Ceylinco assets worth Rs. 4 bn. transferred to SPV to repay GK depositors-On a Supreme Court directive

BY SURESH PERERA-December 7, 2013, 6:20 pm

In an unprecedented boost to the prolonged struggle to repay suffering Golden Key (GK) depositors, the Supreme Court last week directed the transfer of two major Ceylinco Consolidated assets valued at around Rs. 4 billion to the dedicated Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).

Ceylinco Assets Worth Rs. 4 Bn. Transferred to SPV to Repay GK Depositors-On a Supreme Court Directive by nelvely

Ven. Sobitha Thero to become next common 

Presidential candidate?

 Sunday, 08 December 2013 

rChief incumbent of the Kotte Sri Naga Viharaya, Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero it is learnt will be named as the next common Presidential candidate.

Many intellectuals and several political party leaders have reportedly requested Ven. Sobitha Thero to come forward and contest as the common Presidential candidate at the next Presidential election.

Ven. Sobitha Thero has been asked to campaign for the abolition of the executive presidency and present a new constitution.

Several heads of the civil society are to meet with party leaders of the UNP, JVP and Democratic Party in future to discuss how they can support Ven. Sobitha Thero at the next Presidential election.

Ven. Sobitha Thero is currently leading a campaign against the setting up of gaming centres in the country.

Tourism can do without casinos, take an example from Maldives– Sobitha Thera 

by Zacki Jabbar-December 7, 2013, 6:22 pm

Chief incumbent of the Kotte Naga Viharaya, Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, said last week that despite objections from the Mahanayakes, other religious leaders and opposition parties, the government was determined to go ahead with the establishment of six casino zones, but it should stop and take note of the good example set by the Maldives.

The Maldives had been able to attract over a million tourists in 2012, most of who were big spenders, and had already topped that figure this year without establishing a single gaming center.

 "Take Maldives as an example," the Thera appealed to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, pointing out that the archipelago had developed its tourist industry without the dangerous gambling dollars which only served to destroy the fabric of a country and its people.

Sri Lanka,had already established itself as a narcotics hub and prostitution was on the rise. Casino Zones would only result in the spread of vices and crime which had reached alarming proportions, he noted.

Sobitha Thera said that even though political parties were involved in the campaign against the proliferation of gaming centers, it was not a political issue but a national problem and a threat to Sri Lankan culture and values propagated by all religions.

 There are many in the Rajapaksa regime who are opposed to the casino menace. With the exception of Ministers Navin Dissanayake and Patali Champika Ranawaka the others are frightened to speak out.

The authorities have claimed that locals would not be permitted into the proposed gaming zones. But,the majority who patronized casinos were locals. Given the manner in which the law was being circumvented now, a way would be found to overcome whatever superficial restrictions that were placed.

Casinos in India functioned on a ship in the middle of the sea. Singapore, Australia and Macau levied huge annual fees and taxes ranging between 27 to 40 percent on gaming operations; but Sri Lanka was the only country that had invited foreigners including James Packer to establish their casinos on a ten year tax free basis.

"Is this not fishy,"he queried. "Why do we have to sell our souls and that too in return for nothing or is someone benefiting?"

State languages chief inebriated while on duty

 Sunday, 08 December 2013 

Commissioner of State Languages of the Democratic, Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka J.D.C. Jayasinghe attends to his official duties in an inebriated state, according to employees of his office. On one occasion, the state languages commissioner on all his fours at Mirigama town was brought to his Muddaragama home by several trishaw drivers. 

Up to now, persons with high intellect were appointed to the State Languages Department, established in 1958 to provide such services as providing language translations to the state, improving language skills of public officials and introducing technical words and preparing language textbooks and glossaries. In a clear violation of traditions, a notorious alcoholic and womanizer has been appointed to this esteemed position, say the department employees.

