By

Franklin R. Satyapalan

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) has prepared the draft of a policy document to develop the country based on Buddhist principles and traditional Sinhalese values, the organization’s CEO, Dilantha Withanage said.

This broad-based document includes policies on diverse subjects such as health, education, nutrition, law and order and good governance, he said.

Asked whether the policies would be detrimental to the interests of other minorities and religions, Withanage replied, “Buddhist principles and traditional Sinhalese values had never been against other minority or religious interests”.

Continue reading ‘Bodu Bala Sena Compiles Policy Document to Develop Sri Lanka on Basis of Buddhist Principles and Traditional Sinhala Values.’ »

By

Paneetha Ameresekere

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) will decide whether it is to field a presidential candidate or not only after the announcement of a presidential election is made, TNA parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran told Ceylon Today in an interview on Thursday (16).

“Only then will we also decide on the other option whether to support a common candidate or not,” he said.

Sumanthiran, who has an insight into the main opposition UNP’s thinking, said they would however field a candidate to challenge incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the next Presidential Election, without supporting a common candidate.

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Wont get Simple Majority in the First Count at Presidential Poll says TNA Parliamentarian MA Sumanthiran.’ »

By

Kalana Senaratne

Many of Sri Lanka’s opposition movements that have sprung up in more recent times especially in the South, movements which seek to construct an alternative discourse, appear to be oscillating somewhat ambivalently between the ready desire to affect course-correction and the very reluctant ambition of initiating regime-change. Those which have the greatest potential of affecting regime-change are for course-correction; while those who may have influenced certain movements to adopt a course-correction approach appear less promising about affecting regime-change.

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Needs the Defence Secretary while Gotabhaya Can Succeed only by Operating Behind the Charismatic Mahinda.’ »

BY MENAKA INDRAKUMAR

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, that is the physical aspect of it, while inner beauty shines from within. When a woman’s physical beauty fades, it is said the eyesight of a man of her age too weakens. But, women strongly feel that physical beauty can be revived. Pandering to this belief, we see thousands of beauty parlours springing up in every nook and corner of the country. So, irrespective of status or age, women in the modern world appear to be more conscious about their beauty and run the risk of curtailing their life.

So it was in such backdrop, in an effort to tackle the battle of the bulge that Dr. P. A. Priyangi chose to visit a cosmetic surgery clinic last week to get rid of the fast developing belly-fat, which irritated her even behind the steering-wheel of her car.

Dr. Priyangi (47) attached to the plastic surgery unit of the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital went to a cosmetic surgery clinic in Bambalapitiya to reduce her big belly by way of a plastic surgery, medically known as Liposuction.

Continue reading ‘Deadly Price of Beauty! Tragic Tale of Dr. Priyangi’s Demise at Bambalapitiya Cosmetic Surgery Clinic.’ »

By

Prasad Gunewardene

Very few communist comrades possess humour as they are known to be serious politicians. For communist comrades, it’s difficult to add one magical component to their socialist skills to make their contributions more palatable and enjoyable. That magical component is humour, which many comrades lack. However, Parliament had a comrade from the Communist Party during the last quarter of the 20th Century who possessed much wit and humour. He was the amiable Sarath Muttetuwegama, well versed in the cliometrics of communism sporting a mellifluous smile, and representing the Kalawana electorate at that time, he was an ebullient representative of the progressive politics of our time who could sing the ‘Communist Chorus’ to eternity.

He fought for the liberation of mankind and the working class, upholding the doctrine of Nicolai Ostrowsky. Comrade Sarath, hailing from the affluent class, was a humble human being in politics. Today’s neophyte scribes and self-proclaimed political pundits certainly missed the opportunity to listen to him, as he died at a relatively young age in a tragic accident. If the late C.V. Gooneratne and A.H.M. Azwer were the best combination to crack humour in the Parliaments of the last quarter of the past century, they were followed by Sarath Muttetuwegama and former Deputy Minister of Higher Education A.M.R.B. Attanayake during the J.R. Jayewardene Government. In parliamentary debates that turned hot, Sarath proved he was capable enough to take on the 140 UNP members with capitalist views, when the UNP held power with a five-sixth parliamentary majority in the House.

Continue reading ‘Lively Duel Between Communist MP Sarath Muttetuwegama and UNP Deputy Minister AMRB Attanayake in 1977-1989 Parliament.’ »

By

Prasad Gunewardene

In a bid to unite and strengthen the United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is to appoint Sajith Premadasa as his deputy very shortly, sources close to the UNP leader revealed yesterday.

This would be the third time Premadasa would occupy that position in the Party.

This follows several rounds of talks between the duo held in the recent past, where the focus was on uniting the UNP and bringing back active members who had left the Party over differences in the past.
Wickremesinghe is to propose the appointment of Premadasa as deputy leader at the next Working Committee meet of the Party, sources said, adding that a confidante of the leader would second the proposal.

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe to Propose Name of Sajith Premadasa as UNP Deputy Leader at next meeting of Party’s Working Committee’ »

by

Rex Clementine

Pope Francis would visit the historical Madhu Shrine during his stay in Sri Lanka in January next year, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo announced yesterday. The Cardinal was at the Madhu Shrine to celebrate the Feast of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary to heaven that fell yesterday.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu in the district of Mannar is considered the holiest Catholic shrine in Sri Lanka. Madhu is a place of worship for both the Sinhalese and the Tamils and has been considered a symbol of unity between the two communities.

It was announced yesterday that over 400,000 devotees attended the Madhu festival and making a special announcement Cardinal Malcolm reveled the Pope’s visit to the Shrine that has a history of over 400 years.

Continue reading ‘Pope Francis will Celebrate Mass at Sri Lanka’s Most Historic “Our Lady of Madhu”Catholic Church in Mannar District on January 14th 2015’ »

Mahela Jayawardena, arguably Sri Lanka’s most elegant batsman of his generation and second only to Arjuna Ranatunga as a captain, leaves the game’s biggest stage this week, playing his last Test Match against Pakistan at his favourite hunting ground, the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo.

Jayawardena had indicated that he would continue playing in the one-day format of the game until the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year. It is the one prize that has eluded him, having been in two World Cup finals and losing both, one of them as captain and after scoring a century in the other.

Jayawardena leaves a plethora of records to savour but he will be best remembered for his batting artistry, combining elegance with efficiency, which is why he has been successful across all versions of the games including the ‘instant’ T-20. He is one of a handful of cricketers to score a century in all three formats of the game.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Most Elegant Batsman of his Generation, Mahela Jayawardena Plays his Last Test Match Against Pakistan.’ »

By

Sarath Fernando

It is not incorrect to work with foreign assistance if one is doing the right thing. So, we have to fight against any attempts to restrict such assistance. But there are advantages too in working with less or no foreign assistance. What are these? If a programme depends on local strength, strength of the people and benefits of working with nature then the local people will monitor the work more carefully and there should be more answerability to the people. Planning and decision making will have to be done more with the people who will assist. People will assist such programmes only if they are confident of the benefits. It has to be simple and easily understood too.

Trees will absorb sunlight and convert them into food, timber, soil fertility, medicine, animal fodder, more water retention in the soil and less drought and fewer flood damage. These are simple, easily understood and easily implemented. Seeds have to be collected, protected and shared. To do this it is not essential that one has one’s own land. Working on any land this way will improve soil fertility and yield and make food, water and a healthy environment. But this requires some work, education and training work and people on how best to do it.

Continue reading ‘Non -Governmental Organizations are not an Illegal Phenomenon’ »

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has no intention of abolishing the Executive Presidency, according to SLFP General Secretary and Minister of Health, Maithripala Sirisena.

The Minister was responding to a question, at a media briefing yesterday (15) at the SLFP Headquarters, Darley Road.

He was responding to a question about the initiatives taken by leftist ministers to abolish the Executive Presidency before the next presidential election.

Continue reading ‘SLFP Will Not Abolish Executive Presidency says Party General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena’ »

By
Susitha R.Fernando

The country’s oldest community dates back to thousands of years. The Vedda community or the indigenous community held its annual Wariga Sabha (Council of the Clan) to take crucial decisions on behalf of its nearly 500,000 members. The Council held to coincide with the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People is usually organised with government patronage. But this year it was held in Dambana with native community deciding not to accept any government sponsorship or invite any government leaders for their ancestral ceremony. Struggling against the encroaching social, cultural and economical changes, the community leader, Uru Warige Wanniya Aththo described the reasons why they decided not to accept state patronage and the crucial issues that affected his community.

Q
What is the difference between this year’s Wariga Sabha and the Sabhas of previous years?

During the previous years, we held this ceremony with the sponsorship of the government. But we decided to have this year’s Wariga Sabha on our own. We decided that this year’s event should be conducted in Dambana.

So we invited 25 people from each community from various villages where our community people live. In the previous years 50 or more people took part in this event representing their respective areas but we decided this time to have it with the participation of only 25 representatives.

Continue reading ‘500,000 Strong Vedda Community Holds its “Wariga Sabha” Annual Clan Council in Dambana Independently Without State Support or Participation’ »

By

Taylor Dibbert

President Obama recently made a decision. Consequently, the U.S. is launching limited airstrikes in Iraq and has also undertaken a humanitarian operation in the northern part of the country.

Obama’s press conference last Thursday was difficult to watch. He couldn’t conceal the disgruntled look on his face; it appeared that he was having trouble looking directly into the camera. Obama emphasized that this was a humanitarian operation and that U.S. ground forces would not be going back to Iraq.

Notably, he didn’t mention anything about defeating the Islamic State (IS).

It’s true that Obama’s anti-war stance had a lot to do with his winning the Democratic nomination in 2008, but I’m hoping he’s thinking more about the well-being of the American republic (and the world) instead of campaign promises. Regrettably, I don’t think we’ve gotten there yet.

Continue reading ‘Why did President Obama who Invoked Responsibility to Protect in the case of Libya not do the same During the Final days of the War in Sri Lanka?’ »

By

Vishwamithra 1984

“The true test of civilization is not the census, nor the size of cities, nor the crops – no, but the kind of man the country turns out.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist, philosopher and poet

Exaggerations of the truth are quite common in any human endeavor. When exaggerations are driven into fully-blown falsehoods, they tend to master the individual or society that willingly accepts the fallacy of falsehood as truth. It is a criminal act and when the casualty and society accept the criminal act in any way, shape or form, society’s will to survive diminishes and when it reaches a critical mass, it explodes, claiming everyone around as victims of the willing. By virtue of his or her silence and omnipotence, the victim becomes a helpless accomplice of the crime thereby facilitating the commission of falsehood and lies and even rape, larceny and murder. The vicious circle of human folly continues to turn, capturing every willing and unwilling observer into this web of sin. Society, as a result becomes a prisoner of itself, consuming its vital resources to nurture and nourish itself. The most tragic aspect of this process is that it is only the historians of a later day who would see the beginning, the midpoint and the end of the whole story.

Continue reading ‘Alternative Leader to Present President Must be Equal to the Incumbent in Vigour,Vibrancy and Vitality.’ »

On the occasion of International Youth Day 2014, we, the undersigned members of the Young Political Leader’s Forum of Sri Lanka, welcome the publication of the Sri Lanka National Human Development Report 2014, by the United Nations Development Programme Sri Lanka, together with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development, and the Ministry of Finance and Planning. We resonate with the importance of civic and political participation of youth and reaffirm the following recommendations as laid out in the report.

Young people are often described as disengaged from civic and political engagement. Yet, their role as active agents for change remains fundamental, especially in a post-war society such as Sri Lanka.

Given the above, we strongly believe in the need to actively engage youth in civic and political participation. As a group of concerned young politicians, we therefore call for the implementation of the following set of recommendations:

Continue reading ‘Statement on the Civic and Political Participation of Youth By the Young Political Leaders’ Forum of Sri Lanka’ »

By
Priya Gupta

Yuvan Shankar Raja, 34, called lovingly Yuvi at home, is not just the legend Ilaiyaraaja’s younger son, but is also India’s youngest composer, who did his first Tamil film music at the age of 16.

Yuvan Shankar Raja

While Yuvan in his name stands for young, Shankar was added by a pandit and Raja, his family name, when he became a composer.

After giving music in 100 Tamil films, he makes his Bollywood debut with Raja Natwarlal. Over an hour-long conversation, the otherwise inaccessible composer opens up to Bombay Times about why he sung for AR Rahman, what made him convert to Islam and why no one can replace his mother in the world.

