New regulations under PTA to deal with LTTE

LTTE to remain banned; HSZs  to continue
 Kelum Bandara
With the lapse of the state of emergency at 24.00 hrs on August 30, the government has imposed new regulations under the Prevention of Terrorism Act to keep the LTTE as a banned organization, to retain the High Security Zones and to deal with LTTE surrendees and detainees, officials said yesterday.

TNA submits memo to Manmohan

By Kelum Bandara
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has with the help of some Lok Sabha members had submitted a memorandum to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh requesting him to prevail upon the Sri Lankan government to remove the military camps in the North, TNA parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran said today.

STF camps re-emerge in East citing ‘grease devil’ episode

Dismantled camps of the elite commando unit of the Sri Lankan forces, the Special Task Force (STF), are being re-established in same private residential buildings earlier vacated by the STF in the Ampaa'rai district. The lands returned to legal owners are being re-occupied by the STF

CEYPETCO plunged into huge losses

Sandun A. Jayasekera
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) has run into a staggering loss amounting to Rs. 27.21 billion in the first half of this year alone against a loss of Rs. 26.9 billion for the entire 2010, according to a the COPE exposure, a Parliamentary source said yesterday.

TUs Ask For Findings In Report

Trade unionists and human rights activists have called on the government to reveal the findings of the Mahanama Tilakaratne Investigation Report on the industrial unrest at the Katunayake free trade zone (FTZ).

‘President has empowered himself with emergency powers’

The president has empowered himself with provisions in the state of emergency through a gazette extraordinary despite his claim to parliament at the emergency rule would be abolished immediately, alleged UNP general secretary Tissa Attanayake yesterday (Aug. 30).

Photo evidence of assault on Navanthurai civilians

Injuries and damages to properties

Due to the military actions in Navanthurai, Jaffna

On 23rd August 2011

Bloodied clothes after the military attacks

Repealing of Emergency and the Authenticity of the Government

On 25th August, President Mahinda Rajapaksa making a special statement before the Parliament stated that the emergency that would expire on August 30 will not be extended again.

Lifting of Emergency: What Next?

Although some members of the UPFA government indicated vaguely a few months ago that Emergency would be lifted fully at the end of this year, the President’s announcement that he and his government had decided to do so with immediate effect and depend on normal laws to maintain law and order came at an unexpected moment and as a result, it has received a mixed response.

The Finishing line: The Telegraph, India

Emergency removal timed to generate good publicity
 Two years after its decisive victory against the Tamil rebels in Sri Lanka, the Mahinda Rajapaksa government has announced its intention to allow the state of emergency in the country to lapse.

The warranted in Thalangama Police!

Our reporter was able to photograph Sudharman Radaliyagoda, the Deputy Chairman of ITN, who has been warranted by a Court, visiting Thalangama Police Station yesterday (29th) to attend to one of his friend’s affairs. He has arrived at the police station in a VVIP Pajero bearing the reg. no. 64 -1727.

Transferring the Radeliyagoda fraud case from Fort MC to Colombo Chief MC is to dispense Medamulana barbaric laws

An intriguing episode testifying to the fact that now in Sri Lanka not only the ordinary laws but even any law is not being abided by except the Medamulana barbaric laws which are overriding all legal Institutions was brought to the open clearly in the chief Magistrate court of Colombo today.

India, China hold Sri Lanka’s tourism future-report

India and China would become the two most important tourism markets for Sri Lanka, as arrivals from the two countries, which have a rich emerging middle class, will remain strong, a report by a local investment bank said.

Total ban on drinking, smoking scenes

Olindhi Jayasundere
The present censorship on the telecasting of television programmes showing the use of alcohol or cigarettes will be removed and instead from Thursday a complete ban will be imposed on the telecasting of such programmes, the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol said yesterday.

PSC can’t probe my actions: Ex- CJ

“I retired 2 years ago; I am a free citizen now”
L.B.Senaratne
Former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva said he could not be brought before a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) as he retired from service two years ago and that the President himself had given him a letter of commendation for his distinguished service in the Judiciary as the Chief Justice.

Celebrating more of Houdini’s illusions?

 Kishali Pinto Jayawardene  
Is the emergency really over in Sri Lanka? Or are we celebrating a clever trick, akin to Houdini’s famed illusions whereby we are being made to believe something that is not really the case?

Withdrawal of the emergency - confusion and new regulations

''The sequence of events showed that the announcement of the withdrawal of the emergency had been done hurriedly with little time for consideration of consequential issues.''

