By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (Popular Tamil film actor M. N. Nambiar who excelled in playing “villain”roles on screen was born on March 7th 1919. This article appearing in the “Spotlight” cinema Column of the “Daily FT” on November 28th 2015 is being re-posted here with minor changes in the first paragraph to denote the 102nd birth anniversary …
By P.K.Balachandran A Colombo-based Tamil hotelier of Indian Origin, Velusamy Muthuswamy, has announced the formation of a political party called Ilankai Bharatiya Janatha Katchi (IBJK) to further the socio-economic development of all Sri Lankans, especially the Tamils in the plantation areas and the war-torn Northern and Eastern provinces. It will promote education, multiple language skills, …
Eleven President’s Counsels and former Presidents of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) have expressed “serious concern” that the contents of the report of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into Political Victimization may “undermine the Rule of Law in this country, impair independence of the judiciary and erode impartial and efficient functioning of the …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Even as proceedings at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) continued in Geneva, the Sri Lankan Government headed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa , in a significant political move, backtracked from its rigid stance on permitting the burial of COVID -19 victims of the Islamic faith in Sri Lanka. While suspending on the …
(Text of a media release issued on March 5th 2021 stating the Response of the Tamil National Alliance to the statement of Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Human Rights Council) Our attention has been drawn to the statement made by Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena at the High-Level Segment …
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Friday described as ‘factually incorrect’ the Sri Lankan government’s claim that a proposal on Colombo Port’s Western Container Terminal has been approved by the Indian High Commission, and said it understands that the Lankan dispensation has engaged directly with investors on this project. Sri Lanka announced on Tuesday …
by Ahimsa Wickrematunge (Ahimsa Wickrematunge, a writer and activist, is the daughter of murdered Sri Lankan journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge) In 2007, my father, Lasantha Wickrematunge, one of Sri Lanka’s most fiercely independent journalists, exposed an arms deal involving then-Secretary of Defense Gotabaya Rajapaksa embezzling over $10 million in government funds. Rajapaksa took him to court, …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (This is an Updated Version of an Article written for the “DBS Jeyaraj ” Column in the “Daily Mirror ” of Feb 20th 2021.) The flower bud is the accredited electoral symbol of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) which is ruling Sri Lanka. However the image of that flower bud resembles the …
Continue reading ‘The “Maravanpulavu” Man Behind Moves to Form the “BJP” in Sri Lanka’ »
The Government has demanded sweeping changes to the draft resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council, including the deletion of the reference to forced cremations of coronavirus deceased during informal discussions on the draft text this week. Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva C.A. Chandraprema insisted that the co-sponsors …
By JAMILA HUSAIN A leading Muslim organisation in Sri Lanka will this week send an official letter of concern to the global Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the World Muslim Congress, seeking their intervention to urge the Sri Lankan government to allocate a decent land for the burial of Muslim COVID-19 victims. The Daily Mirror …
.By JAMILA HUSAIN Muslims in Sri Lanka will make an urgent appeal to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, to find a suitable land for the burial of Muslim COVID-19 victims, instead of burying them in the island of Iranaitivu, in the Gulf of Mannar, stating it was not a practical solution to …
The Government yesterday expressed confidence that India would stand with Sri Lanka on the “right side” at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions and support it to defeat the resolution that is set to be moved next week. Cabinet spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told the weekly Cabinet briefing that the Sri Lankan Government was …
By Uditha Jayasinghe Cabinet has cleared the West Container Terminal (WCT) of the Colombo Port to be developed as a 35-year joint venture with India’s Adani Group and its local partner John Keells Holdings PLC as well as with investment from Japan, a top official said yesterday. Cabinet Spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told …
By Meera Srinivasan . Sri Lanka on Tuesday said it will develop the West Container Terminal (WCT) at the Colombo Port along with India and Japan, in a near-360 degree policy turn from a month ago, when the two partners were ejected from a 2019 tripartite agreement to jointly develop the East Container Terminal (ECT), …
Chinese Permanent Representative in Geneva Ambassador CHEN Xu on Thursday extended China’s strong support to Sri Lanka in his official statement in the interactive dialogue on the OHCHR Report on Sri Lanka during the 46th Session of the Human Rights Council. The full text of the statement is as follows: “As a friendly neighbour of …
(Text of a Press Release Issued by the High Commission of India in Colombo) The Sri Lanka Air Force is celebrating its 70th Anniversary on 02 Mar 21 and the presentation of President’s Colours to No. 5 Fighter Squadron and No. 6 Helicopter Squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. To commemorate this historical event, …