Excerpts:

Continue reading ‘“I got Direct Calling from Allah” – Music Composer Yuvan Shankar Rajah Talks About his Conversion to Islam.’ »

BY
ENID NEMY

Lauren Bacall, the actress whose provocative glamour elevated her to stardom in Hollywood’s golden age and whose lasting mystique put her on a plateau in American culture that few stars reach, died on Tuesday in New York. She was 89.

Her death was confirmed by her son Stephen Bogart. “Her life speaks for itself,” Mr. Bogart said. “She lived a wonderful life, a magical life.”

With an insinuating pose and a seductive, throaty voice — her simplest remark sounded like a jungle mating call, one critic said — Ms. Bacall shot to fame in 1944 with her first movie, Howard Hawks’s adaptation of the Ernest Hemingway novel “To Have and Have Not,” playing opposite Humphrey Bogart, who became her lover on the set and later her husband.

Continue reading ‘Lauren Bacall: Provocatively Glamorous Hollywood Star with Insinuating Pose,Sultry Looks and Seductive Voice.’ »

The Police yesterday dispersed a group of extremist Buddhist monks led by Bodu Bala Sena secretary Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero who arrived in Muslim-dominated Maligawatte area to clash with a Muslim organisation protesting against Israel.

The BBS monks argued with the police not to allow the Muslims to hold protest demonstration from Maligawatte to Colombo Fort.

Police had obtained an injunction against demonstrations in the Colombo Fort and Pettah areas and did not allow the demonstrators to enter the prohibited area.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court issued restraining orders on the Thowheed Jamath, Bodu Bala Sena and Sihala Ravaya organisations preventing them from holding demonstrations and protests in the Colombo and the Colombo Fort areas. The Buddhist monks had a heated argument with the police who then removed the monks amidst heightened tensions.

Continue reading ‘Buddhist-Muslim Clash Averted by Police in Maligawatte Between Bodu Bala Sena led by Gnanasara Thero and Thowheed Jamath Organization.’ »

A forty seven year old woman doctor who visited a private beauty parlour named ‘Cosmetic Surgery Clinic’ in Bambalapitiya, Colombo today and obtained an injection to improve her looks and to become young and pretty had the misfortune of dying at the beauty parlour itself, police said.

Preliminary investigations had revealed that the doctor who was attached to the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital had died of poisoning after being administered an antibiotic injection.

The beauty clinic in question is well renowned for its latest beauty treatment methods. They include the removal of wrinkles from around the eyes and other forms of beauty treatment.

The deceased doctor was the mother of two children and resided on Senanayake Mawatha, Nawala. She had visited the beauty parlour at about 1.00 pm, and the treatment had commenced at about 3.00 pm. She had died within an hour.

Continue reading ‘Woman Doctor from Lady Ridgeway Hospital Who Got Injection to Improve her Looks at Bambalapitiya Beauty Parlour Dies of Poisoning Within an Hour.’ »

by

Col R Hariharan

[Answers to some of the questions on India-Sri Lanka relations and China raised by an international news agency answered on August 11, 2014 are given here.]

How do you see the diplomatic, economic, political relationship between Sri Lanka and India before the end of the war and after the end of the war?

The multifaceted India-Sri Lanka relationship has undergone subtle changes after the Eelam War ended in triumph for Rajapaksa. The main reason for this is President Rajapaksa’s failure to implement 13th Amendment to the Constitution and trigger the political process with Tamil minority as promised to India. His act of political expedience not only destroyed the Indian leadership’s credibility in him but also the public credibility in the Manmohan Singh coalition’s ability to handle the relations with India’s neighbours.

Its tectonic effects in Tamil Nadu politics saw the end of the Congress party’s fragile relationship with the DMK with disastrous results in the parliamentary poll for both the parties. It provided a fillip for anti-Sri Lanka lobbies in Tamil Nadu to gain strength particularly after Sri Lanka continued to dither on carrying out impartial probe into allegations of human rights violations towards the end of the war.

At the diplomatic level, the impact was seen in hesitant swings in India’s support for Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Commission sessions on Sri Lanka’s accountability. However, at the functional level both India and Sri Lanka seem to be keen to maintain some balance in their responses to acts of political and public provocation on both sides.

Continue reading ‘Infrastructures Controlled by China in Sri Lanka will help its Strategic Build-up in the Indian Ocean region Where India is the Dominant Power.’ »

By
Dharisha Bastians

Under the glass deck at the entrance to Independence Arcade on Bauddhaloka Mawatha, hundreds of ornamental fish swim hypnotically to and fro, delighting children and visitors to the latest entertainment spot in the capital. The glass is tough enough to walk on and the pond is lit up beautifully at night, making the massive underground tank a major attraction at the 85,000 sq.ft. recreational facility. Every other afternoon, the fish confine themselves to the farthest corners of the tank, and visitors can view a different species half-submerged in the green waters.

Window pane Wiper and brush in hand, a Sri Lanka Navy sailor floats along the surface, diligently wiping slime and water vapour off each glass pane to prevent the view from above being obscured. Senior officers stand upon the glass, issuing occasional instructions. Each pane on the deck that covers the fish tank is estimated to have cost well over a Rs. 1 million.

Touted by its publicists as an “Expression of Freedom” in post-war Sri Lanka, the actual cost incurred by the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development to restore the dilapidated Auditor General’s offices have never been made public. The restored colonial facade, tasteful interiors and illuminated water features make Arcade Independence Square a stunning icon in the heart of the city, brimming with promise about Colombo’s future. ‘Beautiful City; Beautiful Life’ reads the Arcade tagline, a reflection of the vision for the capital city created by the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development.

Continue reading ‘Tale of Two Colombos:One Shines with Construction and Development While the Other Suffers Destruction and Suppression.’ »

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ordered the relevant officials to take steps to release Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody to mark Indian Independence Day which falls on August 15, President’s Media Coordinating Secretary Vijayananda Herath said.

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Orders Release of Indian Fishermen in Custody to Mark the August 15th Indian Independence Day’ »

By

Sarah Hannan

India yesterday renewed its commitment to the sustenance of peace and development in Sri Lanka as the giant neighbour documented over $ 1.3 billion in post-war support.

“As Sri Lanka strives towards a peaceful future, the Government and the people of India remain committed to assist Sri Lanka in its endeavours of rehabilitation, reconstruction and reconciliation,” Indian High Commissioner Y.K. Sinha said yesterday at the launch of brochure titled ‘India and Sri Lanka: A partnership that transcends time’ with Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

Continue reading ‘Newly Launched Brochure titled ‘India and Sri Lanka: A partnership that transcends time’ Documents Over 1300 Million US Dollar Post-War Support by India for Sri Lanka’ »

By

Upul Joseph Fernando

When Mahinda decided to hold a snap poll for a third term Presidency he was smitten with fear of an Opposition backlash against his erratic foreign policy, which had embittered relations with world powers. He felt timorous about America spearheading an economic sanction programme, which could affect the economy of the country which would ultimately be used by the Opposition to arouse public dissention against the government.

Rajapaksa clan had assiduously prepared contingency plans to face such a damaging situation, which could affect the presidential election. It is known that they have prepared a blueprint of a plan of action to show the country and the world that the world powers like India and China are closely aligned with Mahinda and his Government.

As a first step towards implementing this strategy a highly publicized event was planned by the government by inviting the Pope for a State visit. As the next step in this pre-planned propaganda blitz was to invite Dr. Subramanium Swamy and a group of BJP Parliamentarians to the country and get Swamy to declare India’s unstinted support to Mahinda and his Government. He declared at a press conference that if the Tamils could vote for Fonseka at the 2010 presidential election there should not be any difficulty now to vote for Mahinda.

Even Chinese officials who visit the country do not make such appeals to the common people to vote for President Rajapaksa at the next election. Such matters are considered internal affairs and foreigners have no right to interfere by advising people to vote for a person of their choice.

Continue reading ‘China Appointing Defence Attache for the First Time in Sri Lanka Shows Change in Beijing-Colombo Relations.’ »

by

Jeevan Thiagarajah

The international engagement in a call for action on Sri Lanka’s accountability arising from the last stages of the war, and the upcoming resolution in this regard at the UNHRC sessions in March this year, brought together the Marga Institute and the Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA) in a joint endeavour to present an alternate narrative of the events of the last stages of the war.
The subsequent resolution adopted by the UNHRC convinced the partners of the need to place the narrative in the domain of the public discourse on the last stages of the war.

The work on the compilation of the ‘Third Narrative’ was led by Godfrey Gunatilleke who has been at the Marga Institute from its inception and who wrote an excellent critique of the Darusman Report , Jeevan Thiagarajah who was intimately involved in the theatre of humanitarian services and was closely allied with the late Neelan Tiruchelvam while studying the conflict since 1983, and Asoka Gunawardene, respected former senior public official and currently the head of the Marga Institute and supported with important contributions and insights from other members of the group who participated in the discussions.

The report has been prepared as a logical sequel to the initiative that was taken by a group of concerned citizens in early March 2014 to propose an alternative to the UNHRC resolution. The alternative that was proposed by the group recommended a course of action which would be directed not as an inquiry into allegations of war crimes but as a full and impartial evaluation of the conflicting and contradictory accounts of the war available from different sources.

Continue reading ‘The “Third Narrative”About the Last Stages of the War in Sri Lanka and Related Issues of Truth and Accountability’ »

ROBIN WILLIAMS, an actor and comedian, died on August 11th, aged 63. The flood of grief-stricken commentary that followed news of his death has not simply been a response to his many achievements as a corruscating comedian and award-winning actor.

It has also been a sign that audiences felt they knew him as a friend. In his stand-up specials and chat-show appearances, he never seemed to be holding anything back. Dripping with sweat, pouring out words in torrents, he seemed to have no filters between his buzzing brain and the outside world.

He could be endearingly open and honest about his own problems (for years he was addicted to alcohol and cocaine), even while improvising delirious flights of fancy and flitting from character to character. Viewers loved him for it.

Continue reading ‘Remembering Robin Williams as Entertaining Actor and Endearing Friend.’ »

By

Devirupa Mitra

NEW DELHI: He came to the national capital alone at the tender age of 20, but with a determination to learn. Exactly 44 years on, Sudharshan Seneviratne is back in the city for a long haul — this time as Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India.

The nomination of Seneviratne, a renowned archaeologist, for replacement of Prasad Kariyawasam had surprised many. After all, he is the first person from outside the diplomatic service to grace the coveted post in the past two decades.

Sitting in his office here, Seneviratne is coming to grips with his new job, even as he rekindles old friendships from his university days. “I feel like having come back home,” he told Express in his first interview after presenting his credentials on July 31. A soft-spoken academic, who has spent all his life among books and ancient monuments, Seneviratne’s nomination was certainly a signal from Colombo that it intends to forge another path in its often fractious relationship with its bigger Northern neighbour.

Continue reading ‘First Sri Lankan to Complete his Doctoral Thesis from Jawaharlal Nehru University is New Lankan Envoy in New Delhi’ »

By

C.A.Chandraprema

Last week, a presentation made to the US Congress by an American Professor of Law by the name of Ryan Goodman outlining how Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa can be tried in a US court for war crimes committed in Sri Lanka gained much publicity in this country.

The American government has been pushing for an international war crimes inquiry against Sri Lanka for some time now, but this was the first time it got personal with an American legal luminary actually outlining how Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who is a dual US-Sri Lankan citizen can be tried in a US court for war crimes.

Goodman followed up his Congressional briefing with an article in a blog edited by him titled “Legal Avenues to Prosecute a US Citizen for War Crimes – The Case of Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.” The article argued that since the American government was promoting accountability in Sri Lanka it was duty bound to prosecute under US law, the main war criminal Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who is a US citizen and therefore within US jurisdiction.

Prof. Goodman has also outlined the American laws that Gota can be tried under. The principal piece of legislation he mentions is the US War Crimes Act of 1996 which features as section 2441 of the US Crimes and Criminal Procedure Code. Several other laws that Gota can be tried under are also mentioned including Section 2340A of the US Crimes and Criminal Procedure Code which deals with torture committed by a US citizen on a foreign national, but it is clear that the primary piece of legislation that Goodman is relying on is the War Crimes Act of 1996.

