Text of a speech delivered by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo, October 25, 2015.

Venerable members of the Maha Sangha, clergymen of all other religions, friends,

I address you thus, at a time of great peril to our nation. Various views have been expressed about the resolution passed against Sri Lanka in the Human Rights Council in Geneva. There was a debate in parliament about it as well. Some contentious points have been raised with regard to this resolution and as the former President and Commander in Chief I am duty bound to explain to the public my views on this resolution. The people of this country should be aware of the challenge confronting the country as a result of the government co-sponsoring the Geneva resolution against Sri Lanka.

I must first draw your attention to the operative paragraphs in the Geneva resolution which will have the most serious implications for this country. There are many dangerous operative paragraphs in this resolution. I wish to draw your attention to three of the most serious and unacceptable recommendations.

Continue reading ‘Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a Speech Made in Colombo Outlines Dangers Facing Sri Lanka Due to the UN Geneva Resolution’ »

by Rajan Philips

On Monday, October 19, Canadians elected a majority Liberal government led by a handsome, young politician with a famous last name. Justin Trudeau, Canada’s new Prime Minister, is the 43 year old son of Pierre Elliot Trudeau (1919-2000), one of Canada’s better known world figures and a former Prime Minister for 16 years from 1968 to 1984. The young Trudeau has become a global celebrity in his own right almost instantly after his Party’s stunning electoral victory. His victory speech capped off a campaign of optimism and for change, promising “sunny ways” like Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Canada’s Prime Minister a hundred years ago, and invoking “the better angels of our nature” as Abraham Lincoln did fifty years before that.

Justin Trudeau’s victory is the success story of a campaign that persuaded the better angels of Canadian society to reject the cynically calculated targeting of Canadian Muslims for electoral gains by the incumbent, and now defeated, Conservative Prime Minister, Stephen Harper. The Trudeau platform included bold and credible promises challenging libertarian orthodoxies and xenophobic undercurrents: increased taxing of the super-rich and more help to the middle classes; Keynesian deficit financing to boost the economy; withdrawal of Canadian fighter jets deployed in the Middle East and resumption of Canada’s traditional emphasis on interventionist diplomacy; welcoming more refugees from Syria and recognition of citizenship as a permanent right; a leadership role in the global fight against climate change; compassionate support of euthanasia; and legalizing the regulated use of marijuana.

Continue reading ‘Pierre and Justin Trudeau: Charismatic Father and Son Prime Ministers of Canada’ »

By

Ranga Jayasuriya

Last week saw a curious event of pomp and funfair-and political realism-that highlighted how far the States would go to maximize their benefits, even at the expense of their allies. Britain rolled out the red carpet for Xi Jinping, the Chinese President who rode in a gilded royal carriage to the Buckingham Palace with the Queen seated alongside, and was hosted in a series of banquets and signed trade deals running into billions of dollars, including a 30% investment in a new British nuclear power plant. Since the United States, Britain’s old ‘special friend’ is hedging against the rising (and increasingly assertive) China, the British cozying up with the Middle Kingdom would not go down well in Washington. That is in addition to all the righteous concerns of human rights that were put on hold in the rush for China’s gold.

When all is said and done, this however vindicates one immutable premise in international relations: States are rational self interested actors driven to maximize profit. With its ultimate national security being guaranteed by the NATO (of which the overwhelming burden is taken care of by the US, the status quo power), Britain is luring China, the challenger and a potential revisionist power for the sheer allure of economic benefits that a rapprochement would bring. And long term economic benefits for Britain in its thaw with Beijing, most analysts say would be huge in terms of investment and exports in high end sectors such as education and finances, in which Britain always has a qualitative edge.

Now, see how our new Government conducted itself since it came to power in January this year. It suspended a number of major infrastructure development projects; many of which were funded by China. Various justifications were given, ranging from inflated project cost, corruption and the other usual culprit, flimsy environmental concerns. Since most of them were later resumed, some with certain cost reductions, but also sans, some of the flyovers, lanes and interchanges that were in the initial blueprints, one would now ask whether all the pre-election brouhaha was political gimmick. For instance, the Cabinet has now granted green light to the Kadawatha-Kerawalapitiya section of the Colombo Outer Circular Highway (OCH) to be built according to an amended Blueprint, according to which, an inter change has been removed and the length and height of viaducts were reduced. However, it comes at a 39% reduction of the initial cost.

Continue reading ‘Govt Should Make Sri Lanka a Welcoming Market For Chinese Investment Instead of Doing the Opposite’ »

By

C.A.Chandraprema

The Presidential Commission to Inquire into Complaints of Missing Persons was set up by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on 15 August 2013 under the chairmanship of retired High Court Judge Maxwell Paranagama. In the one and a half years that it functioned under the Rajapaksas, this was just another commission of inquiry like the many that had preceded it. Indeed one could even say that this was even more low profile and less controversial than most of the commissions that preceded it. But after the change of regime in January 2015, this placid and relatively obscure existence was rudely shattered. Controversy first erupted not with regard to the Commission itself but in relation to the group of eminent foreign advisors, advising it on the law of armed conflict. Pro-yahapalana activists demanded the sacking of Sir Desmond de Silva the head of that advisory panel.

It ended with the Report on Sri Lanka published by the UN Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) recommending that this commission be dissolved and the cases before it transferred to a more ‘credible’ body. In his speech to the UN Human Rights Council on 30 September 2015, the UN Human Rights Commissioner himself demanded that this Commission on Disappearances be dissolved. This was one of the few points that Zeid Al Hussein placed special emphasis on in his speech. It was not perhaps the work of the Commission itself that got the goat of the local Western funded NGO sector and the OHCHR but the work of its advisory council headed by Sir Desmond de Silva QC.

This advisory council at various times had eminent experts in the law of armed conflict such as De Silva who has prosecuted Charles Taylor of Liberia for war crimes, Sir Geoffrey Nice QC who has participated in the prosecution of Slobodan Milosevic of Yugoslavia, Professor David Crane, who also played a role in the Charles Taylor Trial, Rodney Dixon who has represented deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, Paul Newton who was involved in preparing the ‘Elements of Crimes’ document of the International Criminal Court and Major General John Holmes the former head of the British SAS who has been involved in planning military operations in Kosovo. The advisory panel to the Maxwell Paranagama Commission was a veritable who’s who of the international war crimes scene.

What was even more significant was that all the written legal opinions submitted by these international experts were all in Sri Lanka’s favour and took the bottom out of the case that the Western powers, the Tamil separatist lobby and the Western funded NGOs in Sri Lanka and the largely Western funded OHCHR was trying to build against Sri Lanka. Obtaining the expert opinion of these legal luminaries and the military opinion of Maj Gen Holmes was a master stroke on the part of the Rajapaksa government. It was also a providential thing that The Island got hold of these opinions and published them in full on the internet edition so that they have by now gone around the world and cannot be suppressed.

Continue reading ‘Paranagama Appointed by old Rajapaksa Govt is now Doing “Flip-flops”Trying to Please New Maithripala-Ranil Govt’ »

By
Rasika Jayakody

A heated verbal battle broke out at the SLFP parliamentary group meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena last Monday evening over another gathering held earlier at MP Gamini Lokuge’s house in Colombo.

The person who stirred up the hornets’ nest was Minister S.B. Dissanayake who lashed out at certain SLFP MPs for holding what he called a “conspiratorial meeting” at Lokuge’s house.

Dissanayake alleged that Udaya Gammanpila, Dinesh Gunawardena, Bandula Gunawardena and Prasanna Ranatunga met at Lokuge’s house and plotted the formation of a new and separate political alliance to contest the Local Government election.

The Minister said the group had discussed forming an alliance under Dinesh Gunawardena’s leadership outside the SLFP and even outside the old, now faltering UPFA structure.

Dissanayake accused the SLFP MPs who were present at the Lokúgé meeting of attempting to create a division in the party.

At this point, MP Gamini Lokuge, the politician who facilitated that controversial meeting, denied any such ‘conspiracy’.

As he sat down, Prasanna Ranatunga responded angrily to the accusations made by his party senior, Dissanayake.

“Yes there was a meeting. But it had nothing to do with forming a separate political alliance.
However, the party members who attended the meeting requested us to contest under a new alliance as they were not happy with certain decisions made by our MPs,” Ranatunga said directing his criticism at the party MPs who had entered into a national unity government with the UNP.

Continue reading ‘SLFP Plans to De-link from UPFA and Contest Local Elections Alone and then Form Joint Administrations with the UNP’ »

ECONOMYNEXT – The war crimes investigation set up by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa has made startling revelations that senior military commanders should be hauled up for criminal prosecutions.

The Maxell Paranagama commission appointed in 2013 in what many at the time feared was an attempt to white wash the security forces has surprisingly produced a shockingly frank report amounting to an indictment of the former regime.

The Paranagama commission was asked to investigate the credibility of the major war crimes allegations that were levelled against government forces after crushing the Tamil Tiger rebels and declaring an end to 37 years of ethnic war in May 2009.

Continue reading ‘Paranagama Commission Finds Many War Crimes Allegations Against Military to be Credible and Calls for Independent Investigation by Neutral Judges’ »

by Madura Ranwala and Saman Indrajith

National Freedom Front Leader and Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa, MP, who was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, yesterday morning, was enlarged on Rs.10,000 cash bail and two sureties of Rs. 1 million each yesterday evening by the Negombo Magistrate. The case would be taken up on Oct. 28.

The MP, who was to fly to Italy, France and England via Dubai to delivers a series of lectures on the UNHRC resolution to Sri Lankans living in those countries, had been thwarted, NFF leader’s media spokesman said.

The lecture titled ‘Suddage Adikaranaya saha Jathiye Awanaduwa,’ was earlier given in Sri Lanka and subsequently a book was launched under that title.

Sri Lankans living overseas had requested MP Weerawansa to educate them on the real impact of the resolution that was passed at the UNHRC recently, as the LTTE activists were celebrating the passage of that resolution, media secretary of NFF Leader, Anuruddha Bandara told The Island.

Continue reading ‘Wimal Weerawansa’s Plan to Deliver Lectures in Italy,France and UK on the Topic “Suddage Adikaranaya Saha Jathiye Awanaduwa” Thwarted.’ »

By Saman Indrajith

Democratic Left Front leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara said, in Parliament, yesterday that the countries interests had been subjugated to America’s geo-political agenda by the incumbent government.

Participating in the adjournment debate on Geneva UNHRC report and alleged human rights violations during the last phase of the war, MP Nanayakkara said: “Sri Lanka is fast becoming an American puppet. Time was when this country was ruled by a similar regime some decades ago. It was under President J R. Jayewardene’s tenure. Jayewardene was known world over as an American stooge. Hence, he was dubbed Yankee Dickie. He was falling over himself to please the US. Today, we have a Yankee Wickie. That is none other than Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Continue reading ‘American Stooge JR was Dubbed “Yankee Dickie”, Ranil Today is “Yankee Wickie” – Vasudeva Nanayakkara’ »

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday said in Parliament that India’s premier intelligence agency – the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) was engaged in a scheme to destabilise the North.

Participating in the adjournment debate on Geneva based UNHRC report and alleged human rights violations during the last phase of the war, MP Dissanayake said: “Jaffna has become a den of the RAW.”

He said that international interventions in domestic affairs had always been detrimental to the national interests. The Jaffna people thought that India would help them. There was no such help when the conflict was worsening.

Continue reading ‘“Jaffna has Become a RAW Den as Indian Espionage Agency is Scheming to De-stabilise Northern Sri Lanka ” Alleges JVP’ »

by Saman Indrajith

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday requested the Opposition members not to engage in ‘civet’ politics (Ugudu Deshapalanaya) at night.

Participating in the adjournment debate on Geneva based UNHRC report and alleged human rights violations during the last phase of the war, the Prime Minister said: “Don’t play dubious games. I request you to give up ‘civet politics’. The civet could act well in dark places but cannot play the same when there is light.”

He called upon the opposition to give up civet politics and join hands with the government to create a democratic society and to fulfil the aspirations of the people.

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Wickremesinghe Tells Opposition MP’s not to Engage in “Ugudu Deshapalanaya”(Civet Cat Politics)’ »

by Shamindra Ferdinando

The Second Mandate of Paranagama Commission prepared after having obtained international legal and military opinion has strongly justified the killing or capturing of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran during the final phase of the Vanni offensive.

Troops recovered Prabhakaran’s body on the morning of May 19, 2009, on the banks of the Nanthikadal lagoon.

The Commission faulted UNSG Ban Ki-moon’s Panel of Expert (PoE) for failing to examine government military strategy to free civilian hostages and bring an immediate end to three decades long war.

The International Legal Advisory Council comprised Sir Desmond de Silva, QC (UK), Sir Geoffrey Nice, QC (UK) and Prof. David M. Crane (US). The Council had the support of a panel of international experts, including retd Maj. Gen. John Holmes, one-time commanding officer of UK’s elite Special Air Services (SAS) Regiment.

Continue reading ‘Paranagama Commission Recommends Investigation into Allegations About Execution of Surrendered LTTE Personnel’ »

By

Lucien Rajakarunanayake

Amidst the often tortuous and boring abundance of advertisements promoting candidates seeking election in the run up to the August 17 General Election, there was one ad that stood out for its clarity and unambiguous statement.

This well produced and impactful ad in Sinhala, was presented in the depiction of a classroom in a regular school, where the teacher was advising students on the best standards of social behavior and leadership. With good acting from the writing on the blackboard to talking to the pupils, the key lines of the teacher were:

“Tell the truth,

These are the qualities of a good leader”

Just as the last line was said a pupil stood up and asked whether this was not referring to Mr. Arjuna……..

From then on it was the advertising blurb to vote for Arjuna Ranatunga the UNFPA candidate inthe Gampaha District, with a good display of his candidate number.

