By

Suranjith Perera

A Moratuwa University senior lecturer was yesterday remanded by Mount Lavinia Chief Magistrate Rangajeewa Wimalasena when produced in Court by the Colombo Crime Division for allegedly threatening External Affairs Monitoring MP Sajin Vaas Gunawardena by SMS.

Senior lecturer Kotagamage Duminda Leshan Perera of Hena Road Mount Lavinia was remanded till October 17.

Police said he was arrested following investigations on a complaint made by the parliamentarian on several short messages he had received on his mobile phone that he would be killed within five days near the Dehiwala public library. The complaint said the messages were in abusive language.

Continue reading ‘Moratuwa University Senior Lecturer Arrested and Remanded over Allegedly Threatening to kill Sajin de Vass Gunawardena within five days near Dehiwela Library.’ »

(Text of statement S issued by Karu Jayasuriya, Chairman Leadership Council, UNP and Gampaha district M.P. on Oct 13th 2014)

What was unleashed at the Pambahinna junction along the Colombo Badulla main road on a group of Sabaragamuwa University Students is by no means an action by a civilized Government of a civilized nation that values basic human dignity. Launching of peaceful demonstrations is an inherent right within a democratic system and no person has any right to rob that from anyone.

The Sabaragamuwa University students launched this Satyagraha campaign as a protest against the abolition of the University Students Unions, suspension of some students fromthe University and non-implementation of recommendations of the Human Rights commission. It was against this kind of peaceful and just campaign that some political thugs were unleashed.

According to eye witness reports as well as those of the police investigations, these attacks were directly attributable to some Government politicians in the local area. Therefore,there is no moral right for the Government to abdicate from its primary responsibility.

Continue reading ‘“Attack on Sabaragamuwa University Students is Directly Attributable to some Govt Politicians”-Karu Jayasuriya.’ »

By

Meera Srinivasan

As an engineer testing the newly-laid tracks in northern Sri Lanka, Ravindra Yadav is extra careful.

“People tend to cross the tracks any time,” he says, driving a posh-looking yellow-coloured engine over tracks shimmering in the sun. Honking several times along the way, he adds: “You can’t blame the people. They are not used to a train coming this way.” It may not be easy for someone to anticipate a train if he has not seen one in this part of the country in the last 25 years, says Mr. Yadav, one of the 400 people from India that IRCON brought to Sri Lanka to work on restoring Sri Lanka’s Northern Rail line.
Flagging off Yal Devi

On Monday, President Mahinda Rajapaksa will flag off the iconic Yal Devi Express’s journey up to Jaffna, extending its run further into the island’s former war zone, from Pallai to Jaffna.

Indian Railways subsidiary IRCON has restored the section from Omanthai to Pallai in the Northern Province, which was damaged during the three decade-long civil war. The project, being executed with a $800 million line of credit from the Indian government, covers two key rail routes in the Tamil-majority Northern Province.

Continue reading ‘Iconic “Yarl Devi” Express Train Resumes Journey to Jaffna from Today October 13th’ »

by

Zacki Jabbar

The next Presidential election was likely to be held before Jan. 13 2015 the government said on Friday night.

Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who is also the Cabinet Spokesman, when asked for a tentative date for the Presidential Poll amidst various time frames ranging between January to March being mentioned by members within the ruling UPFA , told The Island that it might be held around mid January 2015.

Queried if the election would be conducted before or after Pope Francis’s visit to Sri Lanka, which is due to take place from January 13 to 15, the Minister replied “I think it will be before his arrival.”

Continue reading ‘Next Presidential Election will be held Before January 15th 2015 says Keheliya Rambukwella.’ »

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday announced in Kilinochchi that he was ready to abolish the Executive Presidency, if the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Tamil Diaspora gave up the demand for the creation of a Tamil Eelam in the country’s North and East and made an announcement to that effect.

Addressing a public rally where land deeds were gifted to the Tamil people in Kilinochchi, the President stressed that the TNA and the Tamil Diaspora should make a sincere announcement that they would shun Eelam to exist under a unitary character of the country.

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa States he will Abolish Executive Presidency if Tamil National Alliance and Tamil Diaspora Give up Tamil eelam Demand.’ »

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday accused the Tamil National Alliance controlled Northern Provincial Council government of hampering the development of the Northern Province.

Addressing a public rally in Kilinochchi held to distribute land deeds to 20,000 people in the Northern Province, President Rajapaksa said the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) is not cooperating with Government’s plans of development for the Province.

The President said that the government has provided a significant amount of services for the welfare of people in the North and despite concerns raised within the ruling party the government held the elections for the NPC last year to give people in the North a voice.

Therefore, the NPC should now stand firm with the expectations of the people with whose votes they were elected and fulfill their needs, the President said.

Continue reading ‘Northern Provincial Council has not Utilised Funds Allocated by Govt for Development Charges President Rajapaksa’ »

*President talks to Kshenuka,Prasad&Dilan Ariyawansa and says “No Assault took place”

*Mahinda Refers to Nonis as “Eyagollo amuthu type ekey minissu ney”(they are a strange type of people)

*Basil Tells Elder brother “Ehema kiyanna honda nehe”(it is not good to say like that)

* British Foreign Secy Philip Hammond tells Nonis “Now you understand why we are pushing against Sri Lanka over human rights violations.”

*Ex-Maldivian President Nasheed says “What they are doing to me in Maldives, they are doing to you in Sri Lanka.”

*Chris Nonis was not Invited but welcomed at Dinner Hosted by Dilan Ariyawansa

Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam Separated Sajin and Chris when Attack on Nonis took place

*External Secy Kshenuka Seneviratne kept Saying “Go Chris, go Chris”…

*JVP Alleges Kshenuka’s husband had dealings with LTTE Connected Company

*Chris Nonis did not complain to Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith but the Colombo Arch Bishop Telephoned him.

UPFA parliamentarians caught a glimpse last Friday of how opinions clashed at the highest levels over an unexpected issue that haunts the Government — the alleged assault on Chris Nonis, the then Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom by Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, the Monitoring MP for the External Affairs Ministry at a dinner party in New Jersey, a suburb of New York.
Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Humorously Mimics Chris Nonis and Tells Govt MP’s that Ex-Envoy was not Assaulted’ »

By

Camelia Nathaniel

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) has once again come under the media spotlight for the alleged involvement of its Deputy Finance Secretary, Ven. Wellampitiye Sumanadhamma Thera, in a fraudulent land transaction.

The monk had allegedly been involved in a financial misappropriation of Rs 7.5 million, and he was arrested last week on a complaint made by a businessman, Mervyn Perera. It was reported that the monk had sold a plot of land in Boralesgamuwa to the businessman, claiming that he was the owner. However, investigations had revealed that the said land was not privately owned by the monk but was Sanghika property (owned by the Buddhist order of monks in common).

Ven. Wellampitiye Sumanadhamma Thera was reportedly the leader of the group of monks who had invaded the Ministry of Trade and Industry a few months ago, claiming that Ven. Watareka Vijitha Thera had been hiding inside. The monk who was arrested while hiding in a house in Peliyagoda, was handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). Subsequently, after being produced in Court last week, he was released on bail.

Continue reading ‘Bodu Bala Sena’s Deputy Financial Secretary Wellampitiya Sumanadharma Thera Jailed and Bailed for Alleged Land Transaction Fraud.’ »

By

Don Manu

Even as Jayaram Jayalalithaa must be pondering over her future fate and wondering whether she has reached the end of her road, Lanka’s very own Minister Mervyn Silva was busy last week conducting his own last rites in preparation, perhaps, for his imminent departure.

Last Saturday at a meeting held in Peliyagoda, he declared that he had no use for big vehicles and security personnel and that though they were good for those in his own party who have been reduced to katussas, it meant nothing to him if he was denied the chance of being able to serve the people.

“I will easily give up these vehicles, I have my own vehicles,” he announced, “I received no help from the Government to serve the people. For the last one and a half years, I was not allowed to serve the people. It has pained me a lot; it has angered me a lot. In the coming days, if the Government does not give any hand to help me serve the people, I will give up these vehicles and this ministership and go home.”

Continue reading ‘Mervyn Silva Threatens to Quit Govt Over Liquor License Being Issued to new Hotel in Kelaniya without his Knowledge’ »

By Nadia Fazlulhaq

Whether it’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa, First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa or MP Namal Rajapaksa, the Rajapaksa name is a goldmine for inventive rogues who scam the public by pretending to be anything from the President’s elephant supplier to the First Lady’s chauffeur.

A staggering 143 arrests have been made by a Police Special Investigations Unit (SIU), set up to investigate complaints of cheats posing as close associates of the President, his family and close relatives and the President’s Secretary, Lalith Weeratunga.

A total of 373 such complaints have been lodged with the SIU.

The most recent incident was on Monday, when a man from Deniyaya was arrested by the SIU for cheating a man from Kuliyapitiya of Rs.190,000 to supposedly secure a job at the Bank of Ceylon.

The suspect had posed as Shiranthi Rajapaksa’s driver. He was produced before the Kuliyapitiya Magistrate and is in remand.

Continue reading ‘143 Arrests over 373 Complaints about Fraudsters Getting Money by Posing as Associates and Relatives of President Rajapaksa and Family members.’ »

(Text of Editorial Appearing in the “Sunday Times”of October 12th 2014 Under the heading “EAM like a madhatter’s dinner party”)

Prof. G. L. Peiris

There is nothing so deafening as the External Affairs Ministry’s continued silence on the resignation of Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in no less a capital than London, on a complaint that he was assaulted by a Government MP designated as ‘Monitor’ to the very same Ministry.

The President had personally herded the delegation to New York for the United Nations General Assembly; External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris and the Ministry Secretary were in the team. One could assume, therefore, that these higher-ups are in possession of the facts, particularly as the Secretary was also among guests at the party. News of the assault has already been widely publicised but the Ministry maintains an information blackout.

Continue reading ‘External Affairs Ministry Deteriorates to Pathetic State While “Honourable” Minister Prof. GL Peiris Maintains Deafening Silence.’ »

The Government has imposed an indefinite travel ban on visits by foreign passport holders including tourists to the North, a senior Army officer said yesterday.

The Army’s Media Director told the Sunday Times that the restrictions had been imposed in view of threats posed by some foreign passport holders who were acting in a manner detrimental to national security.

The announcement came as President Mahinda Rajapaksa today begins a three-day visit to the north where he will take part in a series of functions in Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Jaffna including the opening of the railway track from Pallai to Jaffna.

Continue reading ‘Hundreds of People Stopped at Oamanthai as Travel Ban to North is Suddenly Imposed on Foreign Passport Holders as President Rajapaksa Begins 3 day Trip to Jaffna.’ »

CID detectives have been called in to probe an email allegedly critical of Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, Monitoring MP for the External Affairs Ministry.Detectives have recorded statements from P.M. Amza, former Director General of Economic Affairs, and Prasanna Gamage who was attached to the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) Secretariat. Both officials have been relieved of their responsibilities.

As exclusively revealed in the Sunday Times of September 28, the two career Foreign Service officials were relieved of their responsibilities on instructions from Mr. Vass Gunawardena. The orders were sent from New York where Mr. Vass Gunawardena was a member of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s official entourage to the UN General Assembly sessions.

Continue reading ‘Senior External Ministry Officials P.M. Amza and Prasanna Gamage Relieved of Duties and Subjected to CID Probe over Critical E-mail about Sajin de Vass Gunawardena’ »

By

Dr.Subramanian Swamy

I took oaths on November 21, 1990, as the senior most Cabinet Minister of the Chandrashekhar-led Janata Party government with two portfolios—Commerce and Law and Justice. As the party President then, I was instrumental in working out a coalition with the Rajiv Gandhi-led Congress Party to dislodge the V.P. Singh coalition government and was, hence, a very powerful Minister in the Chandrashekhar Cabinet.

