Sri Lanka: Plot To Kill The President Of BASL ?

Bar Association president Upul Jayasuriya (R) with the defeated candidates Thirantha Walaliyadda (L) and R.R.S.Thangaraja( July 15, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) An attempt had allegedly been made on the life of Sri Lanka Bar Association (BASL) President Upul Jayasuriya by two men who followed him on a motorcycle today, reported media based in Colombo.

Mr. Jayasuriya told journalists that the two men had doggedly followed him when he was returning from courts this afternoon at around 4 p.m.

Mr. Jayasuriya said that he saw a connection between a statement issued by the BASL condemning the banning of NGOs from holding news conferences, workshops and training of media personnel by the government and the incident.

He told journalists that he noticed two men following his car as he was returning from courts this afternoon at around 4 p.m. He said he had to stop the vehicle for about half an hour in Fort to take cover.

The two men were hovering on their motorcycle while I remained in Fort, he said.

Later the men had followed him to his office at Flower Road, in Colombo 3.

“The two men had also stopped their motorcycle near my office and remained there for a while but subsequently fled after I raised alarm,” he said.

Tamil civil society groups call on Pope to North-East

 14 July 2014
A network of Tamil civil society groups from the North-East called on the Pope to ensure his upcoming trip to the island includes a visit to the North-East in a letter on Sunday, urging the Pope to call on the Sri Lankan government to stop colonising Tamil land, account for the war-dead and disappeared, and ensure a political solution for the Tamil people.Extracts from the letter by representatives of the Tamil Civil Society Forum (TCSF) are reproduced below. 
See full letter here.

“In the post-war context the Government of Sri Lanka, despite invoking the rhetoric of ‘reconciliation’ has been engaged in acts that are designed to weaken the Tamil Nation. The heavy presence of the military in Tamil areas, appropriation of lands belonging to the Tamil people for use by the Sri Lankan Army, the settlement of Sinhalese in what are historically the traditional homeland of the Tamil people (the North & East of the island), the all perverse use of torture and violence in the everyday lives of the Tamil people, the denial of livelihood support for the war affected population are some examples of the real face of ‘reconciliation’ underway.”

“The recent incidents of violence against the Muslim community are an extension of this larger project to consolidate the Sinhala Buddhist nature of the Sri Lankan state. Both the GoSL’s conduct of the war and their handling of the post- war context, the Tamil people believe amounts to a structural genocide of the Tamil Nation.”“We are confident that Your Holiness will appreciate, following your visit to Sri Lanka, that Sri Lanka is not merely lacking in ‘reconciliation’ but that the problem is far worse than that - as we have tried to describe above, the problem is one of consolidating an ethnocratic state. Your Holiness will no doubt recall that it is this ethnocratic project that led the Tamil people to take up arms against the Sri Lankan state.”

“While we welcome your visit, which may provide to be a potential blessing for the war affected Tamil people, it is is likely that the Government will make use of your visit to boost its standing amongst the international community of states.”

“Alternatively or additionally, Your Holiness could visit the Our Lady of Madu Church in Mannar, and meet the affected people, pray for those who died in the war and call for accountability, justice and a genuine political solution.”

“During your meeting with Head of the State in Colombo we wish to suggest that you openly call upon his Government to stop militarising and colonizing Tamil lands, to restore the troop presence in the North and East to pre-war levels, end violence against women, honestly address the problems of the disappeared and the abducted including Rev. Fathers T. N. Jim Brown and G. A. Frances Joseph, accelerate the process by which surrendered detainees and all those who are in in communicado detention are released and allow people to remember the dead.”

“We have no faith in the Sri Lankan establishment. The only reason for requesting Your Holiness to raise this issue in your meeting with the Sri Lankan President is so that these issues may get more prominence and attention.”

