President Mahinda Rajapaksa intervened yesterday to thwart an Opposition attempt to engineer further crossovers in the wake of Western Provincial Council (WPC) member, Hirunika Premachandra switching her allegiance to Opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

Premachandra announced her move soon after President Rajapaksa and his chief rival Sirisena handed over their nominations for Jan. 8, 2015 election on Monday (Dec 8).

Hirunika, the daughter of slain former People’s Alliance MP, Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, polled the highest number of preferential votes (139,034) at the last Western Provincial Council polls. JHU’s Udaya Gammanpila polled 115,638 preferential votes to secure second position.

After having returned from Andhra Pradesh yesterday (Dec. 10) morning, President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressed WPC’s UPFA members at the Colombo residence of WP Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga.

A spokesperson for CM Ranatunga told The Island that President Rajapaksa had walked in as SLFP National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa was meeting the group. The official said that CM Ranatunga had briefed President Rajapaksa regarding the situation.

Among those who had been present were Postal Services Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga’s daughter, Malsha, widely believed to be one of the members approached by Maithripala Sirisena’s camp as well as two SLMC members and representative from Trade and Commerce Minister Rishard Bathurudeen’s political outfit.

President Rajapaksa received an assurance from UPFA group that it would back his re-election campaign.

The WP budget for 2015 was passed on Dec. 4 by a majority of 14 votes with 55 members voting for and 41 against. Eleven members skipped the vote.

SLFP sources said that the Opposition was making a determined bid to undermine UPFA run Provincial Councils, particularly WPC. Sources said that the SLFP leadership was in the process of talking to those who had been approached by the Sirisena’s camp. (By Shamindra Ferdinando)

Source: The Island (Sri Lanka)

Having pledged to back Opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena at the January 8, 2015 poll, National Workers’ Union (NWU) leader and National Languages and Social Integration Deputy Minister Palani Digambaram quit the SLFP-led coalition yesterday.

The move was made amidst frantic efforts by the SLFP leadership to convince the young politician to remain in the government. Well informed sources said that Digambaram as well as several others, including Deputy Minister V. S. Radhakrishan were to join Maithripala Sirisena on stage during a public rally in Kandy on Tuesday.

Nuwara Eliya Disrtrict MP Digambaram received deputy ministerial portfolio from President Mahinda Rajapaksa on August 21, 2014. Digambaram contested the last parliamentary poll in April 2010 on the UNP ticket, though he subsequently joined the UPFA.

Later in the day, Botanical Gardens and Public Recreation Deputy Minister V. S. Radhakrishnan submitted his resignation. Radhakrishnan, one-time senior member of the CWC contested the Nuwara Eliya District on the UPFA ticket. The MP subsequently joined the Up Country People’s Front (UPF) and he recently accompanied UPF leader Mrs Shanthidevi Chandrasekeran,who met President Rajapaksa at Temple Trees, where both pledged their support to incumbent president’s re-election bid.

The seven members elected from the Nuwara Eliya District at the last poll comprised five UPFA (CWC contested on the UPFA ticket) and two UNP.

UPFA parliamentarian Perumal Rajathurai of CWC representing the Nuwara Eliya District was the first to pledge support to Maithripala Sirisena and immediately he received the appointment as the Nuwara Eliya District UNP organiser. He was followed by UPFA MP Navin Dissanayake from the same District quitting the government.

Yesterday’s developments resulted in CWC leader Arumugam Thondaman (Nuwara Eliya District MP) losing both CWC members elected to current parliament. The UPFA has lost three out of five elected from the same district in addition to losing Digambaram, widely considered as an emerging leader.

Others who have defected are Dr Rajitha Senaratne (Kalutara District), Wasantha Senanayake (Gampaha District), Duminda Dissanayake (Anuradhapura District), M.K.D.S. Gunewardane (Trinomalee District) and Rajiva Wijesinha (UPFA-National List).

Meanwhile, the other Nuwara Eliya District MP J. Sri Ranga couldn’t be contacted yesterday for comment regarding his position at the forthcoming presidential election. Although he was elected on the UNP ticket, Ranga has functioned as an independent member.

