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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Continue reading ‘Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of the Great Heroes Day Event Observed by the LTTE’ »

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

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

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

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

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

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

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The assortment of political parties known as the Tamil National Alliance(TNA) is regarded as the premier political configuration representing the Sri Lankan Tamils in Parliament, the Northern and Eastern provincial councils and various local authorities in the north and east.The TNA has in recent times ardently supported the ongoing probe on Sri Lanka …

Continue reading ‘Will the TNA Reveal Truth About Killing of Kingsley Rasanayagam by LTTE Ten Years ago?’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The South Indian state of Tamil Nadu has been ruled alternately by two “Dravidian”political parties since 1967.One is the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham(DMK)under the command of nonagenarian Muttuvel Karunanidhi. The other party currently in the saddle is the All- India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham(AIADMK)which is led by Jayalalithaa Jayaram who was removed from chief …

Continue reading ‘Phenomenal Influence of Films and Film Personalities on Politics in India’s Tamil Nadu State’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj In what appears to be a remarkable turn of events , President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ordered a twin pronged inquiry into the incident in New York on September 24 involving Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Dr. Chris Nonis, Galle district Parliamentarian and External Affairs ministry monitoring MP Mr. Sajin de …

Continue reading ‘Nonis Resignation Accepted but Sajin Denies Assaulting Chris While Kshenuka Says Nonis Abused her in Foul Language – President Rajapaksa Orders Inquiry.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The three –decade period of intense conflict from 1983 to 2009 has resulted in hundreds of political assassinations in Sri Lanka. Both Tamil and Sinhala armed groups have been responsible for these killings at different times and diverse locations. The killings of those who held or were holding high political office were so …

Continue reading ‘The Assassination of Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike 55 Years Ago’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj (It was Ten years ago on September 30th that Sembuge Gamini Shelton Fonseka known generally as Gamini Fonseka passed away at the age of 68.The uncrowned monarch of Sinhala cinema was one of my favourite actors since the age of eight when I first saw -“Ranmuthuduwa”-a film starring him at the Gamini …

Continue reading ‘Gamini Fonseka the Uncrowned Monarch of Sinhala Cinema:Tenth Death Anniversary Tribute.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj This is a period of time in Sri Lanka which is referred to as “Ashraff season” in lighter vein by observers of the Sri Lankan Muslim political scene. The Country witnesses a series of meetings and events paying tribute to the late Muslim Congress leader MHM Ashraff during this period. From the date …

Continue reading ‘Magical Influence of MHM Ashraff Over Muslim Masses Lingers on Even After 14 Years’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj When news reached me in Toronto that Philips Balendra Tampoe popularly known as Bala Tampoe had passed away in Colombo on September 1st 2014, I felt somewhat guilt ridden and remorse stricken. The reason for these feelings was that with Bala being no more there was no way in which I could …

Continue reading ‘Comrade Bala Tampoe: Life and Times of a Legendary Trade Union Leader’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj Astute Observers consistently following the erratic course of Sri Lankan Tamil politics were in for a pleasant surprise last week. The premier political representatives of the Sri Lankan Tamil people configured electorally as the Tamil National Alliance(TNA)embarked on a passage to India to meet the recently elected Prime minister Narendra Modi and …

Continue reading ‘Why Narendra Modi Wants Sri Lanka to Build on the 13th Amendment’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Veteran Trade Union leader Bala Tampoe has passed away in Colombo at the age of 92. Philips Balendra Tampoe born on May 23rd 1922 was a legend in his lifetime being general secretary since 1948 to date of the Ceylon Mercantile, Industrial and General workers union known popularly as the CMU. Having interacted …

Continue reading ‘Veteran Trade Union Leader Comrade Bala Tampoe Passes Away in Colombo at 92 Years of Age.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj It was five years ago on August 5th 2009 that Selvarasah Pathmanathan alias “KP” the chief of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was captured in Malaysia and brought to Colombo in a well-planned operation amounting to an “extraordinary rendition”. KP who had served for many years as the chief arms procurer …

Continue reading ‘Five Years After the Capture of Ex-LTTE Chief Selvarasah Pathmanathan alias “KP” in Malaysia’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj An official delegation representing the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) was engaged in negotiations with the Government of President Ranasinghe Premadasa in Colombo when Former Leader of the opposition Appapillai Amirthalingam and his colleague Vettivelu Yogeswaran were assassinated by a tiger hit squad on July 13th 1989.The assassination caused much embarrassment to …

