese-financed port and land around it to Beijing after incurring heavy losses, to the alarm of the United States and regional power India. On Friday, Rajapaksa rejected accusations that China wanted to trap Sri Lanka into mounting debt with the port deal. "Many geo-political analysis interprets this project as a 'debt trap' set up by China to gain control over Sri Lankan affairs," Rajapaksa told the Chinese delegation, led by Yang Jiechi, China's top diplomat. "I want to prove that it is not the case and that this large-scale project will help improve the living standards of the people," he added. The countries also agreed to deepen ties in the agriculture, education, tourism, water supply and healthcare sectors, according to a summary of the meeting released by Rajapaksa's office. The Chinese visit comes as Sri Lanka faces mounting worries over the state of its finances, with rating agencies warning that a coronavirus-induced shock will significantly weaken its "already fragile funding and external positions". Rajapaksa said on Friday that the country's trade deficit with China is too high and called on Beijing to increase the volume of goods purchased from Sri Lanka to bring it down.

Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa draws country closer to China after summit

A high-powered Chinese delegation led by ruling Communist Party Politburo member Yang Jiechi is expected to arrive here on Thursday, amid Sri Lanka struggling to boost its foreign reserves after its economy was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

Yang, former China's foreign minister, will become the first top ranking Chinese official to travel to the South Asian region since the global outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, officials here said.

The Chinese delegation led by Yang is also expected to meet President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday.

The visit assumes significance as Sri Lanka is expecting to receive the second tranche of a USD 1.2 billion syndicated Chinese loan. The island nation received the first trance of USD 500 million in March.

The Sri Lankan government had said that the anticipated Panda (Chinese) bonds and the syndicated Chinese loan will strengthen the country's balance of payments in the backdrop of the country's credit rating downgrade by Moody's last week.

Credit ratings agency Moody's downgraded Lanka's sovereign credit rating by two notches, saying the South Asian nation would be hard-pressed to secure funding to service its huge foreign debt.

Sri Lanka was pushed down from "B2" (high credit risk) to "Caa1" (very high credit risk), as the coronavirus pandemic compounded the economic woes of the country.

China is already one of the biggest investors in various infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka. But there has been criticism, both locally and internationally, and growing concerns that China has lured Sri Lanka into a debt trap.

The previous Maithripala Sirisena government had entered into a 99-year lease with China in 2017 as a settlement of its debt by way of equity.

Officials said the visit was made possible by a travel bubble created for the purpose and there will be strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols. 
Sri Lanka's economy, especially the tourism sector, has been hit hard since last year ? initially by the Easter Sunday attacks, which killed over 250 people and later by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. 
The country has so far reported 4,252 infections and 13 deaths. 
The Reserve Bank of India in July this year signed necessary documents for extending a USD 400 million currency swap facility to Sri Lanka to boost the nation's draining foreign exchange reserves due to the coronavirus pandemic. 
The currency swap arrangement will remain available till November 2022.

A high-powered Chinese delegation led by ruling Communist Party Politburo member Yang Jiechi is expected to arrive here on Thursday, amid Sri Lanka struggling to boost its foreign reserves after its economy was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

A high-powered Chinese delegation led by ruling Communist Party Politburo member Yang Jiechi is expected to arrive here on Thursday, amid Sri Lanka struggling to boost its foreign reserves after its economy was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Yang, former China's foreign minister, will become the first top ranking Chinese official to travel to the South Asian region since the global outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, officials here said. The Chinese delegation led by Yang is also expected to meet President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday. The visit assumes significance as Sri Lanka is expecting to receive the second tranche of a USD 1.2 billion syndicated Chinese loan. The island nation received the first trance of USD 500 million in March. The Sri Lankan government had said that the anticipated Panda (Chinese) bonds and the syndicated Chinese loan will strengthen the country's balance of payments in the backdrop of the country's credit rating downgrade by Moody's last week. Credit ratings agency Moody's downgraded Lanka's sovereign credit rating by two notches, saying the South Asian nation would be hard-pressed to secure funding to service its huge foreign debt. Sri Lanka was pushed down from "B2" (high credit risk) to "Caa1" (very high credit risk), as the coronavirus pandemic compounded the economic woes of the country. China is already one of the biggest investors in various infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka. But there has been criticism, both locally and internationally, and growing concerns that China has lured Sri Lanka into a debt trap. The previous Maithripala Sirisena government had entered into a 99-year lease with China in 2017 as a settlement of its debt by way of equity. Officials said the visit was made possible by a travel bubble created for the purpose and there will be strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols. Sri Lanka's economy, especially the tourism sector, has been hit hard since last year ? initially by the Easter Sunday attacks, which killed over 250 people and later by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The country has so far reported 4,252 infections and 13 deaths. The Reserve Bank of India in July this year signed necessary documents for extending a USD 400 million currency swap facility to Sri Lanka to boost the nation's draining foreign exchange reserves due to the coronavirus pandemic. The currency swap arrangement will remain available till November 2022.

High-level Chinese delegation to visit Colombo as Lanka struggles to boost foreign reserves

Sri Lanka has repaid a billion US dollar international sovereign bond (ISB) that was due for settlement this week, the Central Bank said on Saturday.

The ISB repayment on Friday came days after Moody's on Monday downgraded Lanka's sovereign credit rating by two notches, saying the South Asian nation would be hard-pressed to secure funding to service its huge foreign debt.

Sri Lanka was pushed down from "B2" (high credit risk) to "Caa1" (very high credit risk), as the coronavirus pandemic compounded the economic woes of the island nation.

"This settlement reconfirms the government's unwavering commitment to honour its foreign liabilities, thereby bolstering investor confidence and dispelling any concerns foreign investors may have in relation to the government's ability and willingness to maintain its unblemished debt servicing record,? the Central Bank said in a statement.

"The domestic foreign exchange market has already reacted positively to this settlement and other recent positive developments in the Sri Lankan economy.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pay-firefighting-bill-before-leaving-sri-lanka-tells-stricken-oil-tanker-331978">Pay firefighting bill before leaving, Sri Lanka tells stricken oil tanker</a>

"With the envisaged inflows to the domestic foreign exchange market supported by proactive measures taken by the government and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the market sentiment is expected to further strengthen in the period ahead,? it said.

The Sri Lankan government said with the settlement of the one billion dollar ISB, the country now has no large debt payments before July 2021.

The government had dismissed the downgrade by Moody's as premature and unfair.

The government defended its ability to meet its debt repayments, citing a currency swap with India's RBI (Reserve Bank of India) and anticipated Japanese and Chinese bonds, in addition to a syndicated loan from China.

