The first unconstitutional transfer of power in Sri Lanka’s post-independence history occurred two weeks ago. On November 9, the constitution was breached yet again in an attempt to consolidate that coup. President…
For the most part of the last few weeks we have been in a suspended state of disbelief. Yes, the 2015 government had not lived up to its expectations, some people were…
Image via Al Jazeera One man created chaos out of order and plunged an entire country into a seemingly bottomless crisis. Just one ordinary man, in a fortnight. Would Maithripala Sirisena have…
President Sirisena’s actions in dissolving Parliament on the night of November 9 is yet another blatant violation of an explicit provision of the constitution. If the President violates the constitution so frequently…
The current political crisis has descended to very worrying depths. In a matter of days we have observed an alarming cycle of vindictive politics charged with scheming and aggression. Political rhetoric is…
Featured image by Raisa Wickrematunge There is speculation that Parliament will be dissolved. Arguments have been made for and against the right of the President to dissolve Parliament at will, at any…
Recording of the Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero Memorial Lecture by Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda on 8 November 2018, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The lecture is in Sinhala. 41mins. Video of the lecture, recorded…
Editors Note: 7th November 2018 His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena, President, Sri Lanka. Your Excellency, I write as a loyal citizen of Sri Lanka and a proud recipient of the great titular honour…
Sri Lanka’s politico-constitutional crisis has begun to show signs of deteriorating into an open struggle for state power, ensuing extra-parliamentary causes of action for its resolution. This path to potential violence and…
On November 4, 2018, a group of people gathered at the Liberty roundabout in Kollupitiya. For some, it was their fifth day of standing in protest. Following news that President Maithripala Sirisena…
Citizens of Sri Lanka should heed this warning to the framers of the US constitution. The Sri Lankan Presidency was, until recently, a fixed executive, not dependent or answerable to parliament and…
On October 29th, UNP Member of Parliament and State Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardene tweeted the following: Offers to party leaders Rs.500 million, ministers Rs 300 million to crossover and support MS and…
Photo via News1st On 4th November 2018, a tweet by Indi Samarajiva noted that the Speaker wouldn’t act to reconvene Parliament. Constitutional expert, Lecturer in Public Law, Edinburgh Law School & Director,…
“ In his explanation of why he removed Ranil Wickremesinghe from the office of Prime Minister, President Maithripala Sirisena cited policy and personal differences between the two. An analysis of his speech…
Photograph courtesy Maithripala Sirisena violates the constitution, stands to destroy democracy itself. Liberals, overwhelmingly Sinhalese, are aggrieved, appalled, aghast. As a minority, I laugh. Not the happy laughter of someone enjoying a…