Well informed sources told The Island that Colombo District MP Prabha Ganeshan wouldn’t switch his allegiance to Maithripala Sirisena’s Camp. Ganeshan, too, contested the last parliamentary election on the UNP ticket. President Rajapaksa appointed Ganeshan as the Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Information Technology on the same day Palani Digambaram received appointment as a deputy minister. (By Shamindra Ferdinando)

Source: The Island (Sri Lanka)

Common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena who kicked off his campaign in Kandy today pledged to appoint a special commission to look into corruption by the leaders of the present regime if he is elected.

He said he would bring to book all who are guilty.

“Changing the Constitution alone is not sufficient. It is also necessary to bring to book all who are guilty of robbing the public,” he said.

Mr. Sirisena said he would enable the judiciary to be totally independent. He said he was hurt by the regime’s impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said Mr. Sirisena’s administration would raise public servants’ salaries by Rs 5000 immediately — with another increment of Rs 5000 after anomalies are resolved.

He said the joint opposition would turn all 225 members of Parliament into members of one government.

Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) General Secretary Patali Champika Ranawaka said all MPs of this government except a handful would end up in Mr. Sirisena’s camp by January next year. He said the JHU which was an ally of the present regime had gradually realised that this government was going the wrong way.

Former president Chandrika Kumaratunga, MPs Navin Dissanayake, Kabir Hashim, Sajith Premadasa and Rajitha Senaratne and Democratic Party Leader Sarath Fonseka also addressed the rally. (Yohan Perera and J A L Jayasinghe)

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

The woman — who pleaded guilty to the charge of having provided accommodation to a female LTTE suicide cadre who blasted an explosive-laden jacket at the vehicle escorting former minister Maithripala Sirisena — was sentenced to six years rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs.50,000 on October 9, 2008.

The case was heard by High Court Judge Padmini Ranawaka.

The accused Rattibatuge Ariyawathi (61) of Wellawatte was indicted in the Colombo High Court by the Attorney General on charges of having provided accommodation to female LTTE suicide cadre Vigee Gajabalani.

She was also charged with not providing information to the police about LTTE suicide cadre while she was living at her house in Wellawatte.
The suicide attack resulted in the escort vehicles being damaged and three security forces personnel injured and one civilian killed. The minister escaped unharmed. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

The United States advised on its citizens in Sri Lanka to avoid political rallies and demonstrations, during the Presidential Election campaign period.

Overseas Security Advisory Council – Bureau of Diplomatic Security of the US Department of State in a message advised its citizens to monitor local media in case of public disturbances.

“Sri Lanka will hold a Presidential Election on January 8, 2015. The campaign will feature large public events‎ and rallies. Political rallies and election campaigns in Sri Lanka have occasionally turned violent. US citizens are reminded to avoid polling stations, large public gatherings, political rallies and demonstrations. US citizens are advised to monitor local media in case of public disturbances,” the message stated.

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri lanka)

Continue Reading>>  http://srilanka.usembassy.gov/information_for_travelers/security-messages.html

Following increased surveillance on traditional routes, smugglers have found a new way to bring in gold – Sri Lanka.

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials said quite a few gold consignments seized in Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu were brought from Sri Lanka. This shows that after Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan, this is the new route for gold smuggling. As many of these countries have raised import duty, smugglers have moved to a new area, an official said.

The magnitude of gold smuggling can be estimated by DRI’s seizure data. During April-October this fiscal, the value of seized gold went up to around ₹150 crore from around ₹75 crore in the same period last fiscal. The number of cases also doubled to 100 during this period.

DRI is an intelligence and investigating body under the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) and is instrumental for not only detecting cases of outright smuggling of narcotic drugs, fake Indian currency notes (FICN), red sanders, gold and commercial frauds, but also thwarting and preventing such acts.

DRI will discuss these issues in the Regional Customs Enforcement Meeting on Thursday, wherein Custom Enforcement Heads of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar and Sri Lanka will take part. This is part of the Foundation Day celebration of DRI to be inaugurated by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Source: The Hindu (India)

The Roman Catholic Church in Sri Lanka today dismissed the reports that that Pope Francis would not visit Sri Lanka next year.