TCSF Letter to Pope by Maria Anderson

The appointment of Major General (Rtd) as Governor NP is a continuation of mlitary rule

The appointment of Major General (Rtd) as Governor NP is a continuation of mlitary rule

Tuesday, July 15, 2014 

‘Lawyers for Democracy’ is dismayed at the appointment of Major General (Rtd) G. A. Chandrasiri as the Governor of the Northern Province disregarding repeated calls by the Chief Minister of the Northern Province Dr. C. V. Vigneshwaran and the TNA to appoint a non military person as the Governor.  The appointment of Major General (Rtd) G. A. Chandrasiri who functioned as the Security Forces Commander of the Peninsula is in the eyes of the people a continuation of the military rule from which the people yean for a change.

This appointment has been made disregarding the sensitivities of the people of the Northern Province, which will be a further hurdle in carrying forward a reconciliation process.  The appointment of a civilian as Governor would have been a symbolic step towards reconciliation following the establishment of the Northern Provincial Council.

The appointment of a civilian Governor is of absolute necessity to win the confidence of the people  to bring about normalization and to support the Northern Provincial Council and its’ Chief Minister to establish normalcy and to demonstrate to the world the bona fides of the government in keeping the reconciliation process alive.

We call upon the President even at this late stage to consider the appointment of a non military person as the Governor of the Northern Province to bring about normalcy in the province.

Lal Wijenayake

Convener Lawyers for Democracy

I Have Never Said Anything About Resigning At Any Stage – CM Wigi

| by Nilantha Ilangamuwa

( July 15, 2014, Jaffna, Sri Lanka Guardian) Responding to the recent news reports published by several Medias in Colombo, the Chief Minister of the Northern Province, Justice Canagasabapathy Visuvalingam Wigneswaran, says that he never said anything about resigning at any stage while revealing the agenda behind those reports.

“I have never said anything about resigning at any stage. The Government probably expects me to resign for their own reasons. It had been flashed across the world by interested parties that I wanted to resign. I have never wanted this position and even now am not interested. But no amount of reversals in any form would make me run away from my duty bound position”, Justice C. V. Wigneswaran said.

“My clients are the people of the Northern Province. Their spokesperson has been TNA. Unless they want my exit no Government or other interested parties are going to tell me when I am to leave,” he added.

Here is the full text of the response that he given in a recent communique with Nilantha Ilangamuwa, editor of Sri Lanka Guardian.

“I have never said anything about resigning at any stage. The Government probably expects me to resign for their own reasons. It had been flashed across the world by interested parties that I wanted to resign. I have never wanted this position and even now am not interested. But no amount of reversals in any form would make me run away from my duty bound position.

“I have earlier said this and may I repeat it here. I am more or less like a lawyer who has undertaken a case for his client. My clients are the people of the Northern Province. Their spokesperson has been TNA. Unless they want my exit no Government or other interested parties are going to tell me when I am to leave. I shall serve my clients to the best of my ability. The fact that others are prompting on my behalf reflecting their thoughts and not mine, shows that I am doing well in my capacity as Chief Minister!

SRI LANKA: AHRC’s position on the proposed law for NGO registration under the Ministry of Defence

July 15, 2014

The Asian Human Rights Commission wishes to clarify its position regarding the controversy about the government’s proposal for a law to force the registration of non-governmental organisations with a National Secretariat functioning under the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence and Urban Development.

There are two separate issues involved:

A) NGO registration under Agency of Ministry of Defence

The Ministry of Defence should not have any power over the functioning of any civil society organisations, which includes non-governmental organisations, for the following reasons:

• The sole purpose of the Ministry of Defence is to control all opposition against the Rajapaksa government. This Ministry will naturally use its power against any sector of society, to cripple and destroy every form of freedom of expression and association that has, as its aim, the protection and promotion of people’s interests as against the authoritarian inclinations of the government. Any additional power given to the Ministry will be used to destroy the freedom of NGOs, and they will be unable to function in a manner compatible with democracy, the rule of law, and human rights;
• The Ministry of Defence stands for impunity. And NGOs, by definition, are committed to ensuring accountability and opposing impunity. The Ministry’s commitment to preserving impunity does not need much illustration. It has a horrendous record of using violence against citizens. This includes killings, kidnappings, forced disappearances, and violent attacks against any demonstrators. In all such serious violations of law, the Ministry has protected the perpetrators of violence. In fact, there is overwhelming public opinion within Sri Lanka that the Ministry masterminds these operations. Therefore, there is incompatibility between the Ministry and organisations whose mandate emanates from a duty to defend the basic democratic rights and freedoms of the people. It does not require an imagination to comprehend that the Ministry will use all its authority to crush those demanding accountability for human rights violations. Any move to grant power to the Ministry over the functioning of NGOs is manifestly unjust and done without good faith;
• The Ministry of Defence cannot claim that its own actions and expenses have been conducted transparently, as required by the basic principles of constitutional law. The Ministry has more to hide than all Sri Lankan NGOs put together. Handing ‘watchdog of transparency’ responsibilities to the Ministry is hypocrisy, and certainly not in good faith.

In sum, a move to grant any power over the functioning of NGOs to the Ministry of Defence would be, as the saying goes, asking the fox to guard the chickens.

B) Transparency of Non-Governmental Organisations

AHRC wishes to clarify that its opposition to the Ministry of Defence having control over NGOs does not compromise its position that all NGOs and all civil society organisations need to observe the highest standards of transparency. NGOs in particular, as they are supposed to receive funds from foreign donors, have an extra obligation to behave impeccably on the subject of transparency.

Foreign funds are, in fact, donations given by taxpayers from different countries. The obligation to spend every cent of such donations for their intended purposes is among the highest obligations of any organisation that claims to uphold the interests of people. Under normal circumstances, such foreign funds are also earmarked for helping the poor. To scrounge any of such donations for purposes other than that for which they were originally intended cannot be justified by any standard of morality. On this issue, the public and the government, has a right to demand impeccable behaviour. Such a demand is compatible with the freedom of organisations to function for their objectives within a framework of democracy and the rule of law.

The AHRC also wishes to emphasise that no NGO should consider it to be their obligation to defend any other NGO that has violated the rules of trust by not observing their obligation to uphold transparency. As NGOs demand the highest standards of transparency and accountability from governments and the public sector, it is their obligation to stand up for the same when it comes to other NGOs.

That said, the AHRC wishes to emphasise that any claim for transparency and accountability on the part of the Rajapaksa government is hollow and lacks credibility. It is globally known that this is one of the most corrupt governments. A clear manifestation of this corruption is the manner in which the Commission against Bribery and Corruption has been destroyed under the Rajapaksa regime.

The AHRC has repeatedly stated that Sri Lanka is in dire need of a genuine agency committed to inquiry and prosecution of offences relating to corruption. AHRC has constantly pointed out that an agency similar to the Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC) in Hong Kong is the only way to allow all Sri Lankan institutions to perform with the highest levels of responsibility, accountability, and transparency.

The move by the government to introduce a law obligating NGOs to register under an agency of the Ministry of Defence is another of those ugly moments in Sri Lanka where a government that is naked demands that others should be clothed.

SRI LANKA MUSLIMS

by Latheef Farook-JULY 15, 2014
Buddha preaches love and compassion. If the Buddha is there, he will protect the Muslims whom the Buddhists are attacking- Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama.

While  the Sinhala Zionist Bodu Bala Sena,BBS,gangsters were killing Muslims, looting and burning  Muslim owned properties in Aluthgama, Dharga Town, Beruwala and the surrounding areas  on June 15 and 16, 2014 in Colombo an all out effort was made to  cover up  this carnage  with a media blackout.

This was a disaster for the local mainstream media which, by and large, had become tool in the hands of the government and Sinhala racist elements.