Continue reading ‘TULF Leader Amirthalingam Assassination in 1989: President Premadasa’s UNP Govt Shields LTTE From Blame.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj July 13th 1989 was the date on which the well-known Sri Lankan Tamil leader Appapillai Amirthalingam was assassinated by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE).The former leader of the Opposition was a national list MP of the Tamil United Liberation Front(TULF)at the time he was gunned down in Colombo. Amirthalingam was killed along …

Continue reading ‘Assassination of Tamil Leader Appapillai Amirthalingam by the LTTE 25 Years Ago’ »

By D.B.S.JEYARAJ Outgoing UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Navanetham Pillay known as Navi Pillay has presented a “fait accompli” as her parting gift to an unreceptive Sri Lanka! After weeks of speculation and expectation the UN Human rights chief has formally announced the setting up of an investigative panel to conduct a comprehensive …

Continue reading ‘TNA Must Promote Accountability and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka by Exposing LTTE Human Rights Violations at the UN Probe.’ »

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj The suggestion made in this column last week that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) should promote truth, accountability and reconciliation by taking the lead in presenting evidence before the investigation to be conducted by the UN Human Rights Commissioner’s office has evoked much controversy Overseas activists of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil …

Continue reading ‘LTTE-TNA Nexus:Why the TNA was Formed and How the LTTE Gained Control of it.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Malaysian Police in a sweeping counter terrorist operation launched simultaneously on Thursday July 3rd 2014 arrested four persons of Sri Lankan origin suspected of terrorist activity with alleged links to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) and an Islamic extremist group. It is learnt reliably that one of those arrested is a …

Continue reading ‘Former Sinhala Soldier Who Collaborated with LTTE During War Arrested in Malaysia Along with Two Tamils and One Muslim’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Fathima Thahir is a Muslim woman in her forties who manages a small provision store owned by her family in the Colombo suburb of Battaramulla. The store “Fathima Stores”was named after her by her father who founded it in 1949 long before Battaramulla experienced the current scale of urban development.”Fathima Stores” on 192 …

Continue reading ‘Fathima Thahir,the Family Owned Provision Store in Battaramulla and a Rock Flung in the Dark.’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj A highly respected statesman of international stature with immense experience in helping resolve prickly issues in the sphere of international relations is strongly tipped to co- head the forthcoming UN Probe on Sri Lanka. Martti Ahtisaari It is learnt reliably that former Finland President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Martti Ahtisaari has …

Continue reading ‘Former Finland President and Nobel Laureate Martti Ahtisaari Likely to Jointly Lead UN Probe on Sri Lanka with Dame Sylvia Cartwright of New Zealand’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The tense situation prevailing in the Kalutara district of Sri Lanka’s Western Province after the occurrence of anti-muslim vioence last week took a sharp turn for the worse in the early hours of the morning on Saturday June 21st when a large,well-known Muslim owned apparel store cum showroom in the Panadura town was …

Continue reading ‘Muslim Owned “No Limit” Large Clothing Store at Panadura in Western Sri Lanka Burnt Down in “Mysterious” Pre-dawn Fire’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Pre- emptive action by the Police and Courts in Badulla has prevented the Bodhu Bala Sena and Sihala Ravaya from instigating anti-Muslim violence in the salubrious capital of Uva province as in the case of Aluthgama in the Western province . BBS in Badulla in May 2014-pic via twitter.com/Camp4justice Plans by the ethno …

Continue reading ‘Commendable Court Order Curtails Anti-Muslim Activities of the Bodhu Bala Sena in Badulla.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Although Prime Minister DM Jayaratne has informed Parliament that the situation in Aluthgama, Dharga Nagar, Beruwela and other areas have been normalised , the actual reality in the troubled region is different say informed sources who visited those places recently. pic via~bbc.com According to these sources armed gangs of thugs and hoodlums describing …

Continue reading ‘Armed Anti-Muslim Gangs Continue to Roam Freely in the Aluthgama Area Restricting Access to Muslim Victims of Violence’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Related events over the past few weeks have raised serious questions whether Sri Lankan journalists in general and Tamil media personnel in particular have the basic right of conducting or participating in a training workshop designed to improve or develop their professional skills. Inter-linked incidents in Polonnaruwa, Negombo and Colombo where three top …

