By

Charles Haviland

(After a series of attacks on mosques, wild rumours about animal slaughter and an attempt to outlaw the halal system of classification, the BBC’s Charles Haviland investigates how Sri Lanka’s Muslim minority is being targeted by hardline Buddhists.)

On a January morning a crowd of Buddhist monks storm a law college, yelling, chanting and even hitting one or two seemingly random people and pushing back the police. Furiously they shout that the exam results have been distorted to favour Muslims.

A few weeks later, apparently abetted by the police, monks attack a slaughterhouse in Dematagoda, Colombo, alleging that calves are being slaughtered inside (illegal in the capital) or the meat is improperly stored.

Both are incorrect, but the monks spread rumours that the facility is Muslim-owned as most of the truck drivers are Muslim.

Continue reading ‘The Hardline Buddhists Targeting Sri Lanka’s Muslims’ »

By

Michele.J.Sison

(Text of prepared Opening Statement by US Ambassador to Sri Lanka,Michele.J. Sison at Press Round Table
held on March 22, 2013 at the American Center Colombo)

Yesterday’s vote at the Human Rights Council was clear–the international community encouraged the Government of Sri Lanka to fulfill its own obligations to its people, and to take meaningful, concrete steps on reconciliation and accountability.

The resolution very clearly encourages the Government of Sri Lanka to move forward on a path toward lasting peace. As Secretary of State Kerry noted yesterday in his statement, the US looks to the Government of Sri Lanka to implement the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission and to reverse recent negative developments related to the rule of law and human rights.

Continue reading ‘US Wants Sri Lanka Govt to Implement LLRC Recommendations and Reverse Recent Negative Developments Related to Rule of Law and Human Rights’ »

by

Special Correspondent S Venkat Narayan

Gen Shavindra Silva on the battle front-April 2009-pic courtesy: BBC

The Sri Lankan Government may continue to stonewall the global community’s demand for a credible and independent investigation into the excesses committed by its security forces during the last phase of Eelam War IV in 2009, according to defence analysts here.

This may be because such a probe will expose the crucial roles played by President Mahinda Rajapaksa himself, his brother and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, and at least 14 other senior officials of the Armed Forces, the analysts told the Sunday Island.
Continue reading ‘Credible Probe Into War Excesses May Expose Crucial Roles Played by Mahinda,Gotabhaya and 14 Armed Forces Officials Opine Indian Defence Analysts’ »

By

Shamindra Ferdinando

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday said that those wanting to haul Sri Lanka up before an international war crimes tribunal on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations propagated by the LTTE rump should examine the circumstances leading to the invasion of Iraq in March 2003 by Western forces.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the opening ceremony if an Exhibition in Ampara, Mar 23, 2013

Western governments and major media networks constantly quoted so called credible sources based in Iraq and Iraqi Diaspora as having said that the then government was in the process of making Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). Even 10 years after the invasion, Western intelligence services hadn’t been able to find Iraq’s WMDs or at least some secret facility, which may have been used by the Iraqis, the Defence Secretary said.
Continue reading ‘On Going “Operation”at UNHRC in Geneva Against President Rajapaksa’s Administration is Evidence of Western Conspiracy Aimed at Regime Change in Sri Lanka-Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’ »

By

Bishop Duleep de Chickera

pic courtesy of: UKinSriLanka

Over the past months Sri Lankans have been educated on two Arabic words: halal and haram (that which is permissible and not permissible). Unfortunately the circumstances of learning have been an unprecedented antagonism towards the Muslim community much deeper than the halal issue. This trend must be addressed without delay by the government and all religions before it spirals into a much wider conflict, which the country can ill afford.

The government’s responsibility is to do what all governments are mandated to do: ensure the prompt implementation of law and order without fear or favour to any. This should include steps to curb the provocation of religious animosity and ensure the security and dignity of the Muslim community; an intrinsic part of the nation from well before the Ninth Century.

Continue reading ‘A National Inter-Religious Council With Authority to Address Inter-Religious Tensions and Build Inter-Religious Goodwill and Trust’ »

By
Eran Wickramaratne M.P.

For a country to progress socially, economically and be at peace within her borders, democracy, justice and good governance needs to flourish. On the threshold of independence in 1948 Sri Lanka held much promise compared to her neighbor in the Indian Ocean.

Eran Wickramaratne during UNP Membership drive in Colombo East-Mar 2013-pic: facebook.com/Eran.Wickramaratne

While most countries in the region have struggled from autocracy to democracy – Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal being the most recent examples – Sri Lanka has become more autocratic.
Continue reading ‘Are the Communities of Sri Lanka More United and Reconciled Than They Were in May 2009?’ »

By

Ananth Palakidnar

Makkal Thilagam M.G. Ramachandran greeting Mr. Appapillai Amirthalingam & Mrs. Amirthalingam

Dr. A. Baheerathan, son of the late TULF leader, Appapillai Amirthalingam, was in Sri Lanka last week and in an exclusive interview with Ceylon Today traveled extensively ‘down memory lane’ in the North. He was happy to note there were no more cruel deaths on a daily basis and the people were living without the sounds of guns. While regretting the process to find a political solution to the Tamil question is not on the right track yet, he emphasized the government should ensure an early solution is found to stabilize the hard-earned peace.

Excerpts:
Continue reading ‘Former Opposition Leader Appapillai Amirthalingam’s Son Dr.A.Baheerathan Visiting Sri Lanka Speaks Out in an Interview’ »

By
Vishnuguptha

“In matters of conscience, the law of the majority has no place.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Condemnation by a majority of the Members of the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) would not speak well for a people of any country. The Government of Sri Lanka, steeped in an irrationally clannish mindset, has chosen to ignore the obvious. Instead, the leaders are changing gears on a terrible course of (mis)governing of the country’s destinies at their own whims and fancies.

Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Plantation Industries of Sri Lanka during the voting of resolution L.1/REV.1, Promoting Reconciliation and Accountability in Sri Kanka on the the 22nd Session of the Human Rights Council. 21 March 2013. Photo by Jean-Marc Ferré-UN

Taking a totally different route does no appeal to this lot. Tactics have been given priority over strategy; macho-politics has overtaken prudent and cautious governance and a will and desire to perpetuate themselves in power has eclipsed and is in the process of destroying justice and fair-play.
Continue reading ‘Govt has Disregarded Two Most Vital Features of a Decent Democratic Society-Transparency and Accountability’ »

By

Javid Yusuf

Secretary Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa ‘Methsevana’ opening – pic courtesy of: defence.lk

Picking up the pieces after a protracted and debilitating civil war that drained national resources for over three decades would be a daunting task for any country. If it is a country which is on the bottom half of the economic ladder the task of rebuilding becomes that much more difficult. Moreover, creating new problems for ourselves would mean facilitating a situation which impedes any process of reconciliation. A repetition of the tragic events of the past is a luxury that Sri Lanka and its people can ill afford.

When every effort should be made to identify the mistakes of the past and correct them, we are allowing irresponsible small groups to do just the opposite and adding to our list of problems. With the process of reconciliation between the Tamil community and the State as well as between the Tamil and Sinhalese communities still finding its feet, making the Muslims insecure renders the nation building project an even more formidable task.

Continue reading ‘How Has The Bodhu Bala Sena Been Able to Reach Various Parts of the Country and Make an Impact Within Such a Short Time?’ »

A Chinese firm has won the award to supply fuel to the international airport in Mattala and the harbour at Hambantota for the pre-commissioning of a bunkering facility and tank farm.

The winner, China Hanqui Contracting & Engineering Corporation, has just completed work on the project in Hambantota.

Opening Day of Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport

The fuel requirements are for the pre-commissioning and testing of the facility before being handed over to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).
Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Govt Awards Contract to Chinese Firm “Hanqui” for Supplying JET A 1 Oil to Mattala Airport and Marine Diesel Oil to Hambantota Harbour’ »

By

Namini Wijedasa

Sri Lankans forced to vacate college hostels due to student protests in Tamil Nadu (TN), are looking for alternate accommodation in private homes—and not always finding it easy.

One Sri Lankan student from an Arts college in Chennai, yesterday approached an Indian family for paid lodging. She was turned way as she was Sri Lankan. She was also informed that another Sri Lankan student who lived there had been asked to vacate the previous day.

Continue reading ‘Current Protests in Tamil Nadu Against Sri Lanka Fueled by Biased reports and False Messages in Media’ »

By
Amit Baruah

It took me some time as a Delhiwallah in Colombo to understand how important the politics of the various Dravida Kazhagams and some fringe groups in Tamil Nadu was to Sri Lanka. Soon after I landed in Colombo as The Hindu’s correspondent in 1995, their significance grew on me.

High Commissioner of India meets Ven. Senior Monks of the Mahasangha-Mar 19, 2013-pic: facebook.com/hcicolombo

Those were days that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was running amuck, striking the heart of Colombo time and again. They blasted the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and sent oil storage tanks in Kollonnawa up in flames. If there was an earth-shattering sound, you knew Tamil Tiger terror had struck.
Continue reading ‘Letting Tamil Chauvinists Attack Innocent Sri Lankans in Tamil Nadu is Neither Justice nor Good Policy but Sheer Lunacy’ »

By

N. Sathiya Moorthy

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at an Iftaar Party-Pic: PTI

Independent of the voting pattern, the much-hyped UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka has left it almost where it had begun. There is thus the underlying admission that for ethnic peace in the island-nation to prevail, the whole-hearted support and involvement of the Government in Colombo is still the prime requisite.

