By Sowmiya Ashok A week before its official launch in the Geneva Human Rights Film Festival, the capital on Friday caught a 20-minute preview of the film ‘No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka,’ which included footage of the alleged cold-blooded killing of LTTE chief V. Prabakaran’s minor son. “It was a culmination …

Continue reading ‘Channel 4 TV’s new Documentary”No Fire Zone:The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka”20 minute Preview Shows Film has Deeply Disturbing Evidence’ »

By J. Balaji Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday reportedly stressed that there would be no compromise on Colombo’s promise to implement the 13th Amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution which provides more powers to Tamil areas in Sri Lanka’s Northern and Eastern provinces. Dr. Singh thus assured a delegation of Congress MPs from Tamil …

Continue reading ‘“No Compromise on Getting Sri Lankan Govt to Fulfil its Promise of Fully Implementing the 13th Constitutional Amendment -Manmohan Singh’ »

By A Staff Reporter The visit of Sri Lankan MP Karu Jayasuriya to Tamil Nadu evoked stiff opposition from members of various political parties who staged a demonstration at Thirukadaiyur in Nagapattinam district on Thursday. Mr. Jayasuriya, a former deputy leader of the United National Party, Sri Lanka’s main Opposition party, arrived at Thirukadaiyur on …

Continue reading ‘Karu Jayasuriya on Visit to Temples Becomes Unintended Target of Anti -Rajapaksa Regime Protests in Tamil Nadu’ »

The release of Photographs by the British Channel 4 TV showing Balachandran the 12 year old younger son of LTTE leader Veluppillai Prabhakaran alive in a military bunker and lying dead has evoked much controversy. While the TV charges that Balachandran was killed by the Sri Lankan military after he and bodyguards had surrendered to …

Continue reading ‘Was LTTE Leader Prabhakaran’s son Balachandran Killed by Maj-Gen Kamal Gunaratne on the Orders of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who had been Advised by Ex-Tiger “Col”Karuna to do so?’ »

A Lenten reflection by Bishop Duleep de Chickera The weeks leading to Independence Day on February 4 were filled with intense debate on the legality and morality of the impeachment of the Chief Justice (CJ). The debate centred on the interpretation of the law and the political motives behind it. The government finally had its …

Continue reading ‘Evolutionary Decline in Governance Inevitably Breeds an Alternative People’s Resilience Vibrant and Alive in all Corners of the Country’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday said that Sri Lanka wasn’t the only country targeted by the British media outfit Channel-4 News over accountability issues. The Defence Secretary was responding to the planned screening of ‘No Fire Zone’, the third installment of the so-called documentary on ‘Sri Lanka Killing Fields’ series produced by …

Continue reading ‘Gotabaya Rajapaksa says Sri Lanka is not the only Country Targeted over Accountability Issues by British Channel-4 TV’ »

(Text of an Editorial Appearing in “The Hindu”of February 22nd 2013 under the heading “The Truth must be told”) New photographs of a 12-year-old Balachandran Prabakaran in the apparent custody of Sri Lankan security personnel in the final days of the war against the Tamil Tigers have caused widespread anguish and outrage, and understandably so. …

Continue reading ‘It is in Sri Lanka’s Interests to Begin Credible Investigation to find out how Balachandran Died-The Hindu’ »

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA -Seeking to exert pressure on the Centre, Congress MPs from Tamil Nadu on Friday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding that India join western countries like the US in bringing a resolution against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC over the alleged human rights violations during the war. The MPs said India …

Continue reading ‘Congress MP’s from Tamil Nadu meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Demand India Join Moves to Bring UN Resolution on Sri Lanka’ »

By Chrishanthi Christopher Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian, M.A. Sumanthiran, yesterday claimed the army is taking decisions with regard to the lands belonging to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North and East, while Minister of Land Development, Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, remains ignorant on the subject. “Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya announced two …

Continue reading ‘Lands Minister Unaware of how Army is Acquiring Lands Belonging to Internally Displaced People in North to Construct Military Cantonment’ »

Upul Jayasuriya, Attorney-at-Law and senior human rights lawyer, was elected as the new President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, in what lawyers called a ‘historic’ margin of victory. Jayasuriya beat his main contender Tirantha Waraliyadda PC, the senior criminal lawyer, by a margin of over 1,700 votes, BASL sources said.

BY Col.R.Hariharan(Retd) On the eve of the release of a full length film on Sri Lanka’s alleged war crimes, the British daily the Independent carried an article along with two photographs showing Prabhakaran’s son eating a snack before his Sri Lankan captors allegedly shot him dead in cold blood. This serious allegation pertaining to a …

Continue reading ‘Time for Indian Prime Minister to Publicly Announce India’s Unhappiness over the way Sri Lanka has Conducted Itself in the Post-War Period’ »

By Veerasingham Anandasangaree (Text of a letter sent to President Mahinda Rajapaksa by Tamil United Liberaration Front Secretary-General Veerasingham Aanandasangaree) His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka. Your Excellency, America’s Resolution at Geneva Permit me to remind you once again the fact that the Mahinda Chinthanaya, in my opinion is fast losing its credibility …

Continue reading ‘“Mahinda Chinthanaya” is fast Losing its Credibility due to Irresponsible Utterances of some Responsible Persons’ »

By Supun Dias Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday rejecting the photographs displayed by Channel 4 television station of UK which is alleged to be of Prabhakaran’s youngest son Balachandran, questioned as to how Channel 4 could say that he is in a bunker with the military by only looking at the pictures which do not …

