Devolution of Power to Provincial Councils – II

By R. M. B. Senanayake-April 7, 2014

I wrote in an earlier article that in my opinion the Provincial Councils Act no 42 of 1987 contravenes the 13th Amendment in the extensive powers it confers on the Governor of the Provincial Council since Art 154 C must be subject to Art 154 F.

Devolution of Power to Provincial Councils – II by nelvely

Devolution of power to Provincial Councils undermined I

Defeat For Sri Lankan Government

By TU Senan -April 8, 2014

TU Senan

Contrary to the claims of the Sri Lankan government they have been defeated on many fronts now. Not just in the UN in the form of the UNHRC resolution, but they also suffered a humiliating loss of support in the local provincial election.

In the last provincial election in Sri Lanka, the ruling party candidates lashed out at the US and the UK. It wasn’t that the ruling party of the misnamed ‘socialist republic’ suddenly wake up to the reality of the horror of capitalism. On the contrary the current Sri Lankan government has been implementing vicious neoliberal policies. But a US-led resolution in the UNHRC this month regarding human rights violations by the Sri Lankan regime, was a major propaganda defeat for the government.

Although the resolution fell short of any concrete action it was a humiliation for President Mahinda Rajapaksa. To this day he maintains that no human rights transgressions either took place or are taking place in Sri Lanka. The ruling party went all out to turn the Geneva embarrassment into votes and support – hence the bashing of western governments. They urged voters to support them to ‘save the nation’ and ‘to send a message to Geneva and the Americans’.

Despite these attempts, the results in the last election provided a clear indication of the diminishing support for the government, even in the places they used to consider as strongholds. While the fall in the vote is significant (11% in the western province and 9% in the southern province), more revealing is that this fall in support is taking place despite the massive Geneva scaremongering. What has been vote-producing ‘development rhetoric’ also received a whacking with a 9% reduction in the vote in the heartland of development and Mahinda’s family cave – Hambantota.

In an attempt to whip up Sinhala nationalism the government now resorts to attempting to adopt an anti-imperialist face. Look at the example of Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe from the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and national organiser of racist Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU). He claimed in an election rally that “they” are prepared to sacrifice a hundred thousand people to “ensure the protection of the country”. This is not just a throw-away comment from a racist, but reflects a mentality that exists in the ruling party in Sri Lanka.    Read More

யாழ். பல்கலை மாணவர் விடுதியில் பொலிசார் தேடுதல் வேட்டை

07 ஏப்ரல் 2014, திங்கள்

யாழ்.பல்கலைக்கழகத்திற்கு சொந்தமான கோப்பாய் மாணவர் விடுதியில் உள்நுழைந்து பொலிஸார் தேடுதல் நடத்தியுள்ளதாக மாணவர்கள் தெரிவித்துள்ளனர்.

எந்தவித காரணங்களும் இன்றி இன்று காலை விடுதிக்குள் உள்நுழைந்த பொலிஸார் துருவித் துருவி விசாரணை நடத்தியுள்ளதுடன், தேடுதல் வேட்டையிலும் ஈடுபட்டுள்ளனர்.

இதனால் அச்சமடைந்த மாணவர்கள் விடுதியினை விட்டு வெளியேறி வருவதாக அங்கிருந்து கிடைக்கும் தகவல்கள் தெரிவிக்கின்றன.

இது குறித்து பொலிஸாரிடம் கேட்ட போது பொறுப்பதிகாரி இல்லை என தெரிவித்தனர்.

- See more at: http://onlineuthayan.com/News_More.php?id=208512843408458712#sthash.oCDZLJ7a.QH7I2Jlq.dpuf

Petition against ITAK filed in Supreme Court 

By Stanley Samarasinghe-April 8, 2014
 
 
A petition was filed in the Supreme Court yesterday, challenging the constitutionality of the Ilankai Tamil Arusu Kachchi (ITAK), the electoral vehicle of the Tamil National Alliance, under the controversial 6th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka.
 
 
The petitioner prayed Court to declare that ITAK is a political party, which has the establishment of a separate state, within the territory of Sri Lanka, as one of its aims and objects.
The 6th Amendment to the Constitution passed by the J.R. Jayewardene administration, resulted in the vacation of Parliament seats by the Tamil United Liberation Front, which was until then the de facto Opposition in the then Parliament.
 
