Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Sri Lanka ranked 26th in 2014′s Peoples under Threat index and fell five places from 2013′s ranking

The overall measure for each country is based on a basket of 10 indicators. The number in each row is drawn from the source for that particular indicator. The sources of data and calculations used are detailed on   Sri Lanka ranked 26th in 2014′s Peoples under Threat index and fell five places from 2013′s ranking.Visit the interactive map here

Kamlesh Sharma, promises made to you, personally by the GoSL have been shamelessly, unrepentantly broken

Samaraweera: Sharma, act now
''We recall that you promised Sri Lanka would put plans in place to change its legislative procedures to remove senior judges within weeks of a key meeting of a Commonwealth Ministers Grouping (CMAG) in April last year. We were further encouraged by your announcement that the Commonwealth Secretariat will assist Sri Lanka in setting up a National Inquiry on Torture on the eve of CHOGM. Repeatedly we have been told that the Commonwealth Secretariat had in fact initiated a process that would bring the issue of national reconciliation under Commonwealth scrutiny and compliance.''
Mangala Samaraweera writes to Kamalesh Sharma

Ban Ki Moon urges Sri Lanka to ensure accountability for sexual violence crimes through the proposed TRC

''In the context of dialogue on the establishment of a comprehensive truth and reconciliation commission, I urge the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure that such a transitional justice mechanism explicitly seek accountability for sexual violence crimes and that national authorities put in place the necessary services, remedies and reparations for survivors.''
- Conflict related sexual violence - Report of the Secretary General
United Nations S/2014/181; Security Council / 13 March 2014

Mannar Divisional Secretary debunks Bodu Bala Sena allegations on Muslim IDPs

Muslim IDPs in Manner
Wilpattu dispute: Presidential Task Force allocated lands for Muslims - Mannar DS
* Sinhalese (2.6 percent) given 378 acres after clearing scrub jungle
Mannar Divisional Secretary S. Keetheswaran, refuting allegations by the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) that Muslim families driven out of the Musali Pradeshiya Sabha Division by the LTTE in 1990, had recently encroached on the Wilpattu National Park, said that it was a Presidential Task Force (PTF) Committee established in terms of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) that had identified the location for their resettlement.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Lising Tamil diaspora groups need to be reconsidered

Are all Tamils terrorists?
The need for caution and space to heal  by Dilrukshi Handunnetti
 Earlier this month, the Sri Lankan Government by special Gazette, listed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and 15 Tamil Diaspora groups –considered LTTE front organizations by the Sri Lankan State– together with individuals.
It was to be viewed as compliance with the UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1373, which calls for strategies to combat terrorism and terrorist financing. Here is a State that has rejected to comply with many a UN demand, often showing defiance, but opting to demonstrate strong compliance in the area of combating terrorism.

Special police unit to handle religious disputes: SLMC and JHU against; Over 200 complaints on the first day

SL police ( file photo)
A special police unit to handle religious disputes will be established today at the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs, the government announced.  The religious disputes unit would operate similar to the tourism and environmental police units that currently operate, Police Media Spokesperson SSP Ajith Rohana said.  According to the Police spokesman that the unit will function under the guidance of a Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and there will be eight police officers at the unit under an ASP.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Sri Lanka : Military scouring schools up North

General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) Joseph Stalin accused Army is collecting data of school children, teachers and principals in the North.
Stalin said the process had been carried out by the Army throughout the recent past and it had instilled fear in the hearts of the school children, teachers, principals and parents.

