தேசத்துரோகக் குற்றச்சாட்டை மன்னார் ஆயர் நிராகரித்தார்

தேசத் துரோகக் குற்றச்சாட்டை மன்னார் ஆயர் நிராகரித்தார்

 25 ஏப்ரல், 2014 
மன்னார், யாழ்ப்பாணம் ஆகிய கத்தோலிக்க மறைமாவட்ட ஆயர்கள் இருவரும் தேசத்துரோகக் குற்றங்களைப் புரிந்திருப்பதாகக் குற்றம் சுமத்தியுள்ள பொதுபலசேனா அமைப்பு அவர்கள் இருவரையும் கைது செய்ய வேண்டும் என்று கோரி, காவல்துறையினரிடம் முறைப்பாடு ஒன்றைச் செய்திருக்கின்றது. இது குறித்து கருத்து வெளியிட்ட மன்னார் ஆயர் இராயப்பு ஜோசப் அவர்கள், அவர்களுடைய கூற்று அர்த்தமற்ற கூற்று என்று நிராகரித்திருக்கின்றார்.

'பொதுபலசேனா எல்லா விடயங்களிலும் தலையிட்டுக் கொண்டிருக்கின்றார்கள். நாடு என்று சொன்னால், அது மக்களுக்கு, நாட்டு பிரசைகள் அனைவருக்கும் சொந்தமானது. அதைவிடுத்து, சிங்களம் பேசுபவர்களுக்கு மாத்திரம்தான் அது சொந்தம், பௌத்தர்களுக்குத்தான் அது இன்னும் கூட சொந்தம் என்று சொல்லிக் கொண்டிருப்பதெல்லாம் மனிதத் தன்மைக்கு ஒவ்வாத காரியமாகும்' என மன்னார் ஆயர் பிபிசி தமிழோசையிடம் கூறினார்.

தங்களைப் பொறுத்த வரையில் தாங்கள் மக்களுக்குத் தலைவர்களாக இருப்பதுடன், கத்தோலிக்க சமயத்தில் சமயம் வேறு, சமூகம் வேறு என்று பார்ப்பதில்லை என்றும் அவர் கூறினார். அரசியல் என்பது மக்களுடைய வாழ்க்கையில் பின்னிப் பிணைந்திருக்கின்றது எனவே அரசியலில் மக்களுக்கு சரியான தீர்மானங்களை எடுப்பதற்கு வழிகாட்ட வேண்டியது தமது கடமையென்றும் அவர் குறிப்பிட்டார்.

'இருப்பினும் நாங்கள் பொது அரசியலில் ஈடுபடுவோமே தவிர, கட்சி அரசியலில் ஈடுபடுவதில்லை. ஈடுபடவும் மாட்டோம். சமயம் சமூகம் என்ற வகையில் நாங்கள் எங்களுடைய பணிகளை மேற்கொண்டு வருகின்றோம்' என்றும் மன்னார் ஆயர் தெரிவித்தார்.

Mannaar Bishop questions SL defence attitude behind blocking prison visit

[TamilNet, Friday, 25 April 2014, 09:30 GMT]
Stonehearted persons and officials in the island are a hurdle to the possibility of bringing reconciliation between the Tamil and Sinhala people, Bishop of Mannaar Rt Rev Rayappu Joesph told TamilNet this week citing how the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry scuttled a joint visit by him and the Bishop of Anuradhapura Rt. Rev. Dr. Norbert Andradi to Anuradhpura prison when the religious leaders were scheduled to visit the 60 Tamil political prisoners to deliver a message of hope and some basic assistance on the Easter Sunday. It is this attitude, which is prolonging the limits of achieving harmony and reconciliation between the Sinhalese and Tamils, the Bishop said. 



The visit was planned after securing the permission from the SL Minister of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms in Colombo Mr Chandrasiri Gajadeera, Mannaar Bishop said. 

But, the prison authorities phoned at the last minute to the Bishop of Anuradhapura and told him that the scheduled visit was not possible without permission from 'higher authorities' after the Bishop of Mannaar had arrived in Anuradhapura on 20th April around 10:00 a.m.

