By Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda

Some people have made an argument that FUTA has exceeded the mandate of a trade union when it demands the government to allocate 6% of the GDP to education. This argument emanates from the position that trade unions have no business with government’s fiscal policy.

According to the advocates of this position, deciding priorities and policies of allocating government expenditure is entirely the job of the government and its policy-making officials.
Continue reading ‘FUTA Strike:Neither Parliament Nor Cabinet has any Serious Say in Public Policy Making’ »

By M. A. Sumanthiran M.P.

In October last year I submitted to Parliament a 30-page report on the situation in the North and the East. I did not criticize the mere presence of military bases. ‘Militarization’ is not so passive a word as to denote only the military’s existence in a given zone. Instead the term ‘militarization’ describes the military’s enterprise, that is their involvement and interference in the daily lives of the people who inhabit those zones.

Out of a total land mass of 65,619 sq km, Tamil people inhabited 18,880 sq km of land in the North and the East, but after May 2009 the defence forces have occupied more than 7,000 sq km of land owned by Tamil people.
Continue reading ‘Militarization in North-East Denotes Military Involvement and Interference in the Daily Lives of the People’ »

Although the International Community, despite continuing media exposure of the Sri Lankan government’s atrocities against the Tamils in Sri Lanka, appeases the Sri Lankan regime for economic and commercial reasons some highly influential European, US and Canadian Human Rights Organizations have refused to give respectability to one of the most reprehensible genocidal regimes in modern history.

Rathika Sitsabaiesan (L) at the Caribbean Carnival in Toronto Aug 4, 2012

To its credit Canada has consistently opposed the oppression of minorities just as it sided with those nations, Black, Brown and Yellow and demanded the expulsion of the notorious apartheid regime from the Commonwealth while in contrast, the white members like Australia and New Zealand continued to give comfort to the apartheid regime.
Continue reading ‘The V.K.Krishna Menon Insitute’s Personality of the Year Award to Canadian MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan’ »

The special casket carrying the sacred relics

During President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s State visit to India in June 2010, it was agreed that Sri Lanka and India will undertake joint activities to commemorate the 2600th Year of Enlightenment of Gautama Buddha. Following this agreement, President Rajapaksa wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh requesting for the Sacred Kapilavastu Relics to be sent to Sri Lanka for veneration on this historic occasion of significance for both countries.

The Relics, discovered in 1898 in Kapilavastu, the ancient land of the Sakyas, are housed in the National Museum of India, under the greatest care and attention.
Continue reading ‘Sacred Kapilavastu Relics Being Brought from India for Veneration in Sri Lanka’ »

The signing of the agreement in Kandy in the presence of Governor Central Province, Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Chief Minister, Sarath Ekanayake, MP Sanath Jayasuriya, Vice Minister of Industries and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China Chen Qiufa, Chairman of SupremeSAT (Pvt) Ltd R.M. Manivannan and other officials-Pic: Saliya Rupasinghe

By Shirajiv Sirimane

Centuries ago, there was evidence to suggest that King Ravana of Sri Lanka used a wooden plane to fly across to India. However, since then, this amazing technology the Sri Lankans had was never heard of. During recent times, if someone said that Sri Lankans were to build an airplane, the world would have laughed it off. However, President Mahinda Rajapaksa thought otherwise!

He did not want to build an airplane, but thought the country should own its own communication satellite and belong to an elite group of nations that own one.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka to have Communications Satellite with Chinese Cooperation and Train Astronauts for Space Missions Too’ »

by Prof. M A Nuhman

The ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka has had a direct impact on literary production in Tamil, comparatively greater than in the case of Sinhala. This is largely due to the fact that it has been the Tamil-speaking communities who were most directly and severely affected by the ethnic conflict throughout the postcolonial period.

The Tamil language is shared by three distinct ethnic communities in Sri Lanka , namely the Sri Lankan Tamils, the Muslims and the Malayaha (= hill country) Tamils, with their own dialect variations. This linguistic pluralism and the associated ethnic distinctions reflect in literary production too. Hence, when we speak of Tamil literature or Tamil poetry in ethnically divided contemporary Sri Lanka , the term encompasses a multi-ethnic socio-political context and reality.
Continue reading ‘Ethnic Conflict and Tamil Poetry in Post-Colonial Sri Lanka’ »

By R.K.Radhakrishnan

“At what point of your dance training can you develop a style of your own,” a student asked Bharatanatyam exponent Alarmel Valli at an interaction here on Friday.

Bharatanatyam exponent Alarmel Valli explaining a point as Carnatic vocalist T.M.Krishna listens intently, in Jaffna on Friday, Aug 17, 2012-Photo: R.K. Radhakrishnan

The elaborate answer’s crux was that timing depended on the person, ability, confidence, and creative impulse. “You will know when you are ready,” the dancer said.
Continue reading ‘Alarmel Valli, TM Krishna and Unnikrishnan Successfully Interact with Students in Jaffna’ »

by Dr.Vickramabahu Karunaratne

I finally went to Chennai and participated in Tamil Eelam Supporters Organization (TESO) conference and the public meeting. The whole thing was effective in raising the plight of the Eelam Tamils. Even for a Marxist revolutionary there was a space to intervene with out conceding any principle.

Though near 90 years of age, DMK leader Karunanidi, is very alert and active. From a wheelchair he was guiding the whole operation; keenly following the entire discussion. His son Stalin led the organizing of the event. He reminded me of late Vijaya, handsome and charming. Obviously it was a bourgeoisie event.
Continue reading ‘My Participation at TESO Conference and Public Meeting in Chennai’ »

by Our Political Editor

Prasad Kariyawasam Summoned by South Block in New Delhi

Ebullient and charming Ashok Kantha, India’s High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, the accomplished diplomat that he is, found it difficult to hide his feelings.

That he chose to say it at a formal official ceremony that marked the 65th anniversary of India’s independence was all the more important. The Indian community – diplomats and their families, Indian security forces personnel assigned to their diplomatic mission, their citizens in Sri Lanka and their own media representatives – were there to hear the nuanced message.
Continue reading ‘‘Ground Zero’ level Relationship Prevailing now Between New Delhi and Colombo’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara

“The bamboozle has captured us”. – Carl Sagan (The Demon-Haunted World)

The Rajapaksa administration’s tryst with the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is just two months away. India, Spain and Benin are assigned to review the Lankan case; indubitably, Delhi’s will be the decisive voice.

The UPR report will be submitted to the next UNHRC session. That session will also review the progress made by the Rajapaksa administration in implementing its own LLRC Report, since the one year grace-period accorded to Colombo under the UNHRC Resolution will end in March 2013. An unfavourable UPR report is bound to colour the way the UNHRC will view and judge Colombo’s record.
Continue reading ‘Lies and Deceptions are Indispensable Weapons in the Rajapaksa Arsenal’ »

UNP Kurunegala district MP Dayasiri Jayasekera speaking to LAKBIMAnEWS admits that he met President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Parliament at the Ports and Highways Ministry Consultative Committee meetings. He however said he never met the president at Temple Trees as alleged by the UNP hierarchy.