Continue reading ‘Sibling Appointed Ports Authority Chairman by Arjuna Ranatunga just as President Sirisena Appointed his Brother as Telecom Chairman’ »

By

Rohan Pethiyagoda

21st death anniversary of Gamini Dissanayake

In every generation, it is given to but a handful of politicians to become creatures of legend. When posterity judges, it judges harshly, sans any of the ‘accountability’ we so yearn to see in politicians themselves. Public memory is whimsical and capricious, almost never just. With nine years having gone by since his passing, there is no doubt that posterity has judged my late brother-in- law, Lionel Gamini Dissanayake, gently indeed. His deeds outlive his faults, and his legacy is not forgotten.

I knew Gamini for only a decade; having met him properly for the first time only when in 1983. I, a stripling minor Government servant of some 27 summers, sought an appointment with the all-powerful Minister of Lands, Irrigation and Mahaweli Development to ask for the hand of his youngest sister (their father had died shortly before, and Gamini took his duties as head of the family seriously indeed).

It was not an easy meeting. An elaborate vegetarian lunch had been prepared. Gamini went to some pains to tell me about his origins in Maswela, a village in the Kotmale Valley, on the right bank of the Mahaweli River. He clearly had a genuine respect for village life and values.

The Ministers in the 1980s had a lot more power than they do today. Mind you, I’m not complaining that times have changed. But Gamini enjoyed power immensely, and even said so. “Politics is the pursuit of power,” he would say, probably quoting someone I have no idea who.

Continue reading ‘Gamini Dissanayake Was a Man in a Hurry Not Just For Himself, But For Sri Lanka’ »

By Ashwin Hemmathagama

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe set the stage for the second day of the Adjournment Motion on the resolution passed by the United Nations’ Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) on Sri Lanka by telling his fellow lawmakers yesterday that it was better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.

“We all suffered due to terrorism, which spread, making racism its base. There was tremendous loss of human life as well as property during the conflict. After the war, having failed to take effective action to cure the wounded hearts and souls of Sri Lankans, the country was cornered by the international community. This will not allow us to go forward. We need to come out of international isolation. The Geneva proposals have given us the opportunity. Now we need to discuss how best we can do this by mending the broken hearts and mending them by spreading peace and mercy,” he said.

The Premier urged all members of the House to join the journey of good governance. “Our intention should not be to punish people or to take revenge but to find out the real issues and to take firm action to prevent similar incidents taking place in the future. Both the President and I want this to take place on par with the provisions of Article 4 of the Constitution. We will not violate people’s sovereignty. We will act according to the Supreme Court.”

Continue reading ‘“LTTE was Given Money to Influence 2005 Presidential Elections 4 Months After Tigers Killed Lakshman Kadirgamar”-Ranil Wickremesinghe’ »

(Concluding Remarks made by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera on October 23rd 2015 in the Parliamentary debate on the resolution on Sri Lanka passed by the UN Human rights Council in Geneva)

The national unity government has committed itself to winning the peace, securing the country from political violence that has haunted it since independence and it has dedicated itself to ensuring that the culture of impunity that has prevailed – whether for corruption, drug dealing or violations of human rights – is put to an end.

Sri Lankans – whether they be children in the North desperate to know if their fathers are alive or not, mothers of soldiers yearning to know the truth of what happenened to their son who went Missing in Action, families of the 600 policemen who were killed in cold blood by the LTTE or the wives of slain journalists. They have aright to know what happened and they also have a right to seek justice. Similarly, if such crimes occurred, society has a moral obligation to investigate and and apply legal systems for justice, and reparations. The State bears such a legal responsibility.

In fact Government’s 100 day work programme, at point 93, states that “since Sri Lanka is not a signatory to the Rome Statute regarding international jurisdiction with regard to war crimes, ensuring justice with regard to such matters will be the business of national independent judicial mechanisms.”

Therefore, in order to break away from our turbulent post-Independence history – which has included two Sinhala youth insurgencies, multi-actor Tamil militancy and LTTE terrorism – and set the country on the path towards sustainable peace, security and prosperity; it is our duty by the people of this nation and our duty towards future generations to undertake a course correction to ensure the non-recurrence of violence. These measures include the creation of a new constitution to solve the national question and address many of the root causes of the conflict that have plagued our land for many decades. Collectively, these measures will ensure that our society is never tormented by such violence ever again.

Continue reading ‘Four Separate Institutions to be Created in Sri Lanka for Ensuring Truth, Justice, Reparations and Non-recurrence- Mangala Samaraweera’ »

By

Malinda Seneviratne

Congrats MS & Co!

Over 270 days have passed since Maithripala Sirisena became President. That’s 170 days beyond the ‘100 Days’ by the end of which we were led to believe Sri Lanka would be a different country. All promises have been kept. Three hearty cheers for Maithri, Ranil, Champika, Chandrika, Rajitha and Rev Athureliye Rathana. Hoooooooray! Pfffffffffffft!!!

Bandagiriya?

There is no water issue in Bandagiriya. Therefore there weren’t any protests about water scarcity. And the police that did not come to control the crowds that did not come to protest did not beat them up either. Heck, Bandagiriya doesn’t even exist!

It’s not about problems and protests

Rathupaswala is Rathupaswala in the way Bandagiriya cannot be Rathupaswala. Because no one has been shot dead? Nah…..it’s about who is putting down protests.

Continue reading ‘Three Hearty Cheers for Maithri,Ranil, Champika, Chandrika, Rajitha and Rev Athureliya Rathana.’ »

By Saman Indrajith

The pre-historic Kuragala site in Balangoda would be conserved for the posterity ensuring that interests of both Sinhala and Muslim communities would be safeguarded, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament yesterday.

It was a national heritage site with archaeological evidence of the Balangoda civilisation and some artefacts found there were more than 8,000 years old, the Prime Minister said.

He said that a committee had been appointed under the supervision of Prof. Shiran Deranaiyagala to look into the issue and find ways and means of conserving the site without jeopardising the interests of both Sinhala and Muslim communities.

Continue reading ‘Kuragala in Balangoda to be Conserved as National Heritage Site while Ensuring Interests of Sinhala and Muslim Communities’ »

By Saman Indrajith

Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs Minister D. M. Swaminathan yesterday told Parliament that there was an urgent need to bring in new laws to criminalise hate speech.

Participating in the debate on Geneva based UNHRC report and alleged human rights violations during the last phase of the war, the Minister said: “In 2014 and so far this year 112 incidents of hate speech against Muslim community have been reported. There have been 22 such incidents since January this year. Christian groups have reported 126 incidents against Christians and their religious sites, this January.”

“There have been no prosecutions in relation to attacks by the Buddhist group Bodu Bala Sena on the Muslim community in Aluthgama in June 2014 where four people were killed and about 80 were injured.”

Continue reading ‘112 Incidents of Hate Speech Against Muslims and 126 Incidents Against Christians During 2014 and this year – DM Swaminathan’ »

By Saman Indrajith

Continue reading ‘Premier Ranil Tells Speaker Karu not to to Permit any MP Produce Non – existent Desmond de Silva report in Parliament’ »

By

Sandasen Marasinghe, Irangika Range and Disna Mudalige

Parliament sittings were suspended for 10 minutes at 12.55 pm yesterday after Opposition member Dinesh Gunawardena took away the Mace alleging that the Chair had been biased towards the government in allocating time for them to speak.

When the name of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hind Religious Affairs Minister D.M. Swaminathan was called by the Chair to address the House during the adjournment debate moved by the government on the Geneva based UNHRC resolution, NFF Leader MP Wimal Weerawansa rising a point of order said that the Chair had been partial in giving time to government members.

MP Wimal Weerawansa said that the time of the floor had been continuously to government members, neglecting the speakers from the opposition listed to speak.

Presiding Member Mujibur Rahman said that he was calling the names in the order of a list given to him. He said that Wimal Weerawansa’s name was at the bottom of the list.

Continue reading ‘Parliament Suspended for 10 Minutes as Dinesh Gunawardena Removes Mace Alleging Bias Against Opposition in Allocationof Speaking Time’ »

By

Sandasen Marasinghe, Irangika Range and Disna Mudalige

The view of the Commission of Inquiry into Abductions and Disappearances (Maxwell Paranagama Commission) has found that the principal reason for the loss of civilian life during the final phase of the war was the hostage taking and use of human shields by the LTTE.

It was noted in the Commission report tabled in Parliament yesterday by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe tabled the Maxwell Paranagama Commission report and the Udalagama Commission report along with the UNHRC report on alleged human rights violations in Sri Lanka.

The Paranagama Report also included that, in coming to its findings about the LTTE, the Commission was cognizant of the fact that every major NGO and many international organisations recognized the parasitic conduct of the LTTE in its treatment of the Tamil civilian population, including the forcible recruitment of children as soldiers, particularly in the last stages of the war. It has been estimated by a respected Jaffna-based NGO that in the final 12 hours of the conflict the majority of the Tamil civilian casualties were caused by the LTTE,”.

The Commission has also found out that it was the LTTE who killed majority of Tamil civilians during the last 12 hours of the final stage of the war.

Continue reading ‘Paranagama Commission Report Reveals that it was the LTTE which Killed the Majority of Civilians During the Final 12 Hours of War.’ »

BY

CHAMIKARA WEERASINGHE

The government is firm on taking whatever action it deems appropriate to meet the Geneva proposals within the framework of the Sri Lankan Constitution, President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday told leaders and top members of political parties in the country. The President had called this meeting with the country’s political party leaders to ascertain their opinion regarding how Sri Lanka should go about meeting the Geneva proposals.

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena asks Political Parties to Submit Responses Towards Geneva Report and Resolution Within Two Weeks’ »

By

Nadira Gunatilleke

Cabinet approval had been granted for a proposal by Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs Minister D. M. Swaminathan to accelerate judicial process regarding the persons who are in remand custody as suspects in connection with terrorist activities during and after the conflict,Cabinet Spokesman and Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing at the Government Information Department Auditorium, Colombo yesterday he said that the majority of about 12,000 LTTE carders who surrendered to the Government at the end of the conflict have been rehabilitated by the Government except those who have been accused of terrorist activities.

According to Minister Senaratne, those who have been convicted , and those who are still facing judicial action and who have been remanded as suspects are still being detained.

Continue reading ‘Govt Approves Proposal to Accelerate Judicial Process for Persons in Custody as Suspects in Connection with Terrorist Activities’ »

By

Saman Indrajith

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday told Parliament that no permission had been granted by the Ministry of Defence nor booking notes had been issued to release weapons to sea marshals from the floating armoury belonging to the Avant Garde Company.

Responding to a series of questions raised by JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake previously, the Premier said that there were no documents to ascertain the number of weapons on board or which country they belonged to.

The government of Sri Lanka had not issued a single licence to any of the weapons in the floating armoury, he said.

“All those weapons had licences issued by different countries and weapons were released and taken back under supervision of the Navy,” he said.

Continue reading ‘Premier Ranil Tells Parliament no Licenses for weapons were Issued by the Sri Lankan Govt for the Floating armoury of Avant Garde’ »

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday told visiting Japanese official Motoo Noguchi of the Public Prosecutor’s Office that his government had never ever contemplated the appointment of foreign experts as judges exercising judicial power in respect of the Sri Lankan armed forces and other Sri Lankan citizens.

The former President stressed that such a course of action was politically unacceptable and would clash with basic provisions of the Constitution of Sri Lanka.

A statement issued by the former President’s Office said that Noguchi had agreed that the best course of action was to have judicial mechanisms manned by Sri Lankans.

Noguchi called on former President Mahinda Rajapaksa at his residence yesterday morning, in the wake of the government co-sponsoring a Geneva resolution to pave the way for hybrid court to inquire into accountability issues.

The Former Minister of External Affairs, Professor G.L Peiris was also present at the meeting.

The following is the text of the statement issued by the former President’s Office:

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Says his Govt did not want Foreign Experts as Judges Exercising Judicial Power in Respect of Sri Lankan Armed Forces and Citizens’ »

A 43 year old lawyer Sri Lankan Tamil origin has been elected as a Canadian member of Parliament from the Liberal party at the 42nd Canadian general elections held on October 19th 2015.

He is none other than the son of veteran Sri Lankan Tamil politician Veerasingham Anandasangaree leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front(TULF) who was formerly MP for Kilinochchi electorate and Jaffna electoral district.

Anandasangaree’s second son Sathiyasangaree Anandasangaree known as Gary Anandasangaree was elected from the newly created Scarborough – Rouge park constituency polling 29,906 votes. He won with the huge majority of 16,302 votes.His nearest rival Leslyn Lewis of the Conservatives got 13,302 votes.

Continue reading ‘TULF Leader Sangaree’s Lawyer son Gary Anandasangaree elected to Canadian Parliament as the Liberal Party MP of Scarborough – Rouge Park’ »

By

Lasanda Kurukulasuriya

At the end of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent visit to Japan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Mass Media and the Official Government News Portal announced that on 6th Oct the PM addressed the Parliament of Japan, known as the National Diet. In fact he did not. According to Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun he delivered a ‘lecture session at an office building of House of the Representatives’ lawmakers.’

The Mass Media ministry and ‘News.lk’ further claimed that Wickremesinghe was the third world leader after Barack Obama and Narendra Modi to address Japan’s Parliament. This too was a piece of fiction. Obama and Modi have never addressed the Diet.

Needless to say, officials circulating this type of clumsy propaganda do a disservice to the country’s leaders, while also undermining public trust. An invitation to address the legislature of any State is generally considered a special honour. Was this embellished story intended to show that the new Government was held in ‘high regard’ by the world community after Geneva 2015?

Continue reading ‘How can a US Initiated UN Resolution Based on a Biased UN Report Deliver Justice in Sri Lanka?’ »

by Luke Savage

Plenty of Canadians are celebrating that Stephen Harper’s autocratic and malicious rule has finally come to an end, and their sentiments are perfectly understandable.

pic via: twitter.com/globalcartoons ~ by: Michael de Adder

But I hope those enthusiastic about the words “Prime Minister Justin Trudeau” will try to understand why some of us don’t feel like celebrating today, and why the defeat of the Harper Conservatives by the son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau rings hollow.

