By
Dharisha Bastians
Former Chief Justice of India Jagdish Sharan Verma will arrive in Colombo today(feb 1st), leading a high-level international fact-finding mission that will study the impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, Daily FT learns.
The delegation has been commissioned by the International Bar Association and will include a member of the House of Lords, Baroness Usha Prashar and several others.
By
Chamitha Kuruppu
Vasudeva Nanayakkara
Human rights violations have been part of this country’s history particularly in recent times, says Minister of National Languages, Ethnic Affairs and Social Integration Vasudeva Nanayakkara.
The Minister pointed out that the West targets countries like ours citing concern about human rights violations while turning a blind eye to what is going in Saudi Arabia and any other countries they consider as friends. He pointed out that Western countries are looking towards a change of regime and therefore continue to pressure Sri Lanka with various charges.
The Minister explained that although we respect universal laws and universal agreements, we are also free to practice and observe our own laws and implement them in terms of our needs, which are determined by a democratically-elected government.
Following are excerpts of an interview:
By Uditha Jayasinghe
The Government is confident of India’s support in facing a second US-backed resolution despite the powerful neighbour voting against it in the first round last year and is resolute it will not affect foreign investment.
Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was insistent that India would side with Sri Lanka despite Indian media reports to the contrary.
Continue reading ‘India Will Support Sri Lanka to Defeat US Sponsored Resolution Against it at the UNHRC in Geneva this March -Keheliya’ »
By
A Special Correspondent
Making her position public for the first time on the row over Vishwaroopam, a film made by Kamal Haasan, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Thursday said the decks could be cleared for the screening of the movie if leaders of Muslim organisations and the actor arrived at an amicable agreement and he agreed to delete objectionable portions.
By Karthik Subramanian
Rajkamal Films International, Kamal Haasan’s production house, and the primary opposition to the film Vishwaroopam – the Federation of Tamil Nadu Muslims Social and Political Organisation and the Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath – have agreed to sit and negotiate terms for the release of the movie. Both sides have requested the State government to oversee the discussions.
Till late night, both sides were waiting for a green light from the government circles to set the talks into motion.
By Shoumojit Banerjee
June 4, 2011 photo shows Kamal Haasan with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa during a meeting in Chennai – pic: PTI-vi The Hindu
Thanking Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for offering to break the impasse over the release of his film Vishwaroopam, actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan on Thursday virtually ruled out moving the Supreme Court on revoking the Madras High Court order that stayed the film’s release.
“I thank the Chief Minister. I am grateful to her. She has been kind enough to offer her help… now that she has helped us why should we go [to the Supreme Court]…I do not want to carry coals to Newcastle,” he said at a press conference here after the premiere of the Hindi version of the film, which was released here.
“She is an artist, she has understood, she has come forward. I am grateful,” he said.
By
Gibson Bateman
So it looks like the US will bring another resolution on Sri Lanka at the next session of the UN’s Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva this March. Quite frankly – I am shocked.
US foreign policy as it relates to Sri Lanka has been confusing and is replete with complications and contradictions.
One can’t help but wonder: Where is all of this heading? Is this a road to nowhere?
Continue reading ‘If Washington is Really Concerned Obama Should Prove it by Diplomatically Isolating Sri Lanka Regime’ »
By Tisaranee Gunasekara –
“…a regime of rare destructiveness”. Michael Burleigh (The Third Reich: A New History)
Constitutions cannot resist tyranny. People do; or don’t.
Preventing the formation of a critical-mass capable of resisting the Rajapaksa- Behemoth would be of paramount importance for the Ruling Siblings.
An opposition which unites Lankans across ethno-religious/class-caste divides would be the ultimate Rajapaksa nightmare. The Siblings would be able to deal with a Sinhala opposition or a Tamil/Muslim opposition. But a Lankan opposition can mount an insurmountable challenge to Rajapaksa power. Consequently the Siblings would want to prevent any collusion between the Sinhala poor/middle-classes (impoverished by Rajapaksa-economics) and the minorities (disempowered by Rajapaksa-politics), against the one common enemy.
A wilfully blind, ignorant and phobic Sinhala nation is a sine-qua-non for an opposition fragmented along ethno-religious lines.
By
Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka
However bad things are in Sri Lanka today and however bad things may get, there is almost nothing that cannot be reversed in three years when elections come around. That election may however be the last chance at reversal of the negative aspects, preventing their cumulative growth from embryonic structure to stable system.
Sri Lanka is not under a dictatorship today, though there may be a dictatorial project or latent tendency towards dictatorship. If dictatorship is ever erected in this country it will be as much by default as by design.
Continue reading ‘Four Basic Points Must be Understood by Those Offering Democratic Resistance and Desiring Democratic Change’ »
By P.K. Balachandran
The US$ 272 million (Rs 34.4 billion) Indian Government project to build 50,000 houses for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, and for plantation workers of Indian origin in the Central and Uva Provinces, is proceeding apace with the Indian authorities confident of completing the task by 2 October 2015.
By
Anishka Perera
My family and I have come from Australia for a holiday and we paid a visit to your zoo. From a tourist’spoint of view, I thought it was my duty to advise you to fix some major problems. I am writing this letter of complaint to express my grievance at the condition that the Dehiwala Zoo is in.
Continue reading ‘Animals are not Happy due to Appalling Condition of Dehiwela Zoo’ »
By
Dharisha Bastians
“I received information from a third party. Either myself or the Government does not know anything about Eknaligoda – it is only God who knows” – Former Attorney General Mohan Peiris, in a statement before the Homagama Magistrate on 5 June 2012
On Tuesday, 29 January 2013, three years and five days since her husband disappeared without a trace, Sandhya Ekneligoda tied a black cloth over her mouth and took her place at the front row of the Black January protest in Town Hall.
Tireless and unyielding in her quest to discover what became of her husband, Sandhya Ekneligoda has become a crusader for Sri Lanka’s ‘disappeared’ and the face of a small but vocal campaign against impunity and media suppression in the island that media rights watchdogs say has seen nine journalists murdered and one disappeared since President Mahinda Rajapaksa came to power in 2005.
Continue reading ‘Growing Divide Between Buddhist and Muslim Communities with the Monk-Led Bodhu Bala Sena Campaign of Agitation’ »
By
D.B.S.Jeyaraj
It was in January 2006 that some employees of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) were abducted and later killed by members of the breakaway faction of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) led by Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias Karuna.
While the Karuna faction later became known as the Tamil Makkal Viduthalaip Puligal (TMVP) Karuna himself along with a section of his loyalists has joined the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and is now a vice-president of that party and a Deputy minister in the Rajapaksa Government.
I wrote an article on this on the first anniversary of two separate abductions of TRO employees by the Karuna faction then coordinated by Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillaiyaan. Seven TRO personnel were killed. One was a woman. She was gang raped before death.
Continue reading ‘Tragic Fate of Seven TRO Employees at the Hands of the TMVP Seven Years Ago’ »
Kamal Haasan Speaks his heart out
Jan 30, 2013
Continue reading ‘Video: Kamal Haasan Becomes Emotional at Press Meet on “Vishwaroopam” film ban’ »
Veteran actor Kamal Haasan has agreed to modify his film Vishwaroopam following objections from certain Muslim organisations.
by Karthik Subramanian
Putting up a brave front in the wake of reports that the screenings of Vishwaroopam were cancelled abruptly in several parts of the State on Tuesday morning, actor and filmmaker Kamal Haasan said he is likely to face the third complete bankruptcy of his life and that if he found no place in Tamil Nadu to continue his profession, he may have to look for a place in any other secular State in the country.