Continue reading ‘Will the US War Crimes Act of 1996 be Utilised by the American Establishment to Prosecute Gotabhaya Rajapaksa as a War Criminal?’ »

By Ryan Goodman

(Ryan Goodman is co-editor-in-chief of Just Security. Ryan is the Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Professor of Law at New York University School of Law.This opinion piece is reproduced from Just Security)

This is the second post arising out of a presentation I made at a congressional briefing earlier this month on issues of accountability in Sri Lanka. The analysis below is also drawn from my opening remarks, and the further refinement of my ideas in light of discussions following the briefing.

Here I highlight the various laws that might assist the Justice Department and other agencies in prosecuting US citizen, Gotabaya Rajapaksa. In another post back in May, I described some of the evidence in the public record about his alleged involvement in mass war crimes—for which the US government is interested in seeking accountability.

Sometimes the cover-up is more easily proven than the crime. And Gotabaya may also be guilty of witness tampering. At the end of this post I therefore include a detailed, “Timeline: Was US Citizen Gotabaya Rajapaksa Involved in Witness Tampering in a US War Crimes Inquiry? You Decide.”

The following analysis may be helpful to members of Congress as well as the administration. The Justice Department and other agencies are not able to comment on ongoing investigations. Accordingly, it would be helpful, I imagine, if members of Congress simply sent a letter to relevant offices within the administration expressing interest and hope that they will pursue with full rigor any information and all legal avenues that establish criminal or civil liability for the most serious violations of US federal law by individuals subject to our jurisdiction.

So, what legal avenues might be available to the administration in the case of Gotabaya?

Continue reading ‘Road Map 2- Legal Avenues to Prosecute a US Citizen for War Crimes—The Case of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’ »

By

Ryan Goodman

The Obama administration has taken the lead internationally to promote accountability in Sri Lanka. The principal focus is on war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the country’s decades long civil war. But those efforts are also important to addressing the situation of Tamil, Muslim, and Christian minorities in Sri Lanka today.

Congress has also played an important role. It has restricted military and financial assistance, and individual congressional members have distinguished themselves through a variety of statements and initiatives.

The lack of accountability in Sri Lanka, however, is worsening. Following her visit there, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that the country is “showing signs of heading in an increasingly authoritarian direction” (see also this International Crisis Group report). According to the State Department, the main targets of human rights violations are “civil society activists, journalists, and persons viewed as sympathizers of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam terrorist organization.” As the State Department further explains, violence against Muslim and Christian minorities is also an increasing concern due to “a serious escalation in the number of attacks by extremist Buddhist groups, many with direct ties to high government officials” (my emphasis added). In short, impunity (for war crimes) begets impunity (for ongoing violations). And in Sri Lanka today, a climate of impunity reigns.

Continue reading ‘Road Map 1-What More Can the US Congress and Administration do to Promote Accountability in Sri Lanka?’ »

By

Dr. Wickrema Weerasooria

Hon. The Chief Justice, and Other Judges, the Attorney General and Mr. Upul Jayasuriya, President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, Ladies & Gentlemen.

When I was asked to speak a few words on behalf of the lawyers being felicitated today, I felt both humbled and privileged. I felt humbled because there are others in this group who are far more competent, knowledgeable and able than I to give this talk. I felt privileged because of the opportunity given to me to address such a large and distinguished gathering.

History’s Importance to Lawyers

It was the well-known English writer Sir Walter Scott who said that a lawyer without history or literature is a mere mechanic, a mere working mason. With some knowledge of history, he can call himself an architect. In that context, as a lawyer of over 50 years, I ask the younger generation to spend a little time learning about our legal and judicial history. Most of that history is found in three excellent books all authored by one man, the late Justice A R B Amerasinghe. He died recently in January this year (2013). He was one of my teachers at Peradeniya University. He wrote the History of the Supreme Court. The second book was Legal Heritage of Sri Lanka and the third book Professional Ethics for Lawyers. Justice Amerasinghe has truly said that Sri Lanka’s greatest lawyer was Mr. H.V. Perera Q.C. and the greatest jurist is Judge Christopher Weeramantry.

Justice Weeramantry who ended his legal career as the Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague, speaks very highly of Sri Lanka’s judiciary and our legal profession. We need no other testimonial. The apex functioning of both judges and lawyers in Sri Lanka is still at Hulftsdorp – named after the Dutch General Hulft who died in 1656 of a bullet fired by a Portuguese soldier. The area where Hulft died became known as the village of Hulft (Dorp meaning village in Dutch) What lawyers call Hulftsdorp, our people call Aluthkade – New Bazaar, and that is still where the Temple of our Noble Profession is situated. Today Hulftsdorp houses one of the most iconic buildings of modern times, the Supreme Courts complex and has become the hub of our country’s legal fraternity.

　 Continue reading ‘Shakespeare in “Henry VI”said”The First Thing to do is Kill all the Lawyers”to Create a Perfect Society.’ »

STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE PROVINCIAL SUPERIOR OF THE OBLATES OF MARY IMMACULATE (COLOMBO PROVINCE) ON THE ILLEGAL INTRUSION AND DISRUPTION OF A MEETING AT CSR

As the Provincial Superior of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (Colombo Province), I wish to express my feelings of deep disappointment and frustration over the deplorable and despicable incident that transpired at the Centre for Society and Religion (CSR), at 281, Deans Road, Colombo 10, on Monday, August 4, 2014.

CSR is the social justice arm of the Oblate religious order and has always championed the cause of the poor and the marginalized, whatever be their race or creed.
Continue reading ‘Press Release by Oblate Provincial in Colombo about Illegal Intrusion and disruption of a Meeting at Centre for Society and Religion’ »

By

Mangala Samaraweera M.P.

Geoffrey Nice

The United National Party (UNP) has consistently maintained that the opening of the floodgates of international scrutiny can be avoided only through an independent and credible local investigation to inquire into the serious allegations against the Rajapaksa regime of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.

Desmond de Silva

In fact when the government sponsored a motion against the international investigation initiated by the UNHRC on June 18 this year, moving an amendment on behalf of the UNP, I said, “Mr. Speaker, rejecting an international investigation can only be done acceptably if there is a credible local mechanism” and we proposed that the government fully implements the recommendations of the LLRC report, revive the provisions of the 17th Amendment and integrate the Latimer Principles as an integral part of the Constitution and make provisions for the early passage of the Freedom of Information Act as a means of restoring the credibility of our democratic institutions.

Michael Crane

Turn off the TV, calm down and stop trying to convert people to your religion.

His Holiness Pope Francis-pic via: twitter.com/Pontifex

These are among the top 10 pieces of advice issued by Pope Francis this week as part of his recipe for a happy, more fulfilled life.

Speaking in a very frank interview published in the Argentine weekly “Viva”, the Pope drew on his personal experiences to come up with his own lifestyle guide with a humble, anti-consumerist twist.

The highlights include a call to families to “turn off the TV when they sit down to eat because, even though television is useful for keeping up with the news, having it on during mealtime doesn’t let you communicate with each other”, according to a Catholic News Service translation of the interview.

And Francis said people will also be much happier when they stop trying too hard to bring others round to their way of thinking – including on religion. He said the church grows “by attraction, not proselytising”, and added that the best way to get through to anyone was with “dialogue, starting with his or her own identity”.

Pope Francis’s secrets to happiness

Continue reading ‘Pope Francis Outlines Ten Top Suggestions for People to Lead a Happy Life With Sense of Fulfilment.’ »

The 15th Neelan Tiruchelvam Memorial Lecture titled “Stone and Flower: Truth as a Foundation for Community Learning and Reconciliation”, will be delivered by Ms Galuh Wandita Soedjatmoko from Indonesia on Sunday 3 August 2014 at 6 p.m. at the BMICH, Committee Room A.

Galuh Wandita Soedjatmoko-pic courtesy of: publishing.monash.edu.au

Ms Soedjatmoko has over the last two decades worked with several local organizations in East Timor and Indonesia on rights, reconciliation and peace-building. Before moving to East Timor in 1999, she worked for 10 years with Oxfam, focusing on support for local NGOs working in conflict areas in Eastern Indonesia with a focus on gender and development. She is a founding member of the women’s organization, Fokupers, in Timor-Leste, established in 1997. In 1999, her work focused on providing support for those affected by violence, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and women victims of violence in East Timor.
Continue reading ‘Galuh Wandita Soedjatmoko of Indonesia to deliver 15th Neelan Tiruchelvam Memorial Lecture on August 3rd at BMICH’ »

by Shamindra Ferdinando

Taking into consideration the failure on the part of the British government to restraining the UK based LTTE groups during his previous visits, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has decided against attending the World War I Commemorative Service for the Commonwealth at Glasgow Cathedral on August 4.

External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, has, in a letter addressed to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport as well as Minister of Equalities stressed that the decision to skip the Commonwealth event had been taken due to the British government’s failure on previous occasions to rein in LTTE groups, though the LTTE remains proscribed in the UK.

Continue reading ‘Commonwealth Chair President Rajapaksa will not Attend Commonwealth Events in Glascow due to Security Concerns Caused by British Govt not Restraining LTTE Groups.’ »

By

Upul Joseph Fernando

When former President D.B. Wijetunga met people at his retirement home in Kandy, he used to say that his engagement with the Southern Provincial Council was a folly. UNP was never strong in the South. The UNP strategy at the Southern Provincial Council election finally paved way for Chandrika to come to power. But Wijetunga did not understand it at that moment. In warfare also it is advised to lure the enemy into a field in which you are strong. It is always foolish to engage with the enemy on the ground where he is strong.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is now sharpening his swords to engage with the Northern Provincial Council and commit this fault. He has pushed the Northern Provincial Council Chief Minister on to the warpath by rejecting his appeal to change the Governor. Wigneswaran has now vowed to resign from the Chief Minister position. This recalls the incident of Opposition Leader A. Amirthalingam and the other MPs of Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) resigning from Parliament protesting against the 6th Amendment to the Constitution banning the talks about a separate State, which was brought after the 1983 Black July. This resignation paved way for the Tamil armed groups to become powerful.

Mahinda himself has the best experiences of political anguish an elected Chief Minister feels when the people’s mandate he won is ignored by a Governor. He was highly instrumental in ending the political game played by the Governor of the Southern Provincial Council in 1993 denying the People’s Alliance, which had the majority in the Southern Provincial Council the opportunity to form the rule. Following is an excerpt from his biographical sketch Kurahan Satakaya:

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Playing with Fire in North by Rejecting Chief Minister Wigneswaran’s request to Change Governor.’ »

Dharisha Bastians

The Presidential proclamation came like a bolt from the blue. For one endlessly-suspended moment, the world according to the Rajapaksa administration had turned topsy-turvy.

After five years of stringent denials and rejections, zero casualty claims, military courts of inquiry and war censuses, President Mahinda Rajapaksa issued a proclamation last Thursday announcing the launch of a domestic investigation into alleged war crimes and the conduct of his armed forces in the waning days of the war.

He has sought the expertise of three of the world’s top war crimes prosecutors, all of them renowned for serving on UN tribunals and special courts to try political regimes accused of crimes against humanity. Sir Desmond De Silva QC, Sir Geoffrey Nice QC and Dr. David Michael Crane confirmed this week that the Sri Lankan Government had appointed them to advise a ‘local commission investigating allegations of war crimes by all parties to the conflict’.

The three expert advisors are to be remunerated for their services by the Presidential Secretariat.
“As a practicing attorney, like all attorneys in practice, I am being compensated by the Sri Lankan Government for being a legal advisor,” Dr. Crane told the Daily FT by email earlier this week.

Continue reading ‘Enhanced Domestic Inquiry with International Experts is Rajapaksa Regime’s Last Ditch Attempt to Alter Course of International Destiny’ »

By

Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha M.P.

Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha MP~pic courtesy of: Centre for Security Analysis

In July 2008, when I was head of the Peace Secretariat, I published a volume entitled ‘Lest We Forget’, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the ethnic violence of July 1983. I had wanted the President to preside over a meeting to express regrets, but he did not think this appropriate at the time. However I had no doubt that, as a member in 1983 of the opposition that also suffered from the authoritarianism of the Jayewardene government, he understood the enormity of what had happened in 1983.

Now I am not so sure. Though he has reacted much better to the events at Aluthgama than Jayewardene did, he has not been firm enough in ensuring zero tolerance for racism. And though he recognizes that the activities of the BBS and its leader are destructive, he seems to think that they have emerged through an international conspiracy. The pronouncements of close associates in government who have encouraged the attitudes propounded by the BBS (or, on a charitable view, fallen headlong into the trap laid by the supposed international conspirators) is ignored.

