Simmering Mistrust In Tamil-Muslim Politics

By Ameer Ali –January 11, 2018

Since the first parliamentary elections in 1947 Tamil-Muslim political relations in Sri Lanka has been dominated by mutual mistrust. Even though the Chelvanakam’s Federal Party and Ponnampalam’s Ceylon Tamil Congress included the Muslims under the rubric Tamil-speaking people whenever they addressed public rallies, and similarly, even though Muslim political leaders talked tirelessly of the Tamil language and the proverbial ‘pittu and coconut” to underline the two communities’ inseparable coexistence, these were in reality utterances reiterated more for reasons of political correctness than out of any genuine concern for each other’s political, economic and cultural development and wellbeing. This historical fact cannot be glossed over any more and should be openly confronted, admitted and removed because Sri Lankan politics has reached such a critical juncture where particularly after 2009, majoritarian politics, consumed overwhelmingly by ethnic and religious chauvinism, has created an existential crisis to both minorities.

Past strategies of playing politics of opportunism on the part of Muslims and of separatism on the part of Tamils have passed their use by date, and new strategies have to be thought out for the two communities to live and prosper with equality and dignity in a globally connected but locally undivided Sri Lanka. One would have thought that after the end of the 25-year bloody civil war Colombo leadership would have come to its senses to sort out the minority issue quickly and seriously and avoid international agencies to intervene in a purely domestic matter.  One would have also expected the two minority communities to have realised that their future survival, dignity and development cannot be achieved through mutual suspicion and mistrust but through unity built on frank admission of past mistakes, openness in dialogue and justice in objectives.

No doubt that a united plural Sri Lanka with all its naturally endowed and humanly created resources is a match to any country in the world.  Yet and tragically, what has happened over the last nine years was deliberate procrastination by successive governments leading to further deterioration of national unity, increasing economic hardship to many and encroaching foreign influence in the country. The country has awfully mismanaged its plurality. The two contending political regimes of MR and MS leaderships at the moment have lost their political integrity and governing credibility, bankrupted their economic leadership and mortgaged the country’s sovereignty to regional foreign powers. Devoid of any policy substance they are left with only one issue to fight for power and that is Sinhala ethnic and Buddhist religious hegemony. It is this racist evangelism that poses a danger to the minorities. Like the Congress and BJP in neighbouring India, where the first covertly and the second overtly play anti-Muslim racism in their electioneering campaign, in this country also the element of racism is ever present in both camps. The difference is only a matter of degree. 

 

The Tamils and Muslims must realise that they as national minorities cannot find lasting solutions to their problems by fighting alone. The Tamils, after the betrayal by the DMK Government in 2009, will be foolish to expect any material support from their brethren across the Palk Strait. At the same time to expect that international pressure on Sri Lanka would deliver favourable outcome to their complaints is also a dream because international agencies are part and partial of the global economic order that is more interested in markets and investments than in human rights and minority rights. The Muslims also must realise that the so called Arab connection is a mirage, and after 1990 the SLMC in particular by dragging Islam into its political campaigns has not only politically isolated the Muslim community but also has earned the mistrust of both the Tamil and Sinhalese communities. While the Tamil leadership at least maintained their personal and political integrity by not compromising their policy objectives in return for personal gains and prestige, Muslim leaders on the other hand and without exception has shamelessly surrendered their community virtually at the feet of successive Presidents and Prime Ministers to win ministerial positions and opportunities to accumulate wealth for themselves, their families and cronies. Therefore, any chance of honest co-operation and unity between these two minority leaderships will never work out, because they are qualitatively different. This is why the Muslim community has to reject wholesale their entire political leadership and search for a new generation of leaders who are intellectually capable, politically astute and personally honest. 

Muslims of the East in particular have been and are being deluded by a short sighted and faction ridden SLMC leadership with a false promise that it could achieve a separate administrative district for Muslims at the expense of Tamils. This is a dangerous and suicidal commitment founded on the same old politics of opportunism and mistrust of the Tamils that will end up in endless Tamil-Muslim riots causing bloodshed and material losses, mostly for Muslims. Decades ago a then prominent Muslim leader told me in person that if Muslims could keep the Sinhalese and Tamils divided they could swim, but would sink if the two were allowed to unite. This politics of divide and rule cannot work in post-2009 Sri Lanka. What is now required of Muslims is to form partnership with the Tamils and become bridge builders between the two major communities. That role is far beyond the capabilities of the current Muslim leadership. 

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Counsel argue for and against six-year term

By Chitra Weerarathne-January 11, 2018, 11:11 pm 

President’s Counsel Manohara de Silva said in the Supreme Court yesterday that Parliament had not said that the incumbent President Sirisena could hold office for six years when it passed the 19th amendment to the Constitution in May 2015; it had only said the term of the President should be five years and not six years. Under the operative law President Sirisena could not go beyond five years, he argued

The five-member bench comprised Chief Justice Priyasarth Dep, Justice Eva Wanasundera, Justice Buwaneka Aluwihare, Justice Sisira De Abrew and Justice K. T. Chitrasiri.

President Sirisena has sought a clarification from the Supreme Court whether the 19th Amendment has any effect on the six-year duration of his term.

At the outset, the Attorney General President’s Counsel Jayantha Jayasooriya said the people had exercised their franchise and elected the incumbent President on January 8, 2015.

"The results were confirmed on January 9, 2015. The incumbent President Maithripala Sirisena took oaths for a period of six years on January 9, 2015.

"The 19th Amendment of the Constitution came effective after the incumbent President had been sworn in. The 19th Amendment commenced on May 14, 2015. By that time President Sirisena had already commenced his six year term.

"The 19th Amendment has no provision that says that it is applicable retrospectively. The 19th Amendment, though it limits the term of office of the President to five years, is not retrospectively. The provisions are operatively prospectively only.

"Article 38 of the Constitution specified the vacation of office of the President. Under Article 38/1 e the President could be impeached by the legislature.

By Article 40, the vacancy that occurs should be filled for the balanced period.

But, it will not have an impact on the term of office of the incumbent President.

"The President is elected by the people. The term of office will be that provision in force at that time.