In a way, the Diaspora Tamils and their advocates have won the battle for now. Yet, to the international community, it should have also brought out for once, their ‘hidden agenda’ of a ‘separate state’.
Continue reading ‘Though Perceived as a Weak Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has Shown India’s neighbours What True Strength is all About in Terms of Values and Commitments’ »

By

Quintus Perera

Protest in Maharagama-Jan 2013-pic courtesy of: gossiplankanews.com

Sri Lanka’s loss at this week’s UN vote in Geneva and religious intrusion into the market place was the main focus of a discussion on Monday organized by the Sunday Times Business Club (STBC).The club is sponsored by Etisalat.

In all the crises building up in Sri Lanka, the Government appeared to be ‘sleeping’ and weak in its responses, panellists said.

Continue reading ‘Ethno Religious Forces Have Invaded and Distorted the Functioning of the Market Place in a Completely Irrational way-Dayan Jayatilleka’ »

By

Tisaranee Gunasekara

“The future lies in darkness and the forces of right are weak”.
Brecht (On the suicide of Walter Benjamin).

Almost four years after winning the Eelam War, Sri Lanka has no discernible enemy and a very discernible military.

This gross disproportion would not have mattered overmuch had the economy fared better and the people were burdened less. But with a distorted economy and a weighted-down populace, even Rajapaksa supporters might question the logic of maintaining a gargantuan military sans an enemy.
Continue reading ‘If Muslims Face Bodu Bala Sena Together with Moderates of Evey Commuity They will WIN and So Will Sri Lanka’ »

By

M.A. Sumanthiran MP

During the voting of resolution L.1/REV.1, Promoting Reconciliation and Accountability in Sri Lanka on the the 22nd Session of the Human Rights Council. 21 March 2013. Photo by Jean-Marc Ferré-UN

The recent passage of the second UN Human Rights Council resolution on reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka was a triumph for all its citizens. This is because it is now clear that Sri Lankans who desire ethnic reconciliation, democratic reform, positive peace, justice, and an end to the culture of impunity are not alone.

The international community’s disapproval of the incumbent regime’s intransigence is a clear message to the government that it would do well to heed the voices of moderation within Sri Lanka.

Continue reading ‘Second UN Human Rights Council Resolution on Reconciliation and Accountability in Sri Lanka Was Triumph for all its Citizens’ »

By
Meena Kandasamy

Marx begins his Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte, modifying Hegel’s assertion that history always happens twice, by adding that it occurs “once as tragedy, and again as farce”.

First, the tragedy.

On April 27, 2009, in the absurd theatre of parliamentary electoral politics, M. Karunanidhi mercilessly wagered the lives of more than a hundred thousand Eelam Tamils facing imminent genocide by embarking on what must have been a historic act of protest—an ‘indefinite’ hunger strike, strategically timed between breakfast and lunch. And then he declared, just as dramatically, that he was giving up his fast having received an assurance from P. Chidambaram that Colombo had decla¬red a cessation of hostilities. Even as this ready¬made propaganda was being disseminated, bombs continued to rain in the Vanni. Mulli¬vaiykkaal, the tiny sliver of beach that became the last refuge of the Eelam Tamil people, turned into a mass grave. In the ensuing days, Karunanidhi kept himself occupied by exercising his literary talents in letters to the prime minister.

Meena Kandasamy

Now, the farce.
Continue reading ‘Massive Protests in Tamil Nadu Signal New Chapter in the Radical Struggle for the Cause of Eezham Tamils’ »

By

Pranay Sharma

High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam

In his college days, Prasad Kariyawasam, Sri Lanka’s high commissioner to New Delhi, was a promising cricketer. But in the turning track of Indian politics, the 59-year-old diplomat had to summon all his diplomatic and cricketing skill to play with a straight bat. In the wake of India’s vote against Sri Lanka in Geneva, he speaks to Pranay Sharma on the agitation in Tamil Nadu and the future of Indo-Lankan relations.

The Sri Lankan issue has created a political crisis in India. How do you see it?

This is very unfortunate. The root-cause of this crisis is extra-regional and nothing to do with our region. It’s because of a resolution by the US at the Human Rights Council in Geneva. In our view that initiative, both in substance and procedure, is uncalled for because it is not going to help the ground situation in Sri Lanka. In terms of rehabilitation and reconstruction we have gone far ahead. We have achieved a lot which has in fact been acknowledged by the international community. But we do understand that in terms of the reconciliation process we still have several objectives to achieve.

Continue reading ‘Leaders in Tamil Nadu Seem to Have Been Misinformed About Situation in Our Country-Prasad Kariyawasam’ »

By

By Saba Naqvi ,Anuradha Raman & Panini Anand

Street painiting of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa ~ pic by: Feroz Khan ~ via flickr

• July 1997 The DMK threatens to withdraw support from the United Front government over its differences with the CPI(M), especially on fodder scam accused Laloo Prasad Yadav, and allocation of ministerial berths

• November 1997 The I.K. Gujral-led UF government falls after Congress withdraws support when its demand for sacking DMK ministers is rejected. The demand came after a Jain Commission report on the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi had held that the DMK had tacitly supported the LTTE.
Continue reading ‘The Sword Of The Dravidians: How Political Threats from Tamil Nadu have Kept New Delhi Govts on Edge’ »

(Text of Press Release issued by sri Lanka’s Ministry of External Affairs)

The Government of Sri Lanka regrets the recent incidents of intimidation of Sri Lankan nationals particularly instances of violent assaults against Buddhist Monks in Thanjavur and at the Central Chennai Railway Station, India.

Ministry of External Affairs has lodged strong protests with the Indian Government through its High Commission in New Delhi and the Deputy High Commission in Chennai over the incidents of assaults on Sri Lankan Buddhist monks in the State of Tamil Nadu.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankans Going to Tamil Nadu Asked to Contact Deputy High Commission in Chennai Well in Advance’ »

By
Raisa Wickrematunge

The Bodu Bala Sena manifesto doesn’t just touch on halal food; it also focuses on a variety of different issues. One of the group’s goals, which does not seem to have garnered much attention is the aim to stop sending female domestic workers to the Middle East. This proposal was one, which even met with some support, when it was first announced. Originally, Executive Committee Member, Dilantha Withanage said that tragic stories like that of Rizana Nafeek had spurred the group on to call for a ban of domestic workers.

Now, however, Withanage cites a different reason. “The Sinhala population is decreasing. One reason is because people are going for LRTs and abortions, but another is because women are being sent to the Middle East.”. He went on to add that even globalisation and the educational system were to blame as Sinhala women were having children later in life.

Continue reading ‘Bodu Bala Sena to Stop Sri Lankan Women Going to Work in Middle-Eastern Countries as Domestic Aides’ »

By

Vishnuguptha

“Civilization is a movement and not a condition, a voyage and not a harbor.”
~Arnold J. Toynbee

Fundamentalism, whether it’s Christianity, Islam or any other religion has been the order of the day in modern society. Its attraction to the elements that dwell on the fringes of any religion is beyond doubt. Its perverse focus on appealing to the base instincts of the human mind and heart, its play on the most susceptible landscapes of human behavior and its provocations aimed at the helplessness of a hapless community could have shattering effects culminating in the most socially-devastating consequences. Such explosions could generate social divisions that would take centuries to heal and recover from, if any recovery is possible at all.

The toll that Muslim Fundamentalism has taken in the Middle-East, the then Soviet Union, Chechnya, Iraq, Iran, Libya and Afghanistan are too gruesome to pen on paper. The violent manifestations of such fundamentalist approach to religion has its inherent momentum which eventually drives any sane person mad, any intelligent one foolish and educated ones to most unwise acts. Nationalism that overwhelmed Europe in the last couple of centuries and the birth of freedom for the then colonies of the British, French and Dutch have combined together to create this most volatile concept of fundamentalism. Its outer veneer of ‘patriotism’ is lending itself as a ready and noble offering at the altars of violent uprisings and explosive outbursts of narrow thought. The noble has been desecrated and substituted for by a fierce sense of ‘our thing’.

Continue reading ‘Possibility of Sri Lanka’s Bodhu Bala Sena Becoming Something Akin to Afghanistan’s Taliban Must be Stopped Now’ »

by

Dilrukshi Handunnetti

Similar to the time when Sri Lanka stepped up the military engagements in 2008 against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), when some 11 citizens of Tamil Nadu sacrificed their lives in dramatic form for the Tamil cause – in one week, two more lives have been lost, in similar fashion and for the same cause.