"We were told that it was upto the office of the defence ministry to decide on our visit," the Bishop said. 

"There are stonehearted persons and officials in the country of Ilankai today. That is why reconciliation between Sinhala and Tamil people still seems far away. These personalities need to change evolving their attitiude into a positive one, abandoning their bad deeds and start to respect human beings, be it Tamil prisoners or others, if the country is to embark on a path towards reconciliation," the Bishop said.

Making Sense Of The Bodu Bala Sena

By Izeth Hussain -April 26, 2014

Izeth Hussain

According to the widely prevalent conventional wisdom of some time ago theBodu Bala Sena was expected to fade away because of the internal dynamics of all such extremist organizations, and their lack of widespread appeal at the people’s level. Such, according to some reports, was the view of the President himself: don’t give it prominence, ignore it as much as possible, and it will vaporize after some time. That was the conventional wisdom even though it was known that the BBS had the backing of the second most powerful personage in the country, the Defense Secretary, and even though it was obvious that it had very powerful State backing as shown by its exceptionally privileged position in breaking the law with near total impunity. Nevertheless the conventional wisdom focused on the extremism, choosing to ignore the obviously important factor of State backing for it.

Today the BBS is widely seen as being just as virulent as ever, and as continuing to target the Muslims in particular to a very serious extent. The question of State backing for it could move to the forefront of public consciousness. An article written by a foreigner seems to assume that the President is in favour of it, and the question is posed whether the State backing for it is part of a wider political program. This question can be seen as arising, naturally enough, because the Government is seen as essentially Sinhala supremacist, racist, and quasi neo-Fascist while it is still quasi-democratic. We must also take into account the possibility that there could be a powerful nexus of forces working behind the scenes – something like Eisenhower’s military- industrial complex in the US.

In this situation we badly need to try to understand what the BBS is really all about. It is a large subject, and this article is no more than notes towards understanding the BBS. First, we must take note of its external dimension. It has been obviously very well-funded. A trip to Norway by some of its top notables suggested that there was a Norwegian connection. Islamophobes there and elsewhere could have noted the fact while Islamophobia has been rampant in the Christian and Hindu worlds, there has been none or hardly any of it in the Buddhist world. Norwegian Islamophobes could have been interested in using the BBS to fill up what they doubtless regard as a deplorable lacuna. There has been a nexus between Buddhists in Sri Lanka and Myanmar, an ancient historical one of course, but at present there seems to be an Islamophobic nexus between them. It was noticed that the T-shirts worn by anti-Muslim mobs in both countries looked identical except that the logos were different, and the rhetoric of Rev. Wirathu and others in Myanmar and the BBS had striking similarities. It has been reported that Rev. Wirathu, who seems to be widely regarded as the Buddhist Osama Bin Laden after having been featured on the front cover of Time magazine, has been invited to visit Sri Lanka by the BBS. I must mention also that Israel’s able assistance for the Islamophobic program could have been forthcoming as there is mutual visceral hatred between Muslims and Zionists all over the world. Our Defense Ministry is regarded by many SL Muslims, and others as well, as a pro-Israeli bastion.Read More

Right Royal Battle; The BBS Vs Bathiudeen

| by Harim Peiris

( April 25, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), a recent and chilling phenomena of Sri Lanka’s post war political landscape is locked in a battle with Minister Rishard Bathiudeen, leader of the All Ceylon Muslim Congress (ACMC), a constituent party of the ruling UPFA. The Minister accuses the BBS of desecrating the Holy Koran, attacking Mosques and Muslims, while the BBS accuses the Minister of supporting or providing political patronage to displaced Muslims encroaching in the Wilpattu forest reserve. The former is a violation of the penal code, while the latter is not. Accordingly, the Police are supposedly investigating the BBS for hate crimes.

Right Royal Battle; The BBS vs Bathiudeen by nelvely

Tattoo Of The Enlightened One

By Charles Sarvan - April 25, 2014 

Prof. Charles Sarvan

With reference to the tourist deported because she had on her person a tattoo of the Enlightened One, while Judaism and Islam strictly prohibit any depiction of Jehovah  and Allah respectively, Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism abound in representations of the divine. It seems to me that the step from representation to tattoo is not that far.