On a day of dramatic developments, actor Kamal Haasan suffered a setback on when the Madras High Court stayed the release of Vishwaroopam in Tamil Nadu even as he agreed to make changes in deference to Muslim sentiments while threatening to exile himself from the State.
The relief given to the actor by Justice K. Venkataraman late Tuesday was short lived as a division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Elipe Dharma Rao and Aruna Jagadeesan quashed it, effectively stalling its release on Wednesday.
By
Prof.Carlo Fonseka
(The following is an extract from the address delivered by Prof Carlo Fonseka at the launch of Edward Gunawardena’s book ‘Memorable Tidbits Including the Jaffna Library Fire’)
Ladies and gentlemen, the striking front cover of Edward Gunawardena’s Memoir proclaims that among the tidbits of his memorable, eventful life of some seventy-eight years is the story of the Jaffna library fire. It seems to be that calling the Jaffna Library fire a tidbit is a bit like calling Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth the Second, ‘miss’.
Edward was our man on the spot and he was an eye witness to the event. His clear, authoritative, comprehensive account of the Jaffna Library Fire bearing the title ‘Who Burnt the Jaffna Library?’ occupies thirty seven pages of this 390 page book. It comprises chapter 11 of the book.
Continue reading ‘“Who Burnt the Jaffna Library? Edward Gunawardena has Demonstrated that it was the LTTE Which Masterminded this Crime Against Civilization’ »
By Patali Champika Ranawaka
The fate of Rizana Nazeek, languishing in a prison of Saudi Arabia, made headline news during the past few weeks.
Based on optimistic utterances of certain ministers, organizations and news reports, I was of the view that Rizana would be freed without being paid any blood money to relevant parties. Minister of Eastern Province and the Deputy leader of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Nazeer Ahamad who was instrumental in building the SLMC headquarters with generous donations provided by Saudi government was one of those who had expressed optimism about Rizana’s release.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Like India and Bangla Desh Must Ban the Sending of women as Unskilled Workers to Foreign Countries’ »
January 29, 2013
Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) called for an independent, international investigation into potential war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE during the civil war in Sri Lanka. In a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Senators said such an investigation is needed because the legitimate concerns of the Sri Lankan people have not been answered by the government.
“The Sri Lankan people deserve better,” Senator Casey said. “Sri Lankans have legitimate concerns about war crimes committed during the civil war that are not being addressed by the government, and an independent, international investigation is needed to get answers.”
“The Government of Sri Lanka has made many promises to bring to justice those responsible for atrocities during the war, but nothing has been done,” said Senator Leahy. “The defeat of the LTTE was widely welcomed, but an opportunity to bring real peace by upholding the rule of law and promoting reconciliation is being missed.”
The full text of the Senators’ letter to Secretary Clinton is below:
By Sulochana Ramaih Mohan
Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum (SLMMF), which was entrusted with the task of giving a final report on whether South Indian actor Kamal Hassan’s film Vishwaroopam is suitable for screening in Sri Lanka, said the movie should be banned because it depicts Muslims as ‘barbarians,’ the ‘most hated,’ ‘notorious people’ and basically filmed to ‘please’ the West.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum Wants “Vishwaroopam” Movie Banned After Watching it in Special Screening’ »
By
Dr.Vickramabahu Karunaratne
The article of the leader of opposition, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has become an item of discussion among those who are interested in Sri Lankan politics. Many have praised it as an essay that explains many things from a liberal point of view.
On the other hand there were those who blamed him for inaction and inability to launch a mass agitation. I am amused to read these comments. In the past, the Left parties together with the opposition organised many campaigns against the government. This was done under terrible conditions where people were killed or disappeared, and some others were injured. Organisers faced state terror and thuggery. But the response was poor.
The main reason for this was that the people got carried away by the Sinhala chauvinist propaganda of the government. Not only the Sinhala village masses but also the urban proletariat was mesmerized by the war efforts of the government. True, they were oblivious to the bloody massacre and the destruction of a civilisation in the north. They did not care for the project of global powers that supported the repression with specific intention of subverting the country and the people.
by Nanda P Wanasundara
In a pre-screening article the film is said to be “an attempt to chronicle the heart wrenching and mind challenging story that lies as the centerpiece of Buddhist faith”. It claims modestly to be an attempt. The film is a success, no doubt about that. Not only will cinema goers of the Buddhist faith appreciate the film and sink deep into it emotionally and religiously, but even film goers of other religions will benefit by seeing a very worthwhile film. It carries English sub titles and thus we presume, very creditably, it is prepared for international screening. We wish all luck to it at various film festivals.
by
Kath Noble
As I said last week, it is easy to become disheartened with the way that things are moving in Sri Lanka. One disappointment follows another, and each is more extraordinary than the last.
The impeachment of the Chief Justice was particularly disturbing. It demonstrated just how little space there is for dissent. Even the mild disturbance created by Shirani Bandaranayake when she ruled that the Divi Neguma bill had to be referred to the provincial councils or passed with a two thirds majority was intolerable to the administration. She had to go. It didn’t matter that there was no evidence of actual wrongdoing on her part. She was removed on the grounds that she might try to cover up the corruption of her husband, which is what Mahinda Rajapaksa claims to have done himself!
By K.T. Sangameswaran and R. Sivaraman
The Madras High Court late on Tuesday night stayed the Tamil Nadu government’s ban on the screening of actor-director Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam, paving the way for the film’s release in the State.
Justice K. Venkataraman stayed back late and passed the interim order after 10 p.m. after hearing marathon arguments for over six hours on the validity of the two-week ban.
by
DBS Jeyaraj
The recurring phenomenon of orchestrated demonstrations against “Halal”labelled foods, Muslim owned businesses and Muslim places of worship by organized groups of Buddhist Clergy and Laity took a different turn in Sri Lankas Northwestern Province of Wayamba on Thursday January 24th.
A protest demonstration was staged by a group of around 150 persons at Kuliyapitiya, a multi-ethnic,multi-religious town situated 82 Km away from Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo in broad daylight.It is home to the Wayamba University.
Continue reading ‘“Hela Sihila Hiru” Stages Provocative Anti-Muslim Demonstration with Placards and Effigy of “Allah” in North-Western town of Kuliyapitiya’ »
By
Nirmala Kannangara
Following the arrest of Kanagasabai Ranjan, Director (Preventive), Prevention Division Directorate, Sri Lanka Customs on January 3 for an alleged bribery charge of accepting Rs.1 million to release five containers of full car units, he was given bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate Rashmi Singappuli on Thursday, January 24.
Kanagasabai was to be appointed as an Additional Director General of Customs on January 11, 2013 but was deprived of the promotion on January 3 – just one week ahead. He was arrested on Thursday January 3, 2013 for an alleged bribery charge for accepting Rs.1 million to release containers of cars as full units.
Continue reading ‘Senior Tamil Customs Dept Official Alleges Ill-Treatment at Hands of Sinhala Speaking Bribery Dept Officers After Being “Arrested”’ »
By Ranga Jayasuriya
The United States would sponsor a resolution on Sri Lanka at the forthcoming United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR) session in March, the visiting US Government delegation told the media, yesterday. The resolution is expected to ask the Government of Sri Lanka to live up to its own commitments, including the implementation of the recommendations made in the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) report.
By
Dharisha Bastians
Undeterred by mounting pressure on a bloated Cabinet, criticism over poor governance, rising costs and inefficiencies, President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday figuratively scored a century making it a team of 102 Ministers following a fresh round of appointments.
The much anticipated reshuffle which analysts described largely as an act of rewarding those who played a key role in the impeachment of Shirani Bandarnayake as the Chief Justice, saw change of portfolios for several in addition to the appointment of five new Ministers, two Project Ministers and six Deputies.