Ms. Jayalalithaa was then in “exile” in Hyderabad, as head of a splinter Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK) faction. She was afraid of being assassinated by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which had taken office in Tamil Nadu in 1989. She called me after I took office because she had met me twice earlier, once in the Delhi airport when our flight had been delayed for three hours. In that meeting, we came to know each other, gossiping on a wide variety of topics.

On the phone after I became Minister, she urged me to protect her from Karunanidhi which I did by ordering the highest level security of Z+. Later, she invited me to dinner and told me her woes from childhood. I did feel sympathy for her then.

Continue reading ‘“Jayalalithaa came to me for Help when I was a Cabinet Minister but her Attitude Towards me Changed After She Became Chief Minister”’ »

bY

N Sathiya Moorthy

If someone in Sri Lanka thought that the jail-term handed down to Jayalalithaa, until then the Chief Minister of the south Indian State of Tamil Nadu, would ease avoidable political tensions across the Palk Strait, they should be sadly mistaken. If they thought that pre-occupation with pending bail petition(s) and appeals against the Special Trial Court’s order in Bangalore, capital of the neighbouring State of Karnataka, would digress her attention away from major issues involving Sri Lanka, again they could be proved wrong.

At the end of the day, it’s about issues, and not just personalities. Or, it’s about perceptions on issues. In this case, it’s about perceptions of issues pertaining to Sri Lanka in sections of the polity and the people in Tamil Nadu. Whether right or wrong, those perceptions would not go away just because an incumbent Chief Minister is not around, or has been imprisoned in a corruption case, pertaining to her earlier term in office.

Continue reading ‘Jayalalithaa being Jailed has Caught LTTE Linked Sections of Tamil Diaspora Off-guard.’ »

By

C.A.Chandraprema

Last Wednesday in a statement to the Daily Mirror, former Chief Justice Sarath N.Silva put out a new set of arguments against Mahinda Rajapaksa being able to contest a presidential election for the third time. The Daily Mirror article was titled “MR can’t seek opinion on 3rd term: Ex-CJ”. The gist of the former CJ’s new argument was:

(a) The President cannot seek the opinion of the Supreme Court on the constitutionality of seeking a mandate for a third term. He can seek the opinion of the Supreme Court on an issue of public importance, or to obtain an interpretation on the constitution. The latter could only be done during the course of judicial proceedings and not otherwise. However, the matter under consideration was merely a personal disqualification of the incumbent President. When the Supreme Court’s opinion is sought in a matter of public importance it is in the exercise of its advisory jurisdiction. This isn’t an issue which falls within that ambit because it’s a personal disqualification for the incumbent. If the President so decides he could seek an opinion in his private capacity from private individuals but that’s as far as he can go!

(b) Section 31 (3A) of the Constitution states that the President can proclaim an election any time after the expiration of four years in office, however, it specifically states ‘notwithstanding anything to the contrary in preceding provisions’. The succeeding provision 31 (3)(d) stipulates that that the incumbent has to hold office for the full six years commencing from the date of election. Accordingly the Supreme Court has computed the date of assuming of the second term to be November 19, 2010. The provision is a fait accompli. The President must hold office for the entirety of the six years and cannot call for an early election.

(c) There has been a debate about whether the Interpretation Ordinance is applicable when interpreting the Constitution. Judicial precedent is very clear and a nine-judge bench has held both on the validity of Section 6 (3) of the ordinance to the constitution and on the repeal of laws.

Continue reading ‘Former Chief Justice Sarath Silva is Playing a Dangerous game by Misinterpreting Constitutional Provisions to Plug a Political Line.’ »

By

Eran Wickramatne M.P.

The Rajapaksa administration is trying to ram the 2015 budget through parliament by deliberately cutting the debate short, in yet another attempt to undermine democracy, Parliament and in the process the rights and freedoms of the people of this country.

Article 148 of the Constitution specifies that Parliament has full control over finances.

The most important scheduled debate in Parliament is the Budget debate.

A citizen cannot be taxed a single rupee without Parliaments approval. That approval is not limited to the vote in Parliament by the use of an artificially created majority. The debate in itself is a part of the approval process.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka has the Largest Number of Ministers and Ministries and the Shortest Budget Debate for any Country in the World.’ »

DMK on Saturday appealed to the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court and Madras High Court to initiate contempt proceedings against AIADMK workers for allegedly denigrating the special judge who awarded four years jail term to their leader Jayalalithaa in a wealth case and the verdict itself.

“The Chief Justices of the Supreme and Madras High courts should take contempt action against AIADMK ministers and partymen,” a resolution adopted at the meeting of DMK’s lawyers’ wing here said.

The resolution, however, did not specifically name any leader of the AIADMK for what it called “denigrating” the judgement of Bangalore Special Court Judge, John Michael Cunha, who had on September 27 sentenced Ms. Jayalalithaa to four years simple imprisonment in the disproportionate assets case.

The judge was denigrated “personally” and acts “inimical” to the cordial relationship between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu were being done by AIADMK functionaries, it alleged.

Continue reading ‘DMK Wants Contempt of Court Proceedings Initiated Against AIADMK Members Denigrating Judge who Sentenced Jayalalithaa for Corruption.’ »

By
Paul Owen,Mark Brown&Alison Flood

Patrick Modiano has been named the 111th winner of the Nobel prize for literature.
The 69-year-old is the 15th French writer to win the prestigious prize, worth 8m kronor ($1.1m or £700,000).

His name was announced at a short ceremony in Stockholm with Peter Englund, the Nobel Academy’s permanent secretary, reading a citation which said Modiano won “for the art of memory with which he has evoked the most ungraspable human destinies and uncovered the life-world of the occupation”.

Modiano is well known in France but something of an unknown quantity for even widely read people in other countries. His best known novel is probably Missing Person, which won the prestigious Prix Goncourt in 1978 and is about a detective who loses his memory and endeavours to find it.

Continue reading ‘French writer Patrick Modiano wins the 2014 Nobel prize in literature’ »

By Paul Owen &Mathew Weaver

Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi have won the Nobel peace prize, says committee chairman
Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenage education campaigner shot on school bus in 2012 by a Taliban gunman, has won the 2014 Nobel peace prize.

Malala won along with Kailash Satyarthi, an Indian children’s rights activist.

The two were named winner of the £690,000 (8m kronor or $1.11m) prize by the chairman of the Nobel committee – Norway’s former prime minister Thorbjoern Jagland – on Friday morning.

Continue reading ‘Pakistani Campaigner Malala Yousafzai(17) and Indian Child Rights Activist Kailash Satyarthi(60) win 2014 Nobel peace prize’ »

By Ravi Ladduwahetty

Sri Lanka’s former High Commissioner to London, Dr. Chris Nonis, “gate-crashed” the private dinner party, to which he was not invited, Government spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told the weekly news conference yesterday.

Rambukwella said that though Dr. Nonis went uninvited, he was welcomed. The Minister said that the media also blew the incident out of proportion as the incident took place at a private dinner party.

Continue reading ‘Uninvited Chris Nonis Gatecrashed the Private party in US where he was Allegedly Assaulted Reveals Keheliya Rambukwella.’ »

By Sruthisagar Yamunan & Krishnadas Rajagopal

Thirteen days after entering the Parappana Agrahara prison in Bangalore, three-time former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Thursday moved the Supreme Court challenging the October 7 Karnataka High Court order refusing to suspend the execution of her sentence and grant bail in a disproportionate assets case.

Ms. Jayalalithaa, who was Tamil Nadu Chief Minister at the time of her conviction, was sentenced to four years’ simple imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of Rs. 100 crore for offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Her co-accused — Sasikala Natarajan, V. Sudhakaran and J. Elavarasi — were sentenced to four years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 10 crore each.

The special leave petition was filed by her legal team in the Supreme Court Registry during the evening after hectic preparations which went on through the day.

Lawyers of Ms. Jayalalithaa said the petition sought relief from incarceration on the grounds that she is a woman, 66-years old and suffering from ailments.

Continue reading ‘Jailed Jayalalithaa Seeks Bail from Supreme Court on the Grounds that she “is a Woman,66 Years old and Suffering from Ailments”.’ »

By Gagani Weerakoon and Skandha Gunasekara

An attempt by JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, to raise the issue of an alleged assault on Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the UK, Chris Nonis, in Parliament yesterday, proved futile with Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody not granting leave to proceed.

The Deputy Speaker prevented MP Dissanayake, on the grounds that the statement was against Standing Orders, when the latter tried to make a special statement on the matter under Standing Order 23-2.

“If you want to raise the issue, you have to do it through a substantive motion,” the Deputy Speaker told the DNA Parliamentary group leader.

The JVP MP had asked permission from the Speaker to make the statement under 23/2 of Standing Orders which says “a matter of public importance may be asked at the conclusion of questions by the Leader of the Opposition or a leader of a recognized political party after due notice has been given to the minister concerned.”

Continue reading ‘Dep-Speaker Chandima Weerakkody Refuses to let JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake Raise Nonis Assault Issue in Parliament under Standing Orders.’ »

By

Vishwamithra 1984

“The bedrock of our democracy is the rule of law and that means we have to have an independent judiciary, judges who can make decisions independent of the political winds that are blowing”.
~Caroline Kennedy

Extremists of both corners of the political spectrum, in India as well as in Sri Lanka, must still be celebrating the conviction of Jayalalitha, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu State in southern India.

Jayalalitha, while in power managed to rouse the base instincts of both Tamils in India and Sinhalese in Sri Lanka. But moderates in the two neighboring nations must be equally enamored by the sheer audacity of a robust, vigorous and independent Judiciary without which no country, especially a democratic republic, could advance the cause of freedom, freedom of choice and liberty for all people.

The politics of Jayalalitha in particular and Tamil Nadu in general, has never been acceptable to the great majority in Sri Lanka. This is true whether one is Sinhalese, Tamil or Muslim. Utterly partisan and polarizing both in substance and execution of politicking, Tamil Nadu, the southernmost State in India has been a thorn in Sri Lanka’s politics since the early years of Ceylon’s nationhood in centuries after the Christian Era began and the battles and wars fought between Lanka and the Cholas and Pandyans of South India.

Continue reading ‘Jayalalithaa Conviction in India Shows What we Lack in Sri Lanka Under Rajapaksa Regime-An Independent,Fearless Judiciary.’ »

An Indian Hindu nationalist group said Wednesday that it has no intention of forming an alliance with a hardline Buddhist group in Sri Lanka.

Both groups are viewed as hostile toward minority Muslims in their respective countries.

Continue reading ‘Hindu Extremist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh of India says “NO” to Buddhist Extremist Bodu Bala Sena of Sri Lanka’ »

by
Prof.Carlo Fonseka – Chairman WKMH, Seeduwa

Vijaya Kumaratunga (9 October 1945-16 February 1988)

Please give me a little space to tell the world how a minor hospital has served to perpetuate the nostalgic and melancholic memory of a major film actor – Wijaya Kumaratunga – the most adored cinema idol Sri Lanka ever had. He is also the most venerated political actor in recent memory because he brought so much courage into his principled politics, and paid the price for it.

As Ernest Hemmingway poignantly said, if people bring so much courage to this world, the world kills them in order to break them. He was killed in broad daylight as he stepped out of his home at Narahenpita on 16 February 1988. His little daughter and son saw him being gunned down, and more than a quarter of a century after the traumatic experience avoid politics like the plague.

For my part, after speaking on behalf of his family at his sensational televised funeral on 22 February, I resolved never to speak in public about my incomparable martyred nephew. Even President Chandrika Kumaratunga failed to persuade me to change my resolve.

