By

Sowmiya Ashok

A week before its official launch in the Geneva Human Rights Film Festival, the capital on Friday caught a 20-minute preview of the film ‘No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka,’ which included footage of the alleged cold-blooded killing of LTTE chief V. Prabakaran’s minor son.

“It was a culmination of three years of journalistic investigation on war crimes and crimes against humanity,” said director Callum Macrae in a recorded message from London, adding that he hoped the film would lead to informed debate about the issue in the United Nations.

Continue reading ‘Channel 4 TV’s new Documentary”No Fire Zone:The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka”20 minute Preview Shows Film has Deeply Disturbing Evidence’ »

By

J. Balaji

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday reportedly stressed that there would be no compromise on Colombo’s promise to implement the 13th Amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution which provides more powers to Tamil areas in Sri Lanka’s Northern and Eastern provinces.

Dr. Singh thus assured a delegation of Congress MPs from Tamil Nadu in Parliament House on Friday.

Continue reading ‘“No Compromise on Getting Sri Lankan Govt to Fulfil its Promise of Fully Implementing the 13th Constitutional Amendment -Manmohan Singh’ »

By
A Staff Reporter

The visit of Sri Lankan MP Karu Jayasuriya to Tamil Nadu evoked stiff opposition from members of various political parties who staged a demonstration at Thirukadaiyur in Nagapattinam district on Thursday.

Mr. Jayasuriya, a former deputy leader of the United National Party, Sri Lanka’s main Opposition party, arrived at Thirukadaiyur on Wednesday night from Tiruchi to visit the famous Amirthakadeshwarar Temple and apparently perform rituals at the shrine.

Continue reading ‘Karu Jayasuriya on Visit to Temples Becomes Unintended Target of Anti -Rajapaksa Regime Protests in Tamil Nadu’ »

Major General Kamal Gunaratne-pic-dailynews.lk

The release of Photographs by the British Channel 4 TV showing Balachandran the 12 year old younger son of LTTE leader Veluppillai Prabhakaran alive in a military bunker and lying dead has evoked much controversy.

It is against this backdrop that an exclusive news item published by the “Lankanewsweb” in June 2012 alleging that Balachandran was murdered by Maj-Gen Kamal Gunaratne on the orders of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is reproduced here due to its topical relevance

Major General Kamal Gunaratne had murdered Balachandran on Gotabhaya’s order .

Thursday, 14 June 2012 17:39 Exclusive -Lankanewsweb.
Continue reading ‘Was LTTE Leader Prabhakaran’s son Balachandran Killed by Maj-Gen Kamal Gunaratne on the Orders of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who had been Advised by Ex-Tiger “Col”Karuna to do so?’ »

A Lenten reflection by Bishop Duleep de Chickera

Bishop Duleep De Chickera – pic courtesy of: damayanthawickremesinghe.blogspot.com

The weeks leading to Independence Day on February 4 were filled with intense debate on the legality and morality of the impeachment of the Chief Justice (CJ). The debate centred on the interpretation of the law and the political motives behind it. The government finally had its way and the CJ was impeached.

The beginning of Lent, (Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13) followed close on these events. Since Lent is a time for inner scrutiny, repentance and a return to integrity amidst the harsh realities of life, any realistic preparation to celebrate Easter as the Festival of Ascent, is called to wrestle with these events.
Continue reading ‘Evolutionary Decline in Governance Inevitably Breeds an Alternative People’s Resilience Vibrant and Alive in all Corners of the Country’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Gotabhaya Rajapaksa

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday said that Sri Lanka wasn’t the only country targeted by the British media outfit Channel-4 News over accountability issues.

The Defence Secretary was responding to the planned screening of ‘No Fire Zone’, the third installment of the so-called documentary on ‘Sri Lanka Killing Fields’ series produced by Channel-4 News in the British parliament on Wednesday (27) alleging war crimes, with the focus on the alleged execution of LTTE leader Prabhakaran’s son by the Sri Lankan army.
Continue reading ‘Gotabaya Rajapaksa says Sri Lanka is not the only Country Targeted over Accountability Issues by British Channel-4 TV’ »

(Text of an Editorial Appearing in “The Hindu”of February 22nd 2013 under the heading “The Truth must be told”)

New photographs of a 12-year-old Balachandran Prabakaran in the apparent custody of Sri Lankan security personnel in the final days of the war against the Tamil Tigers have caused widespread anguish and outrage, and understandably so.

Last year, when another photograph showing the body of the LTTE chief Prabakaran’s son with visible bullet wounds on his chest surfaced, Sri Lanka’s explanation that the boy died in crossfire seemed plausible.
Continue reading ‘It is in Sri Lanka’s Interests to Begin Credible Investigation to find out how Balachandran Died-The Hindu’ »

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA -Seeking to exert pressure on the Centre, Congress MPs from Tamil Nadu on Friday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding that India join western countries like the US in bringing a resolution against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC over the alleged human rights violations during the war.

The MPs said India should join hands with the United States in bringing out a Resolution against Sri Lanka asking it to categorically implement the recommendations of its own Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Committee (LLRC).

Continue reading ‘Congress MP’s from Tamil Nadu meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Demand India Join Moves to Bring UN Resolution on Sri Lanka’ »

By Chrishanthi Christopher

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian, M.A. Sumanthiran, yesterday claimed the army is taking decisions with regard to the lands belonging to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North and East, while Minister of Land Development, Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, remains ignorant on the subject.

“Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya announced two days ago, the lands belonging to the IDPs will be acquired by the army to put up a military cantonment,” Sumanthiran said.
Continue reading ‘Lands Minister Unaware of how Army is Acquiring Lands Belonging to Internally Displaced People in North to Construct Military Cantonment’ »

Upul Jayasuriya, Attorney-at-Law and senior human rights lawyer, was elected as the new President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, in what lawyers called a ‘historic’ margin of victory.

Upul Jayasuriya

Jayasuriya beat his main contender Tirantha Waraliyadda PC, the senior criminal lawyer, by a margin of over 1,700 votes, BASL sources said.
Continue reading ‘Upul Jayasuriya Elected President of Bar Association with Huge Majority is Endorsement of Stance on Impeachment of Chief Justice Issue’ »

BY
Col.R.Hariharan(Retd)

On the eve of the release of a full length film on Sri Lanka’s alleged war crimes, the British daily the Independent carried an article along with two photographs showing Prabhakaran’s son eating a snack before his Sri Lankan captors allegedly shot him dead in cold blood.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa & Prime Minister Manmohan Singh – pic: PTI

This serious allegation pertaining to a war India supported. It is about a brutal and heinous act by a state with very friendly to India. So apart from humanitarian concerns, India in its own interest, needs to get the allegations investigated impartially. If proved true it will undoubtedly be considered a war crime committed by Sri Lanka.
Continue reading ‘Time for Indian Prime Minister to Publicly Announce India’s Unhappiness over the way Sri Lanka has Conducted Itself in the Post-War Period’ »

Veerasingham Anandasangaree

By Veerasingham Anandasangaree

(Text of a letter sent to President Mahinda Rajapaksa by Tamil United Liberaration Front Secretary-General Veerasingham Aanandasangaree)

His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa,
President of Sri Lanka.

Your Excellency,

America’s Resolution at Geneva

Permit me to remind you once again the fact that the Mahinda Chinthanaya, in my opinion is fast losing its credibility now, due to the irresponsible utterances of some responsible persons. Those responsible for this tragic situation seem to be deliberately doing so to cause you much embarrassment and knowingly or unknowingly to bring discredit to you. Please do not allow this trend to go unabated. It is in the best interest of the country that you cry halt to the expression of views by various people, at random.

Our people have short memories. But you cannot say that of the Government and your advisers. Most informations are recorded by relevant authorities for your guidance. Furthermore there is the media too to guide you.

Continue reading ‘“Mahinda Chinthanaya” is fast Losing its Credibility due to Irresponsible Utterances of some Responsible Persons’ »

By

Supun Dias

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday rejecting the photographs displayed by Channel 4 television station of UK which is alleged to be of Prabhakaran’s youngest son Balachandran, questioned as to how Channel 4 could say that he is in a bunker with the military by only looking at the pictures which do not indicate anything related to the military.

Continue reading ‘Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa Dismisses Photographs Displayed by Channel 4 TV of LTTE Leader Prabhakaran’s son Balachandran.’ »

By
Tamara Kunanayakam

” Oh, but Grandmother! What big teeth you have!’
‘The better to eat you with!’”
And with that, the wolf lunged at Little Red-Cap, devouring her whole.” – Brothers Grimm

“The truth, the harsh truth” (“La vérité, l’âpre vérité”) – Georges Jacques Danton

Marzuki Darusman, Special Rapporteur on DPRK addresses during the 19th Session Human Rights Council. 12 March 2012. Photo by Jean-Marc Ferré-UN, Geneva

Who’s behind Navi Pillay?