Excerpts:

A report has been handed over to the party’s Disciplinary Committee by party general secretary Tissa Attanayake against you. What is your stand on that?
Continue reading ‘I met President Rajapaksa in Parliament but not at Temple Trees-Dayasiri Jayaekera’ »

by Namini Wijedasa

A senior minister has rejected any inference that Navi Pillay, the UN human rights chief, had deliberately assigned three countries that voted for a resolution against Sri Lanka to oversee a review of our rights situation due later this year.

In fact, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has no influence over the choice of countries selected to be members of the troika. They are chosen by the drawing of lots.
Continue reading ‘Spain, Benin and India were Selected to Assess Sri Lanka UPR at UN by Drawing of Lots and Not by Navi Pillays Office’ »

by Gamini Weerakoon

The often used quote: An ambassador is an honest man sent abroad to lie for his country, has been given cynical and ambiguous interpretations by cynics such as an ambassador is one who is expected to lie in speech for his country or lie in bed for pleasure. Ambassadors will obviously deny both insinuations.

A good ambassador knows well that lies are soon found out and will do damage to his country’s credibility as well as himself.
Continue reading ‘Does Power to Appoint or Sack Ambassadors lie with President Rajapaksa or Professor Peiris?’ »

by Victor Ivan

The overall content of the social psyche of the current Sri Lankan society has run down to an appalling level of deterioration. The degree of degeneration is such that it has reached almost the point of putrefaction. This phenomenon is rather obvious and it can no longer be concealed. The religious institutions i.e. the temple, the church and the kovil have failed in rescuing the country from this predicament.

Various political movements both capitalistic and socialist and many other diverse political movements too, have equally failed in arresting this trend.
Continue reading ‘Current Head of State Lacking Adequate Foresight Required for Effecting Transformation after War’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara

“….everything that was ever invented by knavery to impose upon imbecility”.Voltaire (A Philosophical Dictionary)

The Rajapaksas are world class, and more, when it comes to building innocuous facades to hide insalubrious realties.

Who would expect a bill regarding the self-employment scheme sponsored by the Ministry of Economic Development, a bill harmlessly, even trifle boringly, titled ‘Divineguma (Uplifting Lives), to be a front for an insidious attempt to dismantle devolution?
Continue reading ‘‘Divineguma’ Bill: Disempowering Provincial Councils via Legislative Measures is a Permanent Fixture on Rajapaksa Agenda’ »

by Kalana Senaratne

Critically Re-imagining Lakshman Kadirgamar

Ever since his brutal assassination in 2005, those of us who have admired Lakshman Kadirgamar have often imagined what Sri Lanka would have been like, had he remained at the helm of Sri Lanka’s foreign policy making.

In this imagination, Kadirgamar re-appears as a hero, almost super-man like, to save us from the diplomatic ignominies that have struck Sri Lanka on the international stage. This is what our deep attachment to the man does. We had an idea as to how he operated, we know that the current operation looks hopeless, and in comes Kadirgamar who shakes up the system, makes it work, makes it look wonderful.
Continue reading ‘Had Kadirgamar been Alive and Engaged in Politics,we might have begun to love him less’ »

by Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha M.P.

(Full Text of a presentation at the Seminar on Changing Social Dynamics in South Asia: Prospects and Challenges for India and Sri Lanka conducted by the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies and the observatory research Foundation on August 17th 2012)

I am grateful to the Bandaranaike Centre and the Observatory Foundation for this opportunity to speak on governance.

I was not sure initially what the topic entailed, nor how it fitted into the theme of this Seminar, but in the last few months I have understood how desperately we need better principles of governance if we are to benefit from the victory over terrorism that we managed to achieve three years ago.
Continue reading ‘TRACKS: Basic Principles of Governance are Transparency, Responsibility, Accountability,Coherence,Knowledge and Skills’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj

A Leading Christian Pastor of the Assembly of Church (AOG) and his wife have been brutally attacked by a mob of around 40 persons at Deniyaya in the Matara district of the Southern Province on August 9th.

The attack on the senior AOG pastor and wife was followed by another incident in Deniyaya where a woman church worker of the Methodist Church was threatened and abused by a mob which wanted her to leave the area.
Continue reading ‘Buddhist Mob Backed by President’s Brother-In-Law Attacks Christian Pastor and Wife in Deniyaya’ »

Swaziland’s government could be on a collision course with King Mswati III over the sacking of striking teachers.

King Mswati pronounced last week that a national teachers’ pay strike that has crippled schools for more than five weeks should end; that teachers should go back to work and the government should enter into talks to end the dispute.
Continue reading ‘Education Minister Defies Swaziland Monarchs Orders While King Mswati Visits Sri Lanka’ »

Evans Gunalal Cooray

Evans Gunalal Cooray, former press secretary to the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa, passed away yesterday after a protracted illness in London.

Born on February 13, 1936, Cooray served as an efficient press secretary to several ministries under both UNP and SLFP governments.
Continue reading ‘Evans Cooray Passes away in London’ »

by S. J. Anthony Fernando

(Former Press secretary to President Premadasa , Evans Gunalal Cooray,passed away on August 16th in London.This article written in 2006 by his colleague and friend to mark Cooray’s 70th Birthday is reporoduced here as tribute to Evans)

The name of Evans Cooray, I am certain, needs no introduction. The mere mention of the name is sure to ring a bell in the higher echelons of the local political and media circles specially of the old guard.
Continue reading ‘Evans Cooray: Flamboyant and Robust Media Personality’ »

The translation of the whole text of the LLRC Report, into Sinhala and Tamil, undertaken and completed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, was handed over by Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal to External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris and Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, at the External Affairs Ministry yesterday.
Continue reading ‘LLRC report translated into Sinhala and Tamil’ »

By John J. Mearsheimer

There is abundant speculation these days about whether Israel will strike Iran’s nuclear facilities. It is widely believed in both Israel and the United States that this would be a remarkably foolish move. I share that sentiment.

Yet Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and his Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, seem to disagree and keep talking like an Israeli attack is in the offing.
Continue reading ‘Seven Reasons Netanyahu And Barak Might Want War With Iran’ »

by A Special Correspondent

‘Sinhalisation’ of Tamil areas is a ruse used by the Sri Lankan government to take over land, seashore and other resources of Tamils and hand them over to multinational companies, alleged Vickramabahu Karunaratne, president of the Nava Sama Samaj Party, on Monday.

Mr. Vickramabahu, as he prefers to be referred to, was here to attend the Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation (TESO) conference.
Continue reading ‘Sinhalaisation of Tamil Areas is a ruse to hand over Tamil Resources to Multi-national Companies -NSSP Leader’ »

Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Malaysia Kalyananda Godage, will be leaving exit in a fortnight’s time. Pic by Rosela Ismail

by Balan Moses

ENVOYS are almost never sacked by home governments except in the event of a change of regime in the home country or if they are guilty of an exceptionally nasty faux pas in their host country.

Both do not seem to apply to outgoing Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Malaysia Kalyananda Godage, who will make an ignominious exit in a fortnight after a mere eight months of trying to further the Sri Lankan cause here.
Continue reading ‘Colombo govt may be sacrificing goodwill with Malaysian Tamil groups by recalling its High Commissioner Kalyananda Godage’ »

By Dr. Deepika Udagama

There are many views about what we must achieve in post-war Sri Lanka. There appears to be a general acceptance that reconciliation among the various ethnic groups in the country is of topmost priority.

