Up Country Lions were a Division 'A' rugby union team based in Sri Lanka , competing in the Dialog Rugby League .
81-477: The Up Country Lions Sports Club was launched on 3 January 2012 at Galle Face Hotel , Colombo. The 40 players announced on the playing list, included a number of national, youth and international capped players. Other announcements were that the coach of the team would be former Air Force SC and National 7s coach, Imthisan Marikkar, the club chairman, Siva Subramanium, and the team manager, former Isipatana Rugby Chairman, Hassan Sinhawansa. The principal team sponsor
162-550: A coup in order to stay in power when it became clear he was going to lose the election. They alleged that Rajapaksa and his brother Gotabhaya Rajapaksa , the Defence Secretary, summoned Commander of the Army Daya Ratnayake , Inspector General of Police N. K. Illangakoon and Attorney General Yuwanjana Wanasundera to Temple Trees at around 1:00 a.m. on 9 January 2015. Rajapaksa allegedly pressured
243-429: A 100-day reform program planning to dissolve the parliament and holding new elections on 23 April 2015. Some reforms, such as the curtailing of presidential powers and re-introducing the two-term limit, were introduced by the passing of the nineteenth amendment . In addition, Sirisena enacted a Right to Information bill. Other changes, notably electoral reforms, were not carried out. With electoral reforms stalled and
324-540: A National Medicinal Drug Policy based on that of the Sri Lanka National Pharmaceuticals Policy of Seneka Bibile and brought the Cigarette and Alcohol act to parliament against cigarette packaging that includes pictorial warnings. The act recommended 80% of packaging include pictorial warnings, however, this was reduced to 60% due to pressure from many multinational companies and from some areas of
405-540: A bag of fertiliser for Rs. 350 in order to combat the food crisis at the time. He also saved the Paddy Marketing Board from privatisation converting it into a government institution when he became the Agriculture Minister, in 2005. The Paddy Marketing Board continues to regulate the prices of paddy to this day. He also began important irrigation projects such as Moragahakanda, Kalu and Walawe rivers . He
486-520: A convoy he was part of was attacked by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam 's suicide bomber at Piriwena Junction in Boralesgamuwa , Colombo. One person was killed and seven injured. Sirisena was re-elected at the 2010 parliamentary election and was appointed minister of health in April 2010. During his time Sirisena sought to combat cigarette and alcohol consumption within the country. He introduced
567-693: A diploma in agriculture in 1973. In 1980 he earned a Diploma in political science at the Maxim Gorky Literature Institute in Russia . Sirisena contested the 1989 parliamentary election as one of the SLFP's candidates in Polonnaruwa District and was elected to the Parliament . He was re-elected at the 1994 parliamentary election , this time as a People's Alliance (PA) candidate. In 1997 he
648-491: A member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka and has held several ministries since 1994. He was the general-secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and was Minister of Health until November 2014 when he announced his candidacy in the 2015 presidential election as the opposition coalition's "common candidate", thus leading to him running against party leader and incumbent president Mahinda Rajapaksa . His victory in
729-449: A parallel government to what was operational in the country at the time, a series of events referred to by the BBC as "somewhere in between House of Cards, Game of Thrones and Shakespeare's darkest Roman plays". This resulted in a constitutional crisis , with analysts referring to Sirisena's actions as a coup. The crisis created significant fears as to the state of democratic institutions in
810-482: A private "fact finding mission" to Mahawelithenna near Welikanda . In 2018 his Chief of Staff I.H.K. Mahanama was arrested by officials of the commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) while accepting a bribe of Rs. 20 million from an Indian businessman as a part of an Rs. 100 Million bribes for helping the acquisition of the Kantale Sugar Factory. Mahanama, the chief of staff of
891-468: A separate document Sirisena pledged that, whilst resisting any international investigation, he would establish an independent domestic inquiry into the alleged war crimes during the final stages of the Sri Lankan Civil War. Sirisena was declared the winner after receiving 52.42% of all votes cast compared to Rajapaksa's 47.58%. Sirisena was the winner in 12 electoral districts whilst Rajapaksa
