UNP exposes MR’s Rs. 9.4 m unpaid 5-star 

breakfast bill 

Tuesday, 7 July 2015 02:09

By Chamodi Gunawardana
The United National Party (UNP) yesterday revealed that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s family had ordered breakfast worth Rs. 9.4 million from the Hilton and not paid the bill.

Former UNP MP Nalin Bandara addressing the ‘expose’ media briefing at Sirikotha claimed that former Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga had signed this order instead of ex-President Rajapaksa.
“Former President Rajapaksa and his family have spent Rs. 9,481,502 for a breakfast and they did not pay it back.

This bill was dated 1 November 2013. We are wondering about the way they spent public funds for their family needs,” Bandara charged.

Bandara further said that the Government had not taken a final decision on whether to pay this bill.

“The Government did not come to a conclusion about paying this bill. However we exposed this bill to create awareness among the public of how Rajapaksa and his family misused public funds for their entertainment needs. We will reveal more secret information about the past regime, most of them about fraud and crimes,” he asserted.

Bandara also said that anyone could take legal action against the UNP if they could prove these allegations were wrong.

“We have written evidences about some major frauds that happened under the past Government. We will expose them one by one. Former President Rajapaksa or anyone can take legal action against the UNP if these are incorrect. They can call us to a debate too. We challenge them to do so,” Bandara said. 

China pressurizes to bring Mahinda back

Monday, 06 July 2015

The Chinese government is exerting pressure to bring Mahinda Rajapkasa back to power, ‘Sathhanda’ newspaper claims.

Political affairs chief of the Chinese embassy Ren Faqiang is behind this campaign and is making arrangements for his government to fund Rajapaksa’s campaign, it says.

In the past few months, Faqiang had fabricated falsehoods in order to create divisions between president Maithripala Sirisena and prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

This Chinese diplomat also has had close connections with top government politicians.

Now, he is printing and distributing an astrology paper and a tabloid newspaper, both in Sinhala, which criticize the government and promote Rajapaksa, says the newspaper.

During the Rajapaksa regime, the Chinese government enjoyed the monopoly of all development project contracts in Sri Lanka and Rajapaksa family members had been paid massive commissions.

The Chinese companies had made the biggest bids for these projects.

The Chinese ambassador has reprimanded Faqiang and warned that this could lead to a diplomatic issue.

Faqiang has also obtained various perks from Chinese businessmen and his government has extended his tenure in Colombo to four years.

‘Sathhanda’ also reports that former president Chandrika Kumaratunga and the Indian government are in a campaign to prevent Rajapaksa from getting UPFA nominations.

- SLM-

Why I painted a rainbow flag on Israel’s apartheid wall

Khaled Jarrar The Electronic Intifada 2 July 2015

Khaled Jarrar’s rainbow mural “Through the Spectrum” painted on the Israeli separation wall near Qalandiya checkpoint in the occupied West Bank.

 Khaled Jarrar

Why I Painted a Rainbow Flag on Israel’s Apartheid Wall by Thavam Ratna

Afghan protesters denounce quashing of death sentences for Farkhunda killers

Solidarity party members, female activists and others protest outside shrine in Kabul where Farkhunda Malikzada was murdered by mob

People protest against the decision to overturn the death sentences given to four men convicted of killing of Farkhunda Malikzada in Kabul. Photograph: Shah Marai/AFP/Getty Images

Associated Press in Kabul-Monday 6 July 2015

Dozens of Afghans have rallied to denounce a court ruling last week that overturned the death sentences for four men convicted of taking part in the mob killing of a woman outside a Kabul shrine in March.

The protesters, mostly members of the Solidarity party of Afghanistan and female activists, staged Monday’s protest outside the shrine where Farkhunda Malikzada was killed. Many carried posters of Farkhunda and shouted: “We want justice”.

One of the participants, activist Malalai Joya, said the court decision paved the way for the killers to go free.

The death of Farkhunda, who was beaten and burned before being thrown in a river, shocked Afghans and prompted demonstrations urging the authorities to protect women from violence. She was attacked in March after being falsely accused of burning a copy of the Qur’an.

Three of the men convicted of the murder were instead given 20-year sentences last Thursday, with a fourth jailed for 10 years. After the ruling, Farkhunda’s brother told BBC Persian TV: “It’s not a court, it’s just a show. The media should have been there, we should been there, the lawyers should have been there.