"The term of office is the term in force at the time the people exercised their franchise.

The duration of the term could be changed with a mandate of the people with a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

"The retrospective provision on this issue will have to be approved by the people besides ratification by Parliament. The sovereignty of the people enshrined on Article (3) of the Constitution cannot be alienated," the AG said.

Counsel K. Thiranagama, objecting to the submissions made by the Attorney General, said that the 19th Amendment had reduced the term of office of the President from six years to five years with the approval of parliament and political parties. It flows obviously that the people approved the reduction of the term.

Counsel Thiranagama supported an intervention application which said that the 19th Amendment applied to the incumbent President as well.

"The 19th Amendment does not state that the six year term is retained by that amendment," he said.

President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris, in an intervention, said that there is nothing in the 19th Amendment which prohibits President Siriseana, from going on for six years from January 9, 2015.

"The 19th Amendment is operative from May 2015 only and not retrospectively.

"The 19th Amendment only changed the term of office of the President from six years to five years.

"If the legislature intended to reduce the term of office of the incumbent President, it should have stated so in the 19th Amendment," Counsel Pieris argued.

President’s Counsel Manohara de Silva said that the 19th Amendment says that the President shall hold office for only five years. The President shall hold office, according to the amendment. It simply means that, the term is subject to the amendment, specified in the 19th Amendment.

"Parliament did not say that the incumbent President could go on for six years. With regard to the President, the Parliament said that the President would hold office subject to the 19th Amendment.

"The incumbent President could have invoked the Supreme Court under Article 121, soon after the enactment of the 19th Amendment to clarify his rights. He didn’t do so.

"The President could have challenged his rights as a citizen then. He did not do that. He could have challenged the reduction of his term. He did not do it soon after the 19th Amendment was passed in May 2015.

"The President at a public meeting has said he wanted the term reduced. This current challenge could be somebody else’s afterthought.

"The retrospective question is not relevant here. The prospective effect is that he can hold office for five years from the date of taking the oath as President," Manohara de Silva maintained.

Give us power in the village to test us – Bimal

January 11, 2018

Whether the JVP could administer or not cannot be determined without giving us power. As such, give us power at the forthcoming local government election to check we are capable of governing. If we fail or if you think that we are unable to govern you could remain without voting for us at the next election says the National Organizer of the JVP Parliamentarian Bimal Rathnayaka.

He said this speaking at a meeting held at New Town, Kotmale to support the JVP candidates contesting for Kotmale Pradeshiya Sabha.

Mr. Rathnayaka said, “The JVP is contesting for many urban councils, municipal councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas. An individual who forced a lady teacher to kneel down as a punishment has been appointed as an organizer of a main political party and a wife of an individual who had abused a hundred women and celebrated the hundredth abuse too has been given candidature for the election. Despite nomination lists of main political parties were rejected, none of the nomination papers of the JVP that include teams of special and renowned persons has been rejected.

This election is different from the ones that have been held earlier. The new system compiled to replace Basil Rajapaksa’s system that intended to give an advantage to the ruling party is more favourable to the masses. The good qualities of the new system are the ward getting a representative of its own, increase in women’s representation, doing away with the fight for preferential votes and a decrease in poster war.

At present women are the majority in many institutions. However, the presence of women in the political sector is negligible. Only daughters and wives of politicians enter politics before this. They are not aware of the issues confronted by women and ordinary folk in the country. One of the drawbacks of the new system is the burden the people have to bear of maintaining a large number of councillors.

Pradeshiya Sabhas, Urban Councils and Municipalities are places that make people who want to get things done hang about for ages. When we come to power we would take action against anyone – the Chairman, Councilor or officials – who take bribes and accept commissions. We would be alert always to protect people’s assets. Every vote you cast for the JVP will have a value.
Every bad MP in Parliament did not gatecrash but was elected by the people. So, the voter has to take a correct decision when voting.

Today, the main parties do not have any enthusiasm. Hence, we ask the people to vote for the JVP to test us. Let the government know the road it is moving on is wrong. The people can give a signal to the government as the cost of living has become unbearable. The country cannot go forward due to large-scale frauds and corruption committed by the government and their lackeys.”
Kapila Atapattu, who contests the Kotmale Pradeshiya Sabha from JVP also spoke.

Historic Obligation Of Muslims In This Local Government Poll

By Salithamby Abdul Rauff –January 10, 2018

Muslim politics of today in Sri Lanka has virtually totally spoiled. A politics that emerged in the of Muslim politics in late 1980s with the slogans of uniting all Muslims in the country under one political outfit, preserving their unique political identity and winning their political rights and aspirations has been acting today against what it had vowed.

What has our Muslim Politics delivered for us over the past two decades? This is the question that needs to be asked simply by every Muslim as the polls for their local bodies are approaching them. So-called Muslim politics has done nothing to addressing Muslims’ grievances, preserving their interests, representing their aspirations and winning their rights.

Muslim politics has brought dozens of political parties and dozens of “National Leaders” to its community. It has produced politicians who are known notoriously for their ill and anti-social behaviours as local/national leaders for Muslim people. This politics has supplied its community with politicians who are greedy to use Muslims’ grievances, aspirations and rights as a tool to fill their pockets. The same Muslim politics has polarised Muslim people too into dozens of politically rival groups who are today blindly following their respective “National Leaders” and are treating each other as arch enemy. 

 

In this post-war context today, tens of thousands of Muslims who were driven out of their homes in 1990s at gunpoint by Tamil Tigers tried to return to their homes after a 30 years of armed conflict of the country terminated, Muslim politics hardly did anything for the return of these helpless peoples suffering from years of displaced life. The “National Leaders” of Muslim politics did nothing in getting successive governments to send them back to their homes despite these “National Leaders” still having various powerful ministries in those governments. Even though it was their legitimate right, today the return of these people was being explicitly blocked by reportedly Tamil political forces. Yet, their “National Leaders” looked impotent to persuade such Tamil forces to allow their return even though these “National Leaders” professed they were mollycoddling to come up with a political settlement for Tamil-Muslim question.

