PresPoll2020

All parties should unite to defeat Gota

Imesh Ranasinghe

Tuesday October 22, 2019 6:30 pm

By Imesh Ranasinghe

Tuesday October 22, 2019 6:30 pm

The Voice of Citizens (Purawesi handa) organisation urges the NPP and other alternative forces to unite under the umbrella of democracy and support the Democratic National Front candidate Sajith Premadasa at the Presidential election to defeat the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna.

If the DNF is defeated, Sri Lanka will face a grim future and the process of state and democratic reform will be stopped.

Speaking at a press conference held this evening (22 Oct) in Colombo, the Co-Convener of Voice of Citizens Prof Athulasiri Samarakoon said that many international experts have already said that the 2019 presidential election might be the last democratic election in Sri Lanka’s history.

Further, he said that all the leftist, right-wing and nationalist parties in Sri Lanka have failed to understand the decisiveness of this election.

Samarakoon said that some media agencies are promoting racism and dictatorship, and added that it was through democratic institutions that dictators like Adolf Hitler and Muammar Gaddafi emerged.

He also said that on the other side UNF which is represented by Premadasa and NPP represented by Anura Kumara Dissanayake are standing for democratic reforms in the country.

He went onto say that at the moment the NPP, UNF, NPM and all other democratic forces remain divided and are attacking each other opening a wide space for Gotabaya to win.

“The dangers of a dictatorship are that all state services, the judicial system and the individual freedom would be affected,” he added

Prof Samarakoon also said that the yet the courts have not made it clear whether Gotabaya Rajapaksa is a Sri Lankan or an American citizen and the media isn’t questioning him regarding the issue.

But media promoting racist ideology questioned the intentions and actions of Gamini Viyangoda and Chandraguptha Thenuwara when they questioned Gotabaya’s citizenship.

Also speaking at the press conference the Organiser of the group, Dr Palitha Sri Giganage said that although national security has become the main topic talked about in every election stage, politicians have been able to plant the thought in the minds of the people that they only need a military control,

FILED UNDER: anura kumara dissanayake,democracy in sri lanka,democratic reforms,dictatorship,freedom of expression,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,NDF presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa,new democratic front,NPP,presidential election 2019,prespollsl,Presspoll2019,racism sri lanka,Sajith Premadasa,SLPP,Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna,yahapalayana

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Markets

Sri Lanka stocks close up as some investor interest returns

Monday December 4, 2023 6:12 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – The Colombo Stock Exchange closed up on Monday, CSE data showed.

The All Share Price Index was up 0.22 percent, or 23.33 points, at 10,743.59.

The S&P SL20 index was up 0.68 percent, or 20.60 points, at 3,067.73.

Turnover was at 708 million. The banks sector contributed 189 million, while the food, beverage and tobacco sector contributed 176 million of this.

Sri Lanka’s stock market has seen some investor interest return after last week’s news that the country had managed an agreement on a debt restructuring deal with an official creditor committee, and foreign funds for some development projects resumed.

Top positive contributors to the ASPI in the day were Sampath Bank Plc (up at 71.50), LOLC Holdings Plc (up at 379.00), and Commercial Bank of Ceylon Plc, (up at 90.90).

There was a net foreign outflow of 52 million.

Citrus Leisure Plc, which announced that its banquet hall and revolving restaurant at the Lotus Tower would launch on or around Dec 9, saw its share price rise to 6.20 rupees. (Colombo/Dec4/2023).

Bonds & Forex

Sri Lanka rupee closes broadly steady at 328.10/30 to the US dollar

Monday December 4, 2023 5:24 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 328.10/30 to the US dollar on Monday, from 328.00/10 on Friday, dealers said.

Bond yields were stable.

A bond maturing on 01.06.2025 closed at 13.70/14.00 percent from 13.70/95 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.08.2026 closed at 13.90/14.10 percent from 13.90/14.05 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.01.2027 closed at 14.00/14.10 percent from 14.05/10 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.07.2028 closed at 14.20/35 percent from 14.15/25 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.05.2030 closed at 14.25/45 percent, from 14.20/45 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.07.2032 closed at 14.05/40 percent, from 14.00/45 percent. (Colombo/Dec4/2023)

Crime

Gov minister highlights abortion rights, sex-ed for children, and Sri Lanka men killing their women

Monday December 4, 2023 4:21 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s legislators have politicized the topics of rape and violence without addressing the elephant in the room, Jeevan Thondaman, Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development said in parliament on Monday (4).

“All the members here are talking about rape. What happens after that? We must talk about abortion rights. That is not something anyone wants to touch on, and that is why we are in this place right now,” Thondaman said.

“Despite alarming statistics on rape and violence, women are often blamed and punished for it. The criminalisation of abortion is a major example of this.”

Sri Lanka has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the world. According to a 2016 estimate by the Health Ministry, he said, approximately 658 abortions take place a day, and close to 250,000 a year.

“That’s 250,000 women whose lives you are endangering.”

He added that what was needed at this point in time was comprehensive sexual education (CSE) for children and young people.

“Only through CSE in schools will children and young people develop, accurate, age appropriate knowledge attitude and skills; positive values such as respect for human rights, gender equality, diversity and attitude and skills that contribute to a safe, healthy and positive relationship.”

Thondaman pointed out that CSE plays a pivotal role in preparing young people for a world where HIV, AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancies, and sexual and gender based violence still pose a risk to their well-being.

“CSE basically empowers children take control and make informed decisions freely and responsibly.”

Thondaman also highlighted the findings of a 2021 study (Fatalities_20211109_UNFPA) by the UNFPA and the University of Kelaniya that showed that a majority of women killed in Sri Lanka were murdered by those close to them.

“62 percent of homicides of Sri Lankan women are committed by either an intimate partner, ex-partner or family member. 84 percent are killed in their own homes by someone they know.”

Police and the judiciary have failed Sri Lanka’s women, the minister pointed out.

“Only 5 percent of these cases, between 2013-2017, were ever concluded. Men claim they were provoked, or are of unsound mind or have mental illness: These have been successful defenses. And the Police often express sympathy to this narrative as opposed to the victim’s.”

“We have a history of protecting oppressors.”

It takes 7-10 years for a child rape case to conclude, he pointed out.

Establishment of child courts are needed, he said, as well as several legislative amendments. “The government is working on a new law to reform the domestic violence act, reform of marriage and divorce laws to ensure there is an easier path to divorce: no one should be forced to remain in a marriage that is either abusive or not healthy.” (Colombo/Dec4/2023)