Vigil against 18th Amendment held in Colombo on 8 September 2010-pic courtesy of: VikalpaSL

Some think that for reconciliation to be realized we must primarily focus on economic development; others think that we must focus on a political solution; yet others think that what is of crucial importance is the investigation of alleged war crimes and establishing the truth; some are of the opinion that all those measures are necessary.
Continue reading ‘An Ideology of Reconciliation Cannot be Built Without Basic Ingredients of Democracy and Rule of Law’ »

By Charitha Ratwatte

The dictionary definition of a ‘pun’: ‘the clever or humorous use of a word that has more than one meaning, or words that have different meanings but sound the same’.

The second word of the headline of today’s column is not exactly a pun, but somewhat akin to one, as it is a play of a similar sounding activity which can be done with the human or animal tongue, spelt differently.
Continue reading ‘18th Amendment to Constitution and Rise of ‘Posterior Liqueurs’’ »

by Dr Upul Wijayawardhana | Cardiologist

I really have enjoyed the bliss of retired life, being able to watch the London ‘Olympics’, savouring the great moments in real time without the hindrance of work!

Niluka Karunaratne of Sri Lanka hits a return during his men’s Singles Group Badminton victory match on Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Arena-pic: London 2012

When I read the negative comments of ‘I can C’, who obviously could neither see nor appreciate the finer points of the opening ceremony, in your paper of 31st July I wanted to respond but delayed as I still had lingering doubts whether things could go wrong and I may be speaking too soon.
Continue reading ‘Olympics 2012 Through Eyes of a Lankan in London’ »

By R.K.Radhakrishnan

After huge delays, the US $ 270 million Indian housing project for displaced Tamils in Sri Lanka is now on track.

Mohiniyattam performance by members of the Nalanda Troupe — at India House, on the occasion of the Indian Independence Day, Aug 15, Colombo-pic: India High Commission

“The pilot phase of the project for construction of 1,000 houses has been completed. The next phase of the Indian Housing project for 43,000 housing units under the owner-driven mode in the Northern and Eastern provinces has been launched,” said Ashok K. Kantha, High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka in an Independence Day message.
Continue reading ‘Despite Delay Indian housing project for Displaced Tamils in Sri Lanka is on track’ »

Urgent government legislation reinstating offshore processing centres for asylum seekers has cleared parliament’s lower house.

Only two MPs – independent Andrew Wilkie and Adam Bandt from the Australian Greens – voted against the bill.
Continue reading ‘Australia Parliament Lower House Passes Urgent Laws to set up Off Shore Processing for Asylum Seekers’ »

By Jagath Gunawardana

The commonest and most widespread of the kingfishers found in Sri Lanka is the White –breasted Kingfisher, which can be seen in many home gardens, away from a body of water.

The White-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis fusca) or the White-throated Kingfisher is the well-known Pilihuduwa in Sinhala although some have given it the name Lema-sudu Pilihuduwa, a direct Sinhala version of the English name.
Continue reading ‘White-breasted Kingfisher: more at home on dry land’ »

By Alaina Varvaloucas

Every bus traveling north has to stop at the military checkpoint just after Vavuniya. Only men disembark. They know the drill.

Without being asked, they form two orderly columns, present their IDs, spread their legs for a pat-down, and open their bags for soldiers to rifle through. Some field questions about why they are headed toward the territory once controlled by the separatist Liberation Tigers for Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Continue reading ‘Military Still Occupies Tamil Areas With a Heavy Hand’ »

PHOTO: THINKSTOCK/IMAGEBANK

By Moshe Dann

In the wake of an Israeli government- initiated report presenting Israel’s legal rights in Judea and Samaria, opponents of settlements argue that the issue is not about Israel’s legal and historic rights, but about “morality.” I assume that means supporting “Palestinian self-determination,” “ending the occupation” and establishing a second Arab Palestinian state west of the Jordan River.
Continue reading ‘The Moral Question of Palestinian Statehood’ »

by P.K.Balachandran

(August 15th is the 65th anniversary of India’s Independence)

When the Japanese occupied Malaya and Singapore in 1942, a large number of Indians joined the Indian Independence League (IIL) and the Indian National Army (INA) headed by Subhas Chandra Bose, the Indian freedom fighter who was striving to free India from the British, in collaboration with the Japanese armed forces.
Continue reading ‘Sinhalese who Fought with the National Army of ‘Netaji’ Subhash Chandra Bose against Britain’ »

By James M. Dorsey

As the civil war in Syria continues to spread Turkey is faced with a new dimension to its long-standing Kurdish problem. For decades, modern Turkey has been battling a bloody insurgency in southeastern Turkey, led by the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) that has left some 40,000 people dead on both sides.

After having virtually squashed the insurgency in a 16-year long war, however, Turkey found the reality on the ground change fundamentally with the emergence of a Kurdish state-in-waiting in northern Iraq, following the imposition of a US-led no fly zone there in 1991 and the toppling of Saddam Hussein in 2003.
Continue reading ‘Time has Come for Emergence of Autonomous Kurdish region in Syria’ »

By Nipuni Panamaldeniya

Growing up in Sri Lanka, if someone had told me that I would move to Canada when I was 16, I certainly would have thought that they had surrendered to insanity. But when the opportunity arose for us to immigrate, we took it, knowing that sooner or later, my brother and I might have to pursue a higher education in a foreign country anyway.
Continue reading ‘Why Kids Who Are Intelligent Enough To Enter Universities in Other Countries Cannot Enter Universities in Sri Lanka’ »

By Kath Noble

While Tamil Nadu is fixated with the politics of India’s relationship with Sri Lanka, as was amply demonstrated by the hullabaloo over the conference of the Tamil Eelam Supporters’ Organisation in Chennai on August 12th, the rest of the country has been focusing on rather different issues.
Continue reading ‘From FTA to CEPA: Indian Business Class Wants to Sell not Just its Goods but also its Services like Energy and Education to Sri Lanka’ »

by Kerry Brewster

You Tube Video & Transcript of ABC “Lateline” Presentation

STEVE CANNANE, PRESENTER: Three Sri Lankan men who’ve been declared genuine refugees are fighting secret ASIO rulings that mean they can’t be released from immigration detention despite their refugee status.
Continue reading ‘Tamils speak out against Australian Security Intelligence Rulings’ »

by K. S. Sivakumaran

We all know history is subject to revision when new research shows new evidences. It is also an exercise in interpretation and it depends on who does it for whom. In Lanka, history is interpreted in different ways.

While being skeptical on what I am going to record below, I feel it is necessary to report how the Tamils in Lanka look at their past.
Continue reading ‘Tamils have lived in this country for more than 3000 Years’ »

by Dr.Muttukrishna Sarvanantha

Before the meeting with the Secretary of State Hilary Clinton on May 18, 2012, Foreign Minister G. L. Peiris made some remarks which included the following.

“The most striking developments have really been in the northern province of Sri Lanka where the economy is growing by as much as 22 percent in comparison with the average for the rest of the island, which is about 8 percent. Now this is the result of an emphasis on the development of infrastructure to a degree that is really without (inaudible) at any other time in the island’s history.”
Continue reading ‘Prof.GL Peiris is Economic with Truth About Economic Growth In The North’ »

by Naunihal Singh

The media has treated the shootings in Oak Creek very differently from those that happened just two weeks earlier in Aurora.

