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Massive rally on the 3rd against the fraudulent Presidential election |
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2010-02-01 |
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The joint opposition has decided to hold a massive rally on the 3rd at 3 p.m. at Hyde Park in Colombo against the allegedly rigged Presidential election. The rally is being organized by opposition parties and members who supported Common Presidential Candidate General Sarath Fonseka.
A UNP parliamentarian said the rallies would also be held island wide as well. He said the Opposition Leader was also in the process of garnering the support of other political parties and organizations supportive of safeguarding democracy in the country for the planned protest campaign. |
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JVP to form new alliance to contest the general election |
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2010-02-01 |
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JVP sources said the party was looking at forming a new political alliance headed by the JVP to contest the next general election and the party’s central committee is scheduled to meet shortly to make a final decision on the matter.
However, no decision has been made on the symbol of the alliance, which is expected to include many multi ethnic parties and intellectuals.
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UNF appoints people’s commission to inquire into Basil’s poll rigging |
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2010-02-01 |
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UNP sources said the Opposition Leader has decided to appoint a people’s commission to gather information about the alleged alteration of Presidential election results with the intervention of Basil Rajapaksa and to take the necessary legal action with the findings.
Sources said that most information related to the rigging of the polls has already been received. It is also being alleged that the help of several Indian IT and communications experts had also been sought to rig the polls.
The UNP is planning to inquire from the Elections Commissioner as to why the IT Department of the Colombo University was not used to enter election results into computers and why it was handed over to another company.
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Post Election Challenge for Country |
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2010-02-01 |
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa won a second term at the Presidential Election of Janumary 26 with an unexpectedly big majority although this election result has been called into question by the main opposition candidate, General Sarath Fonseka. The election results telecast by the state media as they stand demonstrate a schism in the thinking and expectations of the ethnic minorities and ethnic majority populations.
President Rajapaksa obtained a smaller proportion of votes in the North, East and central hills where Tamils and Muslims predominate and also in the capital city of Colombo where the proportion of Tamils and Muslims is high. |
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Wimal and Nil Balakaya preparing to control the opposition |
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2010-02-01 |
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Wimal Weerawansa it is learnt has been assigned to justify the operation launched by the governing party to control the opposition after the presidential election.
Wimal has been given full access to state media to carry out this task.
The operation is said to have been launched due to the inability of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s supporters to control opposition supporters due to a directive issued by the IGP preventing political processions from taking place for a period of one week before the election.
The operation it is also learnt is also targeting the general election. |
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MEDIA MATTERS: Time for an independent press? |
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2010-02-01 |
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Take immediate action to stop post election violence – Tissa Attanayake |
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2010-02-01 |
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UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake has requested the President to stop any attempt to harass and prevent employees attached to government departments, corporations and state media institutions from being engaged in their work as part of the post election violence that is being carried out in the country unabated.
In the letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Attanayake has alleged that pro opposition employees of government institutions such as Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, Ceylon Electricity Board, Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority were to be prevented from reporting for work and were to be harassed in various ways when they report to work on the 1st after the weekend. |
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UNP Deputy Leader’s security removed |
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2010-02-01 |
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The 18 strong security contingent provided to UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya has been reduced to four and his back up vehicles have also been withdrawn with immediate effect.
A source from the Opposition Leader’s office said that Jayasuriya played a key role in the opposition candidate’s election campaign by also expressing views to local and foreign media and has therefore earned the wrath of the governing party.
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Former Chief Justice gets death threats |
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2010-02-01 |
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Former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva who extended his support to Common Presidential Candidate General Sarath Fonseka is reportedly facing a threat to his security due to several anonymous death threats received by him over the telephone and several unidentified persons roaming around his residence.
It is also learnt that several government ministers have requested the former Chief Justice to go overseas for protection since the government has launched a campaign to destroy opposition activists with the help of various paramilitary groups.