The Liberal campaign embraced a sprightly lexicon of positivity, unity, and tolerance in contrast to a Conservative campaign built on fear and race-baiting. But their parliamentary caucus voted for Harper’s absurd “Zero Tolerance for Barbaric Cultural Practices Act” only a few short months ago. And they supported (and will not repeal) Bill C-51, which risks criminalizing people who protest oil pipelines and threatens artistic expression.

It’s quite possible that the minister of justice in Trudeau’s cabinet will be a former police chief who defends the racist practice of carding and presided over the largest set of peacetime arrests in Canadian history. The co-chair of Trudeau’s campaign was recently outed as a lobbyist who, before the campaign had even finished, was already trying to help his friends at TransCanada Corp get a pipeline built.

Continue reading ‘“Hollow” Victory of Justin Trudeau’s Liberals Over Stephen Harper’s Conservatives Nothing to Celebrate About Yet’ »

By

Upul Joseph Fernando

Wimal Weerawansa is on record saying that Mahinda Rajapaksa never agreed to conduct a domestic inquiry into alleged war crimes. This is an absolute falsehood. Mahinda who presented his 2015 Presidential Election Manifesto agreed for a domestic inquiry on war crimes, the London based Daily Mail reported. The British Daily Mail reported, “Sri Lanka’s President, under pressure from his main opponent in upcoming elections, on Tuesday promised a judicial inquiry into allegations that his troops killed thousands of Tamil civilians at the end of the civil war.

But President Mahinda Rajapaksa reiterated that he would not cooperate with an UN-mandated investigation into the government’s 2009 crushing of the Tamil Tiger rebellion.

“If any rights have been violated (during the war), justice will be ensured through a transparent domestic judicial mechanism,” Rajapakse said in his Election Manifesto. It did not say how this would differ from an inquiry he ordered in July, following intense foreign pressure to account for the 2009 killing of Tamil civilians. A 2011 United Nations report cited estimates from ‘credible sources’ that up to 40,000 civilians may have been killed in the final months of the war.

Continue reading ‘Wimal-Dinesh-Vasu Cabal which Became MP’s with “Rise Up with Mahinda” now want to “Rise up with Geneva”.’ »

by Prasad Gunewardene

The expansion of ministerial portfolios certainly undermined the value and status of Cabinet Ministers which was only 35 and quite adequate till 1989. It was late President Ranasinghe Premadasa who made the initial blunder by introducing a large number of ‘State Minister’ portfolios to please his confidantes. The 1978 Constitution does not provide for a category called ‘State Ministers’. It only has provisions for Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers and subject ministers. The first subject minister to be appointed for Coconut Industries by President J.R. Jayewardene was the late Harold Herath who was later elevated to Cabinet rank.

When Members of Parliament are in the Opposition and others sit as backbenchers in the government, they are the best of friends of the media always seeking publicity from the media for their motions and adjournment/oral questions in Parliament. As a then Parliament Lobby Correspondent I remember the late Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Nimal Siripala de Silva and late C.V. Gooneratne as Opposition MPs in the 1989 Parliament made friends with us to have their parliamentary material published. The trio would have certainly entered the Guinness Book of Records for raising the most number of Oral and Adjournment Questions asked in the history of all Parliaments if A.H.M. Azwer holds the record for the most number of interruptions in the House. Any journalist could contact them at any given time. All missed calls are returned. They knew that they needed the media in the long run for their political rise.

Continue reading ‘MP’s are Media Friendly when in Opposition but Avoid Friends in the Press after they Become Govt Ministers.’ »

By Saman Indrajith

The Commission of Inquiry that probed Abductions and Disappearances (better known as the Maxwell Paranagama Commission) has found that it was the LTTE which killed majority of Tamil civilians during the last 12 hours of the final stage of the war, according to the commission report tabled in Parliament yesterday.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe tabled the Maxwell Paranagama Commission report and the Udalagama Commission report along with the UNHRC report on alleged human rights violations in Sri Lanka.

The Paranagama Commission report has said: “In coming to its findings about the LTTE, the Commission was cognisant of the fact that every major NGO and many international organisations recognized the parasitic conduct of the LTTE in its treatment of Tamil civilian population, including the forcible recruitment of children as soldiers, particularly in the last stages of the war. It has been estimated by a respected Jaffna-based NGO that in the final 12 hours of the conflict the majority of the Tamil civilian casualties were caused by the LTTE,” Paranagama Report said.

The report “rejects the suggestion that civilians were either targeted directly or indiscriminately by the SLA as a part of an alleged genocide plan.”

“The Commission finds that the Darusman Report, as well as other reports, have taken a particularly narrow and restricted view of the obligation upon the GOSL to prosecute international crimes.”

Continue reading ‘Paranagama Commission States the LTTE was Principally Responsible for Loss of Civilian Life During Final Phase of War.’ »

The much awaited Udalagama and Paranagama reports along with the report and resolution adopted at the United Nations Human Rights Council were tabled yesterday in Parliament.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe tabling the report assured the Parliament a debate will be allowed for all three reports. Thursday and Friday sessions have been set aside for this purpose.

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe Tables Udalagama,Paranagama and UNHRC Reports in Parliament;Two Day Debate on all Three Reports Scheduled for Oct 22 and 23’ »

By IAN AUSTENOCT

Justin Trudeau

“I knew that the challenge I would be facing all my life would be having people think that I expected anything to be handed to me in politics because of my last name.” JUSTIN TRUDEAU

•Born in Ottawa on Dec. 25, 1971 to Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Canada’s prime minister at the time, and the former Margaret Sinclair.

•Raised in Ottawa and Montreal.

•Married Sophie Grégoire, a childhood friend and former television host. The couple has three young children.

While Mr. Trudeau is the product of two political families — his maternal grandfather, James Sinclair, was a cabinet minister — Mr. Trudeau came late to politics.

Continue reading ‘Canada’s Prime Minister Elect Justin Trudeau Follows in the Footsteps of his Father Pierre Elliott Trudeau.’ »

By Bruce Cheadle

Liberals are en route to forming a majority government after steamrolling through Atlantic Canada and Quebec and turfing Stephen Harper’s Conservatives from office almost before the polls had closed in British Columbia.

The stunning victory makes Trudeau, 43, Canada’s first dynastic prime minister, following in the footsteps of his father Pierre Elliott Trudeau who served as prime minister for almost 16 years before retiring in 1984.

The Liberal party becomes the first ever to vault directly from third party status to government.
The campaign, which began on a sweltering August long weekend with the country firmly Conservative blue, ended under a threat of October frost and a Liberal red tide.

The shocking Liberal onslaught opened on the East Coast, where Liberals were on track for a remarkable sweep of all 32 Atlantic Canada seats, before rolling into Quebec and Ontario and Manitoba.

Continue reading ‘Liberals to Form Next Government in Canada as Trudeau led Party Ousts Conservatives led by Harper From Office’ »

By

N Sathiya Moorthy

Independent of prevailing perceptions, arrest of former Eastern Province Tamil Chief Minister, Sivanesanthurai Chandrakanthan alias ‘Pillayan’ in connection with the Christmas Day church killing of TNA parliamentarian Jospeh Pararajasingham in 2005, has the potential to cut both ways. While it is reassuring that the new Government has begun to act on the promise to the international community on ‘accountability’ and ‘war crimes’, this particular arrest as a starting-point has the potential to open a can of worms for all stake-holders.

Commenting on Pillayan’s arrest, TNA’s spokesperson, M. A. Sumanthiran, MP, has been reported to have said that he would not be surprised if two other former Tamil militants-turned-ministers, namely, Douglas Devananda and Vinayagamurthy Muralitharan alias ‘Col Karuna’, too were arrested (possibly for other ‘war crimes’ and ‘accountability issues’ alleged to have been committed by them). Whether or not his anticipation comes true, arrests of the kind has the potential to kick up dust all round in which ‘accountability issues’ could be soaked and choked.

Pillayan was an LTTE renegade under Karuna when Pararajasingham was killed, near-point-blank. His arrest followed the information reportedly provided by two others held in connection with the murder in recent weeks. Whether Sumanthiran indicated that Karuna too might have been involved in the murder is unclear, but there is nothing to suggest that Devananda could have been involved, even remotely.

Of course, Devananda has scores of charges of ‘para-military killing’ by his cadres, particularly of LTTE men, their sympathisers and supporters, against him – during the war-years, the Norwegian-facilitated ceasefire and afterwards. He operated in the North. Karuna and Pillayan were LTTE commanders in the East, before quitting post-haste, fearing annihilation if they obeyed Prabhakaran’s orders and met him in his Vanni den.

Continue reading ‘Arrest of Ex – Eastern Chief Minister Chandrakanthan alias Pillaiyaan has Potential to Open can of Worms for all Stake Holders’ »

By

Ranga Jayasuriya

The government has announced a four-fold increase for education under the budget in 2016. The allocations for education would go up to Rs. 185.9 billion from the Rs. 47.6 billion allocated in the 2015 Budget. That is obviously a lot of money. In the first place, it is a salutary decision, a long awaited one, indeed, on the part of the Government. However, this money could well be squandered, if it failed to identify the real problems that beset our education system.

To begin with, measured on basic indicators such as near universal primary school enrollment, and high literary rate etc; our education sector has performed reasonably well, even despite the limited funding in the past. But, in recent times, we have failed to maintain our qualitative edge vis a vis some of the peer emerging economies.

However, a close look would suggest it is much more than the relatively limited budgetary allocations or our relative economic standards that were the cause of the problem. For instance, international assessment tests such as PISA reveal kids in Vietnam score higher marks than the OECD average, and well above their peers in richer UK, France, USA etc. Whereas, students in relatively rich Malaysia are lagging far behind.

What matters most is what is taught to our children — and how it is taught. In our policy circles, there is hardly a consensus as to what skills our kids need to excel in the globalized world. However, that consensus has long been reached in most emerging and advanced economies.

Continue reading ‘What Matters Most in Schools is What is Taught to our Children and How it is Taught’ »

by Rasika Jayakody

The vessel and the consignment of arms are now detained by the Navy, which conducted a probe into the matter early last week.

The Avant Garde company is making headlines again with a controversial ship, carrying a consignment of arms for the company, arriving at the Galle Harbour last week, seemingly with permission from the country’s Defence Ministry.

The vessel and the consignment of arms are now detained by the Navy, which conducted a probe into the matter early last week. The Navy handed over its report to Defence Ministry Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi on Monday and lodged a complaint with the Galle Harbour Police saying the vessel was ‘highly suspicious’.

The Defence Ministry, which initially gave the green light to the ship, is conducting a separate probe into the whole issue. The Police are also inquiring into the matter.

Continue reading ‘Political Infighting Escalates Within Sri Lanka Telecom Over Issues of Removing Mobitel CEO Ranjith Rupasinghe’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe yesterday emphasized that convicted LTTEers couldn’t be released unless the Maithripala Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration took a policy decision to that effect.

Minister Rajapakshe said that about 60 convicts were among approximately 270 detained by successive governments over a period of time. The President’s Counsel was responding to persistent demand for the immediate release of political prisoners.

The detainees last week launched fast demanding their release.

Continue reading ‘Justice Minister Rajapakshe says Convicted LTTE Members Cannot be Released Unless Govt Takes a Policy Decision to that Effect’ »

By Udhav Naig

Amidst much drama and intense campaigning, the South Indian Film Artistes Association, also known as the Nadigar Sangam, conducted its elections on Sunday.

Nasser, part of the ‘Pandavar Ani’ with Vishal, Karthi, Karunas and Ponvannan, has been elected Nadigar Sangam president, with 1344 votes. Sarath Kumar polled 1231 votes.

Vishal has been elected Nadigar Sangam general secretary, with 1445 votes. His rival Radha Ravi polled 1138 votes. Karthi has been elected the treasurer, polling 1493 votes. Election official Justice E. Padmanabhan officially announced the results.

Continue reading ‘“Nadigar Sangam” Elections Conclude with Character Actor Nasser Being Elected President: “Hero” Actors Vishal and Karthi Elected General Secretary and Treasurer Respectively’ »

by Prasad Gunewardene

Spiritual teachings of all religions say that retribution comes without notice. The doctrine of Lord Buddha is the practical way of life. At times one has to pay for his/her sins during their lifetime and not in births that are anticipated after death. When Hewa Koparage Mervyn Silva born 25 March 1944 popularly known as Mervyn Silva in politics complains to the police that he faces death threats one cannot help him without laughing. Even the police may have laughed when the complaint was made because during Mervyn’s ministerial days even the police feared him.

Last week the maverick Mervyn Silva our politician complained to the Narahenpita Police that he had been threatened with death over the phone. This self-proclaimed ‘Dutugemunu’ from the South who earlier claimed he never feared anyone and even challenged the police now seeks protection and relief from the very police he earlier challenged. For Mervyn, even the Court House was not a place for respect. He challenged journalists within Court precincts. Such was the ‘bravery’ of this pint sized former ministerial ‘Angel’ of the previous regime when he had the blessings of the then government.

Continue reading ‘Mervyn Silva the Brave Self-Proclaimed “Dutugemunu” from South Seeks Police Protection after a Death Threat’ »

By

Kishali Pinto Jayawardene

In its September 2015 report on Sri Lanka, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) quotes immensely interesting asides from the (yet unpublished) report of the Udalagama Commission of Inquiry (2006).

We have been promised by the Prime Minister that the Udalagama report will be tabled in Parliament next week. Informally however, the report has been in circulation for some time.

Involvement of armed personnel in crimes

But let us revert to the OHCHR’s quotation of the Udalagama report. Paragraph 1240 of its report, for example, discusses the heinous extra-judicial executions of five Tamil students in Trincomalee in 2006. The students hailing from professional and well to do families, many of whom had either been admitted to university or were awaiting university admission, were killed as they were casually chatting to each other near the beach front. The OHCHR report cites the Udalagama Commission as stating that ‘there are strong grounds to surmise the involvement of uniformed personnel in the commission of the crime.’

