AUBREY. V. RAYMOND A noble man with sterling qualities

More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of. These lines of Alfred Lord Tennyson were reflected in the life and times of late Aubrey. V. Raymond. It is with a deep sense of sorrow that I am paying humble homage to the memory of a dear departed personality, friend and non-related brother.

“NPP, JVP can bring about changes to issues of Tamil community as they can’t be labelled as traitors to the Sinhala cause” Ahilan Kadirgamar

What happened was after the war we had a bloated military, and no government had the guts to start a national discussion about the need to slowly demilitarise after the war

EPDP ready to cooperate with govt, final decision will depend on outcome of polls - Douglas Devananda

With the campaign period of the general election drawing to a close, the political parties are busy wrapping up propaganda activities.

“It will be a National Govt. if we win,” - Dr. Harsha de Silva

Seasoned politician, economist and an academic Dr. Harsha de Silva who is contesting from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) from the Colombo District warns the National People’s Power (NPP) government that it should not be acting up to follow the IMF programme with regard to the debt crisis just to please the international lender.

Only Ranil Wickremesinghe can revive the economy - Former Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne

Former Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne says that it is only the former President Ranil Wickremesinghe that can review the country’s economy but not any other leader.

It is immature to depend on one person to solve country’s problem - Imthiaz Bakeer Markar

One of the most experienced politicians in the country and Chairman of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Imthiaz Bakeer Markar says that his party has prepared the plan to get the country out of the present crisis and place it on the right track and for that the party has the most experienced, talented, innovative and young team.

“My vision is to create a society where women and children are free from abuse, exploitation” - Apsari Tillakaratne

Apsari Singhabahu Tillakaratne, wife of former Sri Lankan cricketer Hashan Tillakaratne, who is contesting the upcoming Parliamentary Elections from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) in the Colombo District, opens up about her decision to enter politics in an exclusive interview with Daily Mirror.

Colombo has issues from housing to urban poverty – Ravindra Udayashantha

Former Mayor of Kolonnawa Ravindra Udayashantha has entered the fray to contest under an independent party at the upcoming Parliamentary Elections.

“Peoples verdict against Ranil , not justifiable” - Nimal Lanza

Nimal Lanza, a candidate contesting the general election under the gas cylinder symbol, speaks to The Daily Mirror about the current status of the economy, and what lies ahead.

“We must reclaim power from corrupted political and business elites’’ - Swasthika Arulingam (PSA)

Passed out as a lawyer from the Colombo Law College and having two Master-LLM from the University of Colombo and a LLM and Development as a Chevening Scholar at School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, young activist Swastika Arulingam was a prominent figure in the Aragalaya (Protest) which toppled the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government.

Easter Sunday attacks: Govt should be given enough time - Kavinda Jayawardena

SJB candidate for the Gampaha District Dr. Kavinda Jayawardena who conferred with the Daily Mirror recently on his candidature and the political situation did mention that his party has suffered some set back after its candidate former MP Ajith Mannapperuma withdrew from the campaign suddenly.

President wants to suppress Easter Sunday attack reports with ulterior motives- Udaya Gammanpila

Sarvajana Balaya candidate for the Colombo district Udaya Gammanpila who is in the centre of controversy regarding his revelation on the Easter Sunday attacks shared his views further in this regard with Daily Mirror.

“government has absolutely no experience” – Rosy Senanayake

Former Mayoress of Colombo and United National Party (UNP) stalwart Rosy Senanayake will be contesting from the Colombo District under the New Democratic Front ticket. In a candid interview with the Daily Mirror, Senanayake explained why former UNP candidates are contesting under a new Party and a symbol while sharing her thoughts about the new

“We are engaged in a mission to do clean politics” – Samanmalee Gunasinghe

National People’s Power (NPP) Executive Committee Member and Women’s Rights Activist Samanmalee Gunasinghe has entered the fray to contest at the upcoming Parliamentary elections.

“Estate community still looks up to TPA and SJB” - Digambaram

Former Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) representative and senior member of Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Palani Digambaram, who commands a sizeable vote base among the estate community, is of the opinion that his party’s vote base is still intact despite the current political trend in Sri Lanka. He said that at present, people have pushed traditional political parties aside.