Repression of Dissent in Sri Lanka - January - March 2014, INFORM report


A key focus of the human rights discourse in Sri Lanka during this period was the UN Human Rights Council sessions in March 2014, where a resolution on Sri Lanka was passed, condemning the ongoing human rights violations, impunity for past violations and asking the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to undertake an international investigation and monitor domestic accountability processes. The government of Sri Lanka had strongly opposed the resolution and engaged in public campaigns to discredit and portray all those promoting and supporting the resolution as traitors and supporters of terrorism. Tamil politicians, human rights defenders and Tamil Christian clergy inside Sri Lanka bore the brunt of such attacks,.... Read the full report below or as a PDF here

Sri Lanka: 70% of ministers, MPs favour abolishing Executive Presidency - Vasu

Against 70%?
Leader of the Democratic Left Front and Minister of National Languages and Social Integration, Vasudewa Nanayakkara, said more than 70% of the government ministers and MPs in Parliament were in favour of abolishing the Executive Presidency.What the country requires is a major constitutional amendment which will do away with the Executive Presidency system, he said.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Friendly NGO to watch Sri Lanka governments interests at UN war crimes probe

A "friendly" NGO is to watch the interests of the Sri Lankan government at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) mandated international probe into allegations of war crimes  against its security forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) due to commence in June.

The South African initiative would probably take shape only after Ramphosa’s visit to Colombo

Cyril Ramaphosa
''The South African initiative would probably take shape only after Ramphosa’s visit to Colombo next month. So it is too early to talk of Indian response to the initiative. At the same time, India had been stressing the need for resuming the stalled reconciliation process which had been delayed by the negative tactics adopted by President Rajapaksa.  He formed yet another parliamentary select committee (PSC) to make recommendations on the issue. With most of the opposition parties including the TNA boycotting the PSC, its credibility has been eroded even before it finalised its recommendations. ''
Sri Lanka- South African Mediation- Comments by  Col R Hariharan

OHCHR 2014-2017 Management Plan - Sri Lanka chapter

''OHCHR will pursue these behavioural, institutional and legislative changes in cooperation with relevant partners, using the different strategic tools at its disposal – monitoring and reporting, capacity-building and advisory services, advocacy and awareness-raising (see chapter one) – on the basis of an assessment of the specific context. It is expected that if achieved, these results will contribute to improving the duty- bearers' compliance with their international human rights obligations and to the rights-holders' ability to claim their rights and thereby to the enjoyment of all rights for all in Sri Lanka. ''

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Almost always, the major community, at least initially, refuses to share state power; there are no benevolent majorities

S.J.V. Chelvanayakam
S.J.V. Chelvanayakam Memorial Oration -''The National Question: All about State Power'' 
Dr Jayampathy Wickramaratne -President’s Counsel

I am thankful to the S.J.V. Chelvanayakam Commemoration Committee for inviting me to deliver this memorial oration on the occasion of the 37th death anniversary of S.J.V. Chelvanayakam, Q.C., a revered leader of the Sri Lankan Tamils. I am told that I am only the second Sinhalese, after Comrade Bernard Soysa whose birth centenary we celebrated last month, to be invited to speak at a Chelvanayakam memorial event. While I am happy to follow Comrade Bernard, I am sad that it is indicative of the divide between the two communities, a divide that we must endeavour to bridge.

Sri Lanka: Jaffna Uni Student’s Union condemns search of residence and to launch protest

The University of Jaffna’s Student Union in a statement on Friday condemned an extensive military search of the male students’ residence, which the Union describes as a breach of security that has created a tense atmosphere around the campus.
The Union also criticised the administration for remaining mute on the subject, including the fact that students were intimidated by military officials.

Sri Lanka: Mannaar Bishop questions SL defence attitude behind blocking prison visit

AI photo
Stone harted persons and officials in the island are a hurdle to the possibility of bringing reconciliation between the Tamil and Sinhala people, Bishop of Mannaar Rt Rev Rayappu Joesph told TamilNet this week citing how the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry scuttled a joint visit by him and the Bishop of Anuradhapura Rt. Rev. Dr. Norbert Andradi to Anuradhpura prison when the religious leaders were scheduled to visit the 60 Tamil political prisoners to deliver a message of hope and some basic assistance on the Easter Sunday. It is this attitude, which is prolonging the limits of achieving harmony and reconciliation between the Sinhalese and Tamils, the Bishop said. 