The overall tally of 102 includes 67 Cabinet Ministers, 30 Deputies, two project Ministers and three Monitoring MPs. Monitoring MPs are also granted ministerial rank.
By
Tharindu Muthukumarana
Recently, Sri Lanka Customs seized a massive quantity of illegal ivory. The container which the ivory was transported in was being shipped to Dubai from Kenya via the port of Colombo. Probes revealed there were 600 raw tusks which would have been worth millions of dollars. Today, officials have decided to donate those tusks to Buddhist temples but the question is, should that be the end of the story?
Continue reading ‘Smuggled Ivory Confiscated by Customs Should be Burned and not Given to Temples’ »
By Sumanasiri Liyanage
There is an unusual and unexpected calmness in Hulftsdorp in the post-impeachment days in spite of the fact that all traditions and conventions were put aside in the appointment of the new Chief Justice in place of Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake. At the time of appointment as the CJ, Mr Mohan Pieris was a director of many private companies and the legal advisor to the Cabinet. Previously, of course with rare exceptions, it was either a most senior Supreme Court Judge or the Attorney General who was appointed by the President as the CJ.
The present appointment is totally outside the legal system. This is somewhat a hilarious occurrence. Previously, a retired CJ was appointed as an advisor to the President; this time a legal advisor was promoted to the position of CJ. Karl Marx would have added, first time as a tragedy and second time as a farce. The system of making CJ after retirement political was replaced now by pre-CJ political training. Hence if he comes up with pro-government and pro-private enterprise verdicts, it would not be a matter to be surprised.
by Daya Sirisena
(Daya Sirisena is President Board of Trustees Sirisena Dharmamandiraya Meditation Centre, Moratuwa)
Sri Lanka customs confiscated blood ivory from Kenya last year. The tusks were being smuggled to Dubai from Kenya. The tusks weighting over 1,500 kilos have been valued over Rs 400 million. More than 200 African elephants had been massacred to obtain these tusks.
The Presidential Secretariat has decided to donate these poached tusks to the Dalada Maligawa and many other Buddhist temples.
by
K.Hariharan
Mani Ratnam Directed ~ Nayagan
The ushering in of liberalisation in the Indian political economy under the leadership of Rajiv Gandhi and the emergence of Mani Ratnam as a filmmaker in the mid-1980s are eerily simultaneous.
However, trying to study the resultant impact of Rajiv Gandhi’s so-called liberal politics on the films of Mani Ratnam would be too simplistic and uni-dimensional.
Continue reading ‘Maniratnam: The Liberal Voice of Indian Mainstream Cinema’ »
by Vasundhara Chauhan
I’d heard that Sri Lankan food was a cross between that of our South, and of South East Asia; that ingredients, processes and spices (pepper, cinnamon, cloves, turmeric) were like ours. But that a twist of freshness came from a slightly different store of aromatics like lemon grass and pandanus. So choosing it as a holiday destination was easy, especially given the grey grimness that is Delhi in January.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Food Savoured by a North Indian Visitor’ »
(Veteran playback singer S. Janaki declined the Padma Bhushan, saying the honour had come too late to her. S. R. Ashok Kumar catches up with her)
S. Janaki
S. Janaki, whose name is synonymous with music, has been singing for more than five decades. She has been in the news for the past few days following the announcement of the Padma awards by the Central Government. She has decided not to accept the Padma Bhushan for which she has been chosen this year. When the award was announced, the legend was in Kerala visiting the holy shrine of Guruvayoor. In a telephonic interview, she stated the reasons for declining it.
(Text of an Editorial Appearing in “The Hindu”of January 25th 2013)
In banning the screening of Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam for a period of two weeks, the Tamil Nadu government has recused itself from a fundamental responsibility — that of protecting the right to free expression. It has relied on the old chestnut — maintenance of law and order and public tranquillity — to justify the indefensible.
That a clutch of fringe Muslim organisations had protested against the film, claiming to be offended by its alleged depiction of the community in a negative light, hardly justifies restraining its screening.
Continue reading ‘Protests by Fringe Muslim Organizations Hardly Justifies the Restraining of Screening of “Vishwaroopam”-The Hindu’ »
By a Special Correspondent
After a stoic silence, support grew for Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam on Saturday from both the political arena and the film fraternity in Tamil Nadu.
In a statement here, similar in tone to actor Rajinikanth’s remarks made on Friday, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi advocated an amicable resolution to the controversy through talks.
Continue reading ‘Support Increases for “Vishwaroopam” From Tamil Nadu Political Leaders and Film Fraternity’ »
By a Special Correspondent
The ban on actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan’s magnum opus Vishwaroopam threatened to spread from Tamil Nadu to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka on Friday, even while it ran in several screens in the smaller towns of Kerala.
Continue reading ‘Opposition to “Vishwaroopam”Film Spreads to Kerala,Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka’ »
By a Staff Reporter
The eagerly awaited outcome of the hearing on Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam did not materialise on Monday, as the Madras High Court adjourned the case by a day.
Continue reading ‘Madras High Court Defers Hearing on “Vishwaroopam”Film by a Day’ »
Poem by Dr. M. Ashaq Raza
(Dr. M. Ashaq Raza is an Academician, Peace worker, Human Rights Activist, Poet and volunteer based in Jammu, India.His Poem addressed to fellow Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir is applicable to all Oppressed Groups in all parts of the World)
Continue reading ‘You Are Oppressed and Distressed but NO Violence Please – A Word to Muslims’ »
(As the missiles and tanks are geared up to be paraded at the India Gate on the country’s 64th Republic Day, people’s faith in the promise they did to themselves is missing. Is it just a government discredited by corruption and inability to ensure basic safety and freedom to its people, or the very idea of citizenship itself is under question? Last year, people in Koodankulam marked 26th January as Black Day. Earlier, children had come out in Jaitapur questioning the legitimacy of the republic. Is it the people who are challenging the republic or the state has abandoned its people? With more than 10 thousands people booked under sedition and war against the Indian state in Koodankulam, it is time we as a country face the issue head-on.)
We interviewed Dr.S P Udayakumar, leader of the massive non-violent protest in Koodankulam:
1. What is the status of sedition charges in Koodankulam?
Some 19 cases of sedition (IPC 124A) have been filed against us involving 8,456 people. Some 92 people have been arrested so far and most of them except 6 have been released on bail. Those six are imprisoned under the Goondas Act and cannot come out at least for a year. Most of us, the leading members of PMANE, face 19 cases of sedition and 19 cases of ‘waging war on the State.’
By Rosslyn Hyams
The International Commission of Jurists and a group of senior judges and legal officials from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America have called on Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, to reinstate the country’s Chief Justice, Shirani Bandaranayake, sacked and replaced Bandaranayake after the parliament impeached her.
Continue reading ‘Executive-Judiciary Tussle in Sri Lanka is more Structural Than a Personal issue Between Mahinda Rajapaksa and Shirani Bandaranayake says Dayan Jayatilleka’ »
By Stanley Samarasinghe
The ceremonial sitting on 23 January to welcome the newly appointed Chief Justice, Mohan Peiris, began on an inauspicious note, which along with 2,000 odd lawyers of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka boycotting the sittings also saw the fundamental rights of the Fourth Estate, being violated.
More than 30 journalists from the private media, both print and electronic, who arrived in Hulftsdorp to cover the event, were prevented from entering the Supreme Court premises. The police, standing sentinel at the main gate, ensured photojournalists and TV camerapersons did not pass the main portal until such time the ceremonial sitting was concluded.