Worse the President also seems to believe in the danger presented by Muslim extremists. It is unfortunate that he does not see that a more irrational version of such fears is the purported raison d’etre of the conspirators he criticizes. What is then an essential ambiguity suggests that, unless he assesses the situation more carefully, we are in danger of descending into the mess caused by the Jayewardene government in 1983.

Continue reading ‘“Lest We Forget”: The Ethnic Violence of July 1983’ »

In Remembrance of ‘July 83’

by the Young Political Leaders Forum (YPLF)

Dated July 23rd, 2014 | Colombo

We, the undersigned members of the Young Political Leaders Forum of Sri Lanka (YPLF), recall the events of ‘July 1983’ with deep regret. Today, thirty-one years later, we strongly believe that Sri Lanka has the opportunity to restore trust between its people and progress towards national unity. The role of youth in this regard becomes crucial for peace-building and communal harmony. In this spirit, as a group of committed young politicians, we wish to share our perspective on the importance of engaging youth as change agents to resist hate and violence, and to promote unity.
Continue reading ‘“In Remembrance of July 1983”: Statement Issued by Young Political Leaders Forum’ »

By

Dharisha Bastians

The hardline Bodu Bala Sena organisation has criticised efforts by certain groups to get its General Secretary Galagodaththe Gnanasara Thero’s Australian visa cancelled, calling it a ‘third class act’.

“There are extremist groups and Muslim organisations behind the moves to get his visa cancelled,” BBS CEO Dilantha Withanage told a media conference yesterday.

A letter had been sent to Australian Immigration Minister Scott Morrison, to be passed on to all Australian MPs both at federal and state level, asking him not to permit Gnanasara Thero entry into the country.

Continue reading ‘Bodu Bala Sena Criticises Attempts by Certain Groups to get Gnanasara Thero’s Australian Visa Cancelled as a “Third Class act”.’ »

COLOMBO, July 22 — A firebrand Sri Lankan monk today criticised the Dalai Lama for urging the island’s Buddhists to halt violence against minority Muslims and rejected him as a global spiritual leader.

The Dalai Lama spoke to a crowd of about 15,000 students, faculty, and guests as part of the Anwar Sadat Lecture for Peace on May 7th, 2013 – pic by James Levin courtesy: Diamondback-University of Maryland

Buddhist monk Galagodaatte Gnanasara said the Dalai Lama was ignorant of the “true situation in Sri Lanka” and accused the Nobel Peace Prize winner of being a victim of “Islamic extremist propoganda”.

The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader earlier this month asked Buddhists in Myanmar and Sri Lanka “to imagine an image of Buddha” before committing any crimes against Muslims, in a plea to halt the violence.

“We don’t accept the Dalai Lama as a world leader of Buddhists,” Gnanasara told reporters.

Continue reading ‘Bodu Bala Sena’s Gnanasara Thero Rejects Dalai Lama as World Buddhist Leader Because Tibetan Spiritual Leader is a “Victim of Islamic Extremist Propaganda”’ »

By

Meera Srinivasan

Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa

India will be far more supportive of Sri Lanka’s position at the United Nations Human Rights Council than ever before, former Union Cabinet Minister and the chairman of the BJP Committee for Strategic Action Subramanian Swamy said here on Monday.

Speaking on ‘India under Modi: relevance for the region and the world’, he said India’s foreign policy shall henceforth be guided by national interest and not regional interest.

Referring to the perceived fear about Tamil Nadu’s role in India’s foreign policy, he said there was no “Tamil Nadu factor”, adding that people of Tamil Nadu had repeatedly demonstrated so in elections. “I would urge Ms. Jayalalithaa to visit Sri Lanka and get a reality check.”

Continue reading ‘Dr.Subramanian Swamy Wants Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to visit Sri Lanka and get a “Reality Check”.’ »

By

Meera Srinivasan

There is a need for India and Sri Lanka to engage in a strategic dialogue, chairman of the BJP Committee for Strategic Action Subramanian Swamy said after a meeting with Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa here on Tuesday.

“We discussed a gamut of issues, and felt such a strategic dialogue would be mutually beneficial,” Dr. Swamy said.

Continue reading ‘“Strategic Dialogue Between India and Sri Lanka will be Mutually Beneficial”-Dr.Subramanian Swamy.’ »

By

Lakna Paranamanna

Dr. Subramanian Swamy – Chairman, BJP Committee on Strategic Action and Member of BJP’s National Executive Committee in an exclusive interview with spoke candidly on what to expect in changes to India’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Modi’s administration and on India’s support to Sri Lanka.

The Chairman of the Committee on Strategic Action of India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Former Union Minister Dr. Subramanian Swamy, along with several other BJP members, met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees on July 2-pic: facebook.com/PresidentRajapaksa/

Following are the excerpts:

Q In your opinion how do you think Foreign Policy under the Modi-government would change in comparison to the previous government?
Continue reading ‘Dr.Subramanian Swamy says Tamil Nadu will not be Allowed to Override National Interests of India in Favour of Tamil Interests on the Sri Lanka Issue.’ »

By

Vishwamithra 1984

“Through me you go into a city of weeping; through me you go into eternal pain, through me you go amongst the lost people”

~Dante Alighieri, The Inferno

pic via: twitter.com/AzzamAmeen

All indications of certain societal decay are present; the symptoms of a terminal sickness are frighteningly manifest in the body politic of the country.

Yet no one, no physician, no surgeon, no psychiatrist or any other medical practitioner or a social scientist has diagnosed the illness.

Every symptom is pointing towards a cancerous malady in the making, the progressive indices of which have been evident for quite some time but has evaded studied investigations by any expert.

I have been telling this for quite some time and written extensively on the subject but there does not seem to be any slowing down of the trend.
Continue reading ‘The Land, the Race and the Faith have Emerged as a Macabre Sketch of Hypocrisy and Insincerity.’ »

The Liberal Party emphatically welcomes the recent gazette notification expanding the scope of the Presidential Commission on Disappearances. Though it is worded in a circumspect, and indeed circumlocutory, fashion, it fulfils the long expressed need for an internal inquiry into possible violations of law during the conflict. Thankfully, coming hard on the heels of the bombastic outburst of Minister Wimal Weerawansa, it unequivocally rejects the stand he took, which had also been undermined by the President’s determination to go on with his South African initiative.

Continue reading ‘Statement of the Liberal Party of Sri Lanka welcoming the expansion of the scope of the Commission on Disappearances and the appointment of international advisers’ »

BY A.R. VENKATACHALAPATHY

Born in 1882, Subramania Bharati’s political career began in the end of 1904. Less than four years later he would be forced into exile, an ordeal that would extend to well over a decade. The years spent in exile in the French enclave of Pondicherry, between mid-1908 and late 1918, subsume the years of the Great War, and it is not entirely coincidental that Bharati should choose to end his exile within a week of the signing of the Armistice. How did the great poet respond to the Great War?

Portrait of Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathiyaar at Bharathy Public Library in Uyarappulam, Aanaikkottai, Jaffna District, Sri Lanka- pic by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

Unlike World War II, this War had little direct impact on southern India, barring the bombing by the German light cruiser Emden. But in an imperial world where India was fully integrated as Britain’s colony, the War did not leave India untouched, and the politics of the time was deeply coloured by its course and Britain’s fortunes in it.
Continue reading ‘How the Famous Tamil Poet Subramania Bharati Responded to the First World War’ »

By

Ranat

The news that Ceylon Theatres has opened a state-of-the art 100-seat cinema at the recently-opened Arcade complex and named it the Empire Cineplex made me hunt for the origins of the once-popular cinema by the same name.

We used to frequent the place in Braybrooke Place in the good old days where quality English films were screened. In later years popular Hindi films were also screened at the Empire. A few years back, Ceylon Theatres, the owners of the theatre, decided to close it down and demolish it to build a high rise apartment complex.
Continue reading ‘The New Empire Cineplex and the old Empire Cinema Theatre in Braybrooke Place’ »

The grey slender loris is found only in Sri Lanka and parts of India.

Human activity is threatening the habitat of this nocturnal primate, but one site in Sri Lanka is now seeing a boost in numbers.
Continue reading ‘The grey slender loris: Conservation success in Sri Lanka’ »

By

Srinivasa Ramanujam

Gajesh

Hailing from a filmi family can pose a huge challenge for some. Like Gajesh. He’s the grandson of veteran comedian Nagesh, who set a benchmark in Tamil cinema with his effortless portrayal of roles. And, he’s the son of Anandbabu, who appeared in several memorable roles in the 1990s, and is widely known for his dancing skills.

Gajesh is currently awaiting the release of Kalkandu, which will mark his debut in tinseltown.
Continue reading ‘“Kalkandu” film Hero Gajesh is Grandson of Ace Comedian Nagesh and son of Actor Anandbabu.’ »

by

S.Saraswathi

Director Gnana Rajasekaran’s Ramanujan is a well researched, well-written and brilliantly directed film dedicated to India’s mathematical prodigy, Ramanujan, whose genius hung like an albatross around his neck, his entire life, says S. Saraswathi.

Still from Ramanujan with (above) director Gnana Rajasekaran

Yet another masterpiece by the man who gave us films like Bharati and Periyar. Gnana Rajasekaran is back with his third historical biopic, Ramanujan, after seven long years and the film is well worth the wait.

This time his vision brings to life one of India’s greatest mathematical geniuses, Srinivasa Ramanujan.
Continue reading ‘Gnana Rajasekaran’s Film on Tamil Mathematical Genius Ramanujan is Well-researched, well-written and Brilliantly Directed.’ »

By

Susitha R.Fernando

Javed Yusuf-pic: LMD

Former diplomat, educator and peace activist Javed Yusuf in an interview over recent development says it is very unfortunate that when we as a country are facing a number of challenges on the international front we are shooting ourselves in the foot by creating another problem which has already drawn unfavourable international attention.

Mr. Yusuf is an Attorney-at-Law, Former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Former Senior Advisor on Arab and Islamic Affairs to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Former Secretary General of the Peace Secretariat for Muslims and Former Human Rights Commissioner of Sri Lanka.

Following are the excerpts of the interview:

Q: To begin with, what is the Shoora Council in which you are a member and it is alleged that its activities are not transparent. Why do you think it is being subject to attack by certain groups?
Continue reading ‘“Sudden Targeting of Muslims has come as a Complete Surprise and is a Worrying Phenomenon”- Javed Yusuf’ »

By

Taylor Dibbert

The U.S. Congressional Caucus on Ethnic and Religious Freedom in Sri Lanka held a hearing on July 9 [2014] in Washington, D.C. The caucus, created in 2013, is co-chaired by Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) and Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio). It remains to be seen how effective this newly created group will be but — given the recent developments in Sri Lanka — there is no question that there was plenty to discuss at the gathering.

Aside from the persistent ethnic and religious violence that plagues the country, the war-torn island nation is still grappling with a bunch of problems as it struggles to make the transition from a postwar country to a post-conflict one.

Recent anti-Muslim violence outside Colombo last month resulted in the death of several people and the injury of many more — as mobs attacked Muslim homes, places of business, and mosques. The police have been widely criticized for failing to prevent the violence. These developments serve as another reminder that Sri Lanka remains a country in crisis. Indeed, extremist Sinhalese-Buddhist groups operate with impunity while ordinary community members have basic human rights repressed under the deepening authoritarianism of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Continue reading ‘Way Things Play out in Sri Lanka Have Ramifications Extending well Beyond a Small Island Nation.’ »

Popular actor Dhandapani known widely as “Kadhal Dhandapani” passed away on July 20th 2014 morning in Chennai due to a cardiac arrest.He made his debut in 2004 as the villainous father of the film’s heroine Sandhya in the successful film “Kadhal”directed by Balaji Sakthivel and produced by Shankar .Thereafter both Sandhya and Dhandapani got the name of the film “Kadhal|added on as a prefix and became known as “Kadhal|Sandhya and “Kadhal|Dhandapani espectively.

Dhandapani hailing from Dindigul in Tamil Nadu was working as a tea maker in a Madurai cafe when he was discovered by Balaji Sakthivel and given a role in “Kadhal”. He never looked back thereon has done many villain roles as well as character roles as a father. In a few films he played humorous parts too

Continue reading ‘Tea maker turned Popular Tamil Actor “Kadhal”Dhandapani dies of Cardiac Arrest at 71 Years of Age.’ »

BY S VENKAT NARAYAN

NEW DELHI, July 20: The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is moving its popular Tamil language service from London to New Delhi.