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Brigadier Manawadu who handled operation “Trans Asia” was punished by the General |
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2010-02-01 |
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It was one Brigadier Manawadu who commanded the battalion of troops that surrounded the Cinnamon Lake Side Hotel, formerly the Trans Asia, where opposition political leaders stayed on the night of the election.
Brigadier Manawadu was punished by then Army Commander Sarath Fonseka for giving wrong orders to his troops in Mullaitivu during the Eelam War IV which resulted in the death of 117 soldiers. He was transferred to the Army Headquarters in Colombo as punishment by Fonseka. He had since then harbored anger towards Fonseka. The Defence Secretary, who was aware of this situation, had used the |
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Protecting Democracy Post-Election: An end to political violence and revenge |
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2010-02-01 |
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A series of recent events connected to the presidential election last week give rise to extremely serious concerns about the state of democracy in Sri Lanka today. The campaign period, the election and its aftermath were marred by unprecedented disregard for the Constitution and the law, resulting in not only violence and large-scale abuse of public resources, but also in setting a number of disquieting precedents with regard to the respect for constitutional authority and democratic values. |
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Elections Commissioner says he wants to quit |
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2010-01-31 |
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Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake said a short while ago that he does not feel it is appropriate for him to continue to serve in the post after the conclusion of Tuesday’s presidential polls.
Speaking soon after announcing the final results of the elections, Mr. Dissanayak said he is no longer able to bear the pressures that have been put on him by various parties while serving as the Commissioner of Elections.
“I request that I be retired as soon as possible,” Mr. Dissanayaka said. |
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Condemn the closure of Lanka News paper office and detention of its editor |
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2010-01-31 |
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We, 5 media organizations of Sri Lanka consider the steps taken by Criminal Investigation Department of Sri Lanka police to seal the Lanka newspaper office and arrest/detain its editor Chandana Sirimalwatta as a fatal blow to media freedom and democracy in Sri Lanka. We demand that government stop immediately the repressive acts launched against media with critical and opposing content. It is clear that sole reason behind the repression of the Lanka newspaper and its editor Chandana Sirimalwatta is the role played by the newspaper during recently concluded presidential election.
The promises made during the presidential campaign to defend press freedom and speed up the investigations on assassination of journalists have evaporated within days. Instead the repression against journalists and media that does obey |
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Ministers from the North and East defeated |
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2010-01-31 |
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Opposition Common Candidate General Sarath Fonseka has managed to win a majority of the electorates in the Jaffna and Wanni Districts in the North and Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Digamadulla Districts in the East at the Presidential election.
He has lost only the Kayts electorate in the Jaffna District, Seruvila in Trincomalee and Ampara in the Digamadulla District.
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Elections at Menik Farm hampered |
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2010-01-31 |
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The Menik Farm displaced persons who had arrived at the cluster polling booths set up at the Vavuniya Central College and the Kilinochchi Public Ground have reportedly been turned away by polling booth officials saying the temporary IDs issued to them could not be accepted. It is learnt that 5,854 dispalced persons were not permitted to cast their votes at the cluster polling centers on election day morning.
Meanwhile, displaced persons in Menik Farm had not been provided with transport facilities to cast their votes at the seven polling booths set up in Settikulam and Ulukkulam. A statement issued by CAFFE says that of the 16,973 persons
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Sufficient details to file an election petition – Mangala |
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2010-01-31 |
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SLFP (M) Wing Leader Mangala Samaraweera said the insinuation by the Elections Commissioner to corruption and fraud that had taken place during the Presidential election was a blow to democracy and the holding of free and fair elections and that the election results was therefore an alteration of the people’s mandate.
He made this statement at a press conference held at his party headquarters in Rajagiriya on the 28th. |
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Tokens of gratitude being given after the elections |
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2010-01-31 |
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The government has granted permission for the Indian High Commission in Colombo to open a consul office in Jaffna to mend the soured relationship between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after the Presidential election.
