By Ramani Mendis Secretary of Ravana Balaya, Innekande Saddhatissa Thera threatened to stop the screening of films starring Tamil Nadu actors such as Vijay, Kamal Haasan, Sarath Kumar or Rajanikanth, saying “We will not say it unless we can actually do it.” The Thera made his sentiments known at a meeting with Chairman of the …
By Dilrukshi Handunnetti From time to time, politicians from the South, especially during various phases of political negotiations with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), have dangled a particular carrot before the Tamil community from the North and East – elections in the provinces to elect their own representatives. Tamil political parties for their …
By Prof. V. Suryanarayan In a unanimous resolution on 3 May 2013, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly demanded the Government of India should take immediate steps to take back control of Kachchatheevu, a small, barren island in the Palk Bay, which was ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974. The context for reviving the demand is …
Continue reading ‘Indian Fishermen Deprive Sri Lankan Tamil Fishermen of their Livelihood’ »
By DR DAYAN JAYATILLEKA “And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?” -‘The Second Coming’, WB Yeats (1919) When Sri Lanka was nominated as host of the Non Aligned Conference and chair of the Non Aligned Movement under Madam Bandaranaike there wasn’t a single dissenting voice within …
The Dalai Lama has implored Buddhist monks in Myanmar and Sri Lanka to put an end to a series of recent attacks on Muslims in their countries, the Associated Press reported today. The Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader spoke Tuesday night about religious violence when asked questions following a speech he delivered to 15,000 people at …
Azath Salley’s detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act should be revoked and he should be released immediately. If there are indeed serious allegations of his inciting religious hostility that merit investigation, such investigation, and any consequent action, should take place under the normal law. It should also be part of a wider law-enforcement exercise …
Tamil National Alliance Parliamentarian M. A. Sumanthiran has stated that the expulsion of Muslims from North was an act of ethnic cleansing. Eviction of Muslim community from North within 24 hours was nothing but ethnic cleansing he said. Sumanthiran made these comments which he described as the “bitter truth”, at the 36th death anniversary of …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj A writ of habeas corpus regarding former Colombo deputy mayor and leader of the National Unity Front Azath Salley was filed in the Court of Appeal on Tuesday May 7th. The writ was filed on behalf of Mr. Salley’s wife Mrs. F. Rinoza M. Salley by senior Attorney at law Ms. Gowrishankari Thavarajah. …
Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday in parliament, demanded to know from the Government whether the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act would continue to be used to suppress opposition politicians. Making a special statement, on the arrest of National Unity Alliance General Secretary Azath Salley, the Opposition Leader said that the present …
By Norman Palihawadana Irked by various quarters raising concern over the arrest of former Colombo Deputy Mayor Azath Salley, blunt speaking Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday said that Salley was arrested for discussing the option of taking up arms and inciting Muslim youth in a speech, in Tamil Nadu.
By Upul Joseph Fernando It is no secret that the assurance the government received that Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will definitely be held in Sri Lanka as scheduled carried India’s imprimatur. Speculation as to who in the Indian polity pulled it off for President Mahinda Rajapaksa gained considerable interest in the local political …
By Ameen Izzadeen The genie is out and it is difficult to put it back into the bottle, say concerned Sri Lankans as anti-Muslim hatred spreads far and wide, evoking fears of a major ethnic riot which the country last witnessed in July 1983. But the voice of the concerned citizens is a murmur against …
Continue reading ‘Anti-Muslim hate campaign intensifies in Sri Lanka’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Former Colombo Deputy Mayor and founder leader of the National Unity Front Azath Salley has been admitted again on Monday May 6th to the Colombo National Hospital after losing consciousness in Police custody Salley was carried out on a stretcher by Policemen at the Police CID headquarters in Fort and rushed to hospital …
7 May, 2013 We the undersigned, vehemently condemn the arrest and detention of Former Deputy Mayor and General Secretary of the National Unity Alliance (NUA), Azath Salley, by a team of officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Terrorism Investigation Department (TID), on Thursday, 2 May 2013 morning, and call for his immediate …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Former Colombo Deputy Mayor and Founder Leader of the National Unity Front Azath Salley is currently held at the Police CID Fourth floor headquarters in Fort on a detention order for 90 days issued under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). When Azath Salley was arrested on Thursday May 2nd the Media …
By Claire Carter It is not yet known why the monarch will not attend the meeting. The Prince of Wales will go in her place, Buckingham Palace said. The news comes amid controversy over the summit, with concerns having been raised by member governments over human rights abuses in Sri Lanka. But the decision by …
By Upul Joseph Fernando Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, in a wide-ranging interview, talks about her rise and decline in Sri Lanka’s turbulent politics, 20 years after her ascendance to political power, which turned tables for the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) that was reeling under a spell of defeats.