Continue reading ‘Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa Dismisses Photographs Displayed by Channel 4 TV of LTTE Leader Prabhakaran’s son Balachandran.’ »

By Tamara Kunanayakam ” Oh, but Grandmother! What big teeth you have!’ ‘The better to eat you with!’” And with that, the wolf lunged at Little Red-Cap, devouring her whole.” – Brothers Grimm “The truth, the harsh truth” (“La vérité, l’âpre vérité”) – Georges Jacques Danton Who’s behind Navi Pillay? Given the reassuring and conciliatory …

Continue reading ‘Foreign Ministry Rudely Woken from Deep Slumber by Vehemence of Darusman Inspired Navi Pillay Report and US Draft Resolution on Sri Lanka’ »

By Stewart Motha It’s election year in Australia, and that means open season on boat migrants. Last year, 17,000 people arrived by boat, with a massive surge of 6,500 from Sri Lanka. These numbers have an alarming impact on Australia’s human rights record as the government puts in place draconian domestic measures to deal with …

Continue reading ‘Australia has Chosen an Unreliable Security and Surveillance Partner in Sri Lanka to Curb Peoples Smuggling’ »

By M.A.Sumanthiran Platform for Freedom conducted a Press Briefing on the forthcoming Human Rights Council Sessions in Geneva, to be be held in March 2013, on the 20th of February 2013 from 3:00 p.m onwards at the CEPA Auditorium. No. 29, Gregory’s Road, Colombo 7.

By Ramanan Veerasingham Scientifically authenticated fresh and exclusive photographic evidence has shown that Tamil Tiger chief Velupillai Prabhakaran’s 12-year old son Balachandran was alive in Sri Lankan military custody, barely a couple of hours before he was found executed on the final day of the bloody war. These photographs, obtained by the Journalists for Democracy …

Continue reading ‘LTTE Leader Prabhakaran’s Son Balachandran was Killed on May 19th 2009 According to Metadata of Photographs’ »

By Vishnuguptha “If you have abandoned one faith, do not abandon all faith. There is always an alternative to the faith we lose. Or is it the same faith under another mask?” ~Graham Greene Many arguments have been submitted for the inability of the United National Party (UNP) to displace the Sri Lanka Freedom Party …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremasinghe Fades into Near Oblivion when Contrasted Against a Giant like Mahinda Rajapaksa’ »

By Uditha Jayasinghe Expanding on a Budget proposal to prohibit State land from being sold to foreigners, Cabinet yesterday extended the policy to include private land as well, in a move that is likely to impact business sentiments. However, extensive leasing up to 99 years is still possible. Prohibition of outright transfer of property to …

Continue reading ‘Foreigners Debarred from Purchasing State or Privately Owned Lands Outright but Extended Leasing Possible with Local Investment’ »

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE- Islamic clerics in Sri Lanka tried to calm mounting religious tensions in the majority Buddhist nation Thursday by telling stores not to sell halal-slaughtered meat to non-Muslims. Food manufacturers have been labelling all their products “halal” for convenience, meaning until now non-Muslims have not had any choice in the matter.

By Sundra Ganesan In 1933, the same year the Nazis burnt large numbers of books that they considered ‘anti-German’, the idea of setting up a library in Jaffna was born. The Jaffna Public Library (JPL) would have celebrated its golden jubilee in 1983 had it not been burned down in 1981. Instead, June 2012 marked …

Continue reading ‘The Burning of the Jaffna Public Library by the Police in 1981 – 1’ »

By Chrishanthi Christopher The Sri Lankans, who have sought asylum in other countries, have been excluded from the Sri Lankan citizenship under the new Citizenship Act, the Controller of Immigration and Emigration, Chulanada Perera told Ceylon Today. He said the Department and Emigration will soon start accepting applications for dual citizenship.

By J. Balaji The Human Rights Watch (HRW), a global human rights organisation, has sought an international investigation into reports of sexual violence, rape, third degree torture against Tamil women and men carried out by the Sri Lankan security forces to get confessions from those suspected to have links with the then Liberation Tigers of …

Continue reading ‘140 Page report on Sexual Violence against Tamils by Sri Lankan Security Forces to be Released by Human Rights Watch’ »

By a Staff Reporter Journalists are now being targeted and harassed, based on their ethnicity and no action is being taken against the perpetrators nor are investigations being conducted to nab those responsible, the Alliance of Media Organizations charged at a media briefing yesterday. Highlighting a number of incidents including the attempted murder of Sunday …

Continue reading ‘Journalists in Sri Lanka are now being Targeted on the Basis of their Ethnicity charges Alliance of Media Organizations’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “He came in a dream He seduced everybody in the land The fire in his eyes And the fear was a weapon in his hand So they let him play Play their minds away” The Piper (ABBA) In his penultimate photographs, 12 year old Balachandran Pirapaharan glances away from the camera. The …

Continue reading ‘Are the Rajapaksas Conjuring an Islamic Enemy as a Patriotic Cover for their Repressive Rule and their Oppressive Economics?’ »

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA – Amid protests over the alleged brutal killing of slain LTTE chief V. Prabhakaran’s son, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Thursday called off the 20th Asian Athletics Championships scheduled to be held here in July, saying Sri Lankan players have no place in the State. Ms. Jayalalithaa said her …

Continue reading ‘Jayalalithaa Calls off Asian Athletics Championships to be held in Tamil Nadu in July to Stop Sri Lanka from Participation in the State’ »