It will be relocated with the BBC Hindi service, according to new plans announced to cut costs until 2017.

A BBC World Service spokesman said in London: “In India, BBC Tamil has a growing audience, and we believe that relocating the team with BBC Hindi will benefit audiences.”

Continue reading ‘BBC to Relocate its Tamil Language Service”Thamizhosai”From London to New Delhi’ »

By
C.A.Chandraprema

Last week, the government’s decision to appoint three ‘international experts’ to advise the Presidential Commission to Investigate Cases of Alleged Disappearances of Persons in the Northern and Eastern Provinces is the equivalent of a muscular tough guy breaking coconuts on his own head to show his opponents the kind of punishment he can take without flinching. This act is in the same league as the teenaged Prabhakaran reportedly tying himself up in chilli bags to see how long he could hold under police torture. Desmond de Silva, Geoffrey Nice and Professor David Crane have been appointed as advisors to the Disappearances Commission. All three of them have served in the international criminal court system set up and run by the Western powers – The International Criminal Court for the former Yugoslavia, the International Criminal Court and the Special Court for Sierra Leone.

No third world government should touch even with a barge pole, anyone who has served in this international criminal court system. Many people may believe that an international court would be at a much higher level of probity than the courts at the national level, but the very opposite is true in fact. We have outlined on previous occasions, how the rules of evidence and principles of law that have been built up over centuries in the Western courts systems have been perverted in these international criminal courts. Besides the Western powers established these courts to try others and never themselves. We are clearly heading for another fiasco like the appointment of the International Independent Group of Independent Persons (IIGEP) to observe the work of a very similar Presidential Commission of Inquiry into certain specified allegations of human rights violations appointed in 2006. The IIGEP ended up saying that the inquiry process of the presidential commission falls short of international norms and standards and many other nasty things besides.

Continue reading ‘“Faceless,Nameless”Mobs must Hoot and Jeer at the Bodu Bala Sena on the Streets and Turn the BBS into a Joke.’ »

by

Shamindra Ferdinando

Top UN coordinator in charge of the ongoing war crimes investigation into accountability issues in Sri Lanka, Sandra Beidas and Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative in Geneva, Ravinatha Aryasinha are unlikely to meet officially, though UN Human Rights Commissioner, Navanethem Pillay has asked for a powvow between the duo and the naming of a focal point, authoritative sources said.

Asked whether the government would consent for a meeting with Beidas as sought by Pillay in a letter dated July 5, addressed to External Affairs Minister, Prof. G. L. Peiris, sources said that the government didn’t see any need for such a confab against the backdrop of Sri Lanka’s decision to shun the investigation.

There was no need for naming a focal point either, sources said, adding that the government would closely monitor the project undertaken by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Continue reading ‘Lankan Envoy to Geneva UN Ravinatha Aryasinha Avoids Requested Meeting with UN Probe Coordinator Sandra Beidas.’ »

By Kalana Senaratne

The struggle between Sri Lankan governments and NGOs is by no means a novel development; and their relationship, especially during the past decade, has been extremely tensed. The immediate aftermath of the tsunami disaster in December 2004 brought these tensions to the surface, with the JVP, for example, waging war against the NGOs largely due to its anti-imperialist ideology (as D. Sivaram pointed out in 2005).

This worsened during war-time, between 2006 and 2009, when the administration constantly portrayed the NGO community as an anti-Sri Lankan force. The government and many supporters of the war came to perceive NGOs as either directly or indirectly assisting the LTTE. Anti-war writings of NGO activists were considered (even by this writer) to be similar to throwing a lifeline to the LTTE. NGOs came to represent all that was considered to be against the country, their members amounting to anything from imperialists and neo-colonialists to separatists and LTTE-sympathizers.

Continue reading ‘On Going Struggle Between Rajapaksa Regime and Non-Governmental Organizations Will not End Easily or Soon.’ »

By Sujeeva Nivunhella in London

While the Sri Lankan government officials remain tight-lipped on President Rajapaksa’s participation at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow, Scotland on July 23, pro-LTTE Tamils in the UK are busy organising a demonstration opposite the Stadium.

The Tamil Youth Organisation in UK has asked Tamils to gather at Barrowfield Street, Glasgow on at 3.30pm on the day of the opening. They have arranged 30 centres in England, Wales and Scotland to pick Tamils who are willing to participate in the demonstration with free transport, sources said.

There are four centres in London itself for demonstrators to assemble for transport to the venue, including South West, South East, North West and North East London. The other centres outside the city include Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester, Northampton, Nottingham, Bristol, Leicester, Brighton and many more.   

The Sunday Island reliably learns that more pro-LTTE Tamils are planning to join this demonstration from other European cities including Paris, Geneva, Zurich, Rome, Amsterdam etc.

Continue reading ‘Pro-LTTE Tamils to Demonstrate in Glascow on July 23rd Against President Rajapaksa Participating at Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony.’ »

by

Gamini Seneviratne

‘Mandarins’ could refer to the officially adopted form of the Chinese language or to the fruit we all know. Here it refers to a term applied to the members of the Ceylon Civil Service (CCS) (and adopted somewhat scornfully by those who failed to join it). The Cambridge Dictionary puts it thus: ‘A person who has a very important job in the government, and who is sometimes considered to be too powerful’, and elaborates it in its application: It seems that true power lies with the Civil Service mandarins, rather than MPs and cabinet ministers.

Those days are gone, but not by the transfer of power to MPs and cabinet ministers whatever their number. True power now resides in the hands of kitchen cabinets, deliverers of election results, and of those whose wealth, mostly new-found, grows in a symbiotic relationship with their front men and women. The Cambridge Dictionary, again, defines that as ‘a relationship between two types of animal or plant in which each provides for the other the conditions necessary for its continued existence’. Figuratively, ordinary people who would ordinarily have been called ‘voters’ but have ceased to be anything of the kind are now spectators to this charade. So are many public servants who have taken refuge in silence. Others have succumbed to the lure of ‘the main chance’; perhaps they constitute a third presence in the carnival of animals. Most such are ‘plants’ anyway put to root in strategic locations in what used to be the Public Service.

It should be mentioned, too, that institutions that are named the Judiciary, the Armed Services and others including Parliament that are deemed to be the protectors of the law have been trashed in similar fashion.

Continue reading ‘Mandarins of the Ceylon Civil Service’ »

By

Ananth Palakidnar



Excerpts from an interview with Norther Province Governor Gen.Chandrasiri:

Q: You are the first Governor of the Northern Province. What have you to say on your reappointment to that position?

Continue reading ‘What is the TNA Led Northern Provincial Council Doing with the Powers it has? Asks Northern Governor Gen.Chandrasiri.’ »

By

Dharisha Bastians

Following a high profile trial in which the defence called no witnesses, the Colombo High Court yesterday sentenced a ruling party politician and three others to 20 years in prison for murdering British tourist Khuram Shaikh and raping his Russian girlfriend in 2011.

Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman and UPFA strongman Sampath Vidanapathirana and three more men were convicted of the murder of the 32-year-old British national and Red Cross worker and the sexual assault of his girlfriend Victoria Alexandrona who were holidaying in Tangalle in 2011.

Continue reading ‘UPFA Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sampath Vidanapathirana and Three Others Sentenced to Prison for 20 Years for Murder of British Tourist and Raping his Girlfriend.’ »

By Tim Hume with Reporting by Iqbal Athas

(CNN) — Shortly before Buddhist mobs made a deadly rampage through Muslim neighborhoods near the town of Aluthgama, Sri Lanka last month, a man with cropped hair and glasses stood before expectant crowds to deliver an explosive speech.

Video footage of the rally, called following a traffic altercation between Muslim youths and a Buddhist monk in the coastal town, captures the speaker in full flight.

In a pointed reference to the security forces stationed nearby, he declares that the Sri Lankan police and army are Sinhalese, the mostly Buddhist ethnic majority that accounts for three-quarters of the island’s 20 million people.

Then, his arm raised and his voice rising to a shriek, he issues an explicit threat to Muslims, using a derogatory term for the minority.

To roars of approval, he vows that if any Muslim, were to lay a hand on a Sinhalese — let alone a monk — that would “be the end” of all of them.

What is striking about the clip, aside from the viciousness of the rhetoric, is that the firebrand behind the microphone is dressed in the saffron robes of a Buddhist monk.

He is Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara, the Buddhist holy man who is the general secretary and public face of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS, also known as Buddhist Power Force).

The ultra-nationalist Sinhalese Buddhist organization has emerged as a troubling presence on the Sri Lankan political landscape in recent years, and is blamed by many for inciting the deadly violence in Aluthgama.

Continue reading ‘‘Fascists’ in saffron robes? The rise of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist ultra-nationalists’ »

by

Col. R. Hariharan

(This article contains excerpts from a media interview given by the author on July 16, 2014.)

Time has come for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take a relook at Sri Lanka affairs under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He has continued for too long to bash on regardless of his unkept promises to India on implementing the 13th Constitutional Amendment in full. It was to be part of the resumption of the stalled political dialogue process with Tamil leaders which he promised to undertake.

Modi’s elevation as Prime Minister initially caused some concern to Rajapaksa as the BJP electoral partners in Tamil Nadu were well known for their strong anti-Rajapa and decidedly pro-Tamil separatist stand. But seeing the dynamic new Indian prime minister’s keenness to build better relations with India’s neighbours, Rajapaksa seems to have decided that it would be business as usual for Sri Lanka while dealing with India.

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Thinks it is “Business as Usual for Sri Lanka in Dealing with India”under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.’ »

The 31st Black July Commemoration Ceremony was held on 12th and 13th July, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany, with participation by the Members of Parliament, and Members of North and East Provincial Councils, and the European Members of TELO, to honour the thousands of Tamils massacred, along with TELO’s founding leaders Honourable Thangathurai and Kuddimani and the prominent Tamil youth in July 1983, and adopted the following declaration:

D E C L A R A T I O N

1. To take lawful measures to counter the land grab, expanding military encampments, Sinhala colonization and militarization by the Sri Lankan state in Northern and Eastern provinces; while appraising and undertaking measures to progressively enhance the security, economic advancement, development, reconstruction and livelihood of Tamil speaking people of Sri Lanka.

Continue reading ‘DORTMUND DECLARATION by the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO)’ »

By

Dharisha Bastians

The Government yesterday set the stage for a domestic inquiry into alleged civilian deaths and violations of humanitarian law during the final stages of the war, appointing three international war crimes prosecutors to advise the Presidential Commission tasked with the probe.

The Presidential directive launching the inquiry comes just weeks after a UN investigation into rights abuses during the last seven years of the Sri Lankan war got off the ground in Geneva.

Successive Resolutions at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva have called upon the Sri Lankan Government to launch a credible, independent investigation at the domestic level into allegations of major rights violations during the last phase of its war against the LTTE.

The Commission of Inquiry has been launched by Presidential Proclamation, notified in a Gazette dated 15 July 2014, that broadens the scope of the Presidential Commission to investigate disappearances, headed by a former High Court Judge.
Continue reading ‘Govt Widens Disappearances Commission Mandate to Probe Civilian Deaths During War Final Phase with Three International Prosecutors as advisers.’ »

By Harim Peiris

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), Sri Lanka’s catalyst for opening up a new Buddhist verses Muslim conflict, perhaps due to boredom now that a thirty year civil war has ended, follows more by design than accident a classic military strategy of an escalation or advancement and then a tactical retreat due to over reach.

Immediately after the previous attacks as well, whether in Dambula or Nugegoda, there was silence for awhile and similarly after the anti Muslim events of “Dark June 2014”, there has been a steady denial both by the state security establishment and the extremist perpetrators of responsibility for the violence, the former denying connivance and the latter denying instigation. Both want to blame a spontaneous mob.
Continue reading ‘Bodu Bala Sena is Sri Lanka’s Catalyst for Opening up a new Buddhist vs Muslim Conflict.’ »

By

Ranga Jayasuriya

Would a colourful burka be a lesser symbol of fundamentalist Islam and subjugation of women than its black counterpart? Some members of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka tend to think so.

They have launched a campaign to distribute burka in ‘simple pleasing colours’ among local Muslims.

They assure that the initiative is not aimed at non- burka clad women, and that only the women who are already wearing this all encompassing Muslim garment would be given free new light coloured burkas.

