Gotabaya Rajapaksa: Latest News

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Gotabaya Rajapaksa - Sajith Premadasa - Ranil Wickremesinghe - I did not apply for the post of Prime Minister, Sajith responds to President - newsfirst.lk - Sri Lanka
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I did not apply for the post of Prime Minister, Sajith responds to President
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament on Friday (24) that he did not apply for the post of Prime Minister, during the tenure of Gotabaya Rajapaksa.Sajith Premadasa said that the Former President repeatedly requested him to accept the post of Prime Minister, and four conditions were put forward to Rajapaksa for the establishment of an interim short-term government.• President must resign from his position during a stipulated minimum period of time;• Implement and enact the 19th constitutional amendment within a period of two weeks, with the support of all political parties;• Implement the provisions in the Constitution within a minimum time period to abolish the executive presidency; and• Call for a parliamentary election to allow the public to form a permanent government after implementing the constitutional amendments and rebuilding the community life and ensuring the rule of law.Sajith Premadasa said he wrote to then-President Rajapaksa citing these four conditions to accept the post of Prime Minister, and did not request or apply for the post of Prime Minister.Sajith Premadasa was responding to a comment made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Parliament on Thursday (24).'Our Opposition Leader also said today that I asked for this presidency. I didn't ask for this.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa - Notice re-issued on Gota on Lalith-Kugan Case - newsfirst.lk - Sri Lanka
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Notice re-issued on Gota on Lalith-Kugan Case
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Supreme Court on Wednesday (19) granted permission to issue notice on Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to appear in court on the 15th of December 2022 over the case filed over the enforced disappearance of social activists Lalith & Kugan, back in 2011.Sri Lanka's Supreme Court on Wednesday (19) granted permission to issue notice on Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to appear in court on the 15th of December 2022 after a fresh petition was filed requesting to annul the Court of Appeal’s decision preventing the enforcement of an order issued by the Jaffna Magistrate's Court on former President Rajapaksa with regard to the enforced disappearance of Lalith Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan in 2011 within the Jaffna High Security Zone.Earlier, the Supreme Court had granted permission to the complainant to sent notice to then Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa to appear in court on Wednesday (19).Attorney Nuwan Bopage apearing for the complainant requested permission from the Supreme Court to sent notice to the Wijerama Mawatha residence of the Former President, as it has come to light that Rajapaksa is no longer living at his residence located in Mirihana.Permission was granted to re-issue notice on the Former President by the Supreme Court Judge-bench comprising of Justices Gamini Amarasekara, Yasantha Kodagoda and A. H.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa - Mahinda Rajapaksa - Siridhamma Thero - Fast-unto-death by monk at Occupy Galle Face; Protestors observe silence for fellow Sri Lankan killed in Police fire - newsfirst.lk - Sri Lanka - province Sabaragamuwa
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Fast-unto-death by monk at Occupy Galle Face; Protestors observe silence for fellow Sri Lankan killed in Police fire
COLOMBO (News 1st); Venerable Theripaha Siridhamma Thero who championed the movement demanding cleaning drinking water for the people of Rathupaswala in 2013, commenced a fast unto death opposite the President’s Office in Colombo.The Occupy Galle Face protest site which saw thousands converge on the iconic Galle Face stretch since the 9th of April became the site for a fast unto death after Sri Lankan law enforcement authorities opened fire at protestors in Rambukkana on Tuesday (19), killing one person and injuring over a dozen.On Tuesday (19) night, the horns at Occupy Galle Face went silent and protestors observed silence and lit candles in memory of their fellow Sri Lanka who was killed in police fire in Rambukkana for demanding solutions to the crises in the country that have affected people from all walks of life.Rambukkana, is a town located in the Kegalle District, in the Sabaragamuwa Province in Sri Lanka, and is a short drive away from the world-famous Pinnala Elephant Orphanage.Venerable Theripaha Siridhamma Thero who commenced the fast unto death demanded the immediate resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and vowed to continue his fast unto death until they resign.At the same time, Weightlifter Prasanna Peiris who commenced a 24-hour satyagraha (fast) handed over the baton to Venerable Rajanganaye Saddharatana Thero, who will continue a 24-hour satyagraha.The Venerable Thero urged the Police and the Security Forces to refrain from protecting the rouges.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa - Mahinda Rajapaksa - ‘GotaGoGama’ protest village pops up as protestors occupy Galle Face - newsfirst.lk - Sri Lanka
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‘GotaGoGama’ protest village pops up as protestors occupy Galle Face