The statement issued by the church referred to a statement allegedly made by chief Opposition whip John Amaratunga that the pope would not visit Sri Lanka.

The church statement said the pope’s visit would go ahead as planned.

The church expressed sorrow over the use of the pope’s image in election material. The church urged that posters and cutouts with pictures of politicians with the pope be removed immediately. (Yohan Perera)

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

It began as a single, simple tribute from a cricket fan to batsman Phillip Hughes.

IT worker Paul Taylor got his old cricket bat and put it outside his front door in Sydney, a cricket cap slung on the handle.

Then he posted it on Twitter to his few dozen followers with the hashtag #putoutyourbats.

Within a few minutes the idea caught on.

Fans around Australia copied the idea. All generations of cricket lovers were getting their bats and putting them outside the front door or in the window, as a mark of respect to batsman Hughes.
(By Jonathan Samuels, Australia Correspondent)

Read more >>http://news.sky.com/story/1381871/bat-tribute-to-phillip-hughes-goes-global

Source: Sky News (UK)

Common Opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena today pledged to form a national government comprising all political parties represented in Parliament after he wins the presidential election.

Mr. Sirisena who addressed a meeting at the UNP headquarters Sirikotha said this national government would be for a period of 100 days because he expected to complete the implementation of the much-needed reforms by then.

He said his struggle was not only to abolish the executive presidency but to save all political parties.

“Any person running for a third term as the executive president is bound to destroy all political parties,” Mr. Sirisena said and underscored the fact that even the SLFPers had lost their party because of the personal agendas of a few people and requested all political parties to place their trust in him.

He said he will follow great leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and the former South African President Nelson Mandela who stepped down from office after his country implemented its political reforms.

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said the new government that would be installed in January would be made up of all political parties and the ministers selected from those parties.

He said this government will implement all the essential reforms and added that they could go their separate ways and contest the general elections based on their ideological policies. (YP & SD)

Watch video: http://www.dailymirror.lk/57469/to-bring-reforms-maitripala

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

For many years, Sri Lanka has experienced a steady “brain drain” from the island, where highly-educated professionals sought out employment, and started lives overseas. However, since the end of the civil war in 2009, the country has started to become more appealing to such individuals, their families, and even non-residents. But, there are often challenges that come along with opportunities, and until recently there has not been a resource for those seeking to return, or find employment in Sri Lanka.

In May 2013, WorkInSriLanka.lk (WISL) became the first entity that was dedicated to assisting those returning to Sri Lanka, or foreign nationals seeking employment here. WISL is a volunteer-run, self-funded group with dedicated former returnees, expats, and like-minded people looking to lend a hand to those who want to follow in their footsteps. It has set up partnerships and networks with many government, and private sector groups to make this transition to be smoother.

As part of WISL’s efforts, the second annual WorkInSriLanka Conference will take place on December 23^rd, 2014 at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo. The slogan of the conference is “New Era, New Opportunities”, which symbolizes the current state of Sri Lanka, as a beacon for learned professionals. The 2014 conference will contain keynote addresses and panel discussions on important topics such as overcoming challenges in returning, opportunities, corporate partnerships, and such. The keynote speakers and panelists will be some of the brightest minds in the country, from both the government sector as well as private. This is similar to the first WISL annual conference, which featured the likes of Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapakse, Mr. Ajith Nivard Cabraal, as well CEO’s from conglomerates such as Brandix, Hemas, and Dialog.

In addition to the conference, WISL has become an online hub for those looking to move to, or move back to Sri Lanka for their questions. The site covers a wide range of topics such as employment, housing, immigration issues, education, and more. “We come across people who say they are now thinking deeply about what is more important in life. Whether some extra money and perhaps few other benefits are worth being away from all that they left in Sri Lanka.” says Mr. Anjula Godakumbura, Chairperson of the 2014 WISL Conference. “Then there are others who are really keen to give back to the country and be part of its current growth. Some folks just miss home or haven’t found living abroad to their liking. That’s where we want to help out.”