Sri Lanka Muslims by Maria Anderson

BBS & Goatabhaya Connection - A Myth Or A Reality?

| by A Special Correspondent

( July 15, 2014, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) Today Muslim community is at cross road in Sri Lankan Muslim history. No doubt an abrupt appearance of BBS out of blue sky in Sri Lanka is a bewildering mystery for many Sri Lankans. Many conspiracy theories were reported in relation to the origin and development of BBS. Some argued that a Norwegian agent was plotting to create mayhem in Sri Lanka. They substantiated this argument with Gnanasara thero’s visit to Norway and subsequent meeting with some diaspora people over there. Some others argued that a Burmese Buddhist extremist is behind these all anti-Muslim violence in Sri Lanka and Burma. They have also substantiated their argument with some photo clips evidence of Burmese Extremist Buddhist monk with some Sri Lankan BBS groups. Some others argued that Israel is behind this violence against Muslims in Sri Lanka. It may be true that these factors partially contributed to the growth of anti-Muslim trends in Sri Lanka yet, Victor Ivan reveals that anti-Muslim campaign was initiated and institutionalized by Sri Lankan Defense Secretary:

According to Victor Ivan a well-respected Sri Lankan journalist the creation of BBS is a handiwork of Defense Secretary Goatabhaya Rajapakse. This is very much self-evident from the high level of protection and immunity BBS gets from this government apparatus. This fact has been very vividly illustrated with substantiated evidences by Victor Ivan in his brilliant article. (Please read shadow of Gotabhaya, Sri Lankan Guardian8/7/14). He explicitly exposes the clandestine crafty pack that exists between Goatabhya and BBS. Victor Ivan describes this secret pack in this way, 

“Ven. Gnanasara’s boldness has more to do with the clout of the defense ministry rather than a natural thing. In the face of the Thero’s numerous performances security forces allowed him to act at will as they were all aware of the secretive relationship between the monk and the defense secretary. Even though a large number of government ministers and parliamentarians did not approve of the violent role the Thero was playing, all of them adhered to a hushed policy because of Gotabhaya’s shadow that prevailed upon him. Prominent Buddhist monks who did not endorse Ven. Gnanasara’s act kept silence as the connection between him and the defense secretary was no secret to them “ Victor Ivan. Sri Lankan guardian: 8-7-2014). It can be said the BBS is a creation of Goratabhya and although he tired distance himself after Aluthgama incident; it is an open secret that for the last two years BBS has been dancing to the tunes of Goarabhaya and has been acting above the rules of law with full immunity because of this backing from the Defense Secretary. This is very much echoed in a recent

Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem has been telling the international community that Muslims in Sri Lanka face existential threat from racist BBS. He told this many times in local and international meetings. This message was already conveyed to many international organizations. Muslims have been told that Muslims should not internationalize the problems their problems as Tamils did. Recently foreign Minister openly requested Muslims not do this and yet, Muslims seem to have no other options but to seek help and support of international community. Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem told the US Ambassador Michele Sison that BBS is planning a ‘Virtual holocaust’ against the country’s Muslim community unless Islam phobia and hate speech by radical monks were nipped in the bud” ( Navamani Newspaper 18/7/2-14). He further told foreign correspondents that there was a ‘bigger project’ at work to cripple the Sri Lankan Muslim community economically”. This is very much clear from recent attacks on Muslim shops and properties.

The situation is very much volatile and precarious. He described the situation like a time bomb waiting to explode. “The way things are going it is a time bomb, and we have a duty by the nation to arrest the situation,” For the last two years Muslims have been facing these challenges and yet, this government intentionally ignored the plight of Muslims and continues to allow BBS to operate against Muslims. It is not a secret that this government is behind all these activities against Muslims. BBS and its cohorts would not be able operate freely without government endorsement and support. It is reported that Goatabhaya gives financial, legal and material support to BBS to operate freely. BBS has been functioning with the favoritism and immunity they get from the top in this government.