By Arjuna Hulugalle
The Anglican Bishop of Colombo has called his fold to observe Sunday the 3rd of February as a “Day of Lament” as he is unhappy with the turn of events in Sri Lanka.
Will this act or his message make any contribution to making Sri Lanka a better place to live in or will it give further fuel to division and recrimination instead of heralding Peace and Brotherhood among the different religions and communities in a multi- religious and multi- cultural democracy.
Continue reading ‘“Grama Rajya”Must be Constituted with Strong National Philosophy to Enable People to Deal with their own Problems in Their own Localities’ »
Text and pix by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
Bullet wall with bullet marks
Jallianwala Bagh is a picturesque public garden in Amritsar in the State of Punjab of India, and houses a memorial of immense national significance.
Continue reading ‘Jaliyanwalabagh in Amritsar: Massacre of Innocents by British During Indian Freedom Struggle’ »
By
Tisaranee Gunasekara
“This frenzy of stupidity….”
Ernst Toller (Wotan Unchained)
Bodu Bala Sena campaign in Sri Lanka to ‘Save Buddhism in Bangladesh’
Are we, the Sinhala people, so addicted to war, that we cannot do without one? Or are the Rajapaksas trying to manufacture a new threat and a new conflict as camouflage for their dynastic project?
A well organised and financed anti-Muslim campaign has burst into destructive life over the last several months.
Continue reading ‘Does Organized Anti-Muslim Hate Campaign Mean the Muslims are Replacing the Tamils as the “New” Enemy Target?’ »
By
M.A.Sumanthiran MP
‘Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake was purportedly removed from her post under the process set out in Standing Order 78A’
On 15th January 2013, by no less than violent means, Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake was de facto removed from her post. This was done despite a ruling by the apex court of this country that the purported process by which she was sought to be removed was illegal and unconstitutional.
The purported removal of Chief Justice Bandaranayake resulted in various responses by governments, political groups, the legal fraternity and Human rights groups both here and abroad.
Continue reading ‘Instead of Righting a Wrong This Govt has Chosen to Elevate a Wrong to the Status of That Which is Right’ »
By
Chris Kamalendran
A Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Member of Parliament has called on the Inspector General of Police to conduct an impartial probe on a raid carried out on his office in Kilinochchi by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID), where they claim to have recovered explosives, pornographic CDs and condoms.
Sivagnam Shritharan, dismissing the claims by the police, told the Sunday Times he was calling for an impartial probe, as he believes that the motive for making false allegations was to get his office closed down.
By
Chris Kamalendran
The Government has withdrawn more than Rs 560 million allocated for development work to Northern Province local councils controlled by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).
The move comes in a year during which Northern Provincial Council elections will be held as pledged by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The report on recommendations of the Board of Officers appointed by the commander of the army, on implementation of the recommendations made by the the LLRC was officially handed over to the Secretary of Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa today morning (24th January) at the ministry premises.
Taking cognizance of the recommendations made by the LLRC, the commander of the Army had appointed a board of officers to study the LLRC report and identify areas which are relevant to the field of Army, and to formulate a viable action plan to address the specific areas as depicted said an army press release.
By Dhaneshi Yatawara
Today, the transformation in Mullaitivu is in full swing. Roads that were once dirty have been fully carpeted. Shops, banks, investment institutes, saloons, eating houses and tailorshops are coming up as the towns turn into commercial centres. The haunted feeling that prevailed three years ago is no more. Marks of the battle against ruthless terrorists are disappearing.
A total area of 1,160 square kilometres is cleared and released for cultivation, 12,035 cattle were released for farmers and more poultry farming facilities are provided. Today, 66 schools function in the district. Six hospitals and several medical centres are functioning to treat patients. There are 35 kovils, 41 churches, 10 mosques and a temple for the people to worship. Electricity is available for all DS divisions and 4,120 households are illuminated. Major parts of the minor roads are upgraded. All major roads are developed with 85 percent of work being completed.
By
Ranil Wickremesinghe
(In this exclusive article to the Sunday Times, Opposition and UNP leader Ranil Wickeremesinghe insists that adherence to Commonwealth principles and core values is important to avoid being labelled a pariah state by the international community. “It is time for President Rajapaksa and his government to think of the country and its people: not only of themselves and their power ride. We have no wish to ride with him in this Lamborghini to disaster,” the opposition leader says in this article where he also points out the flaws in the impeachment process which the government resorted to remove Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake.)
Latimer House, widely talked about in recent times, located in Buckinghamshire, England, has a remarkable history of its own. In the mid 17th Century, a civil war took place between England’s King Charles I and Parliament. The King’s army lost. Thereafter in 1647, Charles I was imprisoned in Latimer House before he was taken to London.
Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Imprisoned by Latimer House Principles is on a Lamborghini Ride to Disaster’ »
by Randima Attygalle
When five French resistance fighters after failed action against the Vichy occupying forces are tortured, we in the audience flinch. When Lucie, a young woman among the captives, is raped, we weep in our minds with her.
When she returns with the lifeless body of her young brother, Francoise, we endorse the bitter truth – the agonizing attempt to live amidst shadows of looming death.
Continue reading ‘Dharmasiri Bandaranayake Stages Satre in Sinhala at New Delhi Drama Festival’ »
By M . M. Afzal Cader
Muslim around the world will celebrate the Holy Prophet Muhammad PBUH’s birthday on the 12th day of the Islamic month of Rabi Al Awwal. This day is called by Arabic term Meelad Un Nabi, which means the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet.
On this day the Muslim’s recite the Holy Quran and gift (Thamam) in the name of the beloved Prophet, and some even recite the Mowlood (the life story of the Prophet) on the first 12 days of this month. These recitals are conducted at all Masjids throughout the country and also at every home.
Continue reading ‘Meelad Un Nabi – Celebrating Holy Prophet Muhammad’s Birth Anniversary’ »
By
Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema
Mangala Samaraweera MP
(Former Foreign Minister and UNP parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera says the impeachment fiasco will give more credence to the war crimes allegations. “The way Police and the Army behaved giving cover and protection to the goon squads who went on the rampage was shocking,” he said, adding that the country would have to face far reaching implications following the impeachment on the Chief Justice. According to Samaraweera, the country is going backwards since the 19th sessions of the UNHRC and it is time for the UNHRC to call the government’s bluff.)
Following is the interview:
Q: Sri Lanka is once again in the limelight of the international arena following the recent incidents in the country. How do you see this situation?
A: The facade of democracy, which the Rajapaksa regime has tried to maintain over the years, is no more and the true dictatorial and autocratic agenda of the first family has now been exposed. Ever since the Presidential power-grab of September 2010 when the 18th Amendment laid to rest the Independence of the Police, Elections and Public Services Commission, it was very clear to many of us in the Opposition that the President was hell bent on creating a one family rule.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Facing International Isolation may Soon be the “New”Myanmar of Asia -Mangala Samaraweera’ »
By Indika Sri Aravinda
Hirunika Premachandra
Hirunika Premachandra, the daughter of the late parliamentarian Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra has decided to enter politics and contest the next elections under the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA).
by
Nirmala Kannangara
The sacred city of Kelaniya has become a haven for drug peddlers, extortionists, prostitution, intimidators and murderers, says Prasanna Ranaweera, Chairman, Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha.
According to Ranaweera, the main causes for the desecration in the electorates is the notorious Silva.
“This infamous Silva has not spared even school boys and have destroyed families with the introduction of drugs, gun culture and prostitution,” alleged the Chairman.
Public Relations and Public Affairs Minister Mervyn Silva is accused of drug dealing, prostitution, extortion, intimidation and murders in Kelaniya electorate and the Kelaniya police station has come under severe criticism for their failure to take any action against those who were involved in these illegal activities.