The Moody's had said Sri Lanka only had limited secured funding sources to meet its material external debt service payments over the coming years.

Following Moody's downgrading of Lanka's sovereign credit, the Opposition parties called for urgent economic reforms through collective efforts. 
&nbsp;

Sri Lanka has repaid a billion US dollar international sovereign bond (ISB) that was due for settlement this week, the Central Bank said on Saturday. The ISB repayment on Friday came days after Moody's on Monday downgraded Lanka's sovereign credit rating by two notches, saying the South Asian nation would be hard-pressed to secure funding to service its huge foreign debt.

Sri Lanka has repaid a billion US dollar international sovereign bond (ISB) that was due for settlement this week, the Central Bank said on Saturday. The ISB repayment on Friday came days after Moody's on Monday downgraded Lanka's sovereign credit rating by two notches, saying the South Asian nation would be hard-pressed to secure funding to service its huge foreign debt. Sri Lanka was pushed down from "B2" (high credit risk) to "Caa1" (very high credit risk), as the coronavirus pandemic compounded the economic woes of the island nation. "This settlement reconfirms the government's unwavering commitment to honour its foreign liabilities, thereby bolstering investor confidence and dispelling any concerns foreign investors may have in relation to the government's ability and willingness to maintain its unblemished debt servicing record,? the Central Bank said in a statement. "The domestic foreign exchange market has already reacted positively to this settlement and other recent positive developments in the Sri Lankan economy. Also Read | Pay firefighting bill before leaving, Sri Lanka tells stricken oil tanker "With the envisaged inflows to the domestic foreign exchange market supported by proactive measures taken by the government and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the market sentiment is expected to further strengthen in the period ahead,? it said. The Sri Lankan government said with the settlement of the one billion dollar ISB, the country now has no large debt payments before July 2021. The government had dismissed the downgrade by Moody's as premature and unfair. The government defended its ability to meet its debt repayments, citing a currency swap with India's RBI (Reserve Bank of India) and anticipated Japanese and Chinese bonds, in addition to a syndicated loan from China. The Moody's had said Sri Lanka only had limited secured funding sources to meet its material external debt service payments over the coming years. Following Moody's downgrading of Lanka's sovereign credit, the Opposition parties called for urgent economic reforms through collective efforts.

Sri Lanka repays billion US dollar sovereign bond

Owners of oil supertanker MT New Diamond, that caught fire near Sri Lanka in the first week of September have agreed to pay USD 1.84 million to Sri Lanka for help in extinguishing fire. This is an interim claim and does not include damages for fuel leak into the sea.

The claim was made for the services provided by Sri Lankan Navy, port authority, Sri Lankan Air Force and Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA).

MT New Diamond was ferrying Kuwaiti Oil to Indian port of Paradip. The tanker was chartered by Indian Oil Corporation. The tanker caught fire on September 3 after an explosion in its engine room.

The fire was doused by joint efforts of Indian Navy, Sri Lankan Navy, Air Force and Indian Coast Guard.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-apex-court-set-to-hear-petitions-against-20a-330308">Sri Lanka apex court set to hear petitions against 20A</a> 
 
Sri Lankan Marine Environment Protection Authority's (MEPA) Chairperson Dharshani Lahandapura said that insurers of the vessel West of England will settle the bill.

New Diamond is currently 122 kilometres (66 nautical miles) away from Batticaloa on Sri Lanka's east coast.

MEPA has allowed the release of 20 crew members while one injured sailor is undergoing treatment in a private hospital in Sri Lanka, Lahandapura said.

The captain has not been allowed to leave the country as he is going through legal proceedings, she said.

Greece-based Porto Emporios Shipping Inc is the registered owner of the 20-year old Panama-flagged very large crude carrier, Refinitiv data showed.

(With Reuters inputs)

Owners of oil supertanker MT New Diamond, that caught fire near Sri Lanka in the first week of September have agreed to pay USD 1.84 million to Sri Lanka for help in extinguishing fire.

Owners of oil supertanker MT New Diamond, that caught fire near Sri Lanka in the first week of September have agreed to pay USD 1.84 million to Sri Lanka for help in extinguishing fire. This is an interim claim and does not include damages for fuel leak into the sea. The claim was made for the services provided by Sri Lankan Navy, port authority, Sri Lankan Air Force and Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA). MT New Diamond was ferrying Kuwaiti Oil to Indian port of Paradip. The tanker was chartered by Indian Oil Corporation. The tanker caught fire on September 3 after an explosion in its engine room. The fire was doused by joint efforts of Indian Navy, Sri Lankan Navy, Air Force and Indian Coast Guard. Also Read: Sri Lanka apex court set to hear petitions against 20A Sri Lankan Marine Environment Protection Authority's (MEPA) Chairperson Dharshani Lahandapura said that insurers of the vessel West of England will settle the bill. New Diamond is currently 122 kilometres (66 nautical miles) away from Batticaloa on Sri Lanka's east coast. MEPA has allowed the release of 20 crew members while one injured sailor is undergoing treatment in a private hospital in Sri Lanka, Lahandapura said. The captain has not been allowed to leave the country as he is going through legal proceedings, she said. Greece-based Porto Emporios Shipping Inc is the registered owner of the 20-year old Panama-flagged very large crude carrier, Refinitiv data showed. (With Reuters inputs)

Fire-hit supertanker's owner agrees to pay USD 1.8 million to Sri Lanka in damages

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held wide-ranging talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa, covering the entire expanse of bilateral ties and with a focus on further expanding cooperation in key areas.

PM Modi holds talks with Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa

Chief Justice of Sri Lanka's Supreme Court Jayantha Jayasuriya has appointed a five-member bench of the Supreme Court to hear the petitions filed against the government's proposed 20th Amendment to the country's Constitution.

The bench will be led by Chief Justice Jayasuriya and comprise Justice B P Aluvihare, Justice K Sisira J De Abrew, Justice Priyantha Jayawardene and Justice Vijith Malalgoda, the Supreme Court said in a statement on Friday.

As of now, 12 groups, including Main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), have filed petitions in the apex court against the proposed amendment.

The initial hearing is on September 29. The court will make its submission to the Parliament and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa by the second week of October.

Amendment 20A proposes to restore full executive power and legal immunity to the president, removing the provisions of Amendment 19 which lay down the procedure to take legal action against the president.

Further, Amendment 19, adopted in 2019, empowered the Parliament over the Prime Minister, watered down the powers of the presidency, de-politicised the government administration, demarcated the independence of key democratic pillars -- judiciary, public service and elections.

Since Amendment 20A was gazetted on September 3, various groups have opposed it. Even ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) allies have raised their voice against the constitutional modification.