This is of course, saying nothing very new. The involvement of state officers in the murders of the five Trincomalee students had been widely known for years, with specific details contained in reports of the University Teachers for Human Rights (UTHR). These analytical reports were distinguished for their fierce denunciation of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as well as the Government.

But the question remains actually less with why the Government at the time preferred to push even these minimalist findings of the Udalagama Commission under the proverbial carpet. The answer to that is self-obvious. Rather, it is as to how, as decent men and women professedly with consciences, we allowed this farce to continue? It is the same question in regard to the death of Sri Lankan ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen. Could sane human beings have allowed these atrocities to happen in full view as it were and yet looked away?

Need to go beyond the superficial

The Udalagama Commission had been tasked to inquire into several grave human rights violations of the time including the Trinco murders and the killings of aid workers in Mutur. Repeatedly undermined by state actors, it was prematurely wound up without being able to complete its mandate.
In a fundamental sense, the fiasco to which this Commission degenerated captures in a microcosm, exactly what is wrong with us. I use the present tense quite deliberately for the reason that despite our greatest expectations, two ‘yahapalanaya’ election victories cannot guarantee concrete change in our democratic institutions if weourselves do not go beyond the superficial. No automatic solutions can be offered by the 19th Amendment or indeed, an entirely new Constitution that people are now feverishly running around with.

The issue in question goes far deeper than pure legal or constitutional reform. It must not be forgotten that during 2001-2004, a Constitutional Council did function. Its composition was vastly better than the one that we have now. ‘Independent’ constitutional commissions were established, excepting the Elections Commission. Yet, was there significant change in Sri Lanka’s democratic functionality? One thinks not.

Explaining away our complicity

Granted, if one compares that period with the darkness of the Rajapaksa decade that followed, things were infinitely better. But the bar is set so low that anything would seem better than the systemic degradation that took place between 2015-2014. Rather, the basic question that should concern us is whether structural reform of institutions took place. For example did the National Police Commission and the National Human Rights Commission actually achieve a better functioning of the institutions that they dealt with? The answer to that question must unequivocally be in the negative.

But to return to the Udalagama Commission, the propaganda around its functioning was beautifully choreographed precisely to obscure and prevent justice rather than achieve it. The role of the Attorney General in ‘assisting’ the Commission only resulted in stirring up controversies. Indeed two (retired) Justices of the Supreme Court noted for their integrity gave an opinion at the time to the effect that if a particular state law officer had been involved in any way whatsoever in regard to any of the violations being investigated by the Commission, that officer was duty bound to excuse himself from participating in the Commission proceedings.

Witnesses and family members of those who had suffered the most atrocious wrongs were badgered as they gave evidence to the extent that they broke down in tears. This was to be expected of the government and its defenders. But what of the other seemingly honourable men and women who participated in or counseled the deliberations of this Commission? How can one explain away their silence or their complicity when the process of justice was so ruthlessly subverted?

The prevalence of sheer self-interest

The extent of this subversion was such that an ‘embedded’ journalist of the private media published extracts from the submissions of defence counsel for the army, claiming that these were extracts from the Udalagama Commission report itself. Those who challenged this shameless propaganda (including this columnist) were, in turn, repeatedly attacked. The Udalagama report itself continued to be hidden away, doubtless in a desk of a Rajapaksa minion.

But it again needs to be asked as to if, in the minimum, a formal refutation of mischievous and false news reports could not have been issued by the Commission or at least one of the Commissioners possessing a tad more courage and conscience than the others? Surely it was not to be expected that such action would lead to the person in question being ‘white-vanned’ to use the popular colloquialism in regard to enforced disappearances? Rather, it was sheer self-interest that dictated much of the silence of those who should have spoken out at the time.

Profound failures of this nature have propelled Sri Lanka to now face the eventuality of a (veiled or otherwise) ‘hybrid court’ proposal to our utter ignominy. Quite apart from the rank stupidities of politicians in bringing about this state of affairs, there is a historic responsibility that we need to bear for our silence at a time when it would have mattered.

Courtesy:Sunday Times

by Tisaranee Gunasekara

“When the social contract is abrogated, when trust between a government and its citizens fails, disillusionment, disengagement or worse follows.”

Joseph Stiglitz (The Price of Inequality)

The protest was peaceful, until the police intervened. The protestors were demanding access clean water. This was October 12, 2015, in Bandagiriya, in the Hambantota district, the bastion of the Rajapaksa clan.

During the Rajapaksa decade, no expense was spared to turn Hambantota into a megapolis. A port, an airport, an artificial island, an international cricket stadium and an international convention centre were among the many infrastructure projects Hambantota was saddled with. Another Rajapaksa term and Hambantota would have ended up like Naypyidaw, the massive ghost-capital Myanmar’s military rulers built, a place replete with buildings and bereft of people.

In the rush to provide Hambantota with all the trappings of a glitzy super-city, the Rajapaksas forgot the ordinary needs of ordinary people; such as water.

Hambantota’s innumerable new additions include a botanical garden, with many wet-zone plants. To keep them alive in this rain-poor district, bowsers of water are brought from outside. “If people know the true extent of the water being wasted here, there will be a riot,” a university professor, who refused to be named, told the AFPi.

That is what the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government should have done. Told the protesting people of Bandagiriya what the Rajapaksas did with their water.

Continue reading ‘Growing Public Impression that the new Rulers are Acting with the Same Arrogance and Callous Disregard as the Old Rulers.’ »

It was ten days before parliamentary elections on August 17 when news reached the highest levels of the Government about a secret account held by a young politician, the son of a former VVIP, at the Emirates National Bank of Dubai (NBD).

That was to cause considerable excitement. The prospect of obtaining the details and exposing it during the polls campaign, it was felt, would bolster tremendously the positions of both the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) under President Maithripala Sirisena and the United National Party (UNP) under Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. That was how the process to track down details of the account holder and pursue further action against him began in earnest.

The man to whom that task went was Attorney J.C. Weliamuna, a human rights activist and former Executive Director of Transparency International (local chapter). He has been at the forefront of the Government’s anti-corruption drive and plays multiple roles in other spheres. This week, he was virtual Government spokesman on the OISL findings of alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka. In the secret account case, he has been playing the role of a Sherlock Holmes, secretively of course, for the past many weeks.

That is to bring to Sri Lanka the monies in the account or more importantly give both the SLFP and the UNP a lethal political weapon to smash a common enemy. After all, both sides had decided ahead of the elections, that they would together form a National Government.

Continue reading ‘Dubai Court Refuses to Freeze Dubai National Bank Acct of Politico son of Sri Lankan Ex-VVIP as Sought by Sirisena Govt’ »

At the weekly ministerial meeting on Wednesday, they were discussing a recommendation by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a Joint Committee for Consular Affairs between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Minister Champika Ranawaka said a newspaper had published details of a bank account held by a former VVIP’s son. He said the ministers should be told about the situation since they were unaware of what was going on. It became clear none of the ministers was aware.

Samaraweera replied that that the newspaper had brought it to the public domain and that had an adverse impact. He was alluding to the Sunday Times (political commentary) which reported that a West Asian court was sitting last Sunday to examine a request by the Government of Sri Lanka to freeze the account of a young politician, son of a former VVIP. “This inquiry was carried out secretly. We have checked how it (the Government request to the Dubai courts last Sunday) leaked. It has not gone from us. It has gone from the American side,” he said. Ranawaka argued that a public statement be made on the issue, a position endorsed by Premier Wickremesinghe. However, Minister Samaraweera turned down the request to do so.

Continue reading ‘Ravi Karunanayake Discloses to cabinet Ministers that Seven Persons Linked to Rajapaksa Regime held Bank Accounts in Dubai’ »

By

C.A.Chandraprema

The revelation by a Sunday newspaper (not the Sunday Island) last week that the Sri Lankan government had moved courts in ‘a Middle Eastern country’ to freeze the account of the ‘son of a VVIP of the former regime’ set the cat among the canaries. The courts were to freeze the account last Sunday (since Islamic countries work on Sundays) but we have not heard anything about it thereafter. Be that as it may the government officially confirmed last week that not one but three secret accounts had been discovered in the Middle East, one containing 1,086 million USD, another holding 1,800 million USD and yet another with 500 million USD. The account that was to be frozen last Sunday was said to be the one containing 500 million USD. It was also said that a sum of 650 million USD had been transferred from this particular account to ‘an Eastern European country’ some time ago.

No mention was made in the newspaper or by the government whether this was money belonging to the Rajapaksas but any reference to ‘VVIP’s of the former government’ are taken to mean the Rajapaksas and it is in that sense that this writer takes these reports. Even though these secret bank accounts allegedly maintained by the Rajapaksa family or whoever else, have now been discovered and are on the verge of being frozen, it must be said that they were certainly better at hiding and preserving their ill-gotten gains than many others of the same ilk. Pablo Escobar the legendary drug lord was so inept at stashing away what he earned that it is said by his closest associates that a good part of his money which was buried in cultivated fields, stashed in false walls or simply kept in warehouses was eaten by rats or destroyed by water seepage or termites.

The Rajapaksas can now make a career as consultants to international crooks by showing them how ill gotten gains running into hundreds of millions can be transferred between countries without attracting attention. The transfer of 650 million USD to ‘an Eastern European country’ if it happened was certainly a financial tour de force which has not been paralleled in recent times. Court proceedings to freeze these accounts, according to the Sunday newspaper mentioned above, comes just before the budget for 2016.

Continue reading ‘Huge Amounts of Money Supposed to be Stashed in Foreign Bank Accounts by Rajapaksas can be used to Reduce Sri Lanka’s Budget Deficit’ »

The hunger strike by suspected ex-LTTE detainees was called off yesterday on an assurance given by the President to establish a mechanism to look into their grievances.

The President has asked the Justice Minister to formulate a mechanism to look into their issues and finish the process between October 31 and November 7.

Continue reading ‘Tamil Detenues Call off Hunger Strike Following President Sirisena Pledge of Resolving Issue by November 7th’ »

By Arthur Wamanan

President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday pledged to commence a special process at the end of the month to address and solve the issues of Tamil prisoners arrested and detained under the prevention of terrorism laws. The undertaking was conveyed to Justice Minister, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Opposition Leader, R. Sampanthan over a telephone conversation on Friday (16) morning.

According to Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian, M.A. Sumanthiran, the President had told that the government would commence a special process on October 31 to solve this issue, which would be complete by November 7.

MPs Sampanthan and Sumanthiran had met Rajapashe at the Justice Ministry on Friday morning to discuss the issues of prisoners who had launched a hunger strike, calling for their release and to expedite the cases which had been in progress for years.

Both Rajapakshe and Sumanthiran had visited prison inmates in the Welikada prison last week where the former had pledged to convene a high level meeting of government ministers to discuss the demands raised by the prisoners. He had also pledged to solve the issue by the end of the year.

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Assures Opposition Leader Sampanthan and Justice Minister Rajapakshe that Tamil Prisoner Issue will be Resolved by Nov 7th’ »

AT HER home in a quiet residential compound, Sanda Samanthie Ahubudu runs a thriving business. She sells her clients lists of suggested names for everything from shops to babies. Staff are almost constantly on the phone to customers. Clients who visit Ms Ahubudu in person have to take a number and wait, as at a doctor’s surgery. On one recent morning, more than 40 of them turned up. “It’s not always this busy,” said an assistant, before reeling off details of Ms Ahubudu’s bank account to an eager parent on the phone.

Demand, says Ms Ahubudu, is growing for the service, for which she charges 500 rupees ($3.56). Her patrons are mostly Buddhists, who make up a majority of Sri Lanka’s population. But they also include Catholics, Hindus and Muslims. Some are actors and actresses, politicians or media workers who want new names for themselves, believing (as many do in Sri Lanka) that names can shape destinies.

Continue reading ‘Devising Auspicious Names With Positive Vibes for Everything From Shops to Babies is a Lucrative Business in Sri Lanka – The Economist’ »

By Sudat Pasqual

Freedom of the press can be harsh sometimes. It can be most hard on politicians with prickly skin. Time and again we come across champions of free expression and media freedom having second thoughts once they are caught in the glare of public scrutiny. Freedom of expression, especially when it is freely given to the media can be a frightening tool, especially at the hands of the cynical and the irascible.

Let me rephrase that last sentence. Freedom of expression in the form of a free press MUST be a frightening tool for those basking in the public limelight and feeding at the public trough. A free press will scrutinize the public officials; question their judgement; demand explanation for their actions; demand accountability; and if found wanting on any of the above; excoriate those officials. That is the public official. That is their duty of the media. It is not the job of a free media to filter the flow of information and spin that information to fit the image the government in power is keen to project to the public.

Public officials are accountable to the public. Public media, in most cases, will speak on behalf of that public. Public officials are answerable, you got it; to the public. The media when acting as the agent of the public does not need to answer public officials. The difference is the difference between a free society and a society under the jackboot of a despot.

Recently, President Sirisena called the segment of the media not so friendly to his regime wild asses. In his mind, this segment of the media is unfair and unreasonable in their coverage of his government and his governance. Like a school principal at the weekly assembly, President Sirisena lectured the so called wild ass journalists about the duty of the media.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Public is Better Served by Wild-ass Journalists than Political Wal-buruwas.’ »

By K. Ratnayake

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe visited Japan for four days, ending October 7, as part of the Colombo government’s sharp shift of foreign policy to distance itself from China. Wickremesinghe also sought Japanese investment and aid on his trip, made just four days after President Maithripala Sirisena’s visit to New York to attend the UN General Assembly.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government is particularly keen to develop close relations with South Asian countries, including Sri Lanka, as part of its strategy, encouraged by the US, to counter China’s influence in the region.