Only one network sent an anchor to report live from Oak Creek, and none of the networks gave the murders in Wisconsin the kind of extensive coverage that the Colorado shootings received.
Continue reading ‘Oak Creek Massacre Is Treated as a Sikh Tragedy Rather Than an American Tragedy’ »

Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam

by Dharisha Bastians

“…we cannot glorify death whether in the battlefield or otherwise, we must celebrate life, and we are fiercely committed to protecting and securing the sanctity of life which is the most fundamental value without which all other rights and freedoms become meaningless…” – Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam – Parliament of Sri Lanka 15 June 1999

Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam’s words, in an impassioned speech against the death penalty, inspired the brightly coloured peace mural at the Kynsey Road and Kynsey Terrace Junction in Colombo 08.
Continue reading ‘Defacement of Tiruchelvam Peace Mural Must be Viewed with Great Seriousness’ »

Bharatanatyam dancer Alarmel Valli. Photo: V. Sudershan

by R.K.Radhakrishnan

When he steps out of an aircraft in Palaly on August 16, Carnatic vocalist T.M. Krishna will belong to a rare tribe of people who kept their word to the people of Jaffna.

When he came on an exploratory visit to Jaffna last October, Mr. Krishna, the first musician of note from India to tour Jaffna in nearly three decades, told students at the Ramanathan Academy that he would develop on a music festival concept and hold a workshop for students in Jaffna in a more structured manner.
Continue reading ‘TM Krishna, Alarmel Valli and P Unnikrishnan to Participate in 3 Day Performing Artistes Festival in Jaffna’ »

The Nawa Sama Samaja Party (NSSP) Leader Dr. Vickramabahu Karunaratne was literally told to shut up by the TESO on Sunday, when he was prevented from continuing with his speech at the inaugural session of the contentious conference.

The embarrassing incident happened when he accused India of being partly responsible for the grievances of the Lankan Tamils.
Continue reading ‘Vickramabahu Karunaratne Prevented from Continuing Speech at Chennai TESO Conference as he was Critical of India’ »

by Dr. S. P. Udayakumar

The United Progressive Alliance (UPA )government considers Indian life worthless and dispensable by freeing Russia from liability commitment for Koodankulam reactors 1 & 2.

The UPA government signs secret agreements with foreign governments and does not disclose the content to its own citizens and law makers.

The UPA government and its atomic energy department disrespect the Indian Judiciary and act with complete disregard for its opinions and decisions.
Continue reading ‘PMANE Call to Observe Indian Independence Day as Black Day On August 15th’ »

New house built by the Army

by Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha

I have noted previously that the failure of government to make its position clear on a number of issues has been one of the main difficulties about Reconciliation.

I say this because, by and large, the government position on most issues has been extremely positive, and inadequacies are more due to inefficiency than policy. But because the system does not encourage transparency, very good practices do not get the appreciation they deserve.
Continue reading ‘One of Main Difficulties in Reconciliation is Lack of Transparency by Govt’ »

by Stewart Bell

A Sri Lankan migrant has been accepted as a refugee on the grounds that, as a passenger on a smuggling ship that Canada has publicly linked to Tamil rebels, he might be tortured or killed in his homeland.

The MV Ocean Lady in a 2009 file photo-by Debra Brash/Times Colonist

The 24-year-old ethnic Tamil arrived in Canada in 2009 aboard the MV Ocean Lady, which federal officials have identified as a rebel arms smuggling ship. Officials have also claimed a third of the 76 migrants on aboard were Tamil rebels.
Continue reading ‘Canadian IRB Ruling says Sri Lankan Officials Behaved with ‘Reckless Disregard’ for the Rights of Tamils’ »

by R.A.Ratwatte

After the Navy SC vs Kandy SC rugby match on August 12th, there is one unmistakable message that must be passed on to all those who turn sport into hooliganism……you are not welcome on our playing fields any more !

‘Kandy SC Vs Navy SC’- via facebook.com/SriLankaRugby

If you are unable to handle defeat stick to fighting wars and don’t bring that attitude into the sports field.
Continue reading ‘Violence Erupts After Rugger Match in Kandy When VIP Navy Player retaliated for Being Jostled by Crowd’ »

by Chathura Pinnawala

After the disgusting events that occurred after the final whistle of the Kandy SC versus Navy SC’s pivotal second round encounter of the Inter-Club Division A league rugby match at Nittawela on Sunday, Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) is seeking a way to resolve the issue within their board room.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady at “Kandy SC Vs Navy SC”-pic courtesy of: rugby.lk

Both parties have accused each other of malpractices since the finish and SLRFU secretary Rizly Illyas said both have complained to the union about the misconduct of the other.
Continue reading ‘SLRFU wants to Resolve Issues A Kandy vs Navy Rugby Match Marred by Violence’ »

Ajit de Silva

by Nirgunan Tiruchelvam

In little over a month, Sri Lanka will host the World Twenty20. It has been 30 years since the island’s inaugural Test. Neither Twenty20 cricket nor Sri Lanka as a host of a world event seemed in prospect in 1982.

Most of the current players were not born then. They should heed the lessons of the tragic hero of that match – Ajit de Silva.
Continue reading ‘Ajit de Silva: Master of Drift Whose Deliveries used to Hiss in Flight’ »

By Ilica Malkanthi Karunaratne

This is an interview with a Sri Lankan consultant who served this country first, then received international recognition in Singapore and the Middle East.

Dayanthe Athulathmudali-pic courtesy of: automobilsport.com

Dayanthe is publicity shy, but I got him talking with just a simple question. Hardly anyone remembers all the technical first’s you introduced to the infrastructure of Sri Lanka’s aviation.
Continue reading ‘Dayanthe Athulathmudali: The Man Who Set up RADAR Systems for Aviation and Navy in Sri Lanka’ »

By Sara De Silva

The West is confronted with a new enemy. The face of this enemy is that of a familiar one, and is no alien to the Western soil unlike Islamic extremism that was imported from across the continent.

‘Muslim sisters wearing We-Are-All-Sikh shirts today, prove that we are all Human first’-via twitter.com/urbanturbanguy

The new enemy is an indigenous phenomenon which has been lurking under the surface for years, and it is finally erupting.
Continue reading ‘The Alarming Increase of Far Right Extremist Violence in Western Countries’ »

by Dr. Mathu H. Liyanage

Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates on the podium during the Victory Ceremony for the men’s 4 x 100m Relay on Day 15 of the London 2012 Olympic Games-pic: London2012.com

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, with five world and four Olympic gold medals came like a lightning thunderbolt from the grey skies in the UK to show that he is still the fastest man on the planet and the showman of the London Olympics 2012.
Continue reading ‘‘I have done Something No one Has Done Before’- Usain Bolt’ »

Two of the most outspoken critics of broadening economic ties with India via a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA), who have lent their voices to bashing Sri Lankan economists and public officials responsible for finalising the agreement, citing India’s trade policies have now had a change of heart.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, M. P. Wickremasinghe, Chairman, Ceylon Biscuits Ltd of Munchee fame, and Kulathunga Rajapaksa, Managing and Executive Director of Samson International PLC, are both now keen to explore business opportunities in India.
Continue reading ‘Two Sri Lankan Ectrepreneurs Critical of CEPA Now Seeking Commercial Ties with India’ »

by N. Sathiya Moorthy

With the polity busy with alliance-formation, candidate selection and campaigning for the three Provincial Council polls, no one is talking about the post-war peace talks aimed at a political solution to the vexatious ethnic issue.

