By D.B.S. Jeyaraj The new year started off on a positive note for Canagasabapathy Viswalingam Wigneswaran! The Northern province chief minister was invited by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa for a discussion on January 2nd.A direct meeting with the Executive President was something the former Supreme court Judge had been trying to secure for a …
by D.B.S Jeyaraj Joseph Pararajasingham who served as Batticaloa district MP for fifteen years was killed eight years ago on Christmas day.Had the Batticaloa parliamentarian been among the living ,he would have turned eighty in November 2014. Despite his many years of service to the people of the East and being described at one time …
Continue reading ‘Remembering Joseph Pararajasingham the “Uncrowned King of Batticaloa”’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Ranil Wickremesinghe, the “Eksath Jathika Pakshaya Nayakathuma” is portrayed as the single cause for the perceived decline suffered by the United National party(UNP). It is said that Ranil is a liability to the UNP and that the party can revive and renew itself only after he quits or is jettisoned. Sadly a substantial …
Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe, the UNP Leadership and the TINA Factor’ »
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ Sri Lanka’s Northern Provincial council is presently entangled in an intricate imbroglio.The newly elected chief minister CV Wigneswaran of the Tamil National Alliance(TNA)is at loggerheads with G.A. Chandrasiri the Governor appointed for the Province by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.This titanic clash between the former Supreme court Judge and the retired Army Major-General has virtually …
By D. B. S. JEYARAJ “Maaveerar Naal”or “Great Heroes Day” was observed annually on November 27th in a grand manner by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for many years in the past. The yearly event lost its lustre after the military debacle suffered by the tigers in May 2009.Despite the LTTE ceasing to …
Continue reading ‘LTTE “Great Heroes Day” Is for Tigers Alone and Not For All Tamils’ »
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj (This short article written as a tribute was published in “The Sunday Leader” of Colombo after the death of ♥ Gemini Ganesan ♥. It is being reproduced here without any changes due to requests by many readers who are fans of the Romance king of Tamil cinema who was born on November …
Continue reading ‘Gemini Ganesan ♥ Romance King of Tamil Films ♫’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj October 1st was the 85th birthday of Sivaji Ganesan one of the brightest stars among the Tamil Film firmament. V.C. Ganesan known as Sivaji Ganesan was widely regarded as the greatest Thespian of Post –Independence Tamil Cinema. This doyen among Tamil actors was one of my favourites. An updated version of an article …
Continue reading ‘Sivaji Ganesan: Greatest Thespian of Post-Independence Tamil Cinema’ »
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj (This article was first published in the Indian newsmagazine “Frontline” of Feb 13-26 1999 Vol 16-No 04 as part of the Symposium on Sri Lanka’s Cultural Experience.It is reproduced here without any changes) TAMIL cinema in Sri Lanka, it may be argued, is yet to grow beyond its nascent stage. While thousands …
Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Tamil Cinema and the Search for a Distinct Identity’ »
by D.B.S.Jeyaraj (This Article appearing in the Indian news magazine “Frontline” of Nov. 24-Dec. 07, 2007-Volume 24 – Issue 23 -is reproduced without any changes to denote the 6th death anniversary of Suppiah Paramu Thamizhselvan the former political commissar of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) EARLY in the morning on November 2, Suppiah Paramu …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The month of October this year records the 23rd anniversary of a cruel, inhuman episode in the history of Tamil –Muslim relations in Sri Lanka. It was in October 1990 that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE)organization forcibly expelled the Tamil speaking Muslim people from the Northern Province in an atrocious act amounting …
Continue reading ‘Mass Expulsion of Muslims From North by the LTTE: 23rd Anniversary’ »
By D.B.S. JEYARAJ The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) which demonstrated that it is the premier political configuration of the Sri Lankan Tamils by winning 30 out of 38 seats in the Northern provincial council is undergoing a new experience currently. After years of functioning outside the realms of power as an opposition political group the …
Continue reading ‘Wrangling in TNA over Provincial Ministry Posts in North’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) which swept the Northern provincial polls with a four-fifth majority is now struggling to cope with the task of determining who and who shoul be appointed provincial ministers and council chairman of the Northern provincial council. It is also undecided yet on allocating one bonus seat while the …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has triumphed magnificiently at the historic first election to the Northern Province of Sri Lanka with its chief ministerial candidate retired Supreme court Judge CV Wigneswaran topping the number of preference votes with a whopping tally of over 130,000. Wigneswaran polled 132,255 votes in the Jaffna District, with …
By D.B.S. JEYARAJ Northern Voters will be casting their votes on September 21st 2013 at the historic first election to the Northern Provincial Council. Although population figures indicate that women are more in number than men in the North, the lists of candidates fielded by the major political parties do not reflect this gender balance. …