Greasing The Lifting Of “Emergency Rule” To Live The Same

President’s media said that the President walked by himself (in Independence Square on Sunday) with the people and met those who were in the area at leisure in a friendly atmosphere.

Repressive laws remain despite end to state of emergency in Sri Lanka -Amnesty International

The Sri Lankan government must follow up its repeal of the state of emergency by removing repressive legislation such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), Amnesty International said.

CPA Statement On The Termination Of The State Of Emergency

27 August 2011, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) welcomes the announcement made by the President to Parliament on 25th August 2011 that the government will not be seeking an extension to the state of emergency when it lapses by operation of law in September.

Miles to go towards democracy, editorial, Sunday Times

No doubt, President Mahinda Rajapaksa's announcement this week in Parliament, proposing the lifting of Emergency Regulations under the Public Security Ordinance (1947) will be greeted by (virtually) all in this country with a sigh of relief. It is still not clear when it would be done, but the suggestion alone is good enough news for the moment.

Minister Samarasinghe on UNHRC, HR action plan and LLRC

Manjula FERNANDO
Plantation Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe who also oversees the subject of human rights, in an interview with the Sunday Observer says the lifting of the Emergency is a commitment the Government has fulfilled to ensure that the right conditions exist on the ground for national reconciliation.

European Union welcomes lifting of the Emergency Regulations in Sri Lanka

Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission has welcomed Sri Lanka President coming forward to lift the Emergency Regulations.

Don't hang them - editorial, The Hindu

Preparations have begun at the Vellore Central Prison for hanging Murugan, Santhan, and Perarivalan — convicted for their involvement in the 1991 assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. Jail officials have fixed September 9 as the date for the executions.

US welcomes ER move but warns Lanka again

The United States while welcoming Thursday’s announcement of the lifting of emergency regulations in Sri Lanka, said yesterday if the government failed to meet international humanitarian obligations, then the international community would have to step in.

Retired Judges complain to MR; Former CJ to face probe

Sandun A. Jayasekera
In a shocking turn of events, the government is planning to appoint a parliamentary select committee soon to probe the conduct of former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva, based on complaints made by a group of retired judges to President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.  

‘the Emergency Consequential Provisions Bill - New Act to try terrorist suspects

 Kelum Bandara
PTA will remain intact
In the aftermath of the withdrawal of the state of emergency, the government is planning to introduce a new piece of legislation called ’ to deal with the suspects already arrested or detained under emergency regulations, informed sources said yesterday.

U.S., India hail Sri Lanka's removal of wartime laws

India and Western nations on Friday praised Sri Lanka's lifting of tough wartime emergency laws but an opposition party said it was merely a ploy because the government still has the power Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) at its disposal.

SLA-assaulted Tamil civilian dies at Puththa'lam hospital

A 33-year-old Tamil civilian, suffering from heart ailment died last Sunday at hospital after being assaulted by Sri Lanka Army soldiers in Narakkalli village in Puththa'lam, medical sources told TamilNet. The victim, Mr. P. Sivakumar, was the first one to alert the villagers of suspected ‘grease devils’ believed to be Sinhala soldiers.

JAFFNA: BRUTAL ASSAULT OF CIVILIANS IN NAVANTHURAI

Around 100 young men from Navanthurai, a village in the Jaffna District, were detained in an operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Army around 1.15am on 23^rd August 2011. The villagers were severely beaten by the army and dragged to the main road near the Navanthurai Army Detachment located around 300 meters from the village.

HRCSL refuses to register complaints against ‘grease devil’ attacks

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) refuses to entertain complaints against the harassment by alleged Sri Lankan armed forces personnel posing as “greased devils” in Batticaloa district. Instead the HRCSL asks the complainants to lodge same with the emergency service unit of the Sri Lanka Police, according to affected persons in the district.

JVP calls for the abolition of PTA

JVP says many more needed to be done to re-establish democracy in Sri Lanka
An opposition party in Sri Lanka has called on the government to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in addition to the emergency regulations.

Govt, Opposition must get together to minimize external influences - Ranil

Sandasen MARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE
External influences can be minimized if the Opposition and the government get-together, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Katunayake EPZ employees move court against police

Chitra Weerarathne
Two employees of Nortel Lanka Private Limited, Katunayake, had filed a fundamental rights violation application, in the Supreme Court, alleging assault, illegal arrest, illegal detention and denial of their freedom of expression by officers of the Seeduwa and Katunayake police.

Chinese pay bribes to win Hambantota contracts: Wikileaks cable .

A US embassy cable just leaked by whistleblower Wikileaks has revealed that the US believed Chinese were bribing Sri Lanka officials to win contracts, especially those related to mega development projects in Hambantota.