Diplomatic sources said President Mahinda Rajapaksa had agreed to the setting up of an Indian consul office in Jaffna in order to get the support of the Indian government.
The President it is learnt has also agreed to build the Adam’s Bridge between Rameshwaram in India and Mannr in Sri Lanka. |
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District Secretaries boycott Election Commissioner’s dinner |
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2010-01-31 |
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District Secretaries had not attended the dinner hosted by the Elections Commissioner at the Galadari Hotel on the 28th for the foreign election observers and all the district secretaries. The District Secretaries had not attended the dinner as a mark of protest against the Elections Commissioner’s actions.
A District Secretary when inquired about the boycott said the Elections Commissioner had disregarded the powers vested with District Secretaries during the election period and on the day of the election. |
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Death threats issued at several counting centers |
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2010-01-31 |
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Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake said that Returning Officers in the Puttalam, Mathale and Anuradhapura Districts were intimidated by party representatives when carrying out their duties. He made this statement when he met the media on Wednesday (27) to announce the final results of the Presidential election. |
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President has disregarded the Indian Prime Minister |
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2010-01-30 |
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Diplomatic sources said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has treated Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with low regard during a phone call made by the Premier to the President to express concern over the decision to surround the hotel where General Sarath Fonseka was staying with Army personnel on the night of the Presidential election.
Sources further said that the diplomatic community was displeased with the terror tactics resorted to by the government after the Presidential election.
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Namal Rajapaksa prepares to contest from Kelaniya at the general election |
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2010-01-30 |
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Namala Rajapaksa is gearing to contest the general election from Kelaniya, sources from Temple Trees said.
The decision it is learnt has been arrived at after the governing party won the Kelaniya electorate by 9,502 votes at the Presidential election.
It is also learnt that most of the individuals who provided financial assistance to Namal at the Presidential election are resident in Kelaniya.
Meanwhile, the main figure in Mervyn Silva’s propaganda activities at the Presidential election, the disabled Indika Senaratne is to meet with the President’s son, Namal next week. |
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Ministers fear Basil’s possible move to engage in software rigging at general elections |
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2010-01-30 |
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Many government ministers are in fear of their political future given the possibility of Basil Rajapaksa resorting to software rigging during the general election like during the Presidential election, sources from the SLFP headquarters said.
Many senior ministers it is learnt are of the opinion that they would be treated unfairly if the President decides to use software rigging during the general election to ensure that a group of his loyalists enter parliament through the election. |
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Another prey for 'Idi Amin' – ‘Lanka’ sealed! |
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2010-01-30 |
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The office of ‘Lanka Irida,’ one of the most popular newspapers in Sri Lanka was sealed by officials of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today (30th) afternoon. The officials said they took the steps on powers they have been bestowed with under Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTC).
Mr. Priyadhrshana Yapa, member of the Editorial Board of ‘Lanka Irida’ speaking regarding the decision of the government to seal the newspaper office said, “This is an undemocratic move. Taking such an action immediately after a main election in the country is a very serious matter. Several media institutions have been pressurized after the presidential election. |
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URGENT ALERT: CID RAIDS ARRESTED JOURNALIST'S RESIDENCE |
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2010-01-30 |
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Officers attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) who had previously arrested the editor of the "Irida Lanka" newspaper, Chandana Sirimalwatte, have tried to break into his residence a short while ago. According to initial reports, the officers who had visited his residence tried to search the premises without a search warrant. But the wife of the journalist had refused to grant permission since the officers failed to produce a valid search warrant. She has given her protest in writing to the officers.
In the meantime, another group of CID officers have raided the "Irida Lanka" newspaper office on Saturday (30) morning for the second time, after sealing off the premises to visitors. Earlier on Friday (29) afternoon, |
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Journalists in Sri Lanka face intimidation, censorship and harassment - CPJ |
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2010-01-30 |
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The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by reports that journalists in Sri Lanka have been subjected to government intimidation, arrests, censorship, and harassment in the aftermath of this week’s presidential election.