Given the reassuring and conciliatory noises that had emerged from the foreign policy establishment in recent months, including statements that it had no intention of criticising Navi Pillay countering the then Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka in Geneva,1 it is likely that the establishment was rudely awoken from its deep coma by the vehemence of the High Commissioner’s report and the almost simultaneous appearance of an equally vehement US draft resolution to be tabled at the Human Rights Council a few weeks from now!
Continue reading ‘Foreign Ministry Rudely Woken from Deep Slumber by Vehemence of Darusman Inspired Navi Pillay Report and US Draft Resolution on Sri Lanka’ »

By

Stewart Motha

It’s election year in Australia, and that means open season on boat migrants. Last year, 17,000 people arrived by boat, with a massive surge of 6,500 from Sri Lanka. These numbers have an alarming impact on Australia’s human rights record as the government puts in place draconian domestic measures to deal with the increase, and plays a foolhardy game of building military and security links with Sri Lanka to stem the flow.

Continue reading ‘Australia has Chosen an Unreliable Security and Surveillance Partner in Sri Lanka to Curb Peoples Smuggling’ »

By
M.A.Sumanthiran

M.A. Sumanthiran MP

Platform for Freedom conducted a Press Briefing on the forthcoming Human Rights Council Sessions in Geneva, to be be held in March 2013, on the 20th of February 2013 from 3:00 p.m onwards at the CEPA Auditorium. No. 29, Gregory’s Road, Colombo 7.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lankans who Love their Country must Ask International Community to Censure the Rajapaksa Regime’ »

By Ramanan Veerasingham

Scientifically authenticated fresh and exclusive photographic evidence has shown that Tamil Tiger chief Velupillai Prabhakaran’s 12-year old son Balachandran was alive in Sri Lankan military custody, barely a couple of hours before he was found executed on the final day of the bloody war.

These photographs, obtained by the Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka (JDS) have been used in the upcoming documentary film “No Fire Zone” (NFZ) directed by Callum Macrae for the UK-based Channel 4 television. The new documentary film is set to be screened at the Geneva Human Rights Film Festival during the UN Human Rights Council meeting in March this year.

Continue reading ‘LTTE Leader Prabhakaran’s Son Balachandran was Killed on May 19th 2009 According to Metadata of Photographs’ »

By Vishnuguptha

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe with President Mahinda Rajapaksa

“If you have abandoned one faith, do not abandon all faith. There is always an alternative to the faith we lose. Or is it the same faith under another mask?” ~Graham Greene

Many arguments have been submitted for the inability of the United National Party (UNP) to displace the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP)-led coalition from power. Most of them are valid, but almost all those arguments merely touch upon the surface without going deep into the inner workings of a political dynamic that has been set in motion for quite some time.
Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremasinghe Fades into Near Oblivion when Contrasted Against a Giant like Mahinda Rajapaksa’ »

By Uditha Jayasinghe

Expanding on a Budget proposal to prohibit State land from being sold to foreigners, Cabinet yesterday extended the policy to include private land as well, in a move that is likely to impact business sentiments.

However, extensive leasing up to 99 years is still possible. Prohibition of outright transfer of property to foreigners had been decided upon after taking into consideration the increasing demand for foreign investments in Sri Lanka, Cabinet Spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told media.

Continue reading ‘Foreigners Debarred from Purchasing State or Privately Owned Lands Outright but Extended Leasing Possible with Local Investment’ »

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE- Islamic clerics in Sri Lanka tried to calm mounting religious tensions in the majority Buddhist nation Thursday by telling stores not to sell halal-slaughtered meat to non-Muslims.

Food manufacturers have been labelling all their products “halal” for convenience, meaning until now non-Muslims have not had any choice in the matter.
Continue reading ‘All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulama asks Traders to Offer Halal Certified Products to Muslims only’ »

By Sundra Ganesan

In 1933, the same year the Nazis burnt large numbers of books that they considered ‘anti-German’, the idea of setting up a library in Jaffna was born.

The Jaffna Public Library (JPL) would have celebrated its golden jubilee in 1983 had it not been burned down in 1981. Instead, June 2012 marked the 31st anniversary of the tragedy.

1933 was a difficult time in Sri Lanka. The economy was slow and unemployment was very high. Amid the gloom, one K.M. Chellappah, who worked for the District Court in Jaffna, circulated an appeal in English and Tamil for ‘A Central Free Tamil Library in Jaffna’, and approached labourers, unions, teachers, authors, business people and prominent retirees for support.
Continue reading ‘The Burning of the Jaffna Public Library by the Police in 1981 – 1’ »

By Chrishanthi Christopher

The Sri Lankans, who have sought asylum in other countries, have been excluded from the Sri Lankan citizenship under the new Citizenship Act, the Controller of Immigration and Emigration, Chulanada Perera told Ceylon Today. He said the Department and Emigration will soon start accepting applications for dual citizenship.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankans who Sought Asylum in Other Countries Excluded from Sri Lankan Citizenship under new Citizenship Act’ »

By J. Balaji

The Human Rights Watch (HRW), a global human rights organisation, has sought an international investigation into reports of sexual violence, rape, third degree torture against Tamil women and men carried out by the Sri Lankan security forces to get confessions from those suspected to have links with the then Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The HRW, which has prepared a 140-page report, “‘We Will Teach You a Lesson’: Sexual Violence against Tamils by Sri Lankan Security Forces,” which is to be released on Monday, provides detailed accounts of 75 cases of alleged rape and sexual abuse that occurred from 2006 to 2012 in both official and secret detention centres throughout Sri Lanka.
Continue reading ‘140 Page report on Sexual Violence against Tamils by Sri Lankan Security Forces to be Released by Human Rights Watch’ »

By a Staff Reporter

Journalists are now being targeted and harassed, based on their ethnicity and no action is being taken against the perpetrators nor are investigations being conducted to nab those responsible, the Alliance of Media Organizations charged at a media briefing yesterday.

Highlighting a number of incidents including the attempted murder of Sunday Leader journalist Faraz Shauketally, and the harassment of journalists at a rally organized by the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) last Sunday (10), the Convener, Free Media Movement (FMM), Sunil Jayasekara said that the number of attacks against journalists has increased significantly over the last week, and the Alliance is deeply disturbed at the regularity with which such acts are carried out.

Continue reading ‘Journalists in Sri Lanka are now being Targeted on the Basis of their Ethnicity charges Alliance of Media Organizations’ »

By
Tisaranee Gunasekara

“He came in a dream
He seduced everybody in the land
The fire in his eyes
And the fear was a weapon in his hand
So they let him play
Play their minds away”
The Piper (ABBA)

In his penultimate photographs, 12 year old Balachandran Pirapaharan glances away from the camera. The empty look in his averted eyes, the slump of his plump young shoulders speaks of defeat and of a loss which is beyond hope, and beyond fear.

He is alone, he is helpless and he knows that.

Unlike his older brother and sister, Balachandran never joined the Tigers, never bore arms against the Lankan army. If he was executed in cold blood, it was not because of anything he did, but because of his ethnicity and parentage. It’s collective punishment taken to a brutal barbaric extreme.
Continue reading ‘Are the Rajapaksas Conjuring an Islamic Enemy as a Patriotic Cover for their Repressive Rule and their Oppressive Economics?’ »

A file photo of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA – Amid protests over the alleged brutal killing of slain LTTE chief V. Prabhakaran’s son, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Thursday called off the 20th Asian Athletics Championships scheduled to be held here in July, saying Sri Lankan players have no place in the State.

Ms. Jayalalithaa said her government had written to the Asian Athletics Association in Singapore seeking that Sri Lankan team be desisted from participation considering the “sentiments” of the people in Tamil Nadu, as the Sri Lankan government was “repeatedly acting against the ethnic minorities”.
Continue reading ‘Jayalalithaa Calls off Asian Athletics Championships to be held in Tamil Nadu in July to Stop Sri Lanka from Participation in the State’ »

By

R. K. Radhakrishnan

Sri Lankan media largely ignored the sensation created in India and elsewhere in the world, after the publication of new pictures which suggested that Tamil Tiger chief V. Prabakaran’s youngest son, Balachandran, was captured by the Sri Lankan forces ahead of being shot dead.

The English press, barring Ceylon Today, did not even carry the Sri Lankan rebuttal of the story. The main Tamil newspaper, Virakesari, carried the rebuttal prominently, but made this an excuse to carry the picture in question — where Balachandran is seen sitting in what Channel 4 describes as an Army bunker.

Continue reading ‘Reactions in India to the Published Pictures of Prabhakaran’s younger Son Largely Ignored by Sri Lankan media’ »

By

B. Kolappan

Reiterating her demand for imposing an economic embargo on Sri Lanka till Tamils in the country were fully and honourably rehabilitated and granted rights on a par with the Sinhalese, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Wednesday called upon the Union government to work in tandem with other countries to ensure that those responsible for the war crimes were made to face an international trial.