In many places of the country, mosques of Muslims were attacked, they desecrated with pig blood forbidden in their religion Muslim politics and they even closed from praying. When all this was happening, these “National Leaders” remained muted and toothless to voice for this. When a senior minister of the government at the time apparently lied in Parliament that no mosque in the country was harmed, these “National Leaders”, also ministers, speechlessly nodded at that lie of their fellow cabinet member.

In Aluthgama, innocent Muslim people were assaulted, their houses burned and their economies looted. During this, these “National Leaders” who were enjoying a variety of ministries and other patronages from government could not use their sway to thwart this unpopular campaign against their people. They could not throw their portfolios away for their people. They could not boycott at least a cabinet meeting to show their protest against this unjustifiable violent attacks directed at their people and their interests.  Shame, at the time when this anti-Muslim riot occurred, it was one of these “National Leaders” who was the Minister of Justice of the country. This “National Leader” and justice minister could not do a justice to his affected people who deserved this. These people are still waiting for justice despite almost all of their “National Leaders” still being different ministers in today’s government too.

Buddha statue was planted in Muslim land overnight and the land was declared as an archaeological site without any compelling evidence. This development stirred a fear among Muslims that their lands would be encroached further in the pretext of archaeological sites and that they would be targeted by another communal violence. These “National Leaders” rather than promptly acting on reaching a viable solution to the problem came to people on plane with a false promise to remove the statue within next a couple of weeks to placate people. But, the statue still remained so without being removed and the lands still remained so without being returned to their owners even though a couple of weeks promised by “National Leaders” became months today. When Muslim people who were deeply concerned by this went to these leaders seeking a solution, leaders’ solution was thus: “this is a Buddhist country where statues can be placed anywhere and no one can question about this.”

Recently, this Maithri-Ranil government presented a new electoral amendment bill in Parliament to reform the existing electoral systems in the country. The draft bill was unquestionably to target political representations of the Muslims if it came into force. Muslim people were gravely worried and afraid by this proposed amendment and they therefore asked their “National Leaders” not to support the bill in the parliament. These “National Leaders” raised hands for the bill to pass in the parliament simply disregarding their people’s legitimate fears and concerns. Later, these leaders shed crocodile tears in a live discussion on TV as if they found themselves guilty for what they got the bill enacted. These “National Leaders” will act on everything in the same manner in future also against their people because they have succumbed to a variety of government patronages.

 

Muslim masses need to appreciate the fact that this Muslim politics and these “National Leaders” they have accepted today have done nothing for them. They have not fought for your rights. They have not addressed your grievances. They have not protected your interests. They have not represented your aspirations. They have not brought anything for you to harmonize with other communities in the country. Rather, your “National Leaders” have surrendered your blood, your dignity, your grievances, your rights, your aspirations, your rights and totally your existence to local and foreign powers. They have made them money and filled their pockets. Your “National Leaders” have turned Muslim politics into a lucrative industry to offer a better future not to your children but to their kin and kith.

Your “National Leaders,” Muslim people should unequivocally understand, are united in disuniting you. They are united in auctioning you. They are united in different parties, different colours and different symbols to rob your ballots and sell you again to their domestic and global bosses and paying masters. What your “National Leaders” need is: you should be divided. Your mosques should be attacked. Your land should become Buddha statues. Your economies should be targeted. Your life should be threatened. North and East should be shown to be merged. There should be BBS, Hela Urumaya, Ravana Balaya and Sinhala Ravaya, so that your “National Leaders” can fool you and continue their political survival.

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Between “Laundromats” and a “Clean house”

Some appreciated the work of the PCoI and the stand taken by President Sirisena against corruption

Forty years with a free market economy, the urban middle class think corruption can be wiped clean. They don’t understand the role of the State has completely changed

Corrupt State officials even use political pressure to avoid themselves being investigated into. They did say it with a veiled threat to President Sirisena at the very outset.

2018-01-12

The Bond Scam Report isn’t out in the public domain yet. It is supposed to be only in English too.The call for a parliamentary debate on it turned out a big farce. For now what is interpreted and played around is  what media picked from President Sirisena’s pre-recorded Sinhala statement aired on TV channels. A carefully written Sinhala statement that tried to position him as a decent, non partisan national leader, yet tactfully noting PM Wickremesinghe’s responsibility and former Finance Minister Karunanayake’s complicity.   

Interpretations in urban society on what was thus revealed are of two minds. Some applauded and appreciated the work of the PCoI and the stand taken by President Sirisena against corruption. Some agreed with sarcasm throwing a jibe or two at President Sirisena. Those were few “pundits” who landed on the post January “anti Rajapaksa” dinning table and are comfortable with Wickremesinghe’s hectic liberalising of the economy.  

None were real indicators of the dilemma the President was in, after his nuanced statement. In less than 24 hours ,the website “Economy Next” said on 04 January afternoon, “President Maithripala Sirisena’s office has put out several versions of his bond commission statement in an apparent attempt to soften the blow to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his party.”  

It then added,”The President’s website carried the first translation and later swapped it with the new version which was once again amended bringing back references to Ravi Karunanayake but without including Wickremesinghe’s name”. The next day, Minister Faizer Musthapha in a media intervention took pains in clearing PM Wickremesinghe of any wrong doing.   

Appointment of Arjuna Mahendran as Governor CB was thus the cementing of that political deal. 

The Bond scam is not just about the UNP and its elite leadership. The lame excuse that President Sirisena opposed the appointment of Arjuna Mahendran as Governor CB has no validity after he appointed Mahendran as Governor. Appointing Mahendran was more or less a political deal with PM Wickremesinghe to have a government the accepted and accommodated him. It is for that single reason he had Leader of the UNP and then leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe, sworn in as PM an hour after he was sworn in as President on January \09, 2015.   

After the presidential election, D.M. Jayaratne should have constitutionally continued as PM with no change of government. Wickremesinghe was not qualified to be sworn in as PM with only 47 MPs. The Constitution requires the President ensure he appoints as PM one who commands a majority in parliament which means a minimum of 113 MPs. The SLFP/UPFA government that was, would not have accommodated President Sirisena for betraying them. He therefore fished out the most rustic in the Rajapaksa government to provide the majority for Wickremesinghe’s UNP led government. Appointment of Arjuna Mahendran as Governor CB was thus the cementing of that political deal. President Sirisena cannot pretend he is innocent thereafter.  