Neither is the Government talking about the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC), nor is the TNA reminding it of the aborted talks that stalled mid-way without making any progress whatsoever.
Continue reading ‘Election Rhetoric Notwithstanding There is no Escaping a Return to the Negotiating Table’ »

By Salma Yusuf

The residue of the three decade conflict is manifest in the fractured communities where suspicion, distrust, fear and accusation are rife.

Following the conclusion of the war, the need has arisen for regaining trust and confidence whilst renegotiating values of coexistence between and within communities. It is in this context that the People’s Council in Wattegedara was established, in a bid to rebuild non – violent societies empowered with self – reliance.
Continue reading ‘Peoples Council in Wattegedara: Reconciliation Model of, for and by the People’ »

By A Special Correspondent

Systematic Sinhalisation taking place in areas inhabited by Tamils, says the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M. Karunanidhi on Sunday stressed the need for a long-term and medium-term political solution to the ethnic issue in Sri Lanka.
Continue reading ‘Karunanidhi Says he Gave up Fast in 2009 Because he Thought War in Sri Lanka was Over’ »

By B.Kolappan

Seeking to rebut criticism that he had dropped the demand for a separate ‘Tamil Eelam’, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M. Karunanidhi on Sunday said he would seek to realise his life dream with the help of like-minded people in the future, and the conference he presided over here was only akin to administration of first aid to the “wounded and bleeding” Tamil community in Sri Lanka.
Continue reading ‘Karunanidhi Reiterates Commitment to Realisation of his ‘life dream’ of Eelam’ »

By A Special Correspondent

The people of Tamil Nadu have a duty to help Tamils in Sri Lanka like a mother caring for her children or a brother extending a helping hand to his siblings, DMK president and chairman of Tamil Eelam Supporters’ Organisation (TESO) M. Karunanidhi said on Sunday.
Continue reading ‘Karunanidhi wants India to Bring Resolution in UN on Sri Lankan Tamil Issue’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara

“The returning hero risks carrying the seed of violence into the very heart of his city”.
René Girard (Violence and the Sacred)

Heroes are like double-edged swords. Sane nations use them, with caution, and send them into honourable retirement once their deeds are done. The nation, which is seduced by the hero into giving him an endless carte blanche, places its present and its future in jeopardy.
Continue reading ‘Megalomania of Rajapaksas is Driving Country Down the Low Road Towards an Abyss’ »

by Frederica Jansz

It has been a few weeks now since we highlighted the blatant disregard and violation of procedures at Sri Lankan Airlines by the Chairman of Sri Lankan Airlines, Nishantha Wickremasinghe.

He was responsible for awarding the contract for the supply of Wine and Champagnes which is valued at approximately US$ 750,000 annually and also gave away the entire supply and management of the Sri Lanka Airlines in-flight duty free sales program valued at US$ 7 million annually to one and the same company, namely Phoenix Rising Venture now called Duty Free Partners.
Continue reading ‘Is Sri Lankan Airlines Board Unable to Stand up to its Chairman Because Nishantha Wickremasinghe is the Brother of the First Lady?’ »

In the strongest reaction yet to India’s contentious support to a US sponsored resolution at the UNHRC against Sri Lanka earlier this year, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has broken his silence by calling upon the Indian government to have a relook at its dealings with its neighbors.
I
n a freewheeling interaction with Times of India at his Temple Trees residence in Colombo, his first full-length interview since India’s vote for the resolution in March, Rajapaksa suggested that India could be abdicating its leadership role in the region.
Continue reading ‘Indian Establishment Fears about Sri Lanka’s Growing relations with China are Unfounded – Mahinda Rajapaksa’ »

by Kishali Pinto Jayewardene

Public debate is rife with heated opinions in regard to the virtual breakdown of the law and order process in Sri Lanka. The government continues to deny that there is a steep rise in crime and quite absurdly blames the media for reporting on crime.

The root causes for this deterioration in law and order, namely the involvement of politicians from the highest to the lowest level in the underworld and the nefarious activities of corrupt police officers, are however glibly passed over.
Continue reading ‘Detention and Torture of Vijitha Yogalingam from Vavuniya by the Police in Negombo’ »

by Our Diplomatic Editor

India has lodged a strong protest with Sri Lanka over the allocation of a prime Colombo property to a Chinese company though it was earmarked for India.The protests were delivered both in New Delhi and Colombo, an External Affairs Ministry source said yesterday. He was speaking on grounds of anonymity since EAM officials are not allowed to talk to the media.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Snubs India by Re-allocating Prime property Earmarked for it in Colombo to China’ »

(Text of letter sent to External Affairs minister Prof. GL Peiris by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Malaysia)

“Dear Minister,

“I cannot quite believe it that you of all people had me ‘Recalled’. Trust you would recall what I wrote about you when you took over from Rohitha Bogollagama, yes I was delighted because I expected you to bring a professional approach to Diplomacy and to the management of our foreign relations. I came out of retirement to serve as I felt that I could yet be of service to our country.
Continue reading ‘Lankan Envoy Godage recalled from Malaysia appeals to Minister Peiris’ »

by Gamini Weerakoon

The Editors’ Guild and some other powerful associations of journalists have got hot under the collar over the statement of the new Secretary to the Media Ministry Charitha Herath that the government wouldn’t be introducing the Right to Information Act in the interests of national security and other sensitive matters.

The ire of the editors and others who have promptly issued a heated communiqué expressing regret over the Secretary’s statement itself betray their woeful lack of understanding not only of government policy – ‘Mahinda Chintanaya’ but basic Sri Lankan disinclinations.
Continue reading ‘“Rex non Potest Peccare” – The King Can Do No Wrong – Has Been Revived and is in Full Force in Sri Lanka’ »

by Nirmala Kannangara

Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda has been accused of unlawful occupation at Sridhar Cinema at 45, Stanley Road, Jaffna since 1996 which belongs to R. Mahendraraviraj. Sridhar Cinema, which was one of the leading cinema halls in Jaffna had to shut down in 1991 during the height of the war and was later used by a private firm as its stores.
Continue reading ‘Owner Accuses Douglas Devananda of Illegally Occupying Sridhar Theatre in Jaffna for 16 Years’ »

by Brigadier (Retd) Sri Mudannayake

It is hard to imagine that 20 years have passed since General Denzil Kobbekaduwa, along with some of his senior commanders, fell victim to a buried explosive device in the Jaffna Peninsula. That fateful day was August 8, 1992. The incident shook the nation to its core and plummeted military morale to the lowest ever in nearly a decade of conflict.

It seems like the other day that the shocking tragedy befell the nation. The unfortunate war is now over, but the loss of a gentleman warrior lingers in our memories.
Continue reading ‘General Denzil Kobbekaduwe drew respect and affection from civil population in conflict areas’ »

The city police have denied permission for the pro-Eelam TESO meet, convened by the forum’s founder leader and DMK chief M Karunanidhi in Chennai on Sunday.

The police have denied permission on various grounds but they cannot be divulged as the matter was sub-judice, Chennai Police Commissioner J K Tripathy told PTI on Saturday.