She said India should also hold discussions with the U.S. and like-minded countries and draft a United Nations resolution against Sri Lanka.

In this context, she recalled a resolution adopted by the Assembly in 2011 demanding an economic embargo on Sri Lanka.

Reacting to the photographs, carried by The Hindu and other sections of the media, on the killing of Balachandran, son of LTTE leader Prabakaran, the Chief Minister described the killing as “a war crime of gravest nature and an unforgivable act.”

Continue reading ‘Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram describes Killing of Prabhakaran’s Son Balachandran as “a war crime of gravest nature and an unforgivable act”’ »

By
James Vasanthan

James Vasanthan who worked as an anchor in popular Tamil television channels debuted as a composer in Kollywood with Subramaniapuram in 2008. His forte as a composer extends to regional languages like Telugu and Kannada too and it has seen him be part of ten movies till date.

Illayaraja at Rogers Centre, Toronto, Feb 16, 2013

Recently, he set out seeking an inspirational outing as he attended Illayaraja’s concert Engeyum Eppothum Raja in Toronto. To much surprise James returned home disappointed. Consequently, he decided to vent out an emotional outburst on is his personal blog regarding the same.
Continue reading ‘Music Composer James Vasanthan Requests “Maestro”Illayarajah to “Reconsider”After Seeing “Engeyum Eppothum Raja”Live Concert in Toronto’ »

By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan

President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s special envoy on human rights, Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, who served in that capacity for well over half a decade, has been dropped from the list of delegates attending the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in Geneva next month.

However, a high profile delegation comprising senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Attorney General’s Department, along with Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha, will be present in Geneva.

Minister Samarasinghe’s removal from the list has come as a result of a directive from the President, it has been revealed.

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Removes his “Human Rights Special Envoy”Mahinda Samarasinghe from Sri Lanka Delegation to the UNHRC at Geneva in March’ »

Sathya Liyanasuriya

Thirteen may be considered an unlucky number in the biblical sense and in popular culture but Angelo Mathews may not see it that way: he was appointed as Sri Lanka’s thirteenth test cricket captain last week and wasn’t complaining.

Angelo Davis Mathews is only twenty five years old. That makes him the youngest Sri Lankan captain in Sri Lanka’s three decades long test cricket history. Even the great Arjuna Ranatunga was a year older than him when the captaincy of the country’s cricket team was bestowed on him.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Youngest ever Captain Angelo Mathews is a Thinking Cricketer who is Mature Beyond his Years’ »

By

Hafeel Farisz

Top Police sources alleged yesterday that the controversial removal of the Moneragala Police division from DIG M.R.Lathif was prompted by an incident involving the arresting of illegal sand miners connected to Cabinet Minister Sumedha Jayasena of the Moneragala District.

Accordingly the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs elected from Moneragala district on the UPFA ticket had allegedly exerted pressure on Police officers to release, three men who were arrested while sand mining on the banks of Kumbukkan oya on December 27.

The minister had reportedly urged the Police officers at the arresting station, including senior officers overlooking the area to release the offenders stating “They are my men and the sand was to build my house”.

Continue reading ‘Cabinet Minister Sumedha Jayasena Exerts Political Pressure to Remove Police DIG Latiff for Arresting Illegal Sandminers “who were her men”’ »

(Text of the adjournment motion of which notice has been given to the speaker by TNA Leader and Trincomalee District MP Rajavarothayam Sampanthan)

Hon Speaker,
Parliament.
Hon Speaker,

I hereby give notice that I shall move the following motion at the adjournment of Parliament on 20th February 2013:

On 15th February 2013 the Association for the displaced people of Valikamam North staged a Satyagraha – a token hunger strike at the Tellippalai Durgai Amman Temple premises in Jaffna from 8am to 4pm to demonstrate against their being prevented by the Sri Lankan Government and the Sri Lankan armed forces from resettling on lands owned and historically possessed by them from which they had been evicted on grounds of security during the war.
Continue reading ‘TNA Leader Sampanthan Gives Notice of Adjournment Motion Seeking Govt Action on Military Personnel who Disrupted non – Violent Fast at Durgai Amman Temple’ »

By
Dharisha Bastians

Bodu Bala Sena, or Buddhist Strength Force- pic via BBC

Conquer anger by love, conquer evil by good, conquer the miser by liberality, conquer the liar by truth
– Dhammapada

The ancient Sufi shrine of Jailani lies off the beaten track in the village of Kuragela, in the Ratnapura District.

Sufi scholars say the hermitage shrine is believed to be where Sufi Saint Sheikh Muhiyadeen Abdul Qadir Jilani meditated for 12 years after making a pilgrimage to Adam’s Peak, the sacred mountain revered by Buddhists, Muslims and Christians alike.

Dennis B. McGilvray in a published paper about the Jailani shrine says that the site is said to have been a place of Muslim refuge and Sufi meditation from the beginning of the fourth century of the Islamic era (about 10th Century AD), with a discovered tombstone and Arabic inscriptions in the area supporting that view. The quiet cave mosque is a deserted place for the better part of the year, but during the kandoori festival to commemorate the death anniversary of Saint Muhiyadeen, Jailani plays hosts to large crowds of Muslim pilgrims for several weeks of prayer and meditation.
Continue reading ‘Covert Encouragement by Govt of Hardline Groups like Bodu Bala Sena, their Rhetoric and the Causes they Espouse’ »

Colombo/Brussels | 20 Feb 2013

As the UN Human Rights Council prepares to open its 22nd session next week, the Sri Lankan government has made no meaningful progress on either reconciliation or accountability and instead has accelerated the country’s authoritarian turn, with attacks on the judiciary and political dissent that threaten long-term stability and peace.

Sri Lanka’s Authoritarian Turn: The Need for International Action, the latest report from the International Crisis Group, examines the government’s recent consolidation of power and sets out critical steps for an effective and coordinated international response.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Authoritarian Turn: The Need for International Action -Latest Report by International Crisis Group’ »

By Callum Mcrae

It is a war that has produced some truly terrible images, but this one is particularly disturbing. A young boy sits looking distressed, like a child who has been lost in a supermarket. He has been given a biscuit or some kind of snack. In the second photograph, he is looking anxiously up, as though hoping to see someone he recognises.

Digital image analysis by an expert for Channel 4 has confirmed that these this photograph showing 12-year-old Balachandran Prabakaran before and after he was shot dead, were taken with the same camera.

The boy is Balachandran Prabakaran, the 12-year-old son of Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabakaran.
Continue reading ‘Photographs in New Channel 4 Documentary Reveal that Prabhakaran’s 12 year old Son Balachandran was Captured and Executed by Army’ »

By
Upul Joseph Fernando

A top echelon government leader who was in India recently, had reportedly made a very intriguing proposal to South Block leaders at a discussion relating to possible measures that could be adopted bilaterally to prevent Pakistani fundamentalists from infiltrating the Sri Lanka Muslim community.

He had proposed if India used its influence in the international sphere to protect Sri Lanka from the recurring charge of war crimes and Human Rights violations, it could, quid pro quo, take steps to effectively deactivate any Muslim fundamentalism in this country rendering it harmless to India.
Continue reading ‘Is Israel Whipping up Anti-Muslim Feelings in Sri Lanka Through Mossad Agents Embedded in Govt and Security Establishments?’ »

By Andrew Buncombe

New photographs have emerged which raise fresh questions about the conduct of Sri Lanka’s armed forces during the final stages of the operation against Tamil rebels and have led to claims the 12-year-old son of the militants’ leader may have been summarily executed.

Balachandran Prabhakaran after he was captured

A series of photographs taken a few hours apart and on the same camera, show Balachandran Prabhakaran, son of Villupillai Prabhakaran, head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Continue reading ‘LTTE Leader Prabhakaran’s 12 Year old Son was Captured Alive, Handed a Snack and Shot Dead at Close Range Later’ »

By

A Special Correspondent

Pictures of LTTE leader Prabakaran’s son Balachandran in military custody before being shot dead evoked outrage and strong condemnation from political parties in Tamil Nadu.

Reacting to the report, based on photographs released by Channel 4 TV as part of a new video film on alleged war crimes in the end stage of the civil war in Sri Lanka in 2009, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said she would express her views only after watching the full video.

DMDK leader Vijayakant said countries across the world should demand action against Mr Rajapaksa, his brothers and the Sri Lankan Army for the war crimes through the United Nations.

Continue reading ‘Prabhakaran’s son Balachandran’s Killing Evokes Outrage and Condemnation in Tamil Nadu’ »

Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka speaking to Daily Mirror online said the Army had “no information” about the deaths of slain LTTE leader V. Prabhakarans, “ wife, daughter and youngest son”.

“After the final battle which went on from 2009 May 17 night, 18 and 19th till about 10 o clock, we only recovered Prabakharans body together with about 400 other terrorist dead bodies, and his elder son’s body, his elder son Charles Anthony. These two bodies were personally identified by the present member, I think, of the cabinet Karuna Amman, who was the LTTE military wing leader at the time before he joined the government. He himself went and identified these two bodies” he said.