Some Christians wear a cross to signal their belief but I personally haven’t seen Jesus or Mary tattooed on a human body. Perhaps, there are? In a way, a religious tattoo makes sense because one cannot get physically closer. Secondly, a tattoo is permanently, constantly, there unlike, for example, with a cross worn round the neck which can be taken off. Of course, as with much else, it all depends on the intention: is the tattoo meant to ridicule and make fun of or is to express worship and spiritual closeness? If the latter applies to the deportee, then a fervent Buddhist has been expelled, disillusioned.  I find it difficult to believe that anyone would, out of a sense of irreverent fun, tattoo herself or himself: an exercise not without pain, in both physical and financial terms.

Naomi Coleman, 37, was arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport in Sri Lanka for ‘hurting religious feelings’ with her sleeve depicting Buddha on a lotus flower

I have wondered at the ready propensity of believers, irrespective of religion, to resort to violence if and when they feel their god has been insulted. Let us say I am a fervent believer in a god called Ogun. I believe Ogun is all-knowing and all-powerful; and that ultimate justice rests in his hands. Now, if someone insults Ogun, should I get infuriated or should I feel sorry for the person, that s/he, unlike fortunate me, doesn’t know the truth of Ogun? Isn’t my Ogun, since he is omniscient and omnipotent, capable for taking care of himself? Isn’t final justice with him? Rather than almighty god protecting human beings, puny human beings feel impelled to protect their all-powerful god or gods.

Or is it that I boil in anger for fear that, if I wasn’t outraged, Ogun will get angry with me; think I didn’t care that he was insulted and punish, not his denigrators, but me?

Or is it that, identifying with Ogun, I see the insult as ultimately aimed at me? If so, isn’t the outrage, violence and punitive action really about mortal me rather than about divine Ogun? My Ogun has been insulted – the emphasis being on “my”. We are in the realms of the psychology and the politics of religion.

If I punish someone who has insulted Ogun, will that help in converting non-believers? Will punitive measures convince non-Ogun followers that Ogun is, after all, the true god? Or will they merely be afraid of me? Fear is often imposed externally; it comes from outside while respect is what we voluntarily accord, however reluctantly. I may fear a bully but have no respect – indeed, only contempt – for him. We humans tend to confuse fear for respect. Shouldn’t I and my fellow Ogun believers opt for the much harder course of winning respect and, eventually, through respect, genuine conversion? But then, it’s so much easier to be abusive, to deport, to assault individuals and to attack places of worship. These reactions and actions have the advantage of leaving me with feelings of self-righteousness; that I am a pious and righteous believer. (Ironically, in its other meaning, “tattoo” has a martial association.) Truly, the greatest damage to the essence of a religious doctrine is done not by those against it but by its most fanatical adherents.

By way of a postscript: I smile wryly when, sometimes, in the windows of obscenely expensive shops in the West and restaurants (never mind that true Buddhists are vegetarian), I see a statue of the Soul of Great Compassion or, for that matter, of Che Guevara – both of whom stood against much that such shops and restaurants represent.  Indeed, one can exclaim,  “O tempora, o mores!”

Police that idly watched and enjoyed the attack on opposition MPs take the initiative in the attack on railway workers

(Lanka-e-News-24.April.2014, 11.30PM) The Sri Lanka police of the current lawless reign, that idly watched and enjoyed the attack launched on the 5 opposition MPs on the 17 th , conducted themselves even worse day before yesterday (22) when they broke into a protest demonstration staged by the Fort railway workers this evening , and launched a ruthless assault breaking even the heads of the protestors.

The railway workers joint trade union front and a number of trade unions began a fast yesterday . Thereafter this evening those who were staging a fast were given a promise by the Minister . Following this undertaking given by the Minister , the workers who are members of the government trade union –the Sri Lanka freedom railway workers association and some other trade unions decided to call off the fast . However some workers bitterly opposed the calling off of the trade union action and continued with the protests . They alleged that many promises like these have been given earlier but none had been fulfilled and no solution had been found for their grievances any day.

These protestors then brought the ‘sleeper’ planks and put them across the Colombo Fort railway line , and began staging their protests on the railway line.

Subsequently , the police stormed into the venue of the protest like how they would have broken into the Nandikadal zone of Prabhakaran , and began assaulting the peaceful protestors mercilessly and so indiscriminately that even the railway commuters who were there waiting to go home were attacked brutally.

In the melee , when one of the passengers waiting for the train was lying fallen down , the police instead of helping him , told a lie that the protestors attacked the passenger. The latter however angrily said , it was the police who assaulted him . He was later taken to the hospital. Five protestors too were arrested.

Beyond Impunity: The Hambantota Fracas And The Fall-Out From It

By Emil van der Poorten -April 25, 2014 

Emil van der Poorten

While the Rajapaksa Regime’s response to the attempt at wholesale intimidation of the group of UNP MPs who visited one or the other (or both?) of the Ultra-Pale Ruhunu Magampura Pachyderms recently was typical of the behaviour of the most corrupt and violent of Sri Lankan governments in its modern (or ancient) history, there was little cause for any great surprise.

This mode of behaviour has been a feature of this government’s conduct, steadily accelerating as the days and weeks speed by.

There were, however a few little variations from the usual modus operandi.

The absence from the fray, both in a physical and vocal sense, of The Hon. Mr. Weerawansa and the Hon. “Dr.” Mervin Silva was cause for some surprise.  After all they usually, one or both, attempt to be the “Stars” of the UNFPA circus.  Whatever the reason, they were conspicuous by their absence.

What was also surprising was the fact that several members of the Royal Family, inclusive of its Reigning Monarch, chose to enter the fray – the print and oral one – after the opening salvo had been fired – literally – down south.

The man who threatened the UNP MP’s with a side-arm – now claimed by him to be a “toy” – claimed that he was there as some kind of “peacemaker” on the orders of Namal Rajapaksa, patently the Heir Apparent (HA) to the Sri Lankan throne, and that he was seeking to protect the Parliamentarians.  He subsequently chose to remove himself from the discussion of these events when the HA denied that he had issued any orders to the (very large) local politician (the Mayor of Hambantota?) to play (armed) peacemaker.  The ensuing deafening silence from a man who appears to be the closest thing to a Sumo wrestler in Ruhuna should be obvious to all with even a smattering of knowledge of how the Monarcy operates in this country and the level of subservience displayed by those beholden to it.       Read More

Sri Lanks briefs diplomats on action taken against terrorist funding

Sri Lanks briefs diplomats on action taken against terrorist funding 

Friday, April 25, 2014 

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

Regulations had been framed for this purpose under Sri Lankan legislation, and timely action has been taken on the basis of these Regulations, he said.

 The Minister has conducted the briefing with the assistance of Chief of National intelligence Major General Kapila Hendawitharana, representing the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development.

“The principal purpose of the briefing was to give the diplomatic community authentic information regarding action taken by the government against groups and individuals involved in terrorist funding and other activity connected with plans to revive terrorism,” the ministry statement said.

 It also stated:

 Prof. Peiris told the diplomatic community that there is compelling evidence regarding the remittance of substantial sums of money from overseas for planned terrorist activity.  As a result of extensive investigations in recent weeks, the government is aware of the sources of this funding in several instances and the bank accounts into which the money had been paid.  65 arrests have been made, and 19 persons have been released after questioning.

 A wealth of information, including documentary evidence and primary evidence of communications between the parties concerned, is now at the disposal of the government, the Minister said.  The emerging picture indicates activity by several networks, including links between activists operating from broad and recipients of funds within Sri Lanka.  Weapons, documents and other material have been found in consequence of information elicited during questioning.  From the material available, it is clear that the funds sent are intended to be used for military, intelligence and propaganda purposes, with groups of persons and others operating under their direction assigned responsibility in respect of each of these areas.  While the investigations are continuing, and further information is coming to light regarding the identity and role of other participants, the elaborate nature of the preparations revealed by the evidence already obtained, leaves no room for doubt that an intricate planning apparatus is sought to be established, Prof. Peiris added.