By Meera Srinivasan Seeking India’s “proactive” support at the UN Human Rights Council, where a resolution on Sri Lanka will be soon put to vote, the Secretary to Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “India cannot abandon us”. “If the world is one family, as your Foreign Minister has said, then we are immediate …
By Sandun Jayawardana The authorities failed to take adequate and effective steps to meet the threat from Islamic extremism in the critical build-up phase from 2016 to 2019 prior to the Easter Sunday terror attacks, the Commission of Inquiry (COI) that investigated the attacks has noted in its final report. Volume 1 of the final …
By Damith Wicremasekara Cremation of people who die of COVID-19 will continue until modalities and guidelines for burial are worked out, a senior Health Ministry official said yesterday. He said more time was required to prepare fresh guidelines and name designated places for burials. He said locations for burial would need to be decided upon …
Saliya Pieris, PC, was this week elected as 26th President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) for the year 2021-2022 with a thumping majority over his rival candidate Kuvera de Zoysa, PC. Mr Pieris secured total of 5,178 votes while Mr de Zoysa polled 2,815–a difference of 2363 votes. In Colombo, Mr Pieris …
(Text of a Press Release Issued by Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader Rauff Hakeem MP) We are relieved that the Government after a prolonged vacillation has finally restored the constitutionally protected fundamental the right for burial of COVID 19 victims and COVID-19 suspected victims. In this regard it is quite obvious that if not for …
By Kelum Bandara The international lobbying spree by the government gathered momentum today with 21 countries speaking in favour of Sri Lanka and 15 against during an Interactive Dialogue at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the Daily Mirror learns. A core group of countries led by the United Kingdom has proposed to move …
By P.K.Balachandran Late on Thursday, February 25, the Sri Lankan Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi issued a gazette extraordinary lifting the year-old ban on burying COVID-19 dead. The Gazette amended the earlier ordinance by putting the words “cremation or burial” in place of the single word “cremation”. “In the case of burial, the corpse of such …
by Jamila Husain
. By P.K.Balachandran The two-day visit of the Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to Sri Lanka, which concluded on Wednesday, has put Pakistan-Sri Lanka relations on a higher footing. Besides the traditional defense and security ties, which will be enhanced, the relationship may acquire a strong economic basis, and Pakistan may become a factor in …
Issuing his statement on OHCHR report on Sri Lanka, Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, Permanent Representative of India, said they believed that respecting the rights of the Tamil community, including through meaningful devolution, contributes directly to the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka. Full statement is as follows, We have taken note of the High Commissioner’s …
(Text of Statement by Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena during the Interactive Dialogue on the OHCHR Report at the 46th sessions of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva). Madam President, Madam High Commissioner, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, The OHCHR Report which is presented today, emanates from the Resolution 30/1 and 40/1, …
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has vowed to support judicial proceedings in other countries against perpetrators of grave human rights violations in Sri Lanka, after the Government had effectively closed the door to achieving justice locally for alleged war time abuses. In her statement to the 46th Session of the UN Human …
Sri Lanka rejected High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet’s report yesterday, saying it had “unjustifiably” broadened its scope and mandate, to include issues of governance that are essentially domestic for any sovereign country. Responding as the country concerned to Bachelet’s oral statement on her report to the UNHRC on Sri Lanka’s progress on accountability and reconciliation, Foreign …
By Sriram Lakshman The U.S. will seek re-election to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Tuesday, as he “humbly” asked for the support of UN member states. ‘ This is the latest in a series of moves by the Biden administration to reverse a pattern of retreat …
Addressing the UN Human Rights Council for the first time since its exit in 2018, the US yesterday urged member states of the Council to back a resolution on Sri Lanka to address the lack of accountability for past atrocities in the island. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the 46th Session of the …
The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has again asked members of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to reject the anti-Sri Lankan resolution presented to the Council on Wednesday. He was participating in the Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) entitled: ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability …
Former head of the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) Saliya Pieris, PC, yesterday won the BASL presidency with an overwhelming majority. Pieris succeeded Kalinga Indatissa, PC. Former BASL President Upul Jayasuriya, PC, last night told The Island that Pieris polled 5162 votes. His rival Kuvera de Zoysa secured 2807 votes.
