MCC and the transition to economic growth W. A. Wijewardena

14 Nov 2019 - 1     - 2945

The much-debated Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact for Sri Lanka promises funding for transport infrastructure development and land access rights. The USD 480 million Grant is viewed with skepticism by some and favourably by others. Speaking to Daily Mirror, former Central Bank Deputy Governor and senior economist W. A. Wijewardena shared his

‘Use brains not emotions when voting’ -Duminda Nagamuwa

12 Nov 2019 - 3     - 995

While much of the election spotlight is focused on the presidential candidates of the major parties, those of smaller parties struggle to have their voices heard. One such person is Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) politburo member and propaganda secretary Duminda Nagamuwa, the youngest candidate in the fray. The 38-year-old former Inter University Student Federation (IUSF) convener, who mustered 9,941 in 2015, is running for a second time. The FS

Economics numbers in Gotabaya’s manifesto not credible -Eran Wickramaratne

12 Nov 2019 - 5     - 1535

State Minister of Finance, Eran Wickramaratne, one of the members of the team which penned the manifesto of New Democratic Alliance’s Presidential candidate Sajith Premsdasa, says that the UNF manifesto is not a set of promises, but a pledge for the people. Minister Wickramaratne complained that the financial figures presented in Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s manifesto are beyond reality.

Rajapaksas are playing the Racist card - TNA

11 Nov 2019 - 5     - 3807

All the political parties affiliated to the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) representing the Tamil community especially in the North and East, have pledged their full support to New Democratic Front Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa.

Capitalism offers no solutions to the dangers facing workers: Pani Wijesiriwardena

08 Nov 2019 - 2     - 619

Although one of the smaller parties contesting the presidential election, the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) has a history of over half a century of active politics in Sri Lanka. In 1964 it broke away from the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) when the old left party joined the Sirimavo Bandaranaike coalition. In 1968 the breakaway group formed as the Revolutionary Communist League (RCL), and later in 1

Those who withdraw should be heavily fined Mahinda Deshapriya

07 Nov 2019 - 0     - 1400

Elections Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya speaks to Daily Mirror on preparations for Sri Lanka’s 8th presidential election, and how voters should cast their ballot this time around.

I’m a disciplined leader, not a dictator: -Gen. Senanayake-

29 Oct 2019 - 1     - 1909

As days are nearing the much looked forward to Presidential Election, candidates have started launching their manifestos and making pledges to the public. Apart from the two or three major parties, several other independent parties too have fielded candidates; one of them being the National People’s Party (NPP). During the recently concluded NPP election policy launch, its candidate General Mahesh Senanayake pledged that he would downsize the cab

I believe in National Harmony -Dr. Ajantha Perera-

24 Oct 2019 - 4     - 2689

Dr. Ajantha Perera, the only female candidate to contest in the upcoming Presidential Polls is determined to bring about a total transformation in the existing political culture. Contesting from the Socialist Party of Sri Lanka, Dr. Perera is a recognised environmental scientist in Sri Lanka and many other parts of the world.

Certain macro factors need to be managed carefully -Cabraal

22 Oct 2019 - 5     - 1170

Former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal responded to a few questions posed to him by viewers during a live interview conducted on Facebook. Here, he spoke about the growth of the economy during his tenure, where it has gone wrong, allegations on bond issues and the future of certain political factions.

Elpitiya victory a trendsetter for us - Prasanna Ranatunga

17 Oct 2019 - 0     - 454

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna(SLPP) MP for the Gampaha district Prasanna Ranatunga, in an interview with Daily Mirror, speaks about the presidential elections and the progress of campaigning so far.

We should have an out of the box approach to solve issues

11 Oct 2019 - 4     - 3676

Following are the questions asked from New Democratic Front’s (NDF) Presidential aspirant Sajith Premadasa and the answers given by him to the interviewer Lewie Diasz at a youth forum themed....

‘It’s better to donate a liver than a kidney’ -Prof. Rela

10 Oct 2019 - 2     - 1652

Liver diseases among people in Sri Lanka are prevalent due to many reasons including alcoholism. But the infrastructure needs to be improved to conduct liver transplants on these patients. During a recent visit to Sri Lanka, world renowned liver transplant specialist Prof. Mohamed Rela assured that he would support Sri Lanka to develop the necessary infrastructure if requested

Ranil’s presence is extremely vital for the way forward of UNP

09 Oct 2019 - 1     - 2664

Daily Mirror sat with former Minister and the General Secretary of the UNP, Tissa Attanayaka to discuss the current political situation and the New Democratic Front’s chance to win the Presidential poll.

‘There is universal clamouring for a strong leadership’ - G.L. Peiris

04 Oct 2019 - 0     - 527

Chairman of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Prof. G.L. Peiris, in an interview with Daily Mirror, spells out his views on litigation against his party’s presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa....

Ranil made sacrifices throughout his political career We need new breed of decent politicians

03 Oct 2019 - 2     - 1550

Non-Cabinet Minister of Economic Reforms and Public Distribution, Dr. Harsha De Silva sat through a candid interview with the .... where he expressed his views on several matters at hand while responding to questions posed by the public.