J.D.C. Jayasinghe is facing a charge of raping Maldeniyage Priyadrashani of Opatha, Minuwangoda in 1999 with a promise of a labourer job at Minuwangoda Hospital. On November 02 of the same year, the girl took her own life by drinking poison. Jayasinghe was able to get the case thrown under the carpet thereafter.

On another occasion, while at Ratnawali Girls’ School in Gampaha to fetch his daughters, he had squeezed the breast of an older student, and principal A.H.A. Jayawardena had severely reprimanded him. Parents complained to Gampaha police about the molestation, but, Jayasinghe escaped with the help of the late Reggie Ranatunga, a powerful politician in Gampaha at the time.

The seat occupied previously by such eminent persons as Dr. Nandadeva Wijesekara is now being occupied by an alcoholic, also accused of rape and child molestation.

Heads to role in state media institutions

 Sunday, 08 December 2013 

A change of heads of several state media institutions is due this week. Among them is the Rupavahini Corporation chairman, who will be removed without a replacement. 

In the place of Lake House chairman Bandula Padmakumara, Gyrika Perusinghe is to be appointed. To its director board, chairman of State Film Corporation Asoka Serasinghe and former chairman of Human Resources Council Nimal Bopage are to be appointed.

Former CEO of Rupavahini and Consul General in Canada Karunaratne Paranavithana, who has now returned to the country, is to be appointed director general of government information.

When world mourns black leader Nelson Mandela’s demise, uncouth MaRa's Suriyaperuma M.P. calls Obama a ‘nigger’

Also insults Indian PM Manmohan Singh as a foolish leader ;and British PM David Cameron as one who has no brain

(Lanka-e-News-08.Dec.2013, 8.30PM) Rajapakse regime national list senior parliamentarian J. R.P. Suriyaperuma today in Parliament hurled vicious insults at world recognized leaders without let or hindrance which certainly will go down in history as a permanent black stain on SL’s Parliament. He described US President Barrack Obama as a’ Kalla’ alias nigger ; Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a foolish leader ;and British Prime Minister David Cameron as one who has no brain.

Sooriyaperuma referred to Manmohan Singh most insolently as an old fool, and said the Indian people have already decided to chase him out and send him home. He stated Singh is 85 years old whereby SL’s moda (idiot) Sooryaperuma betrayed his ignorance of the age of Singh who is actually 81 years old . Indeed Singh is younger than Suriyaperuma by four years. 

Suriyaperuma who is characterized by the same overriding traits of stupid arrogance and ignorance like many of the Rajapakse regime’s parliamentarians blabbered Obama is a nigger and asked what does Cameron know? and went on to insult Cameron by describing him as a discard surrounded by three or four MPs. 

Moda (idiotic) Sooriyaperuma through whose veins runs contaminated blood of stupid ignorance and arrogance like many others of the government Parliamentarians , and therefore cannot think or talk anything sensible said , it is gingelly oil that is flowing down Ranil Wickremesinghe’s body. J. R.P. Sooriyaperuma made all these nonsensical utterances when participating in the debate on behalf of the Rajapakse regime relating to budget allocations to the foreign Ministry.

UNP M.P. Ranjan Ramanayake who was next to speak in the agenda roundly condemned Sooriyaperuma’s venomous insults , and alleged that, foreign Minister Dr. G L Peiris used Suriyaperuma to vent his venoms and vengeances against the foreign leaders.

Vilifying people based on their age was condemned as a most disgraceful act . Ranjan Ramanayake asked ,’aren’t you ashamed to go begging to those leaders for aid after disparaging them?’

At this juncture Azwar the most notorious self degrading M.P. who always speaks out of point shouted ‘point of order’ , when Ramanayake replied ‘ there is no point your shouting point of order, for your point was cut and taken away in the mosque during your childhood days , and therefore it is useless your shouting for your point now which is long lost.’

Parliamentary analysts say the senseless , meaningless and unwarranted insults poured on world leaders by uncouth Suriyaperuma is unprecedented in SL Parliament’s history , and those had only degraded and disgraced our own Parliament , specially because Suriyaperuma is a senior M.P. who should know better decorum .Never before has any Parliamentarian spoken like this and insulted foreign leaders by pinpointing and naming them. He had brought disgrace upon the whole country , they added.