The Core Group on Sri Lanka tabled the draft resolution at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, a UN spokesperson said, Resolution HRC_46_L.1 titled ‘promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka’ was tabled on Monday, UNHRC spokesman Rolando Gómez said.He said that this was the first resolution to be tabled at …
By Chandani Kirinde The Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) that probed the Easter Day terror attacks has found enough evidence to hold former President Maithripala Sirisena guilty of “criminal liability” for his part in the acts or omissions which resulted in the tragedy. The PCoI recommended that the Attorney General (AG) consider instituting criminal proceedings …
By P.K.Balachandran Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunwardena told the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Tuesday that his country, which is being pilloried by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for alleged war crimes had actually acted in self-defense against the depredations of a ruthless terrorist and separatist group. “Nonetheless, …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (Former chief minister of Tamil Nadu Ms.Jayalalithaa Jayaram was born on February 24th 1948. The glamorous actress turned politician who passed away in 2016 would have turned seventy-three were she among the living now. This article originally written in 2016 for the “Spotlight”film affairs column in the “Daily Financial Times” is being re-posted …
Continue reading ‘When actress Jayalalithaa reigned as uncrowned Queen of Tamil cinema’ »
By Meera Srinivasan A Chinese firm, which had won the bid to execute a renewable energy project in Sri Lanka’s northern islands, has objected to “outrageous interference” by a “third party”, apparently referring to India voicing concern recently. In a statement issued on Monday, Sinosoar-Etechwin Joint Venture said it learned from media reports that “a …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (This is an Enhanced Version of an Article written for the “Political Pulse” Column in the “Daily Financial imes” of Feb 18th 2021). February 20th 1961 is a very important date in the history of the Sri Lankan Tamil political struggle to regain lost rights. It was on this day, sixty years ago …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (This is an Enhanced Version of an Article written for the DBS Jeyaraj Column in the “Daily Mirror” of Feb 13th, 2021.) The “Pottuvil to Poligandy” (P2P) Protest that ended successfully last week was a watershed moment in the political history of Sri Lankan Tamils. The Five day “P2P” protest march began in …
Continue reading ‘Tamil “Satyagraha” Paralyses Administration in North and East 60 Years Ago’ »
Attorneys-at-Law for prominent lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah on Friday told the Fort Magistrate’s Court that the entire case against Hizbullah was “one big lie”. “It’s a pure fabrication. They coerced children to make statements and even those statements they failed to get their facts right,” they said. This was after Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris informed …
The legacy and closure of Sri Lanka’s brutal civil war and the country’s complicated human rights record will take centre-stage as the 46th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) kicks off in Geneva today.(Feb 22) Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunewardane will address the 46th Session of the Council during the ‘high-level segment’ on …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The five-day-long ‘Pottuvil to Poligandy’ (P2P) protest that began in the East on Wednesday 3 February concluded in the north on Sunday 7 February on a triumphant note. Thousands of Tamils marched on foot and proceeded in vehicles from Pottuvil in the Amparai District to Poligandy in the Jaffna District. Tens of thousands …
Continue reading ‘Sarath Weerasekara and the Withdrawal of STF Security For Sumanthiran After P2P’ »
By Meera Srinivasan A day after Sri Lanka’s Minister of Energy remarked that the government would “re-acquire” World War-era oil tanks in the eastern city of Trincomalee — which were leased out to an Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) subsidiary in 2003 — India said the bilateral understanding on jointly developing and operating the tank farm …
Attorney-at-Law Hejaaz Hizbullah and the Principal of Madrasa School Mohammed Shakeel were remanded till 3 March by Colombo Fort Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage yesterday. The two were produced before the Magistrate on the directive of the Attorney General to face charges under the PTA and the ICCPR Act. Deputy Solicitor General Dileep Peiris informed the Magistrate …