By Kamaya Jayatissa “I believe in the essential unity of all people and for that matter of all lives.” – Mohandas K. Gandhi The need for an inclusive solidarity between all Sri Lankans is now urgent. This includes solidarity between members of all communities, as well as members of the Diaspora(s). Such social solidarity, which …
Continue reading ‘Building a Reciprocal Solidarity Between Both the Majority and Minority Groups’ »
By S.L.Gunasekara I recall as though it happened the other day, little A. C. S. Hameed, the former ineffective Foreign Minister in J. R. Jayewardena’s Government and later Minister in charge of various ministries in R. Premadasa’s Government, putting on what I term his ‘wise look’, looking over his spectacles balanced on the tip of …
By DR. DAYAN JAYATILLEKA If Azath Salley is a terrorist in the making – a terrorist who has to be pre-empted by recourse to detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act – or a promoter of fanatical, fundamentalist ethno-religious hatred, he comes with the strangest of profiles.
By Latheef Farook In the wee hours on Thursday 2 May 2013, prominent Muslim politician Azath Salley, former Deputy Mayor of Colombo Municipality and leader of the newly formed National Unity Alliance, was arrested from his daughter’s Kolonnawa house. He is now being held at the CID headquarters in Fort on a three month detention …
by Ranga Jayasuriya The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has reportedly obtained a detention order to keep Azath Salley, the former Deputy Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), in custody, for an additional three months, according to the family of the detained politician. Salley has been kept in custody by the CID since last Thursday …
by Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka I approach this subject as a political scientist, a former diplomat and briefly a Minister in the Cabinet of the North East Provincial Council. At the overlap of these experiences and roles is what is classifiable as a Realist perspective. As a Realist, I reject outright three myths about devolution which have …
By Tisaranee Gunasekara “You’re not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it.” Malcolm X (Advice to Youth of Mississippi – 1964) Senior Journalist J Tissanayagam was charged with creating ethnic dissension, by a regime which included such apostles of …
by JONATHAN MILLER Foreign Affairs Correspondent The Prime Minister’ s decision comes amid growing alarm over Sri LankaТs dismal and worsening human rights record and fears that permitting Colombo to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will enable the regime to whitewash allegations of war crimes.
By Hana Ibrahim Twenty-fourth January is remembered for many reasons. Historically, it was on this day that former Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill died (1965), that the American serial killer Ted Bundy was electrocuted (1989), that Robert Baden-Powell organized the first Boy Scout troop in England (1908)…. but for Sandhya, wife of missing cartoonist Prageeth …
Identity cards in Sinhala, Tamil soon The relevant authorities are taking a policy decision to include both Sinhala and Tamil languages in the identity card, Deputy Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne informed the Supreme Court. The fundamental rights petition filed by A.P. Dananjaya Gamage cited Registration of Persons Commissioner General R.N.S. Sarath Kumara, Defence Secretary Gotabaya …
by N Sathiya Moorthy It takes two to tango, and come September, Sri Lanka will see which way they will go. To be precise, which way one will lead the other – or, who between the two will lead the other, where and how! In September, the promised elections to the Northern Provincial Council are …
The Bishop of Galle has denied making comments about the Bodu Bala Sena or calling the organisation ‘Buddhist Taliban’ operating in Sri Lanka.