The programme has been launched with the blessing of Jamiyyathul Ulama, the foremost body of Muslim theologians in the country.

The Muslim Council, made up of moderates and liberals within the community, has steered clear of puritanical austere brand of Islam that has recently made inroads into some quarters within the Sri Lankan Muslim community.

(Some Muslims even deny radicalization. However, highlighting these trends are not Islam bashing, rather an objective and dispassionate analysis would spare the country and community from future troubles)
Continue reading ‘Is a Burka in “Simple, Pleasing Colours” a Lesser Symbol of Fundamentalist Islam than its Black Counterpart?’ »

by Shamindra Ferdinando

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Wednesday (July 16) said that it wouldn’t release the names of the investigation team tasked with probing the war crimes allegations against the government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) as well as the LTTE, though Ms Sandra Beidas was named its coordinator.

OHCHR spokesperson Rupert Colville was answering a question by The Island on the ongoing investigation, as mandated by the UNHRC Resolution 25/1 adopted in last March.

A query on the composition of the investigation team was among a series of questions we posed to the OHCHR over two weeks ago. However, Colville declined to respond to the remaining seven questions.

Continue reading ‘UN Human Rights Commissioner’s Office Declines to Answer Questions Asked by Colombo Newspaper on Sri Lanka Probe’ »

By

Ananth Palakidnar

Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development, Douglas Devananda, in an extensive interview with Ceylon Today, welcomed the South African peace initiative and said sharing the South African experience would definitely help Sri Lanka deal with its problem in a constructive manner. However, he said for any attempt to find a political solution, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) must come forward to participate in the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSE) and added that he had even requested South Africa’s special envoy, Cyril Ramaphosa, to bring the TNA to the PSC. Devananda also welcomed the reappointment of Maj. Gen. G.A. Chandrasiri as Governor of the Northern Province.

Greeting the Deputy President of South Africa-Jul 10, 2014-pic courtesy of NPC

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: South Africa has come forward to assist in the Lankan peace process. South Africa’s Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa who is SA’s special envoy on the Lankan issue was in Jaffna and even met you. What do you think about the new initiative?
Continue reading ‘“I Welcome the Re-appointment of Gen. Chandrasiri as Northern Governor”-Douglas Devananda.’ »

A Statement by the Secretariat for Muslims on the Need for Action

One Month Since The Riot | A Statement by the Secretariat for Muslims on the Need for Action

June 16, 2014

It is one month since violence in Aluthgama, Dharga Town, Welipanna, and Ambepitiya in Beruwela – primarily targeting the Muslim community – killed 4 persons, injured over 80 individuals, destroyed countless properties, and severely traumatized thousands. As many have pointed out this has been the most intense spate of inter-ethnic violence since the end of the war, and today, Muslims and other religious minorities fear more widespread violence in other parts of the country.
Continue reading ‘One Month After the Anti-Muslim Violence in Aluthgama, Dharga town, Welipenna and Ambepitiya-Statement by Secretariat for Muslims’ »

Appapillai Amirthalingam

by Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne

(Amirthalingam Memorial Oration, 12 July 2014, London)

Let me begin by thanking the UK branch of the Tamil Liberation United Front for inviting me to deliver the Amirthalingam Memorial Oration on the occasion of the 25th death anniversary of Appapillai Amirthalingam, lawyer, parliamentarian, Leader of the Opposition in the Sri Lankan Parliament from 1977 to 1983 and leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF).

Unlike earlier leaders of the Tamil parties, Amirthalingam came from a middle-class background and also dabbled in Left politics. I remember him saying at the funeral of Dr. N. M. Perera that he had attended Marxist study classes taken by Dr. Perera while he was a student in the University of Ceylon. He represented the Vaddukkodai constituency in the Sri Lankan Parliament from 1956 to 1970 and the Kankasanthurai constituency from 1977 until 1983 when he refused to take the anti-separatist oath under the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution brought in following the tragic events of July 1983. He returned to Parliament in 1989 but was assassinated along with Yogeswaran, a fellow TULF member, on 13 July 1989, almost exactly 25 years ago. He was neither the first nor the last Tamil politician to be killed by the Tamil Tigers (LTTE).

From 1977 to 1983, he was also the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, the first Tamil to hold the position. He performed his role with great acceptance.

Dr.Jayampathy Wickramaratne

I remember the excellent speeches he and Sivasithamparam made during the debate on the Code of Criminal Procedure Bill. He opposed the imposition of civic disabilities on Madam Sirimavo Bandaranaike. At the Kalawana by-election, he supported Sarath Muttettuwegama of the Communist Party.
Continue reading ‘Constitutional Reform in Sri Lanka: Issues and Prospects’ »

By Ben Travis

Sonali Deraniyagala-pic courtesy of: BBC

Sonali Deraniyagala has won the PEN/Ackerley Prize 2014 for Wave, her memoir recounting the loss of her parents, her husband and two young sons in the tsunami that devastated Sri Lanka in December 2004.

“The pleasure of receiving this wonderful prize makes me see that there is a beauty in struggle and a resting place in the eyes of others,” said Deraniyagala, who was awarded the prize last night. “I have found myself a writer, another identity in the ongoing bewildering journey of my life.”

Continue reading ‘Sonali Deraniyagala wins the 2014 PEN/Ackerley Prize for “Wave” tsunami memoir’ »

By

Meera Srinivasan

When Sri Lankan archaeologist Sudharshan Seneviratne drove down to Chanakyapuri on a hot day recently, memories of his Delhi days came back gushing.

Sri Lankan archeologist Sudharshan Seneviratne. Photo: Meera Srinivasan-courtesy: The Hindu

From being a student in the city in the 1970s to returning now as the highest representative of his country, life has come a full circle, says Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India who, as a student, spent a decade in India, studying in New Delhi and later researching early Buddhism in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Continue reading ‘New Sri Lankan Envoy to New Delhi, Sudharshan Seneviratne has Spent a Decade in India as Archaeology Student and Researcher’ »

By
Dharisha Bastians

Ten months ago, the Tamil people of the Northern Province who were liberated from the clutches of the LTTE by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his security forces went to the polls to elect a provincial government for the first time in 25 years.

Opening Ceremony of Tholpuram Primary Medical Care Unit-05 June 2014-pic: NPC

During a heated election season, the Government pledged to continue its ambitious development drive in the region, repeatedly recollected life under the LTTE yoke and issued subtle threats of a resumption of war in the event of a TNA victory. The TNA invoked virulently Tamil nationalistic rhetoric during the polls campaign. It spoke of justice for Tamil people killed in Mullivaikal in the last days of the fighting in 2009. It spoke about post-war surveillance and heavy militarisation in the Tamil-dominated north. It spoke of political autonomy and the return of a civilian administration in the former war zone.

On 21 September 2013, when the people of the Northern Province made their choice, their message to Colombo was resoundingly clear – 70% of the north’s registered voters swept the TNA into power with a two-thirds majority, delivering the UPFA coalition its worst-ever electoral defeat.

Last week, with the NPC nearly one year into its five-year term in office, the Rajapaksa Government sent back a message of its own. It told TNA politicians and the people who voted them into office with a thumping mandate that Colombo is simply not listening.
Continue reading ‘Uneasy Cohabitation Between Wigneswaran Administration and Governor Chandrasiri To Continue in Northern Province’ »

By

Dharisha Bastians

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has invited all provincial chief ministers to attend this week’s Cabinet briefing, but Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran says he has already sent his regrets.
All chief ministers were invited to the cabinet meeting on Thursday (17), Presidential Spokesman Mohan Samaranayake told Daily FT.

Chief Minister Wigneswaran, who recently accused the President of having broken another promise to the NPC by reappointing ex-Military Governor G.A. Chandrasiri after his term expired last weekend, said he would not be attending the meeting.

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Invites all Provincial Chief Ministers for Cabinet Meeting but CV Wigneswaran will not Attend.’ »

By

Vishwamithra 1984

“The human race is challenged more than ever before to demonstrate our mastery – not over nature but of ourselves”
~Rachel Carson

Is the person who is identified as Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero another Buddharakkhitha in the making or is he just a pretender?

But the circumstances and conditions seem to be much too close for comfort, although the mannerisms and public demeanor of the two seem to keep them wider apart than one would like to accept. At this juncture it might be useful to indulge ourselves in some post-independence history of Sri Lanka, especially regarding the Sir John Kotelawala era and the following ‘1956 Revolution’, one of the main architects of which was Ven. Mapitigama Buddharakkhitha Thero, the Head Priest of the historic Kelaniya Vihara. Buddharakkhitha’s very ascension to the exalted position of the Chief Incumbent of Kelaniya was not without any rumblings either. At the very tender age of the early twenties, to assume leadership among an exclusive clergy and for that matter, at Kelaniya of all places, is indeed a spectacle by itself. Yet Buddharakkhitha achieved it with overt support from one of the leading members of the Daayaka Sabha (Lay Committee) of the Temple.

Continue reading ‘Is Gnanasara Thero of Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Time the Buddharakkhitha Thero of the SWRD Bandaranaike Period?’ »

BY STANLEY SAMARASINGHE

Lawyers appearing for Mavai Senathirajah, Secretary of Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) and Tamil National Alliance (TNA), and President of TNA, R. Sampanthan, yesterday (15) agreed to submit an affidavit, to the Supreme Court, stating that Sri Lanka is a unitary State.

This was sequel to six cases filed in Supreme Court alleging that the political object of the TNA is to form a separate government in Sri Lanka.

Galage Don Punyawardana, Gunadasa Amarasekera, U. Abeykoon, Ven. Bengamuwe Nalaka Thera, U.K. Anura and Ravi Kumar were the petitioners in these cases.

In their petitions they stated that during the last Northern Provincial Council elections, the ITAK and TNA distributed election manifestos among voters indicating that ITAK and TNA are in the process of planning to form a separate state in Sri Lanka.

Continue reading ‘Tamil National Alliance Will Submit Affidavit to Courts Stating Sri Lanka is Unitary and TNA has no Intention of Creating a Separate State.’ »

By

Dharisha Bastians

Rauf Hakeem

The hardline Bodu Bala Sena Organisation yesterday slammed President Mahinda Rajapaksa for permitting his own Cabinet ministers to insult Buddhist monks and the Buddhist people who swept him into power.

The remarks follow statements made by Justice Minister and Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Rauff Hakeem to foreign correspondents in Colombo last week.

The Group’s controversial General Secretary Galagodaththe Gnanasara told a media briefing in Colombo yesterday that Minister Hakeem was ‘stripping’ the Sinhala Buddhist nation in the eyes of the world by calling for an end to Buddhist extremism in Sri Lanka.

“If I was his leader, I would drag him by his ears and kick him out. Why is the President still counting his fingers?” Gnanasara Thero stormed. The monk said President Rajapaksa should be ashamed to continue to keep such Ministers in his cabinet.

Continue reading ‘Bodu Bala Sena’s Gnanasara Thero Calls Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem a “Political Prostitute” and Wants him Kicked out from Govt.’ »

By

Upul Joseph Fernando

India’s PM Narendra and President Mahinda Rajapaksa-May 2014

While Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris was having discussions with Indian Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj, President Mahinda Rajapaksa extended the service of Northern Provincial Council Governor Major General G.A. Chandrasiri. It was an unexpected move for the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). TNA and its Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran had been demanding the removal of Chandrasiri from the post of Governor of the Northern Province for a long time. The former Congress Party Government of India was also in support of this. They were of the view that the Sri Lanka Government, which was hesitating to implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, should at least replace the military officer with a civil servant.

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa has Trapped Modi’s BJP govt with the Muslim Factor like he Trapped Congress Govt with China Issue.’ »

By
Supun Dias

In an exclusive interview, Daily mirror spoke to the Secretary General of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Ven. Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thera on the Aluthgama incident and on the allegations levelled against his organizations

Q
Although the Aluthgama incident is now a thing of the past do you think the speech you made on June 15 in Aluthgama led to the violence which erupted afterwards?

One of the most serious allegations they have levelled against us is that we instigated the people. I dismiss and reject the allegation.

Language is a relative thing. We should not look at the language, we should look at the point we are trying to make not how it is being said. The Sinhalese Language is a language which could be used in anyway. The motive was to attack poison with poison like anti-venom treatment.

Before we talk about how I spoke we should look at what happened in Aluthgama. On Poson Poya Day, which was Thursday, Venerable Samitha Thera was attacked by a group of extremists.

