New York junket results : Chaturika buys a doctorate ! Her husband tries to buy Sumana Gomez !!

(Lanka e News - 12.Oct.2018, 6.15AM) By now the fun and frolic indulged in by the family and families of president Gamarala, who roamed the streets of America during the recent New York junket of the president wasting tax payers monies are slowly but surely coming to light . It is a matter for deep regret, at a time when the dollar has appreciated to the detriment of the motherland , president Gamarala chose to take his entire jumbo brood on this junket , when in fact as the highest in the hierarchy of the country he should have shown more concern for the country without wasting millions of dollars merely to gratify the personal whims and fancies of his family , and families of his family. Much worse ! these families who wasted public funds for their own mirth and merriment in New York only came back to the Island five days too late after president’s return. This group of family merry makers who returned later comprised president’s elder daughter Chathurika, her husband Thilina Suranjith , Daham and his fiancée Nipuni.

When it was probed why the family stayed back in New York, it was discovered , exploiting the official privileges and powers as the first child of the president, Chaturika had gone ‘shopping’ to America’s educational Institutions to ‘purchase’ a doctorate degree. Chaturika Sirisena who has not even completed the GCE advanced level is now well on the way to receive an American doctorate degree after having paid US dollars 15000.00 it is reported. Patrick Mendis who accompanied the family of the president in the US junket had made all the arrangements towards this end, it is reported.

Meanwhile president’s son in law Thilina Suranjith (Chaturika’s husband) best known for his worst promiscuous ways , had been spending his whole time in porn shops in New York city where the best and latest porno ‘stuffs’ are available.

One Sri Lankan business don who was running a number of porno shops in New York , but has now abandoned that business, although a number of employees of his are now running such shops. Thilina whose whole obsession is porno and body peddlers had met notorious Vijitha another porno shop owner who had started business similarly . Thilina’s exclusive request to him was to somehow procure for him Sumana Gomez . Perhaps Thilina is not aware that Sumana is no longer in the oldest profession in the world , and she is now leading a settled life after marriage. Besides she is now a staunch Mahinda supporter. In any case Sumana has rejected Thilina ‘s invitation with all the fire and fury .

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by     (2018-10-12 16:52:39)

Re-Thinking Macro Management Of Money & Economic Development 

By Hema Senanayake –OCTOBER 13, 2018

Hema Senanayake

Politicians think that they can manage the country’s money, and can they do it? This was one of the important questions raised by a curious gentleman at a seminar convened by the Sri Lanka Association for Political Economy [SLAPE] together with the Economics Students’ Association of the University of Colombo [ESA]. This seminar was held in Colombo, a few months ago, to be exact on March 29, 2018. I happened to be the speaker. Professor W.D. Lakshman moderated the event. Professor S.S. Colombage and Professor Sumanasiri Liyanage acted as panelists. A couple of Parliamentarians were also in attendance. This is the same question that might have crossed the minds of all citizens of Sri Lanka right now when the rupee depreciated to Rs. 170 against the dollar. This is an important subject to discuss when the government is ready to present its budget.

I answered him that politicians do think that they can manage country’s monetary system but the effect of what they do would soon reflect in the country’s current account and in turn in the currency’s exchange value. He got the point. But not this government. In fact, even the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) cannot micro mange the country’s monetary system. What it should do is to set the policies to ensure that the country would have best possible macro-economic fundamentals. 

Perhaps an average reader might not grasp what those macro-economic fundamentals and policies are and how such an environment could be created. First, in the above I mention the basic parameter you should investigate, is the country’s current account. If you need a more accurate parameter, I would say that you take the balance of debt-free inflow and outflow of dollars (or foreign currencies). This is important. If the government could maintain a positive balance or at least a zero balance or even a very small (I mean very small) deficit of this account, then we may have a stable rupee no matter what changes occur in the policy environment of the U.S. 

Now, if the above said account (which is not the same as Balance of Payment (BoP) account as the BoP accounts foreign loans) posts an increasingly large deficits, even if the U.S. reduced its rate of interest, the rupee will be depreciated rapidly. Period. How this phenomenon applies to Sri Lanka? You may now examine what happens primarily in the current account and the BoP account excluding the component of outflows and inflows related to foreign loans. 

In this decade, in 2011, Sri Lanka had the highest (or the worst) current account deficit which amounts to USD – 4.6 billion. This has been diminishing subsequent years during the Rajapaksa regime. In fact, some economists hoped that Sri Lanka would post a positive current account balance in 2015 because at the end of 2014 current account deficit has reduced to USD – 2.0 billion. The hope to have a positive current account balance in 2015 diminished with the regime change in January 2015. Even though the decreasing current account has been posted in 2015 which was USD – 1.9 bn. and 2016 which amounted to USD – 1.7 bn., in regard to the country’s potential to have a positive current account balances in those years, the decreases occurred in 2015 and 2016 were not achievements. Even that situation began to deteriorate in 2017 posting a current account balance of USD – 2.3 bn. Why this change has happened? To find a quick answer look at the country’s Trade Balance account which is the account of imports and exports.  

Trade balance for the years 2015, 2016 and 2017 were USD – 8.4, – 8.9, – 9.6 respectively. This deterioration is without considering the increasing amount of dollars required to service foreign debt obligations. Is there anybody to blame for this deteriorating condition? Whatever the case might be, Minister Mangala Samaraweera admitted a limited responsibility. He said that, “he would not have given the concessions given in January 2015 if it was he who had been finance minister at that time” (Daily Mirror, Oct. 09, 2018). It was this change of fundamentals that causes the current deterioration of rupee. That is not all. Therefore, let us try to capture as to how we should approach this important problem. 