Continue reading ‘Three Top Tourist Hotels in Sri Lanka Refuse to Let Tamil Journalism Workshop be Conducted on Premises Due to “Threats”.’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj SD Bandaranayake, one of Sri Lanka’s colourful Political personalities passed away on June 3rd 2014 at the ripe old age of 97. The funeral of the man who represented the Gampaha constituency for thirty years in Parliament will be conducted on Saturday June 7th at the Chandrajothi school grounds in Yakkala.The laird …

Continue reading ‘Former Gampaha MP S.D. Bandaranayake the Colourful Maverick Known as “Imbulgoda Veeraya” Passes Away at 97 Years of Age’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Controversial Tamil politician Ms. Ananthy Sasitharan is very much in the news these days. Ananthy is the wife of senior Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Sinnathurai Sasitharan alias Ezhilan who is now “missing” after reportedly surrendering to the Sri Lankan Armed forces in Mullaitheevu district in May 2009.Ms. Sasitharan contested elections …

Continue reading ‘Anandhi Sasitharan the Vibrant Wife of Senior Tiger Leader Ezhilan’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj Anandhi’s Husband Ezhilan Committed many Atrocities Against Tamil Civilians of Wanni Controversial Tamil politician Ms. Ananthy Sasitharan is very much in the news these days. Ananthy is the wife of senior Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Sinnathurai Sasitharan alias Ezhilan who is now “missing” after reportedly surrendering to the Sri …

Continue reading ‘Is LTTE Leader “Ezhilan”‘s Wife Anandhi Sasitharan a Voice of the Victims Or of the Perpetrators of Injustice?’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Former Governor-general and Campodian war crimes Tribunal judge Dame Silvia Cartwright has been appointed by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms.Navanetham Pillay as one of two senior human rights experts to “lead” the UN team that would probe the war in Sri Lanka for the period 2002 to 2009. The team of …

Continue reading ‘Former New Zealand Governor- General Silvia Cartwright Appointed by Navi Pillay to “Lead”UN Team Probing Last Seven Years of War in Sri Lanka.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj A senior UN woman official who was expelled by South Sudan for allegedly conducting an unethical probe into human rights violations in the country has now been appointed as the senior coordinator of the probe into Sri Lanka by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. It is reliably learnt that UN High …

Continue reading ‘Navi Pillay Appoints Sandra Beidas who was Expelled by South Sudan for”Unethical”Human Rights Investigation as Chief Coordinator of UN Probe into Sri Lanka.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj It was in April this year that this column exclusively reported for the “Daily Mirror” about how Subramaniam Kapilan alias Nanthagopan had been deported on March 6th 2014 to Sri Lanka from Malaysia with the assistance of law enforcement authorities in Iran and Malaysia.The 45 year old deputy leader of the Liberation Tigers …

Continue reading ‘LTTE “Airforce” Deputy Chief Kushanthan of Tiger Trio Arrested in Malaysia is a “Prize Catch” for Sri Lanka’ »

By D. B. S. Jeyaraj How the Third Diaspora Backed Attempt Led by Theiveegan-Appan-Gobi Trio to Revive LTTE was Thwarted in Sri Lanka-PART THREE (CONTINUED FROM MAY 6th DAILY MIRROR) The arrest and detention of Jeyakumari Balendra resulted in a huge outcry strongly critical of the Government. The fact that Jeyakumari and her daughter were …

Continue reading ‘Anatomy of an Aborted Attempt to Revive The LTTE in Sri Lanka’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The arrival in France of Former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) political commissar Supiah Paramu Thamilselvan’s family has caused much excitement among tiger and pro-tiger circles in the Global Tamil Diaspora. Thamilselvan’s wife Sasirekha along with daughter alaimagal and son Olivaenthan arrived in France on April 24th 2014. The family travelled from …

Continue reading ‘Overseas Tiger Circles Excited After Former LTTE Political Chief Thamilselvan’s Wife and Children Arrive in France’ »

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj (CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK) Preliminary information gleaned by the Police in Pallai from 34 year old Kumarasingham Kulasankar alias Muhunthan and 28 year old Augustine Gnanaseelan alias Gnana revealed vague details of a plot to revive the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)and commence operations in Sri Lanka. Interestingly enough the large …

Continue reading ‘Thwarting of Third Diaspora Backed Attempt to Revive LTTE in Sri Lanka -PART TWO’ »