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#1733093738018972-588: A teenager, Sirisena became interested in communism and joined the Ceylon Communist Party (Maoist) becoming closely associated with party leader N. Shanmugathasan in party activities. In 1968, he took part in a communist party anti-government rally which was broken up by baton charging police. At the age of 17, he was chosen as the secretary of the SLFP Youth Organisation in Polonnaruwa by
1053-488: Is a Sri Lankan politician who served as the seventh president of Sri Lanka from 9 January 2015 to 18 November 2019. Sirisena is Sri Lanka's first president from the North Central Province of the country and does not belong to the traditional Sri Lankan political elite. He entered as a member of parliament from Polonnaruwa back in 2020 and ended his tenure in 2024. Sirisena joined mainstream politics in 1989 as
1134-828: Is also an adjacent Library with two study rooms. The hotel has a small pool with sea water, that is situated very close to the Indian Ocean. There is a black and white square known as the Chequerboard, close to the King of the Mambo Restaurant. This is often used by guests to watch the sunset. 6°55′12″N 79°50′46″E / 6.9200°N 79.8462°E / 6.9200; 79.8462 Maithripala Sirisena Maithripala Yapa Sirisena ( Sinhala : පල්ලෙවත්ත ගමරාළලාගේ මෛත්රීපාල යාපා සිරිසේන ; Tamil : பல்லேவத்த கமராளலாகே மைத்திரிபால யாப்பா சிறிசேன ; born 3 September 1951)
1215-630: Is final report had recommended the Attorney General to initiate criminal proceedings against Sirisena and his intelligence chiefs for failing to act on intelligence received to prevent the attacks on 21 April 2019. This report was rejected by the Executive Council of Sri Lanka Freedom Party which re-elected Sirisena as its chairman. In January 2023, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka ordered Sirisena to pay Rs.100 million ($ 272,000) as compensation to
1296-688: The 1981 Presidential poll , when Basil Rajapaksa joined the United National Party , he took over the responsibility of the secretary of the organisation. Subsequently, he was appointed the Polonnaruwa SLFP chief organiser by the SLFP hierarchy. He became president of the All Island SLFP Youth Organisation in 1983. Sirisena studied for three years at the Sri Lanka School of Agriculture, Kundasale from where he earned
1377-450: The 2007–08 world food price crisis , Sirisena initiated a plan under the scheme 'Api Wavamu – Rata Nagamu' to improve local food production on a national scale. Festivals of tilling were conducted in each divisional secretariat every year leading to the re-cultivation of more than 1 million abandoned paddy fields under the programme. The project was considered a great success being acknowledged as his green revolution. While serving as
1458-583: The Clifford Cup , losing a close match 33 points to 32 against Havelock Sports Club . In 2013 they won the Dialog Club Rugby Sevens, defeating Havelock Sports Club by a margin of 14 points to 12 in the final, having maintained an unbeaten record throughout the tournament. The following season they again finished in fourth place and reached the semi-finals of the Clifford Cup , losing to eventual cup holders, Navy SC 35 points to 25. In May 2014
1539-575: The National Security Council about warnings of a terrorist attack, yet no instructions were given. The President has intern turned down calls by the prime minister and the UNP parliamentary group to appoint Fonseka as the Minister of Law and Order following the bombing. He has refused to appoint Fonseka to a Ministerial post since the 2018 constitutional crisis citing that Fonseka's name had come up in
1620-790: The defence forces , and on 25 April Hemasiri Fernando , secretary to the Ministry of Defence tendered his resignation to the President, after it was announced that President Sirisena has requested the Defence Secretary and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) resign. With no response to his request to resign, President Sirisena sent the IGP Pujith Jayasundara on compulsory leave and appointed an acting Inspector General of Police . Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka stated in parliament on 8 May that President Sirisena had been informed 15 times at
1701-402: The 100-day reform program falling behind schedule, the UNP started calling for parliamentary elections. Sirisena dissolved parliament on 26 June 2015 and called for early elections. However, when faced with criticism concerning the reforms, Sirisena publicly disavowed the 100-day reform program. In his election manifesto, Sirisena had promised a 100-day reform program planning to dissolve