By Chandani Kirinde Attorney General Dappula de Livera yesterday directed the CID to name detained attorney Hejaaz Omar Hizbullah as a suspect and produce him before a Magistrate to face charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the ICCPR Act, as well as charges of conspiracy under the Penal Code. Hizbullah will face …
By Uditha Jayasinghe The Government yesterday said talks with India on development of the Upper Oil Tank Farm in Trincomalee had concluded with both sides agreeing to manage them via a partnership between Lanka IOC and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), with the latter being the majority shareholder. Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila speaking at an event …
By Shamindra Ferdinando President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Office yesterday (15) strongly denied a claim by former US Ambassador for War Crimes and Global Criminal Justice Stephen Rapp (2009-2015) that wartime Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa had admitted to killing LTTE leaders following their surrender to the Army in 2009. Rapp claimed Rajapaksa had told him so when …
The UN’s failure to act on Sri Lanka could spur a global pandemic of impunity, former top UN officials and human rights experts warned during a widely publicised webinar last week, ahead of a key Human Rights Council session in Geneva. A webinar titled Sri Lanka: Quest for Justice, Rule of Law and Democratic Rights …
(The Following remarks are Extracted from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech in Chennai on 14 February 2021.He was speaking at the inauguration/handing over/laying of Foundation Stone of various projects of Chennai.) Friends, Our Government has always taken care of the welfare and aspirations of our Tamil brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka.It is my …
By Damith Wickremasekara Sri Lanka will next week sign an agreement with China’s Central Bank — the People’s Bank of China — for a swap arrangement amounting to US$ 1.5 billion. The move came as the Government is looking at measures to bridge the gap of another US$ 1 billion. The Sri Lankan Central bank …
By The “Sunday Times” Political Editor Sri Lanka has hit back at the United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet’s latest report calling for targeted sanctions, saying it is based on “speculative, presumptive and unsubstantiated opinions.” It came in a 30-page response to her report which called for targeted sanctions — asset freezes, travel …
By Sandun Jayawardana Not often does a Government make a complete fool of its own leaders but the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) did that in spectacularly farcical fashion this week by embarrassing Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa over the controversial “cremation only” policy for COVID-19 dead. The bizarre saga unfolded in Parliament after Samagi Jana …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj There has been a lot of political excitement in the Tamil speaking areas of the Eastern Province for the past two days (Feb 3rd and 4th) due to the launching of a protest demonstration named “Pottuvil to Poligandy” or “P2P”. This was to be a long march on foot and in vehicles from …
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj It was widely reported in the media early this week that the National Anthem would be sung in Sinhala only at the official celebrations of Sri Lanka’s 73rd anniversary of gaining independence from Britain. Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. Kamal Gunaratne made it unambiguously clear at a press briefing that the National Anthem …
Continue reading ‘Excluding National Anthem in Tamil on Independence Day’ »
By Yohan Perera Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith today said he will be compelled to call for a probe by an international court over the Easter Sunday attacks, if justice is not meted out to victims of the mayhem and their families. Cardinal Ranjith told a press conference that he is not …
There was confusion in Parliament yesterday over the Government’s position regarding its policy on mandatory cremation of COVID-19 victims after State Minister of Primary Health Services, Pandemics and COVID Prevention Sudharshini Fernandopulle, said that the decision on the matter would be made by a technical committee that comes under the Ministry of Health. “The Health …
By Saman Indrajith Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday announced that TNA parliamentarian M. A. Sumanthiran’s complaint that he had been wrongly accused of evading sessions of the Presidential Commission of inquiry into political victimisation would be referred to the Parliamentary Committee on Ethics and Privileges. The Speaker said that a motion could be permitted to …
By Uditha Jayasinghe The Wages Board yesterday approved the Rs. 1,000 daily wage for the plantation sector, ending nearly two years of dragging discussions between Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) and trade unions, clearing the way for the Labour Minister to gazette the salary increase within a week. Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva speaking to …