Victor Ivan tells that BBS gets such immunity because Police and Judges cannot do their jobs independently because of fear from Defenses Secretary. Many occasions Goatabhaya interfered and perverted course of justice when judges wanted to take some legal action against BBS. It is very much clear that there is no political will at the top in this government to sort this problem out and rather some elements at top encourage BBS to grow in expectation that they would be able to reap some political gains. The Minister of justice further observed that “Law and order and law enforcement cannot work if there is no political will. The guardians of the law cannot permit a cultural impunity to grow,” This is an utter failure of legal system in Sri Lanka. This is a clear manifestation of discrimination and partiality in application of law: This could a dreadful epoch in the legal system of Sri Lanka. If this trend continues Sri Lankan justice system would descend into chaotic situation.

It is abundantly clear that BBS is doing all these dirty works with the support of some top people in this government. It is pointless to come with some conspiracy theories about this issue. The fact of matter is that this anti-Muslim campaign is initiated and institutionalized by Goatabhaya. You do not need to be a political expert to know this truth and this is very much self-evident from all what we have already noted. 

Muslim politicians and Muslim community should think positively and constructively to face this anti-Muslim monster. It is reported that Goatabhaya has got USA citizenship. It is with this dual citizenship he is engaged in these racist activities against all international norms and rules of law. USA government should deprive him of his USA citizenship for his apparent involvement in this racist campaign. It is duty of all peace loving people of Sri Lanka to expose the atrocities of Goatabhaya through all media networks. Gnanasara Thero would not have courage and finance to do all these without Goatahaya. This is a true fact and this is not a myth. Let us tell this truth to the world loudly and very much clearly.

Political And Religious Extremism Threatens Peace And Harmony In Sri Lanka

By Ayathuray Rajasingam -July 15, 2014

Ayathuray Rajasingam

The rise of extremism and violence against minorities signals the threat to peace and harmony. Compromise has no place within the philosophy of religious extremism. The noble philosophy of the religious teachings are blind folded when extremism march towards its goal of destruction. Recent conflict between the Buddhist extremists and the Muslims in Sri Lanka have demonstrated that human values are fully ignored and the laws of jungles prevail with the entry of political and religious extremism.

The ongoing tussle between the Buddhist extremists and the Muslims have demonstrated religion as a cruel killer, and not as a healer. Both parties have failed to see that religion has the force of compromising towards each other to endorse harmony with other communities embracing different faiths. The behaviour of both factions deviating from the concept of righteousness, have only demonstrated that they were preaching false religions, similar to some type of Cult organizations. Cult organizations and religious extremism have the same characteristics of a violent organization. Those engaged in propaganda of false religions failed to realize that realization of the divinity is the purpose of life which is the essence of religion and that it does not consist in erecting places of worship merely to show that this is a land of a particular faith. They failed to see what religion is about. Religion is the manifestation of the divinity already within man. The idea of realization is common to all religions. This is where religious extremists make blunders and mislead the people.

Various people from various countries with difference languages and culture search for God in pursuit of peace of mind. It is at this juncture the question arises as to how the mind roams about in search of God. The search for God revolves around the issue of spirituality.  Places of worship represent as the meeting places where people could direct their minds towards God by way of meditation and the priests and preachers are there only to guide.

According to Lord Buddha ‘Goodwill toward all beings is the true religion; cherish in your hearts boundless goodwill to all that lives’                                    .Read More

Sri Lanka's Downward Spiral

• BY TAYLOR DIBBERT-JULY 14, 2014

The U.S. Congressional Caucus on Ethnic and Religious Freedom inSri Lanka held a hearing on July 9 in Washington, D.C. The caucus, created in 2013, is co-chaired by Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) and Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio). It remains to be seen how effective this newly created group will be but -- given the recent developments in Sri Lanka -- there is no question that there was plenty to discuss at the gathering.