Our economic development limits by the debt-free inflow and outflow of foreign currencies. So, when this government won in 2015 August election they promised to establish various kinds of projects such as 45 High-Development-Zones, Industrial Hi-zones, Agricultural Hi-zones etc. Immediately after the election, I wrote that, “I would suggest them to begin with the country’s current account and balance of payment. Then simultaneously they can move into the fiscal and monetary policy. All these areas constitute the essentials of macroeconomic regime. The ultimate objective of maneuvering these fundamentals is to achieve the optimum efficiency in production and distribution of distributable output. In fact, production and distribution of distributable output are what matters for the wellbeing of the people” (Colombo Telegraph, Aug. 21, 2015). What the Minister of Finance now admits is that they have ignored this approach.

So, how this approach could practically be used. I wrote it too, on the same article. I wrote that, “when a country increases its consumption and investment, there are chances in increasing the current account deficit. Establishing of 45 High-Development-Zones can either be consumption or investment or both. Whatever the case may be, it increases the current account deficit. If the government could ensure that enough or sufficient inflow of debt free dollars which transactions recorded in the country’s financial account, then we do not have to worry that much in regard to the money which is to be expended in the establishment of the said zones. Also, if the High-Development-Zones could bring in dollars in the future or positively contribute to the current account by reducing imports then establishing of them would be economically justified even with borrowed dollars if FDIs are not sufficient to balance out the current account deficit. From the above discussion, you may easily understand that any development project must begin by assessing its impact to the current account and balance of payment. By undertaking this exercise, it defines well, the potential monetary scope of projects. Thereafter only we should bring the project into the national budget which affects the both fiscal and monetary policy. In that way the government can handle the macroeconomic parameters better. If the government begins from project formulation end, then there are chances in messing up macroeconomic fundamentals sooner than later.” 

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The public sector: The paradise where age is a blessing in disguise

Hollow treatment

Saturday, 13 October 2018


The Sri Lankan public sector is a symbol of equality, at least, in terms of employees’ age.  I would say that the public sector is a unique place to work. Naturally, a public sector employee expresses empowerment and authority, because he or she represents the State or the Government of the day. Is this the reason that we often see stony-faced public sector officials? I don’t know. However, what I know is that, in general, their communication style is characterised with non-compromising vibes. The underlying message is that “this is the way we do business here – either accept or leave”. Hang on … ‘Leave?’ Where? There are no alternatives. So, the customers have to bite the bullet and stay for a long haul.

The public sector The para... by on Scribd

Sri Lanka: Arjuna and Malinga sexually harasses us — Indian women

The former Sri Lankan skipper and another Sri Lankan cricket are facing allegations of sexual harassment.

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( October 12, 2018, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Guardian) The MeToo movement has taken the social media platforms by storm, with women coming out and disclosing the incidents of sexual harassment they have faced. Now a woman alleges that a Sri Lankan cricketer once harassed her during one of the Indian Premier League (IPL) tournaments. Singer Chinmayi Sripaada uploaded an image of a note written by the woman, which described her ordeal during the incident. Chinmayi further updated that the “said girl will speak on anonymity to a journalist”.

Even though Chinmayi has claimed the cricketer to be Lasith Malinga, the woman, who is the alleged victim of the harassment, has not named anyone.

“Ranatunga grabs me by waist, sliding his hands along the side of my breasts, I scream fearing the worst, kicking on his legs and feet. Threatening him of dire consequences, passport cancellation, reporting it to the cops etc.,

Malinga, who has represented the IPL franchise Mumbai Indians (MI), has 154 wickets from 110 matches in the league. He is also the highest wicket-taker in the history of the IPL.

Earlier, an Indian flight attendant accused former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga of harassing her at a Mumbai hotel.

The flight attendant had described the whole incident on a Facebook post, which is no longer available. However, a screenshot of the Facebook post is doing the rounds.

“My star struck colleague spotted Indian and Sri Lankan cricketers in the elevator of Hotel Juhu Centaur, Mumbai and decided to meet them in their room for autographs. I decided to chaperone her, fearing for her safety, we were offered drinks (perhaps laced) I declined and stuck to my bottle of water I’d brought along . They were 7 and we 2, they latched the room door putting the chain secure. My discomfort growing inside of me, I urged her to get back to our room,” read the Facebook post.

“She was smitten and wanted to go for a stroll by the poolside, this was at 1900 hrs, the walk to the pool a desolate, unlit pathway at the back of the hotel, I look back to find (her friend) and the Indian cricketer (name blanked out) nowhere in sight,” the post further read.

“Ranatunga grabs me by waist, sliding his hands along the side of my breasts, I scream fearing the worst, kicking on his legs and feet. Threatening him of dire consequences, passport cancellation, reporting it to the cops etc., for he is a Sri Lankan misbehaving with an Indian. Wasting no time, I dashed for the hotel reception a good run on an incline screaming on top of my voice.

“The reception said, “it is your private matter” and that they can’t help me,” the victim added in her post.

News Agencies 

Mayhem, murders and a warning of what may come

 

Sunday, October 14, 2018

 

The Supreme Court’s affirming of the conviction of former parliamentarian Duminda Silva and three of his supporters for causing the death of politician Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and others on 8th October 2011 reflect innovative judicial reasoning that has been ignored in typically sensationalist media coverage of the case.

 

Well-articulated judicial reasoning

 

No doubt, murders of and by politicians are a pedestrian occurrence in this region, occasioning no more than a cynically raised eyebrow at best. But this case was different to a run of the mill political homicide, first for the manner in which the legal process faltered during the Rajapkasa Presidency, despite the fact that this had been a killing of a stalwart of the old Sri Lanka Freedom Party. The second distinguishing factor concerns media dynamics around the case, aggravatingly peaking to unprecedented partisan levels after the final outcome, which I will come to later.

 

Perusal of the Divisional Bench’s ruling delivered under the hand of outgoing Chief Justice Priyasath Dep this week indicates well-articulated and eminently comprehensible grounds on which it is affirmed that the accused (excepting the first accused) had been members of an unlawful assembly, as proven beyond reasonable doubt on the day in question. Offences were committed in furtherance of the common object of such assembly, including that of murder, shooting and causing injuries to persons, criminal intimidation of voters during the local government elections, rioting and intimidation of the police.