Continue reading ‘“When I was Army Commander we had no Information about Prabhakaran’s Wife,Daughter or Youngest Son” says Sarath Fonseka’ »

By
A Special Correspondent

Message from M. Karunanidhi ~ via his twitter timeline

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief, M. Karunanidhi, expressed shock on seeing the pictures of LTTE leader Prabakaran’s son Balachandran in military custody before being shot dead, according to M. K. Stalin, party treasurer.
Continue reading ‘DMK Chief “Karunanidhi Terribly Upset after Seeing Pictures of Prabhakaran’s son” says his son Stalin’ »

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA-The Channel 4 documentary featuring pictures of the alleged coldblooded killing of LTTE chief Velupillai Prabakaran’s 12-year-old son has been dismissed by Sri Lanka as “lies, half truths and numerous forms of speculation.”

The documentary titled ‘No War Zone-The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka’ is to be aired in Geneva at the next session of the U.N. Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in March.

The pictures have once again raised questions about the conduct of the Sri Lankan armed forces during the final stages of the operation against Tamil Tigers and dealt another blow to the government’s attempts to head off a critical resolution at the UNHRC.

Continue reading ‘Pictures of LTTE Chief’s son’s Alleged Killing Dismissed by Colombo as “Lies,Half-truths and Numerous Forms of Speculation”’ »

By
A Special Correspondent

Pictures of LTTE leader Prabakaran’s son Balachandran in military custody before being shot dead evoked shock and strong condemnation from political parties in Tamil Nadu.

Reacting to the report, based on photographs released by Channel 4 as part of a new video film on alleged war crimes in the end stage of the civil war in Sri Lanka in 2009, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said she would express her views only after watching the full video.

Continue reading ‘Images of Prabhakaran’s son in Military Custody Before Being Shot Shock Tamil Nadu Political Leaders’ »

By Gagani Weerakoon

Ambassador Asitha Perera

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ordered the Ministry of External Affairs to terminate the services of Sri Lankan Ambassador to Rome, Asitha Perera, following months-long protests by the Sri Lanka community and diplomatic staff in Italy.

Accordingly, the ministry yesterday dispatched the termination letter, signed by the Secretary to the Ministry, Karunaratne Amunugama.

Ministry sources said the termination letter demanded Ambassador Perera return to the country by 20 March 2013.
Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Orders External Affairs Ministry to Terminate Services of Asitha Perera Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Italy’ »

By Ishara Ratnakara

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday filed murder charges in the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, on the advice of the Attorney General, against 13 suspects including Parliamentarian Duminda Silva for the killing of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and three others. They were charged on 10 counts including murder, attempted murder and causing grievous injuries to Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, Mohamed Asmi, Damith Dharshana Jayatilleke and Manival Kumaraswamy at Mulleriyawa on 8 October 2011.
Continue reading ‘Police File Murder Charges in Courts Against 13 Suspects Including Duminda Silva MP for Killing of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and Three others’ »

by Kath Noble

We don’t seem to have learnt anything from the long list of journalists who have come under attack in Sri Lanka in recent years. Whenever an incident takes place, we do exactly the same things, and on each and every occasion, our response does nothing to prevent a recurrence.

The first step is condemnation. But why? Surely everybody agrees that it is wrong? Could anybody argue that the people who shot Faraz Shauketaly of The Sunday Leader on Friday did the right thing? No, so let’s not waste our time and energy. That such violence is appalling should be treated as so obvious that it simply doesn’t need to be said.

Then comes our dutiful reporting of what the President says about it, no matter how disingenuous his statement.

Continue reading ‘We Dont Seem to Have Learnt Anything from the Long List of Journalists who have come under Attack in Sri Lanka in Recent Years’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Inquiries into Sri Lanka’s involvement in the US extraordinary rendition programme have revealed that the then US President George W. Bush personally intervened in 2003 to have a wanted foreign al-Qaeda suspect extradited from Sri Lanka to an unknown destination.

Highly placed sources told The Island that only the then Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe, Defence Minister Tilak Marapone, Defence Secretary Austin Fernando and Minister Milinda Moragoda had been aware of the transfer of the prisoner carried out after consultations between the two governments at the highest level. The Sri Lankan government had to operate on the so-called need-to-know basis.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Hunted down Foreign Al -Qaeda Suspect in Puttalam and Handed him over to the CIA in Sedated Condition to be Flown out of Colombo on Special plane with False US papers to an Interrogation Facility’ »

(Geneva, February 19, 2013) – At its March 2013 session, the United Nations Human Rights Council should authorize an independent, international investigation into war crimes committed during the final months of Sri Lanka’s armed conflict, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to council members today.

twitter.com/unrightswire

Since the council adopted a resolution on Sri Lanka at its March 2012 session calling for action, the Sri Lankan government has taken no significant steps to provide justice for victims of abuse and accountability for those responsible.
Continue reading ‘UN Human Rights Council must Authorize Independent International Investigation into Sri Lanka war Crimes -Human Rights Watch’ »

By
Dr.Vickramabahu Karunaratne

TNA MP and Lawyer MA Sumanthiran arguing for the CPA petition showed that the illegitimate impeachment process led to a fraudulent appointment to the office of Chief Justice against which legal challenges were a necessity. This type of conflict within the judicial setup could seriously erode public faith in the institution of the judiciary and its capacity for independence from the political system. On the other hand the petition brings to light the ridiculous situation that arises from the existence, in effect of two Chief Justices – one whose removal was declared unlawful and is therefore invalid and the other whose appointment thus becomes simply a fraud.

Obviously the Mahinda regime cannot go on with this absurdity. They plan to reverse the court rulings to legitimise the new regime at Hulftsdorp, and the Government believes it could put an end to the anarchy created by their own folly in the judiciary.

But this erasure of history by the ruling administration would only ever make a difference domestically, where it is becoming almost impossible to stall the regime’s constant and concerted consolidation of power, at the virtual exclusion of all other national concerns.

Continue reading ‘Formation of “Protest of the Opposition” has Exposed Regime’s Supreme Indifference to Democratic Norms, Human Rights and Rule of Law’ »

By Ashwin Hemmathagama

Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday pointed out the continuation of ethnic and communal violence taking place in some parts of the country and emphasised on the urgency of finding a firm solution to defuse the increasing tension between the Sinhalese and the Muslims.

“The Police reports that no incidents have taken place in Hiriyala and Kurunegala are incorrect. There is continuing tension in the area. Therefore, will the Government have an independent inquiry into this matter consulting the Provincial Council members and Members of Parliament who have made complaints and brought this to the notice of the Police?” he said.
Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe Emphasises Urgency of Finding Firm Solution to Defuse Increasing Tension Between Sinhalese and Muslims’ »

By
Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka

pic: tamilwin

Reading reports of the recent manifestation in Maharagama, I cannot, as a political scientist, avoid the clear, decided conclusion that what we are witnessing is nothing less than the emergence of an ethno-religious fascist movement from the dark underside of Sinhala society.

It is what the political philosophers Hannah Arendt and Reinhold Niebuhr (and more recently, Alan Wolfe) characterised as ‘political evil’.Those who expend much polemical powder and shot identifying President Rajapaksa as a Hitleresque fascist, now have a real movement that fits the bill far more closely).
Continue reading ‘Emergence of Ethno-Religious Fascist Movement from the Dark Underside of Sinhala Society’ »

By Sarath Kumara

Sri Lanka’s army commander, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, has presented a report rejecting evidence of the military’s involvement in war crimes and human rights abuses during the civil war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that ended in May 2009.

The report, handed to Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse on January 25, also represents a direct political intervention. It challenges the findings and proposals of the government’s own Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), and makes policy recommendations to undermine democratic rights and consolidate the ongoing military occupation of the North and East of the island.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Army Commander Presents report to Defence Secretary Rejecting Military’s Involvement in War Crimes and Human Rights Abuses’ »

By Nanda Wickremasinghe

After a visit to Colombo last month, a delegation of senior US officials declared that Washington would table another resolution on human rights violations in Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session in early March.

The delegation, led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State James Moore, concluded its three-day visit on January 28 after meeting with Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, external affairs officials and opposition United National Party (UNP) and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leaders.

Continue reading ‘TNA Fostering Deadly Illusion that Democratic Rights of Tamils Can be Secured by Appealing to US Imperialism’ »

Sri Lanka was for decades an example of how sectarian conflict can wreck an otherwise fortunate country. It has had three years to show how devolving power to an ethnic minority can bring about lasting peace. Now it looks as if the opportunity will be lost.