 
Petitioner H.K. Don Chandrasena, of G16 National Housing Scheme, Polhena in Kelaniya, filed the petition through Attorney-at-Law, Madhubashani Rajapaksa, in terms of Article
157A (4) of the Constitution of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The Article 157 A (4) of the Constitution states that " Where any political party or other association or organisation has as one of its aims or objects the establishment of a separate state, within the territory of Sri Lanka, any person may make an application to the Supreme Court for a declaration that such political party or other association or organisation has as one of its aims or objects the establishment of a separate State within the territory of Sri Lanka. The Secretary or other officer of such political party or other association or organisation shall be made a respondent to such application."
 
 
The Article 157 A (1 ) also prohibits any person from directly or indirectly, in or outside Sri Lanka, supporting, espousing, promoting, financing, encouraging or advocating the establishment of a separate State within the territory of Sri Lanka.
Article 157 (2) states: No political party or other association or organisation shall have as one of its aims or objects the establishment of a separate state within the territory of Sri Lanka.
 
 
Mavai S. Senadhiraja, Secretary ITAK, Mahinda Deshapriya, Commissioner of Elections, and the Attorney General are cited as the respondents by the petitioner.
The petitioner stated that he is entitled to petition the Supreme Court regarding the matter as it falls within the purview of the Sixth Amendment. The petitioner also stated that the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution has allowed any citizen to make an application to the Supreme Court, citing any political party secretary, association or organisation which has as one of its objectives, the establishment of a separate state within the territory of Sri Lanka as respondents.
 
 
ITAK, which is duly registered under the Election Law, is a political party whose aims and objects includes the establishment of a separate state within the territory of Sri Lanka, the petitioner stated.
 
 
The petitioner stated that the ITAK Party Constitution, which was submitted to the Election Commissioner's Office dated 20-5-1981, has stated that the objective of the ITAK is to establish political economic and cultural liberation among Tamil people by way of forming autonomous Tamil government and autonomous Muslim government as a part of a United Con-federation of Federal Sri Lanka in accordance with principles of self determination.
 
 
Therefore, the petitioner has requested the Court to issue notice on the respondents and issue a declaration that the ITAK is a political party which has among its aims and objectives, the establishment of separate state. The petitioner has also sought that the Court subjects the leaders of the ITAK to the provisions of Article Five of the Sixth Amendment.

Sri Lanka: Asset Freeze Threatens Peaceful Dissent

The Sri Lankan government is using vague counterterrorism regulations to tie the major diaspora Tamil groups to the ruthless but defunct LTTE. This broad-brush sanction could then be used to punish local Tamil activists and politicians with international ties.

Brad Adams, Asia director

APRIL 7, 2014

(New York) – The Sri Lankan government’s decision to label 16 overseas Tamil organizations as financers of terrorism is so broad that it appears aimed at restricting peaceful activism by the country’s Tamil minority, Human Rights Watch said today. The government should provide evidence of the unlawful activity of specific groups and individuals or remove them from the list.

On April 4, 2014, External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris made public an order signed on March 20, on the advice of the defense secretary, freezing the assets and financial resources of entities ranging from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which was militarily defeated in 2009, to nonviolent Tamil organizations around the world.

Chief Military spokesman Brig. Ruwan Wanigasuriya reportedly said that under the order, legal action would be taken against anyone having links with the listed groups. This would place local activists and alleged group members visiting the country at risk of being detained and held without charge under Sri Lanka’s abusive Prevention of Terrorism Act.

“The Sri Lankan government is using vague counterterrorism regulations to tie the major diaspora Tamil groups to the ruthless but defunct LTTE,” said Brad Adams, Asia director. “This broad-brush sanction could then be used to punish local Tamil activists and politicians with international ties.”

Sri Lanka’s United Nations Regulation No. 1 of 2012 empowers the government to designate individuals, groups or entities believed to “commit or attempt to commit or participate in or facilitate the commission of, terrorist acts” and freeze their financial assets and economic resources. The government’s order provides no factual basis for its actions. Most of the groups listed in the order are lawfully registered entities in the various countries in which they are based. The asset freeze also covers 424 individuals.

