Peace for the World

Peace for the World
First democratic leader of Justice the Godfather of the Sri Lankan Tamil Struggle: Honourable Samuel James Veluppillai Chelvanayakam

Wednesday, December 26, 2012


Lawyers Deplore False Propaganda: Urge Ministers To Conduct With Dignity

Colombo TelegraphBy Colombo Telegraph -December 26, 2012 
“It is with shock and dismay that we have observed an organized series of programmes in State electronic media targeting the Chief Justice, the Judiciary and leading lawyers who are challenging the Impeachment. We have particularly noted that Ministers Rajitha Senaratne,  Wimal Weerawansa and well known hate campaigners Rajpal Abeynayaka and Hudson Samarasinghe -  all persons with vested interest in the impeachment process,   are involved in these baseless propaganda programmes, with impunity.  Ministers Rajitha Senaratne and Wimal Weerawansa were Government members of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC), who have allegedly uttered derogatory remarks forcing the Chief Justice to leave the PSC. Now they disgracefully display their conduct  in public .” says the Lawyers Collective
Issuing a statement they say; “Among the false accusations intended to mislead the public, they have stated that the Chief Justice has fixed the benches in the Court of Appeal.  It is common knowledge that the Chief Justice has no role to play in arranging any bench whatsoever in the Court of Appeal.  Their insinuation that the Chief Justice selected a bench to hear her case is an insult to the dignity and integrity of the Judges of the country’s higher judiciary.”
“These few Ministers and the State media  falsely accuse that the Chief Justice has become an active politician and that the members of the Bar Association are conspirators. It is abundantly clear that these are not isolated attacks but meticulously orchestrated attacks coerced and carried out at the behest of highest in authority. These are clearly intended to pressurize the Chief Justice to summarily resign, because the Government is well aware that the entire impeachment process is irregular and the Chief Justice cannot be lawfully removed from office. We are confident that the Chief Justice will not succumb to pressure, now exerted at a higher pace through the Government’s propaganda team.”
“The contents of those programmes are malicious and contemptuous and all those who are involved in them are liable to be dealt with for contempt of court and civil defamation. We urge the Ministers concerned to conduct themselves with dignity and caution the public not to be misled by the false propaganda by these unruly and unethical elements, which are unable to justify the impeachment process, except to launch a massive malicious campaign to divert attention from the truth. We, as lawyers reiterate that as a body we will stand by the Chief Justice and would take all possible steps, within the law, to defeat the impeachment.” the Lawyers Collective further says.

Sri Lanka: Height of state sponsored racism and impunity


(1)Former shotgun terrorist appointed to the PSC to impeach Chief Justice

....................................................................

Sri Lanka: Height of state sponsored racism and impunity

Sri Lanka Guardianby Thrishantha Nanayakkara--Monday, December 24, 2012


( December 24, 2012, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) Recently, there was a wave of explicit racism on Facebook from a large number of Sri Lankan youth who identified themselves to be Sinhalese-Buddhists defending their race. They once campaigned to boycott brands said to be owned by a minority ethnic group in Sri Lanka. Recently I saw a jubilant notice by this hate group – “We proudly announce that we could bring the profits of THAT BRAND by 40% over the last couple of months”. Some of my friends were wondering how this could happen in Sri Lanka when they should be thinking more of Nation building after a 30 year war came to an end. The tentative conclusion of a lot of us with wider information was that Government itself is promoting such racism openly.

I suspect that you really wanted the public, including children to join the minister to insult the country’s judiciary and the Chief Justice. When the minister indicated that he is not scared of any other thing but the public in the context of questioning and insulting the country’s judiciary, there was a danger that a child would interpret it to be that the minister is above the law of the land.
Then, I happened to watch Sri Lankan ITN program “Hathweni Paya (7th hour)” posted on YouTube on 22nd December 2012. Minister Wimal Weerawansa was talking about the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake.  This top cabinet minister who was once elected with highest preferential votes from capital Colombo, a political favorite of the Rajapakse Government, and a member of the parliamentary select committee to investigate the impeachment motion against the chief justice mentioned the ethnic background of the three judges in the Appeals Court that examined the defense of the Chief Justice (her constitutional right). Two of the judges being Tamils and the other being a Muslim (the ITN interviewer assisted here) was used as part of his argument that the defense action on the part of the Chief Justice was a coup with possible international links! Disgusting as it can be, this minister went on to say that he is not scared of anything but the public (voters) in the context of openly insulting the country’s judiciary. He even asked what law specifies what amounts to be an insult against the Supreme Court. Does that mean that the majority of voters in Colombo approve this state sponsored racism and impunity? And do they realize the destination this racism and impunity leads them to? Are they not tired of a 30 year war erupted due to the ethnic tensions and deterioration of rule of law?

Of course it being an ITN program, the minister was there without anybody to give an alternative view. The interviewer himself was only consolidating the minister’s views without posing any credible criticality in his questioning. Though I am not very surprised about that abyss the state media has fallen down to, I wish to warn ITN of the danger of promoting racism and impunity. By not arranging to give any alternative view, you gave a very dangerous message to the children who watched that program. By not providing an alternative view, you allowed children to be convinced that even a judge from another ethnic background is a suspect, when in fact you should be promoting a credible Nation building program as a media institute depending on Tax payer’s money. Next, by not providing an alternative view, you allowed children to be convinced that political authority can insult the judiciary at will. Please look at the way the minister used street language to insult the Chief Justice and Globally reputed legal experts like J. C. Weliamuna. I suspect that you really wanted the public, including children to join the minister to insult the country’s judiciary and the Chief Justice. When the minister indicated that he is not scared of any other thing but the public in the context of questioning and insulting the country’s judiciary, there was a danger that a child would interpret it to be that the minister is above the law of the land. The ITN interviewer did not have the decency to question the minister about his interpretation of rule of law, or the interviewer’s taste buds had been burnt out long ago.

In summary, Wimal Weerawansa being a minister appointed by the Rajapakse administration in the parliamentary select committee to investigate the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka amply demonstrated his partiality of the investigation. He went beyond normal decency expected from a Government minister to openly bring judges under public suspicion based on their ethnicity. He openly insulted the Chief Justice and challenged her constitutional right to defend herself in a court of law. He gave a dangerous indication that the country is heading towards political authority not respecting rule of law and division along ethnic lines. However, I am glad that the minister said that he is aware that this state of affairs can lead the country to possible cornering by the international community in international forums like the United Nations Human Rights Council, though he made an attempt to put the blame of the Chief Justice for this possibility. May sanity prevail among the voters of Sri Lanka.

The related ITN interview: 

Young journalist reported dead in Colombo

JOURNALIST RUN OVER BY LORRY IN COLOMBO


Journalist run over by lorry in Colombo




..............................................................................................................................
[ Wednesday, 26 December 2012, 02:37.48 AM GMT +05:30 ]
Young journalist of the leading news paper in Colombo reported dead in the road accident occurred near Rosmead Plce,Colombo-7, last morning.
Speedy heavy vehicle knocked down journalist while standing at the pedestrian line.
Police media unit announced journalist of Ceylon Today newspaper Amila Mendis Jayasinghe (22) reported dead on admission to the Accident Services of Colombo national hospital.
(2nd lead)
Bassnayake of the Sabragamuwa Sumana Saman Devalaby Suil Shantha Weerasekara announced preparation completed for year 2012 and 2013 season of Adams Peak.
Statue of the Saman Deva would be taken towards peak this morning.
During this season people would be able to visit cave recently found near the Adams peak. It was believe to be the cave of Lord Buddha.

 

I’ll take legal action against police spokesman – Wijedasa Rajapaksa

logo
WEDNESDAY, 26 DECEMBER 2012 
The President of Sri Lanka Bar Association, Parliamentarian Wijayadasa Rajapaksa has said he would take legal action against the police spokesman SSP Prishanthe Jayakody.
Mr. Rajapaksa’s residence was shot at recently and the police spokesman made a statement to the media regarding it.
SSP Prishanthe Jayakody in his statement had said there was a contradiction in the statements taken regarding the shooting.
Mr. Rajapaksa says he would take legal action against the police spokesman and others responsible for making a statement stating the evidence given regarding the shooting was contradictory.
However, the statement he had made to the police had been issued to the media erroneously said the Parliamentarian.
When talking even in Parliament regarding a case that is being heard in a court of law is prohibited making such a statement by the police spokesman is a contempt of court said Mr. Rajapaksa adding making such announcements indicate they are being manipulated by higher forces.

President seeks Christmas reconciliation

(1)by Basil Fernando--

imageC.D(3)

...........................................................................................................

Acts Of Unreserved Surrender By Our Leaders?


27 Responses-Heart-felt thanks and warm Christmas wishes to you Mr. Jayaratne for your tireless efforts to expose the massive corruption of Mahinda Rajapakse and his family of looters of the NATIONAL WEALTH and private capital.


It is Mahinda Rajapakse who should be IMPEACHED for LIES< LIES AND SPIN as we all know. The wheel of justice turns slowly but surely and turn it will.. So be of good courage, stay the course, and keep up your excellent work.
The deaf and dumb economists at the IPS and in university should analysis the ECONOMIC COSTS of the impeachment of the CJ and corrupt governance of the Rajapakse regime which has been boasting about tourism and 5 star hotels but almost 4 years after war ended not a single 5 star hotel has opened its doors in Lanka.

Dodo - December 26, 2012
6:34 am
Reply

President seeks Christmas reconciliation

TUESDAY, 25 DECEMBER 2012
President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his Christmas message said yesterday the teaching of love and understanding that brings a spirit of sharing, which marks the celebration of Christmas, could help in strengthening the bridges of peace, tolerance and reconciliation in our country.

He said: “Christians in Sri Lanka will today join fellow believers the world over in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

They will share in the loving and giving that marks the spirit of Christmas, when families and communities come together to share in this great festival of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, who brought to the world the message of love to all that is the essence of the teaching of Christianity.

The teaching of love and understanding that brings the spirit of sharing, which marks the celebration of Christmas, can help in strengthening the bridges of peace, tolerance and reconciliation that are being built in our country.

The birth of Jesus Christ in a stable at Bethlehem shows the world the importance of love extending to all, moving beyond all barriers, extending from the highest to the humblest in society, to all beings who share this earth with us, and to nature that sustains us all.

The sound of Christmas bells ring out the message of peace, joy and goodwill to all today and in this festive season. I wish you all a Happy and Peaceful Christmas.”
Remembering those killed by the Tsunami 8 yrs ago
article_image
By Thushari Kalubowila-December 25, 2012, 


 Lanka today commemorates about 40,000 people who died in the tsunami tragedy eight years ago. Arrangements have been made to hold commemorative ‘pinkama’ and other religious events.

The annual national disaster management day would be held at Badulla today with the participation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

National Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera requested the general public to maintain two minutes silence from 9.25 a.m. to 9.27 a.m today to commemorate the tragic deaths that took place on December 26, 2004.

Special ‘pinkama’ is scheduled to be held at Peraliya where the highest recorded number of persons was killed by the tsunami waves. The train bearing No. 50 of Sri Lanka Railways which was toppled by waves at Peraliya and now resurrected is scheduled to leave at 6.50 a.m. with loads of flowers, joss sticks and other offering to be offered at the commemoration to be held at Peraliya.

[ புதன்கிà®´à®®ை, 26 டிசெà®®்பர் 2012, 04:34.06 AM GMT ]
2004à®®் ஆண்டு டிசம்பர் à®®ாதம் 26ஆம் திகதி உலகையே உலுக்கிய சுனாà®®ி பேரலை காரணமாக உயிà®°ிழந்தவர்களை நினைவு கூà®°ுà®®் நிகழ்வு அனைத்துப் பகுதியிலுà®®் பெà®°ுமழைக்கு மத்தியில் அனுஸ்டிக்கப்பட்டு வருகின்றது.
மட்டக்களப்பு à®®ாவட்டத்தின் பல்வேà®±ு பகுதிகளிலுà®®் இன்à®±ு சுனாà®®ி அனர்த்தம் காரணமாக உயிà®°ிழந்தவர்கள் நினைவு கூரப்பட்டனர்.
மட்டக்களப்பு à®®ாவட்டத்தின் வாகரை தொடக்கம் பெà®°ியகல்லாà®±ு வரையிலான சகல பகுதிகளிலுà®®் சுனாà®®ி அனர்த்தம் நினைவுகூரல்கள் இடம்பெà®±்றன.
மட்டக்களப்பு திà®°ுச்செந்தூà®°், புதுà®®ுகத்துவாà®°à®®், நாவலடி ஆகிய பகுதிகளில் விசேட நிகழ்வுகள் இடம்பெà®±்à®± இந்த நிகழ்வில், பாà®°ாளுமன்à®± உறுப்பினர்கள், à®®ாகாணசபை உறுப்பினர்கள், பொதுமக்கள் ஆயிரக்கணக்கானோà®°் கடுà®®் மழைக்கு மத்தியில் நினைவுகூà®°்ந்தனர்.


A Christmas plea for peace




Published: December 24

The following is a letter to the editor published in The Post on Christmas Day in 1936, on the same day as the Herblock cartoon above:
Yesterday, as I stood among the ancient relics of a building in the Smithsonian; as I stood in a room where I was surrounded by objects so many centuries old, this thought came to my wondering mind: That of all the arts men had learned, had handed down through the ages, that the art of peace had yet to be learned.
Is civilization so old and full of wisdom that the word “war” can be left out of the dictionary? Has the perfect thought — men standing by men, rather than men standing against men — come as a permanent thing? How can any country whose citizens are engaged in slaughtering other human beings so like themselves call itself “civilized?” Are the lessons which have been handed down from the beginning of time to be thrown aside, or discarded, like an old shoe when the war drums are sounded? Are wisdom and saneness ever to mean anything but the strategy of war?
If men are worthy of the name, if nations have any honor: if women are to live and love; if babies are to utter that first sweet birth cry; if Roosevelt’s words, “I hate war,” mean more to us than the neighborhood gossip — then we must have, live and keep peace. A peace within ourselves, a peace among neighbors, peace between the nations of the world, and still more important, our peace with God.
So, in this time of Christmas tide, if our minds grow turbulent, if our hearts hold an ache greater than the heart itself and our very soul is in an agony of doubt and darkness, let us compose ourselves, and think of what the Greatest Peacemaker of all meant by “On earth peace, good will toward men.”
Mary E. Van Cleve, Washington

Monday, December 24, 2012


Monday , 24 December 2012
Jaffna university students are endlessly under interrogation by the Terrorism Investigation unit police.
Mainly investigations against female students have increased. Daily about three female students are called for inquires to Vavuniya.
Jaffna university Teachers have informed that the students called for inquires is informed to the parents, hence the details of how many students faced interrogation is unable to assess.
They further informed after the arrest of Jaffna university students union members by the Terrorism Investigation unit police, daily male and female students are called for inquires to Vavuniya. They are under interrogation for many hours.
Four female students were called for inquires last week by the Terrorism police, later informed that only two female students should come to face the inquiry, and the other two are not necessary was notified by the Terrorism Investigation unit police.
However, the two female students who were abstaining from attending the inquiry were called the next day to Vavuniya by the police and were interrogated.
According to the information we received, the day before that specified day, 5 females’ students and the next day two female students and the following day three female students were called for inquiries.
Even male students are daily called for inquiries. Police are contacting the students over the telephone and by mails without channeling through the university administration for inquires.
Therefore the actual figure of the students faced interrogation is not able to state. However it is confirmed that students are called for inquires was mentioned by University Teachers.
Posted by 


The Northern military administration re-registers Tamils in Kilinochchi

Monday, 24 December 2012
The military intelligence unit it is learnt has once again commenced the registration of persons in the Kilinochchi District.
The military intelligence unit is traveling from house to house in the Selvanagar, Krishnapuram, Bharathipuram and Vivekanandanagar areas collecting personal details, a resident from the area said.
They have paid special attention to unmarried Tamil girls and boys during the registration.
They have been questioned on how they lived during the period of the war and the period they were rehabilitated. Residents say that the military had taken photographs and fingerprints of the youth who have been rehabilitated.
The military had also taken photographs of the resettled persons in Puthukuduirippu in Mullaitivu.
It is also learnt that information pf people in the area had been mapped by the military using GPRS technology
People from the area said that the military had taken family photographs and photographs of their houses and informed them that the military had to be informed if any family member was planning on traveling to another area in the country.
Residents in Mullavaikkal had also undergone this treatment.
The registration carried out by the military has instilled fear in the minds of the people in the North.
A9 main road closed for 3 hours due to floods.

Monday , 24 December 2012
Heavy rainfalls are prevailing in Vavuniya and Mannar districts hence many rivers are overflowing.
 
The entire Vanni locality is submerged. Due to strong floods A9 road was yesterday closed down for three hours.
 
Meanwhile due to rivers began to overflow, floods crept inside dwellings and thousands of persons were displaced are moved towards safety places.
 
Seven evacuation centers were constructed to the affected persons by floods in Vavuniya.
 
Heavy torrential rainfalls are prevailing for the past days in Vavuniya and Mannar district. Many rivers have begun to overflow.
 
 Nochchimoddai in Vavuniya road went under water due to heavy rains experienced in the area, Pawankulam located in the Chettikulam road was completely submerged and the road transportation was affected completely.
 
189 families were affected due to floods in Vavuniya. 
 
Flood water has crept inside homes located in the Vavuniya and Chettikulam divisional secretariat localities, and 637 persons from 167 families have left their homes was mentioned by Chettikulam Divisional Secretary Kamalakumar.
 
Chrishthavakulam, Aandiyapuliyankulam, Kanthasamy Nagar and Muthaliyaar kulam villages coming under the Chettikulam divisional secretariat division are affected severely due to rain. Water has crept inside many of the homes, hence the villagers   have moved to safer areas abandoning their homes. The displaced people are shelter at seven evacuation centers.
 
Kamalakumar said arrangements are advanced to provide relief assistance through the divisional secretariat to affected persons.
 
22 families have been affected by heavy rain floods in the Vavuniya south divisional secretariat division and have left their homes was affirmed by the Vavuniya South Divisional Secretariat.
 
Puthukulam located in Vavuniya and Ayilkulam tanks busted due to heavy rain floods. Vavuniya Divisional Secretary A.Sivabalasuntharam said, immediate activities are process to restore it.
 
Meanwhile Thandikulam Kalvirankulam is too busted. Hence the villages surrendering these rivers and roads have submerged. Transport to the said localities has got closed down.
 
Water level has increased to four feet high above the Nochchimottai Bridge hence the A9 road Vavuniya was closed for three hours.
 
 Yesterday from afternoon 1.00 a.m small vehicles were prohibited to travel through A9 roadway. Hence vehicles were parked in long queues for many hours. After water subsided, from 4.00 p.m the transportation resumed.   In the evening all types of vehicles were permitted to operate in the A9 road.
 
 
Malwathu Oya overflowing - 2,034 persons affected in Mannar
 
2,304 persons from 620 families were affected in Mannar due to Malwathu Oya overflowed.
 
Thambanaikulam village coming under the Madu Deputy Government Agent division, possibility were of submerging. Hence 336 families from that village were immediately evacuated to safer areas.
 
Madukarai, Nanattan localities affected people from floods left their homes. They are sheltered in welfare centers were mentioned by Mannar District Disaster Management center Deputy Director M.A.C.Riyaz.
 
1,427 persons from 358 families at  Nananattan Maha Vidyalam,645 persons from 54 families in Mottakarai Maha Vidyalayam, 78 persons from 28 families at General hall, 65 persons from 150 families are shelter at Madu Chinnapandivikichchan Maha Vidyalayam.
 
Some are moved to their relations and friends’ home was said by Mannar District Disaster Management center Deputy Director.
 
Mannar District Additional Government Agent Mrs.Stanley De Mel directly visited the people affected by floods and instructed the officials to provide immediate assistance.
 
Meanwhile the military responsible for the respective areas and providing the necessary assistance to the affected people  due to heavy floods.         

Explosives defused in Nochchikulama

Residents of Nochchikulama in Vavuniya found a pressure bomb and a hand grenade on a by road on the Vavuniya-Kalmadu main road today, after heavy showers and floods receded.

The residents who found a 15 Kilo pressure bomb and a hand grenade had informed the Vavuniya police, who arrived at the scene and defused them. Pix and tex by Romesh Madushanka-Wanni
















Lives of Tamil political prisoners in Bogambara at risk

Monday, 24 December 2012
TNA MP Shivashakthi Anandan says that the lives of the Tamil political prisoners detained in the Bogambara Prison are in danger and has called for intervention to prevent a disaster.
Most of these detainees who have been taken into custody on suspicion have decided to bow down and face the sentence imposed on them by the government hoping they would be released soon. However, it is learnt that most of these detainees have been placed with Sinhalese inmates. Anandan has said that this could pose a threat to the lives of the Tamil political prisoners and has called on relevant ministers and authorities to address the issue.
“Most of the Tamil political prisoners who have been taken into custody on suspicion of having links with the LTTE have accepted the charges out forward by the government due to the belief that they would be released after serving their term.
“They are currently in the Bogambara Prison. The authorities have placed them together with Sinhalese inmates who have been convicted of committing social crimes. These criminals have on several occasions scolded the Tamil prisoners in filth and they are living in fear since they also suffered several attacks from the Sinhala inmates,” the MP has said.
Also, parents and relatives of the Tamil prisoners have made a request through the TNA MP from the Prisons Department to transfer them to either the Magazine Prison or Anuradhapura Prison.
When contacted the Rehabilitation and Prison Reform Ministry said that nothing could be done since the Minister was out of the country.
Anandan has said that measures should therefore be taken to ensure the safety of the Tamil political prisoners and prevent any disaster from taking place.

TNA to highlight plight of Tamils at UNHRC sessions

MONDAY, 24 DECEMBER 2012 
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said today it would use all the means and resources available to them in order  to make submissions at the Geneva United Nations Human Rights Council sessions to be held in March next year.

Mr. Premachandran said the TNA’s submissions would be based on the non-implementation of the LLRC recommendations and the current predicament faced by residents of the Northern province.

“Political parties are not allowed to make submissions at the sessions therefore, we will make use of all the resources at our disposal to ensure we get a chance to be heard at the sessions,” TNA spokesman Suresh Premachandran said and added that the TNA would highlight the plight of the Tamil people.

“We do not know what our chances are but we will make maximum use of whatever opportunities are available.” he said. (Hafeel Farisz)