 

But what is innovative is the judicial link that has been drawn between the provisions of the criminal law prohibiting unlawful assembly and the overall importance of the right to vote. This was reflected in the judicial rejection of a key defence argument that former parliamentarian Duminda Silva (the eleventh accused) had withdrawn and ceased to be a member of the unlawful assembly before the final act of shooting took place and therefore could not be held liable for the offence of murder.

 

Linking the right to vote with penal concepts 

 

A particular mainstay of the defence was that Silva had suffered injuries to his head, was unaware of what transpired afterward and that the act of shooting was unforeseen as it was brought about by the sudden altercation that took place between the parties. This altercation, according to the defence was a supervening incident which fundamentally altered the course of events which took place thereafter.

 

However, in dismissing the feasibility of a ‘supervening event’ in no uncertain terms, the Court looked at the events of that day against the background of several statutes that regulate the behaviour of candidates and supporters during election times for the peaceful and orderly conduct of the same. Writing for the Court, the outgoing Chief Justice pointed out that, ‘in a democratic society ensuring that the voter is free to exercise the franchise freely is of paramount importance.’ In this context, it was added that the electoral laws are geared towards maintaining public tranquility, ‘the very essence of the concept of vicarious liability under unlawful assembly.’

 

Elaborating on this point, he observed that the eleventh accused who happened to be a member of a Parliament was expected not only to be alive and to adhere to the norms of conducting peaceful elections but also to ‘lead by example and reflect the importance of abiding by the law.’ But on the contrary, the conduct of accused was completely the opposite.

 

As remarked, ‘…the presence of political stalwarts accompanied by their associates armed with fire arms, to my view, is sufficient to kindle a fear psychosis in the minds of the average voter. Such a scenario would certainly have an intimidating effect on the minds of a voter.’ The Court concluded that the behavior of the accused leading up to the incident of the fatal shootings, were ‘assistive and operative on the actions of the unlawful assembly.’ 

 

The accused had ‘lent himself to a criminal enterprise, knowing that the weapons that were carried will be used with an intent sufficient for murder.’  The mere fact that he suffered the first injury in the course of that transaction was not held to be a sufficient countervailing factor.

 

Palpably mischievous media reports

 

And now we proceed from the judicious to the patently absurd. Even taking into account, the steep deterioration of standards by academics, professionals, journalists among judges and lawyers in this country, media reports on the appeal outcome were palpably mischievous.  ‘Lacks clarity’ screamed one headline, ‘even if read hundreds of times, the basis for upholding the conviction cannot be understood’ proclaimed another headline, quite oblivious to the fact that the full judgment had been made available for scrutiny only later.

 

So a reasonable question arises in this context. Were some journalists actively taunting the Supreme Court to take action against them? As we know, contempt has been upheld on occasions far less provocative than these. And as the General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena now languishing in prison and bereft of his customary swagger, found out to his dismay in recent months, it is unwise to poke the bear with malice and intent aforethought.

 

Moreover, apart from repercussions that may be visited on media reporting, there is a more pertinent issue at stake. Simply put, such conduct amounting to irresponsible reporting at the best or ‘motivated’ journalism at the worst deeply undermines difficult attempts at law reform responsibly seeking a balance between the right to know of the public and the due administration of justice.

 

In fact, this type of problematic conduct is quoted by many in the legal fraternity as a classic instance as to why judges must be able to exercise contempt of court powers to full intensity over the media. Encouraging this hardening of attitudes on the part of those who view the media with profound (and I might well say, justifiable in some cases), suspicion is certainly a pity. But this is an inevitable consequence of the asinine conduct of some, rebounding on many.

 

A frighteningly fitting reminder of the past

 

In sum, the murders committed on that day (viz; 8th October 2011) and the mayhem at the hands of intoxicated thugs acting under political patronage, as set out in excruciating detail in the Court’s decision forcibly remind us of the thuggery and violence prevalent at the time. This is a frighteningly fitting example of the complete absence of the Rule of Law under the Rajapaksas, no more and no less. Today, economic and governance failures of the ‘unity Government’ fashion a receptive environment enabling the potential return of those very desperados.

 

Even so and with all the many ‘yahapalanaya’ ignominies that we have to contend with, it must be said that the institution of the Sri Lankan judiciary has been returned to a level where a decision of this nature can be delivered by the Court, notwithstanding the tug and pull of intense political pressure.

 

That gain, albeit incremental and insufficient, must be acknowledged in all fairness.

Duminda’s death sentence : How did LTTE arms come in to help Reno and Romelo’s heroin business ? Full judgment herein..

(Lanka e News – 14.Oct.2018, 1,45AM) Justice Priyasad Dep a most reputed chief justice who maintained his professional honor and dignity throughout his career ,delivered a historic judgment just a day before his going on retirement against the three accused including notorious Aramedura Lorenz Romelo Duminda Silva alias kudu Duminda in the Bharatha Lakshman multiple murder case which was contained in 55 pages .The text of the full verdict is appended.

This Supreme court (SC) verdict written by Dep CJ rejecting the appeal made by the three accused including kudu Duminda was assented to by the other four judges of the panel..

A number of salient and shocking facts emerge when reading this historic verdict. …

The contention advanced by the lawyers in defense of kudu Duminda that the latter was shot at first had been most justly rejected. The reason cited by court was , that day ,since morning Duminda Silva an M.P. was outrageously and openly violating the election laws and was leading the groups to form unlawful assemblies. Even 5 mins. before the murders were committed he has been making death threats to the public about 500 meters away from the scene where the multiple murders were committed , the judgment reveals.

An ASP who was on election duty too had been chased away . In the judgment is is stated ,without any doubt it has been proved , a T56 weapon had been kept in custody unlawfully . Besides it has been fully loaded, and 27 shots have been fired from it killing the victims instantaneously..

The allegation made by the lawyers for kudu Duminda that the CID had been gathering evidence with the whole intention to inflict punishment on Duminda was totally repudiated by the judges hearing the appeal .The reason cited by court was , when CID were gathering evidence Duminda was a powerful bigwig in the government of that time as well as a security monitoring M.P. Hence the CID was bound to perform its duties impartially.

More shocking details about kudu Remelo and Reno …

The judgment reveals how Duminda Silva and Reno De Silva have been using the illicit weapons of LTTE for their heroin business operations. The T 56 firearm used for the murders is that of the LTTE which was seized by them in 2000 when the Elephant pass camp of the forces was captured by it. That means Duminda Silva has received weapons of the LTTE.

Sri Lanka’s Armory Temples

What is even more baffling and deplorable is , the Duminda group received this weapon on the fateful day from the ‘Kande Pansala’ where they had been kept hidden. That means the firearms of the LTTE terrorists have been kept hidden in the South in a temple of all places . These are armory temples.The irony of ironies is , it is the same rascally inmates of the Temples who at the same time are shouting and screaming that they are the Sinhala Buddhist heroes.

These sinners should be forbidden to touch the tooth relic…

Moreover , this is a strange Buddhist country where kudu Duminda Silvas and Reno De Silvas are able to parade as great Buddhists exhibiting the tooth relic, backed by criminal Gotabayas and corrupt Rajapakse Gorakayas with the help of the kudu (heroin)media channels of Reno Silva to dupe the people while committing gruesome murders on the roads.

It is therefore the duty of true Buddhists to see to it such rascals and scoundrels are forbidden even to keep their hands on the sacred tooth relic , let alone speak of Buddhism. The true followers of Buddhism and the Buddhist priests must tell them to exhibit their own sinister tooth relic made out of their own kudu and illicit earnings instead .

Kudu money awards ceremonies..

It is the same Romelos and Renos murdering innocents on the road and engaging in heroin business who are even deceiving the artistes in the country. These kudu magnates have grand ceremonies to distribute awards to actors and actresses spending their heroin business earnings. During these ceremonies , at least SL Rs. 20 million is paid to each of the Indian artistes who are got down .

Yet the award winning local actors and actresses are only given a cash award of a meager Rs. 50,000.00 each which they have to collect from Reno’s office. In fact this is another subterfuge for it is through these ceremonies the illicit kudu earnings are laundered. It is the duty of genuine and bold artistes to boycott such ceremonies if they are truly concerned about the country.

Reno responsible for death of Romelo

Following the death sentence delivered against Aramedura Lorenz Romelo Duminda Silva alias kudu Duminda , the Colombo Law society had something intriguing to say : It is Reno De Silva who carved the short cut to Romelo’s disaster they quipped . The reason for that is , Reno’s kudu channel carried out a huge publicity among the people that Romelo (kudu Duminda) will be acquitted of all charges by the appeal court . The kudu channel made a huge din about it while reporting only one side of the court proceedings .

At the same time while paying colossal amounts as bribes to the venal journalists who are in plenty in that profession nowadays , they were influenced to create the opinion that Duminda will be freed. The publicity was such it became impossible for the public to avert the opinion that judges also took bribes from Reno . By that even the little faith and confidence in the judiciary was undermined.

Hence, it is the view of the Law society owing to that , the judges had to deliver a judgment to confirm that the truth is otherwise , which meant it is Reno who courted death and disaster for Romelo the kudu magnate.

No matter what , if the judgment is carefully read, it is very obvious the panel of judges who heard the appeal in this case have most scrupulously , scientifically , honorably and prudently arrived at the decision giving paramount importance to the country’s Democratic tenets and the sacrosanct laws to uphold justice and safeguard the independent judiciary.

By clicking on the link below the judgment can be read.

https://s3.lankaenews.com/downloads/sc_tab_2a_d_2017.pdf

Courtroom drama as Duminda Silva faces death row

BY ANURANGI SINGH-14 October, 2018

Duminda Silva arriving at the Supreme Court last Thursday PIC: LAKMAL SOORIYAGODA

With the unanimous judgment delivered by the five-judge bench of the Supreme Court last Thursday affirming the High Court Trial-at-Bar verdict in the murder of SLFP strongman Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, ex-Monitoring MP to the Ministry of Defence Duminda Silva moves to death row in Welikada Prison

“Throughout the four hours that Duminda Silva had sat near the polling booths two of his security detail were standing next to him in civil clothes bearing two T-56 weapons - a sight sufficient to intimidate voters. He was also heard telling voters not to vote for the UNP but for the then government, according to evidence led in court. Several attempts to remove Duminda Silva and his aides from the site, by police officers on election duty, failed. Finally he was informed that his conduct will result in the polling booth being cancelled. Duminda Silva and his aides had then proceeded elsewhere leaving Tamilnadu Watta area, where he had consumed alcohol. At about 2.45 pm the motorcade had proceeded towards Rahula College. They continued to intimidate voters at Rahula College where Silva had assaulted a female in the polling booth while his aides assaulted several other males as well as females in the polling booth. STF (Special Task Force) officials deployed at the polling booth had made an effort to disperse them, but to no avail. At this point, the accused had proceeded to threaten one of the STF officers by holding a weapon to his chest.”

The above is a description by Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Thusith Mudalige during the appeal hearings, on the activities of the 11th accused, in the Baratha Lakshman Premachandra murder case, regarding his conduct and that of others. Duminda Silva (11th accused), was the former monitoring MP of the Defence Ministry during the Rajapaksa government.

Last week, the five-judge bench of the Supreme Court consisting of the former Chief Justice Priyasath Dep and Justices Nalin Perera, Buwaneka Aluwihare, Priyantha Jayawardena and Vijith Malalgoda, delivering the judgment of the appeal made by Duminda Silva and others, dismissed the application by the 11th accused appellant R Duminda Silva, 3rd accused appellant Dematagoda Chaminda, 7th accused appellant Sarath Bandara and 10th accused appellant who passed away after the incident, putting to rest many canards pre-empting the decision by the country’s apex court, which ultimately, unanimously affirmed the verdict of the High Court Trial at Bar.