Colombo (Agenzia Fides) – The group of Buddhist fundamentalist monks, extremist and violent seriously concern civil society and religious minorities. This is ‘the alarm sent to Fides Agency by His Exc. Mgr. Raymond Wickramasinghe, Bishop of Galle, in southern Sri Lanka, expressing his fears for what happens in the country: it is the phenomenon of …
By M.A.Sumanthiran M.P. The opening of the Mattala Rajapaksa International airport in Sri Lanka has been hailed by representatives of the Sri Lankan government as a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s economic development. In keeping with the priority the government clearly seems to be placing in the last few years, on large scale development projects, …
By Dr Devanesan Nesiah President Lyndon Johnson ranked the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as the most important legislative achievement of his career – even more important than the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The latter was drafted under the direction of President John Kennedy, but was pushed through after his assassination by President Johnson. …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Former Colombo Deputy Mayor and Founder leader of the National United Front(NUF) Azath Salley has been hospitalised by the Police after he collapsed during interrogation at the Police CID headquarters 4th floor. He was taken to the hospital at about 5 pm on Friday May 3rd and is now receiving treatment under heavy …
By Damien McElroy, Foreign Affairs Correspondent Calls on Mr Cameron to boycott the event risked an embarrassing split with Buckingham Palace, had the Queen travelled to the meeting as the Commonwealth’s head. The organisation decided at its last meeting two years ago to hold the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in Sri Lanka this …
by Mangala Samaraweera M.P. We were gravely disturbed to learn of the arrest of former Deputy mayor of Colombo and Muslim Tamil National Alliance leader Azath Salley by the CID on May 2nd 2013. This is yet another blatant manifestation of the depths to which the rule of law has sunk in this country and …
By Chamitha Kuruppu Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran asserts it is unnecessary to deploy 150,000 soldiers in the Northern Province. According to Premachandran, of the 200,000 Army personnel in Sri Lanka, 150,000 are stationed in the north. “Let the Government have any amount of Army personnel they want, but please withdraw them from …
By Dharisha Bastians Top economist Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy has been appointed Consultant to the Government to work on substantive issues on the agenda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to be held in Colombo in November this year.
by Andrew Bennet May 3, 2013 – Andrew Bennett, Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom, today issued the following statement: “Canada condemns the arrest of Azad Sally, leader of Sri Lanka’s newly formed Muslim Tamil National Alliance. Mr. Sally was reportedly taken into custody by Sri Lankan authorities on May 2.
By Karu Jayasuriya M.P. It is in the strongest possible terms that the arrest of former UNP Deputy Mayor Azath Salley must be condemned by all right thinking peoples of this country. His arrest – for allegedly inciting communal hatred under the prevention of terrorism act, is further proof that the Government continues to retain …
by D.B.S.Jeyaraj The United Peoples Freedom Alliance(UPFA) Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa is planning to reduce the terms of office of the Executive President and Chief Justice as well as restricting the powers of Provincial Councils. It is learnt that the Govt is currently engaged in drafting the required amendments to the present Constitution. Although …
(Text of Press Release Issued by Amnesty International Over Arrest of Azath M.Salley by the Police in Sri Lanka) A prominent Muslim politician and government critic arrested today in Sri Lanka must be immediately released or charged with an internationally recognizable criminal offence, Amnesty International said. Azad Sally, the leader of Sri Lanka’s newly formed …
To whom it may concern, Attached is a copy of my affidavit filed in an appeal made on behalf of Mr. M Azath M Sally to the Supreme Court in Sri Lanka. Azath was taken into custody under the PTA and the police stated that according to a news item Azath has addressed a meeting …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Former Deputy mayor of Colombo and founder leader of the National United Front (NUF) Azath Salley was taken into custody by the Police in the morning of Thursday May 2nd 2013. pic via ~ facebook.com/mazathssalley The outspoken Muslim politician was taken away from the residence of a relative in Kolonnawa by a team …
by Tisaranee Gunasekara “We have now sunk to a depth at which the restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men”: George Orwell (The Adelphi – January 1939) On January 2nd, 2006, five students were murdered in the Town of Trincomalee. The government initially claimed that these were LTTE cadres who died …