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj “Mazhai Nindraalum Thooral Nitkavillai”is a saying in Tamil meaning though the rain has ceased the drizzle is not over. In similar vein, the recent attempt by tiger elements to revive the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE)has been foiled by the security apparatus but mopping up efforts continue in the country. The deaths …

Continue reading ‘How the Third Diaspora Backed Attempt Led by Theiveegan-Appan-Gobi Trio to Revive LTTE was Thwarted in Sri Lanka-PART ONE’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj The traditional April new year named “Jaya” or Victory dawned on a positive note this year for Sri Lanka. A massive security operation launched by the Sri Lankan armed forces had resulted in the deaths of three persons in the Jungles of Vedivaithakallu-Oothukkulam-Bogaswewa in the North. Paradoxical as it may appear the …

Continue reading ‘How the Army Killed Three Top Tigers-Theiveegan,Appan and Gobi- Who Tried to Revive the LTTE in Sri Lanka.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Ten years have passed since the once dreaded Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) experienced an internal politico-military revolt spearheaded by its erstwhile Eastern regional commander Vinayagamoorthy Muralidharan alias “Col” Karuna. The revolt lasting six weeks from March 3rd to April 11th 2004 was ruthlessly suppressed through military means by the mainstream LTTE …

Continue reading ‘Tiger vs Tiger: Tenth Anniversary of Revolt Led By Eastern LTTE Leader “Col” Karuna’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Eight Persons including a woman who were under detention for more than three weeks breathed the air of freedom on the eve of the traditional April new year. These eight persons taken into custody by the Police after a lightning raid on a bakery in Dehiwela some weeks ago. Twelve persons including the …

Continue reading ‘Eight Persons Including a Woman Arrested In Raid on Dehiwela Bakery released By TID Police; More Being Held Under PTA Will be Released Soon.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Sri Lankan Government has designated 424 individuals and sixteen organizations including the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) under the United Nations Act No 45 of 1968 by Gazette Extraordinary No 1856/41dated March 21st 2014. Details of the listing of the LTTE and fifteen other entities suspected of being LTTE fronts by …

Continue reading ‘424 Individuals Designated By Sri Lankan Govt May be Blacklisted and Have Their Assets and Economic Resources Frozen’ »

by D.B.S.Jeyaraj Hectic events over the past few weeks in Sri Lanka have driven home three salient truths on the security front relating to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) organization. The first is that tiger or pro-tiger elements in the Tamil Diaspora will persist with efforts to resurrect the LTTE and disrupt life …

Continue reading ‘Crackdown on LTTE Colombo Cell Reveals Plot to Assassinate President Rajapaksa or his Brother Gotabhaya’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Sri Lankan defence establishment has successfully accomplished the feat of renditioning a senior leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) functioning abroad with the aid and cooperation of Iranian and Malaysian authorities. The “Daily Mirror” learns reliably that the senior LTTE leader Nanthagopan was brought to Sri Lanka exactly one month …

Continue reading ‘LTTE Nediyavan Group Deputy Leader Nanthagopan Brought to Sri Lanka With Help From Iran And Malaysia’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE)organization and fifteen other entities suspected of being tiger fronts were proscribed by the Sri Lankan Government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa last week. The Sri Lankan ministry of External Affairs issued a terse press release announcing the proscription. It stated as follows – “An order, designating persons …

Continue reading ‘Nediyavan, Vinayagam, Rudra and Fr. Emmanuel Viewed by Govt as Four Formidable Foes From the Global Tamil Diaspora’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Among the 422 individuals designated by the Sri Lankan Government through a gazette Extraordinary issued on March 21st 2014 is included the name of a person who died two years ago. The 86th name in the relevant Gazette notification is that of Karunanithi Thurairatnam a.k.a Thurai. The notification also states that Thurairatnam was …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Govt Lists Person Who Died Two Years Ago Among The Names of Living Individuals Designated Through Gazette Notification’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Sri Lankan Government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa has in a decisive move with far reaching implications proscribed as foreign terrorist entities several overseas organizations suspected of being fronts of the Liberaton Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE). The Government of Sri Lanka against which a US sponsored resolution was passed by the UN …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Proscribes 15 Suspected LTTE Front Organizations Abroad as Foreign Terrorist Entities Under UN Resolution 1373’ »