The government should address its legitimate concerns about foreign terrorist financing primarily through legal cooperation with foreign governments. It should promptly produce the factual basis for listing, and ensure organizations and individuals are able to contest their designations before independent and impartial courts.

United Nations Resolution No. 1 is derived from UN Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001), passed in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, and requires countries to freeze assets and entities of those “who commit or attempt to commit terrorist acts or participate in or facilitate the commission of terrorist acts.” Human Rights Watch has extensively reported on how Resolution 1373 has provided governments broad leeway to create vague and overbroad definitions of terrorist activity and to curtail basic rights.

In 2009, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said that Resolution 1373, by serving as a vehicle for “numerous” countries to enact provisions that derogate from international human rights treaties, has had “a very serious negative impact on human rights.”

In 2010, the then-UN special rapporteur on human rights and counterterrorism, Martin Scheinin, said in his final report to the UN General Assembly that the counterterrorism regime created by the Security Council “continues to pose risks to the protection of a number of international human rights standards.”

Government statements on the asset freezes did not allay concerns of future rights abuses. The chief of national intelligence, Maj. Gen. Kapila Hendawitharana said that those having dealings with the listed persons and organizations could continue to do so as long as they do not violate Sri Lanka’s constitution or collect money for terrorism, but did not specify further exactly what actions would be prohibited. Hendawitharana also left open the possibility that the government might issue an outright ban on the persons and organizations listed, and said that more could be added.

“The government is putting all Tamil activists at risk by delegitimizing the major Tamil organizations abroad,” Adams said. “Putting organizations engaged in peaceful political activity on a terrorist list is a modern version of McCarthyism.”

Ban reiterates UN failure in Lanka

By admin on April 8, 2014

UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon has once again reiterated the failure of the United Nations to prevent the death of thousands of people in Sri Lanka during the final stages of the war.

He noted this in a column appearing in The Hindu newspaper to mark the 20th anniversary of the  genocide in Rwanda which was commemorated yesterday (Monday).

“The end of the civil war in Sri Lanka in 2009 led to tens of thousands of deaths and a systemic failure by the United Nations to speak up and act,” the UN Secretary General said in the column.

Ban ki-moon noted that in conflict situations the world needs to overcome moral blind spots. He says UN Member States may have rival definitions of national interest, or be unwilling to take on new financial or military commitments. They may be daunted by complexity and risk, or concerned that discussions about an imminent crisis in other countries might one day focus on their own situations.

“But the results of this indifference and indecisiveness are clear: the bloodshed of innocents, shattered societies, and leaders left to utter the words “never again,” again and again — in itself, a sign of continuing failure,” the UN Chief said.

Ban also notes that the international community has endorsed the “responsibility to protect” and States can no longer claim that atrocity crimes are a domestic matter beyond the realm of international concern. (Colombo Gazette)

Muslim Religious and Civil Society organizations writes to MR regarding BBS latest traget

(Lanka-e-News -08.April.2014, 8.00PM) The confusion and bad feeling caused by the BBS and the media reporting around the incident is causing great distress both to returning Northern Muslims and the rest of the Muslim Community. We felt that the difficult times of last year where extremist groups were openly making racists statements against the Muslim Community was a thing of the past. But sadly, this does not seem to be the case.....

Sri Lanka’s Terrorist List Is A Modern Version Of McCarthyism – Brad Adams

April 8, 2014

“The government is putting all Tamil activists at risk by delegitimizing the major Tamil organizations abroad, Putting organizations engaged in peaceful political activity on a terrorist list is a modern version of McCarthyism.” says Brad Adams, the Asia director Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Issuing a statement on the Sri Lankan government’s decision to label 16 overseas Tamil organizations as financers of terrorism, the HRW says; “it is so broad that it appears aimed at restricting peaceful activism by the country’s Tamil minority, Human Rights Watch said today. The government should provide evidence of the unlawful activity of specific groups and individuals or remove them from the list.”

Brad Adams

On April 4, 2014, External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris made public an order signed on March 20, on the advice of the defense secretary, freezing the assets and financial resources of entities ranging from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which was militarily defeated in 2009, to nonviolent Tamil organizations around the world.

Chief Military spokesman Brig. Ruwan Wanigasuriya reportedly said that under the order, legal action would be taken against anyone having links with the listed groups. This would place local activists and alleged group members visiting the country at risk of being detained and held without charge under Sri Lanka’s abusive Prevention of Terrorism Act.