Vikram, the latest victim, died on Thursday night from severe burn injuries, while earlier this month, Mani of Cuddalore District died after he set himself ablaze, demanding action against Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa for alleged war crimes committed against Sri Lankan Tamils. Even before their deaths, lawyers in Chennai held their own protests, while different groups and Tamil Nadu politicians demonstrated on their own, showcasing an entire Indian State’s anger towards Sri Lanka. Just two days ago, in the temple town of Madurai and elsewhere, activist groups and lawyers once again took to the streets, demanding justice for Sri Lanka’s Tamil community.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankans Studying in India Feel Insecure Due to Current Political Situation’ »

By

N.M. Ameen

(Following is the text of a letter sent to President Mahinda Rajapaksa by Mr. NM Ameen the President of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka)

His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa,
The President,
Socialist Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka, Office of the President,
Temple Trees,
150, Galle Road,
Colombo 3, SRI LANKA.

Your Excellency

As you are aware the Muslim community has recently been targeted by extreme Buddhist groups for virulent attacks of hate and abuse on the basis of our religious beliefs and cultural practices and erroneous assumptions regarding the increase in our numbers. These groups who- are targeting all minority religions have created a great sense of unease among Muslims throughout the country. Their campaign has also affected all businesses—not just Muslims—and resulted in a threat to the maintenance of law and order affecting all communities.

Out of our concern over the continued erosion of the above situation Muslim Religious, Civil, Professional, and Academic and Business representatives gathered on the 5th of March 2013 at a meeting organized by the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka in Colombo. At that meeting the group resolved to write to your Excellency regarding our concerns.

Continue reading ‘Extremist Groups are Publicly Calling for Boycott of Muslim Run Businesses and Referring to Our Religious Practices in Abusive Language’ »

By

N. Sathiya Moorthy

Despite outgoing DMK partner’s demand for a parliamentary resolution on the post-war ethnic situation in Sri Lanka, most political parties, including those from other regions, have refused to be tempted into taking yet another pot-shot at the Government of the day, which anyway was suffering one embarrassment after another on a host of issues and fronts for months, if not years, now.

In doing so, the Parliament has demonstrated where politics ends and policy-making on a sensitive area as external affairs and neighbourhood relations begin.
Continue reading ‘The UNHRC Outcome on the Sri Lanka Resolution Showed that International Diplomacy is Often Aimed at Possible Consensus not Confrontation’ »

By

Narayan Lakshman

At the eleventh hour before a crucial United Nations Human Rights Council resolution calling on Sri Lanka to improve the post-war welfare of ethnic Tamils on the island, the U.S. appears to have watered down the text of that resolution.

Washington’s revised draft copy of the resolution, which was freely circulating on the Internet by Tuesday, in particular hinted at at least one major change from an earlier version: an entire paragraph calling for “unfettered access” in Sri Lanka by a host of external observers and specialists was deleted.

Continue reading ‘Did the USA Dilute the Text of the Resolution It Sponsored on Sri Lanka at the UNHRC in Geneva?’ »

By

Shamindra Ferdinando

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday expressed his deep disappointment with the Indian government’s position articulated by its envoy to the UNHRC, Dilip Sinha.

Responding to a statement attributed to Sinha that Sri Lanka should address accountability issues to the satisfaction of the international community, the Defence Secretary told The Island that those wanting Sri Lanka to satisfy the global community should realise that they were adopting double-standards. In fact, they would never have tolerated external intervention in domestic issues, though Sri Lanka was being asked to give into an investigation on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations.

Continue reading ‘Would India Address Its Accountability Issues to the Satisfaction of Western Nations or the UN? Asks Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’ »

By Saman Indrajith

Prof G.L. Peiris MP

The US sponsored anti-Sri Lanka resolution, at the UNHRC sessions in Geneva, could not achieve anything positive except for spreading hatred, distrust and violence among South Asian nations, External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris told Parliament yesterday.

Continue reading ‘US Sponsored Anti-Sri Lanka Resolution has Sread Hatred, Mistrust and Violence Among South Asian Nations-GL Peiris’ »

Renowned Nigerian author Chinua Achebe has died at the age of 82 after a brief illness.

Albert Chinualumogu Achebe (16 November 1930-21 March 2013)

A statement from his family said his “wisdom and courage” were an “inspiration to all who knew him”.

One of Africa’s best known authors, his 1958 debut novel Things Fall Apart, which dealt with the impact of colonialism in Africa, has sold more than 10 million copies.

He had been living in the US since 1990 following injuries from a car crash.

The writer and academic wrote more than 20 works – some fiercely critical of politicians and a failure of leadership in Nigeria.
Continue reading ‘Renowned Nigerian Writer Chinua Achebe Dead at the Age of 82 After a Brief Illness.’ »

A USA-sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka, calling on the Sri Lankan Government to conduct credible independent investigations into allegations of war crimes, was passed in the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) yesterday with 25 member States, including India, voting in favour and 13 against. Eight member States abstained.

During the voting of resolution L.1/REV.1, Promoting Reconciliation and Accountability in Sri Lanka on the the 22nd Session of the Human Rights Council. 21 March 2013. Photo by Jean-Marc Ferré

Continue reading ‘UNHRC Passes US Sponsored Resolution on Sri Lanka by 25 Votes to 13 With 8 Abstentions.’ »

(Intervention by India in the United Nations Human Rights Council under Agenda Item: 2 on the Resolution on Promoting Reconcilation and Accountability in Sri Lanka)

Mr. President,

Allow me to make a few remarks on the resolution under discussion “Promoting Reconciliation and Accountability in Sri Lanka”.

Dilip Sinha, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations Office at Geneva-Photo by Jean-Marc Ferré

India believes that the report of the LLRC and its findings and recommendation provides a window of opportunity to forge a consensual way forward towards a lasting political settlement through genuine national reconciliation and the full enjoyment of human rights by all its citizens.

Continue reading ‘We Call on Sri Lanka to Move Forward on Devolution of Political Authority Through Full Implementation of 13th Amendment and Building Upon It-India at UN’ »

By
John Kerry

(text of Press Statement made by the US secretary of State)

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry meets with Singaporean Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on March 13, 2013. [State Department photo]

Today’s vote in the UN Human Rights Council encourages the Government of Sri Lanka to continue on the path toward lasting peace and prosperity following decades of civil war and instability. This resolution, which builds on a similar 2012 resolution, reaffirmed that Sri Lanka must take meaningful action on reconciliation and accountability in order to move forward.

Continue reading ‘I Look Forward to Continuing Engagement with Sri Lanka Govt and Strengthening our Friendship with the People’ »

(Text of a Press Communique Issued by the Amnesty International)

A new UN resolution passed today, does a good job of highlighting past and on-going human rights violations in Sri Lanka, but regrettably fails to establish an independent and international investigation into alleged crimes under international law, Amnesty International said.

The UN Human Rights Council (UN HRC) in Geneva, this morning passed a resolution on the need to promote reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka following the country’s armed conflict, which ended in 2009.

Continue reading ‘UNHRC Resolution Fails to Establish an Independent International Investigation into Sri Lankan Armed Conflict-Amnesty International’ »

JOSEPH STALIN is unhappy. The boss of a Sri Lankan teachers’ union claims that the country’s schools are losing their independence. Last month, unions say, nearly 4,000 headteachers were invited to interviews at the National Cadet Corps. Successful applicants will get 45 days of training, and then full military titles. The idea, supposedly, is to improve discipline in schools.

The army’s grip is spreading across Sri Lankan society. Activists talk of a general effort to promote military culture among the young, especially among the ethnic Sinhalese majority. Prominent academics and former diplomats say that militarisation has been going on ever since the end of a bloody civil war in 2009. No effort has been made since then to shrink the armed forces.

Continue reading ‘Army’s grip is Spreading Across Sri Lankan Society’ »

By

Nate Raymond

NEW YORK (Reuters) – A younger brother of Raj Rajaratnam was charged with insider trading on Thursday, nearly two years after the founder of the Galleon Group hedge fund was convicted of that crime.

Prosecutors said Rengan Rajaratnam, 42, conspired with his brother to trade on non-public information concerning Clearwire Corp and Advanced Micro Devices Inc in 2008.

Rengan Rajaratnam was a portfolio manager at Galleon, and the trades for which he was charged resulted in nearly $1.2 million of illegal profit, according to U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara in Manhattan, who announced the charges.

Continue reading ‘Raj Rajaratnam’s Brother Rengan Rajaratnam Charged in New York for Insider Trading at Galleon in 2008’ »

By

SAMANTH SUBRAMANIAN

Mullyvaaykkal – May 10, 2009

A YEAR ago, when I was living in Colombo, Sri Lanka, I arranged to meet a friend for lunch, to talk about a Sri Lankan journalist who had gone missing and was presumed dead. By the time we met, my friend had a new mission: to keep another Sri Lankan safe.

The previous day, the United Nations Human Rights Council had passed aresolution “noting with concern” the Sri Lankan government’s refusal to address serious allegations of human rights abuses by the military — carried out during and after its 26-year war with the separatist Tamil Tigers, which ended with a defeat of the rebel group in 2009.
Continue reading ‘India the Dominant Power in South Asia is Content with the Politest of Wraps on Sri Lanka’s Knuckles Lest it Alienate a Close Neighbour’ »

By

Tisaranee Gunasekara

“A key lesson is that civic passivity and willed blindness were the preconditions for the triumph of National Socialism….” – Fritz Stern (Leo Baeck Lecture)

Rally Kandy – Mar 17, 2013-pic via: pearltv.lk

Fanatics hate facts. Therefore the fact that the Sinhala population has actually increased between 1982 and 2011 would be of no interest to those who are trying to ignite a new – religious – inferno.