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj Two pistol shots rang out in the afternoon of Thursday March 13th 2014 at house No. 5 of the Indian Housing scheme in Musalampitty in the Puliyampokkanai area of Tharmapuram region in Kilinochchi district. A fifty year old Police officer named Ratnakumara attached to the Terrorism Investigation Division(TID)was injured. The man suspected …

Continue reading ‘Shooting Incident at Tharmapuram: Is There a Real LTTE Resurgence in the North?’ »

By D.B.S.JEYARAJ The Tamil National Alliance(TNA)regarded as the premier political configuration of the Sri Lankan Tamils issued a public statement last week after “careful consideration to the draft resolution on Sri Lanka proposed at the 25th sessions of the Human Rights Council by the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Montenegro, the former Yugoslav …

Continue reading ‘Is the TNA Genuinely Calling For An International Probe Into LTTE Conduct During the War?’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Two Sri Lankan Human Rights defenders who were detained and arrested under provisions of the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) have been now released.Though held for 51 hours and interrogated without access to lawyers or relatives ,the respected human rights activists were released without any charges being filed against them. The two …

Continue reading ‘Human Rights Defenders Ruki Fernando and Rev.Fr. Praveen Mahesan Released From Custody by the Police Terrorism Investigation Divison.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj LATEST UPDATE Deputy Inspector-General(DIG) of Police Chandra Wagista who is in charge of the Terrorism Investigation Division(TID)confirmed to lawyers watching the interests of detained Human Rights Defenders Ruki Fernando and Ref.Fr.Praveen Mahesan that both persons were being held at the TID headquarters in Colombo. DIG Wakista who informed the lawyers concerned of the …

Continue reading ‘Human Rights Defenders Ruki Fernando and Rev.Fr.Praveen Mahesan are Being Detained at the Terrorism Investigation Division Headquarters under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.’ »

By D. B. S. Jeyaraj 80th Birth Anniversary on February 5th Last week saw this column paying tribute to the memory of Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) MP Dr.Neelan Tiruchelvam on account of his 70th birth anniversary.This column focuses this week on another departed TULF Parliamentarian whose 80th birth anniversary was on February 5th. Former …

Continue reading ‘Vettivelu Yogeswaran the Darling of Tamil Youths who Became Jaffna MP’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj (Updated version of the “DBS Jeyaraj Column” article that appeared in the “Daily Mirror”of February 2nd 2013) Sri Lanka will Celebrate its Sixty-sixth Anniversary of Independence from the United Kingdom this Monday. The country then known as Ceylon obtained full freedom from the British on February 4th 1948.Completing 66 years is significant …

Continue reading ‘Sixty-six Years of Independent Sri Lanka and the “Tamil State of Mind” .’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Tamil National Alliance(TNA) is now directing its anger towards Northern Province Council(NPC) Chief Secretary Ms.Wijiyaludchumi Ramesh instead of Northern Governor GA Chandrasiri as it did earlier. The TNA despite winning 30 of the 38 seats of the Northern Provincial council seats at elections held on September 21st 2013 has been unable to …

Continue reading ‘TNA Targets Northern Province Chief Secretary R. Wijiyaludchumi Demanding her Immediate Removal.’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj “Saffron terror” in the form of an ethno religious fascist organization called “Hela Bodu Pawura”descended upon the coastal town of Hikkaduwa in Sri Lanka’s southern province on Sunday January 12th 2014! Mobs led by Buddhist priests launched attacks on two christian churches while Sunday worship was in progress demanding that the places …

Continue reading ‘Mobs Led by Buddhist Monks Attack Two Christian Churches at Hikkaduwa in Southern Sri Lanka During Sunday Worship’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj A house in the suburbs of Colombo city in Sri Lanka where Christian worship and prayers were being held was set on fire in the early hours of Sunday January 12th 2014 by “unknown” elements. This incident is separate to that of the twin attacks launched against two Christian churches in the Southern …

Continue reading ‘House Where Foursquare Church Conducts Services Set on Fire at Homagama in Sri Lanka’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Even as newly elected Northern Province chief minister Canagasabapathy Viswalingam Wigneswaran is embroiled in an imbroglio with the Northern Governor GA Chandrasiri over the question of exercising authority in the province,sections of the Tamil National Alliance(TNA) are reportedly engaged in surreptitious moves to dislodge the former Supreme court Judge from his post and …

Continue reading ‘Conspiracy in TNA to Oust C.V. Wigneswaran as Northern Chief Minister.’ »