“The Sri Lankan government is using vague counterterrorism regulations to tie the major diaspora Tamil groups to the ruthless but defunct LTTE,” said Brad Adams. “This broad-brush sanction could then be used to punish local Tamil activists and politicians with international ties.”

Sri Lanka’s United Nations Regulation No. 1 of 2012 empowers the government to designate individuals, groups or entities believed to “commit or attempt to commit or participate in or facilitate the commission of, terrorist acts” and freeze their financial assets and economic resources. The government’s order provides no factual basis for its actions. Most of the groups listed in the order are lawfully registered entities in the various countries in which they are based. The asset freeze also covers 424 individuals.

The government should address its legitimate concerns about foreign terrorist financing primarily through legal cooperation with foreign governments. It should promptly produce the factual basis for listing, and ensure organizations and individuals are able to contest their designations before independent and impartial courts.

United Nations Resolution No. 1 is derived from UN Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001), passed in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, and requires countries to freeze assets and entities of those “who commit or attempt to commit terrorist acts or participate in or facilitate the commission of terrorist acts.” Human Rights Watch has extensively reported on how Resolution 1373 has provided governments broad leeway to create vague and overbroad definitions of terrorist activity and to curtail basic rights.

In 2009, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said that Resolution 1373, by serving as a vehicle for “numerous” countries to enact provisions that derogate from international human rights treaties, has had “a very serious negative impact on human rights.”

In 2010, the then-UN special rapporteur on human rights and counterterrorism, Martin Scheinin, said in his final report to the UN General Assembly that the counterterrorism regime created by the Security Council “continues to pose risks to the protection of a number of international human rights standards.”

Government statements on the asset freezes did not allay concerns of future rights abuses. The chief of national intelligence, Maj. Gen. Kapila Hendawitharana said that those having dealings with the listed persons and organizations could continue to do so as long as they do not violate Sri Lanka’s constitution or collect money for terrorism, but did not specify further exactly what actions would be prohibited. Hendawitharana also left open the possibility that the government might issue an outright ban on the persons and organizations listed, and said that more could be added.

Related posts;

India refuses to rock Sri Lanka’s boat on human rights issues, but for how long?

Sri Lankan soldiers walk on a road in the Puthukkudiyirippu area, where fighting between the Sri Lanka army and the Liberation Tamil Tigers Eelam (LTTE) has taken place, in northeast Sri Lanka February 28, 2009.(Reuters / Stringer)

April 07, 2014 

India has managed to negotiate a dangerous curve in its relations with Sri Lanka, a crucial Indian backyard where China and Pakistan have steadily enlarged their strategic footprints in recent years.

India refuses to rock Sri Lanka’s boat on human rights issues, but for how long by nelvely

Canada questions motive behind diaspora bans, says will not help reconciliation
 08 April 2014

Canada on Monday expressed concern over Sri Lanka’s motive in proscribing fifteen Tamil diaspora groups and over 400 individuals, saying the move would not help post-war reconciliation in which diaspora Tamils had an important role. A spokesperson from Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development (DFATD) told Tamil Guardian: “We are concerned about the motives of the Government of Sri Lanka in taking this action and regret that this will not help advance genuine post-conflict reconciliation, a process in which diaspora communities have an important role to play." "We are particularly concerned about the effect of this order on freedom of speech and association in Sri Lanka," he added. Noting that some of the individuals and entities listed resided in Canada, the spokesperson made assurances regarding the exercise of freedom of speech by the Tamil community within Canada. “The Sri Lankan government’s actions do not constrain the freedom of these groups and individuals to express their views in Canada,” he said. Commenting that the Government of Sri Lanka had not shared the information or evidence to support Sri Lanka’s domestic terror listing with the Canadian government, the spokesperson added,  "The Government of Canada is committed to combating terrorism in all its forms. We listed the LTTE in 2006 and the World Tamil Movement in 2008 as terrorist organizations under the Criminal Code of Canada." Speaking in Parliament yesterday, the Canadian Minister of  Foreign Affairs, John Baird, said, “We are deeply concerned that Canadians have been identified and singled out for attention as has the government of Canada. We remain focused on doing all we can to help the Tamil minority to live in peace and security with their neighbours.” See more here.Canadian government pledges to work towards Tamil community's peace and security 07 April 2014

Commenting on Sri Lanka's proscription of Tamil diaspora groups, the Canadian Minister of  Foreign Affairs, John Baird, said today his government would remain focused on helping the Tamil community live with peace and security. Responding to questions on whether the government would stand up for Canadians targeted in the Sri Lankan proscriptions, the minister said, “We are deeply concerned that Canadians have been identified and singled out for attention as has the government of Canada. We remain focused on doing all we can to help the Tamil minority to live in peace and security with their neighbours.”