By Alan Strathern Oxford University Of all the moral precepts instilled in Buddhist monks the promise not to kill comes first, and the principle of non-violence is arguably more central to Buddhism than any other major religion. So why have monks been using hate speech against Muslims and joining mobs that have left dozens dead? …
Continue reading ‘Why are Buddhist Monks Attacking Muslims in Burma and Sri Lanka?’ »
by Harim Peiris President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been publicly reiterating and recommitting himself to finally holding the long delayed and often postponed Northern Provincial Council (NPC) elections in September this year, almost four and half years after the war ended in May 2009. Thereafter despite presidential, parliamentary and municipal elections, in 2010 and 2011, various …
One of the biggest insults a government can deliver to another — the diplomatic equivalent of a slap in the face — is for the leader of one country to refuse to attend a high profile gathering hosted by another. Well, Canada has just slapped Sri Lanka. Canadian Foreign Minister Baird greets Tamil protesters outside …
by Dilrukshi Handunnetti It was not surprising to find yesterday, thousands of ‘electrocuted’ (and duped) Sri Lankans jubilantly assembling at various rallying points to celebrate International Labour Day. Not surprising, because Sri Lankans have been demonstrating unfailing loyalty to the war-winning regime, irrespective of the regular price escalations, the latest being the debilitating electric shock …
By Dharisha Bastians In what feels like a repeat of Geneva 2012, behind-the-scenes manoeuvring by New Delhi may have tipped the scales in Sri Lanka’s favour in London last week, where the Commonwealth’s most powerful grouping decided an eleventh-hour venue shift of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meet was simply not an option. In exchange, …
(Amnesty International (AI) has issued a news release today (may 1st 2013), one day after publishing its report about “Assault on Dissent” in Sri Lanka.Today’s release gives specific examples of continuing violations of human rights, and then puts these in the context of the CHOGM that is still scheduled, despite these continuing issues of human …
Story and pix by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai Heavy leather drums Parai is an ancient percussion instrument that was played at temple festivals and funerals. In the bygone era, it was used as a tool for making public announcements during special occasions. The artistes from Kanakaraayankulam in Vavuniya North and Mulliyawalai in Mullaithivu District have preserved this …
By Upul Joseph Fernando Just a few days before the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) was scheduled to meet for business, President Mahinda Rajapaksa made a special announcement regarding the much touted election for the Northern Provincial Council. He categorically stated that the election will be held in September and his astrologers are working on …
By Vishnuguptha “I never will, by any word or act, bow to the shrine of intolerance or admit a right of inquiry into the religious opinions of others.” ~ Thomas Jefferson The intentions, methodologies and strategies of the Bodhu Bala Sena (Army of Buddhist Power) have so far been most unBuddhistic and bordering on the …
By Dr.Vickramabahu Karunaratne The grip of the ruler based on Sinhala Buddhist chauvinism is breaking down. It is thanks to this grip which subdued the Sinhala petty bourgeoisie, that Keheliya Rambukwella the government spokesman, could ignore the fact that parliamentarians pay just Rs.2000/- per month for electricity in their free official residences and intimidates the …
By The Puppeteer The only monkey wrench cast into the cogwheels of the Rally For Unity, was the circulation of leaflets opposing the highly publicised event. The leaflets contained the usual rhetoric, claiming that the organisers were traitors and that their facelessness should be of critical concern. Only the organisers weren’t faceless. Sure, they weren’t …
On the 1st of May workers around the world commemorate the struggles to win their rights and highlight the need to strengthen the rights of all workers in the capitalist economic paradigm that prevails. In Sri Lanka Trade Unions, Political Parties, Community based Organisations will also celebrate International Workers’ Day on May 1st this year …
by Kamaya Jayatissa “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”– Nelson Mandela It is often the case that a nation which experienced a protracted war will tend to look forward rather than backward. For Sri Lankans, …
The Sri Lankan government is intensifying its crackdown on critics through threats, harassment, imprisonment and violent attacks, Amnesty International said in a new report released today. The 78 page report, Assault on Dissent reveals how the government, led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is promoting an official attitude that equates criticism with ‘treason’ in a bid …