By
Gamini Weerakoon
Charitha Herath
There are at least two codes of ethics for journalists in the print media but there appears to be none for journalists in the electronic media – i.e. radio and TV.
The first code for journalists in newspapers came in 1973 when the United Front Government under the pretence of ensuring greater freedom for journalists shackled them with the Press Council Law and a Code of Ethics which was approved by parliament.
Continue reading ‘Govt Media Commissar Charitha Herath Talking of Media Ethics for Journalists is Like “Veddah Giving Buddhist Sermon”’ »
By
N.Sathiyamoorthy
SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem has called for an end to the ‘hate campaign’ against Muslims. His statement indicates an increase in such numbers and refers to a small group of Sinhala-Buddhist hard-liners for the incidents. As Justice Minister, he should know.
The reference was to a recent incident in Maharagama, where some men shouted slogans outside a commercial establishment, whose owners were Muslims. In April last, Muslims protested a Government-condoned move to have a 60-year-old mosque shifted from what was claimed to be Buddhist temple land in Dambulla.
The well known playback singer S. Janaki has rejected the `Padma Bhushan’ award given to her this year by the Government describing it “too late to come to her”.
Play Back Singer S.Janaki – pic courtesy: The Hindu
The Veteran south Indian playback singer has declined to accept the Padma Bhushan award as she feels that the honour has come late in her five—and—half—decade long career.
Continue reading ‘Popular South Indian Singer S.Janaki Declines “Padma Bhushan”Award Given by Indian Govt’ »
by
D.B.S.Jeyaraj
In a significant gesture welcomed by residents of Shafi Nagar in Moothoor the Sri Lankan Army has commenced work to build a new house for the family of Rizana Nafeek who was unjustly executed in Saudi Arabia on January 9th 2013.
In a simple ceremony attended by residents of Rizana’s village Shafi Nagar,officials,Religious leaders and military personnel the foundation stone was laid formally on Friday January 25th 2013.
Continue reading ‘Army to Construct House for Rizana Nafeek Family Without Destroying Existing Home:Foundation Stone Laid on Friday by Parents’ »
by
Pranab Mukherjee
(Address by the President of India Pranab Mukherjee on the eve of Indian Republic Day January 26th 2013)
My Fellow Citizens:
On the eve of our 64th Republic Day, I extend warm greetings to all of you in India and abroad. I convey my special greetings to members of our armed forces, paramilitary forces and internal security forces.
India has changed more in last six decades than in six previous centuries. This is neither accidental nor providential; history shifts its pace when touched by vision. The great dream of raising a new India from the ashes of colonialism reached a historic denouement in 1947; more important, independence became a turning point for an equally dramatic narrative, nation-building. The foundations were laid through our Constitution, adopted on 26 January 1950, which we celebrate each year as Republic Day. Its driving principle was a compact between state and citizen, a powerful public-private partnership nourished by justice, liberty and equality.
Kamal Haasan Talks About Vishwaroopam Being Banned
Kamal Haasan
Continue reading ‘Video: Kamal Haasan Talks About Vishwaroopam Being Banned’ »
(Text of editorial Appearing in the “Economic and Political Weekly)
The past week and more has witnessed a rising chorus of increasingly strident and, at the same time, confused demands on the Government of India to take strong measures against Pakistan for its act of killing and mutilating two soldiers at the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu. The act itself was gruesome and a deliberate escalation by the Pakistan army of the low level war of attrition which has never entirely ceased on the LoC despite the ceasefire. Reports in newspapers have shown that even though the ceasefire agreement has led to a big reduction in hostilities on the LoC and allowed civilians much greater space to live and work, both the Indian and Pakistani armies have been guilty of various breaches to this agreement.
By Ranga Jayasuriya
Sri Lanka appears to have avoided the prospects of an emergency meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), but the country would feature in the regular CMAG meeting scheduled for March and the forthcoming visit by the Commonwealth Secretary General would set the tone for the CMAG response, well-placed government sources said.
Continue reading ‘Canada Spearheading Moves For Action Against Sri Lanka in Commonwealth’ »
by Karthik Subramanian
If you are a Tamil film fan over 30 years of age, chances are you are a Kamal Haasan or a Rajinikanth fan, or maybe both. Chances are that you probably grew up feeding on the movies of these two icons, often taking sides, arguing yet appreciating their contributions. And chances are very high, especially if you are residing in Tamil Nadu, that are you feeling quite grumpy now.
Continue reading ‘Viewers of “Vishwaroopam” say Contents of Film do not Denigrate any Community’ »
by
B.Kolappan
While a few individual voices including that of Dravidar Kazhagam president K. Veeramani and actor Rajinikant have expressed concern over the ban on Kamal Hassan starrer Vishwaroopam, mainstream political parties in Tamil Nadu have maintained silence over the ban.
Describing Kamal Haasan as a humanist, “alternative thinker in the field of art” and a rationalist, Mr Veeramani called upon the Muslim community to heed the progressive artist’s fervent plea.
Continue reading ‘“Vishwaroopam” should not have been Banned say Many in Tamil Nadu but Political Parties Remain Silent’ »
by Sampath
Very recently I travelled to Panama – a remote village between Arugam Bay and Kumana – to meet my old village friends and to visit Kumana National Park. Kumana NP is not so overcrowded like Yala and I was fortunate to photograph a leopard in very close proximity.
This may be the most sought after animal in the world. I have travelled in Kenya and no other animal (with all other big names) attracts tourist attention like the elusive leopard. It’s a brutal hunter with beauty, grace and stealth.
Continue reading ‘Unreported Killing of Many Leopards in the Kumana -Panamai Areas of Eastern Province’ »
By Saman Indrajith
Leader of the House and Irrigation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told Parliament yesterday that a special Parliamentary Select Committee would be set up to address growing concerns on the rise in racial intolerance and religious fundamentalism in the country.
“This is a very important question. We cannot take party lines when we address these issues. We all have to get together to tackle problems that can arise and cost our country its hard won peace,” Minister de Silva said in response to queries raised by DNA MP Anura Kumara Dissanayaka.
By Camelia Nathaniel
Three hundred and thirteen former LTTE combatants who were rehabilitated, were reintegrated into society allowing them to celebrate Thai Pongal with family and friends. The programme initiated by the government to rehabilitate former LTTE cadres has so far reintegrated 11,770 ex-LTTE cadres (males and females).
Rehabilitation programmes have been conducted at the Maradamadu and Poonthottam rehabilitation centres in Vavuniya.
by
Tisaranee Gunasekara
“Dreadful symptoms of the coming dissolution”….”Thomas Mann (Buddenbrooks)
In a classified cable written on 24th February 2010 (and revealed subsequently by Wikileaks), theUS Ambassador identified Supreme Court Justice Shirani Bandaranayake as a supposed ‘Rajapaksa-loyalist’.
The vicious and illegal impeachment of the same Shirani Bandaranayake, just two and half years later, demonstrates that the Rajapaksas do not tolerate loyalists; they demand acolytes. One is either a Rajapaksa-serf, with no mind or will of one’s own; or a Rajapaksa-enemy, who will be vilified and hounded out.
In the Rajapaksa universe, the middle-ground between subjugation and opposition does not exist. Those who think that they are allies and loyalists will find themselves standing on quicksand, sooner or later. At that point the only choice is between submission and resistance.
That was the story of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake.
It all began with the Sacred Areas Act. That most invidious and iniquitous piece of legislation, and not the Divineguma Bill, was the casus belli of the impeachment.
by Jayantha de Silva
Chief Justice Mohan Peiris PC at the ceremonial sitting inducting him to office yesterday said his doors were open to anyone with a cogent need and he was prepared to listen to them.