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#17330937380181782-439: The 100-day reform program falling behind schedule, the UNP started calling for parliamentary elections. Sirisena dissolved parliament on 26 June 2015. The date of the election was set for 17 August 2015, with the new parliament expected to convene on 1 September 2015. Nominations took place between 6 July 2015 and 13 July 2015. The UPFA/SLFP MPs who remained loyal to former president Rajapaksa called for Rajapaksa to be made
1863-519: The CIABOC which launched investigations. However, despite the investigations, Mahanama was appointed by Sirisena as his Chief of Staff. Centre for Human Rights (CHR) questioned how Sirisena appointed Mahanama as his Chief of Staff while he was under corruption investigations. In 2015, Maithripala Sirisena criticised and called for the organisers of an Enrique Iglesias concert in Colombo to be whipped , after
1944-577: The Galle Face Hotel itself, presented by some of the popular Radio Ceylon announcers in the 1950s and 1960s, such as Livy Wijemanne and Vernon Corea . Thousands listened to the broadcasts, particularly 'New Year's Eve' dances from the Galle Face Hotel. D. G. William (known as 'Galle Face William'), the Lanka Sama Samaja Party trade union leader, first worked and organised workers here. The Science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke wrote
2025-774: The House in August 2005. After the 2005 presidential election newly elected president Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed Sirisena Minister of Agriculture, Environment, Irrigation and Mahaweli Development in November 2005. On 27 March 2006 Sirisena's personal secretary M. L. Dharmasiri was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Aranangawila. Following a cabinet reshuffle in January 2007 he was appointed Minister of Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services Development by President Rajapaksa. In order to combat
2106-478: The Minister of Agriculture Sirisena also served as the acting Defence Minister on several occasions during the Sri Lankan civil war . He was acting defence minister during the last two weeks of the civil war when some of the worst alleged war crimes were committed. Sirisena has claimed that LTTE may have tried to assassinate him on at least five occasions. Sirisena narrowly escaped death on 9 October 2008 when
2187-452: The PSC. Following Chief of National Intelligence Sisira Mendis ' statement at the PSC to the effect that President Sirisena knew about the warnings of an impending attack, Sirisena sacked Mendis within hours. Sirisena stepped down as president on 18 November 2019 following the 2019 presidential election , having opted not to contest a second term and remain neutral during the election. Following
2268-555: The Pool Bar, Chequerboard, and an English pub called "In.. On the Green". The open Verandah restaurant is the venue for the Afternoon Tea on the terrace. The hotel features a museum and art gallery in its Regency Wing, which houses the first car that Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh owned, and several pieces of memorabilia from the hotel's history, including a gallery of famous guests. There
2349-550: The SLFP Member of Parliament for Polonnaruwa, Leelaratna Wijesingha. In 1971, aged 19, he was jailed for 15 months for alleged involvement in the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna Insurrection . Following his release from prison, Sirisena joined All Ceylon SLFP Youth Organization led by Anura Bandaranaike and joined politics at the national level. After serving at a number of state institutions, Sirisena obtained
2430-506: The SLFP membership in 1978. In 1974 Sirisena started working at the Palugasdamana Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society as a purchasing office and in 1976 he became a grama sevaka niladhari (village officer) but resigned in 1978. He rose up the SLFP ranks, joining its politburo in 1981, where he was chosen as the president of the All Island SLFP Youth Organisation, and also later served as treasurer. During
2511-406: The SLFP. His ministerial security and vehicles were also withdrawn. Sirisena released his manifesto, titled A Compassionate Maithri Governance — A Stable Country , on 19 December 2014 at a rally at Viharamahadevi Park . The main pledge in the manifesto was the replacement of the executive presidency with a Westminster style cabinet but the manifesto acknowledged that Sirisena would need