What I am going to do here is to recount briefly the great service that the small hospital – WKMH – built in Seeduwa, the village where Wijaya was born and bred, has done over the years to render his memory gratefully remembered by the people of his area
Continue reading ‘Telling the 15 Year old Story of Wijaya Kumaratunga Memorial Hospital at Seeduwa’ »

By
Chamitha Kuruppu

The Constitution should meet the aspirations of the nation, not those of an individual or a political party, stressed Udaya Gammanpila. Gammanpila, who is in political limelight once again following his challenge to United National Party’s Harin Fernando, pointed out: “In our Constitution, whatever features that had been tailor-made to meet personal needs of any president, politician or political party are bad features and should be amended at the earliest.”

A Minister of the Western Provincial Council and a leader of the Jathika Hela Urumaya, Gammanpila asserted: “Uva election results clearly say that the Government’s popularity generated by the military victory is over, but it has perished after five years. Due to this reason itself the Government leaders should look at why they lost the immense popularity generated by the military victory so fast.”

Following are excerpts from the interview:

Q: Why did you challenge Harin Fernando?

Continue reading ‘“Sri Lanka is referred to as ‘Sinhale,’ ‘Sinhala Deepa’ or ‘Heladiva’in History and Archaeology”-Udaya Gammanpila of JHU’ »

(Text of Press Release Issued by the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN, Geneva)

Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva and Leader of the Sri Lanka delegation to the Human Rights Committee Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha asked the Human Rights Committee to “judge Sri Lanka in proportion to the challenges Sri Lanka has continued to face as a country emerging from a 30 year terrorist conflict”.

The Ambassador made this observation in responding to comments made during the consideration of Sri Lanka’s 5th Periodic Report under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) by the Human Rights Committee, which was held on 7-8 October 2014 in Geneva. The Human Rights Committee comprises a body of independent experts from 18 countries that monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by its State parties.

Continue reading ‘“Only 114 Ex-LTTE Combatants are Undergoing Rehabilitation now while 84 others face Legal Proceedings”-Ravinatha Aryasinha at Geneva UN.’ »

By

N Sathiya Moorthy

In rejecting former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa’s bail application on Tuesday, October 7, Karnataka High Court Justice A V Chandrashekara cited several Supreme Court verdicts on corruption and its approach towards handling bail applications of the high and mighty in corruption cases.

As Justice Chandrasekhara reportedly observed during the hearing on Jayalalithaa’s bail application, only the Supreme Court had granted bail to Lalu Yadav — but not before the Rashtriya Janata Dal spent 10 months in prison.

A cursory reading of trial Judge John Michael Cunha’s verdict revals that his judgment seems to have taken into account all possibilities of appeals flowing to the high court and/or the Supreme Court.

The judgment has also addressed most, if not all, of the procedural issues that any defence team would have raised, or wanted to raise in the appeals courts — and come up with explanations and reasoning for the court rejecting the defence arguments in each one of the issues flagged.

Continue reading ‘AIADMK Sponsored Protests Over Jayalalithaa Conviction Come to an End After Dr. Subramanian Swamy warns of Dismissing Tamil Nadu Govy under section 356.’ »

BY Ruwan Laknath Jayakody

Introducing a constitutional draft for the country, the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) said Sri Lanka should be renamed ‘Sinhale’, with Sinhalese Buddhists being recognized as the historical and national race of the country.

The BBS acknowledged that the country had only one race (the Sinhalese), linguistically the Sinhala language, the Tamil language and the indigenous tongue of the Veddahs existed alongside the religious groups – Sinhala Buddhists, Sinhala Hindus, Sinhala Catholics, Sinhala Christians and Sinhala Muslims.

‘While the freedom to follow one’s religion of choice remained, the propagation of religions, other than Buddhism, using foreign or government funds, will be forbidden. Vesak Poya Day will be made the National Day. Learning of Sinhala, Tamil and English will be made compulsory for all.’

‘The State’s spiritual leader will be the ‘Sangharaja Mahanayake Thera’, and he will appoint a 50-person Supreme State Advisory Council, upon whose advice the National People’s Representatives’ Council will suggest how to rule the country. The Supreme State Advisory Council will appoint a Cabinet of 10 Senior Ministers to advice and assist the Sangharaja Mahanayake Thera.’

Continue reading ‘Bodhu Bala Sena wants Sri Lanka Re-named as “Sinhale”with Sinhala Buddhists Recognized as the Sole Historical and National Race of the Country.’ »

By
Upul Joseph Fernando

Diplomatic circles focused attention on President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s recent view that, following his talks with United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, he (Rajapaksa) felt that the US had softened its stance on Sri Lanka. It is not known that Mahinda took such a view due to the cordiality of Kerry or what was prompted to him by External Affairs Ministry Monitoring MP, Sajin Vass Gunawardena, who spearheads the effort to change the US stand on Sri Lanka through a PR firm employed by Colombo at a heavy cost.

Chris Nonis controversy

Following the Chris Nonis controversy, Sajin who emerged into the limelight again is reported to be carrying his Tab to Temple Trees to show Mahinda that the stand of the West was now being softened through his efforts. The only factor to the benefit of Sanjin is that the process adopted by US and other Western countries with regard to war crimes and human rights violations being slow in nature. That process is customary to those countries. But Sajin may impress that because of his efforts the process was being delayed or could be abandoned. Since Sajin wanted US PR firms involved to soften the US stand, Mahinda must be thinking on same lines on a softened stand.

Continue reading ‘Was President Rajapaksa Misinformed by Sajin Vass Gunawardena that due to his own Efforts the US had Softened its Stance on Lanka?’ »

By
Sruthisagar Yamunan & Krishnaprasad

The Karnataka High Court witnessed hectic arguments by lawyers of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and the others convicted in the disproportionate assets case during the hearing of their bail applications on Tuesday.

Appearing for Ms. Jayalalithaa, senior lawyer Ram Jethmalani quoted profusely from the trial court order to say that the very basis of its evaluation of the assets was flawed.

During his hour-long arguments, Mr. Jethmalani said the trial court judge had on many instances taken on the role of a “witness” to prove points that even the prosecution did not press.

Continue reading ‘Senior Lawyer Ram Jethmalani Appearing for Jayalalithaa tells High Court that Trial Court Verdict Against her is Flawed.’ »

By
Krishnaprasad & Sruthisagar Yamunan

Rejecting the bail plea of AIADMK chief and former chief minister of Tamil Nadu and three others, Justice Chandrashekara of the Karnataka High Court said, “When a public servant was found guilty of corruption after a judicial adjudicatory process conducted by a court of law, judiciousness demands that he should be treated as corrupt until he is exonerated by a superior court.” He was quoting the Supreme Court 2001 verdict in K.C. Sareen Vs CBI, Chandigarh.

The judge said though there was no statutory ban on suspending the sentence operating in corruption cases, verdicts of the apex court made it clear that the courts would have to apply their mind to the facts of each case. “The present case is not a fit case to suspend the sentence,” he declared.

Continue reading ‘Convicted Jayalalithaa to be Treated as “Corrupt”Until Exonerated by a Superior Court Rules Karnataka High Court Judge Chandrashekera’ »

By S Venkat Narayan

NEW DELHI, October 7: The Karnataka High Court in Bangalore on Tuesday refused to suspend the sentence imposed last fortnight on Tamil Nadu’s ruling AIADMK Chief Jayaram Jayalalithaa and her three aides by a special court in the disproportionate assets case and refused to order their release on bail.

Jayalalithaa and three others, Ms V Sasikala, Sudhakaran and J Ilavarasi are likely to move the Supreme Court on Wednesday challenging the Karnataka High Court order. Sources said besides senior counsel Ram Jethmalani, another leading criminal lawyer Sushil Kumar is also being approached to argue the case for bail.

The High Court not only refused to grant of bail but also declined to stay the sentence of four-year imprisonment and INR 100-crore penalty imposed on her in the 18-year-old INR 66.65-crore disproportionate assets case.

Continue reading ‘Jayalalithaa Will Seek Redress from Supreme Court Against Karnataka High Court Denying Bail to her.’ »

A Buddhist group accused of instigating religious hate attacks in Sri Lanka said Tuesday it is in talks with Hindu nationalists in India to form an alliance against what it called rising Islamic extremism in the region.

The Buddhist Force, or BBS, says Sri Lanka faces a threat from radical Islam. It has been linked to a rise in attacks against the country’s minority Muslim and Christian population in the past two years, although it denies any involvement.

Continue reading ‘Buddhist Extremist Bodu Bala Sena Trying to Form Alliance with Hindu Extremist RashtriyaSwayamsevak Sangh to Combat Islamic Extremism in the Region.’ »

BY S VENKAT NARAYAN

Sensing a political opportunity in Tamil Nadu in the wake of AIADMK General Secretary Jayalalithaa being locked up in jail on September 27, India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is smelling power in the southern state.

It has intensified its efforts to get Tamil superstar Rajinikanth on board to gain popular support and possibly power too in the state assembly polls 20 months from now.

During a Navarathri visit to Rajinikanth’s residence in Chennai last week, the BJP state unit President Tamilisai Soundararajan tossed the idea of the popular actor supporting the party to his wife Lata, party sources said.

They said Ms Soundararajan went to the actor’s house on an invitation from Mrs Rajinikanth.

However, the actor was away shooting for his next movie, Linga.

Ms Soundararajan invited Rajinikanth to release a book on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently being given the final touches. She told the family that she will visit again to talk about the book when Rajinikanth returns.

Continue reading ‘With Jayalalithaa Jailed Narendra Modi led BJP Plans to “Capture”Tamil Nadu Through Super Star Rajnikanth.’ »

By

Vishwamithra 1984

“The keys to brand success are self-definition, transparency, authenticity and accountability.”
~Simon Mainwaring

As was shown in the Uva Provincial Council election results, there is no denying that the ‘Rajapaksa brand’ did suffer quite badly. To lose in a multi-ethnic district like Badulla and dropping 25% from the earlier poll in an almost 100% Sinhalese Buddhist district such as Moneragala, despite the fact that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) which was expected to score heavily managed to secure only less than 7%, in the context of current measurements, is close to dismal for the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA).

This poor performance at an election held on the brink of the Presidential Elections may have been due to multiple reasons. But the very fact that the voters of these two districts, Badulla and Moneragala, showed some semblance of ‘guts’ to teach the governing circles a lesson or two may have gone too far for the liking of the so-called strategists of the Government. The next follow-up question is: “Has the Rajapaksa brand suffered?”

Continue reading ‘“Rajapaksa Brand”has Begun to Suffer as Reasonable men and women are able to see Through the Misleading Wrappings.’ »

By

Charitha Ratwatte

Many moons ago, ‘Wel Lakshe Wedi Handa’ was a very popular Sinhala drama, about a revolution brooding in the Uva Wellassa region, of South East Sri Lanka.

At one time in our history, the area which is now described as Lower Uva, parts of the Badulla, Moneragala, and Hambantota Districts, were depicted as a fertile rice bowl to parallel the Raja Rata.

Thousands of cascades of small irrigation tanks in the plains and in the mountainous regions, small and medium anicuts were used to divert, store and husband rain fall from the South West and North East monsoons, from seasonal oyas and perennial gangas, nurturing a civilisation which was the granary of the Uva Wel Lakshe and Ruhuna and the Kandyan Kingdom at various times of our history.

During the Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandyan Kingdoms, Uva Wellassa was physically located geographically many miles away from the Capital City where the King reigned. A Yuva Raja or regional satrap was generally appointed for Uva Wellassa. Or in other times a Disawe from among the courtiers was appointed to go and administer the Dissawaniya.

The Uva Wellassa Yuva Raja was the Crown Prince or another junior Royal and the Disawe was a senior courtier who was trusted by the King. But following the famous dictum ‘Trust, but verify’, the Disawe had to leave his wife and family at the ancestral Walauwa in or around the capital city of Kandy.