Addressing judges, officials of the judiciary and members of the legal fraternity at the Superior Court complex, he described those engaged in the legal profession as servants of the people and the judiciary as the “judiciary of the people”.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
A parliamentary committee has proposed a new version of the national anthem to be sung in both Sinhala and Tamil at the 65th Independence Day celebrations in Trincomalee on Feb 4.
By Madura Ranwala
The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), in its report had made a number of recommendations with regard to the institutional, administrative and legislative measures that need to be taken in order to prevent any recurrence of terrorism and to promote national unity and reconciliation among all communities.
Taking cognizance of the recommendations made by the LLRC, the Commander of Army Lt. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya appointed a Board of officers to study the LLRC report and to identitify areas that were relevant to the Army. The Board of officers was also tasked with formulating a viable Action Plan to address the specific areas so identified.
Continue reading ‘No restrictions on Tamils Joining the Army-Lt.Gen Jagath Jayasuriya’ »
by
Sathya Liyanasuriya
The political fallout from the impeachment crisis has affected not only the ruling United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance (UPFA) but also the main opposition party, the United National Party (UNP) as well and its ‘former’ deputy leader Sajith Premadasa appears to be an unfortunate victim.
J. R. Jayewardene did not hesitate to elevate Premadasa (Snr.) to the premiership which the latter used as a stepping stone to the Presidency. However, he carried the scars of his travails within the UNP in to high office which led him to demote the likes of Lalith Athulathmudali and Gamini Dissanayake.
That led to an impeachment of a different kind-against the President-and ironically, among the few top stalwarts of the UNP who stood alongside with Premadasa (Snr.) at that time was Wickremesinghe whose bete noire today is Sajith Premadasa.
Premadasa (Snr.) may have emerged from modest beginnings but Sajith Premadasa, now 46, has had a more privileged upbringing. That is because his father was Prime Minister for most of his formative years in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.
by
Dharisha Bastians
Concerns are being raised internationally about the growing intolerance of Muslims, led by a Sinhala chauvinist group calling themselves the Bodhu Bala Sena with a heavy contingent of saffron-robed monks at their helm. The group is agitating against what it calls Muslim infiltration of the Sri Lankan food and cosmetics industry, the alleged conversion of Sinhalese girls marrying Muslim youth and all manner of other atrocities being allegedly perpetrated on the majority community by conspiring fundamentalist Muslims.
Incongruously, a leader of the Bodhu Bala Sena group is advocating that Sri Lankans laws be changed to permit a Sinhalese man to wed five women, in order to propagate the Sinhala race.
By
Dharisha Bastians
“The old world is dying away, and the new world struggles to come forth: now is the time of monsters” – Antonio Gramsci
One week after its installation, the new order at Hulftsdorp is making sweeping changes to the administration of the country’s apex court house.
The Supreme Court Registrar Duminda Mudunkotuwa and Secretary to impeached Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake Geethani Wijesinghe will be transferred to Balangoda and Ruwanwella respectively as District Judges effective today. Both officials, requested the transfers, official reports say. Ironically, they leave their offices at the Superior Court Complex on the same day that ceremonial sittings were held at the courthouse to welcome the new Chief Justice, Mohan Peiris.
Mired in controversy, the ceremonial sitting for the country’s 44th holder of the office of Chief Justice was blacked out to all local and international media, with only the state-controlled media permitted to enter the Supreme Court that police personnel once again made off limits to journalists and photographers. It also marked the first time in history that the Bar Association President and the country’s most eminent lawyers were absent at this traditional function to welcome a new Chief Justice.
by
D.B.S.Jeyaraj
The Sri Lankan Government headed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa is engaged in enacting a number of positive measures to honour the memory of Rizana Nafeek and to help uplift her poverty stricken family.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa meets parents of Rizana Nafeek at The Temple Trees, Jan 22, 2013
The pathetic plight of Rizana Nafeek who went from Moothoor in Eastern Sri Lanka to Saudi Arabia in April 2005 at the age of 17 to work as a housemaid cum nanny and was unjustly executed there has aroused widespread grief and resentment among Muslims in particular and Sri Lankans in general.
Continue reading ‘Reconstructed Road in Moothoor to be Named After Rizana Nafeek’ »
By
D.B.S.Jeyaraj
Prof. (Ms.) V. Arasaratnam
Two of the four Jaffna University undergraduates held at the Protective Accommodation and rehabilitation Center(PARC) at Welikanda have been released on Tuesday January 22nd 2013.
Rehabilitation Commissioner-General Brigadier Tharshana Hettiarachchi confirmed to the media that the two students — Jaffna University Student Council President V.Bavananthan and Science Faculty third year student and union member S.Solomon were released today 22nd.
In a big setback for actor-producer Kamal Haasan, the Tamil Nadu government has banned the screening of his film Vishwaroopam in the state till further orders following protests by minority organisations. The film was slated to release on 500 screens in the state this Friday.
Continue reading ‘Kamal Haasan’s “Vishwaroopam” Film to be banned in Tamil Nadu Due to Muslim Protests’ »
by
Alan Keenan
(Text of Keynote Speech Delivered at Canadian Tamil Congress Thai Pongal Dinner Event via Skype by Alan Keenan of the International Crisis Group)
Good evening, it’s a pleasure to be speaking to you – though I am disappointed not to be able to be there with you in person.
Unfortunately, London isn’t quite as good at handling snow as Toronto. I was looking forward very much to celebrating Thai Pongal with you all and to meeting many of you and to learning more about the Canadian Tamil community.
I hope I will be able to join you at a future celebration. I would like to thank Danton Thurairajah and the Canadian Tamil Congress for the invitation to speak and I hope that my brief presentation tonight – even with the distance between us – will be useful to you all.
Continue reading ‘I Firmly Believe that the only Effective Path is for Tamils to Struggle for their Rights Within Sri Lanka and with Other Sri Lankans Including Sinhalese’ »
(Full text of the Pastoral Letter of Rt.Rev Dhiloraj Canagasabey,Anglican Bishop of Colombo is as follows)
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I write this pastoral letter to you as your Bishop as we approach the 65th anniversary of our national independence. It is with a heavy heart that I write it, the reason being that in the past few days we have seen the complete collapse of the rule of law in our nation. We no longer appear to be a constitutional democracy.
His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapakse
Honorable Speaker of the Parliament Chamal Rajapakse
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Sri Lanka
January 23, 2013
Concerning the removal of Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake
By
The Lawyers Collective
The Lawyers Collective has carefully considered the events that led to the removal of the Chief Justice.
Our struggle to protect the independence of the judiciary has entered a new phase, with the government (the Legislature & the Executive) going through with a purported impeachment despite the determination of the Supreme Court & the writ of certiorari quashing same by the Court of Appeal
Continue reading ‘Despite Appointment of a”Chief Justice”under Controversial Circumstances we have to Appear Before ANY Bench of the Supreme Court’ »
By
Kath Noble
Last week, I discussed the campaign of a tiny fraction of the majority community against Muslims, and the way in which the Government is creating space for them by neglecting sensitive issues like the allegations of interference in the Law College Entrance Exam.
Some people claim that groups like the Bodu Bala Sena and the Sinhala Ravaya are only defending the interests of Sinhalese.
Continue reading ‘We can only Conclude that the Government needs Mervyn Silva.’ »
By
Ruki Fernando
Prageeth Ekneligoda
I had never met Prageeth Ekneligoda.
But after he disappeared, on 24th Jan. 2010, I read some of his articles.