The first accused, Police Constable Anura Thushara de Mel was acquitted of all charges while Silva and the other accused were acquitted from some of the charges relating to the possession of firearms.
The incident took place back in 2011 during Local government elections. During a confrontation between the two rival factions of the then ruling UPFA, four persons including Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, (SLFP stalwart and trade union leader), were killed.

In September 2016, delivering the judgment of the High Court Trial at bar, High Court judge Padmini N Ranawaka in a majority judgment which was agreed by High Court Judge M C B S Moraes, and six accused were acquitted on all counts, while Silva and four others were convicted on charges including use of firearms, unlawful assembly, intimidation, threatening a police constable using a firearm, possession of firearms, murder and attempted murder.

High Court judge A.L. Shiran Gunaratne, Chairman of the Trial at Bar, delivered a separate judgment and acquitted all the accused of all charges.

For weeks, speculation had been rife that Duminda Silva, a former powerful acolyte of Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, would walk out a free man. Last Thursday, the nation waited with bated breath for the verdict on Silva’s much publicized appeal. The former MP’s supporters congregated at the country’s apex court premises in Hulftsdorp. Silva himself who arrived in court in the prison ambulance, was escorted to court No 502 and was joined by other accused who were brought there in the prison bus. All the accused were light-hearted and smiling in court, perhaps confident, in the light of all the speculation, that the verdict would go in their favour.

But it was not to be.

At about 2.45 pm, the former Chief Justice delivered his final determination which jolted everyone in the courtroom. Even the renowned counsels seemed to be trying to comprehend what had happened, long after the judgment had been delivered.

A junior counsel who appeared for one of the accused told the Sunday Observer: “We gave it everything we had. There is nothing we could have done differently, even if there was another chance.”

When realisation dawned, the sobs of Dematagoda Chaminda’s wife reverberated through the silent courtroom. Futilely, Chaminda attempted to soothe her, promising he would come home. The jail guards showed immense compassion, allowing the four accused, who would now be transferred officially as death row prisoners, a little more time to spend with their families. The former MP’s face looked weighed down with concern, but he muttered “kamak nehe ithin” (it doesn’t matter, after all) as soon as the verdict became clear.

He was surrounded by his mother, sisters and youngest brother, all dumbstruck, only exchanging glances. All the while, Chaminda’s wife’s sobbing continued in the background. Duminda Silva’s father, who seemed to be struggling to understand what had happened, walked from lawyer to lawyer asking questions, and finally said: “This is how politics works.”

Mother of hardened underworld figure Dematagoda Chaminda, who will now serve out his death sentence, had final words for her son inside the courtroom that day: “What has befallen you is not due to your own wrongs but for what you did on behalf of others.” while his daughter, no more than 10 years old, clung to him.

Because Silva was tried and convicted by a High Court (HC) Trial at Bar, he was entitled only to a single appeal, by a special divisional bench of the Supreme Court. Only a five judge bench of the Supreme Court can overturn decisions made by a HC Trial-at-Bar.

The final verdict of the Supreme Court came almost exactly seven years to the day that Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and three others were cruelly gunned down in an intra-party election turf war in 2011.

In a final twist, Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra, daughter of Bharatha Lakshman showed compassion towards the accused after the judgement was delivered.

“As a Buddhist, I can’t be happy that such circumstances have befallen them,” she said in a press conference.

The verdict had investigators and prosecutors, (who had put in a great deal of intense investigative work and evidence gathering, on the high profile case), breathing a sigh of relief. DSG Mudalige’s submissions to court during Silva’s appeal revealed the impunity and arrogance with which Silva and his cohorts behaved when they held power, showing disdain towards others and even the law of the land.

Last week’s verdict stood testimony to the long arm of the Law and justice.

Six Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza protests – officials

Violence on Friday included incident where four Palestinians were shot dead after breaching security fence
 Protesters run as teargas is fired by Israeli troops Photograph: Adel Hana/AP

Associated Press in Gaza City-Fri 12 Oct 2018

Israeli forces have shot dead six Palestinians, including four in a single incident, in one of the deadliest days in months of mass protests along the security fence separating Gaza and Israel, Gaza’s health ministry said.

The ministry said four were killed in one location, where the Israeli military said it opened fire on Palestinians who breached the fence and approached an army post. No Israeli troops were harmed, the army added.

At least 140 Palestinians were wounded by live bullets, the ministry said.
The Israeli military said 14,000 Palestinians gathered at border fence areas, burning tires and throwing rocks, firebombs and grenades at soldiers stationed atop mounds on the other side of the barrier.

Since March, Hamas has orchestrated near-weekly protests along the fence, pressing for an end to a stifling Israel-Egyptian blockade imposed since the militant group wrested control of Gaza in 2007.
Hamas’ political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, who attended a protest in east Gaza City, said that “the determination of the Palestinian people will break the siege”.

More than 150 Palestinians participating in or present at the marches have been killed since they began. In May, about 60 protesters were killed in a single day, making it one of the deadliest since a 2014 war between the two sides.

The blockade has restricted Hamas’ ability to govern and plagued most of Gaza’s 2 million residents. Electricity is supplied for roughly four hours a day, unemployment stands at more than 50% and tap water is unpotable.

Repeated attempts to reconcile Hamas and the West Bank-based administration of the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, have all but faltered, increasing the desperation that has in large part fuelled the demonstrations.

This week, the United Nations began supervising deliveries of Qatari-donated diesel fuel meant to restart Gaza’s only power plant, but the station has yet to start working.

Hamas seeks a ceasefire with Israel securing an easing of the blockade but accuses its rivals in the West Bank of thwarting the effort. In recent weeks, it has stepped up its campaign, holding night-time protests and adding new locations such as along the beach. Hamas said the escalation of protests is a response to the unresolved ceasefire talks.