“It’s a real theatre. The whole world laughs at the judicial system of Afghanistan. Do the judges have families, sisters, mothers – or not? Do they have a heart? We will not accept this decision.”

In all, 49 people stood trial over Farkhunda’s death. Eleven police officers were later sentenced to a year in prison for dereliction of duty. Another eight officers were acquitted due to a lack of evidence.

Cataloging the Torture of Lawyers in China

A NEW REPORT DOCUMENTS THE TORTURE OF LAWYERS IN CHINA
2006 – 2015.

China Change, published: July 5, 2015

Violent beatings to the head, electric shocks, forced feeding, injection with drugs, sexual violence, suffocation, denial of toilet, solitary confinement, forced smoke inhalation, and burning.

Cataloging the Torture of Lawyers in China by Thavam Ratna

25 Years of Impunity under AFSPA in Kashmir

July 4, 2015Lalit Shukla

On 5th July 1990, Indian State declared Kashmir valley and parts of Rajouri and Poonch district as “disturbed area” (while Jammu was declared as “disturbed area” in 2001) and imposed a draconian law named Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) to fight militancy and insurgency empowering armed forces to use lethal forces against any person who is acting in contravention of any law or order, destroy shelters or training camps from which armed attacks are likely to made, arrest any person without warrant on suspense who has committed or about to commit a cognizable crime, enter and search anywhere without warrant, stop, search and seize any vehicle on suspense on acting personnel’s opinion. The law gives guaranty that no prosecution, suit or other legal proceeding shall be instituted against any person in respect of anything done or purported to be done in exercise of the powers conferred by this Act.
25 Years of Impunity Under AFSPA in Kashmir by Thavam Ratna

Rivals Pakistan, India to start process of joining China security bloc

Pakistani rangers (wearing black uniforms) and Indian Border Security Force (BSF) officers lower their national flags during a daily parade at the Pakistan-India joint check-post at Wagah border, near Lahore November 3, 2014.REUTERS/MOHSIN RAZA/FILES

Mon Jul 6, 2015

Nuclear-armed rivals Pakistan and India will start the process of joining a security bloc led by China and Russia at a summit in Russia later this week, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Monday, the first time the grouping has expanded since it was set up in 2001.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) groups China, Russia and the former Soviet republics of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, while India, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Mongolia are observers.

"As the influence of the SCO's development has expanded, more and more countries in the region have brought up joining the SCO," Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping told a news briefing."India and Pakistan's admission to the SCO will play an important role in the SCO's development. It will play a constructive role in pushing for the improvement of their bilateral relations."

India and Pakistan have fought three wars since 1947, two of them over the divided Muslim-majority region of Kashmir which they both claim in full but rule in part. Pakistan also believes India is supporting separatists in resource-rich Baluchistan province, as well as militants fighting the state.

India applied to join the regional security grouping last year and SCO foreign ministers gave a positive recommendation when they met in June. "We await further developments," said Sujata Mehta, a senior foreign ministry official.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Moscow for a summit of the BRICS group of emerging markets and both he and his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, will attend a special SCO "outreach" session as part of the gathering.

Pakistan's application is being considered, said foreign ministry spokesman Qazi Khalilullah. "We hope they will support us for full membership," he added.

The grouping was originally formed to fight threats posed by radical Islam and drug trafficking from neighbouring Afghanistan.

Cheng said the summit, to be attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, would also discuss security in Afghanistan.

Beijing says separatist groups in the far western region of Xinjiang, home to the Muslim Uighur minority, seek to form their own state, called East Turkestan, and have links with militants in Central Asia, as well as Pakistan and Afghanistan.

China says Uighur militants, operating as the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), have also been working with Islamic State.