Next President Should be the last : Karu Jayasuriya

17 Sep 2019 - 4     - 4509

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya in a candid interview with the Daily Mirror said the country could have saved billions of rupees had the respective Presidents elected since 1994 to date got the presidential system abolished as promised on election platforms. He also criticizes the current presidential system, ‘designed to serve the interests of one man or woman’ as going against the fundamentals of democracy. The Speaker pledges to ensure that the presi

Main battle is to ensure security and development -Dinesh Gunawardane

11 Sep 2019 - 0     - 555

Leader of Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) MP Dinesh Gunawardane speaks about the Presidential Elections and the current status of the economy in the country. Gunawardane, who worked as the parliamentary group leader of the Joint Opposition, said that the role of Parliament had diminished today, and it should be restored. The following are excerpts of an interview

“We’ll contest elections under a new symbol” Anura Kumara Dissanayake

05 Sep 2019 - 3     - 2785

Leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is the nominee for presidential candidacy of the National People’s Power (NPP), a movement led by his party, spoke about current politics and his policies to be implemented if elected to office, during an interview with the .

I was utterly betrayed by the Rajapaksas -Sajin de Vass Gunawardena

04 Sep 2019 - 3     - 5928

The Rajapaksa era introduced many people into the political arena, who once stood as close associates. They were vested with various tasks and some of them are still backing the previous regime and its political agendas. Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, once a Member of Parliament and now a politician from Galle District, was one such individual who achieved controversial

‘The average citizen is a very disempowered person’-Vinya Ariyaratne-

03 Sep 2019 - 3     - 1354

The Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement founded by Dr. A. T Ariyaratne has empowered rural communities for generations. Acknowledged as the most broadly embedded community-based development organisation network, the Movement seeks a no-poverty, no-affluence society through community-based work and volunteerism. ‘Sarva’ translates to All and ‘Udaya’ to Awakening, hence the theme ‘Awakening’ of All. Staying true to its theme, the Movement has continued t

Blocking the formation of alliance on August 5 Grave Blunder - Patali Champika Ranawaka

29 Aug 2019 - 0     - 1512

Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, in an interview with Daily Mirror, speaks on the present predicament of the United National Party (UNP). He shares his views on how to break the gridlock triggered by the internal crisis of the UNP.

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‘I’m the most suitable candidate if national security is priority’ - Sarath Fonseka -

28 Aug 2019 - 5     - 2069

National security is becoming another term that is exhausted on the political stage, especially after the Easter Sunday bombings. Other topics such as protecting democracy, putting an end to corruption and serving justice to politically motivated murders and abductions seem to have been sidelined. With the time ticking towards the much looked forward to Presidential Polls,

We only articulate our position on the appointment of Army Commander -U.S. Ambassador-

22 Aug 2019 - 2     - 3370

U.S. Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz, in an interactive discussion with a select group of journalists, responds to questions about the current controversy triggered by the United States expressing concerns on the appointment of Army Commander Shavendra Silva. Also, she shed light on the process involved in the renunciation of U.S. citizenship. Here is the discussion

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It certainly looks like Sajith can beat Gotabaya Harsha de Silva

13 Aug 2019 - 0     - 5387

Non-Cabinet Minister of Economic Reforms and Public Distribution Dr Harsha de Silva, in an interview with Daily Mirror, shares his views on the current status of the economy and political situation of his United National Party(UNP) as far as the presidential election is concerned. Dr. de Silva is a proponent of the candidacy for Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa. Excerpts:

VIDEO

I HAVE BEEN ABSOLVED OF ALL WRONG DOINGS

06 Aug 2019 - 0     - 1271

Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, who is in the centre of controversy over allegations linked to Easter Sunday’s terrorist attack, speaks to about charges against him, political dynamics and the plans of his party ‘All Ceylon Makkal Congress(ACMC)’. Excerpts of the interview:

I will not care about any pressure in future…

01 Aug 2019 - 4     - 10242

Newly appointed Solicitor General Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe was much remembered for her outgoing role as the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. Known for her dauntless character being in one of the three independent commissions of the Yahapalana regime, raised the eyebrows of many when she suddenly

Free legal help for women and kids

23 Jul 2019 - 5     - 3188

Violence against women and children remains to be another one of those social issues which are poorly highlighted and addressed. From time to time we hear cases of women experiencing domestic abuse, children sent for labour etc., but no authority has thus far come forward to put an end to them. In most instances, it is the middle and lower-income families that are vulnerable to such circumstances and for them, taking the law into hands is quite a

Turkey alerts Sri Lanka on FETO terrorist organization Turkish Ambassador

18 Jul 2019 - 0     - 3665

Turkish Ambassador Tunca Ozcuhadar, in an interview with Daily Mirror, shares his views on the Fethulla Terrorist Organization (FETO) that attempted to overthrow his country’s government in 2016, bilateral engagements with Sri Lanka to curb alleged FETO activities here. Also, he responds to questions about recent violence in Sri Lanka and how Turkey, along with the

Supreme authority will be the people: -Nagananda Kodituwakku-

17 Jul 2019 - 4     - 6483

Many names have been proposed as potential candidates for the upcoming presidential election. Among some of them from major political parties are independent candidates who have made several statements from time to time. Attorney-at-law and public interest litigation activist Nagananda Kodituwakku is one of them. Mr. Kodituwakku has been instrumental in exposing

“Opportunity cost of bond scam is as high as Rs.2,000 billion” Bandula

11 Jul 2019 - 0     - 766

Bandula Gunawardane, the Colombo District MP of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) discusses the current status of the economy. Mr. Gunawardane who briefs the media about economic affairs on behalf of the party, said debt servicing would be a challenge for any future government.