“Strategic North will be the gateway for Indian investment” - Elankovan Chandrahasan

Elankovan Chandrahasan, the grandson of the founders of Federal Party or the Illankai Tamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK) S.J.V. Chelvanayakam and Dr. E. M. V. Naganathan, is contesting from the Jaffna district at the upcoming Parliamentary Elections for the first time while representing the ITAK.

We are not seeking 2/3rds in Parliament, only a simple majority Chathuranga Abeysinghe

National People’s Power (NPP) Executive Committee member and Colombo District Candidate Chathuranga Abeysinghe guarantees a new political culture if people vote for the NPP at the upcoming election. He also believes that a simple majority is enough to pass legislature and invites the Opposition to be part of the change that Sri Lanka needs. In a candid interview with the Daily Mirror, Abeysinghe responded to various allegations made against the P

“We support president’s anti-corruption policy not one-party state” Eran Wickramaratne

Economist, banker and anti-corruption crusader Eran Wickramaratne in a candid interview revealed to the Daily Mirror how Gotabaya Rajapaksa before running away from the country created a big façade saying that the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) was offered to administrate the country. Making the revelation Wickramaratne, said that while the country was in a hotbed with street fights and protests (Aragalaya), the Gotabaya Government

“I want to share my experience with the young generation” - Ranil Willaddarage

A new face entering the Parliamentary Elections as a candidate of the New Democratic Front is Ranil Willaddarage, Managing Director of the popular clothing brand GFlock.

“Absolute power has failed all leaders” -Milinda Rajapaksha

Even though the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) faced a major defeat during the last Presidential Elections, many of its members have entered the fray to contest for a seat at the upcoming Parliamentary Elections, scheduled for November 14.

“Colombo has the most underprivileged communities in the entire country” – Sagala Ratnayaka

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe contested as an independent candidate under the gas cylinder symbol and garnered 17% of votes at the last Presidential Elections.

There are cases where SL politicians seek benefits for their interests - outgoing Japanese ambassador

Outgoing Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki, in an interview with the Daily Mirror, speaks about how bilateral relations evolved during his time. He also responds to questions about the business environment of Sri Lanka for Japanese investors. Excerpts:

Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia to boost trade, investments ties

Diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka were established in 1974. Sri Lanka opened its Embassy in Jeddah in 1983 and later relocated to Riyadh in 1985. From 1977 to 1995, the Kingdom’s Embassy in New Delhi oversaw bilateral relations between the two nations, until Saudi Arabia opened its Embassy in Sri Lanka.

“Never thought Sajith Premadasa would be a weak leader”– Ajith Mannapperuma

I have been working as the SJB Gampaha District organiser for 20 years. I served as the Mayor for seven years, four years as a provincial councilor and 12 years as a Member of Parliament from the Gampaha District

‘All stalled investigations under former regimes to resume soon’ Public Security Ministry Secretary, Senior DIG (Rtd) Ravi Seneviratne

The newly appointed Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Senior DIG (Rtd) Ravi Seneviratne is confident in meting out justice to all those who suffered due to politically motivated killings, abductions and financial frauds in the country over the past several years sooner than later.

“If war crimes aren’t investigated even political leaders might have travel restrictions” -Anura Meddegoda

A senior legal practitioner with a wide range of experiences serving national and international judiciary, President’s Counsel Anura Meddegoda was recently appointed as the President of the Bar Association of Srl Lanka. With over 40 years of experience in the legal field, out of which half of it was served at the Attorney General’s Department as a State attorney,

“Ranil Wickremesinghe cannot see a future beyond himself” -Sajith Premadasa

“This could be the last democratic election in Sri Lanka” Patali

United Republican Front (URF) Leader MP Patali Champika Ranawaka who is backing Presidential Candidate and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa shares his views on current political developments ahead of Saturday’s poll. He fears whether this will be the last democratic election that will be conducted in Sri Lanka.

All UNPers in SJB will vote for RW at the polls - Rosy Senanayake

As Sri Lanka awaits to witness the election of its ninth Executive President, the elections race too will reach its climax this week.

Empowering Nations:The India-Sri Lanka HVDC Connection

Sri Lanka and India are engaged in a decade-long discussion of linking their power grids, which would be beneficial for either country as energy consumption in both nations is expected to grow in large proportions.