Sources said permission was denied on various grounds, including security implications, as a large turnout was expected than the venue could accommodate or the organisers had mentioned.
Continue reading ‘Police deny permission for TESO Conference but Karunananidhi says he will take legal steps to hold it’ »

Rajiva Wijesinha Interviewed by Ranga Jayasuriya

Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, MP and presidential advisor on Reconciliation blames the Ministry of External Affairs for the lack of professionalism within the ministry and says it has not even bothered to find out who the members of the visiting delegation from the Office of the UN Human Rights Commissioner are.

“… Can you understand a Ministry, supposed to be in charge of External Affairs, that has not even bothered to think about who Richard and his team might be (referring to the proposed delegation from the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights), that seems to have been busily preparing the ground for the Resolution that the ministry tried to oppose in Geneva?” Prof. Wijesinha asked in an interview with Ranga Jayasuriya of LAKBIMAnEWS.
Continue reading ‘‘There is a lack of Professionalism in the way the Ministry of External Affairs works’’ »

by Tisaranee Gunasekara

“….the purpose is not really to indict the past, but to summon it to the attention of a suicidal, anachronistic present”. Wole Soyinka (Nobel Speech – 1986)

Independent Ceylon was just a few months old when she won her first ever silver medal at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London.

For the new nation it would have been a proud moment; and a propitious omen of triumphs to come.
Continue reading ‘Nation-building in Sri Lanka was Turned into a Political war with the Majority Against Minorities’ »

by M.A.Sumanthiran M.P.

(text of Speech made in Parliament by M.A. Sumanthiran on 10th August 2012)

Thank you sir

I am glad to speak on this motion moved by the Hon. Member for Colombo and I am further glad to speak at the time when you are in the Chair, and quite unusually, after a speech in which you have said some things on which we can agree on.
Continue reading ‘Strong National Identity Cannot Be Built by Suppressing Different Individual Identities’ »

By Namini Wijedasa

Striking academics emerged from a late-night meeting with Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa saying some progress was made—but not enough to call off their five-weeks-old trade union action.

The government had agreed on principle to several of the demands raised by the Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA). This includes the formation of a Sri Lanka University Academic Service and the need to raise expenditure on education. However, no time frame was given. The government categorically stated there would be no immediate salary increase. Its position was outlined in a draft document handed over to the FUTA team.
Continue reading ‘Talks Continue But FUTA Encouraged By Basil Rajapaksa’s Positive Approach’ »

Ketheeswaran Loganathan

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj

Ketheeswaran Loganathan called generally as “Ketheesh” was assassinated Six years ago on August 12th exactly one year after Lakshman Kadirgamar was killed. With his departure one more Tamil who wanted his people to live with equal rights in a united Lanka and championed that cause in the face of danger was done away with. One more person capable of rising above prevailing hatred and insanity in Sri Lanka was no more.

At the time of his death Ketheesh was Deputy Secretary – General of the Secretariat for coordinating the peace process (SCOPP) and Secretary of the All Party Representative Committee (APRC). This made him appear as a pro – government “establishment” man. The eulogies heaped on him by some reinforced that impression. This perhaps was the unkindest cut of all.
Continue reading ‘Life and Times of Ketheeswaran ‘Ketheesh’ Loganathan’ »

INDIAN CONCERNS OVER ESSENTIALS OF POST-CONFLICT RECONCILIATION IN SRI LANKA

by Dr.Subramanian Swamy

(text of speech delivered by Dr.Swamy at Defence seminar 2012 in Colombo)

Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy addressing a press conference in Lucknow – PTI file photo

Introduction

The world witnessed a historic event in May 2009, when in a final assault of the Sri Lankan armed forces, a treacherous and murderous terrorist outfit called the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam [LTTE] was decimated. Its Supremo V. Prabhakaran and his main associates were killed on May 19th.
Continue reading ‘Essentials of Post-Conflict Reconciliation & India’s Concerns’ »

UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya yesterday exposed various ills of the Government, its ulterior motives in going for Provincial Council elections as well the failure to restore law and order in the country.

“The attempt of the Government has come to light, to win the forthcoming Provincial Council Election by whatever means and to show that the masses are with them,” Jayasuriya told a press conference yesterday.
Continue reading ‘“Let us Bring Victory to our Party and to our Nation”-Karu Jayasuriya’ »

BY OUR CHENNAI CORRESPONDENT

The residents in the affluent Sarvodaya Enclave in New Delhi have on 8 August filed a petition at the New Delhi High Court, asking for the removal of former Chief Minister of Sri Lanka’s North-Eastern Provincial Council, Annamalai Varatharajaperumal and his 25 men-strong security contingent from the enclave, as they have become a nuisance, interrupting the day-to-day lives of the residents.
Continue reading ‘Delhi Neighbours dont want N-E ex-Chief MinisterVaratharajaperumal in their midst’ »

By S.Vijay Kumar

An impartial investigation led by the United Nations is the only way to render justice to those affected by war crimes in Sri Lanka, Amnesty International Chief Executive in India G. Ananthapadmanabhan has said.

G. Ananthapadmanabhan, Chief Executive, Amnesty International, during an interview with “The Hindu” in Chennai. Photo: R. Ravindran

The island nation will soon be in the international eye thanks to the impending Commonwealth Heads of Governments meeting and the U.N. Universal Periodical Review of Human Rights practices in countries, he pointed out.
Continue reading ‘Amnesty International wants U.N.led probe into Sri Lanka war crimes’ »

By B.Kolappan

The YMCA Ground at Royapettah in Chennai, which will be the venue for the TESO conference on Friday. Photo: S.S. Kumar

A conference of the Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation (TESO), scheduled here for Sunday, has run into rough weather, with the Centre asking the organisers to drop the word ‘Eelam’ from the title of the meeting.
Continue reading ‘Indian Govt wants TESO Conference Organizers to Drop the word ‘Eelam’’ »

By A Special Correspondent

The Madras High Court on Friday directed the Chennai Police Commissioner to consider an application seeking permission for conducting the Eelam Tamils Livelihood Rights Conference, organised by the Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation (TESO), at YMCA, Royapettah, on August 12, and pass appropriate speaking orders.
Continue reading ‘Courts Direct Chennai Police Commissioner to Determine fate of TESO Conference’ »

By R.K.Radhakrishnan

The Hindu Janata party president Subramanian Swamy speaking at the valedictory of the defence seminar ‘Towards lasting peace and stability,’ in Colombo on Friday. Photo: R.K. Radhakrishnan

It will be much easier to fight Sri Lanka’s enemies abroad, if there is some devolution of powers to the Tamils areas in the near future, Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy said in Colombo on Friday.
Continue reading ‘Subramanian Swamy wants Police Powers for Provincial Councils in Sri Lanka’ »

By S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole, Michigan State University

Sumangala Kailasapathy, reports Ann Arbor News, will be one of three new faces soon on the Ann Arbor City Council.

”

A Certified Public Accountant, Kailasapathy ran for the Democratic Party’s nomination against the Democratic Mayor’s big projects (like a proposed railway station and a countywide expansion of public transit services), in favor of services and citizens’ priorities. She received an astounding 57.7% of the vote.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan American Sumi Kailasapathy Wins Big in Ann Arbor’ »

Rauff Hakeem MP-pic: lankamuslim.com

By Rauff Hakeem

(Text of statement issued by Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader and Minister of Justice, Rauff Hakeem)

A statement I made recently in Sainthamaruthu, Kalmunai, has created a very grave concern among Buddhists leaders and Buddhist prelates including the Jathika Hela Urumaya.
Continue reading ‘“I wish to Tender an Unreserved Apology to all Buddhists of Sri Lanka”’ »

by Secretariat for Muslims

The Secretariat for Muslims is deeply concerned by the recent problems in Mannar including acts of violence, allegations of intimidation, and the manner in which the underlying issues are being addressed.

