Peace for the World

Peace for the World
First democratic leader of Justice the Godfather of the Sri Lankan Tamil Struggle: Honourable Samuel James Veluppillai Chelvanayakam

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Minister Baird Meets Sri Lankan Minister of External Affairs in New York City

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September 22, 2011
New York City

Minister Baird Meets Sri Lankan Minister of External Affairs in New York City
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird meets with G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, at the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on September 22, 2011.
This was the two ministers' first formal bilateral meeting. They discussed a broad range of subjects, including the Commonwealth, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
Minister Baird urged Sri Lanka to advance a process of reconciliation and expressed concerns over lack of accountability and a growing trend toward authoritarianism in that country.
He also reiterated Prime Minister Stephen Harper's concerns about Sri Lanka hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2013.
Minister Baird supports calls for an independent investigation into credible allegations of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights committed by both sides of the conflict in Sri Lanka.
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September 20, 2011
New York City

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird attends the 66th UN General Assembly in New York City from September 20 to 27, 2011.
As a founding United Nations member and one of its leading contributors, Canada continues to believe in the UN's potential to contribute to peace, security and prosperity. Canada will help ensure the UN remains relevant and effective in confronting major global issues.


Address by the Honourable John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to the United Nations General Assembly

Sri Lankan justice plays out in foreign courtrooms

HomeRichard Walker's picture27 September 2011 

    Major General Shavendra Silva


    Three cases around the world reflect a new trend in international justice – while Sri Lanka shows no intention of properly dealing with accusations its military committed atrocities in the closing months of the civil war in 2009, cases have opened in the Netherlands, Switzerland and the U.S. against both the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan military.
    By Richard Walker in The Hague
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    On Monday two ethnic Tamils filed a case in New York against a Sri Lankan general now serving as a UN diplomat. They claim Major General Shavendra Silva was commanding officer of the army’s 58th Division which helped crush the Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009 – and in so doing killed thousands of civilians through the shelling of no-fire zones and hospitals. The case is using the US’s universal jurisdiction to prosecute war crimes outside of its territory.
    More >
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    Tamils slam renovation plans for Dutch fort


    • HomeTUESDAY 27 SEPTEMBER
    The entrance to Jaffna fort

    Tamils in the north of Sri Lanka have slammed proposals by President Mahinda Rajapakse to rebuild the former Dutch military fort in Jaffna in the north  of the island, which is Tamil territory. They say the current renovation plans, which are partly paid for by the Dutch government, do not acknowledge the rights of the Tamil people.
    The Jaffna fort was built in the 17th century by Portuguese merchants and missionaries in the area. A few decades later the Portuguese lost the fort to the Dutch East India Company (VOC) after a siege. The Dutch rebuilt it and occupied it until the late 18th century, when the British rulers took over.        Full Story>>>

    Rajapakse returns: sordid attempts to buy over 4 opposition candidates begin





    (Lanka-e-News -27.Sep.2011, 11.00P.M.) President Mahinda Rajapakse who led a mega delegation to New York returned to Sri Lanka hastily ,after hearing that a litigation suit has been filed in US courts against a Sri Lanka Diplomat despite the diplomatic immunity that attaches to him.

    As the campaign of the UPFA to win the Colombo Municipal elections is floundering , already unscrupulous measures are under way ,to buy over four candidates contesting under the UNP list. The President is already busy in this direction ,sources within the UPFA say.

    It is learnt that two UNP ers from Colombo list and two from the Dehiwala – Galkissa list are being offered Rs. 25 lakhs each , as well as jobs in Korea are being promised to their close relatives to rope in the UNP candidates into the UPFA.Meanwhile the election campaign of UPFA Mayoral candidate Milinda Moragoda had proved a flop last week. Gotabaya Rajapakse who has incurred the maximum displeasure of a majority of the people in the demolition of common man’s abodes and displacing them being depended upon by Milinda in his election campaign had evoked peels of laughter among all. They say this is the most ridiculous part of Milinda’s campaign, and he has thereby become the butt of a big stupid joke. The UPFA supporters are thoroughly disillusioned with getting Gotabaya into the campaign , for they are of the view that Gotabaya is a well noted ‘gorakaya’ who does not know to talk to people without ever flying into a demonic rage.
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    Mahinda Rajapaksa- Let his conscience be his own judge


    by Subramanaim Masilamany
    (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to,the Sri Lanka Guardian)

    (September 26, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sir, you may instigate racism, fanaticism and terrorism to scare your people, but the truth of the matter is Sri Lanka is better off in the hands of Tamils.