Continue reading ‘Gnanasakthi Sritharan: From EPRLF Comrade to UPFA Candidate’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The residence of Ms. Ananthi Sasitharan who is contesting the forthcoming Northern provincial council elections on the Tamil National Alliance list under the house symbol was attacked shortly after midnight on Friday September 20th 2013. Be to Become: Tamil National Alliance’s Jaffna District candidate Ananthy Sasitharan’s paraphernalia-pic by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai~via flickr/PassionParade Ms. Ananthi …
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj The nomination of Retired Supreme Court Judge Canagasabapathy Viswalingam Wigneswaran as Chief Ministerial candidate for the Northern Provincial Council Polls by the Tamil National Alliance(TNA) was widely hailed when announced in July. This writer while outlining the process by which the “unanimous” selection was made had this to say in his weekly …
By D.B.S. JEYARAJ The birth centenary of Saumiamoorthy (spelled sometimes as Saumyamoorthy or Saumiyamoorthy) Thondaman was on August 30th. Thondaman was the undisputed “Thalaiver” (leader) of Sri Lanka’s predominantly Indian Tamil plantation proletariat for several decades. The founder leader of Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC),Sri Lanka’s largest Trade Union in the estate sector, was born in …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Hewa Koparage Mervyn Silva . Sri Lanka’s minister of public relations and public affairs is reportedly in “deep shit” at present as relations between him and the ruling Rajapaksa family has soured. The self –styled descendant of “Dutu Gemunu”notorious for his foul mouth and violent actions is currently in a precarious position and …
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj Navi Pillai is a name which has become very familiar to most Sri Lankans in recent times.The past week has seen the Sri Lankan media flooded by references to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Emotions are on the rise and expectations are high as the week long visit to …
Continue reading ‘UN Human Rights Chief Navaneetham Pillay and the South African Tamil Heritage’ »
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ Ananthy Sasitharan the wife of “missing” Senior Tiger Leader Sinnathurai Sasitharan alias Ezhilan met visiting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Navanethan Pillay in person at Jaffna on Tuesday August 27th 2013 and spoke to her briefly for five minutes. During the course of this short meeting the 42 year old mother …
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ The current visit to Sri Lanka by UN Human Rights Commissioner Ms. Navanetham Pillay known as Navi Pillay has aroused much interest and anticipation in the country. There is hectic activity by many Human rights activists and Non–Governmental Organization personnel to meet Ms. Pillay directly and air their grievances. It appears that meeting …
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ The home of a senior Sri Lankan woman Journalist in Bambalapitiya was invaded at night by a gang of five armed men who attempted to abduct her after ransacking the house and robbing valuables.Prompt action by the Police resulted in one of the intruders being killed and two injured. Two other were arrested.Three …
by D.B.S. JEYARAJ This column shifts its focus away from the Tamil National alliance this week and turns the spotlight on the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress instead. The premier political party representing the Muslims of Sri Lanka is once again in the grip of an intra-party crisis with the time bomb of split cum defection …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The latest targets in the Bodhu Bala Sena’s anti – Muslim hate campaign are innocuous signboards installed by the Road Development Authority along the Kandy-Kurunegala Road at Parakahadeniya falling under the Mawathagama Police station’s jurisdiction! When Bodhu Bala Sena’s general secretary Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero publicly demanded in Kurunegala that the “offensive” signboards saying”Silence …
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ A Thirteen hour curfew was re-imposed from Sunday (11th) 6 pm to Monday(12th)7 am as clashes erupted between Sinhala Buddhists and Muslims in the Grandpass and Maligawatte areas of Colombo. The fragile peace that prevailed overnight during the previous curfew from Saturday 10pm to Sunday 7 am was shattered after it was lifted. …
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ Muslim Youths Rally to Defend their “Abode of Allah”. A well –planned dastardly attack was launched by armed Buddhist extremists against an Islamic Mosque in the Sri Lankan Capital of Colombo on Saturday August 10th 2013 while “Maghrib”(After Sunset) prayers were in progress The attack conducted with Police connivance against the Mosque and …
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj History was in the making as nominations closed on August 1st for the first ever election to Sri Lanka’s Northern Provincial Council scheduled for September 21st.The predominantly Tamil Northern Province comprising five administrative districts will have a Provincial Council of Thirty –Eight members. Of the administrative districts Jaffna and Kilinochchi will form …
By D.B.S. JEYARAJ Canagasabapathy Viswalingam Wigneswaran was named by the Tamil National Alliance(TNA) on the Ides of July as its chief ministerial candidate for the forthcoming Northern Provincial Council election. The decision made by the premier political configuration of the Sri Lankan Tamils was welcomed widely by many shades of political opinion as a wise …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The premier Political configuration representing the Sri Lankan Tamils –Tamil National Alliance – has decided to field former Supreme court judge CV Wigneswaran as its Chief ministerial candidate for the forthcoming elections to the Northern Provincial Council. The decision was arrived at on Monday July 15th 2013 when the “Orunginaippuk Kuzhu”(coordinating committee )comprising …
