By D.B.S.Jeyaraj “Dharussalam” meaning “abode or house of peace” is the name given to the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) headquarters at 53 Vauxhall lane in Slave Island or Colombo 2. The impressive seven storey structure was constructed mainly through the untiring efforts of M.H.M. Ashraff the legendary leader of the SLMC. “Dharussalam” was officially …

Continue reading ‘“Dharussalam” in the Eye of a Political Storm Within The Muslim Congress’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Exactly ten years ago on August 20th 2006 a member of the Catholic Clergy along with a member of the Catholic Laity went missing in the north.The clergyman was Fr.Thiruchelvam Nihal Jim Brown who was serving as a priest in the Catholic Diocese of Jaffna.The Layman was Wenceslaus Vimaladhas a social worker. The …

Continue reading ‘When a Tamil Catholic Priest went Missing in Jaffna Ten years Ago’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj August 11th 2016 was a day of well-deserved pride for the people of Sri Lanka. The Island nation’s parliament on that day passed legislation to set up an office of missing persons(OMP) in the country. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs minister Mangala Samaraweera hailed the passage of the OMP bill as “historic”. Addressing a …

Continue reading ‘“White –Vanning Culture” and the Lucrative Industry of Abducting Tamils for Ransom’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Let me begin this article with a few paragraphs excerpted from William Mcgowan’s book about Sri Lanka “Only man is Vile” – “The Kandyan jungle seemed so at peace just after dawn on that October morning in 1989. In the twisted thicket of palms, bamboo and bougainvillea that blanketed the hotel, a handful …

Continue reading ‘Shelton Ranaraja: Principled Politician was Conscience-Keeper of the Nation’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Violence reared its ugly head again in the Northern city of Jaffna on Saturday July 16th 2016 when student groups fought each other within the Jaffna varsity precincts in Thirunelvaeli known generally as Thinnaivaeli. It was basically a confrontation between two undergraduate factions of the University of Jaffna. There was also an ethnic …

Continue reading ‘Jaffna Varsity Violence: What Really Happened and Why!’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The marathon protest march “Jana satana Pada Yathra” launched by loyalists of former President and current Kurunegala district MP Mahinda Rajapaksa is currently underway in Sri Lanka. The march organized by pro – Mahinda polititical stalwarts known as the Joint Opposition began in Kandy on July 28th 2016. The five day march is …

Continue reading ‘Colombo to Kandy Protest March Launched By JR Jayewardene in 1957’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The finest phase in the history of peaceful political protest by Sri Lankan Tamils was in 1961. A non – violent “Satyagraha” campaign conducted by the Ilankai Thamil Arasuk Katchi(ITAK) virtually paralysed administration in the pre-dominantly Tamil districts of the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka at that time.Though the civil disobedience …

Continue reading ‘“Lion of Uduppiddy” M. Sivasithamparam was a Towering Political Leader of the Sri Lankan Tamils’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj “All changed,changed utterly” – The memorable lines from Irish poet Yeats came true on the morning of July 2nd 2016 for Dr.Indrajit Coomaraswamy after he received a telephone call at 6. 30 am. The early caller was none other than Malik Samarawickrama the minister of Development Strategies and International Trade.Indrajit Coomaraswamy was functioning …

Continue reading ‘Inside Story About Indrajit Coomaraswamy Becoming Central Bank Governor’ »

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj The Central bank Governor crisis has been dominating the political landscape at a national level for the past few weeks. However other issues too have surfaced at sub – national level. For instance the question of Muslim political leadership has been causing much controversy at a regional level in the Eastern province. …

Continue reading ‘Muslim Congress Leader Rauff Hakeem Faces Political Challenges in East’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj “Kollanta Pavement, Kellanta Garment” was a humorous saying frequently repeated during the days of former President Ranasinghe Premadasa. It was an allusion made in lighter vein about the proliferation of garment factories employing girls in most parts of the country during President Premadasas’s rule. The inference was that while young women were being …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s “Textile Revolution” Ushered in by Ukku Banda Wijekoon’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (Two years have passed since violence was unleahed by Bodhu Bala Sena (BBS)instigated goons against the Muslims of Aluthgama and Beruwela on Sunday June 15th 2014. This article was written by me shortly after the incidents in the ensuing week in 2014.It is being re-posted without any changes to denote the second anniversary …

