Net worth of CPC erodes by Rs. 200 bn in two years – UNP

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporations (CPC) net worth had eroded by an estimated Rs. 200 billion in the past two years, an Opposition legislator said yesterday.With loss in capital alone accounting for Rs. 200 billion, the CPC was bankrupt and would cease to be a going concern, unless the Treasury came to its rescue once again as it had done time and again in the case of SriLankan Airlines, Mihin Air and the Ceylon Electricity Board, Financial Analyst and UNP MP Eran Wickremeratne

The Democles's sword hanging above the uncrowned but heavy heads of the Rajapakse tyranny has come in the form of the CHOGM -Mangala says in parliament

Speech made by Hon. Mangala Samaraweera M.P. in Parliament on 21.5.13. Mr. Speaker,In Latin there is a saying, 'Metus est Plenus Tyrannis' which means, I am sure as the Foreign Minister who is well versed in many 'tongues' knows, that fear is plentiful for tyrants and that a tyrants fate is to sit daily under the sword. Or as Shakeapear said 'heavy is the head that wears the crown.'

Opposition to devolution prevented early end to war - Kiriella

If some leading figures in the current government had not opposed the concept of devolution in 2001, the war would have ended long before May 2009, the UNP said yesterday.Senior Vice President of the UNP, Lakshman Kiriella MP, said that the word "devolution" was anathema to many of those who were now playing a different tune.If only the recent converts who were enjoying the benefits of devolution had thought differently then, precious lives could have been saved and the violence would have ended long before 2009,

Ranil raises CID move to question UNP MPs

Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe charged in Parliament today that there was an attempt by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to take in a few UNP MPs for questioning over their participation in a workshop organised by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, a German organisation promoting liberal politics in the world.

FNF election workshop: Probe Ministers, MPs first - UNP

The UNP said yesterday that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) should question government Ministers and MPs first, before it conducted a probe into a Friedrich Neumann Foundation (FNF) funded Election Campaign Management Workshop, held for UNP MPs in Colombo recently.Parliamentarians Harin Fernando and Ruwan Wijewardena, addressing a news conference, said that similar programmes had

UNP open for change on devolution

The main opposition United National Party (UNP) said yesterday it was considering a change in its stance on power devolution and instead opt for a new system of devolution depending on the will of the people. However, it said as of now it would stick to its policy on power devolution based on the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

Trace missing ship before importing more oil from Singapore - Tissa

The UNP said yesterday that before the Petroleum Industries Ministry imported more oil from Singapore, it should find the missing ship that was carrying fuel to Sri Lanka.The Petroleum Industries Minister, Anura Priyadharashana Yapa, wanted to obtain more fuel from PV Oil Singapore, against which trade unions had levelled several allegations. But, he should first launch a high level probe to ascertain the whereabouts of the ship that was bound for the Colombo port, General Secretary of the UNP,

Under-invoicing for luxury car import by high net worth individual yet to be probed, now... More ‘Ghost’ deals irk UNP

UNP Economic Spokesman Dr. Harsha De Silva MP has questioned the government’s rational for importing a fleet of Rolls Royce Ghost cars for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November this year, after a similar car was under invoiced and brought into the country with the Treasury yet to look in to the matter.

UNP to seek public opinion on draft Constitution

The UNP is to seek the opinions of the public on the draft constitution being prepared by the party.UNP parliamentarian Wijedasa Rajapakse has said the draft constitution would be made public on May 29th.He has said the UNP would also have a discussion with party leaders in the parliament regarding the draft.He has explained that the UNP’s draft constitution would limit the powers of the executive presidency and the president will also be liable and responsible when making decisions.

UNP says no abolishing of Executive Presidency

The UNP said today that they would present a draft Constitution which includes an Executive President, although the UNP previously were vehemently campaigning for the abolition of the Executive Presidency.Responding to a question raised by the media at a news conference held to introduce a draft Constitution UNP MP Wijeydasa Rajapkshe said that in the proposed draft Constitution of the UNP, the executive presidency would feature.

UNP turns down Daya Master’s request

The main opposition UNP yesterday said it had rejected a request made by Velayutham Dayanithi alias Daya Master and his supporters to contest the Northern Provincial Council on the UNP ticket.UNP Colombo District MP Ravi Karunanayake told a news conference that the group met the UNP leaders during their recent visit to the North.The UNP MP made this point referring to a statement by Daya Master that former LTTE cadres should be allowed to contest elections.

President’s 60 units ‘relief’ enough to light up only two bulbs - Tissa

President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s May Day pledge not to enforce the electricity tariff hike on consumers using less than 60 units was meaningless, since it could only light up two bulbs over a period of a month, the UNP said yesterday.General Secretary of the UNP, Tissa Attanayake, addressing a news conference in Colombo, said that the President was playing tricks on the masses while permitting the Power and Energy Ministry to do as it pleased.Rajapaksa had also pledged "relief" to those using between 61 to 180 units.

Govt. has no option but calls for polls in 2014 - Tissa Attanayake

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said yesterday that it was only after party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe gave a public assurance to establish a law-abiding, just society devoid of violence, corruption and malpractices in 2014 that many eminent astrologers have come out with predictions that he (Wickremesinghe) stood a bigger chance of being elected to power next year.

Executive Presidency is usurped and finished : nothing left to put it in order –Ranil

 Opposition and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said, the people of Sri Lanka are today fed up with politics . They are gripped by the fear that even if the UNP comes into power they too will be toeing the line of the Rajapakse regime which is abusing political power most disgustingly and degradingly. Since this regime had usurped the Executive Presidency power callously and treacherously so much so that it no longer exists duly ,and therefore cannot be allowed to go on any further.

Unjust and arbitrary power hike – Harsha de Silva

Economist and United National Party MP, Dr. Harsha de Silva, in an interview with Ceylon Today, says the government was compelled to increase the electricity tariff mainly to overcome the huge losses the Ceylon Electricity Board had incurred due to its reckless and irresponsible economic policies. He said the poorer segment of society has been unduly taxed through the tariff hike, while the rich have been rewarded.