UNP conspiring with the LTTE - President

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 08 September 1998, 19:42 GMT]
The Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranayake Kumaratunge accused the main opposition party, the United National Party (UNP), of conspiring with the Liberation Tigers to overthrow the government this evening, while addressing a party meeting in Kurunagala.
Full story >>

Island-wide state of emergency announced

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 04 August 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The Sri Lankan Government is expected to announce postponement of the forthcoming Provincial Council (PC) Elections due on August 28 following the announcement of island-wide emergency regulations today, said sources in Colombo.
Full story >>

Regional divisions apparent

[TamilNet, Thursday, 16 July 1998, 23:59 GMT]
Mr. Akram Lucky, special envoy of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Nawar Sherif, arrived in the capital Colombo today. He is expected meet the Sri Lankan President, Mrs Chandrika. Kumaratunge, tomorrow and hand over a letter from the Pakistani Prime Minister.
Full story >>

Investigation into EPDP leader's stabbing

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 01 July 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The Sri Lankan Ministry of Justice has appointed Mr. P.Paskaralingam to investigate the attack on EPDP leader Mr. Douglus Devananda in the Kaluthura prison, said sources. Mr. Paskaalingam is expected to submit his report to the Minister of Justice, Prof. G.L.Pieris shortly, they added.
Full story >>

Colonisation in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Thursday, 25 June 1998, 23:59 GMT]
An illegal colonisation of Sinhalese, backed by the Sri Lankan Army and Police is taking place in areas between the native Tamil villages of Kurankup Paalam and Vilankulam in the Trincomalee district, on the Trincomalee-Colombo road, said sources in the eastern port town of Trincomalee.
Full story >>

Fast unto death continues

[TamilNet, Thursday, 25 June 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The Sri Lankan Attorney General and the Prison Commissioner are yet to respond to demands put forward by the Tamil detainees held at the Kalutara prison who began a fast unto death yesterday, demanding their release or the implementation of legal proceedings against them.
Full story >>

President addresses SLMC meeting

[TamilNet, Sunday, 24 May 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The Sri Lankan President, Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunge, while speaking at the annual meeting of the Sri Lankan Muslim Congress (SLMC) said that Sri Lanka will win the war against the Tigers. However a political solution has to be found for the ethnic conflict and all the parties should support it unanimously, she said further.
Full story >>

SLMC meeting amid protests

[TamilNet, Saturday, 23 May 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) will hold its 15th annual national congress at Stanley Grounds in Colombo today. The Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Kumaratunge is expected to be the chief guest for the event. The Opposition leader, Mr. Ranil Wikremasinghe is also expected to address the congress, said sources in Colombo.
Full story >>

Anura defends S.W.R.D. on Sinhala-Only

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 06 May 1998, 23:59 GMT]
"There are some people who say my father's (former Prime Minister, S.W.R.D. Bandaranayake) decision to make Sinhala the official language of this country lead to the ethnic conflict. I strongly denounce this", said Anura Bandaranayake, UNP parlimentarian and brother of Sri Lanka's President, Chandrika Kumaratunge while speaking at a meeting in Ratmalana on Sunday.
Full story >>

Senior US official to visit Sri Lanka

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 April 1998, 23:59 GMT]
Ambassador Bill Richardson, the most senior US official to visit Sri Lanka since 1972, will arrive in Colombo on Saturday April 18 with a special letter from President Bill Clinton to Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunge Bandranaike.
Full story >>

UNP briefs diplomats on PA violence

[TamilNet, Monday, 09 March 1998, 23:59 GMT]
A delegation of United National Party (UNP), the main opposition party, met western diplomats in Colombo today to brief them about the political violence unleashed on them by the PA government in recent times.
Full story >>

War to end this year - President

[TamilNet, Sunday, 01 March 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunge said today that she will finish the war before the end of this year and that she will hold elections to the provincial councils in August. The Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunge also said that a political solution will be implemented before the end of this year.
Full story >>

Lukewarm response to amnesty offer

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 February 1998, 23:59 GMT]
Despite the fresh amnesty offered by the Sri Lankan president Chandrika Kumaratunge to the SLA deserters, few are returning to their units, forcing the government further to extend the amnesty to February 25.
Full story >>

Most plantation workers on strike today

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 February 1998, 23:59 GMT]
Sri Lankan plantation workers burnt an effigy of S. Thondaman, leader of the main trade union in the Sri Lanka's hill country, for reaching a compromise on the strike, and demanding 105 rupees as minimum daily wage.
Full story >>

Plantation workers call off strike

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 February 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The strike in Sri Lanka's plantation sector was called off today following talks between the trade unions, representatives of the plantation companies and President Chandrika Kumaratunge.
Full story >>

President meets CWC over strike

[TamilNet, Sunday, 08 February 1998, 23:59 GMT]
Sri Lankan president Chandrika Kumaratunge met the leader of the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) Mr. C Thondaman, the powerful plantation trade union this morning, in a fresh bid to resolve the massive strike that has brought the country's large plantation sector to a stand still.
Full story >>

Gen. Ratwatte submits resignation

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 28 January 1998, 23:59 GMT]
Sri Lanka's deputy minister for defence Gen. Anurudha Ratwatte resigned his portfolio this afternoon. He submitted his resignation to President Chandrika Kumaratunge. His resignation is yet to be accepted by the Sri Lankan President said sources in the Presidential secretariat this afternoon.
Full story >>

President will avoid critic

[TamilNet, Saturday, 08 November 1997, 23:59 GMT]
President Chandrika Kumaratunge Bandaranaike told the SLFP central committee this week that she will boycott functions to which Mr. Vasudeva Nanayakkara MP is invited.
Full story >>

TULF woos UNP over package

[TamilNet, Saturday, 04 October 1997, 23:59 GMT]
The TULF met with Sri Lanka's United National Party today to discuss the PA government's devolution package. The TULF delegation went to the meeting with the intention of persuading the UNP leadership, ultimately to agree to the main critical portion of the PA's proposals.
Full story >>

Conscription on the cards?

[TamilNet, Monday, 23 June 1997, 23:59 GMT]
The Sri Lankan army has extended it's recruitment program, announced two weeks ago, to all sections of the army. However, as usual, only Sinhalese need apply. In the meantime it is understood that conscription is also being considered.
Full story >>