By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan The STF personnel providing security for TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran had been withdrawn last Sunday (7) evening. Sumanthiran said, no reasons have been given to him prior to the move. He claimed, the security officers informed him they have been recalled from duty. The MP participated in the four-day ‘Pottuvil to …
The Biden administration is set to announce this week that it will reengage with the much-maligned U.N. Human Rights Council that former President Donald Trump withdrew from almost three years ago, U.S. officials said Sunday. The decision reverses another Trump-era move away from multilateral organizations and agreements. U..S. officials say Secretary of State Antony Blinken …
By PADMA RAO SUNDARJI The row has intensified and diplomatic relations have frayed ever since Sri Lanka unilaterally cancelled an agreement with India and Japan over the East Container Terminal (ECT) of Colombo port. Now, a Sri Lankan minister has added a new twist to the controversy by claiming that the main Indian investor, the …
(Text of Editorial Appearing in “The Hindu” of February 6th 2021 under the Heading “Terminal declined: On Sri Lanka reneging on Colombo East Container Terminal”) India and Japan are important donors, and Sri Lanka must try and salvage the ECT deal The Rajapaksa government’s decision to overturn Sri Lanka’s tripartite agreement to develop Colombo’s East …
By Meera Srinivasan The site’s proximity to the Indian coastline can be a cause for concern Sri Lanka’s recent decision to pull out of the East Container Terminal (ECT) deal with India and Japan is not the only challenge to New Delhi’s interests emerging this year. “Hybrid A week before reneging on the 2019 Colombo …
By S. Rubatheesan India has lodged a strong protest with Sri Lanka on the award of a tender to a Chinese company to set up three renewable energy projects in outlying islands off the Jaffna peninsula. The protest, the Sunday Times learnt, came even before the Cabinet of Ministers decided not to give India and …
By Meera Srinivasan In a flurry of meetings a day after Sri Lanka backed out of an agreement with India and Japan, to develop the East Container Terminal (ECT) at the Colombo Port, Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on Tuesday, official sources …
By Suhasini Haidar and Meera Srinivasan Two days after Sri Lanka decided to scrap a 2019 agreement with India and Japan for operating the East Coast Terminal (ECT), Japan says the decision was “unilateral and regrettable.” Japan’s Ambassador Akira Sugiyama also met with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to discuss the issue on Wednesday, …
On the heels of an unprecedented appeal filed in the Supreme Court, lawyers for SJB MP Ranjan Ramanayake filed an application in the Court of Appeal on Monday (1) seeking a Writ of Prohibition against the Secretary General of Parliament, to prevent the official from filling his seat in the legislature. Ramanayake is also seeking …
Convicted actor-politician Ranjan Ramanayake’s lawyers have filed a historic appeal in the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka using provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)that guarantee every person convicted of a crime, the right to appeal. The appeal filed on Monday (1) cites the petitioner in Ramanayake’s contempt case Ranawaka Sunil …
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj “Naghaichchuvai Mannan” (King of Comedy) Nagesh passed away in Chennai on Jan 31st 2009. His 12th death anniversary is being commemorated this year. He was born on September 27th 1933. Nagesh was the undisputed king of comedians in Tamil cinema from the early sixties to mid-seventies of the previous century. After a …
Continue reading ‘“Nagaichuvai Mannan” Nagesh: The Comedy King of Tamil Cinema’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj January 28th 2021 was the third death anniversary of famous film maker Dharmasena Pathiraja. The renowned academic cum film director, referred to as “Pathi” by almost everybody he interacted with, breathed his last on the morning of 28 January, 2018 at the Lakeside Hospital in Kandy. He was 74 years and had been …
By P.K. Balachandran Reacting to signals from the Sri Lankan government that it is opting out of the May 2019 trilateral Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) between Sri Lanka, India and Japan to build and run the East Container Terminal (ECT) at the Colombo Port, the Indian High Commission said on Monday that it expects all …