The Amendment 20A was submitted in Parliament earlier this week. As part of the Constitutional process, groups against the amendment can approach the court in the next one week to stall the move.

In its petition, the SJB asked the court to order a national referendum to enact Amendment 20A, in addition to the support of two-thirds in Parliament clause. The SLPP and allies have 150 seats in the 225-member assembly.

All pleas have expressed concern over the amendment impinging the fundamental rights of the citizens.

However President Gotabaya has defended the amendment, saying he had obtained public approval at the recently held polls where the amendment was a poll issue.

Earlier, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had appointed a nine-member ministerial committee to review the amendment in its present form and, if needed, a fresh gazette would be issued.

"The committee's final recommendations were made at the prime minister's participation. He has gone on record that all final recommendations would be implemented at the committee stage," Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa had said

Chief Justice of Sri Lanka's Supreme Court Jayantha Jayasuriya has appointed a five-member bench of the Supreme Court to hear the petitions filed against the government's proposed 20th Amendment to the country's Constitution.

Chief Justice of Sri Lanka's Supreme Court Jayantha Jayasuriya has appointed a five-member bench of the Supreme Court to hear the petitions filed against the government's proposed 20th Amendment to the country's Constitution. The bench will be led by Chief Justice Jayasuriya and comprise Justice B P Aluvihare, Justice K Sisira J De Abrew, Justice Priyantha Jayawardene and Justice Vijith Malalgoda, the Supreme Court said in a statement on Friday. As of now, 12 groups, including Main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), have filed petitions in the apex court against the proposed amendment. The initial hearing is on September 29. The court will make its submission to the Parliament and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa by the second week of October. Amendment 20A proposes to restore full executive power and legal immunity to the president, removing the provisions of Amendment 19 which lay down the procedure to take legal action against the president. Further, Amendment 19, adopted in 2019, empowered the Parliament over the Prime Minister, watered down the powers of the presidency, de-politicised the government administration, demarcated the independence of key democratic pillars -- judiciary, public service and elections. Since Amendment 20A was gazetted on September 3, various groups have opposed it. Even ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) allies have raised their voice against the constitutional modification. The Amendment 20A was submitted in Parliament earlier this week. As part of the Constitutional process, groups against the amendment can approach the court in the next one week to stall the move. In its petition, the SJB asked the court to order a national referendum to enact Amendment 20A, in addition to the support of two-thirds in Parliament clause. The SLPP and allies have 150 seats in the 225-member assembly. All pleas have expressed concern over the amendment impinging the fundamental rights of the citizens. However President Gotabaya has defended the amendment, saying he had obtained public approval at the recently held polls where the amendment was a poll issue. Earlier, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had appointed a nine-member ministerial committee to review the amendment in its present form and, if needed, a fresh gazette would be issued. "The committee's final recommendations were made at the prime minister's participation. He has gone on record that all final recommendations would be implemented at the committee stage," Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa had said

Sri Lanka apex court set to hear petitions against 20A

Sri Lanka's president has ordered the termination of a $1.5-billion Japanese-funded light rail project, saying it is not a "cost-effective solution" for the congested capital Colombo, officials said Thursday.

The deal signed under the previous government is the largest single foreign-funded infrastructure project in Sri Lanka, and was seen as a sign of the island nation reducing its dependence on China.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, elected last year, told the transport ministry to "terminate this project and close the project office with immediate effect", top aide P.B. Jayasundara said in a letter to the ministry.

There was no immediate comment from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which in March last year loaned 30 billion yen ($285 million) to finance the first phase of the Light Rail Transit (LRT).

Japanese technology including rolling stock was to be used on the rail system, which included 16 stations over 15.7 kilometres (9.8 miles).

Detailed planning and land acquisition for the project in Colombo, which has some of the worst traffic congestion in South Asia, had already been completed and initial construction was under way.

The Japanese loan carries an interest rate of 0.1 percent and is repayable over 40 years with a 12-year grace period. Japan has already funded sections of new expressways and a key bridge to reduce traffic congestion in and out of the capital.

Under former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, the incumbent's brother, Sri Lanka borrowed billions of dollars from China for projects including ports,&nbsp;highways and railways.

But several ended up as white elephants and left the country facing a mountain of debt, mainly to China, stoking fears about Beijing's "Belt and Road" masterplan for overseas infrastructure.

Unable to service its loans, the then government of prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe leased a Chinese-built port at Hambantota in the island's south to a Beijing company for $1.12 billion in 2017.

Sri Lanka's president has ordered the termination of a $1.5-billion Japanese-funded light rail project, saying it is not a "cost-effective solution" for the congested capital Colombo, officials said Thursday.

Sri Lanka's president has ordered the termination of a $1.5-billion Japanese-funded light rail project, saying it is not a "cost-effective solution" for the congested capital Colombo, officials said Thursday. The deal signed under the previous government is the largest single foreign-funded infrastructure project in Sri Lanka, and was seen as a sign of the island nation reducing its dependence on China. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, elected last year, told the transport ministry to "terminate this project and close the project office with immediate effect", top aide P.B. Jayasundara said in a letter to the ministry. There was no immediate comment from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which in March last year loaned 30 billion yen ($285 million) to finance the first phase of the Light Rail Transit (LRT). Japanese technology including rolling stock was to be used on the rail system, which included 16 stations over 15.7 kilometres (9.8 miles). Detailed planning and land acquisition for the project in Colombo, which has some of the worst traffic congestion in South Asia, had already been completed and initial construction was under way. The Japanese loan carries an interest rate of 0.1 percent and is repayable over 40 years with a 12-year grace period. Japan has already funded sections of new expressways and a key bridge to reduce traffic congestion in and out of the capital. Under former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, the incumbent's brother, Sri Lanka borrowed billions of dollars from China for projects including ports, highways and railways. But several ended up as white elephants and left the country facing a mountain of debt, mainly to China, stoking fears about Beijing's "Belt and Road" masterplan for overseas infrastructure. Unable to service its loans, the then government of prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe leased a Chinese-built port at Hambantota in the island's south to a Beijing company for $1.12 billion in 2017.

Sri Lanka scraps $1.5 billion Japan-funded light rail system

The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party, has announced its intention to impose a complete nation-wide ban on cow slaughter in Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is reported to have obtained the approval of the parliamentary group of his party though further action on the enactment of legislation is awaited.&nbsp;

The import of beef, however, is likely to be allowed for consumption by the beef-eaters.

The estimated population of over 22 million in multi-ethnic and multi-religious Sri Lanka is comprised of Buddhists (70.2%), Hindus (12.6%) and Muslims (also described as Sri Lankan Moors)(9.7%), and Roman Catholic Christians (6.1%) with a sprinkling of Burghers who are descendants of Europeans settled in Sri Lanka and married to Sri Lankan women.