Specially , when he whole world is mourning the demise of a world black leader Nelson Mandela who championed the cause of the colored people and fought against color and class discrimination , to insult another black State leader calling him as a nigger , is to scar the image of SL before the world , analysts pointed out.

Hulugalle’s Dangerous Liaisons With A Casino Queen Links To The Closure Of The Media Centre For National Security

December 8, 2013

The dissolution of the controversial Media Centre for National Security that was tasked with counter propaganda against the LTTE during the final phase of the war is directly linked to the illicit affairs and conduct of its Director General and regime strongman Lakshman Hulugalle, a Sri Lankan newspaper has revealed today.

The Presidential Secretariat closed the MCNS with effect from November 1, evicting Hulugalle from his post, the Sunday Times said in its political column today.

Gota, Hula and Sudharma

The Sunday Times said that a sequence of events triggered by the sudden transfer orders to 23 officers and constables from the Police Department’s Organised Crimes Investigation Unit led to the closure of the MCNS.

It came in the wake of the 23 officers conducting a raid on a gaming centre in the Colombo Town Hall area, the newspaper said.

The Sunday Times quoted highly placed Police sources as saying that the orders came even without a proper investigation being conducted against the 23 policemen. The newspaper quotes a UPFA source as saying the MCNS Director General Lakshman Hulugalle had urged IGP N.K. Illangakoon to effect the transfers on the grounds that there was ‘unfair’ treatment after the arrest of some persons closely associated with a leading personality.

Hulugalle, however, has denied he made any such request, the newspaper states. Read More

EX-AIRMAN ARRESTED FOR RS.1 MILLION JEWELRY THEFT

December 8, 2013 

Police have arrested a retired Air Force officer who allegedly stole gold jewelry worth nearly Rs 1 million from a jewelry store in Kaluwella, Galle.

The robbery had taken place at around 10.00am yesterday (Dec 7) when the shop owner was opening the jewelry store for business.

The stolen jewelry is valued at Ra 984,000. 

Ananda Samarasekara’s role in Bharatha Lakshman murder case

 Sunday, 08 December 2013 

The dubious role played by Ananda Samarasekara, Colombo chief judicial medical officer, in the murder case of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra is now being exposed. A group of JMOs committed to their responsibilities point out with dejection the irregularities taking place in their field. 

According to them, Colombo JMO Samarasekara is a person who had misused his office and gained various personal advantages. During the period he was the president of the Government Medical Officers Association, he had used his powers to stay transfers of his wife, also a doctor, to difficult areas and managed to keep her in Colombo. The group of JMOs also cast suspicion about certain decisions given by Dr. Samarasekara.

Hemantha Warnakulasuriya, the lawyer for Duminda Silva, the 11th suspect in the killing of former MP and presidential advisor Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, had used medical reports given by the Colombo chief JMO to tell the courts that his client was in very serious condition due to brain damage.

According to his reports, Duminda Silva’s brain had been severely damaged by a gunshot wound. However, the MP got bail and left hospital without showing any state of serious physical harm. Now, he has returned to politics, surprisingly, after being in a state of severe damage to his brain and skull.

Hirunika Premachandra has accused Dr. Samarasekara of submitting incorrect medical reports in order to obtain bail for Duminda Silva.

It appears that there is no person in Sri Lanka, who cannot be bought by Duminda Silva’s brother, Reyynor Silva, head of the ABC Media Network.

Monies for minister’s travel expenses increased in 2014 Budget

Sunday, 08 December 2013 

Monies allocated for overseas travel of the Child Development and Women’s Affairs Minister has been increased in the w2014 Budget while curtailing funds allocated for the welfare of children and women in the country.

The Women for Rights organization has noted that Rs. 563 million was allocated for the Minister’s overseas travels this year and the amount has been increased to Rs. 977 million for 2014.