It means, it is not only politicians who are in tow with the politically powerful new rich

With this unprincipled coalition in government during the past 03 years, this single Bond scam is not just the “one and only”. There is yet another in April 2016. There is also the unoccupied multi storey building leased for the Agriculture Ministry at 21 million rupees per month on a Cabinet paper by the PM. There are more by many high profile UNP Ministers that should be investigated. They are all about political deals no less corrupt than the Rajapaksas.The Russian warship deal and the Spectrum deal are two stinking deals that hold President Sirisena responsible. A warship was no priority when the Navy had 02 brand new warships provided by China and India.Yet President Sirisena’s Cabinet paper as Defence Minister to purchase this Russian warship on a re-negotiated Russian credit line that had lapsed was approved by the Cabinet including the PM. The Spectrum deal, the sale of a frequency bundle was no different. Frequencies are “public property”. They can only be rented or leased for short terms, through public bidding. Why the UNP is mum on this deal said to be worth over Rs.03 billion and comes directly under the President, is also due to their political compromises to be in power.  

These sordid deals don’t get washed clean if Bond scams under Rajapaksa from 2008 are investigated as demanded by PM. That would only say, “Rajapaksas were also corrupt like us”. End of the day “free market economies” don’t allow Commission Reports to topple their apple cart however accurate and complete the investigations could be. In free market economies, State Departments are not left “independent”. Run through this short, selected list for proof. AG who was summoned to parliament by the Speaker ruled that all hurried Amendments to the LG Elections Act at the third reading need only a 2/3 majority. According to the PM’s statement on the present Bond Scam Report, the AG had been provided with the COPE Report one year ago. He is now given the Bond Scam Report by the President. Will he proceed on it as required? Let’s keep counting days this 2018 too.  
Corrupt State officials even use political pressure to avoid themselves being investigated into. They did say it with a veiled threat to President Sirisena at the very outset. Bureaucrats have and they create big enough gaps to wriggle through in this very corrupt system. The prosecuting agency filed charges against top administrators Weeratunge, former Secretary to the President and TRC Chairman Pelpola, under Section 386 of the Penal Code avoiding the Public Property Act for misappropriation or misusing of public funds. Under the Public Property Act, misuse of public money is a non-bailable offence, but not under the Penal Code. The two were out on bail all through their case. State prosecuting agencies can opt to prosecute partners of the “filthy rich” with minimum or no damage, if they so wish.  

Frequencies are “public property”. They can only be rented or leased for short terms, through public bidding

There was speculation that Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, former Secretary to Ministry of Defence, would be arrested on misappropriation of public funds. The corrupt have many social allies in free market economies. Buddhist monks met with President Sirisena to request he should not be arrested. The Appeal Court allowed his anticipatory bail application and prevents the FCID from taking any legal action against him. The temporary stay order was extended for the third time on 15 December. That perhaps is an independent judiciary in a free market economy.  

Yet, forty years with a free market economy, the urban middle class think corruption can be wiped clean. They don’t understand the role of the State has completely changed. The State is no more the regulator and monitor of economic activities. In a free market economy, the State is turned into a facilitator, promoter and also into a custodian of private investment. In Sri Lanka,investment as in all “developing” countries is about uncultured, high flying dealers. The top bureaucracy thus sits with governments (politicians) to formulate policy and draft legislation that can encourage, promote, facilitate and safeguard shady investments with as much incentives as possible. 

 
With the State re-positioned as facilitator, promoter and custodian of the new “filthy rich”, the theoretical definitions of the “State” and the “Government” are no more valid. They are now seen as one and the same. It means, it is not only politicians who are in tow with the politically powerful new rich. The State at policy and decision making level including of course, investigators, prosecutors and judicial officials are also tied to the powerful new rich.  

It is therefore amending few laws and punishing a culprit or two that is now demanded as serious remedies by anti corruption groups in Colombo, including the JVP. 

In short, in a free market economy that allows free growth of a new “filthy rich”, corruption becomes inherent at every level of governance and across State and Society too. That in turn creates a new urban lifestyle on heavy consumption. The urban middle class that plays the “big consumer” is allowed unquestioned economic space to chase after a luxury life. Such “freedom” does not allow the urban middle class a need to think in terms of a cleaner, more cultured and amall inclusive national “development model”. That discussion instead is substituted with talks on “Reforms” to clean up the “mess”. Reforms that would not upset the ‘status quo’ of their “expensive living”.  

There thus is a serious absence of a discourse for alternatives in national terms on ever deepening crises that we live with. Instead we are left with very narrow, short term options for quick ‘washing and drying’ of dirty politics. It is therefore amending few laws and punishing a culprit or two that is now demanded as serious remedies by anti corruption groups in Colombo, including the JVP. But, no one is questioning the competency and credibility of the present politicians. This politically illegitimate parliament is also not competent and is also not serious in legislating better laws. There is also the unavoidable question, “will the investigating, prosecuting authorities including the AG’s Department and the judiciary be efficiently independent than what they are,if they are provided with new laws?”  
Parliamentary debates on the Bond scam report will only be verbal duels and the call for indictment of the culprits, will be nothing more than what the old Sinhala idiom “asking the rogue’s mother to read the fate” (fydrdf. wïuf.ka fmak wykjd) plainly say. Bond Scam Commissions, PRECIFACs, FCIDs and the rest are all about moving with “Laundromats” with different brand names. What we need is a paradigm shift that can provide a new and an alternate system “to keep the house permanently clean” without continuous visits to different “Laundromats” expecting better washing and drying. The discourse for a new development model with better systems needs to be kick started, before this society falls apart.  

Elements loyal to President tarnish Ranil’s image

By Vickramabahu Karunaratne-2018-01-11

When the accusation of corruption in the issuance of Central Bank Bonds under the Yahapalana Government was made, many believed it to be a ploy of the Mahinda group. There was the belief that Ranil Wickremesinghe is free of corruption and any money drawn from the Government coffers will be used for a valid political purpose. Even if there was an illicit manipulation it could be explained in term of political needs.

