Breaking News: Rajapaksa signs proclamation

( November 20, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa signed a proclamation a short while ago, calling for a presidential election next year.

The Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya, is due to issue an official statement on this within the hour.


Meanwhil; the Jathika Hela Urumaya’s (JHU) Ven Aturaliye Rathana Thera’s temple in Gothami Road, Rajagiriya came under attack a short while ago today,Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) said.

“It has been reported that an unidentified group have thrown stones at Jathika Hela Urumaya’s (JHU) Ven Aturaliye Rathana Thera’s temple in Gothami Road, Rajagiriya. Police have dispatched a number of mobile units to the site to provide security,” Executive Director, CaFFE Mr Keerthi Tennakoon said.

“Rathana Thera was one of the leading figures attempting to field a common opposition candidate for the coming presidential election and in recent weeks has emerged as one of the most important and impactful critic of the government,” he added. “We believe that this attack on Rathana Thera’s temple is an attempt to intimidate opponents of the government and an attempt to thwart the fielding of a common opposition candidate,” he added.

CaFFE has urged the law enforcement authorities to take immediate action to arrest those responsible for the attack and take measures to assure the safety of opposition party leaders and supporters.