Tamil youth tortured by security forces in Jaffna

Those who were taken into Army custody from their homes in Navathurai mercilessly assaulted: limbs broken
The residents of Navathurai district Jaffna who were involved in a conflict with the Army over the grease devil menace , and were later taken into custody by the Army from their homes on the 22nd night had been assaulted and limbs broken while they were held in the Army camps, according to reports.

Sri Lanka scraps emergency laws

Amal Jayasinghe (AFP)
Sri Lanka's president announced on Thursday that he was scrapping draconian emergency laws imposed nearly 30 years ago to deal with the armed Tamil separatist movement.

Parliamentary team from India may visit Lanka

 A team of parliament members from India may soon visit Sri Lanka to see the condition of Tamil-speaking people there, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna informed the Rajya Sabha Thursday.

India to press for probe into human rights violation against Tamils in Sri Lanka

India will seek withdrawal of emergency regulations and probe into human rights violations against Tamils in Sri Lanka, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna said on Thursday.

Book festival interview: Gordon Weiss on Sri Lanka's civil war

Margaret Neighbour
UN spokesman during the bloody end of Sri Lanka’s civil war, Gordon Weiss says the organisation ‘should have pushed harder’ to save lives, especially those of trapped civilians...

AIADMK, opposition walkout after Krishna’s statement in Rajya Sabha

Both the main political parties of Tamil Nadu, AIADMK and DMK, as well as most of the opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha of the Indian parliament walked out on Thursday, disappointed by the statement made by the Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna on Sri Lanka.

President proposes lifting of emergency regulations .

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today announced in Parliament   that he was proposing the lifiting of emergency regulations.

Is an “opposition” with no political alternative a democratic necessity ?

Street fights for the UNP leadership ended with the “Reformist” leader Sajith Premadasa once again compromising with party leader Wickramasinghe, despite public statements to the contrary. The media had plenty of “bites” to go round the whole week, with accusations and counter accusations thrown from both sides to the conflict.

int’l pressure on sl unreasonable: Govt

Dianne Silva
The government said yesterday it was “unreasonable” for the international community to expect it to complete processes in a post-conflict situation, which have taken other countries in similar situations, many years to accomplish.

How can society protect vulnerable women from post war atrocities?

Rohan Roamer
I just viewed a documentary produced recently by Al Jazeera titled ‘Civil war leaves Sri Lankan women vulnerable’. The film has left me deeply disturbed, shocked and ashamed particularly because as a woman, I am not doing my duty in protesting vociferously against such atrocities.

36,000 families 'resettled in HSZs'

GA says further 42,000 people will soon be resettled in former HSZs
The government of Sri Lanka has informed the Supreme Court (SC) that nearly 36,000 families earlier removed from high security zones (HSZ) in Jaffna have been recently resettled.

Maximum penalty for peace violators - Defence Secretary

Govt will ensure security of everyone: Law and order will be maintained:
Chaminda PERERA
The government yesterday stressed that it will deal firmly with terrorist elements who were responsible for recent incidents in several parts of the country.

Civil Security Committees to be re-activated - MOD

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Inspector General of Police Illangakoon have instructed for the reorganization and restoration of the inactive Civil Security Committees on or before August 30.

Subramanian Swamy willing to visit Lanka to ensure solution

India’s Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy has said that he was willing to visit Sri Lanka to ensure a solution for the Tamils if MDMK general secretary Vaiko and Naam Thamizhar Iyakkam leader Seeman admitted that their efforts had failed.

Sri Lanka Asylum seekers: New challenges

''Since the end of the military conflict in Sri Lanka in May 2009, the situation with regard to asylum seekers from Sri Lanka has become even more of a challenge than before. Thousands of Tamils fled the island as the final military operations jeopardized civilians lives with impunity. Two years after, there are still many Tamils who want to leave the island due to their very real fears of arbitrary arrest, abduction and torture;''

by Sri Lanka Advocacy Group, 17^th August 2011

2 held over JVP’s ‘false smiles’ poster

The JVP claims that two of its activists have been arrested while they were pasting a poster to target the local government polls.
 They were arrested by police at Attidiya in Dehiwala in the early hours of this morning (Aug. 24) accusing them of pasting anti-government posters, said its propaganda secretary Vijitha Herath.

‘Nothing short of equitable rights to Tamils will do’

Leader of the Tamil National Alliance and veteran MP R. Sampanthan expresses his concerns on devolution, emergency laws and the Indian role, maintaining that no ultimatum was issued to the government on the ongoing talks or a decision to terminate talks taken. ‘All we ask is that before the next round of talks, there be a response to (our paper) to enable the talks to continue in a meaningful way,’ he adds.