Sri Lankans are by and large meat-eaters. However, for reasons of religion and culture, the Buddhists and Hindus, who venerate cow, are opposed to beef and thus are against cow slaughter. For Muslims and Christians (particularly of European descent) on the other hand, beef is a part of their staple diet.&nbsp;

The per capita availability of beef per year is the second-highest (1.8kg) though far behind that of chicken (7.9kg) but much ahead of pork ( 0.32kg) &nbsp;and mutton ( 0.1kg).&nbsp;

Sporadic demands have been made in the past for a complete ban on cow slaughter. The net result was the Animal Protection Act of 1958 (amended in 1994) which prohibits, inter-alia, the slaughter of cows and calves below age 12.&nbsp;

The influential Sinhala-Buddhists, particularly the members of the Buddhist clergy, however, have pressurised the successive governments, albeit unsuccessfully so far, for an outright ban on cow slaughter.

Reason behind fresh proposal on cow-slaughter ban:

In recent months the Rajapaksa brothers have considerably consolidated their political power in Sri Lanka. &nbsp; 
Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected as President in November 2019. More recently Mahinda Rajapaksa was reappointed as Prime Minister of the country after his party SLPP won the parliamentary elections by big margins in August 2020. It secured 145 out of 225 Seats. &nbsp;

Prima-facie, the Rajapaksa brothers do not have any compelling reasons to please or appease; neither majority Sinhala Buddhists nor Hindu minorities by announcing their intention to ban cow slaughter. The opinion of the Muslim or Christian minorities, who have very limited influence, does not seem to matter politically.

Yet, there are two plausible explanations for the announcement within less than one month of assuming power. &nbsp; 
First, this could be a way for Rajapaksas&nbsp;to say 'Thank You' to Sinhala Buddhists whose whole-hearted support to SLPP party was an important factor in the party's resounding electoral victory.&nbsp;

The announcement may also have been made to reassure them that their demand (for the ban) remains a priority for the government.&nbsp;

More importantly, however, is the need for sustained support from the Sinhala Buddhist majority in the context of the proposed 20th amendment to the Constitution which is meant to neutralise /dilute the 19th amendment of 2015 introduced by the previous government to curb the powers of the Executive President, while strengthening parliament and independent commissions.&nbsp;

As a bonus, the Sri Lankan leadership may be hoping to win some brownie points with the indigenous Sri Lankan Hindus Tamil minorities in the Northern Provincial Council, who continue to be denied some of the rights envisaged under the 13th amendment, particularly those pertaining to land and police.

It is a different matter that the ban is unlikely to please them beyond a point as they fully realise that but for the demand from the Sinhala Buddhist majority the issue would have never come on the table.&nbsp;

What next?

The ban if and when imposed may deepen the divide between the nationalist Sinhala Buddhists and Muslims. Sri Lanka has a long history of ethnic conflicts.&nbsp;

Even though the international focus was on the longest bloody conflict (1983-2009) between the Sri Lankan Tamils led by LTTE and the Sri Lankan government dominated by the Sinhala Buddhists, there have been numerous incidents of clashes between the Buddhists and Muslims in Sri Lanka.&nbsp;

A certain degree of &nbsp;Islamophobia is discernible in Sri Lanka. The Buddhists&nbsp;have been adversely commenting on the Islamic religious and cultural traditions such as wearing a Burka (Veil) by Muslim women or their insistence on eating only “Halal” meat. The Buddhist claim that the process of Halal, is painful and against the Buddhist ethos of compassion.&nbsp;

The trust deficit has deepened following the attacks on Churches and luxury hotels in and around Colombo in April 2019 as the local radicalised Muslim organizations were suspected to have played a role in providing support in this act of terror which left several hundred dead.&nbsp;

The anti-Muslim anguish found reflection in the Buddhist-Muslim clashes&nbsp;the following month which lasted for almost ten days. The human rights organisations worldwide have commented upon what they say are increasing incidents of violation of human rights of Muslims in Sri Lanka.

The ban will not be without any economic implications. The import of beef would entail further strain on depleted foreign reserves, besides adding to its cost and putting a burden on the pockets of the consumers.&nbsp;

It may also cause loss of some jobs though the supporters of ban argue that it would open avenues and employment opportunities in the dairy sector.&nbsp;

There are also issues related to infrastructure for the upkeep of barren and thus economically unproductive cows. Will the Buddhists agree to the killing or export of such cows?

Will the government overlook the likely socio-economic implications and go ahead? It remains to be seen as to when and how the Sri Lankan Government would translate its declared objective into legislation.

(Achal Malhotra is a retired Indian Foreign Service officer)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party, has announced its intention to impose a complete nation-wide ban on cow slaughter in Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is reported to have obtained the approval of the parliamentary group of his party though further action on the enactment of legislation is awaited.