Co-convener of the organization, Samanmali Gunasinghe has said the government has slashed Rs. 19 million from the monies allocated for development work in addressing children’s and women’s issues while the allocation for the Minister’s expenses has been increased by Rs. 114 million.

She has noted that the government has made the budget cut at a time when child abuse and harassment of women are on the rise in the country.
She has added that only 50 percent of the monies allocated to the Child Development and Women's Affairs Ministry last year had been used for the welfare of children and women while a major portion of the monies had been used for various wasteful expenses of the Ministry.

Nelson Mandela’s Legacy to the World: Some Less Celebrated Aspects

Give me that man
That is not passion’s slave, and I will wear him
In my heart’s core
Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 2-

by Asanga Welikala

- on 12/08/2013

The death of the moral colossus in the politics of our time has occasioned a worldwide celebration of all things bright and beautiful that he represented in such abundant measure and to such inspirational effect. Not only for his fellow South Africans, but also for the rest of the world, Nelson Mandela personified a superhuman standard of humility, 

Nelson Mandela’s Legacy to the World Some Less Celebrated Aspects by nelvely

Let freedom reign; the death of a truly great man

Sunday, December 08, 2013

Touching the bars of the cell within which the late Nelson Mandela, who passed away this week aged ninety five years, was imprisoned on Robben Island was an unforgettable experience some years ago.

Let Freedom Reign; The Death of a Truly Great Man by nelvely

Mandela: Saint Or Sinner?

by The New Liberty

( December 8, 2013, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) With his failing health and impending 95th birthday Nelson Mandela is once again at the forefront of world attention. The world is bracing itself for the inevitable news and the world’s press are jostling for position outside his hospital to report that news. Barack Obama stated this weekend that he wouldn’t visit the ailing Mandela as it would appear just a photo opportunity and would invade the family’s privacy;

Mandela Saint or Sinner by nelvely

Nelson Mandela 'Greatness Doesn't Go On Sale!'

Dec-07-2013

The world is still fighting racism the same way it always has, but under Nelson Mandela things improved, and we were inspired to see change.

Photo from facebook.com

(CLEVELAND) - Nelson Mandela's name will live through history as one of the world's greatest leaders. He rose to power when he was most needed by a population forced to live as a second-class people.

Indeed, he taught us many lessons about life and death and the need to remain strong when faced with an inflexible system created by human beings who truly viewed their existence as more important, more valuable.

There truly is not enough space to list the accomplishments of this iconic man who gave people hope and liberty.

His legend and sacrifice will endure, while systems like apartheid in the end will crumble.

The world is still fighting racism the same way it always has, but under Nelson Mandela things improved, and we were inspired to see change.

Nelson Mandela 'Greatness Doesn't Go on Sale! by nelvely

Lawyers Collective mourns the death of Nelson Mandela: Reminds Sri Lanka of his key messages
(Lanka-e-News-08.Dec.2013, 8.30PM) Lawyers Collective mourns the passing away of Nelson Mandela who accomplished his historic mission to end apartheid and established a free nation. First an activist and then a lawyer,he became the icon in the freedom struggle in South Africa. He had enormous capacity and ability to sustain the struggle to end one of the world's worst crimes against humanity. Having served a long prison sentence for 26 years, he became the President of South Africa – a position he could have easily kept for himself till he breathed his last. Yet he served just one term. “After winning the war against apartheid, Mandela committed himself to establish democracy, instead of conspiring to rule for life or to amass wealth for his family”, says Lawyers Collective. 

Lawyers Collective sees this as an appropriate timefor our future leadersto look at his life as an example. Unlike many other authoritarian rulers in Africa and world over, Mandela did not want to be President for life. He is respected for leading the way for reconciliation with a different model of accountability. His leadership in introducing one of the most democratic constitutions is a hallmark of his commitment to Rule of Law. He is much respected as a global statesman who did not have a vested interest for himself, his family or cronies of his own political party. He stood for human rights for all and independence of judiciary. He firmly stood against abuse of power and corruption. 