Sri Lanka's Downward Spiral by Maria Anderson

SRI LANKA: RECONCILIATION IS BOTH A PROCESS AND A GOAL – PRESENTATION

By Salma Yusuf-JULY 15, 2014

Text of presentation delivered by Salma Yusuf at the International Conference on Politics and International Affairs, Athens, June 2014

Conference delegates, ladies and gentleman,

Sri Lanka Reconciliation is Both a Process and a Goal – Presentation by Maria Anderson

Lack of trust slows Sri Lanka reconciliation

Five years after government's war with Tamil Tigers ended, former fighters say cultural insensitivity remains an issue.  15 Jul 2014 Five years after Sri Lanka's war with the Tamil Tigers ended, the group's former members say that cultural insensitivity from the government is still an issue. Despite rehabilitation programmes for its 12,000 fighters, there is little trust in the government among Tamils.  The government says it is developing the north of the country, where many Tamils live, but at one project to build a railway station, most workers were from the South. Al Jazeera's Charles Stratford reports from Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

From Tigers to Barbers: Tales of Sri Lanka’s Ex-Combatants

Aloysius Patrickeil, once a member of the feared Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), now spends his time giving his loyal customers haircuts in a small town in Sri Lanka's Northern Province. Credit: Amantha Perera/IPS

By Amantha Perera
Those left disabled by the war, both civilians and ex-combatants, make up over 10 percent of the population of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, but very little official assistance is directed at them. Credit: Amantha Perera/IPS

KILINOCHCHI, Sri Lanka, Jul 14 2014 (IPS) - People are willing to wait a long time for a few minutes in the hands of Aloysius Patrickeil, a 32-year-old barber who is part-owner of a small shop close to the northern town of Kilinochchi, 320 km from Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo.

From Tigers to Barbers Tales of Sri Lanka’s Ex-Combatants by Maria Anderson

UNHRC initiated inquiry on Sri Lanka

By Neville Ladduwahetty-July 14, 2014

It is reported that the infrastructure is in place for the UNHRC-initiated International inquiry on Sri Lanka to commence operations. However, the Terms of Reference/Remit for the conduct of the inquiry have not been reported. This is unusual because the accepted practice is that any inquiry should be conducted within stipulated parameters set by the remit to the inquiring body.

UNHRC Initiated Inquiry on Sri Lanka by Maria Anderson

ரெலோ இயக்கம் ஜெர்மனியில் வெலிக்கடைப் படுகொலையின் நினைவு நாள் அனுஸ்டிப்பு

[ செவ்வாய்க்கிழமை, 15 யூலை 2014, 11:27.40 AM GMT ]

யூலை மாதம் வெலிக்கடை சிறையில் படுகொலை செய்யப்பட்ட ரெலோ அமைப்பின் முன்னணித் தலைவர்கள் உட்பட உட்பட 53 வீர மறவர்களின் 31வது ஆண்டு நினைவு நாள், இலங்கை மற்றும் புலம் பெயர் நாடுகளில் இருந்து வருகை தந்த புலம் பெயர் உறவுகளால் அனுஸ்டிக்கப்பட்டது.

இலங்கை அரசினால் தமிழ் மக்கள் மீது திட்டமிட்டு நடாத்தப்பட்ட இனப்படுகொலையின் கறுப்பு யூலை நினைவு தினத்தையொட்டி, தமிழீழ விடுதலை இயக்கத்தின் (ரெலோ) தலைவர் தங்கத்துரை, குட்டிமணி, ஜெகன், நடேசுதாசன், தேவன், சிறீகுமார், சிவபாதம் உட்பட இலங்கை அரசின் சிறையில் கொல்லப்பட்ட அனைவருக்குமான அஞ்சலி நிகழ்வு ஜெர்மனியில் கடந்த சனிக்கிழமை மாலை இடம் பெற்றது.