The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party, has announced its intention to impose a complete nation-wide ban on cow slaughter in Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is reported to have obtained the approval of the parliamentary group of his party though further action on the enactment of legislation is awaited. The import of beef, however, is likely to be allowed for consumption by the beef-eaters. The estimated population of over 22 million in multi-ethnic and multi-religious Sri Lanka is comprised of Buddhists (70.2%), Hindus (12.6%) and Muslims (also described as Sri Lankan Moors)(9.7%), and Roman Catholic Christians (6.1%) with a sprinkling of Burghers who are descendants of Europeans settled in Sri Lanka and married to Sri Lankan women. Sri Lankans are by and large meat-eaters. However, for reasons of religion and culture, the Buddhists and Hindus, who venerate cow, are opposed to beef and thus are against cow slaughter. For Muslims and Christians (particularly of European descent) on the other hand, beef is a part of their staple diet. The per capita availability of beef per year is the second-highest (1.8kg) though far behind that of chicken (7.9kg) but much ahead of pork ( 0.32kg) and mutton ( 0.1kg). Sporadic demands have been made in the past for a complete ban on cow slaughter. The net result was the Animal Protection Act of 1958 (amended in 1994) which prohibits, inter-alia, the slaughter of cows and calves below age 12. The influential Sinhala-Buddhists, particularly the members of the Buddhist clergy, however, have pressurised the successive governments, albeit unsuccessfully so far, for an outright ban on cow slaughter. Reason behind fresh proposal on cow-slaughter ban: In recent months the Rajapaksa brothers have considerably consolidated their political power in Sri Lanka. Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected as President in November 2019. More recently Mahinda Rajapaksa was reappointed as Prime Minister of the country after his party SLPP won the parliamentary elections by big margins in August 2020. It secured 145 out of 225 Seats. Prima-facie, the Rajapaksa brothers do not have any compelling reasons to please or appease; neither majority Sinhala Buddhists nor Hindu minorities by announcing their intention to ban cow slaughter. The opinion of the Muslim or Christian minorities, who have very limited influence, does not seem to matter politically. Yet, there are two plausible explanations for the announcement within less than one month of assuming power. First, this could be a way for Rajapaksas to say 'Thank You' to Sinhala Buddhists whose whole-hearted support to SLPP party was an important factor in the party's resounding electoral victory. The announcement may also have been made to reassure them that their demand (for the ban) remains a priority for the government. More importantly, however, is the need for sustained support from the Sinhala Buddhist majority in the context of the proposed 20th amendment to the Constitution which is meant to neutralise /dilute the 19th amendment of 2015 introduced by the previous government to curb the powers of the Executive President, while strengthening parliament and independent commissions. As a bonus, the Sri Lankan leadership may be hoping to win some brownie points with the indigenous Sri Lankan Hindus Tamil minorities in the Northern Provincial Council, who continue to be denied some of the rights envisaged under the 13th amendment, particularly those pertaining to land and police. It is a different matter that the ban is unlikely to please them beyond a point as they fully realise that but for the demand from the Sinhala Buddhist majority the issue would have never come on the table. What next? The ban if and when imposed may deepen the divide between the nationalist Sinhala Buddhists and Muslims. Sri Lanka has a long history of ethnic conflicts. Even though the international focus was on the longest bloody conflict (1983-2009) between the Sri Lankan Tamils led by LTTE and the Sri Lankan government dominated by the Sinhala Buddhists, there have been numerous incidents of clashes between the Buddhists and Muslims in Sri Lanka. A certain degree of Islamophobia is discernible in Sri Lanka. The Buddhists have been adversely commenting on the Islamic religious and cultural traditions such as wearing a Burka (Veil) by Muslim women or their insistence on eating only “Halal” meat. The Buddhist claim that the process of Halal, is painful and against the Buddhist ethos of compassion. The trust deficit has deepened following the attacks on Churches and luxury hotels in and around Colombo in April 2019 as the local radicalised Muslim organizations were suspected to have played a role in providing support in this act of terror which left several hundred dead. The anti-Muslim anguish found reflection in the Buddhist-Muslim clashes the following month which lasted for almost ten days. The human rights organisations worldwide have commented upon what they say are increasing incidents of violation of human rights of Muslims in Sri Lanka. The ban will not be without any economic implications. The import of beef would entail further strain on depleted foreign reserves, besides adding to its cost and putting a burden on the pockets of the consumers. It may also cause loss of some jobs though the supporters of ban argue that it would open avenues and employment opportunities in the dairy sector. There are also issues related to infrastructure for the upkeep of barren and thus economically unproductive cows. Will the Buddhists agree to the killing or export of such cows? Will the government overlook the likely socio-economic implications and go ahead? It remains to be seen as to when and how the Sri Lankan Government would translate its declared objective into legislation. (Achal Malhotra is a retired Indian Foreign Service officer) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Sri Lanka: Ban on cow slaughter may deepen Buddhist-Muslim divide

United National Party deputy general secretary Ruwan Wijewardene&nbsp;has expressed his desire to lead the party after his cousin and Sri Lanka's former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe decided to resign from the UNP leadership after 26 years at the helm following its crushing defeat in the parliamentary election.

The UNP, the oldest party in the country, suffered a humiliating defeat in the August 5 election won by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa-led Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP). The party polled only 2 per cent of the total votes and failed to win a seat in the 225-member Parliament from any of the 22 electoral districts.

UNP chief and former prime minister Wickremesinghe also failed to become a member of parliament for the first time since 1977. 
"Following demands from many, I have decided to step in to lead UNP with the blessings of the party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe," 45-year-old Wijewardena told reporters in the north central town of Anuradhapura on Saturday.

Wickremesinghe, 71, has been leading UNP since December 1994. During his 26-year tenure, Wickremesinghe was blamed for repeated election losses. He was accused of being aloof with the common man and being too West oriented in his policies.

UNP's political fortunes further nosedived after its deputy leader Sajith Premadasa formed his own party to contest the August parliamentary polls. His Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party won 54 seats in the election and emerged as the largest Opposition party, relegating the UNP to fifth position.

Earlier this month, Wickremesinghe's announced his decision to resign from the UNP leadership following his party's crushing defeat. 
Following the announcement, party general secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam named himself and three others as possible contenders to the post.

Former Assembly speaker Karu Jayasuriya, a former UNP deputy leader, last week also announced his desire to lead the party. 
Wijewardena said though several party members have already staked a claim for UNP leadership, he is ready to take over the party leadership.

"I am confident that we can lead the UNP to victory by restructuring and strengthening the party," he said, adding that UNP's election defeat is an opportunity to identify the loopholes in the party and to restore confidence in party supporters.

Wijewardene said Sri Lanka is likely to face an economic crisis in the coming years, resulting in a need for an alternative force for the people.

"We must be prepared to come forward as an alternative for the people," he said.

Wijewardena is the son of Lankan media mogul Ranjith Wijewardena who owned the English dailies -- Sunday Times, Daily Mirror and Financial Times -- as well as the largest Sinhala language daily 'Lankadeepa'.&nbsp;

United National Party deputy general secretary Ruwan Wijewardene has expressed his desire to lead the party after his cousin and Sri Lanka's former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe decided to resign from the UNP leadership after 26 years at the helm following its crushing defeat in the parliamentary election.

United National Party deputy general secretary Ruwan Wijewardene has expressed his desire to lead the party after his cousin and Sri Lanka's former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe decided to resign from the UNP leadership after 26 years at the helm following its crushing defeat in the parliamentary election. The UNP, the oldest party in the country, suffered a humiliating defeat in the August 5 election won by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa-led Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP). The party polled only 2 per cent of the total votes and failed to win a seat in the 225-member Parliament from any of the 22 electoral districts. UNP chief and former prime minister Wickremesinghe also failed to become a member of parliament for the first time since 1977. "Following demands from many, I have decided to step in to lead UNP with the blessings of the party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe," 45-year-old Wijewardena told reporters in the north central town of Anuradhapura on Saturday. Wickremesinghe, 71, has been leading UNP since December 1994. During his 26-year tenure, Wickremesinghe was blamed for repeated election losses. He was accused of being aloof with the common man and being too West oriented in his policies. UNP's political fortunes further nosedived after its deputy leader Sajith Premadasa formed his own party to contest the August parliamentary polls. His Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party won 54 seats in the election and emerged as the largest Opposition party, relegating the UNP to fifth position. Earlier this month, Wickremesinghe's announced his decision to resign from the UNP leadership following his party's crushing defeat. Following the announcement, party general secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam named himself and three others as possible contenders to the post. Former Assembly speaker Karu Jayasuriya, a former UNP deputy leader, last week also announced his desire to lead the party. Wijewardena said though several party members have already staked a claim for UNP leadership, he is ready to take over the party leadership. "I am confident that we can lead the UNP to victory by restructuring and strengthening the party," he said, adding that UNP's election defeat is an opportunity to identify the loopholes in the party and to restore confidence in party supporters. Wijewardene said Sri Lanka is likely to face an economic crisis in the coming years, resulting in a need for an alternative force for the people. "We must be prepared to come forward as an alternative for the people," he said. Wijewardena is the son of Lankan media mogul Ranjith Wijewardena who owned the English dailies -- Sunday Times, Daily Mirror and Financial Times -- as well as the largest Sinhala language daily 'Lankadeepa'.