By R. K. Radhakrishnan Sri Lankan media largely ignored the sensation created in India and elsewhere in the world, after the publication of new pictures which suggested that Tamil Tiger chief V. Prabakaran’s youngest son, Balachandran, was captured by the Sri Lankan forces ahead of being shot dead. The English press, barring Ceylon Today, did …

Continue reading ‘Reactions in India to the Published Pictures of Prabhakaran’s younger Son Largely Ignored by Sri Lankan media’ »

By B. Kolappan Reiterating her demand for imposing an economic embargo on Sri Lanka till Tamils in the country were fully and honourably rehabilitated and granted rights on a par with the Sinhalese, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Wednesday called upon the Union government to work in tandem with other countries to ensure that those responsible …

Continue reading ‘Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram describes Killing of Prabhakaran’s Son Balachandran as “a war crime of gravest nature and an unforgivable act”’ »

By James Vasanthan James Vasanthan who worked as an anchor in popular Tamil television channels debuted as a composer in Kollywood with Subramaniapuram in 2008. His forte as a composer extends to regional languages like Telugu and Kannada too and it has seen him be part of ten movies till date. Recently, he set out …

Continue reading ‘Music Composer James Vasanthan Requests “Maestro”Illayarajah to “Reconsider”After Seeing “Engeyum Eppothum Raja”Live Concert in Toronto’ »

By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s special envoy on human rights, Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, who served in that capacity for well over half a decade, has been dropped from the list of delegates attending the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in Geneva next month. However, a high profile delegation comprising senior officials from …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Removes his “Human Rights Special Envoy”Mahinda Samarasinghe from Sri Lanka Delegation to the UNHRC at Geneva in March’ »

By Sathya Liyanasuriya Thirteen may be considered an unlucky number in the biblical sense and in popular culture but Angelo Mathews may not see it that way: he was appointed as Sri Lanka’s thirteenth test cricket captain last week and wasn’t complaining. Angelo Davis Mathews is only twenty five years old. That makes him the …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Youngest ever Captain Angelo Mathews is a Thinking Cricketer who is Mature Beyond his Years’ »

By Hafeel Farisz Top Police sources alleged yesterday that the controversial removal of the Moneragala Police division from DIG M.R.Lathif was prompted by an incident involving the arresting of illegal sand miners connected to Cabinet Minister Sumedha Jayasena of the Moneragala District. Accordingly the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs elected from Moneragala district on the UPFA …

Continue reading ‘Cabinet Minister Sumedha Jayasena Exerts Political Pressure to Remove Police DIG Latiff for Arresting Illegal Sandminers “who were her men”’ »

(Text of the adjournment motion of which notice has been given to the speaker by TNA Leader and Trincomalee District MP Rajavarothayam Sampanthan) Hon Speaker, Parliament. Hon Speaker, I hereby give notice that I shall move the following motion at the adjournment of Parliament on 20th February 2013: On 15th February 2013 the Association for …

Continue reading ‘TNA Leader Sampanthan Gives Notice of Adjournment Motion Seeking Govt Action on Military Personnel who Disrupted non – Violent Fast at Durgai Amman Temple’ »

By Dharisha Bastians Conquer anger by love, conquer evil by good, conquer the miser by liberality, conquer the liar by truth – Dhammapada The ancient Sufi shrine of Jailani lies off the beaten track in the village of Kuragela, in the Ratnapura District. Sufi scholars say the hermitage shrine is believed to be where Sufi …

Continue reading ‘Covert Encouragement by Govt of Hardline Groups like Bodu Bala Sena, their Rhetoric and the Causes they Espouse’ »

Colombo/Brussels | 20 Feb 2013 As the UN Human Rights Council prepares to open its 22nd session next week, the Sri Lankan government has made no meaningful progress on either reconciliation or accountability and instead has accelerated the country’s authoritarian turn, with attacks on the judiciary and political dissent that threaten long-term stability and peace. …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Authoritarian Turn: The Need for International Action -Latest Report by International Crisis Group’ »

By Callum Mcrae It is a war that has produced some truly terrible images, but this one is particularly disturbing. A young boy sits looking distressed, like a child who has been lost in a supermarket. He has been given a biscuit or some kind of snack. In the second photograph, he is looking anxiously …

Continue reading ‘Photographs in New Channel 4 Documentary Reveal that Prabhakaran’s 12 year old Son Balachandran was Captured and Executed by Army’ »

By Upul Joseph Fernando A top echelon government leader who was in India recently, had reportedly made a very intriguing proposal to South Block leaders at a discussion relating to possible measures that could be adopted bilaterally to prevent Pakistani fundamentalists from infiltrating the Sri Lanka Muslim community. He had proposed if India used its …

Continue reading ‘Is Israel Whipping up Anti-Muslim Feelings in Sri Lanka Through Mossad Agents Embedded in Govt and Security Establishments?’ »

By Andrew Buncombe New photographs have emerged which raise fresh questions about the conduct of Sri Lanka’s armed forces during the final stages of the operation against Tamil rebels and have led to claims the 12-year-old son of the militants’ leader may have been summarily executed. A series of photographs taken a few hours apart …

Continue reading ‘LTTE Leader Prabhakaran’s 12 Year old Son was Captured Alive, Handed a Snack and Shot Dead at Close Range Later’ »

By A Special Correspondent Pictures of LTTE leader Prabakaran’s son Balachandran in military custody before being shot dead evoked outrage and strong condemnation from political parties in Tamil Nadu. Reacting to the report, based on photographs released by Channel 4 TV as part of a new video film on alleged war crimes in the end …

Continue reading ‘Prabhakaran’s son Balachandran’s Killing Evokes Outrage and Condemnation in Tamil Nadu’ »

Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka speaking to Daily Mirror online said the Army had “no information” about the deaths of slain LTTE leader V. Prabhakarans, “ wife, daughter and youngest son”. “After the final battle which went on from 2009 May 17 night, 18 and 19th till about 10 o clock, we only recovered Prabakharans …

Continue reading ‘“When I was Army Commander we had no Information about Prabhakaran’s Wife,Daughter or Youngest Son” says Sarath Fonseka’ »

By A Special Correspondent Message from M. Karunanidhi ~ via his twitter timeline The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief, M. Karunanidhi, expressed shock on seeing the pictures of LTTE leader Prabakaran’s son Balachandran in military custody before being shot dead, according to M. K. Stalin, party treasurer.