“Grease Devils: The Violence against women has seen a drastic rise in the North and the East.

Women in the North and East have just begun rebuilding their lives post war. A significant proportion of households there are headed by women, many of whom have no secure housing. These communities are therefore fragile and vulnerable. It is in this context that these attacks must be understood.

Statement by women on the recent attacks on women, impunity and the lack of the rule of law.

IUSF to take legal action against illegal arrests by police

A fundamental rights case would be filed against the arrest of the former convener of the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) Udul Premaratne and another, remanding them for two weeks on false charges and harassing them for 1 ½ years claiming legal actions were being taken against them states IUSF.  

Soldiers deployed to quell unrest sparked ‘Grease Devils’

Shihar Aneez and Ranga Sirilal
 Sri Lanka on Monday deployed soldiers to quell unrest sparked by a fear of nighttime prowlers known as “Grease Devils”, after at least five died over the past two weeks in a wave of vigilantism and clashes with police across the island nation.

SLA terror unleashed in Jaffna after public unmasks ‘grease devils’

Occupying Sri Lanka Army entered into houses at Naavaan-thu’rai in Jaffna city Monday night, dragged out hundreds of youth and children and tortured them in their camps during the night, following public in Naavanthu’rai on Monday identifying the ‘grease devils’ as SLA soldiers.

US firm clearing virgin forests to grow banana, CEA in the dark

Hiran H. Senewiratne
The Central Environmental Authority (CEA), which issues the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report on any development project in the country, is unaware that more than 60,000 acres of virgin forest land have been cleared by a US based multi- national company for banana cultivation in SriLanka.

Army sets up brigade in Kinniya

Supun Dias
The Army has established the 224th Brigade in Kinniya to maintain law and order in the area and assist the police following the tense situation that prevailed after the clashes which took place recently.

Tissa, Dew, Vasu for devolution

The combined Socialist Alliance (SA) yesterday strongly supported the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) as a means of finding a lasting solution to the North-East conflict and said the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) report could be used as a launching pad to start talks.

Sri Lanka Ducks International Probe

Amantha Perera
 Although the Sri Lankan government has evaded calls for an international probe into alleged excesses while militarily defeating Tamil separatism in 2009, it may yet be called to account at the September session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

SL Army begins registering Tamils in Colombo

Sri Lanka Army soldiers have been engaged in registering Tamil youths of both sexes who are staying Colombo with their relatives and friends and lodges in Colombo city and its suburbs. This has caused fear among Tamils living in the South.

TNA thinks of ‘alternative ways’

“For six months we continued with talks, engaging the Government of Sri Lanka. But, there was no constructive outcome. The Tamil National Alliance cannot just keep continuing without any results, just for the sake of ‘engaging’ and ‘continuing’ the talks giving room for Sri Lanka to project an impression to the outside world that it is engaging in a constructive dialogue with Tamils,

Oil exploration: President gets check for US$ one million - JVP

Basil has no right to give dowries from national resources – Anura Dissanayake
The country, by a gazette notification presented to Parliament recently, has lost 28% income that it could have earned from oil exploration and this type of  national crime should not be allowed emphasizes the JVP. 

Policeman bashed to death in Puttalam town, Navy officrs vehicle attacked

A police constable was bashed to death by an unidentified group in the Puttalam town around 8.00 p.m. on Sunday, our correspondent in the area said. The policeman was identified as W.Navaratne Bandara , aged 28 attached to the traffic branch of the Puttalam police station.

Tamara Kunanayakam, SL Ambassador to Geneva on PTA, Tamil detainees and support of west for HR in SL

UN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS - 43RD SESSIONS: FEBRUARY 1987
Intervention by Miss Tamara Kunanayakam, World Student Christian Federation
I speak on behalf of the World Student Christian Federation, a non-governmental organisation with movements in more than 90 countries throughout the world.

Private TV channel( close to President's son) seeks to obtain SLRC’s sports visuals

The sale of archival video material from national broadcaster Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) to a private channel has become the subject of controversy. The private channel Carlton Sports Network (CSN) has asked the SLRC for sports material dating back to the past 20 years.

PSC coming, but for national unity

Instead of Tamil grievances alone, committee will have broader mandate

Sunday Times Political Editor

Contrary to earlier expectations of a Parliamentary Select Committee to address Tamil grievances, the Government will now appoint one “to recommend and report political and constitutional measures to empower the people of Sri Lanka as one nation.”