Sri Lanka's former PM Wickremesinghe's cousin expresses desire to lead UNP

The reform process of the Sri Lankan Constitution would be underway very soon after the government abolished the 19th Amendment that curtailed the powers of the president and strengthened the role of Parliament.

Minister of Information Keheliya Rambukwella said the new government will first abolish the 19th Amendment "which created a lot of confusion and instability within the government.''

''The people have given us a mandate to bring in a new Constitution which will address all issues,''&nbsp;Rambukwella insisted.

He said the Constitution reform process would be underway very soon, he told reporters on Friday.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa outlined his commitment to abolish the 19th Amendment during his ceremonial address to Parliament last week.

The 19A Amendment adopted in 2015 by the then reformist government was subject to much criticism by the Rajapaksa clan as it prevented dual citizens from contesting elections. At the time, two of the Rajapaksa family members including the current president were dual citizens of the US and Sri Lanka.

President's younger brother and SLPP founder and its National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa is a dual citizen of US and Sri Lanka. There are 5 of them already in government.

During the August 5 election, the Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP) sought two thirds parliamentary mandate or 150 seats in the 225-member assembly to effect constitutional changes, the foremost of them was the move to abolish the 19A.

The SLPP and allies won 150 seats and have a two-third majority to effect the constitutional change they desire.

While Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected as the Sri Lankan President in November last year, his eldest brother Mahida Rajapaksa won the general election and assumed charge as Prime Minister on August 9.

The Opposition has accused the government of trying to abolish 19A to make room for another member of the Rajapaksa family to enter Parliament.

The 19A was the main election plank of the previous government.

The 19A depoliticised the government administration by ensuring the independence of key pillars such as the judiciary, public service and elections.

The reformists in 2015 argued that the 19A was needed to correct the power imbalance created by the 18A which the government of Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2010 had introduced.

The 18A lifted the two term bar for a president to run for office.

The 19A brought in the reversal bringing back the two terms bar and reducing the presidential term from 6 to 5 years. It pruned the powers of the presidency and empowered Parliament.&nbsp;

The reform process of the Sri Lankan Constitution would be underway very soon after the government abolished the 19th Amendment that curtailed the powers of the president and strengthened the role of Parliament.

The reform process of the Sri Lankan Constitution would be underway very soon after the government abolished the 19th Amendment that curtailed the powers of the president and strengthened the role of Parliament. Minister of Information Keheliya Rambukwella said the new government will first abolish the 19th Amendment "which created a lot of confusion and instability within the government.'' ''The people have given us a mandate to bring in a new Constitution which will address all issues,'' Rambukwella insisted. He said the Constitution reform process would be underway very soon, he told reporters on Friday. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa outlined his commitment to abolish the 19th Amendment during his ceremonial address to Parliament last week. The 19A Amendment adopted in 2015 by the then reformist government was subject to much criticism by the Rajapaksa clan as it prevented dual citizens from contesting elections. At the time, two of the Rajapaksa family members including the current president were dual citizens of the US and Sri Lanka. President's younger brother and SLPP founder and its National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa is a dual citizen of US and Sri Lanka. There are 5 of them already in government. During the August 5 election, the Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP) sought two thirds parliamentary mandate or 150 seats in the 225-member assembly to effect constitutional changes, the foremost of them was the move to abolish the 19A. The SLPP and allies won 150 seats and have a two-third majority to effect the constitutional change they desire. While Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected as the Sri Lankan President in November last year, his eldest brother Mahida Rajapaksa won the general election and assumed charge as Prime Minister on August 9. The Opposition has accused the government of trying to abolish 19A to make room for another member of the Rajapaksa family to enter Parliament. The 19A was the main election plank of the previous government. The 19A depoliticised the government administration by ensuring the independence of key pillars such as the judiciary, public service and elections. The reformists in 2015 argued that the 19A was needed to correct the power imbalance created by the 18A which the government of Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2010 had introduced. The 18A lifted the two term bar for a president to run for office. The 19A brought in the reversal bringing back the two terms bar and reducing the presidential term from 6 to 5 years. It pruned the powers of the presidency and empowered Parliament.

Reform process of Sri Lankan Constitution would be underway very soon: Minister

Sri Lanka's strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa staged a political comeback on Friday as his party registered a landslide victory in the twice-postponed general elections, according to the final results released by the elections commission.

Your Story: Rajapaksas now authorized to amend the constitution, Two-third majority in 2020 polls

Sri Lankans have started&nbsp;voting&nbsp;in the twice-postponed parliamentary election on Wednesday with the powerful Rajapaksa family-run party expected to gain control of the assembly that could allow them to amend the Constitution to restore presidential powers.

Over 16 million people are eligible to vote to elect 196 out of a total of 225 lawmakers for the next five years. Twenty-nine others will be named from a national list according to the number of votes received by each party.

The counting will&nbsp;take place only on the following morning, a departure from the practice of counting the ballots from 8 pm on the election night.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/masking-the-politics-sri-lanka-gears-up-for-parliamentary-elections-amid-pandemic-317229" hreflang="en">Masking the politics: Sri Lanka gears up for parliamentary elections amid pandemic</a>

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa hopes for a two-thirds majority for the Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP) in the general election so that he can amend the Constitution to restore presidential powers curbed by a 2015 constitutional change.

His older brother and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is seeking reelection as prime minister, is assured of a sweeping victory as the main Opposition is badly divided.

As many as five members of the Rajapaksa family are in the fray, Mahinda Rajapaksa, his elder son Namal Rajapaksa, the older brother Chamal Rajapaksa and nephews Shasheendra Rajapaksa and Nipuna Ranawaka.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sri-lanka-to-vote-today-in-high-stakes-election-318175" hreflang="en">Sri Lanka to vote today in high-stakes election</a>

Basil Rajapaksa, the powerful national organiser of the SLPP, said that the entire Opposition would poll less than half of the SLPP's total votes.

