Saturday, February 14, 2015

Viva The Patriot! – A Reply To Sarath De Alwis

By By Rashantha N. de Alwis-Seneviratne -

Rashantha N. de Alwis-Seneviratne

The to and fro of arguments on Patriotism presented in the articles by Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka and Mr. Sarath de Alwis, made this week a most entertaining, riveting and energizing one for me.

Dr. Jayatilleka’s “Smart Patriotism and the Marginal Majority” was a good, thought-provoking read that made me revisit my own feelings about patriotism. Therefore, I could not help being curious about why Mr. de Alwis opened his reply entitled “Sein Kampf: A Fabricated History”, with a quote from Ambrose Bierce, the well known satirist – “Patriotism is fierce as a fever, pitiless as the grave, blind as a stone and as irrational as a headless hen” – curious, because flippancy does not sit too well on something as simple and profound as Patriotism: Simple because it is a matter of the heart that stems from loyalty and love for one’s country and profound because of myriad other reasons such as the feeling of belonging, community, history, welfare of the country, etc. that may inspire it. For me, patriotism signifies a sense of personal identification with and concern for, the welfare of my country. It is a kind of unconditional love – a ‘tough love’ as Dr. Jayatilleka calls it. This is why I do not believe that a loyalty-based virtue like patriotism, can be set aflame by Mr. de Alwis’ ‘fabricated history’ because it is not history alone that provokes patriotism but emotions that go beyond it. It is too glib, therefore, to aver that ‘smart patriotism’ was devised by Dr. Jayatilleka to appease the “existential angst of the Sinhala majority in the South”: On the contrary, I believe that patriotism may increase because the Sinhalese are, as Dr. Jayatilleka says, a “The Marginal Majority”. To a cynic, this will be gobbledegook.

The idea of patriotism is not a new one. In fact, its journey through history has not been easy, with many deploring it and some valuing it for what it stood for. The writer quotes impressively from satirists and philosophers but being a subjective emotion, it really does not matter what others say about patriotism; it is something personally personal to one, irrespective of the waffle. Because our ideals constantly demand more from us, patriotism cannot be defined as loyalty to any particular leader or government policy, unless the circumstances also concern one’s country. Even though the writer refers to the Manichean moral duality of the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime, I cannot recall it being referred to in Dr. Jayatilleka’s essay and looks like he pulled a rabbit out of his own hat, for effect. However, it may be a good time to refer to the recent past when, in the face of a barrage of accusations against Mr. Rajapaksa and his regime at the conclusion of the war against terrorism, the patriotism of the people of this country was excited and showcased in many ways from satyagrahas to protest marches. At this time, the loyalty to a leader, government policy and to the country, were all in place making it an example of how, sometimes, patriotism may include aspects other than love for the country alone.
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Good Governance: The Hard Road from Slogan to Reality

by Tisaranee Gunasekara

“Seeking what is true is not seeking what is desirable.”

Camus (An Absurd Reasoning)

( February 14, 2015, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) On January 5^th, 2015, the last day of the campaign, newspapers were full of advertisements, most supporting Mahinda Rajapaksa. Unique amongst them was a full page ad by the Diyawadana Nilame and the Basnayake Nilames of 31 devales. The ad denounced ‘local and international forces and other evil people’ who are trying to ‘commit the great sin of destabilising the country’; it also expressed full backing to the ‘holy leader courageously defending the country’.

Good Governance the Hard Road From Slogan to Reality by Thavam Ratna

SRI LANKA’S CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM PROPOSAL AND DEMOCRATIZATION – ANALYSIS

Sri Lanka's Maithripala Sirisena. Official photo via Facebook.

By Dr. S. I. Keethaponcalan

FEBRUARY 14, 2015
The new Sri Lankan government has released its initial ideas for constitutional reform. This article highlights and discusses some of the salient features of the document published in Sri Lankan media.

Sri Lanka’s Constitutional Reform Proposal and Democratization – Analysis by Thavam Ratna

Who Rules?

