LAGGARDS of SOUTH ASIA

Asoka Obeyesekere, a Barrister and political scientist, is the Executive Director of Transparency International Sri Lanka, which is the National Chapter of Transparency International (TI), the leading global movement against corruption.

‘‘An unstable Maldives will lead to an unstable Indian Ocean’’ President Yameen has to go - Nasheed

President Nasheed, to start off with, in December 2011 there was a political crisis in which the former Chief Justice was arrested under your leadership. How do you see today’s crisis in the light of the then turmoil

We’ve extended our fullest cooperation during investigations

This special interview with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe centres around the forthcoming Local Government Elections and the current political situation in the country. 

‘We’re a strong party supporting the Tamil population’

The Local Government Elections are four days away and all candidates are gearing up for the big event. Contesting for the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) from the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Karuppiah Ramakrishnan representing the Kirula Ward has a 

‘Youngsters believe in education rather than in violence’

Many new faces have taken up the challenge to make a change in the upcoming Local Government polls. Representing the late Major Montague Jayawickreme and late minister Ranjan Wijeratne generation is Rehan Wijeratne Jayawickreme who will be contesting under 

President, Premier will govern Sri Lanka till 2020

Deputy Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva, in an interview with  Daily mirror , responded to remarks made by President Maithripala Sirisena on the status of the economy. He said that the two leaders would continue to govern the country till 2020 or even beyond.   

Fighting each other isn’t going to provide the answer

United People’s Freedom Alliance’s Mayoral candidate for the Dehiwala- Mount Lavinia Municipal Council Kesaralal Gunasekara in an interview with Daily mirror  spoke about the progress of his campaign and presented his analysis on the upcoming elections.   

‘We’ll be able to make a change this time’

The Local Government polls are a few days away and contestants are in the process of winning the hearts of people. Contesting for the Colombo Municipal Council from the Cinnamon Gardens Ward is Roshnie De Saram under the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) 

‘We aren’t eager to split the Unity Govt.’ - Mano Ganesan

Minister of National Co-existence Dialogue and Official Languages Mano Ganesan in an interview with the Dailymirror spoke about the importance of the Local Government Elections and the future of the country.

GOvt. has shown they aren’t capable of delivering -Sharmila Gonawela

The battle for Local Government Elections is heating up. An election should benefit the people, irrespective of symbols like the Pohottuwas, Beetle leaves or Elephants through which they come into power. Several decades down the line, people are still hoping for a better country. Sharmila Gonawela is contesting from the Bambalapitiya Ward for the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) under the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) ticket. 

The way the council is run needs a facelift -Jerusha Crossette

The new system adopted for the Local Government Elections has provided opportunities for new faces to make a change. Contesting under the UNP ticket from the National List is Jerusha Crossette- Thambiah, an Attorney-At-Law currently in private practice and also a lecturer at the University of London – External Programme. Speaking to the , Jerusha shared her views regarding the upcoming polls and what areas need to be focused on: Excerpts:&n

Economy parlous – John Seneviratne

Labour and Trade Union Relations Minister John Seneviratne, in an interview with the Daily Mirror, stresses that the economy of the country is in ruins and the President should intervene to resurrect it.

“Nobody can find fault with how UNP ran economy” - Malik Samarawickrama

Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama, in an interview with  responds to the allegations about the scam and speaks about the importance of Free Trade Agreements to export growth and international trade. The excerpts of the interview:   

UNP guilty of bond scam both by commission and omission -Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha

Former MP Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, who served in the COPE during the previous Parliament, in an interview with the Daily mirror  spoke about the bond scam in the Central Bank and of other happenings in the political front. Following are excerpts of the interview done with Prof. Wijesinha. 

‘A lot of people in Colombo are sensible’ :Pradip Jayewardene Sri Lanka Freedom Party

The upcoming Local Government Elections will see new faces entering the political scene. Representing the J. R Jayewardene clan from the Cinnamon Gardens Ward for the Colombo Municipal Council is his grandson Pradip Jayewardene. Although J.RJ was known to be a strongman of the Green Party, Pradip will be contesting under the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) ticket.   