The Secretariat for Muslims (SFM) affirms the need to respect the independence of the judiciary and the integrity of our courts of law.
Continue reading ‘Minimising Ethnizisation of Difficult Re-settlement Issues by all Concerned Actors is Imperative’ »

By Gagani Weerakoon

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe told parliament that allowing UPFA MP to make a statement on the Mannar incident soon after the day’s businesses of the House, was in violation of the provisions of the Parliamentary Standing Orders.

He said UPFA MP Hunais Farook was allowed to make a statement to the House on 18 July even after the reply speech made at an adjournment debate was completed.
Continue reading ‘Was Hunai Farook Statement on July 18th a Violation of Parliamentary Standing Orders?’ »

By Amal S. Kumarage

One can only thank Mr. C.A.Chandraprema for choosing an apt title ‘University Dons in Cuckoo land’ for his article published in the Sunday Divaina and Sunday Island of 4th August.

There is no disagreement that is exactly where university dons have been for the last several years.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa conferred with honorary Doctorate by University of Moscow in Russia, Feb 2010

The difference now is that finally they have realized how ‘cuckoo’ they have been to believe that Sri Lanka is marching towards a Knowledge Hub when over the last 6 years the reality is that funding per university student has been gradually reduced;
Continue reading ‘Demands of University Dons: Who’s gone Cuckoo?’ »

Margret Thatcher

By C.R.Chandraprema

University academic staff have now been on strike for one month. This is now the longest strike engaged in by university teachers in this country. Minister Basil Rajapaksa has been called upon to settle the matter.

Last Wednesday, a meeting was held between representatives of the Federation of University Teacher’s Associations (FUTA) and Rajapaksa whose team of negotiators comprised of Charitha Herath, Anura Siriwardene, Damma Dissanayake among others.
Continue reading ‘University dons in cuckoo land’ »

By Ayesha Zuhair

‘Secure the Sanctity of Life’ is a message for all times – not just in times of war. That was the message inscribed in Sinhala, Tamil and English on a brightly coloured street mural at the Kynsey Road / Rosmead Place intersection in Borella.

The road painting commemorating Neelan Tiruchelvam vandalised in Colombo on Saturday. Photo: R.K. Radhakrishnan-courtesy: The Hindu

For both pedestrians and motorists alike, it was an iconic image conveying a powerful message of peace that was hard to miss.
Continue reading ‘Why was Street Mural Commemorating Neelan Tiruchelvam defaced with tar?’ »

by Indi Samarajiva

pic courtesy of: indi.ca

I’m a Buddhist and have the utmost respect for the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha, that being the community of practice. There are, however, claimed and robed Buddhists who are a shame to us all, to all Sri Lankans.

For example, in Panamai, a mob led by a Buddhist monk has stolen a statue from a Hindu Kovil, a place where it was safe for Buddhists or Hindus to worship. This violent thuggery is an affront to all people of faith, and everyone really.
Continue reading ‘More Thuggery In The Name Of Buddhism’ »

by Gotabaya Rajapaksa

(Text of Keynote address by Defence and Urban development secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa at opening ceremony of Defence Seminar – 2012′, at the Galadari Hotel, Colombo on August 8th 2012)

Secretary Defence delivers Keynote Address-pic: Defence.lk

It gives me great pleasure to address the Opening Ceremony of the Defence Seminar 2012. This is the second successive year in which the Defence Seminar is being organised by the Sri Lanka Army.

On behalf of the Government, I take great pleasure in warmly welcoming to Sri Lanka all of the distinguished delegates who have come from many countries around the world to attend this event.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka in the midst of a National Revival is One of the most Peaceful and Stable Countries in the World’ »

Rosy Senanayake Interviewed by Dianne Silva

Rosy Senanayake

Q:There have been a number of reports of child abuse in recent months, do you think that the responsibility of curtailing these incidents lies in the hands of the police and that they are doing enough to control the situation?
Continue reading ‘‘I am a Woman of Principle and the UNP is my base Party’’ »

Karu Jayasuriya MP

by Ajith Siriwardana

Senior UNPer Karu Jayasuriya said today the government had developed a helicopter mania and were blatantly abusing state resources for their election campaign as never before.

“They are using helicopters unnecessarily even to travel a short distance, such as attending a school sports meet,” he told a news conference in Colombo this morning.
Continue reading ‘Government has Developed a Mania for Helicopters says Karu Jayasuriya’ »

By Ananda Weerasuriya

Mount Lavinia District Judge Priyantha Fernando issued an enjoining order yesterday, preventing the United National Party (UNP) Working Committee (WC) from extending the term of the party leadership to six years.

The judge also issued notice on UNP leader Ranil Wickremesighe and 85 members of the WC to appear in Court on 22 August and show cause why the amendment to the constitution was introduced.
Continue reading ‘Courts Suspend UNP Constitutional Amendment to Extend Party Leader Term for 6 Years’ »

Premakumar Gunaratnam Interviewed by Peter Boyle

Premakumar Gunaratnam. Photo by Peter Boyle

Premakumar Gunaratnam, an ethnic Tamil from Sri Lanka, who now has Australian citizenship, returned to his home country in September 2011 to help organise the launch of a new left party, the Frontline Socialist Party (FLSP), a major breakaway from the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP, People’s Liberation Front).

He had been a JVP activist for three decades and a member of its underground political bureau since 1994.
Continue reading ‘‘We Believe There is National Oppression of the Tamil and Muslim People but Reject Self-Determination or Devolution to North-Eastern Lanka’-FLSP’ »

By Richard Obedi

(An Ugandan perspective on the problems faced by Bosnia and Herzegovina, calling for the country’s citizens to build a new relationship amongst themselves; based upon a real understanding of each other’s respective needs, fears and aspirations)

Post-Dayton Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) – split along ethno-national lines into three constituent people – denies its citizens the possibility of embracing a civic, unifying identity. This complex lack of a single identity – one that ties individuals to the country – contributes to fuelling persistent instability, confusion and uncertainty.
Continue reading ‘Reconciliation is important in conflict prevention, co-existence and nation building’ »

By Ayesha Zuhair

Christine Robichon, Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, in an interview with the Daily Mirror, while commending the “huge progress” accomplished on the economic front, opines that economic development alone is not sufficient to achieve a just and lasting peace.

Foreign friends, she further asserts, cannot help much in the political reconciliation process, which is the responsibility of the government, political parties, religious leaders, civil society and intellectuals of Sri Lanka.

The full interview with the French Ambassador:
Continue reading ‘“French Policy Towards Sri Lanka is Determined by Principles and Values and not influenced by the Tamil Diaspora “- French Envoy’ »

Report issued as statement by the Commission for Justice and Peace of the Diocese of Jaffna, Sri Lanka

The widely advertised ‘war for peace’ came to an end more than three years ago. Yet the fruits of this peace are yet to be enjoyed by the people in the North, who were most affected mentally, physically and economically.