I found them to be thought provoking and cover many issues related to freedom of expression, human rights in general, democracy etc. But what struck me most was some of his cartoons. I was first shown the cartoons at his house, by his wife Sandya, just a few days after he had disappeared.
Continue reading ‘How Chief Justice Mohan Peiris Told the UN that “Disappeared” Prageeth Ekneligoda was Living Abroad and Retracted Claim in a Sri Lankan Court’ »
Text and pix by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
Amritsar, which literally means “pool of ambrosial nectar”, is popularly known for Harmandir Sahib (Temple of God or Abode of God) as it’s formally called or the Golden Temple. It is the most sacred temple, and a place of pilgrimage for Sikhs.
Golden Temple is a symbol of equality and human brotherhood
Sikhism emerged in the north western state of Punjab region of India in the 15th century. The temple construction work was started in December 1585 AD, and was completed in August 1604.
Continue reading ‘The Sacred Golden Temple of Sikhs at Amritsar’ »
By
Upul Joseph Fernando
John Kerry & Hillary Clinton
“If the US withdrew the training programmes China would replace them.” Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa made this remark at an event at the National Chamber of Commerce recently. At a time when three US Deputy Assistant Secretaries are scheduled to visit the country, these remarks have assumed an added significance.
It can be safely assumed from such signals emanating from the government that it considers the departure of Hillary Clinton from the State Department and the arrival of John Kerry as Secretary of State as a favourable sign. Such thinking is not without reason.
Continue reading ‘Will Replacement of Hillary Clinton by John Kerry Bring About Favourable Change in US Policy Towards Rajapaksa regime?’ »
By Sqn. Ldr. J.T. Rex Fernando (S.L.A.F. Retired)
The news of the beheading of Rizana Nafeek the Sri Lanka housemaid in Saudi Arabia on 9 January 2013, has been received by all Sri Lankans and virtually across the world with profound grief and shock. Having been forced to spend eight years behind bars in an unknown land for a crime, that when taken out of context of Saudi Law, can be called an accident, symbolizes abject poverty, tragedy and despair.
Rizana’s death is not about a poor family being rendered poorer by the heart breaking execution, it also exposes Sri Lanka’s inability to effectively protect its migrant workers – the diplomatic poverty as a nation.
By H.A. Seneviratne
The guillotine is installed. It is to punish those who oppose injustice and to safeguard the political underworld thriving on injustice. It has been set up through a parliamentary process, using the two-third majority that the government had obtained by hook or by crook.
The process itself indicates the gravity of the crisis the government had come to face. Now it has reached the limit and about to explode.
It is not merely a crisis limited to the judiciary. Nor is it confined to the parliamentary legislature or to the executive presidency. In fact it is an exposure of the general social crisis engendered by the political system based on an unbearably exploitative and terribly corrupt economic system.
Continue reading ‘The tragi-comedy of “Last Thing we do, let’s Kill the Judiciary”’ »
By
Rohantha.N.A.Athukorala
Tony Greig
I still remember going for the Sri Lanka vs England cricket fixture with my father when I was around 10 years old, where I happened to meet a giant of a man who was well over six-and-a-half feet tall. I got his signature. It read Tony Greig.Years went by and when I joined the United Nations, on many occasions I met up with this great personality. In my view he was a self-made marketer. Let me throw more light on this perspective.
Continue reading ‘Tony Greig Transformed Cricket Into a Market Oriented Game’ »
By
Dr.Vickramabahu Karunaratne
According to the UNP, the government impeached Dr. Shirani Bandaranayke in a clear attempt to gain full control of the Judiciary and to administer it according to its whims and fancies. Further it said that the removal of Dr. Bandaranayke from the post of Chief Justice was illegal and therefore Mohan Peiris could not be accepted as Lanka’s Chief Justice.
UNP leaders announced publicly “Shirani Bandaranayake is still the Chief Justice of the country.”
In fact they boycotted the Parliamentary Council that approved the appointment of the Chief Justice. They announced, “There is no point in the UNP participating in the Council as it had opposed the 18th Amendment to the Constitution right from the beginning.” After the Supreme Court decision, they urged the government to introduce laws in line with the Commonwealth ‘Latimer House Principles’, on the removal of judges, before going ahead with the impeachment motion.
By Harim Peiris
Hats off to the Rajapaksa regime, the Machiavelli of Medamulane has pulled it off. Sacking a Chief Justice and getting away with it is no easy task and few governments succeed.
The Fijian generals who periodically overthrow that tortured nation’s democratic governments usually follow up by sacking judges, Mugabe’s Zimbabwe has found it necessary to curb an independent judiciary, the list is not long. Now Sri Lanka joins this group, where the government has successfully got rid of a Chief Justice who became in a very limited manner, an inconvenient obstacle to the executive’s wishes.
by
Kumbhakarna
Rizana Nafeek’s tragedy is that she was a Muslim and a poor Sri Lankan. As a result, she gets little sympathy from either her fellow Muslims or from non-Muslim fellow countrymen.
This becomes quite clear when you read comments published after her death by beheading in Saudi Arabia recently. Many Muslims held the view that they could not question Islamic Sharia law. Comments from non-Muslims, while expressing (in some cases) a degree of sympathy, were focused mainly on issues such as poverty as the real reason for this miscarriage of justice, a convenient excuse.
There are two concerns here; legal and humanitarian. Kumbhakarna has no criticism of Sharia law. While he doesn’t care to live in a country ruled by that legal system (not any more than he cares to live in any country where the law is dictated by totalitarian dogma) he feels that this is a matter for the Muslims to decide. Any legal system needs to be updated if it’s to work satisfactorily in modern societies. But that is up to Saudi Arabia..
Continue reading ‘Will Anyone Remember Rizana In Sri Lanka or Saudi Arabia by Next Year?’ »
The Jaffna Music Festival returns to Jaffna Municipal grounds in March 2013.
This time around the festival will host an eclectic array of music – including folk, contemporary and classical to name a few. This is a sister event of the Galle Music Festival, which attracted an audience of over 22,000 people over two days in 2012. The Jaffna festival promises to be as exhilarating as the Galle festival bringing together an exciting line up of musicians, dancers, performers and ritualists.
On March 1 and 2, the Jaffna Municipal Grounds will be bursting with a combination of vibrant music, colour and culture. The festival itself will be a celebration of the unique and fascinating history, heritage, diversity and talent that Sri Lanka has to offer. Joining the exciting line up of local artists will be a line-up of International performers.
Continue reading ‘Jaffna Music Festival on March 1st and 2nd:Eclectic Array of Vibrant Music’ »
by
Ishara Jayawardane
Vijitha Yapa
From the most humble of beginnings ending up as one of the most influential people in Sri Lanka, Vijitha Yapa’s is a success story. He has been a leading journalist and editor and is now a publisher. Vijitha Yapa is a well known name in Sri Lanka being the Founder, Chairman, and Managing Director of the largest English bookstore chain in the country. Reminiscences of Gold spoke to Vijitha Yapa about his life experiences and achievements.
Continue reading ‘Vijitha Yapa: Journalist, Editor, Bookseller, Publisher’ »
by
Dharisha Bastians
Following its assault on the Judiciary, the Government is now gearing up to attack and destroy the Auditor Generals’ Department, UNP Gampaha District MP Karu Jayasuriya charged yesterday.
Addressing a media briefing at his Kirulapone office yesterday, the former UNP Deputy Leader said that media reports about officers from the Auditor General’s Department assembling near Parliament to demand that the Government stops interfering with their duties was a sign of a dangerous and emerging trend. The officials of the Auditor General’s Department were asking the Government to stop politicising their department, he said.
by
Shamindra Ferdinando
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday alleged that the US government was persecuting Sri Lanka on the basis of false information and wrong assumptions.