Continue reading ‘Anatomy of Anti-Muslim Violence: How “Bodhu Bala Sena” Mobs Caused Mayhem in Aluthgama and Beruwela TWO Years ago.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (Former National List MP and Prominent Academic – Author Rajiva Wijesinha has a reputation for speaking out forthrightly on issues affecting the nation at large. In this exclusive interview with the “Daily Mirror” Prof.Wijesinha responds to questions on a number of matters including the track record in governance of the present Govt, ethnic …

Continue reading ‘“Armed Forces Will Enthusiastically Support President Sirisena if he Gives Gotabhaya a Responsible Position”-Rajiva Wijesinha’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Jayalithaa “Amma” has done it again! The supreme leader of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham (AIADMK)has triumphed at polls held for the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Elections were conducted on May 16th 2016 for 232 out of 234 Constituencies in the state legislature known as the Legislative Assembly. The …

Continue reading ‘AIADMK Leader “Amma” Jayalalithaa Has Tamil Nadu At Her Feet Again’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Rajiv Ratna Gandhi – India’s Prime minister from 31st October 1984 to December 2nd 1989 – was assassinated at Sriperumbudur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu exactly twenty – five years ago on May 21st 1991. Rajiv Gandhi as he was generally known was in Sriperumbudur to address a propaganda meeting in …

Continue reading ‘“One-eyed Sivarasan” The Mastermind Behind Rajiv Gandhi’s Assassination’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Twenty – Five years ago on this day (May 21st) Rajiv Gandhi was killed by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil eelam(LTTE). The date of Rajiv Gandhi’s death has poignant significance for me personally. May 21st is the date of my birth. My birth and his death, which happened thirty – seven years later, …

Continue reading ‘Remembering Rajiv Gandhi on the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of his Death’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Former Sri Lankan army commander Sarath Fonseka came out with a bombshell statement some days ago in Parliament. The ex –army chief now a Cabinet minister in the Sirisena – Wickremesinghe Government accused his erstwhile comrade -at – arms and former Secretary of Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa of having “stage managed” an assassination attempt …

Continue reading ‘Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, The “Pithala Handiya” Explosive Attack And Sarath Fonseka’ »

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj A widespread security crackdown has been underway in the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. Over 20 former members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)organization have been reportedly taken into custody over the past weeks in a staggered security operation spearheaded by the Terrorism Investigation Department (TID)of the Police.Almost …

Continue reading ‘Police TID Arrests 4 Top Eastern Ex-Tiger Leaders Who Worked With Military Intelligence After War Ended’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The “Good Governance” Government of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has embarked upon a historic exercise to enact a new Constitution for Sri Lanka. The consensual approach being adopted will see Parliament convening as a Constitutional Assembly as and when required to engage in Constitution making. The Speaker Karu Jayasuriya …

Continue reading ‘Sad Story of the Banda-Chelva Pact: How the B-C Pact was Formulated, Signed and Abrogated.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj A 44 year old Kandyan Sinhalese widow of aristocratic “Radala” lineage gained global fame for her country in 1960 when she became the world’s first woman prime minister. She was none other than Sirimavo Bandaranaike who was sworn in as Prime minister of Sri Lanka known then as Ceylon on July 21st 1960. …

Continue reading ‘“Stateswoman” Sirimavo Made History As World’s First Woman Prime Minister’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Mangaiyarkkarasi Amirthalingam known widely among Tamils at one time as “Mangai Akka”(elder sister Mangai) passed away at the age of 82 in Britain where she had been residing for the past 27 years. She was taken ill and admitted to the Royal borough of Kingston upon Thames Hospital in Surrey on Tuesday March …

Continue reading ‘Mangaiyarkkarasi Amirthalingam Was a Dynamic Political Personality in Her Own Right’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj The Birth Centenary of Sri Lanka’s third Executive President Dingiri Banda (DB) Wijetunga was celebrated last week. DB Wijetunga was born during British rule on February 15th 1916.He passed away on September 21st 2008 at the age of 92.DB as he was popularly known served as President from May 1st 1993 to …