Sri Lanka: Assaulted passenger to file an FR against the police

Duminda Happuarachi
An innocent passenger who was allegedly assaulted by the police during a protest at the Fort railway station last week is to file a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition against the police over the incident.
Duminda Happuarachi claims he was assaulted by the police when he got caught between the police and the mob during last week’s protest.
Happuarachi said that his wife and children are in shock after the incident and he had been advised to file an FR case.

The incident at Hambantota involves some Ministers - Speaker .

One of them- Mayor H,tota
The  thug  attack on visiting  UNP MPs at Hambantota harbour is the responsibility of  some ministers, ministry officials & heads of institutions, the Speaker said at the parliament on Thursday. He further added that he is very guilty on the  fatal incident  which took place at  the Hambantota harbour , within  the electorate Thissamaharama where he  is the SLFP organizer.

Friday, April 25, 2014

Sri Lanka Rugby team, led by President's sons practice mechine gun exercises

More photos below
Sri Lanka (SL) is perhaps the only country in the whole world where shooting at a target training is given to players of another sport apart from marksmen. The pictures herein show some of the players of SL rugby team being given special training in use of firearms at eastern Trincomalee alongside rugby training recently at a naval camp. The most intriguing and reprehensible aspect of this training is : when the international Asian cup rugby tournament in which 5 countries are participating is to commence next week , this arms training also being given. 

Sri Lanka: New laws against NGOs should not be a witch-hunt

Editorial - Ceylon Today
The government is mooting new laws to monitor funds received by local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). At his regular breakfast meeting with newspaper editors on Thursday, responding to a question by a newspaper editor, the President revealed plans to formulate the new law. He said under the laws that existed before 1977, NGOs were obliged to reveal the origins of their funds and how they were spent. The pre-1977 era, however, does not deserve glorification. It was a period that the once promising economy of this country lost its mettle under the grip of the misguided Statist policies of the United Front Government.

No room For LTTE To Regroup In Sri Lanka Or Overseas – Suresh Premachandran

S. Premachandran (© S.Deshapriya)
With the military claiming to have shot dead Selvanayagam Kajeepan alias Gobi and two others who were said to be attempting to revive the LTTE in the North, several Tamil political parties and civil society organisations have raised doubts on the possibility of any such rebellious activities. According to some, the whole incident seems like an attempt by the government to maintain a strong military presence in the North. While the government says there is a fear of the LTTE regrouping in the country, TNA MP Suresh Premachandran speaking to The Sunday Leader insisted that there was absolutely no space for the LTTE to regroup in Sri Lanka or overseas.

Economic sanctions on Sri Lanka not in UK's interest: UK envoy

John Rankin
Economic sanctions on Sri Lanka are not in the interests of his country, and movers of a UN resolution are expecting progress which would make such questions redundant, UK's envoy to Colombo said.
"Sanctions are not currently an issue," High Commissioner (ambassador) John Rankin told an LBR-LBO CEO forum on meeting the challenges of a resolution on Sri Lanka by UN's Human Rights Council.
"First, because the Human Rights Council does not have the power or mandate to impose sanctions. And to the best of my knowledge no government to date has proposed economic sanctions on Sri Lanka.

UN urges greater action to combat sexual violence in 21 conflict countries ( Including Sri Lanka)

Special Representative  Zainab Bangura briefs
the press. UN Photo/Evan Schneider

Despite unprecedented political momentum to fight rape in war zones, sexual violence remains a global crime affecting women, men and children in more than 20 countries, a senior United Nations official announced today urging greater action at the regional and national levels.
“It doesn’t matter whether she comes from Bosnia, she comes from Colombia or Syria or Central Africa, the pain that a woman feels who has been raped is the same,” Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zainab Bangura told journalist in New York at the launch of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s annual report on the issue.