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA-The Channel 4 documentary featuring pictures of the alleged coldblooded killing of LTTE chief Velupillai Prabakaran’s 12-year-old son has been dismissed by Sri Lanka as “lies, half truths and numerous forms of speculation.” The documentary titled ‘No War Zone-The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka’ is to be aired in Geneva at the …

Continue reading ‘Pictures of LTTE Chief’s son’s Alleged Killing Dismissed by Colombo as “Lies,Half-truths and Numerous Forms of Speculation”’ »

By A Special Correspondent Pictures of LTTE leader Prabakaran’s son Balachandran in military custody before being shot dead evoked shock and strong condemnation from political parties in Tamil Nadu. Reacting to the report, based on photographs released by Channel 4 as part of a new video film on alleged war crimes in the end stage …

Continue reading ‘Images of Prabhakaran’s son in Military Custody Before Being Shot Shock Tamil Nadu Political Leaders’ »

By Gagani Weerakoon President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ordered the Ministry of External Affairs to terminate the services of Sri Lankan Ambassador to Rome, Asitha Perera, following months-long protests by the Sri Lanka community and diplomatic staff in Italy. Accordingly, the ministry yesterday dispatched the termination letter, signed by the Secretary to the Ministry, Karunaratne Amunugama. …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Orders External Affairs Ministry to Terminate Services of Asitha Perera Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Italy’ »

By Ishara Ratnakara The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday filed murder charges in the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, on the advice of the Attorney General, against 13 suspects including Parliamentarian Duminda Silva for the killing of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and three others. They were charged on 10 counts including murder, attempted murder and causing grievous …

Continue reading ‘Police File Murder Charges in Courts Against 13 Suspects Including Duminda Silva MP for Killing of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and Three others’ »

by Kath Noble We don’t seem to have learnt anything from the long list of journalists who have come under attack in Sri Lanka in recent years. Whenever an incident takes place, we do exactly the same things, and on each and every occasion, our response does nothing to prevent a recurrence. The first step …

Continue reading ‘We Dont Seem to Have Learnt Anything from the Long List of Journalists who have come under Attack in Sri Lanka in Recent Years’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando Inquiries into Sri Lanka’s involvement in the US extraordinary rendition programme have revealed that the then US President George W. Bush personally intervened in 2003 to have a wanted foreign al-Qaeda suspect extradited from Sri Lanka to an unknown destination. Highly placed sources told The Island that only the then Premier Ranil …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Hunted down Foreign Al -Qaeda Suspect in Puttalam and Handed him over to the CIA in Sedated Condition to be Flown out of Colombo on Special plane with False US papers to an Interrogation Facility’ »

(Geneva, February 19, 2013) – At its March 2013 session, the United Nations Human Rights Council should authorize an independent, international investigation into war crimes committed during the final months of Sri Lanka’s armed conflict, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to council members today. twitter.com/unrightswire Since the council adopted a resolution on Sri …

Continue reading ‘UN Human Rights Council must Authorize Independent International Investigation into Sri Lanka war Crimes -Human Rights Watch’ »

By Dr.Vickramabahu Karunaratne TNA MP and Lawyer MA Sumanthiran arguing for the CPA petition showed that the illegitimate impeachment process led to a fraudulent appointment to the office of Chief Justice against which legal challenges were a necessity. This type of conflict within the judicial setup could seriously erode public faith in the institution of …

Continue reading ‘Formation of “Protest of the Opposition” has Exposed Regime’s Supreme Indifference to Democratic Norms, Human Rights and Rule of Law’ »

By Ashwin Hemmathagama Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday pointed out the continuation of ethnic and communal violence taking place in some parts of the country and emphasised on the urgency of finding a firm solution to defuse the increasing tension between the Sinhalese and the Muslims. “The Police reports that no incidents have …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe Emphasises Urgency of Finding Firm Solution to Defuse Increasing Tension Between Sinhalese and Muslims’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka Reading reports of the recent manifestation in Maharagama, I cannot, as a political scientist, avoid the clear, decided conclusion that what we are witnessing is nothing less than the emergence of an ethno-religious fascist movement from the dark underside of Sinhala society. It is what the political philosophers Hannah Arendt and Reinhold …

Continue reading ‘Emergence of Ethno-Religious Fascist Movement from the Dark Underside of Sinhala Society’ »

By Sarath Kumara Sri Lanka’s army commander, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, has presented a report rejecting evidence of the military’s involvement in war crimes and human rights abuses during the civil war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that ended in May 2009. The report, handed to Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse on January …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Army Commander Presents report to Defence Secretary Rejecting Military’s Involvement in War Crimes and Human Rights Abuses’ »