Continue reading ‘Dingiri Banda Wijetunga: From “Deaf and Blind” Prime Minister to “Dearly Beloved” President’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Gardihewa Sarath Chandralal Fonseka, Sri Lanka’s one and only Field Marshall is very much in the news these days. The former army chief who was once described as the “world’s best military commander” by former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is now a national list Parliamentarian of the United National front for Good Governance …

Continue reading ‘Revisiting the Forcible Arrest of Sarath Fonseka by the Army on Feb 8th 2010’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj If Philip Upali Wijewardena was among the living he would have reached the Seventy-seven on February 17th. Alas, this was not to be as he disappeared 32 years ago on Feb 13th , just four days before his 45th birthday . This article written years ago is updated and posted here as …

Continue reading ‘Upali Wijewardena: Memories of Sri Lanka’s Unforgettable Indigenous Tycoon’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj “Sri Lanka Thaayae, Nam Sri Lanka, Namo, Namo, Namo, Namo Thaayae…” (Sri Lanka Mother, our sri Lanka, We Salute, Salute, Salute, Salute Thee) – Sri Lankan National Anthem in Tamil Sri Lanka known as Ceylon gained Freedom from Britain on February 4th 1948. I was born six years later in Independent Ceylon on …

Continue reading ‘Patriotic Tamils Hail Mother Lanka as “Sri Lanka Thaayae” in Their Mother Tongue’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The premier political configuration representing the Tamils of Sri Lanka in the Northern and Eastern provinces is the Tamil National Alliance(TNA). According to newspaper reports the TNA seems to be disappointed over perceived delay in setting up an appropriate mechanism to draft a new Constitution for Sri Lanka. It is also worried about …

Continue reading ‘Power Sharing Quest of Sri Lankan Tamils After Independence’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj A news report from the Vatican Information Service(VIS) datelined January 14th 2016 stated that His Holiness Pope Francis has accepted the resignation presented by Bishop Rayappu Joseph upon reaching the age limit, from the pastoral care of the diocese of Mannar, Sri Lanka.The VIS report further said that Pope Francis has appointed Bishop …

Continue reading ‘Monsignor Rayappu Joseph: “Controversial” Catholic Bishop Emeritus of Mannar Diocese’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj Lasantha Manilal Wickrematunge and I were colleagues at The Island in the eighties of the last century. We were also residents of Kotahena then. Later I was for many years a columnist at The Sunday Leader writing from Canada. Above all “Lassie Boy” as I called him was a friend in every …

Continue reading ‘Lasantha Wickrematunge’s Killers Must Be Brought To Justice Under This Government’ »

Wishing Everyone a Happy, Peaceful,Bright and Prosperous New Year – D.B.S.Jeyaraj

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj Blessings of Christmas are once again upon us all!Even as we immerse ourselves in this universal season of peace and great joy, my thoughts hark back to a terrible incident which marred the spirit of Christmas and sanctity of a Church a decade ago. It was an instance of murder most foul …

Continue reading ‘Murder Most Foul of a Tamil MP In Church During Christmas Worship’ »

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERY ONE AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! From D.B.S.Jeyaraj

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj “How do you solve a problem like Maria? How do you catch a cloud and pin it down? How do you find the word that means Maria? A flibbertijibbet! A will-o’-the wisp! A clown!” “Many a thing you know you’d like to tell her Many a thing she ought to understand But how …

Continue reading ‘How Will The TNA Resolve The Problem Posed By Northern Chief Minister Wigneswaran?’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj “For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar’s angel.Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar lov’d him!This was the most unkindest cut of all;For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitors’ arms,Quite vanquish’d him: then burst his mighty heart” – William Shakespeare “Julius Caesar”(Act 3 Scene 2) Political tensions …

Continue reading ‘TNA Leader Sampanthan, Chief Minister Wigneswaran and the Crisis of Tamil Political Leadership.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Mahendra Percy Rajapaksa known to the world at large as Mahinda Rajapaksa reached the magical age of 70 on November 18th 2015. The age of seventy or three score and ten regarded as the span of life has a special aura about it. The Bible (psalm 90 verse 10) says “ The days …