By Meera Srinivasan Reneging on a 2019 agreement with India and Japan, Sri Lanka has decided to develop the strategic East Container Terminal (ECT) at the Colombo Port on its own. The Sri Lankan government would instead offer the West Container Terminal to India for possible investments, a senior government source told The Hindu. The …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj “Only God can save the Tamil people now” (Thamil Makkalai Inik Kadavul Thaan Kaappaatra Vaendum) was the anguished response of respected Sri Lankan Tamil political leader Samuel James Veluppilaai Chelvanayakam after the results of the 1970 Parliamentary Elections were known. The United Front (UF) led by Sirimavo Bandaranaike had swept the polls with …
The Sri Lankan Envoy to the United Nations in New York unprecedently raised the country’s human rights issues at the UN General Assembly last Thursday (28 January), charging that defeated terrorists were using international rights mechanisms to unleash a different kind of terrorism, a serious broadside to the Geneva-based Human Rights Council. In his maiden …
By Rebecca Ratcliffe South-east Asia correspondent, and Guardian staff in Yangon Myanmar’s army has taken control of the country in an apparent coup and declared a state of emergency, hours after it detained Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior figures from the ruling party. Phone and mobile internet services in Yangon were down on …
By Nisthar Cassim Dissent over the deal on East Container Terminal (ECT) in the Colombo Port has erupted, triggering likely economic, political and diplomatic fallout for Sri Lanka as the Government and officials were busy devising an amicable way out of the crisis. Trade unions have refused to give up their demand that the Government …
(Excerpts from the Political Column By the Political Editor in the “Sunday Times” of January 31st 2021) A head-on confrontation between the Government and the UN system has become inevitable, judging from the latest report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The UNHRC Report calls upon member states to refer the …
The first consignment of 500,000 doses of COVID–19 vaccines donated by the Government of India was officially received by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday, marking a breakthrough in the country’s fight against the pandemic that has gripped the world. The handover, following the arrival of the air freighted vaccine at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), was …
(Text of Press Release Issued by the Human Rights Watch on January 29, 2021) The United Nations Human Rights Council, at its upcoming session, should act on the recommendations of the UN high commissioner for human rights, Human Rights Watch said today. The council should adopt a new resolution to enhance scrutiny of Sri Lanka’s …
(Text of a Press Release Issued by the Canadian Tamil Congress on January 2(th 2021) The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) strongly welcomes the report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Sri Lanka and calls for immediate and effective actions from the Canadian government to address its recommendations. …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Twelve years ago on 8 January 2009, Lasantha Manilal Wickrematunge, the Editor of The Sunday Leader in Colombo, was killed by “unknown” assassins. He was my colleague, Editor, friend and above all a kindred soul. How I miss him! There is a huge vacuum in the media scene after his departure. It is …
Continue reading ‘Unbowed and Unafraid, Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge Spoke Truth to Power’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj On January 12th 2021, a three judge bench of the Supreme Court imposed a sentence of four years rigorous imprisonment on Sadda Vidda Rajapakse Palanga Pathira Ambakumarage Ranjan Leo Sylvester Alphonsu alias Ranjan Ramanayake finding him guilty of the offence of Contempt of court. Prior to being taken away in a prisons dept …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj An overwhelming feeling of relief has descended upon the world – not merely the US- after the Presidential elections of the United States of America ended. Joseph Robinette Biden jnr known as Joe Biden is the new US President-elect. Biden’s creditable, credible electoral triumph has ensured that decency, dignity and decorum will once …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj A news report in the “Daily Mirror” last August stated that the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol(LRRP) of the Sri Lankan army’s Special Forces has been ranked the third most dangerous Special Forces in the world by the military ranks.info. The United States Navy SEALs was ranked as the most dangerous Special Forces Unit …
Continue reading ‘Army’s LRRP Ambush of LTTE’s Military Intelligence Chief Col. Charles.’ »