In September last year, Abe visited India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives just before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s South Asian tour. Abe’s government has lined up with the Obama administration’s “pivot to Asia,” aimed at militarily encircling and diplomatically isolating China. Abe is remilitarising Japan and building the country’s military alliance with the US and its allies.

Continue reading ‘“Comprehensive Partnership” with Japan Indicates Sharp Shift of Foreign Policy by Sri Lanka to Distance Itself From China’ »

By Ruki Fernando

After four contentious resolutions on Sri Lanka, the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva on Oct. 1 adopted a “consensus resolution” for foreign judges and prosecutors to help Sri Lanka try those accused of serious crimes during the decades-long civil war.

This resolution came as a response to a report by the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which the previous Sri Lankan government had aggressively opposed — going to the extent of threatening, intimidating and arresting Sri Lankans who supported it, including my own detention.

There were many Sri Lankans — civil war survivors and their families and activists — both inside and outside the country who braved government threats to testify to the U.N. investigation team. Their stories in the U.N. report reveal a long list of unlawful killings, disappearances, arbitrary arrests, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, forcible recruitment of children, restricting fleeing war-affected areas, attacks on civilians and hospitals, food convoys, churches, etc.

Continue reading ‘Church and Religious Leaders Must Move Away From defending war criminals as “war heroes” or “martyrs.”’ »

By Dr. Shanthikumar Hettiarachchi

A recent visit to Jaffna with a group of informed individuals for a small meeting with their counterparts was not only revealing, but also alarmingly informative. The meeting was scheduled to have three short presentations and a discussion. The theme was biblical with special reference to the story of Cain and Able, the two sons of Adam and Eve. The murder of Able by Cain in the book of Genesis was the background for the suggested theme. The verse goes as the voice of God in the text, “Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground” (Gen. 4ff).

The organizer(s) of this meeting perhaps wished to pursue how this context of the first assassination recorded in the Bible could have any meaning and relevance to a reader and a believer now in the context of the post war situation. The convener introducing the sessions also made a comment that ‘the war is over, but the conflict is still on’. It must be noted that the Christians and Muslims borrow the entire Genesis story from the Hebrew literature and interestingly and conveniently both groups own it and sometimes take it for granted.

Continue reading ‘Defeatist and Victim Mentality Prevalent in North is a Great Impediment to Reconciliation and the Pursuit of Justice.’ »

By

Ridma Dissanayake

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry investigating into mass scale frauds and corruption yesterday rejected the preliminary objections raised by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s counsel and decided to go ahead with its mandate.

Defence Counsel Gamini Marapone appearing for the former President before the Commission raised objections that serving judges of the High Court cannot be appointed to function as members of the Commission.

Former President Rajapaksa yesterday arrived at the commission for the second day, as its sittings were suspended for yesterday pending a ruling on objections raised by the former President’s counsel Gamini Marapone.

Continue reading ‘Presidential Commission of Inquiry to go Ahead as Constituted Despite Objections Raised on Behalf of Mahinda Rajapaksa.’ »

By Shanika Sriyananda

MP and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa threw back allegations against him to the United People›s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), saying it was not him but the alliance which should be held responsible for the financial loss caused to the State-run television channel – the Independent Television Network – for carrying out propaganda advertisements during the presidential election campaign 2015.

Rajapaksa, who appeared at the public hearing of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC), told the media that the UPFA had selected the advertising firms to carry out his propaganda campaign and the matter was irrelevant to him.

“But I was called by the Commission for some reason,” he said accusing the Government of bringing similar baseless allegations into the limelight.

Continue reading ‘Ex – President Mahinda Rajapaksa Challenges President Sirisena Appointing Four High Court Judges to Presidential Commission of Inquiry Probing ITN Related Charges Against him’ »

By

Ajith Siriwardana

The public hearing into the ITN controversy fixed for today by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC), was postponed for tomorrow.

The hearing was postponed after the lawyers representing former president Mahinda Rajapaksa raised four matters including the legality of PRECIFAC and the appointment of high court judges to it.

Minister Susil Premajayantha said the investigations into the allegations would continue after the ruling on the points raised by Mr. Rajpaksa’s lawyers was revealed today.

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, who attended today’s hearing, told the media that the advertising agencies had paid the monies owed to the ITN and that the party should be held responsible because it was the party which had selected agencies.

Continue reading ‘Public Hearing of Probe into Five Charges of Alleged Corruption Against Ex – President Mahinda Rajapaksa Postponed for a Day’ »

By Chitra Weerarathne

The Colombo High Court Judge Devika De Silva Tennekoon yesterday acquitted Danuna Tilakaratne of the Charge of submitting forged documents stating that he and two others were the local agents in Sri Lanka for British Borneo Private Limited of Australia to provide equipment to the Sri Lanka Army.

Danuna after absconding for five years surrendered on Dec. 19, 2014 through his lawyers.

Counsel Asela Rekawa yesterday submitted to the Court that the Army officers who gave evidence had said that the Army awarded tenders only on documents prepared by the Army. On that basis, Tilakeratne ought to be acquitted. The prosecution had failed to provide evidence beyond reasonable doubt that Tillakaratne was at fault.

Continue reading ‘Ex – Army Chief Sarath Fonseka’s ex- son in law Danuna Tilakaratne Acquitted by Colombo High Court.’ »

By Maheesha Mudugamuwa

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said that the government wanted to take political revenge from him by holding inquiries on false and fabricated corruption charges which were actually not related to him.

After appearing before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry Probing Serious Acts of Corruption at the BMICH, Rajapaksa told The Island that the charges were brought against him only to discredit him.

Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Accuses Sirisena Govt of Seeking Political Revenge Against him by Holding Inquiries on False and Fabricated Corruption Charges’ »

By

Chanaka Bandarage

Towards mid October 1505, the Portuguese Naval Captain, Lorenzo De Almeida, aka Don Lorenzo (son of Francisco de Almeida, First Viceroy of the Portuguese India), who manned a fleet of nine war ships, had decided to return to Portugal as he could not secure marine rope from the Islands of Maldives or Calcutta in India. Almeida was not aware of the existence of the island nation, Sri Lanka. During the return journey to Portugal, his crew witnessed on the horizon of a land that was lush in vegetation. They decided to sail towards that land, Sri Lanka; and upon arrival therein anchored at the Galle Harbour.

Two generations prior to this visit, Ven Thotagamuwe Shri Rahula Thero in verse 84 of his Parevi Sandeshaya described Galle as a place where gems, pearls and gold were displayed in shops in such abundance as if the entire seabed had been mined to secure them.

While berthed in Galle, minor repairs to the fleet were attended to. The Portuguese managed to secure the required marine rope as well. They procured food and water in large quantities for their new voyage; the destination was Colombo, Sri Lanka.

While sailing to Colombo the Portuguese were mesmerised with the beauty of the island nation. What they had witnessed in Calcutta was a dry, harsh and a rough land. In contrast, they realised that Sri Lanka was a refreshing, fertile land. They saw whispering palm trees and very much enjoyed the fragrant breeze that blew through them. They could see lush green vegetation everywhere and the beautiful white Buddhist pagodas (dagobas) that appeared on hilltops.

The Portuguese were exceptionally happy that they found this beautiful, prosperous island paradise at a time when the fleet was highly demoralised. They could not wait until they reached Colombo. During the voyage, they gave thanks to their God for the finding.

On 15 October 1505, exactly 510 years to date, the ships anchored at Colombo Harbor.

Continue reading ‘October 15th 1505 :When the Portugese Fleet of Ships Docked in Colombo 510 Years Ago’ »

By Harischandra Gunaratna

Leader of the Democratic Party Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka yesterday said that the government had given the impression to the masses that it was conniving with the crooks of the previous government who had squandered billions of rupees belonging to the state.

“The government has let big crooks off the hook while punishing the ordinary people for minor offences,” Fonseka said.

Addressing the media at the DP office at Battaramulla, the war winning former Army Commander claimed that former Defence Secretary Gotabhya Rajapaksa should have allowed the FCID to question him on alleged frauds and criminal activities without filing cases if his conscience had been clear.

Continue reading ‘Sarath Fonseka Accuses Govt of Letting Big Crooks off the Hook While Punishing Ordinary People for Minor Offences’ »

by

Malinda Seneviratne

The Sirisena Dictionary and other politidbits of the week

The Sirisena Dictionary

Having submitted to the dictates of the United States, Maithripala Sirisena screams, ‘Victory!’ and adds that he ‘saved the war heroes’. Did someone mutter, ‘victory my foot!’? Now if a resounding defeat warrants celebration that costs taxpayers tens of millions of rupees, what would the President have done had he been in charge of defeating terrorism, one wonders.

Following the leader

If it is good for the Big Boss of Yahapalanaya then it is good for his followers. That’s the beauty of taking care of the near and dear. The Presidential brats are getting special treatment. His brother got a plum appointment. So what’s wrong with Ravi K giving a helping hand to his various b-i-l’s eh?

Continue reading ‘“Victory! Screams Maithripala Sirisena After Submitting to the Dictates of the United States.’ »

By

Kishali Pinto-Jayawardena

A curious mix of jubilation and sober introspection is currently prevalent in Sri Lanka.

Indeed, the dissonances that emerge are striking.

A passing remark made by a scholar friend to me during a visit to New Delhi recently that ‘Sri Lanka offers hope to South Asia besieged by gloom’ sums up heady expectations following this year’s peaceful polls ouster of the Rajapaksa ruling family cabal.

Continue reading ‘ACTIONS, NOT WORDS: For Sri Lankans Weary of Commissions of inquiry, Promises Offer Little Hope’ »

By

S. Thavarajah, Leader of Opposition, NPC

In response to a question raised by me in the Northern Provincial Council sitting on 08.10.2015 with regard to a letter sent by the Resident Coordinator of the UN to the Chief Minister, the Chief Minister read out a lengthy statement attacking the UN. His statement accuses the UN as trying to keep the Tamils submissive to the central Government.

The question I raised was whether the Resident Coordinator of the UN sent him a letter dated 28.08.2015 inter-alia stating as follows:

1. You had recommended a person as an advisor to the Joined Needs Assessment (JNA), for which they have advised you that canvassing for a pre-selected candidate is untenable. They have also stated that you have pursued the central Government approval for the proposed special advisor.

2. You had urged the UN office to advocate with the Government to enable equal partnership with NPC in the JNA, for which they have advised you to directly communicate with the Government.

3. The UN has offered to arrange for you and your Board of Ministers a comprehensive briefing on the JNA; unfortunately you have not responded to their request.

4. With regard to the Peace Building Fund the UN has advised you to convey all your concerns and comments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

5. The UN has pointed out their strong disagreement with your comment that the UN is not being sensitive to the needs of conflict affected people.

I also raised the issue that if the contents of the letter were true, why is that the Chief Minister has made such a blunder which led the UN Resident Coordinator to write a letter offending him.

Continue reading ‘Northern Chief Minister must Manage Provincial Council Efficiently Instead of Confronting Govt and the UN’ »

by

Chitra Subramaniam

This piece is an invitation to anyone out there who can explain the idea of India in one sentence.

I am not talking about the Preamble to the Constitution, but a sentence that all Indians can understand, cherish and nurture as their own.

Try and experience the futility of the attempt.

It is easy to hold forth on the importance of an inclusive society from the ramparts of a gated community. It is even easier to discuss war and peace from the warmth of our homes and not from minus 50 degree Celsius of icy mountains where it gets sorted out.

It is facile to speak about the daily dangers our house-help faces, living on the fringes of our society. How long can we live without house helps and what will happen to us the people when the cleaning ladies want their salaries linked to economic indicators, health benefits and four-weeks paid leave? They can live and do live without us, but can we?

People who come to India for the first time ask how such poverty, opulence and injustice can co-exist. They no longer can and we see this drama playing out right in front of our eyes.

The story, dear readers, is that we are the fringe elements, the irrelevant Indians who have long lost our connections with what moves and shakes India and what makes it laugh and cry.

Continue reading ‘India Will Survive and Thrive Despite Being Pulled in All Directions by a Prejudiced and Petrified Self-serving Elite’ »

(Text of a press release issued by the Tamil National Alliance media office)

TNA MP and Spokesperson M.A Sumanthiran visited the Anuradhapura Prison along with Northern Provicial Council members Asmin Yakoob and Sanankiyan Sayandan today and spoke to the Political Prisoners who were observing a token fast demanding their release by the government today .

At the Anuradhapura Prison there were 36 prisoners observing the fast of whom two had already been hospitalized. They vowed to continue the fast until the goverment released all Political Prisoners and requested that the public too join their cause.

The prisoners in relating their individual stories said that they had already served a much longer term which than their crimes warranted in the event they had been convicted.

Continue reading ‘Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe says Govt is Awaiting Attorney – General’s Report About Situation of Tamil Political Prisoners’ »

By

Upul Joseph Fernando

* Twenty two containers with 3,154 firearms and 745,859 rounds of ammunition detected at Galle Port – 8.1.2015

* Attorney General recommends ending case against owner of floating armoury – 8.9.2015

Those who voted for Good Governance were shocked reading those news reports. It was in that backdrop JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake made a special statement in Parliament in a confused manner.

He charged that strongmen in the government had suppressed the Avant Garde case through the Attorney General and urged to resume the case.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka May Soon Need Hybrid Court with Foreign Judges to Probe Corruption and Irregularities of Previous Regime’ »

By

Rasika Jayakody

There was a string of political assassinations targeting prominent Tamil politicians during the first half of the Rajapaksa rule, starting from November, 2005.

Nearly a month after former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s ascension to power, a prominent Tamil Parliamentarian was shot dead by a gunman while attending a Christmas midnight mass at St. Mary’s Church in Batticaloa. Pararajasingham, a journalist turned politician, was identified by many in the South for his pro-LTTE viewpoints and it was no secret that the TNA’s politics, at that juncture, was eclipsed by the military power of the LTTE.