Many had voted for the new leaders led by Ranil, because they promised to be transparent and non-corrupt. In particular Ranil had such a track record. Human beings believe in something good that prevailed in the past and hope it will come in the future to sustain their hope and thereby their lives. The hope of those who voted for the new Government was that its leaders would not be corrupt, and they would have the capacity to lead the country under globalization, to become a developed one like many countries of Southeast Asia have become in a short period. Denials of wrong doing on the part of Government leaders led by Ranil were therefore convenient for many, who supported the democratic change, to accept.

However, when the Commission of Inquiry appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena began its hearings, which were publicized in the media, the faithful supporters were in pain and questioned why Ranil does not explain what happed and for what purpose this financial manipulation was made. Slowly their faith in the Government leaders became eroded. There is a strong desire in the country that the practice of corruption, especially, at the top should not be permitted to continue. The Commissioners, who had proven track records of competence, conducted themselves in a restrained manner but did their task well. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe volunteered to go before them and give evidence. That made the faithful happy and hopeful. There is criticism that the Prime Minister was not subject to the tough cross-examination that some of the others who came before the Commission had to cope with. But this is not entirely true, because with penetrating analysis the Commission has issued strictures on him too.

The report of the Bond Commission has stated that the Prime Minister should not have believed the Central Bank officials on the bond issue.

Many political and social leaders, both here and abroad, have pointed to the significant fact that an incumbet Prime Minister was summoned before the Commission and went before it. He was questioned by the Commissioners and gave his evidence before them. This has set a precedent that all are equal before the law. This is a practice in western countries but not in the less developed countries. If Sri Lanka is now on the path to being a developed country, there needs to be pressure from civil society, political parties and the courts of law, to take it there. The Prime Minister himself, called for an early debate on the Commission Report in Parliament. This happened immediately and there was very interesting discussion and became an opportunity to discuss institutional reforms necessary to avoid such breakdowns.

In this context, President Sirisena's statement to the nation on the Presidential Commission Report played a negative role according to many critics. They say the Commission Report has given to the President the opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to the political platform on which he sought election in January 2015. It also comes at an opportune time when he leads his party at the Local Government election campaign. The main plank of the political platform at the Presidential Election three years ago, from the Sirisena side was the issue of corruption in the acts of the Mahinda regime. In his election campaign the President pledged to eliminate corruption and to bring in good governance. The problem of democracy and the national problem were emphasized by Ranil and Sama Samaja leaders backed by civil society. There is a campaign to tarnish the image of non-racist democratic leaders, particularly Ranil, by some elements loyal to Sirisena. They say the tight monitoring of corruption that was anticipated did not materialize. Instead sections of the Government have slipped into large scale corruption; so much so, it has provided an opportunity for those in the former Mahinda regime, to shout loudly for harassing them!

CB Bond Scam -- I took action no sooner it surfaced in 2015: PM

2018-01

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe informed Parliament today that he had taken action on the Central Bank bond issue soon after it surfaced in March 2015.

He said he appointed a three-member committee headed by lawyer Gamini Pitipana to look into this matter, and it recommended further action and pointed out that he tabled a copy of that report to Parliament on May 19, 2015.

“Later, the COPE headed by JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti inquired into this matter further and submitted its report. I referred both this reports and the Auditor General’s report to the Attorney General. I also sought legal advice to determine whether there has been fraud, a deviation of the proper procedure and whether Central Bank Governor Arjun Mahendran was responsible for what happened. I informed the Secretary General of Parliament to send all the documents, required by the Attorney General, with the Speaker’s permission,” the Prime Minister said.

He said he also wrote to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) asking for details about any internationally accepted mechanism on the procedure of bond issues and determination of losses in case of a fraud.

“They ruled out the existence of such a mechanism and they notified me that the loss would depend on the market conditions at the time of the concerned bond issue,” the Premier said said.

Confirming that the government has been taking steps since 2015 with regard to the bond issue, he said even stock market trading by Perpetual Treasuries Limited had been suspended .

“The suspension has been extended for six more months. The Central Bank has frozen Rs.12 billion belonging to this company. According the Presidential Commission’s report, the loss had been estimated at Rs.12 billion. What is now left is the institution of legal action to recover the financial loss caused to the government,” the Premier said and added that it was the first time that such an impartial investigation had been conducted in an effective manner.

The Premier said the Commission had recommended a probe into irregularities in bond transactions between 2008 and 2014 as well.

“I have already instructed the relevant authorities to initiate action in this regard. We will punish all those responsible,” he said and added that during this period the bond transactions worth Rs.5,147 billion had taken place. He said transactions of Rs.4,702 billion had taken place through private direct placements.

“It means more than 90 per cent of transactions had taken place in that manner. No approval had been obtained from the Monetary Board for these transactions,” the Premier said. (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)

Central Bank to initiate forensic audits on issuance of T-bonds

January 11, 2018

The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has been handed a copy of the report of the Bond Commission, entrusting the task of considering giving effect to the recommendations contained in the Report.

The Secretary to the President has handed over a copy of the report of the Commission of Inquiry to Investigate, Inquire and Report on the Issuance of Treasury Bonds (COI) during the period from 1 st February 2015 to 31st March 2016 to the Governor on 10, January.

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) today issued a statement relating to the Recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry and measures taken to improve the management and control of the Public Debt and the Employees’ Provident Fund.

The statement listed the regulatory actions taken on Perpetual Treasuries Limited and Pan Asia Banking Corporation.

Based on the supervisory concerns and non-compliances identified in the on-site examination report of Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) and other investigations, the Monetary Board issued Directions to PTL on 07/11/2016 curtailing their levels of operation in the primary and secondary market and preventing the alienation of funds.

“Based on continuing investigations, further Directions have since been issued from time to time and as of now their business activities are suspended; and PTL are prevented from the disposal of assets, distribution of profits and making payments without the prior approval of CBSL.”

“The Directions are in force until 6th July 2018. CBSL has frozen the assets of PTL held with CBSL and has informed the Securities and Exchange Commission to take appropriate action with regard to assets of PTL coming under its purview.”