    In the International Lions club, we frequently use this phrase, “Let your conscience be your own judge” to draw the attention of our members to root their decision in the righteousness of their conscience; for a man of conscience seldom errs.

    Do not drag Palestinians into this moral content of
    your behaviour. Palestinians can learn one thing
    from we Tamils, you do what you can do with what
    you have. There are great opportunities for them to
    prove to the world that they have something to offer
     to the world.
    I am asking Mahinda Rajapaksa that can you account for four direct murders accredited to your account, 5653 number of missing or dead persons under your watch, 40,000 Tamil innocent killed and accounted for, 150,000 people missing and unaccounted for, and killer of Lasantha Wickrematunge not brought to justice and Pregeeth Ehnilgoda not found. When you cannot provide answers to any one of them the moral justice points finger at your complicity. It has to be, or you do not have even a meagrely functional law enforcement and judiciary. Basically you say we have a barbaric culture of right of the might and blood in your hands and flesh in your teeth. You have not even made an attempt to refute the claims.
     Read More

    Channel 4 Documentary ‘Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields’ to be screened in Canadian Parliament


    LogoHuman Rights Watch is screening the Channel 4 documentary “Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields” in Canadian Parliament on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 6 p.m. The event will be hosted by Patrick Brown, Member of Parliament for Barrie and will include a discussion with Elaine Pearson, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch.
    First aired on British television in June, “Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields” captures, through live footage and extensive interviews with witnesses, the atrocities committed against civilians during the Sri Lankan Armed Forces’ final campaign to defeat the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in early 2009.
    The film was recently screened by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch to wide acclaim at the United Nations in New York and Geneva, and has fueled renewed calls for an international response to these crimes.Courtesy:  TamilCanadianPublished on:     Sep 27, 2011 1:47:34 GMT
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    Gota using Shavendra as guinea pig and his case for his own – Mahinda returns hastily when case is filed in NY

    Tuesday, September 27, 2011



    Gota using Shavendra as guinea pig and his case for his own – Mahinda returns hastily when case is filed in NY(Lanka-e-News -26.Sep.2011, 11.50P.M.) Gotabaya Rajapakse is anxiously awaiting the case filed by US district court against SL Deputy High Commissioner to the UN , Shavendra Silva. He is looking forward to using this case to serve his own ends , according to reports reaching Lanka e news.

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    Tuesday, September 27, 2011

    U.N. review on response in Eelam War IV

    Return to frontpageCOLOMBO, September 27, 2011
    Signalling more trouble for Sri Lanka, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has initiated a review of the U.N.'s actions regarding the implementation of its humanitarian and protection mandates during the Eelam War IV and its immediate aftermath.      Full Story>>>

    Baird delivers fierce defence of Israel at UN Read more:




    “Canada will not accept or stay silent while the Jewish state is attacked for defending its territory and its citizens." — Foreign Affairs Minister John BairdOTTAWA — In a strident speech heavy with references to the Second World War and the Cold War, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird launched a full-on defence of Israel at the UN in New York on Monday before criticizing a number of countries for their treatment of religious minorities, including China.


    Baird said that while fascism and communism were the biggest threats facing previous generations, terrorism is the greatest threat today.