On Sri Lanka, UN Official Bangura "Worried" About Rapes, Raised to Kohona

Zainab Bangura

Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, April 24 -- Amid reports of rapes in Sri Lanka targeted at Tamils, Inner City Press on April 24 asked the UN's Zainab Bangura, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, what if anything the UN is doing about it. UN video here from Minute 15:15, Inner City Press video here and embedded below.

Sri Lankan Government's secretive approach of Casino bill would make a repetition of the Cambodian plunder

UNP supporters oppose casino bill
''The problem lies with not legalizing the casinos, but, with the government's secretive clandestine approach.
Sri Lanka may be heading in the wrong trajectory. It would soon become a mirror image of Cambodia, Packer's latest casino destination.  Cambodia suffers an aggravated version of many of ailments that affect Sri Lanka: corruption, nepotism, bribery, a seedy government and the absence of independent institutions''
What is good in casinos? by Ranga Jayasuriya

BBS leader Gnanassara gets automatic pistol from police field HQ

The SL criminal defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse had 21st Monday issued an automatic firearm and matching bullets in compliance with the request made in writing by Bebedhu Galagoda Aththe Gnanassara Thero, the leader of the Bodhu Bala sena (BBS) which has by now been condemned and classified as a terrorist organization internationally.

Sri Lanks briefs diplomats on action taken against terrorist funding .

The briefing
External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris today briefed the Colombo based diplomatic community regarding the action taken by the Sri Lankan government against groups and individuals involved in terrorist funding and other activity connected with plans to revive terrorism.  The Minister said that the government’s action in designating 16 groups and 424 individuals had been taken under United Nations Security Council Regulation1373 which not only empowered governments to resort to such measures but imposed on States an imperative duty to effectively suppress terrorist funding.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

BBS insulting the Holy Quran could lead to worldwide response detrimental to the country

 National Shoora Council Press Release - on contempt of Quraan by BBS
The National Shoora Council (NSC) urges the government and its principal law enforcement agency, the police, to ensure prompt prosecution of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) led mob which forcibly disrupted under threat of death the 9th April press conference of the respected Buddhist monk Rev. Watareka Wijitha Thera, and thereafter followed up by outraging, maliciously and deliberately, the religious feelings of the Muslims by insulting Islam and the Holy Quran outside the Slave Island Police on 12th April. Both unlawful incidents occurred in the presence of the police, the media and the public.

Sri Lanka: Bodu Bala Sena is an integral part of the Rajapaksa power project

BBS mob rule
''The anarchic conduct of the BBS et al too is indicative of emerging trends. The Rajapaksas can beat back a Sinhala opposition, a Tamil opposition and a Muslim opposition. But a Lankan opposition, united across ethno-religious divides, can mount an effective challenge to the Family. Therefore the Rajapaksas need to keep the country ghettoised, politically and psychologically. The PTA will be used to discourage unity at the grassroots level; activists who promote ethno-religious sympathy/cooperation will be arrested on terrorism charges; or they will be accused of causing inter-communal disharmony. But state repression will not be enough; this is where the BBS comes in.''

The Rajapaksa Creed and the Medamulana Nikaya by Tisaranee Gunasekara

Sri Lanka: Mob rule and the ‘Hambantota Doctrine’

Invading saffron Army
Dharisha Bastians
''The Bodu Bala Sena is accusing Minister Bathiudeen and the moderate monk, of conspiring to settle Muslims within the Wilpattu forest reserve. The brazen raid on a government ministry complex illustrates how much power and protection the group can command. Ministry officials meekly permitted the monks to search every room of the building, with the exception of Bathiudeen’s office, which only confirmed the group’s wild speculation that the monk was being protected by the Muslim Minister.''
Marauding saffron armies and increasingly unruly pro-Government mobs are casting long shadows on Sri Lanka’s future

Sri Lanka: The Years of Blood

The following article with images, was originally published by a blogger who blogs at thecarthaginiansolution.wordpress.com, in last year.
 In late 2012, workers digging foundations for a new wing in Matale Hospital unearthed partial skeletons of more than 150 people. Of the various theories that sought to explain how this mass grave came to be, the one that most people instinctively thought might be true was that this was the final resting place of victims of death squads from 2nd JVP insurgency, which from 1987 to 1989 almost brought the Sri Lankan State to total collapse. The counter-insurgency (COIN) campaign, which in turn destroyed the JVP had few equals (except perhaps the 1990s Algerian counter-insurgency campaign and the India’s anti-’Khalistan’ counter-insurgency in the Punjab) for its ruthlessness.