Government authorities dubbed Pararajasingham’s assassination as a “mysterious political killing” for which no party claimed responsibility. They said only the Parliamentarian’s wife and his security officer, a Policeman attached to the Battocaloa Police station, were aware of the Parliamentarian’s decision to attend the midnight mass. His wife too was among the eight people who were injured due to the attack.

St. Mary’s Church is located in a former High Security Zone between two important military camps in the East. There was ample military presence in the area and it did not require a lot of wisdom to understand that the culprits could only have escaped with the complicity of some members of the security forces. The slain Parliamentarian’s family had blamed that a certain paramilitary group operating in the East should be held responsible for the killing.

Quite obviously, fingers were pointed at the group led by Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan alias Karuna, who defected from the LTTE in 2004. The second in command of the Karuna group was Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pilleyan who later fell out with Karuna and became the Chief Minister of the Eastern Province.

Continue reading ‘Was Journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda was Questioned for Two days at Girithale and Tortured for Three days at Welikande and Killed?’ »

Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka

“Well I’m older now but still running against the wind” – Bob Seger

As a boy, I grew up reading a column in the Ceylon Observer called “Off My Beat” by “The Outsider”. The writer was my father Mervyn de Silva and his choice of pen-name, the English translation of the title of the famous book by Albert Camus, was quite deliberate (the French original was “L’Entranger”, “The Stranger”).

My new fortnightly column exclusive to this newspaper is entitled “At Variance”. While it was my choice of title, it wasn’t my choice of phrase. It is a phrase that a senior Cabinet Minister of the previous administration used to describe me, or rather, my suspected stance — the implication being that it was “At variance” with the thinking of the Government.

That conversation took place in Paris in late 2011, after I had warned Colombo that Sri Lanka was about to lose India’s support, and that of a significant fraction of our base, the global South at the UNHRC in Geneva.

As events have indubitably proved, my cautioning was prophetic, but at the time it had put me “At variance” with the myopic rigidity of the dominant hawks and hangers-on of the establishment of the day.

We now know how that went, and quite a lot of water of the Seine has passed under the Alexandra Bridge since then, but I grew rather fond of the phrase “At variance”and promised myself I’d use it as the title of a newspaper column.

Continue reading ‘Why I Find Myself “At Variance ” due to the Dangerous Vocation of Being an Unarmed Prophet’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Attorney-at-law J. C. Weliamuna says some of those who complained regarding accountability issues here to UNSG Ban Ki-moon’s Panel of Experts (PoE) on the condition of anonymity are likely to give evidence before the proposed domestic mechanism with foreign participation.

The PoE comprised Marzuki Darusman (Indonesia), Steven Ratner (US) and Yasmin Sooka (South Africa). The report was released on March 31, 2011.

Stressing the importance of setting up a court acceptable to all, Weliamuna said on Monday that confidentiality of witnesses had to be protected at that time to ensure their security. They could now come forward due to change of situation following the January ‘revolution’.

Continue reading ‘“Anonymous” War Crimes Witnesses Who Testified Before Darusman Panel May Give Evidence Before Domestic Mechanism with Foreign Participation’ »

BY

DR DAYAN JAYATILLEKA

Preambular Paragraph 3 of the October 2015 resolution says that the resolutions of 2012, 2013 and 2014 formed the basis of the resolution of 2015. The 2015 Resolution flows directly from the 2014 Resolution which mandated the Office of the High Commissioner’s investigation on Sri Lanka. What is important is to note that the US resolution of 2015 makes no mention whatsoever of the resolution of 2009. This is because 2009 was an outright victory for Sri Lanka and left no residue which the West could use.

An important feature of the successful May 2009 UNHRC resolution was that unlike all other resolutions adopted at special sessions, and indeed unlike the 2015 US-SL resolution, there was no call for follow up at the subsequent sessions of the Council.

One of the most striking differences between the UNHRC May 2009 and UNHRC October 2015 was that in 2009 Sri Lanka initiated and co-sponsored a supportive resolution together with the Non-Aligned Movement, while in 2015 it co-sponsored a critical and intrusive resolution presented by the US-UK and the West in general. This symbolizes Sri Lanka’s dramatic realignment. This realignment detaches us from our natural habitat and who we really are: a developing country of the Global South and an Asian state in particular. It realigns us with whom we do not really belong and with who we are not: a state in the Western hemisphere. Worse still, it realigns us with that part of the world with powerful Tamil diaspora lobbies existentially hostile to us, i.e. to whom and what we are.

In the interests of political honesty it must be said however, that this profoundly counterproductive realignment with the West/Global North was possible because the previous administration eroded in its second term, our support among our traditional support base, the nonaligned and the Global South.

What most people probably don’t know is that in May 2009, there was indeed a resolution on Sri Lanka that the West tabled at the UN Human Rights Council, but it was not taken up for debate because the President of the Council announced that it was no longer necessary since all the issues included in it had been taken up in the resolution that Sri Lanka tabled which had just got voted in with a massive, near two thirds majority in the Council. It is also interesting that the only dissenting votes were the EU block of 12 votes. In 2009, the bulk of the international community was firmly with the resolution that Sri Lanka put forward together with the non-aligned nations. It had the broadest support of the Human Rights Council, bar that of the EU.

Continue reading ‘We Have to Re-fight and Re-win the May 2009 Geneva Battle by Preventing the Implementation of the Wretched October 2015 UN Resolution’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Attorney-at-law J.C. Weliamuna yesterday confirmed that there would be international participation in the proposed domestic court to inquire into accountability issues in Sri Lanka.

Addressing the media at the Information Department, Weliamuna said that Parliament would have to make the required amendments to pave the way for international participation in the process. He said that a hybrid court would have been much better where the addressing of the issues was concerned, but the recently adopted Geneva resolution co-sponsored by the government of Sri Lanka had promised a less intrusive mechanism.

The Information Department organised the briefing in collaboration with the state-run Rupavahini.

Weliamuna was flanked by Deputy Foreign Minister Dr Harsha de Silva.

Continue reading ‘“There will be International Participation in Proposed Domestic Court Inquiring into Accountability Issues in Sri Lanka – J.C.Weliyamuna.’ »

By

Udaya P.Gammanpila M.P.

When the Constitutional Council (CC) was established by the 17th Amendment and modified by the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, it had a noble cause. It was to ensure the independence of the commissions such as Judicial service, audit services, bribery or corruption investigation and procurement. However, it is near impossible to achieve the stated objective of the independent commissions with the newly appointed CC.

The CC is the apex body of independent commissions. It appoints members to all commissions including very important commissions such as Judicial Service, Public Service, Election, Police, Audit Service, Human Rights, Bribery or Corruption Investigation, Finance and Procurements. Further, it approves the recommendations by the President for important offices such as Supreme Court Judges including the Chief Justice, Judges of the Court of Appeal, Attorney General, Auditor General, Secretary General of Parliament and Inspector General of Police. Hence, a duly appointed CC is crucial for maintaining independence of the Commissions.

Continue reading ‘Constitutional Council is a Mockery as it is full of Friends and Supporters of President Sirisena.’ »

By Madura Ranwala

People of Bandagiriya in the Hambantota police area, who demanded clean drinking water yesterday morning by blocking the road between Tissamaharama and Matara for nearly four hours, were baton-charged by the police.

The angry crowd hurled stones at police and an SLTB bus that tried to move forward in the afternoon.

Continue reading ‘Demonstrators Demanding Clean Drinking Water who Blocked Road Between Matara and Tissamaharama Baton Charged by Police’ »

by Waruni Karunarathne

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) calls for the Sri Lankan government to commit to implement the UN resolution in full. While some members of the TNA constituent parties expressed disappointment at the UNHRC resolution that calls for a domestic mechanism, senior TNA member and Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan says the UN resolution is in the best interest of the country and the victims. Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Sampanthan is on the view that the government will be more sensible under the new leadership of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Following are excerpts of the interview:

Q: You have praised the UN resolution on Sri Lanka. Do you agree with it? Do you have any areas of concern?

A: We would like the Sri Lankan government to implement the resolution in full with honesty and commitment. We will play a very positive role when it comes to the implementation of the resolution. We will fully support the endeavour of the Sri Lankan government to implement the resolution.We think that it is fundamental in the interest of the country, and it is in the best interest of the country. It is also in the best interest of all people who have been victims in this country – whether it is Tamils, Sinhalese, or Muslims. They need a new dawn. The full and honest implementation of the resolution can bring about that dawn.

Continue reading ‘TNA Members Disappointed Over International Investigation Issue Must Live With It ” says Opposition Leader R.Sampanthan’ »

by

Ridma Dissanayake

The CID arrested former Chief Minister of the Eastern Province Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pilleyan over former parliamentarian Joseph Pararajasingham’s murder.

The former Chief Minister who was summoned, arrived at the CID at 5.25 p.m. yesterday, accompanied by his lawyer.

Meanwhile, a group of CID officers left for Batticaloa on Saturday night to question Pilleyan over Pararajasingham’s murder.

However, the family members of the former Chief Minister informed the CID officers he was not home.

But the CID officers’ suspicions grew as they spotted Chandrakanthan’s vehicle at his personal residence in Batticaloa.

Continue reading ‘Ex – Eastern Chief Minister Chandrakanthan alias Pillaiyan Arrested over Assassination of Former MP Joseph Pararajasingham in 2005’ »

A landmark event in a West Asian capital will play out today (Oct 11th) and it will send shockwaves around Sri Lanka. This is when a court there hears a case where lawyers for Sri Lanka Government are seeking an order to freeze nearly a half a billion dollars in a bank account. It has been established that this account is in the name of a young politician, the son of a former VVIP. It has also been established that there was well over a billion US dollars when information was first received about this account. The politician in question had transferred a big part of the funds to a bank in an eastern European country. Reports that a close relative helped in the transfer of funds there are now being probed.

In the event the Government’s efforts do not prove to be successful today, an official source said, “We are hopeful but have other options too”. He added “we cannot discuss them now.” The West Asian country in question has rigid banking laws to protect customers but it is receptive to initiating action, if proof is provided that such funds have been obtained through illegal and criminal means.

When the case was taken up the previous Thursday, the Judge who heard submissions summoned that country’s Attorney General. He had sought his opinion whilst listing the case for today. If the court, which sits on a Sunday, being an Islamic country, agrees to the Sri Lanka Government’s request, the move would be viewed by Government leaders not only as a major victory in their anti-corruption drive.
More importantly, that would come as conclusive proof that the country’s wealth has been unabashedly looted by a handful in the previous administration and the monies deposited in foreign banks. Lawyers representing the Sri Lanka Government have been “adequately” briefed how the monies in question have been amassed. Government leaders believe the evidence they have placed before court is sufficient grounds to first freeze funds remaining in the account.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Govt Seeks Legal Freeze of Former VVIP’s Politician Son’s Bank Acct with 500 Million US Dollars in West Asian Capital’ »

By

Kishali Pinto Jayawardene

In a ‘letter to the editor’ of a Sri Lankan national newspaper recently, someone pointed to the need for a fearless Atticus Finch to emerge from post-war Sri Lanka.

Conflicted by race

This was a nostalgic beckoning of Pulitzer prize-winning author Harper Lee’s iconic portrayal of a small-town white lawyer in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ who defended a wrongly accused black man in the American Deep South of the Thirties.

The optimist who made that appeal would probably have been unaware of this July’s release of ‘Go Set A Watchman,’ based on the original manuscript of Harper Lee’s ‘Mockingbird.’ Provoking distraught fans, this portrays Atticus Finch not as a legendary civil rights hero but as a man deeply conflicted by race, even as he appeared for the ‘black man.’

As we are now told, the transformation of the manuscript to its monumental best-seller status thirty five years ago came through the deft pen of Harper’s editor. Probably however the original version, though annoying the idealists, would have been nearer to the reality of fallible humankind.

Continue reading ‘Fierce Courage of Two Woman Victims of Rape at Vishwamadhu Results in Triumph of Justice’ »

By

Ranga Jayasuriya

After decades of foreign policy miscalculations, many of which were deliberate ideological fallacies committed to boost the over-sized images of local political leaders, we finally seem to be getting onto the right side, at the right time.

One way to gauge an emerging rapport between the States is to observe how respective leaders are treated by their counterparts.

Continue reading ‘Time Opportune for Sri Lanka to Forge Ahead Through Tacit Agreement with USA,Japan and India’ »

By

Prasad Gunewardene

Has there been a phenomenal impact of film stars on the Sri Lankan political scene?

It’s more a matter to wonder as we’ve seen a few of them in the Parliament Chamber over the past quarter century. Their presence must be assessed from a social and political perspective.

Since independence, we had a few actors in that Chamber but they were not professional actors. The first professional actor to be elected to Parliament was the doyen of the Sinhala silver screen Gamini Fonseka. However, Gamini’s colleague Vijaya Kumaranatunga contested elections much before him but his entry was thwarted by the then UNP led by J.R. Jayewardene who labelled Vijaya as a Naxalite and remanded him.

I believe the influence of the then Jayewardene Government in power made Vijaya lose the Mahara electorate where UNP’s Kamalawarna Jayakody won by a slender majority.

Continue reading ‘The Tragedy and Comedy Enacted by Film Stars on the Political Screen of Sri Lanka.’ »

By

C.A.Chandraprema

Sri Lanka joined the US initiated resolution against Sri Lanka in the UNHRC as a co-sponsor – an act which amounts to accepting the resolution in toto. Usually, nations express reservations about or opposition to individual paragraphs in such resolutions. In 2014, the Indians opposed operative paragraph 10 of the resolution against Sri Lanka. This year however, when Sri Lanka took the highly questionable decision to become a co-sponsor of this resolution, they did not register reservations about or opposition to any paragraph but accepted the whole resolution. The Sunday Island spoke to former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva about the legal ramifications of the undertakings entered into by the Sri Lankan government in the UNHRC.