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj Somasuntharam Senathirajah alias “Mavai”Senathirajah of the Tamil National Alliance(TNA) has set his sights on the Northern Province Chief Minister post. The six foot septuagenarian currently representing Jaffna district in Parliament has staked his claim to be the newly constituted Northern Provincial council’s first elected chief minister in an intriguing political move that …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj A firm “no nonsense” message from Indian Prime minister Manmohan Singh has been conveyed to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa by Indian national security adviser Shiv Shankar Menon during his breakfast meeting with the Sri Lankan head of state on Tuesday July 9th 2013. According to informed Indian sources the message from Manmohan …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Muslim community and Religious leaders have agreed to relocate a Mosque on Swarna Chaitiya road in the Grandpass area of Colombo in one month’s time due to an intensive protest campaign by the“Ravana Balaya” (Ravana Force) The sequence of events relating to this “forced relocation” demonstrates a very high degree of extreme intolerance …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Four Thousand Copies of the prestigious US weekly news-magazine “Time” have been seized by the Sri Lankan Customs at the Colombo International Airport in Katunayake. The seizure authorised by the Sri Lankan Government was executed by the Customs under the pretext that its cover story on Myanmar’s clashes could hurt religious sentiment in …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj India’s National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon is scheduled to meet sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa at “Temple Trees” in the morning of July 9th 2013 for crucial discussions on recent developments concerning the Thirteenth Constitutional Amendment brought about by the India-Sri Lanka accord of July 29th 2013. Menon who has served in …
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj “Suthanthirapparavaigal”(Birds of Freedom)was the popular name by which the Women’s political division of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE)was known in the past.Last week , saw a former woman political commissar of the LTTE tasting freedom after three years of detention and one year of rehabilitation.41 year old Subramaniam Sivakamy alias”Col”Thamilini became …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj A Muslim owned business establishment at Urukaamam in the Eastern Batticaloa district was subjected to an arson attack on Thursday June 20th 2013. A provision store cum eatery owned and run by Mr.Seeni Mouhammadu Fareed near the main street junction in Urukaamam was burnt down by an “unknown”gang at about 10. 30 pm …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj President Mahinda Rajapaksa has asked the Sri Lankan media to refrain from giving publicity to the anti-Muslim activities of Extremist Sinhala Buddhist organizations. The President made this request when he met the editors of Sri Lankan newspapers and heads of TV and Radio stations for breakfast at “Temple Trees” on Friday June 21st …
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ Tamil political activists in Britain are preparing to conduct a massive protest demonstration on Thursday June 20th 2013 when Sri Lanka plays against India in the Champion Trophy cricket semi-final at the Welsh SWALEC Stadium also known Cardiff Wales Stadium. Tamil organizations such as the Tamil Youth organization of UK, British Tamil Forum, …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Tension prevails in the predominantly Muslim area of Kinniya in the Eastern province district of Trincomalee due to an altercation between the Police Special Task Force and members of the public. Bullock carts in Kinniya-Oct 2010 pic by: Drs. Sarajevo The clash was sparked off when the Police began checking bullock carts carrying …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj A group of Christians belonging to the denomination known as Jehova’s Witnesses became the target of the ethno religious fascist organization “Ravana Balaya” (Ravana force)on Sunday June 16th 2013 at Mulleriyawa on the eastern outskirts of Colombo city. The Ravana Balaya is an extremist organization comprising members of the Buddhist clergy and laity …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Sri Lankan Government headed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been “advised” by the Government of India led by Prime minister Manmohan Singh to refrain from undertaking any rushed moves to make hasty changes to laws relating to the Thirteenth Amendment in the Sri Lankan Constitution. The 13th Constitutional amendment enacted in September …
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ Veteran Tamil Politician Veerasingham Anandasangaree celebrates his eightieth birthday today (June 15th). Sangaree as he is generally known was born on June 15th 1933 in Point Pedro. Though not in Parliament now, the octogenarian is yet active in politics and functions as the Secretary-General of the Tamil United Liberation Front(TULF).Earlier he was the …
Continue reading ‘Anandasangaree Must Retain His Self-Respect By a Dignified Exit From The TNA’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Tension prevailed in the Galle suburb of Karapitiya on Wednesday June 12th 2013 when Muslim women protesting the intended demolition of their homes by the Urban Development Authority(UDA)demonstrated in front of bulldozers and succeeded temporarily in prevented their dwellings being wrecked. View Larger Map The dramatic incident where around 25 Muslim women bravely …
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is “extremely annoyed”by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s recent subtle efforts to undermine the quantum of devolution provided to the Island’s nine Provinces through the thirteenth Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution that was facilitated by India. According to informed Indian sources the usually mild –mannered Manmohan Singh …