Mulslims IDPs in Mannar: Bodu Bala Sena allegations unfounded

Muslim IDPs: Not within the WNP
Wilpattu Park crisis: Borders identified, solution in sight?60 journalists, photographers shown ‘illegal’ settlements outside Willpattu Park
 
Zacki Jabbar reporting from Wilpattu National Park border
Amidst allegations levelled by the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) and Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen over illegal settlements within the Wilpattu National Park (WNP) 60 journalists including foreign correspondents on a fact finding mission on Tuesday were shown the ground situation by the authorities in the area .

North CM Wigneswaran accuses President Rajapaksa of reneging on pledges

Chief Minister, C.V. Wigneswaran
Northern Province Chief Minister, C.V. Wigneswaran, in a hard-hitting speech delivered at the Kilinochchi District Development Council (KDDC) meeting said, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has not fulfilled any of the pledges made to him concerning the successful governance of the Northern Province. It is the first time since the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) was established in September last year that Wigneswaran presided over District Development Council in Jaffna on Monday and the second at the Cooperative Association auditorium in Kilinochchi yesterday.

Bodu Bala Sena mob storms Minister Rishad’s Ministry

Minister speaking to press after the raid
A mob led by the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) stormed Minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce saying they were looking for the venerable Watarekke Vijitha thero.
Ministry officials said that after staging a protest outside the building some of the protesters led by a monk went inside and searched the rooms.

Sri Lanka: BBS challenges govt. to arrest Mannar Bishop Rayappu Joseph

Mannar Bishop Rayappu Joseph
General Secretary of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) yesterday challenged the government to take legal action against Mannar Bishop Rayappu Joseph forthwith who, he alleged, had helped the LTTE.
"If the government had the backbone and if its conscience was clear it should without hesitation arrest the Mannar Bishop for atrocities committed by the now defunct terrorist outfit," he said.

Muslims have become hurt by the Bodu Bala Sena : horrendous remarks against the Holy Qur’an

BBS monksstormed Minister Rishad Bathiudeen's offcie
A statement issued by General Secretary, All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulama, Ash Sheikh M. M. A. Mubarak

All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulama conveys its sincere thanks to the Sri Lankan Muslim community for abiding by the guidance provided by our organizing in the past period when various adversities were lobbed at them. We also congratulate the Lankan Muslims for acting in the most pleasant and judicious manner with forbearance thus contributing to preserve peace and harmony in our Motherland.
ACJU once again reminds our people that we should always turn towards the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and exemplary ways of our beloved Prophet (Sal) and his Companions for solutions for any and every crisis that come our way.

Sri Lanka: Terror Interrupted - ( A point of view similer to that of GoSL - SLB)

Gopi ( GoSL photo)
Ajit Kumar Singh
Apprehensions of an attempted revival by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) were proven true when, in the early hours of April 11, 2014, a Security Forces (SFs) team launched a cordon and search operation in the forest area off Padaviya in Anuradhapura District, and was fired upon by militants hiding in the forest. The SFs killed three armed local LTTE leaders, reportedly in retaliatory fire. The dead were identified as Selvanayagam Kajeepan alias Gobi, Sundaralingam Kajeepan alias Thevihan and Navaratnam Navaneethan alias Appan.

