News

The United States has granted exemptions to eight countries allowing them to temporarily continue buying Iranian oil, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, as Washington reimposed sanctions on Iran’s banking, energy and shipping industries. 

A senior official of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources Development said that the United States has not informed Sri Lanka about a waiver to import Iranian oil as it has expressed deep concern on the current political crisis.  

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) is testing crude oil from Algeria to widen its supply sources for the Sapugaskanda oil refinery. However, the refinery is optimised for Iranian crude that is now subject to American sanctions, the official said. 

He also said that the CPC was no longer importing Iranian crude oil and it was looking for alternative crude blends to diversify its sources of supply. 

Following the threat of snapback sanctions against Tehran by the White House, Sri Lanka’s state oil corporation had earlier mulled paying for its oil imports and debts with tea. Iran, a big consumer of tea, imports 90 percent of the commodity from India and Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has decided to contest all future elections under the SLPP, Its Secretary General Sagara Kariyawasam said today.

He further stated that they do not intend to contest under any other party.

Kariyawasam also noted that the party will not betray the trust placed in them by the public and pointed out that a major party has never contested under the symbol of a minority party.

He said that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) could contest under their party by forming an alliance.

Kariyawasam made these remarks at a media conference held at the SLPP headquarters. 

Editors Note: The following is the text of an open letter sent in by Dr. Devanesan Nesiah, a retired civil servant who has who has served the country since 1959. In 2017, he was awarded with the National Honours by President Sirisena.

7th November 2018His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena,President,Sri Lanka.

Your Excellency,

I write as a loyal citizen of Sri Lanka and a proud recipient of the great titular honour of 'Deshamanya' that Your Excellency saw fit to confer on me in March of 2017. My children, grandchildren, other relatives and close friends gathered from three continents in celebrating the award and the Presidential recognition of my services to our great nation.

I barely knew you earlier but my family, friends and I were greatly elated when you were elected President. That elation and hope, Your Excellency, has given way to disappointment over your very blatant flouting of our seventy year old democracy, in recent weeks.

As a loyal and patriotic Sri Lankan but I see no alternative to regretfully return the 'Deshamanya' medal and certificate that you awarded me.

I am currently overseas and will make arrangements to return the medal and certificate to your office, when I come back to Sri Lanka.

Your Excellency, my decision isn’t one that I’ve taken lightly, or in haste. To always act in accordance with my principles is a burden that I’ve embraced with pride for nearly 60 years, since I first enrolled as a cadet in the Ceylon Civil Service. My long career in the civil service, was often stymied under both UNP and SLFP regimes for my refusal to compromise my values.

Since I can no longer take pride in the title of 'Deshamanya' that you’ve conferred on me, I have no option but to return my treasured medal and certificate.

Sincerely,
Dr. Devanesan Nesiah

Newly appointed US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina B. Teplitz met Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and discussed the importance of reconvening Parliament to put an immediate end to the current political crisis. 

In a tweet, the Ambassador stated that the democratic institutions should serve the people of Sri Lanka and to let the elected representatives have their say.

Leader of the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Minister Mano Ganesan along with the party's other members had met with President Maithripala Sirisena today (07).

During the meeting, Sirisena had requested Ganesan to join the government headed by parliamentarian Mahinda Rajapaksa and invited him to accept cabinet portfolios. Rejecting the offer, Ganesan stated that the party will not join a government headed by Rajapaksa.

President Sirisena had then requested the TPA members to abstain from voting when the parliament is reconvened on the 14th of November.

However, the TPA had rejected this offer by stating that as a civilized progressive party, they will not abstain at the time of voting and will express their views on the vote is taken.

Sirisena had then inquired about the possibility of the TPA not supporting the 'selection and election' of Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister in case the United National Front and its allied parties win the vote in parliament. Sirisena had said that as the President of this country, he may not be able to work with Wickremesinghe if he is elected as Prime Minister again. 

Rejecting the third offer made by the President, TPA leader Mano Ganesan had stated that after we win, "it (will be) our responsibility to elect our own Prime Minister."

President Sirisena has stated that 90 percent of the lands held by the security forces in the North has already been released and instructions have already been given out to release other lands belonging to temples, churches and temples in the North.

This was stated in a statement issued by the Presidential media unit for the Deepavali festival.

According to the statement, the President has made these remarks while addressing the Deepavali celebrations at the President's House yesterday (05).

The statement also said that the president had actively looked into the problems faced by the people in the North during the past three years. However, it further stated that one of the reasons for the president to appoint another Prime Minister was the inability to solve the issues faced by the masses in the North.

The statement also said that the President will actively look into the problems faced by Tamil political prisoners in the North. The President will task the Attorney General to come up with a concessionary programme to negate the political prisoner issue with the participation of Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan and the Tamil National Alliance.

President had also quipped that he discussed this issue with the new Prime Minister and reiterated that his political stance on issues faced by the Tamil people in the North remains unchanged.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan, Minister Douglas Devananda, Northern Province Governor Reginald Cooray had also participated.

The full text of the President's Deepawali message:

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) led by MP Rauf Hakeem and the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) led by MP Rishad Bathiudeen have rejected claims that the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government will have their support.

Releasing a statement, the SLMC said the statement made by Deputy Minister Nishantha Muthuhettigamage yesterday in this regard was entirely false.

MPs Bathiudeen and Hakeem are set to join the government in the future, Muthuhettigamage said addressing media in Galle yesterday.

However, at the meeting of the SLMC held yesterday (06), it has been decided to show their support to former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

SLMC Leader speaking during a discussion in Batticaloa yesterday said no decisions have been reached to support Mahinda Rajapaksa.