"It can be said that ETIM certainly has links with the Islamic State, and has participated in relevant terrorist activities. China is paying close attention to this, and will have security cooperation with relevant countries," Cheng said.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by Douglas Busvine in New Delhi; Editing by Nick Macfie and Clarence Fernandez)

Smile of marry with industry

by Swadesh Roy

( July 4, 2015, Dhaka, Sri Lanka Guardian) 30th June evening! It is a different evening in Bangladesh for the political and social elite; it is the day of the end and beginning for the Finance Minister. Usually the Finance Minister of Bangladesh produces the country’s’ financial years’ budget from 3 June to 7 June this year in the Parliament. Members of the Parliament discussed the budget until 28 June. On 29 June, Finance Minister did some revision in his budget and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and the leader of the Parliament delivered their closing speech of the budget session in the Parliament. On 30 June, before afternoon, Parliament passed the budget for the next financial year. In the evening of 30th June Finance Minister gave a dinner party to the political and social elites of the country; Prime Minister also joined there as the chief guest.

30th June of 2015! It was more different evening than that of another year. Harvard educated Octogenarian Economist, the Finance Minister, who is known to the country and aboard, a man of high energy, Abul Mal Abdul Muhith, was entering the biggest convention hall of Bangladesh with a very smiling face. Enormous number of cell phone set camera and the camera of media were busy to frame in his face. His stepping, body language was expressing; he was then the happiest man in the country. There was another difference on that 30th June, for the first time Finance Minister of Bangladesh did not give dinner; he gave Ifter( to take food after whole day fasting) because it was the month of Ramadan, majority people were fasting. Prime Minister came with fasting, but her face was not showing she was tired rather her face was bright.

Why this 30th June was different, media and others were busy to frame in the Finance Minister and the face of Prime Minister which was bright. It was the day, the economy of Bangladesh entered a new epoch. In 1972, the economy year was started in Bangladesh by her first budget; it was only 20 million Bangladeshi Taka (BDT). On that 30th June 2015, the National Parliament of Bangladesh passed the budget which was three trillion BDT. The running GDP of Bangladesh is 6.2 percent, but next year Bangladesh expecting 7 percent GDP. Moreover, Bangladesh has changed her economic pattern through this budget. From this budget, Bangladesh is going to initiate an industrial base economy to give up its agro-based economy.

Starting to make an industrial base economy in Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, the leader of this tiny country has to cross a very rough windy sea. She has to face many obstacles, in the country and abroad. In last six years, at least one and half years time she has to face one kind of urban guerilla war fare which was run not only by the Islamic fundamentalist but also sponsored by one of the major political party of Bangladesh. She is the leader and Bangladesh is the only country where legal political party is sponsoring the Islamic fundamentalist and they are getting support from a group of intellectuals of Bangladesh even sometimes the west diplomats to Bangladesh. That is why some time propaganda against Bangladesh takes upper hand than reality. This type of propaganda by the intellectuals made World Bank confused too. World Bank canceled one of its loans for an infrastructure development, the Padma Bridge of Bangladesh. The leader and government chief of Bangladesh did not bend over her head to the fundamentalist even the World Bank.

30 June 2015, when the Prime Minister of Bangladesh entered the post budget Ifter of Finance Minister, then her head was very straight; she has already caught the neck tightly of the Islamic fundamentalists and their leader Khaleda. Padma Bridge was running fast by countries with own fund. The cost of Padma Bridge is $3 billion. Besides, to enter the industrial base economy, in last six years, Bangladesh government invested $7 billion in the electricity sector. Government target is that, they will invest $60 billion within 2030, in the electricity sector. Bangladesh government has already started making an electricity hub in one of the Island in the country name Matar Bari. Japan, China, Korea and India all are going to invest there. Simultaneously, Bangladesh is going to invest in the hydro electricity in North East part of India and Bhutan. It was 30 June of 2015; Bangladesh entered the industrial base economy with 12000 MW capacity of producing electricity. The way Bangladesh is advancing, in 2030, at least forty thousand-mega watt electricity will be flown all over the country.

Electricity is not the only weapon of the industrial based economy but also other infrastructures are also needed; Bangladesh is going to set up other two international airports and three domestic airports. Second Seaport Mongla is under up gradation; two new seaports will be established. Besides maritime and river line communications is upgrading; it will not only connect Bangladesh to India, Myanmar and China but also the whole Far East Asia; that is an essential hand for entering Bangladesh to her new industrial economy era.

Many pessimist economists can search a lot of holes in this future, but in reality, Bangladesh is running to its new destination. Therefore, not only the finance minister and the Prime Minister had smiling face on this post budget Ifter, the all social and political elites were in very shine face. All the faces are obviously more shining now since two days after 30 June World Bank declared, Bangladesh is now lower middle-income country.

