The UNP yesterday launched the first of what would be a series of protests islandwide in order to urge the Government to give up its decision to amend the constitution in order that lengthen indefinitely the number of terms an incumbant president can serve. 

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who inaugurated the protest campaign said, “A series of protests would be held countrywide based on three demands and will continue until the government implements decisions favourable to the masses.” Spelling out what these three demands would be he said it is firstly to urge the government to prepare a constitution favourable to the masses, secondly to force the government to reduce taxes and increase the wages of the people, and thirdly to demand the release of Army Commander (Retired) General Sarath Fonseka while they would also demand that the government deals with KP according to the law. (Read More)

UNP and Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday demanded that the government explain the circumstances leading to Tuesday’s siege on the UN mission in Colombo by the National Freedom Front (NFF), a constituent party of the SLFP-led UPFA coalition.

Severely criticizing the government for failing to protect the UN mission, MP Wickremesinghe warned the UPFA that many ministries, including Health and Child and the Women’s Affairs ministry would not be able to function without the support of UN agencies. "How could they work if you obstruct them?" he asked. (Read More)

Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday told Parliament that the provisions in the Fire Arms Ordinance must be amended to enable the Courts of law to allow bail for Members of Parliament and Provincial Councillors who are behind bars.

The six member committee appointed to look into the re-organisation of the United National Party (UNP), has stated in its report that an election would be held to elect office bearers of the party only if the suitable persons could not be appointed by consensus.

The report of the committee is expected to be handed over to Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today. The report had stated that past precedents should not be changed at any rate.

Although it had been proposed that a vote be taken by parliamentary group members and members of the party’s working committee to elect suitable persons to top posts, there was no agreement reached if they would do so even by yesterday afternoon. (Read More)

The main opposition UNP has decided to bring a no-confidence motion against External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris shortly after the committee stage debate on his Ministry.

Political sources said that the motion would be moved in Parliament because of what the party cited as the “failure on the part of Prof. Peiris to prevent the appointment of UN expert panel” to advise Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on alleged human rights violations during the last phase of war in 2009.The party would take Prof. (Read More)

UNP MP for the Matara District Buddhika Pathirana in his inaugural address to parliament yesterday  said that he had been politically harassed even on  the caste issue when he was campaigning for the April 8 General Election.

Delivering an emotional speech, Mr. Pathirana said that these elements had printed and distributed cards that carried his picture along with a different preferential number. He said such cards had been distributed among people covering over 200 polling stations in Matara out of the total number, which had been 442. MP Pathirana was almost in tears when raising these matters in the House.

However, he said as he had still obtained the highest number of preferential voters in the district, and expressed his gratitude to the people who voted for him despite all the harassment launched against him. “I was second only to MP Sujith Premadasa in the total number of preferential votes received. My father used to tell me that he was not fortunate even to wear a pair of shoes during his school days. When I was going to school he said this to me while tying my shoe laces,” Mr. Pathirana said.

He noted that he was the son of a man who toiled in the paddy field wearing a sarong and a west. “No one came in a luxury vehicle wearing sun glasses from Colombo to canvas for me,” he said. Opposition MPs listened attentively as MP Pathirana spoke while government MPs thumped their tables apparently appreciating what he said.

The government should in consultation with the Opposition adopt a diplomatic approach to the appointment of a UN Panel to investigate the alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka, the UNP said yesterday.

Sri Lanka had been placed in a difficult situation not because of the actions of its security forces or the masses but because of the arrogant attitude of the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime, which was on a mission to teach the international community a lesson, he said. (Read More)

Parliamentarian Wijedasa Rajapakshe says the UPFA should not resort to cheap publicity gimmicks to deceive people.

MP Rajapakshe said that the gathering of President Rajapaksa and his Cabinet of ministers in Kilinochchi would give an opportunity for people to see for themselves the extravagant lifestyles of their elected representatives. (Read More)

United National Party (UNP) front-liner Sajith Premadasa yesterday blamed the United Nations and the European Union for the dispute that had arisen with Sri Lanka, saying it could cause local and international repercussions. He also blamed the government for giving the UN and the EU an opening to intervene in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka.  

He commented on the ‘List of Actions’ or conditions laid down by the EU to consider the extension of GSP+ facility beyond August 15.

Mr. Premadasa said the EU had no business laying down conditions and creating a dependency culture as far as relations between Sri Lanka and the EU are concerned. (Read More)