The Central Bank said it will initiate measures to carry out forensic audits carried out in relation to the issuance of Treasury bonds during the 2008 to 2014 and the Treasury bond auctions held in March 2016.

The statement also lists various measures taken to improve transparency and governance of the investment decision making process as well as the internal control framework of the EPF.

It further said that measures have been taken to increase the efficiency and enhancing the transparency of debt management operations and this include the introduction of new Auction System for Primary Issuances of Government Securities and improve secondary market for Sri Lanka Development Bonds (SLDBs).

Statement by the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) by Anonymous 4xL1hr21yl on Scribd

Thuggery and obscenity: the order of the day – Parliament degenerates into madness

BY Gagani Weerakoon and Methmalie Dissanayake-2018-01

The hallowed Chamber of Parliament once again turned into a rowdy arena with Members throwing punches, hurling objects and invective as the proceedings into the much hyped debate into the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry, which investigated and inquired into the issuance of Treasury Bonds was taken up yesterday.

Some MPs were injured when Joint Opposition (JO) Members invaded the well of the House carrying placards and shouting 'Hora (thief)' when Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe rose to make a statement.

The fracas erupted when Opposition members protested against Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and the Government for failing to table the report of the controversial Treasury Bonds scam in Parliament as promised at the Party Leaders' meeting held on 9 January.

When the House commenced sittings, Speaker Jayasuriya announced that the Presidential Secretariat had informed him that the Bond Commission report and 34 reports of Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) would be made available to Parliament after one more week. The Secretary to the President had also informed that copies of the Bonds Commission report had been referred to the Attorney General, the Central Bank and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

Leader of the House, Minister Lakshman Kiriella: "The JO and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party asked for a debate. We are ready for the debate. There is no report. Without getting ready they demand a debate."

Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake: "We have been demanding that the Bonds Commission report be tabled. At the last Party Leaders' meeting we came to an agreement that the Speaker would get the report tabled and thereafter we would hold a Party Leaders' meeting to decide on the debate. A summary of the report had been publicized by the President in his address to the nation. In his summary, the President said that there was a loss of Rs 11,000 million to the country, out of which a loss of Rs 8,500 million was to public funds. In addition, public funds were used for the conduct of the affairs of the Commission. These details should not be hidden or only limited to the knowledge of a few. The Parliament should be informed of these. We have asked for these reports under the provisions of the Right to Information Act."

JO Parliamentary Group Leader Dinesh Gunawardena: We had requested the President to give us a copy of the report. The Secretary to the President has said that he would a give a copy to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna. The JO has 53 MPs. We asked at the Party Leaders' meeting for the tabling of these reports in Parliament. This is a serious question. The Government says it does not have the report. It was promised at the Party Leaders' meeting on 9 January that the first item on the cards for Parliament yesterday (10) would be the tabling of the report. Now, the officials cannot override the promise given by the Speaker and ask for more time. Former Speakers Anura Bandaranaike and Chamal Rajapaksa have established that Parliament is above other institutions, including the Judiciary. Now it is up to you as the Speaker to use your powers. You have the powers to summon any public official and ask for any public document. The entire country is waiting to see the report. You can summon the Secretary to the President and ask him to come with the report."

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe: "MP Dinesh Gunawardena called and asked me to convene Parliament. It is not easy to call the MPs for an urgent sitting as they are campaigning in their villages for the forthcoming elections. When I convene Parliament, as per the provisions of the Standing Order Number 14, I have to reveal the reasons for convening. Then, I said that I would convene Parliament to make a statement, and to convene Parliament on 10 January. It is upto the President to decide whether he would make the reports public. Before presenting the report to the House, it should be presented to the Cabinet."

MP Bandula Gunawardena: "Parliament has been convened to debate the Bonds Commission report and not to listen to a statement from the Prime Minister."

Prime Minister: You could blame me more after this statement. But I can make this statement. We have enough numbers in the House."

Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan: "The reports should be tabled at its earliest possible time. This is a matter pertaining to public funds and the Parliament has responsibility over public finances. This should be debated. We should investigate frauds and find the truth. There was a time when we did not know what happened to similar Commission reports. I thank the President and the Prime Minister for this report. The public should not be given the impression that we are shying away from the Commission report or from the debate."

Prime Minister: "We need to talk about the follow up action to be taken on the Committee on Public Enterprises report, on Treasury Bonds issuances. The Speaker could decide when the debate on the Bonds Commission report is to be held when he receives the report. That is why we convened the Parliament yesterday."

MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara: "When we convened the Parliament, the objective for the special sittings had been mentioned as debating the Bonds Commission report. The report is not on our tables. We cannot let the Prime Minister make a statement on a report we have not seen."

Prime Minister: "Special sittings are convened for a special purpose. I need to make this statement. I will make it and thereafter you could debate or state your opinion. I did not know whether the report would be made available or not. I was asked to convene the Parliament, I convened it."

Speaker: "The Presidential Secretariat has promised to give us the reports next week. I do not want to see a conflict between the President and the Parliament."

Dissanayake: "We too demanded that the Parliament be summoned. We asked for the special sittings to debate the Bonds Commission report and not to listen to the Prime Minister's speech. The President says that he would give the reports in a week. We cannot accept that. Some of reports had been handed over to the President in 2016. You are delaying the reports targeting the elections. Summon the Secretary to the President to the Parliament and ask him as to why he cannot give us a copy. When the Bonds Commission report was given to the President, there were already three copies. Ask for one of them for the Parliament."

Speaker: "One has been sent to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC)."

Dissanayake: "We should have been given it before it was given to the CIABOC. Since when does the CIABOC come above the Parliament?"

Tamil National Alliance MP M.A. Sumanthiran: The report should have been sent to the Parliament before it had been directed to other institutions. We call on the Speaker to instruct the Secretary to the President to come to the Parliament at 1.30 p.m. on this day (yesterday – 10 January) with a copy of the report."

Prime Minister: The President is in Anuradhapura today (yesterday – 10 January). Many Ministers too are there, in Anuradhapura."

Dinesh Gunawardena: "The Speaker has powers to summon any public official. Call the relevant officials and table the report."