Q. The executive arm of the state (the foreign ministry in this instance) in its wisdom decided to accept in toto the US sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka in the UNHRC. Then Nimal Siripala de Silva an important member of that very same executive made a public statement to the effect that this resolution has been passed without studying the Sri Lankan legal system and that the ordinary law as well as the constitution will have to be amended to implement it – a process that will take much time and effort. He even hinted that a referendum may be called for to amend some sections of the constitution. So the executive arm of the state appears to have gone overseas and committed a major blunder. This appears to be reminiscent of the 2006 case of Nallaratnam Singarasa v Attorney General where the executive arm of the state had signed Optional Protocol I of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) making it possible for individuals from Sri Lanka to approach the Human Rights Committee in Geneva. Singarasa obtained from the Human Rights Committee a ruling calling upon Sri Lanka to not only to rescind his conviction but to pay him compensation. When his lawyers approached the Supreme Court with this HRC ruling, you threw it out on the grounds that the law of Sri Lanka did not recognize the authority of the Human Rights Committee even though the executive arm of the state may have signed Optional protocol I of the ICCPR. We now seem to be saddled with a very similar situation?

A. This is a very serious issue that you raised. Our constitution recognizes the separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judicial arms of the state. Law making is the function of the parliament. Implementation of those laws and the day to day running of the government is the responsibility of the executive arm. The judicial arm ensures on the one hand that the legislature does not pass laws which are unconstitutional and also that the executive does not exceed the powers vested in it by law. The executive arm has to act within the four corners of the law that has been laid down. This is where the whole concept of ultra vires and the rule of law come in. Now, in this instance, they have gone and agreed to certain things which are prima facie not provided for in our constitution and the law.

Continue reading ‘Ex -Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva Castigates Sirisena – Wickremesinghe Govt for Accepting and Co-Sponsoring US Initiated UN Resolution on Sri Lanka’ »

By

Rasika Jayakody

Soon after the government came to power early this year, there was severe criticism that the anti-corruption investigations it initiated were selective and lopsided.

Amid this criticism, law enforcement bodies, including the newly formed Police Financial Crimes Investigations Divisions (FCID) launched inquiries into complaints against some top echelons of the previous government. All parties in the governing alliance as well as Opposition parties such as the JVP supported the investigative process.

One of the important investigations, the FCID launched was the inquiry into alleged misappropriation of funds belonging to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), which came under the purview of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa during the past five years.

Anusha Pelpita, a senior administrative officer, was the Director-General of the TRC while former Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga worked very closely with the TRC administration on behalf of the former President.

The main allegation against the TRC was the siphoning off of Rs. 600 million from the TRC and its use to distribute sil redi among Buddhist devotees on Duruthu Poya day – four days before the Presidential election on January 8. Former Secretary to the President, Weeratunga, former TRC Director-General Pelpita and former President’s Secretary on Religious Affairs Ven. Watinapane Somananda Thera are under investigation in connection with this suspected massive misappropriation of public funds.

The FCID concluded initial investigations on the alleged misappropriation several weeks before the last parliamentary election. The usual procedure followed by the FCID in similar cases was to arrest the suspects, produce them before the Magistrate Court and charge them under the Offences Against the Public Property Act. That was why former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and former Monitoring MP for the Ministry of External Affairs Sajin Vaas Gunawardena were remanded after the FCID’s initial investigations.

The FCID informed the Attorney General’s Department of the progress of the initial investigations on the TRC case and awaited the Department’s instruction on how to proceed with the case.

Continue reading ‘Lalith Weeratunga, Anusha Pelpita and Alleged Misappropriation of Rs.600 Million Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Funds.’ »

By B.Kolappan

“Aachi” Manorama

Actor, comedian and singer Manorama, affectionately referred to as ‘Aachi’, whose performance matched and sometimes bettered the lead actors of her movies, died of multiple organ failure here on Saturday. She was 78 and is survived by her son and singer-actor Boopathy.

Manorama in “Thillana Mohanambal” ~

An artiste who matched the best in the industry

Continue reading ‘Versatile Tamil Actress cum Singer “Aachi” Manorama Passes Away in Chennai’ »

The Government will hire counsel and pay legal costs to military personnel who may face charges of war crimes. The assurance has been given to military officers by Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka. He has been tasked by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to speak to officers and men of the armed forces on the findings in the OISL report.

The Army which played a key role in the 2009 defeat of the LTTE and now under fire from the UNHRC, yesterday celebrated its 66th anniversary with a colourful parade at its camp in Panagoda. Army Chief Crishanthe De Silva is seen taking the salute.

During different meetings, Minister Ranawaka has explained the various recommendations and the Government’s position vis-à-vis them. The prospects of officers or other ranks in the armed forces facing charges of war crimes appeared minimal in the light of mechanisms the Government is putting in place.

Continue reading ‘Govt will Hire Lawyers and pay Legal Costs to Defend Military Personnel Charged with War Crimes’ »

A joint investigation has been launched by the Indian High Commission (IHC) and the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) into complaints of soliciting sexual favours from women in the North in return for houses from the Indian Housing Project (IHP), an Indian High Commission spokesman said.

“The IHC took up the issue with SLRCS officials and investigations are under way. India will not condone any such activity by any of the implementing partners of this project,” the spokesman said. Mahieash Johnney, SLRCS Senior Manager Communications and Humanitarian Diplomacy, told the Sunday Times that the management has called for inquiries following a written complaint lodged at the Kilinochchi branch last week. But other officials said at least 30 such complaints had been received.

“If our investigations reveal that any of our officers are guilty, they will be handed over to the police for further legal action,” he said. Some 1,800 houses are to be distributed in the Mulankavil area in the Kilinochchi district under the project.

Continue reading ‘Probe Launched Into Allegations of Indian Housing Project Houses Being Given in Return for Sexual Favours from Women in North.’ »

By

Malinda Seneviratne

Regimes acquire tags, leaders too. When they resonate with general public perception they become part of everyday usage. It was Victor Ivan who called President Chandrika Kumaratunga ‘Chaura Regina’ (The Thieving Queen). It stuck. No one knows who first used ‘Sahodara Samaagama’ (‘The Company of Brothers’ or perhaps ‘Brothers Incorporated’) to describe President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brothers Basil and Gotabhaya, but it stuck.

Whether or not either of the Rajapaksa brothers were the best qualified and most suitable given circumstances for the jobs they did is of course another matter. Basil in essence ran the economy and had his share of pluses and minuses. Gotabhaya was the trusted right hand man of the Commander-in-Chief and later took over the arduous task of rebuilding Colombo. Again, there are pluses and minuses. These have been discussed enough. The problem of this ‘samaagama’ was the ‘sahodara’ part. This is why there were passionately articulated pledges to ‘do away with nepotism’ by the then Opposition.

Continue reading ‘Appointment of President Sirisena’s Brother as Telecom Chairman Gave the Greenlight to “Sahodara Samagam” or Fraternal Arrangements’ »

SCARBOROUGH, ON – A re-elected Conservative Government will expand the presence of Canada’s High Commission to Sri Lanka by opening a consulate in Jaffna, the Honourable Jason Kenney announced today.

“A re-elected Conservative Government will continue Canada’s strong commitment to peace and reconciliation for all Sri Lankans,” said Kenney. “Expanding our diplomatic reach to Jaffna will enable Canadian officials to bolster Canada’s deep commitment to Sri Lankan democracy and civil society in the difficult process ahead.”

The office in Jaffna would be a strategic platform in northern Sri Lanka from which diplomatic, development, trade and consular services would be extended. From this platform, the enhanced Canadian presence in Sri Lanka would better advance human rights, deliver effective development programming, deepen bilateral relations and strengthen regional security.

Continue reading ‘Canada will Open Consulate in Jaffna if Harper’s Conservative Govt is Re-elected Announces Jason Kenney in Scarborough’ »

By Saman Indrajith

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday told Parliament that the government would not cancel the Central Bank transfers and it would further pursue its objective of creating a better banking service to the people.

The PM, responding to a special statement made by MEP leader Dinesh Gunawardena, said: After the elections I met with the Governor and the members of the Monetary Board. We are satisfied with the performance of the employees of the Central Bank during the recent past. There are some officials who had held the same position for more than five years. Who had permitted them to stay continuously in the same positions? In addition there are some officials whose efficiency is very low.

Continue reading ‘Govt will not Cancel Central Bank Transfers states Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in Parliament’ »

By Saman Indrajith

Opposition members of the UPFA yesterday walked out of the Chamber of Parliament protesting against what they called Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s use of unparliamentary language.

The group of MPs who walked off were led by NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa, NLF leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Udaya Gammanpila, Dullas Alahapperuma, Kumara Welgama, Johnston Fernando, Dinesh Gunawardena and Bandula Gunawardena

They said they left the chamber in protest against Prime Minister Wickremesinghe using words such as pimpiya (pimp) and ahikuntikaya (gypsy) to refer to Opposition members.

The protest was staged following an argument that disrupted sittings for more than 30 minutes on the very day a live telecast of parliament proceedings began.

Continue reading ‘Opposition MP Group Walks out of Parliament Protesting Against PM Ranil Referring to them as “Pimpiya”(pimp) and “Ahikuntikaya”(Gypsy)’ »

By Ishara Rathnakara

Additional Magistrate of Colombo Nishantha Peiris ordered the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) yesterday (8) to inform Court why former President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and former Chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Anusha Pelpita, who had been clearly identified as suspects in the case of misappropriating Rs 600 million from the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Regulatory Commission for a programme where sil clothing had been distributed, had not been produced before a Magistrate.

Accordingly, the Additional Magistrate issued notice to the Officer-In-Charge of the FCID to be present in Court on 5 November.

While the FCID had informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that further investigations are being carried out into this incident, the Attorney General had filed a case on certain charges against Lalith Weeratunga and Anusha Pelpita, at the Colombo High Court. When this case was taken up for hearing on Wednesday (7) at the Colombo High Court, bail had been granted to these two defendants.

Continue reading ‘Colombo Additional Magistrate Orders FCID to Explain why Lalith Weeratunga and Anusha Pelpita were not Produced Before a Magistrate’ »

COLOMBO: Four Sri Lankan soldiers were today sentenced to 25 years in prison by a court in Jaffna for raping two Tamil women in the island’s former war zone in 2010, in a rare prosecution of military personnel for sex crimes.

Jaffna High Court judge Manikkavasagar Ilancheliyan ordered the convicted soldiers to pay a compensation of Rs 500,000 to one victim and Rs 100,000 to the other woman raped in the northern Mullaitihivu district on June 6, 2010.

The women were raped a year after government forces claimed victory over separatist Tamil Tiger rebels and ended over three decade-long civil war, which killed at least 100,000 people.

Continue reading ‘Jaffna High Court Sentences Four Sri Lankan Soldiers to 25 Years Imprisonment for Raping Two Tamil Women in 2010’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The government is contemplating a new law to regulate social media, particularly in a bid to curb posting of sexual images and defamatory material.

The move is to protect the privacy of individuals in the wake of a spate of complaints received by relevant authorities.

According to well informed sources, the Law Commission of Sri Lanka has closely studied existing laws in other countries pertaining to the issue. It is in the process of seeking the opinion of various individuals and institutions.

Continue reading ‘Govt Contemplates Introducing new Laws to Regulate Social Media in a Bid to Curb Posting of Sexual and Defamatory Material’ »

By Saman Indrajith

The government yesterday submitted a supplementary estimate seeking parliament’s approval to allocate 526 million rupees to cover expenses coming under the expenditure heads of President Maithripala Sirisena.

According to the supplementary estimate presented to Parliament by Media Minister Gayantha Karunathilake, approval has been sought to allocate Rs 526,099,939 to pay for various expenses incurred under the heading of the President.

Of this amount Rs. 118, 309, 433 was to cover recurrent expenses while the rest Rs. 407,790,506 was for capital expenses, the document tabled in Parliament said.

Continue reading ‘Supplementary Estimate Submitted for Allocation of Rupees 526,099,939 for Various Expenses Incurred Under Expenditure for President Sirisena’ »

By Zacki Jabbar in Tokyo, Japan

The government says that it is planning to create a new judicial structure to inquire into human rights violations.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, addressing the Japanese Parliament on Tuesday, said that under the leadership of President Maithripala Sirisena the national government they had established after the January 9 presidential election and continued after the August 17 parliamentary polls had initiated a series of measures to revive democracy, good governance and the rule of law.

“Among the steps taken was to enact the 19th Amendment to the Constitution which had resulted in the President’s powers being reduced and Independent Commissions being introduced.

We also intend to enact electoral reforms and establish a new judicial structure to investigate human rights violations,” he noted.

Continue reading ‘Ranil Tells Japanese Parliament that New Judicial Structure will be Established to Investigate Human Rights Violations in Sri Lanka’ »

By

Shamindra Ferdinando

(The following are excerpts from a brief interview with former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa)

Q: Do you really believe the proposed judicial mechanism can help address accountability issues?

A: Execution of surrendering LTTE cadres during the last phase of the offensive on the Vanni east front was one of major accusations directed at the army. Widely dubbed the white flags killings, the allegation brought the Sri Lankan Army to disrepute. There had never been an agreement or an understanding between the government and the LTTE for the latter’s surrender though various interested parties alleged execution of surrendering persons. The proposed court should call the then Norwegian Ambassador in Colombo Tore Hattrem (present State Secretary at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to verify accusations.

Hattrem was in Colombo during the 2007 to 2010 period. On the night of May 16th, 2009, Hattrem visited me at my official residence, Baudhaloka Mawatha, where he claimed that LTTEer Pulithevan had offered to surrender along with some other cadres and their families as all senior leaders were dead by then. Hattrem had been in touch with Pulithevan over the phone.

However, arrangements couldn’t be made for the surrender as Hattrem failed to get in touch with Pulithevan to know the identities of those willing to surrender. Primary objective of an investigative judicial mechanism is to verify accusations made by various parties.

Continue reading ‘Ex – Defence Secy Gotabhaya Rajapaksa Challenges “Diaspora to Produce Witnesses Before Court and Prove Their Allegations”’ »

By

Upul Joseph Fernando

Different views and thoughts have surfaced amongst top government ranks in Colombo over the conduct of the United States of America with regard to the recent developments in Geneva and New York.