"We will record a sweeping victory at the election and our opponent will not be able to muster even half our votes,&nbsp;Basil said. 
According to many political watchers, the Rajapaksas' victory is only a matter of how many seats and not if they would win it.

This may seem an almost unthinkable return to the pinnacle of power for the family who had been electorally disgraced by the unexpected loss of Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2015.

In 2015, the Rajapaksas were battling arrests and corruption cases in court. There were scores of cases filed against them for alleged misappropriation and the cases are still pending with no conclusions to them.

Gotabaya's victory in the November presidential election was the second reversal of their fortunes for the better. The first was in 2018 when their fledgling SLPP recorded a resounding win in the local council election, which to all intents and purposes signalled their return to power.

President Gotabaya has campaigned for unbridled power to him through the repealing of the nineteenth amendment (19A) to the Constitution.

In 2015, President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's government moved the 19A which brought in a stream of reforms that strengthened the post of the prime minister.

The reforms also ensured the independence of judiciary and elections. However, the Rajapaksas' saw the amendment as a move to curb them politically some of its provisions such as those which barred dual citizens from holding political office.

Gotabaya had to renounce his US citizenship to contest the November election.

The Rajapaksa campaign in this election was for parliamentary control to give Sri Lanka a strong government. They cashed in on failings of the last government and&nbsp;the power struggle between Sirisena and Wickremesinghe, who headed rival parties while in government.

Sirisena, the man who ended the family grip of power in 2015, has mended fences with the family and he is contesting a seat from his north central district home base from SLPP while for Wickremesinghe it had been downhill since he became the prime minister in a fragile coalition.

Wickremesinghe had to give in to his deputy Sajith Premadasa to run for presidency in November. After Premadasa's loss, the chorus for Wickremesinghe's exit from being the leader of the country's oldest political party became louder. He held on as he had done over the last 26 years,&nbsp;only to face a challenge from Premadasa's newly formed SJB who are expected to win more seats than the UNP.

The Marxist JVP, a key ally of the then opposition against Rajapaksa in 2015, is going on their own. Their campaign is based on blaming both the two major political parties which ruled the country since 1948. They seek to increase their numbers by posing as the alternative to the parties&nbsp;who had bungled for 70 years.

In the north and east, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), who were also part of the 2015 pro-democracy alliance against Mahinda Rajapaksa, seeks the Tamil support to pursue their struggle for political autonomy to the Tamils. They are facing stiff resistance by the hardline Tamil bandwagon led by the former northern chief minister CV Wigneswaran.

A total of 7,452 candidates from 54 political parties and independent groups are contesting the election in 22 districts. The polls are being&nbsp;held under strict COVID-19 health guidelines.

Mahinda Deshapriya, the Chair of the Elections Commission, has said that there is no threat of the coronavirus at polling centres. 
"Voters can cast their vote without any fear during the poll," he said.&nbsp;

Sri Lankans have started voting in the twice-postponed parliamentary election on Wednesday with the powerful Rajapaksa family-run party expected to gain control of the assembly that could allow them to amend the Constitution to restore presidential powers.

Sri Lankans have started voting in the twice-postponed parliamentary election on Wednesday with the powerful Rajapaksa family-run party expected to gain control of the assembly that could allow them to amend the Constitution to restore presidential powers. Over 16 million people are eligible to vote to elect 196 out of a total of 225 lawmakers for the next five years. Twenty-nine others will be named from a national list according to the number of votes received by each party. The counting will take place only on the following morning, a departure from the practice of counting the ballots from 8 pm on the election night. Also see: Masking the politics: Sri Lanka gears up for parliamentary elections amid pandemic President Gotabaya Rajapaksa hopes for a two-thirds majority for the Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP) in the general election so that he can amend the Constitution to restore presidential powers curbed by a 2015 constitutional change. His older brother and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is seeking reelection as prime minister, is assured of a sweeping victory as the main Opposition is badly divided. As many as five members of the Rajapaksa family are in the fray, Mahinda Rajapaksa, his elder son Namal Rajapaksa, the older brother Chamal Rajapaksa and nephews Shasheendra Rajapaksa and Nipuna Ranawaka. Also read: Sri Lanka to vote today in high-stakes election Basil Rajapaksa, the powerful national organiser of the SLPP, said that the entire Opposition would poll less than half of the SLPP's total votes. "We will record a sweeping victory at the election and our opponent will not be able to muster even half our votes, Basil said. According to many political watchers, the Rajapaksas' victory is only a matter of how many seats and not if they would win it. This may seem an almost unthinkable return to the pinnacle of power for the family who had been electorally disgraced by the unexpected loss of Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2015. In 2015, the Rajapaksas were battling arrests and corruption cases in court. There were scores of cases filed against them for alleged misappropriation and the cases are still pending with no conclusions to them. Gotabaya's victory in the November presidential election was the second reversal of their fortunes for the better. The first was in 2018 when their fledgling SLPP recorded a resounding win in the local council election, which to all intents and purposes signalled their return to power. President Gotabaya has campaigned for unbridled power to him through the repealing of the nineteenth amendment (19A) to the Constitution. In 2015, President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's government moved the 19A which brought in a stream of reforms that strengthened the post of the prime minister. The reforms also ensured the independence of judiciary and elections. However, the Rajapaksas' saw the amendment as a move to curb them politically some of its provisions such as those which barred dual citizens from holding political office. Gotabaya had to renounce his US citizenship to contest the November election. The Rajapaksa campaign in this election was for parliamentary control to give Sri Lanka a strong government. They cashed in on failings of the last government and the power struggle between Sirisena and Wickremesinghe, who headed rival parties while in government. Sirisena, the man who ended the family grip of power in 2015, has mended fences with the family and he is contesting a seat from his north central district home base from SLPP while for Wickremesinghe it had been downhill since he became the prime minister in a fragile coalition. Wickremesinghe had to give in to his deputy Sajith Premadasa to run for presidency in November. After Premadasa's loss, the chorus for Wickremesinghe's exit from being the leader of the country's oldest political party became louder. He held on as he had done over the last 26 years, only to face a challenge from Premadasa's newly formed SJB who are expected to win more seats than the UNP. The Marxist JVP, a key ally of the then opposition against Rajapaksa in 2015, is going on their own. Their campaign is based on blaming both the two major political parties which ruled the country since 1948. They seek to increase their numbers by posing as the alternative to the parties who had bungled for 70 years. In the north and east, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), who were also part of the 2015 pro-democracy alliance against Mahinda Rajapaksa, seeks the Tamil support to pursue their struggle for political autonomy to the Tamils. They are facing stiff resistance by the hardline Tamil bandwagon led by the former northern chief minister CV Wigneswaran. A total of 7,452 candidates from 54 political parties and independent groups are contesting the election in 22 districts. The polls are being held under strict COVID-19 health guidelines. Mahinda Deshapriya, the Chair of the Elections Commission, has said that there is no threat of the coronavirus at polling centres. "Voters can cast their vote without any fear during the poll," he said.