“We are receiving reports of government retribution against journalists who sided with the opposition in the election. Given the ugly history of attacks on journalists in Sri Lanka, we call on President Mahina Rajapaksa to ensure the safety of all journalists in Sri Lanka, and to use his new mandate to reverse the repressive trends of the past several years,” said Bob Dietz, CPJ’s Asia |
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After election, will Sri Lanka improve press record? |
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2010-01-30 |
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Sri Lanka’s Department of Elections today declared incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa the winner of the presidential election with almost 58 percent of the vote. The situation is still tense as his opponent, former Gen. Sarath Fonseka, threatens a lawsuit to challenge the entire process, from voter access to irregularities in computer counting, to name just two aspects. Fonseka remains sequestered in the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel in Colombo, where he and his political allies gathered as the results were tallied. Some Sri Lankan media say Fonseka is claiming there is a plot to assassinate him. Soon after he announced the results of the voting, Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake said he wanted to resign. He told reporters he is no longer able to bear the pressure imposed by various parties. |
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URGENT ALERT: "IRIDA LANKA" SEALED OFF! |
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2010-01-30 |
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The officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) who broke into "Irida Lanka" newspaper office in the early hours of Saturday (30) have now sealed off the newspaper office a short while ago – at around 14.00.p.m Sri Lanka time. Before closing down the office, the CID officers have questioned everyone inside the office, while preventing anyone from outside visiting the office.
In the aftermath of the presidential election, the Sri Lankan government has launched an all out war against all the media who backed the candidacy of former Army Chief General Sarath Fonseka. The decision to seal off "Irida Lanka" |
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PETROLEUM EMPLOYEES ARE TORTURED FROM WORSHIP OF MAHINDA |
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2010-01-30 |
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It is reported that petroleum employees who supported General Sarath Fonseka during the last presidential election are tortured, and not allowed to report duty at service stations. Employees of Petroleum Corporation expressed to us that opposition members reporting duty were enforced to worship the frame of the president Mahinda Rajapaksha and those who were not doing that were not allowed to report duty. In the presence of this sort of nasty activities conducted by government thugs, most of employees kept away from reporting duty yesterday and security service officers were also in a helpless situation to take action against these incidences. |
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General should be arrested immediately – Wimal Weerawansa |
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2010-01-30 |
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NFF Leader Wimal Weerawansa said that Common Presidential Candidate General Sarath Fonseka should be arrested immediately without allowing him to leave the country.
Weerawansa made this statement at a press conference held at the NFF headquarters on Friday (29) morning.
Weerawansa called on the government and the President to arrest General Fonseka without allowing him to leave the country as he could continue to make more statements that would betray the nation like he did during the Presidential election campaign.
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Election results unacceptable – Tissa Attanayake |
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2010-01-30 |
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UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said the UNP and the UNF did not accept the altered election results and would fight without any fear against those who stole the people’s mandate in order to protect democracy.
He made this comment at a press conference on Friday (29) morning. He said that information has been received of many fraudulent activities that had taken place from the time of counting ballot papers till the announcement of results. According to him, details would be revealed to the people after seriously inquiring into them.
Attanayake said the party is already in the process of making the necessary arrangements to resort to legal action against the vote rigging under the leadership of Ranil Wickremesinghe.
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Defense secretary threatened to set fire to newspaper Irida Lanka |
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2010-01-30 |
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On 28th Defense secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaska threatened to set fire to Pro JVP Sinhala Lanaguage weekly Irida Lanka. Irida Lanka newspaper has been harassed continually by the police over last six months and its staff was arrested several times. It editor Chadan Sirimalwatta was summoned to Criminal Investigation Department at lease 3 times during the last six months. ( see MFSL monthly reports). It is unbecoming for the defense secretary, who has the responsibility to maintain rule and law of the country to threaten a leader of a political party in this manner. |
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President Rajapaksa urged to halt post-election crackdown on media |
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2010-01-30 |
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Two days after he was declared the winner of this week’s election, Reporters Without Borders appealed today to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to put a stop to arrests and intimidation of journalists working for privately-owned and foreign media.