 The government’s foremost duty, the Minister emphasized, is to exercise the greatest vigilance and to nip in the bud attempts at resurgence of any form of terrorist activity.  A country that has suffered anguish and pain inflicted by terrorism for three decades, expects no less from its government, he added.  The Minister observed that timely and decisive action has been effective in warding off any threat of growing activity, and the government will continue to watch the situation closely and not hesitate to adopt such further measures as may be required.  An encouraging feature of the situation, he explained, is the considerable quantity of information emanating from people of the relevant areas, eager to prevent the disruption of their lives which they are now engaged in rebuilding.

 Prof. Peiris drew attention to the attempt in some quarters to paint a picture of a threat to tourism and investment.  The Minister characterized these attempts as entirely unwarranted and mischievous.  The government is in total control of the situation, and has every confidence of eradicating at the very inception, any attempt to revive terrorism in any form in any part of the country, he commented.

 The Minister pointed out that the benefits flowing from the eradication of terrorism in Sri Lanka are by no means confined to the country, but accrue to the entire South Asian region.  He mentioned, in particular, Sri Lanka’s significant contribution to maintaining the safety of sea lanes in the area and the control of a wide range of illegal activity including people smugglingand the proliferation of small arms.

 He underlined the importance of pre-emptive action to deal with the kinds of activity he had described, and requested all nations represented at the briefing to extend their fullest co-operation in preventing the inflow of funds for terrorist purposes and forestalling all forms of activity which these resources are intended to support.

Eran Wants Speaker To Act Against Hambantota Thugs

April 25, 2014

Opposition parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne has today urged Speaker to act against Hambantota thugs. “I request that appropriate action be taken against the UPFA Mayor of Hambantota, the other individuals who were part of the unlawful assembly acting in furtherance of the said breaches of parliamentary privileges, and the police officers who aided and abetted by their inaction, including the police spokesperson, who also demonstrably aided and abetted the breaches by his subsequent interest in attempting to cover up the police inaction and the breaches, by trifling the criminal acts which took place.” he said.

We publish below the speech in full;

Eran Wickramaratne MP

Hon. Speaker, as you are aware I as an MP have contributed to many of the debates relating to public finance, which I firmly believe is an essential aspect of the sovereignty of the People. I have raised concerns as to the viability of the MRIA and Hambantota Port, and have explored means to convert them into viable investments.

During debates on these investments we have been invited by govt MPs to visit and see for ourselves that these investments are in fact (according to the govt) viable.

Therefore, I together with four other MP’s namely Hon. Ajith Perera, Hon. R Yogarajan, Hon. Ajith Mannapperuma and Hon Nalin Bandara chartered a bus, and with prior intimation to the Minister of Civil Aviation and the Chairman Ports Authority, decided to visit the MRIA and Hambantota Port on 17th April 2014.

After our visit to the MRIA several individuals began verbally abusing us, and acted in a threatening manner, alleging that we have criticized the MRIA and Hambantota Port in Parliament. Criminal force was used on Hon. Ajith Perera by a citizen, who can be clearly identified by video recordings, now circulating on the internet.Read More

“UNP has no faith in Government investigation of Mattala attack”

Friday 25th April 2014

The United National Party claims it has no faith in the way the Government is carrying out the investigation on the Mattala attack and is therefore compelled to take it to the international level. UNP Parliamentarian Ajith Perera who was a victim of the attack stresses: “If we don’t get a positive response, we are compelled to complain to the International Parliamentary Union. We need justice done. ” Following are excerpts of the interview:

Q: What happened in Mattala?
A: This was a fact finding mission. Our team comprised Eran Wickramaratne who is a banker and an economist, Ajith Mannapperuma an engineer, R. Yogarajan a civil engineer, Nalin Bandara a well-known civil contractor and a businessman and I a legal officer.