Continue reading ‘Mahinda “Gamana”Goes on at 70: How Mahendra Percy Rajapaksa Began his Political Journey’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Twenty – Fifth Anniversary of Muslim Mass Expulsion From North by LTTE The Investigation launched by the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has in accordance with its terms of reference probed the period of time from the 2002 February ceasefire until the end of the war in May …

Continue reading ‘How and Why the LTTE Evicted Muslims from the Northern Province 25 Years ago in “Black October 1990”.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Thamil Makkal Viduthalaip Puligal (TMVP) leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias “Pillaiyaan” is currently being detained and interrogated by the Police over his suspected involvement in the twin assassinations of Tamil National Alliance(TNA) Parliamentarians Joseph Pararajasingham and Nadarajah Raviraj in December 2005 and November 2006 respectively. Chandrakanthan who made history in 2008 as the first …

Continue reading ‘TMVP Leader “Pillaiyaan” Implicated in Assassinations of TNA Parliamentarians Pararajasingham and Raviraj’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Human Rights Investigation report on Sri Lanka compiled by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights released last month has revealed much information about the alleged activities of the Sri Lankan armed forces, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and state affiliated para – military outfits such …

Continue reading ‘Tragic Phenomenon of Forcible Recruitment of Tamil Civilians by the LTTE’ »

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj The long awaited UN report on Sri Lanka compiled by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights released last week has predictably evoked much excitement and controversy. The UN investigation report on Sri Lanka abbreviated as OISL has provided much information about the alleged activities of the Sri …

Continue reading ‘UN Report Exposes the Cruel Conduct of LTTE Towards Tamil Civilians in the Wanni’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera disclosed in Geneva a series of proposals envisaged by the Sri Lankan Government of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to ensure, promote and facilitate Justice, Truth, Accountability, Human Rights Enforcement and Ethnic Reconciliation at the 30th session of the UN Human Rights Council in …

Continue reading ‘Mangala Samaraweera Discloses Govt Proposals for Justice, Truth, Accountability and Reconciliation at the UN in Geneva’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Karunarathne Jayasuriya popularly known as Karu Jayasuriya was elected unopposed on September 1st 2015 as the speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament.His name was proposed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and seconded by Nimal Siripala de Silva who functioned as leader of the opposition in the last days of the last Parliament. As …

Continue reading ‘From Sir Francis Molamure to Karu Jayasuriya: Long Line Of Speakers who Served in the Legislatures of Sri Lanka/Ceylon.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Pallewatte Gamaralalage Maithripala Yapa Sirisena was elected President of Sri Lanka on January 8th 2015. The general secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party(SLFP) had broken away from his party and contested the Presidential elections as the common opposition candidate. Maithripala Sirisena defeated his former leader Mahinda Rajapaksa.The victory was hailed as a …

Continue reading ‘SLFP Leader Maithripala Makes a Mockery of President Sirisena’s Good Governance Principles’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who is also the leader of the United National Party(UNP) and the United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG) is determined to form a National Government if returned to power after the August 17th Parliamentary Poll. Since most political observers opine that the next Parliament would be a hung …

Continue reading ‘How the UNP Formed a Seven Party National Government Fifty Years Ago’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Tamil National Peoples Front (TNPF) which is contesting the 2015 Parliamentary polls under the cycle symbol of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) unveiled its election manifesto in Valvettithurai on August 2nd 2015. The date coincided with the 26th anniversary of the VVT massacre of 1989 where over 30 civilians were killed …

Continue reading ‘Even God Cannot Save Tamils if People Vote for Diaspora Backed TNPF – ACTC “Cycle”’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj 6,151 Candidates from 21 registered political parties and 201 independent groups are contesting the Sri Lankan Parliamentary elections scheduled for August 17th 2015. Of these 3, 653 are from the 21 parties and 2,498 from independent groups. Predictably the spotlight in general has been on the major political parties both nationally and regionally …

Continue reading ‘Tigers as Spiders! Ex – LTTE Cadres Contesting as Independent Group in Jaffna’ »