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2592-511: The Supreme court ruling, Rajapaksa backed down and Wickremesinghe was re-appointed prime minister. On the morning of 21 April 2019, Easter Sunday series of coordinated terrorist suicide bombings took place targeting three Christian churches and three luxury hotels in the commercial capital Colombo killing 253 and wounding over 500 people. President Sirisena who was in Singapore on a personal visit at
2673-578: The Swiss Confederation Simonetta Sommaruga . Sirisena's daughter Chathurika, who also has no official role, has been the guest of honour/chief guest at several Ministry of Defence events. At another event where Chathurika was chief guest, she was accompanied by members of the Presidential Security Division. In September 2015 Chathurika was accompanied by government officials and police officers as she went on
2754-522: The UNFGG and two from the UPFA, were sworn in on 9 September 2015. 19 state ministers (11 UNFGG, 8 UPFA) and 21 deputy ministers (11 UNFGG, 10 UPFA) were also sworn in on 9 September 2015. Two more deputy ministers, both from the UPFA, were sworn in on 10 September 2015. On the evening of 26 October 2018, Sirisena, in a sudden move, sacked Ranil Wickremesinghe and appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister after
2835-486: The UPFA's prime ministerial candidate for the election. This alarmed those members of the UPFA/SLPF who had supported Sirisena during the presidential election. They urged Sirisena to prevent Rajapaksa's return to politics but Sirisena remained silent on the matter. After the parliamentary election was called it was announced that Rajapaksa would contest but not as the prime ministerial candidate which would be decided after
2916-456: The United People's Freedom Alliance withdrew from the unity government. Immediately following the move, media institutions in the country were suppressed in what is now being termed a hostile takeover. Wickremesinghe refused to accept the dismissal, stating that it is illegal and unconstitutional. Sirisena promptly prorogued Parliament and appointed a new Cabinet of Ministers, in effect creating
2997-511: The allegations. The new government is to investigate the alleged coup attempt. Sirisena was sworn in as Sri Lanka's sixth executive president before Supreme Court judge K. Sripavan in Independence Square, Colombo at 6:20 p.m. on 9 January 2015. It is custom for the president to be sworn in before the chief justice but Sirisena had refused to be sworn in before Chief Justice Peiris who had been appointed by Rajapaksa after
3078-408: The attacks issuing a statement on Twitter stating "We take collective responsibility and apologise to our fellow citizens for our failure to protect victims of these tragic events. We pledge to rebuild our churches, revive our economy, and take all measures to prevent terrorism, with the support of the international community." On 23 April, President Sirisena announced his plans to change the heads of
3159-468: The club decided to withdraw from the competition and close the club permanently. Galle Face Hotel The Galle Face Hotel , founded in 1864, is one of the oldest hotels east of Suez . It is located on Galle Road, Colombo . The Ceylon Hotels Corporation is now part of the Galle Face Hotel Group. The hotel is a member of Select Hotels and Resorts International. The current chairman of
3240-504: The controversial eighteenth amendment, re-instate the seventeenth amendment and appoint UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister . He later was reported to have publicly disavowed this program, claiming that he did not know where it originated. Sirisena was sworn in as the sixth Executive President before Supreme Court judge K. Sripavan in Independence Square, Colombo at 6:20 p.m. on 9 January 2015. Immediately afterwards he appointed Ranil Wickremesinghe as
3321-686: The controversial impeachment of the previous chief justice. Immediately afterwards, Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Sri Lanka's new prime minister before Sirisena. After being sworn in Sirisena stated that he would only serve one term . With an interim cabinet formed on 12 January, Sirisena called the Parliamentary elections, taking the defence portfolio for himself, and appointing Ranil Wickremesinghe as minister of reconciliation, policy development and economic affairs, to go with his prime ministership. In his election manifesto, Sirisena had promised
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3402-517: The country was heading towards a dictatorship with rampant corruption, nepotism and a breakdown of the rule of law. He has pledged to abolish the executive presidency within 100 days of being elected, repeal the controversial eighteenth amendment, re-instate the seventeenth amendment and appoint UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe as prime minister . Following the announcement Sirisena, along with several other ministers who supported him, were stripped of their ministerial positions and expelled from