Continue reading ‘“Wel Lakshe Wedi Handa”:Ten Lessons in 2014 from the ‘Land of a Hundred Thousand Paddy Fields’’ »

Karnataka High Court on Tuesday denied bail to former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa in the disproportionate assets case.

Earlier, Special Public Prosecutor G Bhavani Singh had said that the prosecution had no objection to her being granted conditional bail.

P. Karthiyayini, Mayor of Vellore (left) along with other AIADMK volunteers eating ‘Mann Soru’ at the Selliamman Temple in Vellore. They were praying for the release of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. Photo:C. Venkatachalapathy-courtesy: The Hindu

Senior advocate Ram Jethmalani who appeared for Jayalalithaa in the bail petition filed before the Karnataka High Court, on Tuesday argued she would not abscond, and that she was a law abiding citizen of the country.

He had also raised questions on some of conclusions drawn by judge John Michael Cunha in convicting her in the disproportionate assets case.

Resuming regular functioning after the vacation break, the High Court began hearing arguments in Jayalalithaa’s application bail case around noon, in the midst of protests and tight security.

Continue reading ‘Karnataka High Court Denies Bail to Jayalalithaa and 3 others Despite Special Prosecutor Bhavani Singh not Opposing’ »

(Following are excerpts from the Political Column appearing in the “Sunday Times”of October 5th 2014. The Column written by the Political editor of the newspaper published the excerpted paragraphs under the sub heading “New York slapping incident”)

There was heavy embarrassment for President Rajapaksa over a New York incident. It only remained a secret for a few hours. One local television channel still broke the story followed extensively by the social media. The moral in the story about the attempted blackouts is the fact that such cloaks of secrecy or giving spins to gain temporary advantage is no longer possible. They have a way of getting into the social media and reaching a wider audience. Such reportage is not always accurate and tends to cause even more damage to the Government’s credibility.

The incident was at the New Jersey residence of Dilan Ariyawansa who now represents Sri Lankan Airlines in New York. Guests who arrived on the night of September 23 (Tuesday) were Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, Monitoring MP for the Ministry of External Affairs (EAM), Kshenuka Senewiratne, EAM Secretary, Thanuja Geethendra Usliyanage, Minister (Political) at the Sri Lanka Embassy in Washington DC, Chamithri Rambukwella (daughter of Media Minister Keheliya) and an official of the Ministry of External Affairs.

Guests saw Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to United Kingdom, Chris Nonis, and Ambassador to the United States, Prasad Kariyawasam, arriving together. Golden Chimes, a Sri Lankan musical group was playing local music and the tempo increased as hours went by. In the process, dinner was delayed and another day (Wednesday) had dawned.

High Commissioner Nonis, who had walked in, sat at the bar table and was speaking with Ms. Ariyawansa. He was thrilled with the music and told her that it was very entertaining. Guests heard Vass Gunawardena making what were described as “highly inflammatory” barbs at Nonis. One of them said that every sentence began with “the f…. word.” Thereafter the Monitoring MP walked towards Nonis.

Continue reading ‘An Intoxicated Sajin Vaas Taunted Chris Nonis with “F-words”,Slapped him Twice on the Left Cheek and Punched Nonis on the Right Ear.’ »

by

Kelum Bandara

With the acceptance of the resignation of Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Chris Nonis, the External Affairs Ministry has asked the country’s Deputy High Commissioner to the Maldives Chanaka H. Talpahewa to take over as chargé d’affaires in London, a minister said.

Continue reading ‘Dep High Commissioner to Maldives Chanaka H.Talpahewa to fill in for “Resigned”Chris Nonis as Charge d’affaires in London’ »

By

Meera Srinivasan

The iconic Yal Devi Express from Colombo to Jaffna will resume its run on October 13, some 25 years after the link was suspended during the height of the Sri Lankan civil war.

IRCON, an Indian Railways subsidiary, restored a section of the line from Omanthai to Pallai in the Northern Province, damaged during the war, with a $800-million line of credit from India. Nearly 4,000 people, 400 of them skilled labourers from India, have been working on the project for over four years. Connecting the south to the north, the 339-km line, inaugurated in 1894, is the longest on the island.

After the war ended in 2009, the line was gradually restored section by section, first to Omanthai, then further north to Kilinochchi, and then to Pallai, 40 km short of Jaffna. Now, IRCON plans to extend the line to Kankesanthurai, the northernmost tip of the island.

Continue reading ‘“Yal Devi”Express Train will Run Between Colombo and Jaffna from Oct 13th due to Indian Efforts.’ »

By
Zahrah Imtiaz

The new building on Sunday (28) however, became a place for old wounds to be healed and bottled up grievances to be aired as the Presidential Commission on Missing Persons held its sessions at this location.

Continue reading ‘Heart Breaking Stories Related by Families of Missing Persons at Presidential Commission Sittings in Kilinochchi.’ »

The UNP has called upon the government to conduct an impartial inquiry into a recent incident where UPFA MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena allegedly assaulted Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the UK, Dr. Chris Nonis in the US.

Dr. Nonis resigned from his post in protest against the attack.

UNP Gampaha District MP Karu Jayasuriya has, in a media statement, said: “The physical assault by Sajin Vass Gunawardene, MP is a clear reflection on the country’s tragic situation. This is the first time ever since Independence that a parliamentarian has resorted to such demeaning behaviour- attacking a diplomat who was on a State-related visit to another country. The matter is even worse in that, the attacker happens to be the Monitoring MP of the Ministry of External Affairs.

Continue reading ‘Karu Jayasuriya Calls for Impartial Inquiry by Govt into Alleged Assault on High Commissioner to UK Chris Nonis’ »

By

Don Manu

Rosy Senanayake-pic via: facebook.com/rosy.senanayake.9

If diamonds are a girl’s best friend then free foreign travel trinkets come a close second to captivate a woman’s diffident heart. Or so it seemed for Rosy Senanayake this week until a miraculous eleventh hour stroke of Providence changed her mind and saved her from public censure.

Last week the President invited two UNP members to join his entourage to visit the Vatican and meet His Holiness the Pope. Even before a single hallelujah could be hailed, both had jumped at the offer and accepted the invite. One was UNP Chief Whip John Amaratunga who said that he has accepted and will be arranging his dates; and was no doubt busy packing his bags and practising his hosannas. The other lucky UNP MP was Rosy Senanayake who said she accepted the invite and added: “I do not know why we were chosen. It may have been because we are Christians.”

Was this, I wondered, the same Rosy Senanayake, the former Mrs. World and now UNP’s First Lady of Glamour, who in the past has criticised government MPs for embarking on meaningless foreign trips and pontificated on the criminal squander of public money spent on such junkets which bring no tangible benefits to the country other than to themselves? Was this the same Rosy Senanayake, who now, when she happened to be the fortunate recipient of Government’s largesse funded by the public coffers, saw nothing wrong in engaging in a bit of squander herself of the people’s money?

Continue reading ‘Rosy Senanayake Beautifully Refuses Presidential Invitation to Visit Vatican and Meet Pope Francis Unlike John Ameratunga.’ »

by

Shamindra Ferdinando

Newly elected Opposition leader of the Uva Provincial Council Harin Fernando on Saturday said that Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa should be named as the UNP’s prime ministerial candidate immediately.

Former MP Fernando emphasized that the success of the UNP’s presidential election campaign would primarily depend on Premadasa, who could play a role similar to that of the late Ranasinghe Premadasa, the late Gamini Dissanayake or the late Lalith Athulathmudali in the 1980s in support of JRJ.

The UNP’s rising star was addressing a meeting of the Kolonnawa Bala Mandalaya.

Continue reading ‘Harin Fernando Wants name of Sajith Premadasa Announced as Prime Ministerial Candidate’ »

By

Taylor Dibbert

Sri Lanka’s powerful defense secretary and brother of the president, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, has recently published a lengthy article in a policy-oriented journal called PRISM. The publication of this article, particularly at a time when the Sri Lankan government has been under the microscope for alleged war crimes and ongoing human rights abuses, raises a number of questions.

But let’s first take a closer look at the publication itself. PRISM is a relatively new journal. The publication’s website notes the following:

PRISM is published by the Center for Complex Operations. PRISM is a security studies journal chartered to inform members of U.S. Federal Agencies, Allies, and other partners on complex and integrated national security operations; reconstruction and nationbuilding; relevant policy and strategy; lessons learned; and developments in training and education to transform America’s security and development apparatus to meet tomorrow’s challenges better while promoting freedom today.

Continue reading ‘Gotabhaya Rajapaksa Article in US Journal “PRISM” Defends Past,Present and Future Actions of Sri Lanka’s Ruling Regime.’ »

By

Chandran Rutnam

It was in early 1956 that I was introduced to a young man named Gamini Fonseka.

I was one of the first to be hired to work on the production of “Bridge on the River Kwai”, that was to be filmed on location in Ceylon. Since I had no experience in films, except that I was a serious enthusiast and the fact that I was ready to work for no pay at all or a pittance, I was hired on a weekly basis to be an assistant to Eddie Fowlie, the Property Master of the film, until the real official Assistant arrived from London.

I worked in Colombo for over a month and then had to go to the location where the bridge was being built in Kitulgala. There I was introduced to a group of ‘experienced’ filmmakers who had just finished work on Lester James Peries’s maiden full-length motion picture, ‘Rekawa’. They were Dan Durairaj, Sesha Palihakkara, Vijay Abeydewa and Gamini Fonseka. Dan was assigned to the Transport Department, Sesha to the Make-up Department and Vijaya and Gamini to the local Assistant Directors Department. They were provided with transport, food and accommodation.

Continue reading ‘“I Salute my Friend,Gamini Fonseka, the King of Sri Lankan Cinema”’ »

By

Sunil Jayasiri

Kajeepan Sarmila, the widow of Ponniah Selvanayagam Kajeepan (alias Gobi), was detained at the Bandaranaike International Airport yesterday, when she was about to leave for Switzerland, informed sources said.

They said that Sarmila was prevented from leaving the country although she had valid Swiss visa due to the ongoing inquiry against her late husband, who was shot dead during a clash with the army in the jungles off Padaviya in April this year. Gobi was allegedly leading attempts to revive the now defunct LTTE.

Soon after Sarmila’s brief detention at the airport, an official from the Swiss Embassy in Colombo had arrived and requested the immigration officials to release her as she was going to attend the wedding of a relative in Switzerland and had a valid visa.

Continue reading ‘Sarmila Kajeepan,Widow of LTTE Revival Attempt Co-Leader Gobi Prevented at Airport from Leaving for Switzerland.’ »

BY DR. WICKREMA WEERASOORIA

The Gampola Perahera Case, which occurred nearly 100 years ago is of great historical significance.

Firstly, the Riots and Martial Law of 1915 can be traced to this case. Secondly, the facts of the case show the commitment of our Buddhist people to their religious festivals and ceremonies. Thirdly, and very importantly, it shows how the Supreme Court ‘toyed’ with the historic Kandyan Convention of 1815 – like a cat playing with a mouse it had caught! Fourthly, how the then Governor Sir Robert Chalmers had to be recalled prematurely and a new Governor (Sir John Anderson) appointed.

The new Governor was able to tactfully and successfully solve the issue that had resulted in the litigation and the riots. Regrettably, Sir John died two years later, while in Nuwara Eliya, the only British Governor to die in the colony. The unfortunate Sinhala-Muslim Riots that occurred in mid 1915 and the imposition of Martial Law by the British Government to quell the riots is considered the darkest period of British rule in the island. All these matters are briefly discussed in this article.