By Nanda Wickremasinghe After a visit to Colombo last month, a delegation of senior US officials declared that Washington would table another resolution on human rights violations in Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session in early March. The delegation, led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State James Moore, concluded its three-day …

Continue reading ‘TNA Fostering Deadly Illusion that Democratic Rights of Tamils Can be Secured by Appealing to US Imperialism’ »

Sri Lanka was for decades an example of how sectarian conflict can wreck an otherwise fortunate country. It has had three years to show how devolving power to an ethnic minority can bring about lasting peace. Now it looks as if the opportunity will be lost. Sri Lanka paid an enormous price to bring 26 …

Continue reading ‘Don’t Let the Rajapaksas Ruin Sri Lanka -Bloomberg’ »

By N Sathiya Moorthy A piquant situation may have arisen in Maldives, on the domestic front and also for its relations with India, after the trial court in suburban Hulhumale’ issued a second order to the nation’s police to produce former President Mohammed Nasheed, who has been in the Indian High Commission in capital Male, …

Continue reading ‘Ex-Maldivian President Mohammed Nasheed Cant Stay Indefinitely at Indian Mission in Male says Indian Foreign Minister’ »

(Text of Statement Endorsed by 63 Civil Society Organizations) In recent months there has been an increased outpouring of virulent anti‐Muslim sentiment by persons claiming to speak for all Sinhala Buddhists. Organized groups led by Buddhist monks have held public meetings, distributed pamphlets, and made press statements. Articles in mainstream Sinhala and English newspapers have …

Continue reading ‘63 Civil Society Organizations Condemn Recent Increase in Virulent Anti Muslim Rhetoric and Attacks’ »

(Over a hundrd members of the Christian Clergy serving in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka have appealed to the United Nations Human Rights Council that a strong and action oriented resolution in relation to accountability, reconciliation and human rights in Sri Lanka going beyond the resolution adopted at the 19th session of …

Continue reading ‘Christian Clergy from North and East Want UN Human Rights Council to Pass Strong Action-Oriented Resolution on Sri Lanka’ »

by Izeth Hussain The murder by the Saudi authorities, in the gruesome form of a public beheading, of the innocent Sri Lankan maiden Rizana Nafeek is now in the past, and it might be thought that no good will come of dwelling on it. I believe on the contrary that certain aspects of that murder …

Continue reading ‘The Gruesome Murder of Rizana Nafeek Through Public Beheading by Saudi Authorities’ »

by Shamindra Ferdinando A top level investigation has revealed that Sri Lanka not only allowed the use of its only international airport at Katunayake for flights associated with US extraordinary rendition project but also handed over a terror suspect apprehended on its soil to US agents. The then UNP-led UNF government had arrested the wanted …

Continue reading ‘UNP led UNF Govt of Ranil Handed over key Al-Quaeda Operative Apprehended in Sri Lanka to the USA Without Chandrika’s Knowledge’ »

By Chaminda Perera President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday ordered officials to bring all international schools operating in the country under a regulatory mechanism. He stressed that the younger generation should not be led astray. The President was speaking at the Education Ministry progress review meeting at the Ministry auditorium yesterday.

By Hejaaz Hizbullah When the big international fast food chains came to Sri Lanka they did not have Halal certification. However, subsequently most of these chains went ‘Halal’. This had nothing to do with any ‘Islamist’ conspiracy to take-over Sri Lanka. It was a pure case of demand and supply and the pursuit of profit. …

Continue reading ‘It is not the Muslim Consumer but Businesses that Crave for “Halal” certification recognition’ »

By Risidra Mendis There are only a few places in the world, where the amazing beauty of the largest mammals on Earth, can be observed from close proximity. And Sri Lanka is one of those fortunate paradises, where the gigantic sea mammals, whales, come closer to the shores, giving an opportunity for humans to observe …

Continue reading ‘Blue Whales Moving Away from Shore to Deep Sea at Mirissa Due to Increasing Whale-watching Vessels’ »

By Gagani Weerakoon The sudden announcement of the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI earlier last week took millions of Christians, and others, around the world quite by surprise, as it was the first time a resignation of a Pope was announced in 600 years. The responsibility of appointing the next Pope lies with the College …

Continue reading ‘Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith the only Person From Asia Named in List of 18 Potential Popes Published by Forbes Magazine’ »

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti It was Friday, 15 February and the time was around 11:15 p.m. Barnes Avenue was quiet as usual, a residential lane off Hotel Road in Mount Lavinia, dotted with a few rest houses including ‘Oceania Blue’. Suddenly, the dogs in the neighbourhood began barking incessantly. Nobody heard the running feet. Having finished …

Continue reading ‘The Attack on “Sunday Leader”Journalist Faraz Shaukatally at “Oceania Blue” in Mt.Lavinia’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya Kirama Wimalajothi Thera, Leader of the controversial Sinhala Buddhist organization, Bodu Bala Sena, in an interview with Ceylon Today answers some pertinent questions about the objectives of the organization and why the organization does not accept the multi-cultural, multi religious compositions of Sri Lanka.