This reality is verified by the day to day events which are taking place here.
Continue reading ‘External Face-lift Given to North does not Correspond with Reality Deep down in hearts of the People’ »

Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, Feb 2011- – Photo:B_Velankanni Raj – Courtesy: The Hindu

by Kath Noble

The 65 million Tamils across the Palk Strait have played a huge role in the Sri Lankan conflict.

They make Sri Lanka’s Sinhalese majority a minority both globally and in the immediate region, and they have become extremely hostile to the government, which many of them regard as Sinhalese rather than Sri Lankan. They are commonly perceived as a threat to the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.
Continue reading ‘Tamil Nadu must be made a Friend of Sri Lanka and not a Deadly Foe’ »

Many signs are in English and Sinhala but not Tamil – the local language-pic: BBC

by Charles Haviland

North-eastern Sri Lanka has been off-limits to journalists and most other outsiders since the civil war ended in 2009, but the authorities have now granted BBC correspondent Charles Haviland access to much of the area.

I was with the army as they detonated left-over munitions near a major battle scene.
Continue reading ‘Expanded Army Intelligence Monitors What ‘People Eat for their Lunch’ in North-Eastern Sri Lanka’ »

by Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha M.P.

Now that the LLRC Action Plan is out, it has drawn the usual reactions. Those who find good things in it claim that these have been forced on government. Others claim that it does not go far enough. Kusal Perera does both.

Interestingly we do not yet find criticism that it goes too far, though I suspect this viewpoint too will be expressed in time, for the usual reason.
Continue reading ‘I Hope we Concentrate on the Needs of our People Rather than Merely Keeping Happy the International Community’ »

By P K Balachandran

Chandran Rutnam, a veteran Sri Lankan Tamil movie director, and B S Radha Krishnan, a Chennai-based producer, have collaborated to make a Hollywood film starring Ben Kingsley and Ben Cross which is to be released in Los Angeles next month.

Speaking to Express here on Monday, Rutnam said that the film entitled A Common Man was shown to critics and distributors in Hollywood on July 11 and that it had secured a fantastic reception.
Continue reading ‘Hollywood Movie ‘A Common Man’ Starring Ben Kingsley and Ben Cross co-Produced by Sri Lanka’s Chandran Rutnam and Asia Capital’ »

by A.V. Ragunathan

Tamil refugees who opt to go to Sri Lanka face a tricky situation. If they find unfavourable conditions on the island nation and want to return, they will have to forfeit their refugee status.

As such on their re-entry, they will not be allowed to live with their families in refugee camps. They will also have to forego government benefits meant for refugees.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Tamil refugees opting to Return from India face chilling Dilemma’ »

IND V SL – 5TH ODI – KANDY ~ Irfan Pathan’s second five-wicket haul helped India beat Sri Lanka by 20 runs in Pallekele and take the series 4-1 ~ pic courtesy of: srilankacricket.lk

by R.K.Radhakrishnan

For the second time in three matches, some Sri Lankan spectators went after Indian fans waving flags, mouthed obscenities and generally gave Indian supporters a hard time during the T20 match.

A few Indian spectators said that some Sri Lankan supporters were throwing beer cans, water bottles, and glasses at them. Some of these Sri Lankan supporters were in the Ministers’ box, and were throwing things, and mouthing obscenities.
Continue reading ‘Unruly Sri Lankan Spectators Continue targeting Indian Fans’ »

Jayantha Dhanapala – pic: iiss.org

by Jayantha Dhanapala

(Text of address at an event to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the US-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission in Sri Lanka)

My subject has been given to me by the Fulbright Commission but I tweaked it by adding the bit about ‘Realpolitik’ because I do feel, as Chris Teal, the Chairman of the Fulbright Commission has told you, that the humanist aspect in international relations has gradually encroached upon realpolitik but the hard core of realpolitik remains there.
Continue reading ‘Can National Interest be Divorced from the Human Interests of Individuals in Nation States?’ »

by Thulasi Muttulingam and Surani Perera

What is the Problem?

There are several markers that Sri Lanka is still very far from being a developed country. One of the most obvious..? Most developed countries not only retain their youth but also actively solicit them from other countries to sustain their burgeoning economies.

In Sri Lanka though, planeloads—and even more worrisomely now, boatloads of youth leave our shores, or try to, each day.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s youth exodus: Why is this Happening ?’ »

Illustration by Sorit – courtesy: Outlook India

by Meena Kandasamy

Marriage took me to Mangalore. Living in Attavar, I saw the city as a sister/lover: a feisty woman caught in the grip of a violent, disapproving man, she’d be rid of him if she found her strength.

So, when I first heard of the recent assault by Hindutva vigilantes at a resort in Padil, I was relieved that Mangalore’s everyday fate was finally gaining national attention.
Continue reading ‘Hindutva Hooliganism ‘Legitimises’ Itself Under the Guise of Protecting ‘Indian Culture’’ »

President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney

By C. Raja Mohan

The contrast between the international images of the US president, Barack Obama, and his presumptive Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, has become starker in the last few days.

When presidential candidate Barack Obama travelled to Europe in 2008, he wowed the world with his sweeping rhetoric and uplifting ideas. Four years later, Romney has repeatedly fumbled in his recently concluded tour of Britain, Israel and Poland.

If Obama invited adulation, Romney drew much media derision.
Continue reading ‘New Delhi comfortable with Barack Obama but should have little difficulty in working with Mitt Romney’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj

In a peculiarly aggressive display of “Saffron Terrorism” a mob led by a Buddhist Priest has deployed force and taken away a statue of the Elephant faced deity known as Pillaiyar in Tamil and Gana Deiyo in Sinhala from a Hindu temple in Panamai on the Eastern coastal district of Amparai.

Banner at – Sithi Vinayagar Hindu temple in Panamai

In a flagrant violation of law and order and the freedom of worship, an ancient statue of God Pillaiyar also known as Vinayagar and Ganesh was seized by a mob and taken away from the Sithi Vinayagar Hindu temple in Panamai /Panama in broad daylight on Monday August 6th.
Continue reading ‘Mob led by Buddhist Priest Forcefully Takes Away Pillaiyar Statue From Hindu Temple’ »

by M.A.Sumanthiran

Last week I wrote on the topic of self-determination. This drew many comments. One of which was to the effect that Tamil political leaders seem to believe that these issues can be settled by presenting a good legal brief, but they are eventually settled by practical power politics and the military.

M.A.Sumanthiran MP – pic courtesy of: YATV

That point is well taken. Yet, there is a place for properly understanding what we really mean when we use certain words and phrases.
Continue reading ‘Can Anyone Honestly say that Federalism will lead to Secession?’ »

by Gotabaya Rajapaksa

(Text of speech delivered by Secretary of Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was the Chief Guest at the Passing out Parade of a batch Officers and Airmen of the Sri Lanka Air Force on 3rd August at the SLAF Academy in China Bay)

pic: defence.lk

It gives me great pride to review the passing out parade of the 53rd Intake of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

I congratulate all of you for an excellent parade, and for having completed your training at this prestigious Academy. From today, all 84 cadets and 386 other recruits will become members of one of the finest Air Forces in the world.
Continue reading ‘Responsibilities Vested With Armed Services May Go Beyond What Is Customary’ »