It is significant to note and record here that the most prominent Ceylonese of that time to speak on behalf of the Sinhala – Buddhists on these tragic events was a Tamil. He was none other than Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan (1853-1924), who was at that time one of the leading members of the Ceylon’s Legislative Council. Ramanathan delivered six memorable and impassioned speeches in the Legislative Council on this event. These speeches were later published as a book entitled Riots and Martial Law in Ceylon. Another excellent account of these events is found in Hundred Days in Ceylon under Martial Law 1915, by Armand de Souza, first published in 1916. Armand de Souza was a Goanese Indian and the then Editor of the Ceylon Morning Leader. He is the father of well-known University don Doric de Souza and reputed journalist and former editor of the Times of Ceylon, Tori de Souza.

Continue reading ‘Sinhala -Muslim Riots of 1915 and Martial Law can be Traced to the Gampola Perahera Case.’ »

by

N Sathiya Moorthy

For a Head of Government – and Head of State, to boot – addressing the annual UN General Assembly (UNGA), President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been more critical of the UN scheme than any other, possibly at any time. And at the same time, he has also invited UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to visit Sri Lanka again, to study the ground situation again, after the latter’s post-war visit in 2009.

Sept 24, 2014: President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka addresses the General Assembly. UN Photo/Hubi Hoffmann

Calling for “de-politicisation of the UN systems and mechanisms” and making them “hostage to different forms of funding” President Rajapaksa told the UNGA decried that human rights was being “used as a tool to implement motivated agendas with no understanding or appreciation of the complexity of issues in the countries concerned”.

Without naming any nation or group – at least at this stage — President Rajapaksa said that post-conflict Sri Lanka has become an unfortunate victim of ill-conceived agendas of some in the Human Rights Council, who paid scant regard to the substantial progress achieved by Sri Lanka, in reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation within a short span of five years since the end of the decades-old ethnic war.

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa was more Critical of the UN in his Address to General Assembly Than Possibly any other Head of Govt or State’ »

Tamil United Liberation Front(TULF) Secretary – General Veerasingham Aanandasangaree has in a letter sent to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi been critical of the Tamil National Alliance(TNA).The letter is published in full below-

Hon. Narendra Modi,

New Delhi.

Your Excellency,

Let Us Be Honest By Our People

I am the Secretary General of the Tamil United Liberation Front, a position held by the Late Mr. A. Amirthalingam before his assassination in 1989 . Due to my strong commitments to non-violence I was selected to receive the UNESCO’s Madanjeetsingh award for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-violence for the year 2006. I also served as a Member of Parliament for 17 years.

The TULF was founded by the Late Hon. S.J.V. Chelvanayagam a Queen’s Council in 1972. Due to his strong commitments to Mahatma Gandhi’s policies, he was very much loved, respected and also affectionately referred to as ‘Eelahthu Gandhi.’ The TULF was left behind as a legacy, by the founder to his people, a brief history of which is given here to enlighten Your Honour .of certain vital matters related to our ethnic problem. The TULF that had been dealing with the Sri Lankan Ethnic issue from Smt. Indra Gandhi’s days has changed hands, under compelling circumstances and now being dealt with by a pro- LTTE group.

Continue reading ‘TULF Sec-Gen Aanandasangaree writes to Indian PM Narendra Modi about how the TNA Accepted the LTTE as Sole Leaders of the Tamil People.’ »

KJ Yesudas

“What should be covered must be covered. Women should not trouble others by wearing jeans,” K.J. Yesudas, musician, said here on Friday, inviting protests from political leaders, women’s groups and the public.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the Gandhi Jayanthi cleanliness drive at the Sri Swathi Thirunal College of Music here.

When women wear jeans, people are tempted to pay attention to what is beyond it, thus forcing them to do undesirable things, the well-known singer said. “They [women] should not try to become like men but must behave modestly,” he continued. The attire, he said, is unbecoming of Indian culture and what lends beauty to a woman is her demureness.
Continue reading ‘Well-known Indian Singer KJ Yesudas says “Women should not Trouble Others by Wearing Jeans”.’ »

By
B.Kolappan

“Can a mortal punish God” asked a poster kept at a venue here where members of the film industry observed a fast against the conviction of the former Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa.

February 2013: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa serves food while inaugurating a new canteen set up by Chennai Corporation in which food will be provided at subsidised rates in Chennai – PTI

“Can God be at the mercy of a human being for bail?” countered a rhetorical poser by an anti-AIADMK group on Facebook.

Ever since Ms. Jayalalithaa’s conviction, the entire State has been witnessing demonstrations, protests, human chain formations, besides an unprecedented number of posters with messages criticising the judgment.
Continue reading ‘“Can a Mortal Punish God”? -Poster by Sycophants in Tamil Nadu Protesting Conviction of Jayalalithaa For Corruption’ »

The External Affairs Ministry on Friday accepted the resignation of Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Chris Nonis, ten days after he had tendered it to President Mahinda Rajapaksa following a physical assault he alleges was inflicted on him in New York last week by Sajin Vass Gunawardena, the Government MP Monitoring the Ministry.

High Commissioner Nonis said yesterday that his resignation letter to President Rajapaksa had clearly specified that he was assaulted.

“I said in my letter that I had been assaulted,” he told the Sunday Times. He also confirmed that his resignation had been accepted on October 3 (Friday).

He is learnt to have submitted his resignation soon after the alleged assault on him by Monitoring MP of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) at a private dinner party hosted by a Sri Lankan businessman in New York on Tuesday, (September 23). The incident occurred in the early hours of September 24.

Continue reading ‘Chris Nonis Confirms that he was Unlawfully Assaulted by Sajin de Vass Gunawardena on Sep 24th’ »

By

C.A.Chandraprema

After the unexpected and very substantial recovery of the UNP in the Badulla district and to a lesser extent in the Moneragala district, one would have thought that the party would by now be brimming with confidence and preparing to give Mahinda Rajapaksa a run for his money at the forthcoming presidential election. Before the Uva election, confidence was building up within the UNP, and clear signals were given that the UNP would be fielding Ranil Wickremesinghe to contest Mahinda Rajapaksa. Tissa Attanayake the General Secretary of the UNP told The Island in an interview that RW was the best possible choice for the presidential candidacy. Moreover, he said that the UNP parliamentary group has decided that the common candidate had to be from the UNP this time and not from outside.

Yet surprisingly even after the formidable showing of the UNP in Uva, this mood seems to have evaporated and once again, some UNP stalwarts seem to be looking at fielding a common candidate from outside. What is even more surprising is that this desire for a common candidate representing all opposition political parties seems to have affected individuals in both the Ranil and Sajith factions of the UNP in equal measure.

Confusion has been spreading within the UNP with certain sections expressing their preference for a common candidate from outside. Last Friday, some former UNP office bearers and parliamentarians had gathered at the Kotte Naga Viharaya where the Ven Maduluwawe Sobitha resides and declared in favour of a common opposition candidate. Among these UNP veterans were Daham Wimalasena, Anura Bastian, Upali Piyasoma, M. G. Premaratne, Madhurapala Ediriweera and Mahen Gunasekara.

Continue reading ‘Inner Party Confidence in UNP remains Shaky Even After Encouraging Performance at the Uva Polls.’ »

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Chris Nonis speaking exclusively to News1st confirmed that he was assaulted by the Monitoring MP of the External Affairs Ministry and that his letter of resignation was accepted on Friday.

However, speaking at an exclusive interview with News1st on Friday, MP Sajin de Vaas Gunawardena said that no such assault took place.

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Dr Chris Nonis spoke to New1st on Saturday and issued this statement.

Continue reading ‘Resignation Submitted on September 24th by High Commissioner to UK, Dr. Chris Nonis, Accepted on October 3rd.’ »

Hate speech is growing more effective and pervasive among media platforms in Sri Lanka, prompting concern from Muslim and Christian minorities amid mounting attacks.

The Colombo-based Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) released a report this week on the challenges surrounding the significant uptick in online-based hate speech in post-war Sri Lanka.

“The growth of content creation and consumption online, wider and deeper than any other media in the country and at an accelerated pace, has also resulted in low risk, low cost and high impact online spaces to spread hate, harm and hurt against specific communities, individuals or ideas,” notes the report.

Continue reading ‘Rise of Hate Speech in Media Platforms is Leading to Mounting Attacks on Muslim and Christian Minorities in Sri Lanka.’ »

By

Justin Trudeau

With this motion, the Prime Minister has finally said in Canada what he said in New York City more than a week ago. He is intent on taking Canada to war in Iraq.

ISIL is a threat both to the region and to global security.

ISIL murders ethnic and religious minorities across Iraq and Syria.

They murder innocent civilians, humanitarian workers, and journalists.

These awful acts have been fully documented – often by the perpetrators themselves.

This is why the Liberal Party supported a 30-day, non-combat role on good faith and on which we were briefed.

This time, instead of briefings, there has only been overheated rhetoric.

Continue reading ‘Liberal Party of Canada Cannot and Will Not Support Prime Minister Harper’s Motion on Going to war in Iraq.’ »

Mario Andree reporting from Jaffna

Many businessmen and investors requesting support from the government, complained to a senior minister about the lack of support by the local authority for projects initiated in the Northern Province.

Investors highlighted the many obstacles placed in their way by the local authorities for their investments, at a forum organized by the country’s investment promotion agency, the Board of Investment.

Continue reading ‘Northern Province Local Authorities Obstruct Projects Complain Investors and Businessmen to Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena in Jaffna.’ »

by
Sulohchana Ramiah Mohan

The untold hardships and tiring long distance travel the Northerners had to experience, for almost four decades, due to there being no proper transport system, will soon be a thing of the past. No more will they have to languish in bus stands or hire vehicles paying exorbitant rates to reach the South or any part of Sri Lanka, for come the beginning of next year, the entire Northern Province railway line will be handed over to the people by Ircon International, under the flagship of the Indian Government.

Continue reading ‘Restoration Project of Northern Province Railway Line almost Complete Due to the Aid, Expertise and Efforts of India.’ »

The US said that there has been no softening of its stand on Sri Lanka with regard to the human rights situation, as being reported in a section of the media.

Secretary of State John Kerry

The news report about such a change in American stance came after recent meeting of Secretary of State John Kerry, with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in New York on the sidelines of the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly.

“The only thing that was right was that the Secretary did speak with the Sri Lankan president on the margins of the UN General Assembly,” State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters in Washington denying such reports in this regard.
Continue reading ‘Secretary of State John Kerry told President Mahinda Rajapaksa in no Uncertain Terms that US Policy on Sri Lanka has not Changed or Softened.’ »

By Zahrah Imtiaz In Kilinochchi

A translation most confused and misleading by interpreters, from English to Tamil and vice versa, was witnessed by me when covering the Presidential Commission on Missing Persons, at a session held by them in Kilinochchi on Sunday, 28 September.

Two such errors in translation, which were also highlighted by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA)…

…representatives present on the occasion, two women witnesses were led in evidence.

Excerpts of those questions asked by former High Court Judge, Maxwell Paranagama, who presided at those sessions, as its Chairman and the related translations are given below:-

Continue reading ‘English-Tamil and Tamil -English Interpretation Errors Make Mockery of Missing Persons Commission Sittings in Kilinochchi’ »

President Mahinda Rajapaksa who was received at an audience by His Holiness Pope Francis last morning extended an invitation to His Holiness to visit Sri Lanka in January next year.

pic via: facebook.com/VaticanRadioEnglish

President Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa who arrived at the Vatican last morning were received with honour by Head of Vatican Protocol Office, Msgr. Jose Avelino Bettencourt.

The traditional Swiss Guards of the Vatican formed a Guard of Honour accorded to the President. Later the President, First Lady and members of the Sri Lanka delegation were escorted to the Apostolic Palace where President Rajapaksa had his audience with His Holiness at the special audience hall of the Palace.