(Text of Press Release Issued by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on January 27th Regarding the UN Report on Sri Lanka by UN Human Rights High Commissioner Ms. Michele Bachelet Titled “Sri Lanka on alarming path towards recurrence of grave human rights violations”) A new UN report published on …
By Kelum Bandara U.S. Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz, who commented on the development of the East Container Terminal of Colombo Port, said the involvement of an Indian company in this exercise was essential for Sri Lanka’s maritime future, obviously with India being the beneficiary of Sri Lanka’s port facilities or rather transshipment activities. She said …
(Text of a Press Release Issued by the International Human Rights Organization Amnesty International) The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) must take urgent steps to address the worsening human rights situation in Sri Lanka Amnesty International said today, following the release of a damning UN report on the country’s efforts to ensure accountability for crimes …
By Asiri Fernando A level playing field and working with diverse partners could see more beneficial foreign investment come in to Sri Lanka, US Ambassador for Sri Lanka and Maldives Alaina B. Teplitz said yesterday. The US Ambassador made the comments at a roundtable discussion held online, the first such discussion since the Biden administration …
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has expressed strong criticism of the prevailing human rights situation in Sri Lanka and urged member states of the United Nations Human Rights Council to consider imposing punitive measures on the country including a referral to the International Criminal Court. The UN Human Rights Commissioner …
(Text of Press Statement issued on January 21st 2021 in New Delhi by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Regarding the incident involving loss of lives of Indian fishermen) We are shocked at the unfortunate loss of lives of three Indian fishermen and one Sri Lankan national following a collision between their vessel and a …
The apolitical National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) Chairman Karu Jayasuriya said yesterday that the failure on the part of the Government to explain the massive fraud of Rs. 10 billion that had allegedly taken place due to the cut in the sugar tax was a serious blow to the confidence that the people of …
By Chandani Kirinde President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed a three-member commission to identify the findings of the preceding Commissions and Committees that probed human rights violations and what progress has been made in the implementation of their recommendations in terms of the existing law and what further steps need to be taken in line with …
(Text of Inaugural Address by US President Joe R Biden on January 20th 2021) Chief Justice Roberts, Vice-President Harris, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Vice-President Pence. My distinguished guests, my fellow Americans. This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day of history and hope, of renewal and resolve. Through a crucible for …
(Text of Intervention made in Parliament by TNA Jaffna District Parliamentarian MA Sumanthiran regarding Ranjan Ramanayake MP) ……..I want to flag one or two issues concerning the responsibility of the parliament in this regard. But before I do that I am bound by law and tradition to disclose my interest in the matter. I am …
(Text of Press Release Issued by the High Commission of India in Colombo on January 19th 2021) 1. The Government of India has received several requests for the supply of Indian manufactured vaccines from neighbouring and key partner countries. In response to these requests, and in keeping with India’s stated commitment to use India’s vaccine …
(Text of Letter sent to all heads of missions of 47 Member states represented in the United Nations Human Rights Council(UNHRC) by leaders of Tamil national political parties, members of the Tamil victim communities and Tamil civil society organizations) 15 January 2021 Heads of Missions Missions of the 47 Member States represented in the UN …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (This article written for the “DBS Jeyaraj Column” appeared first in the “Daily Mirror” of Jul 23, 2016.It was subsequently posted on this blog and is being re-posted here again without any changes to the original heading or content. This article recounts in detail the clashes that took place in the Jaffna campus …
Continue reading ‘Jaffna Varsity Violence: What Really Happened and Why!’ »
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj (Popular Tamil Nadu Film Actor cum Political Leader M.G.Ramachandran known as “MGR” was born in Kandy on January 17th 1917.. This article written earlier for the “Spotlight” Column of “Daily Financial Times” is reproduced here to denote MGR’s 104th Birth anniversary) There was a time when the magical initials MGR were a …