    And far too often, the Jewish state is on the front line in our struggle and its people are the victims of terror," he said in reference to Israel
    Read more: >>>
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    Tuesday, September 27, 2011


    Sri Lanka says war general has diplomatic immunity

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    COLOMBO — A Sri Lankan general serving as a UN diplomat in New York has diplomatic immunity, the government in Colombo said Tuesday, after a US court issued him with a summons over the island's bloody ethnic war.
    A civil case has been filed against Major General Shavendra Silva on behalf of two people whose relatives were killed in the final days of the conflict, which ended in a military onslaught against Tamil separatists in 2009.
    Silva, who is Sri Lanka's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, was served with the summons at his New York residence on Friday.
    Sri Lanka's defeat of the Tamil Tiger rebels after decades of fighting has attracted accusations that both sides were guilty of atrocities in the final months of combat.
    One UN report accused Sri Lankan troops of killing thousands of civilians in bombing attacks.
    "Ambassador Shavendra Silva is protected by the relevant international treaties on diplomatic relations, immunities and privileges," the Sri Lankan foreign ministry said in a statement.
    Silva was commanding officer of the army's 58th Division, which played a key role on the war's frontline.
    A UN panel of experts said in April that the Sri Lankan army killed most of the tens of thousands of civilian victims of the final offensive in 2009, but both sides could have been guilty of war crimes.
    A documentary shown on Britain's Channel Four in June said the military shelled civilian targets and showed footage of what it said were prisoner executions and the bodies of sexually assaulted Tamil Tiger fighters.


    Body found at explosion site

    TUESDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 2011
    A charred body of a soldier was found by the army this morning from the explosion site inside the Weerawila Army Camp where an ammunition dump exploded on Monday evening, Military Spokesman Brigadier Nihal Hapuarchchi said.

    He said that the solider had gone to the ammunition dump to collect several ammunition rounds as a firing exercise was held in the camp last evening when the explosion had taken place.

    “We could not go to the site because the explosions continued,” he said. Two soldiers were also injured during the explosion at the army camp situated in close proximity to the Weerawila Air Force Base.

    A five member committee headed by a Brigadier has been appointed by Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya to look into the explosion.

    “We still do not know what happened and how he was killed,” he added. The victim has been identified as Private Anthony of the Gemunu Regiment.

    The incident took place at around 4pm in the ammunition dump maintained by the Gajaba Regiment at the army camp in Weerawila. The explosion was followed by a number of small explosions of low magnitude.

    The 14th Gemunu Watch camp has two ammunition dumps. One is maintained by the Gajaba Regiment and the other by the 122nd brigade. The Weerawila camp where the explosion took place had comprised about 100 soldiers as it is a relatively small camp.

    Meanwhile police media spokesman SSP Maxi Proctor said that the police are assisting the army and the Government Analyst in conducting the investigations into the Weerawila Camp explosion. (Supun Dias)

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    Court orders Tamalini’s counsel to consult AG

    TUESDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 2011

    By T. Farook Thajudeen
    The Colombo Chief Magistrate yesterday directed the counsel for the LTTE Women’s Division Leader Subramaniam Sivagami  alias Tamalini to talk with the Attorney General about Tamalini  in order  to send her for  rehabilitation  to enable her  to get back to society.
    The Magistrate Rashmi Singapulli made this direction on the suspects Counsel Manjula Pathiraja  appearing with Namal Rajapaksa on considering the  submissions  submitted by the suspects counsel that the  suspect who was remanded for over two years in remand prison  was  undergoing imprisonment and hardships  without  being charged.

    My son is innocent, says mother of Rajiv 'assassin'

    rediff.com


    On a multi-city tour to promote the book 'An Appeal from the Death Row', a determined mother believes her son A G Perarivalan, the convicted 'author-on-a-death-row,' is an innocent man.
    Perarivalan, who is facing a death sentence in connection with the 1991 assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi [ Images ], has penned his version of 'truth' in the form of a book originally written in Tamil.
    More 
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    ‘Return seized gold to Tamils’




    Last Updated : 27 Sep 2011 10:41:57 AM IST


    COLOMBO: The Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) has requested the Sri Lankan government to return the gold seized from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during the fag end of the war to the Tamils in the island nation.
    A resolution passed at the TULF’s convention in Jaffna on Sunday said the LTTE had collected gold from people to finance its movement, which was aimed at securing an independent Eelam. The LTTE had promised to return the gold to its rightful owners when the objective was attained and had issued receipts to make it possible.
    Full Story>>>

    Monday, September 26, 2011

    Family deprived of hope

    Natalie O'Brien September 25, 2011
    Sri Lankan refugee children are still behind bars.
    Sri Lankan refugee children are still behind bars.