3483-491: The country, with former Ministers refusing to step down from their posts. Karu Jayasuriya, the speaker for the Parliament, refused to acknowledge the legality of this move, stating that the ousted Wickramasinghe is the lawful prime minister and urging the president to convene Parliament to resolve the issue. However, since then the speaker's office also issued statements expressing that they will not prevent Rajapaksa from occupying
3564-464: The design of the hotel's current south wing, and the property has remained largely unchanged until the present day, though with many extensive restorations. Mignonne Fernando and The Jetliners regularly entertained guests at the Coconut Grove, the night club attached to the hotel. The venue was even popularised in a song. Radio Ceylon recorded music programmes from the Coconut Grove as well as
3645-512: The election he was appointed as Chairmen of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party . Sirisena contested 2020 Sri Lankan parliamentary elections from the Polonnaruwa district and was elected to parliament having gained the highest number of preferential votes in the district. In February 2021, the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed by Sirisena during his term as president to investigate the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings , had stated it
3726-690: The election was generally viewed as unexpected, coming to office through the votes won from the alternative Sinhala-majority rural constituency and the Tamil and Muslim minority groups that were alienated by the Rajapaksa government on post-war reconciliation and growing sectarian violence. Maithripala Sirisena pledged to implement a 100-day reform program where he promised to rebalance the executive branch within 100 days of being elected, by reinforcing Sri Lanka's judiciary and parliament, to fight corruption and to investigate allegations of war crimes from 2009 , repeal
3807-594: The election. Feeling "betrayed" by Sirisena, his supporters in the UPFA/SLFP allied themselves with the UNP to form the United National Front for Good Governance . On 8 July 2015, several factions accused Sirisena of having betrayed the mandate that was given to him by the people in the 2015 presidential election over nominating his predecessor Rajapaksa, who faces various allegations of human rights violations, to contest in this election. Despite his assurances to
3888-494: The elections by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon . The European External Action Service spokesperson also stated that the election was "genuine, well administered and peaceful." On 20 August 2015 the central committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the main constituent of the UPFA, agreed to form a national government with the UNP for two years. Ranil Wickremesinghe
3969-573: The final chapters of 3001: The Final Odyssey in the hotel. The hotel also employed the world's oldest hospitality industry veteran and doorman, Kottarapattu Chattu ("K.C.") Kuttan . Joining the hotel as a bell boy cum waiter in 1942, he continued to serve until his death on 18 November 2014. In April 2013, the north wing of the hotel began its refurbishment. In November 2014, It was announced by its new general manager, Antony G. Paton, that it would formally reopen on 1 March 2015. The hotel reopened on 26 October 2015, being formally declared open by
4050-553: The first hotel in Sri Lanka to be featured on a postage stamp, along with three other iconic buildings in Colombo. The hotel was originally built by four British entrepreneurs in 1864. Its name derives from the stretch of lawn which it faces, known as the Galle Face Green . It began as a Dutch villa called Galle Face House. Land for the hotel's expansion was purchased between 1870 and 1894. In 1894, architect Edward Skinner completed
4131-532: The following year and endorse Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as the SLFP candidate instead. However, later he withdrew support to Rajapakshe and declared to remain independent and not back any candidate. On 4 April 2024, the Colombo District Court issued an interim injunction temporarily preventing Sirisena from functioning as the party chairman until 18 April, following a case filed by former SLFP chairman Chandrika Kumaratunga. On 18 April,