With a global economic downturn hitting developed nations, it has however created new opportunities in countries such as Sri Lanka. The economy has been growing steadily since 2009, and investors are looking to tap into the well-educated workforce in Sri Lanka, create new business opportunities, as well as expand current projects. While challenges remain due to political culture, the infrastructure growth has made Sri Lanka into a more desirable economic destination.

WISL is also creating a “buddy” program for aspiring returnees as well. This is where they are paired with like-minded former returnees, to guide them through the challenging parts of moving back. The challenges can be as important as employment opportunities, or even everyday things such as where to find the best coffee houses.

The WorkInSriLanka conference will be an excellent opportunity to meet fellow returnees, network with business leaders, as well as potential employers. Registration is now open on WorkInSriLanka.lk. For further questions, please email contact@workinsrilanka.lk.

The United Bikkhu Front (UBF) yesterday said that the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is the best candidate to be appointed as the next Prime Minister and that they are providing their fullest cooperation to the common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena at the forthcoming presidential election.

Thalpotha Dhammajothi Thera of the UBF said all parties supporting Maithripala Sirisena as common candidate had agreed to appoint Ranil Wickremesinghe as the next Prime Minister.

Ven. Girambe Ananda Thera said they are giving their support for common candidate Mithripala Sirisena and he appreciated the idea of abolishing the executive presidency. He said the executive presidency is not appropriate for our country.

The President of the UBF Ven. Meetiyagoda Gunarathana Thera said the current administration is a dictatorship and people have to change this system because of its power hungry and nepotistic nature. He said that the common candidate Maithripala Sirisena will bring an Independent Court, Police, Election Commissions to the country.

The Vice President of the UBF Ven. Malabe Seelarathana Thera said they are going to win this forthcoming presidential election as a common opposition and said people have to give their vote without noticing the parties, religions and colours.

The Secretary of the UBF Ven. Bopitiye Dhammissara Thera said the decision of to field a common candidate in the presidential election is a good decision and as a common candidate, Maithripala Sirisena is the correct person to appoint as the next president. (Yoshitha Perera)

Source : Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

Some ministers said today they were in favour of abolishing the executive presidency or to at least prune its powers and would continue the struggle to bring these about.

At a media conference held Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) head office, the ministers — many of whom were mentioned in the media as possible crossovers to the opposition when asked by a journalist about the President’s statement that he held the files of several ministers to be used if and when necessary — said it was not the correct thing to do or to say.

However, they said this was not the right time to abolish the executive presidency or prune its powers because of the international conspiracy against the government and added that while remaining in the Government, they would continue their fight to abolish it.

Minor Export Crop Promotion Minister Reginald Cooray said there had been an ideological and visionary agitation to abolish the executive presidency from the day it was introduced into the Constitution of Sri Lanka because such a move was extremely important for good governance and the wellbeing of society.

Commenting on the pledges given by President Rajapaksa in 2005 and 2010 in his Mahinda Chintana manifestos to abolish the executive presidency, Minister Cooray said when considering the promise made by certain politicians to obtain rice from the moon the President’s broken promises were not a big deal.

“We are concerned about the threat posed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country at the moment. The Tamil diaspora has vowed to take President Rajapaksa before an international tribunal for alleged war crimes in the way the Liberia’s Charles Taylor was brought before an international court. We can’t let this happen and our beautiful dream is more realistic now. That is why we want to wait for the right time to raise our voice against the executive presidency. This is not the time for that,” the minister said.

He said it was extremely difficult to performing his duties as Minor Export Crop Promotion Minister.

Wayamba Chief Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) minsters and parliamentarians held various views and were capable of taking the right decision at the right time and as such they would not cross over to the opposition as speculated.

“I know most members of the UPFA were disappointed and heartbroken. But they don’t want to be Ehelepolas and betray the party and the President at a moment when anti Sri Lankan forces were waiting on the wings to ignite an Arabic Spring style public uprising in Sri Lanka,” he said.
Private Transport Services Minister C.B. Ratnayaka said he was also downhearted about the happenings in the party but did not want to betray the President and added it was sad to witness that Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s children had made the SLFP their private property.