Prime Minister: "At the end of this session, we could hold another Party Leaders' meeting. I too will attend it."

At this juncture, the Prime Minister started to read out his statement, but the JO MPs shouted slogans and held placards above their heads protesting against the Prime Minister making the statement. The Prime Minister continued while the JO MPs came down to the Well of the House shouting at him. JO MPs led by Dinesh Gunawardena marched towards the Mace. Sergeant-at-Arms, Anil Parakrama Samarasekera and his Deputy Kushan Jayaratne, held the Mace in the bracket when the Opposition MPs tried to grab it. While the Prime Minister kept reading out his statement, United National Party MPs too came down to the Well. JO MPs shouted 'Kavuda Hora, Ranil Hora (Who is the thief, Ranil is the thief)' while the UNP Members shouted 'Mahinda Hora (Mahinda is the thief)', the latter a reference to former President and current MP Mahinda Rajapaksa. Speaker Jayasuriya then suspended the sittings for 10 minutes at 11.05 a.m.

Though sittings were suspended, the protesting MPs remained in the Well and what followed was a regular donnybrook. The UNP MPs tried to grab the placards from the JO MPs and confronted them. In the melee, UNP MP S.M. Marikkar punched JO MP Gamini Lokuge. Lokuge was then seen slapping Marikkar. MP Kavinda Jayawardena who had been in the front line trying to grab the placards from the JO MPs was seen falling in the Well. Then MPs Marikkar and Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva came to the help of MP Jayawardena who had fainted and took him to the backbenches and sprinkled water on his face. When he could stand up, MP Marikkar helped him out of the Chamber. MP Johnston Fernando was seen punching UNP MPs Chaminda Wijesiri and Hector Appuhamy.

When the MPs exchanged blows shouting vulgar words, MP Prasanna Ranaweera was seen being dragged away by his colleagues. Ranaweera's shirt was torn by UNP MP Chaminda Wijesiri. MP Rohini Wijeratne was also caught in the melee and was seen kicked by other MPs. MP Prasanna Ranatunga was seen hitting MP Chaminda Wijesiri and running out of the place while the latter chased him. MP Ranjith Zoysa too was punched and kicked by the UNP MPs. Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake however did not participate in the brawl as he was seen standing up, capturing the brawl on his mobile phone. MP Marikkar, who came from behind hit MP Gamini Lokuge again. Lokuge fell on his chair. Some MPs were seen throwing books at their colleagues. As the bloody brawl continued, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe too made advances but was prevented by Ministers Sagala Ratnayake and Vajira Abeywardena.

When the House resumed sittings around 11.50 a.m., the Speaker announced that he had received a letter from the President and then read it to the House. He said that he would meet the Attorney General in the evening. He said that he would let the Prime Minister deliver his speech again for the latter had been disturbed on the earlier occasion.

MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake protested saying that they would boycott the Party Leaders' meeting where one thing is promised and the Speaker allows another thing to happen in the chamber, adding that it was easy to sort out the matters in the Chamber before the eyes of everybody. "There was bloodshed in this House as the Speaker failed to stick to his word. We won't be here to listen to the Premier," he said and walked out if the Chamber with his MPs.

When the Prime Minister got up to deliver his speech, JO MPs booed him and walked out of the Chamber.

 

The shortage of real leaders

 Friday, 12 January 2018

Our world looks in vain for strong leadership. Politicians and religious leaders no longer seem to offer it.

“Our world looks in vain for strong leadership,” lamented the commentary for a new report by the World Economic Forum about the global outlook. The Geneva-based foundation, best known for its gatherings of world leaders, surveyed 1,767 experts about the major trends likely to keep troubling us in the year ahead.

We need more and better leaders to tackle the pressing issues of our times. The picture such data and opinions keep painting for us is that of a leadership vacuum—a dangerous shortage of strong and effective leaders that governments and companies are struggling to fill.

Compare that picture with the growth of the “leadership industry”. That is, the sprawling global industry encompassing leadership institutions, publishers, magazines, start-ups, think-tanks, foundations, agencies, corporate universities, consulting firms, training outfits, freelancers and so on, dedicated to the development and maintenance of leadership—the models and images of what leaders and leading look like; and to the development of leaders—the selection, training, mentoring and endorsement of those who aspire to lead.

Since 2010, while confidence in leaders has remained at historical lows, effective leadership is one of the most elusive keys to organisational success. While a number of organisations worldwide have successfully cracked the code, today’s flatter, faster, more flexible organisations, facing intense competition in a global market, require more dynamic leadership.

Those organisations that are most successful in developing their executives and senior managers carefully assess the performance and capabilities of these leaders and potential leaders, provide them extensive development and coaching, measure their progress, and then reward them. They also focus on enhancing the self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and social skills of their leaders—what we refer to as emotional intelligence.

Leadership capacity

Leadership bench strength, the leadership pipeline and leadership capacity are popular metaphors for the underlying issue of ensuring that an organisation’s leadership is adequately developed to face current and future challenges. Regardless of the term that is

 used, the particular concept emphasises that leadership is not centralised in a single or small number of individuals.

It begins with the belief or organisational norm that leadership is everyone’s business and required to move an organisation forward. Why? Because the kinds of challenges faced in today’s globally competitive environment are far too complex for any individual to figure out alone and then deal with the complexities. In order to survive and thrive, successful organisations must be keenly aware of their leadership talent and how to best develop it across all levels.

Succession planning and leadership development are key processes in assessing and developing an organisation’s leadership talent. Therefore an overall systems-wide perspective on leadership development helps to build a broader leadership capacity and a deeper pipeline of solid leaders.

The focus is not just on those at the top but includes most or all management levels. There is a related tendency to focus attention on high-potential employees. This makes sense in terms of potentially maximising the return on investment (ROI) from developmental efforts. On the other hand, an unintended consequence is that it allows a significant part of the organisation to weaken.

From classroom to work related

Leadership development efforts too often are like focusing on the whitecaps in the ocean and entirely missing the unseen force of the deep blue sea. The most effective succession planning and leadership development initiatives are connected across levels in a coherent way.