By Shamindra Ferdinando Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian M. A. Sumanthiran yesterday defended campaigning in London against Sri Lanka hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo later this year. The TNA wanted the venue shifted to a suitable venue regardless of a previous decision to allow Sri Lanka to host the meeting. …
By S.L. Gunasekara Vasudeva Nannayakkara was, for many years, known and looked upon as a ‘paper revolutionary’ who was ever willing to join in any ‘verbal’ attack on a Government in power. He is, today, an ‘acolyte’/‘hanger on’ of the Rajapaksa family and hence comfortably ensconced in office [at great expense to our long suffering …
By Kumbhakarna T. S. Eliot wrote his celebrated poem ‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock’ in 1917, thirty two years before Ranil Wickremesinghe was born. Therefore, it’s hardly correct to assume that Eliot based his Prufrock poem on Ranil. But, when you read through this long but delightful satirical poem, you can’t help noticing …
By WOMEN’S ACTION NETWORK Muslims and Tamils have returned to the North having experienced immense loss and struggles over the last 30 years. Post-2009 Muslims and Tamils have begun returning to Mullaiteevu and resettlement has been taking place slowly. However the numbers that are attempting to and have returned is much higher than the number …
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ Explosions at the iconic Boston Marathon Event in the USA has sent shock waves causing the Western media to focus intensively on the global phenomenon described as terrorism. In Sri Lanka there was a feeling of Déjà vu as the Island nation had also experienced bomb blasts at a Marathon event five years …
Continue reading ‘Bombing at Boston Marathon Event Evokes Memories Of Jeyaraj Fernandopulle’ »
By M.A.Sumanthiran M.P Last week saw a hugely dangerous move by the government. Section 2 notices under the Land Acquisition Act were pasted on trees in Valikamam North in the Jaffna Peninsula indicating that an extent of approximately 6,400 acres of private lands belonging to several thousand Tamil people would be acquired for Military cantonments. …
By Rajavarothayam Sampanthan M.P. (Text of Introductory Speech made by Tamil National Alliance Leader and Trincomalee District MP Rajavarothayam Sampanthan at the S.J.V.Chelvanayagam memorial lecture Event held in Colombo on April 27th 2013) Mr. SJV Chelvanayagam QC was the founder leader of the Federal Party and the undisputed leader of the Tamil people.We welcome all …
by Tisaranee Gunasekara “I think we are blind….. Blind people who can see, but do not see” ~ Jose Saramago (Blindness) Miracles happen in the ‘Wonder of Asia’. Last week, the lawyers representing Parliamentarian Duminda Silva – on the basis of multiple diagnoses by eminent physicians – assured a court of law that their client …
By Wasantha Ramanayake Parliamentarian Duminda Silva returned to public life yesterday after spending 17 months in hospitals in Singapore and Colombo. Mr. Silva is the eleventh accused in the Mulleriyawa shooting incident where Presidential Advisor Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and three others were killed. Last morning Mr. Silva left the private hospital in which he stayed …
by A staff reporter Hirunika Premachandra, daughter of slain politician, Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, said yesterday the President should provide a solution to the ‘Duminda Silva situation,’ and complained, “the man who destroyed four families has now gone to meet the President.” Hirunika, addressing the media after United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Duminda Silva – …
Dear Friends, Given the recent spate of hate speech and the marginalization of minority communities in general in Sri Lanka, a voluntary movement of concerned Sri Lankans from various institutions, professions and industries are organizing a series of non-partisan, non-violent awareness campaigns and rallies against racist actions and hate-speech in Sri Lanka. Attached for your …
Continue reading ‘“Hate has no Place in Sri Lanka”-28th April Rally for Unity’ »
By Justice C.V. Wigneswaran (Text of THANTHAI CHELVANAYAGAM MEMORIAL LECTURE on the Theme ‘WHITHER SRI LANKAN TAMILS’ Delivered on 26/04/2013 FRIDAY at NEW KATHIRESAN HALL, GALLE ROAD, BAMBALAPITIYA COLOMBO 4 to mark the 36th death anniversary of S.J.V.Chelvanayagam, Q.C) Justice C.V. Wigneswaran lighting the oil lamp~picture by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai © Ajnaana Timiraamdhasya Gnaanaanjana Shalaakayaa Chakshuru …
By Dharisha Bastians In a major breakthrough Sri Lanka yesterday cleared what is likely the last diplomatic hurdle on its journey to playing host at the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meet in November this yearThis was after the grouping’s Ministerial Action Group concluded its key meeting in London yesterday signalling no move to put …
By Dharisha Bastians Sri Lanka is likely to feature during a meeting of the Commonwealth’s most powerful eight-member body in London today, with Canada hinting it is seeking a shift in the venue and Tamil Nadu political parties, international lawyers grouping and human rights activists lobbying against allowing Colombo to host a key Commonwealth summit …