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ In a remarkable display of political courage rarely seen among members of the Rajapaksa Government in recent times,Justice minister and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakeem, has protested strongly against President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s controversial move to circumscribe devolution by amending the Constitution. President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared open a DNA Department with state …
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ (Aiyathurai Nadesan serving as Batticaloa correspondent of the Tamil daily ”Virakesari” was shot dead in broad daylight in the heart of Batticaloa town by assassins belonging to the Eastern breakaway faction of the LTTE on May 31st 2004. His killer was believed to be none other than Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillaiyan who was …
Continue reading ‘Aiyathurai Nadesan: Tragic Demise of a Dedicated Journalist’ »
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj The Tamil National Alliance(TNA)regarded as the premier political formation of the Tamils of Sri Lanka has been very much in the news lately due to what could be termed as an internal crisis. pic via: facebook.com/tamilnationalalliance.offical The TNA that has in recent times been contesting elections under the house symbol of the …
Continue reading ‘Tamil National Alliance May Break Up Soon Due to Intensifying Internal Conflict’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj A writ of habeas corpus regarding former Colombo deputy mayor and leader of the National Unity Front Azath Salley was filed in the Court of Appeal on Tuesday May 7th. The writ was filed on behalf of Mr. Salley’s wife Mrs. F. Rinoza M. Salley by senior Attorney at law Ms. Gowrishankari Thavarajah. …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Former Colombo Deputy Mayor and founder leader of the National Unity Front Azath Salley has been admitted again on Monday May 6th to the Colombo National Hospital after losing consciousness in Police custody Salley was carried out on a stretcher by Policemen at the Police CID headquarters in Fort and rushed to hospital …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Former Colombo Deputy Mayor and Founder Leader of the National Unity Front Azath Salley is currently held at the Police CID Fourth floor headquarters in Fort on a detention order for 90 days issued under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). When Azath Salley was arrested on Thursday May 2nd the Media …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Former Colombo Deputy Mayor and Founder leader of the National United Front(NUF) Azath Salley has been hospitalised by the Police after he collapsed during interrogation at the Police CID headquarters 4th floor. He was taken to the hospital at about 5 pm on Friday May 3rd and is now receiving treatment under heavy …
by D.B.S.Jeyaraj The United Peoples Freedom Alliance(UPFA) Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa is planning to reduce the terms of office of the Executive President and Chief Justice as well as restricting the powers of Provincial Councils. It is learnt that the Govt is currently engaged in drafting the required amendments to the present Constitution. Although …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Former Deputy mayor of Colombo and founder leader of the National United Front (NUF) Azath Salley was taken into custody by the Police in the morning of Thursday May 2nd 2013. pic via ~ facebook.com/mazathssalley The outspoken Muslim politician was taken away from the residence of a relative in Kolonnawa by a team …
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ Explosions at the iconic Boston Marathon Event in the USA has sent shock waves causing the Western media to focus intensively on the global phenomenon described as terrorism. In Sri Lanka there was a feeling of Déjà vu as the Island nation had also experienced bomb blasts at a Marathon event five years …
Continue reading ‘Bombing at Boston Marathon Event Evokes Memories Of Jeyaraj Fernandopulle’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Rev.Fr.Mariyampillai Xavier Karunaratnam Known widely as “Kili Father”was Killed in a Landmine Explosion at Ambaikulam between Vavunikulam and Vannivilaankulam in the Wanni five years ago on April 20th 2008. The following article was written by me for “The Nation”and Reproduced on “transcurrents”then. I am posting the article without any changes to denote the …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj A mob consisting of around 30 Sinhala youths launched an attack on a Tamil housing colony of Plantation workers at Alupola estate of Ratnapura district in Sri Lanka’s Sabaragamuwa Province. At least six persons were reportedly injured in the incident when threatened Tamils resisted the aggressors by engaging in counter violence. Consequent to …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj View Larger Map Reports from Sri Lanka state that a Muslim Owned Textile store in the Central Province town of Gampola has been attacked in broad daylight on Tuesday April 16th 2013. A gang of hoodlums numbering about a dozen launched an attack against the “Lucky Emporium”textile store situated on Ambagamuwa road in …
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ Moviemaker Maestro Lester James Peries celebrated his Birthday yesterday. Sri Lanka’s pioneering director of authentic Sinhala cinema was born in Dehiwela on April 5th 1919. The nonagenarian auteur in a cinematic career spanning more than five decades has stamped his indelible imprint on Sinhala films and in the process elevated Sri Lankan cinema …
Continue reading ‘Nidhanaya: Retrieving The Lost Cinematic ‘Treasure’ of Lester James Peries’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj In a bizarre move tinged with “black humour” the anti-Muslim, Bodhu Bala Sena(BBS)is planning to form its own Muslim unit within its organizational structure in the near future.