‘Mixed electoral system promotes less corruption’ :Duminda Attygalle United National Party

Duminda Attygalle, a proud old boy and former rugby captain of Royal College Colombo, is another candidate contesting for the Colombo Municipal Council from the Cinnamon Gardens Ward under the UNP ticket. Currently pursuing his Masters in Business Administration at the British School of Commerce in Colombo affiliated to 

JVP mayoral candidate for Colombo Municipal Council Dr. Ranil Jayasena ‘Improving quality of people’

With the Local Government Elections looming around the corner, the need to elect the right candidate to power is quintessential

Electing a professional as Colombo mayor ideal - SLPP candidate Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam

Former Chief Medical Officer of Colombo Municipal Council Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam is contesting the local government elections as mayoral candidate to the Colombo Municipal Council under the ‘Flower Bud’ symbol of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna [SLPP]. He says it is better to have a professional as a mayor of Colombo.  

Local administration experiences bitterest period under current rule: Basil

In an interview with Dailymirror , former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa who spearheads Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) spoke about the current status of politics and the local government elections. Excerpts

UNP willing to continue with Unity Govt.

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, in an interview with the , said that the United National Party (UNP) doesn’t stand for corruption. He said that the party will penalize those responsible for the Central Bank bond transaction. Following are excerpts of the interview done with minister Kariyawasam.

We can’t depend on men every single day Ruwanthi

Actress Ruwanthi Mangala who has thrown her hat into the ring with regard to the forthcoming Local Government Elections, spoke about her political ambitions and other important matters in an interview with the Daily Mirror. Mangala is contesting for the Kaduwela Electorate under the Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP) ticket.  

Women have other rights to fight for than liquor Gayesha perera

The Local Government polls have opened new doors for newcomers to test the waters in politics. Gayesha Perera, former Miss Sri Lanka and actress, who once contested the Provincial Council Elections in 2014, is once again contesting as a candidate of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) from the Dehiwala-East Kawdana Ward this February. In an interview with the Daily Mirror, Gayesha shared how she is preparing for the elections;

‘PM’s resilience to criticism is an example to all’

Highways and Higher Education Minister Lakshman Kiriella in an interview with the Daily Mirror spoke about the present status in politics in the wake of the action taken by President Maithripala Sirisena regarding the bond scam.

"Sri Lanka has been named as a high risk country for investment"

Joint Opposition MP Bandula Gunawardane speaking to Dailymirror about the implications of ?the controversial bond scam and the seriousness of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s allegation regarding similar frauds in the past.

Central Bank bond scam was a shock to us all

In an interview with Daily Mirror, Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne expressed his views on the bond scam, the President’s term and the way forward for the government. Excerpts: 

‘President isn’t cooperating with the JO’

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris, in an interview with the , spoke about the controversial bond transaction, its implications and the Supreme Court’s opinion on the President’s term. Following are excerpts of the interview done with Prof. Peiris.   

Women’s movements have to be stronger

The upcoming Local Government Election has been a much anticipated event in the local political calendar. In the run up for positions, both known and unknown faces have begun their campaigns abiding to stricter laws than what was seen during the previous regime. With a new electoral system, both citizens and those contesting are expecting further ‘change’. Among those contesting from the Green Party, Rosy Senanayake, former beauty que

‘Discipline is the foundation for a peaceful society’

Daily Mirror sat with former Education Minister, UNP strongman and current ambassador to Sri Lanka in China, Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku for an interview during a visit to the island. Dr. Kodituwakku spoke 

We never obtain votes by duping the public

In the series ‘Direct Talk’ we feature COPE Chairman Sunil Handunnetti where he airs his views on the latest developments connected with the Bond Commission Report. Following are excerpts of theinterview done with Handunetti. 

Rejection of nomination lists ‘A pre-scrutinizing system would avoid such rejections’ - Canishka

Constitutional Lawyer Canishka G Witharana, in an interview with the , spoke about nomination lists of some political parties being rejected and the legality involved. The interview done with Witharana follows: