The Kumara saga: Govt.'s credibility further eroded

Another major international row over alleged abduction of JVP breakaway group leaders

By Our Political Editor

Most Sri Lankans enjoying the Avurudu festivities may be unaware that the country's security establishment has been preoccupied for weeks now about the changing political firmament. The cause -- as exclusively revealed in the Sunday Times of September 18 last year and for weeks thereafter -- was the split in the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). Whilst the moderates led by Somawansa Amerasinghe were heading a formidable group, another breakaway faction, equally formidable, was perceived to be taking a militant line. After failing to seize control of the JVP, the latter decided time was now ripe to go its own way by forming a new party and launching a membership drive. Dimuthu in conversation with Gunaratnam via Skype at their party office. Pic by Saman Kariyawasam The leader of that Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) was going to be the elusive 47-year-old Premakumara Gunaratnam better known among his colleagues as Kumara. He was one of the most wanted men in Sri Lanka. He had a number of other aliases. Among them: Ratnayake Mudiyanselage Dayalal, Wanniyakalage Daskon and Kumnara Karunaratne. With just 72 hours before he assumed leadership of the FSP, a heavily armed unknown group abducted Kumara and his party colleague, Dimuthu Attygalle. Coming as it does in less than a month after the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted a resolution calling upon the government to enforce recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), the alleged abduction was breaking news worldwide. The LLRC report had dealt extensively on the need to address human rights issues. read more..

The Rot behind the grand façade

| by Tisaranee Gunasekara

“…government as a profitable monopoly and people as hereditary property”.

Paine (To the citizens of United States)

( April 15, 2012, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) A cake worth US$ 35 million is a stupendously obscene gesture in a country where 53 percent lack enough money to buy food and 46 percent struggle to find adequate shelter.

The economic statistics are from a new Gallup Poll, according to which at some point in 2011 “about one half of Sri Lankans lacked money for food and shelter…”. Last month’s warning from the Asian Development Bank that Sri Lanka’s poor “will suffer if prices of wheat and other commodities rise further” (Sri Lanka Mirror – 19.3.2012) further compounds the image of a divided country with an economically distressed majority.

So in this country, at this time, that gem-studded cake is more than an expensive offering to execrable taste. It is a dish made to the palate of Marie Antoinette, with crass vulgarity and moronic insensitivity as its basic psychological ingredients. It is symbolic of what Sri Lanka is becoming: a country in which the powerful and the rich see impunity as their birthright and parade their abuses and their excesses, shamelessly.

Read More »

Neethan Shan wins Ontario New Democratic Party Presidency

Neethan Shan, a prominent Toronto based social justice advocate and the Vice-Chair of the National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT) made Tamil Canadian history today by being elected as the new President of the Ontario New Democratic Party. Competing against two other candidates, Neethan Shan made Tamil Canadian history by becoming elected and transforming the landscape of Canadian politics.

"Neethan Shan is a distinguished role model for Tamil Canadians and South asian students in general. A mentor for many student leaders in Toronto, Neethan has demonstrated his commitment to community organising over the years," said Krisna Saravanamuttu, spokesperson of the National Council of Canadian Tamils. "The entire Tamil community is proud of Neethan and his victory represents a huge step forward for Tamil Canadians and the province of Ontario."

Neethan Shan arrived in Canada as a refugee at the age of 16 from the war torn island of Sri Lanka. A committed activist, Mr. Shan has served the people of Scarborough-Rouge River with dedication in different roles, including teacher, social & economic policy advocate and public school board trustee.

Neethan has been in the forefront of tamil community activism and a strong advocate for the freedom for the Tamil peoples' right to self-determination in the North-East of Sri Lanka. He is a passionate advocate for social services directed at helping children, youth and families. With deep roots in the community and an unflagging dedication to social development, he has worked tirelessly for the benefit of his neighborhood.

The National Council of Canadian Tamils congratulates its vice-chair and wishes him success in his new role as President of the Ontario New Democratic Party.

-30-

For more information contact: Krisna Saravanamuttu, NCCT National Spokesperson: 647-448-0576 or info@ncctcanada.ca

Courtesy: NCCT
Published on: Apr 14, 2012 21:54:00 GMT

Focus On Government White Vanning

Sunday, April 15, 2012

By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema

The house in Kiribathgoda from where Gunaratnam was abducted, The Sunday Leader expose on the increase in abductions, The spot where Attygalle was dropped in Thalapathpitiya, Dimuthu Attygalle and Premakumar Gunaratnam

The abduction and release of politburo members of the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), Premakumar Gunaratnam and Dimuthu Attygalle is shrouded in controversy and as a result created more questions than answers.
The key questions in this somewhat epic saga is who had carried out the abductions, the purpose for the abductions, the reason for releasing Gunaratnam who has allegedly travelled using a false passport without inquiring into the matter and why action has not been taken against Gunaratnam by either the Sri Lankan or Australian authorities for violating immigration and emigration laws.
Neither the authorities nor the FSP has been able to respond to these questions.
The FSP however admits that Gunaratnam had appeared under several aliases for security reasons.Read More »

Post Geneva Challenges and the way forward

Sunday April 15, 2012

IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST

By Javid Yusuf

It would be unwise to brush aside the resolution adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council last month in Geneva as being of no consequence to Sri Lanka. We could choose to ignore it only at our own peril. The attempt to paint it as an innocuous resolution with the sole objective of 'encouraging us to implement the LLRC recommendations' was belied by the vigorous nature of the campaign that was carried out by the sponsors of the resolution and its supporters not only in Geneva but also in several capitals with high officials of the US and the European Union visiting such capitals. The high powered nature of the campaign was totally disproportionate to the 'innocuousness' of the resolution and should alert us to the fact that there may be more to it than meets the eye. Be that as it may, on the face of it, the resolution has succeeded in keeping Sri Lanka under international scrutiny at least until March next year. With the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights mandated by the resolution to submit a report to UNHRC next year and the Universal Periodic Review on Sri Lanka scheduled for the latter part of this year, Sri Lanka will remain in the international spotlight for sometime longer.read more..

Senior rugby players avoid national team

14 April, 2012
By Saroj Pathirana

Yoshitha Rajapaksa (C) was appointed national captain overlooking many senior players

A group of Sri Lanka’s most senior national rugby players are staying away from the national team after being overlooked for the captaincy.

The unprecedented decision was taken after the President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Yoshitha, was appointed captain in February for the HSBC Five Nation rugby Asiad in the Philippines.

Two of the senior players, Fazil Marija and Roshan Weerarathne of Kandy Sports Club (Kandy SC) are playing in New Zealand while the national currently tours Philippines.

The former vice captain Marija is currently the most senior national rugby football player in Sri Lanka.

'Traitors'

“I can’t say whether Marija was disappointed for being overlooked for the captaincy but obviously there are reasons for him to be disappointed,” says Malik Samarawickrama, the trustee of the Kandy SC.

how can Yoshitha describe them as traitors when he himself returned from the team just before the crucial final game against Singapore to take part in a car race in Colombo   Malik Samarawickrama, Kandy SC

“He has been playing for the country for eight years and is the most suitable to be appointed the captain in my opinion,” he told BBC Sinhala service, Sandeshaya.

Former captain Pradeep Liyanage, Gayan Weerarathne Shan Wijesinghe and Dilshan Lewke are among the others who have decided to stay away from the national team for various reasons.

Writing in Ravaya newspaper, journalist Tiran Kumara Bangamaarachchi says the “courageous decision” might even mark the end of national career for many of the players.

Addressing media before the national team’s departure for Philippines, new captain Yoshitha Rajapaksa has described the players who stayed away from the team as “traitors.”

	Former vice captain Marija is currently being trained in New Zealand

“I view the decision by certain senior rugby players to play for other countries or take rest instead of playing for the country as a treacherous act,” Rajapaksa, a young naval officer, said.

But Mr Samarawickrama, a strongman of the main opposition United National party (UNP), says both Marija and Weerarathne were given prior permission by Sri Lanka Rugby Rugby Union (SLRFU) to travel to New Zealand.

“Any player has a fundamental right of deciding whether to play for the country,” Malik Samarawickrama told BBC Sinhala service.

“And how can Yoshitha describe them as traitors when he himself returned from the team just before the crucial final game against Singapore to take part in a car race in Colombo,” he questioned.

BBC Sandeshaya could not contact Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage or SLRFU president Asanga Senevirathne despite repeated attempts.

WHITE VAN whodunnit: Impunity the operative word

Sunday 15 April 2012
By a correspondent
The white van is not just a phenomenon; it has now become a Sri Lankan phenomenon. It has become a de facto mechanism of administering justice (to underworld gangsters) and apparently an unofficial extension of the security arm that is tasked with securing peace in post-war Sri Lanka. The utility of the white van was vindicated during the government’s counter insurgency campaign against the LTTE. The counter insurgency campaigns, against the JVP in the late 80s and against the LTTE during its final years were devised to unleash an overwhelming terror that would break the will of the terrorist/insurgent operatives and cripple their operational apparatus. White vans and related extra judicial abductions played a vital role in unleashing both psychological and physical terror, as part of this strategy. And the powers that be, well aware of its operational and tactical utilities, are not prepared to give up this time tested instrument, even though the war ended in May 2009. The white van is, therefore, an institution that has outlived its time and designated purpose.

Kafkaesque nightmare        Full Story>>>

At last! A good ole robbery to distract from all these abductions

State media reported last week that the government will upgrade security at the Colombo National Museum. One cannot argue with the merits of this move, however spectacularly overdue it might be. But one must object to the prostitution of the word “upgrade”. How the devil do you “upgrade” something that never existed in the first place?
The Colombo National Museum was established in 1877. Judging by just how easy it had been for robbers to escape with more than 250 valuable artefacts, you would think security arrangements are the same they were 135 years ago. The police, bless them, have not yet let their department down by arresting anybody. Having long nurtured a reputation for being useless at combating crime, they seem reluctant to buck the trend. Full Story>>>

An abduction or a quasi-arrest..?

The Gunaratnam/ Mudalige/Dayalal abduction/ disappearance/deportation case has a plot and a narrative that reads as if it is a cross between a John Le Carre and a Kopi Kade script -- replete with twists, turns and an unhealthy dose of absurd theatre.
As things are, the government flatly denies anything to do with the entire bizarre incident, but Gunaratnam, and his fellow party colleague Dimuthu Attygalle have made detailed and pointed public statements to the effect that they were abducted, interrogated and in the case of Gunaratnam, packed off to Australia by state actors.
It would be difficult for the government to shake off the impression that the entire thing was carried out by some agency of State, for the simple reason that Gunaratnam ended up at the Dematagoda police station, and was promptly escorted to the airport – from where he was dispatched to Australia.

Full Story>>>

Importance of internationalizing support for democracy

Broad mobilization against dictators

 

The mobilization of international opinion in Geneva in the shape of 32 governments (24 ayes and 8 abstentions) to decry human rights violations in Sri Lanka was a significant step forward. However, governments are less important than internationalism in the broader sense of the term, or rather governments are but the mouthpieces of the intensity of pressure that their citizenry exert on them. The capitulation of Delhi to Tamil Nadu, forcing it to vote in favour of the resolution, is a stark example. Breaking the back of the military in Burma, parting the clouds for Suu Kyi’s star to rise, is another splendid example of the effectiveness of international pressure. When Assad is finally driven out, or strung up from a lamppost in Damascus, the victory, while not in any way eclipsing the heroic struggle of the Syrian people, will also in some measure, be thanks to sustained international support.

Full Story>>>

The Rajpal Abeynayake Column "A nuclear reaction to Indo - 
Sri Lanka misunderstandings"

As if there aren’t enough irritants that disturb the Indo-Lanka relationship, the Kudankulam nuclear issue is now creating fresh tremors that most feel can only be addressed through expected bilateral talks. The Indian media has played down the issue — after all in Tamil Nadu, Indian nationals are themselves agitating against the planned reactors.
Even so, this is the worst time at which this kind of issue should exacerbate relations between India and Sri Lanka, which were totally knocked out of kilter after the decision by the Indian government to support the adoption of the resolution concerning Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council.  

Vanquish
Full Story>>>

Free of war, but are Sri Lankans truly free?

This article was written before information was out that a person by the name of Noel Mudalige (apparently an alias for Gunaratnam) was said to have emplaned for Australia, and before Dimuthu Attygalle appeared at a FSP press conference to say she was abducted and released.

Frontline Socialist Party 
Full Story>>>

Indian MPs delegation to meet all Tamil groups in Sri Lanka

April 14, 2012
R. K. RADHAKRISHNAN

The Indian delegation of Members of Parliament, which arrives here on April 16, will have an opportunity to speak to all groups of Tamils in Sri Lanka – those in the Northern Province, Eastern Province, in the hills, and in Colombo.

Led by the Leader of Opposition in the Parliament, Sushma Swaraj, the delegation arrives here late on April 16, and has a packed programme schedule ahead of leaving on April 21. The next morning, the delegation will meet Minister for Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, before meeting the External Affairs Minister, G.L. Peiris.

The team will head to the Sri Lankan Parliament, where they will meet Basil’s brother and Speaker, Chamal Rajapaksa. They will also interact with Sri Lankan MPs, and attend a lunch. The team will meet representatives of the Tamil National Alliance (mostly elected by the northern Tamils), the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (largely represent the Muslim dominated east), and the Ceylon Workers Congress (who stand for the plantation Tamils), the same day.

A dinner hosted by the Indian High Commissioner, Ashok K.Kantha, will give the delegation an opportunity to interact with prominent Colombo-based Sri Lankans and Indians.

The delegation will visit Medawachchiya on April 18. Medawachchiya is the site of the largest IRCON base facilities, as they rebuild the northern Railway of Sri Lanka. IRCON representatives will brief the delegation on the projects. Soon after, the delegation leaves for Mullaitivu, where they will witness a slew of projects being carried out – handing over of equipment for a Government Hospital, handing over some units of the dragging Housing Project, inaugurating repaired schools, and handing over bicycles.

The Security Forces Commander will brief the delegation on the progress on various fronts. The delegation travels to Jaffna, where it will interact with MPs and civil society representatives. The delegation will stay over in Jaffna for the night. The next day, the delegation will visit Kankasanthurai Harbour, where India had carried out a US $ 20 million wreck removal operation recently. The Harbour is being rehabilitated, and is expected to begin trade with Nagapattinam, about 60 km away, shortly.

The same day, the team will visit the southern railway project at Kaluthara and witness the handing over of the completed section. It will also meet the Leader of Opposition in the Sri Lankan parliament, Ranil Wickramasinghe.

The delegation has one day, April 20, to visit the east and the hills, to meet people. At Batticaloa, where a host of statues were recently vandalised, including one of Mahatma Gandhi, the delegation will meet Chief Minister, a former LTTE child soldier Pillayan (Sivanesathurai Santhirakanthan), and visit some projects. In the hills, it will visit Dickoya, the place where a hospital is coming up with Indian support.

The last day, April 21, the delegation will meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa over breakfast.

More missing activists turn up in Sri Lanka

April 14, 2012

PHOTO: Kumar Gunaratnam was reported missing over a week ago. (AAP)

A Hong Kong-based human rights group says diplomatic action to locate an Australian-Sri Lankan activist has triggered the reappearance of two other missing activists.

The group says the men, Lalith Weeraraju and Kugan Muruganandan, have been located in police custody four months after disappearing.

The Asian Human Rights Commission's Basil Fernando says the two missing men were in the same political party as Kumar Gunarathnam, who returned to Australia this week alleging he had been tortured during detention.

Mr Fernando believes Australian Government enquires about its citizen triggered the activists' reappearance.

"This whole intervention by the Australian Government on Mr Kumar's behalf has had a very good impact," he said.

"All this may have led to some kind of more news being available on them."

Mr Weeraraju and Mr Muruganandan disappeared four months ago while organising a protest about missing people who are believed to have been taken by Sri Lankan security forces.