By Ranil Senanayake -

Ranil Senanayake

The media of the 13th Friday had two very different statements on the fate of the ‘Port City “ project. The Daily Mirror reports The Government of Sri Lanka through its acting cabinet spokesman; Minister Lakshman Kiriella stated, “The Port City Project has been automatically stopped as there were so many shortcomings in the EIA report. We must go through it and rectify those shortcomings before re-start the project,”

But an interview to the Hindustan Times 13th Friday, given by a Chinese official by name of Mr. Zhang seems to differ. He states, “There were some criticisms and doubts (about the project). This project is aligned development goals of Sri Lanka. We have very good relations with President Maithripala Sirisena,” On concerns about damaging the environment, he said: “We focus a lot on environmental protection. For marine projects, we have very strict standards about purity of water body. We have 24 sentinel stations. If there is any influence on water quality, we will change implementation plans”.

Two questions arise; the first is who decides on the fate of the project? The Government of Sri Lanka or the Chinese officials? Can China over rule Sri Lanka in matters of Sri Lanka’s sovereignty?

This then raises other questions as to weather Minister Kiriella was misinformed ? The Chinese official seems to suggest that there were no serious shortcomings in the EIA. But Minister Kiriella tells us that there was. Given this state of confusion it might be best if the EIA in question was held up for public scrutiny.

The need to examine the EIA is also made urgent in the light of the comments made by the Chinese official. He talks about environmental protection only in regard to the water quality around the project area. Should not the EIA also address potential impacts to the mainland? If it appears that the EIA was a sloppy, quick and easy job to satisfy a bureaucratic need to overcome national safeguards, it should e seen as treason against the nation.

Have the citizens of Colombo been warned that their air quality will plummet downwards as the pollution from the new city is blown in by the sea? Has the export of all hazardous waste from the new city been part of the conditions or is Sri Lanka seen as their dumping ground? Has the source of water to this new city been identified? Will be loose our water right to our watersheds? Where will the energy to power this city come from? Is Sri Lanka going to be burdened with dirty power plants to supply their needs? Has the local impact of the removal of rocks and sand to fill up this new land been evaluated?

We are supposed to be a free, independent country. Just because some greedy individuals signed a flawed document as a ‘contract’ are we not in a position to defend ourselves? Will our leaders stand in our defense and protect our rights or will they acknowledge a new set of rulers, compromise our rights and bow before them?

Expectations and the Disappointments of the New Government

by D.N.R. Samaranayaka

- on 02/14/2015

The new coalition government formed on January 9, 2015 has just completed its first month, and this leaves only a little more than two months before the parliament is dissolved. During the election campaign, a number of issues were highlighted against Mr Rajapaksa, and they were extensively used as key weapons to challenge the former regime. The propaganda against the former president helped Mr Sirisena to obtain a majority of 2,043,977 in 2015 compared with the vote received by Mr Sarath Fonseka in 2010.This majority reflects the reality that the vote for Mr Sirisena is essentially a vote against Mr Rajapaksa.
Expectations and the Disappointments of the New Government by Thavam Ratna

CoPA Exposes Misappropriations In Vasu’s Ministry

February 14, 2015

A large number of misappropriations committed in the Ministry of National Languages and Social Integration headed by Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara during the Rajapaksa regime, has been revealed by theCommittee on Public Accounts (CoPA).

Vasu

The Committee that was chaired by Dr. Sarath Amunugama has released its report few days ago,where irregularities that had been committed by Vasudeva’s Ministry including financial misappropriations by its officials, unsuccessful implementation of several projects and failure to utilize its funds accordingly and promptly have been listed as the main issues.

Following are the list of major issues that have been highlighted by CoPA ( during the period from 17 January 2012 to 25 October 2012) as those that needed the attention of the former Minister:

– Failure to prepare the Procurement Plan since 2005
– Despite a sum of Rs. 2,221,988 had been awarded by the UNDP to install multilingual sign boards in all government establishments in the Northern province, even as of December 20,2011 a sum of Rs. 170,360 had been retained in the General Deposit account without being utilized or being returned
– Six vehicles out of the 14 fleet had not even belonged to the Minister, that had resulted in heavy rent costs.
– Some 95 books valued at Rs. 27,792 had been misplaced and the Committee inquired as to why the circular of National Library and Documentary Services Board had not been implemented and a Committee had been appointed to investigate the matter
– Duties of the National Intergration Programme Unit functioning under the Ministry had not been stated in terms of section 75:1 and 75:2 of the government tender procedure guidelines. Although recruitment had been done by the recommendation of the Minister, they had been unable to follow the guidelines of the Public Finance Circular in that process

Meanwhile, a sum of Rs. 1,267,750 had been paid to the consultants who had not submitted any documentation including commence reports, progress reports, interim reports or performance reports.