Truth about our relationship with Sri Lanka: opinion

By Julie Bishop

April 8, 2014, 9:45 p.m.

THE opinion piece by Gordon Weiss (“Stance on Sri Lanka needs urgent rethink”, 4/4) includes a number of assertions that need correction.

Most seriously, Mr Weiss makes the untrue claim that during a visit to Tamil regions in Sri Lanka’s north and north-east just over 12 months ago I was given a guided tour by the Sri Lankan military.

I led a delegation that included Immigration Minister Scott Morrison and Justice Minister Michael Keenan.

A precondition of our visit to the Tamil regions was that we would be driven around by leading members of the Tamil National Alliance.

This took place over more than two days, with no military, government or police accompanying our delegation.

Our Tamil hosts were free to take us to any location of their choice and we were unhindered by any arm of the Sri Lankan government.

This included visits to camps of displaced Tamil villagers, areas in the process of being de-mined, and areas formerly under the control of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

For example, we met Tamil community representatives invited by our hosts in Jaffna, villagers in Mullaitivu who had been displaced by a military camp, former LTTE commandos and soldiers, and many Tamil community leaders.

We observed a huge investment in infrastructure, including thousands of kilometres of high-quality sealed roads, new schools and hospitals.

My delegation also observed the struggle to build trust after almost 30 years of one of the world’s most vicious civil wars.

Sri Lanka is emerging from a dark chapter in its history and it will be no easy task to rebuild trust and confidence between all sectors of society.

There are many disturbing events that took place over that time, including during the final stages of the war.

In meetings with Sri Lanka’s political leadership, I have urged them to progress reconciliation as quickly as possible.

This has included the need for the Sri Lankan government to implement all the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, demilitarisation of the north and north-east, devolution of some government responsibilities to the Tamil regions, and an independent investigation into allegations of war crimes by both sides in the final stages of the civil war.

It is unrealistic to expect Sri Lanka to achieve full reconciliation quickly, given the terrible events that took place over several decades.

However, nations such as Australia can point to the foundations of a successful multicultural society, which is based on all being equal before the law, freedom of speech, a free media, a robust democracy and tolerance.

The Australian government believes that it is in the interests of all Sri Lankans to engage and encourage the challenging and painful process of reconciliation, rather than seek to isolate and punish.

Mr Weiss’s grandstanding will not make any constructive contribution to that process and risks encouraging remnant members and supporters of the LTTE to cling to a philosophy of violent extremism.

Julie Bishop is the Minister for Foreign Affairs

Prof. Peiris explains why Sri Lanka won’t cooperate with UN probe

By Shamindra Ferdinando-April 7, 2014, 10:11 pm

Sri Lanka will not cooperate with the proposed war crimes investigation undertaken by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, though the government remains committed to work with the United Nations as well as other international agencies, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

 External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris emphasized that the government of Sri Lanka wouldn’t accept the jurisdiction of the UNHRC to undertake an inquiry, therefore the question of the government cooperating with the proposed mechanism didn’t arise. Prof. Peiris was responding to a query by The Island yesterday in the wake of UN Chief Ban Ki-moon urging Sri Lanka to extend its support to UNHRC.

 A resolution moved by the US calling for an external investigation received 22 votes at the recently concluded UNHRC session. Being a member of the UNHRC, the US voted for its own resolution.  

Minister Peiris said that the government decided against cooperating with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights primarily due to three reasons.  