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa Granted Audience at the Vatican by His Holiness Pope Francis.’ »

Rohana R. Wasala

‘DILIP KUMAR – The Substance and the Shadow’ (2014) published about three months ago by Hay House India is the autobiography of legendary Hindi cinema actor Dilip Kumar (born Yusuf Khan) who is approaching his 92nd birth day. The book entered the Amazon best seller list within two weeks of its publication. Award winning film journalist Udayatara Nayar, a close friend of Dilip Kumar and his wife actress Saira Banu, has put into book form the actor’s life story as related to her by him. It is an authentic account of his long journey in life from his unremarkable childhood as the fourth in a large family of twelve children (six boys and six girls) to dizzying heights of achievement and fame as a film actor.

As Udayatara says in her introduction to the book, the idea of writing the biography was conceived in 2004. One warm afternoon in Mumbai’s midsummer that year, she was helping Saira to arrange the books in the bookshelf in her bedroom. This bookshelf contained a good stock of books of fiction and works of poetry in English and Urdu. Dilip is known to be an avid reader. Picking up a book written by an author who claimed to have known him better than any one else, Dilip told Saira, “This is supposed to be my biography and it is full of distortions and misinformation”. Saira seized the opportunity to repeat her frequent suggestion to her husband that he write his own biography as “India’s first ever superstar and one of the world’s greatest actors”. “All right, I will narrate my story”, Dilip said in reply, “It has to be compiled by someone who is enlightened and ready to put in the hard work that goes into anything I do and it should be someone who knows us really well”. Then Saira said, pointing to Udayatara, “She is right here”. That’s how Ms Nayar was assigned the exacting task of compiling Dilip Kumar’s autobiography.

Continue reading ‘“DILIP KUMAR: The Substance and the Shadow”- Autobiography of Legendary Hindi Cinema Actor Dilip Kumar who was Named Yusuf Khan at Birth.’ »

by

Tamara Kunanayakam

The questions that everyone should be asking is: “Why now? Why in New York? Why in the context of the UN General Assembly? Why during the Human Rights Council session in Geneva? Who benefits from the crime? What is the mission of Sri Lanka’s diplomacy?”

Sajin Vass Goonawardena, the man who runs the Foreign Ministry, and Kshenuka Seneviratne, his number two, are two sides of the same coin.

The assault of High Commissioner Chris Nonis is only one in a series of Acts in a Tragedy that opened in Geneva in 2009 with the same cast of villains, followed by other Acts also in Geneva in 2011 and 2012, and still others played out in Rome and Paris.

Continue reading ‘Assault of High Commissioner Chris Nonis is only one in a Series of Acts in a Tragedy that Opened in Geneva……..’ »

Zacki Jabbar

UPFA MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena, who is alleged to have slapped Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in the UK, Dr. Chris Nonis during a function in New York recently, hurriedly summoned press conference yesterday morning, but cancelled it at the eleventh hour.

An External Affairs Ministry official called The Island yesterday morning, to invite us for a media briefing to be given by Gunawardena at 9.30 am, but he said a little while later it would not be held due to the tight schedule of MP Gunawardena, who is also monitoring MP at the External Affairs Ministry.

Having profusely apologised for the inconvenience caused, the extremely courteous official explained that Gunawardena had been compelled to rush to the airport and join President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who would invite Pope Francis to visit Sri Lanka early next year. “Mr. Gunawardena will hold a press conference when he returns in about a week’s time.”

Continue reading ‘Sajin de Vass Gunawardena Cancels Scheduled Press Conference at External Affairs Ministry to Explain about Chris Nonis Incident and Leaves for Vatican with President.’ »

AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa is not getting VIP treatment, but being looked after as any other ordinary prisoner at the Parapanna Agrahara Central prison where she is lodged after conviction in the disproportionate assets case, according to a top jail official.

“Madam (Jayalalithaa) is getting no VIP treatment. She is being treated as any other prisoner at Parapanna Agrahara,” DIG Prisons P M Jaisimha said.

She has conducted herself very politely with the prison officials and not made any demand for luxury, except that she has asked for an iron cot as per doctors’ advise, he said.

Continue reading ‘“Madam (Jayalalithaa)is Getting no VIP Treatment in Parapanna Agrahara Jail” says DIG Prisons p.M.Jaisimha.’ »

by
N.Sathiya Moorthy

At the end of the day, it is a political decision for imprisoned former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa to take, both at the personal and party levels.

It would look as if the Delhi protest by her All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham MPs on Gandhi Jayanti and her party lawyers and cadres’ protest inside the Karnataka high court premises a day earlier might have sent out wrong signals all round, whatever the merit of her case, when it is taken up by the high court, and possibly the Supreme Court, if and when approached at the appropriate stage.

The Delhi scene reminded one of a similar protest staged by devotees of the two shankaracharyas of the Kanchi mutt, when the second Jayalalithaa government in Tamil Nadu had arrested them. Heading the protest at the time was former President Ramaswamy Venkataraman, otherwise believed to be politically sympathetic to her.

Continue reading ‘Jayalalithaa’s legal Team must Act Professionally Instead of Engaging in Acts Appearing to be Motivated by Emotions Running High.’ »

By

Latheef Farook

It appears that Islamophobia, devastating the island for the past three years and tearing apart communities, has reached the Matara Issadeen Town where Sinhalese and Muslims once lived like one family. The controversy began with some Sinhalese demanding the closure of a mosque without any valid reason.

The relationship between the two communities was so cordial once that late Rev Diviyagaha Gunananda Thero who was the chief prelate at the Buddhist Temple at Issadeen Town often advised monks and Sinhalese in the area to” always respect Muslims and never hurt or harm them”. He had given this advice even in his death bed.

After his death this advice was followed by the present monk who later came under pressure from some Sinhala racist elements who wanted to get the Masjid Thaqwa Mosque at Issadeen Town closed.

Continue reading ‘Anti-Muslim Hatred Invades Matara with Closure of Masjid Thaqwa Mosque in Issadeen town as Objective.’ »

By

Hafeel Farisz

The Government has still not launched a formal inquiry or investigation into the alleged assault on Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Britain, Chris Nonis by MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena, Daily Mirror learns.

The assault had reportedly taken place at the residence of Dilan Ariyawansa who hosted a dinner for the delegates attending the 68th United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Sajin Vass is the monitoring MP for the Ministry of External Affairs.

Continue reading ‘External Affairs Ministry has had Misgivings about the Conduct of Dr. Chris Nonis Prior to the Alleged Assault Incident.’ »

By
T .M. Veeraraghav

There is no substitute for demonstrable loyalty and it is an art the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has mastered. It was visible in abundant measure soon after the conviction and incarceration of its General Secretary Jayalalithaa on September 27. The crying during the oath taking of her replacement and a resolution by a city corporation against special judge John Michael Cunha who delivered the verdict, were all part of the act.

In the AIADMK, it is the season for every person to show his or her loyalty to the leader, and many bureaucrats and police officers would not want to be left behind. One such case seems to be the filing of an FIR against Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president M.Karunanidhi, and his son M.K. Stalin, for charges of rioting, at the Royapettah police station in Chennai.
Fighting an old battle

While the FIR itself cannot set off alarm bells, it assumes significance in the backdrop of the virulent personal battle between the two leaders. This battle has manifested itself in “witch hunts,” such as the midnight arrest of Mr. Karunanidhi in 2001.

Continue reading ‘Though Legally Debarred Can Jayalalithaa Continue Through Remote Control as De Facto Chief Minister?’ »

By
Chaturanga Pradeep

Twelve Sri Lankan fishermen on board two fishing boats were taken into custody last morning at Tutucorin in Chennai while on their way back passing through the maritime boundaries of India and Malaysia, Fisheries Ministry Assistant Director Lal De Silva said.

“Usually fishermen have to pass through the maritime boundaries of India and Malaysia after fishing in Arabian seas. Countries have different laws relating to their International Maritime Boundary Lines (IMBLs). Some consider crossing the boundary lines as an intrusion to their waters,” he said.

Mr. De Silva said the Indian High Commission and the Indian External Affairs Ministry have been approached to help release the Sri Lankan fishermen and their fishing trawlers.

Continue reading ‘India Arrests 12 Sri Lankan Fishermen in 2 Boats near the Kanniyakumari CoastWhile Returning Home After Fishing in the Arabian Seas.’ »

by

Kelum Bandara

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is reported to have told the Cabinet meeting that his discussions with US Secretary of State John Kerry had made him realize that the US had softened its stance on Sri Lanka.

According to Government sources the President had said the meetings he had with Mr. Kerry and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly Session in New York were fruitful.

Describing the meetings as highly successful, he said India would not act in a manner that was unfavorable to Sri Lanka.

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Tells Cabinet that his Discussions with John Kerry made him Realise the US had Softened its Stance Towards Sri Lanka.’ »

by DR

DAYAN JAYATILLEKA

Forget the state of Denmark—something is rotten in the state of Sri Lanka, and our enemies, the secessionists in the Tamil Diaspora must be laughing, as they well might.

President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Sept. 30, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Three recent events indicate the future of Sri Lanka. Two are domestic and one, global. Of the two domestic events, one occurred in an international space. The three events are the Chris Nonis–Sajin Vass episode, the BBS–Wirathu nexus and the Modi-Obama meeting.

Sri Lanka’s external defenses are crumbling, largely due to undermining emanating from the heart of the state itself, in the shape of bad policy and worse practices.

Continue reading ‘The Chris Nonis-Sajin Vaas Episode, BBS -Wirathu Nexus and Modi – Obama Meeting Indicate What Sri Lanka’s Future is Going to be.’ »

By Dasun Edirisinghe reporting from Madhu

The reconstruction of northern railway track up to Kankesanthurai and Thalaimannar would be completed by December, connecting the north to the South after 25 years, Indian Government Company, IRCON International, said yesterday.

Addressing local and foreign journalists during a visit to northern railway lines, IRCON Additional General Manager V. K. Jayasankar said that his company had commenced the reconstruction of rail track from Medawachchiya to Thalaimannar and from Omanthai to Kankesanthurai as part of India’s commitment to assisting Sri Lanka in its rehabilitation, reconstruction and reconciliation efforts. A concessionary Line of Credit (LOC) amounting to about USD 800 million had been provided by the Indian government to carry out the railway reconstruction.

Continue reading ‘Northern Railway Track Segments from Madhu to Thalaimannar and Jaffna to Kankesanthurai will be Completed by December 2014.’ »

National List UNP MP R.Yogarajan has called for the Chairman of the Delimitation Committee,Local Government bodies Jayalath Dissanayake to be dismissed from his post for ” being present at the inauguration of the Secretariat for the re-election of the President set up by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and declared open by Minister of Economic Developments Basil Rajapaksa and National Organiser of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.”

In a letter to the Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils A.L.M.Athaullah he said “I am forwarding herewith a cutting of a Newspaper report in the Sunday Times of 28 September 2014. The contents of the news item identifies Mr. Jayalath Dissanayake the Chairman of the Delimitation Committee for demarcating the wards under the new Local Government elections acts as a person present at the inauguration of the Secretariat for the re-election of the President set up by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and declared open by the Minister of Economic Developments Hon. Basil Rajapaksa MAP. and National Organiser of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.

Continue reading ‘Delimitation Committee Chairman Jayalath Dissanayake Must be Dismissed from Post for Political Bias in Favour of President rajapaksa.’ »

by

Zacki Jabbar

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the UK Dr. Chris Nonis yesterday declined to comment on strong speculation that he had resigned from his post after being assaulted by a powerful government MP while in the US recently.

Contacted over the telephone for comment on the incident which had allegedly taken place during a function in New York, Dr. Nonis replied: ‘No Comment.’

Asked if he was back in the UK, Dr. Nonis replied in the affirmative, but he said he did not wish to talk about the incident.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Envoy to UK Dr. Chris Nonis Refuses to Talk to Media about Alleged Assault by Sajin de Vass Gunawardena in New York’ »

By
Vishwamithra 1984

‘Mahinda Chinthana’ – a bogus document on mythical promises!

