Neither the UNP nor the SLFP can see the Rajapaksas eliminated from politics, says former minister Basil Rajapaksa.He has told BBC Sandeshaya that only the people can remove the Rajapaksas from politics.Mahinda Rajapaksa is a leader who fought his way into the helm, not one who had conspired to become so, he said.One year after the end of the Rajapaksa administration, the country was in a sorry state, with all the development work coming to a standstill, said Basil Rajapaksa.People will think whether it was a correct decision to elect Maithripala Sirisena, he said.The ex-minister refuted allegations that he was responsible for Mahinda Rajapaksa
  

Forces behind defeat

Certain shortcomings and animosity by powerful countries such as India, US, EU for the correct or incorrect reasons led to the rout, he said. India and the US are behind the collapse of the Rajapaksa regime, he said, adding that even an annual report by the US admitted they had influenced the vote, and that it was a victory for them, according to him.Basil Rajapaksa went onto say that groups in the UNP, SLFP and the JVP were disillusioned with present politics, adding that a new political stream has become the need of the hour. He said he had no expectation of being a party to bring about such a change, but that he would contribute once such a force comes into existence.He added the people would decide if the Rajapaksas would once again come to power.

While refuting claims by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe that his government had allocated funds required to increase public sector salaries, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that no such funds had been allocated.

A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking an order preventing Ranjan Ramanayake from contesting the parliamentary election scheduled for November 14.

Claiming that Sri Lanka has come a long way in terms of undertaking reforms which have led to some hard won gains, the International Monetary Fund (IMF)said they could move fast towards the third review which will come up soon.

The Election Commission has decided to mark the voters' index fingers for this year's general elections, Commissioner General Saman Ratnayake announced. He said the elections are scheduled for November 14, 2024.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is set to hold a series of meetings with the High Commissioners of South Africa and New Zealand, along with the Ambassadors of Iran and Myanmar, as well as a delegation from the European Union today (25) at the Presidential Secretariat.

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the security threats to Israeli nationals in the Arugam Bay area, Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath said.

Sri Lanka should get its foreign policy right in the wake of the escalating Middle East crisis, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mujibur Rahman said today.

The Canadian government has issued a travel advisory urging travellers to exercise a high degree of caution in Sri Lanka due to demonstrations, the threat of terrorist attacks and crime, particularly in the Arugam Bay area.

Sri Lankan security forces have been alerted to a potential attack on Israelis in the Arugam Bay area by Indian intelligence agencies. According to intelligence information, the threat is believed to be targeted at foreign nationals.

Former Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara asked why the government did not take action to beef up security for foreign tourists in advance if it had received information on a possible threat on October 7, according to the statement made by Acting Chief of Police.