According to census figures, in 1982, Sinhalese constituted 74% of the population; by 2011, this has increased to 74.9%. The Muslims constituted 7% in 1982 and 9.2% in 2011. If any community is in danger of depletion it’s the Tamils. Indu Bandara, Director, Population Census and Demography Division of the Department of Census and Statistics, “disputed a claim being propagated in the country that the Muslim population is likely exceed that of the majority community” (The Island – 18.3.2013).

Continue reading ‘By Making Sri Lanka Unsafe for her Minorities the Bodu Bala Sena is Making the World Unsafe for the Sinhalese’ »

by

B.Raman

Is there a neo-LTTE emerging nearly four years after the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was wiped out in May, 2009, by the Sri Lankan security forces?

That is a question that needs the attention of the intelligence agencies in the wake of the growing support for the Sri Lankan Tamils’ political and human rights in the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora abroad and among large sections of the international community.

India had reasons to be gratified with the total elimination of the LTTE, which had become a Frankenstein’s Monster, by the Sri Lankan security forces. Indian intelligence and security agencies had played an active, but low profile role in helping in the counter-LTTE operations of the Sri Lankan security forces through means such as exchange of intelligence, monitoring the movement of LTTE’s commercial ships used for smuggling arms and ammunition, strengthening the anti-aircraft defence of the Sri Lankan forces, training etc.

Continue reading ‘An Emerging Neo-LTTE is Waiting to take Over Ground Situation 4 Years After the Tigers were Wiped Out in May 2009.’ »

By

Ben Doherty

(The repatriation of Sri Lankan asylum seekers has, for the moment, ‘stopped the boats’. But many of those forcibly returned to Sri Lanka say they are not safe. Ben Doherty reports from Batticaloa.)

Megaraj Suresh* agrees to meet, after some reluctance, outside a Hindu temple under renovation. We sit under a banyan tree in a corner of the sandy grounds, backs against the trunk, facing out, so we can see anyone coming.

He doesn’t remove his motorbike helmet ”so from a distance, they cannot see it is me”.

”They” are Megaraj’s great worry at present, even if he’s not precisely sure who ”they” are, or when they will come.

”I don’t sleep at night for fear. I know they will come, there might be a white van, government people or paramilitaries, I don’t know who, but I will disappear. They might never find my body.”

Continue reading ‘Eastern Tamil Asylum Seekers Involuntarily Returned From Australia Face Danger and Intimidation in Sri Lanka’ »

By

S. Vijay Kumar

A students’ organisation spearheading ongoing protests against Sri Lanka on Wednesday warned that it would go to any extent to stop Sri Lankan cricketers from playing in IPL matches in Chennai.

Urging the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to prevent Sri Lankan players from participating in the IPL matches here, the ‘Students’ Federation for Free Eelam’ coordinator V. Prabhakaran said students would disrupt the match if Sri Lankan nationals were allowed to play. He called for a permanent boycott of IPL matches if Sri Lankans played here.

Continue reading ‘Protesting Indian Students Demand That Sri Lankan Cricketers Must Not be Allowed to Play in Tamil Nadu Matches for IPL Tournament’ »

Smita Gupta

Parliament of India.

The all-party meeting called by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar on Wednesday evening to seek a consensus on the government’s draft resolution on Sri Lankan Tamils failed: if the text did not go far enough for the DMK and the AIADMK, the BJP, the Samajwadi Party and the Janata Dal-United all said they were opposed to a country-specific resolution.

The BJP had pointed out earlier that if India had objected to the resolution passed on the Afzal Guru issue, it would not be proper for it to pass one on Sri Lanka in Parliament.

Continue reading ‘Indian All Party Meeting Fails to Reach Consensus on Drafting Parliamentary Resolution on Sri Lankan tamil Issue’ »

By

Alan Keenan

With a vote due soon on a U.S.-sponsored resolution at the U.N. Human Rights Council (HRC), the Indian government has a chance to strongly encourage sustainable peace and political reform in Sri Lanka. Policy-makers in Delhi are clearly disturbed by the Sri Lankan government’s backsliding on promises of devolution of power to Tamil-speaking areas, its politically motivated impeachment of the Chief Justice there and its refusal to comply with last year’s HRC resolution on “Reconciliation and Accountability in Sri Lanka.”

To maximise its ability to influence Sri Lanka towards a lasting resolution of its ethnic conflicts and a restoration of its democratic institutions, India should take the lead in developing a forceful, international strategy, first at the HRC, then through other multilateral bodies, to be able to hold Colombo to its promises.

Continue reading ‘India Must Assume Real Leadership Role in Forming International Policy on Sri Lanka by Voting for Strong Resolution at the UN’ »

By

Dharisha Bastians

Sri Lanka will feature prominently in an extraordinary meeting of a powerful grouping of Commonwealth nations with the muscle to suspend and expel member states, following a vote on a US backed resolution against Colombo that will be taken at the UN Human Rights Council’s 22nd Session today.

Continue reading ‘Canada Moots Extraordinary Meeting of CMAG Via Teleconferencing to Discuss Boycott of Commonwealth Summit in Sri Lanka’ »

By

Dharisha Bastians

Vasudeva Nanayakkara, current Minister of National Integration and long-time friend and ally of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, tells a fascinating story.In September 1990, after a violent insurrection had been crushed with brutal force by the United National Party Government at the zenith of its power, a young Opposition politician from Hambantota joined Nanayakkara on a journey to Switzerland.

They were travelling to Geneva, where the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (the older avatar of the current UN Human Rights Council) was housed to lobby country delegations there.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Rejects Indian Advice Not to Contest Resolution at UNHRC and Belligerently Challenges US to a Vote in Geneva’ »

by

Harim Peiris

Sri Lanka continues to be under international scrutiny for its lack of progress on human rights and reconciliation. The absence of any progress on implementing the excellent recommendations of the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) has meant that the international community to whom undertakings of post war reconciliation was promised, seeks to hold the government to its word. The UNHRC resolution is on Sri Lanka. It is not against Sri Lanka.

Continue reading ‘Both JHU and LTTE Sympathisers Reject LLRC Recommendations and Oppose the UNHRC Resolution’ »

By

Dr. Nimalka Fernando

Mullivaaykkaal, May 12, 2009

Chennai is burning. Tamil Nadu is in uproar. As I sit in my room in Geneva glancing through the resolution on Sri Lanka the papers scream that Karunanidhi’s DMK has pulled out from the Indian Congress led UPA government. With 18 DMK members including 5 Ministers out of the UPA government this will leave the Congress government in the “conditional” hands of Mayawati’s BSP and the Samajawadi Party. Unlike the DMK, these two parties are not alliance partners with ministerial portfolios and more importantly, they are political opponents in Uttar Pradesh. Without the DMK the Congress government now walks on a political “tight rope”.

Continue reading ‘Fires That Were Lit in Mullivaaikkaal Then Cannot be Doused by Setting Chennai on Fire Now’ »

By

Dharisha Bastians

“Last night, I dreamt Buddha was shot dead by the Police, guardians of the law. His body drenched in blood on the steps of the Jaffna Library. Under cover of darkness came the ministers. “His name is not on our list, why did you kill him?” they ask angrily, “No sirs, no, there was no mistake. Without killing him it was impossible to harm a fly”
From Buddha Murdered by poet M.A. Nuhman

As the sun blazed down on a warm Sunday afternoon in February, rows of young men and women lined the balcony of a Municipal building in the centre of Maharagama town. They wore white t-shirts bearing a ‘no-Halal’ sign and each carried a small Buddhist flag. On a cue by saffron-robed monks on the ground, they placed their right hands on their chests and took a pledge to safeguard the Sinhala race and the Buddhist faith. Thousands more gathered at the town centre for a massive rally, a Sinhala-Buddhist call to arms against alleged Muslim extremism sweeping through the country.

Continue reading ‘Politics of Hate in Sri Lanka:Virulent Anti-Muslim campaign is Deeply Wounding Trust Between Sinhala and Muslim Communities’ »

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA-The UPA government has convened an all- party meeting this evening to discuss a resolution it plans to move in Parliament on violation of human rights of Tamils in Sri Lanka, a demand which the DMK had placed as a condition to stay in the ruling coalition.

Though the DMK withdrew support to the UPA on Tuesday and its Ministers in the Manmohan Singh Cabinet resigned today, the Government has decided to go ahead with the proposed resolution in Parliament.

Continue reading ‘Indian Govt Convenes All-Party Meeting to Discuss Resolution on Sri Lanka to be Passed by the Parliament of India’ »

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials on Wednesday raised concerns over the safety of its national players who would be taking part in the Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 tournament starting next month following the recent spate of attacks against Sri Lankans in Tamil Nadu.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Concerned Over Safety of Its Cricketers Playing in IPL T20 Tournament As 10 Matches will be in Chennai’ »

By
S.Vijay Kumar

Many Sri Lankan nationals, who had planned to visit Tamil Nadu as tourists or pilgrims, cancelled their trips following a travel advisory issued by their Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday.