By J. S. Tissainayagam Sri Lanka, whose leaders are accused of committing war crimes against Tamils in the civil war that ended May 2009, and subverting democracy, is to host the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November. In the past the Commonwealth, the 54-member intergovernmental grouping of mostly Britain’s former colonies, has …
by Frances Harrison When they decided to have a meeting at their party office in the north of the island, the four Sri Lankan MPs probably didn’t expect that it would start raining concrete boulders. Before they knew it, a mob of about 60 people had surrounded the building. After half an hour of sustained …
by Vishnuguptha “It is not once nor twice but times without number that the same ideas make their appearance in the world.” ~ Aristotle The Government in general and the ruling family in particular, do not show any signs of learning any lesson from history. The local government elections concluded more than two and half …
OTTAWA – Official Opposition New Democrats Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre) and Rathika Sitsabaiesan (Scarborough—Rouge River) have launched a national campaign to pressure the Conservatives to fully boycott the Commonwealth meetings in Sri Lanka unless an independent and international investigation into alleged war crimes are accepted by the government of that country.
By Tisaranee Gunasekara “….the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think” ~ Tom Paine (Rights of Man) In 2005 when he was nominated the SLFP’s Presidential candidate, Prime Minister Rajapaksa named his election manifesto Mahinda Chinthanaya (The Philosophy of Mahinda), after himself. Within seven years, the Rajapaksas conquered the government, occupied the state …
A Tamil Named “Kumar” living in Australia has detailed shocking claims of rape and torture at the hands of Sri Lankan army intelligence to Australia Broadcasting Corporation. Transcript of Telecast is as Follows:
(New York, April 25, 2013) – A senior Commonwealth advisory group should recommend the organization shift the venue of its November 2013 Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) from Sri Lanka unless the government makes prompt, measurable, and meaningful progress on human rights, Human Rights Watch said today. The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), a grouping …
By Christian Caryl The man’s body lies on a blanket striped in white and blue. He’s wearing a dark brown tank top and a dark blue flowered sarong. Someone has tied his hands behind his back with rope. There are deep red gashes on his head and shoulders — some of them presumably the wounds …
By Karu Jayasuriya M.P. Recent increase of electricity rates is unprecedented in Sri Lankan history. 75% or else 3.7 million of the electricity consumers use less than 90 units. This increase is unbearable to the low income groups and what action is taken by the government to mitigate this confusion? As they have been doing …
A large-scale tourism project has been launched by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) on an area of 1,100 hectares that belongs to 14 islands that are connected to the Puttalam Lagoon. The homes and livelihood of 2,640 fisher families, who live in the Grama Niladhari Divisions in the area, have come under increasing …
By Dr.D.Gnanagurunathan The debate about the ‘emergence’ or ‘re-emergence’ of India as an important player at the world stage goes on the one hand. On the other, the Indian state is confronted with a major challenge, as regions (provinces) are asserting their rights and able to influence the foreign policy discourse. In addition, critics point …
Continue reading ‘India’s Vote Against Sri Lanka in the UNHRC was a Well-Calculated Decision’ »
By Dr.Vickramabahu Karunaratne Nobody expected this unbelievable increase in electricity charges. Hence there were protests everywhere including in clubs and associations limited to the industrialists and traders. However the tariff increases are friendly to the class separation indicating the departure from the social welfare ideology. Still, everybody feels that the government is putting the burden …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Rev.Fr.Mariyampillai Xavier Karunaratnam Known widely as “Kili Father”was Killed in a Landmine Explosion at Ambaikulam between Vavunikulam and Vannivilaankulam in the Wanni five years ago on April 20th 2008. The following article was written by me for “The Nation”and Reproduced on “transcurrents”then. I am posting the article without any changes to denote the …
by Upul Joseph Fernando “Although it is not known yet who is responsible for Monday’s heinous bombings at the Boston Marathon that killed three and injured more than 100 people, a source within the Iranian Intelligence Services told WND, the Islamic regime was behind them, and to look for trails through Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.” …