By Arthur Wamanan (Tamil National Alliance Parliamentarian MA Sumanthiran is interviewed by Arthur Wamanan of The Nation ) Q: TNA is part of the common opposition coalition with the UNP. On what basis are you part of such a coalition? This joint opposition was formed sometime ago when the fuel prices went up. The parties …

Continue reading ‘Military Cannot Take High Ground and Threaten Legal Action Against the TNA – MA Sumanthiran’ »

By Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha M.P. Sri Lanka is full of conspiracy theories. There are many reasons for this, not least the fact that theorising about conspiracies is a universal practice, and we in Sri Lanka are victims of this as well as practitioners. Then there is the fact that conspiracy theories are fun. Since they necessarily …

Continue reading ‘Our External Affairs Ministry Continues with Its Efforts to Persecute Our Former Envoy to UN in Geneva Ms.Tamara Kunanayakam’ »

By Sunimal Fernando The third phase of the Presidential Initiative ‘English as a life skill’ through which the President takes English language skills across the country with a special focus on Spoken English, is being launched by him from Temple Trees in the morning of Tuesday the 19th of February 2013. Releasing the creativity latent …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa to Launch Third Phase of ‘English as a Life Skill” at “Temple Trees”on February 19th’ »

By Chamitha Kuruppu (It is vital that all political parties should have trust in each other in order to work as a team senior UNP Parliamentarian Karu Jayasuriya pointed out, adding that failure to do so would only result in this Government dividing and causing further damage to the Opposition. In the recent past there …

Continue reading ‘“The Love and Affection of Party Cadres in the UNP Towards me have not Changed” – Karu Jayasuriya’ »

By Dharisha Bastians This is a Government created by Sinhala Buddhists and it must remain Sinhala Buddhist, the Buddhist extremist organization Bodu Bala Sena resolved at a massive rally in Maharagama yesterday. In an address charged with provocative ethno-religious rhetoric, Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thero urged President Mahinda Rajapaksa to ensure …

Continue reading ‘Bodu Bala Sena Issues Ultimatum at Maharagama Rally to Rajapaksa Govt Demanding Ban on ‘Halal’ Certification by March 31st’ »

By Chandrika Kumaratunga Wijaya was brutally gunned down outside our home on February 16, 1988. Wijaya was my life’s partner and we raised two children, but he did not live to see them grow up. We shared a vision for our country and sought a solution for its burning issues based on humaneness, equality, justice …

Continue reading ‘Wijaya Kumaratunga Played a Unique Role in Politics Promoting his Vision of a United Sri Lanka Where Justice and Equality would Reign Supreme’ »

BY Tisaranee Gunasekara “We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts”. Patrick Henry (Speech at the Second Virginia Convention 1775) Until now, those who incurred the wrath of the Rajapaksas were unsafe only when they ventured out of …

Continue reading ‘The Politics of Hatred from Jathika Hela Urumaya to Bodu Bala Sena’ »

By C.A.Chandraprema Last week, SL sought support from the IMF which it did not get, and this has provided an opportunity for the opposition to charge that the SL economy is on the back foot. In the meantime, minister Wimal Weerawansa started publicly attacking the Treasury Secretary as an ‘economic assassin’ one of the charges …

Continue reading ‘Why the IMF Turned down Sri Lanka’s Request for Budgetary Support’ »

By C.A.Chandraprema If there is anything that the latest report that Navi Pillai, the UN Human Rights Commissioner, has issued on Sri Lanka should teach us, it is that a reasoned response is not the best way to react to this kind of document. Besides, there is nothing more unpleasant and tedious than a nagging …

Continue reading ‘As Long as Western Powers Need to Safeguard Israel at the UN They will not Go Beyond Passing UN Resolutions on Sri Lanka’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday alleged that a recently set up political grouping led by UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was trying to arouse communal feelings among Tamil speaking people living in the Jaffna peninsula. Rajapaksa charged that an attempt was being made to exploit the continuing presence of troops at Palaly to …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Asked me to Release the Ancestral House of his Associate Charlie Mahendran in Kokkuvil that had been Used by the LTTE Reveals Gota’ »

BY N Sathiya Moorthy Independent of India’s vote, if it came to that at the UNHRC meeting at Geneva in March, there is an urgent need to de-politicise the nation’s ‘Sri Lanka policy’ nearer home. TESO Event on Nov 12 2012 marking the meeting with UN officials- pic: twitter.com/Kaiaignar89 This has more to do with …

Continue reading ‘Suspicion in Sri Lankan Political Circles About Excessive Influence of “Tamil Nadu Factor”in India’s Sri Lanka Policy is Based on Ignorance’ »

By The Social Architects The brutal civil war in Sri Lanka ended nearly four years ago, but people are still hurting. The country’s North and East are plagued by a host of problems that are unlikely to be resolved soon. Misguided policies emanating from the central government in Colombo have directly contributed to these negative …

Continue reading ‘There are Clear Indisputable Indications that Conditions are Getting Worse in Sri Lanka’s North and East’ »

By Prof S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole Our President declared in India that everyone has a right to protest in a democracy. But Tamils are questioned over religious functions and protesters are ducked in dirty engine oil, locked up or worse. He claimed to be performing a Suprabhata Seva for Venkateswara. But that seemed intresting given …

Continue reading ‘Many in the Diaspora may Rally Behind Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam but in Sri Lanka his Support is Non-Existent’ »

By N Sathiya Moorthy The comparison sounds curious, though not odious. Possibly taking a leaf out of Wikileaks boss Julain Assange’s tactic, former Maldives President Mohammed Nasheed has ‘taken refuge’ in the Indian High Commission in the national capital of Male, expressing concern over his personal ‘security’ and ‘regional stability’. The comparison should however stop …

Continue reading ‘Maldivian Ex-President Mohammed Nasheed Takes Refuge in Indian High Commission at Male’ »

