#SRILANKA: Parliament Votes To Curb President's Power

[world politics news]

Sri Lanka’s parliament voted in favor of a bill to clip the powers of the president in a bid to calm public anger that climaxed with the ousting of former leader Gotabaya Rajapaksa who led the South Asian island nation to its worst economic crisis since independence.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SRILANKA: President To Resign After Mob Occupies Home, Office, Demands Resignation

[world politics news]

Thousands of protesters in the Sri Lankan city of Colombo stormed the president’s residence and took over his administrative offices amid growing calls for him to resign, which later in the day, he agreed to do on the 13th of July.

In extraordinary scenes, protesters demanding President Gotabaya Rajapaksa steps down, as the country continues to struggle through its worst economic crisis since independence, charged into the president’s official residence on Saturday morning.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SRILANKA: Gov't Wins Key Vote In Face Of Confidence Vote Threat

[world politics news]

Sri Lanka's parliament Thursday elected a ruling party-backed candidate as deputy speaker, signaling that it may have enough legislative support to sail through impending no-confidence motions against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government.

Ranjith Siyambalapitiya was re-elected with 148 votes in the 225-member house.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SRILANKA: Harsh Anti-Terrorism Bill Amended

[world politics news]

 

Sri Lanka's Parliament has approved amendments to the country's controversial counter-terrorism law, which has drawn widespread international criticism for its harsh provisions.

The bill to amend the Prevention of Terrorism Act was approved with 86 votes in favor and 35 against in the 225-member assembly. The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), the main Tamil minority party TNA and the NPP voted against the amendments.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SRILANKA: Parliament Declares State Of Emergency

[world politics news]

 

Sri Lanka’s Parliament on Monday approved a state of emergency declared by the president, who said it is needed to control food prices and prevent hoarding amid shortages of some staples.

Opposition lawmakers said the emergency declaration isn’t needed because other laws can be used to maintain essential supplies, and the tough emergency rules can be misused to stifle critics.

In recent weeks there have been shortages of essential items such as sugar, milk power and cooking gas. The government says the shortages were artificially created by hoarders. 

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SRILANKA: Land Reclaimed From The Sea Will Become A Special Economic Zone

[world politics news]

The Sri Lanka Parliament has passed the Port City Economic Commission Bill, which officially declares hundreds of acres of land reclaimed from the ocean and annexed to the city of Colombo as the country’s first special economic zone for services-oriented industries.

The bill was passed with 149 votes in favor and 58 against.

Under the legislation, a President-appointed commission will be established to govern the SEZ.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SRILANKA: President Dissolves Parliament, Calls For April Election (Six Months Early)

[world politics news]

Sri Lanka's president dissolved parliament and called for new parliamentary elections for April, six months early.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was elected in November, made use of his constitutional powers to dissolve parliament and called for elections on April 25.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SRILANKA: President Fires Prime Minister, Replaces Him With Former President With Pro-China Leanings

[world politics news]

President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday sacked his Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, and appointed former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new premier. Rajapaksa had previously served two terms as president, maxing out his time in office under the nation's 19th Amendment. In a September interview with the Indian newspaper, "The Hindu," Rajapaksa reportedly said he would attempt to lead the Sri Lanka PoduJana Party in the 2019 elections, and if he won, he'd fight the amendment limiting him to two terms in the courts.

Rajapaksa had served as prime minister from 2004 until his victory in the 2005 presidential election, after which he served two five-year terms. He was defeated for a third term in 2015. He sought the position of prime minister in the 2015 parliamentary election, but was defeated, securing instead a seat in parliament. A June, 2018 The New York Times story alleged that Rajapaksa, during the 2015 presidential campaign, received large payments from the Chinese port construction fund that flowed directly into campaign aides and activities. He is viewed as a pro-Chinese politician.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SRILANKA: Parliament Votes To Draft New Constitution After "Political" Preamble Dropped

[world politics news]

Sri Lanka's parliament has voted to draft a new constitution, after months of delay caused by a politically charged preamble - which praised the newly elected president - which was eventually dropped by the ruling party coalition.

#SRILANKA: 48-Member Cabinet Approved; New Sense Of Unity Hailed By Foreign Minister

[world politics news]

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera has hailed the cooperative spirit in which Sri Lanka’s parliament formed a new 48-member cabinet, the first time in the country's turbulent political history they've approved a cabinet. He said it was a "reset in political culture" and paved the way for a new constitution and bill of rights to be passed.

#SRILANKA: Incumbent Prime Minister Defeats Frmr. Pres. Rajapaksa In Elections

[world politics news]

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa political comeback was thwarted by parliamentary election results showing the alliance that toppled him has made decisive gains. The ruling United National party fell just short of an outright majority but prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe should still command enough support to form a stable government.

#SRILANKA: Pres. Maithripala Sirisena, Elected In January, Calls For August Election

[world politics news]

Elected just six months ago, Pres. Maithripala Sirisena has dissolved parliament and has called for new elections, to be held on Aug. 17.  A government spokesman said it an effort to consolidate power and push through political reforms.

#SRILANKA: Pres. Rajapaksa Concedes Defeat to Oppo. Cand., Promises Smooth Transition

[world politics news]

Pres. Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday conceded defeat in Sri Lanka’s tightest-ever presidential race and left his official residence, Opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena was ahead in preliminary results and met with Rajapaksa and the prime minister to discuss the transition.

SRI LANKA: Oppo Pol To Reveal Minister in Anti-Alcohol Gov't Who Imports Alcohol [world politics news]

SRI LANKA: Main Opposition News Website Shut Down by Government