Sri Lanka paid an enormous price to bring 26 years of civil war to an end. An estimated 40,000 people died in the last months of fighting in 2009, bringing the conflict’s final toll to more than 100,000. This includes a sitting president, Ranasinghe Premadasa, and a former Indian prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi, who were killed in suicide bombings by the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
Continue reading ‘Don’t Let the Rajapaksas Ruin Sri Lanka -Bloomberg’ »

By

N Sathiya Moorthy

A piquant situation may have arisen in Maldives, on the domestic front and also for its relations with India, after the trial court in suburban Hulhumale’ issued a second order to the nation’s police to produce former President Mohammed Nasheed, who has been in the Indian High Commission in capital Male, for standing trial in the ‘Judge Abdulla abduction case’, at 4 pm on Wednesday, 20 February. The police is said to have approached the Maldivian Foreign Ministry, which in turn is expected to ask the Indian High Commission to help comply with the court orders.

Continue reading ‘Ex-Maldivian President Mohammed Nasheed Cant Stay Indefinitely at Indian Mission in Male says Indian Foreign Minister’ »

(Text of Statement Endorsed by 63 Civil Society Organizations)

In recent months there has been an increased outpouring of virulent anti‐Muslim sentiment by persons claiming to speak for all Sinhala Buddhists.

Organized groups led by Buddhist monks have held public meetings, distributed pamphlets, and made press statements. Articles in mainstream Sinhala and English newspapers have propagated ethnic and religious hatred. In addition, there have been hate campaigns via SMS, email, and face book.
Continue reading ‘63 Civil Society Organizations Condemn Recent Increase in Virulent Anti Muslim Rhetoric and Attacks’ »

(Over a hundrd members of the Christian Clergy serving in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka have appealed to the United Nations Human Rights Council that a strong and action oriented resolution in relation to accountability, reconciliation and human rights in Sri Lanka going beyond the resolution adopted at the 19th session of the Council should be passed at the forthcoming sessions in Geneva. The full text of the letter and list of signatories led by the Catholic Bishop of Mannar Diocese Most Rev Dr.Joseph Rayappu are posted here)

Mannar Bishop Rev. Rayappu Joseph in discussion with High Commissioner John Rankin ~ (July 2012) ~ pic: UKinSriLanka

To: The President and all members of the UN Human Rights Council

Call for a strong and action oriented resolution on Sri Lanka at the 22nd session of the UN Human Rights Council
Continue reading ‘Christian Clergy from North and East Want UN Human Rights Council to Pass Strong Action-Oriented Resolution on Sri Lanka’ »

by Izeth Hussain

The murder by the Saudi authorities, in the gruesome form of a public beheading, of the innocent Sri Lankan maiden Rizana Nafeek is now in the past, and it might be thought that no good will come of dwelling on it. I believe on the contrary that certain aspects of that murder still merit consideration.

In this article I want to comment mainly on that murder in relation to the Sharia, which is regarded as the Divine Law of Islam. I want to show in the process that this is a matter of importance not just to the Sri Lankan Muslims but to the Sri Lankan nation as a whole.
Continue reading ‘The Gruesome Murder of Rizana Nafeek Through Public Beheading by Saudi Authorities’ »

by Shamindra Ferdinando

A top level investigation has revealed that Sri Lanka not only allowed the use of its only international airport at Katunayake for flights associated with US extraordinary rendition project but also handed over a terror suspect apprehended on its soil to US agents.

The then UNP-led UNF government had arrested the wanted foreign national following the US government making representations, in the wake of an international hunt for key al-Qaeda operatives. Sources said that the suspect’s nationality was yet not known.

Authoritative sources told The Island that the then President Chandrika Kumaratunga, in spite of being the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, hadn’t been informed of the UNF’s decision to facilitate the secret operation.

Continue reading ‘UNP led UNF Govt of Ranil Handed over key Al-Quaeda Operative Apprehended in Sri Lanka to the USA Without Chandrika’s Knowledge’ »

By

Chaminda Perera

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday ordered officials to bring all international schools operating in the country under a regulatory mechanism. He stressed that the younger generation should not be led astray.

The President was speaking at the Education Ministry progress review meeting at the Ministry auditorium yesterday.

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa to Bring new Legislation to Bring all International Schools under Single Regulatory Mechanism’ »

By Hejaaz Hizbullah

When the big international fast food chains came to Sri Lanka they did not have Halal certification. However, subsequently most of these chains went ‘Halal’. This had nothing to do with any ‘Islamist’ conspiracy to take-over Sri Lanka. It was a pure case of demand and supply and the pursuit of profit.

The same applies to Islamic banking. There is nothing surprising about almost every player in the financial services market providing Islamic banking as bankers want to make money in as many ways as they can. So this whole brouhaha about ‘Halal’ really defies logic. The only reason why the All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulema [ACJU] is a body of choice is that it’s the only body that the Muslim consumers accept and find legitimate and in marketing – consumer is king.
Continue reading ‘It is not the Muslim Consumer but Businesses that Crave for “Halal” certification recognition’ »

By Risidra Mendis

There are only a few places in the world, where the amazing beauty of the largest mammals on Earth, can be observed from close proximity. And Sri Lanka is one of those fortunate paradises, where the gigantic sea mammals, whales, come closer to the shores, giving an opportunity for humans to observe their frolics in the blue waters of the Indian Ocean.

pic: defence.lk

Mirissa is one of the choice locations of the whale watchers, who in their dozens, go out to the sea in motorboats with diesel powered engines, in order to get close to the whales.
Continue reading ‘Blue Whales Moving Away from Shore to Deep Sea at Mirissa Due to Increasing Whale-watching Vessels’ »

By Gagani Weerakoon

Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith

The sudden announcement of the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI earlier last week took millions of Christians, and others, around the world quite by surprise, as it was the first time a resignation of a Pope was announced in 600 years.

The responsibility of appointing the next Pope lies with the College of Cardinals. Deliberations would take place within the four walls of the Papal Conclave. However, the fact that, Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Albert Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has been named by the Forbes Magazine as one of the favourites to be elected to Papacy, was indeed a joyful news, not only for the Catholic fraternity of the country, but the entire Sri Lankan populace.
Continue reading ‘Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith the only Person From Asia Named in List of 18 Potential Popes Published by Forbes Magazine’ »

By
Dilrukshi Handunnetti

Faraz Shaukatally at the hospital

It was Friday, 15 February and the time was around 11:15 p.m. Barnes Avenue was quiet as usual, a residential lane off Hotel Road in Mount Lavinia, dotted with a few rest houses including ‘Oceania Blue’.

Suddenly, the dogs in the neighbourhood began barking incessantly. Nobody heard the running feet. Having finished his week’s work, The Sunday Leader journalist, Faraz Shaukatally has reached home and was speaking on the telephone, with a colleague from the newspaper.
Continue reading ‘The Attack on “Sunday Leader”Journalist Faraz Shaukatally at “Oceania Blue” in Mt.Lavinia’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya

Kirama Wimalajothi Thera, Leader of the controversial Sinhala Buddhist organization, Bodu Bala Sena, in an interview with Ceylon Today answers some pertinent questions about the objectives of the organization and why the organization does not accept the multi-cultural, multi religious compositions of Sri Lanka.

Continue reading ‘Bodu Bala Sena has not got Money from the President,Defence Secretary or Even Norway says its Leader Kirama Wimalajothi Thera’ »

By

Arthur Wamanan

(Tamil National Alliance Parliamentarian MA Sumanthiran is interviewed by Arthur Wamanan of The Nation )

Q: TNA is part of the common opposition coalition with the UNP. On what basis are you part of such a coalition?

This joint opposition was formed sometime ago when the fuel prices went up. The parties came together and started agitations throughout the country. We had our very first protest outside the Fort Railway Station. We have had frequent protests. What happened the other day was only a formalization process. And even in the Memorandum of Understanding that was brought forward that day, it was clearly stated that the parties could have their own political agendas and ideologies. But this coalition was formed for the purpose of protesting against this particular regime identified as the Rajapaksa regime for the various injustices the people have to suffer at the hands of this regime.

Continue reading ‘Military Cannot Take High Ground and Threaten Legal Action Against the TNA – MA Sumanthiran’ »

By

Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha M.P.

Sri Lanka is full of conspiracy theories. There are many reasons for this, not least the fact that theorising about conspiracies is a universal practice, and we in Sri Lanka are victims of this as well as practitioners.

Then there is the fact that conspiracy theories are fun. Since they necessarily assume that evidence must be shadowy, they allow those with vivid imaginations to pursue their pet agendas under the guise of creative thinking. And since the conspiracies one discovers are the responsibility of others, one can promote one’s own conspiratorial efforts in the belief that they are mere reactions.

However, we must also remember that even if we, like perhaps all other nations, are paranoid in considering our own interests, that does not mean that others are not out to get us – or, rather, all others, like ourselves, want to pursue their own interests, and do not mind if we or anyone else goes to the wall in the process. This is obvious on first principles, as Thucydides so succinctly put it over two thousand years ago. And as was the case when Thucydides wrote, all nations try to conceal their pursuit of self interest by claiming that they are acting on principle. Where this is obviously not the case, the claim is that the other breached principles first.