By Shamala Kumar Little has been done to contain the bloated military structure in Sri Lanka even though over three years have passed since the government formally declared victory in the 30 years of civil war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a separatist group which fought for a Tamil homeland in the …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Govt Imposes Military Ideology Upon Education Sector’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara Having experienced one long war and two insurgencies, Sri Lanka is no stranger to violence. But until a few years ago, violent crimes targeting children were relatively rare in this wounded land. Historical maladies such as female infanticide, which tormented many of the country’s Southasian compatriots, were unknown.

by Tisaranee Gunasekara “A structure built on human callousness will inevitably collapse in on itself” – Avraham Burg (IHT 6.9.2003) First they came for the pavement-traders. Pavement-trading is not a bar to development. On the contrary; pavement-trading provides the enterprising poor with an affordable means of commercial upward-mobility. Many a rags-to-riches tale, globally and nationally, …

Continue reading ‘Rajapaksas Cannot Occupy Multi-Ethnic Pluralist Colombo Electorally without Transforming it Demographically’ »

The third in the series of discussions organized by the Liberal Party on Ideas for Constitutional Reform The need for Electoral Reform Wednesday February 20th at 5.30 pm Venue: International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES), 2, Kynsey Terrace, Colombo 8. Opening presentation: Prof Rajiva Wijesinha Invited Discussants: · Hon M A Sumanthiran · Hon Dayasiri …

Continue reading ‘Discussion on “The Need for Electoral Reform”Organized by the Liberal Party at ICES on Feb 20th’ »

By Athula Vithanage In a rare acceptance of ongoing oppression against Tamils in Sri Lanka, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem (Navi) Pillay has reported that the Government of Sri Lanka has prevented Tamils in the north from commemorating those killed in the war. In her February 11th ‘Report of the Office of …

Continue reading ‘UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay Highlights Denial of Rights to Tamils to Commemorate War Dead’ »

By Dharisha Bastians Travelling on the Kandy-Jaffna A9 Highway as it passes through the former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) stronghold of Kilinochchi, a dilapidated building used to catch the eye. Two girls from the A Level class ~ For Tamil people, a university education is considered the end goal. despite the lack of …

Continue reading ‘Story of Kilinochchi Maha Vidyalayam is one of Tremendous Resilience Against all Odds and Symbolic representation of Hope’ »

By Sathya Liyanasuriya Unwittingly or not, Kamalesh Sharma is a name that hit the headlines of the Sri Lankan media this week. The visiting Secretary General of the Commonwealth, an Indian national, was caught in the eye of a storm over the venue for the next Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meeting. Colombo is scheduled …

Continue reading ‘Even if Colombo Succeeds in Hosting Commonwealth Summit it may be a Very Low-Key Affair’ »

By Upul Joseph Fernando The Indian media reported that Alok Joshi, Chief of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) had visited President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Guest House at Tirupati, where he was staying. In practice, a meeting between the Chief of the country’s secret service and visiting foreign Head of State is a rarity. …

Continue reading ‘Did Indian RAW Chief Alok Joshi “warn” President Rajapaksa of Consequenes if 13th Constitutional Amendment “Plus” is Ignored or Overhauled?’ »

By Shan Samsudeen (Text of an open letter being circulated which urges Muslims to think out of the box to cope with current crisis) To Jamithul Ulama 211,Orabi Pasha Street, Colombo-10. Sri Lanka**** 10th Feb 2013 Assalamu Alakimum My Dear Brothers & Sisters; May the peace & blessing of Allah be upon all Sri Lankans. …

Continue reading ‘Muslims must Learn to Think Like Fundamentalist Buddhists to Understand and Rectify Current Problems and Live Peacefully in Sri Lanka’ »

London/Toronto/Washington D.C. The British Tamils Forum, the Canadian Tamil Congress, and United States Tamil Political Action Council acknowledge the Report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which emanates from United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 19/2. While welcoming High Commissioner Navanethem Pillay’s continuous commitment to human rights in Sri …

Continue reading ‘Tamil Groups Welcome UN Human Rights Chief’s Call For Independent International Investigation in Sri Lanka’ »

By Kamalesh Sharma (Statement by Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma on conclusion of his official visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka, 10 – 13 February 2013) Sri Lanka is a founding and committed member of the modern Commonwealth. Today, I conclude what has been a productive visit to the country. I was received by the President, His …

Continue reading ‘Preparations for Commonwealth Heads of Govt Meeting Scheduled to be Hosted by Sri Lanka in November 2013 Are Impressive and on Track’ »

By Col. R. Hariharan President Mahinda Rajapaksa is well known for wrongly timing his foreign visits. In the past his India visits were more successful than his European sojourns because they were diplomatically ‘tenderized’ in advance to avoid any embarrassment to the President. His two-day ‘pilgrimage’ trip, with an entourage of 70, to Tirupati and …

Continue reading ‘Can India Accept the Increasingly Embarassing Political Situation in which it has been Placed by President Rajapaksa?’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka Sri Lanka has just emerged from a war in which the Sri Lankan state won. Whilst being happy that the war ended with a certain outcome, we could have asked ourselves why we had the war in the first place. Why thirty years of conflict? What needs to be done to prevent …

Continue reading ‘Anti -Muslim Extremism is Profoundly Counter-Productive and Almost Suicidal Leading to Further Isolation of Country and Sinhalese’ »

By Dharisha Bastians Sri Lanka’s legitimate Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake may soon cease to hold what some legal minds have called that ‘de jure’ or lawful title. The newly-installed regime at Hulftsdorp will soon be presented with an opportunity to declare null and void two judgments by the highest courts of the land, that declared …