“This wave of post-election violence could cast a lasting stain on the start of President Rajapaksa’s second term and bodes ill for the political climate during the coming years,” said Reporters Without Borders, which highlighted an increase in election violence and censorship in countries such as Iran and Tunisia in its latest press freedom roundup. |
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CID breaks into ‘Lanka’ office |
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2010-01-29 |
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The CID has broken into ‘Lanka’ newspaper office and CID officers are inspecting the files at the moment says our reporter.
Today (29th) morning the chief editor of ‘Lanka Irida’ weekend newspaper Mr. Chandana Sirimalwatta was asked to come to the CID office for a statement. |
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PRESS CONFERENCE IN PARIS BY RSF |
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2010-01-29 |
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Stop post election media suppression – an open appeal |
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2010-01-29 |
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We five major media organizations in the country express our deep concern over the increasing media suppression in post presidential election situation. The presidential election was marred by various threats to non state media and misuse of state controlled public media. In the post election period media situation is becoming serious day by day as clearly shown by development in last few days. We Five Media Organizations condemn theses suppressive measures in strongest terms and express our unconditional solidarity with the media and journalists who are under attack. |
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URGENT ALERT: "IRIDA LANKA" EDITOR ARRESTED! |
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2010-01-29 |
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Editor of the "Irida Lanka" newspaper, Chandana Sirimalwatte, has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department on Friday (29) afternoon. According to his lawyers he was questioned for two hours and was detained for further questioning.
Following the election victory, the ruling UPFA regime has launched a massive crackdown on all media institutions which backed the opposition candidate, former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka. On Thursday (28), the authorities took steps to close down "Lanka E News" website, following the government's decision to block the local viewers from visiting the website for two days. In a separate incident on the same day, a State television employee who had been an outspoken critic of the state |
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MASKED STF OFFICERS RAID GENERAL FONSEKA'S OFFICE! |
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2010-01-29 |
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By Ranga Sirilal and Andrew Caballero-Reynolds - Sri Lankan police raided the office of losing presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka on Friday, an aide said, two days after troops had surrounded him inside a hotel on suspicion he was plotting a coup. |
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CID RAIDS "LANKA IRIDA" OFFICE: SEEKS STATEMENT FROM THE EDITOR |
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2010-01-29 |
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A group of officers attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID)has raided "Lanka Irida" news paper office short while ago. They have informed the newspaper staff that they need to record a statement from the Chief Editor of the paper, Chandana Sirimalwatte.
On Thursday (28), addressing a media conference in Colombo, the leader of the People's Liberation Front (JVP) stated that the Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is also the brother of Prsident Mahinda Rajapaksa, has threatened him over the phone saying "I will set your Lanka newspaper on fire – be warned." |
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URGENT ALERT: "LANKA E NEWS" OFFICE SEALED! |
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2010-01-29 |
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The office of the ‘Lanka e news’, a prominent news website operating from Sri Lanka, has been sealed off by the authorities, according to the journalists attached to the news site. When the journalists reported to work today (29.01.10), they have found out that the office has been sealed off.
The website, which maintained a highly critical editorial policy towards the ruling party during the recent presidential race, was targeted by the authorities soon after the results were announced. Prior to the latest incident the Lanka e News complained that the government has blocked their website on the Election Day (26), restricting readers residing in Sri Lanka from accessing the site. Two days before the elections, |
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STATE TELEVISON EMPLOYEE ASSAULTED |
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2010-01-28 |
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Post election clamp down on media in Sri Lanka |
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2010-01-28 |
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MFSL continue to receive information on continued threats and intimidation on media and journalists in Sri Lanka in post election situation.