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#17330937380184212-548: The government itself. In May 2014 Sirisena was elected as one of the Vice Presidents of the World Health Assembly . Following days of speculation in the media, Sirisena announced on 21 November 2014 that he would challenge incumbent president Mahinda Rajapaksa at the 2015 presidential election as the common opposition candidate. Sirisena claimed that everything in Sri Lanka was controlled by one family and that
4293-596: The hotel is Sanjeev Gardiner, since the demise of his father Cyril Gardiner in 1997. It is listed as one of the "1000 Places to See Before You Die" in the book of the same name. It received the "Best Heritage Hotel" title three years running at the Presidential Awards for Travel and Tourism (of Sri Lanka ), held in June 2010, June 2011 and September 2012. In addition it won the first-ever PATA award for Best International Heritage Hotel, in 2012. In September 2012, it became
4374-419: The injunction was further extended until 9 May. On 24 April, another permanent injunction order was issued effective until the conclusion of the trial. On 12 May, Sirisena formally resigned as chairman of the SLFP, and the pro-Sirisena faction of the party unanimously voted to appoint Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as the new chairman, a move which was not accepted by the anti-Sirisena faction of
4455-423: The largest group in Parliament after securing 45.66% of votes and 106 seats whilst the UPFA won 42.38% of votes and 95 seats. Rajapaksa quickly conceded defeat in his attempt to become prime minister. The result left the UNFGG seven seats short of a majority in Parliament. However, on 20 August 2015 the central committee of the SLFP agreed to form a national government with the UNP for two years. Wickremesinghe
4536-596: The manifesto included a commitment to write-off 50% of farmers' loans, reduce fuel prices by removing taxes and a salary increase of Rs. 10,000 for public servants. Public spending on health would increase from 1.8% of GDP to 3% of GDP whilst that on education would increase from 1.7% of GDP to 6% of GDP. The manifesto also stated that the casino licences granted to Kerry Packer 's Crown Resort and John Keells Holdings 's Water Front will be cancelled. Political victims during Rajapaksa's rule, including Sarath Fonseka and Shirani Bandaranayake , would be re-appointed. In
4617-476: The media that he would not grant nominations to pro-Rajapaksa parliamentarians who were involved in various criminal activities, some were nominated. On 14 July 2015, at a special press conference, Sirisena announced he would remain impartial during the elections after granting the nomination to Rajapaksa, hinted that Rajapaksa could be defeated in the parliamentary election similar to the presidential election. The United National Front for Good Governance became
4698-399: The new prime minister. After being sworn in Sirisena stated that he would only serve one term. Sirisena voluntarily transferred significant presidential powers to parliament on 28 April. In 2018, Sirisena appointed the former president Mahinda Rajapaksa (his former rival) as the prime minister, wrote a letter firing Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe (with whose major support he became
4779-448: The parliament and holding new elections on 23 April 2015. However, Srisena and his government faced opposition from a large contingent of legislators loyal to Mahinda Rajapaksa, and, although some reforms, such as the curtailing of presidential powers and re-introducing the two-term limit, were introduced by the passing of the nineteenth amendment , others, notably electoral reforms, were not carried out. With electoral reforms stalled and
4860-494: The party. Despite pledges made during the presidential campaign, Sirisena has himself been accused of nepotism since becoming president. A few days after Sirisena took power in January 2015, his brother Kumarasinghe Sirisena was appointed chairman of the state-owned Sri Lanka Telecom . The appointment came despite objections from Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and several other cabinet ministers. Sirisena's son-in-law Thilina Suranjith Wewelpanawa (Chathurika's husband)
4941-607: The payment of compensation of Rs.100 million, after being ordered to complete payment before 30 August. On 31 January 2023, Sirisena announced his intention to contest in the 2024 Sri Lankan presidential election at a conference for the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. In his speech, Sirisena addressed the recent Easter Bombing inquiry findings, apologised to the Catholic community and compared himself to anti- apartheid activist Nelson Mandela . Sirisena would withdraw his campaign