How world media reported: UK tourist recounts 'hellish' time in Sri Lanka over Buddha tattoo

AFP
A British tourist displays a tattoo of the Buddha on her upper arm, after she was arrested at Sri Lanka's main international airport.
A 37-year-old British nurse has recounted her "hellish" experience in Sri Lanka after she was arrested and sent to a deportation centre for sporting a Buddha tattoo deemed offensive by authorities.
Naomi Coleman was arrested at the country's main international airport on Monday shortly after her arrival on a flight from neighbouring India and appeared before a magistrate who ordered her deportation, police said in a statement.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

An open letter to President Rajapaksa


Dear President,
I am writing this letter to you, form the same flat, same room, with a computer placed on the same table you were sitting at, discussing a pending visit of a group of parliamentarians to study the federal experience in Europe. It was some ten years ago when you were the leader of the parliamentary opposition.
I am writing this in the context of one of the most serious international challenges our country is facing, in the post independence era: the UNHRC resolution A/HRC/25/L.1/Rev.1 , which calls for a comprehensive UN investigation in to human rights violations alleged to have taken place in the last phase of the war. Within a week or two we will see the implementation of the resolution getting shaped.

Under which law did the Magistrate make the order to deport the lady tourist with the Tattoo of Lord Buddha?

Photo: Naomi Coleman, 37, was arrested  in Sri Lanka
for 'hurting religious feelings' with her sleeve
depicting Buddha on a lotus flower
According to reports a 37 year old British nurse who arrived in Sri Lanka this Monday (21st April 2014) was taken by a taxi driver to a nearby police station where, according to her, she was harassed by policemen who demanded money from her. She had arrived at the Airport and the immigration authorities had allowed her to enter the country. She had earlier visited Sri Lanka and several other Buddhist countries and followed meditation under the guidance of Buddhist monks.
When the police were unable to extract bribes from her she had been produced before a Magistrate who according to her did not provide to her any opportunity to speak and then made an order to immediately deport her from Sri Lanka. Subsequently she was deported to New Delhi, from where she has arrived earlier.

Why Sri Lanka President Rajapaksa is tweaking the Muslim community

photo - AFP/GETTY
Sri Lanka: Tweaking the Muslims By Col R. Hariharan
Why Sri Lanka President Rajapaksa is tweaking the Muslim community, which by and large had been his loyal political partner?
Since 2012 the Buddhist fringe organization Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) has continued its attacks with impunity on individuals, institutions and businesses connected with Muslim cultural and religious practices and identity like places of worship, religious education, wearing of burkha, and Halal meat. Churches have also had their share of such hate campaigns.

Mangala urges removal of Mahinda Rajapaksa as C’wealth Chair;Sharma is not a baby

Sharma is not a baby, says mangala
United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera said today the Hambantota incident was further evidence of the violation of the Commonwealth Charter and urged Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma to remove President Mahinda Rajapaksa from the post of Commonwealth Chairman. “Mahinda Rajapaksa is not Gaddafi. He is the Chairman of the Commonwealth and therefore he is bound to uphold the Commonwealth Charter. However, what happened in his electorate is evident that he has violated the Commonwealth Charter. Therefore I urge the Secretary General to call for a meeting of the Ministers and expel Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Chairman after considering the violations of the Charter,” he said.

Sri Lanka: EPDP backs TNA resolution opposing land acquisition

Protest against land grab in Jaffna ( Tamilnet photo)
A resolution demanding an immediate end to the Sri Lankan government’s forcible acquisition of private lands in Valikamam, Jaffna, and the return of seized lands to their owners was passed unanimously at a meeting of the Jaffna District Coordinating Committee meeting on Monday.
Reflecting the intense public anger over the land seizures, the resolution tabled by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) was supported by the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP, a key pro-government paramilitary group-cum-political party). However, the EPDP defended the government on other seizures also discussed, prompting criticism from those who attended the meeting.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

More than one lakh Sri Lankan Tamil refugees live on low rations in dingy camps in TamilNadu

Paramita Ghosh, Hindustan Times
Karuna starts each time a car stops outside the door. He shows his wounds at the hands of the Sri Lankan army; the ones that have been inflicted by an Indian policeman hurt no less. “I should return to the camp,” he says after an hour. “I’m out of work, I might be asked by the cops why I had to stay out so late.” 
No one takes a pause in Chennai. The sentences spoken are long, the exchanges, hurried, and there is drama everywhere. By the time we reached another house in a lane, where we had hurriedly gathered after a failed attempt to interview refugees at a camp, we had had enough.