On 28th morning Ariyarathana Atugala chairman of state controlled Sri lanka Rupavahini Cooperation (SLRC) assaulted programme producer Ravi Abewikrama and threatened to kill him. Atugala called a open staff meeting and told them to remember that 'he is the Atugala and will not allow any one to go against him'. Journalist leaders told MFSL that situation is very tense within the SLRC. Journalists who opposed the biased coverage of recently concluded presidential election by SLRC are being harassed and they fear that attacks |
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A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission
SRI LANKA: Urgent Appeal to the government of Sri Lanka and the United Nations to prevent the escalation of violence |
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2010-01-28 |
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The common candidate for several opposition parties, retired general Sarath Fonseka, has made an appeal to the President of Sri Lanka to ensure security for him through the Inspector General of Police. This has been published through several media channels. |
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General Fonseka under House Arrest |
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2010-01-28 |
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Although the Army allowed General Sarath Fonseka, who contested the last Presidential Elections as the Common Opposition Candidate to go home from Hotel Cinnamon Lakeside, we reliably inform the readers that he is being kept under an unofficial House Arrest. His house on Queens Road, Colombo 03 is encircled by soldiers of the Special Task Force and Gajaba Regiment of the Army, a reliable source informed Lanka News Web. |
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If there is no support from the opposition to make constitutional amendments, the Parliament will be dissolved in one month – Media Minister |
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2010-01-28 |
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If the opposition parties do not support to make constitutional amendments in the parliament, the Government will opt for a dissolution of the Parliament and go for fresh elections seeking two thirds majority to make those amendments, said the Minister of Media, Lukshman Yapa Abeywardene at a Press Briefing this morning.
However, he was careful not to mention any detail on the proposed constitutional amendments. |
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“I will set fire to your Lanka Newspaper, You too be careful” – Gota threatened me! - Somawansa Amarasinghe |
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2010-01-28 |
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Mr.Somawansa Amarasinghe revealed to the media today that he was threatened by the Presidential sibling and the Secretary of Defense Gotabhaya Rajapakse over the phone stating that he will set fire to Lanka Newspaper and threatened Mr.Amarasinghe with his life. Mr.Amarasinghe was addressing a media briefing today (28) at his office in Pelawatte, Battaramulla.
Mr.Amarasinghe further stated “Today (28) at around 9.32 a.m Mr.Gotabhaya Rajapakse called me from his own mobile phone number 077 350 1626 and threatened me with my life. |
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Basil acquired 25% of shares of Micro Car Company;
Rupees 38 Billion VAT Fraud beaten by Micro “Cess Fraud” |
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2010-01-28 |
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A senior officer from the Ministry of finance informed Lanka News Web on anonymity that Basil Rajapakse’s “Micro Cess Fraud” has exceeded the VAT Fraud, which was supposed to be biggest fraud of Sri Lanka up until this revelation. The amount of the “Micro Cess Fraud” is confirmed to be over Rs.40 billion (Rs.40,000,000,000.00). According to our informant, the fraud has taken place as follows;
Micro Car (Pvt) Ltd. was established by a Motor Engineer by the name of Lawrence Perera to manufacture motor cars in Sri Lanka prior to 2005. As a preliminary step, this company imported small cars from China and assembled locally for the local market. However, by 2005 the company was financially broke and almost bankrupt. |
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Mangala Samaraweera Vehemently Refuses the Election Result
Government making arrangements to take him to custody |
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2010-01-27 |
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MP Mangala Samaraweera, Leader of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (Mahajana Wing) disclosed to Lanka News Web and to foreign media that he vehemently rejects the result of the Presidential Elections held on the 26th January 2010. “The Government meticulously planned to rig this election in the most undemocratic manner”, he said. It is evident from the results released that the incumbent President suffered a massive loss, but shown the world a totally different result by manipulating the same. |
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Lankaenews unable to upload form Sri Lanka, complained to EC |
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2010-01-26 |
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Two journalists from www.lankaenews.com complained to election commissioner that
government owned Sri Lanka Telecom has blocked their server and they are unable to
upload any news. This complained was made at 3.30 pm today. |
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All-out propaganda and intimidation in run-up to presidential election |
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2010-01-26 |
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Tension surrounds today’s presidential election, especially for the press, which has had to face many obstacles. Use of the state media to support President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s campaign for another term has been accompanied by harassment and violence against privately-owned opposition media, culminating in the 24 January abduction of political reporter Prageeth Eknaligoda. Reporters Without Borders appeals to both sides to make every effort to avoid an Iran-style scenario in which the challenging of a questionable election result leads to a cycle of demonstrations and repression in which the press would clearly be one of the victims. |
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Political reporter and cartoonist missing in Colombo on eve of election |
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2010-01-25 |
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Reporters Without Borders urges the security forces to assign more personnel to the search for journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, who sent missing last night in Colombo. A senior police official told the press freedom organisation he was too busy with tomorrow’s presidential election to make the case a priority.