Continue reading ‘Our External Affairs Ministry Continues with Its Efforts to Persecute Our Former Envoy to UN in Geneva Ms.Tamara Kunanayakam’ »

By

Sunimal Fernando

The third phase of the Presidential Initiative ‘English as a life skill’ through which the President takes English language skills across the country with a special focus on Spoken English, is being launched by him from Temple Trees in the morning of Tuesday the 19th of February 2013.

Releasing the creativity latent within the state education system

For the first time in the history of language teaching and learning in our schools, a set of 50 English language learning DVDs for grades 10 and 11 are being launched together with a toolbox of activities for Spoken English, grades 6 – 11, to be used in the public school system.

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa to Launch Third Phase of ‘English as a Life Skill” at “Temple Trees”on February 19th’ »

By
Chamitha Kuruppu

via: facebook.com/KaruJayasuriya

(It is vital that all political parties should have trust in each other in order to work as a team senior UNP Parliamentarian Karu Jayasuriya pointed out, adding that failure to do so would only result in this Government dividing and causing further damage to the Opposition. In the recent past there were opportunities to do away with this regime. If there was a strong combined Opposition, a much more vigorous challenge would have been presented to the Government, he noted).

Following are excerpts from the interview:

Continue reading ‘“The Love and Affection of Party Cadres in the UNP Towards me have not Changed” – Karu Jayasuriya’ »

By Dharisha Bastians

pic via: twitter.com/BoduBalaSena

This is a Government created by Sinhala Buddhists and it must remain Sinhala Buddhist, the Buddhist extremist organization Bodu Bala Sena resolved at a massive rally in Maharagama yesterday.

In an address charged with provocative ethno-religious rhetoric, Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thero urged President Mahinda Rajapaksa to ensure the protection of the “sacred Sinhala franchise” that swept him into power.
Continue reading ‘Bodu Bala Sena Issues Ultimatum at Maharagama Rally to Rajapaksa Govt Demanding Ban on ‘Halal’ Certification by March 31st’ »

By
Chandrika Kumaratunga

Wijaya Kumaratunga & Chandrika Kumaratunga

Wijaya was brutally gunned down outside our home on February 16, 1988. Wijaya was my life’s partner and we raised two children, but he did not live to see them grow up. We shared a vision for our country and sought a solution for its burning issues based on humaneness, equality, justice and plurality.

Towards this, we journeyed together and he took many daring and unconventional initiatives and made many sacrifices, including going to jail for his beliefs when the powers that were felt threatened. He made the ultimate sacrifice, as also other great leaders and brave civilians in our nation have, in the cause of their beliefs.
Continue reading ‘Wijaya Kumaratunga Played a Unique Role in Politics Promoting his Vision of a United Sri Lanka Where Justice and Equality would Reign Supreme’ »

BY
Tisaranee Gunasekara

Faraz Shauketaly, who writes for the Sunday Leader, is treated after being shot at his home in Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka. pic courtesy: Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters ~ via Guardian UK

“We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts”.
Patrick Henry (Speech at the Second Virginia Convention 1775)

Until now, those who incurred the wrath of the Rajapaksas were unsafe only when they ventured out of their homes.

That last refuge of the persecuted might be vanishing. Faraz Shauketaly of The Sunday Leader was shot in his place of residence.

The three gunmen escaped, naturally. In Sri Lanka, some criminals never get caught.

Why was Mr. Shauketaly shot? The answer will be revealed by the manner in which his case is handled. If the crime is non-political, the culprits will be apprehended. But if Mr. Shauketaly was shot because of his journalistic investigations, the perpetrators will remain as free as the wind, as free as those who killed Lasantha Wickremetunga four years ago.
Continue reading ‘The Politics of Hatred from Jathika Hela Urumaya to Bodu Bala Sena’ »

By
C.A.Chandraprema

Last week, SL sought support from the IMF which it did not get, and this has provided an opportunity for the opposition to charge that the SL economy is on the back foot.

In the meantime, minister Wimal Weerawansa started publicly attacking the Treasury Secretary as an ‘economic assassin’ one of the charges being that PBJ was masquerading as the ‘god of loans’ and misleading the government into making wrong economic decisions. Among the matters raised by Wimal was the government’s unsuccessful bid to recruit 50,000 unemployed youth and graduates into the government service.
Continue reading ‘Why the IMF Turned down Sri Lanka’s Request for Budgetary Support’ »

By
C.A.Chandraprema

If there is anything that the latest report that Navi Pillai, the UN Human Rights Commissioner, has issued on Sri Lanka should teach us, it is that a reasoned response is not the best way to react to this kind of document.

Besides, there is nothing more unpleasant and tedious than a nagging foreigner citing various documents and claiming that we have not done this or that.
Continue reading ‘As Long as Western Powers Need to Safeguard Israel at the UN They will not Go Beyond Passing UN Resolutions on Sri Lanka’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday alleged that a recently set up political grouping led by UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was trying to arouse communal feelings among Tamil speaking people living in the Jaffna peninsula.

Rajapaksa charged that an attempt was being made to exploit the continuing presence of troops at Palaly to cause dissension in Jaffna.

The Defence Secretary was responding to Wickremesinghe’s Friday declaration at Tellippalai, Jaffna that Palaly high security zone could be dismantled without jeopardizing security in the peninsula. Addressing a gathering opposite Durga Amman kovil in Tellippalai, Wickremesinghe accused President Mahinda Rajapaksa of being greedy for private property not only in the north but Colombo and its suburbs as well.

Continue reading ‘Ranil Asked me to Release the Ancestral House of his Associate Charlie Mahendran in Kokkuvil that had been Used by the LTTE Reveals Gota’ »

BY N Sathiya Moorthy

Independent of India’s vote, if it came to that at the UNHRC meeting at Geneva in March, there is an urgent need to de-politicise the nation’s ‘Sri Lanka policy’ nearer home.

TESO Event on Nov 12 2012 marking the meeting with UN officials- pic: twitter.com/Kaiaignar89

This has more to do with the attitude and approach of political parties in southern state of Tamil Nadu, where the two ‘Dravidian majors’ are vying with each other and also peripheral groups, on what’s good for the Sri Lankan Tamils in that country, and consequently what should be New Delhi’s Sri Lanka policy.
Continue reading ‘Suspicion in Sri Lankan Political Circles About Excessive Influence of “Tamil Nadu Factor”in India’s Sri Lanka Policy is Based on Ignorance’ »

By The Social Architects

The brutal civil war in Sri Lanka ended nearly four years ago, but people are still hurting. The country’s North and East are plagued by a host of problems that are unlikely to be resolved soon. Misguided policies emanating from the central government in Colombo have directly contributed to these negative trends. Lofty talk about “the defeat of terrorism” and majoritarian triumphalism have further antagonized people.

Continue reading ‘There are Clear Indisputable Indications that Conditions are Getting Worse in Sri Lanka’s North and East’ »

By Prof S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole

Our President declared in India that everyone has a right to protest in a democracy. But Tamils are questioned over religious functions and protesters are ducked in dirty engine oil, locked up or worse. He claimed to be performing a Suprabhata Seva for Venkateswara. But that seemed intresting given how many Hindu temples have been destroyed during the war. Claiming ‘a private visit’ he reportedly met the head of RAW, Alok Joshi.

TNPF & TNA taking part in ‘Valikamam North IDP protest fast’ in Thellippalai, 15 fEB 2013-Pic courtesy of: twitter.com/TnpfOrg

The rejection of 5,000 metric tonnes of diesel imported by Lanka IOC on grounds of quality leaves people wondering if it is really for that or his thumbing his nose at India ahead of the UNHRC, declaring himself unruffled.
Continue reading ‘Many in the Diaspora may Rally Behind Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam but in Sri Lanka his Support is Non-Existent’ »

By N Sathiya Moorthy

Mohamed Nasheed ~ pic via: twitter.com/MohamedNasheed

The comparison sounds curious, though not odious. Possibly taking a leaf out of Wikileaks boss Julain Assange’s tactic, former Maldives President Mohammed Nasheed has ‘taken refuge’ in the Indian High Commission in the national capital of Male, expressing concern over his personal ‘security’ and ‘regional stability’.

The comparison should however stop there, as Ecuador has since granted political asylum in its London Embassy, to help him avert arrest and deportation to face a criminal trial. No such request seems to have been made by Nasheed to India, nor has a situation seems to have emerged for New Delhi to consider any such request at the moment.
Continue reading ‘Maldivian Ex-President Mohammed Nasheed Takes Refuge in Indian High Commission at Male’ »

By

Shamala Kumar

Little has been done to contain the bloated military structure in Sri Lanka even though over three years have passed since the government formally declared victory in the 30 years of civil war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a separatist group which fought for a Tamil homeland in the North and East of the island. In fact, militarisation is a frequent charge made against the government today.