    VAHESAN RAHAVAN will celebrate his first birthday today with a big cake, but there will be no record of the occasion.
    Vahesan, the son of Tamil refugees, has never had his photo taken. That's because the toddler has spent every day of his young life in detention, where no cameras are allowed.
    He, his sister and brother, Atputha and Abhinayan, pictured, and his father, Yogachandran, a former chicken farmer, and his mother, Sumathi, are being detained indefinitely despite being assessed as refugees.
    Read more:>>>
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    Church accused of 'being silent'

    BBCSinhala.com

    'It was a barrage of artillery, mortar, multi-barrel shelling and cluster bombs, weapons which Sri Lankan government denies using on the civilians in the no fire zone'

    Satellite images of shelling in civilian zone (file photo: May 2009)A Catholic priest who stayed in a government declared 'safe zone' during the last stages of war has strongly criticised the Church in Sri Lanka for being silent about the plight of trapped civilians.
    In an open letter to the Pope, Fr GA Francis Joseph has blasted Church authorities for not raising its voice at a time some western countries and the UN 'voiced their dismay' at Sri Lanka government's military strategy.
    "Last night's toll of the dead is 3318 and of the injured more than 4000," the letter sent on 10 May, 2009 and seen by the BBC Sinhala service, Sandeshaya stated.
    Full Story>>>
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    Targeted attacks in Jaffna show war of Establishments against Eezham Tamils

    TamilNet[TamilNet, Monday, 26 September 2011, 23:50 GMT]
    The US Asst. Secretary of State visiting the island recently wanted the ‘Grease Devil’ attacks to be stopped as though the ‘switch’ was in his hand. But targeted attacks taking place in Jaffna after his visit, against the backdrop of dubious manoeuvrings currently engineered in the West, only show a continued and concerted war waged against Eezham Tamils by elements in the Establishments guilty of genocide trying politics of intimidation, commented political circles in Jaffna. A house of a judge, two doctors and a bank official were targeted in the attacks in Jaffna last week taking the life of one and injuring at least seven in localities swamped by occupying SL military. The student community in Jaffna would have performed much better by showing righteous resentment to the visiting US dignitary rather than allowing its hijack by the EPDP, the political circles further said.   
    Full story >>  

    Rajapakse panicking following the Washington lawsuit sends his wife, a Christian to Buddhist temple in his place

    (Lanka-e-News -25.Sep.2011, 3.00P.M.) Following the legal suit filed by an Organization of the Washington University law faculty against a Sri Lankan Diplomat, his diplomatic immunity notwithstanding, the President Rajapakse was in a state of shock and panic in New York . Gripped by the fear which held him back from traveling outside the bounds of New York , he decided to send his wife of the Christian faith in his place to the Buddhist Temple in Queens to partake in the temple function which he had previously agreed to attend.More >>
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    Monks destroy Muslim shrine as police stand idle



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    BBC News  But a prominent Muslim in the area said he was very sad and the sentiment was shared by many Sinhalese too.  
    Full Story>>>
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    Ganadeviya (deity) statue at Anurapura burnt down using tires


     (Lanka-e-News -16.March.2011, 11.00PM) According to reports reaching Lanka e news, a Hindu Temple situated at Devanam piyatissa Mawatha, Anuradhapura had been set on fire by a violent marauding group on the 14th night.

    This Temple which had been in existence since 1983, are visited by Tamil as well as Sinhala people for religious activities. 

    Full Story>>>
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    ‘Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields’

    “You can bend it and twist it... You can misuse and abuse it... But even God cannot change the Truth.”
    by Gareth Thomas
    ( July 02, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) I rise to raise two issues. 
                                   Read More
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    TamilNetBishop's House appeals to Vatican to urge Colombo to renovate Vanni churches