Continue reading ‘Rajapaksa Regime Tries “Quiet Diplomacy” to Dilute US Sponsored Resolution Against Sri Lanka at UNHRC in Geneva Instead of Attempting to Defeat it in a Vote’ »

Chaminda Perera in Jaffna President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said all countrymen have a responsibility to ensure no room is left for the re-emergence of terrorism which brought suffering to the people of all communities for over three decades. He said that he was well aware of the misery faced by the people due to terrorism …

Continue reading ‘President Tells people of Jaffna to Leave no Room for Re-emergence of Terrorism’ »

Following an appeal from the mothers of two Jaffna University students who were arrested during a protest in December 2012, President Mahinda Rajapaksa instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to make arrangements for the release of the students. “Help your children focus on their studies,” President Rajapaksa told the two mothers after asking the …

Continue reading ‘President Orders Release of Detained Northern Undergraduates Following Appeal by Mothers in Jaffna’ »

TNA DIDN’T USE FUNDS, WHICH REVERTED BACK TO TREASURY – Officials in Jaffna Local government funding allocations given to the local government (LG) bodies in Jaffna were returned because the Tamil National Alliance LG members had not made use of these budgetary allocations, and not due to any other reason, stated Govt. officials, when a …

Continue reading ‘Funds Allocated to Local Authorities in Jaffna Reverted Back to Treasury Because TNA Councils did not Utilise Money for Development’ »

By Anukshi Jayasinha The little coastal town of Kosgoda is renowned for its sea turtle hatcheries, run by individual turtle conservationists who are eager to protect these endangered species. One of them is the Amarasena’s Sea Turtle Hatchery, built in 1966 by Amarasena Fernando. After surviving a terrible blow during the 2004 tsunami, the hatchery …

Continue reading ‘Sea Turtle Hatchery run by Amarasena Fernando in Kosgoda Since 1966’ »

With Parliamentary session all set to begin, the UPA Government is girding up to withstand pressure from both the DMK and AIADMK to support a resolution in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) against Sri Lanka. The Centre is, however, keeping all options open.

Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on advice and technical assistance for the Government of Sri Lanka on promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka. Summary and Conclusions/Recomendations below.

The Government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have parted ways over a fresh financial support arrangement. In a statement, the Central Bank said since completion of the Stand-By Arrangement successfully with the IMF in July 2012, the Sri Lankan authorities and the IMF have been engaging in a dialogue on the future relationship between …

Continue reading ‘IMF Declines Treasury Request to Provide Direct or Indirect Budget Support for Sri Lanka’ »

By Gagani Weerakoon Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Albert Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, has been named as one of the possible candidates to succeed Pope Benedict XVI, 85, who announced his shocking resignation on Monday (11). Cardinal Ranjith (65) is the only Asian in the list and this is the first time a Sri Lankan has …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith Named by Forbes Magazine as a Possible Contender to be the next Pope’ »

Premier Kathleen Wynne and her new cabinet team were sworn-in today at Queen’s Park. “Jobs, the economy and a fair society are the priorities for this new government, and we intend to work with the opposition parties to make progress on these important priorities for the people of this province,” said Premier Wynne. “There is …

Continue reading ‘Kathleen Wynne Sworn in as First Woman Premier of Ontario with Cabinet of 27 Ministers’ »

By Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha M.P. Ideas for Constitutional Reform 2 I have now served two and a half years in Parliament. This would have been half the term in the old days before the United Front government of 1970 extended its own term by two years, and added one year to all future terms. This began …

Continue reading ‘“I Realized That we Have in Fact a Completely Dysfunctional Constitution”’ »

By N Sathiya Moorthy In the heat and dust kicked off by issues such as the impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, Sri Lanka missed what could well have emerged as a national discourse on an issue of equal, if not greater import. At the heart of National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakara’s …

Continue reading ‘Adopting a New,Bi-Lingual National Anthem for Sri Lanka Could Flag More Problems than Solving Any’ »

What role can Canada play to help improve human rights in Sri Lanka? Public meeting on February 15 at 1:00 p.m. hosted by Amnesty International Canada and the Law Society, partnering with Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada at the Law Society, 130 Queen St. W., 3rd floor, in the Upper Barristers’ Lounge: Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu from Sri …

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Sri Lanka, almost 4 years after the end of war, & The challenge of implementing International Human Rights 1) Panel discussion on February 14, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. at Osgoode Hall Law School’s Helliwell Centre for Innovation in Dispute Resolution, Room #1014, York University The Nathanson Centre on Transnational Human Rights, Crime, and Security at …

Continue reading ‘Panel Discussion on Sri Lanka at York University About Challenge of Implementing International Human Rights’ »

A Sri Lankan migrant has launched a political party in Australia that runs on an anti-multiculturalism platform. Rise Up Australia already boasts about 1,500 members and plans to run 65 candidates in the upcoming federal election. “Rise Up Australia Party, which is committed to keeping Australia for Australians, is utterly and completely opposed to multiculturalism,” …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka born Pastor Daniel Nalliah Launches “Rise up Australia” anti-Multicultural Party to “Keep Australia for Australians”’ »

By Gotabaya Rajapaksa (Full Text of keynote address by Secretary Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Pakistan – Sri Lanka Joint Seminar on ‘Political and Diplomatic Challenges Faced by Nations during and after Conflict Confined to Borders’ at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Affairs (LKIIRSS) on 11 February 2013) …

Continue reading ‘One of the Most Critical Tasks of the Military in the Post War Context is to Win the Hearts and Minds of the People From the Former Conflict Areas.’ »