“UNP Has No Faith in Government Investigation of Mattala Attack” by nelvely

Wijetunge: President Of The Transition

By Rajan Hoole -April 25, 2014

Rajan Hoole

The 1990s: The Culture of Untruth and a Perilous Vacuum Part 4

Premadasa’s death was greeted with silence rather than grief. There were reports of UNP agents trying to foment communal violence. This was communicated to the foreign embassies and soon afterwards the new president, D.B. Wijetunge, sent individual letters to UNP organisers telling them that he expects them to ensure that nothing untoward happens in their area. The main virtue of the new president was that having played his role as Premadasa’s passive prime minister, he had no stomach for the intrigues and exertion required by the intricate institution of the presidency built up by Jayewardene and Premadasa. Wijetunge dismantled some of the more questionable aspects of what he had inherited. One was the private intelligence network set up by Premadasa using retired, mainly Tamil, police officers. In key appointments too he usually went by seniority rather than push up favourites out of turn.

D.B. Wijetunge

In July 1993, Frank de Silva succeeded Ernest Perera as inspector general of police. In December 1993, Cecil Waidyaratne resigned as army commander after a botched up operation in Jaffna and heavy loss of life and equipment when the LTTE attacked Pooneryn camp in November. Despite pressures to appoint a Buddhist, Wijetunge appointed Gerry de Silva, a Christian, as army commander. Many closely connected with the Army view this as the time when things started to change for the better in the Army after more than ten years of political intrigue and corruption. Although far from being an enlightened man (as suggested by his statement about minorities being creepers about the majority), Wijetunge created the conditions for the cleanest elections this country had witnessed since 1977. The People’s Alliance comprising the SLFP, LSSP, CP and SLMC came to power after winning the parliamentary elections in August 1994 and the presidential election in the November following, with Chandrika Kumaratunge obtaining 62.3% of the votes cast.

                                                                          Read More

Gallipoli & Vanni

| by Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

( April 25, 2014, Jaffna, Sri Lanka Guardian) Today (25 April) is ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) day and here in Australia we pay tribute to the soldiers who died in combat. As per the Australian War Memorial:

[When war broke out in 1914, Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only 13 years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in order to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. The ultimate objective was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul in Turkey), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany.

The Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated, after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers had been killed. News of the landing on Gallipoli had made a profound impact on Australians at home, and 25 April soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in the war.

Although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the Australian and New Zealand actions during the campaign left us all a powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as the “Anzac legend” became an important part of the identity of both nations, shaping the ways they viewed both their past and their future.]

The parallel memorial of this experience for me as a Tamil is 18 May 2009, when Tamils to whom the LTTE were the heroes leading them to self-rule died on the beaches of Vanni in Northern Sri Lanka. As per the above report – over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed in the battle of Gallipoli. As per international reports – over 50,000 Tamils including children were trapped on Mullivaikkal beach – almost a century later.

As a Hindu, my mind is regulated by the great war in which Lord Krishna was the Charioteer. That war was between two groups under the leadership of cousins – children of two brothers – fighting for their birthrights, with various rulers fighting their own battles through one side or the other. Hence there is no clear line of demarcation as to which side one is on – but rather whether one was fighting for one’s belief. The rest are in it for the purpose of benefits from work done and risks taken.

Once however, a fighter dies in combat – the status of that person is elevated to the highest stated purpose for which the war happened. There are no wins nor losses for the spirits. The living inherit the net value of the work done and in return they have the duty to Honour the dead at the highest status of the purpose.

As per Hindu belief – we pray to release the soul of the dead to the Feet of the Lord. Once we release them – they are beyond allocation of rights and wrongs as per human system. Hence the Memorial Services through which we help maintain the high value of the reason why the war was fought – irrespective of which side the dead soldier is from. That is true memorial service. ANZAC Memorial Services confirm that the need is greater for the losing side than for the winning side.

Tamils have continued to show such respect for the dead on their own side and to the extent they do so for the Common purpose they are demonstrating high civilization.

Norway to discuss Interpol warrant on Nediyawan

 Friday, 25 April 2014 

The Norwegian government has said it needs to discuss the Interpol warrant issued for the arrest of Perinpanayagam Sivaparan alias Nediyawan, a former LTTE member who the Sri Lankan government says is involved in attempts to revive the LTTE in Sri Lanka.

Norway’s NRK broadcaster has reported that the State Secretary in Norway’s Foreign Ministry Morten Høglund had said Norway will discuss the issue with Sri Lankan officials.