Eknaligoda, who writes political analyses for the Lankaenews website, left work at about 9 p.m. but did not arrive home and has not contacted any family members or friends. He had told a close friend he thought he had been followed for the past few days. |
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Prelude to the biggest “Poll Rig” in the North;
All independent officers transferred to Colombo while stooges of Gotabhaya Rajapakse North-bound |
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2010-01-25 |
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In view of minimizing the loss of votes to the incumbent President from the Northern Province, Secretary of Defense has taken action to transfer all officers who resist orders from Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe and former Inspector General of Police Chandra Fernando who spearhead the operation “Poll Rig”, from their Northern Province work stations to Colombo and they are being replaced by officers who are controllable by the above two.
Under the above plan, Major General Abdul Saheed, who is the head of the Military Intelligence Corps (MIC) has been deployed along with 70 para-military cadres from Douglas Devananda’s contingent to Kinniya to support
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Prelude to the biggest Poll Rig in the North;
Kumarasiri Hettige leaves for Jaffna to assist Anil Koswatte |
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2010-01-25 |
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In addition to the emissary of Basil Rajapakse, Executive of Nestle Lanka and Chiarman Export Development Board, Anil Koswatte, the President has dispatched his Parliamentary Affairs Secretary, Kumarasiri Hettige to Jaffna in preparation for the biggest Poll Rig ever in the North. |
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President’s Media Unit stops printing “Lakbima News” |
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2010-01-25 |
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On an emergency order received from the President’s Media Director, Wijayananda Herath, the Managing Director of Lakbima Newspaper Group and Western Provincial Council member Thilanga Sumathipala ordered to suspend the printing and distribution of “Lakbima News”, City Edition of last Sunday the 24th January.
However, when the order was received the Provincial Edition of the newspaper has already been in circulation in the provinces. The reason given for the suspension is the article written by the News Editor of the paper Rajpal Abeynaike, who penned an article based on the interview given to the editors of Sunday newspapers by the President a few days ago in Kandy. Several editors and news editors of Sunday national newspapers were
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Basil acquired 25% of shares of Micro Car Company;
Rupees 38 Billion VAT Fraud beaten by Micro “Cess Fraud” |
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2010-01-25 |
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A senior officer from the Ministry of finance informed Lanka News Web on anonymity that Basil Rajapakse’s “Micro Cess Fraud” has exceeded the VAT Fraud, which was supposed to be biggest fraud of Sri Lanka up until this revelation. The amount of the “Micro Cess Fraud” is confirmed to be over Rs.40 billion (Rs.40,000,000,000.00). According to our informant, the fraud has taken place as follows;
Micro Car (Pvt) Ltd. was established by a Motor Engineer by the name of Lawrence Perera to manufacture motor cars in Sri Lanka prior to 2005. As a preliminary step, this company imported small cars from China and assembled locally for the local market. However, by 2005 the |
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This election is merely the struggle of two corrupt murderous groups |
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2010-01-25 |
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The battle between the so called main candidates Mahinda and Sarath has become a mini civil war. Already several people have died and many have been injured. It is usual for elections to take this form in a country where class struggle developed to a high level with the proletariat challenging the entire capitalist system. Then parliamentary elections will only be a stepping stone for state power. The bourgeois are trying hard to protect the disintegrating bourgeoisie state and the proletariat is preparing to demolish it and instal a system of soviets.