Therefore a roadmap for the development of the required skills, competencies, attitudes and perspectives must ensure that leadership skills developed at one level are built upon at a higher level. By being systematic, the development initiative builds explicit linkages across leadership levels.

Readiness of leaders

Succession planning also incorporates diagnostic tools and methods for assessing the developmental readiness of employees for particular roles.

Overly generic leadership development initiatives lose sight of the universal importance of individual differences in developmental readiness. People differ in the extent that they are ready for developmental “stretch” assignments that are at the core of many of the most effective leadership development initiatives.

When it comes to succession management, Jack Welch, a former CEO of General Electric (fourth-largest company in the world among the Forbes Global) was probably the best-known CEO-champion of tailored succession management. His Chief Learning Officer at the time (Steve Kerr) claimed that Welch “knew intimately” the career paths of more than a thousand employees in GE and would spend fully one quarter of his time on the GE succession planning process.

This level of CEO involvement in succession planning is extraordinary and probably unlikely in most other organisations. At minimum, however, every managerial employee should have an individual development plan and be held accountable for making progress on it every year. Leadership development is not an isolated event. Rather, it is a significant part of ongoing work-related experience.

Research shows that executives find learning from work-related experience to be a more powerful force for their development as compared with classroom-based learning. Therefore developmental experiences focuses much more on helping leaders learn and develop from their work experiences rather than taking them away from their work to attend classroom training.

In the final analysis like the WEF report highlights the need for a new breed of leaders, leaders with skills better suited for the digital age: a global perspective combined with the ability to collaborate across sectors, communicate honestly, plan for the long term and keep the public interest in mind. One could not possibly disagree looking at what is happening around us.
(The writer is a thought leader.)

SAITM Students Had No Psychiatry Or Community Medicine Training

By Sankalpa Marasinghe –January 11, 2018

On 30 December, 2017, Minister Lakshman Kiriella was visibly jubilant to make a revelation in front of a set of graduates from Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education (SLIATE). It was a statement embedded with sarcasm directed towards the students’ movement which stood opposing the grand plan to establish a fraudulent institute and grant recognition.

Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) had agreed to recognize the medical degree awarded by the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) with more than five weeks of clinical training, said Minister Lakshman Kiriella. 

“I say this to you because you are young and you can be misled…,” the minister continued.

Nothing could be further from truth and there was only one person who was misleading the students of Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education on that day, Minister Lakshman KIriella himself.

The Sri Lanka Medical Council has denied such a decision and as far as this writer could confirm no such decision was made to date at the Council of the SLMC. In fact, as the Registrar of the SLMC had explained, the council has appointed a subcommittee to look in to the possibility of a “bridging course” in an eventuality of SLMC being directed by the court of law to register those students who had already completed the course at SAITM.

The Committee comprises of Prof Narada Warnasuriya (Chairman), Prof Rezvi Sheriff, Prof Harsha Seneviratne, Prof Jennifer Perera, Dr S Raviraj, Prof Sisira Siribaddana and Prof Nilanthi de Silva (Rapporteur).

As far as it is known, this subcommittee has not produced a finalized report and the council has not agreed upon a final time frame for the possible bridging course.

On the above context comes the greatest revelation which for some strange reason was “hidden” from many inquiries conducted by relevant authorities. The writer reliably learned that two of the essential clinical components for the completion of MBBS degree; Community medicine and Psychiatry’ has not been completed by the students of SAITM.

In a letter dated January 4, 2018, Registrar SLMC has inquired from the relevant Regional Director of Health Services, Dr S M Arnold whether the training of Community Medicine for the students of SAITM was adequate or not?

The response forwarded by the regional director is a written submission by the Additional Medical Officer of Health, Kaduwela which states as follows.

“A community Medicine Appointment was not conducted for the students of SAITM by the MOH office Kaduwela.”

“None of the medical officers of MOH Kaduwela were involved in providing any training on Community Medicine for SAITM students”

Therefore, those students of SAITM who claim that they have completed MBBS have not done a community medicine training.

It is also learned very reliably that Dr Vajira Dharmawardene, Consultant Psychiatrist, has also responded to the query by the SLMC and stated that the students of SAITM had not done a proper Psychiatric appointment at B H Avissawella. He further adds that there is no Psychiatric ward at B H Avissawella and hence the students had no exposure to inward patients.

This revelation comes in the midst of SLMC trying to work out how much of a deficit should be covered to close the gap of “grave inadequacy of clinical training” of SAITM students who have supposedly completed their MBBS.

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Israeli soldiers kill two 16-year-old Palestinians, one after anti-Trump protest

Israeli soldiers shot Amir Abu Musaed in the chest after the protest in Gaza and killed a second 16-year-old during clashes in the West Bank

Relatives mourn next to the body Amir Abu Musaid at the al-Aqsa hospital in central Gaza on Thursday (AFP)

Thursday 11 January 2018

Two Palestinian teenagers were killed and three others seriously wounded on Thursday in clashes with the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Amir Abu Musaed, 16, was shot dead in clashes with the Israeli military along the Gaza border, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

Abu Musaed was reportedly shot in the chest near the border fence, east of Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza, following protests against US President Donald Trump's controversial recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Israeli soldiers also killed Ali Kaddus, a 16-year-old from Iraq Bureen, a small village south of Nablus city in the illegally occupied West Bank.

Kaddus was shot in the head near a makeshift Israeli checkpoint at the entrance of Tell village to the southwest of Nablus, according to local media. 

According to Kaddus' brother-in-law, Alaa Qador, Ali was shot and killed as he stood among a group of Palestinian youth near the entrance to the his village which which had been blockaded by Israeli forces with cement blocks.

"There were no clashes, nor protests. Ali was just standing with some guys when Israeli soldeirs drove by in a jeep and shot him in the head," Qador told MEE.

The checkpoint was one of several that the Israeli army set up this week after a 35-year-old Israeli was shot dead on Tuesday near the illegal Israeli settlement Havat Gilad.

Israeli soldiers had reportedly blocked these checkpoints using cement blocks, virtually stopping any one from entering or leaving the village. 

The Israeli army spokesperson told Haaretz that "it is looking into the reports" about the shooting of the two teenagers.