He has been quoted in the media as saying the Norwegian Foreign Ministry is expected to have discussions with Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Norway on the Interpol warrant after he and his Norwegian NGO were banned by the Sri Lankan Government recently.

Meanwhile, The Local.no has recalled how Norway briefly arrested Sivaparan in Oslo in 2011, interviewing him over his role in financing operations for the LTTE among the Tamil Diaspora in The Netherlands and then releasing him on conditional bail.

Opposition protests casinos as controversial bill taken up in Parliament

Friday 25th April 2014

The main Opposition yesterday staged a protest outside the proposed site for three casino investment valued at over $ 1 billion as Parliament prepared to pass controversial legislation legalising gambling.
The three projects are a $ 350 million casino project by Australian casino mogul James Packer, a $ 300 million gaming facility by local tycoon Dhammika Perera called Queensbury and the largest venture of $ 650 million by local conglomerate John Keells Holdings (JKH) that will also have a casino.
The Government has already twice attempted to push through legislation in Parliament that will make casinos legal.
However, strong protests from the Opposition United National Party (UNP) and Buddhist hardline group Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), which is part of the ruling coalition, has stalled the attempts.

“The Government continues to fool the people by saying that the casino gazette includes no casinos. It’s a joke. The Government is trying to take people for a bunch of idiots but we cannot be fooled by the Government,” UNP MP and well-known economist Dr. Harsha De Silva told reporters during the protest.
The UNP members together with supporters and Buddhist monks marched along the Fort area of central Colombo. The protest also caused huge traffic jams as the area holds several large offices and five-star hotels.
The Government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa holds a two-thirds majority in Parliament and the latest presentation of the projects on Thursday and Friday is expected to have a high chance of success.
Last year following protests the Government removed the word “casino” from the draft bill and inserted the phrase “mixed development projects,” which the UNP claims is just a euphemism for casinos.
The Government had previously stated existing casino licenses could be transferred to the three projects and Opposition politicians have charged that loopholes exist in the regulations to establish casinos at a later date.

Packer’s casino in particular has been severely censured by the UNP for being given sweeping tax concessions for 12 years. The Australian Financial Review has estimated that the tax holiday will add up to as much as $ 1 billion.
The UNP has also slammed the Government for not establishing a competent monitoring system for casinos and alleged that public concerns were being ignored.
The UNP has also proposed three amendments to the Bills that are to be taken up in Parliament banning casinos or prostitution from ever being carried out at these three projects.

President refutes allegations casinos to be introduced President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday categorically refuted allegations that the Government has issued casino licenses to the new hotel projects. He said setting up a casino is not a part of the projects. Addressing Editors at Temple Trees yesterday, the President said the Government has given its approval purely to set up a hotel project. “We are not the ones who introduced casinos to this country. They have been in existence since the 1950s,” the President said. “There is no change in the wordings of the Gazette whatsoever when issuing the license for this particular project,” the President said, adding that the Government adhered to the previous Gazette notification. “There is no change in the Government’s policy stance. We will not set up casinos,” the President emphasised.

P’ment approves Gazette on Queensbury First of the controversial Gazette notification, which sanctions the establishing and operating of an integrated super luxury tourist resort coming under The Queensbury Leisure Ltd. received the Parliament’s approval yesterday. Disregarding the amendments the Opposition suggested Government moved the motion where acting Leader of the Opposition and Chief Opposition Whip in Parliament John Amaratunga sought a ‘division by name’. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa told Parliament during the debate that “there won’t be any tax concessions for casinos through this order (under gazette).” Another gazette aims at permitting “Associated facilities” in these integrated resorts replacing “Gaming and Gambling facilities” contained in the prevision version. The Opposition vehemently protested yesterday during the debate, having proposed its own amendments which clearly specified the exclusion of any activity in the nature of gaming, gambling and casinos. With the voting taken place late last evening, 112 Members voted in favour and 42 against the Gazette notification, which is identified as an approval given to start a casino and a brothel in the eyes of the opposition. Around 68 MPs were absent at the time of the vote. Jathika Hela Urumaya, a part of the ruling coalition, MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathane Thero voted against the Gazette. UNP, TNA and DNA voted against. Among notable ministers who were absent when the vote was being taken included Ministers Wimal Weerawansa, Champika Ranawaka, Rauff Hakeem and Rishard Bathiudeen. The Queens bury integrated super luxury tourist resort will consist 500 rooms including high end shopping malls high quality residencies and office spaces/service spaces at its site in D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10. The project, which is an investment of US$ 200 million is to commence its commercial operations of the within 48 months from the date stated in the Project Agreement with the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka.