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan protestors who occupied the Galle Face stretch since Saturday (9) against the President and his government have also now set up a camp named ‘Gota-Go-Gama’ (GotaGoGama).The camp was set up on Saturday (9) night with just a few tents, and the number shot up to over two dozen on Sunday (10) night.Gota-Go-Gama is like a small model village, it has all the basic requirements including free food, water, toilets, and even a make ship medical camp for health emergencies.Debt in billions due to years of accumulated borrowings, record inflation, lack of foreign currency, crucial sectors witnessing a sharp fall in demand thanks to the pandemic, and the alleged government mismanagement are among the reasons that have dragged Sri Lanka into not just an unprecedented economic crisis but also a massive political turmoil.Meanwhile, the ruling coalition led by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna lost the majority in the Parliament. The opposition rejected an offer by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who had called to form a ‘unity government’ following the resignation of 26 ministers of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Cabinet amid violent protests.People are on the roads protesting against their government amid a severe shortage of fuel, essentials, and power outages.Gota-Go-Gama was set up by the protestors to strengthen their efforts to demand President Rajapaksa resign.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa - Wimal Weerawansa - Protests erupt across Sri Lanka; Protestors refuse to accept interim solution - newsfirst.lk - Sri Lanka
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Protests erupt across Sri Lanka; Protestors refuse to accept interim solution
COLOMBO (News 1st); Protests have erupted across Sri Lanka since the weekend against the government’s failure to properly manage the economy and over the shortage of essentials.These protestors have been demanding that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa leave and that his government also resign.On Monday (4), Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had offered to award ministerial positions to all political parties, urging them to come together to solve the crisis that has plagued the nation.His offer came a day after one of his former ministers, Wimal Weerawansa, proposed to form an all-party interim government to solve the crisis.On Sunday (3), one of the main political parties in the ruling coalition, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party warned that if a caretaker government is not appointed, all SLFP MPs would resign from their posts and remain independent in Parliament.However, late Sunday (3) night, Sri Lanka’s cabinet ministers resigned en masse after protests over the government’s handling of the worst economic crisis in decades.Massive nationwide protests were planned via social media with ZERO political affiliation or support, and the government on Saturday (2) imposed a social media blackout that was lifted on Sunday (3) evening.However, the Public Emergency proclamation made by the President is still in effect.President Gotabaya Rajapaksa even issued an extraordinary gazette declaring that no person shall be on any public road, railway, public park, public recreation ground, or other public ground or the seashore in such areas, during the period of the curfew.However, protestors defied the curfew and took the streets on Sunday (3) to voice their anger and frustrations.Sunday (3) saw massive protests in several parts of the
Gotabaya Rajapaksa - Prasanna Ranatunga - Those who incited violence during Mirihana Protests are political extremists – Govt Min. - newsfirst.lk - Sri Lanka
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Those who incited violence during Mirihana Protests are political extremists – Govt Min.
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan Government Ministers have referred to those who incited violence during the Mirihana Protests as political extremists and not religious extremists.Ministers Prasanna Ranatunga, Dilum Amunugama, and Keheliya Rambukwella spoke to the media on Friday (1) to respond to concerns over the public protest that was held opposite the Mirihana residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday (31).The President’s Media Division announced on Friday (1) that an organized group of extremists were among those who were protesting at Jubilee Post, Nugegoda.The statement noted that the group acted in an unruly manner, and noted that this group armed with iron clubs, machetes, and sticks, had provoked the protesters and marched towards the President’s residence in Pengiriwatte, Mirihana.The President’s Media Division in a statement noted that most of those who acted in a violent manner were arrested, and it was identified that a majority of them were an organized group of extremists.They have spearheaded the campaign calling for an Arab Spring in Sri Lanka, it added.The President’s Media Division also said that those who were arrested revealed that this unruly situation was created with the intention of enraging the public via planned anonymous social media gatherings.Referring to the word ‘Extremist’, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said that the Government had not referred to religious extremists.Sri Lankan Health Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella also echoed the same clarification noting that the Government referred to political extremists and not religious extremists.However, Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama also said that the word “Extremist’ may have been wrongly used and said, instead, that
Gotabaya Rajapaksa - Sri Lanka : Police Curfew in Colombo lifted after a night of protests - newsfirst.lk - Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka : Police Curfew in Colombo lifted after a night of protests
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka lifted a police curfew imposed on multiple police sectors in the Capital City of Colombo at 5 AM on Friday (1)Authorities were compelled to impose a curfew after tensions were witnessed on Thursday (31) night during protests against a mismanaged economy and rising cost of living.Scuffles broke out between protestors and security forces on Thursday (31) night when a peaceful protest proceeded towards Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s residence on the outskirts of the city, in Mirihana.Heavy police presence was witnessed in the area at first, and thereafter the Riot Police, Police Special Task Force, Sri Lanka Army, and Sri Lanka Navy personnel were called in to control the situation and prevent the protestors from proceeding towards the President’s house.It is still unclear if the President was at home at the time of the protest.The people involved in the protest were from all corners of Colombo, and expressed anger over the government’s handling of the economy.The country has been plagued by a shortage of reserves that led to a shortage of essentials such as Kerosene, Diesel, Petrol, Gas, and even medicines.While the protest was taking place the supply of electricity for the entire Mirihana area was shut down, the first time since the power cuts came into effect, as Sri Lanka also struggles to import fuel to keep its power plant running.Further, internet connectivity in some areas also was disrupted, for reasons unknown.Another protest took place in Kelaniya as the road between Kelaniya and Dalugama was obstructed by protestors who burn tires and chanted slogans for the government to resign over their mishandling of the country’s economy.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa - Sri Lanka : Police Curfew in several parts of Colombo - newsfirst.lk - Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka : Police Curfew in several parts of Colombo