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ Weligama in Matara District of the Southern Province has become the latest venue of anti –Muslim activity in Sri Lanka.Weligama meaning “Sandy Village”in Sinhala is situated 144 Km from and is a well-known tourist destination in the Island.Although Sinhalese are the preponderant majority in the area the population of Weligama is diverse with …
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ A blatant attempt is underway in Sri Lanka to “cover up” and whitewash the despicable role played by the “Bodhu Bala Sena”(Buddhist Power Force)in the recent attack at Pepiliyana on the Muslim owned apparel establishment”Fashion Bug”. Although the Bodhu Bala Sena(BBS) has disclaimed responsibility for the incident ,such denial seems rather unconvincing as …
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ Sri Lanka’s national flag was disgraced and disrespected in the Northern town of Kilinochchi on Saturday March 30th 2013 when a motley crew of “State Terrorists” launched a stone attack on the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) office premises while a political discussion was in progress. The assortment of state sponsored, inebriated rowdies shouting …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj A mob numbering hundreds led by Buddhist monks attacked the showroom cum warehouse complex of the reputed apparel firm”Fashion Bug” in the suburbs of Colombo city at about 8 pm on Thursday March 28th 2013. The Muslim owned “Fashion Bug”chain of clothing stores with the motto of catering to “changing life styles” is …
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ The latest target in the on going anti-Muslim campaign of the Bodhu Bala Sena (BBS)is Ms.Ferial Ashraff, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Singapore. The BBS has demanded that Ferial Ashraff’s services be terminated immediately and that she be recalled from Singapore. The demand was made publicly by the Bodhu Bala Sena General Secretary …
BY D.B.S JEYARAJ The Brahadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavoor in Tamil Nadu state is the biggest Temple in India. The temple dedicated to Lord Siva was built by the Great Chozha emperor Arulmozhivarman known as Rajaraja Chozhan in 1010. The temple was originally known as “Rajarajeswaram”. It’s splendid structure is visible testimony to the magnificent antiquity …
Continue reading ‘Two Sri Lankan Buddhist Priests Attacked in Tamil Nadu:What Exactly Happened?’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj There is much concern among members of the Muslim community in Sri Lanka over the increasing number of unprovoked attacks on Muslim women wearing the “Abaya”, the robe like overgarment that covers the whole body. The issue is being viewed with concern at discussions of the Muslim community in different places in Sri …
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ Beware of the “Ides of March” (March 15th) was the warning given to Julius Caesar who was assassinated on that day by a Roman cabal including Cassius and dear Friend Brutus.To the Muslim population of Historic Kandy the D-day is March 17 2013!Tension mounts amidst the Muslim people of Kandy as the day …
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ At a time when Sinhala Government ministers maintain cowardly silence about the racist Anti-Muslim campaign of the Bodhu Bala Sena(BBS), some positive,encouraging developments have occurred in the North-Western Province known as Wayamba. Many parts of the North-Western Province have been in recent times a hotbed of BBS activity. Areas in Wayamba province such …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Having tasted victory over the Halal certification issue the Bodhu Bala Sena(BBS) organization is to begin another widespread campaign targeting the Muslim community on the issue of attire worn by Muslim women in Sri Lanka. The co-founder and head of the Ethno-Religious Fascist Organization Ven.Kirama Vimalajothy Thera has announced that the Bodhu Bala …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Bodhu Bala Sena (Buddhist Power Force)that has been conducting a widespread anti-Muslim campaign has achieved a significant victory over the controversial Halal Certification issue. The Sri Lankan Government headed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa has caved into the chief demand made by the Ethno-religious Fascist Organization Bodhu Bala Sena that the Halal certification …
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ Sri Lanka is very much in the news these days as events unfold at the United Nations Human Rights Council(UNHRC) in Geneva.The focus is on the final phase of the war between the Armed forces of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE). The avowed objective is eliciting the truth about …