What is good in casinos? 
April 25, 2014

An opportunistic protest campaign against an equally murky bill to set up three casinos has brought together strange bedfellows. Rubble rousing Buddhist monks of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), Ravana Balaya and Jathika Sanga Sammelanaya on Wednesday met with the Maha Nayakas of the Asgiriya and Malwatta Chapters, the foremost Buddhist power centres of the country, to lobby for high priests' support to a campaign against the proposed casinos. The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), a government constituent party has joined the ranks of their ideological pals and would likely to abstain from voting. Sarath Fonseka's Democratic Party and presidential hopeful, Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, are also up in arms against the bill. To make matters worse, liberal pro-market main opposition, the UNP, too has jumped on the bandwagon. Opposition MPs and party supporters brought in several skinny old horses to a protest in front of a leading casino owned by Transport Ministry Secretary, Dammika Perera, in D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, yesterday.

What is Good in Casinos by nelvely

One of three Casino regulations passed with majority of 71 votes- 68 govt, Opp. MPs shun vote, Ven. Ratana votes against it

By Saman Indrajith-April 24, 2014

Parliament yesterday passed one of the three controversial regulations gazetted under the Strategic Development Projects Act and criticized by the Opposition as an open licence for casinos in the country.

After the debate, Chief Opposition whip John Amaratunga asked for a division by name. The regulation received 113 votes in favour and 42 votes against.  The regulation was passed with a majority of 71 votes. The UNP, DNA, TNA voted against the regulation. The JHU member Ven. Aturaliye Ratana thera, too, voted against the regulation.

Sixty eight members representing both the government and the Opposition, however, skipped the vote.

Among those who missed yesterday’s vote were Gamini Lokuge, Rishad Bathiudeen, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Sumedha G. Jayasena, Susil Premjayantha, Athauda Seneviratne, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Rauf Hakeem, Basheer Segu Dawood, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Wimal Weerawansa, Premalal

Jayasekera, Weerakumara Dissanayake, Neomal Perera, Muththu Sivalingham, M.L.M Hisbullah, Hassen Ali, Mohammed Aslam, Sajin Vas Gunawardena, Palani Digambaram, Manusha Nanayakkara, Ramesh Pathirana, N. Basnayake, Chamika Buddadasa, Ven. Ellawela Medhananda thera, Roshan Ranasinghe, Ruwan Ranatunga, Lohan Ratwatte, Namal Rajapaksa, P. Radhakrishnan, Udith Lokubandara, Vidura Wickremanayake, Neranjan Wickremesinghe, Erik Prasanna, Shehan Semasinghe, M Faris, Kanaka Herath and J. Farook

The debate began after Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa ruled that there was no provision in Standing Orders of Parliament to move any amendments to the gazette as proposed by the UNP and the JVP.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said he would categorically state that there was no hidden agenda to legalise casinos under those regulations.

Minister of Investment Promotion Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, who introduced the regulations, too, said that they did not contain provisions to set up casinos.

However, UNP MP Harsha De Silva said that the government was hoodwinking the people by hiding its real agenda.

The gazette notification provides for tax concessions for an Integrated Super Luxury Tourist Resort consisting of 500 rooms besides high end shopping malls, high quality residencies and office spaces/services, with associated facilities at D. R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10. It is a project by Queensbury Leisure Ltd.

The Foreign Direct Investment of the Project is USD 200 mn.

The concessions will cover income taxes, customs duties on importation of project related items as well as Value Added Tax (VAT).

Other regulations including one concerning Australian casino king James Packer’s Crown Resort is scheduled to be taken up for debate today (25).