"I wish to deny reports claiming that my party and myself have extended support to the newly sworn in PM. We continue to hold this appointment as inconsistent with parliamentary democratic principles until his majority is proven in," Hakeem said in a Twitter post.

Meanwhile ACMC leader, MP Bathiudeen representing said the decision to support democracy has not changed under any circumstance.

The former Minister of Industry and Commerce in the unity government said he and several other party leaders were invited to a discussion with President Maithripala Sirisena recently but he did not pledge any support or enter any agreements with the UPFA government. 

(Colombo Page)

United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Parliamentarian Manusha Nanayakkara, who accepted a deputy ministerial portfolio from the new government recently, has resigned from his post today (06). 

The parliamentarian visited Temple Trees to extend his support to Prime Minster Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Nanayakkara stated that he submitted his resignation as he could not agree with the decision taken by President Maithripala Sirisena to prorogue Parliament and appoint a new Government that has been deemed unconstitutional and illegal by the Speaker.

He also noted that no international country has recognised the "perpetrated government that we took oaths in."

"This has certainly provoked my democratic conscience", he added.

Nanayakkara also reminded the president about the mandate that he received on the 08th of January, 2015, and pointed out that the subsequent government that was formed was "very clearly to eradicate such abuse power and undemocratic acts."

Full Text of Manusha Nanayakkara's Letter to the President:

A political crisis in Sri Lanka, where two prime ministers are fighting for power, is scaring away tourists and raising questions over foreign aid, ringing alarm bells for the economy as the currency slumps to record lows.

The turmoil in the Indian Ocean nation that has seen one premier refuse to be sacked, and another battle to prove a majority in a Parliament that is banned from meeting, has caused major upheaval that Sri Lanka cannot afford.

Amid warnings from politicians of a bloodbath if the dispute escalates, tourists are cancelling hotel bookings just as Sri Lankan beaches and major sites like the Temple of the Tooth prepare for peak season.

While no official figures have been given, deluxe hotels have reported cancellations and a critical decline in new bookings in the past 10 days.
"This comes at the worst possible time when people in Europe are making their holiday plans abroad," a Colombo city hotel executive said.

"We have had a lot of cancellations from the United States."

Western nations have warned their citizens to be on their guard in Sri Lanka.

"You should exercise vigilance and avoid all demonstrations or large political gatherings," a British government advisory said.

Tourism is a cornerstone of the economy. More than 2.4 million foreign holidaymakers visited Sri Lanka last year, spending US$3.2 billion (S$4.4 billion). The authorities had been counting on a rise of more than 10 per cent this year.

And whether Mr Ranil Wickremesinghe stays in office or former president Mahinda Rajapaksa takes his place, foreign earnings will be badly needed.

The Asian Development Bank had predicted that the economy would grow by 3.8 per cent this year and 4.5 per cent in 2019, but all bets are now off.

The power vacuum has raised doubts over a US$1.5 billion Japanese-funded light rail project and another US$480 million of US finance for transport and health, a Wickremesinghe minister, Mr Patali Ranawaka, said last week.

The International Monetary Fund was about to announce an agreement on releasing a new tranche of a US$1.5 billion loan to Sri Lanka when President Maithripala Sirisena sacked Mr Wickremesinghe on Oct 26.

(Strait Times)

The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Patricia Scotland has called on Sri Lanka to uphold democratic practices.

She also called President Sirisena to reconvene parliament as soon as possible to solve the constitutional crisis.

"Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland today noted the decision by President Sirisena to reconvene Parliament on 14 November 2018. Secretary-General Scotland emphasized the importance of the role of Parliament as provided for under the constitution and expressed hope that Parliament would meet as soon as possible to resolve the current crisis in the country.

Scotland further stated that as per the Commonwealth Charter, adopted in 2012 by all the Commonwealth member states which specifically refers to the responsibility of governments, political parties and civil society to uphold and promote democratic culture and practices.

President Maithripala Sirisena’s double standards on the Tamil issue was evident today when the President’s Media Division (PMD) revised a press release on Deepavali celebrations held at the President’s House.

In the first version of the press release sent by the PMD today, President Sirisena was quoted saying his strong determination to resolve the issues faced by the Tamils in the North and the development of the region remained the same. 

The statement also said that Sirisena acted with great responsibility with regard to the issues faced by the people in the North and that he decided to change the Prime Minister due to the latter’s failure to find solutions to their ongoing problems.

Furthermore, President Sirisena had stated that 90 percent of the land held by the security forces in the North had already been released and instructions have already been given out to release the lands belonging to temples, churches and places of worship in the North.

The Maithri-Mahinda faction had previously announced that they would consider the release of Tamil political prisoners in the North in an attempt to get the support of the Tamil National Alliance to legitimise their government. 

However, the second press release, sent again after about ten minutes with the title ‘Deepavali Celebration – Edited News’, had conveniently omitted Sirisena’s remarks about the release of lands, Tamil political prisoners, development in the Northern province and the current political situation.

The second press release only highlighted President Sirisena’s remarks on Deepavali and that of national unity.

Sources within the media division said that the two press releases sent minutes apart clearly indicates President Sirisena’s double standards with regard to the Tamil issue. 

However, the sudden removal of  issues like the release of lands and political prisoners from the second press release, which were included in the first press release, intimates whether the reversal of such pledges to the Tamil community was scrapped due to the TNA’s rejection and non-recognition of the Maithri-Mahinda government.  

Link to story on the first press release:

President’s Deepavali Message; All lands under military including religious places of worship will be released

• The U.S. and Japan have both paused their respective projects in Sri Lanka amid concerns about democracy, according to the country's ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

• The European Union said it may consider revoking Colombo's trade privileges if the government doesn't continue progress on human rights

• "Foreign governments and organisations should reconsider any economic support linked to democratic governance," The International Crisis Group warned in a statement.