Continue reading ‘Diaspora LTTE Activists Posing as Human Rights Champions’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj In a controversial move, a reward of One Crore or Ten Million rupees for the head of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been announced in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu! This provocative act of announcing a monetary reward for anyone bringing the Sri Lankan president’s head has not been made …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj A calculated propaganda stunt engineered by the Sri Lankan Ethno-Religious Fascist movement ”Bodhu Bala Sena” (BBS) in Colombo city against Muslims engaged in the meat trade ended in a fiasco on Friday March 1st 2013. The neo-fascist Bodhu Bala Sena storm troopers were compelled to call off “Operation Dematagoda” a few hours after …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Dr.Shirani Bandaranayake who is regarded as the De-jure Chief Justice of Sri Lanka despite being “removed”from Office by President Mahinda Rajapaksa after what seemed like a “witch trial” was conducted by seven Government parliamentarians of an eleven member Parliamentary select Committee is being kept under Strict surveillance by “Officially” sanctioned Police acting “Unofficially”. …
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram who will be celebrating her 65th Birthday tomorrow February 24th is once again on the warpath against Sri Lanka. According to Indian newspaper reports the actress turned politician has announced that Tamil Nadu would not host the 20th Asian Athletics Championships scheduled to be held in the …
Continue reading ‘Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on the warpath against Sri Lanka again’ »
by D.B.S. JEYARAJ “Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned / Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned.” – William Congreve “The Mourning Bride” Renowned Actor and Filmmaker Kamal Haasan’s Magnum Opus”Vishwaroopam”is now running to packed movie theatres in the South Indian state of “Tamil Nadu” and elsewhere. The film produced in …
Continue reading ‘Vindictive Jayalalithaas ‘Vishwaroopam’ Against ‘Vishwaroopam’ Film’ »
by D.B.S.JEYARAJ Today February 13th is the 30th Anniversary of the disappearance of Philip Upali Wijewardena. If he was among the living Upali as he was generally known would have been Seventy-five years of age on February 17th. Alas, this was not to be as he disappeared thirty years ago just four days before his …
Continue reading ‘Upali Wijewardene: Unforgettable Memories of a Dynamic Tycoon’ »
by D.B.S.JEYARAJ Was the Police directly or indirectly involved in the arson attack on “Mother Mary” statue that was erected by Catholics in Avissawela? The suspicion of the Khakied guardians of Law and order being involved in the incident has been strengthened by the didgraceful conduct of the Avissawela Police after the arson attack. A …
by D.B.S.JEYARAJ Speculation is rife in Sri Lanka and among Sri Lankans abroad of the possibility of Defence and Urban Development Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa being implicated in the incident concerning the discovery of skeletal remains in mass graves in the Hill town of Matale. Discussions are on whether the Presidential sibling regarded as the second …
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj Sri Lanka will Celebrate its Sixty-fifth 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 65 years is significant as it is the age denoting “Seniority” in most Western nations. By that yardstick Sri Lanka becomes …
Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka at 65 Faces Unfinished Task of Building a ‘New’ Nation’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Two of the four Jaffna University undergraduates held at the Protective Accommodation and rehabilitation Center(PARC) at Welikanda have been released on Tuesday January 22nd 2013. Rehabilitation Commissioner-General Brigadier Tharshana Hettiarachchi confirmed to the media that the two students — Jaffna University Student Council President V.Bavananthan and Science Faculty third year student and union …
“Iniya Thai Pongal Vaazhthukkal” ~ Happy Thai Pongal ~ D.B.S. Jeyaraj
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj When news of the loss of a loved one is heard ,it is the practice of many Muslims to console each other by repeating part of a verse from the Holy Quran “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un” meaning “Surely we belong to God and to Him shall we return”. The phrase …
Continue reading ‘Rizana Nafeek: Sorrowful Story of The Maid From Moothoor’ »
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj It was on January 8th 2009 that Lasantha Wickrematunga the Editor of “The Sunday Leader” in Colombo was killed by “unknown” assassins. He was my colleague, editor, friend and above all a kindred soul. How I miss him! There is big vacuum in the media scene after his departure. Four years have …
An Interview with Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha M.P. – Part 3 By D.B.S. Jeyaraj (Third and Final Part of an Interview with Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha M.P.The first and second instalments of the interview appeared in the “Daily Mirror” of December 22nd 2012 and December 29th 2012 respectively) Question: Some observers of the Sri Lankan situation opine that …
by D.B.S Jeyaraj An Interview with Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha M.P-Part 2 Question: Although you say you do not perceive yourself as a “rebel” MP I am sure you must be aware of reports describing you as one. There have also been reports that you are to be moved out of Parliament on account of you …