Finally a US lawmaker calls Israel an apartheid state

Hearing from constituents emboldened a member of congress to speak up against Israel’s military detention of Palestinian children.Oren ZivActiveStills

Jennifer Bing-11 October 2018

There is not much to celebrate taking place on Capitol Hill these days.

Nearly two years into Donald Trump’s presidency, US advocates for Palestinian rights may be rightly discouraged from believing that any progress can be made to change the status quo of unconditional support for Israeli government policies and actions. Many issues of concern – the status of Jerusalem (and relocation of the US embassy), the rights of refugees, the blockade of Gaza and the expansion of Israeli settlements – continue to undermine any prospects for a just peace.

We continue to see progressive elected members of Congress and candidates for office shy away from criticizing US policies when it comes to Israel.

US aid to Israel continues to gain widespread Congressional support without any concern for the well-documented human rights violations committed by the Israeli military. State and federal laws have been introduced against the right to nonviolently protest the occupation of Palestine through boycotts and divestment.

But not everyone in Congress is staying silent.

Perhaps the most vocal champion of Palestinian rights in the US House of Representatives is Betty McCollum, elected to Congress since 2000 from St. Paul, Minnesota. Since 2015, she has led efforts in Congress to address the rights of Palestinian children living under Israeli military occupation.

Nearly a year ago she introduced HR 4391, the first bill in Congress which seeks to certify that US tax dollars do not fund Israeli military detention and abuse of Palestinian children.

“As an American and as a mother, I don’t think it’s a particularly controversial or a statement of moral courage to condemn a government that systematically arrests and abuses children,” McCollum said recently at a conference for Palestinian rights held in Minnesota.

“And, as a member of Congress, I don’t believe it should be a statement of political courage to say the US government should not spend $1 of our taxpayer funds supporting a brutal military detention system that abuses children. Now, in Congress you would think that makes common sense but yet this is not the case when it comes to protecting Palestinian children.”

McCollum also addressed the nation-state law recently passed by Israel, stating, “Friends, the world has a name for the form of government that is codified in the nation-state law – it is called apartheid.”

Actions make a difference

How did McCollum become so outspoken, even using a term such as “apartheid” to describe Israeli law? Why is she willing to be courageous on the issue of Palestinian rights given the dynamics in Washington, DC?

In her speech in Minnesota, she provided important lessons for those interested in effective advocacy.
Early in her remarks she highlighted the impact of constituent engagement.

“My constituents here in Minnesota’s Fourth District who send me to Congress, they expect me to fight for progressive values, human rights and policies that respect and elevate our shared human dignity,” she said.

“I am representative, a reflection of the people who elect me. So my work to promote peace, attack poverty, defend the rights of children and stand in solidarity with the oppressed, including the Palestinian people, is because I have the support of my wonderful constituents.”

While it may often seem pointless to call members of Congress, send emails, attend town hall meetings, and go on lobby visits in Washington, McCollum reminds advocates that these small actions can make a difference and are counted when officials make decisions.

Building alliances with other communities on shared interests, such as the welfare of children, and mobilizing together can have even greater impact than individual efforts. As McCollum began her advocacy for Palestinian children, local groups joined together in the Twin Cities to support her – and helped to keep the phone calls and letters supporting her work coming over these past few years.

Silence is never progressive

In Chicago earlier this year, several groups – led by the American Friends Service Committee, American Muslims for Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace – organized a town hall meeting with Luis Gutierrez, another member of Congress. The meeting was called to thank Gutierrez for signing onto the bill initiated by McCollum.

“We cannot continue to call ourselves progressive … and profess to be dedicated to peace in the Middle East … if when Palestinian children are arrested, jailed and even tortured we say nothing,” Gutierrez said at the town hall gathering. He compared his own feelings as a grandfather wanting to protect his grandson growing up in Chicago to how difficult it is for parents of Palestinian children who have no rights or ability to protect their children under occupation.

Gutierrez was emboldened to speak out due to a visit to Palestine and experiences his daughter had while studying in the country. While Congressional delegations to Israel are well-funded and seemingly a right of passage for all lawmakers, far fewer members of Congress go to the region to examine the impact of US policies on Palestinians living under occupation.

The example of Gutierrez highlights the value in organizing more opportunities for visits to the region for members of Congress, or at least providing them an itinerary to visit Palestinian organizations should they make such a trip – and following up when they return home.

Many of the supporters of HR 4391 come from districts where Palestinian rights advocates have been workingfor years to inform the public and their officials on the impact of unconditional diplomatic support and military aid to Israel.

Education and direct engagement with those most affected by injustice are essential in getting members to speak out.

McCollum’s views on the nation-state law were informed by her meeting with Aida Touma-Sliman, a Palestinian member of Israel’s parliament, the Knesset.

McCollum told the St. Paul crowd: “Aida is fighting Israel’s recently passed nation-state law which codifies separate and unequal. This is a standard of racism America rejects and outlawed more than 50 years ago.”

She added: “As Aida has written and told me, rather than working equally for the benefit of all citizens, irrespective of race, religion, ethnicity, or national affiliation, Israel will now promote the development of exclusive Jewish communities. Aida inspired me with her courage and determination.”

In recent years, many groups active on Palestinian rights have organized briefings and visits to Capitol Hill to deliver first-hand accounts and analysis to Congressional staff. Over the past few weeks, the Haifa-based Mossawa Center has toured the US, bringing with it the perspective of Palestinian citizens of Israel.

“We are often invisible in the conversations about the prospects for peace,” said Jafar Farah, Mossawa’s director, to an audience in Chicago. “We want to be members of a progressive front, cooperating together to gain our rights.”

In this moment there may be little political energy or interest beyond changing the balance of power in Congress on election day this November. But Palestinian rights activists should continue to prioritize campaigning for human rights in home districts and on Capitol Hill in the coming year – refining our advocacy skills and building our power to make change.