According to diplomats, a large number of citizens of the island nation who called the Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi and the Deputy High Commission in Chennai, were told to avoid visiting Tamil Nadu in view of the attacks on Buddhist monks and ongoing protests across the State.

Continue reading ‘Tourist Industry in Tamil Nadu Hit as Sri Lankans Cancel Planned Visits to State After Attacks on Buddhist Priests’ »

By

The City Bureau

Protests against the Sri Lankan government’s human rights record heated up in the city on Tuesday, with road and rail rokos, demonstrations and fasts taking place across several locations. While a few train services were briefly disrupted and traffic had to wend its way through marches, the agitations were mostly peaceful.

Continue reading ‘Burning, Storming, Blockading, Fasting………….Anti-Sri Lanka Protests in Chennai Go on!’ »

In view of the current situation prevailing in the southern Indian State of Tamil Nadu the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development has advised Sri Lankan travelers to avoid Tamil Nadu when transiting to other states in India.

Issuing a statement Military Spokesman Ruwan Wanigasooriya said, “Sri Lankan tour operators who organize group pilgrimages to Indian destination have also been advised to avoid Chennai and to use air ports in other states.”

“If the final destination in India is Tamil Nadu the travelers are required to contact Sri Lankan High Commission in Delhi or branch office in Chennai and seek advise,” the statement added.COURTESY:DAILY MIRROR

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By

Supun Dias

Hirunika Premachandra and three others were taken into custody this evening and released on police bail by the Borella police for allegedly assaulting and threatening a businessman last Thursday after entering his shop in Kinsey Road.

Continue reading ‘Hirunika Premachandra and Three Others Arrested by Borella Police and Released on Police Bail’ »

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA: A day after the DMK withdrew support to the UPA government on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, the party’s five Union Ministers on Wednesday submitted their resignation to the Prime Minister amid speculation that party chief M. Karunanidhi’s son M.K. Alagiri was unhappy for not being kept in the loop.

Eyebrows were raised as Mr. Alagiri and D. Napoleon did not go along with other three Ministers S.S. Palanimanickam, S. Gandhiselvan and S. Jagatrakshakan to submit their resignation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at around noon at his Parliament House office.

Continue reading ‘DMK Ministers Submit Resignations in Two Groups Due to Intra-Party Rivalry Between Karunanidhi’s Sons Stalin and Azhaghiri’ »

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA: Protests over the Sri Lankan Tamils issue continued all over the state on Wednesday with CPI(M) and BJP also holding agitations.

In Chennai, protests including demonstrations, were held by the advocates of Madras High Court, CPI(M) under its state unit secretary G. Ramakrishnan, BJP’s youth wing and the recently founded Aam Aadmi Party.

Continue reading ‘Widespread Protests Against Sri Lankan Regime Continue in Tamil Nadu’ »

By

A Staff Reporter

In a suspected retaliatory response to the protests against Sri Lanka in Tamil Nadu, four fishermen from the State were brutally assaulted allegedly by Sri Lankan Naval personnel off Kodiakkarai in Vedaranyam in the early hours of Wednesday.

Continue reading ‘Tamil Nadu Fishermen Allegedly Assaulted Brutally by Sri Lankan Navy in Suspected Retaliation for Anti-Sri Lanka Protests in State’ »

By

A Special Correspondent

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Tuesday accused her rival and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M. Karunanidhi of seeking to deceive the people of the State and cover up “his role that caused untold misery to Sri Lankan Tamils”

Reacting to Mr. Karunanidhi’s announcement of withdrawal of support to the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government, Ms. Jayalalithaa listed instances of, what she called, betrayal of the Sri Lankan Tamils by Mr. Karunanidhi and said his decision came after he frittered away opportunities to express strongly against the Union government. In 2009 when the Eelam war was at its peak, instead of pulling out his nominees from the Union Cabinet or withdrawing support to the Central government, he enacted a drama of “three-hour fast.” Had he withdrawn his support to the government then, the Sri Lankan Tamils would have been saved. “This is a very big betrayal of the Tamils,” she said.

Continue reading ‘DMK Quitting Govt in New Delhi is Deception by Karunanidhi to Cover up his Betrayal of Eelam Tamils Charges Jayalalithaa’ »

By

Smita Gupta

As efforts went on through the day to see whether a resolution on the issue could be passed in Parliament to appease the DMK, and the Congress Core Group took stock of the situation, ministerial sources said that with or without the party’s 18 MPs, the government was stable: the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party both affirmed their continued support to the government on Tuesday, they said. Union finance minister P Chidambaram told journalists, “The government is stable and enjoys a majority in Lok Sabha. The government will continue.”

The numbers currently are stacked thus: without the DMK and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), the UPA total is 224. With the support of the SP (22), the BSP (21) and 24 other MPs, nine of whom are independents, the total is 291 in a House that currently has 540 members — there are four vacancies. The government currently requires 271 to continue, so it has a margin of 20.

Continue reading ‘Sonia Gandhi’s Speech Empathising with Sri Lankan Tamils has come “Too Late” Says Elangovan of DMK’ »

By

B.Kolappan

Amid raging protests by students and an upsurge in pro-Lankan Tamil sentiment in Tamil Nadu in the run-up to the U.N. Human Rights Council (UNHRC) vote against Sri Lanka, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on Tuesday decided to come out of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), arguing that staying in the government and the ruling combine would do great harm to the cause of Lankan Tamils.

DMK president M. Karunanidhi announced his party’s decision to quit both the government and the Congress-led UPA, just a day after Union Ministers P. Chidambaram, A. K. Antony and Ghulam Nabi Azad tried in vain to persuade him to back down from his core demand that the U.S.-backed resolution at the Geneva-based UNHRC be made tougher. He also ruled out providing outside support to the UPA government.

Continue reading ‘DMK Exits Central Govt and resigns Ministerial Posts but will not Try to Topple Congress Led Ruling Combine’ »

(Text of Editorial Appearing in “The Hindu”of March 20th 2013 Under the Heading “From Defensive to Offensive”)

The less there is to lose, the more there is to gain. In quitting the United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre with only a year to go before the general election, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is not exactly taking a huge political gamble. The possible political gains far outweigh the inherent risks in leaving a ruling coalition and being out of power at the Centre as well as in the State. As the protest movement on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue gathers steam in Tamil Nadu, the DMK realised it could be under attack for being part of the government at the Centre.

Continue reading ‘Possible Political Gains far Outweigh the Inherent Risks in DMK Leaving Ruling Coalition and Being out of Power in the State and Centre’ »

by

Nirupama Subramanian

If the pressure being brought to bear by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and other Tamil political parties and groups on the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to take a strong stand against Sri Lanka in the Human Rights Council (HRC) is aimed at helping the Tamil minority in that country, it is unlikely to achieve that objective.

In fact, it is quite likely to have the opposite effect of painting Sri Lankan Tamils as a fifth column for Tamil nationalist or Eelamist designs emanating from Tamil Nadu, and increasing the political polarisation in that country.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Obstinate Reluctance to Deal with It’s National Question is Squarely to Blame for the Churning in Tamil Nadu Today’ »

By

Upul Joseph Fernando

President Mahinda Rajapska and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh-pic: PTI

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in his speech made in Parliament pertaining to the US resolution to be tabled at the UN Human Rights Council, made no mention of the photograph of Prabhakaran’s son or the war crimes allegations against Sri Lanka. He only stated his government was committed to safeguarding the rights of the Lankan Tamils by ensuring devolution of power under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

Some are of the view India is not evincing much interest regarding the war crimes allegations, because it fears permitting an international investigation into Sri Lanka’s war crimes allegations would open the flood gates, and there could well be a resolution against India on a future date with a request to the human rights commission for an investigation into the human rights violations in Kashmir on a future date. Hence, India’s apprehensions.

Continue reading ‘Is Manmohan Singh Afraid to Antagonize Mahinda Rajapaksa Because Sri Lanka may Expose India’s Involvement in War on LTTE?’ »

by Sivamohan Sumathy

(Sivamohan Sumathy is attached to the Department of English, University of Peradeniya)

HALAL

Fazeel Kariyappar

Continue reading ‘“Halal” as a metaphor in the search for understanding of the Consciousness to Forge the “WE”in Multiple Ways’ »

by

Kath Noble

In the third week of the UN Human Rights Council sessions, Karunanidhi played what he hopes will be his trump card. Unless India not only votes against Sri Lanka but also ensures that the resolution includes a commitment to a war crimes investigation, his party will quit the coalition government.

Whether or not he gets what he wants in this instance, he knows that there is a limit to what can be achieved by means of threats alone. Threats couldn’t have persuaded Manmohan Singh to intervene to stop the war in 2009, for example. That’s why Karunanidhi didn’t make any. Instead, he launched a fast that lasted from breakfast until a slightly late lunch, at which point he professed to be completely convinced that the Sri Lankan military had stopped using heavy weapons in the No Fire Zone.