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj Spotlight’ will move away from its usual focus on movies and movie-related topics this week and beam on an illustrious personality of Sri Lanka whose 10th death anniversary falls on 12 August. Sri Lanka’s finest Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar was assassinated in Colombo by a suspected sniper of the Liberation Tigers of …

Continue reading ‘Remembering Lakshman Kadirgamar on his Tenth Death Anniversary’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Valvettithurai is a place that has figured prominently in the politics of Sri Lankan Tamils. Valvettithurai is a coastal town along the Vadamaratchy littoral region of the northern Jaffna peninsula.VVT as Valvettithurai is generally referred to acquired a notorious reputation at one time as the hotbed of smuggling. In later years Valvettithurai became …

Continue reading ‘“Tiger” Diaspora Backs Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam led All-Ceylon Tamil Congress (TNPF) in Polls’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Election mania spreads rapidly in the country with Parliamentary polls being scheduled for August 17th 2015 and the Tamil inhabited areas of the Northern and Eastern provinces are also afflicted. Currently the premier political configuration of the Sri Lankan Tamils is the Tamil National Alliance(TNA) consisting of the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), …

Continue reading ‘Will the TNA (ITAK) be able to Unmake and Make Govts in 2015 as the FP (ITAK) did in 1960?’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (This is the second and final part of an article published in the “Daily Mirror”of July 18th 2015 under the heading “Bring back, Oh Bring Back, Bring Back Mahinda to “Temple Trees”) The Nugegoda Rally demanding the return of Mahinda Rajapaksa to politics was the opening gambit in a planned series of political …

Continue reading ‘“Bring Back Mahinda” Movement Accomplishes First Part of Its Mission’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj “My Bonnie lies over the ocean My Bonnie lies over the sea My Bonnie lies over the ocean Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me”… “Bring back, bring back Oh,Bring back my Bonnie to me, to me Bring back, bring back Oh,Bring back my Bonnie to me” – Traditional Scottish Folk Song “My …

Continue reading ‘Bring back, Oh Bring Back, Bring Back Mahinda to “Temple Trees”….’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Sri Lanka’s ebullient Foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera is currently in the forefront of a move to review and possibly remove the ban imposed on certain Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora organizations and individuals designated as “terrorist” under provisions of the United Nations Act No 45 of 1968. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) and …

Continue reading ‘Removing the Ban on Some Tamil Diaspora Organizations Listed as ” Foreign Terrorist”’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj An event of great significance occurred within the sphere of minority community politics in Sri Lanka on June 3rd 2015. Three political parties representing sections of the Tamil people living outside the Tamil dominated Northern province and Tamil majority Eastern Province announced at a media conference held at the Taj Samudra Hotel in …

Continue reading ‘Tamil Progressive Alliance and the Tamils Living Outside the North-East’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj “Both here and hence pursue me lasting strife, If once I be a widow, ever I be a wife!………” The lady doth protest too much, methinks” – William Shakespeare :Hamlet Act 3,Scene 2. Politicians are a breed thriving on publicity –negative or positive. Their preference is to bask in the limelight always. …

Continue reading ‘Ananthy Sasitharan in the Eye of a Controversial Publicity Storm Again’ »

By D. B. S. Jeyaraj Thambirajah Subathiran alias “Robert” was assassinated in Jaffna by a sniper of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Twelve years ago on June 14th 2003 while the Norway facilitated ceasefire between the Sri Lankan Government led by then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the LTTE was in force. “Robert …

Continue reading ‘EPRLF Deputy Leader Thambirajah Subathiran alias “Robert” was Slain in Jaffna by a LTTE Sniper 12 Years ago’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj (The brutal gang rape and murder of 18 year old schoolgirl Vidya Sivaloganathan in the Northern Island of Pungudutheevu has resulted in widespread revulsion and condemnations. It has drawn attention to the burning issue of sexual violence against women in general and Tamil women in particular. This is a recurring phenomenon with …