Swadesh Roy, Executive Editor, The Daily Janakantha, Dhaka, Bangladesh he can be reached swadeshroy@gmail.com

Ukraine Is a Mess, But It’s Still No Greece

BY IEVGEN VOROBIOV-JULY 6, 2015

Greece isn’t the only European country teetering on the brink of default. In just a few weeks, Ukraine will probably also be forced to announce that it can’t pay some of its debts to private foreign creditors. A few weeks ago, the Ukrainian parliament passed a law authorizing the government to suspend payments to private foreign creditors. If its creditors don’t agree to a proposed debt restructuring, Ukraine’s government is likely to use that option.

On the face of it, the two situations might appear rather similar — but a closer look reveals stark differences. The Greek default (and looming financial catastrophe) represents a panic-driven, populist rejection of any attempt to come to a negotiated deal with an increasingly skeptical Europe. Ukraine’s impending failure to pay its creditors, on the other hand, comes off as a regrettable but manageable bump in the road on the way to financial health.

The debts in question are owed by Ukraine not be to the IMF or the European Central Bank, but to a group of private creditors. In fact, the IFM has joined the government in Kiev in contending that the country’s debt burden (95 percent of the country’s GDP) is unsustainable and that the private creditors should agree to halve the outstanding debt.

Unsurprisingly, that suggestion has so far found little sympathy among the so-called “committee of creditors” set up to negotiate with Ukrainian officials. The committee includes representatives of Franklin Templeton andfour other investment firms holding Ukraine’s government bonds that they bought at high yields during Yanukovych’s years in power, when his government was busy buying off popular support with handouts.

This week, thanks to mediation by the IMF, the Ukrainian government and the committee are set to finally start talks about restructuring the debt. But it’s quite possible that the talks will fail to produce an agreement by July 24, when Ukraine is due to make its next $120 million payment to private bondholders. Ukraine’s government is unwilling to tap into its modest reserves (just $9 billion, covering barely three months of imports) to clear this payment for fear of weakening its ability to intervene in the foreign exchange market and prop up the shaky hryvnia.

On the face of things, Ukraine’s dire economic situation seems like a logical breeding ground for a Greek-style populist insurgency against foreign creditors. For the past year, real disposable income has fallen by 24 percent. Inflation is soaring (46 percent on an annual basis) and wages are lagging far behind. The official unemployment rate now hovers around 10 percent, the highest rate in the past 15 years. However — despite a projected 9 percentcontraction of the country’s GDP this year — there are no signs that the government is planning to backtrack on its macroeconomic reform commitments.

In studied contrast to the current government in Athens,Kiev is bending over backwards to emphasize its desire to reform its way back to financial health. “Ukraine is not Greece,”announced the deputy chairman of Ukraine’s central bank, adding that his country is diligently sticking to the demands of international financial institutions. On a recent visit to Washington, a deputy finance ministerwas blunter: Ukraine, he said, is demonstrating its “goodwill” to pursue reform, unlike the (sneer) “populists” in Athens.

Crucially, Ukrainian politicians are bringing this message to domestic audiences as well. When asked about the looming default, most Ukrainian lawmakers who support the government coalition downplay or shrug off the risks. Many are quick to point out that, even if Ukraine stiffs its private creditors, it will still have crucial IMF financing to get by. This limited “technical” default, they insist, does not represent a wholesale rejection of Ukraine’s need to get its financial house in order. For the most part, Ukrainians are buying the message.

To be sure, many in Ukraine are clearly aggrieved — and given the current level of economic pain, it could hardly be otherwise. The latest polls show that two-thirds of Ukrainians believe that the country’s economy is moving in the wrong direction. Support for Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk, who had notoriously called his Cabinet a “kamikaze government”, has plummeted since parliamentary election last fall. Still, unlike in Greece, this dissatisfaction does not seem to translate into a backlash against foreign creditors proper. A March poll revealed that more Ukrainians see the IMFpositively than not.