The proposed investigation was beyond the scope of Ms Pillay’s office, the Minister said, adding that the second reason was her hostility towards Sri Lanka. The minister pointed out whatever those calling for UN intervention in Sri Lanka say; Ms Pillay would not approach the inquiry with an open mind. The UN rights chief’s claim that the Sri Lankan government was perpetrating atrocities against the Tamil people under the guise of fighting terrorism, which implied that there was no threat of terrorism in Sri Lanka and it was simply a creation of the Government. Not more than a week after the war ended in 2009, she called for an international inquiry against the Sri Lankan Government. "Under what basis did she call for such a move? These statements make it more than obvious that she is biased," Prof Peiris said.

 The government was also seriously concerned about the funding of the proposed investigative mechanism, the minister said. Sri Lanka could be at a great disadvantage due to the UNHRC being the recipient of large scale funding from several countries now calling for UN intervention, the minister said. Responding to another query, Prof. Peiris said that many member states of the UN were concerned about the way the UNHRC received its funding.

 South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister Nkoana-Mashabane during the high level segment of the recently concluded UNHRC session expressed concern over politicization of the UN body. She said: "South Africa stands ready to work with all countries in the Council. For the Council to deliver on this vast mandate, it is important that the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is funded through assessed contributions, commensurate with the challenges we face is predictable. We must resist the bilateralisation of the mandate of the Council through earmarked donor funding to this office." 

Prof Peiris said that those pushing for external investigation here were silent on the progress made by a Presidential Commission investigating cases of alleged disappearances of persons in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.  

Referring to an ongoing project titled Joint Needs Assessment; the minister said that the government was working closely with the UN to tackle problems faced by the displaced. 

The minister said that since the conclusion of the war in May 2009, the government with the support of the international community had taken tangible measures to improve the living conditions of people living in war-torn areas. The ground situation was better though various interested parties continued to paint a bleak picture, the minister said.

We Will Not Allow Government To Be Toppled By Force - President

( April 8, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Governments should be toppled and will be if the people reject it but we cannot allow governments to be toppled by force, President Mahinda Rajapaksa stated.

Speaking at the Central Bank Annual Report launch today (April 8) in Colombo, the President stated that no one needs to go to universities like Harvard to learn how to topple governments adding that he will show anyone how to topple a government if they come to Madamulana.

The Opposition is waiting and watching until the economy and the government falls but I do not think that will happen, the President stated.

Unemployment has fallen to around 4.4% but some organization request to bring down employees from India and Korea but he never give into those requests, he added.

He claimed that the development that the country is going through at the moment will be sustainable until 2040 and maybe even 2050.

Source: Ada Derana

The Evolution Of The Sinhala Language: An Important Reference

By Rajasingham Narendran -April 8, 2014 

Dr. Rajasingham Narendran

At this moment in our history, we are engaged once again in discussions and debates on the antiquity of the different communities in Sri Lanka and the languages that identify them, namely Sinhala and Tamil; and the nationhood in terms of exclusivity of each. While searching for information of the evolution of the Sinhala script and spoken language, a language which is claimed to be uniquely Lankan, I came across the following extensively referenced document, which makes interesting reading. I am sure those who have an open mind will benefit from this publication.

In the introduction to this document it is stated:

“Sri Lanka being an island in such close proximity to the sub continent of India, it is to India that we must look for origins of Sri Lanka’s culture, religion, language and scripts. The ethnic origins of the peoples of Sri Lanka must be traced to the peoples of India. An exception must be made for those minorities who can trace their ancestry to Sri Lanka’s colonial rulers, the Portuguese, Dutch and British, and also for a small number of Muslims who trace their ancestry to either Arab traders or to Indonesia.                                      Read More   

Accountable government

• The liberal democratic model-Tuesday 08th April 2014

The events concerning Sri Lanka at the UNHRC at Geneva have focused our minds on the issue of the accountability of a government. A liberal democracy is, by any objective standard, the only system of governance which has within it the checks and balances, mechanisms, processes and procedures that can, up to some extent even, provide for a responsive system of government, where the rulers have even a modicum of accountability to the people they govern. But it is not perfect.

Accountable Government by nelvely

Namal addresses ‘Balu Gune’ as Machan!

 Tuesday, 08 April 2014

Senior SLFPer, deputy minister of Buddha Sasana and Trincomalee district MP M.K.D.S. Gunawardena yesterday (07) complained to the president that his eldest son, MP Namal Rajapaksa, had addressed him as ‘Machan’, Temple Trees sources say.