In this country too, in 1970 some people believed that the elections will lead to a mass takeover of power. There were attempts by someLeft politicians to bring about a radical change in state power. |
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In preparation for rigging the Poll in North;
DIG in-charge of Northern Province and the OIC of Vavuniya brought to Colombo |
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2010-01-25 |
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In contravention of all the guidelines and directives issued by the Commissioner General of Elections, the IGP, Mahinda Balasuriya has transferred the DIG in-charge of Northern Province, Nimal Lewke and the OIC of Vavunia Police Station, Samantha Sigera to Colombo as these two officers did not heed to the demands of former IGP, Chandra Fernando, who is currently leading the mass-scale poll rigging in the Northern Province.
DIG, Nimal Lewke has been transferred to the Police Headquarters, while OIC, Samantha Sigera has been transferred to the Police Welfare Unit, stating that there are certain emergency works for them at the places where their transfers are given. |
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Prostitutes taken to Rupavahini to defame the General |
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2010-01-25 |
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A special recording has been done at the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation on the 23rd morning with the participation of several prostitutes to defame Common Presidential Candidate General Sarath Fonseka. The programme is to be telecast at 8.30 p.m. pm Rupavahini after canceling the scheduled teledrama.
The prostitutes for the programme that had been recorded following an order by the Defence Secretary had been provided by Dilith Jayaweera’s Triad agency. The programme had been produced by Lakshitha Karunathileka and Sanjeewa Ariyratne had helped edit it.
The programme has been coordinated by Chandana Seneviratne, who also acted as the producer of the
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Double cab operation to distribute fake ballot papers |
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2010-01-25 |
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Source from the Army Headquarters told Lanka News Web that the Defence Secretray has organized a double cab operation under retired Major General Palitha Fernando to transport fake ballot papers to the North and that the double cabs were scheduled to leave for the North on the 24th night.
About 55 new Mitsubishi double cabs are being used for the operation along with s few chosen Army personnel.
The Army personnel assigned for the task have also been provided with eight vans.
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Tiran reveals how Basil paid Rs. 180 million to LTTE for Northern election boycott in 2005 |
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2010-01-25 |
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Tiran Alles said that Basil Rajapaksa paid Rs. 180 million to LTTE’s Emil Kanthan to ensure the Northern election boycott at the 2005 Presidential election in his office.
He made this revelation at a press conference held at his residence, which was attacked at No. 43, Galpoththa Road, Koswatte, Nawala, on Sunday (24).
He said the transaction was done according to a request made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Alles said that he first met Emil Kanthan in 2002 following an introduction made by then Minister Jayalath Jayewardena. Emil Kanthan at the time |
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Interview of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka. |
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2010-01-24 |
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I’m the one who is governing, right? After the 26th, on the 27th, I will look after that.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa answered questions put to him by Rajpal Abeynayake on Tuesday’s elections and a host of related issues, at President’s House in Kandy this week. We publish below the transcripts from that exchange.
(A few questions included were from representatives of other English newspapers.) |
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The government planned Ven. Sumana Thero’s arrest |
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2010-01-24 |
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Sources from temple Trees said it was the government that planned the arrest of SLFP bhikku front Secretary, Ven. Uvathenne Sumana Thero, who is currently the religious affairs coordinator of Common Presidential Candidate, General Sarath Fonseka.
The cache of arms and ammunition found at the monk’s temple, Bodhirajaramaya in Maligawatte, is only second to the recoveries made from the LTTE. |
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