Continue reading ‘Alleged Acts of Sexual Violence Against Tamil Women by Members of the Armed Forces During the War’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (Kandiah Balasegaran alias Balraj the legendary military commander of the LTTE died of a heart attack on May 20th 2008.This article is an updated amalgamated version of articles written by me in 2008 and 2011 about him. It is being published here to denote the seventh death anniversary of “Brigadier” Balraj – DBSJ) …

Continue reading ‘“Brigadier” Balraj: Seventh Death Anniversary of Legendary LTTE Commander Who Led From the Front’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj Today May 21st is the 24th death anniversary of former Indian Prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. He was killed on May 21st 1991. The date of Rajiv Gandhi’s death has poignant significance for me personally. May 21st is the date of my birth. My birth and his death which happened thirty – seven …

Continue reading ‘Thirteenth Constitutional Amendment is Rajiv Gandhi’s Political Legacy in Sri Lanka’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj “The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it” – Omar Khayyam in the Rubaiyat (translated into English by Sir Edward Fitzgerald) The month of May is significant …

Continue reading ‘May 2009 Military Debacle at Mullivaaikkaal Results in Defeat of LTTE and Death of Tiger Leader Prabhakaran.’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj The successful passage of the 19th Constitutional amendment in Parliament with an overwhelming majority has resulted in the Executive Presidency ushered in by the 1978 Constitution losing some if not all of its powers. This in turn has focused the spotlight on the first Executive President of Sri Lanka –Junius Richard Jayewardene …

Continue reading ‘How JR Jayewardene Ushered in the Executive Presidency in 1978’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj The tenth death anniversary of well-known columnist D.P.Sivaram who wrote under the pseudonym of “Taraki” falls this week. Dharmaretnam Puvirajakeerthi Sivaram who wrote in English and Tamil was abducted on April 28th 2005 at Bambalapitiya around 10. 30 pm.His body was found about four hours later by the Police on the banks …

Continue reading ‘“Taraki” Sivaram: From Gun Toting Militant to Pen Wielding Journalist’ »

By D.B.S. JEYARAJ “And everybody praised the Duke Who this great fight did win.” “But what good came of it at last?” Quoth little Peterkin. “Why, that I cannot tell,” said he, “But ’twas a famous victory.” – Robert Southey -“ The Battle of Blenheim” Fifteen years ago on April 22nd 2000 the strategic Elephant …

Continue reading ‘How the LTTE Captured Elephant Pass Army Camp 15 Years ago Through an “Encircle and Enfeeble” war Strategy’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Friday April 17th was the 99th Birth Anniversary of Sirima Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike who created history as the world’s first woman Prime minister. The 55th anniversary of her being appointed as the then Ceylon’s premier falls on July 21st this year.The Island’s elder stateswoman was in active politics for almost forty years .She …

Continue reading ‘Sirima Bandaranaike: “Weeping Widow” who Became World’s First Woman Prime Minister’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Actions speak louder than words! A very effective message regarding the contentious issue of the national anthem being sung in Tamil also was sent out early this week to the nation in general and the Tamil people in particular in the form of exemplary concrete action by the triumvirate comprising President Maithripala Sirisena, …

Continue reading ‘History of the National Anthem of Sri Lanka has been Mired in Controversy’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Once upon a time there was a Beautiful Island with wonderful people that was regarded as God’s own country. After gaining Independence from a colonial power the modern nation with an ancient civilisation adopted a national anthem of its own.The anthem was written in the language spoken by the majority of its inhabitants. …

Continue reading ‘Singing the National Anthem in Tamil Hailing “Mother Lanka” as “Sri Lanka Thaaye”’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The phenomenon of “Traitorization” in Tamil Nationalist Politics has raised its ugly head again. I use the word traitorization instead of treachery or treason in order to differentiate between those who are actually treacherous or really committing treason as opposed to those being accused or labelled as “traitorous” or traitors. The reality is …

Continue reading ‘Recurring Phenomenon of “Traitorization” in Tamil Nationalist Politics’ »

by D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) was formed in 1949 by a dissident faction of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) led by well –known lawyer G.G. Ponnambalam. The new party was called the Federal party in English though its name in Tamil stood for “Ceylon Tamil State Party”. The break away group …

Continue reading ‘Imperative Need to Support Tamil Moderates in the Struggle Against Extremists’ »