“Man seeks to escape himself in myth, and does so by any means at his disposal. Drugs, alcohol, or lies. Unable to withdraw into himself, he disguises himself. Lies and inaccuracy give him a few moments of comfort.”
~Jean Cocteau

This is the stuff that myths are made of. Agriculture, power and education, three key areas where development could be visible and tangible, are all showing, if not stagnation, certainly a slowing down of pace. Cost of living is spiraling but the Government backed by its main economic loudhailer, the Central Bank is pouring out fictitious facts and figures to buttress its lies and half-truths.

They are recreating modules and models, restructuring statistical tables and omitting key indices so that a rosier picture could be painted about a ‘booming economy’. In plain and simple words, all these lies are based on a mythical document, embellished by fairytale-like exaggerations and impregnated with useless appendages.

One is reminded of how Sirimavo Bandaranaike Government made the great Mahaweli Development Scheme which was already launched by the then Dudley Senanayake Government of 1965-1970, look like a dream of S W R D Bandaranaike. Determined minds would travel any length to prove a fiction as fact and fact as fiction.

Continue reading ‘For the First Time the “Rajapaksa Myth” Seems Vulnerable and is Being Stripped Layer by Layer.’ »

Pic courtesy: drchrisnonis.com

According to sources Dr. Nonis has agreed to do so provided he receives an apology from Galle district Parliamentarian and External Affairs ministry monitoring MP Mr. Sajin de Vass Gunawardena.

Continue reading ‘Dr. Chris Nonis Likely to Accept Apology from Sajin de Vass Gunawardena and Continue as High Commissioner in Britain Due to Efforts of President Rajapaksa and Prof. G.L.Peiris’ »

By

Upul Joseph Fernando

Nothing is known in detail on the one on one talks between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Indian Premier Narendra Modi in New York on the sidelines of the recently concluded United Nations General Assembly sessions. Even the media did not report much, other than recording the meet with the customary bilateral comments made by the two leaders on strengthening relations between the two countries. The Indian media claimed that the issue of the 13th Amendment was not discussed between Modi and Rajapaksa. It said the talks were cordial and Rajapaksa was thanked by Modi for seconding the former’s proposal on United Nations Solidarity Day.

@PresRajapaksa and Prime Minister @narendramodi Agree to Strengthen Relations-pic via: @PresRajapaksa

Contrary to Indian media reports, the President’s Media Unit in Colombo reported that Rajapaksa was briefed by Modi on the talks the latter held with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). In addition the President’s Media Unit said that Rajapaksa had agreed to engage the TNA at the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) deliberations. It is surprising that Modi omitted the topic of the 13th Amendment and talked about the PSC only. Who is trying to deceive who is an obvious guess?

Everybody is at a loss to understand why Modi did not refer to 13 A with Rajapaksa after having met the TNA much earlier. Whenever Mahinda met Modi’s predecessor Dr. Manmohan Singh, Singh talked about the 13 A at all meets. It cannot be ruled that Modi conveniently omitted talks on 13 A having an alternative plan at the back of his mind to get Mahinda to implement. Or it could be he did not want to remind it as he told Mahinda about the 13 A when he earlier met him at his swearing-in ceremony and that nothing had happened so far. Also it could be that Modi did not want to remind as it would undermine his stand.

Continue reading ‘What did Mahinda Tell Modi and What did Narendra Tell Rajapaksa in Their One to one Meeting in New York?’ »

By

Yoshitha Perera

The Leader of Burma’s 969 oraganisation, Ven. Ashin Wirathu Thera and Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera today signed an agreement with the objective of building an Asian region without extremism.

The 969 represent the 24 qualities of Buddhism, inclusive of nine qualities of Buddha, six from Dhamma and nine from Sangha.

Ven. Wirathu Thera, addressing a news conference organised by the BBS in Colombo said that they have teamed up with the organisation to safeguard the Buddha Sasana and invited all peace loving people from other religions, including Muslims and Christians to gather in this initiative.

Continue reading ‘Burma’s 969 Movement Leader Ashin Wirathu Thera and Sri Lanka’s Bodu bala Sena Gen -Secy Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera Sign Joint Pact.’ »

By

Imran Gowhar

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who has been convicted in the disproportionate assets case, on Tuesday refused to meet the newly sworn-in Chief Minister O Panneersevalm, when he went to meet her at the Central Jail in Parappana Agrahara, where she is lodged since September 27.

A prison official said: “Ms. Jayalalithaa conveyed the message through prison staff that as he was the Chief Minister he should not visit the jail, and that he should focus on administration…. This message was conveyed to him by the prison staff.”

Continue reading ‘Jayalalithaa Refuses to Meet New Chief Minister Panneerselvam Telling him to Focus on Administration and Not Visit her in Jail.’ »

By
Krishnaprasad & Sruthisagar Yamunan

When the matter came up for hearing in front of the vacation bench of the Court, Special Public Prosecutor Bhavani Singh, who also appeared for the State at the Special Court, said that while he received information about his appointment as prosecutor for the appeal as well, no formal communication has been received from the Karnataka Government.

Following this submission, the High Court, keeping in view the need for representation on the respondent’s side, adjourned the matter to Monday oct 6.

Continue reading ‘Vacation Bench of Karnataka High Court Adjourns Jayalalithaa Bail Hearing to October 6’ »

By

Franklin R. Satyapalan

Attorney General (AG) Sarath Palitha Fernando, who visited the North last week, had been asked by the Jaffna based lawyers for practical, meaningful measures to reconsider the cases pending before the courts in the North filed under Emergency Regulations and the Prevention of Terrorism Act and to consider rehabilitation rather than punitive measures for the accused as the war was over, said Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) (Administration) Sumith Dharmawardena yesterday.

The AG had replied that the suggestions made by the members of the Bar would be seriously considered. During the AG’s visit to the five judicial zones in the Northern Region, accompanied by a team of senior officers from his department, from September 25 to the 26, he held discussions with members of the Bar and the Judicial Officers.

The President of the Vavuniya Bar Association S. Dayabaran highlighted that it was a historical moment for the Vavuniya Bar as it was the first time an AG had officially visited the Vavuniya Bar. District Judge of Vavuniya R. Ramakamalan and the Vavuniya Magistrate M. Rizwan were also present.

Continue reading ‘Northern Lawyers Ask Visiting Attorney -General Palitha Fernando to Reconsider Pending Cases Filed Under PTA and Emergency Regulations.’ »

By
K.K.S.Perera

Minister Maithripala Sirisena, who initially made a genuine effort to introduce the NMDP in line with WHO ratified Professor Senaka Bibile’s proposals, recently presented a draft bill in a total deviation from the Bibile proposals. The World Health Assembly at its sittings in Geneva in May 1982, acknowledged Prof Bibile’s contribution widely and they seriously discussed the possibility of using the formula as a model in rationalizing the supplying systems in developing countries. Subsequently it was successfully launched in 37 third-world nations.

The People’s Movement for the Rights of Patients [PMRM] recently issued a statement condemning the proposed draft of the Health Ministry, and we have no alternative but to believe the pharmaceutical and health watchdog, PMRM, that this hoax-pas is nothing but a draft prepared by the Mafia itself. The miscreants succeed under public ignorance on the extremely harmful effects of the superfluous drugs they consume;loss of foreign exchange in terms of billions and also on the exceptional rewards that would befall the nation through planned restructure.

Continue reading ‘Transnational Pharmaeuticals Industry Sabotages Sri Lanka’s National Medicinal Drugs Policy’ »

By

Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha M.P.

A Presidency Under Threat – 19 Indulgences without Principle

When I began this series, over four months ago, the title may have seemed excessive. And even my good friend Dayan Jayatilleka thought I was being unduly pessimistic about the President’s pulling power when I said that the UNP would poll at least 40% in Badulla. But the results there have shown that the threat is even more serious than I had thought.

Over the next few weeks I will explore how the threat might be averted. But I suspect that that will serve no purpose, for Basil Rajapaksa, who may be the only one of the decision makers who reads what I write, would by then have dragooned the President into having an early election. He did this in 2009 when, as the President then put it to me – with a hint of contempt I think for what he deemed the amateur nature of our advice – only Gota and I told him not to have the Presidential election so soon.

That haste, to entrench not the President, whose popularity was unrivalled at the time, but his rent seeking friends and relations in power, has been the root of the evils we have suffered. Contrariwise, Mahinda Rajapaksa, if left to himself, would I think have gone ahead with the reforms he had promised. And he can still save himself, and his legacy, if he works on reforms such as those so helpfully suggested by Vasantha Senanayake, which aim at strengthening the effectiveness of the Executive, not its power.

But even now, understanding that having the Presidential election soon would be unwise, the rent seekers are trying to precipitate an early Parliamentary election. They ignore the fact that Parliament has a year and a half to go, and the President more than two years, ample time for the pluralist Mahinda Rajapaksa to recreate himself, free of the baggage he has been compelled to carry.

Continue reading ‘An Unprincipled Bishop,A Shadowy Principal and an Old Boy Clique Form an”Unholy Trinity”in the Trinity College Conspiracy.’ »

By

Malinda Seneviratne

Some months ago when there was talk of Harin Fernando giving up his parliamentary seat to come forward as the UNP’s Chief Ministerial Candidate for Uva, there was one rather talkative man who pooh-poohed the notion. ‘Just a media show – he will not contest,’ he was convinced. He offered instead that the UNP should find ‘a suitable candidate,’ meaning that Harin was not the deal. Well, Tissa Attanayake is not exactly the UNP even though he can be trusted not to stray from the script of Ranil Wickremesinghe.

It’s all done now. The UNP didn’t defeat the ruling party, but it can count a lot of victories this side of securing the council. Improved numbers, greater enthusiasm among the rank and file when it comes to electioneering and a whopping preference return for the chief ministerial candidate all add up to a healthy performance by a party that’s been in the doldrums for years, sadly even in the context of declining regime popularity. In previous elections, ‘regime-fatigue’ has not translated into electoral shift towards the opposition. It’s as if the voters thought the Opposition was worse than the ruling party and went with ‘known devil’.

Continue reading ‘If UNP is to Replicate Uva Performance , it must have more Political Duplicates of Harin Fernando.’ »

By
B.Aravind Kumar

O. Panneerselvam, staunch loyalist of AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa, was sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for a second time on Monday by Governor K. Rosaiah, followed by the induction of other Ministers. The ceremony was emotionally charged with virtually every member of the new Cabinet breaking down .

Mr. Panneerselvam succeeds party General Secretary Jayalalithaa after she was convicted in the disproportionate assets case by a Bangalore special court on Saturday.

As the Governor invited him to take oath, Mr. Panneerselvam was in tears, but continued to read the pledge. He was seen wiping his tears frequently as his cabinet colleagues began taking oath, most of them also in tears.

Continue reading ‘Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Panneerselvam and AIADMK Ministers Take Oaths Before Governor with Eyes full of Tears Over Jayalalithaa’s Plight.’ »

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s appeal against Special Court’s conviction order in disproportionate assets case was filed in the Karnataka High Court around 11 a.m on Monday.

Her advocates filed the appeal, with a plea seeking suspension of sentence, in the High Court’s registry section.

Jayalalithaa’s aide Sasikala, her relatives V.N Sudhakaran and Ilavarasi also approached the High Court, seeking bail.

Continue reading ‘Appeal Filed in Karnataka High Court Seeking Suspension of Sentence on Behalf of Tamil Nadu Ex-CM Jayalalithaa.’ »

By

Krishnaprasad

The Special Court, which convicted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and her aides in the disproportionate assets case on Saturday, has issued a direction for the confiscation of around 3,000 acres of land and other properties held by six firms “for and on behalf of Ms. Jayalalithaa.”