By Ananth Palakidnar Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, has met former LTTE media head, V. Dayanithy alias Daya Master and 23 others in Jaffna over the Northern Provincial Council polls to be held later this year, informed sources said. The meeting was held on Monday at the 52 Division …
By Latheef Farook CHECHENYA is yet another Muslim entity destroyed and rendered a wasteland in the two senseless Russian wars to subjugate the republic. Demonising and killing Chechen Muslims were popular pastimes for Russian leaders in order to win voters. View Larger Map Going by historical records, war against Russia has been a regular unfortunate …
Continue reading ‘Killing Fields of Chechnya: A Muslim Land Laid Waste by a Senseless War’ »
by Sarah Kendzior In 1901, a 28-year-old American named Leon Czolgosz assassinated US President William McKinley. Czolgosz was born in America, but he was of Polish descent. After McKinley died, the American media blamed Polish immigrants. They were outsiders, foreigners, with a suspicious religion – Catholicism – and strange last names. At a time when …
by Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha M.P. Once again, following the vote in Geneva, which made clear how influential the United States of America was, and how comparatively friendless we were, there is talk of re-establishing relations with the West. Thankfully this year it has not taken the form of denigration of good relations with others, as happened …
by DR DAYAN JAYATILLEKA However bad Sri Lanka’s foreign policy is and external relations are, they have yet to hit the nadir that they did under President Jayewardene in the 1980s. The first ever resolution on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka adopted in Geneva by the Human Rights Commission was in March 1987, …
(Commemorating 20th death Anniversary of former National security Minister Lalith Athulathmudali) by S. V. D Kesaralal Gunasekara People keep asking me why I continue to write about the late Mr. Athulathmudali two decades after his unfortunate and untimely demise. The necessity to write invariably follows as a result of what is happening (or not happening) …
by Col R Hariharan North Korea’s deployment of two additional short-range scud ballistic missile launchers in its eastern coast has strengthened speculations in the South that Pyongyang might launch a missile on April 25, the anniversary of North Korean army. According to South Korean media, the latest deployment was in addition to the seven mobile …
by Karu Jayasuriya M.P. It is reported in the media that the President Mahinda Rajapaksa has stated at a meeting with Media Chiefs, elections could be held under the Commissioner of Elections without an Elections Commission. An Elections Commission was established by the 17th Amendment which was passed in Parliament by 2/3 majority, to achieve …
by Col R Hariharan Myanmar’s fledgling democracy faced yet another obstacle to its progress when anti-Muslim violence flared up in Central Myanmar town of Meiktila in March 2013. It quickly spread to six other smaller townships in Thayawady district in Bago Region in Lower Myanmar. According to Human Rights Watch, it also spread to 11 …
by Meera Srinivasan It was one such harsh Madras summer. In the shade of the rich canopy on Venkatnarayana Road, a friend and I, both a little over 10 at that time, stood in eager anticipation. With us was Lalgudi sir, clad in a sparkling white dhoti folded up to his knee and a white …
By Shalini Singh In his 112-page written statement to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probing the 2G scam, the former Telecom Minister and prime accused, A. Raja, has said he personally met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh several times between November 2007 and July 2008 — the period when the scam was perpetrated — to keep …
By Marianne David With white sandy beaches and sparkling seas, magnificent whales and dancing dolphins, vibrant corals reefs in shallow waters, multi-hued schools of fish – including sharks, who glide by without a second glance – and the breathtaking secluded beauty of Pigeon Island, not forgetting its gorgeous setting, heritage and beauty, Trincomalee is a …
Secretary Defence and Urban Developemt Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa during his visit to the Jaffna peninsula, was the chief guest at a function held to distribute school uniform packs to students in Varani today (22nd April). 1500 school children received gift packs from Mr. Rajapaksa at the function organized by the 52 Division of the SLA. …
A woman raped at a hotel in Sri Lanka has spoken for the first time of the attack in which she was badly beaten and her British boyfriend was killed, the British Sunday Times reported today. Victoria Tkacheva, 24, a Russian languages graduate, fears that the men responsible for her rape and the murder of …
By Raisa Wickrematunge The mother of a sick child at Lady Ridgeway Hospital says that she was asked to remove her ‘abaya’ (cloak) when she visited the hospital to see her child. The mother, whose child was diagnosed with dengue fever, visited Lady Ridgeway Hospital on April 13 at around 9.30 p.m.