A case in point was their recent decision to deprive Maj. Gen. Sudantha Ranasinghe of a US military programme on the basis of his being the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 53 Division during eelam war IV, an irate Rajapaksa said. Had the US Embassy inquired from Army Headquarters, Maj. Gen. Ranasinghe could have been cleared to attend the overseas course as he wasn’t with the 53 Division during the war, Rajapaksa said.
By
Camelia Nathaniel
Despite the government claiming to have recalled Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Aflal Jawad, as an immediate reaction to the execution of Rizana Nafeek on 9 January, he is still serving in Saudi as the Ambassador, United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian, Ranjan Ramanayake, charged yesterday.
By Dilrukshi Handunnetti
(The appointment of Mohan Peiris as Chief Justice is regrettable, though not surprising, in the backdrop of growing authoritarianism and undermining of the county’s Constitution, says Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Executive Director, Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) in an interview with Ceylon Today)
by Latheef Farook
Ever since the senseless beheading of Rizana Nafeek without a proper trial, questions are being asked about Saudi Arabia’s tribal rulers, who, for far too long, have exploited Islam to entrench their autocratic regime, which many people regard as un Islamic and the most oppressive in the planet.
A tribal system of government, a repressive royal family given special treatment, looting of the nation’s wealth and wasting them in vulgar opulence while the bulk of the people live below the poverty line, denying basic freedoms, arbitrary arrests, torture and killings, oppressing women liberated by Islam, and all other such institutionalized brutalities are, needless to say, in complete violation of Islam.
Three fundamental rights applications bearing Nos. SC (FR) 665/2012, SC (FR) 666/2012 & SC (FR) 667/2012 filed by an artist, a trade unionist and a trade unionist cum lawyer seeking declarations from the Supreme Court that Standing Order 78A of the Constitution is ultra vires and null and void and of no force or effect in law in terms of the petitioners’ fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution, came up for hearing today (21.01.2013) in the Supreme Court before Justices Nimal Gamini Amaratunge, P. A. Ratnayake and Eva Wanasundera.
The petitioners in the three cases are Chandragupta Thenuwara (actor), Janaka Adikari (lawyer and trade unionist) and Mahinda Jayasinghe (trade unionist).
by Fr. Augustine Fernando
Even in the midst of dire poverty, some physically and politically weak women show a strength of character and self-respect that put many economically, politically and physically strong men to shame.
By
Rauff Hakeem MP
(Text of Statement Issued by Minister of Justice and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakeem over the Protest Demonstration launched by Buddhist sections against a Muslim owned Textile store in Maharagama)
I wish to convey my dismay and displeasure regarding the apathy displayed by the law and order machinery in not containing the spread of the hate campaign at Maharagama in front of a private business enterprise, yesterday. I also categorically condemn the hate campaigns against the Muslims and their business enterprises that are on the rise today in the country.
by
National Peace Council
The appointment of a new Chief Justice following the impeachment of the former one has brought the public protest campaign to an end. There were strenuous efforts on both sides to demonstrate they had people’s power with them. The work of bridging the ethnic and political divides and bringing reconciliation and binding up the wounds of war remain this country’s greatest challenge. Indeed that is what the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission appointed by the government has also said.
By
NAN
We were invited to lunch at a friend’s home in Battaramulla on Black Friday as January 13th is named for it was the day that Parliament accepted the decision of the Select Committee that Her Ladyship the Chief Justice was found guilty and impeached in indecent haste.
(I don’t know on what grounds, what her ‘crimes’ were and the choice of committee members on the government side left us gasping – you can name the reason for the shock: approval or disgust).
Continue reading ‘“I shed Tears with Deep Sadness for how Shirani Bandaranayake was Treated and for her Elegant Manner that Inspires a Sense of Triumph”’ »
By Athulasiri Kumara Samarakoon
Some nations turn their tragedies into fortunes while others fall from one tragedy to another. Sri Lanka, which at present is facing the Bergmanian ‘hour of the wolf’, is an apt example of the latter.
Instead of steering the post-LTTE phase towards the creation of a united Sri Lankan nation and a much longed for terror free polity, the powers-that-be have thrown the country into an abysmal, unlawful state of egotism, brutishness and nastiness; a veritable ‘war of all against all’.
Continue reading ‘Orchestrated act of Removing the CJ Showed the International Community that Hereafter ‘justice’ Would be a Prohibited word in Sri Lanka.’ »
by
S.L.Gunasekara
The impeachment of a judge of a superior court is indisputably a tragic event to be dealt with due solemnity and wholly divorced from all considerations of extraneous matters such as party affiliations and `loyalties’; prospects of rewards; political gain etc.
It is a solemn occasion where Members of Parliament are required and indeed bound to discard and ignore completely their party affiliations, the decisions of their respective parties on such matter as well as the instructions of their party whips and decide wholly dispassionately and objectively whether on the evidence adduced before them, the Judge concerned was or was not guilty of any one or more of the charges against him that gave rise to the resolution for his impeachment and whether such charges were of sufficient gravity to warrant his dismissal.
(Text of Letter Sent to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms.Navaneetham Pillay by Sri Lanka’s Acting Secretary of External Affairs Ministry Ms.Kshenuka Senewiratne)
Ms. Navanethem Pillay,
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights,
Geneva.
Dear High Commissioner,
The Government of Sri Lanka notes, with deep regret and concern, your statement delivered at the OHCHR Press Briefing on 18th January 2013 where reference has been made to Sri Lanka.
At the outset, I wish to reject categorically the contents of this statement, as it lacks any semblance of objectivity, steeped as it is in bias, marred by erroneous facts and further compounded by the inappropriate tenor of its language, all of which are indicative of unequal and invidious treatment of Sri Lanka.
By Tisaranee Gunasekara
“Never to submit and never to oppress…”. Camus (Reflections on the Guillotine)
Last week Fr. Tissa Balasuriya died. Fr. Balasuriya, in and through his life, personified what is best and most humane about Christianity. ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest’: that was Father Balasuriya in thought and deed.
pic courtesy of: tissabalasuriya.wordpress.com
In a previous repressive era, when many chose indifference or equivocation, he stood up for democracy, provided a platform for dissent and kept his doors ever open for those in need. He was reviled as a CIA Agent/a Catholic conspirator by Sinhala fanatics and persecuted by the Vaticanas a heretic.
Continue reading ‘We Must Resist the Rajapaksa-plague by Thought, Word and Deed Because Sri Lanka is Worth Fighting For.’ »
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M.A.Sumanthiran M.P.
M.A.Sumanthiran MP
“To bereave a man of life, or by violence to confiscate his estate, without accusation or trial, would be so gross and notorious an act of despotism, as must at once convey the alarm of tyranny throughout the whole kingdom; but confinement of the person, by secretly hurrying him to jail, where his sufferings are unknown or forgotten, is a less public, a less striking, and therefore a more dangerous engine of arbitrary government”…..… Sir William Blackstone
On Tuesday, 22nd January 2013, Parliament will take up for debate the ‘Code of Criminal Procedure (Special Provisions)’ Bill. This legislation which will, among other things, enable the police to detain a person who has been arrested without a warrant for 48 hours before producing her/him before a magistrate has resulted in serious widespread concern amongst political groups, human rights group and the legal community.
If enacted, this legislation will amend the law which at present permits the police to detain a person arrested without a warrant for up to 24 hours before producing her/him before a Magistrate.
Continue reading ‘Will The 48 hour Detention Law Improve Investigations or Increase Torture?’ »