And that was at a time when Karunanidhi was rather more powerful than he is today, having since lost an assembly election rather badly.

Today, to get anything more than a resolution in Geneva, he is going to have to mobilise public opinion.

Continue reading ‘As always, it is not clear whether it was the Tamil Chicken or the Sinhalese Egg that came first.’ »

By
Tamara Kunanayakam

(Tamara Kunanayakam is a Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the UN in Geneva)

These past few weeks, the Sri Lankan media and Indian officials have echoed US claims that its latest draft resolution is only procedural and, hence, will not harm Sri Lanka’s national interests and sovereignty. According to other media reports, “there is no call for an international investigation.” A closer examination of the latest draft text will show, however, that such claims are incorrect and misleading.

Continue reading ‘US Resolution on Sri Lanka at UNHRC in Geneva Envisages Establishment of International Investigation Mechanism to Monitor an Internal Process’ »

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA: Slamming DMK president M. Karunanidhi for announcing his party’s withdrawal from the UPA over the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Tuesday described it as a “drama” and indicated it was an action which came too late in the day.

His announcement that the party was withdrawing its support to the Centre over the Lankan Tamils issue was a late decision, she said while also referring to a Tamil saying.

Continue reading ‘Jayalalithaa Mocks Karunanidhi’s Announcement of DMK Withdrawal From Congress Led Central Govt as “Enacting Latest Drama”’ »

As the DMK decided to withdraw support, the government on Tuesday moved to bring a resolution on the Sri Lankan Tamil issue in Parliament in an attempt to placate the key ally which has set it as one of the conditions for reconsideration of its decision.

Sources said the government is drafting a resolution to be brought in Parliament.

The decision was taken after the Congress Core Group meeting, hours after DMK chief M. Karunanidhi announced that his party would withdraw support to the UPA.

Continue reading ‘Karunanidhi May Reconsider DMK Quitting Central Govt as Congress Drafts Resolution on Sri Lanka to be Presented in Indian Parliament’ »

Dasun Edirisinghe

A senior census and statistics official yesterday disputed a claim being propagated in the country that the Muslim population is likely exceed that of the majority community. The Sinhala population in the country is 74.9 per cent according to the Basic Population Information Report of the Census of Population and Housing 2011.

Director, Population Census and Demography Division of the Department of Census and Statistics, Indu Bandara said that according to the 2011 census, the Muslim population was 9.2 per cent and the Sinhala population was 74.9 per cent. Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils were 11.2 and 4.2 per cent respectively.

Continue reading ‘Census and Statistics Dept Director Refutes Propaganda that Muslim Population Will Exceed Sinhala Population in Sri Lanka’ »

By

Dianne Silva

(Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa spoke to the Daily Mirror about the ongoing development projects undertaken across the country, intra-party politics and his future political aspirations)

Q. What is your stance on the Bodu Bala Sena issue?

From time to time these issues arise. However we as the government have to look at all sides of the issue. It is the right of the people to bring to light anything that they are dissatisfied with or any issues that they have—the government cannot do anything to stop people from expressing their views. However if something goes beyond a reasonable point then we have to curtail it. I am looking at it in a very open minded way.

Continue reading ‘“It is up to the President to Think About Whether I Need to be The Prime Minister”-Basil Rajapaksa’ »

By

Mahinda Rajapaksa

(Full text of the speech made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa when he inaugurated the Mattala Rajapaksa International airport on March 18th 2013)

President Mahinda Rajapaksa at arrival to declare open Mattala Rajapaksa International airport, Mar 18, 2013

Today is a significant day for us here at Mattala and the entirety of Sri Lanka. I have been given a very special task today which I will perform at the outset. Accordingly, I hereby declare that this March 18 on which day the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport was handed over to the people in keeping with the commitment of the Mahinda Chinthana to make Sri Lanka an aviation hub in Asia as part of the five – fold hubs of development and thereby enhance the service towards the people by inaugurating the first international airport built since independence through our own strength, is declared as Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Service Day.

Today we mark a new international airport on the world map. What we have built here in Mattala is an airport where even the largest aircraft flying today could land.

Continue reading ‘Value of Wellassa Corn Pods and Mahampura Beach Sands will Rise Because of the Mattala International Airport’ »

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday demanded an “independent and credible” inquiry into the violation of human rights in Sri Lanka even as she refused to comment on key UPA ally DMK withdrawing support to the government at the Centre.

Continue reading ‘Sonia Gandhi Demands an “Independent and Credible”Inquiry into Violation of Human Rights in Sri Lanka’ »

by

G Pramod Kumar

The Indian government seems to have been successful in watering down the proposed second US resolution against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC.

The revised US draft, which was tabled on Monday, is much softer and “there is a lot of evidence to clearly show the imprint of Indian influence,” said G Ananthapadmanabhan, Chief Executive of Amnesty International in India.

Continue reading ‘India Succeeds Again in Getting US to Water Down Text of Resolution on Sri Lanka at UNHRC in Geneva’ »

By

B. Kolappan

by: ‘Cartoonist Bala’ – via- facebook.com/cartoonistbala

The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government has bought time from its ally DMK, which is threatening to leave the alliance, by promising to adopt a resolution in Parliament supporting two important amendments to the U.S.-sponsored draft resolution against Sri Lanka in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

Continue reading ‘Karunanidhi Vacillates on Announced Decision About DMK Quitting Central Govt After Discussions with 3 Top Congress Ministers’ »

(Text Of Statement Issued by Tamil Information Centre in London)

We have observed the recent attacks on Buddhist monks and other Sri Lankan visitors in Tamil Nadu with grave concern and extreme unease. These attacks are callous and disgraceful and will not help the Sri Lankan Tamils, but may cause them more harm. We offer our heartfelt sympathies to the victims.

Certainly, there is no justification for these acts from either a political perspective or, in truth, from the perspective of any other moral and freedom-loving people. These acts diminish the pride, dignity and freedom of Eelam Tamils.

Continue reading ‘Attacks on Buddhist monks and Sri Lankan visitors to Tamil Nadu must cease-Tamil Information Centre’ »

NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar topped the list of most gorgeous women politicians in the world, a survey conducted by India Today said on Wednesday.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar – pic by: Asia Society

Khar, who was elected member of national assembly from the seat of Pakistan Peoples Party, is famous for wearing attractive and fashionable outfits. Her handbags and dresses remains the focus of the media during foreign trips.

Continue reading ‘Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar is World’s Most Gorgeous Woman Politician-“India Today”Poll’ »

By

NICK CUMMING-BRUCE

Navy Pillay, United Nations High Commission for Human Rights during the Panel at the palais des Nations. 1 March 2013. Photo by Jean-Marc Ferré

GENEVA — The United Nations Human Rights Council is preparing to vote this week on a resolution that urges Sri Lanka to deliver on its promises to investigate allegations of mass civilian slaughter in the army campaign that crushed a rebel group in May 2009, and expresses growing international concern over a lengthy catalog of continuing atrocities.

Continue reading ‘More Support Foreseen for US Resolution on Sri Lanka at UNHRC in Geneva This Year Than Last Year-NYT’ »

The DMK on Tuesday quit the UPA and its government voicing dismay over India’s stand over Sri Lanka at the UNHRC, but Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said there was no threat to the government.

DMK chief M. Karunanidhi announced that his party could not accept New Delhi’s bid to bail out Sri Lanka, which faces charges of committing human rights abuses on the Tamil community.

Continue reading ‘DMK Quitting Central Govt in Protest Over India’s Stand on Sri Lanka at UNHRC in Geneva Announces Karunanidhi’ »

(Text of Editorial Appearing in “The Hindu”of March 19 2013 Under the Heading”Mindless Solidarity”)

A fanatic fringe seems intent on hijacking the protest movement in Tamil Nadu against Sri Lanka’s treatment of its Tamil citizens. With the terrorist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam no longer in the picture, large sections of the people in Tamil Nadu have begun to openly sympathise with the plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka. But, even as the protest movement gathers momentum, extremist outfits without any popular base have started carrying out violent attacks on Sri Lankan students and offices.

Continue reading ‘Protest Movement in Tamil Nadu Over Sri Lankan Tamil Issue Being Hijacked by Fanatic Fringe-The Hindu’ »

By

S. Vijay Kumar

The Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission in Southern India has written to the State government asking for increased security to be given to Sri Lankan people and establishments in the city.

The request follows Statewide agitations on the issue of Sri Lanka’s human rights record and attacks on Buddhist monks, including one on Monday.

Continue reading ‘SL Deputy High Commission in Chennai Wants Increased Security From Tamil Nadu State Govt for Sri Lankan People and Establishments’ »

By

Vivek Narayanan

A Buddhist monk from Sri Lanka was assaulted by three unidentified persons on board the Tamil Nadu Express, just as it arrived at Chennai Central Railway Station on Monday.

This is the second such attack in three days, the first being on a monk at the Big Temple in Thanjavur on Saturday. The government railway police (GRP) have intensified checks on all trains and tightened security in stations across the State to prevent similar incidents from recurring.