McCollum’s speech in Minnesota got activists on their feet, praising her courage for speaking up for Palestinian rights. May we continue the hard work of finding more members of Congress to follow her lead.

Jennifer Bing is director of the Palestine-Israel program for the American Friends Service Committee in Chicago and co-leader of the No Way to Treat a Child campaign.

Canada pledges $38m for Palestinian refugees

Aid will be disbursed over two years to UNRWA, which has suffered from Trump administration funding cuts

UNRWA services include education, health care and food assistance (AFP)

Saturday 13 October 2018

Canada has increased its aid for Palestinian refugees, pledging $38m to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), whose work has suffered amid recent funding cuts from Washington.

The Canadian boost, announced on Friday, comes after the United States, previously the largest contributor to UNRWA, announced in August that it would no longer provide $350m annually to the group.

To be spread over two years, about $30m of Canada's contribution will go to "meeting the basic education, health and livelihood needs of millions of Palestinian refugees", Ottawa said in a statement.

Another $7.6m will be used to provide "emergency life-saving assistance to more than 460,000 Palestinian refugees in Syria and Lebanon", it said.

In 2016, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government restored cuts to Palestinian aid made by his right-wing predecessor, Stephen Harper.

UNRWA was set up in 1950 to help more 700,000 Palestinian refugees who had been displaced in the events leading up to the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948.

It currently serves almost five million refugees, including survivors of the 1948 conflict and their descendants, who still live in impoverished camps in neighbouring Arab countries, as well as in the West Bank and Gaza. Its services include schools, health-care centers and food distribution.

Israel and US President Donald Trump say they oppose the way the agency operates and how the number of refugees is calculated.

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Despite Trump's UNRWA cuts, Americans show support for Palestinian refugees

Canada said it "exercises enhanced due diligence" for all aid it provides to Palestinians and includes "strong anti-terrorism provisions in funding agreements".

Trudeau's decision to bolster aid for UNRWA comes in defiance of the country's Conservative Party, which has been calling for an end to Canadian assistance to the agency.

When Trudeau restored Harper's UNWRA cuts in 2016, Conservative MP Peter Kent said he was "horrified", CBC News reported.

"We have abundant evidence that UNRWA is part of the problem," Kent said at the time.

Does UN have credible human rights policy?

Millions of refugees around the world have rushed to other countries and are staying permanently there causing social and economic problems for the regions.

by N.S.Venkataraman-Oct 10, 2018

( October 10, 2018, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) It is surprising that when India took steps to deport seven Rohingya refugees back to Myanmar with full cooperation from the Myanmar government to take back the refugees, UN human rights officials criticized the move and almost condemned India’s action. On the other hand, one would expect that UN should applaud India’s decision and view India’s move to deport the refugees back to Myanmar and Myanmar government agreeing to receive them as a positive and constructive move . Such approach could be a trend setter and pave way for the return of around 1.2 million Rohingya refugees who are now staying in 30 camps spread over 6000 acres in Bangladesh, with no idea as to what the future would hold for them.

Millions of refugees around the world have rushed to other countries and are staying permanently there causing social and economic problems for the regions. Rarely have the world seen instances of refugees returning back to their motherland.

When thousands of Rohingyas left Myanmar and reached Bangladesh, UN strongly condemned the Myanmar government and it’s military for the situation. Earlier, the Rohingya militants were causing huge violence in Myanmar and attacked several police stations and government establishments, which inevitably forced the Myanmar government to act to put down the rebels. UN did nothing and said nothing when the Rohingya militants created unrest in Myanmar and simply watched the situation from the gallery.

In all such cases, where refugees seek asylum in other countries , UN simply sympathised with the refugees and has nothing to say about the conflict that happened which resulted in refugees rushing out.

In most incidents of refugee exodus in the past, it could be seen that militants and separatists who call themselves as liberators and freedom fighters have waged war against the establishments, when the governments have to necessarily fight back to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the region. In the process, innocent people suffer and seek asylum elsewhere to protect themselves. While UN is able to do nothing to resolve such conflicts, it simply reacts by sympathizing with the refugees and blaming the governments for the refugee exodus.

The classic recent example is Sri Lanka where the UN has been unduly critical against the Sri Lankan government for it’s acts when it had to necessarily take steps to put down the rebels who wanted to split Sri Lanka and form a separate country. It was a case of civil war in Sri Lanka between the separatists / militants and the government and both the parties used strong arm methods and both the parties indulged in human rights violation. UN is selectively critical of Sri Lankan government which had to fight to safeguard the territorial integrity of the country and has nothing to say about the violent acts of the militants.

With 1.2 million refugees presently on the soil of Bangladesh, many wonder as to whether these Rohingya refugees would go back to Myanmar at all. If they would not do so, it would continue to be an unbearable burden on Bangladesh and situation would become further worse , as the refugee population in Bangladesh would further swell due to more births. With being fed and without any work or skill, the Myanmar refugees would become a huge population that could contribute to instability and social tension in Bangladesh.

Myanmar government has agreed to take back Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh and UN should facilitate this by coordinating between Myanmar and Bangladesh government in a proactive and positive manner.

While Bangladesh is facing huge crisis now due to influx of around 1.2 million refugees, the officials and office bearers of UN are sitting at safe distance and are making critical observations about India’s move to deport rohingya refugees with full cooperation of the Myanmar government. This clearly give an impression that UN is turning out to be an armchair critic.

When India has successfully taken steps to deport the seven Rohingya refugees, this move should be considered as a model for facilitating the return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar from Bangladesh. Good lessons have to be learnt from this move of India and based on this experience, the strategy to repatriate the refugees could be fine tuned.

Instead of viewing the whole exercise in a positive and proactive manner, the criticism of UN human rights officials against India’s move is acting as a damper and counter productive rhetoric.

In such scenario, one cannot but wonder whether UN has any credible and fair human rights policy at all and does it have any clarity on such issues.