An individual appointed as a Language Consultant had also been appointed as the Chairman of the Institute of National Languages Education ad Training, and he had drawn salaries and allowances applicable to both posts. This misconduct had been reported to the AG for legal action to be taken against the official responsible.

– On a request made by the Ministry, he had refunded only Rs. 58,000 from the salaries amounting to Rs. 208,000 drawn by him elated to the period of four months served in the capacity of the Chairman National Languages Education and Training – he had also used two motor vehicles which were not entitled to him and irregularly spent Rs. 93,333 on those vehicles the CoPA emphasized the need of taking stern action against the person in question and have rested a comprehensive report as to what action should be taken against him within a month

– A sum of Rs. 3,643,420 and Rs. 5,637,676 had been paid in 2006 and 2007 respectively as the allowances of Teacher instructors for teaching Tamil language in the privenas. Although this teaching programme had been continuing since 2001 there had been no syllabus to be followed throughout and therefore the programme had been instructed to be continued by the Ministry of Education

The coordination of the language programme and the popularisation of English language in multi-ethnic areas that were proposed for 2007, had not been implemented though a sum of Rs. 8,315,044 had been spent in 2007 as recurrent expenditure.

A sum of Rs. 77,417 and Rs. 57,013 had been paid in respect of food and accommodation respectively, in addition to the legitimate allowances payable for the officer relation to eight program despite the approval of the Director Establishments and the Committee has observed that the Ministry has misinterpreted the instruction of thh Director of Establishments.

What Corrupted Piyadasa Kudabalage MD/CEO of Litro, did under MaRa

(Lanka-e-News- 13.Feb.2015, 11.55PM)

Perpetration for Corruption-For the purpose2011 Tender bid evaluations and making recommendations, a Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) and a Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee (CAPC), under the leadership of Dr. R.H.S.Samaratungawere appointed by the Department of Public Finance of the Ministry of Finance Planning. The team completed the process and prepared the draft Cabinet Memorandum. Mr. Piyadasa

What Corrupted Piyadasa Kudabalage MD CEO of Litro, Did Under MaRa by Thavam Ratna

Sri lanka Telecom HR Chief“King of kekille''

Saturday, 14 February 2015

The controversial vehicle pool in SLT is administered by a BSc qualified engineer of A4grade.This engineer is permitted to travel to home and office by a car as per his designation. However he has misused a Montero Sport KE 6829 to travel home on a day in early January 2015 which met with and accident. The gravity of the accident is too heavy leading to condemn the vehicle. The cost of the vehicle seems to be around Rs12.5million and the compensation paid by SLT to the electric pole nocked by the vehicle is Rs 1.2million.

The management of SLT along with the CEO was in a desperate attempt to conceal the fact since it badly humiliates the Engineering Kingdom in SLT which the Trade Unions gave no chance for them to conceal. Finally the engineer was interdicted on misconduct. Subsequently he made a complaint at the criminal investigation department soon after his intrediction after a lapse of over a month from the accident saying that the driver deliberately caused the accident with the intension of a murder as the driver was not in good terms with him. The CID recorded a statement on duress by the driver allegedly accusing him on the accident as caused due to intoxication which the driver deliberately have said that he was not intoxicated which there is no such complaint either in police. This testimony was recorded after a month since theaccident.

Issues developed after the interdiction of the engineer are
1.Engineer’s statement at CID of a death threat is fabricatedstory as he should do it on the same or following day of the accident if it was the true intension of the driver.

2.If the driver was not in good terms why he opted this driver to drive the vehicle for him. ?
Nevertheless the driver who belongs to the Manpower employment company which is a subsidiary of SLT is been terminated under the condition that “failing to refrain an accident”.

If anybody contemplates on the rule of law, this offence is not penalized under the traffic ordinance in courts. However if SLT wish they could conduct an investigation to ascertain the nature of the accident with the findings of the police to conclude as the accident is a cause of negligence or a natural cause. Until such time he could be permitted to be in service.

When Human Resource is been practiced by an Engineering HR chief, blunders of this nature is inevitable due to executing thedogs job by the donkey.