Continue reading ‘‘I See No Reason to Resign and I Don’t Think I Would be Asked to’ – Rajiva’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj “Maaveerar Naal” or Great Heroes Day (GHD) falling on November 27th continues to be observed on a large scale by sections of the Global Tamil Diaspora despite the military debacle suffered by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE)in May 2009. Commemorating the fallen tigers as great heroes annually remains an enduring tiger legacy. …
by D.B.S.Jeyaraj Transformation of a Top Tiger Leader – 2 Question: The recent media exposure about an internal report compiled by the UN regarding its role and conduct in Sri Lanka has focused much attention on the final phase of the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009. You also made …
Continue reading ‘Prabhakaran Thwarted Oslo’s Moves for a Ceasefire in 2009 – Ex-LTTE chief ‘KP’’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Transformation of a Top Tiger Leader – 1 Selvarasa Pathmanathan alias “KP” who donned the leadership mantle of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) after the demise of tiger supremo Veluppillai Prabhakaran is very much in the news these days. Much interest in KP was generated after the story of his relocation …
Continue reading ‘Ex-LTTE Chief ‘KP’and the Rajiv Gandhi Assassination’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Nadarajah Matheenthiran ,chief of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) head in France was shot dead in Paris on Thursday November 8th night by “unkown” assassins . 49 year old Matheenthiran known as “Parithy” was in charge of the LTTE front organization -Tamil Coordinating committee(TCC). Matheenthiran known by the nom de guerre“Regan” …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Supreme Court determination on the Constitutionality of the proposed bill on establishing a Divineguma Department for Development has proved to be adverse in certain aspects to the Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa ,it is learnt. The Supreme Court ruling by Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake,Justice Nihal Gamini Amaratunga and Justice K.Sripavan that was …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Suppiah Paramu Thamilchelvan, the 40 year old political division head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was killed in an air raid along with five other tiger cadres on Friday November 2nd 2007. Two jet bombers ,an Israeli K-fir and a Russian built MiG – 27 , engaged in aerial bombardment …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The past week recorded the 22nd anniversary of a cruel, inhuman episode in the history of Tamil –Muslim relations in Sri Lanka. It was in October 1990 that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE)organization forcibly expelled the Tamil speaking Muslim people from the Northern Province in an atrocious act amounting to ethnic cleansing. …
Continue reading ‘22nd Anniversary of Northern Muslim Expulsion by LTTE’ »
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj A high level delegation comprising seven members of Parliament from the Tamil National Alliance(TNA)was in New Delhi last week from October 10th -14th on an invitation extended by the Government of India. Tamil National Alliance delegation from Sri Lanka led by the President, Mr. R. Sampanthan called on the Prime Minister, Dr. …
Continue reading ‘Tamil National Alliance Afflicted by Internal Dissension’ »
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj Selvarasah Pathmanathan alias “KP” who is under the protective custody of the Sri Lankan Government has been relocated from Colombo to Kilinochchi last week by the authorities. The former chief of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE)who was detained in suburban Colombo earlier will now reside within Kilinochchi urban limits. KP will …
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj Mohamed Najeeb Abdul Majeed made history when he was sworn in as the chief minister of the Eastern Provincial council before President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday September 18th 2012. After the swearing in ceremony at “Temple Trees” , Najib as he is generally known has become not only the first Muslim chief …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias “Pillaiyan” who served as Chief Minister of the Eastern Provincial Council from 2008 to 2012 is now obstructing the appointment of a Tamil provincial minister in the envisaged administration of new Eastern Chief minister Najeeb Abdul Majeed. Although Pillaiyan expected to be chief minister again and was disappointed, the ex-chief …
Continue reading ‘Puerile Pillaiyan Blocking Tamil Provincial Minister Appointment for East’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj United Peoples Freedom Alliance(UPFA) national list MP Kamala Ranatunga is to be “requested” to resign her seat “willingly” by the Rajapaksa Government in order to fill the vacancy created with Former Eastern province parliamentarian and recently elected Provincial Councillor SMM Ameer Ali. This move is being enacted in a bid to appease two …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj President Rajapaksa Finalises Eastern Provincial Matters Amidst Deep Muslim Party Discontent The prickly issue of forming a new administration for the Eastern Provincial council was finally resolved by the direct intervention of Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa after a high level meeting held at “Temple Trees” in Colombo on September 17th. President Rajapaksa …