by Dilrukshi Handunnetti The much-opposed recent move to acquire forestland in three districts in the Northern Province for distribution among Muslim returnees and their extended families is now in full swing, with a total of 2,388 acres of prime forestland already for this purpose. While local people and environmentalists continue to protest the land acquisition …
by C.A.Chandraprema During the new year holidays, the International Bar Association put out a report titled “A Crisis of Legitimacy: The Impeachment of Chief Justice Bandaranayake and the Erosion of the Rule of Law in Sri Lanka”. It is important for bodies purporting to represent the legal profession not to convey the impression of being …
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that elections to the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) would be held in September this year but the date of the poll would be decided based on the advice of his astrologer. “My astrologer gives me a winning time and I will decide on the basis on what he says,” the …
by JAYANTHA JAYAWEERA BSc Civil Eng (Lon), MIE (Aust), CPEng. I have just returned from Sri Lanka after attending the Thurstan College and Isipathana College 50th big match encounter at SSC cricket grounds. I spent eleven memorable days in Colombo and Galle with my schoolmates of both schools, whom I met after some considerable time. …
By Tisaranee Gunasekara “Despotic governments…..all follow the same logic”. Umberto Eco (The Prague Cemetery) Economic punches and developmental disappointments might have bruised and battered Mahinda Rajapaksa’s once enormous popularity among Sinhala masses. Yet a considerable part of it still endures. There is nothing outlandish about this; despotic leaders are usually popular, for a while, before …
By N. Sathiya Moorthy It takes a lot of courage to say, ‘Sorry’. In these years after the end of the ‘ethnic wars’, neither the Sri Lankan State, nor the Tamil community said as much to each other – and to itself. In these months after international intervention, everyone is blaming everyone else, instead. They …
by Gamini Weerakoon Fresh rustic breezes, whiff of delicacies from the Avurudhu table and nostalgic memories of the time spent in the gama in their salad days would have rejuvenated the patriotic fervor of those Sri Lankan patriots who were breathing fire and thunder before the New Year on protecting the sovereignty, integrity, unity of …
It all started with a Facebook group titled ‘Buddhists Questioning Bodu Bala Sena’. A tense situation developed last Friday as members of this group gathered in front of the Buddhist Cultural Centre on Sambuddatva Jayanthi Mawatha. The people planned to hold a candlelight vigil in front of the building at 7 p.m. During the vigil, …
By Revati Laul (Disguised as a tourist, Revati Laul travelled through the country’s most war-ravaged districts. She spotlights a story that is rarely told) The idea of a separate Tamil nation is not dead in Sri Lanka. There was a time when this was espoused with brutal violence by the dreaded LTTE. That violence has …
By Lewis Garland A year ago this week, on 20 April 2012, a 2,000-strong mob led by Buddhists monks stormed a mosque in Dambulla, central Sri Lanka, during Friday Prayers. They damaged both the building and property within it, including religious artefacts and texts. The Mosque had already been fire-bombed the previous evening. The mob …