Video: Govt official in Jaffna admits receiving hundreds of reports of sexual violence, denies military involvement

Sri Lanka’s long-running conflict was brutal for its women. More than 80,000 are said to have been widowed in war-affected areas of the island nation.

CPA survey shows remarkable congruity between Sinhalese and Tamils on key issues

''Significantly, the statistics show a remarkable degree of congruence between Sinhalese and Tamils on key issues, and a surprisingly positive opinion being held by a fairly large percentage of Tamils on the most contentious and polarising issues. ''

Dayan Jayatilleka

Taming UNP's 'wild elephants' - Editorial Sunday Observer

''If the UNP is to maintain discipline and take the party forward, its 'wild elephants' should be tamed. Despite the high drama enacted by the Reformist rebels, Wickremesinghe stood his ground.''

Context demands Tamil-Muslim solidarity

“Muslims may not be a community distinct from the Tamils, but they have some special problems pertaining to their security. […] Tamil support for Muslim security and peace could open a new chapter in Tamil-Muslim relations,” says an article by A.R.M. Imtiyaz and S.R.H. Hoole,

New Delhi conference aims at forging unified political stance among Sri Lankan Tamil parties

D.B.S. Jeyaraj
 Ten Sri Lankan Tamil political parties may seek solace from agony for two days on August 23rd & 24th in the Indian capital of New Delhi.

NLAC condemns Police, CID intimidation of FTZGSEU in Katunayake

Lal Gunesekera
The National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) condemned the unwarranted action of the Police and CID in searching the offices of the trade unions that agitated against the abortive Private Sector Pensions Bill (PSPB) at Katunayake.

BJP mobilising funds for displaced Sri Lankan Tamils

The Bharatiya Janata Party is mobilising funds from the public in Chennai for providing relief to the displaced Tamils in Sri Lanka, according to L. Ganesan, member of the national executive committee of the party.

Sri Lanka: The Return Of The Grease Devils

In many rural areas of Sri Lanka the ‘Grease Yaka' (Grease Devils) panic is spreading fast. According to reports, nighttime assaults on women and thefts/robberies by grease rubbed men are being blamed on this mythical character prompting women to stay indoors and men to arm themselves.

Darusman Report not admissible at UNHCR - Min. G L Peiris

Dangerous results if entertained ;UNSG sole authority in such decision 
Disna MUDALIGE
The Darusman Report prepared by the advisory panel to the United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) cannot be submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) since it is neither an official document by any means nor has it any kind of legitimate nexus to any UN organ, said External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris.

“I want to continue to highlight the activities against the humanity”

Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
 “It’s a miracle that I survived. I was beaten almost to death. Many attempts have been made to kill me, so that my writing will come to an end!. I did not think that, I will survive. The God has saved me to serve the people through journalism. I am slowly recovering. Today, I am blessed to be alive. I have highlighted many issues in my writing. I want to continue to highlight the activities against the humanity, but I am not sure whether I will be able to hold the pen again, because my right hand fingers are frozen” emotionally shares Gnanasundaram Kuganathan (59) while tears filled his eyes.

Fr. Jim Brown and Mr. Vimalathas: Five years after disappearance, where are they and what’s happened to the investigation?

Fr. Jim Brown

Ruki Fernando
Fr. Jim Brown, a Catholic Priest from diocese of Jaffna in Northern Sri Lanka and his associate, Mr. Vimalathas, a father of five people, seem to be just two names and statistics in the long list of disappeared in Sri Lanka, particularly after the escalation of violence and war in the North since 2006.

Mr. Rajapaksa has provided a candid and authoritative insight into the mindset of the regime

Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu
The existing constitution is more than enough for us to live together. I don’t think there is any issue on this more than that. “I mean this was given as a solution for the whole thing with the discussion of these people. I mean now the LTTE is gone, I don’t think there is any requirement.

Sri Lanka to purchase 14 Mi-17 military helicopters from Russia

Further bolstering its military ties with Russia and expanding its own military machine beyond its local needs, Sri Lanka has entered into yet another contract with Russia’s state-run arms enterprise, Rosoboronexport, to purchase different modifications of Mi-17 military helicopters, reports from Colombo and Moscow said.

The struggle for Rs. 10,000 salary increase would be made a broad people’s struggle

The struggle to get an increase of  Rs.10,000 for the salary of state employees has begun  and the National Trade Union Center (NTUC) would take measures to turn it into a broad peoples’ struggle says the President of NTUC and former Parliamentarian K.D. Lal Kanthe.