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#17330937380185022-579: The police investigations in an alleged presidential assassination attempt . Sirisena was highly critical of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probe into the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks and incidents in its aftermath appointed by the Speaker of the Parliament of the PSC for summering intelligence and police officers. He had ordered no public officer to appear for summons issued by
5103-489: The premises while writing their books have included, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Mark Twain, Anton Chekhov and Sir Arthur C. Clarke. The Galle Face Hotel has Four restaurants, three bars and a pub. They are the 1864: Limited Edition fine dining restaurant (dinner only), King of the Mambo, a Cuban themed restaurant; Firebeach - a lounge bar and restaurant with a wood fired oven; a buffet restaurant known as The Verandah, Travellers' Bar,
5184-571: The president in 2015) and prorogued Parliament, all in apparent contradiction to the Constitution of Sri Lanka, instigating a constitutional crisis . This marks Sirisena's second and most successful attempt to bring Rajapaksa to power. Maithripala Sirisena was born as the eldest of a family of 12 with 5 brothers and 6 sisters, on 3 September 1951 in Yagoda , a village in present-day Gampaha District . His father Pallewatte Gamaralalage Albert Sirisena
5265-507: The president of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena . Celebrity Guests at the hotel have included, inter alia, the Empress of France Princess Eugenie, Princess Alexandra of Denmark, the Duke of Hamilton, Indira Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Richard Nixon, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Admiral Louis Mountbatten, Emperor Hirohito of Japan (while a Prince), Sir Donald Bradman, and Yuri Gagarin. Authors using
5346-500: The president, in his previous role as secretary to the Ministry of Lands, had secured Cabinet approval to auction scrap material of the factory, assets which were claimed by M G Sugars Lanka (Pvt) Ltd under the agreement. The company then filed arbitration proceedings in a Singapore tribunal to stop the Government of Sri Lanka from selling the machinery and scrap. The investors sent letters to PM's office which recommended they to complain to
5427-422: The prime minister's seat in Parliament. A reported ten thousand people mobilised in a protest in Colombo, demanding that Sirisena reconvene Parliament. On 13 December 2018, the full bench (seven-judge bench) of the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that President Sirisena's decision to dissolve parliament on 9 November, before the completion of four and half years, was unconstitutional and illegal. Following
5508-623: The support of the parliament to amend the constitution. The manifesto also made a commitment to replace the open list proportional representation system with a mixture of first-past-the-post and PR for electing MPs. Parliamentary elections will be held in April 2015 after the constitution has been amended. Independent commissions would be established to oversee the judiciary, police, elections department, Auditor-General's Department and Attorney-General's Department . The Commission on Bribery and Corruption would be strengthened and political diplomatic appointments annulled. Populist measures in
5589-516: The three officials to deploy troops, annul the election results and declare a state of emergency but they refused. According to the Colombo Telegraph Rajapaksa also wanted to dissolve parliament. It was only then Rajapaksa decided to concede defeat and summoned Ranil Wickremesinghe to assure him of a smooth transition of power. A spokesman for Rajapaksa has denied the allegations as baseless. The army and police have also denied
5670-616: The time ordered a Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the bombings to identify the perpetrators. On his return to the island on 22 April, he declared a state of emergency from midnight of 22 April by issuing an extraordinary gazette notification. The government announced a national day of mourning the following day. The President and the government were heavily criticised for not heeding warnings from Indian intelligence services, but President Sirisena denied knowledge of warnings before his departure overseas on 15 April. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe later apologised for failing to stop