A few days before the incident the remains of a cow were found in front of his temple and he did not retaliate but lodged a complaint with the police. But we have questions about the state of these investigations.

On the day of the attack on the monk, the tensed Buddhists were advised and dispersed. Around 2000-3000 people gathered to protest but we managed to disperse them peacefully.

We decided to hold a press conference on Friday but nothing was reported about it. So we decided to hold a rally on Sunday.

Our objective was to advise the people to be calm in solving these issues without being violent.

Now if you listen to my speech, during most of the time you can hear people clapping and whistling in response to the remarks I made on the police, area politicians and other issues we are facing.

From the speech we were able to calm down the people who gathered and we were there for 40 minutes. While they were returning home after the rally was peacefully dismissed they were passing a mosque at which time they came under attack. When a monk was injured the people became tensed and then the news spread to the adjoining areas.
Continue reading ‘Is the All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulama or National Shoora Council a Transparent Organization like our Bodu Bala Sena? Asks Gnanasara Thero’ »

By

N Sathiya Moorthy

PM Narendra Modi with Rajni Kanth in veshti-pic: PTI

The veshti controversy in Tamil Nadu is not about the dress — but a dress-code, which seems permissible in private homes and offices, but not in private clubs that are open only to well-heeled, and well-paying private members, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

At the height of the post-poll scenario in 1996, then Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram declared in Chennai, thus: “Two veshti (dhoti)-clad Tamils would decide the fate of the nation.”

Subsequent developments proved Chidambaram right.

The two veshti-clad men, Tamil Nadu’s then Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Chief Minister M Karunanidhi (returned to power for the fourth time in three decades), and the late G K Moopanar, Chidambaram’s political guru at the time, ended up choosing the next prime minister.

However, the fact that the new prime minister, in Karnataka’s H D Deve Gowda, too was veshti-clad, did not have anything to do with Chidambaram’s prediction.

Veshti, or dhoti, or lungi, as the four-yard-long attire for men to cover their waist-below particularly in the south Indian states, is back in the news in Tamil Nadu once again, though not for similar reasons.
Continue reading ‘Persons Wearing the Tamil Dress “Veshti/Verti” Debarred from Entering Elite Club Portals in the Pre-dominantly “Thamizhian” State of Tamil Nadu in India.’ »

By Chitra Weeraratne

The Supreme Court yesterday advised counsel to try and work out a settlement and restore goodwill between Chief Minister of the Northern Province C. V. Wigneswaran, a retired Supreme Court judge and Chief Secretary of the Northern Province Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Ramesh. It should be done for the sake of good governance, the court said.

Mrs. Ramesh has complained of an attempt to unlawfully remove her and a circular according to which pubic servants of the North cannot travel out of the province without the Chief Minister’s permission; public servants cannot communicate with the government without permission from the Chief Minister.

The petitioner Mrs. Ramesh has said that though the chief Minister said those circulars would be revoked he has not done so.

Continue reading ‘Supreme Court Directs Northern Chief Minister to Withdraw Circulars Issued by him Restricting Public Servants of the Province.’ »

By

Chrishanthi Christopher

Northern Province Chief Minister Justice CV Wigneswaran

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) will meet this week to discuss the re-appointment of former military-man, G.A. Chandrasiri, as the Governor of the Northern Province and work out the Party’s response. TNA Parliamentarian, Suresh Premachandran, said the Party will take a decision on the reappointment after the meeting.

TNA sources however, hinted at the likelihood of Chief Minister of Northern Province, C. V. Wigneswaran, resigning from his position after the discussion, in protest against the re-appointment.
Continue reading ‘Northern Province Chief Minister CV Wigneswaran may Resign in Protest Over the Re-appointment of Gen. GA Chandrasiri as Northern Governor’ »

by

Dennis Walder

• Nadine Gordimer, writer, born 20 November 1923; died 13 July 2014

South Africa has produced several writers of stature in the past half century, but few have approached the achievement of Nadine Gordimer, who has died aged 90. A significant figure in world literature, Gordimer plumbed the depths of human interaction in a society of racial tension, political oppression and sexual unease. The connection between the intimate and the public lay at the heart of her work, an apparently inexhaustible stream of novels, short stories and essays.

An outspoken voice against the evils of apartheid, Gordimer continued to express forthright views after its collapse and the emergence of a multiracial democracy. Promoting even as she questioned white liberal values in her early work, she went on to espouse an increasingly radical position in the essays and fiction of the mid-1970s and later, openly supporting the liberation movement and associated cultural bodies such as the Congress of South African Writers. This led to her being for many years more widely acclaimed abroad than at home – where several of her novels were banned – until she became in 1991 the country’s first winner of the Nobel prize for literature.

Continue reading ‘Nadine Gordimer Received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1991 for her”great, epic writings centering on the effects of race relations in her country”’ »

by

David Smith in Johannesburg

South Africa mourned one of its literary giants on Monday, with the death at 90 of Nadine Gordimer, a Nobel laureate praised for remaining politically and intellectually courageous until the end.

Gordimer, arguably the foremost chronicler of racial apartheid and the subsequent vicissitudes of democracy, died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Johannesburg on Sunday, her family said. Her son, Hugo, and daughter, Oriane, were with her at the time.

Continue reading ‘Nadine Gordimer -Nobel Laureate and Foremost Chronicler of Racial Apartheid in South Africa Dies in Johannesburg at 90’ »

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has declared as national heritage the ancestral home in Peshawar of Hindi moviedom’s thespian actor Dilip Kumar. He has directed the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage to acquire the house.

The prime minister’s approval was sent to the information ministry, which has forwarded it to director general, Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) for implementation of the orders, reported Pakistani daily The Nation.

Continue reading ‘Veteran Indian Actor Dilip Kumar’s ancestral home in Peshawar declared national heritage in Pakistan’ »

(Following is the text of the National Shoora Council’s Response to the Bodu bala Sena demand that the Shoora Council should be banned)

​The National Shoora (Consultative) Council (NSC) , a grouping of national level Muslim Organisations, including a cross –section of the community’s intelligentsia and activists is not surprised at the BoduBalaSena’s (BBS) call to ban the NSC. The call exposes the BBS as an anti-national project, dedicated to destroying centuries of peaceful amity and co-existence between the Sinhalese and the Muslims of this country by spreading hate, based on falsehood.

Following its fully paid visit in October 2011 to Norway, a country which nearly succeeded in creating ‘Eelam’ in Sri Lanka, where the BBS met a group from the Tamil diaspora and Islamic-phobic Norwegians, it appears most convincingly, that the BBS has undertaken a dubious contractto spread anti-Muslim venom aimed at destabilizing Sri Lanka through racial conflicts. Western powers behind the Norwegians will benefit in the UN Human Rights Council. Sri Lanka regrettably will have to pay for the crime BBS is perpetrating on the country.

Continue reading ‘Bodu Bala Sena is an Anti-National Project Aimed Ar Destroying Sinhala-Muslim Unity -National Shoora Council’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya

Not usually, does the second in command of a regional power, flanked by a presidential delegation, fly thousands miles to some embattled small State, disguised as ‘tourists’ to talk to the adversaries of a protracted domestic problem. However, Cyril Ramaphosa, the Deputy President of South Africa and the ruling African National Congress, pretty much did that– at least if you are to believe the Sri Lankan government’s initial remarks on the visit by the South African delegation.

That is notwithstanding, that President Mahinda Rajapaksa, faced with increasing international criticism, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) sought the good offices of his South African counterpart Jecob Zuma, the polygamist South African president, who, then appointed Ramaphosa as his special envoy to Sri Lanka.

Ramaphosa, a respected and formidable negotiator was the chief negotiator of the ANC in the talks with the White Apartheid government. However, on his arrival in Colombo, he himself was baffled by the cynical government response. Cabinet Spokesman, Keheliya Rambukwella, earlier suggested that the South African delegation were tourists and another government interlocutor remarked that South Africans are here to see Proteas playing Sri Lanka on their Sri Lankan cricket tour. Worse still, Wimal Weerawansa and his ilk of the ultra-nationalist camp within the government unleashed a scathing attack on South Africa, accusing it of maintaining contacts with the LTTE.

Continue reading ‘South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa may be Soon Humbled by the Magnitude of Political Trickery in Sri Lanka.’ »

By

Chrishanthi Christopher

pic courtesy of: GuardiaUK

The fate of the 153 Sri Lankan asylum seekers, who allegedly left the shores of Pondicherry, India to Australia, is in limbo. Australia, determined to claim that ‘no boats arrived’ in its shores intercepted the boat carrying the asylum seekers, at mid sea.

It is learnt that the asylum seekers’ claims for refugees status is being assessed off the Australian waters.

Reportedly the boat carrying the refugees had got into distress in international waters, due to a shortage of fuel, and was intercepted by the Australian Coast Guard. Following this, the world lost contact with the boat and Australia continued to deny its existence for almost two weeks until its government was brought before a Melbourne Court by refugee rights activists demanding information about the boat and the people who were in it. Thereafter the Australian Government was compelled to admit to having intercepted the boat outside its territorial waters and proving the claim for asylum at high sea.

Continue reading ‘Fate of 153 Sri Lankan Asylum Seekers in Limbo as Australia Keeps Vessel Carrying them at Mid Sea to Bolster Claim of “No Boats Arrived”’ »

(Following is the full text of letter submitted by former SSP,MP and Current Provincial Council member “Pottuvil”M.Abdul Majeed from his membership and from the deputy chairmanship of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress protesting the party leadership’s inaction over recent incidents afflicting the Muslim community in Sri Lanka)

It is after a deep thought and with great pain of mind, I came to the decision of resigning my membership and Deputy Chairmanship of the SLMC as this party has now become deceptive, changing colors and policies merely to safeguard the positions of those in position and to provide safety, security to its political leadership and not to protect the Muslim community who brought them into the position, they enjoy today under this government.

I had no intention of quitting this party, until the recent events which unfolded on the Muslims of Sri Lanka in general and especially to our dear brothers and sisters of Dharga Town, Beruwela, Welipanna and Panadura. The basic intention of forming the SLMC was to voice against injustices and to combat for the Muslim rights. If so, where was our protest and sacrifice? unlike our Tamil brotheren.

We believe that the formation of this Muslim party was based constitutionally on Holy Quran and Hadiths. If so, shouldn’t we ask ourselves whether we have justified the noble cause for which this party was formed and stood for, under the present leadership of SLMC?

Continue reading ‘Eastern Province Councillor and Ex-MP “Pottuvil” M. Abdul Majeed Resigns from Muslim Congress Protesting Party Leadership’s Inaction.’ »

By
Hafeel Farisz

Palitha Thewarapperuma MP-pic: newsfirst.lk

UNP MP PalithaThewarapperuma who was an eye witness to the recent riots in Aluthgama and surrounding areas was injured after a mob had attacked his vehicle while transporting victims. Speaking to the “Daily Mirror” he said that his offer to resign was due a cause he believed in and should not be viewed narrow-mindedly in order to portray him in bad light.

Following are excerpts of the interview:

Q:

Your recent offer to resign in the event the IGP does not take the blame for the riots and resigns, created a lot of news and controversy. However it was reportedly rejected by the party and your leader. On what basis was it rejected?

The reason I offered to resign was not because of some personal misgiving, or because I have been accused of murder, corruption or thuggery. The reason I offered to resign was because this country witnessed a very unfortunate tragedy at the hands of a rampaging mob. We have experienced this once before, resulting in a thirty-year long war. At the end of the thirty years, none of those who instigated it died but instead it was normal peace loving citizens. The riots were not something that happened by chance. It was planned.

Continue reading ‘“STF and Police Provided Protection to Mobs and not to Innocent People Whose Houses were Torched”-UNP Kalutara Dist MP Palitha Thewarapperuma.’ »

The Government of India yesterday announced a partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka to assist in the setting up of a Faculty of Agriculture and a Faculty of Engineering for the University of Jaffna at Kilinochchi.

A Memorandum of Understanding between the two Governments for the implementation of this project was signed on 14 July 2014 between the High Commissioner of India, Y.K. Sinha, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education, Dr. Sunil Jayantha Nawaratne, in the presence of S.B.Dissanayake, Minister of Higher Education, Government of Sri Lanka and Ms. Vasanthy Arasaratnam, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jaffna.
Continue reading ‘India will Assist the Jaffna University in Setting up of Engineering and Agriculture Faculties in Kilinocchi with an Initial Grant of Rs 600 million’ »

President Mahinda Rajapaksa last night officially opened the new Empire Cineplex at the Arcade Independence Square last evening.