Further all SLT driver would refrain from driving under these circumstances as the accident caused on the road could be due to the mistake of either party. But here in SLT failing to refrain from an accident is a punishable offence up to the extent of an interdiction. How Stupid the HR is in Sri lankaTelecom.?
One Country One Voice

Rajiva Wijesinha resigns as State Minister?

State Minister of higher Education Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha has resigned from his ministerial portfolio, reliable sources told Ada Derana.

February 14, 2015

The MP, who defected from the UPFA government to support Maithripala Sirisena at the presidential Election, was reportedly distraught in the wake of the pressure exerted on UGC Chairperson Prof. Kshanika Hirimburegama to resign.

According to sources, Prof. Wijesinha has informed Minister of Highways Higher Education and Investment Promotion, Kabir Hashim, regarding his decision.

However, attempts to contact Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha regarding the matter were unsuccessful.

Hirimburegama had tendered her resignation to President Maithripala Sirisena through Minister Kabir Hashim, on 9 February, amid pressure from the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) to resign.

On Thursday, Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha told Ada Derana that Hirimburegama would continue as the Chairperson of the University Grants Commission (UGC) until the President makes a new appointment for the position.

He added Hirimburegama can remain in her post until the new appointment is made in terms of the Universities Act.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had appointed Prof. Hirimburegama as the UGC Chairperson on 1 February, 2013.

On January 23, Prof. Nalin De Silva resigned as a member of UGC, citing that he can no longer continue to serve in that position while safeguarding his self-respect.

New Appointments – We Will Be Watching Closely: FUTA

February 15, 2015

It is the considered view of the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) that the appointment of incompetent persons to positions of authority has been one of the most significant reasons for the deterioration of Sri Lanka’s university system in the recent past. The majority of these appointments have been politically motivated with loyalty to the regime in power, rather than competence or integrity, being the primary criteria for selection to important positions. In view of the new government’s decision to reconstitute the University Grants Commission and University Councils and also due to the fact that this government will be soon called upon to appoint new Vice-Chancellors to posts that are due to be vacated soon, the FUTA calls upon the government to:

Dr Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri -
Media Spokesperson FUTA

(i) Ensure that members appointed to the UGC should be persons with sound academic backgrounds, and committed to good and transparent governance, with a capacity to make a contribution, through consultation with all stakeholder communities as well as creative policy inputs, to the further development of the university system.

(ii) Refrain from appointing to the posts of Vice-Chancellor academics whose political party links and personal loyalty to individual political leaders overshadow their lack of academic excellence, administrative skills, and leadership qualities. This will ensure that the university system will get Vice-Chancellors who are accepted and respected by the university community.

(iii) Appoint persons to university councils who will be independent, with a strong commitment to university values, particularly autonomy and academic freedom and who will not function as mere rubber stamps of the political regime or the Vice-Chancellors. It is especially important that University Council members maintain independence as they are expected to provide a balance to the authority of the Vice-Chancellors and other officers of Universities.

(iv) Ensure that those appointed to positions of authority and responsibility by the government in the higher education sector should also be persons who are willing to engage with all the university stakeholders and be mindful at all times that they represent the interests of the public and that higher education is a precious public good.

We will be watching these appointments closely since they will reflect the government’s intentions with regard to tertiary education in this country as well as their adherence to practices of good governance. We hope that this government will keep in mind that they were elected to power by a popular mobilization across a cross section of society of which the university community was also a part. This mobilization took place due to the public’s deep dissatisfaction with the existing political culture in this country and the consequent serious damage to important public institutions. We sincerely hope that the government will demonstrate its commitment to changing this political culture and rebuilding important public institutions such as universities.

Dr Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri
Media Spokesperson – FUTA

Noam Chomsky Quotes

Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations

Noam Chomsky: “The world that we’re creating for our grandchildren is grim”

The intellectual sat down with Jacobin to discuss ISIS, Israel and climate change

SARAH GRAY

Noam Chomsky (Credit: fotostory via Shutterstock)-FRIDAY, FEB 13, 2015

Renowned linguist and well-respected political commentator, Noam Chomsky, was interviewed by journalist David Barsamian for Jacobin. In the fascinating and thought-provoking conversation the two touch on the origins of ISIS, America’s relationship with Israel, among other foreign policy topics. Below are a few choice selections from the interview, which can (and should) be read in full at Jacobin.
Noam Chomsky “the World That We’Re Creating for Our Grandchildren is Grim” by Thavam Ratna