Nelson Mandela has commenced his legal practice in 1952 and pushed for social justice through a law firm, formed with his friend; 'Mandela & Tambo' was the first all -black law firm in South Africa, which offered pro bono and low cost legal services to the clients charged with violation of segregation laws. His commitment persuaded the legal fraternity in South Africa to lead the struggle for Democracy. His practice influenced the entire civil liberties movement in the world who perceived him as the "Moral Center of legal legacy". 

With his activities against an all- powerful White Government, which was run by a deadly Defence Establishment, he was charged with treason before Court where he faced a trial and was sentenced to life. He said, during his trial in 1962, "I was made, by the law, a criminal, not because of what I had done, but because of what I stood for, because of what I thought, because of my conscience.”

Lawyers Collective salutes the Great Leader for his commitment and inspirational leadership.


JC Weliamuna
On behalf of Lawyers’ Collective

8 December 2013

The Essential Mandela

By Tisaranee Gunasekara -December 8, 2013 

“In the 20^th Century he was one of the few who, in contrast with those who made it infamous for fascism, racism, dictatorship and war, marked the era as one that achieved some human advancement…. Nelson Mandela belongs to the world”. - Nadine Gordimer[i]

In 1993, as South Africa hovered in a twilight time between an Apartheid-past and a post-Apartheid future, two men planned a murder. Janusz Walusz, a neo-Nazi, and Clive Derby-Lewis, a Conservative Party parliamentarian, were readying to ignite a racial-civil war to keep Apartheid alive. Their plan was to kill a popular black leader and provoke the already simmering townships into bloody mayhem. The white-majority military will intervene to protect order and white-lives, they believed; and Apartheid will be saved.

Nelson Mandela

Their chosen target was Chris Hani, the second most popular ANC leader, hero of rebellious young blacks, former head ofUmkhonto we Sizwe[ii], chief of the South African Communist Party and the man widely believed to be Mandela’s handpicked political heir[iii]. Hani had played a key role in the negotiations which ended Mandela’s imprisonment. He was also involved in the talks to end Apartheid and bring about a democratic South Africa.

The first part of the plan worked; Hani was gunned down by Walusz outside his home in the morning of 10^th April 1993. A traumatised land teetered on the edge of a calamitous civil conflict, but did not fall. That same evening Nelson Mandela addressed the nation: “This is a watershed moment for all of us”, he told his people waiting for a sign. “We must not let the men who worship war and who lust after blood, precipitate actions that will plunge our country into another Angola.”[iv]

His appeal worked. Though some violence did happen, the Armageddon Hani’s killers were counting on was prevented and South Africa’s march to freedom saved.

Mandela’s plea in that desperately dangerous hour may not have worked so well, had he or the ANC made any compromises with Black-supremacism during their long struggle. But they had not. Their vision and their actions had been uncompromisingly non-racist. They regarded Apartheid not as a crime against blacks but as a crime against humanity. Whites – and other non-white people – were actively encouraged to take part in the struggle. And a minority of committed whites did participate at every level; they too were hunted by the Apartheid state, arrested, tortured and sometimes killed. Black South Africa’s list of heroes and martyrs included quite a few white men and women. It was the ANC’s conscious and consistent refusal to respond to the Apartheid state’s toxic ‘white vs. black’ politics with an equally noxious ‘black vs. white’ politics which saved South Africa from a violent hell 20 years ago.

An Icon of Fraternity                                          Read More

ASIA: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela -- AHRC salutes a great man, embraces his Legacy

December 6, 2013

The Asian Human Rights Commission joins all people across the world to salute Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela of South Africa, who passed away at the age of 95 yesterday.

In the person of Nelson Mandela the world can proudly celebrate a towering personality, whose life has universal relevance for all times to come. His life and struggles have always focused on the greatest of ideals that any human being could aspire to: equality, freedom, dignity, truth, and – above all – love for all. And all of these qualities are centered in the greatest of the ideals of human rights.