National Language and social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nnayakkara said the abolishing of the executive presidency becomes the second priority when there was conspiracy against the government by capitalist and anti-national forces.

‘The anti-government forces want a regime change and divide the country. Though we are against the executive presidency, our priority right now is to save the government from those enemies,” the minister said.

Senior Minister Piyasena Gamage said talk about his quoting the government was only media speculations and not true.

The minister said he would ensure the biggest victory for President Rajapaksa at the upcoming presidential poll. (Sandun A Jayasekera)

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

One of the most senior figures in the Sri Lankan government has announced that he is defecting to stand against President Mahinda Rajapaksa in forthcoming presidential elections.

Correspondents say the move by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena is a major political setback for the president ahead of the January vote.

Mr Sirisena was one of the most powerful men in the ruling party.

Five other government MPs have also announced their defections.

Rajitha Senaratne, Duminda Dissanayake, Rajiva Wijeysinghe, MKDS Gunawardena and Vasantha Senanayaka have all decided to back Mr Sirisena in the 8 January election.

He also has the backing of the main opposition UNP in the poll as well as the support of former President Chandrika Kumaratunga.

Correspondents say that Friday’s dramatic developments are likely to split President Rajapaksa’s Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

Continue reading >>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-30144182

Source: BBC

A Britisher, who had pleaded guilty to the charge of having lived in Sri Lanka for 24 years after the expiry of his VISA was fined Rs.50,000 and sentenced to a month in jail in case of non-payment of the fine imprisonment in default of the fine by Bandarawela Magisrate Jeyaram Troskey.

The Prisons Superintendent was directed to handover the convict David Higgto the Mirihana illicit immigrant’s camp after serving the jail term in case of default.

Ella Police OIC L.D.N. Karunaratne arrested the Britisher while he was at a tourist hotel. (Palitha Ariyawansa)

– See more at: http://www.dailymirror.lk/56933/4-years-without-a-visa#sthash.zY5T6cMD.dpuf

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

UNP’s Karu Jayasuriya is tipped to be the Common Opposition Presidential Candidate at the forthcoming presidential election, informed sources said.

Accordingly the main opposition UNP and the JVP had already decided to support Jayasuriya as the common candidate.

It is also learnt that UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe would not contest from the UNP but pave the way for a common opposition candidate. Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera had also extended their fullest support to Mr. Jayasuriya, sources added.

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

The three children who lost both of their parents in the Meeriyabedda landslide were handed over to their closest relatives on an order obtained from the Bandarawela Magistrate’s Court, the National child Protection Authority (NCPA) said today.

Their situation will be regularly monitored by the NCPA under the directive of its Chairperson Anoma Dissanayake.

The Child Development and Women’s Affairs Ministry in collaboration with the NCPA had made arrangements to uplift the mental health of the displaced children who were sheltered in the Koslanda and Poonagala Camps.

The Ministry said it was considering amalgamation of the two camps so as to provide a more meaningful service to the displaced people.

Meanwhile, Poonagala Tamil College Principal R. Mohan had told Minister Tissa Karaliyadda that there were 12 displaced children who were to sit the GCE O/L examination in December.

The ministry had made arrangements educate the displaced children and especially to conduct seminars for the students who will be sitting the O/L examination. A set of special advisors had been appointed to conduct seminars according to a time table.

The ministry had allocated Rs.2.5 million to provide the necessary accommodation to the displaced people and a group of ministry officers have been deployed in the camps to provide aid to the displaced. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

* Massive rescue operation underway

* Victims had not heeded landslide warnings – Minister

More than 250 persons laid buried under tonnes of earth while a dozen bodies had been recovered by last night after a landslide flattened a village at Meeriyabeddawatta in Koslanda in the Badulla District yesterday morning in the worst natural disaster since the boxing day tsunami in 2004.

A joint rescue operation was underway with the army, police, air force and the district administration participating with all their resources in search of survivors.

Source: The Islands ( Sri Lanka)

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

The Teardrop of India or Pearl of the Indian Ocean are among many nicknames for Sri Lanka.