The repressive structures that make institutions vulnerable to militarisation, however, emerged far earlier than this government and have been a conduit for militarised processes to operate.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Govt Imposes Military Ideology Upon Education Sector’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara

Having experienced one long war and two insurgencies, Sri Lanka is no stranger to violence. But until a few years ago, violent crimes targeting children were relatively rare in this wounded land.

Historical maladies such as female infanticide, which tormented many of the country’s Southasian compatriots, were unknown.
Continue reading ‘War Conditions and Militarised Peace Have Created a Violent Society in Sri Lanka with Children Being the Worst Affected’ »

by
Tisaranee Gunasekara

“A structure built on human callousness will inevitably collapse in on itself” – Avraham Burg (IHT 6.9.2003)

First they came for the pavement-traders.

Pavement-trading is not a bar to development. On the contrary; pavement-trading provides the enterprising poor with an affordable means of commercial upward-mobility. Many a rags-to-riches tale, globally and nationally, began on the pavement. And for many Lankans, pavement-stalls were a source of cheaper goods. The minor inconveniences caused by pavement-stalls could have been resolved without wiping-out the phenomenon and depriving hundreds of thousands of people of a livelihood.

But absolutism is the Rajapaksa Way.
Continue reading ‘Rajapaksas Cannot Occupy Multi-Ethnic Pluralist Colombo Electorally without Transforming it Demographically’ »

The third in the series of discussions organized by the Liberal Party on Ideas for Constitutional Reform

The need for Electoral Reform
Wednesday February 20th at 5.30 pm
Venue: International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES),
2, Kynsey Terrace, Colombo 8.

Opening presentation: Prof Rajiva Wijesinha

Invited Discussants:
· Hon M A Sumanthiran
· Hon Dayasiri Jayasekara
· Hon Hassen Ali
· Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka
· Dr. Pradeep Jeganathan

Attention will be paid to The changing role of Parliamentarians, given the demands of functioning in both a legislative and an executive role. Mechanisms to ensure that the problems of constituents are addressed without compromise of the wider interests of the nation

All are welcome

The fourth discussion in the series will be on March 6th on ‘Freedom of Information’.

By Athula Vithanage

In a rare acceptance of ongoing oppression against Tamils in Sri Lanka, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem (Navi) Pillay has reported that the Government of Sri Lanka has prevented Tamils in the north from commemorating those killed in the war.

In her February 11th ‘Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on advice and technical assistance for the Government of Sri Lanka on promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka,’ Navi Pillay says that civilians in the Tamil majority north have been barred by the military from ‘holding private and religious ceremonies to commemorate family members, both civilians and combatants, killed in the war,’ since the military defeat of Tamil Tigers (LTTE) in May 2009.
Continue reading ‘UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay Highlights Denial of Rights to Tamils to Commemorate War Dead’ »

By Dharisha Bastians

Travelling on the Kandy-Jaffna A9 Highway as it passes through the former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) stronghold of Kilinochchi, a dilapidated building used to catch the eye.

Two girls from the A Level class ~ For Tamil people, a university education is considered the end goal. despite the lack of employment opportunities for graduates, parents in the area prize the college degree greatly

Two storeyed and pockmarked with bullet holes, the yellow walls stood out in this embattled region, partly because it has had its entire roof blown off, a poignant war memorial even when Kilinochchi Town became the Tigers’ showcase capital during the ceasefire years.
Continue reading ‘Story of Kilinochchi Maha Vidyalayam is one of Tremendous Resilience Against all Odds and Symbolic representation of Hope’ »

By
Sathya Liyanasuriya

Unwittingly or not, Kamalesh Sharma is a name that hit the headlines of the Sri Lankan media this week. The visiting Secretary General of the Commonwealth, an Indian national, was caught in the eye of a storm over the venue for the next Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meeting.

Colombo is scheduled to host the summit in November this year. However some countries, most notably Canada and to some extent Britain, are pushing for a change of venue on the basis that Sri Lanka’s human rights record is not up to scratch.
Continue reading ‘Even if Colombo Succeeds in Hosting Commonwealth Summit it may be a Very Low-Key Affair’ »

By
Upul Joseph Fernando

The Indian media reported that Alok Joshi, Chief of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) had visited President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Guest House at Tirupati, where he was staying. In practice, a meeting between the Chief of the country’s secret service and visiting foreign Head of State is a rarity.

J.R. Jayewardene is the only head of Sri Lanka to have had a meeting with the chief of ‘RAW’. Usually, the chief of ‘RAW’ meets the leader of a foreign country only when there is a crucial issue pertaining to India or a perilous situation involving the country of that leader.
Continue reading ‘Did Indian RAW Chief Alok Joshi “warn” President Rajapaksa of Consequenes if 13th Constitutional Amendment “Plus” is Ignored or Overhauled?’ »

By
Shan Samsudeen

(Text of an open letter being circulated which urges Muslims to think out of the box to cope with current crisis)

To Jamithul Ulama
211,Orabi Pasha Street,
Colombo-10.
Sri Lanka****

10th Feb 2013

Assalamu Alakimum My Dear Brothers & Sisters;

May the peace & blessing of Allah be upon all Sri Lankans.

I feel that this letter has to be sent to the relevant authorities concerned Specially the ULAMA the Scientist the ULAMMA DEEN the Scientist of Religion. Before things go out of hand & blood is spilled in the streets before very long. I consider this as a duty of mine & if you all take these matters seriously or not only Allah knows best. I pray that sanity prevails & we all Sri Lankans will live like one big family.

First of all we must be mindful that we all are Human beings. No matter what Religion or Race we belong too. We all have the same needs & wants. There is no difference in this at all. The Blood of all ours are red in colour though the outer appearance is difference in skin colour & texture etc.
Continue reading ‘Muslims must Learn to Think Like Fundamentalist Buddhists to Understand and Rectify Current Problems and Live Peacefully in Sri Lanka’ »

London/Toronto/Washington D.C.

The British Tamils Forum, the Canadian Tamil Congress, and United States Tamil Political Action Council acknowledge the Report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which emanates from United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 19/2.

While welcoming High Commissioner Navanethem Pillay’s continuous commitment to human rights in Sri Lanka, the use of the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) as a framework against which to measure progress is a grave mistake. The LLRC’s fundamental and well-documented flaws preclude its position as the authoritative institution regarding accountability in Sri Lanka.
Continue reading ‘Tamil Groups Welcome UN Human Rights Chief’s Call For Independent International Investigation in Sri Lanka’ »

By
Kamalesh Sharma

(Statement by Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma on conclusion of his official visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka, 10 – 13 February 2013)

Sri Lanka is a founding and committed member of the modern Commonwealth. Today, I conclude what has been a productive visit to the country.

I was received by the President, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa. I held discussions with the Speaker of Parliament, Hon Chamal Rajapaksa; the Leader of the Opposition, Hon Ranil Wickremesinghe; the Hon Minister of External Affairs, Professor G L Peiris; the Monitoring Member of Parliament for the Ministry of External Affairs, Hon Sajin de Vass Gunawardena and the Secretary to the President, Mr Lalith Weeratunga.
Continue reading ‘Preparations for Commonwealth Heads of Govt Meeting Scheduled to be Hosted by Sri Lanka in November 2013 Are Impressive and on Track’ »

By Col. R. Hariharan

President Mahinda Rajapaksa offering prayers at the Lord Venkateswara temple at Tirumala in Tirupati on Saturday.— PHOTO: PTI

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is well known for wrongly timing his foreign visits. In the past his India visits were more successful than his European sojourns because they were diplomatically ‘tenderized’ in advance to avoid any embarrassment to the President.

His two-day ‘pilgrimage’ trip, with an entourage of 70, to Tirupati and Gaya after a stopover at Chennai that ended on February 8, 2013, ‘pilgrimate’ visit was also probably tenderized in advance. But this time, it completely failed for two reasons.
Continue reading ‘Can India Accept the Increasingly Embarassing Political Situation in which it has been Placed by President Rajapaksa?’ »

By
Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka

Sri Lanka has just emerged from a war in which the Sri Lankan state won. Whilst being happy that the war ended with a certain outcome, we could have asked ourselves why we had the war in the first place. Why thirty years of conflict? What needs to be done to prevent such conflict?

It seems to me that the answer has been that the way to prevent another cycle of conflict is to tighten up, to pre-empt, and to securitise. In certain areas it is necessary to be more vigilant in security and strategic terms, but the fundamental lesson has not been learned, and that lesson is that we have not been able to formulate, forge or construct a social contract among the constituent components of our citizenry.
Continue reading ‘Anti -Muslim Extremism is Profoundly Counter-Productive and Almost Suicidal Leading to Further Isolation of Country and Sinhalese’ »

By
Dharisha Bastians

Sri Lanka’s legitimate Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake may soon cease to hold what some legal minds have called that ‘de jure’ or lawful title.