Miracle on the Han River: Can Kelani emulate?

Thursday, 11 October 2018

If a country has grown with science and technology driven by its own internal research and development and deployment, Korea should enter into anyone’s mind – or does it? Certainly when one hears the story of the miracle on the Han river, the story is quite amazing and many a lesson are perhaps can be taken.

There is one catch – these lessons are not easy to emulate and do not come with recommendations for leisure and enjoyment but hard and smart work and also with sleepless nights and no golf either! A generation or two in Korea with concerted effort paved way for the following generations to achieve a different quality of life within an advanced society. We sadly only demonstrate our dancing prowess to Gangnam style and think we are with the times if we are doing that!

Having belittled Korea in early days, naming our slum areas as little Korea, we today queue in front of the Korean Embassy after diligently learning the language to seek relatively unskilled jobs. Sad indeed! Korea indeed was one of the least developed countries in the world following the Korean War (1950-1953) and the pictures from the era present really a grim picture. Douglas MacArthur, Commander in Chief of UN Forces in Korea, was on record having stated that the reconstruction of Korea would take at least a century! Koreans by act and deed rubbished that statement.

Korean GDP was only $ 80 in 1960. The difference today came in with the thinking of the decision makers, which includes politicians too. The Korean Government considered the advancement of Science and Technology (S&T) and the development of human resources to be the critical factors in advancing the country’s economy and that led to the establishment of KIST.

The idea came in with the understanding that Korea lacked both natural and financial resources and S&T was considered as the best option for the way forward. Blending human capital to develop S&T and through KIST the idea was proved right in couple of decades. I just cannot find such thinking from our archives. Hollow statements from hallowed premises appeared to have been the norm in many days in then Ceylon! Have we changed still is a moot question.



Korea Institute of Science and Technology

What is quite interesting is that central to this story of the Han miracle there is just one institute – KIST, which stands for Korea Institute of Science and Technology. KIST came up with the assistance of United States of America which happened consequent to a meeting on 18 May 1985 between Korean President Park Chung Hee and President Lyndon B. Johnson on US soil. When the two Heads of State met, they appeared to have discussed Science and Technology for Development and KIST became a reality. This too perhaps is unique.

KIST was founded in 1966 as the first comprehensive S&T research institute in Korea. Since then, KIST has been at the forefront of national development initially, of course carving out the reputation by doing just that!

KIST in early days acted as a think tank for the Government in developing national policies. Its input had been instrumental in forming the national S&T development plan and industrial development master plan. Initially research effort had been on meeting the technical needs of corporate entities in order to increase their market competitiveness.

Before the establishment of KIST, Korea had mainly relied on turnkey technologies brought in from overseas for product development, and product manufacturing. That development is possible and perhaps much more resilient through proper focused R&D was not something considered as a viable concept. However, President Park’s attitude and his steadfast belief that R&D as a top priority for the nation changed that.


Driving research

You cannot drive research just by a directive and KIST was a well-endowed institute and creating the environment with teams specifically established paved way to success. The lesson to lawmakers adjacent to Kelani River: Inculcate the same understanding that President Park had – the advancement of S&T as a prerequisite for the modernisation of a nation.

Coupled to this support was the reciprocity by Korean scientists with a sense of duty. The first President of KIST, Dr. Choi Hyung Sup, had five precepts and is important perhaps to know and reflect – Researchers must not lie about their research, researchers should devote themselves to their duties, researchers should make research a way of life at all times, researchers should not boast of what they know but reflect on what they do not know, and finally researchers should not be obsessed with personal wealth. A tough act to follow – I do not think so!

That Korea’s global economic status has evolved dramatically is not in doubt. It is interesting that Korean GDP is nicely correlating with intellectual property and also the number of lawyers engaged in such services is rising dramatically. Of course researchers and PhDs were at the heart of transformation. The essential support services were never ignored and today Korea stands as the number one country with respect to patents per GDP ratio.

The Bank of Korea considers intellectual property products in their quarterly bulletins and looks at investment towards IP products too in a similar fashion. Consider Sri Lankan financial statements even from the bluest of blue chips – you will not see intangible assets perhaps other than brand values being spoken about.

City by the Kelani should take some of these lessons. In fact many must have gone to Korea in the recent past for training and exposure.



Giving back

Another striking feature that you get to hear is – I heard this from a Korean delegation to Sri Lanka in Colombo – of their keenness to give back to the world, especially to those who are in need.

They consider it as a sense of duty – for having received support from outside, they want to do the same for others. It is to be noted that at the same time the KIST strategy developed after its origin in 1966, then Ceylon too had an industry report to move with chemical industries.

While our plan failed for lack of coherence, KIST heavy and chemical industry took off. Today KIST has just discovered how to determine the onset of Alzheimer’s quite early and the test is expected to be a million dollar industry! From cement to disease identification, KIST has traversed a significant distance while placing Korea on the highway to growth! Today the nominal GDP per capita in Korea is about $ 29,891.


Power of proper S&T

Little Korea has indeed shown the power of proper applied Science and Technology in National Development. Of course for all the policies if the people have no national attitude then all efforts and policies would be in vain. If the vanishing principle is paramount in the mindset along with my individual wealth and my asset base, the struggle for transformation of Sri Lanka is an uphill effort.

KIST had the reputation as a lab that never slept in those formative days and the hierarchy had strict guidelines for researchers and leaders – no gambling and no golf! A virtuous journey should have had some interesting ingredients and the more you dig into Korea’s story the more it becomes inspiring. What is perplexing from our side is, lessons are never read! As the case with our examinations. We want to pass with both Q&A known in advance!

That reminds me – in Korea if there are schools nearby and the students there are taking a listening and comprehension examination, even planes would not take off in respect of the examination activity happening close to the airport! The narrative need not be repeated for lessons to be learnt; I hope the lessons to be taken are obvious. It is time that we should come to understand that tea, tourism and cricket are unlikely to take us to such heights.