5751-418: The victims of the bombing. The supreme court found that senior government and intelligence officials were responsible for failing to prevent the attacks. The former police chief Pujith Jayasundara and former state intelligence services head Nilantha Jayawardena were also ordered to pay Rs. 75 million each, and the former defence minister was ordered to pay Rs. 50 million. On 16 August 2024, Sirisena completed
5832-581: Was Crysbro, a leading poultry company based in Nawalapitiya . The team's debut match in the Dialog Rugby League was on 10 June 2012 against Kandy SC , losing 26 points to 11, at Nittawela rugby stadium. In their next game the Up Country Lions registered their maiden victory overcoming CH & FC by a convincing margin 42-10. They finished the season in fourth place and reached the semi-finals of
5913-474: Was a World War II veteran who was awarded five acres of paddy land in Polonnaruwa near Parakrama Samudra which resulted in the family moving from Yagoda to Polonnaruwa. His mother, Yapa Appuhamilage Dona Nandawathi, was a school teacher. He was educated at Thopawewa Maha Vidyalaya and Rajakeeya Madya Maha Vidyalaya Polonnaruwa where he first developed an interest in politics. While still in school, as
5994-465: Was appointed Deputy Minister of Irrigation in the new PA government led by Chandrika Kumaratunga in 1994. In 1997 President Kumaratunga promoted him to the Cabinet , appointing him Minister of Mahaweli Development. While in this office he initiated many concessionary grants to improve the standard of the farming community. He was also responsible for influencing the government's decision to give farmers
6075-532: Was appointed as the general secretary of the SLFP for the first time, from which he later resigned. In August 2000 Sirisena tried to become general secretary of the SLFP but was beaten by S. B. Dissanayake . Sirisena was instead appointed one of the Deputy Presidents of SLFP. He became general secretary of the SLFP in October 2001 following Dissanayake's defection to the United National Party (UNP). Sirisena
6156-903: Was appointed public relations officer at the Ministry of Defence in February 2015 — Sirisena is Minister of Defence . In September 2015 Sirisena's son Daham accompanied his father as he visited New York City for the Seventieth session of the United Nations General Assembly . Despite having no official role, Daham Sirisena sat with the Sri Lankan delegation in the United Nations General Assembly and accompanied his father as he met world leaders such as Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and President of
6237-510: Was re-elected at the 2004 parliamentary election as a UPFA candidate. President Kumaratunga appointed him Minister of River Basin Development and Rajarata Development in the new UPFA government in April 2004. He was also appointed Leader of the House . Sirisena's ministerial portfolio was renamed as Minister of Irrigation, Mahaweli and Rajarata Development in July 2005. He resigned as Leader of
6318-579: Was re-elected to Parliament at the 2000 parliamentary election and retained his ministerial portfolio. He was re-elected at the 2001 parliamentary election but the PA lost the election and so Sirisena lost his ministerial position. In January 2004 the SLFP joined forces with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna to form a political alliance called the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA). Sirisena
6399-464: Was sworn in as prime minister on 21 August 2015. Immediately afterwards a memorandum of understanding to work together in Parliament was signed by acting SLFP general secretary Duminda Dissanayake and UNP general secretary Kabir Hashim . Three UNFGG cabinet ministers were sworn in on 24 August 2015. A further 39 cabinet ministers, 28 from the UNFGG and 11 from the UPFA, were sworn in on 4 September 2015. Three more cabinet ministers, one from
6480-442: Was sworn in as prime minister on 21 August 2015. Immediately afterwards a memorandum of understanding to work together in Parliament was signed by acting SLFP general secretary Duminda Dissanayake and UNP general secretary Kabir Hashim . The elections saw minor violence and violations of election laws but were generally incident-free, peaceful, free and fair. Sirisena was praised for "shepherding an inclusive process" during
6561-402: Was victorious in the remaining 10. On the contrary Rajapakse won in 90 electorates while Sirisena managed to win only in 70 electorates. The result was generally seen as a shock. When Rajapaksa called the election in November 2014 he had looked certain to win. According to Mangala Samaraweera and Rajitha Senaratne , senior figures in the Sirisena campaign, Rajapaksa attempted to stage
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