Populist political forces have been doing their best to grab their slice of the electoral pie ahead of local elections this fall by openly or implicitly criticizing the IMF-mandated reforms. Oleg Lyashko, a leader of the “Radical party,” has lambasted the inevitable hikes in the price of natural gas. Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has stirred outrage over the depreciation of the hryvnia. Even the remnants of Yanukovych’s “Party of Regions,” whose mismanagement of the country’s economy paved the way to the current economic crisis, are exploiting popular grievances. But recent polls show that approval ratings for each of these parties remain in the single digits. Tired as they are of the ongoing war with Russia and their country’s economic turmoil,Ukrainians are wary of those who propose quick fixes to complicated problems.

Instead, many Ukrainians are more apt to side with officials who talk plainly and honestly about the country’s economic problems rather than dispensing Syriza-style populist promises. Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko, a Chicago-born Ukrainian American, is perhaps one of the few officials to have understood this. Though she has been a firm defender of fiscal austerity, Jaresko is one of the few ministers to have escaped biting criticism in the Ukrainian media and social networks.

That credibility is coming in handy as policymakers and commentators begin to discuss the consequences of a possible default. In marked contrast to herJanuary denials, Jaresko has now conceded that a default is “theoretically possible” if Ukraine fails to reach an agreement on restructuring its debt. At the same time, she assured Ukrainians that such a default would not affect either the country’s banking system or their deposits. The fact that she used atelevised interview to offer this reassurance directly to the public marked a major departure from her previous communications strategy, which relied mainly on visits to investor conferences and expert discussions.

The government’s efforts to pursue a conversation with voters, rather than exploit populist sentiments, seem to be bearing fruit. A recent online poll, conducted just three days after Jaresko’s interview, revealed a nearly equal split in views about the probability of a default. Yet — again, in striking contrast to Greece — that uncertainty is not causing panic on the streets. Ukrainians are not rushing to buy foreign currency to hedge their bets (so far, at least). Nor has there been a run on the banks. Commercial banks are actually reporting a slight increase in deposits opened in June. Amid all the difficult challenges the country is facing, a default on foreign payments will not make Ukrainians rally against the government.

Greece’s flamboyant finance minister quits, decries ‘debt-bondage’

Greece’s outspoken finance minister, Yanis Varoufakis, left his house in Athens on Monday after announcing he was stepping down. (Reuters)
By Daniela Deane-July 6
Combative Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis left his government post Monday in his trademark way — by sparing no words hitting back at the euro-zone governments he accuses of trying to break the back of his economically embattled country.

Greece’s Flamboyant Finance Minister Quits, Decries ‘Debt-bondage’ by Thavam Ratna

8 Warning Signs Your Tongue May Be Sending

July 3, 2015

As a child, I was taught not to stick out my tongue but it turns out that the tongue can be an extremely important gauge of overall health. From vitamin deficiencies to more serious health threats, the truth is often written on your tongue.

Your tongue can actually be a valuable tool that you can use to keep track of your health. Here are some tips on how to understand what your tongue is telling you.

The Main Focus Areas of Your Tongue

There are three main focus areas that you need to check when you examine your tongue:

• The first is tongue color. The color of your tongue can tell you a lot about your circulatory system and it may also tell you about levels of oxygen in your body.
• The second area that is important is the coating. Tongue coating can give you an indication of how well your digestive system is working.
• Finally, the tongue tip and sides of the tongue are also important tools for self-diagnosis.

Here are some of the more common things you may see on your tongue and what they mean:

1.  White Patches

A white coating on your tongue could mean that you have a yeast overgrowth.[1] But before you panic about yeast infections like candida, try brushing your tongue properly for a week and then see if the white patches or coating persist.

Candida overgrowths often occur when you have been ill and have used antibiotics, or when your immune system is run down. Balancing your gastrointestinal environment with healthy levels of probiotics from fermented foods, good quality natural yoghurt, or a probiotic supplement can be a great way to restore gastrointestinal balance in the digestive tract. If the white patches persist, then see your physician as oral cancer can often start in these areas.

Further reading: Read about the top signs that you have candida infection and what to do about it.

2.  A Webbed or Striped Look

This may be an indication of s chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease which is called Oral Lichen Planus. If you don’t have pain, then your doctor may not treat the condition, but immune function plays a vital role in supporting your health, and ignoring immune system malfunction can be dangerous.