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has imposed a police curfew on multiple police sectors in the Capital City of Colombo until further notice.These areas are:COLOMBO CENTRAL DIVISIONPettah / Keselwatta / Dam Street / Wolfendhal Street / Fort / Slave Island / Maradana / MaligawattaCOLOMBO NORTH DIVISIONColombo Harbour / Fore shore / Modara / Kotahena / Mattakkuliya / Bloemendhal / Grandpass / Dematagoda / Mihijaya sewanaCOLOMBO SOUTH DIVISIONColpetty / Bambalapitiya / Kirulapone / Wellawatta / Narahenpita / BMICH / Borella / Cinnamon GardenNUGEGODA DIVISIONMirihana / Maharagama / Boralesgamuwa / Wellampitiya / Thalangama / Welikada / Nawagamuwa / Mulleriyawa / Homagama / Kottawa / Athurugiriya / Padukka / Hanwella / Gothatuwa / Meepe / Kaduwela / MalabeMOUNT LAVINIA DIVISIONMount Lavinia / Piliyandala / Angulana / Dehiwala / Kohuwala / Moratuwa / Kahathuduwa / Moratumulla / Egoda Uyana / KesbewaKELANIYA DIVISIONKelaniya / Kandana / Wattala/ Mahabage / Sapugaskanda / Biyagama / Meegahawatta / Ja – Ela / Ragama / Kiribathgoda / Kadawatha / EnderamullaAuthorities were compelled to impose a curfew after ugly scenes were witnessed on Thursday (31) night during protests against a mismanaged economy and rising cost of living.Scuffles broke out between protestors and security forces on Thursday (31) night when a peaceful protest proceeded towards the Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s residence on the outskirts of the city, in Mirihana.Heavy police presence was witnessed in the area at first, and thereafter the Riot Police, Police Special Task Force, Sri Lanka Army, and Sri Lanka Navy personnel were called in to control the situation and prevent the protestors from proceeding towards the President’s house.It is still unclear if
Gotabaya Rajapaksa - Sri Lanka will prevail & engineer rapid economic recovery; President tells BIMSTEC - newsfirst.lk - Sri Lanka - county Summit
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Sri Lanka will prevail & engineer rapid economic recovery; President tells BIMSTEC
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said the loss of tourism and remittances from expatriate workers, alongside the cost of healthcare programs, and provisions of welfare for those whose lives were affected by the pandemic have combined with rising global inflation, and our historic debt servicing obligation created a challenging situation for Sri Lanka today.President Rajapaksa speaking at the fifth Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit in Colombo noted “However, I am confident, together with the remarkable strength and resilience of the people, tried and tested over time, and the cooperation of regional and international partners, Sri Lanka will prevail over these difficulties and engineer rapid economic recovery.”He appreciated the support of several BIMSTEC states in the aforementioned endeavor.“Enhanced cooperation between member states will be necessary not only for economic recovery but also for greater economic prosperity, better public health, and improved regional resilience in the long-term,” said the President noting he is confident of achieving these aspirations.“The signing of the BIMCTEC charter will be a significant step towards increasing the organization’s role, not just within the region, but also as a driving force in global affairs,” he noted.He said that the Bay of Bengal Region is increasingly important for global connectivity and trade, adding that the international shipping lines that navigate through these waters help keep the engines of the global economy running.President Rajapaksa said it is essential for nations to work together to ensure that the threats to these waters and regional states are curtailed.“Such
Gotabaya Rajapaksa - Ranil Wickremesinghe - Temple Trees - Nivard Cabraal - President Chairs All-Party Conference, says it’s not a political charade - newsfirst.lk - Sri Lanka
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President Chairs All-Party Conference, says it’s not a political charade
COLOMBO (News 1st); The All-Party Conference is not a mere political charade, stressed Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday (23) while chairing the much-awaited APC at Temple Trees in Colombo.“This All-Party Conference, with representations from the ruling faction and the opposition, was organized to reach solutions in unison for the issues that we face today,” said the President.President Rajapaksa said all politicians are duty-bound to find solutions to the issues that the country is facing today.He urged the political party representatives to be determined to work together to solve the issues that are plaguing the country.Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal who was also present for the meeting said Sri Lanka is facing a serious economic crisis, like most other countries in the world, and when the pandemic struck some countries had a strong foundation and others were not that fortunate.He once again confirmed the Sri Lankan government’s intentions of working with the International Monetary Fund for financial assistance.Former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, however, snapped back at the Central Governor for opening his remarks by saying the former government was responsible for the crisis, at a time when parties have come forward for the APC casting aside differences.“What would happen if I respond? Then another person will have to respond.
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