Abandoned Tamil schools acquired by occupying SL military - TN

Sri Lanka military occupying the country of Eezham Tamils acquires abandoned Tamil schools for converting them into military camps. Occupying military officers are busy in recent days in collecting particulars of the abandoned schools in the Vanni districts as well as in the Vadamaraadchi, Thenmaraadchi and the islands divisions of the Jaffna district.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa responds to criticism over his conduct.

Gota responds to ‘a brother out of control’ assertion
Shamindra Ferdinando
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday expressed concern over The Hindu unfailingly targeting him on the basis of a recent interview he did with Indian TV channel, Headlines Today, in Colombo.

Democracy in post-war Sri Lanka

17 August 2011, Colombo, Sri Lanka: According to a new survey conducted by Social Indicator, the survey research unit of the Centre for Policy Alternatives, Sri Lankans are divided in opinion on the topic of reconciliation – about whether the government has done enough with regard to addressing the root causes of the conflict.

New Emergency Regulation’, No. 7 of 2011 gives more powers to President - CPA

''In this respect, we are extremely concerned over the promulgation on 8 August 2011 of ‘The Emergency (Administration of Local Authorities) Regulation’, No. 7 of 2011. This Emergency Regulation vests the administration of the affairs of the local authorities for which elections are to be held in Competent Authorities selected by the President.'' 

Who Killed Razeek?

Funeral of Pattani Razeek

Mr. Pattani Razeek’s case is a rare instance where the body of a disappeared person has been found, based on information given by arrested suspects. The arrest of key suspects is itself a rare occurrence in the thousands of disappearance cases in Sri Lanka. It is even more unusual that people connected to a Minister in the ruling regime would be arrested for a serious crime.

Tamil parties invited to Delhi

 T.Vivekarasa
Seven Tamil political parties based in the north and east were invited to New Delhi to participate at a conference by an Indian Parliamentarian Forum called the Parliamentarian Forum on Human Rights for Global Development, sources of the Tamil political parties said.

Engage more with Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa's remarks that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's call for economic sanctions against Sri Lanka were politically motivated, has once again brought the question of sanctions back into public consciousness — unfortunately.

A 'charge sheet' to National Human Rights Commission

''Several victims and their families have complained to us that HRC inquiries end up as a form of harassment and punishment to them. Complainants turn up on days and times the HRC invites them to come for inquiries, only to find that relevant state officials summoned by the HRC do not turn up, without any notice, and that HRC doesn’t seem keen to take action on them, although the HRC is empowered do so under article 21 of the HRC Act.''

Ruki Fernando

Origin of corruption is when someone thinks power is for him, his family and his henchmen – Former Chief Justice

The origin of corruption is when someone thinks power is for him, his family and his henchmen says former Chief Justice Sarath N. de Silva. He pointed out that the power the President has to release prisoners is a very corrupt one.

UN expects ‘something further’ on SL

Expert Panel with UNSG

Says panel report could still go to UNHRC
Sunil Jayasiri
Claiming that the Expert Panel report on Sri Lanka known as the Darusman report has not been formally submitted to the Human Rights Council yet, the UN said it expected to see that concerned Member States would “take it up and push for something further.”

Dearth of teachers in former conflict zone hampers education

 As thousands of students begin uninterrupted schooling after a lapse of years, education officials in Sri Lanka’s former northern conflict zone are facing a shortage of teachers.

A brother ( Gotabaya Rajapaksa) out of control- Editorial, The Hindu

''This includes an outrageous comment that because a Tamil woman, an “LTTE cadre” who was a British national, interviewed in the Channel 4 documentary was “so attractive” but had been neither raped nor killed by Sri Lankan soldiers, the allegation of sexual assault by soldiers could not be true. For this statement alone, Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa must be taken to task ''

Sri Lankan minister criticises SM Krishna

Weerawansa

A Sri Lankan minister on Tuesday criticised the External Affairs Minister SM Krishna's suggestion for investigation into alleged human rights abuses in the island during the final battle with the LTTE.

Protest on Kuganathan assault escalates amid eyewash arrest

More than 200 media workers, politicians and activists from North and South joined hands at Jaffna Bus Station staging a protest Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. till noon against the brutal assault last month on Gnanasundaram Kuganathan, the chief news editor of Uthayan daily in Jaffna and against the prevailing suppression of freedom of expression in Jaffna.

Lanka does not have claim on Katchatheevu: BJP

Questioning the legitimacy of the Indo-Sri Lanka accord on Katchatheevu with the island nation “dishonouring” the agreement, BJP state president Pon Radhakrishnan on Monday pitched for scrapping the accord.