(Text of Press Release Issued by Amnesty International on 13 January 2021) Responding to the acquittal today of MP Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan and four others in the 2005 assassination of Tamil MP Joseph Pararajasingham, following an announcement by the Attorney General’s Office that it would be dropping the charges against the suspects, David Griffiths, Director of …
(Text of Chapter about Sri Lanka in Country Reports Section titled “Sri Lanka:Events of 2020″in the annual “Human Rights Watch” 2021 World Report 2021) Fundamental human rights protections in Sri Lanka came under serious jeopardy following Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s election as president in November 2019. In February 2020, Sri Lanka withdrew its commitments to truth seeking, …
By Thulasi Muttulingam The Tamil month of Thai was ushered in on Monday Jan 14. It marks the end of the harvesting season of rice for the Tamil farmers who will be celebrating that harvest with their famous festival of Thai Pongal. Pongal means ‘boiling over’. To signify that they have had a bountiful harvest, …
Continue reading ‘Evolution of Agriculture and the ‘Thaipongal’ Tamil Harvest Festival’ »
(Text of a Statement issued by Jaffna District MP and Tamil National Alliance Spokesperson Mathiaparanan Abraham Sumanthiran PC on the demolition of the memorial monument at the University of Jaffna ) The demolition of the memorial monument in the University of Jaffna is an act of savagery that cannot be condoned by any right thinking …
By P. Krishnaswamy After the Christmas and New Year festivities, the focus is now on the Pongal harvest festival, popularly known as Thai Pongal, celebrated in the first four days of the month of Thai in the Tamil-Hindu calendar. Traditionally, it is the festival of farmers who depend on Mother Earth, the sun, rain, other …
Continue reading ‘‘Thai Pongal’ the Harvest Festival of Tamils’ »
A three-member bench of the Supreme Court yesterday sentenced Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Gampaha District MP Ranjan Ramanayake to four years rigorous imprisonment after finding him guilty to a charge of contempt of court. The Bench comprised Justice Sisira J. de Abrew, Vijith K. Malagoda and Padman Surasena. “We convict him for the offence of …
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed an eight-member Presidential Task Force for National Deployment and Vaccination Plan for COVID-19 vaccine which will be headed by Principal Adviser to the President Lalith Weeratunga. Its other members are Secretary, Health Ministry Secretary Major General Dr. Sanjeewa Munasinghe, State Ministry of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Tamil National Alliance(TNA) is the premier political configuration representing the Tamils of North -Eastern Sri Lanka. The TNA comprising the Ilankai Thamil Arasuk Katchi(ITAK),Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization(TELO) and Peoples Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam(PLOTE) has ten MP’s in the present Parliament. Of these nine are elected parliamentarians while one was appointed as …
Continue reading ‘Jaffna Mayor Election Defeat Triggers Crisis in TNA-ITAK’ »
(Text of Press Release No 21-29 Issued by the US Department of Justice,Office of Public Affairs on January 8th 2021) The Justice Department announced today that three Sri Lankan citizens have been charged with terrorism offenses, including conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (ISIS). The men were part of a …
(Text of Press Release issued by the Center for Jutice and Accountability on January 8, 2021) The Center for Justice and Accountability (CJA) and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP—acting on behalf of Ahimsa Wickrematunge, the daughter of acclaimed Sri Lankan journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge—filed a complaint today against the Government of Sri Lanka with the United Nations …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj ‘Murder in the Cathedral’ is a drama written in verse by the great poet, essayist and playwright Thomas Stearnes Eliot known to the literary world as T.S. Eliot. It is based on the assassination of Archbishop Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral in December 1170 during the reign of King Henry II. Eliot had …
Continue reading ‘Murder in the Cathedral: Christmas Killing of TNA MP Joseph Pararajasingham’ »
(Text of Remarks made by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr.Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at the Joint Press Conference held in Colombo with his Sri Lankan minister of Foreign relations Mr.Dinesh Gunawardena on January 6th 2021) My esteemed colleague and friend the Honourable Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunawardenaji, Senior officials, Friends from media, Good afternoon. Let …