The newly-installed regime at Hulftsdorp will soon be presented with an opportunity to declare null and void two judgments by the highest courts of the land, that declared the process to remove her unlawful and unconstitutional. The Attorney General has appealed for a divisional bench of the Supreme Court to rule on two Fundamental Rights petitions against the Parliamentary Standing Order that sets the procedure for the impeachment of Supreme Court Judges.

Continue reading ‘Rajapaksa Regime Tries “Quiet Diplomacy” to Dilute US Sponsored Resolution Against Sri Lanka at UNHRC in Geneva Instead of Attempting to Defeat it in a Vote’ »

Chaminda Perera in Jaffna

President Rajapaksa visiting Nagapooshani Amman Temple – pic via: twitter.com/bundeljayse

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said all countrymen have a responsibility to ensure no room is left for the re-emergence of terrorism which brought suffering to the people of all communities for over three decades.

He said that he was well aware of the misery faced by the people due to terrorism and insisted that they all should keep in mind that the country has only one government.
Continue reading ‘President Tells people of Jaffna to Leave no Room for Re-emergence of Terrorism’ »

Following an appeal from the mothers of two Jaffna University students who were arrested during a protest in December 2012, President Mahinda Rajapaksa instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to make arrangements for the release of the students. “Help your children focus on their studies,” President Rajapaksa told the two mothers after asking the IGP to release the students as early as today if possible.

The two students, Kanagasunderasami Janamenjanan and Paramalingam Tharshanandan, the only two still under rehabilitation, are expected to be brought to Vavuniya this morning and released thereafter. President Rajapaksa took this decision while chairing the District Development Committee meeting in Jaffna this afternoon. At the beginning of the meeting, the President, speaking in Tamil, made some general comments to the public officials.

Continue reading ‘President Orders Release of Detained Northern Undergraduates Following Appeal by Mothers in Jaffna’ »

TNA DIDN’T USE FUNDS, WHICH REVERTED BACK TO TREASURY – Officials in Jaffna

Local government funding allocations given to the local government (LG) bodies in Jaffna were returned because the Tamil National Alliance LG members had not made use of these budgetary allocations, and not due to any other reason, stated Govt. officials, when a TNA LG member asked President about budgetary allocations given to TNA local bodies, being allegedly taken back by the Treasury.

Continue reading ‘Funds Allocated to Local Authorities in Jaffna Reverted Back to Treasury Because TNA Councils did not Utilise Money for Development’ »

By Anukshi Jayasinha

The little coastal town of Kosgoda is renowned for its sea turtle hatcheries, run by individual turtle conservationists who are eager to protect these endangered species. One of them is the Amarasena’s Sea Turtle Hatchery, built in 1966 by Amarasena Fernando. After surviving a terrible blow during the 2004 tsunami, the hatchery is now home to many blind and deformed sea turtles as well as newborn hatchlings, drawing in visitors from all parts of Sri Lanka and the rest of the world.

Continue reading ‘Sea Turtle Hatchery run by Amarasena Fernando in Kosgoda Since 1966’ »

With Parliamentary session all set to begin, the UPA Government is girding up to withstand pressure from both the DMK and AIADMK to support a resolution in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) against Sri Lanka. The Centre is, however, keeping all options open.

Continue reading ‘Tamil Nadu Political Parties Mount Pressure on Indian Central Govt to Vote for Resolution Against Sri Lanka at UNHRC in Geneva’ »

Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on advice and technical assistance for the Government of Sri Lanka on promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka.

Navy Pillay – United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights during the Human Rights Appeal 2013 ~ 31 January 2013. Photo by Jean-Marc Ferré

Summary and Conclusions/Recomendations below.

Continue reading ‘Navi Pillay Re-affirms her Long Standing Call for an Independent and Credible International Investigation into Alleged Human Rights Violations and Monitor Domestic Accountability Process in Sri Lanka’ »

The Government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have parted ways over a fresh financial support arrangement.

In a statement, the Central Bank said since completion of the Stand-By Arrangement successfully with the IMF in July 2012, the Sri Lankan authorities and the IMF have been engaging in a dialogue on the future relationship between Sri Lanka and the Fund.
Continue reading ‘IMF Declines Treasury Request to Provide Direct or Indirect Budget Support for Sri Lanka’ »

By Gagani Weerakoon

Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Albert Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith

Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Albert Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, has been named as one of the possible candidates to succeed Pope Benedict XVI, 85, who announced his shocking resignation on Monday (11).

Cardinal Ranjith (65) is the only Asian in the list and this is the first time a Sri Lankan has been named as a favourite to be the next Pope. He is only the second Sri Lankan to be created a Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith Named by Forbes Magazine as a Possible Contender to be the next Pope’ »

Premier Kathleen Wynne and her new cabinet team were sworn-in today at Queen’s Park.

Premier Kathleen Wynne

“Jobs, the economy and a fair society are the priorities for this new government, and we intend to work with the opposition parties to make progress on these important priorities for the people of this province,” said Premier Wynne.

“There is much that can be done if we set the interests of Ontario at the heart of our work. That is why I am opening a new session of the legislature next week.”
Continue reading ‘Kathleen Wynne Sworn in as First Woman Premier of Ontario with Cabinet of 27 Ministers’ »

By
Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha M.P.

Ideas for Constitutional Reform 2

I have now served two and a half years in Parliament. This would have been half the term in the old days before the United Front government of 1970 extended its own term by two years, and added one year to all future terms. This began the rot of Parliament expanding its own powers and privileges, which the Jayewardene government of 1977 took even further, extending its term to over 11 long and woeful years.

Continue reading ‘“I Realized That we Have in Fact a Completely Dysfunctional Constitution”’ »

By N Sathiya Moorthy

In the heat and dust kicked off by issues such as the impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, Sri Lanka missed what could well have emerged as a national discourse on an issue of equal, if not greater import. At the heart of National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakara’s suggestion for a bi-lingual ‘national anthem’, in Sinahala and Tamil, to ensure speedier ethnic harmony in these years after ‘Eelam War IV’. Only then would have been the nation as a whole prepared to address forgotten goals of democracy and development, in turn the mainstay of any modern State.

If accepted, the veteran Left leader’s proposal — emanating from his Ministry, rather — could mean that Sri Lanka would be the only nation with a bi-lingual national anthem. At present, there is provision for the national anthem to be sung in Tamil in the Tamil areas, set to the same tune and music as the Sinhala original. The lyrics too mean the same in the two versions.

Continue reading ‘Adopting a New,Bi-Lingual National Anthem for Sri Lanka Could Flag More Problems than Solving Any’ »

What role can Canada play to help improve human rights in Sri Lanka?

Public meeting on February 15 at 1:00 p.m.

hosted by Amnesty International Canada and the Law Society, partnering with Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada
at the Law Society, 130 Queen St. W., 3rd floor, in the Upper Barristers’ Lounge:

Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu from Sri Lanka and John McKay, MP (Scarborough-Guildwood), Craig Scott, MP (Toronto-Danforth), and Rathika Sitsbaiesan, MP (Scarborough-Rouge River) will discuss what role Canada may play to increase respect for human rights in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka, almost 4 years after the end of war, & The challenge of implementing International Human Rights

1) Panel discussion on February 14, 2013 at 3:00 p.m.

Sharry Aiken, Associate Professor of Law of migration law and policy at Queen’s University, will moderate the panel discussion.

A Sri Lankan migrant has launched a political party in Australia that runs on an anti-multiculturalism platform.

Rise Up Australia already boasts about 1,500 members and plans to run 65 candidates in the upcoming federal election.

“Rise Up Australia Party, which is committed to keeping Australia for Australians, is utterly and completely opposed to multiculturalism,” says Rise Up Australia’s founder Daniel Nalliah.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka born Pastor Daniel Nalliah Launches “Rise up Australia” anti-Multicultural Party to “Keep Australia for Australians”’ »

By
Gotabaya Rajapaksa

pic courtesy of: defence.lk

(Full Text of keynote address by Secretary Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Pakistan – Sri Lanka Joint Seminar on ‘Political and Diplomatic Challenges Faced by Nations during and after Conflict Confined to Borders’ at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Affairs (LKIIRSS) on 11 February 2013)

I thank the High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Colombo and the LakshmanKadirgamar Institute for International Relations and Strategic Studies for having invited me to deliver the keynote address at this seminar. The topic chosen for this seminar is a very timely and appropriate one. There are many challenges that nations can face after the end of a conflict confined to its borders. Having suffered from just such a conflict for nearly three-decades, peace dawned in Sri Lanka less than four years ago. The many lessons that can be learnt from the Sri Lankan experience in dealing with its post conflict challenges are worthy of close examination. They form the context of this address.

Continue reading ‘One of the Most Critical Tasks of the Military in the Post War Context is to Win the Hearts and Minds of the People From the Former Conflict Areas.’ »