Truth and Accountability: The Last Stages of the War in Sri Lanka

Doyen of Sri Lanka ’s civil society intellectuals sharply criticizes the Darusman Report
 Godfrey Gunatilleke, one of Sri Lanka’s and South Asia’s most respected intellectuals, a distinguished former civil servant, and founder of the country’s oldest independent think-tank, the MARGA Institute, made a sharply critical evaluation of the UNSG’s advisory Panel Report

Unwarranted interference of the armed forces in the civil adminstration of Poonakari

 V. Anandasangaree 
An open letter to the President Mahinda Rajapaksa
I strongly condemn and vehemently protest against the conduct of a political party that faced defeat at the recently held Local Election. In-spite of the fact that the service personnel while obstructing candidates of other parties went all out to distribute leaflets, pasting posters and did house to house campaign for that political party it lost.

FTZ unions protest CID intrusion

Complains to President and Police Chief
Susitha R. Fernando
The proposed Private Pensions Bill was shelved following massive trade union campaigns and a killing of a Katunayake FTZ worker last May, but trade unions have complained to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the IGP over recent intrusions by the CID.

United Nations: weak leaders wanted

''In its last annual report, Human Rights Watch wrote "far from condemning repression, Ban sometimes went out of his way to portray oppressive governments in a positive light". China, Burma, Sri Lanka have benefited from Mr Ban's lax hand. To save his legacy he must refresh his top team with people who understand the UN's principles.''

 Editorial, Guardian UK, Aug 14, 2011 

Cardinal warns of 'isolation'

The leader of the Catholic church in Sri Lanka has warned that the country risks being isolated in the face of international criticism. In his sermon to hundreds of thousands of Catholics on their annual pilgrimage to Madhu church, Mannar, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith called upon the authorities to come up with a "learned response" to international pressure on the island.
photo: Nearly 200,000 devotees have gathered to Madhu church for the final day of the seven-day feast

A politico’s henchmen kill NGO boss -Motive: Billions in the NGO’s possession

Pattani Razik

''This politician who is said to be serving in the UPFA government is now  alleged to be doing his utmost to hamper the ongoing inquiries into the murder of Pattani Razik. The CID which launched inquiries into the killing of Razik first took into  custody the secretary of a Minister.''

6 media groups off to Jaffna to protest Kuhanathan assault

Representatives of six media groups in the South left for Jaffna this morning (Aug. 15) to hold a protest to condemn the assault of ‘Udayan’ news editor Gnanasundaram Kuhanathan.  Led by the Free Media Movement, these media groups will hold an agitation and signature collection for a petition against the government in Jaffna town tomorrow.

Ground report: Widespread public perception of military links to ‘grease devils’?

Image released by Police Headquaters which was saved allegedly in the phone of a 16 year-old who was arrested for a number of robberies in the Uva Province.
As we post this article, there is a tense situation in Kinniya, spilling over from yesterday on the issue of ‘grease devils’. A Daily Mirror SMS update notes that,

Polls Chief acted hastily: Ex-CJ -Reduction of seats in Jaffna District

EC Deshapriya

Susitha R.Fernando
Amid opposition political parties objecting and expressing concern over the Election Commissioner’s recent move to reduce the number of seats in the Jaffna district, legal experts claimed it was against the Constitution.
They said the move could have severe repercussions on the peace after 30 years of bloodshed.

Political Solution to ethnic discontent is essential precondition for sustainable economic development of the north and east

 Nimal Sanderatne
The Sri Lankan economy has functioned with only part of its potential capacity for the good part of its last three decades. Although some economic activities prevailed despite the war, most of the region was a battle zone rather than a thriving economy. This applied to all three sectors of the northern and eastern economy: agriculture, industry and services.

Devolution talks with TNA deception of Mahinda Rajapaksa exposed by his brother Gotabhaya

Tisaranee Gunasekara
“The talk of political solution is irrelevant” Gotabhaya Rajapaksa (Interview with India Today)
 Watching or reading an interview with Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is a rewarding experience. The Defence Secretary often says outright, usually in very blunt language, what his brothers try to conceal.

Madu pilgrims inconvenienced by Police action .

Thousands of Catholic pilgrims heading for the Madu feast from the South were inconvenienced today when the Police in Mannar ordered that no private buses will be able to travel to the area and passengers could travel only by state run buses.

UK, Netherlands join fight against Koppe's EU Court filing

United Kingdom applied to the General Court of the European Union (CVRIA) for leave to intervene in the case (T 208/11) against the ban on the Liberation Tigers filed by Victor Koppe, attorney from Amsterdam-based Bohler Advocaten representing the LTTE, legal sources in Amsterdam said.