Continue reading ‘Three men Assault Sri Lankan Buddhist Priest Pilgrim on a Train as it Reaches Chennai Central Station’ »

(Text of Letter dated 18.3.2013 addressed to Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India by Selvi J Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is reproduced below)

Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa

“As you are aware, Tamils in Tamil Nadu and the Tamil diaspora spread across the world are legitimately outraged and incensed over the impunity with which the Sri Lankan Government is ignoring international sentiments and binding resolutions relating to reconciliation and accountability for the war crimes and genocide committed in the closing stages of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the ongoing gross human rights abuses. To assuage the legitimate sense of outrage and deeply hurt sentiments it is absolutely important that India takes a strong stand in support of the US sponsored Resolution in the 22nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council and more importantly moves necessary independent amendments to further strengthen the Resolution.

You would recall that I had presented a Memorandum to you on 14.6.2011 and written to you on 25.6.2011 bringing to your notice the Resolution of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly dated 8.6.2011 which had called upon the Government of India to take up the issue of war crimes committed against Sri Lankan Tamils and also called for an economic embargo on Sri Lanka till the Tamils are fully resettled and are allowed to live with dignity and with equal constitutional rights as their Sinhala counterparts.

Continue reading ‘Jayalalithaa Wants Govt of India to Take a Bold Stand in Support of the Long Suffereing and Much Discriminated Against Tamil Minority of Sri Lanka’ »

Six distinguished former Ambassadors will be converging under one roof on Wednesday March 20th to discuss various issues concerning Sri Lanka’s forign Policy. The event will held at 6 pm at the CPA auditorium in Colombo is the fifth in the series of discussions organized by the Liberal Party on Ideas for Constitutional Reform. The event programme is as follows –

Presentations by two former Ambassadors/Permanent Representatives to the UN in Geneva on how foreign policy should be developed and what it should prioritize:

• Karu Jayasuriya
• Javid Yusuf
• H M G S Palihakkara
• John Gooneratne

Wednesday March 20th at 6 pm at the OPA Auditorium

All are welcome

By

Dharisha Bastians

Signalling an about-face on a key issue on its agenda, the hard-line Bodu Bala Sena group yesterday declared victory in its battle against the Halal certification and slammed the English-language press, even singling out the Daily FT for being traitors to the Sinhala Buddhist cause.

screen capture from Bodu Bala Sena Kandy Rally, Mar 17, 2013-via: pearltv.lk

Addressing a massive rally in Kandy town last afternoon, Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero said the Defence Secretary had provided an assurance that the Halal logo would be withdrawn in the country and a special Police unit would be set up to carry out inspections in shops around the country that might be still carrying Halal products.
Continue reading ‘Defence Secy to set up Special Police Unit to Monitor Shops selling Halal Products says Bodhu Bala Sena in Kandy’ »

By

Ranga Jayasuriya

Religious groups compete with each other for their constituency, just like terrorists, trade unions, or any other factions of competing ideologies do. That would perhaps explain the increasing militant activism of two controversial Buddhist groups: Bodu Bala Sena and Sinhala Ravaya.

On Saturday, protesters affiliated with Sinhala Ravaya stormed a house which is used as a Catholic religious centre in Nawala. They assaulted a male resident in the house in the presence of his wife and the child, accusing him of ‘defaming Buddhism.’ On Friday, a mob belonging to the same Buddhist group laid siege to another Catholic religious centre in Kahatagahapitiya, Galle.

Continue reading ‘Swelling Ranks of Bodu Bala Sena and Sinhala Ravaya is Ominous Sign of Potential Religious Conflagration in the Making.’ »

From “The Hindu” Tiruchi Bureau

Eight persons, who were arrested in connection with the assault on a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk in Thanjavur and Tiruchi on Saturday, have been remanded to judicial custody.

Pathberiye Gnanaloka Thero was assaulted by a group of persons owing allegiance to Thamizh Desiya Poduvudamai Katchi and Naam Thamizhar Katchi when he was on a study tour along with other students. In Tiruchi, two vans transporting Buddhist monk and other students to the Tiruchi Airport from Thanjavur were also attacked.
Continue reading ‘Eight Political Activist Goondas in Judicial Custody for Attack on Sri Lankan Buddhist Priest in Tamil Nadu’ »

Controversially impeached Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, who is to appear before the Commission to investigate into allegations of bribery or corruption today has turned down a request from a Commission official to come in through the backdoor instead of using the main entrance.

The Daily Mirror learnt that Justice Dr. Bandaranayake was contacted by a Sub-Inspector attached to the Bribery Commission who asked her to enter the Commission premises from a rear entrance on Malalasekara Mawatha, Colombo 7.

Continue reading ‘Bribery Commission Asks De Jure Chief Justice to Use Rear Entrance but Shirani Bandaranayake Wants to Use Front Entrance’ »

by

Ranga Jayasuriya

Tamara Kunanayakam

On the eve of the forthcoming resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Tamara Kunanayakam, Sri Lanka’s permanent representative at the UN Office in Geneva during the 2011-2012 period, relates her experience during the previous resolution in March 2012, and explains why she believes the new resolution is ‘a result of our foreign policy orientation.’

Continue reading ‘“I was Made the Scapegoat for the Diplomatic Setback in Geneva Last Year”-EX-UN Envoy Tamara Kunanayakam’ »

By

Sir Ronald Sanders

Sir Ronald Sanders

The most important reason for the selection of a country as the host-venue for a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is that it serves the interests of the Commonwealth as a whole.

If this reason were a consideration, President Mahinda Rajapaksa would already have withdrawn Sri Lanka from hosting the CHOGM in November. The President has not done so. Instead, he has insisted that the Commonwealth Summit must be held in Sri Lanka even as his government is mired in intense controversy over violations of human rights and disregard for the rule of law.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Govt Must Withdraw From Hosting CHOGM Summit or Other Commonwealth Countries must Withdraw from Attending’ »

By

Shamindra Ferdinando

Sri Lanka’s refusal to move a joint resolution on accountability issues, at the ongoing United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions, has set the stage for a vote on the second US motion, targeting the country, since the conclusion of the conflict in May 2009. The vote will take place on March 21.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka to get Friendly Country to Call for Vote at UNHRC in Geneva on March 21st to Expose Hypocrisy of Countries’ »

By

Mike Andree

With Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Italy being ordered to return to Sri Lanka on or before March 20, comes the news that three domestic aides employed by him have done the vanishing trick.

Three days ago, as many of the staff had expected, Asitha Perera complained that all three doemstic aides had disappeared. However, the Italian intelligence had received information that the aides were taken by one of Asitha’s agent friends to Verona.

The Italian Foreign Ministry has been irked by this and has informed Sri Lanka’s External Affairs Ministry, sources said.

Continue reading ‘Lankan Envoy to Italy Asitha Perera Allegedly Sends His Three Domestic Aides with”Agent”Friend to Verona and Complains They are Missing to Police in Rome’ »

By

Izeth Hussain

It is questionable whether there are today any purely internal problems, serious internal problems, without any external dimension to them at all. It is true that governments frequently try to explain away internal problems, for which they alone are responsible, by alleging foreign interference. It is true also that there is the human propensity to indulge in conspiracy theories. In certain situations of stress people can become paranoid and imagine that sinister foreign forces are at work behind practically every serious problem. While all that is true, it is also true that in today’s highly interdependent world foreign interference takes place on a scale never before known in human history.

Continue reading ‘Halal Problem in Sri Lanka is Almost Certainly Unique Because of Its Sheer Quasi-Insane Irrationality’ »

By
M.A.Sumanthiran MP

“Violence in the voice is often only the death rattle of reason in the throat” – H.G. Bohn

On 9th September 2011, a Muslim shrine which had stood for 300 years in Anuradhapura was destroyed by a mob reportedly led by monks. The Police, though present, did not intervene.

Anuradhapura Mosque demolition – Sep 2011

On 20th April 2012, a mob of about 2000 people led by the Mahanayake of the Rangiri Dambulla Chapter forcefully entered a 50 year old mosque, claiming it was illegal. The mosque also came under a petrol bomb attack. In Dehiwela, around 250 protesters led by Buddhist monks staged a protest, threw stones and rotten meat over the gate of a madrasa in May 2012.
Continue reading ‘Facilitating an “encore” with the anti-Muslim hate campaign?’ »

By

Tisaranee Gunasekara

“Hatred of one group can lead to hatred of others”
Amartya Sen (The Argumentative Indian).

In Sri Lanka the boundary line between myth and history is dangerously amorphous. And this twilight world often plays a decisive role in Lankan politics.

Sinhala schoolchildren are taught that they belong to a race which began when an Indian-Aryan princess eloped with a lion. They learn this tale not in the story-hour but during the history lesson.