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By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Tamil National Alliance(TNA) which won eleven seats in the recently concluded elections to the Eastern Provincial Council is currently facing a serious crisis of a bizarre nature. The premier political formation of the Sri Lankan Tamils that garnered almost 90 % of the Tamil votes in the East has to now cope …
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj While parties such as the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal(TMVP), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC)and the All Ceylon Muslim Congress (ACMC) want to gain the chief ministership of the Eastern Provincial Council, the United Peoples Freedom Alliance(UPFA)led Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa seems to have chosen Najeeb Abdul Majeed from Kinniya in Trincomalee …
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) which has the power to determine which political formation could form a viable administration in the Eastern Provincial Council is yet to arrive at a decision formally. However informed sources revealed that unofficial discussions are currently on between the party and Government circles and that the …
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias “Pillaiyan” is likely to be appointed as Chief Minister of the Eastern Province for the second time if the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance(UPFA)forms the Eastern Provincial Council Administration again. Chandrakanthan alias Pillaiyan is the head of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalaigap Puligal(TMVP)which is a faction that broke away from …
Continue reading ‘‘Pillaiyan’ may become Eastern Province Chief Minister for the second time’ »
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj Chairman & 2 Ministers – TNA; Chief Minister & 1 minister – SLMC ; 1 Minister – UNP The Tamil National Alliance(TNA)which contested the Eastern Provincial Council elections under the House symbol of the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi(ITAK) has initiated moves to form the Eastern provincial administration despite the party coming second …
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj Jaffna described as the cultural capital of the Sri Lankan Tamils has for decades been a war affected region. The absence of military conflict in recent times has afforded an opportunity for the ravaged people to re-build their battered lives. Many hands of concern and amity have been extended in friendship towards …
Continue reading ‘Post-War Jaffna Children Feel The Healing Touch of Music’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Eastern Provincial Elections and the Muslim Congress -2 Sri Lanka Muslim Congress “Thavisalar” (Chairman) and Batticaloa District Parliamentarian Basheer Segu Dawood is in the eye of a political storm. The fifty –two year old politician from Eravur in Batticaloa district has resigned his post as Deputy Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade but …
Continue reading ‘Segu Dawood Saga: Another split in the Muslim Congress?’ »
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj August 12th 2005 was the day on which Lakshman Kadirgamar was killed by a sniper of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) concealed in the house of an unsuspecting neighbor. Sri Lanka’s foreign minister par excellence had just completed his customary 1000 metre swim at the pool in his residence, when the …
Continue reading ‘Lakshman Kadirgamar: Larger than Life Personality’ »
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj Twenty –five years have passed since the signing of the Indo – Lanka accord by former Indian Prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and ex –Sri Lankan president Junius Richard Jayewardena on July 29th 1987. It was hailed as a great breakthrough when it was signed. Indian Parliamentary delegation visiting Sri Lanka pays tribute …
Continue reading ‘Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of The Indo-Lanka Accord’ »
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj The advent of elections to the Eastern Provincial Council has caused the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) to come under the media spotlight during the past week. There was much interest and speculation over the course of action to be adopted (or not adopted) by the premier political party of the Sri …
Continue reading ‘Eastern Provincial Elections and The Muslim Congress – 1’ »
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj (Continued from Last Week) Monday July 2nd 2012 was a red letter day in the life of Subramaniam Sivakamy alias Thamilini. The 40 year old former women’s division political chief of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)formally began her period of rehabilitation on that day at the Protective Accommodation and Rehabilitation …
Continue reading ‘From Welikada to Vavuniya: Tale of Thamilini’s Transfer-2’ »
Hello Friends, Today May 21st is my Birthday. I have turned 58 on this day. After deep thought and reflection both alone and with my loved ones ,I have decided to stop the website www.transcurrents.com from tomorrow. Running this website for several years has been a pleasant and productive experience. It has become quite popular …