இலங்கையிலிருந்து ரெலோ இயக்கத்தின் தலைவர் செல்வம் அடைக்கலநாதன் எம்.பி, மற்றும் பாராளுமனற உறுப்பிணர்களான வினோ, வடக்கு மாகாண அமைச்சர் டெனிஸ்வரன், கிழக்கு மாகாண சபை உறுப்பிணர் கோவிந்தம் கருணாகரம் (ஜனா), வட- மாகாண சபை உறுப்பிணர் எம்.கே. சிவாஜிலிங்கம், விந்தன் உள்ளிட்ட மாகாணசபை உறுப்பினர்கள் மற்றும் தலைமைக்குழு உறுப்பினர்கள், அனைத்து நாடுகளிலுள்ள ரெலோ உறுப்பினர்கள் பொது மக்கள் இவ் நினைவு நாள் நிகழ்ச்சியில் கலந்து கொண்டனர்,

மேலும் படிக்க...

Vaiko urges Modi to stop appeasing Sri Lankan govt


B Sivakumar,TNN | Jul 15, 2014,

CHENNAI: MDMK chief Vaiko on Tuesday said people in Tamil Nadu, especially the youth, will lose faith in national integration and unity if the Centre continues to appease the Sri Lankan government.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vaiko expressed his objection to an external affairs ministry spokesperson's statement justifying India's abstention from a voting on a Sri Lanka-specific motion at the UN Human Rights Council in March this year. Vaiko wanted to know if it was the official stand of the NDA government.

He alleged that the UPA government provided "logistic military support" to Sri Lanka in the last leg of war between that country's army and rebel LTTE which witnessed heavy Tamil civilian casualty.

The NDA regime headed by A B Vajpayee had taken the "commendable decision" of not providing any military support to Sri Lanka, he said, adding that there were reports that India was now planning to impart military training to Sri Lankan soldiers.

Vaiko said there were reports that commercial and economic relationship between the two countries would be enhanced and one of the largest apparel companies in Sri Lanka was slated to invest in a special economic zone in Visakhapatnam.

"The condition of Tamils in north and eastern Sri Lanka is 'worsening' as the army has taken control of civilian areas. These areas are being turned into Sinhala settlements even as Tamil men and women are facing many other difficulties," he said.

"With all sincerity and good intention, I have placed this representation for your kind consideration and I would request you to take appropriate steps to erase the tears of Tamils," Vaiko said in the letter.

Sunset for State enterprises

 July 15, 2014

• The riddle of everlasting life

It is a sad phenomenon of our times that enterprises fuelled by taxpayers’ money have a tendency to act contrary to nature and go on forever and ever. It is the nature of all things in this world that change is the only constant. Nothing, no entity whatever, can survive, if it cannot adapt to the changing environment in which it operates. The dinosaur is the prime example.

Sunset for State Enterprises by Maria Anderson

Recorded Profits Of Rajapaksa-State Owned Insurance Giant Vanished

July 15, 2014

Confirming reports that have been circulating over the depleting finances of Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, local media has reported the establishment has obtained a bank loan of Rs. 900 million during the first quarter of 2014.

It is reported that a loan of this nature has been borrowed by SLIC for the first time in its history – a reflection of sure signs of financial concerns within the institution.

However, SLIC that disclosed its financial performance of 2013 recently, boasted their stellar performance – a whopping 10% growth in profit before taxation of Rs. 6.354 billion. Reports that have quoted sources in the SLIC state that the need for the establishment to obtain a bank loan despite such a significant growth is of grave concern as only a meager amount off the recorded profit had been spent on SLIC expenses including compensation and payment of benefits.

The SLIC presently dominates the insurance market in Sri Lanka and the question remains of what became of the profits recorded in 2013 of this Rajapaksa-state managed insurance giant.

Credit in crisis!

July 15, 2014

• Despite low interest rate environment, banking sector advances to private sector dips by 2.2% in May hot on the heels of 3.3% drop in April
• CB says continued low inflation regime should encourage banks to further reduce lending rates by tightening their spreads
• Revival in credit envisaged from second half onwards; new support for pawning-based lending to help

Credit in Crisis! by Maria Anderson