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj Tamil National Alliance(TNA)Leader Rajavarothayam Sampanthan MP and TNA National list Parliamentarian MA Sumanthiran won many hearts and minds by participating in the official Independence day ceremony held in Battaramulla on February 4th. The diplomatic community in Colombo hailed it as a commendable symbolic gesture towards ethnic reconciliation in a land torn asunder …

Continue reading ‘Tamil “Extremists” Target Sampanthan and Sumanthiran of the TNA as “Traitors”’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Former Supreme court judge and current Northern Province chief minister CV Wigneswaran met with President Maithripala Sirisena at the presidential secretariat in Colombo on Thursday February 12th and discussed a number of issues including the controversial resolution passed by the Northern provincial council accusing successive sri Lankan regimes of committing genocide of the …

Continue reading ‘Northern Chief Minister Wigneswaran meets President Sirisena and “Explains” his Northern Provincial Council Resolution on “Genocide of Tamils”.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (Former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) political commissar for Batticaloa and Amparai districts Eliyathamby Nagenthiran Lingarasa alias Kausalyan was assassinated on February 7th 2005. This article published in “The Sunday Leader”then is reproduced to denote his 10th death anniversary…..DBSJ) It was the third day of March last year. Around 125 to 150 senior …

Continue reading ‘Heroic Saga of an Eastern Warrior: Lt. Col Kausalyan – Batticaloa-Amparai LTTE Political Chief’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (Former Tamil National Alliance Amparai district MP Ariyanayagam Chandranehru was assassinated on February 7th 2005. This Article published then in “The Sunday Leader”is reproduced here to denote his 10th death anniversary………….DBSJ) Ariyanayagam Chandranehru was the latest unfortunate casualty caught in the crossfire of a dirty war between the LTTE and its former Eastern …

Continue reading ‘Ariyanayagam Chandranehru: Tamil Nationalist son of the Eastern soil’ »

By D. B. S. Jeyaraj (Former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) political commissar for Batticaloa and Amparai districts Eliyathamby Nagenthiran Lingarasa alias Kausalyan and Tamil National Alliance (TNA)ex-parliamentarian from Amparai district Ariyanayagam Chandranehru and seven others were assassinated along the Batticaloa-Polonnaruwa road on February 7th 2005. This article published in “The Sunday Leader” at that …

Continue reading ‘Eastern Tiger Political Chief Kausalyan, TNA Amparai Dist Ex-MP Chandranehru and 7 Others Shot Dead 10 Years Ago’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Leading Politbureau member of Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) Kumar Gunaratnam alias “Kumara Mahathaya” a.k.a. Noel Mudalige is very much in the news these days.There is much speculation that Kumar (whose full name is Premakumar Gunaratnam) who is currently in Sri Lanka on a month long tourist visa may not obtain an extension and …

Continue reading ‘How the JVP Fought a Guerilla War Against the Indian Army in Trincomalee’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj General Gardihewa Sarath Chandralal Fonseka is very much in the news these days. The former army commander has had his lost rank, titles, honours, decorations and civic rights restored. He is likely to be made Field Marshall and may very well enter Parliament in the days to come. General Fonseka was deprived …

Continue reading ‘How Ex-Army Chief General Sarath Fonseka was Arrested by the Rajapaksa Regime on Feb 8th 2010’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (Former Health minister Maithripala Sirisena is the man of the moment having quit the UPFA Govt and coming forward as the common opposition candidate challenging incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa for the Presidency with the slogan “Supirisidu Nayakathwayak, Maithree Palanayak”.This article was written by me at a time when Maithripala Sirisena was riding high …

Continue reading ‘Minister Maithripala Sirisena’s Attempt in 2013 to Obstruct Justice to Safeguard Son Daham who Attacked Asela Waidyalankara’ »

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj January 8th 2015 is upon us! It’s the Day of decision for Sri Lanka as it faces yet another election to either re-elect or elect the most powerful person in the Country. My thoughts and prayers with all Sri Lankans as they cast their votes in what is perhaps the most crucially …