Grease Devil' attacks sow panic in rural Sri Lanka

'The story we hear is he comes and bites young women's necks and breasts'
 Panic over nighttime assaults blamed on "grease devils" has struck across rural Sri Lanka, leading to the deaths of at least three people this week, prompting women to stay indoors and men to arm themselves, police and local media said.
photo: police and people clash over Grease devil in Kalmunei, Ampara

Sri Lanka police request public not to be vigilantes

 Sri Lanka police today requested the general public not take law into their own hands but let the law enforcement personnel to handle situations after clashes erupted in several cities and people attacked individuals suspected of assaulting women under the guise of ghosts called "Grease Devils".
photo:  Police Headquaters issued this picture which was saved in the phone of a 16 year-old who was arrested for a number of  robberies in the Uva Province.

GOSL rejects Interactive dialogue on LLRC report at UNHRC

The latest diplomatic blunder with the United States comes at a time when relations between Washington and Colombo have hit a new low. Beginning last Monday, the External Affairs Ministry has become proactive to canvass members of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

After petrol, a big cement scandal

Contractors warn buildings could collapse because of low-quality stocks
Chris Kamalendran
Hard on the heels of contaminated fuel that ruined over two thousand motor vehicles, a large quantity of cement imported from Pakistan by the Sri Lanka National Co-operatives Board has been surreptitiously released to the market without quality certification, the Customs revealed yesterday.

Those who committed Genocide on Tamils should be brought to Justice: BJP

 “We are not going to give up till all those people involved in genocide are brought to justice,” said India's former Foreign Minister and a top leader of the Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP) Yashwant Sinha Friday,

'Uthuru Vasanthaya' at a stand still after Northern elections

Mushroom projects initiated by the Government targeting the Provincial Council elections recently have been abandoned after the election, it is reported.

59,501 war widows in North

There are 59,501 war widows in the North, said Minister of Women’s Affairs Tissa Karalliyedde yesterday (Aug. 12).
He gave the detail to parliament in response to a question by UNP’s Sajith Premadasa.

Muslim war widows left without help in Sri Lanka .

Three years since the end of the war, these women are homeless, jobless or without any kind of assistance. Many have lost children, killed by Tamil rebels. Some complain that they are discriminated based on their religion.

Army Camps in closed schools

'Lanka' newspaper reveals that the Ministry of Defence has taken steps to set up Army camps in schools which have been recommended as ineffective by the Ministry of Education.

Public views of Govt and Defence Secretary on political solution are diametrically opposite

The Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, brother of His Excellency the President and an important policy-maker in the Government, has been quoted in the “Headlines Today” (Daily Mirror, Wednesday, August 10th, 2011, Page 4), that there was little scope of going beyond the current levels of devolution.

EPRLF Thurairatnam condemns Tamil ministers for failing to confront Sinhalacisation in East

R.Thurairatnam

The Sri Lankan government led by Mahinda Rajapaksa is actively engaged in destroying historic places of worship and illegally acquiring lands belonging to Eezham Tamils and it is a pity to note some Tamil collaborators with ministerial positions in Rajapaksa government have no backbone in opposing the landgrab and the Sinhalicisation,

’What happened was predictable’ - Weiss

Gordon Weiss

International Justice Tribune (RNW)
In his recently published book ‘The Cage’ former United Nations spokesman Gordon Weiss is critical of the UN and points to evidence of the government of Sri Lanka committing war crimes. As the UN spokesperson in Sri Lanka during the conflict, he experienced first-hand how the UN was unable to fulfill its duties. RNW asked him about the role of the UN and the lack of accountability in Sri Lanka.

Gotabhaya re-organises state intellligence service to watch Sri Lanka closely

Lankanewsweb is able to reveal exclusively today the plans under way by Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, to fully overhaul the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Sri Lanka’s premier intelligence organisation.

AG questions National Defence Fund spending

The auditor general has questioned the spending by the National Defence Fund. ( the fund comes under president Rajapaksha)

AHRC demands justice by Neth FM journalist assaulted by police

The Asian Human Rights Commission has demanded justice for journalist Nilupa Sanjaya Liyanagehewa, who had been assaulted by police.

Forced to leave, says Prof. Hoole

R.K. Radhakrishnan
Professor Ratnajeevan Hoole, a respected Sri Lankan Tamil academician and a prominent returnee after the military defeat of the Tamil Tigers, said on Thursday he was forced to leave the country.

China to step up role in Sri Lanka projects

China will extend increasing support to infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka and will also back the country's efforts to promote reconciliation without any external interference, Premier Wen Jiabao told visiting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in talks here on Thursday.