Gunawardena was elected to parliament at the 1989 election and had been a leading figure behind the success of ‘Pada Yatra’ organized by Mahinda Rajapaksa in 1992. At that time, Namal Rajapaksa had just begun his schooling days.

Prior to entering politics, Gunawardena had served in the Police Department’s kennel division, and his contemporaries affectionately refer to him as ‘Balu Gune.’

“Mr. President, we have been close friends from those days. I do not mind if you hit me or scold me. I did not come to you to complain when Susantha Punchinilame, who was sent from Ratnapura to Trincomalee, attacked me. Punchinimale has wrested power in Trincomalee. Namal Baby calls Susantha as ‘Machan.’ When I was called by him as ‘Machan’, I felt really sad because I am older than even you. Advise Namal Baby not to call me thus,” he has told the president, who has gone into a fit of laughter.

“Do not take it too much, Gune. Boys nowadays are like that. The other thing is Namal Putha is calling you ‘Machan’ because he is fit with you. Think new. Or else, we will have to retire from politics,” the president has said. Looking helplessly for some time at the president, the deputy minister has left.

According to reports reaching us, Namal Rajapaksa calls UNP general secretary Tissa Attanayake, Ravi Karunanayake, John Amaratunga as ‘Sir’, but addresses all SLFP MPs and ministers as ‘Machan.’

Police dept. disillusioned and disgruntled over promotion of Rajapakse stooges as ASPs.

(Lanka-e-News -08.April.2014, 8.00PM) Medamulana MaRa who has by now confirmed beyond doubt that he is a byword for corrupt and deceitful practices is again gearing himself for another fraudulent Presidential election, has promoted 123 Inspectors who are his henchmen disregarding suitability to the posts of ASPs.

It is significant to note that in the police force in its whole history , so far never have so many ASPs (stooges) been promoted at once. Though the Police department had conducted interviews for these promotions recently, in the list of promotions however , the names in the list sent by Gotabaya outnumbers those selected and passed at the interview.

Among those in this list of 123 stooges , there are many chief inspectors who are facing disciplinary inquiries. Hence this promotion scheme must go into the Guinness book of records for its ignominy.

Just to mention one example : Anurudha Bandara Ratnayake , the chief inspector (CI) of the Avissawella police, the notorious corrupt police officer being promoted as ASP by the Rajapakses.

Even now disciplinary proceedings are on going against this corrupt officer charged on 7 indictments based on a complaint made by the SSP of the division that Ratnayake (CI) committed the heinous crime of making the complainant the accused .

Nowhere in this planet will such a police officer be given a promotion . But under the Rajapakse regime a promotion has been given to this criminal police officer underlining further the lawlessness raging in the country. The careers of 70 police officers in this list of promotions of the mad Medamulana Rajapakses are tainted with such criminal activities . If we are to cite another example , D.P.R.S Pushpakumara IP who is from the village of the Rajapakses and OIC of Tangalle police headquarters is another misfit . He had not received any police school training .

This Rajapakse stooge was taken into the police as a sub inspector , and was a cricket coach for the police. Pushpakumara who befriended Sanath Jayasuriya later stooped to the lowliest level to become a henchman of Namal Rajapakse, and using that (dis)qualification he secured the post of OIC Tangalla. His only occupation was bootlicking Namal and going behind him like a pariah dog that licks in gratitude for the bones thrown towards it. He neglected even his official duties towards the public and wasted all his time on Nil Balakaya work.

It is such a bootlicker and lackey of the Rajapakses who has been included into the list of the 123 ASP promotions taking effect from 1 st January 2014.

The most deplorable and distressing feature of these promotions is , defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse had obtained an evaluation report on these candidates not from the police but from the UPFA political administrators. Their consent had been the key to the 123 promotions. Accordingly , what the Rajapakses are expecting from these promotions is to use these political lackeys to facilitate their corrupt and fraudulent aims and objectives at future elections. This is their calculated plan. 

Consequent upon these dastardly political promotions ,many senior police chief inspectors who had served the department for more than 25 years and duly deserving the promotions have been subject to gross injustice. Owing to these manipulations of the Rajapakses with the sole aim of achieving their political agendas , the whole police department is disillusioned and disgruntled. Indeed , at the discussion held recently by the senior government publicized officers this action was condemned .