Sri Lanka: Voting for parliamentary election underway after being delayed twice

Sri Lanka's August 5 general election will be held at a cost of 10 billion rupees, becoming the costliest poll in the country's history, according to a media report.

Over 16 million voters are registered for next week's election to form the 225-member Parliament for a 5-year term. The election commission has been struggling to make arrangements for a free and fair poll due to the health risks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/masking-the-politics-sri-lanka-gears-up-for-parliamentary-elections-amid-pandemic-317229">Masking the politics: Sri Lanka gears up for parliamentary elections amid pandemic</a>

Speaking to Daily Mirror Lanka, Election Chief Mahinda Deshapriya said the entire poll process will cost at least 10 billion rupees, an inflated budget compared to other years mostly due to several health precautions and deployment of additional staff.

"We are trying to limit it. This is the most expensive election in history as we have to deploy additional staff along with face masks, sanitisers and all other health guidelines. We hope we can reduce the cost and keep it at 10 billion rupees," Deshapriya said.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on March 2 had dissolved the Parliament, six months ahead of schedule, and called for snap polls on April 25.

However, the election commission in mid-April postponed the election by nearly two months to June 20 due to the coronavirus outbreak in the island nation.

The commission last month informed the apex court that the polls cannot be held on June 20 because of the coronavirus pandemic and the new date was decided following a unanimous decision reached between the members of the commission.

Sri Lanka's coronavirus tally currently stands at 2,815 with 11 deaths.

Sri Lanka's August 5 general election will be held at a cost of 10 billion rupees, becoming the costliest poll in the country's history, according to a media report.

Sri Lanka's August 5 general election will be held at a cost of 10 billion rupees, becoming the costliest poll in the country's history, according to a media report. Over 16 million voters are registered for next week's election to form the 225-member Parliament for a 5-year term. The election commission has been struggling to make arrangements for a free and fair poll due to the health risks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Also see: Masking the politics: Sri Lanka gears up for parliamentary elections amid pandemic Speaking to Daily Mirror Lanka, Election Chief Mahinda Deshapriya said the entire poll process will cost at least 10 billion rupees, an inflated budget compared to other years mostly due to several health precautions and deployment of additional staff. "We are trying to limit it. This is the most expensive election in history as we have to deploy additional staff along with face masks, sanitisers and all other health guidelines. We hope we can reduce the cost and keep it at 10 billion rupees," Deshapriya said. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on March 2 had dissolved the Parliament, six months ahead of schedule, and called for snap polls on April 25. However, the election commission in mid-April postponed the election by nearly two months to June 20 due to the coronavirus outbreak in the island nation. The commission last month informed the apex court that the polls cannot be held on June 20 because of the coronavirus pandemic and the new date was decided following a unanimous decision reached between the members of the commission. Sri Lanka's coronavirus tally currently stands at 2,815 with 11 deaths.

Sri Lanka's August 5 general poll to be costliest ever

All the 906 Sri Lankan Navy personnel, who tested positive for the coronavirus in April while assisting health authorities to capture drug addicts with the infection, have recovered, the Navy said on Tuesday.

In early April the sailors at the Welisara Navy camp in a northern suburb were found positive for the COVID-19 after they assisted health authorities to apprehend a number of drug addicts who were to be quarantined.

The first Navy victim of COVID-19 was reported mid-April when the camp was ordered to be closed.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lankan-govt-claims-ravana-was-the-worlds-first-aviator-314725" hreflang="en">Sri Lankan govt claims Ravana was the world's first aviator</a>

''The Welisara Sri Lanka Navy cluster is no more infected as all 906 sailors have now recovered from the coronavirus,''&nbsp;Captain Indika de Silva, who is also Navy's spokesperson, said.

Sri Lanka has so far recorded 2,728 COVID positive cases but only about 600 of them are currently in hospitals. 
So far 11 deaths have been reported due to the contagious coronavirus.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/chinas-debt-trap-is-india-out-of-the-colombo-port-deal-314771" hreflang="en">China's debt trap: Is India out of the Colombo Port deal?</a>

Sri Lanka is still grappling with its second largest cluster with&nbsp;over 500 cases from a drug rehabilitation center in the north central region. 
A sudden spike two weeks ago nearly forced another lockdown as contact tracing from the drug center led to cases from many areas. However the authorities said the cluster had been brought under control.

The sudden spike led to more stringent application of quarantine laws with people being arrested on the streets for non-wearing of masks.

Sri Lanka is scheduled to hold parliamentary polls on August 5 and it was only last week that health guidelines for conducting the election were announced.

All the 906 Sri Lankan Navy personnel, who tested positive for the coronavirus in April while assisting health authorities to capture drug addicts with the infection, have recovered, the Navy said on Tuesday.

All the 906 Sri Lankan Navy personnel, who tested positive for the coronavirus in April while assisting health authorities to capture drug addicts with the infection, have recovered, the Navy said on Tuesday. In early April the sailors at the Welisara Navy camp in a northern suburb were found positive for the COVID-19 after they assisted health authorities to apprehend a number of drug addicts who were to be quarantined. The first Navy victim of COVID-19 was reported mid-April when the camp was ordered to be closed. Also read: Sri Lankan govt claims Ravana was the world's first aviator ''The Welisara Sri Lanka Navy cluster is no more infected as all 906 sailors have now recovered from the coronavirus,'' Captain Indika de Silva, who is also Navy's spokesperson, said. Sri Lanka has so far recorded 2,728 COVID positive cases but only about 600 of them are currently in hospitals. So far 11 deaths have been reported due to the contagious coronavirus. Also read: China's debt trap: Is India out of the Colombo Port deal? Sri Lanka is still grappling with its second largest cluster with over 500 cases from a drug rehabilitation center in the north central region. A sudden spike two weeks ago nearly forced another lockdown as contact tracing from the drug center led to cases from many areas. However the authorities said the cluster had been brought under control. The sudden spike led to more stringent application of quarantine laws with people being arrested on the streets for non-wearing of masks. Sri Lanka is scheduled to hold parliamentary polls on August 5 and it was only last week that health guidelines for conducting the election were announced.

All personnel with COVID-19 infection in April recovered, no deaths reported, says Sri Lankan Navy

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