http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:15:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1409 http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1409#comments Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:11:21 +0000 Administrator http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/?p=1409 by D.B.S. Jeyaraj "It is not merely of some importance but is of fundamental importance, that justice should not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done." - Lord Chief Justice Hewart in Rex vs Sussex Justices Ex parte Macarthy The above mentioned observation by British Lord Chief Justice Hewart has become famous over the years as an aphorism espousing and emphasising the importance of appearance in meting out justice.It is not only important to ensure justice but equally necessary to demonstrate clearly that Justice appears to have been done. "A Salute to the Nation" posters of the Common Opposition Presidential Candidate General Sarath Fonseka are posted in Mannar Island, North Western Province of Sri Lanka -Pic: humanityAshore flickr When I began writing this article on Thursday February 25th my intention was to argue that retired four star General and defeated Presidential elections candidate Sarath Fonseka should not be court-martialled by a military tribunal.]]> http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1409/feed 188 http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1401 http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1401#comments Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:09:15 +0000 Administrator http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/?p=1401 by D.B.S. Jeyaraj India in general and its Tamil Nadu state in particular have spawned many colourful political personalities. Standing out among these figures is Jayalalithaa Jayaram, the actress-politico of Tamil Nadu. The Former Chief Minister and All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham (ADMK) Leader turns 62 today, February 24.]]> http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1401/feed 106 http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1391 http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1391#comments Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:50:20 +0000 Administrator http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/?p=1391 By D.B.S.Jeyaraj If Philip Upali Wijewardena was among the living he would have reached the Seventy-two today. (February 17). Alas, this was not to be as he disappeared 25 years ago, just four days before his 45th birthday. This article is written as tribute to the man in this eventful week of significant anniversaries. Philip Upali Wijewardena (1938–1983) Legally, Wijewardena is presumed dead though his body was never found. He was travelling in his own Lear jet from Malaysia to Sri Lanka when the plane disappeared. The disappearance continues to linger in the collective memory of the nation as an unresolved mystery. There are people who ask me even now, "I say, what really happened to Upali? Don't know, no?"]]> http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1391/feed 74 http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1383 http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1383#comments Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:07:33 +0000 Administrator http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/?p=1383 By D.B.S. Jeyaraj A striking facet of Gotabhaya Rajapakse's intriguing personality is the candour he displays in some media interviews. Instead of bluffing, sidestepping or trying to wriggle out of answering tricky questions the Defence secretary responds directly and fields them in a frank,forthright manner. This characteristic was very much evident in the telephonic interview given by the Presidential sibling on Wednesday Feb 10th evening to Ravi Velloor of the Singapore-based "Straits Times" barely 48 hours after the controversial arrest and detention of ex-Army commander and defeated Presidential elections candidate General Sarath Fonseka. General Sarath Fonseka's rally at Panadura-Jan 2009]]> http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1383/feed 324 http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1372 http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1372#comments Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:17:50 +0000 Administrator http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/?p=1372 by D.B.S. Jeyaraj In a disturbing turn of events, retired four star General Sarath Fonseka was taken into custody by a contingent of military police on the night of Monday February 8th 2010. General Sarath Fonseka General Fonseka a widely regarded as the most successful army commander in post-Independence Sri Lanka was roughly manhandled, assaulted and forcibly dragged away by military personnel who had saluted him with respect only a few months ago.]]> http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1372/feed 392 http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1365 http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1365#comments Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:40:47 +0000 Administrator http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/?p=1365 by D.B.S. Jeyaraj Hello Friends Some very interesting questions were raised by the reader Nalaka at comment #147 made in response to my article "The magic behind the Mahinda Rajapakse victory". I forwarded them to two experts at Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) in Colombo for their opinion. Both Asanga Welikala and Rohan Edirisinghe were kind enough to respond and I thank them for that. Incidently both were called upon to testify before courts on this issue of the President's second term .]]> http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1365/feed 76 http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1362 http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1362#comments Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:05:24 +0000 Administrator http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/?p=1362 By D.B.S. Jeyaraj Presidential Stakes 2010 came to an official end when Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake announced the winner in Sri Lanka's sixth Presidential election. Incumbent Executive President Mahinda Rajapakse registered a stunning victory by polling 6,015,934 votes(57.88%).Former Army commander retired General Sarath Fonseka, his chief challenger got 4,173,185 or 40.15% of the votes.]]> http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1362/feed 170 http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1355 http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1355#comments Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:54:07 +0000 Administrator http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/?p=1355 By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The electoral verdict, stunning and conclusive on the whole, has some cracks in parts. As the President of the whole country, Mahinda Rajapaksa must take the initiative and reach out to those sections of the people who have been alienated in terms of ethnicity, class, and the urban-rural divide.]]> http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1355/feed 157 http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1349 http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1349#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:23:40 +0000 Administrator http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/?p=1349 by D.B.S. Jeyaraj Hello Friends The Presidential Elections held on January 26th 2010 has concluded. Though the results are not yet officially released at the time this is being written "unofficially" it does seem very clear who has won. This crucial election at a historic juncture invoked and evoked a great deal of interest and controversy. A great many people were concerned observers of the political scene these past few months. ]]> http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1349/feed 314 http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1337 http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1337#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:03:24 +0000 Administrator http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/?p=1337 by D.B.S. Jeyaraj January 26th 2010 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 crucial, controversial and colourful presidential poll the Country has seen. I took some time off from the hustle and bustle of daily life to ponder over this election. We've had many flaws in conducting elections in the past. The present one has already demonstrated its deficiencies. The poll is certainly flawed. in Upparu-Trincomalee district, Jan 4, 2010 pic by: drs. Sarajevo Despite these flaws Sri Lanka can be proud of keeping the light of democracy alive.]]> http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1337/feed 39