Former Sri Lanka Army Commander Fonseka ready to testify before UNHRC war crime probe

Geneva resolution justified by H’tota attack: Sarath Fonseka
The attack on United National Party (UNP) MPs at the Mahagampura Port is a blatant violation of human rights by this Government and is a clear justification of the Geneva resolution on Sri Lanka, Democratic Party Leader Sarath Fonseka said today. He told a news conference that he was prepared to participate at any international probe being carried out by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on allegations of human rights violations in Sri Lanka.

Toy Pistol Local Governance in Hambanthota, Sri Lanka

One of the visiting MPs Ajith Perere
is being threatened 
Harim Peiris
The country woke up a few days ago to news that a group of opposition UNP MPs on a fact finding visit to the new airport and port in Hambanthota had come under attack from goon squads. Subsequently, photographs showed His Worship (the UPFA) Lord Mayor of Hambanthota, Eraj Ravindra Fernando, chasing the UNP MPs with a pistol in his hand, closely followed by members of the goon squad. Subsequently the mayor was to claim that he was only acting to protect the MPs and that too with a toy pistol.

Three Editorials: Thugs and toys; A slap on the face of parliamentary democracy; The horror of the ‘Hambantota doctrine’

''If further evidence was required of the breakdown of the rule of law and the politicisation of the Police Department, it came live with television footage when five UNP parliamentarians—elected representatives of the sovereign people visited the Rajapaksa homebase of Hambantota for a first-hand official infection of the controversial Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) and the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port.''

Monday, April 21, 2014

Sri Lanka: PSC on political solution has become redundant - LSSP

Senior Minister Professor Tissa Vitarana who was not included in the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) expressed his disenchantment with the government's handling of the political solution, and said there is no point summoning the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to the PSC if the government does not have a genuine commitment to address matters pertaining to the country's national issue.

Sri Lanka: TNA insists Tamils want autonomy

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) says the Tamils in Sri Lanka want autonomy and welcomed a call to this effect made by the National Peace Council (NPC). TNA leader R. Sampanthan says the best way the Government can avoid international pressure following the adoption of the recent resolution at the UN Human Rights Council is to agree to give Tamils autonomy.
The National Peace Council had last week urged the government and other political parties in the country to urgently set up institutions to enable the Tamil people to be given a measure of autonomy.

The Tamil Tragedy: the haplessness in hoping the forces guilty of supporting Sri Lankan state would somehow provide redress

US AMB at the HRC 25:
Will they provide redress?
Cheran Rudhramoorthy
In the last week of April 2009, an unexpected telephone call from a long-lost friend woke me up in the early hours. For me, those were the days of continuous trauma, relentless protests in the streets of Toronto and constant ‘bombardment’ by horrific images from the war zones in the Vanni region of Sri Lanka. The request from my friend was simple and direct:
'Several hundred people here are going to surrender to the Sri Lankan army. We do not know what will happen to us but I have no confidence that I will survive. I have, somehow, at great risk, managed to send my kids outside Sri Lanka a few weeks ago. Please take care of them…'

Thuggistan! A ‘rape marriage law' in Sri Lanka!!


Aminal al-Filali: changed the rape law
''But Rajapaksas are never hobbled by facts, not when they have a myth to propagate. And blaming the victims is a favourite Rajapaksa tactic. Tamils are exclusively responsible for all their ills; Muslims and Christians are responsible for the attacks on their communities/mosques/churches. The people of Weliweriya got shot through their own fault. Basically in Rajapaksa Sri Lanka bad things happen only when people are unruly and disobedient.  ''
Tisaranee Gunasekara