Sri Lankan PM vows to secure 2/3 majority regardless of election results

by Viruben
Aug 5, 2020

Sri Lankan Prime Minister and leader of the SLPP, Mahinda Rajapaksa, told reporters that he was confident his party would secure a two-thirds majority, and if not he would “make arrangements” if the party does not receive it during the election.

Speaking to journalists at Weeraketiya, where he cast his vote, Rajapaksa claimed;

“There is a need for a parliament with a two-thirds majority. We are ready to face the economic challenges. We have already faced challenges more severe than these”.

He further claimed that the President’s programme which had the support of 6.9 million people, would be continued to be implemented following the General Election.

Rajapaksa’s statement follows increasing alarm by the international community over the authoritarian direction Sri Lanka is heading towards.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka’s President, has appointed two new Presidential Task Forces, which have garnered much criticism from the international community as a “threat to the rule of law”.  

Mahinda Rajapaksa’s statement also follows a joint statement by eleven international human rights organisations which spoke out against the targeted detention and intimidations of lawyers, activists, human rights defenders, and journalists in Sri Lanka.

Read more from the Daily Mirror.

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This demonstration, which culminated in a rally and speeches in Punchbowl, highlighted the plight of refugees denied permanent visas for over 12 years. Speakers at the event shed light on the profound impact of the current system, including barriers to higher education, employment, and access to essential services.

The protest has now entered its 100th day, with Tamil asylum seekers and their supporters continuing their relentless demand for permanent protection. For 38 days, they camped outside Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke’s office in Sydney, calling on the government to end the visa limbo that has left many without basic rights and stability. Tamil asylum seekers have been in Australia for over a decade, living on short-term visas that must be renewed regularly. Without permanent residency, they are excluded from Medicare—Australia’s universal health insurance scheme—and are denied the right to work, study, travel, or access essential services. Many are also required to report to visa offices weekly.

The crisis is compounded by the controversial 'Fast Track' system introduced in 2014 by the Abbott government. According to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, this system has resulted in the rejection of around 8,500 asylum seekers' cases. It specifically targets individuals who sought asylum by sea and arrived in Australia between August 13, 2012, and December 31, 2013. Tamil asylum seekers, stuck in visa limbo for years, have launched protests nationwide, with 24-hour encampments in Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane.

Amaran - Problematic propaganda

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The genre of war epic makes its grand re-entry to Tamil cinema with director Rajkumar Periasamy’s sophomore feature film, ‘Amaran.’ As is often the case with this genre, one cannot help but feel the events of the ‘true story’ onscreen have been heavily modified for easy consumption.

 

 

 

The patriotic military films of Tamil cinema had taken a back seat for a while. The subject matter is now seldom a prominent theme of a film, instead lurking in the shadows peeking through such as via the heroes in the works of Nelson Dilipkumar. The genre of war epic makes its grand re-entry to Tamil cinema with director Rajkumar Periasamy’s sophomore feature film, ‘Amaran.’ As is often the case with this genre, one cannot help but feel the events of the ‘true story’ onscreen have been heavily modified for easy consumption.

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Krishna's rating: 2.5 stars

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Official trailer for film below.

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(c) Halt all offensive arms transfers, including weapons, explosives, guns and/or ammunition, to Israel;

(d) Hold nationals, including those with dual Israeli citizenship, involved in settler violence or violations in Gaza, accountable for violations of international law;  

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