The lion myth is from the Mahawamsa, venerated by most Sinhala-Buddhists as a history book cum sacred text. It is the grandson of the lion and the princess the Mahawamsa embraces as the originator of the Sinhala race. According to Mahawamsa itself, Vijaya ‘was of evil conduct’; he and his followers committed so many crimes of such horrific nature that his father was eventually compelled to exile them ’.
Continue reading ‘Mahawamsa Created Enduring Myth of “Chosen Race” Sinhalese Being the Rightful Owners of “Sacred Space” Sri Lanka’ »

By

Jayantha Jayaweera

(Jayantha Jayaweera BSc Civil Eng (Lon), MIE (Aust), CPEng, an old boy of both Thurstan and Isipathana wanders down memory lane as the 50th encounter of the Thurstan-Isipathana big match draws near)

This year two leading boys’ schools in Colombo, Thurstan College and Isipathana College, are celebrating their 50th annual big cricket match encounter on 22nd and 23rd March 2013 at the SSC grounds. This is a special occasion for past students of both schools and an opportunity for many of them to reunite, for some of them perhaps since leaving school.

I am one of many old boys who live overseas and am returning to Sri Lanka to witness this historic occasion.

Continue reading ‘Golden Memories:50th Annual Big Match Between Thurstan and Isipathana on March 22nd and 23rd)’ »

By

A Special Correspondent

Justifying his threat to leave the Congress-led UPA government if his demand that India seek effective amendments to strengthen the US-sponsored resolution in the UN Human Rights Council was not met, DMK president M. Karunanidhi on Saturday said that in the past such pressure tactics from him had produced the desired results.

DMK Leader M. Karunanidhi celebrating 60th birthday of his son M. K. Stalin (R)-Mar 1, 2013-pic via-twitter.com/kalaignar89

Responding to scepticism voiced in the media about the seriousness behind his warning, and criticism that the DMK had so far had issued six such threats but did not carry them out, Mr. Karunanidhi said in a statement that the media could not suppress the fact that such threats had brought benefits to Tamil Nadu.

Continue reading ‘DMK Leader Karunanidhi says his Threats to Leave the Congress Led Indian Central Govt have Worked in the Past’ »

By

A Sri Lankan Muslim

poster in Kandy-pic:navamani.lk

It was early hours of Sunday 17 March. I was returning from Macau to Hong Kong after a short visit with my nephew who was browsing his iPhone. I was in deep thought of the situation in Sri Lanka. All of a sudden he gave me his phone and said look.

There was a news item in Tamil asking the Muslims of Kandy not to go out on the Sunday 17th as the Bodhu Bala Sena was conducting an anti Muslim rally. I asked whether it was on Facebook and he said yes.
Continue reading ‘Hon President, Are Today’s Muslims of Sri Lanka the Yesterday’s Jews of Germany?’ »

By

G. Srinivasan and R. Rajaram

A Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, Pathberiye Gnanaloka Thero, was assaulted by members of Tamil outfits at the Big Temple in Thanjavur on Saturday. He was part of a team of students of the Institute of Archaeology of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), New Delhi, on a study tour.

Members of a Tamil outfit surround Sri Lankan Buddhist monk Pathberiye Gnanaloka Thero at the Big temple in Thanjavur on Saturday-Photo: Special Arrangement ~ courtesy: The Hindu

Later in the day, vans transporting the students to the Tiruchi airport from Thanjavur were pelted with stones resulting in damage to windshields. However, the students escaped unhurt.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Buddhist Priest Pathberiya Gnanaloka Thero on Archaeology Study Tour Assaulted by Tamil Nadu Political Goondas at Thanjavoor Great Temple Precincts’ »

By

Easwaran Rutnam

The government has refused to accede to a request by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Frank La Rue, to visit Sri Lanka.

Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Frank La Rue.-Jun 2012-UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva has told La Rue that his mandate on Sri Lanka was only for the period the UN Human Rights Council resolution 19/2 adopted in March 2012 was in force and not after.

Continue reading ‘Govt Turns Down Request Made by UN Special Rapporteur onFreedom of Opinion and Expression Frank La Rue to Visit Sri Lanka’ »

By

N.Sathiya Moorthy

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe & President Mahinda Rajapaksa

The Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa could not have asked for more. The Opposition UNP’s offer to work with the government on the issues and problems flowing from the second US resolution at the UNHRC, Geneva, means different things to different stake-holders nearer home and afar. Yet, on the face of it, UNP Leader and former Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, may have sent out the signal to his fellow-Sri Lankans that the nation is united on the issue at hand. Or, so would he like it to be seen.

The UNP had maintained silence on the issue for long. It had obviously hoped for – or, anticipated – a climb-down either by Washington or Colombo. Until the vote is taken, or until the final draft is submitted for vote, there could still be hopes in many and anxieties in some about a ‘compromise resolution’ contributed by – and to – a climb-down by both. The way, Sri Lanka feels cornered, that could well be saying a lot, depending of course on the wording of a ‘compromise resolution’, if any.

Continue reading ‘Is UNP Offer to Sign MOU with Govt “Another Great Sinhala Conspiracy”to Side-step the Ethnic Issue and Side-line the Tamils?’ »

By

Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema

R. Sampanthan MP

TNA Leader R. Sampanthan says the government seems determined to imprint upon the Tamil community the status of an inferior people. He observed that the government’s performance has been under observation by relevant UN agencies and others who have presented resolutions. “The government most regrettably seems to think that by persistently engaging in denials and adopting tactics of delay and evasion it could avoid the fulfillment of its commitments and obligations,” Sampanthan noted.

Following are excerpts of the interview:

Continue reading ‘Govt Response to Concerns of the International Community has Neither been genuine Nor Honest-TNA Leader Sampanthan’ »

By

Kishali Pinto Jayawardene

cartoon by Hasantha Wijenayake-courtesy:Lakbima

As family members of a murdered ruling party politician travelled to Geneva this week to lay their case for denial of justice before the United Nations Human Rights Council, the ironies are palpable, almost painful. Are we to see in coming months, an unfairly impeached Chief Justice, persecuted Cabinet Ministers and scores of once loyal supporters of this administration following in their wake?

Good enough for some but not for others?

Continue reading ‘Why Have We Let Ourselves be Made the Virtual Laughing Stock of the World?’ »

By

Lasanda Kurukulasuriya

Reports of a news conference by Buddhist prelates led by the Ven Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thero, held jointly with the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) on Monday, point to the salutary effects of consultations between religious and other groups in defusing a potentially explosive situation. The participants addressed concerns raised by certain parties over the labelling of ‘Halal’ food items in the market. It was announced at the conference that the ACJU (council of Muslim theologians) would issue Halal certification free of charge, and that the display of Halal logos on products would be on a ‘voluntary basis’ by manufacturing companies.

One of the most useful outcomes of the consultations has been that the CCC, representing several chambers of commerce and industrial groups, issued a media statement on the use of this certification by companies with respect to what are known as ‘Fast Moving Consumer Goods’ (FMCGs) – like groceries and toiletries. The CCC said goods sold in the local market are not required to display the Halal logo. However exporters who wanted it could get the certification free of charge from the ACJU.

Continue reading ‘Bodu Bala Sena is Spearheading the Anti-Halal Agitation Aided and Abetted by the Jathika Hela Urumaya’ »

By
C.A.Chandraprema

UNHRC- Mar 2012 Vote

Those of us in Sri Lanka have to understand, that voting in international fora is often no different to the way votes are conducted at national level. Interest group block votes, bribery, skulduggery, arm twisting, all have a role to play in voting in international bodies. For at least a decade, one of the main topics under discussion in both the old UN Commission on Human Rights and the present UNHRC has been the creation of ‘a democratic and equitable international order’.

On October 11, 2012, the UNHRC passed a resolution titled “Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order” which was passed with 31 votes for, 12 against and four abstentions. The voting with regard to that resolution was as follows:
Continue reading ‘After Finishing One War Sri Lanka Finds Herself on the Frontline of Another War’ »

by

Michele. J Sison, U.S. Ambassador

Ambassador Michele. J. Sison in Batticaloa-October 25, 2012

In my second week in Sri Lanka I visited a workshop to see American development aid in action. Our office at the United States Agency for International Development was helping sponsor a three day Peace Camp.

Toward the conclusion of this camp, a young Sinhalese girl from Gampaha approached our embassy officials and told us that her mother had not wanted her to attend an event in the North. She said that after breaking her shoe, another girl attending the Camp, a Tamil girl from Puttalam, gave the Sinhalese girl a pair of her shoes, moving the young visitor to call her mother and explain the good deed.
Continue reading ‘“We Have Supported Civil Society in Sri Lanka for Over 60 Years and Will Continue to do so”-US Envoy to Sri Lanka’ »

By
C.A.Chandraprema

As at the time of writing, there still isn’t a final draft of the US sponsored resolution that is to be presented to the UNHRC against Sri Lanka. The world’s most powerful nation is finding it difficult to word a resolution against one of the smallest and weakest nations in Asia.

UNHRC Voting on Sri Lanka in March 2012-pic: UN-Geneva

What would the situation have been if this was an attempt to present a resolution against a more powerful Asian nation? Even last year’s resolution against Sri Lanka was not won comfortably by the USA. The US resolution got 24 votes and Sri Lanka got 15 votes with eight countries abstaining.
Continue reading ‘World’s Most Powerful Nation is Finding it Difficult to “Word” a Resolution Against One of the Smallest and Weakest Nations in Asia’ »