The properties were registered in the names of Ramraj Agro Mills Ltd, Signora Business Enterprises, Lex Properties Development Pvt Ltd, Riverway Agro Products Ltd; Meadow Agro Farms Pvt Ltd; and Indo-Doha Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals.

Judge John Michael Cunha said in his order that the present value of the 3,000 acres “is left to our imagination.” Nine hundred acres at Kodanad was purchased for Rs.7.5 crore. The other agricultural lands were acquired for around Rs. 10,000 per acre. At this price, the entire village [to which these lands belong] could have been bought for Rs.53 crore, the court observed.

Continue reading ‘3000 Acres of Land held by 6 Firms “for and on Behalf of Jayalalithaa”To be Confisticated on Orders of Special Court.’ »

CHENNAI: At least 16 people committed suicide or died of cardiac arrest across Tamil Nadu after a special court in Bangalore convicted AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa in the 66.65 crore disproportionate assets case on Saturday and sentenced her to four years in prison. Two people have been hospitalized with severe burns.

Police said three people hanged themselves, one AIADMK supporter committed suicide by self-immolation, one person ended his life by jumping in front of a bus and one person died after consuming poison after the court pronounced its verdict. Ten others died of cardiac arrest, apparently due to shock after Jayalalithaa’s conviction, a police officer said.

Two people, including a Class 12 student, attempted self-immolation self and have been hospitalised with severe burns. Another ardent AIADMK supporter chopped off his little finger in Tirupur.

Continue reading ‘6 Commit Suicide and 10 Die of Cardiac Arrest in Tamil Nadu After Hearing of Jayalalithaa’s Conviction for Corruption.’ »

O. Paneerselvam

Once a tea stall owner, AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa’s trusted lieutenant is set to become Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the second time since 2001, when he made his Assembly debut.

The 63-year-old leader from Thevar community held two key portfolios of Finance and Public Works in the Jayalalithaa Ministry.
Continue reading ‘Jayalalithaa Loyalist Paneerselvam a Former Tea Stall Owner Becomes Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for Second Time.’ »

The meeting of AIADMK MLAs on Sunday is said to have unanimously elected Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam as the party’s Legislative Party leader and he is likely to be sworn in as Chief Minister.

Raj Bhavan sources said the AIADMK had sought an appointment with Governor K. Rosaiah at 6 pm.

This is the second time Mr Panneerslevam has become the Chief Minister of the state.

Continue reading ‘Jayalalithaa’s Faithful Finance Minister Panneerselvam to Succeed her as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.’ »

Senior lawyer Ram Jethmalani is flying back from London to represent AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa, who has been convicted in the disproportionate assets case, in the Karnataka High Court, his office said on Sunday.

The senior advocate will reach India by Monday.

The High Court will then be moved for suspension of her sentence and bail.

Courtesy:The Hindu

by

Sruthisagar Yamunan

AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa’s lawyers will file an appeal on Monday against the special court verdict sentencing her to four-year simple imprisonment in a disproportionate assets case and also seek her release on bail.

AIADMK Rajya Sabha Member A. Navaneethakrishnan told The Hindu that a bail application would be moved in the Karnataka High Court. However, since the High Court was on vacation, the application may be taken up by a vacation bench on Tuesday.

Her lawyers held a marathon meeting here on Sunday preparing the grounds of appeal against the trial court order which disqualified Ms Jayalalithaa as an MLA and cost her the position of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.

The legal team discussed options to get the sentence suspended and the conviction stayed, party sources said. According to sources, senior Supreme Court advocate Ram Jethmalani is likely to join the defence team.

Continue reading ‘Jayalalithaa’s Lawyers to File Appeal Seeking Bail, Suspending of Sentence and Staying of Conviction.’ »

Sruthisagar Yamunan & Imran Gowhar

For AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa, who is known to be an early riser, Sunday at the Parappana Agrahara prison was no different.

Her first full day in jail began as early as 5.30 am. Prison officials told The Hindu that the three-time Chief Minister asked the authorities for five newspapers — three Tamil and two English.

This was followed by her request to take a walk on the premises, which was allowed.

Sources said she refused prison breakfast. Idlis and vadas were brought from outside for her. This is allowed at the discretion of the jail superintendent under the prison manual, sources said.

Continue reading ‘Jayalalithaa has Iddlis,Vadais, Bread,Apples&Milk for Meals&reads 3 Tamil&2 English Newspapers on her First day in Prison.’ »

By
Meera Srinivasan

Controversial Buddhist monk from Myanmar Ashin Wirathu, accused of leading an anti-Muslim movement in Burma, on Sunday pledged his support to a hard-line Sinhala-Buddhist group in Sri Lanka which faces similar allegations.

Speaking at the convention of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), roughly Buddhist Power Force when translated, Wirathu said he would work with the BBS to protect their common religion that, he said, was facing threats from Islamic jihadists, according to media reports.

The BBS, besides leading a campaign against halal certification last year, allegedly played a role in attacks against Muslim-owned establishments in Sri Lanka. The BBS has denied involvement and the Sri Lanka government — accused of supporting the organisation — has also denied backing the BBS.

Continue reading ‘Myanmar’s Anti-Muslim Movement Leader Ashin Wirathu Pledges Support to Sri Lanka’s Anti-Muslim Bodu Bala Sena Movement.’ »

Stressing that a world without extremism was the essence of Buddhism, the founder leader of the 969 organisation of Myanmar, the Venerable Ashin Wirathu Thera said today that his organisation would work with the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) to achieve this goal.

Speaking during the BBS convention in Colombo, the venerable thera said some extremists were using technology, the media and power to spread their errors across the world. He therefore sent a wakeup call to all peace loving people and stressed that they should be on alert to face these threats.

The venerable thera said the BBS was playing in an important role in this regard in Sri Lanka.

“May the world usher in peace together with Buddhism,” the thera said, stressing the need to overcome the extremists who were trying to destroy Buddhism and all peace loving people.

Continue reading ‘Burma’s 969 Movement and Sri Lanka’s Bodu Bala Sena will work Together in Future Announces VenAshin Wirathu Thera in Colombo.’ »

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) yesterday issued an ultimatum to the Government, saying it will not hesitate to push for a change of Government if the current one fails to address a threat faced by Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

BBS President, Kirama Wimalajothi Thero, speaking at a BBS summit at the Sugadathasa Indoor Stadium, insisted that Sri Lanka is not a multi-religious country.

He says Sri Lanka is a Sinhalese Buddhist country and Buddhism in Sri Lanka is now facing a threat from some groups, including according to him, extremist Muslim and Christian groups.

Speaking in front of a large gathering of monks and guests, including Ashin Wirathu, the dreaded leader of the 969 Movement in Myanmar and the Vedda chief, the Wimalajothi Thero rejected the “terrorist” tag on the BBS.

Continue reading ‘Bodu Bala Sena President Kirama Wimalajothy Thero warns that BBS will “Bring a Man from the Village” to lead the Country if Govt Does not Address Concerns of Buddhists.’ »

By

Imran Gowhar

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who has been convicted in the disproportionate assets case, has been allotted the VVIP Cell number 23 in the Central Prison at Parappana Agrahara. She has been given prisoner number 7402.

Sources said the cell is located next to the women’s barrack. Jail authorities said the occupant was entitled to a bed, fan and separate bathroom facility. Ms Jayalalithaa was provided with a white sari as a convict.

Her dinner included a Ragi ball, 200 grams of rice and two chapathis. However, she refused dinner and sought fruits instead.

Continue reading ‘Jayalalithaa Given Prisoner No 7402 and Housed in VVIP Cell No 23 with Bed,Fan and Bathroom Facility in Central Prison at Parappana Agrahara.’ »

By B. Kolappan & B. Aravind Kumar

Cho S. Ramaswamy

Every time her political rivals have written her off, Tamil Nadu’s three time Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has made a comeback.

And so while AIADMK’s political rivals believe that Saturday’s verdict against Ms Jayalalithaa would be a permanent setback and weaken her hold over the party, political analysts refuse to endorse this assessment.

Veteran journalist and political analyst Cho Ramaswamy said though the judgment was a blow to her now, there was a lot of sympathy for Ms Jayalalithaa among the people. “The considered opinion of the legal experts is that legal avenues are available to her and she may come out unscathed in the future,” said Mr Ramaswamy, a long-time friend.

Mr Ramaswamy went on to say that Ms. Jayalalithaa’s political absence at this juncture would be a setback not to her but to the State, considering the political happenings in Tamil Nadu during the last regime of the DMK.

Continue reading ‘Cho. Ramaswamy says Legal Avenues are Available to Jayalalithaa and that she may come out Unscathed in the Future.’ »

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy called the judgment against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa “excellent,” and said that a local Sessions Court had shown tremendous courage in delivering it.

Dr. Swamy, who was the original complainant in the case in 1996, said: “She was corrupt and I knew she was corrupt. But ultimately it is a matter of great pride for me as an Indian that a local Sessions Court judge stood up to all this and gave a correct judgment.”

Continue reading ‘“I First Thought of Jayalalithaa but will now Work on Sending Sonia and Rahul Gandhi to Jail by Christmas” -Dr. Subramanian Swamy.’ »

(Text of an Editorial Appearing in “The Hindu”of September 28th 2014 Under the Heading “The Long Road to Justice”)

The conviction of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the disproportionate assets case by a Special Court in Bangalore is a significant vindication of a vital constitutional principle — that the rule of law be upheld for all citizens including persons in high public office. Too often have members of the political class managed to get away with the abuse of power, betraying the trust of the people who voted them to office.

Ms. Jayalalithaa is the first serving Chief Minister to be convicted under the Prevention of Corruption Act; before her only a handful of political leaders have had to face jail terms in corruption cases. But this conviction did not happen as a matter of ordinary legal course. At every stage, attempts were made to obstruct and delay the judicial process.

Continue reading ‘Ms.Jayalalithaa Still has Avenues of Appeal Open to her -The Hindu’ »

Despite a turbo charged campaign with lethal weapons from its political armoury, the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) faced a humiliating outcome at the Uva Provincial Council elections. It won with a lower majority and faces higher concerns.Lawlessness reigned in the run-up to the September 20 polls. Intimidation and thuggery were rampant. The Police were blind to new Defender Jeeps sans number plates clogging the outback of Badulla and Moneragala Districts. Unidentified but well-built men were canvassing in different ways for the ruling party candidates. Various forms of inducements were offered.

A VIP distributed envelopes with money amounting to between Rs 2,500 and Rs 5,000. Opposition party supporters feared to walk into a Police Station. In one instance on polls day, the Mayor of Bandarawela was assaulted inside the Police Station by three Government politicians. The Officer-in-Charge of this headquarters station was transferred for failing to prevent the incident. However, no action so far seems to have been taken on the assailants. Polls laws were violated with impunity. The Polls and Police Chiefs were buck-passing complaints from those who sought a free and fair poll.

All these and much more did not obscure the single most important message voters in Uva delivered — that they were now disenchanted with the UPFA. Though victorious, the UPFA’s votes dwindled to worrisome proportions. That was with a voter turnout of 76 per cent, a phenomenon usually experienced not even at a national election. That message extends even further. Cash, goodies, lower electricity and fuel tariffs have all failed to retain the UPFA’s vote base, leave alone garner more. Fears of a repetition of the scenario at the upcoming presidential election next year have pushed the UPFA into high gear. On Thursday, a Presidential Elections Operations Room was set up at R.G. Senanayake Mawatha (former Gregory’s Road) in Colombo at the auspicious hour of 10.01 a.m. Unlike in Uva where the area is limited, the UPFA’s enormous campaign resources at a presidential poll would have to be distributed widely to encompass all provinces. Whether goodies and goodwill alone will change hearts and minds would be a challenge for the UPFA.

Continue reading ‘If Proclamation is Issued on Nov 20 for a Presidential Poll on Jan 9 then Jan 13-15 Pope Francis Visit Cannot Take Place.’ »