In his life achievements he has justly acquired the honor of being a role model for every child born on this earth, irrespective of race, gender, colour, ethnicity or any other factor.

Nelson Mandela lived in extremely troubled times. Born a black, in apartheid South Africa, he knew very well the bitterness of being discriminated against. This profound knowledge of 'the humanity of the oppressed creature' guided him to become a relentless and uncompromising freedom fighter who remained loyal and steadfast to his fellow sufferers and, at the same time, made him a universal figure. Equipped with this knowledge, born from suffering, he takes his place amongst the other greats of this world, such as Frederick Douglass of the United States and Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar of India. Together with them, Mandela will remain an inspiration for all oppressed peoples struggling for their freedom and will retain a dignified place in the fabric of their societies.

Nelson Mandela gives meaning to the words 'ideal political prisoner'. The twenty-seven years of his imprisonment have now reached a state of universality, gifting all who live under oppressive political regimes a reminder of the value of making sacrifices to end their oppression, to achieve freedom.

Nelson Mandela is also an icon of faithfulness and truth. This was aptly demonstrated when he – even after achieving the status of a great and influential global political leader – was able to humbly admit to his son's death due to HIV/Aids, and continued work towards the prevention of Aids globally.

All the issues on which Mandela fought hard need further fight and struggle, for which his life will ever remain an inspiration. The defeat of apartheid has not turned South Africa into a paradise. The country is caught in global contradictions of harsh economic and political consequence. The tyranny of global economic bondage is a threat that humanity as a whole – white black, and brown, male and female – must face. Nelson Mandela was profoundly aware of this global phenomenon, and to his admirers in the more developed countries his message would be to face this global challenge which generates misery for the greater part of humanity.

Nelson Mandela would certainly say that – in order to bear the fruits of the struggles that he shared with freedom loving people across the earth – major changes need to be ushered in for a more just and a fair distribution of resources in the world. Facing this mammoth challenge is the only way forward, to continue Nelson Mandela's legacy and walk the path he would wish for his fellow beings.

Nelson Mandela, the uncompromising freedom fighter, was also a man capable of forgiving and reconciling with his opponents. The manner in which the victory over apartheid was used to unify a country and bring together people of all walks of life is another of his great legacies. In the art of reconciliation, the lessons he has left for us will remain an inspiration for all humanity, for all times.

We salute a great man, and we embrace his great legacy.

Bodies lie at parliament’s front door in Central African Republic 
Warning: this blog and film contain graphic and distressing scenes from the start.

Saturday 07 Dec 2013

It’s some symbol of failed statehood: the bodies, bloated and grotesque as they putrefy in the blazing equatorial sun, right at the shut front gates of the National Assembly – the parliament of the Central African Republic (CAR).

There are lots. More appear every hour of the day. At least 300 killed in the past two days here in Bangui.

Which is why several thousand still surround the airport – they think because there are several hundred French troops securing it they will be safe. They may or may not be right.

Last night, the murderous Seleka militia took 10 wounded patients from the Amitie clinic here and shot them all dead.

This morning, our colleagues saw two men flee a gun, dagger and machete-wielding Seleka mob. They didn’t make it. Two shots. Two more bodies. You may say they were lucky just to be quickly murdered.

At the main hospital Medecins san Frontieres appeal for more foreign charities to get here and help. The place is over-run. Machete and bullet casualties line every corridor and the paths outside. We never even filmed in the wards as such. There’s a large tent in the garden. They need at least three more.

“We have had enough. This has got to stop. The people of Central Africa have suffered too much,” says Arsene, sitting next to a friend whose head and face are invisible inside bandaging.

Just another “balle perdue” – stray bullet.

Read more: Central African Republic – suffering ‘beyond imagination’

Another person, Prisca adds: “No, no, no, no, we are not safe here. The French are not in here. They cannot protect us.”