But a more accurate description of the gorgeous nation might be the Island of Rice and Curry.

Making liberal use of local fruit, such as coconut and jackfruit, seafood and an arsenal of spices, Sri Lankan cooking delivers an abundance of incredible dishes.

Here are some you shouldn’t miss.

Continue read>> http://edition.cnn.com/2014/10/26/travel/sri-lanka-must-try-food/

Source: CNN

The UNP said yesterday that the joint opposition’s common candidate would be selected by consensus after it had formed a broad  coalition of parties committed to the abolition of the executive presidency.

 “We have not yet decided who our Presidential candidate will be”, Senior UNP MP Joseph Michael Perera said, adding that the party could not do so because in the first place an election had not been announced and secondly the common candidate would have to be picked by the Joint Opposition Front.  

MP Perera revealed that the UNP was talking to all opposition parties including the JVP and the Democratic Party besides trade unions with a view to forging a strong front that could not only defeat President Mahinda Rajapaksa but also restore parliamentary system of government.

Each of the parties had its own policies and aspirations which had to be taken into consideration. Their ideas and proposals would have to be considered and where possible incorporated into a Memorandum of Understanding, the MP added.

He said since the UNP was the largest party among those it was talking with, it would naturally have a bigger say, but that did not mean it would railroad them into toeing its line. “Our objective is to rid the country of the executive presidency which in the wrong hands as witnessed under the Rajapaksa regime could prove disastrous. As such we cannot adopt a dictatorial attitude.”

Perera said that the executive presidency had been the cause of the mounting problems that the country had faced in the post war era. It had to be scrapped if   democracy and the rule of law were to be reestablished, MP Perera stressed, observing that national security could be maintained under any system of government.

By Zacki Jabbar 
Source: The Island (Sri Lanka)

Moves are a foot with the use of certain channels to re-instate Dr. Chris Nonis as the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Britain after the last month’s incident that led to Dr. Nonis to submitting his resignation, Daily Mirror learns.

A minister told Daily Mirror on condition of anonymity that attempts are being made to persuade Dr. Nonis to forget what happened and continue as the High Commissioner but he is said to have been non-committal up to yesterday.

The minister said the government was not keen to appoint a new High Commissioner to London immediately.

“After all Dr. Nonis can forget and forgive. The government is keen to re-appoint him as it will help to erase the acrimony and the bad blood between the two parties involved,” he said.

Dr. Nonis resigned in protest over an alleged assault on him that took place during a private party at the residence of Dilan Ariyawansa in New York on September 24.

Information Department announced on September 30 that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had ordered an immediate inquiry into the alleged assault on Dr. Nonis by External Affairs Ministry’s Monitoring MP Sajin Vaas Gunawardana and on the complaint said to have been filed against Dr. Nonis by the EAM Secretary Kshenuka Seneviratne.

Mr. Gunawardana had flatly denied any assault but admitted that there was an argument between him and Dr. Nonis. But Dr. Nonis was adamant in saying that he was assaulted by Mr. Gunawardana.

There is no news by the Government as to who carried out the inquiry or of any report on what transpired at the inquiry.

However, Cabinet spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella played down the incident at the Cabinet news briefing and said the incident had taken place at a private function and therefore must not be taken seriously.

Meanwhile, when contacted by Daily Mirror yesterday, External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris refused to comment on this matter or on the inquiry. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

The opposition Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) says there is a clear split in the ruling UPFA over the snap Presidential elections scheduled for next year.

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena had also written to the President urging him to reconsider moves to hold a Presidential election next January.

Dissanayake said that Sirisena feels the Government should first make constitutional changes as promised to the people before going for an election.

The JVP leader also noted that the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), a member of the UPFA alliance, is also not happy with moves to hold an election next year with JHU Parliamentarian Athuraliye Rathana Thero warning the President against such a move.

Dissanayake says it is clear that only President Mahinda Rajapaksa, his family and close friends are determined to hold the election in January.

He says the main focus now should be not who will contest the election from the opposition but if this election should be allowed to be held since it is illegal.

Source: Colombo Gazette (Sri Lanka)