The Empire Cineplex, part of the Ceylon Theatres chain of cinemas, opened at the colonial masterpiece that has been restored into a high-end shopping complex. The Empire Cineplex is an exclusive 100-seater cinema with state-of-the-art features that are on-par with international standards.
Continue reading ‘Ceylon Theatres opens exclusive 100 seater Empire Cineplex at Arcade Independence Square’ »

The United Nations General Assembly has elected Chamithri Rambukwella, Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York, as Vice-Chair of the Fifth Committee.

Chamithri Rambukwella

Ms. Rambukwella was unanimously endorsed by the Asia-Pacific Group to represent them at the Bureau of the Fifth Committee for the 69th Session (September 2014 – August 2015) of the General Assembly. The Fifth Committee advices the General Assembly in matters pertaining to the UN budget and administrative issues.
Continue reading ‘Chamithri Rambukwella Elected Vice-chair of UN Budget Committee’ »

By

D.B.S.Jeyaraj

Bodhu Bala Sena General-Secretary Ven.Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero is scheduled to visit Australia on a “spiritual awakening mission” in a few weeks time it is learnt.

The notorious monk known for articulating racial and religious hatred against minority communities in Sri Lanka and instigating violence will be conducting a series of meetings in different cities of Australia where he will explain the basic tenets of Buddhism .

Continue reading ‘Bodhu Bala Sena’s Gnanasara Thero Makes Arrangements to visit Australia on a “Spiritual Awakening Mission”’ »

Nearly a month after the worst religious violence Sri Lanka has seen in decades, Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem has warned of a ‘virtual holocaust’ against the country’s Muslim community unless Islamophobia and hate speech by radical monks were nipped in the bud.

US Ambassador Michele J. Sison meets Minister Rauff Hakeem on June 18, 2014-pic: navamani.lk

Minister Hakeem, who also heads the country’s largest Muslim Party, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, told foreign correspondents yesterday that there was a ‘bigger project’ at work to cripple the Sri Lankan Muslim community economically and ‘put them in their place.’

“It is bigger than any election. They want a virtual holocaust against the Muslims,” Minister Hakeem said at his party’s Daru Salaam Headquarters last evening.
Continue reading ‘Rauff Hakeem Warns of “Bigger Project” to Cripple Sri Lankan Muslims Economically and “Put them in their place” Through a “Virtual Holocaust”’ »

By N. Sathiya Moorthy

Coming as it did after the Aluthgama incident, BBS leader, Ven Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero’s call for Pope Francis to apologise to Sri Lanka’s Sinhala-Buddhists for alleged atrocities committed by Christian colonialists in the past centuries thankfully did not receive the kind of media attention that it might have got. Not to embarrass the Pope and themselves, too, when the Pope is set to visit the country in January 2015, all segments of the Sri Lankan society and government seem to have ignored the Thero’s call.

“Previous Popes have publicly apologised to certain countries because they destroyed, they killed. We had a similar situation, where most of the Buddhist temples were destroyed by them and Buddhist monks were killed. We would like to see a public apology from the Pope,” Gnanasara was quoted by the local media as telling a meeting with foreign correspondents in Colombo, recently. “We are waiting till the Pope visits us to see what he is going to say about the crimes here,” he reportedly said adding, “The Portuguese, Dutch and the British are all the same to us.”

The Thero and his Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) have been in the news for all the wrong reasons over the past couple of years, all pertaining to anti-Muslim violence in the nation’s Sinhala areas. The inevitable and mostly justified negative coverage of the two has only increased after the Aluthgama incident in mid-June. It’s unclear how Gnanasara wants the Pope to apologise to the Sinhala-Buddhists for the alleged past sins of ‘Christian-colonialists’ when not all of them belonged to the Roman Catholic denomination, which alone the Pope heads.

Continue reading ‘Dutu Gemunu, Ellaalan, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and the Invasion of Raja raja Chozhan’ »

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G L Peiris meets his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi on Friday, Jul 11, 2014-pic: PTI

The Indian Government, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will not support the UNHRC probe into alleged human rights violations during the final phase of Sri Lanka’s battle against terrorism.

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told her Sri Lankan counterpart Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday that India would uphold the objection to a UN probe that India had articulated in April while abstaining from voting for the US-sponsored Resolution against Sri Lanka.

“We feel that international bodies need to address human rights concerns in a cooperative manner with the countries concerned, and not in a punitive manner,” Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin was quoted as saying.

Continue reading ‘India will not Support UN Probe into Sri Lanka’s final phase of war-Sushma Swaraj Tells GL Peiris’ »

RIO DI JANIERO, BRAZIL—Germany has defeated Argentina 1-0 to win the World Cup in extra time.

pic courtesy of: @BBCSport

Mario Gotze scored in the 113th minute after the two teams were tied 0-0 in regulation time.

Germany is the first European country to win a World Cup in South America.

It is Germany’s fourth world title and first since 1990.

Courtesy: The Associated Press

by
C.A.Chandraprema

Blessed Joseph Vaz-(21 April 1651, Benaulim-16 January 1711, Kandy)

Last week, the Bodu Bala Sena said that when the Pope visits this country, he should apologize for the crimes committed against Buddhists by the Christian colonial powers. When the government of Sri Lanka invited the Pope to visit this country, it was obviously not to extract an apology from his holiness, but for him to minister to the Roman Catholics in this country. As the head of the Roman Catholic church, the Pope cannot apologize for anything done by either the Dutch or the British in this country as they did not belong to his church. The Portuguese however were Roman Catholics. In the 15th century, the Portuguese started off on an era of global exploration and conquest armed with a fearful Papal Bull titled ‘Dum Diversas’ issued by Pope Nicholas V in 1452 and reaffirmed by several subsequent Popes. The English translation of the operational part of this document would go as follows:

“…we grant to you (King Alfonso of Portugal) full and free power, through the Apostolic authority by this edict, to invade, conquer, fight, subjugate the Saracens (Muslims) and pagans, and other infidels and other enemies of Christ, and wherever established their Kingdoms, Duchies, Royal Palaces, Principalities and other dominions, lands, places, estates, camps and any other possessions, mobile and immobile goods found in all these places and held in whatever name, and held and possessed by the same Saracens, Pagans, infidels, and the enemies of Christ, also realms, duchies, royal palaces, principalities and other dominions, lands, places, estates, camps, possessions of the king or prince or of the kings or princes, and to lead their persons in perpetual servitude, and to apply and appropriate realms, duchies, royal palaces, principalities and other dominions, possessions and goods of this kind to you and your use and your successors the Kings of Portugal.”
Continue reading ‘Bodu Bala Sena Demand for a Vatican Apology, Impending Visit of Pope Francis and the Portugese Conquest of Sri Lanka.’ »

In Dambulla, Apr 20, 2012

by

Gnana Moonesinghe

“Methinks thou art a general offence and every man should beat thee” – Shakespeare

The events of the past few days in Alutgama and Beruwela have sent shock waves to the rest of the country. One sways in horror. It is unbelievable to imagine that, so soon after the end of the ethnic war in the North some people are busy preparing the ground carefully to create yet another ethnic violence.

The latest spurt in anti- Muslim posturing and violence began with the widely known Dambulla incidents, and it is unbelievable that the situation has been allowed to grow from bad to worse with the latest confrontations in the South. Muslim conflict is capable of creating not one Prabhakaran but several of a variety and of a lethal nature, that this country has not experienced before. We would be well advised not to behave like the chandi mama’s of the local legends, their escapades portrayed to end in glory.

It would seem a renewal of faith for the self- declared extremists from among the Sinhala Buddhists to stir ethnic and religious controversies and tritely show the impermanence of their position within the country. It is like playing the fiddle while the country is burning with no care or concern for the consequences. Being members of the clergy the act of faith on which their actions are based is that it is possible to get away Scot free even after creating untold damage to life and property AND above all to man’s dignity. They have indeed got away in the past without facing the wrath of the law.
Continue reading ‘“Do the Minorities in Sri Lanka no Longer Have Entitlement to the Country”?’ »

by
Dr. Devanesan Nesiah

Black July ’83

It is unlikely that there is anyone living who remembers the anti -Muslim riots of 1915. In any case, apart from the fact that most of the victims were Muslims and most of the perpetrators were Sinhalese, there are few similarities between the riots of 1915 and 2014. In 1915 the British administration, in sharp contrast to our own today crushed the violence firmly and quickly.

In fact the punishments they meted out were both needlessly cruel and indiscriminate. Many Sinhalese who were innocent of terrorism were summarily executed or incarcerated without due process.

In contrast, the parallels between the anti-Muslim riots of June 2014 and the anti-Tamil pogrom of July 1983 are uncanny. In both cases there were many Sinhalese families and individuals who incurred much cost and great risk in helping individuals and families attacked or under risk of attack to escape.
Continue reading ‘Anti-Muslim Riots of 1915, Anti-Tamil Pogrom of July 1983 and the Anti-Muslim Violence of June 2014’ »

By

Don Manu

Once Dayasiri Jayasekera, the Elder and Harin Fernando, the Younger, were the best of buddies, soul mates who often met to sing and dance and browse their grouses in the familiar tavern of life found on the same side of the run down street.

There, seated on worn out wooden benches, they would tattle and ride their hobby horses, shed tears on their own wretched states and cast furtive, envious glances at the swinging doors of the high society saloon across the road, watching the goings and comings of the exclusive members only club. So many entered but so few left and they wondered why. Was it because the sun uppers and the sun downers were free, as the story went, for the board at the entrance said, no hard stuff sold? It seemed so easy to get in but so hard to leave. With the world as one’s oyster, none ever wanted to.

But yet they pledged their undying loyalty to their own old haunt where the tab was always presented, invariably with a charge sheet; and swore — if not with blood then with their spirits — they will never betray the old water hole. Come what may, they vowed as brothers of a kind often do, they will endure the dark of the moonless night; wait the dawn for their sun to rise.

Continue reading ‘Wayamba vs Uva Battle Unfolds as Best of Buddies Dayasiri Jayasekera and Harin Fernando Brawl Before TV.’ »

by
Sulochana Ramiah Mohan

Former Chief Minister of the Eastern Province, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, Ministers Vinayagamurthi Muralitharan (Karuna) and Douglas Devananda would be summoned for inquiry if there is concrete evidence against them, over missing persons in the North and East, as claimed by the complainants, the Presidential Commission on Disappearances said.

This was in response to a Ceylon Today query about Tamil media claiming there were complaints, made to the commission, against these politicians.

Chairman of the Commission, Maxwell Parakrama Paranagama, admitted to Ceylon Today there were complaints against them. He said, “If there is concrete evidence against these politicians, they would be summoned for inquiry.”

Continue reading ‘“Col”Karuna,Pillaiyan and Douglas Devananda May be Summoned Before Presidential Commission on Disappearances.’ »

by

Kalana Senaratne

Some wondered whether the recent visit of Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa’s Deputy President, amounted to unwarranted intervention. Some thought he was a mediator. For some others, he was just a tourist. Minister Wimal Weerawansa informed the Lankadeepa newspaper that there was no problem in Ramaphosa having a cup of tea or watching a cricket match.

Deputy President of South Africa in Jaffna-July 8, 2014-pic courtesy of: Northern Provincial Council

Finally the government, through the Deputy Minister for External Affairs, sought to assure the Opposition and the people that there is nothing to worry; that South Africa will not act as mediator in the Sri Lankan conflict; that Ramaphosa was here to share his views about truth and reconciliation. For President Rajapaksa had wanted to ascertain what lessons, if any, could be taken from the famous Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) process in South Africa (Colombo Gazette, July 10, 2014). As you know, there is a great thirst for knowledge about matters concerning TRCs.

The Sri Lankan leadership thrives precisely on generating confusion; some-thing is happening, some other things are not happening, every one knows what’s happening, and yet no one knows what’s actually happening. So it’s necessary to explore, to expose, what appears to be happening here, and there are enough reasons to be wary about this new Ramaphosa-phase of the Sri Lankan conflict. One has no problems with strategic political/diplomatic moves that lead to greater justice, peace and reconciliation. But this one, of getting South Africa involved, is a move which appears to be dubious from the start. Why so?

Continue reading ‘Did Cyril Ramaphosa Visit Sri Lanka to watch a Cricket Match and have a cup of Tea?’ »