Yards away and seconds later, a gang of Seleka, all khaki uniforms and at least one dagger, swagger along the corridor looking for someone.

Incredibly, Seleka guard the main entrance. Many clearly either drunk or stoned, openly threatening us with machetes. We press on, asking Col Ibrahim Younis why they kill their own people.

“No no,” he replies. “We don’t kill anyone and never did. It’s not true. Not true. That’s not Seleka.”

The truth is different, bloody and brutal. The hatred deep. Back at the hotel, a local colleague working here patiently explains how the Moslem Seleka have no place in mostly Christian CAR.

“So where should they go?” he is asked.

“They must be got rid of,” he replies, matter-of-fact.

- See more at: http://blogs.channel4.com/alex-thomsons-view/on-verge-genocide-view-central-african-republic/6683#sthash.PGUy5Svd.wYcd47St.dpuf

Time and Distance

Photograph courtesy JDS

• by Sharanga Ratnayake
• - on 12/07/2013

Towards the end of the 12th century, a man named Temujin would create an empire that would grow into the largest empire there ever had been. Even up to now it is second in size only to the British Empire. This empire would follow policies that would encourage trade and communication, and will become one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse empires in history. All in all, many people would view this man as a great man; someone who helped to advance the human civilization by setting up conditions that would allow it to prosper. If the man’s name sounds unfamiliar, that’s because he’s better known by another name – Genghis Khan, and the empire he found is the Mongolian Empire, the largest contiguous empire in history.

Time and Distance by nelvely

Tamil People, Where Did We Go Wrong?

By M. A. Sumanthiran -December 7, 2013 

MA Sumanthiran MP

We convene today as the world mourns the death of that outstanding human being Nelson Mandela.  He passed away two days ago, aged 95.  I wish to place on record our deepest condolences to his family, to the people and the Government of the Republic of South Africa.  Mandela was not just a son of Africa, but of the whole world and we too suffer the loss.  While we mourn the loss of his life, we celebrate it with thankfulness to God for giving us Mandela as an example of one who fought for the rights of his own people, even taking up arms at one point in his life, but without ill-will against the enemy, and most of all, one who did not wreak revenge but corrected the wrongs and showed magnanimity in victory.  It was that ushering in of true democracy, justice, magnanimity and the spirit of forgiveness that helped unite a fractured country.

I stand up to speak today on the External Affairs Ministry’s votes when this country’s foreign relations are at an all-time low.  I don’t think it would be an exaggeration to say that there has never been a time that was worse than this in terms of our image abroad, in our post-independence history.  We discuss this vote hot on the heels of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Colombo, and the appointment of His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa to the Chair of CHOGM for the next two years – not as head of the Commonwealth, as some seem to believe.  The Queen will continue to head the Commonwealth. This event has been a bitter pill for us.  It started with the Queen announcing that she will not attend the event in Colombo.  There were several previous attempts to change the venue on the basis that Sri Lanka was not an appropriate venue, given its human rights record.  Sri Lanka, though, fought all of this and succeeded in hosting the event, and thought its success lay in only warding off these challenges.  And now that the event has been held we seem to think that is victory for our foreign policy!  And this happened even as we have had two resolutions already passed in the UNHRC and are staring at another possible resolution in less than 6 months away.

Hon Minister, I would like to invite your attention to a cost-benefit analysis of hosting CHOGM in Sri Lanka: was it really a success?  Apart from the Queen herself, several other Heads of Government did not turn up, some explicitly citing Sri Lanka’s appalling record of human rights. Heads of Government of Canada, the largest country within the Commonwealth and India, the most populous country, stayed away.  In all only 23 Heads of Government, less than half the number, attended the event.  Mauritius even sacrificed their turn to host the next meeting for the sake of principles.  Many of those who attended came with apologies saying that they were coming precisely for the purpose of raising the human rights concerns.  This hardly can be said to be an endorsement of our record.                                            Read More