Prior to the tabling of the UNHRC Resolution, US Senior Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal arrived in Colombo and stated that a resolution would be moved in support of Sri Lanka.

She became popular here over that positive assurance at a time Colombo was placed in an embarrassing situation with the UNHRC pressing for a Hybrid International Court on alleged war crimes.

However, it was clear that the top rung in the Colombo Government were not happy over the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights’ report and the proposal of the United States.

Continue reading ‘If Maithri-Ranil Govt Tries to Act According to UNHRC Report it will face Same Fate of Ranil Govt in 2001 -2004’ »

By Saman Indrajith

Pandemonium reigned in Parliament yesterday following a protest mounted by opposition MPs inside the Chamber against the alleged moves to set up a hybrid court to prosecute the military personnel who crushed terrorism. The rumpus led to the suspension of sittings for ten minutes.

When Parliament commenced notice of motions and orders of the day, NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa sprang to his feet, claiming that the government had promised during the previous sittings to allocate time for a debate demanded by the Opposition on the recent UNHRC report and resolution against Sri Lanka, but the promised debate had not been included in the list of scheduled business in Parliament for this week.

The MP demanded to know why the government had reneged on its promise and when the time would be allocated for the debate which was of utmost importance.

Continue reading ‘Pandemonium in Parliament Due to Protests by Opposition MP’s Over Proposed Hybrid Court to Prosecute Military Personnel’ »

By Saman Indrajith

The government yesterday submitted a supplementary estimate seeking the approval of Parliament for an allocation of Rs. 180 million to renovate and refurbish the official residence of President Maithripala Sirisena.

The supplementary allocation of Rs. 180,688,000 was presented to Parliament by Chief Government Whip Media Minister Gayantha Karunatillake.

Continue reading ‘Supplementary Estimates of Rs, 180 and 70 Million to Refurbish President Sirisenas Official Residence and to Purchase a BMW Limousine and 12 Motor Cycles for Presidential Secretariat’ »

UPFA parliamentarian Janaka Bandara Tennakoon was today arrested by the CID in connection with a killing that had taken place in 1999.

Police Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said the former minister was arrested while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.

Continue reading ‘Ex – Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon who Supported Mahinda at Polls Arrested by CID for 1999 Murder Incident’ »

BY THYAGA SRIMALI BANDARA FROM TOKYO

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who is now on an official visit to Japan announced that he would introduce a new Foreign Service in the country and noted he was working with the belief that there is no Foreign Ministry in Sri Lanka. ”

There appears to be utter confusion in Sri Lankan Foreign Missions and I will resolve this issue when I get back to Colombo,” he added.

The Sri Lankan Premier made these observations when top officials of the Prime Minister’s office and the media crew accompanying him complained about the difficulties they faced due to the careless and lethargic attitude of the officials at the Sri Lanka Mission in Japan.

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe Tells Media in Japan that he will Establish New Foreign Service as he Believes there is no Foreign Ministry in Sri Lanka now’ »

By

Col R Hariharan

Sri Lanka agreed at the 30th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) at Geneva last week to what it had resisted for six years: International intervention in investigating alleged war crimes and human rights excesses committed during the Eelam War.

But handing over the whole process to international judges and staff in a hybrid international court as suggested by the UN human rights chief Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein would be politically suicidal for the Sri Lanka’s ruling duo – President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Their government used the international goodwill accrued from their actions to improve governance and accountability since coming to power, which was favourably referred to by the UN human rights chief in his report, to get the US draft resolution modified by bringing the international judicial involvement within Sri Lankan judicial jurisdiction and process.

US secretary of state John Kerry expressed “US support for a credible domestic process for justice and reconciliation in Sri Lanka — one that is led and owned by the Sri Lankan people and is conducted in cooperation with the UN and with international support.”

Continue reading ‘World Backs Sirisena but Storms Lurk in Lanka – Tamils And Sinhalese Unhappy With UNHRC Resolution; Army Apprehensive’ »

By

N. A. de S. Amaratunga

Sri Lanka’s history is replete with betrayals of catastrophic proportions. The Island editorial of 30th September 2015 aptly titled ‘D-Day’ mentions most of these and to good effect and they include the Peace Agreement entered into with the Tamil separatist terrorists, the LTTE, a deed done by the then UNP government under the same leadership that has co-sponsored the UN Resolution in Geneva on the D-Day.

The LTTE would have finished us off courtesy the UNP, Norway et al if the Peace Agreement had held for a few more years. Fortunately, the then president Chandrika Kumaratunga, in spite of all her failings, sacked that regime.

This time around the separatists will get what they want on a platter. The US and Europe will make sure this happens to pursue their geo-political agenda in the Indian Ocean region. The 16th clause in the UN Resolution is included for this purpose and India’s comment at the time the Resolution was passed made reference to the full implementation of the 13th Amendment. Thus the cat is out of the bag.

Continue reading ‘Govt has Issued a Wrong Sinhala Translation of the UN Resolution Co-sponsored by Sri Lanka to Hoodwink the Public’ »

By

R. Chandrasoma

We are told by high authorities in the government that our former President has good hopes of being alive in the years ahead because of the political heroism and encompassing compassion of those who defeated him at the recent historic elections.

Indeed, the claim has been made by no less a person than the globe-trotting (and oracular) Foreign Minister that the former Leader (MR) escaped an inglorious end strapped to an ‘Electric Chair’ because of the pleading and promises of the New Leadership – to purge our ancient land of the political roguery and rampant venality that (supposedly) characterized the ruler-ship of the defeated President.

There was also a more ominous charge –that was music in the ears of the Anglo-American ‘mafia’ that currently polices the world. MR was supposedly in the same class as the ‘villainous’ Saddam Hussein and the much-feared Gaddafi – both heavily advertised in the Western Press as brutal dictators that brought not only ruin to their own countries but imperiled the world because of their insatiable greed to be great and powerful whatever the material and human cost. Indeed. so great was their advertised political depravity that the entire world was alarmed and affronted. T

Continue reading ‘Orwellian Revision of History Underway to Depict Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Victory Over Terrorism as Genocide and Assault on Peoples Rights’ »

More than 200 new species of animals discovered in the Easter Himalayas have thrown up several oddities – including a walking fish and a sneezing monkey.

The report on wildlife in Nepal, Bhutan, the far north of Burma, southern Tibet and north-eastern India has revealed discoveries in the past five years including 133 plants, 26 species of fish, 10 new amphibians, one reptile, one bird and one mammal.

Among the discoveries was vibrant blue dwarf “walking” snakehead fish, found in West Bengal, India, which breathes air, can survive on land for up to four days and can writhe and wriggle up to quarter of a mile over wet ground between bodies of water.

Continue reading ‘Over 200 New Species Including “Walking” Fish, Sneezing Monkey and Jewel Snake Discovered in Past 5 Years in Eastern Himalayas Region’ »

by

Prasad Gunewardene

Six weeks ago the Government of Unity took office to establish Good Governance. It pledged to establish law and order for people to live without fear. On the contrary we witness that the law and order and public discipline is being eroded. Innocent youth and students arrested on suspicion are being mercilessly assaulted by the police. Robberies, Murder, Rape and Child Abuse are on the rise. The brutal police assault on the 17-year-old student and a 31-year-old father of a child arrested on suspicion over the rape and murder of a five-year-old girl at Kotadeniyawa demonstrate the high handed conduct of the police. As in the past, political stooges of the government put up cut-outs, posters and banners of the President in every corner. Public walls are made dirty by those posters. When those improperly hung propaganda material fall on roads due to high winds, innocent people are injured.

In that ugly backdrop, I thought to write the following open letter to President Maithripala Sirisena;

Dear Mr. President,

I don’t fear to write this open letter to you under the Yahapalanaya concept you have promised this land on 08 January because I believe that the ‘white van’ syndrome is now over.

I hope you would recall that I met you at your ministerial official residence at Wijerama Road on 02 January this year for a press interview, perhaps, the last one before the 08 January presidential poll. And, during that interview I told you that my friend Mahinda Rajapaksa whom I knew for nearly four decades was a pleasant man and that he later looked unpleasant as President because of the stooges and henchmen who were around him misled him.

Then I asked you whether the same fate would befall if you succeed Mahinda to that high office. Sporting a cheerful smile you quipped in a lighter vein, “No Prasad, that will never happen to me and I will always remain a pleasant man even as President”.

Mr. President I thought it fit to write this letter before it’s too late having known you for an equal period as much as I knew Mahinda. I see certain incidents happening around you without your knowledge.

Continue reading ‘“Dont Let What Happened to Premadasa and Rajapaksa Happen to You”:An Open Letter to President Maithripala Sirisena’ »

(The full text of a statement issued by Former President and current Kurunegala District Parliamentarian Mahinda Rajapaksa)

Though the passage of the US sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka in the UNHRC without a vote last Thursday is being hailed as a diplomatic victory for Sri Lanka, I am unable to share that view.

Operative paragraph 6 of the resolution affirms the importance of the participation of foreign judges, prosecutors, lawyers and investigators in the Sri Lankan judicial mechanism to be set up to investigate alleged human rights abuses during the war.

Operative paragraph 8 encourages the Sri Lankan government to remove individuals in the armed forces suspected of human rights violations through an administrative vetting process even if there is insufficient evidence to charge them in a court of law.

Operative paragraph 4 welcomes the government’s willingness to allow the various judicial and other mechanisms it intends to establish to deal with the past, to obtain financial assistance from overseas, which means that these supposedly Sri Lankan mechanisms will be paid for and maintained by foreign powers.

Continue reading ‘US Sponsored Resolution at UN is not a Diplomatic Victory for Sri Lanka as Being Propagated Points out Ex –President Mahinda Rajapaksa’ »

by Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema

The police Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) has last week raided a company operated by former First Son and United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa as part of a probe being carried out under the Money Laundering Act.

The FCID is carrying out a probe covering the operations of six companies operated by Rajapaksa – Hello Corp Pvt Ltd, Gowers Corporate Services Pvt Ltd, Gowers Solutions, Gowers Secretariat, Gowers Ceylon Holdings and NR Consultancy.

The Sunday Leader learns that FCID officers had commenced a probe on Gowers Corporate Services Pvt Ltd on Friday and is to continue investigating the other companies as well.

The FCID probe is expected to uncover the sources of funding for these companies and its earnings as well as how the monies were utilised.

Continue reading ‘Police FCID Commence Raid and Probe Under Money Laundering Act Into Six Companies Operated by Namal Rajapaksa’ »

By

Ranga Jayasuriya

In the Buddhist folklore, there was this monkey that a king reared as his trusted companion. The king had full faith in the ape, who accompanied the sovereign anywhere he went. On one fine day, after attending the affairs of the State, the king took a short afternoon nap, leaving his sword with the ape. The monkey sat next to the sleeping royal, ever vigilant to guard his master against undesirable intruders. Seeing a pesky fly buzzing around the king, and worried that it would disturb the royal, the monkey tried to chase it away, but in vein. When the fly kept circling around, the monkey, now enraged at the repeated incursions, grabbed the royal sword, and landed one heavy blow, aiming the fly, perched on the king’s chest. The king was effectively hacked to death.

When President Maithripala Sirisena on his return from the UN General Assembly was greeted by those numerous cutouts hanging from all available space in the city, touting him as the hero who defeated imperialism, he should have reminded that monkey. (That is subject to the assumption that MS himself did not order the display of that sycophantic affection. That, I guess, is a fair conjecture because in January after he was sworn-in as the President, he ordered the removal of his cutouts that had sprung up around the country).

We are a nation of sycophants. However, the level of sycophancy hit its disturbing zenith under President Sirisena’s predecessor, Mahinda Rajapaksa, though successive Presidents (perhaps with the exception of D.B. Wijethunga, whose tenure was anyway brief), were not far behind.
President Sirisena promised to be different and detest from the culture of nepotism and sycophancy. And people, disgusted at MR’s shameless display of a personality cult voted MS to the office of presidency. Now seeing those larger-than-life-sized cutouts of MS staring at them from lampposts, bridges and tree tops, those folks should have been befuddled as to whether they had taken a ride in the time machine, only to be reminded, that it was, in fact, MS beaming from all lamp-posts.

Continue reading ‘“Yahapalanaya’ and ‘Cutout Palanaya’ and Overzealous Sycophants of President Sirisena’ »

Placed on the table as they took their seats at the conference room of ‘Temple Trees’ was the English text of the US backed resolution on Sri Lanka together with a translated Sinhala text. Army officers of two-star rank or Majors General and above were there. So were the equivalent counterparts, Rear Admirals of the Sri Lanka Navy and Air Vice Marshals of the Sri Lanka Air Force. From the Police there were those above the rank of Deputy Inspectors General.

Even before the resolution was adopted without a vote at the 30th sessions of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Thursday, the Government has initiated a dialogue to reach out to the armed forces and the Police. Those among their ranks are ones who will become the subject of investigations over alleged war crimes. The others are the remnants of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Army officials say over 3,000 LTTE cadres are still at large and did not surrender and submit themselves to “a process of rehabilitation.”

Those who surrendered and were subject to “rehabilitation” were 12,383 guerrilla cadres. Of them, 12,105, according to the office of the Commissioner General for Rehabilitation, were rehabilitated. The number remaining, they said, was sixty. Some 26 cadres had deserted, 13 had died due to natural causes and 179 had been handed over to Police over on-going investigations, they said.

Unlike probes against troops and Police, where allegations against them were recorded from reported victims by the OISL, the charges of war crimes by Tiger guerrillas have only been documented mostly in general terms. An example is how they prevented civilians from leaving areas where they were cornered by security forces advance or expressly targeted them. Such instances may require further investigation like all others. A bigger question would be finding the alleged perpetrators.

Continue reading ‘Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe “Reassures” Army,Navy, Air Force,Police Top Brass about Geneva UN Resolution Implications’ »