Continue reading ‘Re-elect Mahinda or Elect Maithripala as President?- Day of Decision for Sri Lanka!’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj What was the nature of the role played by Former Health minister and current Common Opposition Presidential Candidate Maithripala Sirisena during the final phase of the war conducted against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)? The question is of great relevance and grave significance at a time when the United Nations Human …

Continue reading ‘Is Maithripala Sirisena Who was Acting Defence Minister During the Last Two Weeks of War Implicated in Alleged War Crimes?’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj September 14th 2013 was a red letter day for the people of Kilinochchi as the “Yarl Devi” Train streamed into Kilinochchi after many years on that Saturday.Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa himself was on board the train as a special passenger during the 35 minute journey of the “Yarl Devi” from Omanthai.He had …

Continue reading ‘How President Rajapaksa Captivated the Hearts of Tamil Children at “Sencholai” Home run by “KP” at Kilinochchi’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj Percy Mahendra Rajapaksa, known to his country and the world at large as Mahinda Rajapaksa, celebrated his 69th birthday on 18th November. Sri Lanka’s fifth Executive President has been at the helm of the nation for nine years since November 2005. Currently he is poised to create a record of sorts by …

Continue reading ‘Rise of the Ruhunu Rajapaksas and Medamulana Mahinda’s Journey to President’s House.’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj Ten years ago on December 26th 2004 a series of giant Tsunami waves engulfed the coasts and littoral areas in different parts of Sri Lanka. It was a terrible tragedy that resulted in tremendous loss of human life,limb and property.Until the destructive waves rolled over our shores on that fateful day most …

Continue reading ‘How the People of Sri Lanka United Briefly to Help Each Other After the Tsunami 10 years Ago’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj Fifty years ago on December 3rd 1964 , Charles Percival de Silva the minister of Land, Irrigation and Power in the SLFP-LSSP Coalition Government of Prime Minister Sirima Bandaranaike crossed over to the opposition in dramatic fashion with a group of thirteen MP’s. The CP de Silva crossover as the event was …

Continue reading ‘How Senior Minister from Polonnaruwa CP de Silva Crossed Over With 13 MP’s From SLFP Govt on Dec 3rd 1964’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj The controversial cross over of Senior minister Pallewatte Gamaralalage Maithripala Yapa Sirisena from the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Government headed by Mahinda Rajapaksa to the opposition and related developments have evoked memories of another cross over from treasury benches to the opposite side by another senior minister from the Rajarata 50 …

Continue reading ‘Tale of Two Crossovers by Rajarata Stalwarts: CP de Silva in 1964 and Maithripala Sirisena in 2014.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj November 27th 1989 was the day on which the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE)first observed its annual “Maaveerar Naal” or Great Heroes Day (GHD).Twenty five years have passed since then and the silver jubilee of the event is today Nov 27th 2014. The event continues to be observed on a large scale by …

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by D.B.S. Jeyaraj If Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE)leader Thiruvengadam Veluppillai Prabhakaran was alive now, he would be celebrating his 60th birth anniversary on November 26th.The tiger supremo who was killed in Mullaitheevu district on May 19th 2009 was for decades the determining force in Sri Lankan politics.Though Prabhakaran is no more, the Sri Lankan …

Continue reading ‘Life and Times of Tiger Supremo Prabhakaran: 60th Birth Anniversary of LTTE Leader ON Nov 26’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Patabandi Don Nandasiri Wijeweera known to the world at large as Rohana Wijeweera was killed twenty –five years ago on November 13th 1989.The revolutionary leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) or Peoples Liberation Front was 49 years old at the time of his death. The mastermind behind two bloody insurrections – in …

Continue reading ‘Officially Sanctioned Unofficial Execution of JVP Supremo Rohana Wijeweera 25 Years Ago’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj “Hegel remarks somewhere that all great, world-historical facts and personages occur, as it were, twice. He has forgotten to add: the first time as tragedy, the second as farce.” -Karl Marx Karl Marx expanded famously on Friedrich Hegel’s remark about “history”occurring twice and stated that history repeats firstly as tragedy and secondly …

Continue reading ‘How the LTTE Enforced a Boycott in 2005 to Prevent Ranil Becoming President’ »