Turmeric has been used for thousands of years to regulate and support the immune system. In a study published in the Natural Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery, researchers successfully used turmeric to treat Oral Lichen Planus.[2] Turmeric is one of the 13 powerful antibiotics that don’t require a prescription, but due to its low absorption and rapid metabolism you need  to optimize turmeric absorption. You can also add turmeric to your diet by trying this golden milk recipe.

3.  Ridges or Indentations

When you examine your tongue, you may find a ridge running down the center of your tongue or ridges radiating out from the center. You may also find ridges along the edge area. Ridges are generally a natural part of the tongue and you don’t need to be overly concerned about them.

Just make sure you brush your tongue properly if the ridges are deep to eliminate any food that may be trapped in that area.

4.  Red Tongue

A healthy tongue is a rosy pink color. If you notice your tongue has become red, then you may need to pay attention and take action where necessary.

Strep throat is often found in conjunction with a red tongue. Scarlet fever also causes a red tongue. If you have a red tongue and sore throat or some sort of infection, then chances are that it is related to your infection and your doctor will treat you accordingly.

A red tongue can also be an indication of vitamin deficiencies, particularly deficiencies in vitamin B12, folic acid, or iron.[3] If the red tongue persists, then you should ensure your vitamin intake meets your body’s needs. You can get familiar with thesymptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency and iron deficiency.

5.  Bumps

Bumps can be an indication of various conditions. Bumps can be caused by physical trauma like biting your tongue. If that is the case, then you need not worry and your tongue will most likely heal naturally.

If you have mouth ulcers, then it may be an indication of stress, but you will do well to keep an eye on bumps. If the bumps are painful or if they do not go away naturally, then bumps could be an indication of oral cancer and you should see your physician to investigate.

6.  Black Hairy Tongue

This is possibly the most alarming sign you may see on your tongue in terms of what this looks like, but a black and hairy tongue is actually quite common and for the most part of no special concern.

The little “hairs” on your tongue are called papillae and they grow throughout your lifetime. In some cases they become quite long and they may offer a safe place for bacteria that cause the black look.

This look may be a result of poor oral hygiene, recent antibiotic use, or a fungal infection and can result in bad breath. An antibacterial mouth wash may be useful, or simply brushing the tongue with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste 2-3 times a day should help, but for the most part a black and hairy tongue is not an indication of serious underlying conditions.

7.  Spots

Certain spots on the tongue may also have some messages for you in terms of oral health.

If you have on your tongue a mixture of red and white spots which sometimes looks like continents on a world map, then you have what is called geographic tongue. This condition is harmless.

If your tongue has spots that look similar to cottage cheese then you may have oral thrush and this may be an indication of a weakened immune system.

White patches that grow could be an indication of Leukoplakia which more commonly occurs in those who smoke or chronically drink alcohol. Although Leukoplakia is not inherently dangerous, you need to get your dentist to check it at your next visit as it can be a precursor to cancer.

If the spots become sensitive or sore, or if ulcers persist, then it is best to get your physician to rule out disorders like oral cancer.

8.  Macroglossia

An enlarged tongue is often called Macroglossia. There are several reasons for this condition, such as genetic disorders, but an enlarged, sometimes protruding tongue, particularly in children, may be a sign of hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid is under-active.

If you have noticed your child’s tongue is larger than normal, then you need to consult your physician.

Never Ignore Your Body

The above symptoms are only some of the indications you may see by examining your tongue. The most important tool for supporting health is your body. Learn to pay attention to your body and listen when it talks to you.

Interim Govt Failed To Meet Tamil Aspirations – — Sumanthiran

• Drawing The Battle   Line For The Hustings

By Waruni Karunarathne-Sunday, July 05, 2015

As the politicians have fiercely entered their political campaigns ahead of the upcoming general election, some seem to have changed their stance merely based on party politics neglecting the interests of the country. After a series of internal discussions and plotting, everybody is determined to play the best trump with less in mind for people. While the two main political parties are targeting to form the next government in whichever way they possibly can, the minor parties are determined to secure more seats in parliament in order to gain more power. Speaking to The Sunday Leader, several political party members, including the UNP, SLFP, JVP and TNA expressed their views on the upcoming election and showed confidence to face the election.

Interim Govt Failed to Meet Tamil Aspirations – — Sumanthiran by Thavam Ratna