Sri Lankan parliament to be dissolved

by admin
Sep 24, 2024

It is being widely reported that Sri Lanka’s parliament would be dissolved today with snap parliamentary elections scheduled for as early as December. The move comes following the victory of Anura Kumara Dissanayake as Sri Lanka’s 9th Executive President. Despite his victory, Dissanayake lacked the majority in parliament that would help him govern the country for the next five years. 

In a bid to consolidate these powers, it is learned that Dissanayake will appoint an interim cabinet of four ministers, including himself, and divide 15 ministerial portfolios among them. The move comes after former Prime Minister, a stalwart of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Dinesh Gunawardena offered his resignation. In the absence of a sitting premier, the former cabinet ceases to exist. 

The Daily Mirror reported that Dissanayake would retain the Tourism, Defence, Finance, Justice, Industry, and Investment Promotion portfolios while the Prime Minister would become the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education, and Mass Media among others.

It is also widely speculated that National People’s Power MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya will be sworn in as the Prime Minister while senior MP Vijitha Herath and newly sworn-in MP Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi will be appointed as ministers with several portfolios each. Once the President dissolves Parliament a date will be set as to when nominations will be called. After this date, the Elections Commission will give a period of 10 to 17 days to call for nominations.

Dissanayake however has made his intentions clear to dissolve parliament during the election campaign. In a series of campaign speeches, he highlighted the urgent need for fresh parliamentary elections to reshape the country’s political landscape, expressing confidence that the NPP would gain a significant majority.

During a rally in Hambantota, he promised that the dissolution of Parliament would occur on the night of his confirmed victory. He argued that the 2020 mandate is no longer valid due to the current government's failure to meet public expectations. He emphasized that the NPP, if successful, would form a new government focused on the people’s aspirations.

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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.

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Amaran - Problematic propaganda

amaran

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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un_spcial

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

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Read more here

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